Then they can give him a physical in this curtained-off section over here. Kenneth stays on the opposite side of it, translating through the wall.

Are Hari humans any different than Earthly ones? Is Mahan a perfectly normal and healthy young man?

Yup. He chatters about not-immediately-obvious ways human bodies he's familiar with work while they're at it and that's all the same too, though they might think otherwise if they're very unfamiliar with any humans who aren't from western Europe.

Regional differences are not unheard of. The doctors are pretty confident they're the same species and most of the research should transfer. Which is kind of weird, but Milliways is very weird, so...

"Isn't it! And I haven't heard of any agerah or beluli in the other worlds, just humans, it's so weird."

"We heard of half a dozen other species in Milliways, all similar to humans and caralendri than anyone else."

"Maybe humans are just the best kind of person and that's why all those gods I keep hearing about want to make some."

Kenneth tries to translate this diplomatically, but the doctors are starting to learn a few words of Hari.

"They say... You should come to church services. Once a week, starting in two days. And we'll teach you about the One True God." He looks kind of uncomfortable with this. "And the the holy book says humans are given domain over the Earth, but this is not the Earth, and it also says to love all people, and that means not just humans. And I think, uh, that we did what we came here for? Unless you want to talk to them more?"

"Yeah, I think we're done, you coming back with me?"

"Yes. They want me to keep learning Hari and get to know how things work here. If you can wait ten, fifteen minutes for me to talk to some people, that is."

"Sure, meet you outside."

Kenneth goes off to find some of his scientific compatriots and make a report and hand over a sheaf of notes and grab a mug of soup from the communal kitchen and then go back to find Mahan.

Their force mage transporter has been being paid to help dig a hole for what will become a church fit for a few hundred people. (They're being hopeful about attracting other faithful, and population growth.)

"I hope you don't mind if we get our ride back now."

Siviar should be close to done with that by now anyway.

Yeah, he already finished. The dirt is piled up a few dozen yards away. Thanks for your help, Siviar, here's your money!

Wheee.

Mahan spends the flight thinking about something.

Kenneth just admires the view, the wind, and tries to not think.

Mahan invites him to the nearest empty public place with an illusion on it as soon as they land. Happens to be the government tent, but Valanda's out right now.

"You want to talk about something secret-ish? Well, sure."

"Should I take them up on that invitation and go hear about their god?"

"...No easy answer to that. My feelings on Christianity are... Many. Why would you want to, why would you not want to?"

"I'm not in the habit of turning down an invitation to a lecture just because I don't know what it'll teach me. But you warned me they have ideas about me and you seem really scared of them and their ideas."

"I don't know that you'll learn anything you can use. It's... A way of thinking about yourself, your place in the world, and other people. It centers us. It teaches us morals. The teachings of God and the Church inspire me, even if they're not always something I totally agree with. And... Nathaniel, our priest, is one of the good ones. He really does love everyone, I think. I'm just skittish from meeting some of the bad ones. If they decide to hate you, you can leave, they won't do worse than ask you to leave. And maybe Father Nathaniel will steer them right. I'd say, talk to Nathaniel first and then decide if you want to see a church service." He's tense, clenched fist almost drawing blood.

"Oh, that's not so bad, not when I have somewhere else to go. Thanks! You guys are all really nice, you know that?"

"We try to be. I understand that 'morals' is kind of a new concept here. But if everyone is moral and nice, I think everyone will be better off. So hopefully we'll be a good example?" He smiles properly for the first time in a few hours.

"We'll find out!"

"We will." Kenneth is totally missing any signs of interest Mahan is expressing, probably. "...Do you know where I can find a place to sleep? Get that sorted so I'm not running around late at night looking. I have rings for a few days' stay here."