He relaxes in his chair, ever so slightly, a polite smile on his face. "It's understandable that you'd want to know more about a potential landlord. I'll answer any questions to the best of my ability. Within reason, of course."
I've heard your warnings, and I will think about them. Thank you for your visit.
When the other vampire is gone, Savanna takes an hour to write down every informations she learnt.
Maybe I should try to be a little more social. Find other vampires.Some fresh blood.
She tries to recall any recent arrivals in Chicago
"Well, we can talk rental rates later but I admit I'm interested.. Edwin's been nice but I may not be fitting his scene here. You got any pull with the local PD in your area?"
He smiles. "For the time being, I run a fairly modest operation. As time moves on, I will expand my resources to ensure comfort, safety, and prime feeding for anyone under my domain. And I always remember to care for the early investors."
"Not stupid enough to mess with cops ever lightly. I used to be one. I know how nasty we can get."
He looks tempted at the pitch.
I am not suggesting that any of us or another tenant would pose a problem, but one never knows what ill tidings can befall those who let the beast loose even if unintentionally".
Fortunately or unfortunately, it really could go either way for you, the next Uber ride is much more uneventful. Your driver, Robert or was it Ryan, really didn't say much other than "Hi", confirm your destination, and "Have a good night." after dropping you off outside the Scientology temple.
As luck would have it, another Uber was dropping off a passenger nearly the same time as you, the gaunt, dark haired, artist type you saw a few nights ago in Gary. Calliope was her name if you remembered right.
Your ride over is quiet, unfortunate for you as you continue to stew in the embarrassment of earlier this evening, but the ride is quick enough and you arrive at the Temple in short order. Oddly enough, there is another car dropping off someone nearly at the same time, a thin, balding, older gentleman with wireframe, circular glasses.
Alexander, the Nosferatu, continues to silently takes notes as the conversation continues, only one comment or ask of Joey. "Define prime feeding...that certainly has differing definitions depending on who you are. You being a Ventrue, I expect you know that at least as well as any of us." he rasps.
Being sated, Dr. Baker appreciates the break from having to concern himself with the problems of kine.
Questions as to how he intended to approach this situation vanish as he spies the young woman emerge from the vehicle nearby. This was quite fortuitous, and he sees no reason not to take advantage of the opportunity.
"Good evening," He approaches, a smile upon his face. Dr. Baker is an older man, looking to be in his late 60's to early 70's. He is of slightly shorter height, and has wispy white hair and framed glasses upon his face. He adjusts them as he speaks. "Ms. Calliope, I believe? I'm Dr. Matthew Baker. We have mutual friends in Gary, or perhaps associates are the better word. I've been sent to assist your endeavor and provide whatever expertise I can." He offers her a hand to shake.
The annoyance fades as quickly as it came on when he introduces himself, and the Toreador finds herself on high alert. She tenses at her name, then more at the mention of mutual friends. "Sent by...?" Calliope says, waving her hand in a, "go on?" motion before she breaks it off with a frustrated sound. "Actually, let's go inside. Apparently, we're hosting a meet and greet today."
The Toreador gestures toward the door of the Church of Scientology, her posture making it clear that she was not planning on letting him enter behind her. She knew her first impression wasn't the nicest, but after the evening she was already having, combined with the events of the last few nights...the old man was lucky she gave him the time of day at all.
Dr. Baker's smile fades as the woman ignores his handshake. Rudeness was a peeve of his. It cost nothing at all to be polite. But the children today seemed to lack such social niceties. Even amongst vampires!
He goes to respond when she cuts him off, and instead gives a rather sharp nod. Then he moves to enter the church--first, apparently. Hopefully the others in this little group were of more refined temperament.
Then, to the Nosferatu. "Wasn't I supposed to pretend you're not here?" He chuckles. "But it is a good point. Like all things, my herd is an investment. I cannot promise a prince's feast in short order, but I vet my mortal tenants to ensure a reasonable quality. And just like any other aspect of my property, I'll reinvest in it."
