Mikael takes a deep breath. "So, you're telling me I'm stuck in a twisted sort of limbo filled with hungry ghosts. Good. That much I can understand. It's not even the least sensible thing that has happened to me." Jehoel might notice the mortal is trembling slightly. "But before you continue, there's one thing you need to make clear to me: am I, or am I not, still alive? In the ordinary, biological sense of the word. Because these Hollows", Mikael gives the Elephant Man a slight kick, "are certainly quite lively, despite being, as you said, dead."