After watching Tommy leave, I took a deep breath and turned toward the entrance of the Healer's Hall. I gave Ana's hand a gentle squeeze before opening the door, leading us inside. We stepped into a spacious lobby with a large wooden desk to one side, its polished surface reflecting the soft light filtering in from high, arched windows. The air was cool, carrying the scent of herbs—a mix of lavender, sage, and something floral I couldn't quite place. Potted plants lined the corners of the room, their lush greenery adding warmth, while tapestries depicting healing rituals hung on the walls, lending the space an aura of tradition and comfort. The wooden floors creaked slightly under our feet, and the atmosphere was hushed, almost reverent.

Behind the desk sat a woman with short auburn hair, her nameplate reading 'Bree.' She gave us a welcoming smile as we entered, her eyes warm and friendly. To the right, I noticed another person in a light green tunic that resembled scrubs. He held a clipboard, speaking softly to a patient while jotting down notes. His name, Dovian, was stitched neatly on his tunic, and his gentle demeanor put those around him at ease. Behind the patient, two more people stood in line, shifting on their feet, their eyes flicking around the lobby with a mix of curiosity and nervousness.

The lobby had a serene atmosphere, with sunlight streaming through the high windows, casting gentle beams on the polished wooden floor. Potted plants sat in the corners, their leaves lush and green, adding life to the otherwise utilitarian space. Beyond the lobby, I could see several healers moving about, their robes a deep green adorned with subtle embroidery that seemed to symbolize their rank or specialty. They smiled in greeting, their faces kind, and one of them—a woman with dark hair tied back in a loose braid—approached us with a gentle nod.

"Welcome," she said softly, her eyes flicking to Ana and then back to me. "Are you here for an appointment or just visiting?"

I cleared my throat, feeling a bit of nervousness. "I'm here on a quest to visit the Healer's Hall," I said, signing for Ana as I spoke. The healer's eyes lit up with understanding, and she tilted her head slightly. "Ah, are you new to this world?" she asked.

I nodded. "Yes, we are." Ana watched intently, her eyes wide as she absorbed every word.

The woman smiled warmly, her eyes crinkling at the corners, and gestured to a colleague nearby—an older woman wearing a darker green tunic adorned with subtle silver embroidery that seemed to denote her higher rank. Her demeanor was calm and confident, giving off an aura of experience and authority. She stood tall, her posture relaxed but with an unmistakable sense of competence. "Let me introduce you to Fiona, our Head Healer," she said. The other healer approached, her expression curious but friendly, her eyes full of warmth that immediately put me at ease.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Fiona said, her voice gentle yet authoritative. "I can help you with your quest registration."

"Thank you," I replied, signing my gratitude as well. Fiona nodded and motioned for us to follow her. Leading us down a hallway to the left, we passed by several treatment rooms, each door slightly ajar, giving us glimpses of the neatly organized spaces inside. The walls were lined with shelves holding jars and books, their contents neatly organized. I noticed labels in both common language and what seemed to be a local script, giving the place an air of deep tradition.

We arrived at a door with a brass plaque that read 'Head Healer.' Fiona opened the door and gestured for us to enter. The office was cozy, with a large wooden desk, several chairs, and a window that overlooked a small herb garden. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on the floor. Fiona took a seat behind the desk and motioned for Ana and me to sit as well.

The healer gestured for us to sit, and I helped Ana onto one of the chairs before taking a seat myself. Fiona began to talk more about the Hall, about the different types of healing they practiced, and I listened, feeling a sense of belonging settle over me. This was a place of care, of learning, and maybe—just maybe—a place where Ana and I could find a new purpose.

As Fiona spoke, I felt Ana lean against me, her small hand resting on my arm. I looked down at her, seeing the contentment in her eyes. For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt at peace. We were here, we were safe, and we had a future to look forward to. A new path forward, indeed.

"So, tell me about your quest," Fiona said, her tone inviting. "When did you arrive, and what skills do you currently have?"

I took a deep breath, explaining how we had arrived recently, and the skills I had brought with me. "I currently have skills in Cooking, Herbalism and Plant Lore, Healing Magic, and Aetheris History—all at Level 1," I said, my voice gaining confidence as I listed them. Fiona listened attentively, nodding as I spoke. She pulled a large leather-bound book from a shelf behind her, its edges worn and corners slightly frayed, with intricate designs etched into the cover that hinted at its age and importance. Flipping through the pages, she carefully scanned until she found my name.

"Ah, here you are," she said, tapping the page lightly. "It seems you had a healing experience recently, which appears to have unlocked your healing skill. Could you describe what happened?"

"How does that book know all of this? When we went to see the headsperson, he also had a book, and somehow it had information on each of us. How do these books work?"

