Posted by Civilian Eryn Romanov (Colonial Intelligence Agent) in The Not So Odd Couple

Posted by Civilian Kodek Vonn (Clandestine Associate) in The Not So Odd Couple

Posted by Civilian Eryn Romanov (Colonial Intelligence Agent) in The Not So Odd Couple
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
“Only as much as I tolerate to keep her safe.” came the voice from the helmet. “Thus this will be a purchase handled discreetly, will it not? Because I am certain we could find some other realtor that is less highly respected as you if that is a problem.” “NO NO NO!” the woman almost yelled as the panic at losing the sale crept into her voice. “not at all. I assure you, sir… I am the epitome of discretion.” The helmet didn’t waver for a moment, and then it simply nodded once and turned to Eryn. “Blut’rightew. Shambalaza di heri nom sulin colo dre?” It was, of course, complete gibberish. But the intent was clear. Let’s go.

Vonn

At the comment about her safety, the distracted artist simply waved her hand as if waving away his concerns and then patted his forearm as if resigned to it. Eryn loved it! People had no idea who or what they were and the gossip would be outrageous. The woman was already planning to tell everyone until Vonn spoke again. The woman’s panic was almost comic worthy. She quickly decided keeping her mouth shut was in her best interest, professionally. Eryn turned to actually look at Vonn as he spoke and then after a friend nap sip of the tea she nodded and began to scoot out of the booth. Only to stop short in bored surprise that the woman was in her way. A very hasty and gently apology issued from Davivica who made a more hasty exit. Looking at Vonn, “I have a ground car waiting.”

Eryn

Vonn let the realtor lead them out of the restaurant, nodding to the bartender as they left. Once outside, a very nice ground car waited for them, and the three settled in the back.

As the car moved smoothly away,Davivica looked at Vonn and handed them the PaDD and said “Do you have any questuons? About any of the potential properties?” Vonn pulled the two in question, the one in the Presidio and the one in the Park District, and scribbled a single sentence surreptitiously on the screen before handing it to Eryn…

“Both. But separate purchases.”

Vonn

Eryn took the PaDD from Vonn leaning slightly toward him as she glanced quickly at the listing. Then she leaned over and whispered in his ear. Well at least where one would assume the ear was. She didn’t say anything at all. It was all for appearance sake. She ‘pointed and scrolled’ as she whispered. All a way to cover what she was writing, and play into the fact ‘Eryn’ spoke to no one that she didn’t want to.

“Yes & Yes. Presidio ‘official’, Park ‘safe’?” The Park house would need a lot of renovations so that would cover the extra and unique modifications they would want to make. Of course they would know better once they saw them in person. Eryn passed the PaDD back to Vonn after erasing the messages.

She stared out the window of the ground car as they traversed the city, memorizing every detail along the way.

Eryn

“Gooney goo goo.” the voice replied affirmatively and they wiped the screen. They rode along in silence for a several minutes, Davivica looking at them while trying not to. Finally, she looked at Vonn and said “Um, so if I may… your client. She is a noted artist, yes? I was wondering… hoping… that if she finds the property agreeable I could ask for a reference or customer testimonial? I don’t want to overstep, please don’t think me that brash… it’s just I am the new person in the office. I actually was sent because the partners didn’t know any name attached to the inquiry and the other juniors though that you were.. um… how to say this delicately…”

“Wasting their time.” Vonn said flatly.

A flush of embarrassment swept the woman’s face and she stammered slightly “Y-y-yes. So it fell to me to meet with you. I haven’t sold a property yet, actually. I’ve only been on Oed’s realty licensure for three weeks.” and she folded her hands in her lap and looked at the floor.

The helmet didn’t move for a moment and then it swiveled slightly to Eryn to look at her face and get a read.

Eryn turned seems fly in tune with her body guard. She finger combed her hair back to cover a nod. Eryn would give a review positive or negative. As an artisan she understood the power of client and public opinion. Using her fame and name to make connections was acceptable to her. And the poor woman got the shaft, and despite her inexperience she was doing her best to find what they wanted. Her thoughts were undisciplined but easy to read.

Looking back, Vonn leaned their bulk forward slightly and said “And just what does it take for someone in your office to become a senior partner?”

The woman looked up, surprised at the question. She thought for a moment and said “Um… if I remember right from orientation… it is we have to sell ten percent of total current listed value of properties within a two year period.” Vonn paused and then reached out and took the PaDD from her hand and held it, seemingly motionless. After a moment, he held the device out to Eryn and on it was written “Total office base values converted to latinum: Seventy-four big bars. I have more than that just in the flop-house. Make her senior partner and funnel funds through her?”

Vonn

Eryn took the PaDD, even without telepathy they seemed to be sharing thoughts. She scrolled through the properties picked one or two at random and then a couple more that would be useful for business locations and if they joined James, axillary locations. Then she passed it back. She had enough, but not on her. That got blown up in her shuttle. “Bzhek ljka tobzwayhe.” And she passed the PaDD back.

Eryn

Vonn handed the PaDD back to Davivika and the voice said “Let us see the two properties without distraction. And perhaps we can help edge you a bit closer to a rung or two up the ladder.” and they leaned back.

