[Le Bureau de Propriété] A New, Old home? (Crimson)

[Dego Mernoff]

20th of Melora,
Season of Winter,
Era I of the Celestine Mandate,
Era XV Post Fractum

Dego had been guided to another office after he tried to roam the halls unsuccessfully. The mousi had caught him surprisingly fast and after only a short wait he was guided in to meet the Aedile. A snow white tigron sat with a sly smile behind her desk waiting patiently for the half elf. When he entered and took the offered seat the woman was quick to get right down to business. “Thank you for seeing me Madam Aedile, and yes I am interested in the properties.”

Dego was not particularly fond of Tigron. The first fight he had ever been in was with a Tigron. He often found them to be of a prideful and pompous nature and did not doubt that this fact was untrue with the only white tigron he had ever seen.

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be a villa but I’d something peaceful, preferably walled, and a stable house. In the home I would like a bath, a bedroom, kitchen and a main room for starters. Lets start there and see what you have comparable and talk numbers.”

[Crimson]

The Tigroness smiled easily when Dego noted his preferences. "Most properties have basic commodities; but villas are usually prized for their larger plots, gardens, cellars, or multiple bedrooms. Typically, the larger the property the most expensive it will be. For instance --"

She shuffled a set of documents next to her then pulled out several separate pieces and laid them out between herself and the half-esh. "Depending on your budget, we should be able to find you a sure fit hmm?"

[Dego Mernoff]

“Well in that case let’s look at everything you have that is similar to my starting criteria under sixteen hundred crowns. From there we can narrow the options based on amenities and price, I hope I am not making this too hard but I want to get a feel for what you have available. It seems odd to me to find such spacious estates for so cheap. Perhaps if you explain why the local government is liquidating these homes I will have a better understanding of what you are offering. Are they in ill form?”

Dego leaned back in his chair a bit, trying to get more comfortable as he listened to the purring tones of the katta. Her blue eyes sparkling in the dim light of the room, almost mesmeric, the half elf found his mind drifting a bit, back to other times in his life. Normally katta had golden yellow hues held within their eyes, however, pondering on that idea was surely to remind him of Viskyia. He wondered how she was, where she was. There was no telling really, not without returning to Nexus, and to be quite frank with himself the thoughts needed pushed from his mind… There was business at hand.

[Crimson]

"1,600 crowns" she mused for a moment, her fierce eyes scanning the documents she had in hand "we have at least four properties that fit your budget and requirements." She flashed a toothy grin again, her snowy tail dancing behind her in amusement. "The first two are in the Southern Quarter so the area is well lit, has a low crime rate due to the constant presence of the Protectorat and is set within a fancy community of sorts. Both have two bedrooms and the basic commodities I mentioned."

"The next two are close by by but not exactly within the limits of the Southern Quarter. They are closer to the Western sector of the city, another nice residential portion. These two sit on larger plots which give you some allowance if you wish to expand in the future or even invest in a garden of sorts." She nodded thoughtfully. "The difference between either pairs is the use of a cellar. All four houses have two floors of living space; but only one from each pair has a cellar underground."

"And no, monsieur" she smirked as if slightly irritated by the query "these properties are not run down if that is what you mean. They may be dusty and in need of some cleaning since they have not been habitated for several months now -- but they are intact and functional. The furnishing is lacking, I admit, but when was the last time you saw a villa for less than 9,000 crowns hmm?"

[Dego Mernoff]

Dego let the woman get it completely out of her system before he opened his mouth. It was just as he expected, another pompous Tigron, this one being exceptionally ill. They were less then ten minutes into the conversation and already she was letting her tongue run free. She was correct however; the homes were an incredible deal, which was why the man was here. What worried the half elf though was the ad was well out of date but it seemed that many of the homes were still available. Collecting himself, Dego drew in a soft slow breath and replied in the calm, collected tone he had learned eras ago in Nexus.

“I do admit the price is astounding, that is why I have my reservations. I did not mean to insult or ensue, but rather, am simply curious as to why these fine homes were being sold at such a low price, when the local government could make, as you said, a substantially higher profit.” He paused for a moment letting the words stand, and then continued in the same controlled voice as before. “Please, tell me more about the two properties with cellars if you would. A full list of their amenities, number of rooms, square footage, plot sizes, and most importantly their histories if available.”

The youngish half elf brought his right leg up to rest the calf on the knee of his left. His fingertips meeting in a bridge just below his chin as his elbows rested on the arms of the chair he lounged in. His lips were still pursed into a thin pink smile on the outside, but on the inside the man’s temper was slowly starting to simmer with disgust in regards to the senior Aedile. He listened with intent, until a simple thought came to mind, perhaps he should simply visit the properties with her, get the prices and then decide. That thought could wait for one more round of their verbal boxing match.

[Crimson]

The pompous tigroness, as big headed as she was, simply nodded at Dego's request. Within several moments she had gone over the basic facts regarding each of the two properties. Both were significantly large, spacious, containing two bedrooms each, a well insulated cellar, large living spaces, and of course a modest front and back yard. The only difference was the location.

