It surprised Gabe to learn that Isla, who looked to be in her late twenties at the very most, had been at the Cirque for so long. He was still processing the knowledge that supernatural creatures existed, having learned such a thing only a short time before when signing his contract. It was a lot to take on, though given his own gifts, it wasn't as jarring as one might have initially thought.
"I think you're right," Gabriel said, his expression softening considerably. He understood from experience what it was like to stay in a place that bound and smothered, rather than inspired and excited. While not everybody experienced things in the same way, it was a good sign to him that Isla had decided to stick around for so long. If he were lucky, he would come to feel similarly. "I just hope I can say the same someday."