They walked through the city, and at first Ami tried to remember the way. But after the third or fourth turn, she realised... that all the Omill kotties are different, all the alleys are equally beautiful, and it will not work to remember anything, and all that remains is to relax and enjoy the evening walk.

All she saw was a blue landmark mushroom. Well, that's more than nothing. And it's beautiful.

The evening was simply breathtaking. 

Every evening in Omill was good for Ami almost by default, but here the weather was trying to be kind to her. It was warm, still, and the stars were beginning to appear like small, distant lamps in the cloudless purple sky. 

The softly darkened city was beautifully illuminated.

Closer sources of light were the gradually activating glowing mushrooms in jars, tamed by the locals, that lit the streets and paths near the houses.

The Kantinian, gazing at all these witchy, wonderful colours and beautiful things, almost bumped into Lucy, who had stopped at her planned destination.

- I'll get something to eat and drink and go home. - Lucille reported briefly.

- Alrighty. I'm going to stay here for a while. I'm not sure what I want to do, but I'm just going to sit here for a bit and rest. So tired, so post-adrenaline.

- Oh, poor thing. Don't worry about it. You'll be home soon.

Lucy went into the round earthen building of the café. The Kantinian found a comfortable seat, exhaled and looked around with renewed interest. Everything here pleased her with its novelty and difference from what had irritated her eyes in her hometown. Everything here was fantastic. And weirdly strange. 

There could be several in a single spot, in the shadow of this majestic landmark mushroom, shimmering charmingly at sunset. How did they manage to survive without competition? Another urban mystery.

In Kantine, the tavern owners divided up the districts. City dwellers who had worked hard all lights were usually reluctant to walk down the next street and face potentially unpleasant surprises, preferring the nearest tavern with its familiar faces and dishes. 

The lucky ones, whose family had a cooking person in the house, had the opportunity to come home, eat and rest. It was a kind of luxury. Home-cooked food was prized above all else. And these people had a great choice, whether they wanted to have a snack and socialise in the evening, or if they were too tired and just wanted to go home, eat and go to bed.

Lucy happily left the café with her treats and returned to a pensive Ami.

- I think I have to show you... - she started.

- Oh dear! - The Kantinian interrupted enthusiastically. - Sorry! I have to ask. What is that delicious smelling thing you have there?! I've never tasted anything like it!

- Then you definitely should, believe the local woman. - Lucy smiled. - It's the unique flavour of the spiced coffee from this place. That's why we're here. It's addictive in a way that makes it impossible to pass it by. Anfey's family recipe.

- I really want it. - the alien nodded approvingly. - It's the only thing that can make me forget my tiredness and uncertainty.

The Omillian gestured to the entrance of the small café.

- Ask for a "Lights of the North". 

- Understood. So. You were going to tell me where my kotti was?

Lucy pointed in a direction.

- Right. It's there. Count five kotties forward, three left, then turn right and it will be at the end of the alley.

- Thank you for everything! - the Kantinian service woman saluted gratefully. - I owe you.

The Omillian chuckled approvingly, stamping her feet in uncertainty, looking appraisingly at her acquisitions and turning her thoughtful gaze into the distance to the darkening hills on the outskirts of the city, behind which the daylight had recently set.

- On second thought... You know, I wanted to go home, but the evening is so good. I'll just wait for you there with your bags. 

- Great. It’s so nice of you! I'll be right back.

- Take your time. I'm in no hurry. The weather is great.

- Fine.

...curiously, Kantinian entered the cosy café and placed her order, adding a few delicious floral sweets to the original plan.

It was omillishly cosy inside, the walls decorated with traditional murals, the main theme of which was... woods and coffee of course. Leaves, branches, beans... Everything was either ornamental or gracefully interwoven. Lovely.

The shapes of the windows in this city are remarkable, but these were really unusual, even by local standards. Not round or oval, but two wide bands running the whole length of the walls... a semi-transparent wall. How... do they do that? 

Ami had some basic information, but she had never come across any books on Omill's architecture. She will have to ask someone.

The Kantinian took out a bag of seeds and dried Loopie berries, which don't grow in these parts of the Mainland, and looked at the hostess questioningly. 

Will this do as payment?

Anfey nodded in the affirmative, accepted the payment and, after a curious glance at a Kantinian nutshell cup she had received. She put the required treats into a quaint embroidered cloth shopping bag that Ami had bought on her last visit to the city.

Another beautiful and practical feature of Omillian dessert-eating culture. 

Satisfied client looked into the wonderful bag and impatiently pulled out a deliciously smelling sweet and began to chew.

Totally breathtaking.

