tareknaz

[tareknaz]

Tarek backs up a little as Asa comes to a bit, not wanting to crowd him or stress him out further. He glances at his watch, a slight shrug, "Only a few minutes, I think. Less than five, I'd say." It all happened so fast, he barely had time to catch his bearings. He lets out a breath, eyes flicking over the other appraisingly, "Are you alright? Is that... does that happen often?" It seemed scary, Tarek was a little scared. Even now, his heart is beating a little bit too quickly for his liking. He pats Asa's shoulder in a way he hopes is comforting, "I hope I... didn't make it worse, at the very least."

The coming out of it is tough. A lot of slow into rapid blinking as Asa's body finally stops tensing up like a coiled spring. His shoulders slacken, his jaw unclenches. Whatever intense daydream he'd had fades away from his memory - as it always does. Whatever things he sees or hears in that state dissipate before he can grasp them. Maybe some little moment lingers, but...

Asa finally is able to take in his surroundings. A bit of brain fog lingers as he looks to the man who kept an eye on him. "Sh...shit..." He wipes at his face slowly with his sleeve. "How long...?" Words are difficult for a moment. He's trying to ask how long he was out. It always feels like he's come out of a nap or something, but in reality it had been maybe 3 or 4 minutes, at most.

[tareknaz]

Tarek tries not to be judgmental. He is well-aware that he has a lot of quirks and many issues that he needs to address more fully that he will not. So when Sevyn asks if he's seen a vape, he tries not to make a face or grimace at the thought of a cotton candy cloud puffing in his face. He's not sure he succeeds, but he shakes his head at her, "Uhhh, I don't think so." He pauses, "Is it... is it, like a unique color?" Another pause as he considers just how helpful he's willing to be, he's maybe run out of Random Acts of Kindness for the week, "You may be better off with cigs. You seen that Big Vape doc on Netflix? It's illuminating." He knows cigarettes, too, are bad, but he indulges every now and then, so it's acceptably bad. Tarek shrugs, "Maybe it's a sign to stop vaping. Who's to say." Not him.

status: closed! ( @tareknaz )

shit. where's her vape? sevyn pats down the pockets of her jacket once, twice, three times just to be sure she hasn't somehow missed the rectangular box of lung disease, bleached brows furrowing together in irritation. she had it two seconds ago. she remembers, because she'd marched into the building behind her like a woman on a mission, insulted a guy she recognised as some misogynistic freak she'd dated for a week, took a hit of the vape, blown the cloud of strawberry-scented vapor into his face & marched back out.

where the fuck was it?

" jesus christ— " groaning, sevyn rests her head against the brick wall & rolls her eyes, turning her pocket inside out. various objects fall on to the ground beneath her: an i.d, an untouched box of cigarettes, loose change & a pack of gum, none of which she's looking for. " motherfucker! "

expletives escape her lips as she reaches for her i.d, then turns back up after catching sight of someone else's clean shoes approaching her. a blink, then she speaks again, brows furrowed. " you seen a vape? "

[tareknaz]

TAREK - MIRANDA

details about ocs!

send an emoji/description of emoji to learn more about a writer's oc! many of these are taken from my munday asks meme, because i thought it would be fun to make a version for characters too! the prompts are categorized by emoji type and given descriptions in case anyone can't see the symbols. can be used for roleplayers and any general writers alike! for roleplayers, these can also be used for your interpretations of canon characters if you so desire as well!

𝐎𝐁𝐉𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐒. 💭 THOUGHT BALLOON — what is your oc's MBTI, enneagram, and/or other personality aspects (if known/interested in)? 🚗 CAR — does your oc have a driver's license? can they drive/operate any automobiles/machinery besides cars? ✈️ AIRPLANE — does your oc like traveling, or do they consider themselves a more homey person? 🎮 VIDEO GAME CONTROLLER — what are three of your oc's favorite hobbies? 💍 RING — does your oc have any piercings? do they want any (more) piercings? 🖊️ BALLPOINT PEN — does your oc have any tattoos? do they want any (more) tattoos? 📚 BOOKS — what level of education has your oc most recently completed/is currently in (GED, undergraduate, grad school, phd, etc)? 🎻 VIOLIN — does your oc play any instruments? what is their skill level (beginner/intermediate/advanced/virtuoso/etc)? 🩹 ADHESIVE BANDAGE — does your oc have any physical and/or mental disabilities? 🩸 DROP OF BLOOD — what is your oc's blood type?

