Esmé quickly made her way from the Council Meeting back to the Thanal Offices; just because the council meeting had concluded, in fact, for the Thanal Offices much of the work was just beginning. But it was to be good work for Esmé had gotten her agenda through: Jaedaxia was to have a new orphanage to house the children who had lost their families during the winter as well as a monument to commemorate all of those that they had lost. But first the children.
A small retinue of people walked along with Esmé including her three assistants, Bladewyn, Antoinette, and Q'aerrienne, as well as the small troop of four guards that always accompanied her to the meetings. It was not that she felt that she needed the guards' protection, but it was protocol and appreciated all the same.
It did not take long before the entourage reached Le Bureau de Maire and all convened within a comfortablely sized room around a large, circular table. the guards did not follow the women in. Esmé sat down and surveyed the women around her, "Would anyone like tea or something before we begin?" Esmé looked around again, if anyone agreed she would have tea brought immediately.
"So this meeting, I felt, went fairly well and we now have our work cut out for us," Esmé spoke in Jaedaxienne, a language all the women in the room spoke, "I would like to start with the issue of the orphanage as I believe that to be the most pressing matter, non? Bladewyn," Esmé swung her head around to face the half-elf woman, "Did you say you wish to donate your property? Is that still the case or shall we begin looking at plots of land?"
Bladewyn walked back with Esme, Antoinette, and Q'aerrienne back to Le Bureau du Maire, carrying in her arms some of the gifts that Esme had received during the city council meeting. When she and Esme's other assistants had found suitable places for the flowers and other presents around Esme's office, they sat down at the circular table, where Bladewyn accepted the offer for tea. When it was brought, she'd quickly make herself a cup with some sugar and stir quietly as Esme began their review of the meeting.
She sipped at the tea as Esme spoke, then set it down to reply. "Actually, the Aedile says that she already has a place in mind. There is a former vineyard to the south of the city with gardens, stables, and barns; and ten bedrooms. The place needs some repair, but I remember that some carpenters volunteered to help at the meeting. We could also deduct repair and construction costs from the donations made by the nobles, which was... 10,000 crowns total," she recalled, glancing at her notes from the meeting. "I would love to have the orphanage closer to town, but my old house is already being used as the inn, and I don't think they could all fit in the cottage with myself and Luricor," she laughed.
"As for preparing the orphanage itself, after the building is taken care of... We had volunteers to take care of laundry, caretaking, and even one doctor, I think. I also spoke to some restaurant owners and bakers who said that they could spare some staff to provide food for the children." All of her notes from the brief conversation with the aedile were in the notebook before her on the table.
She looked up at Esme and the two other assistants, watching them for questions or concerns. "Can you think of anything else that we'll need?"
Esmé positively beamed, a smile that showed her happiness that it was working as well motherly pride in the citizenry of Jaedaxia for giving all they could to help. It may take a village to raise a child, but it takes Jaedaxia to do it well. "Simply fantastic! This project is turning out better than I expected it to. With this much support, we shall have the best orphanage up and running in no time at all!" And the sooner the better so they could get those children off the streets and back into warm beds where they should be.
Sipping on her own to, Esmé listened carefully to what Bladewyn had to say before responding herself. "You know, thinking about it, perhaps being on the periphery of the city is not a bad thing? It will give the children more space to play and be children. The city, as all cities, can be a dangerous place. So perhaps things will work out for the best with the location being there." The elven woman also wanted the orphanage closer, but still she strove to find the silver lining in all things. The perpetual optimist.
Antoinette spoke now, her words were soft, as always, "It seems all is in order, now when should we carry it out? It seems that we all have everything in order to set it up. Perhaps we could send someone over this brightening to survey the grounds and see what repairs are needed and begin immediately." Her soft, grey eyes darted around at the faces of the women, "I am hesitant to wait even a moment with another winter approaching. That will only delay things further."
Esmé nodded her approval, Antoinette was spot on, "I agree completely. I will have someone sent over while we have this meeting so that we can get an exact appraisal of what it will cost. Any extra expenses will be covered be me, I assure." And without another word, Esmé summoned a gentleman from her offices to go inspect the property and to report back as soon as possible.
She turned to the women again, "Anything else? What about plans for moving the children in? How do we go about that?"
Alicia considered carefully and nodded "I think that we will need to consider the education of the children, also" she said, thoughtfully "As well as their mental health. They have been orphaned, and we will need to provide people who they can talk to, a safe space for them to have their feelings. I would suggest that the usual schola classes be an option for them, but we have tutors as well, for those children too fragile. I can offer my services as a Thaumaturgist, should you wish, and I suggest we make links with the clinic of Gerard, where I volunteer. I can talk to the people there, it would be something that I'm sure they would be happy to discuss. On the matter of money, that money will run out quite quickly. I would like this to be kept purely between those of us in this room, please, but I will add fifteen thousand to the amount initally given and another two thousand each month. But I do not want that shouted around, it is my pleasure and my duty, not something that needs to be discussed. I trust that is acceptable to all?" she asked, her misty grey eyes looking around at the people gathered.
