He falls silent for a moment, trying to figure out how to say this a little more tactfully. The pure silence however, was unnerving, and he found himself speaking almost immediately just to quell it. While he can't exactly hear, the knowledge that something's being said was a little less unnerving.

"Who is Alma anyway?" To you, or just in general. He's not just some kid, and he wants to know what's so special about him.