𝐒𝐘𝐌𝐁𝐎𝐋𝐒. 🎶 MUSICAL NOTES — what type of music does your oc like? do they listen to music very often? 💯 HUNDRED POINTS SYMBOL — share three random facts about your oc that others may not know. 💤 SLEEPING SIGN — is your oc a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? how are their sleeping habits? 🔱 TRIDENT EMBLEM — can your oc swim? do they enjoy swimming? 🔺 RED TRIANGLE POINTED UP — does your oc know how to use any weapons? 🔶 LARGE ORANGE DIAMOND — does your oc know cpr? do they have any other medical expertise? 🚫 PROHIBITED — does your oc drink/smoke? do they do it regularly, or is it more on occasion or for special events?

𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄. 🌈 RAINBOW — what is your oc's sexual orientation/gender identity? what pronouns do they use? 🎄 CHRISTMAS TREE — what is your oc's favorite holiday? 🐶 DOG FACE — does your oc have any pets? 🐈 CAT — does your oc prefer a wide circle of friends or a few close friends? 🐷 PIG FACE — what is your oc's favorite animal? 🐉 DRAGON — what is your oc's favorite mythical creature? 🍃 LEAVES FLUTTERING IN WIND — what is/was your oc's favorite subject in school? 🌴 PALM TREE — does your oc have a green thumb? do they enjoy gardening? 🍎 RED APPLE — where was your oc born? do they still live in/around their place of birth or do they live somewhere else? how do they feel about their birthplace?

𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒. ❤️ RED HEART — what are three of your oc's positive traits? 🤍 WHITE HEART — what are three of your oc's neutral/questionable traits? 💔 BROKEN HEART — what are three of your oc's negative traits? 💘 HEART WITH ARROW — what and/or who do(es) your oc consider the most important to them? 🧡 ORANGE HEART — does your oc tend to prioritize family or friends? 💛 YELLOW HEART — how many languages does your oc speak? what language(s) are they learning, if any? 💚 GREEN HEART — does your oc prefer being inside or outside? 💙 BLUE HEART — does your oc have any cool/special powers and/or abilities? how are they with magic, if it exists in their world? 💜 PURPLE HEART — what is your oc's ancestry/genetic background? 🖤 BLACK HEART — has your oc killed or seriously wounded anyone before? have they broken someone's heart and/or broken someone's trust?

𝐅𝐎𝐎𝐃𝐒. 🎂 BIRTHDAY CAKE — when is your oc's birthday? how old are they? what are their sun, moon, & rising signs (if known)? what about their tarot card, ruling planet, & ruling number (if known)? do they fit the typical traits of these sun, moon, & rising signs? 🍝 SPAGHETTI — what is/are your oc's favorite food(s)? 🍰 SHORTCAKE — what is/are your oc's favorite sweet(s)/dessert(s)? 🍦 SOFT ICE CREAM — what is/are your oc's favorite ice cream flavor(s)? 🍔 HAMBURGER — is your oc good at cooking? are they good at baking? which one do they prefer? 🥯 BAGEL — what does your oc's typical breakfast look like? do they usually eat breakfast? 🥪 SANDWICH — what does your oc's typical lunch look like? do they usually eat lunch? 🍛 CURRY AND RICE — what does your oc's typical dinner look like? do they usually eat dinner? 🍸 COCKTAIL GLASS — what is your oc's favorite alcoholic drink, if they can drink? ☕️ HOT BEVERAGE — does your oc prefer coffee, tea, hot chocolate, milk, water, or some other drink? how do they like to take this drink (ex. coffee with milk, hot chocolate with whipped cream, a specific kind of tea, etc)?

