Alistair's initial answer sends Cade into a scowl, but it diminishes at the nudge. He looks down at their elbows, then barely, almost gives the ghost of a smile as he looks down at the floor- though that too diminishes, and he shakes his head again.

"I don't even want to think about it," he admits, "I...'m not even certain I want to continue existing in a world where I've done it." He glances around the room, taking stock of every person here whose explicit purpose is to watch him. And of those who ordered it so. It's maddeningly humiliating, even if he is forced to admit its necessity.

"...how is she?" he asks in a low voice, shifting his gaze to Alistair's face. His look is imploring; he realizes that he's opening himself up for more mockery or another scolding by asking, but he hopes that at least this one person will just answer the question.