Cooper Hudson

"As sweet as I think it would be if you ever met someone who changed your tune, I wouldn't want you to compromise who you truly are either," Ingrid replied truthfully. "And I don't think you would want that either." She took another sip of her drink. "I am very curious to know where life will take you when we inevitably cross paths again a few years later down the line."

"Sweet?" Cooper gave a little chuckle at that. "Can I not be sweet without someone by my side?" He asked with a raised eyebrow. "But no, I like being able to move around at my own will. I'd get bored stuck in one place." He admitted with a sigh at the thought. "Who knows. I hope it will be somewhere exciting."

"A troublemaker?" he couldn't help but chuckle in reply. "If there's anyone you'd like to be introduced to, let me know. Chances are that I could know them from work," Tucker offered up with a shrug and a smile. "Plenty of people out here aren't looking for anything serious either."

"Really? So is this you saying you'll give me the low down on everyone in the bar?" It wasn't that surprising that the man probably knew practically everyone in here. Given the fact it was a week day, no doubt most would be regulars. "Though again, I do have to ask what'd be in it for you. Surely not just the entertainment."

"I always look forward to the annual New Years fireworks so I sometimes get a little overexcited," Trinity admitted with a laugh when he'd pointed out that she was really prepared. "So I wouldn't say it's odd that you didn't think to prep all of this like I did. Most people just find a place to sit and watch on a more casual level," she assured. "But lucky for you I'm more than happy to share."

"That seems pretty adorable though." Cooper admitted, knowing that it was rare people actually admitted to something like that. "Are you not the casual type?" They way she said it, made him think not but he couldn't know from just one encounter. "You do seem like a generous soul however."

"That's a really sweet invitation," Sam smiled back bashfully, appreciating that he'd welcome her into his own plans for the evening despite them being basically strangers. "If you seriously don't mind, that would be lovely actually. Especially since if anyone's good company from the both of us, it'd be you."

"Also a very genuine one." Because he didn't want the woman thinking he did it out of pity. Cooper genuinely couldn't imagine not enjoying her company. "I really don't mind, I promise you." He spoke warmly, placing a hand over his heart as if to fully confirm it. "Ah, well that remains to be seen. I'm sure we'll have some sort of result by the end of the night." He joked lightly.

"I can't even begin to imagine," Gabe replied. He wished he'd seen more of the world, had the money to travel and all of that. Maybe some day that was something he could look forward to. "I'm sure you've got incredible stories to go with all of those adventures. I'd love to hear about them if you'd ever feel like sharing."

"Is this you being an attentive bartender now or a prospective friend?" He asked with a little grin, more than happy to share of course but he didn't want to put that on someone who was simply doing their job. He had a good idea which one this fell under but it didn't hurt to check of course.

"I'm embarrassed myself enough for one night," she replied when he'd mentioned that he could tell there was a story there. "Ah well, I hope they don't have you waiting up on them all evening even if there were no solid plans," Sam smiled. "Originally yes but they cancelled last minute. I was most likely going to finish this drink off and call it a night."

"Ah, you have done nothing of the sort." Cooper assured the woman with a little grin at her words. "It seems to me as though even if they don't turn up, I'll still hopefully have good company. So far it's proving that way." He spoke charmingly. "I'm sorry they cancelled on you though. Well, you can feel free to join me and my friends if they do happen to appear. You shouldn't let their absence ruin your plans for the evening."

"You're welcome to ask me about mine. I can be persuaded to elaborate," she offered up with a cheeky smile of her own. "Does it really surprise you? Do I seem like the rule-breaking type?" Eva asked, genuinely curious. "And you wouldn't want to be considered ungentlemanly... now would you?"

"That's quite the invite." He laughed when Eva told him to ask about her life. "And yes, you don't seem like the type to follow other people and what they expect. I imagined you would be carving out your own path and screw those who didn't agree with it." He said honestly. "Not at all. It's the Southern side of me. I have to be a Gentleman or face the wrath of the women I consider family."

He couldn't help but grin in reply to that assumption from the other. Especially since it wasn't far off. "What? Is wanting to have a good laugh considered a crime?" Tucker asked in a humored tone. "Oh?" he quirked a curious brow at that, "And what is it that you're looking for?"

"Not generally speaking but it does make you a troublemaker so I should definitely be wary of you." Cooper narrowed his gaze playfully at the man, though he didn't seem to be in any rush to distance himself despite his words. If anything, Cooper knew he could be similar in the right situations. "Nothing serious." Right now he was here for a good time, not a long time and it didn't need to be anything more than that."

