as we pass through arrangements of shadows

[shreds]

Comments

[pumping]

Right. Can we talk about how high profile your bf is? Not just tabloid, but I swear he was on the cover of Forbes like a few months ago.

( Maybe more. He caught a glimpse of it at a gas station one time. )

[positiveinfluence]

[He snorts.]

Yeah, I noticed. Not really sure how I feel about that quite yet, but it hasn't really been a problem yet either.

[pumping]

You have time for it to be a problem, if it will ever be a problem.

( And again, the elephant just sits between them, with Mickey content to not feed it. )

But, you love him.

[positiveinfluence]

I do.

[Mickey is content not to feed it, but Cooper feels it in that particular statement, and he knows he has to make a decision. Because as much as he's trying to pretend like nothing's changed, it has changed. He can feel it in the way they spend time with each other.]

Look, I meant what I said. You're my best friend, and that won't change. But if you need space to figure all this out ...

[Things between them, things as a vampire - he won't blame Mickey if he decided he needed to be on his own for a while.]

[pumping]

( He bites back. )

The last thing I need is space. Michael, you, you're my family. And as complicated as that feels, I can't take it back. And I won't change and you shouldn't change. We're fine. I will be fine. Once I get being a vampire in order. Until, then, I don't need space. I'm not longing. I told you how I feel and it's too late. We're friends, Coop. We'll always be friends.

[positiveinfluence]

Just making sure.

[He just doesn't want to put him in the kind of situation that breeds resentment. But if Mickey says he's fine, then he's fine.]

So walk me through this job.

[pumping]

It's routine. You distract, I zoom. There's a delivery in a half hour at the back door, but it's a small clinic and there's only one person at the desk.

You flirt at the front, I'll steal from the back.

[positiveinfluence]

Easy peasy.

[Sounds straightforward enough.]

Any cameras we have to worry about?

[pumping]

Yeah, I don't know that. But, I have speed on my side, right?

( He can even throw a hood up. He doesn't want to over-over-think. )

[positiveinfluence]

[He shrugs, because point.]

Well, I will very clearly be seen, so I want to make sure they don't have a good angle.

[He'll scope out the lobby when he gets there.]

[pumping]

Yeah, I didn't hack the schematics of the small blood bank, or the security. You want to loop in William, give him the real reason we're off on our sidequest?

( A beat. )

My buddy in college was big on the MMOs.

[positiveinfluence]

[He pauses, considering it for a moment, before shaking his head.]

Nah, I'll make it work. He's got bigger things to worry about.

[pumping]

Alright. Let's do this.

( Dropping Cooper off at the front, he pulls off to a side street. Planting himself around the corner of the back entrance, he waits. )

[positiveinfluence]

[Cooper rolls his shoulders, shakes out the nerves and makes his way inside. He beelines towards the front desk and flashes a bright smile.]

Hey. I think I might be a little lost, do you have a minute?

[And that's a (14) for charm.]

[tramplemain]

( A nurse in his twenties looks over, clipboard in hand as he moves to the window. an (8) has him charmed for sure. He checks his watch for a second, looks behind him, but thinks he has enough time. Also, Cooper, you're cute! )

Sure! Yeah. Let me --

( He disappears behind one of the doors and emerges from the one close to Cooper's. )

How can I help?

[positiveinfluence]

So I'm trying to get to Keystone City and my phone decided now was the time to head into the great beyond. So, I figured people found their way around before Google Maps, right?

[Look at him, trying to be all cute and capable but failing terribly. He pulls out the map from his car.]

I think I got a little turned around. I'd understand if you're too busy, but if you could just help me get back on track?

[tramplemain]

Yeah, I've heard something like that...

( He is succeeding with aplomb. )

You know, I don't -- have a physical map on me?

[positiveinfluence]

That's okay.

[Coop can make it work. He reaches for one of the blank forms and flips it over.]

Do you think you could look it up for me, and just feed me the directions?

[tramplemain]

( His charm goes a long way and that shayna punam doesn't hurt. He slips his phone out of his scrubs and pulls up the maps. )

Keystone City?

[positiveinfluence]

Yeah, I think I made a wrong turn somewhere.

[And with that he will pull a random location that he actually has been to before, and hopefully the directions will take long enough that Mickey can get in and get out.]

[tramplemain]

( With his attention captured, he misses the sound of a truck backing in, ticking in the address he's given. )

So, here's this -- warehouse.

( While still charmed, it's odd that a location where Cooper once saved a family from vampires is where he's going now.

Meanwhile, Mickey lays in wait. )

[positiveinfluence]

[He smirks as he leans in closer.]

They're turning it into condos. I'm trying to get in on the ground floor.

[He's doing his best.]

[tramplemain]

Sure.

( So odd, but, he pulls the line for the directions Cooper needs up on the screen. )

Oh, you're actually five miles out of your way. Did you take the exit South instead of North?

[positiveinfluence]

[He snaps his fingers, like of course he did.]

That must have been it. When those exits are close together it makes it easy to mistake one for the other, I guess.

[pumping]

( "Yeah, the one winds around really suddenly. So, all you need to do is jump back on the interstate right... here."

His charm really clinches it, as Cooper might see a blur behind the tech. Quick.

"Was that... all?" )