[Ashford's hearing is still greatly impaired since his eardrums were ruptured by that strange little creature's shriek. This means that what he can hear of the discussion comes in ebbs and flows and he can't be sure of most of it. It's frustrating and to some degree humiliating to feel so useless, but he tries to mask all of that with a stern expression that he hopes will deter anyone from asking him any direct questions.

He stays quiet for the most part, something that, if you knew him, would set off an alarm bell, but luckily his newness to this place works in his favor where that is concerned. As far as anyone here would know he's just the quiet brooding type.

If you are out of his sightline and try to speak to him, he likely will not hear you. If you are in his sightline and try to speak to him, there is a decent chance he will not hear you correctly.]