How do they make them so crispy and airy? Ami wasn't the best botanist, but she knew they were grains, and she also knew that grains couldn't have a texture like that!

The hostess handed her the coffee cocktail with a nice smile. 

Ami added a few more long, shiny seeds to the ones she had already given. She was impressed. Lucy was right about this place. It's great that it's so close to Ami's proposed quartering place.

Anfey stared curiously at the seeds. It was obvious that she was seeing them for the first time. These were some of Ami's favourites.

They weren't particularly valuable by Kantine standards, Amelia didn't understand why — personally, she would only pay with them. And would gladly accept them in return. 

Beautiful specimens, with pot-bellied bodies and large blue-yellow leaves. Yes, the yield of the edible part was low, but they were so delicious... Especially when dried.

- The leaves are not eaten, the stem is kept throughout the cold season, and when dried it is second to none. - The Kantinian explained without waiting for a question. - Very tasty, useful and practical.

If she ever managed to move here, these vegetables would be the first thing she would bring with her.

Anfey's looked a bit intrigued. It was unclear whether it was the sight of the interesting seeds or Ami's enthusiasm for them that impressed her more, but the main thing was that it was a win-win situation. Both sides were happy with the deal

With a satisfied smile on her face and treats in her hands, the Kantinian lazily made her way out of this wonderful little city of uplifting aromas, unbelievably colourful drinks and an astonishing variety of snacks.

She had found true peace and happiness, if only for a moment. These “remedies” can cure any malaise and fatigue. 

It would be great to see how much of an effect all this would have on Ami in half a cycle. And can it compensate for all the worries this city has in store for her?

And when we return to Omill after a cycle, perhaps we will see our plants taking root in the Anfey's garden. They would be immediately noticeable.

That would be nice. At least her lovely favourite plants will be living in this beautiful place.

Ami returned to Lucy, who was comfortably settled under the blue landmark mushroom and had already started the mini-banquet.

Still smiling broadly at the smell of the things she had brought, the Kantinian sat down next to him with a small, admiring sigh. She began to place her incredible treasures on the rough clay surface of the table.

Once again, she delightedly breathed in the fresh city air, filled with the smells of delicious food, the nearby forest and lake, the damp clay of the table and the sprinkled paths, the slightly woody scent of the mushroom, and a host of other delightful nuances. Amelia realised that she was also looking closely at Lucy's cup, which had caught her eye back at the Station. 

It seemed that Ami wasn't the only one who carried her favourite cosy mug from home to work and from work to travel. Lucy did the same. And apparently all the Ommilians did too. The beverages are tastier in tamed vessels.

So Amelia was right on trend. Her typical Kantine mug, however, stood out as much from the Omill mugs as the most outlandish and unusual local ones. Mugs were a matter of pride, and standing out with a mug was a good old local tradition.

And as the Kantinian promised her favourite cup, they sat under an Omill mushroom, ready to taste something absolutely incredible together. 

Whatever came next in their lives didn't matter now, for the world faded away in an instant as she sipped at a drink with a completely mesmerising smell and colour.

- Witchyyyyy! I'll never get used to how wonderful the local drinks are! Now I understand why you have to go out for coffee even if you work at Temples Station... Not to mention the irreplaceable pleasure of sitting under those beautiful mushrooms, this drink is incredibly complex, isn't it? Especially for a non-witch.

- Yes, the coffee berries grow on bushes all over the city. Go out, pick them, infuse them... But I would never recreate this cocktail at home. Even being an average witch and a good cook. I still don't know what Anfey does with coffee, and of course she won't tell me. She'll just smile. I can recognise and smell a lot of things here. But I've never been able to replicate this flavour at home. Milo has his own recipe. But he likes mine better. I like Tokala's method. Everyone has their own recipe. 

- And I do not understand how several cafés in the same place do not go bankrupt? 

- Every coffee you make is different. The Omillian tradition says “you can’t have the same coffee twice”. It's true. Each cup, like each moment in life, is the result of many factors. The coffee maker. Her mood. The recipe. Coffee berries. Other ingredients. Seasonal differences. 

Water... It's an endless list. And tasters perceive it differently at different moments in their lives. Nothing is the same. If you don't like it one light, you might like it the next. One light you want coffee with nuts, the next with flowers and herbs. With different biscuits. 

- The craft of witch cooking.

- I love Kantinian cooking too, and I know that you can do amazing things without being a witch. Are you good at cooking?

Ami shook her head negatively.

- I can't cook at all. I usually steal something from the kitchen because I get home late and don't feel like eating with the family. Maybe I'll have to learn to cook here because there's nothing to steal, but I hope my salary will be enough to keep me a lazy, happy eater.