"Considering working on it, but sadly not that connected. Myself. I know the system better than most, but that's not the same thing and I admit it. Buttons is housebroken and I try not to make a mess either."
Not as much in terms of recent arrivals in the city, but certainly some more recent neonates released from yokes of their respective Sires.
One would be a Toreador artist of some minor amount of fame in certain circles, Calliope Marchette who is the Childe of the ever hot-headed, Mateo.
Another that comes to mind, while not a very recent embrace, would be from your own clan, Dr. Matthew Baker. Dr. Baker has the reputation of a researcher into the Kindred condition who has in relatively recent nights began to flex his desire for more power in order to continue his research.
The conversation continues between Ollie, Joey, Edwin, and Alexander as two more figures enter the church's welcome center. One is an older man, looking to be in his late 60's to early 70's. He is of slightly shorter height, and has wispy white hair and framed glasses upon his face. The other, Alexander and Edwin know - Calliope.
Already frustrated by this evening's events and visitors, Edwin and Alexander can see the exasperation on the woman's face as she realizes there is yet another stranger in the groups communal haven.
She then turns to Edwin and raises an eyebrow, directing the next comment to him: "He says he was sent here by someone from our recent trek out of town."
She sits on the edge of the conference table, her waif-like frame causing barely a wobble, and stares down the table at Joey, eyebrows raising again. "Not that I mind being the center of attention or anything, but how are we picking up so many strays? What is it about us, Edwin?" Calliope says, looking around the room at the several new faces. It was a question that she didn't really expect an answer to--more of an invitation to the others to explain themselves a little better. And, perhaps, a little bit of confusion. Calliope hadn't thought their new-ish Coterie was on anyone's radar.
"Good evening to you all." The doctor says, giving a bright smile. He looks and sounds the picture of a doting grandfather.
"Ah, allow me to answer that for you, my dear. I had my own business in Gary. Are any of you familiar with my research into the kindred condition? Revolutionary work that I believe will redefine our knowledge of our species. Unfortunately, many have never given the subject the attention it deserves. Far too many buy into myths and religious origins for our species, believing that a scientific understanding is impossible. I regret to say even our new prince seems to number among them. He refused to support my endeavors." He sniffs disdainfully.
"Without any other recourse I had to seek out aid in Gary, though it has changed much more than I expected. A Ms. Evelyn did seem amenable to my research; she mentioned an important meeting was due to take place and bid me to watch. I thus observed your coterie's meeting with the former prince. He at least seemed willing to support my endeavor, so I offered my support to him. I was thus sent here to assist your group in clearing the way for his return to power. I hope this clears up some of the questions you may have, but I am all ears if you have anymore."
"The kindred condition?" he asks the doctor. "I always was bothered by all the old legends and mystical fairy tales. Not that I haven't seen and done a bit of the supernatural myself, but it seems like we should have figured out a modern explanation for our modern existence."
He can't help but raise an eyebrow at that last part. "And... what's this about a former prince?"
"Strays? Hear that, Buttons, they're worried they'll be our forever home." He looks at his dog, who cocks his canine head as if this is indeed a conundrum.
To the newcomer he says "Nice to meet you, Doc. Call me Ollie."
"I'm not familiar with your work, no..." She says, raising an eyebrow. She wasn't certain if there were Kindred-aimed academic journals that the man could publish in, but his attitude about his research reminded her of the "misunderstood scientist" trope she saw often in her father's horror films growing up. Never turned out very good for anyone.
The Toreador adjusts her seat on the table so that she was sitting cross-cross-applesauce and facing the others before addressing the crowd: "I'm less worried about the longevity of any of our acquaintance--none of you seem awful to be around so far--and more worried about what has suddenly put our coterie on the map for 'go help these guys out!' Several of you appearing at once is a little...disconcerting, to say the least?" She glances at Edwin to get a feel for his thoughts, tapping the fingers of her right hand on her knee in a rhythmic, odd pattern.
