[ Matt's approach to religion is ... idiosyncratic, to say the least. And he's aware he has only an outsider's translations of Hinduism to go by, a lens onto a lens of the thing itself. Still-- ]

"Darkness there was at first by darkness hidden," [ he agrees, with a small quirk of his lips. ] "Without distinctive marks, this all was water." It's true, darkness is always first. Oldest.

It seems to make some people upset, [ he adds carefully. This person doesn't seem to be among their number, but Matt finds people tricky to read at the best of times. Strangers are doubly so. Then again, he was able to read Flora pretty neatly ... and the art vendor. So maybe what he needs is just to get out of his own way. ]