tl;dr meme
This will obviously have spoilers, and also some headcanon.
Body and Appearance
1. Describe the character's height and build. Is he heavyset, thin, short, rangy?
At 6 feet (1.83 meters), he stands pretty tall and is reasonably thin. As far as build goes he's not overly muscular, but definitely fit - he does work out on occasion for the benefit of health and to stay fit (a must within Bureau guidelines) but he is by no means one of those guys who frequent the gym. He's more of a long-walk-kind of person, especially in Johto, but he might also put aside time for push-ups, situps and on occasion, a good run.
So he does have muscle to him but the way he normally dresses tends to hide it, and in fact somehow manages to make him look smaller than he really is.
2. How old is he?
He was 34 when he came to Johto, but has since had a birthday here, so he's 35 now.
3. Describe his posture. Does he carry himself well or does he slouch?
He carries himself very well. He's generally got a very good posture - he stands and sits with his back straight and finds slouching uncomfortable and thusly never really does that - he didn't even as a teen. Or a kid. He was a very peculiar kid.
4. How is his health? Is he fit or out of shape? Any illnesses or conditions? Any physical disabilities?
None whatsoever! He's really fit, despite his gigantic sweet tooth and the amount of paperwork he has to do. He's out on the field a lot and there's a lot of walking involved, and he does work out ... at times. In Johto, however, there's no paperwork to speak of and tons of hiking to be made, and he's only been improving his physical state while here.
5. How does he move? Is he clumsy, graceful, tense, fluid?
The first word that comes to mind is 'calculated'. He thinks about what he says and it shows in the way he moves. Since he rarely performs unnecessary actions and gestures little, his sense of movement can appear a little strict - but this is mostly when on the job. However, he's also got a casual manner about him which will be more or less apparent. He is, after all, a rather ordinary guy, with a hands-in-his-pockets appeal.
He very rarely performs actions that can be interpreted as nervous or stressed. Once he does, these movements are pretty jerky - unexpected gestures or a visible restlessness in his pace. Normally, though, he moves fluidly and with precision ... sort of calculated, as stated.
6. How attractive is this character physically? How does he perceive himself in the mirror?
The script calls him "handsome in an unremarkable way" which I believe is a very appropriate and fair description. He has a serious look about him that has appeal to some, and to others, there are his big, full-on smiles which he lets out whenever he's excited about something (which, in Johto, is fairly often). He's got a certain charm about him, especially in that excitement. That said, he's not very special looking or typically attractive, and his looks rarely call for attention (except for Audrey cough cough), but if you take the time to look he's definitely attractive in his own right.
... especially when his hair gets wet and messy. :I
As for how he sees himself on that front, he doesn't really think about. He had some of the standard teen issues with his appearance when he was younger, but that was a while ago now. He supposes he's fairly good-looking ... that's about it.
7. Describe his complexion. Dark, light, clear, scarred?
His skin is light, but not pale. He looks rather unscathed in general, without any real blemishes or marks - as far as scars go, he's got the usual minor ones scattered across his body (a few more when it comes to his head) ... and the two Big Major Ones on his torso, where he's been stabbed (left side, beneath his heart) and shot (further down, right side), but you'll probably not get to see them unless you catch him shirtless.
8. Describe his hair: color, texture, style.
Black, thick, and not very fine. He keeps it short and gelled back from his face for a strict, business-like look, but also for practicality - and to be taken more seriously. When he first started working at the FBI he was straight out of the Academy and definitely looked his age (23) and most people have a hard time trusting and taking orders from someone that young. While he's clearly older than that now, he still looks a fair bit younger than he really is when he lets his hair be.
9. What color are his eyes?
The hazel mix of brown and green. It looks more brown, but the green is clear up close.
10. Does the character have any other noteworthy features?
Not really! He's got a very prominent chin, and that's about it.
11. What are his chief tension centers?
His shoulders and his head, I imagine - for no particular reason other than the "feels like a burden"- and "this is where thinking happens"-things.
12. What is the character's wardrobe like? Casual, dressy, utilitarian? Bright colors, pastels, neutrals? Is it varied, or does he have six of the same suit?
He actually does own five black suits - but a suit is his uniform, and with him being on duty a lot, this amount is hardly surprising. He also owns at least one tuxedo.
The fact that he suits up so often is probably the reason the rest of his clothing tend to be very muted as far as colours go. He goes for dark/neutral, and if there is colour it's likely to be pale (like light purple dress shirts) or earthy tones. He owns a couple of plaid shirts and black and green cargo pants, and a white vest - this getup is mostly for the outdoors and hiking, and is what he's most seen in in Johto.
For casual wear ... a dress shirt and a pair of dark pants, really. He's rarely seen in jeans, and never in a T-shirt, but does on occasion sport a turtleneck for the colder months of the year.
He also has a beige coat that's taken on a rather sentimental value at this point in Johto, as it's the kind almost all FBI agents use back home and it's one of few clothes he came here in.
13. Do his clothes fit well? Does he seem comfortable in them?
Always. His suits are all tailored to fit him, for starters, and he'd never wear something that would make him uncomfortable. He might be slightly more at home in a suit but on the whole he doesn't have a lot of feelings towards clothing in general, even if he knows how to dress well (and for any occasion).
14. Does he dress the same on the job as he does in his free time? If not, what are the differences?
Well, he's required to dress in a suit as part of his job. And he consumes himself in job a lot so at home, he's really just in various stages of suited up. Otherwise he might chill out in the one pair of jeans he owns, and a dress shirt. In Johto, that shirt mostly goes with cargo pants and a vest of some sort. So at home - not REALLY a difference, but in Johto he needs to be more practical. Though he does get back into donning suits occasionally if he's not going anywhere in the near future - it's both a habit and a sentimental thing, not to mention suits can never go wrong, come on.
15. You knew it was coming: Boxers, briefs or commando?
Boxers. Actually shown in the show!
Speech
1. What does this character's voice sound like? High-pitched, deep, hoarse?
He's somewhere on the middle ground of the spectrum? .. actually I just fail at describing voices, so have an example or two instead of me trying to figure out what to say here. :Db
2. How does he normally speak? Loud, soft, fast, evenly? Does he talk easily, or does he hesitate?
Cooper isn't very loud and on the contrary has a tendency to speak softly in a variety of situations (see second clip above) - when he's intrigued by, cares for, or likes something, not to mention the soft sort of fall his voice does when he's sad or contemplative. He speaks fairly quickly in a business-like manner most of the time (as in the first clip), and even faster when he's pressured. That's also the only time his speech might falter, as he typically has a very easy way with words.
3. Does the character have a distinct accent or dialect? Any individual quirks of pronunciation? Any, like, you know, verbal tics?
Nope! He likes pronouncing 'okay' as 'okei' but otherwise speaks sort of like a textbook.
4. What language/s does he speak, and with how much fluency?
English is his native language and he speaks it fluently. He's picked up choice words and phrases from a variety of language but is most skilled in French, which he took in high school - he's not excellent at it and his French skills have died a little from lack of use, but France is helping with this!
5. Does he switch languages or dialects in certain situations?
Nope, never. His English is practically immaculate. (if it isn't at some point, it's most likely MY fault.)
6. Is he a good impromptu speaker, or does he have to think about his words?
He always thinks about his words, but not in a way that makes him dependant on planning them. If someone unexpectedly asked him for a speech he'd take the one minute until everything quieted down to briefly touch on what he'd like to say, and then improvise very well from it and probably make a pretty good speech.
