Orphanage Inquiry

[lovedbyyendis]

Aria seeks out a meeting with Miss Mynian at the Great hall. She is carrying an angel cake and corked pitcher that steams in the cold weather.

After asking the attendant for the meeting, she waits.

(ShadowCatJen)

[ShadowCatJen]

It takes a bit, Mynian always busy with this, that, or the other thing, but she comes in out of the cold and into the Great Hall to see her waiting there with cake and pitcher.

"Miss Aria, were yeh waitin' all this time? Cor blimey, lass, me apologies. Come along then downstairs 'ere ta our lil' kitchen fer tha guards. We c'n set up some plates 'n cups, partake o' tha treats yeh brought 'n 'ave a chat, aye?"

She'd lead her to one of the side doors in the hall, down some stairs, to an area that was obviously meant for the guards on their breaks. An iron wood burner, a small kitchen area, with some chairs and tables to sit at. A couple of the guards or attendant might look over and nod at Mynian with a muttering of "Minister" to which she'd just give a quick nod or hello to. It's apparent she uses the area frequent enough that her presence isn't a surprise to them.

"Set yeh stuff on tha table there," she'd motion her head to one of the empty tables. "'n me will grab some plates 'n cups 'n thin's."

She would drape her fur lined cloak at the back of a chair before getting to the task of getting the cake and drink served up, "So whot do it be yeh want ta 'ave a chat about? A runner mentioned somethin' about tha orphanage?"

lovedbyyendis

[lovedbyyendis]

Clearly patient, Aria smiles when Mynian arrives.

"No worries, Miss Mynian, I anticipated a bit of a wait. You're just lucky there are still treats left to be had!"

She laughs melodically and follows Mynian downstairs looking around curiously as they go.

She would help set up the treats for the two of them before sitting and smoothing out her skirt.

"Aye, I was going to see if there is anything I could do to help with the finishing of the project. I believe I am ready to commit to Storytime Sweets here in the Roar and I think it would be a great thing to do before any further fundraising efforts are made. An example of sorts, you know?"

She smoothes out the fabric of her skirt carefully, thoughtfully, even.

"If funds are an issue, I think we could comfortably donate some from the funds raised to help get things finished for the children.

I also am facing the question of if I move my ball from the Four Winds venue as Mister Dread Pirate Roberts has had some unexpected former slave visitors. I would hate to disappoint him, especially since he's been so generous, but I also don't need people questioning my motive over such a hefty fundraising effort, you know?"

She'd look to Mynian, somewhat worried before taking another bite of cake.

ShadowCatJen

[ShadowCatJen]

"With yeh offerin' this sort o' cake, me do be surprised it ain't all gone," she'd say with an amused grin.

After settling down in the chair across from her, she gets out a small notebook and a bit of writing coal to set it to the side before taking a bite of the cake. She'd listen to Aria while chewing away, then take a drink of whatever warm concoction that was served. It's a little apparent that she'd been running around enough during the day that she might not have gotten a bite to eat until now.

"Mm, Hope's Cradle. Soup kitchen 'n orphanage," she'd take a moment to wipe at her mouth with a clean cloth then offer over Aria another cloth for herself before continuing. "Financially speakin' we really donna need more coin ta get 'er built. She be all paid fer 'n then some."

"We've 'ad more than enough donations come in from various folk. Tha Guardians, various individuals in tha Triadic Order, auctions 'n fund raisin' 'n all sorts o coin from all areas. There be a trust fund in tha bank currently keepin' 'oldin on ta all o' it. By tha time Hope's Cradle finally opens they'll 'ave enough funds ta keep themselves stocked wif food 'n supplies for a good five years at least."

"All tha delays 'ave come from other things. From tha attack on tha Great Hall two years ago, ta disagreements on allowin' a shrine within' tha buildin', ta findin' 'n then fixin' heavy cracks in tha location's foundation, ta convincin' workers ta build in a place where there 'ardly be food at, ta demon attacks 'n all sorts o' outside influences."

"From whot tha buildin' company 'as said, they should be finished buildin' by tha middle o' this summer." She'd pause in full thought, "Provided this unendin' winter 'asn't delayed 'em yet again."

"Long story short, Miss Aria, there really not much more ta be done. It be in tha 'ands o' tha builders roit now."

Mynian would take a bit of a breath before continuing, "'n as fer tha other bit ... yeh tha' worried about appearances? 'ow exactly would knowin' tha Four Winds freed some slaves be bad on a reputation or are yeh meanin' all tha other rumors people keep yammerin' on about 'em?"

