If the situation was any less pressing at the moment, Alice might have sarcastically asked him whether this was really the appropriate moment to ask philosophical questions.

But as things are right now, the words don't leave her throat. Instead her fingers just grip the weapon she's holding a tad tighter.

"You might have to define cathartic need." Maybe Alice already knows, but just wants to hear his interpretation of it.

Or maybe she's just stalling for time before she either has to answer that question or avoid it - by which she'd kind of be giving an answer all the same.