In everyday conversation he might stop for a second before opening his mouth in a similar way, but will then leap at what he wants to say in a very specific and eloquent manner.
7. Is he eloquent or inarticulate? Under what circumstances might this change?
He's practically always eloquent. He very rarely falters in his speech as he knows exactly what he wants to say - if he's scared or worked up, he'll speak in shorter, quicker sentences, but he'll still be very articulate with his words. The few instances when he's stumbled over them have been very pressed.
Mental and Emotional
1. How intelligent is this character? Is he book-smart or street-smart?
Both. He's very intelligent all around and has learned several concentration and memory techniques, allowing him to pick up a LOT of information and keep it with him. He got a perfect score on both his SATs and Scout markmanship test. At the same time he's very big on intuition and feeling - and his incredibly attentive nature allows him to think on his feet and adapt to almost any situation he finds himself in.
2. Does he think on his feet, or does he need time to deliberate?
He prefers having a plan to go by, but in the end keeps calm under (most) pressure and will come up with quick solutions to any given problem or situation to the best of his ability. Which, honestly, is almost all the time - but when something traumatising happens that's too close to him, he'll completely blank and fail to do either of those things.
3. Describe the character's thought process. Is he more logical, or more intuitive? Idealistic or practical?
He depends a lot on his intuition but uses logic and deduction to further where his intuition takes him. He almost thinks on several planes at once and tries out many different approaches to the problem at hand before picking the most likely ones.
He's practical and straight-forward in his thinking, much like in everything else he does- He'll spot a problem, gather all the info available, and try to find a solution that way. He stays focused and is typically not prone to be sidetracked, though others might percieve his mental Wiki Walks as such.
4. What kind of education has the character had?
All the way up to college, followed by training at the FBI Academy.
5. What are his areas of expertise? What, if anything, is he interested in learning more about?
He's all in all very competent in his profession, even if his techniques might will seem very odd to outsiders. He's an excellent shot (ridiculously so - he shot better than a Special Agent when he was fourteen), he has an eye for detail and ... may or may not be a bit of a psychic and an omnipresent being. He's also very good at digging holes and throwing knives.
Cooper doesn't actually excel in anything other than his shooting skills, but he would very much like to learn more about Tibethan buddhism and Tibet in general. And more about nature in general ... he'd also like to try magic and learn more magic tricks (headcanon states he knows a select few) and possibly to learn how to bake more. He's rocking at bread. That's it. He hasn't had time.
More than anything, though, he'd like to learn about evil. He always wants to know more about evil.
6. Is he an introvert or an extrovert?
Most of all, an extrovert. He wants to love people and in many ways they are his biggest concern. He's interested in their problems, conflicts and behaviours, and that's part of his drive: to help and understand. There's a reason he's with the law enforcement, after all. The definition of an extrovert is a person who is energized by being around people, and that is definitely something that Coop is. And he's also got many traits associated with your typical extrovert stereotype - he's cheerful, outgoing, has a way with people, is quick to act, and likes to spend time with others.
And, like an extrovert, he "fades" when alone, although perhaps not as much as others due to an introspective personality, which gives him some introvertive traits. Like the fact that he'd rather listen than talk, that he thinks before he speaks as opposed to simultaneously (the way an extrovert does), inward focus ... and a LOT of thinking.
But most interestingly, some might view him as something of a contradiction : an extrovert loner. Despite having a rather easy time getting to know people, getting them to trust him, understanding them and most of all liking them and getting along with them, he has difficulty developing any real connection to most people he meets and keeps them at arm's length -- especially in Johto.
7. Describe the character's temperament. Is he even-tempered or does he have mood swings? Cheerful or melancholy? Laid-back or driven?
Temper, what temper? Cooper very rarely displays one, and keeps calm, collected and in control as much as he can, be it over a situation or his own emotions. When he feels frustrated or angry he does raise his voice and will express it, but he very very rarely flares up. He's much more likely to respond with coldness. So yeah, he's got a very even temper.
On the surface he appears mostly cheerful. He shows a lot of joy and excitement for little things in life and a less exuberant but more genuine happiness towards people he likes. But when you get down to it he's mostly serious - with a surprisingly negative outlook on life that acts as a drive in what he does (his job, his desire to get to as many bad guys as he can before everything is over), but holds him back regarding most other things.
(It's also my headcanon that he knows he's going to die in the near future, and deep down he doesn't have a lot of genuine drive for living overall, even if he's far from suicidal or hopeless about it - but he tries to make up for this by trying hard to live each day on its own, one at a time. It works, sometimes.) So yeah, there is a hidden melancholy to him, his fate, and, in fact, his entire canon.
8. How does he respond to new people or situations? Is he suspicious, relaxed, timid, enthusiastic?
That very much depends on the situation. He can easily be most of those (the exception is timid). He's quick to react accordingly to any situation; with enthusiasm if it's something he likes, and if that's the case, he's also likely to be very vocal about it. When with people he trusts and likes and without a pressing matter at hand, he IS likely to relax. And though not often too suspicious, it's part of his job to be, and if there is something that doesn't seem quite right, he's going to keep an eye on it.
He's very well-rounded in that sense - he never sticks on one mood and has a big VARIETY of reactions. He goes a lot on intuition and whatever that tells him, he'll go with, and it can be a lot of things.
And it's also very visible what mood he falls into. When he doesn't like the situation or the people involved, he turns cold and aloof, keeps answers short and steers clear of too much involvement. When he likes something, on the other hand, he's all gestures and praise, huge grin in place. When scared or pressed it shows in some of his usual eloquence and control dropping, thoughts being hard to follow... and so on. He's an open book, really.
9. Is he more likely to act, or to react?
Both, depending on which is the better option. He's mostly act but sometimes it's better to wait for the other party to go first and react accordingly.
10. Which is his default: fight or flight?
Fight, but knows when to flight. (HE IS A COP. HE IS MEASURED. HE'S BEEN TRAINED.)
11. Describe the character's sense of humor. Does he appreciate jokes? Puns? Gallows humor? Bathroom humor? Pranks?
He likes puns! And he does like a good joke, but he's not very good at them himself. His humour is very subdued to the nature of what it is he does and the things he's seen and experienced, and sometimes he doesn't get a joke, either. His kind of humour comes across in a sort of dry-but-gentle friendly teasing and banter when it's brought out.
12. Does the character have any diagnosable mental disorders? If yes, how does he deal with them?
Nothing diagnosable, no.
13. What moments in this character's life have defined him as a person?
Oh wow, where to begin. ... Most notably the death of his mother when he was fifteen. She died of a brain aneurysm which for everyone else looked like a natural but unfortunate occurence, but Coop's certain that there was something else at work that took her life.
His childhood friend drowned a year after that. Her name was Marie and lived next door. She was, incidentally, in love with him, and while he did like her the same way for some time he stopped feeling that way after she overdosed on drugs and changed forever - thing is, he blames himself for her death, since if he'd loved her back, he'd been there to prevent it. In the same irrational way he feels guilty over not being able to help his mother, because he'd dreamt something would happen to her, and he couldn't stop it.
Fastforwarding a few years to some years after he joined the FBI, there was a very draining case involving disappearances and murders. Long story short, Coop and his partner - Windom Earle - were to keep guard over his wife, Caroline Earle, who'd witnessed many crimes and had been missing for several months until they found her - all kinds of traumatised.
