"Mary insists that I spend more time interacting with humans and participating in their social gatherings," Deedee sighed.
"It is good for you," said Mary as she handed him the chicken and whispered something into his ear.
He examined the chicken, gave it a light toss, and caught it. "I suppose so."

Greta chuckled, "Well it certainly couldn't hurt," she said, "maybe I can help with that, I'm a human, after all,"

"I study human sociology," Randy offered. "You shouldn't be lacking in reference material."
"Yes, yes." Deedee waved a hand at them, chicken tucked beneath his other arm. "If I should need any assistance, I know where to look."

Katie tugged on Deedee's sleeve, "I think that chicken wants to be put down," she said.

Deedee frowned. "What?" He looked at the chicken, which wriggled and grasped at the air with its feet. "Oh, yes. Off you go." He tossed the bird gently back to the ground and dusted off his coat where it had touched him. "What purpose is served by this 'petting zoo'? I see the opportunity for observation, but there isn't much to be done by way of experiment."

Katie raised an eyebrow, "Are you for real?" she asked flatly, "Just watch!" she said walking over to one of the fat, shaggy ponies and stroking it's muzzle, the animal whinnied softly and nuzzled into her hand happily, "This is what it's all about!" she said giving the pony's nose a kiss.

Deedee's ears lowered as he tried to find the significance of what she was doing. "Well, I see that 'petting' is in the title, but what function does it serve?" he questioned.
"It is purely for entertainment," stated Randy.
Deedee squinted at a nearby goat. "What is entertaining about that?"

The goat made a happy bleating noise and chewed Deedee's sleeve in response.

"Stop that!" Deedee pulled his sleeve away. "You derive enjoyment from simple interaction with these beasts despite their lack of higher understanding?"

Katie hugged the pony, "Of course, they're warm and fun to cuddle,"

Deedee frowned again and took mental note.
"Perhaps you should try it," said Mary.
"That? I should... embrace this creature as though it were family?"
"You could learn something from the experience," said Randy, trying not to grin at the thought of Deedee hugging a pony--which was, of course, the main reason for his encouragement.

Katie lead the pony over to Deedee and took his hand, "You have to be really easy when you pet him!" she said guiding his hand slowly across the pony's velvety nose.

"I see." Deedee stroked the animal gently, gathering data through touch and storing it in his computer. Sequences of information showed in his eyes as he cataloged the pony's size, color, and genetic makeup.
"Deedee," Mary reminded him, "you are supposed to be connecting with the animal, not studying it!"

Katie snorted, "Stop examining him and just feel!" she ordered, the pony made a soft noise and nuzzled into Deedee's hand, wanting to be petted.

He rubbed at its nose some more, though without using the action to collect data it seemed even more pointless to him. "What am I supposed to be gaining from this?"

The pony rubbed against his hand, making pleased, snorting noises. "He likes you!" said Katie.

"Easy to please, aren't you?" Deedee addressed the pony blandly.

The pony tossed its mane, "You're supposed to like petting him because it makes you feel nice and he enjoys it," said Katie with a roll of her eyes. "Honestly, for a smart person you don't know anything!"

"Saucy little thing," Deedee noted, more as a simple observation than a reaction. "Animals are subjects for study. They bring me the most joy when they are cut open and spilling all of their genetic codes and secrets."

Katie gave a little squeak, "That's awful! You're terrible!" she said, glaring accusingly at him while shoving him away from the pony as though to protect it from him.

Deedee seemed mildly confused and turned to Randy, Greta, and Mary for assistance.

Greta cleared her throat, "Many people like animals and it's very insensitive of you to talk about liking to see them cut up," she explained.

Randy nodded in agreement. Deedee furrowed his brow and looked to Mary, who gave him a gentle smile of confirmation. He turned his focus back to Katie.
"Scientific work allows for great advances in both medicine and technology," he stated, expecting that to clear things up.

Katie snorted, "I don't care!" she gave the pony a pat, "I won't be friends with anyone who likes seeing animals chopped up! No negotiations!" she gave him a venomous glare.

"I find that most unreasonable," said Deedee.
"Children often are," Mary added pleasantly.

"Well you're a cold, unfeeling jerk so I guess what you think doesn't matter, does it?" Katie stated stated, using the same tone on Deedee that Alissa had often used to dismiss Winston.

Randy chuckled and shook his head at this observation. "You know, that is a terrible thing to say."

"Well he shouldn't be such a jerkface," she muttered.

Mary cooed and reached up to give Deedee a pat. "Deedee is not a jerkface," she protested with a sweet smile. "He just hasn't spent much time around humans, especially children. We are here today to learn more about both!"

Katie looked Deedee up and down, "I don't think there's any hope for him," she stated bluntly.

Randy gave her a flick on the ear. "Be nice," he said with a grin.

Katie snorted but refrained from making any further comments.

"Just as well, I think I will go and have a look at a different station," said Deedee. "I am very intrigued by some of these games..."

"I think that may be for the best," said Greta with a nod, "I hope you understand how normal people work before you try to talk to them again!" said Katie, unable to resist a final jab.

This time, Deedee gave the only appropriate human response: he blew a raspberry at her. "Come, Mary! We've got obese people to dunk and balloons to burst!"

Katie returned his raspberry. "I think you've been spending a little to much time with your father, his obstinate behavior is rubbing off on you," commented Greta pinching her cheek.

"Me, obstinate?" Randy blinked innocently. "Don't be ridiculous."

Greta snorted and gave him a shove.

He snapped his teeth at her. "I am a perfectly agreeable individual aren't I?" he asked Katie.

Katie smirked at him, "Most of the time..." she said with a snicker. It was at this point that they encountered Nine and his new....girlfriend.