12 -THE LOCALS 2

With the setting of the sun came immense cold, and I wondered how the locals were going to deal with it. On their journey back, they made a stop at a cave. The inside was more like a deep tunnel running very deep into the ground, with many passages leading to different chambers. Choosing one, they used larger rocks to block the exit, keeping themselves locked in that particular chamber. While they were sleeping together in a circle, I mapped the entire cave and waited for nightfall. However, I discovered that certain chambers of the cave were completely plastered with the same clay used to make the buckets and bowls, including the one they were sleeping in. Clay has the characteristic of getting stronger the more it is heated up. Additionally, clay is known for its thermal insulation and heat retention properties. But I have to say, the clay of this world must be super strong. The cold of the night reached -256 degrees Fahrenheit, yet the chamber, instead of being cold or hot, it was simply cool, perfect for the locals. As I, who am staying outside, feel the full brunt of the cold, this is nothing to me as a being that can traverse space. As I waited, the night passed, and I sent every piece of information I knew about this planet back home. I saw them wake up very early in the morning, pulling the rocks away and arranging everything back cleanly. That is really surprising, but not as surprising as them not even drinking their liquid; rather, they just picked it up, came out of the cave, and continued their journey.

A few things came to mind. One, they were saving it for the rest of their people when they reached their destination. Two, it wasn't drinkable, and they would have it purified when they reached their destination. Three, it was not drinkable and simply a material that was useful for something else.