I think it'd be really funny if Simon crashed onto Erid, and only saw Eridians first. "Aliens from an alternate dimension" feels more... digestible, in a way? He knows humans aren't necessarily trustworthy — but rocks are familiar. Rocks have less motive to hurt him.
Until he asks "Wait why are you able to translate my language so well" and the Eridian scientists have to admit they were trying to do a slow introduction of Simon to Grace. Like a conservation program at a zoo. Maybe this is a silly idea but I think it'd be fun for Simon to trust the Eridians more than the other human. At least rocks don't lie?
