as we pass through arrangements of shadows

[shreds]

Comments

[pumping]

( Cooper catches sight of the end of a familiar green coat around two corners, but he the coat slips out of view. Listen check, Coop. )

[positiveinfluence]

[That is a (4) as he totally follows Mickey's shoulders around the corner, totally unprepared for whatever he's walking into.]

[pumping]

( As Cooper rounds the corner he sees a young man standing close to Mickey.

"Kinky."

Mickey doesn't look as if that was his aim, so his hands come to the young guy's shoulders. He tries again (1) gaze intense, head shaking a bit as he TRIES too hard. )

Don't move.

( The guy's (3) keeps him interested, but he's more confused than anything. Even amused.

"Right. I'm not. Do you want me to close my eyes, too?"

The young man's hand comes to his front zipper, trying to move this along.

Mickey is just failing at compulsion, Cooper. )

[positiveinfluence]

[And with an (18), he actually catches on to that, but none of this is a situation he wants to be in so he just turns around and stumbles back.]

Wow. Sorry about that. I ... sorry. Carry on.

[He knows what the person being compelled thinks is happening, and he knows what is actually happening and he's just going to ... wait in the car.

They will discuss this later when they're actually in Central City. It's fine.]

[pumping]

( A few minutes pass.

Mickey, rattled, doesn't stick the landing, (10, 10) and lets the twink loose with blue balls and an expletive before rejoining the group. He stands awkwardly before climbing back into Cooper's car.

William rejoins the group, too.

"We have a place to stay tonight and Barry has put down the welcome mat at Star Labs." )

[positiveinfluence]

Great.

[Awkwardly glances over at Mickey, before stepping up and nudging his dad for the keys. He wants to talk to him and clear the air, but he doesn't want to do it around other people.]

Hey Dad, want to switch it up? I could use the break to drive for a bit.

[Sullivan raises an eyebrow, before shrugging. "Sure, if you want."

Cooper nods with relief as he catches the keys.]

You should ride with the Queens. Get some sleep.

[pumping]

( As much as William doesn't love the idea of being in such close quarters with Sullivan Sr (17), he sees something is going on with Cooper wanting to drive and can see how odd Mickey is being. He didn't even regroup with the group. He doesn't object, Mia gets back behind the wheel, and William gives his laptop a rest while trying to get some rest.

Mickey's not expecting Cooper to get into the driver's seat. )

Where's your dad?

[positiveinfluence]

Riding with the Queens for a bit.

[But since they're alone, he pulls back out onto the highway before drumming his fingers against the steering wheel.]

I wanted to talk to you.

[pumping]

Yeah, you pulled that switch-up. Real subtle. Look, you may be out and proud, but some of us just -- have rest stops.

( A (6) to lie his way out of that one. )

[positiveinfluence]

Hey, I'm not judging.

[Coop isn't really sure if this is about that or about something else (6), but he can tell that something isn't right with his friend.]

I've had my fair share of truck stop hookups. But ... was it a hook up or are you hungry?

[pumping]

( Alright, so he's never been a good liar. He's dense on a good day. )

... I'm hungry. And - that wouldn't have sucked. Or. I was trying to compel him. It wasn't working.

[positiveinfluence]

Okay.

[He pauses, drumming his fingers against the steering wheel as he thinks it over.]

We need a better solution. Do you actually ... need to eat from a real person? Maybe we should hit a blood bank while we're in Central City.

[pumping]

Hit a blood bank? Who are we, Danny Ocean: hunter?

( He's a vampire, he wants to eat from a real person. But, he supposes eating from anything is eating. )

I want to be George Clooney.

[positiveinfluence]

Works for me. Brad Pitt is more my type anyway.

[Plus he gets to eat in every scene.

Not the point.]

Hunters steal shit all the time. We just have to do some recon.

[pumping]

( Are they doing this? )

You would knock over a blood bank for me.

[positiveinfluence]

This is gonna sound a bit judgy, but I prefer it to you feeding on people.

[At least he'll be honest about it, but it's for more practical reasons - or at least that's what he's telling himself.]

I know that you're a vamp now, and it's what you need, and I know Klaus compelled some kind of super control into you before, but you're on your own now. And if you start dropping bodies, my dad's gonna start noticing and he won't take your new undead status well. Never mind people who are poorly compelled and can start talking.

[His dad may be trying to be more tolerable, but he can't guarantee it will stay that way if people start getting dead.]

I'm willing to bet cold, bagged blood is about as appetizing as oatmeal, but ... could you do this until we're not all trapped in close quarters? Please?

[pumping]

You've changed.

( Cooper was his least judgy friend - but Cooper also lived by the hunter code until it was blown up.

But, his reasoning works. )

Yes. Fine. Let's get me cold, bagged blood. So exciting. Like you and I've ever eaten gourmet. ...Or blood.

[positiveinfluence]

I'm adapting.

[If he's going to be working with other supernatural creatures, he can't go around ostracizing his best friend, now can he?]

See what you can pull up about the blood bank while we drive. Once William gets into the hacking stuff, we'll probably be able to sneak away and get it done.

[pumping]

( (19) to research the Central City blood back. He spends the entire ride to Star Labs formulating a plan, writing down times and an address, and cross-referencing what day it is. His tactical side is coming out.

As Cooper parks behind William in the lot, he lets the pages of his pad fall down. )

I think I got it.

[positiveinfluence]

Cool. Let me check in with the group, and then we can skip out for a bit.

[Is he going to lie about where they're going? Absolutely. Sorry, William, he'll let you be the voice in his ear on the next heist.

But with that he'll climb out of the car and head towards the rest of the group.]

[slavophile]

( The group has gathered out front. Cooper approaches. )

Hey, did you have a good ride?

[positiveinfluence]

We did.

[And he shifts his hands in his pockets.]

Do you really need us here? Because Mick and I might go pick up some coffee and food.

[slavophile]

( William sees underneath coffee and food, but just below the surface, like he's looking down at the water. Something he can't make out, but something he does trust. If anything, he's gotten this far by trusting Cooper.

He does lower his voice though. )

You're leaving me with your father. Again?

[positiveinfluence]

[He gives him a sympathetic look because he knows he's hanging him out to dry but he also knows he can't take his dad with him on this one.]

I know. I'm sorry. But just ... I can't take him with me. Please?

[Please trust him. Please don't ask him to explain.]

[slavophile]

I know I said we were even and you didn't owe me anything because you were doing what you had to do? You now owe me.

( Twice and he will come to collect. )