[laurent--stpierre]

"Uncle Laurent!"

Even the unbridled joy in the young girl's voice did little to soften the blow; the term uncle, whilst best for her, every bit the knife to his chest it always was. Laurent told himself it would get easier, but it never did. Never would.

When she'd come running to him, the Frenchman hadn't hesitated to lift her into his arms and give her a tight squeeze that elicited even more chuckles. They didn't see each other as often as they should, and whilst he would lie and say it was safer for her that way, it was mostly because each time he had to say goodbye again, it chipped away at a resolve that wasn't infinite. Laurent had lost much in his life, but his daughter was one of the few things he'd given up. That hurt more.

"You know I'm basically an ancient being now, right? You get much bigger and I'm not going to be able to keep doing this..."

Like hell he wouldn't.

It was then he found another set of eyes, much less like his own, watching on at a respectful distance to allow him his moment. Laurent appreciated that. She was wearing that same old smile she always did, though maybe it came a little easier now, and just like that, this moment felt a little easier than he'd expected it to.

"Glad to see I'm not the only one looking old."

[veronika-auditore]

The fears and anxieties Veronika had been feeling nearly washed away at the excitement on Gaia's face. Any time Ronnie saw Laurent and Gaia together, it warmed her heart as much as it broke; no matter how much Ronnie loved Gaia—which she did and made sure she always knew it—she imagined it paled in comparison to Laurent.

When his gaze finally landed on her, Ronnie took a moment to give him a quick look up and down. He still looked the same, at least in the ways that mattered.

Veronika opened her mouth to respond, but was cut off.

"You're way older looking than Mom." The expression of genuine disbelief on Gaia's face as she looked between Ronnie and Laurent was nearly enough to get the brunette to crack a laugh, but she managed to hold her resolve.

"Kitchen. Plates. Utensils."

Ronnie watched as Gaia laughed and ran back to the kitchen. She turned back to look at Laurent and smiled. Closing the space between them, Ronnie wrapped her arms around him and squeezed as hard as she could. Maybe harder than she needed to.

"I swear I didn't tell her to say that."

[veronika-auditore]

Where: Undisclosed Rental Property outside of London Who: @laurent--stpierre

“So, what’s my surprise?”

“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise.”

“But I don’t care if it’s a surprise.”

It was a circular argument Ronnie had been having with her youngest daughter for close to twenty minutes. Patience had never been Gaia’s strong suit, much like someone else Ronnie knew. Thankfully, the sound of the front door opening signaled the wait was over. Gaia wasted no time and shot off down the hallway towards the front foyer of the rental, while Ronnie followed only a few paces behind. As the “surprise guest” came into view, the brunette's smiled widened as she looked between two pairs of identical blue eyes.

"Surprise!"

[veronika-auditore]

Where: Dinner & Dance Who: @cassandra-acton

The party was in full swing; loud conversations and laughter surrounded Veronika from every angle, especially the conversations at her own table. While her attendance was a favor to her grandfather, she couldn't help but smile. Even if London wasn't her favorite place in the world, the Italian was always grateful for the time spent with her family.

Spotting a familiar blonde head of hair in the crowd, Ronnie excused herself from conversation and made beeline towards the same drink stand.

"Ugh, excuse me," Ronnie did her best to disguise her voice as she playfully pushed into the space next to the blonde. "You're not the only one trying to drink themselves into oblivion."

[veronika--auditore]

@vma: Happiest of happy birthdays to a lady I’m lucky enough to call my best friend. Thank you for being born, I love you endlessly. @aureliestclair #TwentyFiveNeverLookedSoGood

[veronika-auditore]

The Fool: What is the stupidest thing your muse has ever done?

ray trovatelli

[walkinginthewnd]

[veronika-auditore]

é. mercier​.

Évelyne broke in a laugh at Veronika’s shower of compliments. She had the pleasure of finally meeting the Italian during her last visit to London, and admittedly, she understood why Laurent would never fail to mention the woman whenever they had the opportunity to catch up years ago. She was absolutely beautiful and magnetic, with a wit and humor many gravitated toward, especially her best friend. 