"As the Vicereine I have little time, but I will offer what time I can. I would also suggest that we look to the orphanage as being a place where children come in order to find homes for them - not as a final stop. We should make it as wonderful and comfortable and as homely as possible, but nonetheless the final aim has to be to get each child with a loving family.... perhaps also" she said, chewing her lip thoughtfully "We could try and ensure that the wider Jaedaxia sees the children as much as possible. Not parading them for show, but perhaps by holding festivals on the grounds, or working with some of the more artistic areas of our beautiful city to collaborate on join ventures in theatre and the arts, for example?"
That said, she looked at Esme and smiled slightly, sitting back and seeing wht the Lady Thane and Bladewyn, whom she had never met but who seemed to be a most competant and conscientious woman, thought of her ideas. Another thought struck her, but she kept it quiet for the moment and waited to see what they thought of her ideas so far.
Bladewyn fully agreed that Jaedaxia was at times very dangerous--she had seen many of those dangers firsthand, and while she spent much of her time making the city safe for others, she and others like her couldn't be everywhere. And children had a way of finding danger all on their own. She, too, was glad that the orphanage was away from the dangers within the city walls, but she wondered what sort of troubles lay out there?
"How many do you think the building could house? When your scout returns, we should ask how big each room is. I imagine that, given the nature of the kinds of houses built on vineyard property, the rooms will be big, and we'll be able to fit two, if not four, beds in each of the ten bedrooms.
"As for transporting the children, I'm sure we could find some reliable carriage drivers to volunteer. I would ride alongside, along with some other guards, to ensure their safety during the ride."
She listened carefully to what the Lady Vicereine had to say, especially because this was her first interaction with the woman. Bladewyn expected that as Esme's new assistant she would become more familiar with Alicia over time, so she was happy to be working on a project with her immediately. Bladewyn could already tell that she was a well-learned and intelligent woman who had the best interests of the city and its people in mind.
"Of course, schola. Yes, I think it would be good for the children to have teachers as well as counselors. Are there many others at the Clinic whom you think would be interested in volunteering as Thaumaturgists, as well?" When Alicia offered an additional large contribution--larger than the total offer given at the council meeting earlier, as well as a monthly offering--Bladewyn fought to keep her eyes from widening, or her brows from rising. Working on an assistant's salary, it was hard for her to comprehend such large amounts of crowns in her mind, but she obviously knew it was an extremely generous gift. "That's very kind of you, Lady Vicereine. I'm sure that all of the children will benefit from your generosity," she finally managed, smiling.
"I also agree that we should be constantly looking for homes for the children, though the orphanage should be a welcome change from the streets in the meantime. I like the idea of a festival on the vineyard property, in addition to interested potential families making appointments whenever they wish to do so.
"And I'm sure that many of the arts programs around the city would love some extra volunteers. Perhaps the theatre would be interested in helping them to stage a play? I'm sure that the little ones would love to learn to make costumes and paint scenery as well. And we could also look into forming a children's choir--I'm sure that there would be a music teacher in town who'd be interested in that."
She paused in speaking to jot down the contents of their conversation into her notebook, to keep track of all of the ideas that were popping up. Between the three women, the orphanage would be much more than a building--it would be a haven, a home, and an ongoing project for all involved.
This discussion was exaclty what the Lady Thane needed after the chaos of the council meeting; productivity incarnate and all capable of being enacted. Exactly what the children of Jaedaxia needed. Esmé raised her hand at the mention of transportation, "Do not worry, I promise that the most comfortable carriages I have at my disposal can be used to transport the children. That shall not be an issue."
Alicia's comments about education and care were absolutely perfect, and Esmé nodded along agreeably, "I think schola is absolutely necessary with a full time counselor available to them if they need it!" Esmé's smile broadened at Alicia's offer; the Thane knew the woman to be one of considerable resources, but it was still wonderful of her to donate, "Thank you so much, Lady Elsdragon. Although the children will never know their kind benefactor, I am glad to say that I know. May Olsyréa bless you for the love you are showing these children." Esmé took a sip of her tea as she thought something over, "And to add to that, House Xind'ell will also donate 1,000 crowns a month anonymously. I believe with that and other donations that we acquire later, we shall be able to properly take care of them. And I think we shall have enough left over to setup a scholarship fund to send those that do not get adopted, as I am sure there will be some despite our efforts, to Collegio. Thus giving all an equal chance and the best start we can offer!" Esmé beamed and made some notes on a pad next to her concerning the finances.
