Spending the next twenty minutes, going through street after street, crowded by people. With Madison's hand being my only guide, as I was surrounded by countless layers of fabric and a medley of clawing scents, that choked me. I was on the verge of having a mental breakdown, from the lack of space and clean air. Just as I felt the last bit of my sanity start to crumble. Space opened up around us. As the crowd of gaudy people, dispersed in different directions. Taking huge gulps of semi-untainted air, I said “You... could have.. given me. A minute to prepare! Before dragging me through that.”

With her body radiating tension. Madison said, “Listen, there was no way around it, we could have traveled an extra thirty minutes and still had to deal with that nauseating mess. Plus what would being prepared do for you? This right nothing.” Taking a deep breath, She said: "I'm sorry for snapping like that, the crowds here drive me up a wall, and I just wanted to get it done with.” I could understand that, it's not like she did it on purpose, this time. Shrugging my shoulders, I said, "It’s fine, please tell me we're almost there?”

Raising her arm, pointing halfway across the huge circular plaza. She said, "Yup, that's the place right there.” Reaching the building she had pointed at. The first thing I noticed was the yellow sign that hung above the door. It read Mystia Cafe in big dark green cursive letters. Going through the glass door under the sign, we entered a small room. It had white walls, speckled with green and blue spots. With dark brown benches lining the walls. It wasn't what I expected of such a big building that's for sure. Before I could ask Madison about what was going on.

A young lady wearing a long white robe, with long brown hair pulled back into a ponytail. Came through a door, I had obviously missed. When I was checking out the room before. Smiling at us, bowing slightly. She said, "Welcome to Mystia Cafe, do you have an appointment?” Returning her smile, coming forward. Madison said, "Yes, we do, it should be for Hayward.” As the lady's eyes turned a milky white color. She said, "Ah yes, we have an appointment for a Hayward, with Madame Astred. She's finishing up a session with a customer. But I can take you to your table to wait.”

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Heading to the wall towards our right. As the lady placed her hand against its speckled surface. A door shaped section of the wall slid sideways. Turning back to face us. Waving her arm towards the new opening, softly. She said, "Follow me, please.” Following behind Behind Madison and Alfred, as they trailed behind her. We entered a room, it was filled with turbid clouds of scented smoke. You would think after going through the crowds of East hill, with their nauseating fragrances. My nose would be overloaded by another scent, but this one was very soothing. It was a very mellow and earthy scent. It reminded me of the forests outside my village.

Even though it was hard to see, past the cloudy smoke. I could just make out the outline of a big, half-circle table, as we passed them. Reaching the wall at the back of the room. Turning to her right, towards a smaller half-circle table. Bowing slightly again. the lady said, "Please sit, Madame Astred will be with you shortly.” Watching her walk away, disappearing into the turbid cloud of smoke. As Madison and Alfred took their seats, along the rounded side of the table. Taking my spot, on the left side of the table.

Turning to Madison, I said, "What's up with this place, everything here is weird?”

Looking thoughtful, Madison said, "I could see why you feel that way. But don't worry, it's all part of the process. Mystia Cafe is run by the three, Astair sisters. They are all Mana Tenders, but they each use their abilities differently. The eldest sister uses plants to help people with mana problems. While the youngest uses crystals and the middle sister uses. Hmm, the closest I can come to describing it as ceremony.”

Before Madison could continue talking, she paused. Turning her head sideways to look at something behind me. Just as I was about to turn around. I heard the soft squeak of wheels, coming from beside me. Out of the corner of my eye. I caught sight of an old lady, pushing a small cabinet like cart. Her grey hair tied in a tidy bun, on top of her head, shifted slightly. As she came around the table, positioning her cart by the chair across from us. Looking at Madison and Alfred, Smiling. She said, "It’s great to see both of you again. It's been too long, hmm, I think the last time I saw you both. You were both just tiny tots.”