"Not even if I could prove to them that the alchemical procedure to remove the property was effective?"

"I don't have enough of a working model of how their thought processes on the subject work to be sure."

"Well, fair enough. And I don't even know if I can do it, I'd have to find out if the property is alchemically detectable or not first. Quite a lot of properties are, though."

"How would you find out?"

"I'd need alchemical tools—the same kind of glassware that works for chemistry is usually fine in a pinch—and some samples of things with and without the property, ideally things that are otherwise very similar to each other. The classic example in introductory alchemy is to leave out two trays of sand under the sky for a week, covering both to begin with and then uncovering one during the day and the other at night, and then alchemically process them to reveal the day-nature and night-nature respectively. Finding 'polluted'-nature will be harder because it's never been done before, but the basic idea is the same. I could do it very slowly using only natural alchemy, or much faster using infernal magic if you didn't mind the tools and samples ending up slightly infernal."

"Is there some reason to mind that?"

"Not in my opinion. It would be inconvenient for you if you ever had to bring those specific objects to Earth, but it seems very unlikely that you'll ever have the occasion to do that."

"We don't have chemistry glassware but the other castes - greens, specifically - will."

"Hmm. I'd like to verify the principle before I leave... I've done alchemy in a mundane kitchen before, in a real pinch, but given the nature of the property under investigation I don't really want to inflict it on anyone's kitchen... even if you all already have it, I imagine you still don't want some of those materials interacting with the tools you use to prepare food...?"

"We keep it away from the food, yes. We're not immune to disease transmission."

"I thought as much. Well—I'll leave it up to you, I think. If someone wants to lend their kitchen to the cause of finding out whether 'polluted'-nature can be alchemically isolated, I'm more than happy to try. I'll clean everything afterward as best I can, of course."

"There may be someone about to update their kitchen, or merge two apartments and repurpose one kitchen. I can find out." She taps her everything.

"Thank you, I appreciate it."

"How long should we expect you to stay in the neighborhood?"

"I'm not sure. Depending on how difficult it is to fix my leg, I might be walking unassisted within the week, or not for several."

"The doctor was reluctant to give you any medicines in case you had an unexpected reaction."

"Logical, since I'm an alien. I don't know what effect your medications would have on me."

"You can bring the crutch out with you if you want to leave before you no longer need it."

"I think I'd rather wait. Being able to stand up without it will probably also make the procedures for leaving easier to follow."

"All right. Should I find you an accommodation that is not Nelen's single apartment?"

"That would be appreciated but I've managed all right with worse; I won't be upset if no one else volunteers for an alien houseguest."

"It would tend to be nervewracking. I can at least get Nelen another mattress."

"Thank you."

She taps her pocket everything more. "Is there anything else I can answer for you?"

"I think I am all right for the moment. Is there anything else you want to ask of me?"