Fiona explained, "Each head of a guild, the headsperson, and a few other city officials have a special book that records information based on specific criteria. Your name appeared in my book because you used magic to heal someone. Anyone who uses magic for healing is required to undergo healer training."

I hesitated for a moment, then recounted the strange sensation I'd felt—the warmth, the light—while I was preparing a compress and tea. Fiona listened, her expression thoughtful. When I finished, she smiled. "In order to use it safely, you'll need to register with the Healing Guild. We train all healers in essential knowledge—everything from anatomy and physiology to remedies and treatments. Even if healing isn't your primary profession, understanding these fundamentals is crucial."

She paused, her gaze shifting to Ana, who was listening intently. "It seems like your healing is connected to your cooking, which is quite unique. I'd recommend you learn as much as you can—knowledge is power, especially when it comes to healing."

Fiona leaned forward slightly, her eyes meeting mine. "Would you like to set up a training schedule? Have you attended any of the orientation classes yet?"

I beamed, "Yes I would love to get some training" then I shook my head. "and no, we haven't attended any yet."

Fiona nodded, her expression warm and encouraging. "That's fine. You'll get an opportunity to visit the different guilds during orientation." She paused, giving me a reassuring smile. "Since you're already interested in training, I'll mark the Healer's Hall as visited for your orientation log." She smiled, pulling out a parchment and jotting down a few notes. "We can start your training three days a week, in the mornings after breakfast until lunchtime. Here are four book titles that will be helpful," she said, handing me a small piece of parchment with the titles neatly written. I took the parchment, feeling a surge of excitement mixed with a sense of responsibility. The idea of diving into something new and meaningful filled me with hope, and I couldn't help but smile as I looked at the list. This was a chance to truly learn, to grow, and to make a difference. "You can find them in the library. I'd advise waiting until tomorrow to pick them up, since you'll be going there for orientation anyway. Just remember to get those books."

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I took the parchment, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. Fiona's gentle encouragement made me feel more at ease, and I could see the curiosity and excitement in Ana's eyes as well.

I opened my quest log, feeling a small sense of satisfaction as I noticed an update. There were two new quests: 'Training with the Healers Guild' and 'Read Books for Healer Training.' I also noticed another quest that I hadn't seen before—'Cooking Lessons with Miriam at Silver Sparrow Inn.' The quests felt like a gentle guide, helping me keep track of everything I needed to accomplish in this new world. I appreciated the structure they offered, giving me a sense of purpose and direction.

"Would you like a quick tour?" Fiona asked, her smile kind and genuine.

Ana looked up at me, her eyes wide with curiosity. I nodded and smiled, signing to her, "Would you like to see more?"

Ana's hands moved quickly, signing her answer, "Yes, please."

Fiona's smile widened, and she motioned for us to follow her. We moved through the hall, passing rows of shelves filled with jars, each labeled in neat, flowing handwriting. Some jars contained dried herbs, their earthy, rich scents mingling with the air, while others held colorful powders or liquids that shimmered faintly in the soft light. The sunlight filtering through the tall windows cast gentle beams, illuminating the floating dust particles and giving the space an almost ethereal, welcoming glow. It was far from sterile—each detail seemed to invite comfort and care.

"This is where we keep our basic supplies," Fiona explained, her hands lightly touching a few jars as we walked by. "Everything here has a purpose—from easing a headache to helping heal a broken bone. We use both traditional methods and a bit of magic to help those in need."

Ana's eyes were wide as she absorbed everything, her gaze moving from the shelves to the healers who bustled about, working with a quiet and calm focus. Their movements were deliberate, full of practiced care, and there was a warmth in their interactions. I could feel Ana's fascination growing, and it mirrored my own. There was something so comforting about this place—the sense of purpose, the gentle care in every movement, and the clear dedication to well-being.

Fiona led us to a small room at the back of the hall. Inside, the space was cozy rather than clinical. A simple wooden table stood in the center, accompanied by a few cushioned chairs, and a bed with clean, white linens was positioned against the wall. A potted plant sat on the windowsill, its leaves vibrant and green, adding a splash of life to the otherwise simple decor. The soft rustling of the leaves in the gentle breeze made the room feel alive. "This is one of our treatment rooms," Fiona said. "We try to make it as comfortable as possible for those who come to us. Healing isn't just about the body—it's about the mind and spirit as well."

I nodded, understanding her words deeply. I had always believed that food was a way to heal, that a warm meal could soothe more than just hunger. Seeing this philosophy mirrored here made me feel an even stronger connection to the Healer's Hall.

Ana tugged on my sleeve, her hands moving in quick signs. "Can I come back? I want to learn."

Fiona watched us, her expression thoughtful. "You both are always welcome here," she said gently. "If you'd like, we have classes for beginners—people who want to learn the basics of herbal medicine and simple healing spells. It's open to everyone, no matter their background, and children can join as early as age five." She smiled warmly at Ana. "When do you turn five, Ana?"