They kept her at a safe house. Windom chose not to stay there for a period of time and as such Cooper and Caroline were alone - it was at that point they had a brief affair, with Caroline admitting to having been in love with him since they met. The night of that confession they were both stabbed. Caroline died in Cooper's arms and he nearly bled out himself. It was eight hours until someone found them.
And, as it turns out ... Windom's the one who did it. He was locked up at, in the words of one of Cooper's colleagues, "the local laughing academy" but escaped just about a week after Cooper came to Twin Peaks. At the current canon point he's tormenting Cooper by killing people for him to find and sending him tapes and some of Caroline's items.
And Coop blames himself for not being on guard. For being in love with her. For driving his partner over the edge. (It was later found out that Windom's been messed up since before that and in fact commited the original crimes Caroline witnessed ... but that only makes Cooper feel like he should have prevented THAT.)
Soooo Coop's had a lot to deal with. And that's just the major ones. There's also the fact that he's had several personal interactions with the embodiment of evil (possibly) and has a psychic connection to the realm he comes from, which grants him with troubling visions and some precognition. Oh, and he also exists outside of time, but not yet, except it already happened. (It's a David Lynch canon, what can I say.)
BUT IF WE SUM IT UP AND LOOK AT IT - that explains his deep melancholy, because he's developed a rather big fear of loss. His life has been surrounded by it and that's the reason he keeps people at a distance and has trouble getting close to them, as he more-or-less expects them to disappear from his life one way or another.
He's got a history of depression behind him, and intense feelings of anger and hopelessness. He's not very good at dealing with this and as such has chosen to just push it away as far as he can. A lot of his issues remain unresolved because of this and the guilt he feels. Which is the reason it still affects him a lot - why it's too painful for him to try to deal with. Not to mention that hurt and loss has been piling up for years.
All in all, it's all left him very sensitive, though he tries not to be - which makes for an interesting stoicness that, in truth, is just a well worn facade. It also makes death and especially murder a touchy topic and one of the few things that tend to make him snappish and visibly worked up.
HOWEVER, it's also responsible for his genuine and excited joy for the little things in life, and his determination to enjoy them. Those are things that can't be taken from him the same way everything else has. His best efforts to live in the moment and with as much love as he can also falls into this.
14. What does he fear?
Loss. It's deeply ingrained in him. He also very much fears people he cares for getting hurt, especially by his actions or inactions.
He's also afraid of birds. Not phobically so, but a bird in close proximity - or a BIG bird, which has given him trouble with the pokémon-birds - makes him feel uneasy and edgy. (In part, this is because of an event when he was younger; a panicked bird got tangled in his hair and was moments later chopped up by a fan in front of his eyes, and in part it's to do with a suspicion that dream-birds are at least somewhat responsible for his mother's death.)
15. What are his hopes or aspirations?
To fight the evil in the world. He believes in fighting it as well and as often as you can - and in understanding it. He believes it exists as a separate, sentient entity, and he wants to understand it or confront it, and end it, if possible. He doesn't think it can be done, and is pretty sure evil is going to win in the end, but damn it, he's going to do his best.
16. What is something he doesn't want anyone to find out about him?
All his troubles. He doesn't like talking about them, and when people find out, they tend to want just that. He will talk about it if it's important or if he's asked (he has no secrets), but ultimately, no, he doesn't really want people to know.
I imagine he'd like to think it's his burden, a lot of the time, since he feels responsible for a lot of the things that are troubling him.
Relationships
1. Describe this character's relationship with his parents.
Very good. He was very close to his mother and took her death badly. It's likely he got his sensitivity for the supernatural from her, as she had the same kind of dreams he did. She was gentle, calm and understanding, and he remembers her with warmth and sadness.
Though Cooper doesn't get to spend much time with him lately due to being relocated to San Francisco and his father staying in Philadelphia, he remains close to his dad as he's the only family he's really got. He genuinely loves his father who is impulsive and a little quiet, but according to Cooper "always knows what to say". There is a lot of trust between them and though it's not always spoken, they both understand it. The first time Cooper killed a man, he called his father to talk about it.
Interesting to note is that in the original script for the climax of the show, Cooper's father was to make an appearance in a different realm/vision. In the scene he doesn't recognise his son, and Cooper keeps calling for him to help, but after a while gives up and just says, crestfallen, "father, I love you". Though it was cut I think it's still relevant, as the place shows you what scares you in order to test you ... and Coop deeply fears losing his father in any way.
2. Does the character have any siblings? What is/was their relationship like?
An older brother, Emmet, who moved to Canada to escape the draft when Cooper was fourteen. He never made it back to America and though Coop tried to find him at one point several years later, he couldn't find him. As such, they really don't have a relationship to speak of.
3. Are there other blood relatives to whom he is close? Are there ones he can't stand?
No.
4. Are there other, unrelated people whom he considers part of his family? What are his relationships with them?
No, not really.
5. Who is/was the character's best friend? How did they meet?
The closest thing he had to a "best friend" was probably his partnership with Windom Earle. He first met Windom at a work fair of sorts where they talked at length about what being FBI really is, and the meeting is what prompted him to finally pursue that career. Some time after he finished training he was assigned as Windom's partner and they had a great relationship until Windom went crazy and nearly killed him.
Sooo right now, nope, no best friends.
6. Does he have other close friends?
Two, really. There's Sheriff Harry S. Truman of Twin Peaks who he struck up a friendship with very quickly and really cares for, and FBI Agent Albert Rosenfield who he's known for several years and is the only one who really knows most of what he's been through. Though Albert is sarcastic and unfriendly and sometimes tests Cooper's patience the two really do care for each other.
Other notable people he feels affection for are the rest of the Twin Peaks Sheriff's Department (Lucy, Andy, Hawk), Audrey Horne, and his boss, Gordon Cole.
In Johto, the only four he's called friends are France, China, Rainbow Dash and Applejack. He's struck up plenty of relationships but remains reluctant to let people close to him and ... well, he is quite a loner at heart.
7. Does he make friends easily, or does he have trouble getting along with people?
He has a pretty easy time making friends since he's cheerful, personable, polite and considerate - moreover, people seem to be drawn to him. He can get along with almost anyone if he wants to. But if he doesn't he's likely to be cold and aloof which obviously makes it hard for others to "make friends" with him.
8. Which does he consider more important: family or friends?
Nothing is more important than the other to him. He doesn't have a lot of family left and doesn't have a lot of friends - what's important with the people he cares for is that they are, well, good people. And those can be found in friends and families alike.
9. Is the character single, married, divorced, widowed? Has he been married more than once?
Single. Never been married or engaged. In fact, likely to remain Forever Alone due to a tendency his girlfriends have for either dying or going crazy. :c
10. Is he currently in a romantic relationship with someone other than a spouse?
No spouse, and no romantic relationship. At the canon point he's taken from he'd started crushing pretty hard on this one girl, but I took him from a point where it hadn't really gone anywhere, and after all this time in Johto, well ... he hasn't forgotten her but he's not exactly harbouring feelings for her right now.
11. Who was his first crush? Who is his latest?
His first was the girl next door named Marie, his latest is a waitress at the Double R named Annie Blackburn.
12. What does he look for in a romantic partner?
He doesn't really look for anything (and is in fact a little unsure of his ability to maintain a relationship), but he hits off the most with people who have a strong identity and understand him and his views, who can act as both a complement and a contrast.