"Oh, I'm Calliope Marchette. An artist." She does not elaborate further, nor does she comment on Joey's question about the aforementioned Former Prince.
Alexander rasps from the corner, "Explanations are there for Mr. Myles and Dr. Baker's presence, the Professor and our 'friends' in Gary, respectively. I would seem Mr. Hart's presence with our little group is more coincidental than that of the others."
Matthew's eyes light up at the interest showed by Joey, and he looks at the man like one would a particularly promising pupil. "Precisely so! Even tonight, so much of our existence and origins are intertwined with fairy tales. It is not helped by many among us who have lived for several hundred years still walking around and interacting with us these nights. I myself am not quite that old, but I would almost assuredly be dead by now had I remained a kine. Its tempting when one encounters immortality to thank--or curse-- god for it. To challenge these superstitious is my life's work." He only realizes afterwards that this one did not know of their client, but decides not to answer him; despite his tendency to try and educate, Dr. Baker possesses some degree of tact.
" A pleasure to meet everyone." He says, before turning his attention again to Calliope. "I'm not surprised you've not heard of it. Its been an effort I've been trying to get off the ground for quite awhile, but I've found little support. I do believe our partnership here will do wonders for my efforts, however! I'm especially interested in the thin-blood among you; they're a rather fascinating evolutionary off branch of our kind, and its rate to find one integrated into a coterie. In the nights to come I would love to analyze them-- with all of your permission, of course."
He frowns and gestures with one hand. "Sadly, most of the elder kindred already have their own domains or their own long standing connections." Then he gestures with the other. "And the absolute youngest are still under the direct care of their sires. As much as I hate to say it, my options are limited."
"Despite whatever desires or designs my sire-down-the-line may have, I simply wish to make a humble living with the tools at hand. Namely, the haven I've been investing my time, money, and blood into."
Ollie chuckles at the Question Calliope raises
"Guess you're just that popular. I told you and Edwin how i got sent here. Looks like something has your coterie as the new wild card to watch for when it flips over. I can see why it would make all nervous, but... you might be able to use it to your advantage. Who knows?"
After hearing all the explanations and weighing them in her mind alongside her embarrassing faux pas with her Sire earlier, Calliope decides that the explanation of coincidence is probably true...paranoia hadn't served her well as of late.
"Ah, I suppose you're right about coincidences...it's just been a tense few nights. All the stress has been...unproductive." She thinks about the failed painting the previous evening and grimaces.
She shifts her focus to Dr. Baker for a moment. "It's up to K whether he'd like to be studied or not," She says carefully and firmly. "I'm sure he won't mind you asking, though."
She turns her attention to the other new one whose name she hadn't caught yet and pointed at him. "So... is this an investment opportunity pitch, or...?"
Edwin remains silent for a while weighing his options in how to respond to these various intrusions into the small world of the coterie.
He decides not to respond at all and changes the subject, "I understand the offer Mr. Hart, but what is the buy in, should we be interested that is?"
He nods to Doctor Baker, "I do indeed find your research intriguing, perhaps we can speak about it at more length with K when he resurfaces.
Have you a place to stay within Chicago in the meantime?"
"Of course. He's a fascinating case however, so I hope my work with you will prove my trustworthiness. He could be revolutionary to our species." The good doctor's eyes shine with excitement.
Another seems to find his research interesting as well, a testament to the wisdom of this coterie--many of them seem far less short sighted than others he had dealt with.
"Ah yes, thank you. I own a house in the city that I also work out of. Small and cozy, but it gets the job done. Forgive my curiosity, but are you German?" he asks the man. Es ist schön, Sie kennenzulernen! "Forgive my excitement, but I studied abroad in Munich in my kine days. It's been so long since I had an opportunity to utilize the language."
Silly me. Wouldn't like to damage my slippers by going outside.
