Yes. [There's no use lying about it, and he frowns, trying to figure out how to explain this to someone who's never experienced telepathy before, without his telepathy to help explain it.] The shields help.

I need you to try and focus on just my mind, and I can project what I do to keep it from being overwhelming. Can you hear me? [He manages a sort of apologetic smile.] I've never been on this side of the connection before.