13. Does the character have children? Grandchildren? If yes, how does he relate to them? If no, does he want any?
No children. He does hope to settle down and raise a family someday, but is unsure of whether he’d be able to.
14. Does he have any rivals or enemies?
Well, technically, anyone who leads a life of crime could consider him an enemy. His main enemies right now are his former partner Windom Earle who I've already talked about and the evil killer spirit BOB, who is ... possibly the embodiment of evil.
15. What is the character's sexual orientation? Where does he fall on the Kinsey scale?
1. And I wouldn't put it past him to be a 2. Though he's pretty straight there's just no way I can picture him exclusively so. His accepting nature, open mind and well-established curiosity definitely speak for the possibility that he'd give another man a chance if the right circumstances arise. Not to mention there was that one time he went undercover in a gay bar and danced with several guys without discomfort. He seemed to be amused, actually, since he was quite popular with the men and mused on what he was doing there that didn't work with the ladies.
He's also mentioned the "need to explore and expand the boundaries of human sexuality", which should speak for itself. When he was younger he was just very ... SEXUAL, altogether. So yeah I have a hard time imagining sexuality matters much to him and he is the type to try anything once, and my headcanon states he's been involved with at least one guy, but he's still more naturally drawn to women than men, and those are the ones he normally looks for to find romance.
But really his whole love life/affection is sort of subtly messed up, so he's still unlikely to get involved with anyone at this point. (Annie is a special case because she reminds him of Caroline.)
16. How does he feel about sex? How important is it to him?
He's a fan of sex! He enjoys it a lot and is not at all awkward about it. He spent a lot of time thinking about and having sex when he was younger and casual sex isn't very taboo in his head, either. But at present time it's definitely not that important to him (and he hasn't hooked up with anybody for quite a while now, due to ... trauma and immersing self in work). He considers it an important and enjoyable part of a relationship but it's far from the most important aspect of it.
17. What are his turn-ons? Turn-offs? Weird bedroom habits?
Oh wow, I don't know. I haven't really thought about it. I doubt there's anything super particular in those first two, though, and I highly doubt any weird bedroom habits. He's a rather ordinary guy when it comes down to it so uh. If you'd really like an in-depth answer for whatever reason ... let me know, I guess? xD
Beliefs
1. Do you know your character's astrological (zodiac of choice) sign? How well does he fit type?
Cooper is an Aries/Taurus cusp which ... works, but doesn't fit TOO well. I can see a lot of these traits, but on the whole, he is a lot more sensitive than what is described. According to the Chinese Zodiac he's a Wood Horse, which ... probably fits him even less.
2. Is this character religious, spiritual, both, or neither? How important are these elements in his life?
This is probably the most spiritual television character I know. He didn't grow up in a very religious household and as such has found what fits him himself - there was a point in his life when he was trying to find the one religion he could draw comfort from and in the end (after a rather long time) found it in Tibethan Buddhism. He doesn't exactly practise or follow it and might not call himself a buddhist, but he draws strength and inspiration from the spirituality it has. There are some elements he fully believes, and some he doesn't, but he's still deeply invested in it.
And it's grown to be a pretty big part of his life. He meditates, he reads the books, he tries to look at life with love and compassion and though he's not really trying to achieve nirvana, he is trying to find Insight.
3. Does this character have a personal code of morals or ethics? If so, how did that begin? What would it take to compromise it?
It's not exactly personal or unique - he works with the law enforcement, so it's pretty much the same as the law. So far nothing has really compromised it, either, and I can't really see what would.
4. How does he regard beliefs that differ from his? Is he tolerant, intolerant, curious, indifferent?
This is a guy who's very interested in learning about the way others look at things and how their particular faith or view come into play. He's intrigued, curious and interested and likes to discuss and learn about different perspectives. So it's safe to say that he's tolerant. Unless this belief is something he finds morally wrong or destructive, in which case he'll probably keep a distance - and an eye on the person in question.
5. What prejudices does he hold? Are they irrational or does he have a good reason for them?
He really isn't prejudiced.
Daily Life
1. What is the character's financial situation? Is he rich, poor, comfortable, in debt?
He's comfortable enough. FBI pay doesn't exactly make you rich but he rarely spends money on things other than food, drink and rent.
2. What is his social status? Has this changed over time, and if so, how has the change affected him?
Well, as an FBI agent, he's considered authority and is generally met with respect. He can boss people around now. And sure, this is a pretty big change from an ordinary (if somewhat weird) kid from a working family that was picked on occasionally, but it hasn't really changed him.
3. Where does he live? House, apartment, trailer? Is his home his castle or just a place to crash? What condition is it in? Does he share it with others?
A "fine apartment with a view of the Golden Gate", but he's not there very often since he's so prone to immerse himself in work, and half the time he's needed in different cities - and sometimes different states. As such it's mostly a place for him to stop, breathe, and think for a bit, so he's not too attached to it - doesn't really think of it as a real home. Despite this he likes his apartment and likes spending time there when he can, so it's in good condition.
4. Besides the basic necessities, what does he spend his money on?
Coffee, baked goods, and on occasion suits or other clothing. Tapes for his tape recorder. That's about it - he’s not a really big spender. But he often eats out, so money goes into that.
5. What does he do for a living? Is he good at it? Does he enjoy it, or would he rather be doing something else?
He's an FBI agent and he's very good at his job, even if he doesn't really enjoy it. He has to deal with and witness a lot of things that he could do without - especially now, once again having transferred to the Violent Crimes task force - but there's the satisfaction in getting the perpetrators, and for the lack of a better phrase, "fighting evil", that he stays for.
(If he hadn't been an agent he might've been a magician. Way back then, he actually tried to join the circus, but they found him overqualified.)
6. What are his interests or hobbies? How does he spend his free time?
Free time? He rarely has it. And when he can't escape it, he tries to occupy himself. (Very difficult in Johto, which leads him to feel restless and incredibly aimless.) He wants to keep doing things, so if there's nothing else to do he'll play mind games, try to learn new things, find something to read. He's not good at doing nothing and he'll try anything to get out of that, really.
As for interests, he's interested in Tibet, dreams, good vs evil, people, and, in Johto, the abilities of the pokémon and the boundaries/culture/limits of the world.
7. What are his eating habits? Does he skip meals, eat out, drink alcohol, avoid certain foods?
He eats out a lot, partly because of habit, partly because he's not too good at cooking, and he loves food too much to settle for what he can produce. He tries to be healthy and tries to eat three balanced meals a day, doesn't drink too much alcohol, and so on. But he's an avid coffee drinker and has a sweet tooth the size of Texas, with a particular fondness for donuts and pie, but he's not above getting candy to snack on. The dentists typically don't give him very good news and he's not a fan of going to see them, but man, he can't stay away from the sugary goodness.
Part of this comes from the caffeine high and sugar kicks he gets - he's generally not too well rested after sleep, so he eats a lot to stay on top of the game.