“If I had wanted a date, there would be one,”  Évelyne replied, unable to wipe off the smile from her face. “I also just came back from Paris, so I really didn’t bother finding one. Can’t say I won’t leave with one though.” She ended that with another laugh, the scenario, while completely possible, was also equally unlikely knowing herself. “But I’m all right. December really kicked my ass, but I’m ready for a fresh start.”

“You know, ‘kinda drunk’ is not drunk enough when you’re around this lot,”  Évelyne gestured with her own glass in hand the rowdy bunch of persons she had considered family in this foreign city, “So I insist on topping your next drink.” The brunette offered a smile before polishing off the last of her drink. “How has London been treating you? Didn’t notice you coming with anyone either, and that’s a real shame.”

“See, that’s the attitude I like to see! And honestly, I feel like New Year’s Eve is the perfect excuse to leave not with the person you came with,” the brunette chuckled, “or, steal someone else’s someone because that could be funny, too. Probably bad karma, but funny.” 

Last year’s New Year’s celebrations hadn’t left much room for anything funny or joyful after the clock had struck midnight and this year, Ronnie was hoping to make up for it— even if the thought of an entire King sized bed to herself coupled with knowing she wouldn’t be woken up at the ass crack of dawn sounded almost more appealing.

“Don’t shame me like this,” Ronnie smiled, though was already at work refilling her drinking glass with one of the bottles she’d found on the table before beginning to refill Évelyne. “I am really out of practice and am doing my best.” Clinking her glass against the other’s with a smile, Veronika leaned back into the couch and allowed her gaze to shift around the room before turning back to look at Évelyne. “I’m going to pretend I’m not offended my presences alone is not enough for you,” the Italian laughed, playing up the dramatics despite knowing what the woman meant. “I only got in this morning, but it’s been good so far. I’m crossing my fingers the rest of the trip is the same.” 

Not like you could ever really know.

“How was Paris? Were you there long?”

[veronika-auditore]

@Veronika. [text]

Cassie: I mean, I did need a new hobby...

Cassie: Eh, don't speak too soon. Next thing you know, they'll be all up in your shit. Thank you, though. ♥ He's punching way above his weight, but he's pretty cute.

Cassie: Oooh, now that sounds like a plan. ;) I think I'm going to need bacon for days after tonight. I saw you were at Vixen. Ngl it looks like a rager, I wish I was there instead. Having fun?

Ronnie: Honestly, you’re probably right. Maybe they’ll get a hot picture of me stumbling out to get coffee tomorrow morning. I would love that.

Ronnie: Genuinely though, very happy for you ♥

Ronnie: Champagne and bacon? Are you /sure/ you’re totally happy with mustache? Because I’m not above shooting my shot.

Ronnie: You should come by! I’m already hammered and have no plans of stopping anytime soon. Way better than ringing in the New Year with a bunch of your annoying co-workers.

[veronika-auditore]

@Veronika. [text]

Cassie: Heard you're in London. I'm stalking you now.

Cassie: ...I'm just kidding, that's TWI's job.

Cassie: I don't know when you're going home, but you should come and drink with me before you do. Just saying.

Ronnie: Way to get my hopes up about being cool enough to have a stalker.

Ronnie: Though I think I may have finally become just insignificant enough for TWI not to care where I am or what I’m doing.

Ronnie: SPEAKING OF, congrats on pulling the hot politician dude. I’m more of a full scruff girl myself, but the mustache works for him.

Ronnie: Also, yes to the drinking. Always yes to the drinking. Boozy Brunch. I’ll bring the champagne.

[veronika-auditore]

o. redgrave.

The woman was unfamiliar but had the air of belonging, an arrogance Ophélie respected but was still suspicious of. Still, she was never the girl to dislike another woman without reason and if she was here at this event she must be either French or friends with Laurent - so she found no reason to dislike her. 

“Normally I’d agree with you, but I know this crowd too well, that might only encourage them,” she rolled her eyes almost playfully. “And screaming seems much more fun.” Ophélie took a sip of her drink and then shrugged. 

