He'd been told that his face wasn't all that memorable. Very pale, often sallow, with somewhat bird-like features... and of course, it didn't help that he so rarely ventured out of his plant-filled comfort zone. He returned her smile, though his came a little less easily. Even though he was older than she was, he still hadn't quite mastered things like amiable, comforting smiles. "I...ah... I work in the greenhouse? And, ah... well..."
It was probably best not to admit he'd been avoiding the kitchens because he was afraid of running across a crying woman. That sort of made him look ridiculous, didn't it? "I, ah... I lost track... of some days, I think. I get... get wrapped up in my work, you see... and... ah. Hm. I've been eating! But... not... not... ah... not... I'm sorry."
He lifted a hand in a just a second gesture, and closed his eyes very briefly, trying to get the stammer in order before he continued. It wasn't that she was particularly frightening. She was just a stranger, and he was embarrassed. That always made things worse. When he opened his eyes again, he was a bit more relaxed. "I was... hoping there was leftover bread? Or... anything, really. Not... not a fruit or a vegetable." He chuckled a bit. "I have... plenty of those."