He gets the satisfaction of startling her, at least judging by the jolt through her armored form. And he earns a slight nod once she's taken in his performance: she didn't expect him to play along this much, but he's very good at it. That ought to draw some attention, keep it up.

She deliberately led them down a hallway without any obvious crew, to minimize the chances that an organic would respond. Still, it might take a couple of tries - and one case of a startled Arid grabbing a would be jumpscare slasher by the arms - before their fishing expedition gets the correct bite. Sort of.

A door they pass slides open to allow a stubby, waist-high robot through. Arid lets out a low murmur of "Success!" as the unfamiliar model rolls out to scan Hank with a single glowing optic built into its rounded cap. It doesn't look at all humanoid, and when it pipes up to address the human it's in an incomprehensible series of beeps and trills. She hastily moves to interpose herself, leaning over the smaller bot. "Greetings. Please identify yourself and state your primary function."

In response, the smaller droid gives her a sharp whistle: whatever it says, Arid jerks back slightly. "Ex... cuse me??"