The next couple of days followed the same pattern. Bethany and Stilwart would work together during the day, then Bethany would come over for dinner in the evening. After which Harri would inevitably drag her away to do some exciting thing. The only exception to this being the previous night where Harri wanted to brush up for her upcoming Trial. As such Bethany played a boardgame with Stilwart and Guliveneir who had finally come out of his proverbial shell enough to engage in basic conversation.

The day of Harri’s Trial, and Bethany's last day of work, Bethany actually mixed it up and went to visit the Chilbrows before work so she could wish Harri good luck in person. Harri had been delighted to see her and swept her up in a hug before Bethany could prepare herself, but other than that it had been a lovely start to the day. Returning to their stall that morning was more of the same but when their usual lunch break rolled around Bethany requested to instead spend it looking for a present for Harri rather than sitting and chatting with Stilwart.

This was the first real time Bethany was exploring the city alone but having been there for almost six days she felt confident enough to head out on her own, Harri had given her a watch and she felt confident enough that she knew how to use it by this point. The market was more crowded than she was used to, it being people's lunch break and all, but Bethany expertly weaved her way through the crowds, heading towards a small jewellery stall she had walked past once or twice with Harri. They'd never stopped but Harri had still swept her eyes over the display every time.

Bethany warmly greeted the guy behind the stall and made it clear to him she was here to buy not to browse. She found that generally ensured she actually got help and wasn't just seen as getting in the way of paying customers. A tallKatteacof man came over to help her to find what she was looking for. Bethany, if she was honest, had no real clue what she wanted, she knew it needed to be floral themed because that was clearly Harri's preferred style. Beyond that she wasn't too sure. However, once the kind man started showing her options, she quickly realised she did have something in mind even if she hadn't been conscious of it. She was almost embarrassed by what she picked in the end but was sure Harri would love it. Well, she was extremely unsure and second guessed herself many times but when she told Stilwart about it he reassured her it was the perfect gift. They wrapped up work early that afternoon with both Stilwart and Bethany eager to get back to see Harri and to congratulate her.

Stilwart ended up pulling ahead of Bethany as they both started running back to see Harri and was first through the door. When Bethany arrived at the open door she looked through to see Stilwart spinning Harri around in a tight hug, proudly above her head was her nameplate with its new title [Seamstress Harriacote Chilbrow, 10]. Harri, seeing Bethany appear in the doorway, pushed her dad away and ran over enveloping her in an even bigger hug. Bethany didn’t pull away and squeezed back with all her force. Genuinely over the moon for her new friend. When they finally came apart Bethany pulled out the small, wrapped box she was carrying,

"I got you this to say congratulations" Bethany said "If you don't like it I’m sure-"

Harri cut her off "I'm sure I’ll love it, but before I open it I finished off your dress and I’d love you to wear it for the party. You go get changed too dad, I can wait."

Stilwart and Bethany smirked at each other, knowing the futility of trying to disagree so both headed upstairs to change. As Bethany entered Harri's room the dress laid out on the bed was not the one she had been expecting. Instead, it was a summer dress covered in constellations from the night sky there onLexicoth, the stars on the dress seemed to be glowing slightly on their own. Bethany had never owned something so beautiful and found herself tearing up as she took it all in. Eventually she slipped it on and feeling like royalty headed back downstairs. She only hoped Harri would like her present as much as she loved her new dress.

Slowly descending the stairs Bethany felt nervous, she didn't want to attract all the attention away from Harri so tried to sneak back to join the group, however, Harri was having none of that and rushed excitedly to meet her. Bethany, understanding Harri much better by this point, gave her a twirl without thinking so Harri could admire the fit and make sure that her work was good. After spinning Bethany hugged Harri again, unprompted this time and whispered thank you to her, she had never received such a gift. The recent butter churn her mother got her sprung to mind but that was also practical, this was a gift of pure pleasure, it had no practical value yet clearly Harri had put time and effort into it regardless. Plus, it was clearly entirely homemade.

After admiring the dress Harri pulled out the small box she had received from Bethany. Bethany immediately went red; her gift couldn't compare to Harri's and Harri was celebrating a huge occasion. Bethany tried to convince Harri to open the gift later, but Harri was having none of that and battered Bethany's hand away playfully when she tried to take the box back.

