Gwen looked at Trinity, who was just happy to have met a nice person her own age. She walked along with Gwen, out of curiosity she looked at Gwen.

"So what do you want to go do?"

"I thought we could go shopping or perhaps the tavern?"

"I don't think were old enough.

"Yes we are. How old do you think we have to be? "Gwen asked wanting to know why she would ask such a thing.

"Twenty-one like everywhere else."

Gwen couldn't help herself she just started to laugh. She had never heard anything so funny in her life.

"It's sixteen here, so you are safe." Gwen gave her a wink and the two went into the pub to have a little fun. Trinity beamed, she couldn't believe it. She didn't drink, but she had snuck an occasional wine cooler before. This was going to be so much fun, Trinity thought.

She looked around the old tavern made of wood, the smell of stale beer, wooden structures and old men filled the air. She had never seen something like this, it reminded her of something out of an old Irish or welsh fable. She admired it, from the long bar at the door, to the few rows of tables and booths, all constructed of wood. She looked around to see the place wasn't packed full of drinkers, but there were quite a few people drinking some kind of lager in these antique style pint mugs. It was definitely something she would remember for years to come. She couldn't wait to get this going, to have a little fun. She followed Gwen to the bar, occupying the stool next to her new friend. Gwen ordered them each a pint, using the coins her mother gave for them to use.

"Trinity welcome to Galderia, now drink up." Gwen toasted her new friend, who didn't argue with her in the least. 

It was great, with Emily off on the honey-moon Gwen could use a girl night. She missed it, and this person seemed to be of truth, as she could sense pure vibes of the light from her. She also thought for some strange reason they would get along well. The two of them sipped down the lager, after a couple of pints it began to loosen their lips, Galleria's own truth serum, lager.

"So Trinity what does the woman teach you? "Gwen asked, waiting for her friend to finish the pint.

"I am a chosen one."

"So you are a practitioner of witchcraft, in your first year?"

"How did you know that? Are you a psychic?"

"I practice the craft as well; Maggie is my teacher's name."

"That's messed up, I met her! She is Canella's Great Aunt."

Gwen nearly spat out her sip of lager. She noticed they were both in need of a fresh one.

"We got to talk more; I'm going to get us another pint first."

Gwen flagged down the barkeep post haste, hoping to get her attention before it got too crowded. The bartender grabbed the empty pints. Gwen handed the girl a hand full of coins.

"Keep them coming please. "The bartender nodded, Trinity started to giggle a little before accepting the next drink. She glanced over at Gwen glad to have made friends with someone like her, a person she could talk to about conjuring and rituals, potions and visions. It was a nice thought, for now. Gwen was happy to have Trinity to talk to, she adored her best friend Emily, and however she couldn't tell Emily about the wand she received or spell book ideas.

She began explaining the dark section of the endless forest, of the dark wench Veronica. She was crude, self-absorbed and most likely had a heart as black as a raven's wing. Trinity was all ears, she had never had such an adventure in all her life, and she doubted she ever would again. She vowed to help protect her new friend, if the need would happen to surface.

Trinity didn't really comprehend why, but she felt this strange bond to be around Gwen, as if she had known her in another time, in another place. She just sat back, having a great time with her new friend.

While Gwen was entertaining Trinity, back at the cottage Sophia was having a long talk with Canella. The two older women sat outside near Sophia's garden sipping coffee together. Canella told her what a lovely garden she had; Sophia thanked her for her kind words. Sophia enjoyed the company; she didn't entertain much, so it was nice. She had missed her long known friend, a faint reminder of her youth. She had missed Canella; she had so much to say to her but didn't know where to begin. It had been what? Seven years since she had seen her best friend from her teenage years. She didn't believe that the two of them were sitting here having coffee together again after all these years. It was a miracle. She took a sip of her coffee and just looked at Canella, seeing her friend as she once was for just a moment. She took a deep breath.

"So how have you been? I haven't seen you in so long."

"I have been okay; I know it has been so very long hasn't it?" Canella commented as she sipped the coffee given to her. "I went on a mission; directly after my watcher's training. I didn't think I would be gone this long."

"I bet, tell me of the young one, why you brought her here? "Sophia asked bluntly.

"It's the only way to cross back over from the mortal world."

"Is that the only reason you have brought her here? "Sophia raised an eyebrow; she wouldn't tolerate anything but the whole truth.

"As far as I can tell, yes. "Canella chose her words very carefully.

"Well then, that is settled." Sophia replied, before going back to her coffee. She gulped it, planning to keep an eye on Canella and her new student. She politely waited for her guest to finish before refilling both cups.

Canella knew that wasn't settled, she had known Sophia a long time before she cross realms, with that woman nothing was ever settled. She knew how to fake pleasantries; it was the first thing you learned in the watcher's academy. How to not let your body language ever give you away. She nodded, thanking Sophia for their second cup of coffee.

"Gwen tells me she visits Aunt Maggie?"

"Oh yes she goes to see her a few times a week almost religiously. "Sophia chuckled just barely at her own joke.

"That's good; I have worried about her over the years."

"Gwen is always brining her cookies and cakes; she's always visiting your Aunt."

"That is truly great to hear, I'm glad Maggie has a young one to keep her company."

