the ground could open, he could still say please

[slavophile]

Comments

[slavophile]

( They make their escape as the sun starts to go down.

William has been in the middle of parents before. When he was younger and she was alive, Oliver and Felicity fought over his father being the Green Arrow. He remembers his father going to prison. He's been in the middle of Oliver and his stepmother's fights, usually because of something he did or in the most recent case, Mia disappearing. He searched for her on his own because of it. He's willing to take Cooper's lead even though he knows he pushed for them to leave with his sister, but Cooper ends up leaving with them. It's his decision.

William doesn't know everyone else's plans, but he'd like for once to get a little fucked up. His life has been up in the air for so long, and finally when it feels like he can finally breathe, Cooper's family drowns him and his boyfriend in their drama - at his house! While he's planning on being by Cooper's side to look after him, he hopes they can both let loose. He'll talk about if when Cooper wants to talk about it. He just guesses now isn't the time.

Mickey thanks Mia on their way out, doesn't give a second glance back at the table and high tails it out there.

He offers to drive but Mia reminds them they have a driver on the payroll for a reason. Namely, they're all leaving to drink. Oh, and to meet up with Faith.

Faith is on the dance floor when they arrive. She has that effortless 'I don't care' air that she throws the guys and girls she dances with, her drink abandoned on the ledge behind her.

William waits at the entrance to take Cooper's lead.

Mickey sees if there's anything that can interest him (16), planning on giving his best friend and his boyfriend time to themselves. It's no problem if they follow him, but he's not expecting them to. What happened back there is a lot to unpack. He has his own family bullshit he hasn't once confronted since joining up with Monroe's ranks. Between his slip-up outside of Central City and getting used to becoming everything he was taught to hate, he has a lot to work through himself. He doesn't need to put that on Cooper tonight - or by proxy, William. )

[mojitos]

[Wesley may enjoy bartending a little more than he should.

For one, he's a bit of a show off. He wasn't hired because he could mix a good mojito - anyone can mix a mojito - he was hired because he does it with flair. There's a lot of bottle flipping, ice tossing, and other assorted hijinks that come with him being asked to mix a drink, and while he can tone it down for the busy parts of a shift, his vampire reflexes get put to good use.

And fortunately for him, Tommy Merlyn is also a bit of a show-off.

But the other part that he enjoys is the anonymity. His ability to blend into the background and become just another face for someone to tell their story to. He likes hearing people's stories, and if him pouring a drink makes it easier for them to tell him, then he'll do it.

He knows Rhett and Scarlett aren't thrilled with his chosen occupation, but it's his life. He intends to enjoy it.

Tucking his phone back into his pocket after receiving a text from Melanie that they had run into the Salvatore brothers - isn't that a blast from the past - he makes his way over to the next customer at the bar and flashes him a smile.]

What can I get you?

[pumping]

( Unlike Cooper, Mickey loves loud music. He'd prefer live music over whichever DJ is spinning tonight, but it's just what the doctor ordered. He'd like to get out of his head. Maybe under a guy. He tells himself to slow down. He's got impulse control issues as a vampire, following some poor soul to their apartment to have his way with them might spell disaster. He plucks the twinge of waiting too long (at least that's what he tells himself) as he looks away from Cooper and William.

The bar, he decides, is where he'll plant his flag for the time being. Yeah, he needs a drink. )

Double whiskey on the rocks, shot of fernet.

( He needs to loosen up. It spills out of him. Now that it's his decision, he wants to unwind. He's not on the front lines. He's in a dark, anonymous club. What better place to be when you don't know who you are, if you ever did.

He takes the shot as soon as it's set down, lets it settle just how a licorice apertif should - and smiles. To himself, mostly. But, he smiles. He doesn't know when the last time he really smiled was, not back at that awkward luncheon or at the rest stop - or in New Orleans. )

Can I have one more?

( He hasn't processed Cooper's death, either. Michael's eyes wanting to tear him apart, the desperate look in his eyes he only wishes his old man would ever give him about anything.

He sips the whiskey next, choosing to numb everything at the forefront of his mind.

When a second shot arrives, he lets his eyes settle on Wesley. He's tall, like tall, probably taller because it's a step down into the bar. He's Bohemian in the way that kids from the midwest don't get to see. He doesn't really know what to get from him, only that he knows he's attractive. Objectively. It's been a while since he's thought of a guy like that. He shoved it down for so long, blurted it out under duress about his best friend, and now something's stirring and all he can do is - stare.

He promises he was raised better than this.

Finally, he realizes the second shot has been poured and he snaps out of it. )

Thanks!

[mojitos]

[Wes doesn't mind if he stares. That's the point of putting on a show after all. But there's something about this one that seems skittish (19), like he's been through a lot and he doesn't know how to be exactly anymore.

Wes can't say he hasn't been here himself. Can't hurt to start a conversation.]

First time at Verdant?

[pumping]

In Star City, been to the one in Dallas!

( It's the same light show there, less of a party this early in the day but no less fun (looking). No. He's here to let loose, to have fun! )

Is it usually this busy right after the sun goes down?

[mojitos]

Verdant doesn't really have a slow time. It just depends on the type of clientele you're getting.

[The rich folks are the ones who come in early, who can afford to buy Verdant's liquor, while the pre-gamers who are only here to dance and not so much to buy drinks are spending their time getting drunk at home and will show up sloshed later.]

But no, I think some people are wondering if the Queen Princess will make her grand reintroduction back to society, and they don't want to miss it.

[pumping]

I know Mia!

