[As hints to pounce on go, it's the very tiniest. But she pounces. He's been colder. If he means that, beyond just deflecting her again. She does not know many places in the world that are colder. And she does not know many kinds of men who go to these places.

Maybe a little more of a line, a bigger bait? He's obstinate, and it's downright impossible to do this when he insists on using writing. If only they were truly speaking, why, she's sure...!]

There won't be help if you're frostbitten. There used to be this... but it's stopped now. One man had to cut his own toes off.

[The chronology is a little off, there, but he won't know it.]