"Justin!"
The sound of his name jolted him from his daze. He turned to find Adonica Lor approaching with little Maera and her grandfather, Feliks. Justin had hardly seen Maera since they had boarded the ship. The few times he had, she'd been jumping or skipping or sprinting past him. He had seen even less of her grandfather. Feliks leaned heavily on Adonica's arm as they stepped forward.
"Before you leave," said Adonica. "Feliks and Maera wondered if they might have a word."
Justin smiled, kneeling down to Maera's level. "How are you feeling? Okay?"
Maera, suddenly turning shy, clung to her grandfather's leg and offered only a slow, dazed-looking nod.
"Master Holmes," Feliks said, in a voice that sounded even frailer than he looked. "We have not been properly introduced, but my name is Feliks Evin."
"Justin Holmes," said Justin, standing back up to normal height.
"I know your name quite all right!" Feliks said, laughing.