The Manaverse

Granite City Orphanage

Slatewell - Safe Zone

Jut expected to arrive at the orphanage, have a meal and for everyone to disperse. However, they arrived a little too early for dinner. So, he then expected everyone would skip right to dispersing, except for maybe Isabelle or Brick. Again he was surprised. Not only had everyone stayed, but the rest of the Guild arrived shortly thereafter.

The orphanage appeared to have grown considerably, in buildings and resident population alike. Two dorm buildings looked new and complete next to the first Jut had seen Derrick overseeing the construction of and the main building felt overly crowded by the time the last of the Non-Combat Crusaders showed up.

Each Crusader had found a place to be useful and was pitching in.

Diggy had been swarmed by the preteen children and some of the younger ones. They asked all about his fur and would take turns being tossed around gently while holding on to the Minotaur's horns. He eventually convinced them all to head outside and play in sunshine. They began a game of tag in the new courtyard between the dorms.

Derrick and Truman were inspecting the main building with Magatha, laying out plans for how they would renovate the rest of the area. With Truman's help, Derrick had already torn down and rebuilt two entire buildings for the older children and their crew was putting the finishing touches on the third set of dorms. They were intending on rebuilding the main structure next. They wanted to include a class room, rooms for the youngest children, a communal area and a kitchen and dinning area. Magatha's suite would be upgraded and expanded as well.

From what Jut could tell, Derrick and Magatha had gotten to know each other quite well with how relaxed they were together. Then again, he wasn't overly surprised. Renovating an orphanage during an apocalypse was just the sort of thing he expected his friend would choose to do.

Isabelle had set up a small station and began seeing to everyone she could, making sure all of the children were healthy. After no more came to her, she went room to room with one of the older kids to help her. It took Magatha giving her a good scolding for her to not over work herself.

Brick was set to do larger chores for the orphanage, such as moving things and harder work. He had asked for tasks to keep him busy and Magatha had obliged. Jut didn't know if it was left over agitation from the run in with Cassanova's Delight, or something from his near death experience, but he understood the need to stay occupied.

Wendy had arrived last with Crimson. She split off from the would be chef and joined the renovation team's discussions. As Jut had made her the Guild's Administrator, he was relieved to see her take such a keen interest in the pro bono project.

Crimson had politely approached Magatha about cooking dinner for everyone. The Matron had heartily agreed, making the red skinned woman blush purple with the complements she spilled onto her. Magatha made Crimson promise only that she would wait to begin the main dish until Magatha arrived as she was very curious how the chef did her work. Crimson nodded vigorously and disappeared into the kitchen.

Joy was the biggest surprise for Jut. He felt very ashamed of himself when he realized why. Joy had taken up caring for the youngest children. The ones in diapers and the ones still too young to know anything about what was going on. Jut realized he had assumed Joy would be more stand offish and less maternal with the babies because of her competency on the battlefield. That her drive for fitness and training was her main focus. It was in watching her that he knew he had it backwards. She was smiling wider than he had seen before as she gently tended to them, the older kids relieved to have a break. She wasn't aiming to be powerful for the sake of power, or even just to survive. She was working so hard so that the children could have people around to provide this care and attention. She wanted to make this place safe for them to grow up.

Gunther, Nox and Lily were each very active with the children, letting them stroke their fur and performing tricks on command. Even Lily was easy going. She let a small child pick her up who had a large scrap on his knee. A soft blue glow radiated off of her fur and the child was healed without even knowing what was going on.

Jut himself aided where ever he could. From assisting Brick in his heavy lifting to running to get more ingredients for Crimson, he floated around to each of his teammates. While he didn't have any specific skills, or Skills, that could help too much, he could provide his support.

When dinner was finally ready, the chaos was intense for long minutes as small bodies appeared from every direction and took their seats. The current dinning area had been expanded out the back door and into the back yard of the complex as there was so many new faces.

The oldest children, the ones around fourteen and fifteen, wrangled those ten or under and got them settled in the yard seats. The Crusaders mingled with the remaining children who were seated around multiple tables stacked end to end with Jut, Derrick and Magatha sitting at the head table.

Crimson and a few of the children were bringing out plate after plate of food to fill the multiple tables.

The pets had joined the outside crew and sat with the children, being fed raw Monster meat. Magatha almost threw a fit when no one cooked it for them, but Jut and Isabelle explained their pets preferences and she calmed down.

Magatha insisted on starting the meal with a few words. "We are very grateful for the food and so happy the Radiant Crusaders are able to join us. Everyone say thank you."

The room echoed with many small voices. "Thank you!"

"Now, dig in everybody." Magatha finished and gestured to those around her to eat.

The meal was a rather simple one of meat and a few vegetables, but no one minded. The fact that there was enough for everyone was all anyone really seemed to care about. The sound of people chatting and eating filled the space, lightening everyone's mood. It was a different kind of relaxed the Crusaders did not notice they needed until they were doing it.

