Kevin and Fiona were scheduled to arrive an hour, and Gemma thought they would be pleased to see how she, Nellie, and Skyler were situated.

She finished washing their breakfast dishes and spent the rest of the time playing with Nellie.

To practice resisting the impulse to act that Tender Loving Care forced upon her, she played her gloxzine and stopped until the compulsion to play more overcame her. Nellie loved it’s sound.

Gemma didn’t manage to prevent herself from acting, but she grew accustomed to the sensation of the Skill being activated and knew what to look out for. It was progress, at least.

There was a knock on the door, and Gemma opened it.

She froze for a moment. Kevin was so much scarier than she remembered. His back tentacles wriggled a greeting, and he smiled.

Gemma swallowed back her discomfort, “Come on in. How are you, Kevin?”

He smiled, “Quite well. How are you both settling in?”

“We’ve been doing fine,” Gemma closed the door, “Money wise, Skyler arranged a sale of our media from Earth and we’re still making money off it all.”

“That’s great,” Kevin handed Gemma a bag, “this is just a little welcome present. I thought you would enjoy playing with these with Nellie.”

“Let’s go sit down,” Gemma said. Kevin took a seat on the sofa, while Gemma opened the gift. Inside was a collection of multi colored blocks, made of various materials.

Gemma took them out and placed them on the floor for Nellie, then sat down next to her to join in the fun. Some of the blocks were made of wood, and others, metallic, and the texture of each one varied. Smooth, rough or bumpy. One even felt oily to the touch but left no residue on Gemma’s hands.

By Earth standards they were exorbitant and awesome. As Nellie and Gemma discovered, some, if placed on the correct side, would float where they were left. Others glowed soft colors. A few had malleable shapes. Two, if placed correctly, would have a steam of water pass between them.

“These are so cool!” Gemma said, as delighted as Nellie with the set.

Kevin smiled, “I’m glad you both like them.”

Gemma went over her activities in the past few days, and when it came to Gemma’s Musician Class, Kevin had some ideas for Gemma.

“I looked into it, since unlike your Babysitter Class, there is a precedent and tradition attached. Skyler was on the right track. The biggest difference for leveling the Musician Class is having an audience that enjoys your music. Nellie likes it when you play, but whatever experience you gain from that probably has been feeding into your Babysitter Class.”

Gemma nodded, and sighed. That made sense.

“I can help you find a position,” Kevin said.

Gemma frowned, “I thought Fiona said we have to be ‘independent’?”

Kevin’s tentacles shivered with his unease, “That’s right.”

“Are you breaking the rules for us?”

“Bending them, more like.”

“Will you get in trouble?”

Kevin shook his head, “No.”

“I’d love your help, then. What did you have in mind?”

The tension left Kevin as he explained his plan.

“I can have you star in a guest appearance with the band, ‘Hello, Goodbye,’” Kevin said, “They go for an image using all types of things from other dimensions, so you being Lost would be a plus to them. Some are actually Lost themselves.”

Eagerness filled Gemma at the thought of finding other Lost. Maybe they had researched getting home too!

“I’ll set up a meeting.”

“Amazing!” Gemma gave Kevin her contact information.

“Fiona will be stopping by today too,” Kevin said, “she has some things she wants to talk to you about…” a grimace passed over Kevin’s features, “I recommend you ignore what she has to say. Things will be easier that way.”

Gemma gave Kevin a quizzical look, but he didn’t elaborate. Gemma supposed she would find out what he was talking about sooner or later, at any rate.

Kevin stayed a while longer, and Gemma told him about what Earth was like, the similairtieis and strange difference between there and Travalar.

After a while Kevin got up and Gemma walked him to the door, Nellie in her arms.

“Say bye,” Gemma said.

“Ah!!” Nellie opened and closed her hand in a cute little wave.

“Good bye,” Kevin waved back, all his tentacles writhing, hypnotic like.