As the voice finished speaking. Leaving my skin feeling raw from its deep baritone. The bright green mist began to ripple. Rolling back to reveal my immediate surroundings. The first thing I noticed was Madame Astred’s glowing eyes. That looked like two white stars. Just looking at them, made my eyes burn. As if I was trying to stare directly into the sun. Shifting my eyes away from the painful sight. I took in Madison and Alfred.

Who looked like they were in a trance, staring off into space. Madison's eyes flickered with deep red flames. While Alfred didn't have the outward appearance. Of being affected by the mist. He was quite obviously in a trance. As the cocoon of green mist circled around us. Madame Astrid waved her arm over the dark blue teapot. Causing three different colored orbs of liquid, to fly out from it. The orb that was rose-colored flew into the cup, in front of Alfred. The royal blue orb flew into Madison’s cup.

As the final orb of liquid which was a murky green color fell in my teacup. Placing her arms beside the teapot. Drumming her fingers in arhythmic staccato. With her voice sounding, like multiple people were talking at one time. Madame Astred said, “You may now drink.”

After drinking the tea, in one fell swoop. Breathing deeply, bowing slightly, Alfred said: "Thank you.” Before I could take in the changes in his voice.

Madison followed his lead, finishing her tea. Bowing slightly, She said, “Thank you, Madame Astred.” I didn't really notice anything different about her though.

Hurrying to follow their lead, I grabbed the teacup in front of me. Pushing it to my lips, I couple smell the rich and floral scent of the tea. As the liquid traveled down my throat. I felt my body temperature rise, it was electrifying.

The electric sparks I felt running along my senses disappeared. As a soothing wave came over me. Bowing slightly, I said, “Thank you.”

As Madame Astred’s eyes returned to their normal grey color. The green most surrounding us dispersed. As she put away her tools, returning them to their positions in her cart. It took a few minutes for Madison and Alfred to fully come out of their trances. But after they did, they bowed to her again. Thanking her for all the help, she gave them.

Once she was done tidying up, the space around her. Turning to us, with a tired smile on her. She said, "It’s what I do. It's my and my sisters calling in life. To help anyone we can.”

letting out a sigh, She said, “It is tiring, but that's the path we chose to walk.”

Turning to me, the smile slipping from her face. As she took in my pale face. She said, "I didn't think it would be that hard for you. To go through my ceremony, but it was obviously a trail for you. I'm sorry.”

As we came out of the halls connecting East hill to West end. I still felt like I could smell the nauseating scents. From walking through the crowds of East hill, wafting from our bodies. Turning towards one of the food stalls as we walked by it. Pressing her hand to her stomach. Madison said, “I'm so hungry. Let 's stop here and get some food!”

Following behind her as she rushed towards the stall. Zipping through the sparse crowd. Before I could see where she went, she had disappeared. Trying my best to follow Alfred instead. His back got further and further away. As I felt my joint start to burn from exertion. Catching up to his still frame. With my hands on my knees, trying to catch my breath. As sweat dripped from my brow. I said, "You guys.. have to stop.. going so fast..”

Straightening my body, I finally saw. What caused Alfred to pause, standing in front of him. Was a familiar trio of guys that were apart of the group. Madison got into a fight with at Perfect potions. The man in the lead that looked like a rat. With Sneer in his face. He said, "Well, what do we have here. The mute from sundry and his tag along. Chasing after that little spitfire, are we?”

I could literally feel Alfred tense. As his mana began to fluctuate, rolling off his body. To my talent, it felt like hundreds of bees were buzzing, along with my senses. I really think he would have attacked them. If not for the timely intervention of a man. Wearing a badge. That read patrolman of the free city in big, bold print. Yelling, as he rushed our group. He said, "Break it up! there will be no fighting here.”

The crowd around us started to back up, sensing the apparent growing tension.