[The patting is a good start, but she is at least aware of Felicia's discomfort enough to discontinue it after a reasonable amount of time. PM offers Felicia a sheepish look.]
Oh, forgive me. You must normally not hug people without your mechadens, right? It is probably very different this way. After all, I have not been this soft-shelled in such a long time that even the patting felt unusual.