Associations
Which of the following do you associate with the character, or which is his favorite:
1. Color? Black
2. Smell? Scorched engine oil
3. Time of day? Noon
4. Season? Fall
5. Book? Any on Sherlock Holmes, or on Tibet
6. Music? Dance of the Dream Man from the Twin Peaks soundtrack, but I also dubbed Fields of Fire his theme song. There are others, but those are the main two /o/
7. Place? Office/hotels
8. Substance? Coffee
9. Plant? Douglas firs
10. Animal? Owls
END
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Body and Appearance
1. Describe the character's height and build. Is he heavyset, thin, short, rangy?
At 6 feet (1.83 meters), he stands pretty tall and is reasonably thin. As far as build goes he's not overly muscular, but definitely fit - he does work out on occasion for the benefit of health and to stay fit (a must within Bureau guidelines) but he is by no means one of those guys who frequent the gym. He's more of a long-walk-kind of person, especially in Johto, but he might also put aside time for push-ups, situps and on occasion, a good run.
So he does have muscle to him but the way he normally dresses tends to hide it, and in fact somehow manages to make him look smaller than he really is.
2. How old is he?
He was 34 when he came to Johto, but has since had a birthday here, so he's 35 now.
3. Describe his posture. Does he carry himself well or does he slouch?
He carries himself very well. He's generally got a very good posture - he stands and sits with his back straight and finds slouching uncomfortable and thusly never really does that - he didn't even as a teen. Or a kid. He was a very peculiar kid.
4. How is his health? Is he fit or out of shape? Any illnesses or conditions? Any physical disabilities?
None whatsoever! He's really fit, despite his gigantic sweet tooth and the amount of paperwork he has to do. He's out on the field a lot and there's a lot of walking involved, and he does work out ... at times. In Johto, however, there's no paperwork to speak of and tons of hiking to be made, and he's only been improving his physical state while here.
5. How does he move? Is he clumsy, graceful, tense, fluid?
The first word that comes to mind is 'calculated'. He thinks about what he says and it shows in the way he moves. Since he rarely performs unnecessary actions and gestures little, his sense of movement can appear a little strict - but this is mostly when on the job. However, he's also got a casual manner about him which will be more or less apparent. He is, after all, a rather ordinary guy, with a hands-in-his-pockets appeal.
He very rarely performs actions that can be interpreted as nervous or stressed. Once he does, these movements are pretty jerky - unexpected gestures or a visible restlessness in his pace. Normally, though, he moves fluidly and with precision ... sort of calculated, as stated.
6. How attractive is this character physically? How does he perceive himself in the mirror?
The script calls him "handsome in an unremarkable way" which I believe is a very appropriate and fair description. He has a serious look about him that has appeal to some, and to others, there are his big, full-on smiles which he lets out whenever he's excited about something (which, in Johto, is fairly often). He's got a certain charm about him, especially in that excitement. That said, he's not very special looking or typically attractive, and his looks rarely call for attention (except for Audrey cough cough), but if you take the time to look he's definitely attractive in his own right.
... especially when his hair gets wet and messy. :I
As for how he sees himself on that front, he doesn't really think about. He had some of the standard teen issues with his appearance when he was younger, but that was a while ago now. He supposes he's fairly good-looking ... that's about it.
7. Describe his complexion. Dark, light, clear, scarred?
His skin is light, but not pale. He looks rather unscathed in general, without any real blemishes or marks - as far as scars go, he's got the usual minor ones scattered across his body (a few more when it comes to his head) ... and the two Big Major Ones on his torso, where he's been stabbed (left side, beneath his heart) and shot (further down, right side), but you'll probably not get to see them unless you catch him shirtless.
8. Describe his hair: color, texture, style.
Black, thick, and not very fine. He keeps it short and gelled back from his face for a strict, business-like look, but also for practicality - and to be taken more seriously. When he first started working at the FBI he was straight out of the Academy and definitely looked his age (23) and most people have a hard time trusting and taking orders from someone that young. While he's clearly older than that now, he still looks a fair bit younger than he really is when he lets his hair be.
9. What color are his eyes?
The hazel mix of brown and green. It looks more brown, but the green is clear up close.
10. Does the character have any other noteworthy features?
Not really! He's got a very prominent chin, and that's about it.
11. What are his chief tension centers?
His shoulders and his head, I imagine - for no particular reason other than the "feels like a burden"- and "this is where thinking happens"-things.
12. What is the character's wardrobe like? Casual, dressy, utilitarian? Bright colors, pastels, neutrals? Is it varied, or does he have six of the same suit?
He actually does own five black suits - but a suit is his uniform, and with him being on duty a lot, this amount is hardly surprising. He also owns at least one tuxedo.
The fact that he suits up so often is probably the reason the rest of his clothing tend to be very muted as far as colours go. He goes for dark/neutral, and if there is colour it's likely to be pale (like light purple dress shirts) or earthy tones. He owns a couple of plaid shirts and black and green cargo pants, and a white vest - this getup is mostly for the outdoors and hiking, and is what he's most seen in in Johto.
For casual wear ... a dress shirt and a pair of dark pants, really. He's rarely seen in jeans, and never in a T-shirt, but does on occasion sport a turtleneck for the colder months of the year.
He also has a beige coat that's taken on a rather sentimental value at this point in Johto, as it's the kind almost all FBI agents use back home and it's one of few clothes he came here in.
13. Do his clothes fit well? Does he seem comfortable in them?
Always. His suits are all tailored to fit him, for starters, and he'd never wear something that would make him uncomfortable. He might be slightly more at home in a suit but on the whole he doesn't have a lot of feelings towards clothing in general, even if he knows how to dress well (and for any occasion).
14. Does he dress the same on the job as he does in his free time? If not, what are the differences?
Well, he's required to dress in a suit as part of his job. And he consumes himself in job a lot so at home, he's really just in various stages of suited up. Otherwise he might chill out in the one pair of jeans he owns, and a dress shirt. In Johto, that shirt mostly goes with cargo pants and a vest of some sort. So at home - not REALLY a difference, but in Johto he needs to be more practical. Though he does get back into donning suits occasionally if he's not going anywhere in the near future - it's both a habit and a sentimental thing, not to mention suits can never go wrong, come on.
15. You knew it was coming: Boxers, briefs or commando?
Boxers. Actually shown in the show!
Speech
1. What does this character's voice sound like? High-pitched, deep, hoarse?
He's somewhere on the middle ground of the spectrum? .. actually I just fail at describing voices, so have an example or two instead of me trying to figure out what to say here. :Db
2. How does he normally speak? Loud, soft, fast, evenly? Does he talk easily, or does he hesitate?
Cooper isn't very loud and on the contrary has a tendency to speak softly in a variety of situations (see second clip above) - when he's intrigued by, cares for, or likes something, not to mention the soft sort of fall his voice does when he's sad or contemplative. He speaks fairly quickly in a business-like manner most of the time (as in the first clip), and even faster when he's pressured. That's also the only time his speech might falter, as he typically has a very easy way with words.
3. Does the character have a distinct accent or dialect? Any individual quirks of pronunciation? Any, like, you know, verbal tics?
Nope! He likes pronouncing 'okay' as 'okei' but otherwise speaks sort of like a textbook.
4. What language/s does he speak, and with how much fluency?
English is his native language and he speaks it fluently. He's picked up choice words and phrases from a variety of language but is most skilled in French, which he took in high school - he's not excellent at it and his French skills have died a little from lack of use, but France is helping with this!
5. Does he switch languages or dialects in certain situations?
Nope, never. His English is practically immaculate. (if it isn't at some point, it's most likely MY fault.)
6. Is he a good impromptu speaker, or does he have to think about his words?
He always thinks about his words, but not in a way that makes him dependant on planning them. If someone unexpectedly asked him for a speech he'd take the one minute until everything quieted down to briefly touch on what he'd like to say, and then improvise very well from it and probably make a pretty good speech.
