From http://bugs.gentoo.org/show_bug.cgi?id=34755

One can change and rename the auto away messages for gnomeicu in the
preferences dialog. When changing the status (e.g. from "online" to "away")
a dialog pops up that allows you the enter a custom message or chose from
one of the preset ones. However, when you change the status for the first
time after the application has been started, the text area will always
contain the message "User is
currently away.  Please leave a message and have a great day!" which seems
to be hard-coded because none of my preset away messages contains that text
anymore.

There is even a "set as default" button in the preferences dialog. But this
seems to be broken as it doesn't change the behaviour I've just described.