the devil you know.

→Hi friends. It’s Theodora, and this is my  muse, Etienne Isaiah Sloan.  Etienne is  a French/English idiot who deals drugs, doles out deals with the devil, and various other things, and owns LUX nightclub.  Etienne is based off of Lucifer from Lucifer, Harvey Specter from SUITS, and  a bit of Conrad Hawkins from The Resident    You can find his bio here, and you can contact me on discord theodora🧚🏽#9151 or through ims for plotting!

a few quick facts about eti can be found under the cut

He’s got bags in his hands, gifts upon gifts because it’s his love language. He knows they don’t need gifts, because by this point they know how much they mean to him, but he can’t help it, he couldn’t help it when he was traveling, seeing things his loved ones would like. Joe and Alex are, well they’re like family to him, people he would do anything for.  So they’re his first stop after settling back home. One, two, three raps on the door and he waits for the door to swing open, holding up the bags in his hands with a grin on his face when it does “I come bearing gifts,” he begins, and lifts one bag in particular, “most importantly, I come bearing wine.”

@hellbcntx​

Considering she wasn’t someone that took many holiday’s the last month that Casey had spent with her new husband travelling for their honeymoon was one of the most indulgent things she’d ever done. Beginning in Italy where they had actually gotten married the two of them had kissed goodbye to their daughters before heading off for some quality time together. Maybe the honeymoon phase was literally named as such because it echoed the feelings you had on a honeymoon but all the lawyer knew was that every second she’d spent with Eti had helped her fall deeper in love with him, not to mention every different place they had visited.

Having said that she still missed their children more than words could describe. Ophelia and Elizabeth had started off as an accident but in the almost three years since their birth she had become so used to being a mother being without them everyday had been weird. Not enough to make her push away from the languishing kiss he placed on her lips as they sat in the back of the car for the last time as just the two of them, their last moments of honeymoon before returning to real life with no doubt a considerable bump. Hand that was adorned in her new wedding ring going to the back of her husband’s neck the brunette kissed him back, humming under her breath by way of answer. This holiday had taught her what it must be like to live as the man because they had indulged every whim they’d had, she had to admit it was pretty intoxicating.

“Never, but I’m pretty sure there are two little terrors who are looking forward to see their parents, Mr Sloan.” Smirk flickering across her lips when she heard her new name she bumped her forehead against his teasingly, rolling her eyes. “You haven’t had enough of me thanks to the 43800 minutes you’ve had me to yourself recently? Give or take, obviously.” If there was anyone who knew the rough estimation of how many minutes went into a month it was Casey Wells. Well, Casey Sloan now, technically. “Plus don’t you think we should be releasing your mother, she’s without a doubt put her time in, we owe her one.” The twins could be hard work at the best of times that was for sure. Leaning forward she pressed another kiss to his lips unable to be able to stop herself, she was just so painfully in love, it was actually pretty gross.

Sometimes still, Etienne can’t believe that Casey said yes to him. That she married him and that she loves him as much as she does. He doesn’t think he deserves her love or her grace, but he’ll take it anyway as long as she’s offering. He feels overwhelmed in the best way by how much he loves her, and by how much this month-long honeymoon has solidified that.

He loves his kids, and he’s missed them immeasurably, so much so that part of him is incredibly anxious to get inside the house and wrap them in his arms again. But then Casey kisses him back, hand on the back of his neck and he forgets for a moment anything else but her, her and the taste of her, warm hand on his skin, soft lips pressing against his own.  He thinks of moments on the beach, sunkissed skin on his lips, the sound of her laughter as they laid on a private beach, the way she drank too much wine and her cheeks turned pink. The trip was full of indulgence, and love and he doesn’t think he’ll ever forget it.  He hopes she doesn’t either. He doesn’t stop kissing her, smiling into it as he deepens it.