In everyday conversation he might stop for a second before opening his mouth in a similar way, but will then leap at what he wants to say in a very specific and eloquent manner.
7. Is he eloquent or inarticulate? Under what circumstances might this change?
He's practically always eloquent. He very rarely falters in his speech as he knows exactly what he wants to say - if he's scared or worked up, he'll speak in shorter, quicker sentences, but he'll still be very articulate with his words. The few instances when he's stumbled over them have been very pressed.
Mental and Emotional
1. How intelligent is this character? Is he book-smart or street-smart?
Both. He's very intelligent all around and has learned several concentration and memory techniques, allowing him to pick up a LOT of information and keep it with him. He got a perfect score on both his SATs and Scout markmanship test. At the same time he's very big on intuition and feeling - and his incredibly attentive nature allows him to think on his feet and adapt to almost any situation he finds himself in.
2. Does he think on his feet, or does he need time to deliberate?
He prefers having a plan to go by, but in the end keeps calm under (most) pressure and will come up with quick solutions to any given problem or situation to the best of his ability. Which, honestly, is almost all the time - but when something traumatising happens that's too close to him, he'll completely blank and fail to do either of those things.
3. Describe the character's thought process. Is he more logical, or more intuitive? Idealistic or practical?
He depends a lot on his intuition but uses logic and deduction to further where his intuition takes him. He almost thinks on several planes at once and tries out many different approaches to the problem at hand before picking the most likely ones.
He's practical and straight-forward in his thinking, much like in everything else he does- He'll spot a problem, gather all the info available, and try to find a solution that way. He stays focused and is typically not prone to be sidetracked, though others might percieve his mental Wiki Walks as such.
4. What kind of education has the character had?
All the way up to college, followed by training at the FBI Academy.
5. What are his areas of expertise? What, if anything, is he interested in learning more about?
He's all in all very competent in his profession, even if his techniques might will seem very odd to outsiders. He's an excellent shot (ridiculously so - he shot better than a Special Agent when he was fourteen), he has an eye for detail and ... may or may not be a bit of a psychic and an omnipresent being. He's also very good at digging holes and throwing knives.
Cooper doesn't actually excel in anything other than his shooting skills, but he would very much like to learn more about Tibethan buddhism and Tibet in general. And more about nature in general ... he'd also like to try magic and learn more magic tricks (headcanon states he knows a select few) and possibly to learn how to bake more. He's rocking at bread. That's it. He hasn't had time.
More than anything, though, he'd like to learn about evil. He always wants to know more about evil.
6. Is he an introvert or an extrovert?
Most of all, an extrovert. He wants to love people and in many ways they are his biggest concern. He's interested in their problems, conflicts and behaviours, and that's part of his drive: to help and understand. There's a reason he's with the law enforcement, after all. The definition of an extrovert is a person who is energized by being around people, and that is definitely something that Coop is. And he's also got many traits associated with your typical extrovert stereotype - he's cheerful, outgoing, has a way with people, is quick to act, and likes to spend time with others.
And, like an extrovert, he "fades" when alone, although perhaps not as much as others due to an introspective personality, which gives him some introvertive traits. Like the fact that he'd rather listen than talk, that he thinks before he speaks as opposed to simultaneously (the way an extrovert does), inward focus ... and a LOT of thinking.
But most interestingly, some might view him as something of a contradiction : an extrovert loner. Despite having a rather easy time getting to know people, getting them to trust him, understanding them and most of all liking them and getting along with them, he has difficulty developing any real connection to most people he meets and keeps them at arm's length -- especially in Johto.
7. Describe the character's temperament. Is he even-tempered or does he have mood swings? Cheerful or melancholy? Laid-back or driven?
Temper, what temper? Cooper very rarely displays one, and keeps calm, collected and in control as much as he can, be it over a situation or his own emotions. When he feels frustrated or angry he does raise his voice and will express it, but he very very rarely flares up. He's much more likely to respond with coldness. So yeah, he's got a very even temper.
On the surface he appears mostly cheerful. He shows a lot of joy and excitement for little things in life and a less exuberant but more genuine happiness towards people he likes. But when you get down to it he's mostly serious - with a surprisingly negative outlook on life that acts as a drive in what he does (his job, his desire to get to as many bad guys as he can before everything is over), but holds him back regarding most other things.
(It's also my headcanon that he knows he's going to die in the near future, and deep down he doesn't have a lot of genuine drive for living overall, even if he's far from suicidal or hopeless about it - but he tries to make up for this by trying hard to live each day on its own, one at a time. It works, sometimes.) So yeah, there is a hidden melancholy to him, his fate, and, in fact, his entire canon.
8. How does he respond to new people or situations? Is he suspicious, relaxed, timid, enthusiastic?
That very much depends on the situation. He can easily be most of those (the exception is timid). He's quick to react accordingly to any situation; with enthusiasm if it's something he likes, and if that's the case, he's also likely to be very vocal about it. When with people he trusts and likes and without a pressing matter at hand, he IS likely to relax. And though not often too suspicious, it's part of his job to be, and if there is something that doesn't seem quite right, he's going to keep an eye on it.
He's very well-rounded in that sense - he never sticks on one mood and has a big VARIETY of reactions. He goes a lot on intuition and whatever that tells him, he'll go with, and it can be a lot of things.
And it's also very visible what mood he falls into. When he doesn't like the situation or the people involved, he turns cold and aloof, keeps answers short and steers clear of too much involvement. When he likes something, on the other hand, he's all gestures and praise, huge grin in place. When scared or pressed it shows in some of his usual eloquence and control dropping, thoughts being hard to follow... and so on. He's an open book, really.
9. Is he more likely to act, or to react?
Both, depending on which is the better option. He's mostly act but sometimes it's better to wait for the other party to go first and react accordingly.
10. Which is his default: fight or flight?
Fight, but knows when to flight. (HE IS A COP. HE IS MEASURED. HE'S BEEN TRAINED.)
11. Describe the character's sense of humor. Does he appreciate jokes? Puns? Gallows humor? Bathroom humor? Pranks?
He likes puns! And he does like a good joke, but he's not very good at them himself. His humour is very subdued to the nature of what it is he does and the things he's seen and experienced, and sometimes he doesn't get a joke, either. His kind of humour comes across in a sort of dry-but-gentle friendly teasing and banter when it's brought out.
12. Does the character have any diagnosable mental disorders? If yes, how does he deal with them?
Nothing diagnosable, no.
13. What moments in this character's life have defined him as a person?
Oh wow, where to begin. ... Most notably the death of his mother when he was fifteen. She died of a brain aneurysm which for everyone else looked like a natural but unfortunate occurence, but Coop's certain that there was something else at work that took her life.
His childhood friend drowned a year after that. Her name was Marie and lived next door. She was, incidentally, in love with him, and while he did like her the same way for some time he stopped feeling that way after she overdosed on drugs and changed forever - thing is, he blames himself for her death, since if he'd loved her back, he'd been there to prevent it. In the same irrational way he feels guilty over not being able to help his mother, because he'd dreamt something would happen to her, and he couldn't stop it.
Fastforwarding a few years to some years after he joined the FBI, there was a very draining case involving disappearances and murders. Long story short, Coop and his partner - Windom Earle - were to keep guard over his wife, Caroline Earle, who'd witnessed many crimes and had been missing for several months until they found her - all kinds of traumatised.
