"What are you doing here?" Hissar asked her hostilely.

"I need help, and I didn't have anywhere else to go," she replied, easing herself into a standing position. Her ribs were obviously paining her.

"Sophia, I'm so glad we could meet again," Nester said, stepping up to her. "I hope we can get on better than we did last night. I realize I may have come on strong..."

"What's he doing here?" Sophia asked Hissar.

"He's my friend, and if you intend to further impose yourself upon my life, you'll have to share with him what you share with me," Hissar demanded. "I'll not bear this burden of knowledge alone!"

"It's not fair to him," Sophia said. "It's not fair to you, but as I recall it was your own curiosity and aggressive chase that resulted in my injuries and your learning the truth."

"What truth are you talking about?" Nester asked. "Would one of you please tell me what happened last night?"

Sophia decided to show him instead, skillfully undoing a knot and unwinding the gauze from her head. After a minute, her true face was revealed for Nester to see.

"Wow," Nester said, strangely fascinated, rather than repulsed or shocked.

"Now you can see why I can't help your scale rot," Sophia said. "I don't believe we're hormonally compatible."

"I suppose not, but you are far more intriguing than any female of my species could be. I would hope we could still learn about one another."

"Nester, your weirdness never ceases to amaze me," Hissar responded.

"Now, what manner of creature are you?" Nester asked Sophia, scrutinizing her facial features.

"I'm what they call a human. I come from a star system roughly two hundred light years away," she said.

"How is it you appeared to us as a Lesher last night?" Nester asked, staring at her wavy, black hair.

"Because of this," Sophia said, pulling a small device free from her collar. "It's a holographic imaging device, which can superimpose a lifelike image over my natural features. It was broken last night when your friend pushed me down a flight of stairs."

"I didn't push you," Hissar defended.

"Regardless, the fall also broke a couple of my ribs, which is one reason I'm here."

"If you'd wanted my medical services, you would have availed yourself of my talents last night," Hissar replied. "Why are you really here?"

"It's complicated," Sophia said, standing up.

"Well, you can tell me about it after I take care of your injuries. If you'll just lie down a moment..."

Doctor Hissar examined Sophia's lower ribs, and bandaged them tightly, leaving her with a constant ache. She was reluctant to accept such primitive medicine, but at the moment it was all she had.

"I'd give you a prescription pain killer, but I don't know if that would be wise, considering your alien physiology," Hissar said, tying the final wrap in place.

"I'll deal with it," Sophia said, pulling her shirt down.

"Your body is certainly unlike anything I've ever seen," Hissar mentioned. "I imagine you think the same of us."

"You are different, the only intelligent reptilian species we've ever encountered."

"Then you're here to study us?" Hissar presumed.

"Yes, we are a very curious race," Sophia replied, pulling on her overcoat. "My anthropology team has spent years researching your people, studying your radio communications, learning your language, trying to gain an understanding of your culture and way of life. It enriches our own existence to learn more about the universe and those we share it with."

"Be that as it may, you're not interested in reciprocating, allowing us to share in this enrichment," Hissar said. "If that's the case, why come down here and risk exposure? Your understanding of our language shows you have the ability to observe us from a distance."

Sophia sighed and thought of what she would say. Dare she admit the truth to these creatures, when she was clearly at their mercy? Would they think less of her, seek to take advantage of her in some way? Or would they throw her out into the cold? No, she decided. They were good, intelligent beings, and there was no sense hiding the truth.

"Honestly, I'm not supposed to be here," Sophia finally admitted. "You see, I'm not really an anthropologist, yet. My parents are, and they've come down a few times to observe your people. So have the other scientists. I sneaked aboard one of the shuttles to see for myself, so here I am."

"If that's true, why are you still here?" Hissar asked. "Why haven't you gone back to your people?"

"Well, I tried," Sophia said. "I managed to get outside the city, where the shuttle was parked, but when I got there the thing was gone. I was early; they weren't supposed to leave for hours. I figure somebody must have pulled an emergency recall while I was away, but now nobody's answering my calls. I don't know what happened. The ship wasn't scheduled to depart for another month, and I can't imagine they'd just leave without me, but something's clearly gone wrong. I don't know what."

"Then you are stranded," Hissar surmised.

"For the moment. It might be nothing. Maybe they moved out of range temporarily, or something went wrong with the radio. Then again, my parents must have figured out what I did, and maybe they want me to sweat a little, though I can't imagine they'd do that, considering the risks. Whatever's going on, I need help, and you're the only one I know to turn to."

"You expect that I can somehow assist you?" Hissar asked. "How can I, a humble medical practitioner, assist a stellar being such as yourself?"

"I need somewhere to hide," Sophia replied, "and perhaps a few simple tools to help me repair this equipment of mine."

"I'm sorry, miss, but I am a family man, and as such have no place to house such a conspicuous entity as yourself," Hissar replied.

"I'll take her in," Nester said. "I live alone, and I could use the company."

"Does that suit you?" Hissar asked Sophia.

Sophia considered it a while. She wasn't so comfortable around Nester. Despite his friendly and almost human exterior, he seemed a bit unstable, or perhaps immature. Hissar was much more grounded, and seemed less of a security risk. However, she was not in a position to be picky.

"Very well, Nester, but I'm not going to sleep with you."