Like he said. Multiple universe fuckery.

"Yup," Gabriel agrees. "Although I had to find out from Chris. I wasn't really sticking around to chat the time you and I met. I found out from him because of a get-together we were having about the differences between worlds, lest he stomps on toes and gets bitch-slapped for it. Again. Told him I've seen his mode of travel before and produced an illusion to show him who I'd met. Cue him recognizing you."