A Childs New Home...

[Fezzik]

* Muddling through Bureaucracy *

Cbyil wandered around for a while, going from government building to government building.

Sooner or later, I'll find the right person to talk to... Thank you Ilmater for granting me endurance and patience. She'd heard many things....

"Orphanage? Why do we need to put all the downtrodden youth in one spot... they'll form gangs! -- Go talk to ..."

"Sent you to me?! I'll pull his teeth out! No, I can't help you, you'll have to go...."

"And who are you? Queen of the little people! No, you'll have to see....."

"Ye can't be serious! We have enough problems just keeping our own buildings under control, you expect to do it with a bunch of young people running amok in one?... "

And so she stood, this was the last building she could find where someone might talk to her about the process at least. First, she needed a permit to set the Orphanage up, then she expected just finding a building would be difficult enough, but after that, there were furnishings to consider, donations would likely start coming in, and food needed to be procured. Teachers would be needed as well as councilors, cooks etc. They all thought she was a bit off her rocker from the looks they gave her, but she was determined. This was something that the Triumvirate needed to start, if no one else would. Something to give back to the community. She drew a deep breath, and stepped inside the building, and walked to the office of the person she was supposed to see.

"Hello, my name is Cybil, Lesser Favoured of Ilmater. I'm a member of the Triumvirate, and I'd like to talk to you about anything I might need in the way of permits, to aquire a building within, or close to, Sundren City, were an Orphanage can be set up. I was told that you would be the person that would best be able to handle this request?"

[Fezzik]

"What ever your request is I don't really have tim.... wait a second, did you say you're Cybil?" He narrowed his gaze. Hmm... been hearing about you.

Cybil smiled faintly, trying to hide a bit of concern, "Nothing bad I hope?"

"Not really. Good things actually," his tone turned far more jovial. "How can I help you? You said something about an orphanage?"

She nodded, with a smile, "Yes. I know it will take some planning, but I was wondering about paperwork and purchasing an abandoned building."

"I think we have a small orphange in the city actually, and you Triad-types have taken a few keds yourself?"

"I was thinking something a bit bigger. Useful for all the people of Sundren, for children displaced by war or other tragedies."

"If you're looking to make use on an old building, I hope you have some time and money on your hands, we're stretched as it is budget-wise."

"I would be happy to provide capital cost as needed." She smiled, happy that the Triumvirate allowed her to set up the cooperative in the first place so that this money could be used for something beneficial.

"I agree kidds need a good place to lay their heads, but they also need protection from all the bastards knocking on our front door recently. It won't be cheap. Hell, I don't even have an estimation for you!"

"As long as I can get the ball rolling. The Triumvirate apparantly has money set aside, and I have a large some to donate as well."

"Well, it the Triad guys have some coin to donate, I can makde sure it goes to the rightful place. Tell you what..", the old man gave a wrinkled smile, " I'll takecare of the first step of paperwork for you. It may take some time to get back to you... maybe about a week, but will all you Triad-types have done, it's the least I can do."

And so it started.

[Fezzik]

A Childrens Alliance

Cybil began to make her way around the City first. Each temple needed to be visited. Helmites could offer protection, comfort and guidance; Oghma bowers could offer teaching of knowledge, skills and possibly books for a small internal library; Waukeenites might provide knowledge of mercantile systems, and how to manage money. The University could perhaps send special lecturers for older children, as could the library, as could the Library. The other temples she would visit afterwards. Anyone willing to donate time, teaching or funds would be welcome she was sure, within reason.

She wasn’t looking for just an orphanage, where children would grow up, then be shoved out without any real means of fending for themselves. She knew there were certain things that the upper classes would not want these children to know, but there were things they needed to know. They could become very productive members of Sundren society in the end. The plague from the Talonites left Sundren with a few voids, that much was certain likely. Skills – children need skills. She spent a large amount of time in her youth in the smithy, much to the vexation of the Brothers and Sister. Learning was to be important.


Besides that, the coming days would likely find the Black Hand striking out blindly to try to re-establish its feigned supremacy; innocents would get in the way, simply because the Hand doesn’t care about the people of the valley. The children of those murdered by Tyranny would have a home to stay when their own were destroyed.

[Fezzik]

Cybil first went to the Helmites, they offered protection and guidance for the young, although they asked that they be kept informed of who and where any money was coming and going, Cybil saw no problems with that. She would get back to them when the time came.

Miss Fortuna offered her services directly for the effort, after a bit of persuassion. She would set up an account for the orphanage, and deal with merchants for the things needed on a regular basis.

***

Cybil returned to the clerk, seeking a progress report on the permits.

"Hello again," she smiled warmly to the older man.

"This about... err... uh...," he snapped his fingers when her remembered, "Orphanage, Yeah! Any luck getting any backing on that?"

Cybil recounted her accounts with the Helmites and with Miss Fortuna.

"Good, good. You might be happy to know some progress has been made on my end, though not a lot."

"Every little bit helps," Cybil smiled encouragingly. "May I ask what has been happening?"

"It's kind of weird, some of the interest being taken in this during these desperate times. But I guess it's a good sign that others care. One of the zoning commissioners has taken a personal interest, even scoping out some possible buildings. Yeah, progress, not much, but still...," he leaned in a bit closer and lowered his voice. "I'd keep your eyes open too, I think your name got dropped to this zoning commissioner and she'll be keeping an eye on you, guess she want's to make sure you're worthy or something. "

"I'll keep that in mind then, thank you."

"Good luck to you lady Cybil, leave finding a suitable place for this to us. You just take care of the funding, backing, that sorta thing." With that, he returned to his normal work and the occasional intruder seeking justice notes on this person or that.

****

Cybil entered the temple of Oghma... a sense of deja vu came over her again.

"Be careful this time!"

"I know what I'm going!"

"This from the woman who spend 2 days as a cow."

"Hmmph!"

Cybil smiled a bit as she entered the scene.

"Oh, hello there miss. Welcome to ... Oh, it's you Cybil. Come to use one of the benches again?"

Cybil shook her head and smiled. "Hello, and thank you for the welcome. No need for a bench today, actually I came to talk to you about something I'm trying to organize" He urged her to continue. "I'm trying to organize things for an Orphanage, backed by numerous interested factions within the city state. I want children to come out with skills, knowledge and an understanding of the world, not merely a place where they stay."

He nodded in agreement. "A tragedy the damage this war with the Black Hand has caused. As if the war with Xithis was not bad enough. Children need a bit of a helping hand to grow up properly. Many do not know this but the Binder has a special place in his heart for children. What brought you to us?"

"I was hoping that, if you could not provide teachers on occasion, that perhaps, with funding, you could help with textbooks and reading materials." He responded to this by scratching his head and then nodding.

"Yes... yes... I insist you let us help! The disadvantaged cannot be denied the proper chance for education. If you provide the proper textbooks for the ages, we can help. We can get some general books together, but we'll need to know who the students are for the textbooks themselves. As for teachers, we are busy, but we have ties in the community. Try the university first, if you cannot convince Professor Gyff, I have a few favours I can call."

Cybil nodded and bowed her head in reverence. "Thank you for your time, I will keep all this in mind."

"Take care Lady Cybil."