it's a beautiful day for a neighbor

[coopdetat]

It's been one hell of a Saturday, and it's not even noon yet.

He'd been woken up nearly at the crack of dawn by a petite pair of hands--quickly followed by a larger, stronger pair--in bed this morning and the past couple hours had consisted of the kind of vigorous activity Coop can't get out of playing basketball or going to the gym. He'd met the married couple, Sophie and Luka, during his time abroad in France nearly six years ago and when he'd decided to return to Siren Cove, he'd invited them to visit anytime. They'd accepted his offer and every third week in July, Coop takes a few days off from work--aside from emergency calls, of course--to spend some quality time with his friends.

He waves goodbye to them now with the promise of seeing them again next year as their cab pulls off the curb in front of his house. He waves until the car turns a corner and then he drops his arm to his side, rolling his neck and shoulders with a satisfied sigh and smile before offering a wave to a small group of people who pass. It takes him a moment to understand why he's getting stares as they walk by until he looks down and remembers he's not wearing much in the way of any actual clothing, save for the pair of itty bitty briefs that are really just a courtesy anyway.



He gives the group a salute, holding back a laugh at the way a couple of them trip over their own feet before they correct themselves in a hurry, and shifts his attention to the next person who approaches with a bright grin.

"Beautiful day, isn't it?"



[OOC: Be a neighbor, be coming over for a visit, or just be passing by!]

Comments

[keirasullivan]

"Mmmm, if grey clouds and thunderstorms are your kind of thing then sure it's... a beautiful day out." Keira replied dryly, picking up the paper and shuffling through the contents of her post. There's a name on one of the envelopes and she's not exactly sure who Shae Cooper is but she was pretty sure it wasn't her. Well, not that she knew of. Not unless Kaitlin had started ordering items a sister should never know about under an alias again. "Nice... fashion statement though. I mean not many people could pull it off but you've got the legs for it."

[coopdetat]

"Well, clearly you've brought me the sunshine, so I'm not worried," he answers with a playful wink. He takes a few steps toward her, laughing at her comment about his legs and he does a slow turn before holding his arms out as if inviting her approval. "It's all the jazzercise, keeps me feeling young and fresh."

[keirasullivan]

Keira squished the package, shaking it a little as she tried to figure out what the hell it was Kaitlin had ordered. She did not need to see flavoured lube again, that was awkward on so many levels. Looking up, she laughed at the comment and the wink. Yeah, sunshine and Keira were probably two things that only very occasionally mixed. Actual sunshine sure, sunshine-y cheeriness well, she saved that for Kaitlin.

"I think you have the wrong sister. Sunshine is not a thing you'd associate me with." Keira replied with a bemused smile as he does a slow little spin for her. And if she looked she could hardly be blamed, she wasn't blind to his oh, so obvious charms. "Keeps you feeling young and fresh... sounds like an advertisement for feminine hygiene products."

[coopdetat]

He squints at the package because he's been waiting for one just like it, but he thinks better of plucking it out of her hands to see what it is. There's a very fine line between flirty neighbor and creeper, after all.

"So you're the dark and twisty twin, then?" he asks, his tone bordering on the edge of teasing. "Because that's fine, it's good to know. And hey, someone's got to be the one to sell the lady part products, okay? There's no shame in it, I'd make a great spokesperson."

[callmeemily]

It's the vet.

It's the vet, and he's saluting to this group of girls that's staring at him, and she can't stop herself from grinning, because they're tripping over themselves and giggling. They move out of the way, though, going past her finally, and Raleigh's brows just arch up slightly in surprise but the smile just sort of... fades, not into anything negative but in surprise.



Of course she's surprised, because he's- She abruptly realises she's staring at him, so her eyes flick up to his face, just his face. "Oh, yeah. Beautiful day." She wrinkles her nose, and can't help herself before she laughs. "And how're you, Coop? Nice morning?" She doesn't know him all that well, but minus the two weeks that she just hadn't shown up (mostly because there hadn't really been anyone to make the treats she brought by) she saw him every Monday afternoon, just long enough to drop off the peanut butter biscuits. He's always been nice, but... he's always had a lot more clothes on, too, and she's still resolutely looking only at his face. She shouldn't be rude.

[coopdetat]

"Emily! Wait-- Wait, no, Raleigh!" He says her name with enthusiasm and to be honest, the recent revelation that her names isn't what she'd offered the first time they'd met hadn't mattered all too much to him because he often simply thinks of her as the Gorgeous Bakery Girl. He'd spotted her name in the papers after what had happened with Corrine, though he hadn't seen her for a couple weeks while she'd been, as he assumes, recovering. He hasn't brought it up and neither has she, and Coop doesn't like to overstep his bounds--some of the time.

