[ Matt has been psychically eavesdropping more than properly communing with his fellow Kenoma. After the altercations he had with some of them in the cavern and the way the Regent had responded, he can't imagine they want him in their heads. As for the people who've been kind to him: Amos and Paul, Howl and Lottie, even Childe in his own way ... he imposes on them enough in the real world without adding a psychic layer.

All of which is to say that Matt attributes Abel's relative faintness to his own error, rather than a sect thing. He does catch a hint of yearning--"melancholy," he might call it, the kind of thing you feel when it's raining and your empty bed used to have someone in it. ]

Oh, a drink would be great, [ Matt sighs. ] There're tons of bars around here, but so far they're a little more, ah, high-key than what I prefer for myself? Not the kinds of places you can bring a book.

[ A slight pause. ]

Besides, we were talking about some pretty weighty topics last time we met. You can't do that sober.