“They’ve waited this long,” he laughs, smiling wide and more genuine than he has in a long time. He feels light, he doesn’t know how else to explain it than he feels light and warm and happy. “God, I’m never going to get over the fact that you’re my wife,” with those words he grabs the hand on his neck, brings it to his lips and kisses her palm. “Darling, I am never going to get enough of you. Haven’t you learned that already?” Etienne had been with a lot of people, his bedroom practically had a revolving door, but Casey is the only one he couldn’t get out of his head, couldn’t get enough of, indeed. Maybe it has to do with her knowing number estimates off the top of her head like that, and everything else, big or small, inbetween. “Fine,” he says with his own roll of his eyes, knocking on the divider, “frank, grab our bags and bring them to the house, will you?” he says, catching her lips with his own for a more indulgent kiss when she kisses him before pulling back and reaching for the door handle, one last kiss and he’s slipping out, offering her his hand and waiting for her to step out. When she does, he smirks leaning so he can lift her into a fireman's carry “Welcome Home, Mrs. Sloan,” it’s said with a cheeky grin as he carries her to the door.

There were few things in life that Fallon enjoyed as much as she did artsy things. Sure, she’d always been one to be passionate in general about life, however, there had always been a handful of things that she’d always cared about more than others. Music - mostly piano and song writing - had always been Fallon’s thing; it was something she’d always been good at. So, when Fallon was in New York in college, it wasn’t abnormal for the girl to visit clubs, bars, or any place where music could be felt in her soul.  Thankfully for Fallon, that was something she’d been fortunate enough to find a club in California, especially recently when her heart desired the feel of the music in her feet and the bass music moving through the club vibrating through her veins. Which is why tonight - she’d decided - was her night to experience a little piece of New York here in California.

Arriving at LUX nearly an hour after deciding to go, the girl flashed her ID at the bouncer and made her way inside, her feet taking her straight to the bar as she prepared her self - now growing slightly anxious at being around so many people - and she tapped her fingers against the bar as she waited to be served, knowing that some alcohol in her system would make her feel more open to having conversation. The music was loud - she could tell by the way she could feel the music against her skin - and she smiled softly as she was approached. Reading his lips, Fallon nodded, holding up a finger and pulling out her phone, typing out the message “I’ll take gin and tonic please.” on her screen and showing it to the other. One of the many things Fallon had gotten used to was ordering alcohol with her phone; there weren’t many ways to order alcohol with sign language, and it truthfully was easier interpretation if someone just read it off the screen. She smiled as she took it back, smiling as she signed the phrase These lights are very beautiful tonight. Her head was now bobbing to the music, a good indication that she’d figured out the rhythm and was beginning to enjoy herself.

There were many things to be said about Etienne. He was a criminal, kind of an asshole, he drank like a fish and it was a surprise he was still alive with the amount of different substances he had put in his body. But the one thing you couldn’t say was that he wasn’t smart. Today, it decided to show itself in his linguistics. He had made it a goal to learn as many languages as possible. Spoken, there Italian, French Spanish and English, and while he wasn’t perfect, he had been making an effort with sign language too, though he was sure it could be better. He was trying at least, but truthfully he didn’t have many opportunities to do so. He tries to sign “coming right up” but he’s not sure how successful he is. 

Once the drink is made, he sets it down in front of the woman,signing out ‘enjoy’  and then grabs one of the order pads so he can write something down quickly just a simple “my name is Etienne if you need anything else,” because he knows his bartenders well, and while they’re good at their jobs, they can sometimes be unhelpful in other aspects and at the very least, Etienne can try to make the woman's life a little bit easier while she’s here.

Location: Lemonia Italian Restaurant

With: @etisloan​

Truly, Rhiannon didn’t care to be here. However, Casey was still one of the most important people in her life regardless of the fact that they weren’t exactly on the best terms. While she didn’t hate Etienne, she didn’t particularly like him or trust him either. She wasn’t sure what to say as she sat across from him at the restaurant that he apparently co-owned. Was he living in a real life Monopoly game or what? All that seemed left to do was to pass go and collect two-hundred dollars. Rhiannon was smart, she knew he was trying to get her to like him, but she didn’t warm up to people easily. “Well, I hope you can give me a good recommendation of what to get here,” she said, blue eyes glancing up from the menu to him. 

