Bohemia. Oh, that is nostalgic. Mention of the Jewish Quarter as home doesn't phase him, but he can see in this gentleman's eyes that he expects it to mean something. No mysteries why, Erik can still remember enough of his history.
"I'm not familiar with the names, no, but I do recognize your region. And, please, you can relax. It makes no great difference to me that you came from the Jewish Quarter rather than from any other. If that requires specific etiquette you will have to instruct me on it, but I hold no prejudices against Jews." He really does hope that puts his guest more at ease.
"I accept several forms of payment, but I always insist on a written contract. I have taken the liberty of having the baseline of that contract printed in advance, with space to fill in details, for efficiency sake."
Erik reaches into the side table top drawer and pulls out a crisp print on a sheet of thick paper. It still smells of the ink from Gerry's press. He offers it to Samuel to read for himself, assuming he can.
It's a generic form written in language just slightly below legalese that outlines the liabilities that Erik will not let himself be held responsible for (such as a heart attack caused by his overpowering sexual prowess), as well as the general consequences of failing to uphold the contract in good faith, starting with immediate dismissal without refund and moving on from that to formal complaints at the constabulary. Most of the document is fairly inoffensive but he may find one part of it eyebrow raising. Erik decides to point it out proactively just in case.
"You'll note that on this paper, one of the options of payment, besides brass or traded goods, comes in the form of blood. That is strictly optional, but I would like to make you aware of the reason why before we go much further...
"I am a vampire, Sir. I am technically an undead corpse animated by blood magic that even I do not fully understand the mechanisms of. Blood is my only source of sustenance, so I am obligated to drink it, but I only do so from those who have given explicit consent."
This time it's Erik who is making piercing eye contact. "Is that going to be an issue?"
no subject
"I'm not familiar with the names, no, but I do recognize your region. And, please, you can relax. It makes no great difference to me that you came from the Jewish Quarter rather than from any other. If that requires specific etiquette you will have to instruct me on it, but I hold no prejudices against Jews." He really does hope that puts his guest more at ease.
"I accept several forms of payment, but I always insist on a written contract. I have taken the liberty of having the baseline of that contract printed in advance, with space to fill in details, for efficiency sake."
Erik reaches into the side table top drawer and pulls out a crisp print on a sheet of thick paper. It still smells of the ink from Gerry's press. He offers it to Samuel to read for himself, assuming he can.
It's a generic form written in language just slightly below legalese that outlines the liabilities that Erik will not let himself be held responsible for (such as a heart attack caused by his overpowering sexual prowess), as well as the general consequences of failing to uphold the contract in good faith, starting with immediate dismissal without refund and moving on from that to formal complaints at the constabulary. Most of the document is fairly inoffensive but he may find one part of it eyebrow raising. Erik decides to point it out proactively just in case.
"You'll note that on this paper, one of the options of payment, besides brass or traded goods, comes in the form of blood. That is strictly optional, but I would like to make you aware of the reason why before we go much further...
"I am a vampire, Sir. I am technically an undead corpse animated by blood magic that even I do not fully understand the mechanisms of. Blood is my only source of sustenance, so I am obligated to drink it, but I only do so from those who have given explicit consent."
This time it's Erik who is making piercing eye contact. "Is that going to be an issue?"