By the time Johann had stopped, “Mr. Johann, there is something here that I have not really paid attention to before” says Li, looking up from his blueprint. Upon the blueprint, there lies an article of text, written in a different script. “This is not Cyrillic or Latin, more or less, Asian. Anastasia, could you take a look”, says Johann, asking for the linguist to decode the text. “This… is the line form of the 3 Ring Chant. But this type of scripture is only found when dialogues or recipes are described”, says Anna, intrigued by the string of sentences.

In the heart of the desert, where the dunes softly sway,

There is a torte made with care, to brighten your day.

Start with almonds, ground so fine,

Mix them with sugar, sweet as sunshine.

Add butter, soft and rich like gold,

Cream it well, let the magic unfold.

Three eggs, whisked till light and airy,

Fold them in, your torte’s not ordinary.

Vanilla for dreams, a splash of delight,

And lemon zest, to make it just right.

Now sift in flour, pure and white,

Blend it gently, not too tight.

Pour the batter in a pan, round and wide,

Smooth the top, with care and pride.

Bake it slow, at a gentle heat,

Till it is risen high, and smells so sweet.

While it bakes, make a syrup clear,

With honey, water, and a touch of cheer.

A dash of saffron, like desert gold,

Let it simmer, let the flavors unfold.

Whisk the cream, so soft and light,

Fold in sugar, pure and white.

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Vanilla bean, a fragrant kiss,

Blend it in for perfect bliss.

Add yolks of gold, smooth and warm,

Heat it gently, let it form.

Cool it down, then whip once more,

Velvet crème, rich to the core.

Once the torte is baked, golden and true,

Brush it with syrup, let it soak through.

Spread on torte, a silky cream,

A luscious touch, a final gleam.

Top with almonds, toasted and warm,

A touch of mint, to add some charm.

Serve it with tea, under a starry sky,

Oasis Almond Torte, where dreams lie.

A bite of this, and you will find,

The desert’s sweet, and peace of mind; it says here. This form is easier to read but the meanings and other small details have to be interpreted from the context. By the looks of it, this might be a recipe, mate; you can make it”, says Anna, enthusiastically encouraging Johann to make the pastry.

Making the flour and butter, Johann heats his oven to the Lithium's turn and starts to mix the ingredients together. Like the bakery has a mind of its own mind, clockwork like mechanisms start their work. While he works in the back, the rest begin to search the documents once more; hoping for another piece of information – of really anything. A small moment after Johann went to the backrooms, “Li, mate, could you come here for a moment?” can be heard from there, asking for Li’s arrival. “Yeah, sure”, answers Li, quickly running backroom.

“Now that they are busy for, I want to ask you something, Anna: Who are you really?”, says Will, his tone transitioning solemn. Cheer sparking in her eyes, “Just a girl who likes to dream”, says Anastasia, deep within her heart but not from the bottom. “You come from Russia yet not Russian; you know the ancients but not a scholar; yet you still insist to hide the true you, like there is something missing. I will ask another, more specific question: Are you the 2nd daughter of the Johannes family’s Trie branch – the one whom I tried and, supposedly, failed to save?”, asks Will, hoping for a more decisively answer. Suddenly, like a stray hail struck her head, Anastasia collapses onto the ground. The memories of his childhood friend flood Will’s vision and, momentarily, incapacitates him.

Regaining his conscious, Will rushes to the backroom. “Catastrophe, people! Anna collapsed and resting on the ground there. Help!” says Will, panic and urgency overflowing his usual calmness. Already sensing the situation, Johann quickly sets aside the tray to Li and rushes to the café front. The shop comes to life once again as cupboards and vessels open and emerge with each having a synchronized rhythm, delivering cups, medicine and water straight to Johann. Without error, he catches and crushes the spice and herbs flown into his hands into a fine powder and dissolves it in a cup of water which emerged from the floor. “Appraisal from what I could grasp, she just had a strong case of light-headedness and blacked out. The medicines will make her brain rest for a bit; they are also good for hangovers, if you ever get one” says Johann, relieved and glad that Anna is somewhat alright.

“What happened, Will?”, asks Johann. “Nothing in particular, really. I asked her about my childhood friend and she just collapsed. I do not know, man, I feel useless. Only thing I could do was ask you. I do not know what I could have done without you, mate”, says Will, disappointed. In a quick disturbance to her soundly slumber, “…Sister Demitri…”, says Anastasia. “Her sister was named that, I think: Demetria Trie Johannes, the eldest daughter, and the next heir to the Trie branch – in charge of automatic small arms development and distribution”, says Will, still hopeful that Anastasia is Cassandra. “The torte is in the oven, chief!”, says Li, coming out from the backroom. Praising his effort, Johann goes backroom to check his execution. Right as they leave, Anastasia wakes up.

Confused, “What happened, Li?”, asks Anastasia. As Li was absent from the café front, where the makeshift mattress emerged, Will also became confused. “Why are you-”, starts her sentence but passes out once more. Right as she falls onto the divan, Johann comes back with a small tray of cookies. “These are Li’s spoils of today. I taught him not much but he made these thus far”, says Johann as Li asks about the tea situation. Not wanting to alarm the two, “She really is like Snow White, no? Soundly asleep, graceful, and beautiful”, says Will with slight grin on his face.