Aria's Adventures at Hopes Cradle

[lovedbyyendis]

Aria enters the orphanage with the usual bounce in her step, humming quietly. She checks in with those in charge and delivers a few cupcakes.

She then makes her way to the reading room where she gathers the children wishing to join her.

"I have a new song for all of you. Something fun and exciting. We're going to work on the alphabet today, but with .... creatures!"

She beams a smile as she sets down her bag and pulls out a stack of parchment and makes sure to leave the bag open at her feet.

"Are you ready?"

Lute in lap she strums gently as she begins to sing. 🎶🎶

🎶"A is for Allips.
B is for Balors, bulettes, and beholders
And C is for Carcass or body long-slain.🎶
D is for dragons.
E is for ettins, elementals, and ettercaps
And F is for Formians with hive minds, they all share one brain."🎶

She pauses strumming and taps her temple a few times and holds up one finger.

🎶"G is for Giants
H is for Hags, Harpies and Hell Hounds
And I is for Illithids whose psionic powers let them in your brain.
J is for Jaguars
K is for kobolds, kraken, and kopru
And L is for liches making a secret of their name."🎶

She stops strumming to hold a finger to her lip in a traditional "shh" motion before continuing.

🎶"M is for Mimics
N is for naga, nymphs, and necromancers.
And O is for Oni, giant ogre mages sights set on causing pain."🎶

She pauses strumming and singing to scrunch up her face and clasp her hands over her chest.  Then continues...

🎶"P is for Psuedodragon, *she tilts her head some* wait, that’s confusing
Ah well, Q is for Quasits, Quippers, and Quell
And R is for rust monsters – careful, your pants you’ll be losing."🎶

She laughs some and crosses her hands over her lap and giving an embarrassed look, actually blushing some.

🎶"S is for Shadows
T is for Tasloi, Tirichik, and Tigers (like Katy)
U is for undead like zombies all icky and oozing."🎶

She holds up her hands and wiggles her fingers as she moves them down towards the ground.

🎶"V is for Vishap
W is for wheeps, wisps and werechickens!"🎶

She moves puts her hands to her chest and flaps her elbows up and down like wings.

🎶"X is for Xorn
Y is for Yaun-ti, Yrthak, and Yau-mor.
Z is for Zhents who are a great blight who deserve ending."🎶

She sets the lute down for the last line, and pulls back an imaginary string on an imaginary bow to let loose an imaginary arrow.

After the children settle she spends time with each of them reading through a page or two of their chosen storybook.

Finally before leaving she gathers those around, the ones who've not left to sleep or eat or play, and reminds them,

"I'll be back soon.  I'm working hard to bring you guys something interesting to see and touch, but it's a surprise.  Be well and happy until I return."

[lovedbyyendis]

Aria sits outside on the rare, sunny day when the kids are outside running and playing. She has a book in her lap and quill in hand. She draws and writes as the children giggle and join her in the occasional song.

[lovedbyyendis]

On a particularly cold and stormy day, Aria braves the wind to bring the children fresh cocoa. She pulls a book or two from the shelves and has them all sit on the rug while she sits on the stool and reads to them.

After a few books, she takes the time with each child individually to ask how they are doing and if they need anything.

Just before taking her leave she sings a quiet, calming lullaby for those wanting to listen.

With a bright smile and cheerful wave, she is gone.

[lovedbyyendis]

Aria makes her way to visit the children at Hope's Cradle once again. The sun is setting and the world grows darker. The air is cool and a breeze wafts a few strands of hair in her face. She stands alone outside the door and takes a big, deep breath before opening the door.

The children see a bright smile and open arms for those that wish to greet her with a hug. She laughs lightly and ushers them towards the area where they normally read their stories.

"Let's have a bit of story time, hmm?" she asks with a calm and cheery voice.

Aria pulls her journal from her book and begins to tell a story of a little boy whose mother couldn't sleep. He heard of a special rock that would allow her to sleep and have wonderful dreams so he set about an adventure to find this rock. As she tells the story, she shows the children illustrations she's made in her journal.

"And that night, the boy was proud as he laid in bed hearing his mother snore from her very cozy, warm bed." she concluded with a sigh and a smile.

She looked about the lot of the children with a smile, one had fallen asleep there on the carpet. She held a finger to her lips and indicated for the others to rise quietly. Gently she picked up the sleeping child and took her to her bed. She leaned to kiss the child's forehead, but stopped just shy and looked at the sleeping child for a moment longer.

After everyone had successfully calmed she found her way to the caregiver.

She asked quietly, "Do you know who I would speak to if I had an idea for a potential improvement of the orphanage?"

_{(Tagging a few DMs bc I'm not sure who could answer - DM Flash DM Hawk DM Grizwald EDM Community Theatre )}

[lovedbyyendis]

Aria stands across the way from Hope's Cradle, looking up at the building before her for a long, silent moment.

This day instead of approaching the door she finds a place away from the building and sits. She is out of sight of the children, but within listening distance. Often the parchment in her lap flaps in the chilled breeze causing her to hold it in place with one hand as she writes with the other.

Every so often she will close her eyes and just listen to the children laughing, playing... talking.

[lovedbyyendis]

Aria can be seen at least 8 times a fortnight at the orphanage bringing treats and reading to the children. She always pauses before entering, taking a deep breath and pushing her shoulders back and making sure her smile is just right. If one were close enough, they would hear her give a sentiment similar to, "These children deserve to know what happiness is and today we're going to show them they're loved, wanted, and very special. Each and every one in their own special ways."

Though always enthusiastic in her entry, if one were to see her when she leaves she would appear tired and concerned.

[lovedbyyendis]

As of late Aria spends many hours most days at the orphanage helping where she can and trying to spend a bit of time in the kitchen to learn, especially when something is baking.

Her songs fills the children's play area, though they seem to be milder in content with less about her sights while adventuring.

Once a moon she brings enough cupcakes for everyone to share over a good book.