Before that, she'd regularly brought by freshly baked treats for his patients every week, though she's always in and out too quickly for Coop to really chat her up, so he's kind of looking forward to getting the chance to play up the fact that she seems to be actively forcing herself to look him in the eyes right now.

"I'm doing great, thank you for asking, you look radiant this fine afternoon." He breathes in deeply and lets out a slow exhale, scratching lightly at his chest as he gives her a broad smile. "Are you working? Because I'll tell you what, I worked up a hell of an appetite and lunch is always better with company."

It's worth a shot, he figures.

[callmeemily]

She opens her mouth to tell him her name - with her stomach sort of sinking because she hates that conversation, she hates it more than a lot of conversations, because there's the group of people who don't care, but then there's the group of people who feel lied to and it's always complicated, but he just goes ahead and says it himself, and she closes her mouth with a click, unable to stop the sort of sheepish smile.

She wrinkles her nose when he calls her radiant - mostly because she's definitely not wearing anything special, and it's a miracle she's even got on eyeliner, but she's not going to argue - if he thinks she's radiant, then to him she's radiant, and arguing about it seemed silly. "That's fantastic." Her eyes flick to his hand for the sparest moment, before they snap back to his face, and she shoves her hands into her back pockets when he asks if she's working.

She misunderstands his question a little, not that she's even disconcerted by it. "No, actually - I mean, it's open, and I think that they have some croissants left, and some donuts. I could go grab some for you?" Her brain just had momentarily short circuited, apparently, but then-

"I mean, unless- Were you thinking that we could have lunch? I could do that. We could... do that." That's how she met Spencer, anyway, she just was a little... scattered, because- because. Because she was a little... distracted. Would he put on clothes first? If that happened, she'd probably be a little more able to prepare, properly. So she wouldn't just.... die off in mid sentence because he really, really should have put clothes on.

[owenphillips]

“I can’t tell if you’re fishing for a compliment or genuinely talking about the weather,” Owen replied, thoroughly unphased by Coop’s outfit choices – or more accurately his lack of outfit. He had after all, seen it all before and despite the fact their relationship had ended before Owen was 18, (thusly 12 years ago at least), seeing Coop semi-naked had been disturbingly recent in Owen’s memory. Really though he should start carrying spare clothes when passing by this area of town, just in case of scenarios like this.

“At least you remembered underpants I guess though,” he added. There was something about Coop that took Owen back to his high school days, and he couldn’t help the deadpan jibes. “Did you have to go and save a puppy or did you think you’d treat the neighbours.”

[coopdetat]

"Can't it be a little of both? Okay, maybe a little about the weather and a lot about me looking good." He shrugs like there's not much he can do about it before his lips curl into a wicked grin as he tugs at the waistband of his briefs. "Come on, bro, I'm sure you could spare a compliment or two. You didn't hit your head hard enough to get rid of those memories."

He keeps his tone light even though the image flashing through his head of Owen in that hospital bed makes his smile flicker for just an instant. They've been through a lot together, they've stayed close all the way from high school, and coming that close to losing a friend had been more terrifying than Coop would ever like to admit--even to Owen.

"The neighbors are lucky I remembered these bad boys," Coop answers, lifting his chin up and simultaneously pushing aside all negative thoughts. He puckers his lips instead, smacking them to make a sloppy kissing noise before breaking back into an easy grin. "Or maybe they're the opposite of that, maybe they're all looking out their windows and crossing their fingers for a better show."

[owenphillips]

Owen quirked an eyebrow at that, it was true that they there were definitely good memories there. But still, Coop’s shamelessness made him want to pinch the bridge of his nose on occasion – it was hard to believe he was the ex-escort of the pair. “No I didn’t forget, but I’m saving your head by not giving you compliments. It’d be horrible to see it go to waste by exploding from inflated ego.” He returned the smile, ignoring the falter. Not because Owen was intentionally trying to, but it was hard to watch people around you suffering over something you had no control of. Other than reassuring people he was still here, and as good as he could be, he had little control of the situation and that he didn’t like.

“Giving them a free show?” Owen asked, looking at the nearby houses, “At least get some free food out the situation or something.” He definitely recognised one of the houses as a previous client. If they’d paid his prices when he’d been at the peak of his career, they definitely had to have money. “Not like they couldn’t stretch to that. And I want a chair or something so I can check my texts whilst you’re doing your thing.”

