Crystal was putting the finishing touches on her little sister Ruby's new bedroom. She'd tried to incorporate items from their home planet and what kids on Earth enjoyed nowadays. She hoped this would satisfy her. She'd ordered a bed set from Amazon. It consisted of pink and purple galaxy comforter and pillows. The sheets showed off all the known Earth constellations. In addition, there were posters associated with crystals and a few potted plants.
In one corner was a desk with a brand-new laptop. Plus, a stunning bureau that was overflowing with fashionable attire. They had even picked up a vintage vanity at an antique store. Crystal also purchased tons of cosmetics and accessories, which were displayed pleasingly. "Well, Ruby? What do you think?" Crystal questioned as she turned on a lava lamp Shaggy had purchased. He couldn't help but add a few of his own touches to the room. He'd painted the room in tie-dye colors with a giant rainbow and sun.
Crystal thought they'd done an outstanding job preparing for her little sister. Yet when she looked at her eleven-year-old sister, the young girl had a sullen expression. Ruby looked around the room before sighing. "I guess for such a backward plane, it will do."
"Earth isn't genuinely that bad. I'm sure you'll grow to like it eventually," her older sister encouraged. Her sister instantly scowled at the suggestion.
"Yes, Earth is so splendid! Considering the drastically changing climate, sociopaths being elected into positions of power, and mass shootings every day!" she replied sarcastically.
Her sister looked speechless, so the preteen answered, "We've been reviewing the news programs our deep space communications picked up. But, again, our species has far more cutting-edge technology. Plus, we've traversed other worlds. So it's crucial to know what that world is like before we set foot on it. You made that unmistakable yourself when you returned. Hence, we needed to modernize our data on this planet."
"Earth is no different then any other planet in the galaxy, sis. There is good and evil in every world in the entire universe. So that's harsh. I don't deny Earth has tribulations. However, even our planet has periods where things are exceedingly unfortunate. Consequently, I wouldn't judge humans or Earth too harshly.
"Whatever," she said as she flipped her midnight hair. She sauntered over to the dresser and pulled out some of the attire. "Why do humans wear such ridicules garments?"
"Because it is unacceptable to run around unclothed. Many civilizations wear clothing items, Ruby, even if we've declined to wear them ourselves. For example, the Tethys of Artime wears clothes," referring to another significant planet in their solar system. Crystal's home solar system had five celestial bodies that orbited a yellow sun. Two of them were gas giants. The first gas giant was the size of Neptune and was a pinkish-gold color called Simber. It had one enormous moon. The other gas giant was the twin of Uranus, dubbed Quill. However, it only had one moon as well.
Their planet had three moons—selenite which their mother had been named after. There was also Adularia and Moonstone. They're named after the gemstones the moons were made up of. The three of them were the size of the smallest moons around Saturn.
The last two planets were Artime and Nevaeh. Artime was a sanctuary for endangered species of animals and planets throughout the cosmos. On the other hand, Nevaeh was a religious planet for those seeking enlightenment and a closer connection to their celestial deity.
"Ruby, I know this will be a difficult transition for you. Being so far away from home and familiar faces has been challenging. Still, I promise to do whatever it takes to make you happy while you're staying here," Crystal promised while holding Ruby's hands.
The little girl wrenched her hands out her sister's, "Like I said, whatever," she was still glaring as she tried out the bed. "The bed is not so bad. I'll admit," she examined the fluffy stuffed animal her sister had bought. Ruby didn't know it was a white tiger doll.
"Okay, we'll enroll you at the local middle school tomorrow. I couldn't do it beforehand because we need your paperwork. So I could alter it to align with human schools.
"I despise school! School is so boring! I'd rather be doing something entertaining then listen to some old windbag droning on gobbledygook!" snarled Ruby angrily.
Crystal looked aghast, "Last time I was home, you couldn't get enough of school. You were even part of the high achievers! Why do you hate school now?" her sister asked, bewildered.
"None of your beeswax, Crystal!" Ruby yelled, turning her head so her sister didn't see her crying.
Crystal decided not to press the matter further. Instead, she gave her sister a gentle hug. "I'm here whenever you want to talk. We're going out to eat tonight. Shaggy thought you might like to try some human food."
"Do I have to?" Ruby asked to which her sister nodded.
"Afraid so, you'll have to eat it occasionally. I can only do so much to replicate our meals here on Earth. Please, sis. Could you give Earth a try?" she pleaded desperately.
Ruby still sulked before muttering, "It's not like I've got much of a choice, is there? I'm stuck here for an entire Earth year!"
"Why don't you finish getting settled in? I'll tell Shaggy we'll be going out a little later then anticipated," as Crystal hugged her sister again. Then, she closed the door to give her sister some privacy. Then, sighing, she walked back into the kitchen/living room. Shaggy had been listening to some old records while she'd been with her sister.
"So I take it everything isn't so groovy?" he asked, and Crystal nodded.
"I've never seen this side of my sister. She's usually remarkably upbeat, curious, and a bit too adventuresome for her own good. Now? She's unmannerly, disobedient, and seems enraged at the universe."
"Well, hopefully, going out for pizza will make her feel better. After all, who doesn't like pizza?" he joked.
"I hope you are right, Shaggy. I truly hope you are right," his girlfriend said as she hung her head.
