“You must be Amaldi and Darreno,” she said to the two visitors. “I’ve heard so much about you both.” Her smile deepened. “Kaylin has asked me to prepare rooms for you, if you wish to accept her hospitality; you are also free to refuse. I am Helen, Kaylin’s home.”

Darreno frowned but said nothing.

Amaldi, however, stepped forward, extending a hand; Helen clasped it in both of hers. “Yes,” she said gently, although Amaldi hadn’t spoken. “I am a bit unusual. Speak in any language you like while you are here.” She then lifted her head. “Dinner is waiting, if you are hungry.”

It was a revelation to watch Amaldi eat. Even Darreno seemed moved by food—or rather, by his ability to actually eat it. Kaylin joined the two, but the rest of the cohort didn’t; the dining room was therefore less crowded. Helen had the ability to make it smaller, but didn’t; Kaylin wasn’t always comfortable with shifting, unpredictable architecture.

When Terrano, impatient as always, appeared in the dining room doorway, she rose. “I’m sorry,” she told her two newest guests. “I have to leave now, unless you want to listen to Terrano complain.”

“I don’t mind.” Amaldi’s voice was bright.

“I do.” Darreno’s was less so.

“They’re exhausted,” Helen said. “I will see them to their rooms when they’ve finished eating.” To Amaldi, she added, “You will need sleep and food going forward. Normal sleep.”

Mrs. Erickson was chatting with Serralyn and Severn on the front porch of her home when Kaylin and her companions arrived. Mandoran and Terrano were present, as was Teela, and Terrano had chattered so much on the walk from Helen’s that Teela was audibly grinding her teeth. Mandoran didn’t help. By the time they reached Mrs. Erickson’s house, the sun had fully set; the moons were high.

Kaylin poked Hope, who sighed and lifted a wing to place it across her eyes.

“Do you see it?” Teela asked softly.

Kaylin nodded. In the darkness, the moons could be seen shining through the transparent outline of a much larger building.

Mrs. Erickson rose. “The children weren’t comfortable with guests tonight, and the weather was nice. I’ve just been chatting with Serralyn.”

Terrano headed for the door, which was ajar; Teela attempted to grab him by the shoulder, but her hand passed through him; he turned and stuck his tongue out. Kaylin would have been impressed by this sterling display of maturity had she not had her own behavior in the past to compare it to.

“Terrano,” she said. “It’s not your home.”

Terrano shrugged. To Mrs. Erickson, he said, “Is it okay if I go inside?”

“Of course!” the old woman said.

Serralyn rose as well—there were only two rickety chairs on the porch—and said, “I’ve been explaining what we hope to do to Mrs. Erickson.”