“Either that or tell them my resolution is something like ‘cause problems on purpose.’“

“You make a good point,” The Italian thanked the bartender with a nod as she picked up her drink and took a sip. “Though I have a feeling they’ll all be screaming and shouting soon enough, anyway.” It was chaotic, but controlled chaotic, which definitely helped ease the quiet anxieties that Veronika couldn’t help but feel as the clock ticked closer to midnight, especially given what had transpired on this exact same day the year before. “I never really understood the purposes of resolutions,” she admitted with another shoulder shrug, “I mean, if it’s something you really wanted to do, you just do it. Why wait for the New Year?” It was a rhetorical question and after taking another swig from drink, Ronnie turned her attention back to blonde. “So, do you work here or spend time here?”

[veronika-auditore]

p. harrow​.

“I mean, you do make an excellent point,” the vixen smiled as she took another sip of her drink, “And yes it can. I’ve known Laurent for forever, and I always love a good party, so the two combined is like the perfect combo.” 

“I’m not really sure these guys know how to throw a bad party,” she chuckled, throwing back one of the shots she had ordered. “I actually think we may have crossed paths before. You used to work at Vixen back in Launceston, right?” While Veronika had never really frequented the burlesque bar back home, she’d gone enough times to vaguely recognized a few of the dancers who worked there. “Veronika Auditore,” the Italian extended her hand in introduction, “nice to formally meet you, unless we have already, in which case I am very drunk and apologize for not remembering.”

[veronika-auditore]

p. harrow.

New Year’s Eve wasn’t a party without dancing - and as dancing was what Peyton loved most it wasn’t a surprise that she had spent most of her night on the dance floor. Whether she was dancing for people, with people, she really didn’t care. At least not until she realized that she was starting to feel a little dehydrated. Going over to the bar she ordered herself a water and a Shirley Temple (only because reading lips in the dimmed lights was near impossible if she’d been drinking - a lesson she had learned after multiple failed attempts).  Getting her drinks, she took a sip before smiling at the person next to her. “Are you having fun?” she asked, trying to alternate her eyes between their eyes and their lips in hopes she wouldn’t miss anything. 

While Veronika’s logical mind told her it was probably time to switch to water, when the bartender had asked what she wanted, of course the brunette had asked for another round tequila shots. The night—and Veronika prayed she wasn’t speaking too soon—had been fantastic so far, the celebratory mood seemingly stretching to every corner of the room. People were drinking, dancing, laughing, having fun. How could you not be having a good time? As the bartender walked away to pour the shots, a fellow party goer asked her a question and Veronika couldn’t help but feel grateful to be an event where she didn’t immediately despite half of the guests in attendance. “Honestly, I think you’d have to be actively trying not to have fun at a party like this,” the brunette smiled. “So yes, I am have a fan-fucking-fabulous time. I assume the same can be said for you?”

[veronika-auditore]

l. st. pierre.

The fuck you had him mouthing the same back to her with a scoff. As soon as she reached up to the crown, he lifted his hand into the scant space between them, giving her the middle finger. "Next you’ll be saying this thing doesn’t make me the prettiest bitch in the room.” Well… As his eyes skimmed over the smile he’d somehow managed to miss in the single fucking week he’d been without it, he settled on coming in second. “Still a shit fucking liar.”

“Budgeted a few days for a New Year hangover before you fly back?” The Frenchman looked down at her with a raised eyebrow, before he finished up his own drink in one. “So you can spend time puking your guts up with Aur, obviously.”

“I bring you a gorgeous birthday crown, fit for a princess and you thank me with sarcasm and rude hand gestures,” Honestly, it was exactly what Veronika had expected and she was grateful that she hadn’t been disappointed, “and then you wonder why I don’t want to hang out with you.” She really was a shit fucking liar. While Laurent took the opportunity to finish his own drink, Ronnie attempted to work on hers, remembering with fondness how smooth top shelf tequila went down. “Laurent,” Ronnie attempted to sound serious, though fully aware that her facial expressions weren’t doing her any favors, “is this your way of hinting that you want to hang out with me while I’m here? Because you can just say it. I would miss spending time with me, too.”

