[R4OXY]

The droid makes an odd sound. *Could an individual not seek out bonds and thereby be repaired?*

[Dr. Cole Ormont]

“If the damage isn’t too extensive, the prognosis can be excellent. But formation of emotional bonds is not simple.” Sighing, “take Specialist Varliss, for example. He is smart, skilled, and has taken a dislike to me. Perhaps I have offended him in some way, I simply don’t know.”

[R4OXY]

*Can one not inquire as to whether offense has occurred and attempt to correct it if so?*

[Dr. Cole Ormont]

“Such matters are often difficult to discuss, for little reward.” Cole ran his hand through hair guiltily, “the campaign will be done soon, perhaps it would be better to leave things as they lie, rather than intrude.”

[R4OXY]

The droid moves back and forth on ze's treads. *But if bonds have become damaged, then repair is required. Leaving things 'as they lie' will merely put maintenance off further and cause more damage. Why would you hesitate to discuss this?*

[Dr. Cole Ormont]

Cole made a discomforted sound, “the pre-existing bond, if there was one, wasn’t strong. It would likely cause more damage to force a discussion on the matter. He has as much right to his opinions as anyone else. He’s not obligated to like me.”

[R4OXY]

R4 paused in ze's permutations. *Consent is required for such a bond. If he does not wish to form one, that is logical to not proceed. But if you do not know what occurred, how will you know if he is upset? And if more data is not acquired, how will you keep similar circumstances from occurring in the future?*

[Dr. Cole Ormont]

Cole inhaled through his teeth and considered his response. “The galaxy is a big place, there will always be someone who dislikes me, it’s a simple fact of existence.”

[R4OXY]

*Are you having an emotional reaction now?*

[Dr. Cole Ormont]

“Sentients experience emotional reactions pretty much constantly.”

[R4OXY]

*That is a factual statement but not an answer to the question. Are you being evasive?*

[Dr. Cole Ormont]

“Not intentionally. I am experiencing multiple emotions at this time.”

[R4OXY]

*Ahh. That sounds complex* The droid uses ze's appendage to pat his hand as ze had the previous day. It seemed like it might be useful in multiple types of situations.

[Dr. Cole Ormont]

“Emotions rarely occur alone, it can be difficult to navigate, especially under stressful circumstances.” The droid’s was welcome, but it didn’t seem to carry the same weight as the previous day.

[R4OXY]

*Are there methods of coping with such things? Or routines one can follow?*

R4 noted the lack of usefulness of the gesture and postulated that it was only to be used at certain times and not at any moment of emotional upheaval. The droid added this into ze's mental bank of organic life quirks and continued on.

[Dr. Cole Ormont]

“Like everything about sentients, it depends on many factors, but meditation can be very useful in calming tumultuous emotion.”

[R4OXY]

The droid pondered this. *I see.* Ze swiveled ze's eye port towards Dr. Cole. *On my previous visit with you, this gesture was useful in providing comfort. But on this time, it was not. Why is that?*

[Dr. Cole Ormont]

“That is my fault, Ar-for,” Cole ran a hand through his hair, “a... fault in my programming, that makes it difficult for me to accept such gestures.”

[R4OXY]

*Ahh. That sounds difficult. It is needed. But it cannot be accepted easily.* The droid ponders this topic, running it through some background processors.

*Is this why you do not seek out further emotional bonds?*

[Dr. Cole Ormont]

“No,” Cole said quickly, then stopped and corrected himself, “it’s one of the reasons.”

[R4OXY]

*That is difficult, both for you and any who seek to bond with you. If they cannot know if a gesture is wanted or not, then they cannot know if it will be effective. That is a complex dilemma.*

The droid moved slightly closer, trying to analyze his face and mostly failing. Ze would have to find some matter of algorithm for facial expressions. Perhaps one of the protocol droids had developed one. That was part of their programming after all.

[Dr. Cole Ormont]

The corner of Cole's mouth turned up in a fragile smile, "alas, sentients are complex beings and many of them never gain proper understanding of themselves." He thought for a moment, running a hand through his hair, "do you understand yourself, Ar-for?"

[R4OXY]

The droid pauses. *That is a mildly difficult statement to answer correctly. Do I know myself? I know parts of myself.*

R4 bobs ze's chassis down, moving ze's optic port away. *Unfortunately, there are parts of myself I will never have access to. They have been partitioned without my consent. So I cannot say that I know myself, because there are parts I will never know. But I know enough right now. I must know enough right now. There is no one else to know it for me.*

[Dr. Cole Ormont]

It was a very droid answer, and Cole wasn't sure what he expected. "Well, knowing that there are gaps in one's knowledge is the most essential step in learning."

[R4OXY]

The droid spins ze's chassis. *It is not a gap in my knowledge, persay. It is a gap in my...self. There are things I am not allowed to know. My...previous employers thought it prudent.*