"I hope it never comes down to that." It's all he can say, because he's holding back from asking what Justice sounds like, if there's some sort of blending, if the damage... except he's already expressed his worries about damaging the spirit. She knows his fears there. If she can hear some sort of change... Then what? Confirmation of what he suspects and Justice vehemently denies? What does it get him other than an aggravated Justice when he's already tired? Anders isn't sure he could win a fight for control right now.

"Personally, I'd always identified them by the fact that they were actually offering me nice things. The first time I met Isabela, for instance, I was a little worried." He gives Adelaide a tiny smile, and his voice is warm, as if he's relating an entirely pleasant memory. Isabela had been, at least. "I'd actually gone weeks without a kindly, gentle reminder about who was in charge in Kinloch Hold, so add to that someone who is kind and enjoying my company? When they recaptured me the very next day I knew for certain it was still my life."

Joking about the pain, minimizing every beating, is how he'd survived.