[Farson Home] Unique Gifts

[Hadrian]

80th Summer, 512 A.V. "I'm going to have to open a bank someday," he murmured to himself. The financial systems in contemporary Mizahar were crude by the standards of those that had existed before the divine cataclysm, and he figured that someday he might speak to some professor who specialized in economics, and then create a bank to which all Zeltivans and foreign traders might go. It would be an interesting experiment and, when his interest waned, a good investment. A part of him smiled wickedly at the thought of his father's face when his factor in Zeltiva urged him to deposit funds in his son's bank for a better return on investment. He counted out the five hundred gold-rimmed mizas into the old trunk in front of Ethan and various other Wave Guards. They would see the money safely to Lord Maria and the Council for the Farson Home's account. In future, he hoped the endowment could be administered from his own office, because it would allow for quicker action and finer control of the place's finances. But time would tell on that, and besides, they were sending him abroad already, so he would not be there to properly administer things. But for the moment, he closed and locked the trunk, handing the key to Ethan. The Lord of Council was expecting this and had sent the Wave Runners to guard the coin in transit. Hadrian escorted them from his office to the gates, where the groundsman-cum-gatekeeper unlocked the way. Hadrian followed them out onto the street to bid them farewell, and watched them leave. When they were gone, he began to turn back to the open doors.

Donation. :

-500 gm deposit to the Farson Home for Orphan's coffers. Cha-ching!

[Vanness Ezra]

OOCFor some reason I'm really annoyed at this post. It didn't come out how i wanted it too Ezra walked along at a leisurely pace, hands buried deeply into the pockets of his coat, the dark material moving around his knees with each step. He was quite lucky to be as steady as he was at that moment; he had spent the previous evening in the local pub, downing copious amounts of noxious alcohol. Zip bounded along beside him. The dog was his usual cheerful self. Each time they passed someone the dog would bark and, in reaction to the loud, ear piercing sound, his owner would wince. Ezra was forced to hold the dog back by the scruff of the neck as a group of men passed by carrying a trunk that rattled dimly as they went by. Releasing Zip he returned to his relaxed stroll towards the orphanage. Reaching a hand into his pocket he pulled out a little wooden beetle. He had bought it from the market the previous morning to test his abilities in Animation. Apparently, animating a bug to act like a bug wasn’t all that difficult. He had no use for it and had considered giving it to Zip, but had decided against it. The dog would end up chewing it to bits and then his hard work would be wasted. So he figured he would donate it to the Farson Home. Despite how he loathed admitting it, Ezra had a soft spot when it came to children. Ezra stopped suddenly, realizing he had nearly passed by the Orphanage. Whistling to Zip, who had dashed off to sniff at the feet of an elderly man, Ezra turned towards the Orphanage and straightened his coat, wondering who he was to speak to once he was inside.

[Hadrian]

OOCLooks good to me.

There had been a time when it had taken a supreme effort of will as well as a rigorously quieted mind to open himself up to the auras around him. Anyone trained in wizardry began to sense the djed, but aurism took it to a new level. Now it took little effort to open his senses, and for the most part, they were always slightly alert. So it was he felt the tickle of something in the back of his mind that caused him to turn, sensing some artificial aura. It wasn't that he was omniscient, but he could certainly see through some obfuscation. His eyes landed on a man and his dog, and there was something in his hand... Yes, that was the spot from which the strange aura chimed just slightly off from the natural flow of things. For a moment, his storm-brightened eyes widened a bit, thinking it was Atelius from Ravok, but no. No, his aura was different, bloomed in a different pattern with different colors, and he was left to wonder what had become of the nicer people stuck in the city of evil. But whoever he was, the man was walking toward him and the heavy doors that opened onto the courtyard of the Farson Home for Orphans. So intent was he on this stranger who seemed to have business with them that he didn't notice the girl until she slipped her little hand into his. For a moment he thought she didn't want him to leave on the University's business, but it seemed she was more interested in the dog. He smiled faintly, gave her little hand a gentle squeeze and looked up at the man approaching. "Hello," he said politely. "We were just going inside. Did you have some business here?"