Eventually Bethany gave up and stepped back so Harri had proper space to open the present. Inside was a pair of matching necklaces, Each one was made out of a chain of green metal that was roughly the equivalent of silver and gleamed in the light. At the end of both hung a detailed pendent of the green sunflowers on the first shirt Harri had given Bethany and engraved on the back were their names. Bethany clutched the broach in her pocket as she tried to get a read on Harri’s face.

"It's silly. I know, we only met a week ago, but I wanted to get you something to say congratulations and thank you. And I know it's silly, but I wanted you to have something to remember me by. The other one is for me to remember you. I know I shouldn't have bought myself a present for your party, but I thought it was nice to both match. You don't have to keep it though; we can take it back I’m sure the stall will be open tomorrow."

Harri wasn't paying attention to Bethany's ramblings; she was still examining the necklaces. They weren't fully identical as one had a much longer chain to account for Harri's toadlike neck. Harri pulled out the human one with Harri engraved on the back, and shushing Bethany, she clasped it around her neck.

"It looks beautiful on you." Harri whispered softly, "these are so lovely, I never thought you would warm up to us being friends, I know I can be quite a lot and that has driven people off in the past and everything is just so new to you here I just..." Harri stopped finding herself at a loss for words, a shock in of itself. Taking advantage of the pause Bethany reached into the box and pulled out the remaining necklace, with Beth engraved on the back, and reached up to clasp it around Harri's neck.

"You look beautiful too, I was so scared when I came here and your family has been so welcoming to me. I am here in part to hide from horrible people back home and you have shown me that there are good people everywhere, and that friendship isn't something I just give but that I can receive too. No, that I deserve to receive too. I've never properly understood that before."

At that Bethany reached into her bag again,

"I also bought Stilwart and Guliveneir some small things too. I hope that's okay I know it’s your party." She pulled out a wood carving of a dog, an animal not native to the planet. “I got this little guy for you Guliveneir because I noticed you loved animals; it isn't from around here but at home it's one of the best friends a guy can have. If you put him in your room, he'll watch over you and protect you. The guy managed to make it based just on my descriptions. He was high levelled and I think it came out really well."

Guliveneir took the statue but didn't say a thing, having been transported back to his nervous self by the unexpected gift. Bethany turned to Stilwart,

"I haven't forgotten you, I know you might think I only spent time together because you were paying me and I actually prefer your daughter, but I loved getting to know you both. You took me in offering me far more than was necessary without asking anything back and helped me feel at ease in a world so different from my own. I struggled for a while to pick a good gift. Factually I know that alcohol normally goes down well but I wanted something a bit more permanent if, unfortunately, practical." Bethany reached into her bag and pulled out a set of sharp kitchen knives of a variety of lengths and types. "One thing I do know from back home is a good kitchen blade, and these, while not the flashiest, should last you years without going permanently dull. They will need regularly sharpening though so I also got you a tool for that."

As Bethany passed over the gift, Stilwart was just as lost for words as his daughter had been. While it was a different kind of gift he really loved it. Bethany was delighted her gifts had gone down so well let alone the fact she had successfully silenced both Stilwart and Harri, an experience she had yet to have, and imagined was rare for anybody to achieve. Once they all properly thanked Bethany for the gifts the party started in proper.

It was unlike anything Bethany had experienced before and she loved it. Parties back home were fun affairs but rarely had music except a guitar at a campfire. This was completely different. She met some of Harri's more distant relatives as well as her closest friends and danced like she never had before. It was a long night, and she did find herself having to hide upstairs occasionally just to get away from the noise for a bit. She was often joined in this byGuliveneir and had a lovely time chatting to him. They hadn't talked all that much which was fully Bethany's fault, but she still liked the kid and enjoyed exchanging stories of their relative native animals with him.

Despite occasionally feeling the need to retreat Bethany still overall had a great time and was still dancing late into the night after many tertiary family members had left. Eventually even Stilwart had retreated to bed, and it was just Bethany, Harri and a couple of her friends. At that point the party had died down and when somebody pulled out a guitar Bethany decided to teach them some songs from home, only the basic ones she could remember but they went down very well with the group.

