I have a previous engagement this evening so I cannot join any tour".
"Perhaps we should discuss how to achieve our mutual objective going forward." The doctor suggests, keeping it vague because at least one of them did not seem to be fully aware-- he'd leave it to the others to fill them in if they felt him trustworthy. "I am known at elysium and have some mild influence within the city. Many seem to view me as approachable, especially compared to others of my clan.
"I suppose there's no reason to hide it, I am of the Malkavians. Rest assured however I do not harbor the mental instabilities of much of my clan; the notion that we are all mad is flawed logic commonly held by outsiders. But I think you will find me to be eminently reasonable." He smiles.
"Fair enough, that being said, knowledge is power - even if the knowledge itself is of little consequence - and power isn't free. I suppose you are willing to owe me a favor should I provide you the whereabouts of Dr. Baker and by way of doing that, likely the whereabouts of Miss Marchette?" Bronwyn cooling asks.
"I suppose there's no reason to hide it, I am of the Malkavians. Rest assured however I do not harbor the mental instabilities of much of my clan; the notion that we are all mad is flawed logic commonly held by outsiders. But I think you will find me to be eminently reasonable." He smiles.
"Every clan is eccentric in their own way." Joey waves dismissively. "You seem perfectly fine to me. Hell, you're the first person I've met that made a serious effort to look past the dusty old legends about us."
"Have you any further questions for me before I take my leave for the evening Mr. Hart?"
The ventrue considers. "Contact information would be nice. In case you'd like to discuss my proposal at a future time. The same goes for everyone else. Here's my number..."
"...and make sure to leave a name with any texts or messages you leave me, just to make it easier for me to keep things sorted."
Dr. Baker nods enthusiastically at Joey. "Precisely! Mr. Hart, was it? I'm so happy to meet someone else who is not brainwashed by the various creation myths that regrettably continue to hold such sway over our kind.
"Take my clan for example. Yes, many-- quite possibly most-- Malkavians are mad. The natural assumption is it is some curse if one is superstitious, some defect in the blood if one is more scientifically natured. But I would propose another explanation. Many Malkavians are mentally unwell and seek out such behavior in their potential childer. Even those fledglings who were sane before their embrace find themselves undergoing what is a traumatic and intense experience at the best of times. If their only source of adjustment to it is an unstable sire, of course they will likely fall prone to disordered thinking themselves. I was a trained psychiatrist before my embrace, which provided me the tools to withstand the experience and my own sire, who was regrettably unreliable as a source of information. I'm happy to have retained my mental stability, and prouder still that I can show others of my clan it is possible."
" Ah, but forgive me, few wish to hear an old man ramble. If any of you ever wish to discuss these sort of matters in the future do feel free to ask. I've many theories as to our kind. I also would be happy to offer therapy to any who need it. Strictly confidential of course." He exchanges his number and address with all present.
"Dr. Baker, I apologize for my abruptness earlier outside. These past few days have been stressful." The Toreador shows a rare behavior: apologizing for her actions. As prideful as she is, she's found that a measure of humility can be helpful with creating bonds. And she has a feeling these new people will be sticking around for a while. She holds her hand out to the good doctor in an offer to shake hands in apology.
"I have no plans myself this night, so unless you all want to go out and do anything, I have some artist's block to try to overcome."
"Oh I have nothing in particular in mind at the moment, my dear." Bronwyn purrs. "I just need your agreement to the deal first."
"Dr. Baker was quite interested in one of Miss Marchette's coterie-mates, a thin-blood of all things. The coterie has a haven in a Scientology temple at 650 South Clark Street."
"And we don't have to do the tour tonight if you don't want to. The offer's on the table. But if you're interested in getting to know you're potential land lord... well, I've got an open book this evening and you all seem to possess that rare combination of interesting and hospitable that's all too rare among kindred these days."
She looks at Bronwyn
I trust you for finding a task sooner or later. And I'll fulfill my end of the bargain to the best of my abilities.
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He stands and exits the room to get ready for the evening.
"Oh please, think nothing of it. Our existence can make one paranoid. Initially treating me with suspicion makes a certain sense, I think. Alas, I am not in the market for a new dwelling at present, and I have already eaten. But it was lovely meeting all of you, and hopefully our ah, mutual interests will see us becoming strong allies to one another in the nights ahead." He gives his address to all his new allies, and tells them to swing by whenever they wish.
"Pardon my forwardness, but do you have room for another in your car?" Calliope asks Joey, only letting a bit of coquettishness slip into her tone. She grins apologetically, gesturing at her phone. "I usually Uber everywhere. I can catch one home after."
If Buttons can't go, he lets the dog stay here
Bronwyn's mouth forms into a sly grin. "Darling, most of our kind are interested in real estate in one way or another. What sort of real estat are you interested in?"
The informal meeting begins to breakup with Dr. Baker and Edwin heading off for other business, leaving the three of you to head over toward Joey's place for a tour.