"The one closer to the Western Quadrant is situated next to smaller homes. The neighborhoods there are more crowded and your neighbors may or may not be better off than yourself. The near the Southern Quarter is in a well known neighborhood lined with maple trees which look stunning in Autumn. There are regular patrols there as well since it is within the Protectorat's backyard. It is, however, slightly smaller than the first home I mentioned."

"As for history" the tigroness continued "the properties we are selling have similar backgrounds. They were previously owned by less lawful men and women, sometimes whole families, who were arrested and convicted for their crimes. Their properties and other assets were assumed by the city. That's why these homes were unused for several months. We waited for those criminal cases to close before selling them off at auction price."

[Dego Mernoff]

“Ah, well that would clear things up a bit then. It makes sense as to why the city is liquidating the property now. Have the locks been changed yet, or is that the responsibility of the purchaser?” The half esh leaned back in his chair, gently tapping his lips with the tips of his fingers, nodding in approval of the documents outlining the homes

“I can see perks to both, it would be nice to have the second property so that I had more room for my steed to roam, but seeing as I will not be within the city terribly often over the coming months, and both have stables it would be very nice to have the guard looking over the land over the added land. What is the difference in price, and do you have time to look at the properties?”



OOC: Sorry to be dragging this out so much Crimson, I wanted to give you the chance to describe the properties if they were not left up to my imagination. If they will be, and you want to wrap this up give me a price and I will pay and finish it up next post. Thanks for all the help!

[Crimson]

OOC: Yes, the properties are mostly left to your imagination except for the plot size, number of rooms, space, size, etc

"Oh, the locks have been changed monsieur" the Senior Aedile purred at the shadow elf. She was intrigued by his kind, no less, having seen them as more pretty than their completely dark or light cousins. Perhaps shadow elves were more like her. She grinned at the thought, though only inwardly.

At Dego's next series of queries, she simply blinked before suddenly calculating the amount in her head. She didn't make it to the top for being not dependable and seriously awesome. "The larger lots are 200 crowns more, making them 1,800 crowns total. Now that you mentioned a horse" she added, though her eyes twinkled as a hunter's would "I would recommend the property with the larger lot. You could most certainly install a single-horse stable there. I know a few businesses who would give you a suitable discount on my behalf." She grinned.

"Now as for looking over the properties, you are free to do so. I have their addresses but I cannot accompany you. As you see" she motioned around the office. And behind Dego there were already a few more customers walking in "I am a busy woman."

[Dego Mernoff]

“Of coarse lady Aedile, I suspected as much. If you don’t mind I would enjoy a brief look at both properties, and a chance to speak with the locals.” He smiled politely, assuring her, as he took the keys he would return before darkening with a decision. It was imperative to the elf that he thoroughly inspect the homes.

Quickly taking his leave, the half esh read over his directions with care, insuring he was to arrive at the correct locations. The young man took time to introduce himself to the neighbors and get a general feel for each. And then took great care in inspecting the homes for any flaws, be it structural or visual. After his own satisfaction was achieved, the man moved to the inside, searching each room for any possible hidden areas. Quite familiar with the general designs from his time in the guild underground and his explorations in Acumin it seemed like an easy enough task. Those of more shady occupations often kept such rooms, tunnels and holes for hiding things or easy escapes, even his own fortress in Nexus had been outfitted professionally with such devices.

At last when his investigation was complete, and he made notes of anything the neighbors had to say, and everything he found, the elf made the long walk back to the Aediles. Entering, and patiently waiting his turn this time the elf was already filling out a banknote for the Tigron when he took his seat. “I have made my decision Lady Aedile, I think I will go with…” His final decision had come down to the inspections, the lay of the land, the way the neighbors described the activities in their neighborhood and any secrecies he found in the homes. It had been a tough decision but one well worth every crown.

[Crimson]

When Dego returned to the Aedile, he had managed to inspect the properties for any serious defects, flaws, and possible bonuses. The first two outside the Southern Quarter were dusty, but well kept. It was, however, the larger villa on the famous Rue de Monde of the Southern Quarter that Dego possibly found the one he liked best. Outside the red brick home were enough shrubbery to keep him occupied on boring brightenings while providing him the sanctuary of privacy. It was a serious looking house with an iron fence, two floors, and an attic making for a relatively suitable third floor room. It came complete with the necessities of a kitchen, living quarters, three bedrooms, a fireplace, and a fair looking yard in the back.

But those would have been common comforts had not Dego found a strange looking torch-holder which clicked beneath his grasp, giving way to a passageway behind a moving door. The gears were old and they creaked as if needing oil; but still, the stone staircase was too much to resist. Dego soon found himself in a large underground cellar which held nothing but dust. It was approximately the same size as the living area, fit enough for shelves to be put in place or perhaps a large table complete with chairs for a secret meeting. Either way, Dego noted that there were iron bars on the stone walls meant to hold torches including a thin slit which allowed just a thin ray of light to enter, and presumably some air.