"So, Magatha. Why does it feel like the number of children you care for has nearly doubled?" Jut asked a little while into the meal.

Magatha nodded solemnly. "I guess there were quite a few cases where it was unsure if a parent had died or not. Then, a majority of the newer children got swept up into the main population due to family friends watching over them. The Safe Zone turned them over to me once they had them sorted out." The Matron nodded. "I knew at least some would come out of the wood works, but I didn't expect to have so many. We are sitting at a little over two hundred children now These are only the first for the dinner shift."

The news made the adults fall silent for a brief moment. None of them were sure what was worse, the fact that over a hundred children went unaccounted for for a couple of weeks, or the fact that there were only two hundred surviving orphans after the Initialization. There surely should have been more.

"The good news is the Safe Zone has added funding to the orphanage's budget for building, enchanting, and basic needs." Truman added, nodding to Derrick.

"They sure did. They are also going to appoint Safe Zone staff to work here until Magatha can hire replacements." Derrick said with a smile.

While the news was good, it sent a chill down Jut's spin. Was the Safe Zone trying to spy on the actions of the orphanage or did this have something to do with Dan? Either way, he knew he had to be extra careful. He was not going to be the reason they take a child away for questioning.

The Crusaders all assisted through the three dinner shifts. None of them seemed willing to leave until the older children began night time duties, putting the other kids to bed. Some of the Crusaders joined in. Diggy made a bunch of the younger ones giggle as he "escorted them to safety through monster infested lands."

Left behind with Magatha, who was waved off of putting the babies to bed by Joy, was Jut, Wendy, Brick, and Derrick.

"I can't thank you, or your Guild enough, young man." Magatha said, taking one of Jut's hands in both of hers.

Jut shook his head, feeling embarrassed. "No thanks is needed, Magatha. You not only saved my life too, but took on a role no one else was willing to do that needed to be done. You're the real hero here. As long as I am in charge of the Crusaders, you will always have our support."

Everyone agreed with Jut. They nodded or added a "yes" or "for sure" into the mix.

"I unfortunately must take you up on that offer. Do you think you could keep someone here during the day while I have the Safe Zone staff around? While I am grateful for being given so much help, I would prefer having people we know around too. I promise I will find replacements as fast as I can."

"You can mark me down for a shift or two each week." Derrick chimed in, nodding a Jut.

Brick smiled and slapped Derrick's shoulder playfully. "That's my man. Boss, sign me up for one a week too."

Jut had Alex take a note and begin to formulate a working schedule. He would ask the others about it later on. He would have said yes either way, but he knew by Derrick and Brick's reactions that to even consider saying no would have been pointless.

"Yeah. We can do that. I was actually going to recommend it." Jut said. "I'ss speak to the others and let you know our availability."

Before they could discuss it much further, the rest of the Crusaders appeared. Magatha's relaxed posture and expression told Jut it was time for them to go so she could get to bed herself. They waved their goodbyes and immediately discussed Magatha's request as a group.

Soon, they had a working schedule set for the next two weeks. The four non-combat Crusaders each agreed to cover all the days the fighting team would be out on patrol and exploration duty as long Jut agreed to start recruiting in earnest. After much back and forth and a little confusion, even Gunther signed up for a day of watch duty. Nox wanted to join him. Jut wasn't sure he had fully understood, but he added the dogs to a day covered by Jut or Brick accordingly.

Into the silence that followed that discussion, Wendy made a request of the fighting team. She seemed sullen and a little embarrassed. "So, I know you guys are taking a day or two off and I hate to be a bother, but would someone be willing to take me to Vixen's Vigil tomorrow? I really want to see it. It's my last day off during the rest of my time with the Safe Zone and I don't feel like making a request at the Adventurer's Guild."

Jut knew an opportunity when he spotted one and jumped on the request. He had business with his administrator and a trip to the Vigil would be prefect to knock it out of the way. "Yeah. I am free. What time did you want to go?"

Jut could see Brick just past Wendy and he was giving Jut a sly, approving look. He heard Diggy shift to his left too. He was going to beat those guys. He managed to not react to them and focused on Wendy instead who considered his question.

Wendy finally nodded. "I was thinking right after lunch. Is that too late to go?"

Jut shook his head. "Nah. That's perfect. I'll meet you at the East Gate around twelve thirty? I am sure Gunther would love to go too."

"Great. It's a date. I'll see you tomorrow." She waved and left the group. "Thanks for the invite tonight, Isabelle."

"I knew you'd have fun. Good night, Wendy." Isabelle's expression was tight around her smile, but the only one who noticed was Joy.

"Good night, guys. This is where we dip off too." Joy said, putting an arm around Isabelle and Crimson's shoulders. The three made a few more farewells before going off towards their tower.

Truman and Derrick also left, leaving Jut, Brick, and Diggy to walk back to the South East tower. They were each looking forward to having the next few days off. They all needed it.