𝐏𝐄𝐎𝐏𝐋𝐄. 😊 SMILING FACE WITH SMILING EYES — what are your oc's career/general life desires? what do they want to get the most out of life? 😖 CONFOUNDED FACE — is your oc an introvert, an extrovert, or an ambivert? do they let people in easily, or are they more reserved? 🤔 THINKING FACE — what are some of your oc's quirks/mannerisms? 🧐 FACE WITH MONOCLE — is your oc more logical or emotional? 🤓 SMILING FACE WITH GLASSES — is your oc chatty or quiet? are they at ease in social situations, or are they more shy? 🤩 FACE WITH STARRY EYES — is your oc a planner, or are they more spontaneous in their actions? 😥 SAD BUT RELIEVED FACE — is your oc prone to getting stressed out, or is it easy for them to keep their cool? 😓 DOWNCAST FACE WITH SWEAT — is your oc open-minded or stubborn? are they inquisitive or do they prefer to keep to their bubble of knowledge? 😞 DISAPPOINTED FACE — does your oc attract others, or do they tend to be left alone? 🤒 FACE WITH THERMOMETER — does your oc get sick easily? 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 FAMILY WITH MOTHER, FATHER, SON AND DAUGHTER — how many people are in your oc's immediate family? how many people are in your oc's extended family? do they have aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, etc? who in their family are they closest with? are they close with their birth family, or do they have a found family?

[tareknaz]

"There's not a surprise party waiting inside, is there?" Tarek joked as he opened the door to the restaurant, a small smile on his lips. He glanced down at her, "I think it's really nice — if there isn't a party inside." He let her lead the way, still keeping their arms linked together. He'll insist to himself later that it was just for warmth and not for any other reason.

"You really didn't have to do anything, Cemre," Tarek told her, "I don't need some birthday thing." She knew that, of course. And he knew that she wouldn't let the day pass by without something. It was something he really loved about her, even if he wouldn't say so out loud.

Who: @tareknaz When: His Birthday Where: Horus Cafe

Cemre wanted to do something big for Tarek's birthday, but she also knew he liked things simple, and would always respect his wishes. It was hard for her, considering how she could be around those she cared about.

That is why she spent hours, lots of scribbled paper, on what they could do. There was a lot to do in New York, that anything was possible, starting off with lunch seemed like an easy start.

Her arm coiled around his, habit and to steal a little body heat from him in the cold weather.

"What do you think?" A little comfort food for both of them.

[tareknaz]

"Hey, hey, you don't have to talk it's okay. Tell me in a minute." Or minutes as Asa had specified. Tarek keeps still, keeping a firm grip on him as he moves seemingly without control. He glares at a passerby that ogles for a moment, not willing to let anyone judge what's going on. He's a big believer in 'mind your own business,' unless, of course, it's himself and it's for an article.

Tarek doesn't say anything else, just letting whatever's happening take its course. He trains his gaze on Asa, wishing he knew exactly how to help him. He's also a big believer of not getting involved in other people's issues a large majority of the time, but whatever is going on doesn't seem like trouble, seems more like Asa might be in trouble. And Tarek wouldn't forgive himself if something serious had happened and he didn't step in.

"I'll be out of it, just-" Asa's slumping a bit, trying to hold onto himself. Not in public... shit. So far these moments had only been in the privacy of his flat. Embarrassing. Frustrating. The second the man goes to help, Asa grips onto his arm. It keeps him from falling over. But he's blinking severely, eyes going in and out of focus.

"It's... fine, I just..." He wants to explain - it's not an emergency, it's happened before. "Will be done... inn... minutes-" His teeth keep gritting, jaw tightening. It seems like he's losing control until finally he's leaned back slightly, shoulder into the stranger's. Head dropping down. To the untrained eye, it might be scary. He looks like he's just gone unconscious. In reality, inside his mind, it's like daydreaming. His fingers have unclenched from the man's arm. Hand falls into his lap before fingers clench into his thigh again. Then unclench. It's something that repeats, off and on, while his eyes look off at nothing, his body tightened like a coiled spring.

In only a few minutes, it's over. But it feels like hours. Asa's eyes blink slow, wet from tears, and his body seems to slacken, nearly falling right over before he feels the other body near him.

[tareknaz]

Tarek raises his eyebrows, popping his head into the kitchen, "You want me to go full costume? I can't even wear sweatpants in my own home?!" His voice takes on a faux offended tone and he shakes his head, laughing, "You'd have to come up with some sort of costume too, I'm not going to be in this alone." He comes and leans against the kitchen counter, "Or I could suggest another musical. Like Hairspray?"