They kept her at a safe house. Windom chose not to stay there for a period of time and as such Cooper and Caroline were alone - it was at that point they had a brief affair, with Caroline admitting to having been in love with him since they met. The night of that confession they were both stabbed. Caroline died in Cooper's arms and he nearly bled out himself. It was eight hours until someone found them.
And, as it turns out ... Windom's the one who did it. He was locked up at, in the words of one of Cooper's colleagues, "the local laughing academy" but escaped just about a week after Cooper came to Twin Peaks. At the current canon point he's tormenting Cooper by killing people for him to find and sending him tapes and some of Caroline's items.
And Coop blames himself for not being on guard. For being in love with her. For driving his partner over the edge. (It was later found out that Windom's been messed up since before that and in fact commited the original crimes Caroline witnessed ... but that only makes Cooper feel like he should have prevented THAT.)
Soooo Coop's had a lot to deal with. And that's just the major ones. There's also the fact that he's had several personal interactions with the embodiment of evil (possibly) and has a psychic connection to the realm he comes from, which grants him with troubling visions and some precognition. Oh, and he also exists outside of time, but not yet, except it already happened. (It's a David Lynch canon, what can I say.)
BUT IF WE SUM IT UP AND LOOK AT IT - that explains his deep melancholy, because he's developed a rather big fear of loss. His life has been surrounded by it and that's the reason he keeps people at a distance and has trouble getting close to them, as he more-or-less expects them to disappear from his life one way or another.
He's got a history of depression behind him, and intense feelings of anger and hopelessness. He's not very good at dealing with this and as such has chosen to just push it away as far as he can. A lot of his issues remain unresolved because of this and the guilt he feels. Which is the reason it still affects him a lot - why it's too painful for him to try to deal with. Not to mention that hurt and loss has been piling up for years.
All in all, it's all left him very sensitive, though he tries not to be - which makes for an interesting stoicness that, in truth, is just a well worn facade. It also makes death and especially murder a touchy topic and one of the few things that tend to make him snappish and visibly worked up.
HOWEVER, it's also responsible for his genuine and excited joy for the little things in life, and his determination to enjoy them. Those are things that can't be taken from him the same way everything else has. His best efforts to live in the moment and with as much love as he can also falls into this.
14. What does he fear?
Loss. It's deeply ingrained in him. He also very much fears people he cares for getting hurt, especially by his actions or inactions.
He's also afraid of birds. Not phobically so, but a bird in close proximity - or a BIG bird, which has given him trouble with the pokémon-birds - makes him feel uneasy and edgy. (In part, this is because of an event when he was younger; a panicked bird got tangled in his hair and was moments later chopped up by a fan in front of his eyes, and in part it's to do with a suspicion that dream-birds are at least somewhat responsible for his mother's death.)
15. What are his hopes or aspirations?
To fight the evil in the world. He believes in fighting it as well and as often as you can - and in understanding it. He believes it exists as a separate, sentient entity, and he wants to understand it or confront it, and end it, if possible. He doesn't think it can be done, and is pretty sure evil is going to win in the end, but damn it, he's going to do his best.
16. What is something he doesn't want anyone to find out about him?
All his troubles. He doesn't like talking about them, and when people find out, they tend to want just that. He will talk about it if it's important or if he's asked (he has no secrets), but ultimately, no, he doesn't really want people to know.
I imagine he'd like to think it's his burden, a lot of the time, since he feels responsible for a lot of the things that are troubling him.
Relationships
1. Describe this character's relationship with his parents.
Very good. He was very close to his mother and took her death badly. It's likely he got his sensitivity for the supernatural from her, as she had the same kind of dreams he did. She was gentle, calm and understanding, and he remembers her with warmth and sadness.
Though Cooper doesn't get to spend much time with him lately due to being relocated to San Francisco and his father staying in Philadelphia, he remains close to his dad as he's the only family he's really got. He genuinely loves his father who is impulsive and a little quiet, but according to Cooper "always knows what to say". There is a lot of trust between them and though it's not always spoken, they both understand it. The first time Cooper killed a man, he called his father to talk about it.
Interesting to note is that in the original script for the climax of the show, Cooper's father was to make an appearance in a different realm/vision. In the scene he doesn't recognise his son, and Cooper keeps calling for him to help, but after a while gives up and just says, crestfallen, "father, I love you". Though it was cut I think it's still relevant, as the place shows you what scares you in order to test you ... and Coop deeply fears losing his father in any way.
2. Does the character have any siblings? What is/was their relationship like?
An older brother, Emmet, who moved to Canada to escape the draft when Cooper was fourteen. He never made it back to America and though Coop tried to find him at one point several years later, he couldn't find him. As such, they really don't have a relationship to speak of.
3. Are there other blood relatives to whom he is close? Are there ones he can't stand?
No.
4. Are there other, unrelated people whom he considers part of his family? What are his relationships with them?
No, not really.
5. Who is/was the character's best friend? How did they meet?
The closest thing he had to a "best friend" was probably his partnership with Windom Earle. He first met Windom at a work fair of sorts where they talked at length about what being FBI really is, and the meeting is what prompted him to finally pursue that career. Some time after he finished training he was assigned as Windom's partner and they had a great relationship until Windom went crazy and nearly killed him.
Sooo right now, nope, no best friends.
6. Does he have other close friends?
Two, really. There's Sheriff Harry S. Truman of Twin Peaks who he struck up a friendship with very quickly and really cares for, and FBI Agent Albert Rosenfield who he's known for several years and is the only one who really knows most of what he's been through. Though Albert is sarcastic and unfriendly and sometimes tests Cooper's patience the two really do care for each other.
Other notable people he feels affection for are the rest of the Twin Peaks Sheriff's Department (Lucy, Andy, Hawk), Audrey Horne, and his boss, Gordon Cole.
In Johto, the only four he's called friends are France, China, Rainbow Dash and Applejack. He's struck up plenty of relationships but remains reluctant to let people close to him and ... well, he is quite a loner at heart.
7. Does he make friends easily, or does he have trouble getting along with people?
He has a pretty easy time making friends since he's cheerful, personable, polite and considerate - moreover, people seem to be drawn to him. He can get along with almost anyone if he wants to. But if he doesn't he's likely to be cold and aloof which obviously makes it hard for others to "make friends" with him.
8. Which does he consider more important: family or friends?
Nothing is more important than the other to him. He doesn't have a lot of family left and doesn't have a lot of friends - what's important with the people he cares for is that they are, well, good people. And those can be found in friends and families alike.
9. Is the character single, married, divorced, widowed? Has he been married more than once?
Single. Never been married or engaged. In fact, likely to remain Forever Alone due to a tendency his girlfriends have for either dying or going crazy. :c
10. Is he currently in a romantic relationship with someone other than a spouse?
No spouse, and no romantic relationship. At the canon point he's taken from he'd started crushing pretty hard on this one girl, but I took him from a point where it hadn't really gone anywhere, and after all this time in Johto, well ... he hasn't forgotten her but he's not exactly harbouring feelings for her right now.
11. Who was his first crush? Who is his latest?
His first was the girl next door named Marie, his latest is a waitress at the Double R named Annie Blackburn.
12. What does he look for in a romantic partner?
He doesn't really look for anything (and is in fact a little unsure of his ability to maintain a relationship), but he hits off the most with people who have a strong identity and understand him and his views, who can act as both a complement and a contrast.