Lemonia happened when they had first got back from Italy, the first time around after visiting to secure their wedding venue. He had made a couple of connections, and the chef at their favorite restaurant there, the one who catered their wedding had agreed to open up a place in Saint Claire. He was a little bit more than a little bit proud of it. Bringing his sister in law here was not exactly something he looked forward too, because she didn’t like him very much, which confused him. He was used to people liking him, and he was determined to at least try to get Rhiannon to do so, because she was important to his wife.  He orders a bottle of wine for the table, and when she asks for a recommendation he offers her a smile “The lemon shrimp pappardelle is one of the best meals here, all the pasta is made fresh,” he informs her, and thanks the waiter when he pours them both a glass of wine “I realize you know, that I’m not your favorite person,” he begins and he takes a drink from his glass, laughs and then shrugs “This isn’t a bribe to get you to like me, but more of a ....way to come to some understanding.”

He’s heading out of the office, taking a cigarette out of the breast pocket of his suit jacket when he sees her, and really, he’s not that dense, there’s no way there wasn’t a chance he’d see her here, but there was still hope. Over the years, they’d run into each other, you couldn’t avoid it in a place like Saint Claire, but there was rarely a chance to talk, and truthfully, neither of them had been willing to do so anyway.  But right now feels like an awkward time to just nod and move along. He knows he should, he knows that talking to her might dredge up things he’s not exactly sure he’s ready to dredge up, but that doesn’t stop him from stopping when he reaches her, smile falling over his face, not faltering, but not exactly the one he’s been using more often these days. 

“Theodora,” he begins nodding slowly “lovely to see you, as always,” and what a bunch of bullshit, he can’t remember the last time he didn’t panic and down two fingers worth of scotch from his flask whenever she walked into wherever he was. But he was good at faking it with the best of them. 

@teddyjoseph​

LOCATION: étienne’s office, LUX.

TAGS: @etisloan​

      in the short span of two months, roxanne had roughly visited most if not all the venues st. claire had to offer when it came to the town’s nightlife (old habits are hard to break, after all) and yet, nothing compared to the prestigious LUX nightclub. it had become her go-to place for two specific occasions: celebrating an achievement or a new request from a magazine to work with them and impressing someone. the young woman had been on the establishment a few times during her time in town, letting herself be transported to the days back in france when it felt like she could do anything. alas, how much of a surprise it was when, upon googling his half-brother after abstaining herself from doing so since she decided to move, rox discovered étienne was the owner of the one place in town that could make her feel like she belonged. it was, undoubtedly, a funny coincidence, that the place that most felt like home in a country she didn’t know was owned by someone she was related to but hadn’t really spoke to in years, even if indirectly, étienne had been one of the many reasons why the fashion designer had moved to saint claire in the first place.

      alas, gathering all the courage she had and her lucky jacket, roxanne herself had made before graduating from fmi, the youngest of the sloan clan made her way to the nightclub with a different mindset than she normally did. after being greeted by the guard and seeing some familiar faces in the dancefloor, roxanne excused herself and made her way to the only place she hadn’t seen before and  where she could only assume were étienne’s offices, asking whoever was guarding the doors to have a meeting with the owner and being greeted by denials and claims. after five minutes of discussing with the guard, roxanne exhaled tiredly. “yes i worked in vogue but no i don’t wanna interview him or— frame him, really? who do you think i am, bridget jones?” the brunette inquired, her english accent deepening due to nervousness and annoyance. “i simply need a couple minutes to talk to him— there is a fourty percent chance if you mention my name, he will remember me. please.”