[Vanness Ezra]

Ezra glanced up in surprise at the younger man’s voice. He winced as Zip barked and bound towards the young girl standing beside the man. The dog adored children, much more so than his master. Ezra grabbed for the dog in an attempt to keep him back from the little girl. The child was in no danger but Ezra couldn't help but worry that the over excited dog would frighten her or knock her over. He seized the dog by the scruff once again and dragged him back a step before replying to the man. "Good morning. I suppose I’m here to donate. Sorry about the dog." He added, glancing down at Zip who had quieted down though his tail was still wagging madly and his ears were perked towards the two strangers.

[Hadrian]

"He looks friendly enough," he said, dredging up a smile for etiquette's sake. Being overly friendly was difficult for him in most cases. But the girl didn't seem frightened and the dog seemed more inclined to knock her over in order to lick her face than bite her, and so Hadrian left it up to her. Without letting go of his hand, she stepped forward and reached out her other hand to make the dog's acquaintance. "In a fist," he cautioned her. "If he does bite, he'll do less damage to a fist. If he proves friendly, you can pet him properly. Caution." Then, keeping half his attention on her, he smiled again to the man. "Donations are welcome here." He wondered if the man meant the dog, though. Now the girl was in love, he would be hard pressed to say no if the man was just looking for someone to take care of the thing, but it would be another mouth to feed. "Won't you come in?"

[Vanness Ezra]

Ezra stiffened, ready to tell the man off for suggesting that his dog may bite. He shoved his hand into his pocket and reasoned with himself. Of course it is good to be cautious, if given enough reason any dog could snap. He was being rational. Ezra released Zips scruff and watched as the dog took a step forward to sniff and then lick the girls hand. Giving a happy bark he immediately flopped onto his back with his paws in the air, practically begging to be pet. His eyes returned to the man before him as he spoke and nodded in agreement to his words, taking a step forward. "I would, though it would be polite to introduce myself first." He replied and stuck out his hand. "I'm Ezra, I work at the University. That’s Zip." He hooked a thumb over his shoulder in the direction of the dog.

[Hadrian]

Hadrian, of course, had meant no disrespect to man or dog, but had been attempting to be a good steward to the orphan girl, teaching her caution and good sense. While she and Zip got to know each other, Hadrian shook the man's hand. "Welcome, Master Ezra. I am Hadrian Aelius, and I also work at the University, though I have also somehow managed to become... er, headmaster? here. I don't know that I have an official title. The charming little girl attempting to seduce your friend with belly scratches is Adelita. Please, come in." He motioned Ezra through the door, and Adelita ran ahead, laughing. Other children, drawn by the happy barking, were hanging about the courtyard hoping they would get to play with the visitor. "Would you mind terribly if they played with Zip while we speak in my office?" he asked, closing and locking the door behind them. Ezra was no prisoner, of course, but one had to be careful with children.

[Vanness Ezra]

"Just Ezra is fine." He muttered, slightly uncomfortable at the formal greeting. He entered the orphanage at a leisurely pace, slipping his hands in his pockets and glancing around. At Hadrian’s next question he glanced over his shoulder to where Zip was having the time of his life, surrounded by happy, laughing children. "Not a problem; He should be fine." Ezra said, following Hadrian to his office. "How did become Headmaster here anyway?" He asked curiously along the way.

[Hadrian]

He nodded and led Ezra inside, letting the children and the dog amuse themselves in the courtyard. They so enjoyed it, he was already considering buying them a sort of mascot pet to take care of, though with money as tight as it was, it was likely that any pet they had would be required to produce. Perhaps a playful nanny goat... "Right place at the right time," he said, leading him up the stairs to his office. "I spoke to Maria Satterthwite upon the death of Ethel Farson, for whom the Home is named. I was expressing my condolences and offering to help as I could, and she took me up on it. A deal more than I expected, but no good turn goes unpunished, eh?" He ushered Ezra into his office, shutting the door behind them. The view was lovely here on the third floor; one could see the harbor and far, far out along Mathews Bay when the day was clear. There was a desk and chairs, the shelves bearing a few toys not yet Animated for the delight of the children. But other than that, he had hardly made a home of it. "Please sit. Would you like anything to eat or drink?"

[Vanness Ezra]

Ezra sat slowly, eyes sweeping over the room. At the offer of food or beverage his stomach churned and he shook his head. Reaching into his pocket Ezra placed the wooden beetle onto the desk in front of him. The beetle lay still for a moment before raising itself up on twig like legs and scuttling around the desk. "Do you get much help from the public?" Ezra asked curiously, looking away from the beetle and back to Hadrian.