He always felt separate to the others in their odd band, and not just because of his possession. He could see how everyone else was connected to everyone else- but him.
Isabella and Fenris flirted shamelessly. Varric scolded Merril for getting lost. Hawke and Aveline compared weapons.
Since Bethany had been lost to them, there was no-one to argue magical technique with and Merril just didn't cut it (he avoided her the best he could, the blood mage).
"Hey Anders, get over here and stop brooding. Fenris wants his job back."
Anders sighed and went back to the table.