Having tracked down the coterie of the thin-blood, you've taken the first steps to satisfying your personal curiosity, you leave the Scientology temple as the gathering begins to go separate ways.
You leave the others to their own devices, intent on meeting up with Statia for another private tour of one of the local art galleries.
Dr. Baker has little else planned for the evening, being fully sated and having meet his contacts. For now he plans to return home. Perhaps he'll get to work on creating files of the new kindred he have met, the better to analyze their behavior and understand them going forward. That should make future cooperation easier.
While she seems slightly disappointed that you will not be with Ladislav when he picks her up, Statia is for the most part happy to allow the pick up.
Calling for a ride of your own, you make your way to the Museum of Contemporary Art. You arrive before Ladislav and Statia and wait outside the closed museum for their arrival. As the ten o'clock hour arrives, so does Ladislav and your date for the evening.
"Hey, why didn't you ride along tonight?" Statia asks, getting out of the car.
Ladislav steps out of the car long enough to give a questioning look, inquiring if he is waiting here for the two of you.
You call for a ride to take you home to start working on your files on your new associates. The driver arrives and takes you to home without incident.
"High-tech?" Bronwyn asks. "There's a guy named Alex Bridger...Ventrue, runs a securities company called Penumbra. He might be able to point you in the right direction."
After greeting Winthrop and engaging in compulsory petting, Dr. Baker gets to work creating profiles of the new kindred he's met. He has little to go on at present but finds it better to begin building his files early.
As he's working, his thought turn to his main objective; building a power base for the exiled prince, or at least carefully determining individuals who would be at least neutral to the prospect of his return. Dr. Baker finds politics tedious but knows how to play the game, and he thinks about who it may be good to talk to about these matters; with luck, he'll have some names he can bring up to the others next time he meets with them.
Some 30 minutes later, you arrive at Joey's building.
[ooc]Joey, feel free to describe the outside of the building.[ooc]
When they arrive, Calliope steals out of the car quickly and stands to wait for the two men to step out. "Thanks for having us along, Joey."
Ollie pats Buttons, and whispers to the dog as Calliope avoids the German Shepherd, "Don't worry about it, Buttons. Uptown girls are like that."
When they get to where they're going, he and Buttons get out as well, "Ditto."
The ventrue does his best to put on a prideful look. He would puff out his chest a bit if he was with mortals, but the illusion of breathing in front of fellow kindred made the gesture seem a little asinine.
"Thanks for coming along. Shall we begin the tour?"
"Is there anything else I can do for you, Savanna?" Bronwyn asks. "Bridger's place is up on the Gold Coast. I could make arrangements for you to meet him...for a price."
The lights are on in one of the second floor units as you approach.
"Sounds lovely," Calliope murmurs in reply, falling into step with the others. She fishes out her sketchbook and begins to draw a rough outline of the building, making small annotations about details she wanted to remember about the appearance.
Let's be a little bit less careless, and ask for the price first, before asking for another information.
"Oh nothing major, darling, just a minor little favor...or we could consider the favor you already owe me something of a little more note than what we have already agreed to. Your choice."
My apologies dear, I had some unexpected visitors at work".
He turns to Ladislav, "Grab a coffee or dinner if you have not already, I will call you when we are ready for a pick up, thank you my friend".
As Ladislav departs, Edwin extends his arm to Statia, "Shall we?"
"A slightly larger favor it is. I'll make the arrangements for you to meet up with Bridger tomorrow night, alright?" Bronwyn asks.
"Kinda." she says with a sheepish grin. "Just not used to having a driver pick me up for a date with someone else...this is a date, right?" Statia asks, somewhat unsure of herself.
With the conversation turning a direction Ladislav would rather not be present for quickly gets back in the car following your suggestion of coffee or dinner. "Of course, sir.
Not pressing for a answer right this moment, Statia takes your arm as you enter the museum.
Once inside a guard approaches you. "Sorry folks, we're closed. Not sure why that door was unlocked. Sorry about that."
He then leads her to the door.
He grins at the guard, "Oh, I have a private viewing tonight with my date".
"No one told me anything about that." the guard says, going to his radio.
"Hey Marvin, you know anything about a private tour tonight?" the guard says into his radio
A few too many seconds later, the radio crackles to life. "Oh s@@& Willis, sorry about that. Yeah, Russo called earlier and left a name for a tour tonight. Who do ya got?"
A little less on edge after hearing there actually was a private tour tonight, Willis looks at you. "And you are?"
"Each tenant gets their own for access, in addition to a key for their individual apartment."
He leads the group through the building, making a point to show off the laundry room that's in an out-of-the-way corner. "This is a nice place to relax to clear your mind if you don't mind a little racket. The footsteps of the hall carries well into here, but the machines can be a little loud and they tend to drown out sounds from inside."
He smiles politely. "I doubt that will be an issue, but I feel obligated to inform you."
"No, I can actually see how that might be handy at times... bit of white noise can add privacy."