Tyler Lockwood (firstsuccess) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2017-10-02 19:52:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, niklaus mikaelson, tyler lockwood |
Who: Tyler and Klaus
What: Tyler helps Klaus get a deal on his new art gallery
When: Recently
Where: At Klaus's soon to be new gallery
Rating/Warning: Low/none
Status: Complete
Tyler had enjoyed his time unemployed. Now that he was a hybrid, he could compel whatever he needed. It had been nice for a while, but now he found himself growing bored. The one thing about school, or jobs, was that at least they took up some extra time in his day. Besides, he might as well make use of his bachelor degree since he’d worked for four years into getting it.
He’d written a few resumes, even though he could probably compel himself any job he wanted, and had them in a bag slung over his shoulders. He’d been planning on checking out some of the local gyms, but instead, he ran into a familiar face.
“Klaus,” he said in greeting as he walked up beside the man. “How’s it going?”
Now that Klaus had officially moved into Elijah’s old apartment with his sister, it was time to get serious about his gallery. He had been location scouting a few times already. Had even narrowed it down to just a handful of places. It was all about negotiating the best deal now.
Which precisely what he was doing. He was on his way to talk to own of the landlords about lowering the price when he heard someone say his name. It was that kid from the bar, and also the coffee shop. He really should remember that guys named considering he had helped Klaus out with all the frat douches, but the guy hadn’t told him his name that night. And he hadn’t exactly made enough of an impact at the coffee shop for Niklaus to remember.
“Hey,” he replied with a small nod of his head. “Good, preparing to open up a new gallery. And you?”
“Looking for a job,” Tyler said distastefully. “Figured it’s about time I started making some money again. You’re opening an art gallery?”
“What kind of job are you looking for?” Not that Klaus would offer him one. He had done that before, with Marcel, and it hadn’t turned out so well for him in the end. Even if he still considered the man to be like a brother. “Yeah. If I’m going to stay I need to get a new business going.” He wasn’t just going to live off his siblings forever.
“I’ve got a Bachelor of Exercise Sciences, so I’d like to use that. Probably a job as a trainer or something along those lines.” It had been what he’d been thinking of before he’d woken up as a werewolf. Just because he didn’t need to work out anymore didn’t mean that he wanted to waste everything he’d learned.
He nodded. “Well, good luck with that,” he said.
A trainer? Why didn’t that surprise him. This guy seemed the type to care more about his looks than the world around him. All the culture. But he did have Klaus’s back at the bar. Perhaps Klaus should be a bit easier on the guy. “To you as well.” Although Klaus was sure he’d be able to find a job. They weren’t that far from LA. There were probably tons of people who drank kale juice and worked out twelve hours a day.
He was about to go on his merry way, but something stopped him. “Why don’t you join me? Check out some spaces?”
“Sounds better than handing out resumes all day,” agreed Tyler. “I don’t know if I’ll be much help. I don’t really know what you’re looking for in an art gallery space, but I could probably keep you company.”
Klaus wasn’t sure why he felt the need to keep this guy around, but he did. There was some sort of weird connection that he couldn’t quite put his finger on. So bringing the man to locations with him it was.
They were near Klaus’s top choice. He had a meeting with the landlord in just a few minutes. The space was large with high ceilings. Plenty of wall space, it was open, he would have to bring in some pillars large enough to house paintings, but overall it was perfect.
“Have you ever negotiated a contract before?” he asked the man accompanying him. Somehow Klaus doubted it. It wasn’t exactly like interviewing for a job, but it would be good experience none the less.
“Not really,” Tyler said. “Except the negotiation’s I did for my apartment.” Not that there were much in the way of negotiations. He’d managed to convince them to bring the rent down a little bit, but it was a rent to own kind of situation and Kitty’s contract had been fair. “I’ve been told I can be pretty convincing though.”
“Show me,” Klaus said with a smirk as the man he was meeting with came out to greet them.
“Hello,” Klaus greeted Gregory Davis. “This is my assistant…” and his voice trailed off considering he still couldn’t remember the other guys name. “This is Mr. Davis.”
Gregory looked at the two men before him. He wasn’t entirely used to an assistant being part of the initial process. He sometimes dealt with them once the building was rented for payments and the like. But whatever worked he supposed. “Pleasure to meet you.. I’m sorry I didn’t catch your name.”
Tyler wasn't sure what part of the introduction pissed him off more: the fact that he was now certain that Klaus didn't know his name or the fact that he's been introduced as Klaus’ assistant of all things. But he kept his protests to a sharp glare before smiling at Mr. Davis. “Tyler Lockwood,” he said, shaking Gregory’s hand firmly. Yes, Lockwood, as in son of Senator Lockwood. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Tyler. That was it! Niklaus would be sure not to forget it this time. He had more of a reason to remember it now after all. “Well not that that’s settled. Let’s get to it, shall we?” Klaus suggested. Gregory agreed leading the two of them to the back office.
“Alright,” Klaus started once they were settled. “I think we already have just about everything figured out. I’m just going to need it for $500 less a month.”
“Not possible,” Gregory replied. “I’m afraid I can’t go any lower.”
There was something oddly satisfying in seeing Klaus struggling to convince someone to do something for him, and it would be even more satisfying when, with no effort at all, Tyler would convince Gregory Davis to lower the price.
The problem was, he had no idea how to do it without tipping Klaus off. Klaus was dreaming now, and would no doubt recognize compulsion if Tyler said “well do it anyway” and Gregory said “Oh sure.”
“Are you sure?” Tyler asked, catching the landlords eye. “Is there anything Klaus can do to convince you to lower it?” A little bit of compulsion to make him tell the truth.
“A percentage of every piece sold.” Klaus frowned at that idea. That was how he made his money. Well that and charging the artists wall space.
“I’ll give you 1%,” Klaus replied bitterly. And that was it.
“10,” Gregory countered.
“I think 1% sounds fair,” Tyler said, once again subtly compelling the landlord. Maybe 1% didn’t sound like a lot, but if Klaus was selling his paintings for as much as Tyler’s parents would buy them for, well, even that would be a hefty amount of money.
“You’re right.” Gregory agreed. “1% it is,” he said to Klaus.
“Deal,” Klaus replied shaking the man’s hand.
“I’ll go draw up the paperwork.”
When Gregory retreated Klaus looked at Tyler impressed. “You do have some negotiating skills,” he commented with a satisfied smirk.
Tyler smiled, feeling strangely pleased with the praise. “I told you so,” he said. “I’m a man of many talents.”
“So it seems,” Klaus replied. “Looks like I am going to have to have you around more often.”