Naralia and the Quin

A young alien woman landed her ship on the planet Quin, a world thousands of light years from her own. She was met with stares from the inhabitants of that planet, who had heard of but had never seen members of her race. Her near-translucent skin of a violet hue, thick white hair down to her waist, and thick, skin-tight coverings of purple, were quite a sight to see for these people, whose glassy ebony skin, rope-like silver hair and deep green eyes were trademarks of their race. They nevertheless received her, according to the universal rules of conduct, with the manners befitting any alien visitor.

The majority of the populace went about their business as usual, digging the underground springs of calicia, a medicinal liquid which they used for their own purposes of health and longevity, as well as bottling and shipping it to other planets in return for other produce necessary for their survival.

Naralia (for this was the alien woman’s name) behaved in a very odd way almost immediately, for the night after she had arrived and was given lodging by an elder of the Quin people, she emerged from her room looking strangely different. Her skin was the same hue, as was her hair, but she had traded her thick, cover-all purple clothing with the elders son for other garb.

The young man now grinned despite himself, for Naralia was dressed in the outfit he had provided her with. Made of the large silvery scales of a native animal of the Quin planet, the outfit greatly complemented the outstanding features of the Quin people. It looked very different on the violet-skinned Naralia, though not uncomely. The costume allowed the Quin people great freedom of movement for their work of digging springs, covering only the essential body organs in order to protect them from the radioactive elements this planet was so well known for. These elements also, strangely, infused the deep springs of the Quin's planet with the medicinal properties that caused it to be so sought after amongst the planets.

"What is it that you wish to do here on our planet?" It was Aztar, the elder and Naralia's host, speaking in the frank manner so characteristic of the Quin people.

"I wish only to observe and to learn your customs, to see the world through your eyes..."

"And to dress like us," finished Altar, Aztar's son, with an admiring smile.

Antar, Altars sister, looked less enchanted, and she surveyed Naralia’s appearance and words with suspicion. There had been other visitors from Naralia’s people, recorded generations before in the annals of the planet Quin. Their only interest had been to plunder the precious calicia springs, and then be on their way. Indeed, the fact that Naralia had taken the Quin’s attire so quickly was even more suspicious to Antar; she reckoned that Naralia was more cunning than her predecessors, and simply wished to stay longer by wearing the protective Quin clothing so necessary for life on this planet.

Antar's wary ponderings were interrupted by her father’s voice. "Very well then, Naralia, you are welcome to stay with our people for as long as you like. My son Altar will be at your disposal to take you anywhere you wish. You may taste, touch, and listen to anything you like on our planet. I only ask that you do not afflict my children with tales of your planet without first telling me."

Altar was grinning now, very pleased at the idea of escorting the charming and mysterious Naralia.