The purple-haired Trelorean could not be happier to be working with these women; all comments thus far had been incredibly productive and helpful. "I think these are fantastic ideas. Of course finding a family will be the primary goal, after their welfare, but in the meantime they should feel as if they are at home already. I do not want this to be a cold orphanage akin to a prison. As for staff, besides the volunteers, I will send a missive to the Office of Employment notifying them of the new positions opening up."
Esmé clapped her hands together in delight, "An annual play sounds wonderful, and the children will be in charge of the entire production--from set construction to acting! The staff can just mentor! It sounds wonderful, as does the choir. Perhaps, I could even arrange to have the choir sing every so often before the council meetings start. That would be an honor for me to have them there." Esmé beamed.
The Lady Thane leaned forwards, placing her forearms on the tables and weaving her fingers together, "Now we need to discuss on how to get the children to come along with us. I do not want to have them feel like we are kidnapping them, but that we are helping them. Who should we use? I feel that guards can be too intimidating, but if course if a guard sees a child, he should turn that child over to us. What are your suggestions?"
Bladewyn was glad that Esme was so enthusiastic about her suggestions. She nodded when Esme proposed that the orphans' choir might sing before some city meetings. It would show all gathered the younger face of Jaedaxia, and begin the meetings, she hoped, on a lighter note. After seeing how this most recent meeting had wrapped up, they certainly needed it.
As for the matter of taking children in need of care to the orphanage, Bladewyn piped up, "You said that you would ask the Employment Office to advertise for new positions at the orphanage? Could we not have some people around the city during the guards' patrolling candlemarks, to escort the children to the carriages? Guards are rather intimidating, especially to children who have been living difficult lives on the streets. I feel that a friendly face beside the guards would be more comforting. Our team of searchers could do a patrol of the city once a cycle, perhaps, to seek out children who need our help."
Esmé nodded, "That is perfectly agreeable to me!" She looked at the women that were seated at the table, "Is there anything else that needs to be discussed? Or must we wait until our scout returns?"
Yes, Crimson gave me permission to play the NPC scout. Just to remind everyone, Crim said that the land includes: "a manor (10 bedrooms), gardens, stables, and two barns. The property needs repair, but that can be deducted from the 10,000 crowns’ worth of donations given by the minor nobles, merchants, and a few bankers. Locals who volunteer their time will provide the food and other services (laundry, babysitting, healthcare, etc). All the other details are entirely up to you and maybe Esme."
So far, our budget is 25,000 in donations from the city and Alicia, and 3,000c/month in donations from Alicia and Esme. We should have a large surplus, since many of the workers will be volunteers.
The women chatted over snacks and tea until the scout, Eric, returned. He came back to Esme's office and removed his cap respectfully, bowing to the Thane and the other two women.
"Bonjour, mesdames. I have just been to see the house that the Aedile offered for the orphanage, and I must say it's pretty much perfect.
"It's been uninhabited for several eras, but apart from a few broken windows and a very old fireplace, it's nothing that a few brightenings of dusting and cleaning couldn't fix. There are ten bedrooms, each rather large. Each wing has five bedrooms and two washrooms. There is also a kitchen, a dining room, and two sitting rooms. I expect that one of them could be converted into a playroom for the children."
Bladewyn nodded happily. "If the bedrooms are large enough, we could put two sets of bunk beds in each. That would mean we could house forty children at once. If you think that's overcrowding it, though, we could just put two beds in each for twenty children." She glanced at Esme and Alicia to see what they thought.
"We have 25,000 crowns to work with currently. That should more than cover the purchasing of furniture and repairs for the windows and the fireplace. With the volunteers' help, we don't need to worry about food, laundry, caretakers, or doctors. We can also use the money to buy the carriages and horses."
"There are already stables there, and two barns," Eric piped up.
"Then we can house the livestock that have been offered by the volunteer farmers." Bladewyn beamed. Everything was coming together very nicely.
Esmé inclined her chin respectively to Eric as he approached, but her smile grew into a broad beam as he gave his pronouncement of the property and she clapped her hands together in enthusiasm. Yes, this was how she liked to spend her brightenings at work. "Wonderful! This is simply wonderful! I do not think that having two bunks is overcrowding. Two children per room would provide much more space per child, but I want to balance the line between providing as much comfort as possible and housing as many children as possible. I think four per room walks that line perfectly, non?"
Pulling a piece of parchment towards her, Esmé began to draft a memo to the Office of Employment to direct future prospective employees for the orphanage to her offices so they could start immediately. When she finished shed folded it and pressed it with her seal, then passed it off to another runner directing him to take post haste. "Well women, it seems that we have come to the conclusion of our meeting, correct? We just need to enact what we have started, which I can have started immediately."
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