"Yes and my daughter have learned so many wonderful gardening tips from her, our garden has never looked this good." Sophia admitted to her as she sipped from her cup.

"Aunt Maggie was always a wonderful gardener, her herb gardens are spectacular."

"I noticed our rosemary has done much better, the basil too. "Sophia wanted to keep the conversation going; it was pleasant getting to talk to her old friend again.

"So what is the mortal world like? "She asked with the eagerness of a child.

"It is a strange place, I'd say confusing, loud and over-privileged."

"Did you like anything about the mortal world?"

"Yes, there were simple things that were enjoyable, like these things called firework shows. They lit up the skies like giant comets, of different colors. There were coffeehouses, little shops just for coffee all over their world, things like that. "Canella informed her while finishing her second cup.

"It really does sound quite interesting though, for someone who's not been there."

"Well yes, I see what you mean I was very excited before I was sent there, but after a decade, I missed this place. "Canella spoke with longing in her voice.

"I suppose if I were gone from home that long I'd miss it too."

"Thank you, I have missed you Sophia, I really have."

"You're welcome, I'm so glad you're back now, make sure you have coffee with me as often as you can."

"I will make sure of it, how's your husband, Angus is his name right?" Canella responded, taking a moment to remember his name.

"Yes, Angus is doing well, he's a good husband and very close with Gwen."

"That is great to hear. I hope that I'll meet him soon; it's been so long I don't remember much, just flashes here and there. I was in the mortal realm too long."

Sophia nodded, "I wouldn't doubt that one bit."

Just as Canella and Sophia were catching up their old friendship, back at the pub, Trinity was having the time of her life. She enjoyed spending time getting to know Gwen; it felt like she was meant to meet her in this other world. It felt like a dream, all Trinity ever wanted was a friend who understood her. She glanced at Gwen who seemed to be having a great time, too. The two sat at the pub, giggling hysterically at everything. It was a side effect of the magical lager. Trinity didn't care, she just felt like she never wanted to go home again. It was going to sadden her when she did have to go. She tried not to think about it.

"Trinity, what is Canella teaching you?"Gwen asked, out of the blue.

"Why do you ask?" She replied gulping her lager.

"I was curious, that's all."

"Just regular stuff, probably the same things you're learning."

"Have you cast a spell yet?" Gwen asked, eager to talk of the old ways with someone. Maggie was great but it was nice to meet another practitioner.

"Yes, but I just learned how."Trinity admitted sheepishly.

"It's okay, I can show you what I have learned. You know you were meant to see this world, not many mortals have made it here." Gwen informed her.

"I was starting to think that, too." Trinity agreed with her new friend who seemed perfect for her to hang out with, she twirled her hair and looked over the crowd.

"I'll get us another one." Gwen offered, Trinity nodded yes. Once the bar keep brought them a fresh pint each, they noticed the crowd.

"It must be sunset, that's when it starts to get packed in here."

"Is it time to go?"

"Not unless you're ready."

"No way, I'm having way too much fun for that."Trinity admitted to her.

"That's awesome, I can't wait to take you through the forest tomorrow."

"A nature hike? It sounds great to me."Trinity politely accepted Gwen's offer.

The night seemed to creep past them:as they talked hours flew by the two young witches, unnoticed. They were having too much fun bonding, Gwen told her about the lessons with Maggies, she shared herbal secrets with her new friend. Trinity told her about her poems that she could turn into spells. Gwen told her of Emily, her long time friend she had grown up with.

"That sounds great, the only friend I have ever really had is you." Trinity informed her with sorrow in her voice.

"It's ok, really. Let's just have fun. Do you need another drink?"

"Probably not but I'll take one."As soon as Trinity finished that sentence Gwen burst out laughing.

Gwen ordered another for each of them. Gwen smiled at her as she took a gulp from the pint.

"It's funny, I really needed a friend with Emily off and married, then poof! One shows up."

"I know exactly what you mean, I really needed a friend, it just took me going to a different reality to find one."

"We'll have a lot of fun while you're here, you'll see."

All of the sudden the bar keep shouted 'last call'before it was time to close the pub for the night.

"Holy smokes! We closed the place down?"Trinity spoke with a little laughter in her voice.

"You heard him, drink up."Gwen told her with a grin.

Trunuty nodded , doing as she was told slammed down the lager.

"You ready?"

"Just a second."Gwen finished the last of her pint. "Now I'm ready to head out."

Trinity smiled at her new friend, a sister of the old ways. She nodded to Gwen, then the two of them got up and walked out the old warped wooden door. The two of them, stumbling around in the town square looked at the fountain.

"Gwen look, is that a raven?"Trinity asked her, fascinated. Gwen noticed it too, with less enthusiasim. She noticed the winged creature seemed to stare at them, a dark evil glare before it flew off into the night.

"Yes, I think it was, come on let's get back before we see anything else like that."Gwen advised her new friend. The two of them headed quickly through the village. Trinity simply followed Gwen's lead. They walked from the tavern clear to Gwen's in under twenty minutes. They were exhausted and out of breath by the time they reached the large grass covered hill. They paused to look at the moon in all of her mysterious beauty. The two of them headed up the hill and into Gwen's cottage for the night.

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