Scott DeWar
Prof. Emeritus-Supernatural Events/Countermeasure
"Huh, this coat cost me too much. Lets get something to eat" He stuffs the old coat, possible to use later, in his pack and follows the instruction of the seasoned fighter.
She gets food and drink as she heads for the orphanage, and hopes Libros and Thuan are ready as well.
Libros, Thuan and Ullara and Bran
The orphanage is not far, and easy enough to get to with a few simple questions. Its located on a street not far from the docks, you can smell the river, and hear the gulls. The houses in the street are surprisingly large and imposing compared to the rest of the area. This was once a well to do area, it would seem. Once. Most of the buildings are now in a sorry state. Many appear to have converted into shared residences, with the building rented out by the room. There are a few exceptions, one of them being the orphanage.
The orphanage consists of a three story building set in a garden, decidedly gone to wild, all surrounded by a decent stone fence. The main gate stands open, and inside you see children, some of them in masks. Occasionally some of then wander in or out of through the gate. A old man dozes on a stool at the gate.
"Sir? Pardon to interrupt your rest..." She calls softly, then a bit more loudly if need be, and then maybe with a gentle shake of his shoulder, if the old man is still asleep.
"It is a lovely day, isn't it? Pardon, I was looking for someone who is supposed to be around her, and was wondering if you knew where he might be. The mask-maker?"
Still a bit dopy with sleep, it takes a moment for the gatekeeper to process what Ullara is asking. Eventually a light goes on. "The mask maker? What you be wanting with him?"
As it becomes apparent nothing interesting is going to happen, the children drift back to their games, mostly.
"Excuse me Miss", interjects a young girl standing a few paces away taking advantage of the pause in the conversation. She has dark eyes and a serious face. Behind her stands another child, a boy in a slightly battered lion mask. He is much bigger than the girl, but Ullara suspects not much older. Without pausing for a response, questions tumble out of girl; "Is this your dog? What's his name? Are you a druid? Is he your companion? Can I pat him? Is it a boy dog or girl dog? How old are you? Can you turn into a lion? Does he eat rats?"
"I just wanted to ask him a question about a young man who knew him. Is he about?"
Ullara's eyebrows shoot up at the relentless questions of the children. Oh, to be so young and energetic!
"Yes, this is my dog. His name's Bran, and he is my druid's companion. You may pat him, he enjoys having his ears scratched, but don't tug on his tail, or he'll get quite cross! I'm old as a young tree, and I'd be lyin' if I said I could turn into a lion. Bran has been known to eat rats sometimes."
She smiles at the boy. "That is a very good lion mask! Who made that? Did you?"
As Ullara talks to the old man, the monk is approached by a small skinny boy with a smudged face. The boy tugs on a corner of Thuan's robe.
"Are you from the Xiao Empire? My daddy says people from the Xiao Empire have black hair, black eyes and hearts to match. He was an explorer. Then he was eaten by a dragon. Have you ever seen a dragon?"
Ullara and Bran
The gatekeeper scratches his head and squints up at Ullara, before glancing over at Libros and Thuan. "He don't live here at orphanage. Umm, ... Maybe not my place to speak on it. I think you had best speak to Frau Wollinger. She runs the orphanage."
The young girl begins patting Bran almost as soon as the frist words Ullara says are not "Don't pat the dog." She pauses momentarily as Ullara describes her age; you can almost see the wheels turning as the young girl considers the answer. When Ullara mentions that Bran eats rats sometimes, the girl jams a fist on her hip, assumes a serious expression complete with pursed lips, and shakes her finger at Bran. "Bad dog. Don't eat rats! Leave the rats alone."
The boy shakes his head, then points down and across the street.
"Leon!" exclaims the girl. "You know Uncle Murinae doesn't like visitors. Although, well ... you both being druids and all, maybe its OK."
"Enough now Heddy," interjects the gatekeeper gently. "Take Leon and go and play somewhere else. These people are obviously busy."
Turning to Ullara, the gatekeeper adds, "If you come with me, I will show you through to Frau Wollinger."
Not being very comfortable around people, Thuan is a bit surprised that the boy approached him. "Hair white. Eyes black. From Shaanxi. What more want?"