Joey cocks his head to the side and taps his finger to his chin. "I suppose everything worth doing is an investment, so yes. But to be more specific..." he runs through the details once again, summarizing the property he's setting up to serve as a haven for rent as well as the presence of mortal tenants for possible feeding. "...of course, hunting in the area would still be necessary if I received an influx of guests in short order, but there's more to go around than your average little hole in the wall that less generous kindred might offer."
After almost stepping out in your treasured slippers, you think better of it and change into some more sensible shoes.
"What kind of investment are you looking for?" Calliope leans forward, looking thoughtful. "In terms of the property...where is it at? What are the apartments like?" The Toreador thinks of her apartment--a nice place, if a bit expensive for the amount of space. Maybe a new studio space would lend a spark of inspiration?
At this point, he's learning more by listening and letting the others talk.
After a few minutes, you are able to flag down a cab, something that seems to be fewer and further between in this age of Lyft and Uber, and twenty minutes later find yourself outside the Blue Velvet.
Whereas Red No. 5 catered to a seedier element and the Succubus Club to those more interested in a "good time". Blue Velvet carried itself as a high-end club. Sure, there was still music, but it didn't hammer inside your skull. The kine here were more white-collar, wanting to wind down after a day's work types.
You look around and see no signs of Bronwyn, although that wasn't all that unusual, she often spent most of her evenings "off the floor" so to speak. Noticing you looking around, one the bartenders asks if he can help you. The bartender is a Caucasian man in a button up white shirt and black dress pants whom you would guess is in his mid to late thirties. There are flecks of gray in his dark hair and his rolled up sleeves reveal sleeves of a different kind, these made of elaborate ink.
He remains silent as the conversation unfolds contemplating his next move as there is some risk involved in either move he chooses to make...
"Have you spent any time in Gary before Mr. Hart?"
"What kind of investment are you looking for?" Calliope leans forward, looking thoughtful. "In terms of the property...where is it at? What are the apartments like?"
"In terms of investment, I simply wish to put resources back into the property. Better quality means better blood. Expanded spaces means more of it. And as for the property itself, it's a nice little mid-rise with a generous portion dedicated to the basement. Standard apartments as well, with a variety of sizes and competitive prices."
He looks around the room at the various kindred. b]"As for payment, I do accept money. But I also understand that kindred tent to collect their own esoteric talents, and I'm open to negotiate an exchange of services as a form of payment."[/b]
"Regular customers, you say?" the bartender responds. "Don't think I know either of them personally, but I don't work every night..."
Picking up the handset of what appears to be a landline phone, he says, "Hey boss, might be one of your people at the bar." A few moments later he adds, "Will do."
Turning his attention back to you, he says, "Sit tight for a moment, maybe the boss knows em."
Ten minutes later, a caucasian woman in her early twenties comes from the back of the house. She’s small and slight, but sturdily built. Her dark brown hair falls to her waist, braided into a thick lait to keep it out of the way. She is wearing a smartly cut business suit. You've never met her personally, but based on what you've heard of her, this must be Bronwyn.
"And what exactly can I do for you tonight, Miss?" she asks, staring at you, almost as if she was examining your very soul.
Then, he gestures towards Ollie. "I merely offer alternatives for those who want to save their money, and most of the things I have in mind come back to keeping the territory clean anyway. Watching for poachers, keeping the less savory folks away from the herd when possible, that sort of thing. I'd like to think of it less like a 'hook' and more of a 'community'"
"I get that, but trust comes slow sometime so no insult intended."
"This does sound like a rather nice little community." Dr. Baker says. "But at least for myself I'm afraid I will have to pass. I like my home and have lived in it since before my embrace-- its nice to keep that bit of continuity with my past. Besides, Winthrop hates change."
"Dr. Baker was here earlier tonight, oddly enough asking about Miss Marchette. What is going on here? Why are these relative neonates of such interest recently?" Bronwyn asks, her questions tinged with paranoia.
The problem too is that even if Alexander can remain unseen, he cannot see those of his own or others ilk who can do the same thing. Besides, what is there to learn here really eh? We have discussed a business proposition and any who wish to join us are always welcome in the Church".