Joey Hart's page

The ventrue takes them to an already-opened garage. It's roomy enough, with enough space for your average truck next to a small tool bench and grooves in the wall from which to hang whatever else may be needed. The floor also features a drain in the center, with a thin oil stain spiraling around it. "Garages are optional for an additional fee, and you'll find my rates are quite competitive. Plenty space to hold a vehicle, or as storage for excess stuff." He nudges the drain with his shoe. "The space can be used for personal projects as well, though I must ask that they be done discreetly. Wouldn't want to bother your neighbors, after all."

He fails to resist the urge to give a wink. "So, that covers the main places you'll have access to. I also have informational papers that cover minor things such as trash pickup times and nearby public transit routes. Any questions? I'd be happy to ask."

"Alright, let's take a look at one of the apartments. One of the units that I've had prepared for just such an occasion." He leads the others towards a room on the second floor. The door has a metal sheet attached to it with the number '204' imprinted onto it.

Joey opens the door, gesturing for the others to enter. The inside of the apartment is a wood floor with a wide open area that serves as the living and dining room. Off to the side, counters that make an L-shape in the floor plan section off a kitchen that's intentionally crampt to make room in the center. A very short hallway on the other side features two doors, left ajar, showing a bathroom with a decently sized shower and a carpeted bedroom with a closet that's long enough to comfortably lie down in. The door to said closet has a padded reinforcement around the edges to help prevent light from entering.

"The space is around 700 square feet, with a generous living room. At the cost of the kitchen, of course, but I presume that won't be an issue."

He approaches one of the windows, picking up a roll of thick black cloth on the floor. "I've already gone through the effort to pick up blackout curtains to supplement the ones already in place. In case any of them are lost or damaged, there are spares that can be accessed on request."

"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."

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?"

"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."

"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."

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'"

"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]

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."

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."

"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?"

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."

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."

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."

He does find it difficult to summon much enthusiasm at that moment. "Friend of yours? Ah. A pleasure. I don't believe we've been introduced." Then, he turns to Edwin. "And to answer your question, yes, I am descended from his blood. Not directly, of course."

He preempts their responses. "If you'd prefer not to answer, I wouldn't be offended. It can be quite personal for some of us."

"As for where I heard of you?" Joey purses his lips. "I simply asked my sire about kindred who may be interested. I heard from her that you and some of your associates were at least somewhat socially active and comparably recent arrivals on the scene and made a point to extend an offer."

He offers a slight smile. "As for my business. I maintain a cozy little property not too far out from here. Decently sized apartments, some of which come with extra-thick curtains for dedicated night-shifters, easy access to the freeway, and neighbors that are very good about maintaining peace and quiet."

Joey leans forward, clasping his hands together as his elbows settle on the table. "All accessible for a modest price. I wanted to make this unique opportunity apparent to the fine kindred of this city, and your name came up when I was asking for people who might be interested or might know someone who'd be interested."

He follows along, heading into the conference room. After pondering his options he decides to wait politely and speak when addressed.

Almost a shame he never had it in The Blood to talk to animals.

Oh, I'm quite familiar with the funny tightrope between "Vampires not trusting vampires as a common-sense survival tactic" versus the gentleman's agreement that PCs are ultimately supposed to work together. We'll get there eventually :D

He offers his hand for the dog to sniff.

Joey does indeed have a gun on him. It looks like a pistol tucked into a pocket on the inside of his hoodie. And he certainly is a vampire. No special scent-masking there.

"Is he around?"

"Sounds like a hell of a crew. May as well follow up on that. So does Mister Wagner have a number that I should call to let him know, or is this a walk-in sort of situation?"

"But I'll worry about all that later. For now, I've got a project to work on and I'm sure you have your own business. I appreciate you trusting me enough to present me as fully independent. We should celebrate sometime. Sometime later, of course."

He shrugs. "Talking to Edwin seems like a play, but from what I'm hearing I'm guessing it might be a sensitive subject. Might talk to them later. And I'll keep an eye out for K, too. It isn't like I'm forbidden from at least talking to them, right?"

He pauses on the thought. "...right? Some kindred seem to despite the things, but I still don't know the whole deal about thin bloods."

Later, on the way back with his sire, he lets out a nervous chuckle. "Well. That could have went worse. I was going to wait a few days to chat you up about getting a work contract, but I kind of feel a fire under my ass right about now and I'd like to move forward with renovations."

He wills himself to sigh. "That, and I'll have to spend more time here and there chatting people up and figuring out who's interested. Hahaha... I don't suppose you know anyone fresh-off-the-fang and in dire need of a roof, do you?"

If his stomach still worked it would be sinking in right about now.

"I have no interest in humoring the childer of kindred who wouldn't do you the basic courtesy of presenting them, and I certainly don't intend on taking on thin-blood tenants."

A spike of doubt runs through his mind. He should have pitched it as a saloon. Maybe a social hangout. Too late for a rebranding. Don't panic. Just roll with it. "If anything, having a place of feeding and relaxation under the watch of a proper, tradition-respecting kindred means it would serve as a rat trap to help filter out such undesirables."

He nods in the direction of his sire. "And I already know where to find essential services with no questions asked. From here, it's merely a task of leveraging my advantages."

That, and actually defending what he has. But a pistol in his dresser and a lock on the front door don't make for a staggering bastion against his thieves and leeches. He'll have to work on that part.

Joey is quiet through most of the ride. A few questions bounce around in his head, but he chases the thoughts away for fear of asking something stupid. He's done job interviews before, and more than his fair share of talks with potential tenants.

"Prince Jackson, I beg your forgiveness for not bringing him to the Elysium two nights ago, that error was mine and not that of my Childe. I present to you my Childe, Joeseph Hart, Childe of Milena Aronyan, who is Childe of Alan Sovereign, who is Childe of Horatio Ballard, who is Childe of Lodin, who is Childe of Datura, who is Childe of Lysander, who is Childe of Artemis Orthia, who is Childe of Veddartha, who is Childe of Enoch, who is Childe of Caine."

Joey follows up on his sire's gesture, dropping to one knee as she introduces him. Wow, the whole ass family line. he thinks to himself. The importance of his inherited blood feels a lot heavier with all the formality behind it.

After the briefest of moments, he picks up on the silent invitation to speak. "Prince Jackson. Thank you for having me. It's my hope to be a productive member of our society. If allowed, I'll use my resources to create a safe haven and source of stability and safety for our city's kindred, and I'll make sure to do right by my blood."

He nods, quietly hoping that's enough. Short and sweet.

Joey puts away his power drill and judges the stray boards to the corner of his room. He seriously doubts that the local ruler would accept 'I had a hole in the wall' as an excuse.