Ana looked up at Fiona, her eyes curious. Fiona responded by signing, her movements fluid and confident, "All are welcome here, and even children can work towards unlocking skills." She continued, explaining that while a child might learn and technically unlock a skill, it wouldn't appear in their interface until they gained full access as they grew older.

We were surprised at yet again finding someone who could sign so fluently. She seemed to notice our reaction and smiled. "You'll find many healers here who can sign," she explained. "The people brought to this world often have a higher chance of experiencing sensory issues or being on the autism spectrum, which may have led to isolation in their original worlds. Such isolation often caused their mental and physical health to suffer. Because of this, there are a significant number of non-verbal individuals here, and we believe it's important that everyone can communicate freely."

Fiona's gaze shifted to Ana, her expression gentle. "Since you just arrived, I assume Ana's non-verbal status is not due to a physical affliction—since all physical ailments are healed upon arrival. It must be sensory-related, which is something we don't consider an affliction. Sensory differences are part of who someone is, not something to be 'fixed.' It's simply a normal part of that person, not a deformity or a limitation." She paused, her eyes warm. "That's why so many of us take the time to learn sign language here—to ensure everyone feels included and communication is never a barrier."

"Where do you see the languages you know?" I asked, curiosity lacing my voice. "Based on what I've heard so far, it seems like it would be a skill, but I only have the three I told you about."

Fiona nodded, her expression understanding. "Many of the skills you brought with you from your old world will be addressed during your first orientation class. Not all of them are transferable, but many are." She paused, giving me a reassuring smile. "You'll learn more about that tomorrow, as well as in the reading material they'll provide. Since new people join the orientation class every week, the first hour is always dedicated to those who have just arrived. When you check your quest log, it will tell you exactly when to arrive for orientation, and that time may change each week depending on the instructors' schedules and needs."

Fiona glanced at her watch, then looked back at me thoughtfully. "There's still some time before dinner. Since one of your skills is Herbalism and Plant Lore, I recommend dropping by the gardens today," she said, her tone encouraging.

I nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and curiosity. "I was also planning on getting some training from the cook at the inn we're staying at," I added. Fiona's face lit up with approval, and she smiled. "That's wonderful!" she replied. "But I also have another recommendation for where you might take your cooking skills next—somewhere that would help you combine your interest in cooking with healing."

She focused on me for a moment, her gaze intense but kind. I felt a slight tingle, and when I looked at my quest log, I noticed a new quest had appeared: 'Cooking Skills Training with Jean Luis at the Three Ghosts Inn in Eldergrove Heights.' Fiona continued, "Jean Luis is one of the best, and he's based in Eldergrove Heights, the affluent district. It's mainly a place for city officials and those who've accumulated extra credits during their time here."

Fiona paused, her eyes softening as she explained, "Everyone starts with the same number of credits, but parents receive an extra 100 credits for each child under twelve. When Ana turns five, she'll have her own credits, but don't worry—none will be taken from you. These credits are specifically for her and can only be used for her needs, like training or special items. All her general living expenses—like food and clothing—are your responsibility, though I have no doubt you're more than capable and willing to handling that."

She glanced out the window, her expression thoughtful. "Most of the people in Eldergrove Heights have been here for thirty years or more, but there are a few who have gained enough credits and prestige to have a shop or lodgings there because of their special skills. Jean Luis is one of them. He’s incredibly talented with flavors and has even been known to use magic in his dishes. He may be just the person to help you develop your unique abilities further."

Fiona smiled as she reached into a drawer, pulling out a piece of parchment and a quill. "I'll give you a quest and a letter of reference," she said, her voice gentle. "When you meet Jean Luis, be honest with him. Tell him about your ability to sense what food is needed in a given situation, how you used healing magic during food preparation, and your belief that you may have the ability to imbue emotions into your cooking to help people heal mentally. He'll appreciate your honesty and may be able to guide you in ways that will help you grow."

We wrapped up our conversation, and Fiona walked us back to the entrance of the hall. Before we left, I decided to ask, "Is there a garden nearby that I could visit now? I know there’s one near where we met the headsperson, but I was hoping there might be one closer."

Fiona's face brightened, and she nodded. "Yes, the Herbalist's Garden isn't far from here. It’s just down the street, on your right. It’s smaller than the main garden, but it's perfect for someone starting out in Herbalism and Plant Lore."

I smiled and thanked her, feeling a sense of anticipation. Though I wanted to explore all of the gardens, there simply wasn't enough time today. I would have to pace myself. As we stepped outside, I made a mental note, and then opened my journal to add an entry reminding myself to ask tomorrow if I could create personal quests. There was so much to learn, and I wanted to make sure I didn't miss a thing.