Kerron takes a good long look at this one so he can memorize it.

"Cool. This is a nice place. I guess Carlisle has good taste in - anniversary presents, or whatever the occasion was when he got it for his mate."

He shrugs. "I guess."

"Carlisle's nice. Kind of bland unless you want to talk about the bland things he finds interesting, but nice."

"So wait, he's not bland when he's talking about bland things?"

"I guess? I mean, if you're interested in theology or whatever I imagine it's less bland."

"Gotcha."

"But I'm not so I don't find him the most entertaining company."

"I'm not even sure I know what theology is."

"Speculating about God. Religion's pretty out of fashion these days but Carlisle sticks to it."

Snort.

"Esme too. She's his mate. Lily thinks they're out of their minds, and most of the rest of their coven was never much on board with it. The Emperor was, but he's by far the less assertive between himself and Her Majesty and wound up sort of agreeing with her about everything. By and large when vampires pair off there's a leader and a follower, even if it's not explicit."

"You'd think with all this magic somebody would've found out for sure by now."

"I'd think finding Downside would've done the trick, but nope. The sort of people who believe in God don't think he'd have to play by the rules, even magic rules."

He shrugs. "Whatever, then."

"See? Bland topic."

He laughs.