Where: His Place Who: @tareknaz

She had shown up at his place with some snacks ready to watch a couple movies and head out to get some dinner later. It was that weird limbo between Christmas and New Years and figuring out what to do. She might try to convince him to go ice skating after dinner.

"If we put on Grease, does that mean you'll dress up in what I missed on Halloween?" Cemre calls out from the kitchen, popcorn popping.

[tareknaz]

As soon as he locks eyes with Asa, he can tell something is wrong. Tarek isn't necessarily an especially empathetic person and he's not very good with human emotion in general, but he knows how to care. And the second he sees the look in the other's eyes, a wave of concern washes over her. He leans forward and takes hold of Asa's arm, his large frame coming in handy at times like this. Tarek sits, keeping a hold on Asa, keeping him upright, "I..." He wets his lips with his tongue, his mouth feels dry, "What can I do to help?" He tries to stay calm, knowing any overreaction won't help the situation, "I got you... I'm right here." He says, unsure if his words will help in any way, but saying them anyway.

( @tareknaz )

Asa should know that not sleeping, and not eating properly, and overall not taking care of himself is not going to help his current situation. But he's not really been focusing on self-preservation lately. He's just been trying to figure out if he's coming or going - if he's going to have an unfortunate run-in with a knife, or if he's just being left out in the cold on purpose.

But the seizures come nonetheless. And today, as he sits on a bench in a little plaza near some of the art museums, he feels the onslaught of sudden shakiness. Sees dots of color like confetti in his vision. Shit. No, no. Not now. His head drifts back and his fingers clench, unclench. He's trying to hold on even though he knows it's impossible. And as some last ditch effort, he sees someone walking by and meets his eyes. Asa looks panicked. "Can... you, um." He has to talk quickly. "I'm about to... h...have a seizure... can you make s-sure I don't... fall..." He's going in and out. It's clear by his eyes. Vacant and starey as his body begins to slump into the bench.

[tareknaz]

Tarek looked to Cemre, a small smile on his face, "It was good. Well, you know, as far as musicals go, it's a pretty good one. Thank you for bringing me. Well, forcing me, but I liked it." Translation: He liked spending time with Cemre. He let a chuckle slip from his lips then — it was impossible not to have a good time with her, "But I do definitely need a drink. A few drinks." He didn't want the night to end either, especially because they were having such a fun day together. And of course he didn't have any other plans. He had, like, 3.5 friends and would have cleared his whole schedule to spend time with her. He glanced at the crowd, "Do we want to give it a second or go now?"

Who: @tareknaz Where: Eugene O'Neill Theatre

Dinner had gone well, everyone seemed to love Tarek, intrigued by his work and some offering to have a sit down with him. Cemre couldn't keep the smile off her face the entire dinner, but she was more excited when it was over and they were able to head to the play. Her boss managed to get her box seats that it was only the two of them. She often found herself glancing from the stage to him to watch his facial expressions. He didn't have to come with her, but he always went along with her ideas, appeasing her, and she appreciated it. Over the last couple years he had become her constant, her rock, and she hated to admit it, maybe a new home.

When the play came to an end, remained in their seats, letting the crowd disperse. Her body turns to face him.

"What did you think?" She was curious if he liked it. "I know I owe you a drink, or five. If you don't have anywhere else to go, we could go back to my place." Cemre wasn't ready for the night to end.

[tareknaz]

"Her manager or PR woman or whatever." Tarek shrugs, "Somebody at the Times wanted to interview her and she said fuck no. Anyway," He snorts, "generational wealth seems like the way to go." Tarek would know, "Way better than a sequined jumpsuit."

He clicks his tongue, "There's always next year, Starke. Make sure you save some extra hair gel." He lifts his eyebrows, "You've never seen it? Damn, then I guess we have to have a leather and red heels movie night or something. Play a musical themed drinking game?" He teases. He hates musicals for the most part, admittedly. His knowledge of them is all thanks to his sisters. "What was more your speed then? Footloose? I could see you as a Kevin Bacon guy."

"What the fuck," he spits, "is a tree pain?"

