I stepped into the dining area, and my eyes immediately found Alex, Sam, and Ana. They were already seated, their voices mingling in gentle conversation. Ana was watching and helping Alex and Sam with signs as they spoke, her small hands moving confidently. At times, she corrected them with a patient smile, offering tips on how to improve their form or suggesting better ways to express certain phrases. It was clear that her understanding of sign language was growing quickly, and her contribution made the conversation more fluid for everyone. Her ability to assist Alex and Sam so naturally showed how much she had learned and how eager she was to help the group communicate better.

  The bustling noise of the dining area seemed to get to her occasionally; whenever someone spoke loudly or a plate clattered, Ana would cover her ears, her expression tightening briefly. The noise seemed to drain her energy, making her withdraw slightly, her eyes losing some of their brightness. It was clear that the overwhelming sounds were affecting her mood, leaving her more tired and less engaged. I could see how much she struggled to stay present, and it made me think that I needed to find her some earplugs or something to help. I made a mental note to find some earplugs for her.

  Tommy spotted me as I approached and brought over a glass, filling it with chilled juice as I joined them.

  “Good morning, sweetheart,” I signed to Ana, leaning down to give her a kiss on her head. She looked up at me, her eyes still a little sleepy but brightening with a hint of a smile. I glanced at her plate—eggs and fruit—and noticed her gaze kept flicking to my toast, her eyes wide with curiosity.

  Without a word, I cut my toast in half and handed a piece to her. Her face lit up, and she quickly signed, “I like what you pick.” Her eyes sparkled as she took a careful bite, chewing slowly as if savoring every crumb. She looked up at me, her face pure joy, and I couldn't help but smile back, feeling warmth bloom in my chest.

  I laughed softly, watching her nibble on the toast with evident delight. “Always the toast,” I whispered, a warmth spreading through me at her happiness. I then settled into my breakfast, listening to Alex and Sam’s animated conversation.

  They were clearly excited about today. “I can’t wait to learn more about the guilds,” Sam was saying, their eyes practically glowing with anticipation. “Especially the different skills—can you imagine what kind of magical skills we could learn here? It might even be like those fantasy novels we used to read.”

  Alex nodded, an eager grin spreading across their face. “I can't wait to see how they handle survival training here. I wonder if it's anything like the old guides we used to read. Maybe they’ll have techniques we’ve never even heard of. I want to see what more we can do, especially after that visit to the hunter’s lodge.” They paused and looked at me. “Maybe we can combine some of the guild training with our quests?”

  I nodded, thinking over our plans. “That could be a good idea. We might be able to learn more that way while also getting practical experience.”

  We continued talking about the quests we had picked up the day before. Alex was eager to start their hunting quest, which involved tracking a specific type of game. They seemed excited for the chance to get more survival practice in. My quest was about gathering herbs from particular locations, and I was thrilled for the opportunity to explore more of the local flora. Sam, meanwhile, was ready to track down the lost trinket someone had misplaced near one of the trails.

  “We can work on our quests later today, after orientation,” I suggested. “Since all of our quests seem to be outside of the gate, it’d probably be safer to go out together.”

  Sam nodded enthusiastically. “The sooner, the better, but I wonder how much time we will have. Still, I’d love to see what we earn by completing them.”

  Ana, who had been quietly listening, suddenly signed with a big grin, “Three more days!” Her excitement was infectious, and we all laughed. It made me think about her birthday. I wanted to make it special, especially since this world seemed to bring her a new sense of happiness. Maybe I could talk to Tommy and get some ideas. Something with animals, or maybe an art exhibit—anything that would make her light up the way she did when she discovered something new.

  As if he read my thoughts, Tommy approached us and asked, “Do you need an escort today?” His gaze flickered over the group, assessing, but when he looked at Ana, his eyes softened. He signed the question alongside his words.

  I quickly checked my quest log, selecting the orientation quest. A green dot appeared on my wrist, and I pulled up the city map. The path from the inn to the orientation at the church was clearly marked.

  “I don’t think we need one today,” I said, meeting Tommy’s gaze. “But if you need the air, you’re welcome to join us.”

  Tommy nodded, smiling. “I have a few things to pick up at the market, so I’ll walk with you until then,” he said, signing as he spoke.

  We finished our breakfast, chatting about the upcoming orientation. The energy at the table was light, full of anticipation. I made sure Ana had finished her food before helping her put on her small satchel, ensuring she had her sketchbook and pencils. Alex and Sam gathered their things as well, and Tommy waited patiently by the door. It felt like the beginning of an adventure, even if it was just a walk through the town.

  “Alright, everyone ready?” I asked, giving Ana’s hand a gentle squeeze.

  Ana nodded, her eyes bright with excitement. Sam adjusted their bag and gave me a thumbs-up. Alex was already halfway to the door, their enthusiasm obvious.