A few minutes later, the car pulled up in front of a large tritanium gate somewhat overgrown with ivy. The driver waited a moment and then the gate swung open and they drove up a walled driveway and into a decent-sized courtyard with a circle drive around a currently defunct fountain. A large, three-storied structure with balconies on the third floor stood before them. It had the look of an Old Earth Italian villa. A large sweeping but ill-kept yard sprawled off to the right of the structure, wrapping around the home and out of sight. The left was a large wall topped with tritanium ornate fence-work approximately as tall as the second story of the estate. Vonn exited and began looking at the structure, mapping sightlines and determining approaches. After a moment, they held a gauntleted hand out and ‘helped’ their employer out of the car. “Possible.” was all they said.

Vonn

The house was the most ornate location Eryn had ever considered living in, even with as run down as it was. The ivy on the gate could possibly stay - depended on how tightly it grew and how strong it was. It blocked the view into the property and that was a plus, but where it grew on the wall would have to go. Where the tritanium fence-work topped the wall was aesthetically pleasing and functional it didn’t appear to have been used to reinforce the wall. Where they ivy was growing the wall was crumbling. During the short stop at the gate, Eryn had already mapped 7 ways to scale the wall and there were gaps every so often between the fence work that would be easy to squeeze through. She liked the walled drive, it funneled anyone approaching directly.

Eryn took his hand and stepped out and nodded at the brief but accurate assessment. She glanced around taking in areas of easy access and the balconies. It would be easy to sight from there and watch. The fountain was okay. She supposed as an artist she would have to do something personal with it. She strode around the courtyard seemingly interested in plants…something she had no interest in at all. Her thumb was not only black but apparently was cursed. The foundation seemed solid enough and the yard from this side, seemingly promised a view that Vonn wanted. She made her way up the steps and waited as Davivica rushed to unlock the door. It was a poor security system…one Eryn could easily hack…which was saying a lot about the poor quality of the system and her limited skills.

The door opened to a large entry way leading down a hall lined with doors. The stairs started at the far end of the hall moving upwards and back towards the front. A door under the stair well facing the entry was probably a coat closet. Another, about half way down, she would guess led to the basement. She moved directly towards the back of the house and into a large open room, wood floors, and huge glass doors and a wall of windows. Plenty of light and a view.

Eryn

Vonn moved in and began moved with a speed that was somewhat surprising given their size and build. Doors opened, rooms were scanned and mapped, and views of the property put into the vid file they were composing. In a few minutes, the downstairs was scanned and mapped and the door to the basement was opened. A flight of stone steps to the basement led Vonn to their first surprise: a wine cellar complete with tasting room and a cold storage room. Scans of the dedicated power to the room were done and soon Vonn was walking back up the steps.

The second floor was six bedrooms and three baths. The views on one side looked out over the drive and trees and wall separating the street from the estate; the other side looked out over the back yard, a sprawling expanse complete with pond and gazebo. The third floor was a single master bedroom and a huge bath with deep soaking tub, sonic and water showers, and two sinks. Everything done in marble and bronze and very high end when it was installed apparently many years ago.

After they had reconvened, Vonn looked ta Davivica. “How long ago was this built?” the voice asked. “This is a pre-dome build which puts it on the colony’s period for historical preservation… although I cannot find any record of anyone actually applying for that. The last owner waaaas…” and her voice trailed off as she looked at the PaDD for a moment, “… a Darkanian Vorsul. Um… no record of him in the colonial database.” Vonn looked at Eryn and made a sign familiar to black marketeers, smugglers, and spies: ‘Syndicate’.

“History is irrelevant to my employer. We simply want to know if there are any outstanding legal or financial obligations attached to the property.” Davivica tapped the PaDD… and then her talent shone through. “No, nothing that… wait… no, there was a deed claimant filed by an anonymous party eleven years ago, right after the previous owner… disappeared. But there was no further action taken and the colonial court… here let me look that up… yes, here… the Colonial Court ruled that since no party had filed a claim concerning right to successorship, and since the one party refused to be identified for the purposes of executorship, then the property was deemed abandoned and all successorship claims past and future were null and void. And since it was abandoned, no taxes are attached. And before you ask, it has been on the market for six and a half years and hasn’t sold because the law firm holding the deed is asking far too much. But that’s good, because that means they would entertain a lower offer than wha-“

“We will pay asking price.” the voice said flatly and the helmet swiveled to look at her. “And we will pay in cash. I trust that will acceptable to you and you can handle the discussion with the law firm?” Davivica stammered in shock and then quickly recovered. “Yes… of course. I absolutely can do that.” and she blinked a few times and then smiled and blushed slightly. “And I just won a strip of latinum. No one at the office has been able to sell this place. Too many rumors about shady characters and hauntings.” and she laughed softly. She then looked at Vonn and Eryn. “And since it’s cash, I can put whatever name you like on the deed and sale documentation.” and she raised the PaDD and took up a stylus. “And what name would that be, and when will you be paying?”

If the helmet could have smiled, it would have right at that moment. Oh yes… she gets it. Vonn thought.

Vonn