Entirely voluntary, nothing; it's reflexive protection of personal personal space, reminding himself that the User world is different, that it wasn't intentional, and after all for Programs intent decides things--no offense meant and none received, and he'll just keep that sudden pop of charge to himself.

"Hah! Well, that too," lift of the eyebrow, toss of the head; no harm, no foul, it's all just good fun. "Stop me when I get too literal, huh? It's a thing we Programs do."

"I'm not hurt," full-body shrug. "You just...surprised me."

Well, hello, apologetic grin with fascinating external curvature--what is the purpose of this structure in nature, all planes and edges and sharp, predatory finish?

Meet the very best and most sincere boyish grin he stole from the grandad of all mischief-making layabouts. Is it real? Does that matter?

"You be careful;" it's a different harmonic, tinny in its electric too-precise mimicry, "or I'll just take you up on that someday."

He starts by lifting that arm; now, was it this way that he grabbed?

"Can you show me yours--I mean, what were you doing, before?"

Says the guy who has no idea he just volunteered to get thrown.