He doesn't peel his palm back. Not 'til he catches Vlast's look, nods back.

"Thanks," There's more than one way to find someone gone, to find yourself alone, and figure Vlast oughta know. The sister's not here. "'M sorry too."

Thinks to say: None of us are alone, not really; thinks better of it. The gate opens. The path crunches stone.

"Born up top, yeah," Though his accent muddles a little, thicker for vowels than their hosts. "Different part of th'city. Never been down here before."