in times of war, the law falls silent

Nicolas Rossi. Dominant. Head of Industrial Guild. Cannoli Enthusiast

[nicolasxrossi]

moonjo-ahn​:

“And if what I want is for the common good?” Moonjo asked, raising his brows. “How can helping those less fortunate get jobs not be for the common good? Not to mention the generous donation my firm would make to your guild, ensuring that people all over the city are taken care of.”

Nico shook his head. “I have given places in the guild and found jobs to many of the less fortunate. Deserving and no so deserving in the name of unity.” He eyed the other man. “I believe we have different ideas on what it means to make sure people are taken care of...but if that generous donation should come directly from your pocket, your name attached and not your firms, I might consider it.” 

[nicolasxrossi]

Nathaniel ➝ Nico

Nathaniel: I mean I only have your high school dance moves to go off of so they were always going to be a good dancer.

Nico: Compared to you, I'm Astaire.

Nico: Not sure you actually answered that question though.

[nicolasxrossi]

[nicolasxrossi]

Nathaniel ➝ Nico

Nathaniel: Sus.

Nathaniel: Got home from the bar on my birthday, barely home 15 minutes and there's a knock on the door with ✨ that ✨ birthday "surprise"

Nico: Always a bit. But on my mother's baked goods, it wasn't me.

Nico: That's quite the surprise. Good dancer?

[nicolasxrossi]

Nathaniel ➝ Nico

Nathaniel: Ayyy... so... did you send me a stripper for my birthday?

Nico: No. But now I wish I had thought of it.

Nico: Details, please.

[nicolasxrossi]

asher-brandt​:

Asher considered Nicolas for a moment. He really didn’t know the man well. But he had no reason to disbelieve him. Still, he would not let himself be affected by the praise. “I’m a submissive. I don’t have the option of being anything other than beyond reproach. I have my ideals, yes, but I also have the knowledge that I’d be a symbol of submissive lack if I were ever found accepting bribes or pushing agendas I don’t believe in to elevate my own position.” He nodded his head. “Very well. I’ll gladly help however I can. I will need your assistance in one thing in particular as well. The best way we can start to serve the city as a whole is to first allow submissives who work late hours the freedom to do so. The curfew has to go. My data and sociological studies fall on deaf ears. I need more voices calling for it.” 

“Unfortunately, that is all too true. I cannot begin to understand the position you are in . But I believe, even if you were not a submissive, your values would remain the same.” Nico honestly hoped no one would ever turn a microscope on him. They’d certainly not like everything they saw. 

Nicolas nodded, grateful that Asher had agreed to help. The curfew would be a hard sell. But he knew Asher was right. Lifting it would benefit everyone, not just the submissive population. It would certainly help him welcome submissives into the industrial guild. “Agreed. I will add my voice in support of removing the curfew. It will be a hard fight but I will attempt to gather support with other influential people.”

[nicolasxrossi]

elliexabbott​:

“I haven’t, but I’d like to see it someday. I think it’d be neat to find a little piece of history washed up on shore.” She matched his eyeroll with one of her own as she finished up the arrangement for his mom. “If it were up to me I’d be in here with my flowers all day or out in a garden. It has been too long since I’ve done anything with the girls though.”

“The point is to get you out of your shop. You cannot spend all your time working. Trust me, no good can come of that.” He was beginning to think he was the perfect example. “At least find a garden and go outside. Sunlight is essential to your health. And yes, do something with them. Get them out and about too.”

[nicolasxrossi]

toy-amnuai-suwannarat​:

“I don’t blame you, Sir. It sounds nice to have a bakery. Oh, I’m sure it’s tons of work, but kind of nice work to be doing.” There was something idyllic about the thought of it, though Toy was sure it wasn’t quite like that in real life. “Oh well…Mayor Matthews does keep me pretty busy. Mostly because he’s busy,” Toy said with a somewhat dimmer smile. “Running a city does take a lot of work.” A lot of work that meant Toy was almost always on the clock or on call. And living where he lived, he was almost always within reach of his boss. 

Oh he was certain the Mayor did keep the young man busy. But the way the young man spoke about his boss, Nicolas was sure he’d not been subjected to much of the political intrigue that the Mayor surely was involved in. The political powers that be were constantly at war over control of the city. It didn’t sound like Toy was privvy to that. Yet. He hoped he remained out of it. “It does. And I’m sure that means you work a lot as well. Make sure you set some boundaries, Toy. I’d hate to see you get burned out by your job.”

[nicolasxrossi]

hanaxleexsub​:

She nodded. She could handle the crowd at Char well enough, but the crowd at Pride wasn’t even comparable in size. As much as she enjoyed the event, it could be a lot. That didn’t seem to matter as much when Nico complimented her so easily. “She sounds formidable so I don’t blame you. Do you think you’ll get any time to enjoy yourself?”

“Hmm. Today, probably not, unfortunately. But...” Nicolas considered her for a moment. “You may be able to help me salvage a different day. If you’ll consider going to dinner with me.” 

