[As far as comrades of convenience go, Alfie doesn't think Royce is a bad one. He's not overly chatty or easily frightened, and he doesn't seem to think that traveling together for a day or two makes them devoted bosom buddies. He could have done far worse.

Tonight, he's found an armchair to sink into, and is busy examining his tablet - he may have been around for longer than Royce, but he's still fairly new, and this technology is new to him too. But despite his dislike of mindless chatter, he welcomes the occasional conversation, so he looks up easily when Royce addresses him.]

You learn to tune it out.

[He taps the side of his head.]

It's unsettling, mate, but there's enough that's unsettling that's right in front of you, and you learn to focus on that instead of the echoes.