"Obviously not. Hence, why I practised on Raine." There were times when stating the obvious was fun. Other times ... it was just silly.

Solomon took a few slow breaths, not the sort as if he was trying to gear himself up, but more preparatory, as a lead-in for what he was about to do. It stilled his mind. He'd found that though his brain translated things through his eyes, just trying to focus his sight didn't do much. There wasn't any sight to focus.

But when he was calm, and receptive, he could see a little more. Provided he could be as receptive toward Valdis as he could toward Raine. That part may be a little bit difficult.

"I might need to ask you some questions," he said, and unlike usually his tone was even and neutral. Not even carefully, pointedly neutral; just neutral. "It's easier when there's a connection."