Valdis wasn't the first person to ask that particular question. Silvanes, Szandor, Kassina -- all of them had trouble understanding why X could speak to them, understand them, help them, without running as fast as he could in the opposite direction. They all thought he'd only see the terrible choices, the cons, the murder, the anger. And all X ever saw was the hurt and the pain that drove and forced those choices.

He gave Valdis the same answer he gave them, returning her look, echoing her attention on the subject, but still practising the counter and the block she'd given him.

"I can't be," he said. "I can't be scared of you without also being scared of myself. It doesn't help." He smiled a little. "Besides, I don't think there's quite as much to be afraid of as you think. You're powerful, I know that, but I've also seen all the progress you made, all the people you helped in Keeliai and all the good you try to do here. I have the objectivity to know both sides of you, and I have the good fortune to know who you are now. Or -- at least who you were two months ago."