NAME: Yves de Metz.
AGE: 38.
PLACE OF BIRTH: Paris, France.
AFFILIATION: The French Organization.
OCCUPATION: Soldier. 11ème Commandant.
FACE CLAIM: Oliver Jackson-Cohen.
AVAILABILITY: TAKEN.
"Are you sure you can handle both?”
The two men, well into their discussion about long needed changes to certain branches of the family they served, already knew the answer. Still, the seriousness of the matter at hand meant it needed to be asked.
“You didn’t come here to ask me to give up a number. You know me better than that.”
Nobody ever stepped down. They were dragged.
It was a revelation that surprised no one—the French Organization was having problems in London—and least surprised of all was a man who begrudged every second he’d been forced to endure both the place, and the people who called it home. It truly was the shittiest jewel in the French crown.
Had it been anybody but Varden asking him to switch his attention from the eleventh arrondissement he lorded over, the response might’ve been less forgiving. One did not break their back for two and a half decades, eyes firmly fixated on the golden ring everyone in their line of work sought, to regress back to teenage years spent as an errand boy. Had it been anybody but Delphine St. Clair who he'd been charged with helping, he might’ve considered telling them to fuck off. But as it was, and in spite of his dislike for the city he’d soon be calling home, he respected both parties in question enough to comply.
It was, after all, his fucking job.
As much as Yves de Metz hated London, however, most of the resentment he felt came from the prospect of having to leave Paris behind. Whilst Varden had vowed he would retain his Commandant status there—it was only an hour trip between the cities, and it was possible to juggle both sets of work for the right person—the place had never just been a job. It was his home. It’d broken his heart when his little brother, Dan, had abandoned it for Launceston all those years ago, because he’d always imagined they’d tackle that fight side-by-side until they were old fucking men. Whilst the younger de Metz was content to do what it took merely to live comfortably, though, Yves had never been the type. Cold, unbridled ambition had pushed him toward more.
“Dan’s Camden seat is empty. Give it to Val. You know she deserves it.”
Whilst he might’ve technically been in a superior position to the head of London, demanding something like that of a man like Lefebvre was still worthy of hesitation. But there was little Yves wouldn’t have done for the woman in question; ironically, the only good thing he had ever found whilst venturing outside the confines of the périphérique. It’d been a brief visit to Launceston to check in on his little brother when they’d crossed paths. The French had recruited so many loyalists from Paris that one could’ve been fooled into thinking Anderson Island was just another arrondissement. Like him, Valérie was from back home, and just like his nostalgia for the place, she soon became one of his biggest weaknesses.
Yves had never found particular enjoyment in murder or violence, no matter how much the few years he spent in Launceston facing off with the Russians stoked the flames. The dangerous reputation that loomed over his head had more to do with the fact he had so few boundaries. No matter what it took to get the job done, he would. Bloodying his hands was easy if somebody asked it of him. For Valérie Dautremer, though, he would’ve levelled entire swathes of the city he adored with a smile on his face. Loving somebody like her was an inevitability rather than an accident of the heart; so impossibly witty, blisteringly intelligent, and fucking beautiful she could’ve been a dream. He’d have married her even if she wanted to stay.
Luckily for him, though, eventually even she missed Paris enough to return with him.
Life excelled in every possible way after that. Yves found himself with a family he’d never expected, and was on a fast-track to making Commandant in a city where only the best could even hope to be bestowed with the honour. Over the years, he earned the respect of his fellow loyalists with ease; so dedicated to the family, instead of serving them due to a lack of other options or for material gain, that it set an example worthy of following. That was what was expected of potential Commandant candidates. It made sense that they’d end up noticing him for the dedication.
The issues plaguing their organisation across the channel were obvious, though. Personal. Yves loved his brother more than anything, and even though he should’ve been thrilled the turmoil eventually returned him home to Paris with his wife, the fact he and Noa had been forced out infuriated him. The Rutherfords thought themselves untouchable. They’d even been bold enough—or perhaps just desperate—to bring those same Russians who marred his memories of the States over to help. Whilst Yves liked to think he would’ve accepted Varden’s proposition based on the importance of their friendship alone, he had to admit, much of the reason he accepted was pride.
The St. Clair family was the fucking pinnacle of the underworld.
It sounded like some people needed to learn their place.
Having spent much of his limited time as a Parisian Commandant creating and refining a crew of men to uphold the standards Nicolas St. Clair himself had set for the family, Yves has high expectations of those working in London. Given what he’d heard, however, he’s also prepared to be bitterly disappointed. As much as his focus will be centred on Delphine and her safety as a priority, there’s no doubt that he’ll make sure every fucker who dares associate with the French Organization’s name is up to standard. Whether it requires violence or not.
Because playing soldiers doesn’t win you a war.
RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Valérie Dautremer (wife)
FAMILY: Isaac, Noam, Aurélien de Metz (sons, unplayable), Daniel de Metz (brother, unplayable), Noa Halévy (sister-in-law)
CONNECTIONS:
Varden Lefebvre: Good friend. Though Varden is certainly closer with his brother, Daniel, because of that relationship, they almost became friends by association. He harbours a lot of respect for him, and even though his status as a Parisian Commandant means he could technically get away with doing what he wants, he’s made it clear that he’d more than happy to take orders from him.
Delphine St. Clair: Boss. Even though it’s a stark transition from his position of power in Paris, now that he’s in London, he’ll become a part of her crew in Lambeth. Having known her personally back home, he already knows that she’s exactly the kind of person the city needs more of. The fact she’s a St. Clair, and the fact Varden asked him specifically to watch her back, though, means that he’ll be as much her shadow as a go-to for any work she needs done.
Elaina Halévy: Friend. It seems like a loose term when they’re more like family. When his brother married Elaina’s twin, the two girls became as much a part of the de Metz circle as their actual blood. Even though his priority is going to be Delphine, he also made a promise to Noa back in Paris that he would keep her sister safe; particularly now that the Rutherfords seem to have a particular bone to pick with the twins.
Jean Palfroix: Colleague. Though people don’t seem to have much good to say about the French Organization’s members based in London, he has, at least, heard about the potential of Palfroix. Both Varden and Laurent speak highly of him, and that alone is enough to pique his interest. Yves knows that both aren’t quick to throw around compliments, so when they do, they must carry some weight.