( He looks around them, (14) spotting where she's currently engaged in conversation with Faith. )

And I think if she heard you call her the Queen Princess you might regret it. ( He looks back. ) She's small but mighty. ( And a slayer, he keeps back. He looks around again (13). ) Her brother's actually dating my -- best friend -- who hasn't moved from that spot. And now they're leaving. ( Again, he turns back to Wes. ) I may need to find a ride. I'm Mickey. Adler!

[mojitos]

Wes. Butler.

[He tips his head forward a bit to see the back of Coop and William leaving.]

Guess your friend isn't really a club guy?

[pumping]

Guess not.

( He's never gone clubbing with Coop. They were always stationed by a quaint dive bar or local watering hole. It's good to know he shouldn't be locking in Cooper for Coachella next year. )

The more you know!

[blackstarred]

[Mia also wants no part of the family drama, so she immediately leaves William and Coop to their own devices and heads out to the dance floor in search of Faith. She knows her friend well enough to know that's where she'll be.

Eventually she cuts through the crowd enough that she can see the familiar brunette and slides up next to her with a smile.]

You have no idea how perfect your timing was.

[madskilled]

( The bar than the dance floor, they're the only acceptable places to be in a club. Besides a table popping bottles and the bathroom when necessary. But mostly? The dance floor and the bar.

Faith likes the green neon of Verdant, it's on the obvious side which Faith likes. She's never been the poster girl for subtle. Hence her dance moves and the drink in one hand. The bass drops and Mia reaches her.

She holds her drink toward Mia, fingers training the straw in her direction. Take a sip! )

I interrupt something?

[blackstarred]

Coop's mom crashed family lunch and apparently she's the one parent who wants their child to run headfirst into danger.

[It was definitely a weird thing to object to, as far as parenting goes. But she does take the drink from her, taking a sip before passing it back as she starts to bounce a bit in time to the music.]

It got very awkward, very fast.

[madskilled]

Yeah, me and parents - actually, Buffy's mom kinda took me in like her own. ( Until she went homicidal. ) So, what, she wanted him to leave with her? Hunt down some baddies, die a hero?

[blackstarred]

[She shrugs.]

I'm not really sure what she wanted. I was just surprised since apparently her other son died in London.

[And Faith remembers how bad London was.]

You would think that would send her in the opposite direction.

[madskilled]

Hunter's wig out when they can't hunt. It's like it's in their blood. I get it. Sometimes nothing scratches the itch enough.

( It's an itch Faith remembers, but it's lessened the older she gets. When she was younger, unpredictable and dangerous? She itched. )

Comes with slaying. That crawl up the back of your spine. You been patrolling since you been home?

[blackstarred]

I literally just got here today, so no.

[And she hasn't really thought about it, though she knows Faith's right. There is certainly an itch. But she wouldn't really know where to start looking for vampires in Star City.]

But if you're looking to go punch something in the face, that could be arranged.

[madskilled]

Night's young!

( She finishes her drink, sets it nearby for some sap to find and clean up before grabbing Mia and drawing her upstairs to the less populated bar (so I don't confuse us and meld scenes again), but also because that's the view she likes, from above. )

How's things at the family compound?

[positiveinfluence]

[Coop has never really been a club person. Bars, yes. Usually bad ones. That tends to be his type of casual haunt. But this is ... a lot and sometimes his mouth runs before his brain can decide whether or not it's a good idea.]

This is ... loud.

[a beat. no that's wrong.] William's uncle owns the bar.

It's nice though.

[slavophile]

( William has never been a club person, but his high profile and sister's socialite reputation have certainly left him fitting in more in the club when he needs to. His public persona is that of a chameleon, but one who is much more well adjusted than that of his Crisis counterpart.

Don't worry, Cooper, you won't offend him. It's not his club, it's his uncle's. He does own one in Russia (a gift when he turned twenty-one), but he doesn't own this location. )

You hate it, you want to ( He points back with his thumb and sucks through his teeth, making a noise. )

[positiveinfluence]

Maybe a little?

[He doesn't really want to dance or drink at the moment, and he has a feeling William wants to talk.]

Maybe we could go for coffee instead?

[slavophile]

( William has the same feeling, that Cooper wants to talk, and if not wants, maybe could? A lot has happened in a short amount of time. William doesn't have to be asked to leave a party twice when he's made his appearance. Stepping through the front doors is an appearance. He glances over at his sister engaged in conversation with Faith and Mickey taking a shot. Yeah, he doesn't need to be here. )

Let's walk.

( They'll find something.

He'll message his sister once they settle somewhere. Maybe they'll all meet up again, maybe they won't, but he's fine with leaving them here to their own devices. )

[positiveinfluence]

[Coop will also text Mickey that they're going to look for coffee, and Mia will send back a thumbs up emoji maybe twenty minutes after they find a place to sit.

What, she's having fun!

Once that's done, Coop will fall into step next to William, sliding his hands into his pockets. The fall chill is starting to settle in the air. It's always been his favorite time of year.]

How fast does it get really cold here?

[slavophile]

Like lightning. Like uncle Barry fast. One leaf drops and there goes the temperature.

( His hands slip into his own pockets, too, happy to keep a wanderer's pace. )

How are you doing - with my dad being the Green Arrow and my uncle being the Flash, Mia being a slayer...

[positiveinfluence]

Oh, that's fine. Your dad seems great, but your stepmother seems like an agent of chaos.

[He noticed her "I wish I had popcorn" face during lunch and while he respects it, he also is a little uncomfortable that this is the drama she wrought upon them.]

I'm sorry about my mom.

[slavophile]

I think if we apologize enough for our parents, we fill up a Bingo card. I like her. She's intense but she loves you. Have your mom and dad really not talked?

( Since London. )