[ Again, a glittering not-quite-a-sound comes as Matt laughs. The bright tintinnabulation of neurons firing, the champagne waves of dopamine and oxytocin. He's not sure he's accurately communicated a recognizable laugh, but it feels good. He hopes Abel can feel it too. ]

Ummm.

I guess that depends how you define boring? I don't think it's boring or I wouldn't read it ...

[ There's nearly a teasing tinge to the words. Matt doesn't linger on the depressing logistics of getting a drink with Abel--where would they go? Would Xishen come barreling in to demand they fight? If he thinks too much about the obstacles to meeting him, he's afraid this tenuous connection will fritz out entirely. ]

I like a lot of ... prayers, from world religions. The more ancient the better. And poetry, too, although I'll go more recent for that. Up to the 1800s for sure.