why are you so petrified of silence

Loren was still getting settled in to Halo, and word of his arrival hadn't actually spread that far yet. Mostly, he'd been puttering about the Palace, acclimating himself to life there. Today, when his thoughts and sorrow had grown too much he'd decided to explore the parts he hadn't seen yet. So he and Astra set off, hopefully in search of a library. Dressed in brown and utilitarian garb, with a fur-lined cloak on his back, he padded through the halls, more wraith than man. The gaunt frame and dark circles under his eyes just added to that look, as did the dull expression on his face. Although people eyed him suspiciously as he passed, they said nothing. Of course, then he turned a corner and nearly bowled Peter over. The healer stopped in his tracks, staring blankly at the adopted Launceleyn. LOREN Not quite an open book