The question had been an innocuous one, but if Felwinter caught on to the defensive shift of the other, he made no obvious response to it. If Tony had some kind of qualms about being known as the rock whisperer than that was hardly his concern.

"I have no idea. But if it's been mentioned specifically then perhaps it was formerly common knowledge." He straightened from studying the painting. "Do we need to reestablish this communication between us?" Despite the fact that they were talking about speaking with mushrooms, Felwinter was obviously serious as usual.