Of course. That idea had never even occurred to Gabe; he hadn't had anything to bring in with him. Even his clothes were usually just a metaphysical manifestation. But that didn't mean he might not have any, if his life before the Institute was supposed to be a human one. It was worth checking.

"I wasn't," he admitted, then bit his lip and looked at them hopefully. "But I lost my torch last night, and there might be another one in the same place, if it's for storage."

Maybe they'd let him come. Especially now that he had something to ground him, and those distant sounds were filtering in to make it more difficult all over again. He gripped his rosary tighter, breathing slow and deep, and tried to ignore them with a bow back at Soushi. "Gabe. Just Gabe. May I attend you? I don't know the way, but I'm--not too bad at defence."

Even though he really, really did not want to fight again. Landel had implied he might not have a choice.