Lucca didn't bother to answer his father's inquiry, for really there was no need. Ever since he had been old enough to formulate words and comprehend the meaning of business, he had been involved in this lifestyle. It had been predetermined since he was born that he was to continue his father's legacy, after all. That had been his purpose when he was conceived. The path had always been at his feet, paved with both a patriarch's love, discipline, desire to further expand this road, as well as any unfortunately lives that mixed their blood in with the sand and stone. Logically, it wasn't a bad life. He would have his stipend to invest in how he pleased, as long as he continued in their many trades.<br/><br/>Once, he had been content with his destiny. Willingly, he had been ready to accept it, as it was all he knew, and it wasn't as if Lucca was a terrible businessman. He had received too much schooling for that to even be considered. His father had taught him well in both the material trades and in handling the people in it. The later was most important, for goods can be required. It was keeping the established connections in line and placated that took an intelligence not many possessed. In some ways, it did keep life interesting. But in others...it was one wrought with danger that the daily man would not be able to stomach lightly.<br/><br/>Lucca's aspirations had been simple: follow his father's wishes, make him proud by growing into the man that he shaped him to be, a very likeness of himself. Pleasing the man he looked up to with adoration and respect had been enough, especially when the Rosario group head showered him with affection in return. Like a sparrow searching for seeds, when Cezar held out his hand, it was full and plentiful that had Lucca hopping to it eagerly. Eventually, he would happily take the impeding cage as his own.<br/><br/>That was his future....until he experienced the Rio Carnival for the first time.<br/><br/>He had been ten at the time. Cezar had business in the city, urgent dealings that couldn't wait until the five days of festivities were over. At that age, Lucca wasn't prone to joining him on such trips, but there had been circumstances that prevented keeping his son at home. What they were, he couldn't remember, so his father took that as a sign perhaps he was ready to get his feet familiar in the wetness that was their industry. A boy could not be fully present through every meeting, of course, so Lucca had been left to his own devices and bodyguards.<br/><br/>He hadn't been sure what to expect, with the crowds gathered and the music taking off. Perhaps a cultural celebration, simple civilians in folk costumes that came out and the throngs joining in. What he received, however, had been a dazzling display dancing before his eyes. It sparkled stars in his nearly black coloured depths, igniting a passion in his soul he never knew existed. Masks, feathers, colours of every shade flew and captivated him as both demons and angels alike. If he hadn't been held back by the firm hold of his keepers he would have reached out to touch, and followed them down the street enraptured to the piper.<br/><br/>Ever since then, in the spare time he was given, was spent obsessively over clothing. It may have began with the carnival, but his curiosity didn't stop there. They expanded at an accelerating rate, transcending over continents and oceans. To his mother's heritage, to the vast rich venetian fabrics, to the most mundane of tartan in the highlands. Form and their construction were as entertaining as schematics, for what was an article of clothing without structure? It served a duel purpose: to fit the human form and create a beauty in the world. What the aesthetic was, changed over the centuries, even presented itself in the current time. It touched every human in existence, even the powerful man sitting across from him that shared his blood.<br/><br/>If they had hoped for that vision to dim, they were sorely mistaken. Proof would present itself today of that fact for everyone to see.<br/><br/>"Thank you for seeing me." a smile graced his lips ever so briefly, knowing this would irk a few. Licca hadn't given them a choice. "Please, gentlemen, I ask for your attention in this matter, though it might not necessarily concern your...<i>current </i>interests."<br/><br/>Sitting up from leaning back in his chair, he squared his shoulders to command more authoritative presence. Just as Cezar taught him. "I apologize for not giving fair warning in advance, but the final touches were only concluded the night previous. You must understand...I am very thorough in all aspects." he smirked then, the signal of youth that made<a class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=https%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-Ff40QrowzBE%2FWNmOzxniZJI%2FAAAAAAAD20U%2Fof8qkScuFQs4-m4QtHAqZNBdsR9-k2rcgCLcB%2Fs1600%2FMarcel%252BFranco%252Bby%252BJunior%252BFranch_003_brazilianmalemodel.jpg&amp;hash=aa59713ccc301ffa30965ecc08d406f1" href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ff40QrowzBE/WNmOzxniZJI/AAAAAAAD20U/of8qkScuFQs4-m4QtHAqZNBdsR9-k2rcgCLcB/s1600/Marcel%2BFranco%2Bby%2BJunior%2BFranch_003_brazilianmalemodel.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank"> Paolo</a>at his side twitch in nervousness. The look he cast him displayed a warning for caution, but Lucca refused to heed it.<br/><br/>Clearing his throat to distract them from that little comment, he opened up his holder and began passing out his packet of papers. Each member was encouraged to take one, passing the pile down until it reached his father. The presentation was clean, crisp and professional, down to even the design detail.<br/><br/>"I have a business proposition. I am seeking a loan, specifically, to start up my own business. Inside is all the detailed information you would require: the sums, breaking down all initial expenditures, graphs for those needing the proper visuals. The supplies required, from both storage to the littlest paperclip. The start up costs, copyright and branding which is essential for any in the trade. The bulk of the work on the creative side is complete, having been carefully catered for many years flowing with the current moods, as well as the waves it could inflict on change. I have reputable contacts on where to seek the fabrics and notions, all resourced in the glossary for perusal. They all know me by face and name, and we have already built partnerships, though only on a small scale. I am ready to take this further than a pandering hobby, I will grow this into a business, and thus, produce profits."<br/><br/>Keeping his gaze set to the stern face across the table, he delivered the final blow after his glorified speech that he tailored to without as much of his fire as he currently dared. He withheld all the bullets in the gun, holding them back until he needed to defend himself. Now was the time to spring the goal lose, to toss it to the wolves bound in this den disguised as a summer getaway home.<br/><br/>"Papai, I want to start up a fashion line."