Etienne had been gone for a month. There was Italy, the wedding, the most loved filled and romantic night of his life, and then the month long honeymoon, traveling, exploring and laying on beaches with Casey.  He forgot about work, didn’t have to run after two nearly three year olds, and didn’t have to put on a suit in thirty days.  He was able to just let go of it all. It was something he hadn’t really been able to do in nearly twenty years. Always working, partying, putting up a front of what and who he was. But there came a time when everything had to go back to normal, and this week was that time. Not that it was all together a bad thing. He got to see his daughters again, both who screamed in excitement when he walked through the door literally carrying their mother over the threshold, and he was back at LUX, his first baby, his second home. That felt damn good, to be back reigning over his makeshift kingdom. A kingdom couldn’t thrive without it’s king, after all.

He’s left his second in command in charge for the month, getting weekly emails and phone calls if anything serious actually happens, which it hasn’t, thankfully.  But now that he’s back he feels like he has too much to catch up on. Sure, there’s LUX, inventory, events that need to be signed off on, checks that need signing and dancers and bartenders to be interviewed, but then there’s the other business.  There’s a shipment coming in that he needs to plan a crew for, there’s a line of people who have been waiting for favors, and there’s an ambassador who’s message has been on his machine for quite a while now.  He’s about ready to pour himself a drink and get down to actual business when Manny steps in with a look on his face “out with it” he says without even looking up from his paperwork, and he listens about how there’s a small woman demanding to see him and immediately he doesn’t want to talk to anyone, doesn’t want to be interviewed for the gazette or for forbes again, but then the name ‘Roxanne Sloan’ slips out and Etienne finally gives the commotion the attention it deserves.  He swallows, and considers his options. He could send her packing, but he’s past that, isn’t he? The resentment, or well he’s working on getting past it. So he nods slowly “Send her in,” he finally says and there’s no questions, Manny just backs out of the room, and Etienne finally pours himself that drink.

Getting back to Saint Claire does feel good though, to step back into what he knows and, the prospect of seeing his family again is above all else. He had nothing but a good time the month away, but missing the twins still lingered there. They spent the month with his mother, at their home in Sol Pointe, and so that’s where they head straight from the airport.  Etienne’s driver drops them off in front of the house and Etienne tells him to wait, doesn’t make the move to get out of the back seat of the car but does roll the divider up.  His hand is on Casey’s thigh, and he squeezes it before he moves to kiss her, languid, like they have all the time in the world, when reality is waiting on the otherside of the door. 

“are you ready to go back to our actual life, Mrs. Sloan?” he asks, and his voice is low, because he’s still too close to her lips, his own brushing against hers, and his tone is teasing, the smile on his face matching. “because if you want we could take ten more minutes to ourselves...” he trails off, eyebrows going up suggestively, but he knows deep down that she wants to get in and see their girls as much as he does. He knows there’s a poem about not making homes out of people, but his girls are his home through and through, the one here, with his ring on her finger, and the two inside, probably anxiously awaiting their return. 

@cwrp​

It’s a normal night at LUX, the line outside is long, the crowd inside is packed, the drinks are flowing, and all is generally well. He’s glad for it honestly, because it means while he does need to show face for at least an hour, that he doesn’t need to stay much longer than that if he doesn’t want to.  He plays a song on the piano first, something easy and lighthearted that gets the crowd going, and he relishes in the attention it brings, though he does have to pull a few hands off of himself.  He doesn’t mind it too much, people tended to be drawn to him, he knew that well enough by now. But still, he found himself pulling away from grabby hands, the attention his presence, and the music, brings and heading towards the bar

His manager is here tonight, but right now she’s flirting with someone at the end of the bar. He unashamedly takes a moment to watch the way she leans over the bar before he walks behind it, pouring himself a drink, three fingers worth of scotch. He’s just about to down it in one gulp when he spots a new patron, and well, he does own the place, he should probably take care of the customers.  “Well hello,” he greets, voice dripping with charm and too much flirtation for his own good. “what can I get you, tonight?” 

@saintclairestarters​