[Solomon watches the food go spinning with an impassive expression. For all Hayley's sudden violence it's still a better response than the sullen denial. Now they were getting somewhere. Now she could actually focus on something other than missing people no longer present. That sort of grief took time to ease, true; but it never did so when it took all one's attention.]

Yet you were still someone to someone. That should be worth enough to you to keep being so, regardless whether they're still here or not.

[He straightens up, sitting back and speaking calmly.]

Of course. That's all I asked.

[He holds out his hand and the sphere dissolves and materialises in his hand. He concentrates a moment, adding a little more density to the sphere--as well as a command. He tosses it back to Hayley.]

The sphere will prod you three times a day for attention. It will subside after a good concentrated half-hour of work on it. I'll be by every second evening to review your progress and answer any questions you might have, or teach you a new trick.

[And make sure she'd eaten. She disdained being a 'stray'--but Solomon could counter that with needing to make sure his student was up to healthy academic standard.]