[lovedbyyendis]

Aria listens intently, smiling as she learns that funds are well taken care of.

"I do hope this winter hasn't been another delay to add to what seems to be quite the stack of them already."

She thinks for a moment before continuing, "I'm not worried so much about reputation, more about timing, I suppose. I'm afraid if there's too much of a delay the cause will lose momentum, you know? Out of sight, out of mind."

Her head tilts slightly in the other direction thoughtfully.

"I didn't really know there were a lot of other rumors about the Four Winds. I just meant I didn't really want to move the venue because Mister Dread Pirate Roberts has been kind and generous and it might help his business some to host a ball."

She sits back a bit, her cake mostly gone and takes a sip from the cocoa.

"He did say I should ask you if there was anything I could do to help the slaves, though."

[ShadowCatJen]

Mynian stared at Aria quietly, then took a sip, her eyes not leaving her. After a moment she'd shrug a shoulder, "Then donna move it. Simple as tha. Yeh seem ta be worried about somethin' tha' nay even 'n issue."

"As fer tha former slaves, they be free folk now. Some o' them want me 'elp in findin' places fer 'em ta start a new life 'n me intends ta do exactly tha. 'm gatherin' a bit o' information now fer 'em 'n ifn me finds a me needs a lil' extra 'elp in gettin' it done me will get in contact," she'd sport a smile at her. "Me appreciates yeh offerin'."

"Though ifn yeh could 'elp wif something regardin' tha orphanage," Mynian would drink fully from the cup and set it down on the table, "when it be fully built there will be one glarin' ever worryin' problem."

"Do yeh be familiar wif tha 'aunted tower whot be jus' across tha wall from the Great Hall 'ere?"

[lovedbyyendis]

Aria fidgets with the rim of her mug.

"I suppose you're right. No need to worry about non-issues."

At the mention of the former slaves she nods, "I am thankful for their freedom and would be happy to help, of course."

Then, when the orphanage is mentioned she leans forward some listening carefully.

"I think so. Is that the one that, um, Emorikal says he must go into in his briefs with a wooden club?" She blushes profusely, but nods.

[ShadowCatJen]

Snorting a bit at her description of Emorikal's way of handling the place, Mynian would nod, "Aye, tha' would be tha one. Tha' problem be tha' it will be roit next door ta Hope's Cradle. Loik, literally a stone's throw."

Putting her elbows on the table, she'd lean forward a little, "Ifn yeh know anythin' about wee ones it be tha' they c'n get inta all sorts o' trouble when yeh nay lookin'. Yeh turn yeh back fer all o' three seconds 'n next thin' yeh know they some'ow be 'ead first inta tha cookin' cauldron 'n yeh only be lucky cause tha fire were nay lit 'n nuttin' were in it."

"Unfortunately, we canno' ... put out tha fire ... as it were wif this 'aunted tower. Tha moment we chose tha site fer Hope's Cradle me been tryin' ta get folks ta 'elp deal wif tha place cause me knows it in me bones that them wee ones will find a way ta get themselves inta tha' haunted tower one way 'r another."

"Me tried various folks ta try 'n get it done. Tha Reserves dinna do it when me asked," frustration starts to creep into her tone. "Tha High Priestess -- even though she ruddy promised she'd see ta it -- 'as up 'n disappeared ta judge some beauty contest outside o' Cormyr so she dinna do it. It nay somethin' me c'n do on me own, but every time me tries ta ask fer tha help, it goes no where."

She would give out a small sigh, calming her tone down, "So, Miss Aria, ifn yeh 'ave aims ta 'elp, this be where me needs 'elp. Me donna care 'ow it be dealt wif, jus' as long as it be dealt wif. Seal off tha entries 'n cover up every crack in tha floor 'r full out deal wif whotever keeps tha' place .. alive. Either way. Me wants ta make sure tha' none o' them wee ones 'ave ta be rescued from tha' place 'n me nay about ta sit 'ere 'n keep 'avin' ta make excuses as ta why me needs ta put up yet another postin' about another wee one gone missin' down in there 'n 'ave folk point me out as negligent fer somethin' me been tryin' ta fix since me took office."

Taking another breath, she'd motion a hand to Aria, "Me knows this be a fair shade beyond whot yeh 'ad in mind 'n donna got a thin' ta do wif yeh cupcakes 'n books fer tha wee ones, but me priority lays wif they safety. So, be up ta yehself ifn yeh want ta do somethin' about it 'r nay."