Étienne Canet

Lisette: Merci, cheri. XO

Lisette: If you insist on a gift for me, I have never said no to Louboutin.

Lisette: You don't need to get anything for my girls; however, if you wish to get them something, a trip to the ballet might be a fun time for them.

Étienne: Ah, perfect. I will get you something nice.

Emine was grateful that the blonde moved without causing a scene. A hand came up to give him a small salute, moving around him when her body froze. 

Fucking hell.

Now the dipshite was blocking her exit and she could feel his eyes coming to land on her. Emine came back to the blonde, both her hands resting on his chest and she pushed him further onto the dance floor. “Names Ayda. Care for a dance?” The petite Turk had to buy enough time where she could make it out, Russet hues glancing around them. 

-

He wasn’t sure what she was doing or what game the woman was trying to play, but Étienne certainly wasn’t one to take part in any kind of play. Yet as she led him, he followed, watching closely how her eyes kept wondering towards the exit, where the Rutherford had stood. 

No, absolutely not the kind of thing he wanted to get himself into. Taking a step back from her, walking a few steps past her, he only ever so turned his head back at her. “It would be wise of you to think before you make a foolish mistake.” He advised, using the common language of the country they were in. Something he did not do often. 

Still, his eyes remained focused on the man, wondering what was the situation. If the woman was a Turk, and the man was a Rutherford, that offered him a lot of information that would definitely be used in later stages. 

Lisette: I will do my best for you.

Lisette: In addition to that-

Lisette: Is there anything *material* that I could get for you for Christmas?

Mistletoe 2022 - Canon

When: Dec 14th, 2022 Where: A Club Who: @etiennecanet​

“Kahrestin.” Emine mumbles under her breath. 

This is not going to plan.

Emine liked when things went the way they were supposed to. She had spent the last couple weeks watching him, finding his routine and tonight she was going to kill him. It wasn’t the person she wanted from the Rutherfords for what they did to Berat, but still, it would make her feel better with them feeling the pain she did when her brother was hurt. 

No mercy!

Everything was lined up, she had the perfect shot, and then some asshole showed up, making her shot go wide, thankfully she had a silencer on Carlos. She only grazed the man’s arm and attention was drawn to her. Their eyes met for a second, shadows hiding most of her face, the the shouts started to be aimed in direction. 

A quick exit was needed but that meant going through the club and potentially being followed.

The Turks pushed through the door, the drumming of the beat from the music filling her ears and their voices fading away. She weaved through the crowd never looking behind her when a body moved in front of her and she was met with oceanic hues.

He was blocking her from her exit.

“You’re in my way.” Her head tilts back to look up at him, her voice keeping calm.

-

“Ah, yes. I understand. It is always a pleasure doing business with you. As you know, you can always find me - I am just a call away.” 

Things were going well. Within the establishment, Étienne had already managed to forge the connections needed in order to close in on certain boroughs that he had been working on with a few of the commandants. 

Besides, he had been working on getting the information about the woman who stole his prisoner. A short, dark-haired girl - that was what he had gathered as far, but as always, it was never enough. 

Just as he shook hands with the other man, the woman brushed past him and all Étienne did in response, was arch his brow in question? “Pardon?”

She didn’t seem familiar, and yet there was some sort of commotion behind her, which he could only assume was trouble. Keeping an eye on the noise that was suddenly brought on, he stepped aside, motioning for the woman to walk on. 

“Please.” Ever the gentleman. 

Lisette: What is something you want for Christmas?

Lisette: (asking for a friend)

Olivier: I feel like I've just read a company email you'd send to a group or one of those celebrity apologies that is meant to touch the vast, but the not the person hurt.

Olivier: I won't make it awkward. I'm done being childish.

Olivier: Thanks for the understanding.

Théo: I know that Delphine wants us to focus on the business side of things, however, I've been noticing an uptick in different Russian businesses popping up in Westminster and I figured that we could suffocate those businesses before they have a chance to truly open.

Théo: So I was wondering if you were willing to come up with a plan together, since you so strongly objected to the last way I disrupted their money flow.

Théo: That sounded much more resentful than I meant. I really just am trying to bury the hatchet and work together.

Étienne: That's a good idea. I don't like how much they have been acting out and the animals need to be pushed back to their herd.

Olivier: I feel like I've just read a company email you'd send to a group or one of those celebrity apologies that is meant to touch the vast, but the not the person hurt.

Olivier: I won't make it awkward. I'm done being childish.

Olivier: Thanks for the understanding.

Olivier: Lisette.

Olivier: I honestly can't be arsed to argue.