Would he choose this one over the rest? Quite possibly. And the aedile established that it was, of course, 1,800 crowns total.

[Dego Mernoff]

The find of the cellar would have been quite tempting to pay the extra crowns had the local government not already known about it. However, since the Aedile had told the elf there had been a cellar at the location the elf found it odd that there had been no visible exterior entrance when he arrived… Though, with the revelation of the candlestick stairway, it made the room quite useless to hide anything in at this point. That defining factor paired with the increased cost did not make the property more valuable to him, though the large plot would have been nice, the man did not plan to be in Jaedaxia long enough to properly use it. Instead this purchase was more an additional mark to his real estate for future use.

So instead he had decided upon the home in the southern district, in the nicer neighborhood with the heavy guard activity. Since the man didn’t plan to make home here it was the thought that helped set his mind at ease that the locals would be keeping a better eye on the home then its more westward competition. It would also make a more suitable base of operations in his future endeavors should his work ever come to La Belle, as Bladewyn had called it.

Taking his seat across from the Tigron woman the elf bowed his head and returned all of the keys with the exception of the one for the home he had chosen. “I will be purchasing the home in the southern district with a cellar for 1600 crowns. I think, after examining each, that it is the best fit.” He smiled and asked for her quill setting to work on filling out the banknote and necessary documents. Asking if there was anything else he needed to do, or should know about.

[Crimson]

Without looking up, the tigroness' fur-covered paw swiped the Visa (when it was given) toward her as her free hand seamlessly flew over the parchment. She dipped her fire red quill only once before she picked the piece of parchment, squinted her amber eyes as if straining to seek any and all errors, before waving the newly drafted document in the air between herself and the elf lord. "Just a moment" she smiled toothily before placing the parchment on the table again. With her other hand she sprinkled white sand on the document to dry it even faster. And with another flick of her paw she passed Dego's Visa back with a nod.

"This document is your new deed" she began "it states you as the owner according to the property laws of Jaedaxia. It also holds you responsible for paying the 5% tax at the end of every era. So" she clicked her tongue smartly "at the end of Era XV Post Fractum, you will pay 5% of your property's current market value. This information can be accquired officially by submiting a request here" the tigroness they pointed at the mousai sitting several dozen paces away "with my assistant."

"When we evaluate your property's value you are required to pay the tax within two cycles. Failure to do so will result in penalties. Acquire enough penalties and the city may seek to file formal charges. Failure to appear in court will result in the removal of your title from the property. So on and so forth." She waved her paw dismissively then, as if flicking away invisible details Dego didn't (or shouldn't) need to know.

"Here are your keys." The Senior Aedile rose from her seat, revealing a powerful build covered by a feminine set of robes to and some official looking seal along her long sleeved tunic. She walked over to a long set of drawers and pulled out an envelop. Walking back to her desk, she passed the item Dego who immediately noted that a pair of bronze keys were sealed within. "We have a copy. If you loose those" she motioned to the envelop "you'll have to replace the locks to the property and provide us with an extra set. Any questions, monsieur? If not, just sign at the bottom of the document. And you're set to go."

[Dego Mernoff]

Just as the quill was about to strike the paper and sign the deed Dego couldn’t help but pause, an eyebrow rising as his head slowly pulled back to face the tigress. His voice was hesitant at first, but he quickly cleared his throat and spoke up. “Taxes, Jaedaxia still levies personal property as a tax… and it is based off the value of the home not the selling price… Please tell me, what is this homes current value then, we may have run into a bit of a snag here…” His voice tapered off as the half elf stood to his full form, gently setting the quill back in its home at the inkwell.

The elf wasn’t trying to be a pain but the taxes ment he had to be here at a certain time of each year and that simply did not work into his lifestyle. The residence was meant to simply be a go between when in this part of the empire. Before moving any further, the half elf had to have just a bit more of the woman’s attention.

[Crimson]

"As it stands?" the tigroness replied "your manor is worth 5,000 crowns. This may increase or decrase depending on the economy of the city, the Empire, what have you." A smile filled the Aedile's countenance then and she assured him that a few hundred crowns was worth his investment. "And since you are helping Jaedaxia by purchasing this property" she added after a pause "I will personally waive your first era's fees. How's that?" She nodded, indicating the contract then placed her paws together in satisfaction.

[Dego Mernoff]

He paused momentarily pondering the situation at hand. It was a careful choice to be made, but with little adieu his fingers grasped the quill flicking away the excess ink and signing on the lines of the contract and his banknote. 1600 crowns for a 5000 crown investment was well worth while and even if he didn’t keep the house for long there was profit to be made. Of coarse it was as they said as well, land and gold will always retain value. “Yes I think that will do it then, thank you for your time and patience as well as your generosity. They are all greatly appreciated.”

Taking the keys in hand, the elf slipped them into his small leather satchel off his right hip with the assortment of other important things he kept on his person at all times. It seemed at last the task was done, and he was now a resident of Jaedaxia.