[nicolasxrossi]

[nicolasxrossi]

asher-brandt​:

“You don’t have to flatter me, Mr. Rossi. I’m sure most of our peers would be suited to help your cause. But I am interested so I am glad you came to me,” Asher replied. He had enough people blowing smoke up his ass about just how very special he was, a submissive in this position. “The position you hold has a even more than mine, Mr. Rossi. I want to make sure you’re aware of that. Try as I might, I have little ability to affect necessary change in this city.” And he did try. He’d been using whatever power he did have for the good of as many people as possible. But there were walls in front of him always.

“I realize you do not know me well, yet. But I do not flatter people. I did not go to our peers for a reason. They do not have the reputation you do. You stand your ground when others...” including himself, he thought, “cave quickly to the pressure. Your ideals set you apart.” But Asher was right. His position did hold power that the other man’s did not. “But you do try. Something the rest of us...have either chosen not to do or haven’t done enough of.  I’m not unaware of the power of my position and I’m well aware that I can do more with it. That’s why I’m here. Together, I think we can affect necessary change. More so than if either one of us did it alone.”

[nicolasxrossi]

minkeyjin​:

Guild Leader. Key had to wonder exactly what guild the dominant led. Maybe it wouldn’t be a bad thing to ride with him, make some kind of impression. Maybe he could with getting a job. 

“O-okay, sir,” Key finally relented. His gut turned with the realization that he was in debt to the dominant now - but if he secured a job, he supposed there could be worse things. He followed behind the guild leader, stuffing his hands down into his pockets as they walked. “Is there, uh… there something I can do in return?”

Nicolas nodded as the younger man finally acquiesced. He truly looked like life had beat him down. Quite literally. Nicolas had a very hard time stomaching that. Where was his family? Who’d been there to protect him? 

“Yes. Tell me your name and a little about yourself,” Nicolas held the door to the building open for him and proceeded to lead him to his office. “Have a seat. It won’t be long.”

[nicolasxrossi]

james-kinney​:

“Oh that’s just cruel,” he teased before shaking his head. “I can try to swing by. Mother Rossi will surely have my hide if I don’t manage it.” He liked Nico’s mother. She was a good woman. And she baked like an angel.

“How have you been, Nico?”

“You know her well, my friend.” His mother was formidable. “Be prepared for that visit to be of a fair length, too. No quick pop ins. You are expected to at least have tea.”

Nicolas truly hated that question. For all intents and purposes, he was fine. But the guild’s struggles were real and walking the line between all the powers that be was starting to get very old. “I’m fine. Busy as always. No rest for the wicked. Or weary - either way. And you?”

[nicolasxrossi]

asher-brandt​:

“That’s a start, but we’ll need more than that,” Asher replied. “And we’ll need to assess just what it is we plan to do once the pressure is relieved.” The more he met with the Mayor and encountered all the walls that got in the way of what was good for this city, Asher felt more convinced that organizational change needed to happen on a large scale. “Let me be clear. I’m only interested in attempting any of this if there is a clear path towards providing guild support for anyone who wants it and equity for both Dominants and submissives. If this is all so we can better serve the people, we better be doing our damned best, Sir.” 

“Of course. But that’s why we can’t do it in silos. I like to think I’m fairly intelligent but I do not have all the answers. I need help. Help I think you are best suited to give.” Because Asher was above board. Nicolas needed that guidance. “Then let’s find that path. I’m not going to pretend it will be easy. But I do agree with you. The guilds need to serve the people. All the people, submissive and dominant alike. Our damned best is the least we can do. The positions we hold have a lot of leverage - power even. It’s time to start using it for the good of all the people.”

[nicolasxrossi]

deankunlatorn​:

Dean smirked wider, amused by the other dominant’s critique. He liked it when someone decided to play with him. 

“Seven out of ten? I can work with that,” Dean replied, giving the older dom a little wink. He stepped away from the van and tossed his cigarette down, deciding to follow through with the little bet. What could it hurt? “I can take you through the stacks if you want. Easy to get lost, have a little privacy…”

Nicolas couldn’t help but be amused by the younger man. He certainly didn’t lack confidence. “Lead the way,” Nico said, stepping back and gesturing for the young man to take the lead. If his entourage had any concerns about him wandering away, they said nothing. Privacy was what he wanted. He needed to know what was really going on down here. Maybe he’d get some valuable information. 

[nicolasxrossi]

hanaxleexsub​:

Hana asked the woman at the counter for an éclair and looked at Nico while she waited. “I have. It’s a little overwhelming sometimes, but I’ve found places to step away and take a break. How about you?”

“Ah well, sometimes the crowds can be a bit much, hmm?” Nico could understand that. Not everyone enjoyed big raucous events or felt comfortable at them. “I think I would enjoy it more if I weren’t pressed into service today. Or if I had someone as lovely as you to spend it with. Alas, I’m unable to tell my parents...my mother specifically, no.”

[nicolasxrossi]

auroraforsythe​:

Deciding to spoil herself a little she headed toward the Rossi bakery stall for a few goodies.  Rory headed toward the front when someone came around, looked up and spoke as she got closer.  She smiled and nodded.  “That’s actually one of the things I was aiming for, so thank you.  Any good special of the day?”

“Special? Everything is special,” Nicolas said with a smile. “But...the cannoli and eclairs special for today. Buy 2 get one free. Mix and match.” Lawyer by day, cannoli salesperson on the weekend apparently. “So, what do you think, hmm? If those don’t work, I’m sure my mother has something equally delicious we can find you.”