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stumbled out of the water and threw herself onto the sand, clawing at it, wishing she could cry.

3

    Lydee crawled out from the shade of her tent into the light. A globe bearing food on its tray floated out from under the trees bordering the sandy beach. Another metallic servant, this one a large, golden crab, sat beside the tent. It had brought the tent to her, and she had forgotten to order it away.
    Reaching toward the globe as it hovered near her, she accepted a cup of tea, drank it quickly, then waved the rest of the globe’s offerings away. She had not eaten for some time. Her body would compensate for that awhile longer, and then she supposed that the crab or one of Homesmind’s other servants would force some nourishment on her.
    As the globe floated back toward the trees, she thought she saw someone hiding near one of the pale, white trunks. Limbs covered with feathery green leaves swayed in the breeze. Lydee turned away, suspecting that a few small children or other curious folk were lurking there. Most of the people of Home, she was sure, had never seen anyone so unbalanced. She had screamed at the first group of visitors, chasing them away from the beach, but this had only attracted others to view the spectacle. Rising, she walked down to the water’s edge and sat in the wet sand. Here I am, she thought bitterly. Come and look; see the primitive.
    She had slept three times in the tent, and did not know how long she had been on the beach. Homesmind had said nothing; even Reiho had not come to see her. They no longer cared what happened to her. Homesmind could wipe the knowledge of her origins from her mind, but eventually she would have to go through the shock of learning about Earth once again.
    “Lydee?”
    She turned. Pilo was standing by the trees. She raised a hand to her mouth, surprised.
    “Lydee?” he said again. “If you don’t want me here, I’ll go.”
    She motioned to him. He walked down the beach toward her and sat down several paces away. His black eyes watched her warily; he clutched his elbows as he covered his chest with his arms. It must have taken all of his courage to approach her; she suddenly felt ashamed.
    “What do you want, Pilo?”
    “Only to speak to you.”
    “You could have done that through the link. You could have sent your image.”
    “I thought it might mean more to you if I came myself.”
    She looked down, poking at the white sand with her fingers. “That was kind of you,” she said, beginning to resent his concern. “I suppose Homesmind has told you why I’m upset.”
    “It has said only that you’re disturbed and unhappy. It didn’t say more. It didn’t even ask me to come here. I don’t know what to say to you. To see you like this is hard, Lydee. It disturbs my own balance. I don’t understand what could have caused such a thing. Perhaps you need another calming implant.”
    She lifted her head. “That wouldn’t help.”
    “Why are you here?”
    “Are you so sure you want to know?”
    “Lydee — I’m your friend. You may tell me whatever you wish. If you want my companionship, I’ll stay. If you don’t, I’ll leave. We’re all concerned about you.”
    “You’re the only one here.”
    “The others are afraid. Jerod would have come, but he was worried that he couldn’t maintain his own balance in your presence. They will come here if you ask.” His body was tense, as if he were prepared to flee.
    “Pilo,” she said, “I know where I’m from and what I am. When you know, you may not want to be my friend.”
    “I am sure it’ll make no difference.”
    “I’m from Earth.” She had said it. His eyebrows rose and his mouth dropped open. “You know that there are still a few primitives there, people who will have nothing to do with us. Reiho and his mentor brought me from that world to this one. I am one of those Earthfolk. I’m sure Homesmind will be happy to tell you the whole sorry tale.”
    Pilo swallowed, then bowed his head; she