Nida's suspicion that Maine is new is spot-on, and the Freelancer takes no offense. After all, he's never been any good at blending in. Just one of the reasons he's not a stealth operative — and that's before taking his personality into consideration.

As Nida begins reaching for the wood in Maine's arms, the giant man drops to one knee to make the task an easier one. Then he listens without interruption, dark eyes moving around the inn as Nida explains things. He'll have to take a look at that book later. The Freelancer has no particular interest in what's happened before (though he knows he should look into it), but he wants to know about the animals and plants. Wants to know what he can eat and what might be difficult to kill.

Comfort is far from a priority of Maine's. Still, he allows a little snort of amusement as Nida talks about his house. How long has the other man been here, that he talks about it that way?

Curious, Maine asks, "Here long?"