I think they're spirits. They don't really talk to anyone. You can ask them for things you need...within reason. It's trial and error to get exactly what you're after.

[He waits for some of the 'spirits' to pass and keeps moving, his body turning to purple light and collapsing into a man. He brushes motes of light from his shoulders and breathes. It's a testament to how often he does this that he doesn't even miss a step.]

Any idea what your power is yet? Normally we're a little more organized than this...but I think Astoria is trying to slow down the plague we all have.