Erin watched the nanoids rise to the surface of her skin. A pale liquid bubbled up from her pores.

Day one was over. She’d missed her ride home.

“Can I get you anything else?” D’aerul wrapped a plush, cotton-like towel around her shoulders.

Nothing had gone as planned.

“Yes. Clothes. I’d have brought more with me if I knew I was staying,” said Erin. She forced a smile. There was no need to worry both of them.

D’aerul’s skin flexed, fading from green to violet and back again. He pulled the towel around her tighter, absorbing the milky substance from her clothes.

“What do the colors mean?”

“I’m sorry?”

“The colors in your skin. I’ve seen them change before.”

“Some of our emotions are expressed through changing skin pigments. The purple represents my sympathy for your situation.”

Erin took his hands into hers.

“Well. It could be worse. I may be stranded on an alien planet, but at least I’m not stranded and alone.”

D’aerul’s skin blazed, rippling like crimson river. The display lasted less than two seconds.

“What was–?”

“Come on. It’s time to transform you into a Talusian,” said D’aerul.

© Amanda Makepeace

Part Eight coming October 5th.

New to Other Worlds? Start at the beginning.