13. Does the character have children? Grandchildren? If yes, how does he relate to them? If no, does he want any?
No children. He does hope to settle down and raise a family someday, but is unsure of whether he’d be able to.
14. Does he have any rivals or enemies?
Well, technically, anyone who leads a life of crime could consider him an enemy. His main enemies right now are his former partner Windom Earle who I've already talked about and the evil killer spirit BOB, who is ... possibly the embodiment of evil.
15. What is the character's sexual orientation? Where does he fall on the Kinsey scale?
1. And I wouldn't put it past him to be a 2. Though he's pretty straight there's just no way I can picture him exclusively so. His accepting nature, open mind and well-established curiosity definitely speak for the possibility that he'd give another man a chance if the right circumstances arise. Not to mention there was that one time he went undercover in a gay bar and danced with several guys without discomfort. He seemed to be amused, actually, since he was quite popular with the men and mused on what he was doing there that didn't work with the ladies.
He's also mentioned the "need to explore and expand the boundaries of human sexuality", which should speak for itself. When he was younger he was just very ... SEXUAL, altogether. So yeah I have a hard time imagining sexuality matters much to him and he is the type to try anything once, and my headcanon states he's been involved with at least one guy, but he's still more naturally drawn to women than men, and those are the ones he normally looks for to find romance.
But really his whole love life/affection is sort of subtly messed up, so he's still unlikely to get involved with anyone at this point. (Annie is a special case because she reminds him of Caroline.)
16. How does he feel about sex? How important is it to him?
He's a fan of sex! He enjoys it a lot and is not at all awkward about it. He spent a lot of time thinking about and having sex when he was younger and casual sex isn't very taboo in his head, either. But at present time it's definitely not that important to him (and he hasn't hooked up with anybody for quite a while now, due to ... trauma and immersing self in work). He considers it an important and enjoyable part of a relationship but it's far from the most important aspect of it.
17. What are his turn-ons? Turn-offs? Weird bedroom habits?
Oh wow, I don't know. I haven't really thought about it. I doubt there's anything super particular in those first two, though, and I highly doubt any weird bedroom habits. He's a rather ordinary guy when it comes down to it so uh. If you'd really like an in-depth answer for whatever reason ... let me know, I guess? xD
Beliefs
1. Do you know your character's astrological (zodiac of choice) sign? How well does he fit type?
Cooper is an Aries/Taurus cusp which ... works, but doesn't fit TOO well. I can see a lot of these traits, but on the whole, he is a lot more sensitive than what is described. According to the Chinese Zodiac he's a Wood Horse, which ... probably fits him even less.
2. Is this character religious, spiritual, both, or neither? How important are these elements in his life?
This is probably the most spiritual television character I know. He didn't grow up in a very religious household and as such has found what fits him himself - there was a point in his life when he was trying to find the one religion he could draw comfort from and in the end (after a rather long time) found it in Tibethan Buddhism. He doesn't exactly practise or follow it and might not call himself a buddhist, but he draws strength and inspiration from the spirituality it has. There are some elements he fully believes, and some he doesn't, but he's still deeply invested in it.
And it's grown to be a pretty big part of his life. He meditates, he reads the books, he tries to look at life with love and compassion and though he's not really trying to achieve nirvana, he is trying to find Insight.
3. Does this character have a personal code of morals or ethics? If so, how did that begin? What would it take to compromise it?
It's not exactly personal or unique - he works with the law enforcement, so it's pretty much the same as the law. So far nothing has really compromised it, either, and I can't really see what would.
4. How does he regard beliefs that differ from his? Is he tolerant, intolerant, curious, indifferent?
This is a guy who's very interested in learning about the way others look at things and how their particular faith or view come into play. He's intrigued, curious and interested and likes to discuss and learn about different perspectives. So it's safe to say that he's tolerant. Unless this belief is something he finds morally wrong or destructive, in which case he'll probably keep a distance - and an eye on the person in question.
5. What prejudices does he hold? Are they irrational or does he have a good reason for them?
He really isn't prejudiced.
Daily Life
1. What is the character's financial situation? Is he rich, poor, comfortable, in debt?
He's comfortable enough. FBI pay doesn't exactly make you rich but he rarely spends money on things other than food, drink and rent.
2. What is his social status? Has this changed over time, and if so, how has the change affected him?
Well, as an FBI agent, he's considered authority and is generally met with respect. He can boss people around now. And sure, this is a pretty big change from an ordinary (if somewhat weird) kid from a working family that was picked on occasionally, but it hasn't really changed him.
3. Where does he live? House, apartment, trailer? Is his home his castle or just a place to crash? What condition is it in? Does he share it with others?
A "fine apartment with a view of the Golden Gate", but he's not there very often since he's so prone to immerse himself in work, and half the time he's needed in different cities - and sometimes different states. As such it's mostly a place for him to stop, breathe, and think for a bit, so he's not too attached to it - doesn't really think of it as a real home. Despite this he likes his apartment and likes spending time there when he can, so it's in good condition.
4. Besides the basic necessities, what does he spend his money on?
Coffee, baked goods, and on occasion suits or other clothing. Tapes for his tape recorder. That's about it - he’s not a really big spender. But he often eats out, so money goes into that.
5. What does he do for a living? Is he good at it? Does he enjoy it, or would he rather be doing something else?
He's an FBI agent and he's very good at his job, even if he doesn't really enjoy it. He has to deal with and witness a lot of things that he could do without - especially now, once again having transferred to the Violent Crimes task force - but there's the satisfaction in getting the perpetrators, and for the lack of a better phrase, "fighting evil", that he stays for.
(If he hadn't been an agent he might've been a magician. Way back then, he actually tried to join the circus, but they found him overqualified.)
6. What are his interests or hobbies? How does he spend his free time?
Free time? He rarely has it. And when he can't escape it, he tries to occupy himself. (Very difficult in Johto, which leads him to feel restless and incredibly aimless.) He wants to keep doing things, so if there's nothing else to do he'll play mind games, try to learn new things, find something to read. He's not good at doing nothing and he'll try anything to get out of that, really.
As for interests, he's interested in Tibet, dreams, good vs evil, people, and, in Johto, the abilities of the pokémon and the boundaries/culture/limits of the world.
7. What are his eating habits? Does he skip meals, eat out, drink alcohol, avoid certain foods?
He eats out a lot, partly because of habit, partly because he's not too good at cooking, and he loves food too much to settle for what he can produce. He tries to be healthy and tries to eat three balanced meals a day, doesn't drink too much alcohol, and so on. But he's an avid coffee drinker and has a sweet tooth the size of Texas, with a particular fondness for donuts and pie, but he's not above getting candy to snack on. The dentists typically don't give him very good news and he's not a fan of going to see them, but man, he can't stay away from the sugary goodness.
Part of this comes from the caffeine high and sugar kicks he gets - he's generally not too well rested after sleep, so he eats a lot to stay on top of the game.
Associations
Which of the following do you associate with the character, or which is his favorite:
1. Color? Black
2. Smell? Scorched engine oil
3. Time of day? Noon
4. Season? Fall
5. Book? Any on Sherlock Holmes, or on Tibet
6. Music? Dance of the Dream Man from the Twin Peaks soundtrack, but I also dubbed Fields of Fire his theme song. There are others, but those are the main two /o/
7. Place? Office/hotels
8. Substance? Coffee
9. Plant? Douglas firs
10. Animal? Owls
END
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