#animator vs programmer

The process was understood: Relocate the assets’ required energy intake into the designated locations for efficient refueling. Dispose of contaminated matter on assets’ physical form to prevent unacceptable malformations in assets’ functionality due to infection by viruses. Assess assets’ condition via visual and physical examination to evaluate functionality and determine if recalibration will be necessary.

It was familiar with all of these processes; it had undergone all of them many times…it was just odd being the one doing them, and not the other way around.

Red, the administrator of this section of the base, was impossibly patient. He had yet to demean it for the several failings it had already committed at the tasks. So many times in the past hour did it miscalculate or misstep or misspeak and brace for pain discipline physical reeducation only for him to do…something…with his face(it looked like a frown but wrong) and offer advice or physical support.

The task was finally completed. It was far less efficient than would normally be tolerated, though it knew assigning false blame to its’ still healing eyes would only lead to those eyes being recalibrated. But it knew from experience that falsifying functionality would only lead to more recalibration, so when the administrator asked how its vision was working, it told the truth and waited for him to send it to Her.

“If you had told me your eyes were still adjusting, I would’ve suggested we do something easier.”

“Failure in the tool to perform is the fault of the tool, never the user.”

“I’m not-” He was upset. It had given an incorrect response. “You are not a tool! I asked you to help me because having something to do helps me process stuff! I-I thought you might want a break from everything for a little bit.”

“It-This-You-...I do not understand.”

The administrator Red made an unknown expression(disappointment but misdirected). Then he gestured for his prize asset, designated Reubin, to approach. He picked him up and…wrapped his arms around him?

“Listen to me, Ovy,” He used the abbreviated designation he and the other administrators others assigned several days ago, “You are never, and will never, be forced to do something you do not want to do unless it is absolutely necessary for your health.” He looked it in its faulty eyes the whole time. “We help each other, provide for each other, are there for each other not because we’re forced to, but because we want to.”

“You’re our sibling,” Red put an unexpected emphasis on that last word. It knew they were technologically related-five made by Her-so it didn’t understand why that was being reacknowledged. “And I’m so sorry we weren’t there for you. But we’re together now. And now, I am asking-not ordering-do you want to pet Reuben?”

“...What is petting?”

So Red showed it how to pet an asset animal. How to let them sniff its hand and scratch behind the ears and hold them properly.