Olivier: All I'm going to say is I'd rather you left me alone. I can't ask you to leave me alone because you rank me and I am done with this childish bickering bull shit I've subjected myself to for the last year.

Olivier: Thanks.

Lisette: You know you don't need to apologize. I am sure you are very busy. These visits can be very boring anyways. Little man is fine and developing just as intended.

Lisette: I need nothing at the moment, but perhaps the promise of dinner when you have a chance?

Étienne: They're not boring for me. Not at all. :)

“Well, I’d hope so, but if I just waited to see for myself, I wouldn’t have such a convenient conversation starter for meeting guys at the bar, would I?”

Didn’t take long to stumble upon one of those Frenchmen she’d heard so much about, then. The accent was unmistakable. The entire demeanour, now she thought about it… Gianna wasn’t sure she’d ever met a French person she’d liked, but she supposed that was okay when they usually liked themselves enough for two. 

“As you asked so nicely, sure. Giovanna. May I ask yours?” The echoing of his slightly stiff phrasing was meant to tease. “My French is rusty. Tell me it’s an easy one…”

-

“Is this how people do it these days? An innocent conversation starter and then? What happens after that?” 

It was refreshing to see a different face in the crowd. After some time, everything became similar and everything that was similar to him was work. Étienne still felt bad for missing some of the appointments with Lisette, but at least there were a few he did make to. Small wins, smidgens of happiness in his otherwise busy days. 

“Pleasure to meet you, Giovanna. Pierre.” The Frenchman extended his hand towards her. “Cannot be that difficult, I hope? So.. what is an Italian doing in London?” 

“You may always offer me your company Ét and I’d never decline.” 

The last time they’d spoke he had just told her he was going to be a father. Ever since, Val had been collecting clothes and toys and just about everything from around the house that the boys were too big for. She might have done some shopping as well. 

“I’m on my way to the fabric distributor. What with the lounge opening just around the corner I wanted to make sure everything goes according to plan. It’s my first venture into the business world and I think it’s making me a control freak.”

Hooking her arm with his, Val led them in the direction of said distributor. 

-

“Ah, exciting times ahead, are they not?” He grinned at her as they slowly made their way in the direction. “At least that is something to keep your mind occupied while everything else seems in flames.” He wanted to put it off as a light joke, though it was hardly a matter of a joke. 

@etiennecanet​ Dated: 14/11/22.

The backrooms of AU were far preferable to Vixen where conducting business was concerned, and now he was in a position to make demands. So, there he sat, opposite the newest Commandant, sliding a glass of cognac across the table in silence. It hung there for a moment, until he finally addressed the man.

Yves decidedly wasn’t asking.

“Think you and St. Pierre can make yourselves available for a job?”

-

“You’re not asking, nor do you need to wait for the answer.” 

He stated as he took the glass and took a sip. They were all feeling a certain way, they all needed an outlet. Étienne didn’t care much for what it was going to be, he was just in. 

Self-pitying had never solved anything, and Aurélie appreciated how quick the Commandant was to take accountability instead of making excuses for what’d happened. Evidently, somebody else had, too… If her husband didn’t think Étienne worthy of forgiveness (or at the very least, believed him wise enough to never make the same mistake twice) this conversation wouldn’t be happening at all. The poor souls lost would’ve had another wasted life joining them.

“Find this woman. Use any resources necessary. Then take her to Oliver.” 

The guilt was so evident in his expression that she couldn’t help but feel for him. Aurélie understood more than most the hurt that came with giving orders that got people killed. When people lost sight of that that, became desensitised to the worth of their people, they ceased to be fit for purpose. 

“I’ve done what I can for you, and my word is unrelenting law; for him, and everyone else,” she stated, hand reaching out to offer his forearm a gentle squeeze of reassurance. “But this will be your formal absolution. Take it.”

-

“Yes.” 

It wasn’t only an order coming from both of his bosses; it was also something he wanted to do himself. Étienne’s blood boiled by the sol fact that not only the people who signed up for it died, but the people who were associated with them, too. They had done nothing wrong, just exist simultaneously in the same world. The Russians had always been heartless, and this was to be expected, however it was still something he wanted to be paid for. And when he got angry, he really got angry. A few people knew, the woman will soon find out. 

“I am already looking and no matter how, I will find her.” 

He was grateful for Aurélie, always had been as he held so much respect for her. He understood her and followed both her and Oliver because he believed in them and their capabilities. He had never questioned them, nor he believed there would ever be a time where he would need to. 

Placing her hand over hers, he turned to her, nodding gratefully. “Thank you, I know you did. I won’t make the same mistake twice and will not let you down.” 

Olivier: Meet at yours?

Olivier: I'll be down to help with the woman.

Étienne: Yes, that works for me.