Aziel quickly settled into a routine in Glenwood.
Each morning, he would wake up in his small room at Madam Rosita's inn. The room was simple, but clean and comfortable.
Sunlight streamed through the window, chasing away the last remnants of sleep.
Next, Aziel would head downstairs to the inn's restaurant.
Madam Rosita would always have a warm breakfast waiting for him.
Some mornings it was fluffy scrambled eggs with crispy bacon. Other days, he'd find a steaming bowl of porridge topped with fruits, or a hearty omelet filled with cheese and herbs.
And there was always a slice of freshly baked bread that filled the restaurant with its sweet vanilla smell.
She smiled brightly when she saw him, always ready with a kind word and a refill of his coffee.
With his stomach full, Aziel would step out into the bustling village.
Glenwood was always livelier in the mornings.
Villagers hurried about their business, their laughter and chatter filling the air.
He greeted familiar faces as he made his way to the Glenwood Clinic, a simple clapboard building with a small garden bursting with herbs.
Inside the clinic, Dr. Hana was already hard at work.
Aziel wondered if she had ever gone home.
Ren and Rina were bustling about, setting up supplies and getting ready for the day's patients.
Ren greeted him with a nod, while Rina offered a warm smile.
Dr. Hana, though, just gave him a curt nod before handing him his list of tasks for the day.
Aziel got to work, following the list.
He cleaned the examination rooms, swept the floors, and restocked the shelves with bandages and medicine.
Sometimes, when the clinic was busy and the twins were swamped, he would even assist Dr. Hana with patients, holding a bandage or fetching a tool.
She never explicitly thanked him, but he saw a flicker of appreciation in her eyes.
Lunch was a short affair, usually taken in the clinic's small break room.
Always a quick sandwich.
Aziel found it unusual that every single lunch that Dr. Hana took, mushrooms were always included.
In the afternoons, Aziel would tend to the herb garden beside the clinic.
Ren would often join him, offering guidance and sharing his knowledge of the different plants.
The garden was a peaceful place, and Aziel enjoyed the quiet work of weeding, watering, and harvesting.
The clinic closed at six in the evening.
Aziel would make his way back to Madam Rosita's inn.
Dinner was always a communal affair, with villagers and travelers alike gathering in the restaurant to share meals and stories.
Afterward, Aziel would sometimes chat with Madam Rosita and the other patrons, listening to their tales of life in Glenwood.
Other times, he would retreat to his room, spending the evening resting and talking to Blackie.
Occasionally he would train using his powers, testing the limits of the arms he could summon and mastering the unique magic he had acquired.
It was just a simple daily routine, yet Aziel found himself genuinely enjoying this laid-back lifestyle.
**********
About a week had passed since Aziel had arrived in Glenwood.
Life had settled into a comfortable rhythm, and he found himself enjoying the mundane tasks of his job at the clinic.
On this particular morning, Aziel was meticulously arranging medical supplies on the shelves, humming a tune while whistling softly.
Suddenly, the clinic door creaked open, and a man entered.
The man was huge, easily towering over Aziel. He had to duck slightly to clear the low doorway.
Despite his intimidating size, his face was gentle, and his eyes held a soft, somewhat wistful expression.
Dr. Hana emerged from the back room, with a half-eaten mushroom clutched in her hand.
This woman is way too obsessed with mushrooms, Aziel thought to himself, shaking his head slightly.
She quickly finished it off, chewing thoughtfully as she approached the newcomer.
The big man greeted Dr. Hana with a polite nod. "Good morning, Hana," he said softly, his voice surprisingly gentle for his size.
"Jonas. Did you get everything I asked for?" Dr. Hana replied, her tone professional but with a hint of familiarity.
Jonas placed a basket on the counter. "Yes, Hana. I got everything. Moonpetal blossoms, firewhisper root, and even some of the glowshrooms you wanted."
Dr. Hana nodded approvingly, glancing at the contents of the basket. "Alright good, thank you, Jonas. I'll get your payment ready for you later. I need to get back to some work that is pending in the back."
Dr. Hana nodded once more before turning to head back to her room.
But then Dr. Hana seemed to remember something.
She realized she hadn't introduced Elias to Jonas yet.
Dr. Hana turned her attention towards Aziel, gesturing vaguely between the two men.
"Oh, yeah. Jonas, this is Elias, the new assistant at the clinic. Elias, this is Jonas. He's one of the guards here in Glenwood, but he sometimes helps me gather medicinal ingredients in the forest."
Aziel, acting as Elias, extended a hand towards Jonas. "Elias. Nice to meet you, Jonas."
Jonas returned the handshake, his grip strong but surprisingly gentle. "Jonas. Same here."
Dr. Hana, seemingly finished with the pleasantries, turned back towards the back room. "Alright then, I'll head inside first. If I need anything, I'll call you, okay?"
Jonas nodded, his gaze lingering on Dr. Hana as she walked away, a subtle hint of something akin to longing appeared oh his face as she disappeared from view.
He looked like he wanted to say something to Dr. Hana, his mouth opening slightly, but the words seemed to catch in his throat.
He ended up just shaking his head, a soft sigh escaping his lips. It wasn't really like him to speak his mind anyway.
Then, he turned around and left the clinic, his heavy footsteps the only sound as he moved.
Aziel just watched him go, his eyes following Jonas's broad back until he disappeared from view.
He wondered briefly what Jonas had wanted to say, but ultimately decided it wasn't any of this business.