He'd been trying to hard to let things on without explaining them. It was a bad habit of his -- the mystery, the edging on; he should've known that this Ana would've been wary of whatever he had to say, especially after taking part in his trial. In Antarctica. Joseph. He tried to keep his smile up, playing at playing off Ana's words as if she had asked him the time of day, the taste of water.

"--It ain't dat I'm lyin', chere. Ya know I wouldn't do dat to ya." He scratched the back of his neck, licking his lips. "S'just dat a lot'a t'ings have changed between...whenever you comin' from and whenever I'm comin' from. I wanna try an ease ya int'a all'a it without scarin' ya t'pieces."