Anders' expression narrows, at once confused and taken aback. He's not used to anyone saying it outright, though. (At least, not anyone else.) He's used to being ignored or dismissed or easily written off, and though much of the time he does it to himself, excusing atrocities as if they're only something to look back and laugh at, now, sour and bitterly, that's always been more an act of self-defense than an effort to condone.

It doesn't take long for the look to dissipate, however, with that explanation, if some of the confusion does remain.

"I suppose I can think of stupider reasons to put someone in chains their whole life, but I'd be hard pressed." A part of him still feels as if that, at least, must be some sort of joke - but even if he doesn't know David particularly well, he doubts it far more. Which only inspires him to leap back to lightly sarcastic levity, again.

"Lucky for me I'll be long dead before I'm ever called upon to take part in such an arduous task, eh? Getting myself out of the Circle without it turning into a complete disaster every time was hard enough."