Stein relaxed a bit. "Oh, good," he said, smiling. "Between various things you said, I thought he was neglecting you."

He blinked at her for a moment, then touched the bolt as he realized what she meant. "Don't worry about it, I guess I'm just used to it being there. At first I kept catching it on my shirts. So long as you don't turn it, it won't bother me at all if you touch around the base." He shrugged, turning around and slouching a bit to make it easier for her to get at him. "You won't hurt me even if you do turn it, just make me go a little funny for a second. Turning it helps me organize my thoughts, so if you turn it the wrong way, it's a bit weird."