[weatherornot]

"Beautiful day for pancakes!" Genevieve shouted as she jumped onto her cousin's back. He was mostly naked but that's alright, so was she. Her ride had gotten a little bit exciting on the way over and she'd only bothered to re-dress in boy shorts and a tank top before being dropped off. She'd given him a bit of space for his special night and spent a few days at a "friend's" place. Judging from the idiotic smile on Coop's face the time had gone about as awesome as hers had. So she was happy for him but also really hungry.

When she'd first arrived in Siren Cove she was prepared to hate Coop. He'd been a super annoying brat as a kid the few times she and her mother had gone to family reunions when she was younger. After that whenever she talked to her grandparents Coop was all they talked about. How great Coop was, how well he did in sports, in school, in everything. She would have killed him but was afraid he'd come back from the dead and then she'd really never hear the end of it. Once she actually met him though she realized he was a pretty great guy and had grown pretty fond of him. Not that she didn't like to give him shit though.

"But first a shower. You smell like an orgy. Like a lot of orgies. Or maybe that's me."

[coopdetat]

Coop just barely stumbles under the light added weight of his cousin on his shoulders, and he rolls his eyes even as he spares a delighted laugh. "I'm going to tell your mom that you're not learning a damn thing here, you're just using me for my sweet pancake-making skills."

He bends his arms at the elbows to get a good grip behind her thighs and hauls her higher up his back before turning around and heading back toward the house. "And don't even talk to me about smelling like orgies, okay, you were considerably more dressed the last time I saw you and ninety percent of those clothes have clearly been left behind."

He pauses once he gets to the front door, fiddling with the knob before kicking it open and twisting his neck so he can shoot her a grin. "We're awesome."

[weatherornot]

"You do that and I'm telling our grandparents that you get ridden so much the town has nicknamed you Schwinn," she said, grinning as he took her into the house, kicking her heels a bit to make him speed up. Well, actually, just to annoy him some but whatever. He was always good-natured about it and gave almost as good as he got. "Besides, it's not true. I'm mostly using you for letting me stay here rent free."

Which was super generous and why she tried to help out where she could with cooking and cleaning and shopping and stuff like that. She stopped short of doing his laundry though because, well, there were just some fluids she wasn't going to clean up. Really though, she should try and find a job soon.

"And we are very awesome," she added, hopping down from his back once inside. "I am especially awesome because said clothes were ripped off in a fit of passion. This isn't even my shirt. I mean, it is now, but it wasn't a few nights ago. You had fun though?"

[needleandink]

Adrian caught sight of his vet when he was nearing the end of his run. He slowed as he approached, smirk well formed on his face when he saw what the guy was wearing...or not wearing, as the case may be.

"Well, it was," he responded.

[coopdetat]

Coop nearly snorts at that, placing his hands on his hips and puffing his chest out in a dramatic display of total and complete masculinity--very effective, especially with the bright blue and white patterned briefs he's wearing.

"It was beautiful and now it's just indescribable?" he counters. "Your life is better now for having me in it? I light up your world? You've never seen anything quite so spectacular? Please, stop, you're making me blush."

[needleandink]

Adrian ducked down, almost into a full crouch. "Christ, man, reign in the ego. You'll end up making a chiropractor rich from the spine damage it causes carrying a head that big around. And in that vein, I've seen infinitely more spectacular than your scrawny excuse for a chest. Just this morning, actually, when I looked in the mirror."

[just_another]

The second he arrives with Balto's carrier under one arm, Joel realizes he should have called first. Not only is he interrupting his vet's apparently very busy -- and very naked -- Saturday morning, he's assuming an awful lot, just bringing his cat here, but she's not eating and he's almost entirely convinced it's because she's mad at him for having moved her out of the apartment, but he needs to be sure. And he really should have called first.

His gaze immediately goes up, looking at something over the top of Coop's head just so he doesn't have to look at the other man in his briefs before he clears his throat. In her carrier, Balto lets out a warning sort of growl, and Joel knows she's pissed.

"It's a good," he agrees, wondering why he hadn't called first. It seems to logical now. "Uh... a good day, I mean."

[coopdetat]

Coop's expression brightens, if such a thing is even possible, when he sees Joel approaching, and he kneels down on one knee when he notices the carrier. "Is that Balto? Hello, beautiful, look at you!"