"I can imagine. I'm rather jealous honestly," he admitted when the man spoke about how his job took him everywhere and he wasn't really one to settle. "You've probably seen so much of the world thanks to your job. It must be beautiful, hmm?" Gabe added with a wistful smile. "Have you got a favorite place you've visited?"

"I've seen some of the world but a lot of my travelling has been more limited to America. It was where I was based." He explained, not wanting anyone to get fancy ideas that he'd been to every country. Maybe that was to come. "But you're right, I have been to some very beautiful places. It's hard to pick a specific one."

"He's not exactly a social butterfly but I suppose I could convince him to join us for drinks sometime," Ingrid suggested with a shrug. She knew Kristoff tended to be more private and introverted than herself. "Seems so. I've never really been the follower type so, not likely. I'll pave my own way I'm sure," she shrugged. "How about you? Ever think you'll settle down or will you be lead by the winds of fate forever?"

"Well you did say he was different from you." Ingrid had always seemed so friendly and up for a laugh, at least back when he had known her. Not much appeared to have changed in that respect, at least not with him. "Any idea where that path takes you?" Cooper couldn't help but be curious. "Ah me? I'm not much of a settler now am I."

"You're cute– that was smooth," the dark haired woman laughed, flattered by the compliment from the man. "Make yourself comfortable," she patted the blanket she'd laid out. "You hungry? Or perhaps parched?" she asked, reaching over to show a bag of crisps and a bottle she'd brought along with her for the show, "I'm Trinity by the way."

"I do try." Cooper answered with a laugh when the woman called his response cute. He didn't need a second invitation as he scooted himself up close on the blanket that had been set out. His eyebrows did raise a little at the next question, and he found himself chuckling at her items. "You really were prepared for this. Clearly I just kind of let myself go wherever the wind blew me and I am far less prepared. But thank you, I'm Cooper."

"Certainly not me," she admitted with amusement. "Well it all started when I ran into my brother here. That had been a happy accident," Ingrid replied. "I came at a time where he was really settling in, had a kid and everything. I wanted to be around here more to be a part of their lives, you know?"

"Your brother hm? He always was infamous. Do you think I'll get to meet him this time?" Cooper asked with a grin at the mention of the man. "Sounds like he has his whole life laid out for him now. Following in his footsteps?"

🎆 - our muses get ready for/watch the fireworks together

"A guaranteed good view hm? How have you managed to secure that?" Cooper asked in amusement as he squeezed his way between people to get to where the woman had set up camp. "Or were you talking about yourself?" He asked with a smirk.

"They mean the world to me," Cleo replied with a nod. She then let out a laugh at his later comments. "Don't worry, I didn't think it was a line."

"I can tell." The way she spoke about them and the tone used could leave him in no doubt at all. "I think you're lucky to have people like that in your life." Cooper told her kindly. "And I'm glad because I'm a lot more obvious when that's the aim." He added with a grin.

"I suppose that's fair. This place has started to really feel like home for me," Ingrid considered upon his response. "I do still love having the freedom to travel for both business and pleasure," she pointed out, "But... having a place to come back to has had it's perks as well I suppose. I used to think that wouldn't be the case for me but I suppose things can always change."

"Who'd have thunk it." Cooper responded playfully when Ingrid admitted that she had come to consider this her home to an extent. "And what exactly changed that for you, I'm curious." Because there had been a time when he'd not have seen that for her though he could attribute that to her being young and wild.

"I'm sure you've got some pretty fascinating stories to tell all the same," she said in reply. "I suppose I can see the appeal. I'll admit I'm a bit more of an efficient transport kind of girl, but perhaps it's the side of me that favors comfort and decisiveness," Eva considered. "And I've admittedly always enjoyed rules. Sure me," she confessed with a soft snort. "I'm not not offering," she shrugged back. "But to be more direct, yes, I'd love to show you around."

"It's considered rude to talk all about myself isn't it?" Cooper grinned, though he wasn't opposed to telling her more about some of his life. He was very particular about which parts he elaborated on though, naturally. "You like rules? Why does that surprise me." He hummed curiously. "Well then, it'd be ungentlemanly of me to turn down such an offer..."

"His name is Jesse, those our other best friend, Rowan, he tends to have some game himself too," she replied. "Well thanks to building up my ego, I guess I needed it."

"I can't say I know them but I can't imagine them being all as impressive as you seem to make them out to be. Maybe you just see them that way because they clearly mean so much to you." Cooper pointed out with a little smile. "But you're welcome, though it's not a line if you are thinking that. I say it genuinely."