The monolith was still concerning and viewed with suspicion, but as long as he didn't directly touch it, Stephen didn't feel threatened.
"I wanted to read my book outside, and saw you here." He lifted the book he brought to make it more believable. It was a little white lie, but it sounded better than I was watching you from my bedroom window.
He sat down upon the brushed area, cross legged. "It's about alchemy, but less magical than I hoped, and more philosophical. Still, it's interesting."