He glances up before rising back to his feet and crossing his arms over his chest. "A better day now that my favorite bookshop owner's here," he teases and the step closer he takes isn't quite invasive of Joel's space but also just invasive enough. He's always taken a very obvious pleasure in making him squirm, but Joel has always made it so easy.

"Please tell me that the fact you've brought Balto along with you is coincidental because my bed is freshly empty."

[just_another]

Joel clears his throat again and he wants to step back, but he knows that only encourages Coop, so he stands where he is, shifting Balto's carrier in his hand. As soon as she sees Coop she begins to purr deep in her throat and he scowls down at her through the top of her carrier. "Traitor," he mutters down at her, though she's clearly ignored him, instead rubbing herself against the door to try and get to Coop.

"Um, I just..." He pauses and swallows, realizing the implication of what Coop has just said and his cheeks flush deeply as he looks everywhere else. Given everything he and Spencer have been getting up to lately, he feels like maybe he shouldn't be quite so embarrassed by the attention anymore, but it still causes him to turn red and stammer. "No, I... she's not eating. I think she's mad at me because... I... we moved. But maybe it's something more serious."

He frowns at himself, then says, "I'm sorry. I should have called and made an appointment."

[starsfallen]

If Corrine is completely honest, she hasn't taken much time to meet her neighbors since coming home to Siren Cove. Her house is sheltered, at the top of the waterfront cliff, and while there are other homes around, it had been all too easy to stay perched in her own (not-so-little) castle. But its a new dawn and a new day now. After all that happened, after the relapse, she swore to turn things around. To get closer to the girl she was when she was Corrine Flynn, America's Darling - not Fallen Flynn with enough tragic baggage to launch her very own soap opera.

At the height of her career, Corrine had a very simple routine. Wherever she was, whomever she was with, she would wake up with the sun. Run 3 miles along the most scenic route, with a half hour yoga break in between. She started back up the morning after rock bottom. Has built up her strength each day since. She feels healthier, more radiant, more herself again.

She's looping back to her house at the end of her run, sports bra, sweatpants, ponytail bouncing behind her, and the beautiful glisten that manages to grace celebrities when working out that leaves most others looking like drowned rats. She slows to take a sip from her water bottle when she sees him. Maybe its the perfectly toned muscles that catch her eye, or the vague familiarity of someone she probably knew in passing, in the shared past of Siren Cove.

Corry raises her hand in a wave, wipes the water from her lip, jogging in place as she turns to him. "Hello there!" Its as good a time as ever to meet the neighbors.

[coopdetat]

Hello, Corrine Flynn.

She's not stranger, at least she isn't to him or anyone who's ever read The Daily Siren or watches television or has seen a movie or has even briefly glanced at the tabloids in the supermarket. She'd made the headlines with her disappearance, though Coop knows she hadn't been the only one to go missing, but she seems to have recovered quite nicely from that, at least as far as outward appearances go.

"Hi," he replies with a broad grin. He's seen her jog this way before, has even seen her out doing yoga on the beach here and there, but she's never stopped for him nor him for her, mostly because Coop's too busy getting through his morning routine so that he can get to work or ushering the previous night's lover out the door. He's not working today, though, and that makes this a perfect opportunity. "Not a bad way to start the day. You gracing me with your presence, I mean."

He gives her a wink before extending his hand. "I've seen you a few times but I've never really had the chance to introduce myself. Shea Cooper, pleasure."

[starsfallen]

Corrine slides the water bottle back into her bag, wipes her hands on the sweat pants.

"Shea Cooper. Aren't you a ray of hot sunshine to brighten the morning." She grins, returning his gesture with a warm handshake. "Corrine Flynn. New neighbor. Well... newish."

[techwitch]

The houses (houses? Villas!) here were much too large for Luke's taste, but his mother has been pressing him to 'at least have a look' until he couldn't come up with any more excuses. Maybe she wanted him to buy them a villa.

Luke smoothly dodges mister tiny underpants, taking a step back to appreciate the house behind him. "It's so big."

[coopdetat]

"I've heard that before," Coop answers without missing a beat. He glances over at his shoulder and has to admit that yeah, his house isn't the worst on the block, and turns back to the other guy with a pleased smile. "I'm glad somebody approves."

[techwitch]

"Wh-"

Mister tiny underpants again, and Luke realizes that he's been speaking his mind while he should have kept his mouth shut. Shit.

"The house. Your house? I was talking about that. You live here by yourself? Alone?"