Boheng shook the other man's hand naturally. Old carpenter Porni had a stitched scar running from the web of his thumb toward his wrist, clearly an injury left by improperly operating a machine.
Porni noticed Boheng's gaze and raised both hands with a smile. "Yes, I'm a carpenter. I've done this all my life, and I still have all ten fingers intact."
The men all laughed.
Boheng turned to the other two. They looked progressively younger. During introductions, the middle-aged man called himself the Trion family's chess tutor, while the thinner, paler one was clergy from Emanglia Cathedral.
Porni, Dobigny, Simon.
Boheng silently committed the three names to memory, especially the old carpenter—Eunice had said that the old man often seemed able to speak with Wosandta.
Eunice clearly liked Porni very much. As they chatted, Boheng and Jahadorei learned that Eunice had often gone to help at Porni's workshop these past few days, fitting wooden slats together, sanding boards, and making tables, chairs, and a new crib for people in the nearby towns.
Porni had a daughter who had recently given birth. He showed everyone pictures of his granddaughter. Eunice had heard him talk about children at length and casually helped him finish applying linseed oil to the newly made crib.
Jahadorei remained quiet throughout, merely watching Eunice's behavior with curiosity. Before coming here, Eunice had clearly been the most wary of the Habitable Zone's residents. Yet when she was with Porni now, they seemed like master and apprentice, like father and daughter.
"We haven't eaten yet, so we're heading to the dining hall. We'll talk later!"
"Go on, then. They're serving special caramel cream pastries today!" Porni waved to Eunice and the others. "See you later."
On the way to the dining hall, Boheng asked more questions about Porni,