“Welcome to Xyglxen (shy-glix-en) home of the Zybalacks (shy-bale-axes) they are the kindest beings to ever exist.” Alacoflax smiled as he looked at the planet around them. It looked empty. As far as Laura could see desert stretched on for miles only interrupted by clisters of rocks and cliffs. He stepped off the ramp from his ship, she followed close behind. He walked and walked and walked, she couldn’t see the space ship anymore.

“They prefer no transports land near their home”, he explained. Finally he stopped. He stared at a ladder going up a giant mountain. He bent down and scattered the sand to reveal a handle. He pulled up on the handle and a hatch opened up. Grabbing onto the ladder he began his decent through the hatch.

“Make sure to stay close to me. They may mistake you as lost and try to help you.”

She nodded in reply. They climbed down further and further. Holes had been carved into walls and lanterns had been placed in them for light. Laura (who had been trying to avoid looking down) risked looking down past Al’s shoulders and was relieved to see light. The small descending tunnel opened up to a large (large is a understatement) cave. The cave stretched on farther then the desert. Large pillars carved from the rock held up the ceilings. Crystals sprouted from the walls, ceiling and floor. They were every color imaginable. She stared in awe at the crystals and the lights they projected. Scattered like the crystals lay houses. Using the larger crystals as bases houses had been built into the wall and floor. They even hanged from the ceilings. The ladder descended to a large crystal and from there staircases carved from stone led to every part of the caves. It took her a while to realize Al had stopped and simply stared at her smiling. He had brought her here for that very look of awe. He chuckled and continued his descent. Once they reached the crystal below he started walking down one of the stairs towards what looked like a town. Because they had been so far away she hadn’t noticed the people. Now that she saw them she felt the crystals almost paled in comparison. They all had colorful wings on their backs and on their ankles. Some more colorful then others. They wore no shoes and instead wore robes wrapped around them so they could fly freely. Feathers grew from their head instead of hair and their whole bodies were painted with colorful and intricate designs. Along the floor stands selling all kinds of crystal items were being sold. From crystal necklaces to carved bowls.

“My friend Cylus lives towards the back of the town, but we’re early so we can look around if you want?”

“I…Yes, please can I?”

“Its a lot to take in so just take your time.” He followed her as she walked down the streets and looked at everything she could. She stopped at one of the carts to stare at some necklaces.

“Would you like one?”

“Yes, please.”

“Which one would you like?”

She scanned all of them and one in particular caught her eye. A beautiful, greenish, blue gem wrapped in a vine encased in melted gold. It had a small blue feather hanging from the gem and two small gems were on either side of the big gem.

“A wonderful decision ma’am,” said the elder Zybalack who was selling the necklaces. She gently picked up the necklace from the display. She held it out in front of Laura. Laura looked toward Al confused at what to do. He lifted Laura’s hand and placed it gently on the gem necklace.

“Think of a happy thought. A thought you could think of over and over again without getting tired of it.” She closed her eyes and many happy thoughts raced throughout her mind. Finally she settled on the memory she thought best fit his description. She thought of when she has first met Al She opened her eyes to see the gems on the necklace glowing. The Zybalack smiled and placed the necklace in Laura’s hands.

“I…I don’t understand.”

“The Zybalacks don’t use money, they use memories. The happier the memory the more its worth.”

“I thought memories only meant anything to the ones who made them?”

“On most planets yes, but not here. Here they only want to see you smile.”