“And don’t think of yourself as a problem,” Dex said, a protective edge entering their voice. “If they have an issue with you, that’s on them. And it’s not even about you, personally. They just … don’t understand what you are. Or maybe they can’t fit you into their beliefs, and that scares them. The unknown makes us stupid sometimes.” Mosscap considered this seriously. “Like elk,” it said. “Sorry?” Dex said. “Elk don’t understand robots, either. We confuse them, and that makes them afraid, and then they can get … well, disagreeable.”Mosscap nodded to itself. “I never take it personally, with elk. You have to let them come to you instead of you going to them.” Its eyes brightened a touch. “I understand that.” It shifted to face them directly.“Have you ever been charged by an elk, Sibling Dex?” “I … have not.” “Mmm,” Mosscap replied. It looked out at the sea. “I don’t recommend it.”

— A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers (Monk & Robot, #2) (59%)