sometimes people leave you halfway through the wood

[madskilled]

Comments

[positiveinfluence]

My guess? If he's rolling with Slayers, probably Spike.

[Which is probably not going to make Buffy Summers happy, but. Can't do anything about that now.]

Not much better news, but a different kind of vamp. Word was never really clear if he was a good or bad guy.

[pumping]

Now he's a dead guy.

( So, word doesn't really matter anymore, does it. )

Look, I know tonight was big. And it won't be the same. But, we did survive.

[positiveinfluence]

We did.

[Surviving does count for something. But it matters whether or not they should have been in that fight in the first place.]

Something about this doesn't feel right though.

[pumping]

About what? Something went sideways. It happens. It was above our pay grade and ... they paid the price. You'll have your day in court.

( You know. With Tamara. )

[positiveinfluence]

[They reach the bar and shakes his head before waving it off. He'll likely stew on this for a while, but he's reaching the point where the anger is flagging, giving way to a sadness that he doesn't know how to articulate otherwise, so.]

I need a drink.

[pumping]

You and me both.

( He sinks into a seat next to Cooper, but lasts only one before his fatigue really sets in. His body is spent, his muscles are locking up and he needs sleep.

He sets down euros, finishing his first and only drink, steadying himself as he stands. )

Tank's low, I'm going to head back. ( And the day has gotten to him, he just doesn't know how to talk about it. ) You want me to wait?

[positiveinfluence]

[He shakes his head. He doesn't intend to hold up Mickey with his bad mood and he needs a couple more drinks before he can even think about approaching sleep. He'll be fine.]

Nah, I'm okay. You go.

[slavophile]

( Mickey slaps one hand on Cooper's shoulder, gives him a pained, but subdued and understanding look, before leaving him alone.

William does research in the elevator on bars nearby and open bars nearby.

He finds the first one and doesn't try any harder. Like Mickey, he's tired, but also relieved. And maybe in shock, too, from seeing Bridget and Spike die. He slips onto a stool without looking at Cooper sitting next to him. It's a small bar (literally) and it's one of three seats there or small tables. )

[positiveinfluence]

[Cooper has had a few more drinks by the time William arrives. His mood has even picked up somewhat as a result. As he glances over and spots William sitting next to him, still can't help the bitter edge to his words when he speaks.]

Well. Of all the gin joints in all the world.

[slavophile]

( William couldn't have called this, but what in his life could he have called. )

I walked into yours. You're alive.

[positiveinfluence]

Yep.

[The "P" lands with a pop as he lifts a finger to signal the bartender for them both.]

So are you. Congrats.

[slavophile]

Some days it feels worthy of being congratulated. When I do things that make it worth me being alive.

( He didn't ask for all that. He does use quotation marks next, though. )

"Garrett" wasn't here with a bachelor party, was he?

[positiveinfluence]

Nope.

[Complete with that same pop on the "P".]

He was there for the same reason I was.

[slavophile]

Spike's dead. That probably makes people like you happy, right? Spike and Bridget, whose parents were killed in front of her. That's the only reason she threw up the boundary spell.

( Just to keep things clear. )

[positiveinfluence]

Ah, I thought it might be Spike. For the record, mass murderer. Big mass murderer. But no, I'm not happy about any of this.

[It doesn't justify what happened to Bridget but he feels the need to point that out.]

I wanted to talk Bridget down. I didn't want her to die.

[slavophile]

And what did the other hunters want?

( He may not like what you think you stand for, but he will drink the drink you bought him. So. Maybe that's not taking a stand. )

[positiveinfluence]

I think it's fairly obvious what the other hunters wanted.

[They got it, for the most part. He knocks back the whiskey, swallowing hard as he picks at the nuts on the bar.]

It wasn't perfect, but they think it made a point.

[slavophile]

And what do you think.

( He peruses the small menu. )

[positiveinfluence]

I think it was a fucking shit show. And we shouldn't have been there.

[And if he intends to say that, right to Monroe's face, at his next available opportunity.]

[slavophile]

Where. At the Elders meeting? Here in London? Hanging around a peaceful event? Or, D. All of the above.

( He'll get past harping on this. Just let him get it out.

He does indicate for two more shots and -- whatever beer they have on tap. Two. )

[positiveinfluence]

A and C. I'm allowed to travel.

[He could have been in London for perfectly innocent reasons thank you very much.]

But the other two, no. We shouldn't have been there.

[slavophile]

( He's right. But, he doesn't sound like he's putting on airs. He sounds sincere. )

I believe you did this for the right reasons. Once.

[positiveinfluence]

[He makes a face because he likes to think he still does. He didn't kill anyone in that mess. Theoretically, his hands are still clean.

But that's not the point.]

How do you know I don't now?

[slavophile]

Because, you're with them.

( But, their philosophy isn't his. )

I could tell Isaac you're here in the bar with me.

[positiveinfluence]

[Cooper raises an eyebrow before shifting to face him more.]

And what would he do about it, do you think?