When he does notice the static, he thinks to himself that it's not completely unlike Remy's mind, and doesn't bother to push any further for fear of giving himself a headache (which he had been warned against).

In any case, Alter's choice of destination lifts the frown from his face. "Ah, are you one of the newly arrived?" He almost says press-ganged, but leaves it out. It doesn't help to remind people of their current predicament. "Actually, I'm headed in that general direction myself. It's this way." And indeed, he points in the direction he was headed.