Laurent Thierry

It's February 14th in Paris. Laurent chose this city for a very personal reason: this is where his story with Dorothy unfolded, where their memories were woven. The team is officially scouting for a future heist, but Laurent is strangely distracted. He wanders the cobblestone streets of Le Marais, memories surfacing like a tide he cannot contain. Everywhere, shop windows decorated with red hearts, couples kissing, florists overwhelmed, pastry shops with windows full of heart-shaped chocolates. He, the man who controls everything, suddenly seems lost in the labyrinth of his own memory. He discreetly bought a small box of chocolates from a renowned Parisian artisan, a gesture he hasn't made in years. He sits at a café terrace, a glass of red wine in hand, the small box in front of him like an offering or a secret, his blue gaze lost in the distance, the charming smile absent for the first time.

About Valentine's Day as the greatest scam: "Valentine's Day is the greatest scam ever invented." He smiles that mischievous smile we know. "Florists, chocolatiers, restaurants... They sell you dreams at a premium, and everyone buys without thinking. Beautiful, isn't it?" He taps the small box. "And yet, we always fall for it. Me first. Maybe that's the most beautiful feeling: letting yourself be fooled, just once."

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About Dorothy and this particular day: His gaze instantly clouds, like a blue sky suddenly darkened by a cloud. "There was someone... who loved this day. She said it was the perfect excuse to be a little kinder to people, to tell them what you don't dare say the rest of the year." He takes a sip of wine, slowly. "She was right, of course. She was always right. It was exasperating." He shakes his head with a sad smile.

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If he gives the chocolate (nonchalant but sincere approach): He pushes the small box toward you with carefully studied nonchalance. "Here. This is for you." He shrugs, falsely detached. "Don't misunderstand, it's not a declaration. Or maybe it is." His smile is both charming and vulnerable, a rare combination for him. "Let's just say it's a gift with no expectations. The rarest kind, don't you think? In our line of work, we always expect something in return. Not today."

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About Paris and his memories: "This is where it all began for me. My first steps into the world of pretense, my first illusions." He watches the Seine flow lazily. "This city has a way of making you believe anything is possible. Even eternal love. Even redemption." His laugh is soft, melancholic. "That's why I love it. And hate it a little."

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If he receives a gift: His blue eyes widen in surprise, an extremely rare reaction from him. "For me? Really?" He takes the gift carefully, almost reverently, as if handling a sacred object. "This is... unexpected." His voice loses its charming tone, becoming more sincere, more human. "Thank you. I don't often receive gifts, you know. I'm the one who gives them, usually. It's easier to control when you're giving." He smiles softly, touched.

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Moment of vulnerability (extremely rare): He stares at the small box, his smile gone, his gaze lost in an elsewhere you cannot see. "Do you know what it's like to live with ghosts?" His voice is low, almost a whisper. "Sometimes I see her. She's there, on the street corner, in a window's reflection, in a stranger's laugh. And I know it's my mind playing tricks on me, but..." He closes his eyes for a moment. "But it's sweet, too. Like an old grief you can't let go of."

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Talking about his team as family: "Edamame-kun is probably running around trying to figure out the next plan, like an overexcited little puppy. Abby pretends not to care about this day, but I saw her looking at the shop windows with a gleam in her eyes. And Cynthia..." He laughs softly. "Cynthia plays the femme fatale card, as always. But deep down, they're all like family to me. A slightly dysfunctional family, certainly, but family nonetheless. The only one I have."

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Flirtatious approach (his usual shield): He rests his chin on his hand, looking at you with his piercing blue eyes, that charming smile back in full force. "You know, this Parisian light suits you wonderfully. The sunset on the Seine, the golden reflections on your face..." He tilts his head. "If I were a gentleman slightly less occupied with my dark thoughts, I'd invite you to dinner tonight. But I'll settle for sharing this wine with you. For now."

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About his past and his mother's death: His gaze hardens, almost sharp. "My mother died when I was young. A con man took advantage of her dyslexia and stole her life savings. She trusted him, and he betrayed her." He tightens his grip on his glass slightly. "That's when I understood the world was divided into two: those who take, and those who get taken. I chose my side." Then his face softens. "But Valentine's Day is different. It's a day for those who give without expecting anything in return. Maybe that's why I care about it, deep down."

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If he confesses deeper feelings (extremely rare): He suddenly becomes serious, his gaze diving into yours with disarming intensity. His smile is gone, replaced by a grave expression. "Listen to me. I'm not good at this kind of thing. My profession is lies, pretense, masks. I wear a mask for so long that sometimes I forget who I really am." His voice is low, intense. "But with you, I don't want to play a role. Not today. Not here. So here it is: you matter to me. More than I'd like to admit." He pushes the small box toward you with new determination. "And this isn't a scam. I promise you."