[veronika-auditore]

“I just have one question,” Veronika slid herself in beside Évelyne, passing one of the drinks she held in her hand over, “how in the fuck did no one ask you to be their date tonight?” The dress was gorgeous, the face was gorgeous, and any person unable to accept the confidence the woman before her exuded was just absolutely unacceptable. “Like I get it, most people cower at the thought of any human being with a take charge personality because their egos are fragile,” The Italian rambled, unsure of where the conversation was going, but was realistically already too drunk to try and censor herself, “but I mean, come on. Look at you! It’s almost aggravating.” The brunette downed half of her drink before looking back over at Év. “Anyway, sorry. I’m kinda drunk. How are you?” 

— @evelyne-mercier​

[veronika-auditore]

l. st. pierre.

“Firstly, it’s truly a miracle that you managed to keep this a secret with your giant fucking mouth,” he started as he stepped up behind her, reaching around in front with the glass of tequila he’d picked up the moment he’d noticed she was finally Aurélie-free. He pressed a kiss to the back of her head, before continuing, “Secondly, I sincerely hope you didn’t think your presence is enough to skip out on an actual gift…”

@veronika-auditore·

The Italian accepted the tequila with greedy hands, the two cocktails and several shots that she and Aurélie had downed already hard at working elevating her happy buzz. “Firstly,” Ronnie mimicked Laurent’s tone as she turned to face him, “fuck you.” Her hand reached up to adjust the ridiculous crown she had picked up at the airport gift shop on top of his head, unable to contain her laughter as she did. “Secondly, I thought it was obvious the crown was your actual gift. Me being here to deliver it was strictly a favor to Aur. You didn’t think it was for your benefit, did you?”

[veronika-auditore]

e. halévy.

No Russian cunts. No Ruthafucks. Just friends and colleagues, counting down the last Horus of this year together. It’d been such a long time since the French Organization got together like this. Tonight, they were not only celebrating their current boss’s descent into grey hair and––subsequently––cracking bones, but also the end of an especially shitty year in which they’d taken blow after blow. So many hurt, so many lost, and London was still not theirs. Vengeance would come, and it would be merciless but for tonight, they partied. 

And they would party hard.

Did the presence of the literal leadership make Elaina hesitate to strive for utter inebriation? She liked to think that Aurélie was rather fond of her, so to consume copious amounts of alcohol and possibly make a fool out of herself in front of the queen should have made the Commandant shy away from drinking more than was socially acceptable, but wasn’t this a merry occasion?! It was probably Laurent’s last birthday he’d willingly celebrate, and she was going to make the best of it. Surely, Elaina would be forgiven should she literally barf on Aur’s shoes.

“Look at all those chicken.” Except the chicken were a round of shots that filled an entire tray which Elaina had had ordered to their table. “How about it, mate? You in, or are you the chicken?”

Veronika couldn’t remember the last time she had been in an environment remotely close to the absolute rager that was taking place inside Vixen. It by no means surprised her; after all, Ronnie had been to countless parties thrown by the Organization in the past and nearly all of them had ended with the Italian’s head in the toilet bowl the following day. Quite honestly, she didn’t expect this party to be any different and with her children back home in Italy and no actual responsibilities to attend to the following morning, didn’t she owe to herself to have a good time? The universe apparently thought so and upon hearing a hilariously familiar Vine reference from a slightly familiar face, Veronika took one look at the woman and one look at the round of shots and laughed. “So long as you promise not to spill anything inside my Valentino white bag, then why not?” She reached for two of the shot glasses, handing one over to the Brit. “Cheers to 2021, let it be less of a clusterfuck than 2020 was.”

[veronika-auditore]

“Call it a peace offering?” Veronika extended the shot glass out, part of her wondering in the Frenchman was going to slap it right out of her hand. “Look, I completely understand that you hate me and honestly, I get it,” and genuinely, she did, “but I really don’t foresee either of us not being in each other’s lives in some capacity and all I’m proposing is for those few days out of the year that we’re forced to be in the same room that we could maybe pretend to get along? The other 350 days a year you’ve got my full permission to despise me as much as you want.” Not that she really thought he was looking for her permission... “Fair enough?”

— @oliver--parra​