  With everyone set, we headed out, stepping into the crisp morning air. The streets were starting to come alive, and the gentle warmth of the early sunlight made everything seem a little more vibrant. Today was going to be an interesting day, and I couldn’t wait to see what it would bring.

  The walk to the church was brisk. I glanced at my watch and realized we were arriving almost half an hour early. Tommy reassured us that arriving early was a good thing. The seats filled up quickly, especially because people from all over Gyrica attended these gatherings. Getting there early gave us a better chance of sitting together. He mentioned we'd receive a booklet upon arrival—something to read while we waited—and that there would be snacks and refreshments, including coffee, tea, and juice. It sounded almost like an event, which both reassured and unnerved me.

  At the turn-off to the church, Tommy said his goodbyes. We waved as he headed towards the market, and we continued along the path towards the church. We could already see the church from where we stood, its tall spire reaching into the sky, visible throughout most of Gyrica. It struck me again that, though I’d been calling Gyrica a town, it was really more of a small city.

  As we approached the church, that familiar tightness crept into my chest—a feeling somewhere between anxiety and panic. I hoped that being here early would make it easier; fewer people, less chaos. Even so, my hands started to sweat, and my jaw clenched involuntarily. I stopped just before the door, noticing there weren’t many people around yet.

  Alex and Sam walked ahead, stepping inside first. Ana and I stayed by the entrance, and I took a few deep breaths, trying to steady myself. Ana was still holding my hand, and I looked down at her, noticing her gaze fixed on the door that Sam was holding open for us. She wasn’t stepping forward either.

  "Are you okay?" Sam's gentle but concerned voice called from the doorway. I wondered what expression I had on my face to make them sound that worried.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  I let go of Ana’s hand and quickly wiped my palms on my jeans. “Is it busy in there?” I asked, my voice trembling just slightly.

  Sam shook their head and smiled kindly, signing at the same time to reassure Ana. “Nope, we’re the first ones here. It’s empty.”

  Ana pressed closer to me, and I gave her a gentle smile, placing a hand on her back. Together, we walked into the church while Sam held the door open for us. The interior was spacious, with high vaulted ceilings and stained-glass windows that cast colorful patterns on the stone floor. Rows of wooden pews stretched out in neat lines, and the scent of old wood mixed with faint incense filled the air, creating a calming atmosphere.

  The empty room was a relief, and we took our time choosing where to sit. We had options: we could sit in the back, where we could see everyone but be less noticed, or sit in the front, where we wouldn’t have to look at everyone but would certainly be visible. I knelt beside Ana and asked her what she thought. She signed that the back corner would be best, so we headed there.

  Alex and Sam didn't mind sitting in the back with us, but they asked if we could move forward later if the crowd stayed small, to interact more with others. They wanted to socialize but preferred to stay with us for now. I nodded in agreement, as long as we kept an easy path for leaving if we needed to.

  While we were discussing our options, an older person began walking towards us. They had a kind smile, and their robes were a deep shade of green trimmed with gold. They had an air of gentle authority.

  "Hello, welcome to orientation. Is this your first time here?" Mica asked, their voice warm and inviting.

  “Yes, we just arrived in Gyrica two days ago—and in this world seven days ago,” Alex replied, stepping forward to take the lead.

  "Welcome!" Mica said enthusiastically. "I am Mica, the first priestess here. I will be one of your instructors today, helping you adjust to your new life here in Valeris.” Mica’s eyes twinkled as they looked at our chosen spot. “I see you’ve chosen to sit in the back, and that’s totally fine. If the attendance is low, though, I hope you'll consider moving forward. Last week, we had a full house, but attendance can vary. Sometimes people travel to other towns, and sometimes they stay. The wave of arrivals with you might mean a larger group today.”

  Mica paused, then continued with curiosity. “Is the reason you chose the back personal preference, or do you need to feel the wall behind you?”

  “A little bit of both,” Alex responded, giving a small nod. They explained briefly about Ana being non-verbal but respectfully left out my hesitation at the door.

  Mica nodded in understanding. “We have a signer, and there’s a section for those who prefer signing. Additionally, we have special earplugs that can filter specific sounds based on your needs. For example, if you want to focus on the signer and block everything else, they can do that. Or, if you’re sensitive to noise, they can reduce ambient sound and allow only specific voices to come through.” Mica handed each of us a set of small, round devices. “They’re keyed to you, so you can’t lose them. If you drop them or leave them behind, they’ll return to your inventory. You don’t even need to put them in your ears—they create a sort of field around you that filters the sound. Just focus on them in your inventory, and you’ll see a settings screen where you can choose your preferences.”

  I noticed I had two sets—one for myself and one for Ana. “How can Ana control hers?” I asked.

  Mica looked over at Ana with a thoughtful expression. “Is she not yet five?”

  "I turn five in three days," Ana signed, her small hands moving shyly.

