"Yes, with a rope," Alexander confirmed, not wanting to lie to her despite how much the information had surprised her. He didn't consider it particularly cruel or unusual given the hideous crimes he knew the man to have committed.
"Me? No, no, there is a state executioner," he tried to explain. It all probably sounded loopy out of context. She had as little idea what 18th Century New York was like as he had about life on Rica, really. "Sure. I liked that part better, too," he told her gently. Of course, no woman was going to relish the details of a public execution, was she? It was highly unlikely. They usually fainted, no matter how strong their constitution.
As Liberty started to speak, Alexander allowed himself to rest. He was listening to every word she said, but his eyes did close for a moment so she might have thought that he was sleeping. If she did, it didn't stop her from telling her story, and he was grateful for that. He was still frightened, anytime he woke to silence except for the machinery. If he could hear Liberty talking, everything was fine.
If he had been in better health, he might've poked her on the topic of "corrupt Earth" and the vote, but it was the sort of chat that was better saved for when they had a good, long, empty evening ahead of them over a bottle of wine. For now, he just smiled, a smile that grew as she went on.
"Ha. You're just incredible, Liberty," he told her without opening his eyes. "Will you stay awhile?" he asked softly.