Following after Bethany, which Oriana was still unsure on whether that was actually her name, they neared the slums.
It was at this point that she wasn't too sure whether following her had been a good idea or not.
No offence to the slums, but you don't get named the slums without good reason, and that reason usually came to be due to the criminal activity that took place.
It wasn't all bad; some areas of it were peaceful, but there were locations where you could easily lose your life if you were not careful.
And in a world of peace, it seemed unthinkable…but it wasn't like the Peacekeepers could always be everywhere.
"Don't worry, it's not far now."
Oriana looked up at Bethany, who looked as she did in the merchants' guild. Her real appearance or a fake persona, she didn't know. And because of that, she, too, made sure not to let Bethany know whether her green-skinned forest look was real or not.
"So this is a healer you know…in the slums."
"Yep. You can't act too surprised. People in the slums need healing, too. And it's not like they can venture to the middle city to get it."
The healers' guild is what Bethany was referring to. To many, it would seem that the healers' guild made itself accessible to all by being in the middle city, which was mostly true. People of the upper city could go there if they didn't already have personal healers in their retinue.
People of the lower city could visit, as the class disparity was small compared to if it were in the upper city.
But for the slums, they could hardly enter the lower city without receiving harsh glares and worried looks. The fear among the people to not interact with anyone from the slums, lest they be ostracised, was ingrained in them.
To venture through the lower city and then the middle city to reach the healers' guild was a difficult trek for someone in the slums. So much so that many didn't do it.
But as Bethany said, people in the slums need healing too.
"She's a great gal, helped me out a few times over the years. Doesn't charge much either. Sometimes she doesn't even charge if you look like you have no way to pay. Very altruistic. Her one failing, I would say."
Oriana just raised her eyebrow at that.
"That's a failing to you? Really?"
"Of course. How is she going to earn any coin if she just helps them for free."
Oriana just watched her for a moment as she walked down the street, just pondering what she had said for a moment.
Before long, they reached an alleyway. Even being the middle of the day, it held a darkness one could only associate with the slums. The stone path was caked in mud, dirt and rubbish. Its walls, which looked like they were originally whitewashed, were now a dark and dingy brown.
"Come on, it's just through here."
To many, this would probably feel like the end of the road. Surely this was leading to her being murdered by this coin-obsessed, stalking illusionist.
But Oriana was fairly certain she would not be dying tonight. The pain in her body said otherwise, but at least it wasn't because of Bethany that she felt that way.
At the end of the alley, things started to get brighter. A mana light was affixed to the side of the building, just above a red door, illuminating its surroundings. And just next to it, she could just about make out the word 'Healer'.
"She's a bit out of the way, isn't she?"
"Yeah, brilliant healer, but marketing is not her forte. I have told her before to put a sign at the end of the alley, but all she says is "if wounded souls need me, they will know where to find me." Makes her sound like a sage or oracle or something."
So altruistic, and a little strange. Sounded like just the right person for Oriana to trust with her health.
Upon entering the building, there was a stark contrast with the outside. All the dingy and decrepit slum alley faded away to give a beautiful, clean, lit hallway. It was, of course, nowhere near the merchants' guild and the upper city standards, but it definitely gave the lower city, and maybe even part of the middle city, a run for its coin.
It was mostly bare, aside from a few paintings on the wall, showcasing idyllic scenes, likely meant to bring about a sense of calm.
At the end of the hall, they entered another door and found a room full of people, all sitting around, chatting and waiting.
"All these people. Wait, this is the queue to see the healer, isn't it? This will take all day!" Oriana realised.
Bethany just scoffed.
"Don't worry. My friend isn't the only healer here. And besides, not everyone here is waiting for a healer. Some are just friends and family. And there are probably a few here just to…see her."
Oriana wasn't quite sure what she meant by that. That is, until she heard a voice, and several heads turned in that direction.
The person who entered was, well, all Oriana could really compare her to was a beautiful teacher, but in a healer's robe. An older woman, sure, but she hardly showed it, looking not much older than herself and Bethany. And the look in her eyes showed that she could be strict when she wanted to.
The sighs she heard nearby were enough for her to understand. So without further ado, she quickly shifted into another form when no one was looking and then headed to what looked like a magic stone tablet, signing in with a fake name.
"Really", was all Bethany said upon seeing her.
"What. Oriana is my lower city persona. Can't have her in the slums. I should have changed earlier."
Bethany just huffed. Yet, she kind of understood.
It was also rather hypocritical of her because shortly after Oriana changed, so did Bethany.
"Really?" Oriana parroted back
"Shut up. I always look like this when I come here."
With their new looks in place, which were generally a couple of overlooked women, with dirt smeared in places, they sat down and got to waiting.
---
"So, why Oriana?"
"Why Bethany?"
"Fine, I'll tell you first, as long as you tell me yours."
Bethany and Oriana sat towards the back of the room, a few seats empty beside them, and decided to talk about their decisions on personas.
"Bethany was just what I chose for working at the Merchants Guild. And everyday life around the city. Nothing else much to it. She is not what I actually look like, in case you were wondering."
"I figured."
"So, Oriana? Why?"
"What do you mean by why. It's a nice name." Oriana said with a little smile towards her.
"You know why I'm asking."
She did. A forest fae in a city full of people that looked nothing like her was hardly camouflage.
"It was sort of a mistake, but I think also a clever decision on my part. I quite liked the look when I saw some forest fae before. I figured, why not. Then I obviously found it didn't really fit in with the city. But, when you do something you shouldn't, looking like a human or an elf, you are then beyond suspicion when someone looks and sees a green forest fae shortly after."
She couldn't help but recall when the Peacekeepers had come to the Inn after the Peace Festival.
Upon hearing that, Bethany just sat back and thought about it for a while, trying to see if what Oriana had said actually had merit.
---
Before long, the healer finally called their names.
Heading in, they passed several doors of other healers. Generally, you would get whoever you are given, but it was likely that the healer in question recognised Bethany's name.
They finally reached the door to this particular healer's room and headed inside.
The room itself was bland. There wasn't much colour, it was mainly white, but with some blue here and there for the curtains and seats. There were a few chairs, and the desk that the healer sat at.
On the other side of the room was what could only be described as a long table with some padding. This was likely the area you lay down on if you needed to be checked out.
With the healer now up close, Oriana could easily see she had the strict librarian or teacher thing going on. She was quite a beautiful woman in her own right, and it made sense that she had fans.
Long brunette hair was held up in a bun. Small glasses with black rims adorned her face, sitting in front of amber eyes. She wore what had to be her work uniform, being robes, mainly white, long and covered in pockets.
She was also fairly tanned as well. Whether it was her natural tone or she liked vacationing in the sun, she was not sure.
"Bethany, it's good to see you again. How are you, my dear?" Said the healer as they entered, a slight smile on her face that Oriana couldn't tell if it was genuine or not.