“Because the point of a peb exchange is to acknowledge someone’s labor and thank them for what they bring to the community.

“But that’s the point of a shrine, or an idol, or a festival. The gods don’t care.

“I always enjoy your company, Sibling Dex,” it said. “But what I want most for you is for you to address your own needs.”

Mosscap was deep in thought as well, but evidently on a different thread. “So, you prefer to be uncomfortable?” Mosscap said. “Of course not,” Mx. Avery said. “But I think there’s such a thing as too comfortable.” They grinned. “I’m guessing our tea-slinging friend here would disagree.”

But exchanging pebs isn’t about bartering. It’s about benefit.

Welcome comfort, they reminded themself, rubbing the little pectin-printed bear with their thumb. Without it, you cannot stay strong.

But exchanging pebs isn’t about bartering. It’s about benefit. You are a part of the community, and the farmer doing something for you means that they are, effectively, doing something for the group.

Building a canvas for others to explore themselves on was rather the point of monastic service, after all.

This was not the first time they’d been in Stump, or sat in this spring. But every time before, they’d eaten the village’s food and enjoyed the waters after a day spent doing tea service. They gave something before they took. This time around, what had they brought?