  Mica smiled, signed back effortlessly, and then turned to me. "Until she turns five, you’ll control them for her. You'll still have access until she turns twelve. When she turns five, they will automatically move to her inventory, but until then, they’re bound to you.” Mica handed us a few booklets. “We’ll talk more about bound items today. In the meantime, these booklets should give you some idea of what to expect. Feel free to read through them while we wait.”

  I knelt beside Ana again, making sure she understood. “How would you like your noise filter set?” I asked her gently. “Do you want to wear them, or should I hold on to them?”

  Ana handed them to me, signing that she wanted to muffle all ambient sounds and reduce the volume of the primary speaker. Mica explained that the primary speaker would be whoever held the attention of the group—so if someone in the audience asked a question, their voice would also come through. I adjusted the settings for her, and her face lit up like it was her birthday already. It was like, for the first time, she could be part of a larger group without being overwhelmed.

  Mica also showed us where the signer would be positioned and pointed out a nearby door that led to some rooms and a courtyard if things became too much. The seating arrangements were assigned once the session started, but could be adjusted by an instructor if necessary. If anyone became a distraction, the instructors could help minimize it, but the overall policy was to allow people to be themselves—everyone was welcome to participate in their own way.

  “If you have questions during the event and you’re not comfortable asking in front of everyone, feel free to write them in your journal. Instructors will mingle after the main session to answer anything we might have missed. After today, you’ll be able to send questions through a special feature in your interface, and we’ll address them in future sessions. Everything is also transcribed into your journal, and you can replay it later if you need a refresher,” Mica said, just as the door opened and more people began to arrive. “I’ll leave you to it. Enjoy your first day, and I’ll check in with you afterward.”

  I looked back at the door where people were now streaming in, feeling my stomach clench slightly. But when I glanced at Ana, her smile was so bright that it was impossible not to feel some of her excitement. I smiled back, feeling a bit more settled. They really were making an effort to make things accessible, and that helped more than I could say.

  I adjusted my own noise filter to be similar to Ana’s but didn’t activate it just yet—there weren’t enough people here for it to be necessary. It wasn’t long before more people started arriving, and soon a steady stream was flowing into the church. Mica greeted each person or group, and they moved to their seats.

  We ended up being moved a little closer to the front, but our seats were positioned so that Ana and I still had the wall behind us. Having the wall there seemed to comfort Ana, providing her a sense of security and helping her manage her anxiety. It was as if knowing nothing could approach her from behind made it easier for her to focus on what was in front of her. I could also see the signer—an individual named Vinny who had just arrived and introduced themselves warmly. They explained that they would interpret for everyone in our group and encouraged us to feel free to sign amongst ourselves if needed. Vinny mentioned that their interpretations were word-for-word, which could sometimes be confusing with certain terms, but they assured us they'd do their best.

  The seating arrangement was interesting—the benches were slightly longer in the front rows, curving around the oval shape of the church. We were in the first row, with our seats angled so that we were facing the stage but still had most of the wall behind us. Alex and Sam sat next to us, with a couple of people seated behind them.

  I turned to Alex and Sam, knowing they might feel isolated sitting in a quieter section. “If this spot is too far from everyone else, we can move so you can talk more easily.”

  Alex shook their head. "It's fine. There will be breaks and time to socialize, and honestly, it helps us get better at understanding ASL." Sam nodded in agreement, smiling at Ana, who looked pleased.

  The church continued to fill, the gentle hum of conversations growing until it reached a point where I knew it was time. I focused on my inventory, activating my sound barrier to block out the excess noise and maintain my calm. I glanced down at Ana, her eyes wide as she looked around, her hands resting on her lap. I could tell she was nervous, but I also saw curiosity there. Today promised to be something new, something different, and I hoped it would mark the beginning of something good for both of us.

  As the church quieted, Mica made their way to the front, their robes flowing as they took their place on the raised platform. Mica lifted their hands slightly, and the room gradually fell silent, all eyes turning towards them.

  "Welcome, everyone," Mica began, their voice clear and warm. "It’s wonderful to see so many new faces today. For those of you joining us for the first time, I want to extend a special welcome. This is your orientation, your first step into our community here in Valeris. Today, we’ll cover some basics—how to navigate, what resources are available, and most importantly, how to find your place here."

  Mica paused, allowing their words to settle. "I know this transition can be overwhelming, especially arriving in a new world. But I want you all to know that you are not alone. Look around you; everyone here is going through similar challenges. We are in this together, and we are here to support each other."

  They smiled, their gaze moving across the room, making eye contact with several people, including us. "We have a lot to cover, but we’ll take it step by step. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, either during the session or afterward. Remember, this is a safe space for everyone."

  Mica gestured toward Vinny, the signer, who gave a small wave. "For those of you who prefer signing, Vinny will be interpreting today’s session. And for those with sound sensitivities, you should now have your noise filters active. We want everyone to be as comfortable as possible."

  Taking a deep breath, Mica continued, "Now, let’s begin by talking about what it means to be a part of Valeris. This world is full of possibilities, and our goal is to help you find your path, whatever that might be."