Angel and Fingernail Granny pushed aside the crimson floor-length drapes and entered the hall.
The moment they stepped inside, they heard the gurgling sound of boiling water beside their ears.
Following the sound, they saw a blonde woman sitting before a long table with her back to them, holding an exquisite teapot and pouring water into cups. Wisps of white steam and the rich fragrance of tea drifted through the entire hall.
The sound of boiling water was coming from the teapot.
Hearing footsteps behind her, the blonde woman rose and turned around.
Judging by her appearance, she was a very young witch. Her golden hair was like sunlight on a midsummer afternoon, dazzling but not scorching. A thin veil the color of water concealed her face, yet her lovely features could still be faintly seen. Pale-blue crystal pendants hung from her earlobes, and she wore a long blue dress patterned with fish scales. Beneath the light of the glowing stone overhead, she seemed to ripple with the waves of the sea.
"Wizard Pat, please sit here." Her voice was gentle and soothing, like a ring of soft ripples that unconsciously made people lower their guard.
After Angel and Fingernail Granny took their seats, she placed the tea she had poured earlier before them.
"This is Goat-Earl Flower black tea brewed with Stillwater." After the brief introduction, she looked at Angel. "Wizard Pat, this is our first formal meeting. Forgive my presumption in inviting you here under Granny's name."
"It is no matter. I had originally planned to find an opportunity to pay Water-Pattern Witch a formal visit." Angel softly spoke her title.
Water-Pattern Witch smiled faintly. "There are only private guests here, so there is no need to call me by my nickname. You may call me Falina."
After