Sometimes he doesn't know what he wants or what would be better. Would he prefer rifters know what he's done, or would he prefer to tell them? He dislikes it either way, but maybe this is better.

Anders takes a breath and gently gathers his cat back up. Nothing about Iskandar says he's the type to harm an animal; rather, Anders wants to feel Purrelden against him as he explains.

"It's not you. It's me. I've... I've done something unforgivable, that everyone hears about before long. I just never know who has heard what about it when. I don't, I don't want you to walk away, but I'm not the best person to befriend."