Sitting there with people she could call friends and Harri, who she already saw as almost family, under the stars Bethany found herself truly at peace, and wished she could stay there forever. For the first time in her memory she wasn’t wishing to be among the stars she was instead wishing to stay right there roasting marshmallows and chatting with people who she felt she could trust.

She awoke late the next morning still outside wrapped in a blanket next to Harri. The others of the group had clearly already awoken and headed out. Stilwart was out there drinking a tea. He went in to get her one as she properly got up. Bethany obviously had the full day there but factually knew she needed to get back before her next Trial was due so she could maximise her potential. A part of her wanted to say screw it I'll miss this one and maximise my day here but she knew that would be stupid, not matter how nice it would be. While she drank her tea Harri also woke up and quickly got herself up before vanishing upstairs. When she returned it was with a backpack packed full of clothes.

"This is everything I’ve made for you, I’ve included mostly my old clothes, plus a couple of outfits I made to match your old one but that would be much more comfy, just in case you needed that. I know everything isn't great back home but promise me you will keep in touch."

At that Bethany found herself starting to tear up. It was a ridiculous suggestion; she had a planet name and nothing more she couldn't send a message across the cosmos.

"I know it sounds silly, and it will take you a while. Obviously, you don't have to but if you could it would be great. You just need to be writing a letter or something similar when the Trial starts and if you focus on communication, you should get a relevant skill. It will need to be level 5 so will take a while, but I can wait. Plus, mine is already level 5 so I can write to you roughly once a fortnight regardless of if you can write back. Please do write back though." Harri said once more clutching Bethany's hands and looking her straight in the eyes. She was tearing up, which caused Bethany's tears to start falling, she had had no idea she would be able to communicate, the fact she didn't have to say goodbye forever was a greater gift than anything else Harri could have offered.

Stilwart also approached her for a hug, "I helped pack the bag. At the bottom in some socks I’ve hidden your cut of the money. I recommend keeping it secret for a while once home. It won't be in circulation for a while yet and I know the situation is, well tricky back there. Speaking of, I finally got this finished." With that Stilwart pulled out a half-staff. An item Bethany had completely forgotten she was owed. It was finely crafted and just as flexible as the one she tried in the Trial had been, she clutched it tight and again whispered thank you.

Feeling so overcome Bethany felt the need to excuse herself to the bathroom, to have a shower, get changed and generally pull herself together. She would learn to write letters as soon as she could. In fact, she'd start writing the minute she left so she could make it her next Trial and get started immediately on levelling it up. After she was washed and properly dressed, she re-emerged to find Harri had similarly tidied herself up. The two of them were going to spend the day walking the market before Bethany decided to leave. Stilwart was staying behind to look afterGuliveneir and clear up the flat he had been renting for Bethany. As such Bethany said goodbye to him andGuliveneir there and then. They hugged for a long time before parting and Bethany headed out with Harri in tow.

Exploring the market was actually a mostly quiet affair, even Harri wasn't all that talkative. Instead, both girls were thinking about what was coming up. Despite that they both had a nice time exploring the market. Bethany couldn't exactly carry much more so beyond buying a lovely bracelet for her mother and a small gift for Steven, they mostly bought things she could enjoy before leaving and that meant lots and lots of food. Bethany dragged her feet and generally hung around a lot longer than she knew she perhaps should have but eventually she knew it was getting way too close to when the next Trial was to begin and that she had to get back. She gave Harri a large final hug as they both cried and, making sure that her weapon and bag were properly secured, she pulled up the Trial screen and willed herself to leave.

Sponsored Trial: Butter Churning (uncommon) 1

Provide support to sponsor [Merchant Stilwart Chilbrow, 12] focused on butter churning.

Time Limit: 7 days (6 working days agreed)

Reward: Butter Churning Trial Credits, 2 extra Trial Credits, Trial crafted half-staff

Concentrate here to exit Trial (warning leaving early will be reflected in grading)

A cascade of screens appeared as Bethany felt herself being dragged somewhere else. This felt markedly different to the previous times and that scared Bethany a little. As she finally stabilised and found herself somewhere new, she threw up her dinner and looked around, once again she was somewhere she didn't recognise. One thing was for sure though, she certainly hadn't made it back home.