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"immunity an money," he commented airily, following Ever towards a table tucked up under a window. Once seated, he didn't waste a whole lot of time before digging in, but as hungry as he was, the man had manners. He took normal sized bites, and kept his napkin close to wipe at hands or mouth as needed.

After a few minutes, when that empty void in his stomach had been filled a bit, he slowed. "I can't remember why I stopped, exactly. I know when, just before college, but not the catalyst." Broad shoulders came up in a shrug. "Might have been cost. Even with scholarships college is really ******** pricey. "

He ate neatly, but he ate quickly, and his plate was cleared only a few minutes after they'd sat down. Pushing it away, he rested elbows on the table, fingers knit. There was no sense of impatience to him as he waited for the other man to finish his meal, perfectly content to sit there, at least for the moment, and talk. "What'd you do in New York?"

Folks here had the most interesting back stories. So far all he'd heard were tales of living it rough in big cities. It made him wonder if that was some sort of criteria for the job, and if so, how he'd managed to skip it. While not ideal, Zeke's life had hardly been rough.

"That's quite the experience." It was said sincerely, with out so much as a single ounce of judgement. Pasts were pasts, they meant very little to the Mist beyond a good story, and even less here. They all started on equal footing.

"To New York? Yes, a couple of times with buddies from college." His lips twitched, almost a smile. "I've seen my fair share of gay bars. Seldom did he go out intending that for a destination, but it happened, and when it did he didn't fight it.

"Mostly I stuck around Florida, since that's where my school was." Go Gators.

"No," and there was a thread of regret there. "I was a semester away from a bachelors, though I was ideally aiming for a doctorate." Almost four years behind him, and another three of four to go. It would have wonderful if somehow his major could be applied to Deus, but he didn't see how. They were in the middle of the ocean though, maybe in down time, if that was even a thing here, beyond the few hours day they had to themselves, he'd consider looking into to waters that surrounded them. Probably lots of interesting things down there.

Smiling, he brought his right hand up to cradle his cheek and chin. "Marine biology. Specifically aimed at tracking of intelligence in cephalopods, with a minor branch into medical applications." Hale eyes were trained on Ever, watching his face.

"Mmhmm." He sounded pleased, even flashed Ever a grin as gaze jumped down to the swirl of yellow and blue that wrapped over his right arm. There was more to it than that, but his major had been the main influence.

Arms folded on the table, Zeke now leaning forward just a bit. Watching the other man eat. "How much Greek do you know?" The extent on the Mists linguistical aptitude lay solidly in English and French. It would have been nice to expand on that, but there had been a chance. Schedule too tight as it was.

"I always found linguistics pretty fascinating." He was interested in What Ever had to say, he wouldn't ask otherwise. Politeness extended only so far before the Mist's patience could be stretched thin. "I thought about expanding my French, or German. Just never had the time."

Online courses was news to Zeke, and he gave a lift of brows. "Is that available only for Life division?" If he could continue his work...

A glance flicked down to Ever's tray, taking stock of anything still remaining on it. If he was finished, there were more comfortable places to talk than a cafeteria table.

Zeke gave the abandoned fork a long look before his gaze snapped upward again. "If you can get your hands on a computer, I can show you how to navigate online courses." Well, assuming they were anything like normal online courses. Zeke had taken his fair share. "And if you do talk to the Life assist, ask about other divisions having accesses. That's something i'd be eager to look into."

The feet under his chair were knocked lightly by another boot. "Finished with your potatoes?" He tried for casual, but a little impatience might have leaked in around the edges.

Hazel eyes narrowed at that slow smile, the potatoe sculpting, and he twitched a brow at the other man that seemed to say 'really?'. Ever didn't know who he was playing with. Payback was a b***h, that was true, but impatient as Zeke might be, it would be that blonde that paid later.

"You do that." There was a warning to his words, not hostile, teasing, but warm. That easy, obvious smile was returned, though Zeke's was sharp, not nearly as harmless. They could play, but the Mist was confident he would win this game.

It wasn't a case of not liking.

Cool eyes stared back into much darker ones before dropping to the potatoes as they were slid across the table to him. Again that brow rose, expression plain, until lips split into a grin.

The shifting of feet beneath him did not go unnoticed. Leaning back, the Mist hooked the toe of one boot under Ever's left ankle, and hoisted it up so long fingers could wrap around it, drawing it up into his lap. "No, I don't want the potatoes." Amusement was making a return, less prickly, but the promise of redemption lay heavily over the table.

Tugging had the Lifer slipping a few inches in his chair, but it let Zeke very easily smooth is other hand up that jean clad leg until he found the hole over Ever's knee. It was easy, from there, to slid his hand into that hole, along pale skin.