[ Anders answers his increasing outrage with a smile, distinctly less taunting than before (if still not without an edge). ]

Honesty! How refreshing. Maybe there is hope for you, yet.

[ Okay, that's a tad hypocritical. But when you spend so much of your life in the Circle, you just grow to expect the worst of everyone. So investing in a bit of hypocrisy to draw out something genuine feels fair enough.

Anders shrugs, patting the lump of Ser Pounce huddled in his coat again as the cat starts to stir. ]

I only wanted the truth. Now that I know, I suppose we can be friends. At least for long enough to finish this dreadful mission.