"I am used to dealing directly with people," Felwinter said, even as he took a step away to try and reassert some of his own space from the man. "It was not very often. I suppose when you live on a mountain peak, people get the message. If you do not want to talk to people then perhaps you should find somewhere less accessible."

All he'd wanted was to be left alone, and they'd finally found that. But there were people at the foot of his mountain, people he'd learned he could relate to, and whom he could possibly help. That had Complicated things.

"Next time, if you prefer, I shall call, then," he continued, looking down at the glitter on the floor again, perhaps still waiting for some explanation about that.