( Laughter probably isn't the appropriate response here; to his credit it's maintained at a quiet, breathy chuckle. It's not over the topic of conversation, so much as it is Nate's own self-consciousness about it. )

I can see some of the roots shining through, yeah.

( Amiably, but without judgment. Happy to concede to Nate's self assessment.

Maybe some people would get hung up on it not being your expected first date material subject, but he really wouldn't trade it for vapid bullshit. Interesting and complex beats out so what do you do in your free time — or whatever the fuck people are supposed to talk about — by a mile. Besides, it feels like they've known each other forever at this point. That's only half true, he knows, but in any case it doesn't feel all that different from the time they'd spend together before this, just hanging out.

Nicer shirts and more anxious nerves, maybe, but aside from that.

The point is: don't censor yourself to meet weird unspoken expectations, dude. He's with you. )

Anyway, one time this pissed off old lady in a grocery store spent twenty minutes telling me I was going to hell because my best friend Dusty got stoned and pierced my ear, so I guess you could say I'm a total expert on religious theology. Everything you're saying... one hundred percent tracks with the scrolls.

( A beat. )

I'm assuming there are scrolls. Just. In general, regardless of the pantheon.