[ Gabriel's feeling off-balance, and he's not sure at all what to do with the last thing Stephen says. There's a few seconds of awkward silence before he replies flatly: ]

Well, it seems like I've failed that test spectacularly.

[ That tone of voice is gone just as quickly. He doesn't want to linger on thinking about 'rising above his demons.' After this memory, he's not sure that's even possible. It feels hardwired into him to be a monster. ]

But- you said, though, that it makes sense with what's 'going on now'? What do you mean? Like the memory has to do with the way the mania's manifesting? Or- what I'm worried about?