This is Why I'm not Considered a Saint

pinned - independent multi-muse original character blog. Crime based. Heavily featuring sm*ut and k'ink content. DDDNE warning is in effect so please proceed with caution. Interacting with those 21 and over only. Dixon, 30+, est.

Blog is a work in progress. Rules and brief muse list available under the cut.

Closed starter: James & Noah

The business was a relatively new venture for the Ashcrofts, finally established after years of toying around with the idea. One that had been placed in the capable hands of the middle brothers. James Ashcroft had an eye for the human form and those that could be able to exploit their natural gifts. It was a natural choice to place him in charge. Oversee, manage, ensure success. As straight forward a plan as there could ever be. The only caveat? James had to swear to his brothers to remain hands off. As in hands off the workers. James was certain capable but he was the one more likely to indulge in the carnal urges that made them their money. It had been begrudgingly that he agreed. It would have been a lie to say that he hadn't enjoyed the interview process, using it as an excuse to employ a few individuals that he liked to watch and deal with. Despite such obstacles, the promise was kept with relatively little struggle.

Until Noah started to bring more attention to himself. A model employee in terms of what anyone could have been looking for, but particularly for a family that aired on the less reputable side of things. Loyal, hardworking, charming, and seemingly a magnet for those wishing to spend money. Someone that was worth keeping around for more than juat the visual that James was able to appreciate. Of course, the always added benefit and impossible skill to teach? Keeping his mouth shut. He was doing well enough that Rich had praised him. That was truly a mark of something great. That also meant that James played a little closer attention and had decided to step in when it seemed that someone didn't know the rules, even if Noah hadn't requested any help. The fact was familiar to James and not someone he wanted or needed around the club.

Closed starter: RJ & Owen

The slow cadence of the classical music was a steady measure of time and rhythm. An ease that kept his heart steady as he slipped from the bus, seeming ever more the college kid than a member of one of the most notorious crime families in the nation. The weight of such things was at times heavy but not a burden to bear like many would have thought. His family was loving and had done right by him and his siblings. Loyalty bred from trust, dedication, and care rather than fear and intimidation. That was saved for those that stood against them. That's why he often was able to keep calm in situations like this. For as inept as many often assumed, there was a razor sharp sense of observation and awareness. He had been tailed for the better part of two days. Back and forth from campus to the coffee house he favored to the visit home to see his father. The intentions of those that were following were yet to be seen. Rare was it the occasion that they were anything other than sinister.

Now, RJ was far more of the brains over brawn type. That wasn't to say that he was a slack but in a fist fight? That was where his uncles, brothers, and even sister shined more than he. Posture casual, shoulders relaxed, pace unhurried. Nothing gave away the fact that he was aware. Yet, his eyes were darting back and forth to look for a plausible escape route or avenue of means to keep those closing in on him from having an advantage. The plan that began unfolding? Something hardly intelligent but it was better than being yanked down an alleyway and experiencing who knew what terrible things. RJ carried a few scars from a kidnapping when he was young and he had vowed to never let it happen again. The solution? One Owen Matthews, who RJ had spotted from down the street. There was no way to know of he was conducting business but it was a risk worth taking. All the Ashcrofts knew the Matthews family members. They were occasionally allies and ones that were intended not to be crossed without a high level of warrant. Whether the head of the Matthews family knew him or not was another question entirely.

The life in the city surrounding reverberated in his chest, tying RJ to the moment and the world around him. Shifting through the sea of bodies as the ones behind crept ever closer. Closer and closer with each beat, each soft exhale, each subtle shift to slice through the ever encasing and enclosing surroundings. He was without shouting distance and closing quickly. The scheme to grab his attention hadn't come to mind just yet but RJ was going to have to go with split second decisions here.

Closed starter: Derrick & Relta

"Listen, darling, it was a long night, okay? I know I said I would show up, but there was business that needed to be taken care of, something that couldn't wait." An actual truth had slipped from his lips, though the details that would define said incident lacked. Purposefully. The relationship was fairly new and while it was fun and the physical between them was great, Derrick was still guarded about the true nature of the family business. He tossed aside his jacket and trained his focus on the redhead across from him again. Exhaustion tugged at every muscle. The last thing that he wanted to or had the tolerance to deal with was a fight or an upset partner. "Let me shower and I'll make it up to you." No doubt existed that she would find the bruised and scrapped up knuckles that spoke to the violence that had been a necessity the previous evening. Derrick offered a tired but charming smile, head tipped just slightly to the side. "You could join me if you wanted. Get a jump start on that making it up to you."

Closed starter: Theo & Lavinia

An uninterrupted evening was more of a rarity than it was common place. When they did come around, Theo tried to ensure that he took full advantage. All work had been handled earlier in the morning, seeing through the few tasks that required attention of an intense but discreet variety. It meant that some drinks and quality time with Lavinia. It had perhaps been a little too long since he had the chance to treat her to a night out. Their schedules hadn't matched, particularly thanks to the chaos that had been initiated by some upstart trying to edge in on Ashcroft territory and business. He hadn't given her much of a chance and whisked her away for an enjoyable evening.

Closed starter: Bryce & Adrian

Flirting with customers? That came with the territory. After all, tips came in based on personality and the enjoyment that customers get from the experience. Drinking with customers? Not something typically done. Often frowned upon. Bryce was one that was able to keep his mouth shut, alcohol or not and didn't let himself get too far out of control when he was on shift. A shift that was meant to end in a few minutes. When the man across from him had come in, he had been impossible to ignore. Something magnetic about him. A demand to habe attention without uttering a single word. The sort of power that most of the Ashcroft family had but a pull that was entirely different for Bryce. As his shift ended, he couldn't help but take up the offer to have a drink.

Closed starter: Archie & Katarina

"And is this meant to be an ultimatum?" The question was short, no hint of anything to betray emotion that lingered under the surface. A blank slate that let everything slide off clean. Something perfected years ago. Both out of necessity and out of ambition. Archie's gaze flicked upward for a moment, carefully studying the microexpressions that might fly over the face of his girlfriend for the better part of three years. Money meant status. Status meant social standing. Social standings meant the attention of others in similar situations outside of the family. The relationship had come as a surprise but had been far more genuine than most of the life that Archie led. She had only briefly met his family. Whispers were impossible to ignore, however. His name came with a certain weight, a sort of expectation that came attached in the eyes of others. It seemed that those finally had gotten through to Katarina and made her dig a little more. "I'll tell you now, I don't do well with ultimatums, baby girl."