A pause, as though truly considering it. "Yeah, yeah — he's gay, but he's not that gay. He's gay as in Christian guilt and generational wealth, not as in pop divas and high heels." Thank fuck.

"I'd probably be the other guy from Grease." They all look the same. "I've never actually seen Grease, but I just assume it's a lot of good hair and leather jackets." Beat, as he remembers the whiskey in hand. "And red heels? Fuck, maybe I should watch it."

[tareknaz]

Tarek snorts, "Mmm, well, can't be on my future mother-in-law's shit list already." He then confirms, "I'll call her tomorrow. I'll be gentle." Gentleness is not what he's necessarily known for, but he's somehow convinced Ava's family he's a good enough candidate for son-in-law, so he's clearly been doing something right. Or, at least, his last name is doing something right. He grins as Ava continues, "Now, that's a deal I can make." He doesn't argue about his mother— she's probably right, she's always liked his sisters better than him, "I'll say it's work-related. That's always a good enough excuse. And if that doesn't work? We offer to move up the wedding." Tarek half-teases, an amused smirk on his lips.

"Yeah, you need to tell everyone," she replies, with a nod that makes her sound even more matter-of-factly. "Two business days?" she repeats after him, spinning on her heels and tilting her head to give him a look. "My mother would get on a plane and be knocking on our door if we take that long." Pause. "Be a man, call them and say 'absolutely the fuck not', it's like-- ripping a band aid off." She waves a hand in the air as if to dismiss his worries.

"Tell you what, you talk to her and I'll talk to your mother. She likes me more than you, anyway." She's joking but -- is she?

[tareknaz]

He shakes her hand and gives her a nod, "Please, call me Tarek." He's serious, sure, but he doesn't like the super professional stuff, he had far too much of that growing up. He's pretty sure his own father would have Tarek call him 'Mr. Nazir' if it was appropriate.

Tarek nods again and leans against his desk, "Yeah, of course. I can give you a bunch of recommendations, show you some spots later this week even — if you have the time." He tells her with a slight shrug of his shoulders, "You'll get the hang of this place in no time, trust me. I'm just sorry it's not nearly as beautiful as Istanbul is." He chuckles quietly. "I'm glad to finally have you here. I hope the office is to your liking."

"Mr. Nazir." At least the last name was easy to pronounce, similar to ones they had back home. "Is a pleasure to meet you." Her hand extends to shake his, letting it wrap back around her laptop after she pulls back. "I am good." Cemre keeps her words simple, not wanting to stumble on them already.

A bright smile etches into her features when he asks about the city. "It is big, very big." This morning she took an uber to work that way she wouldn't get lost. "I want to...." The word was on the tip of her tongue, scrunching her nose for a second, then the word hit her. "Explore more. It be easier to have a guide." It was something she was looking into, wanting to see all it.

[tareknaz]

Tarek stops his walk down the hall, peeking his head into the room before coming to stand behind her, letting out a sigh, "I have been... avoiding my mother's calls." He chuckles at her face and nods, clicking his tongue, "Do I need to tell my parents and yours to go fuck themselves in a polite way? Because I can. I just need two to three business days to come up with a good enough excuse not to go to DC." He teases, setting a hand on her shoulder. He's glad that they can agree on this sort of thing, stand as a united front to their parents.

context: pre event with: @tareknaz

Ava's checking her hair in the mirror when she hears the approaching footsteps. "Come in here for a sec," there's no need to terms of endearment when it's just the two of them. "Did you call your parents? My mom keeps insisting that we go to DC for the holidays and--" Ava looks back at him with a face that speaks volumes. "--you know how I feel about that. Can you tell them to go fuck themselves?" Pause. "Probably in other words?"

[tareknaz]

Tarek looked up as she came in, setting down his pen and getting up from his desk, "Cemre, hi. It's nice to finally meet you in person." He rounded his desk and stuck his hand out to shake, "You truly could have waited a few more days to come in." He had needed a new assistant badly, but he didn't want to put her out. Especially when she had moved her so recently.

He gave her a small, polite smile, leaning against the front of his desk, "How are you getting used to the city? It's only insane sometimes, I promise." He didn't want to scare her away on the first day by detailing just how insane the city could be.

Where: Her Boss' Office Who: @tareknaz

It was her official first day on the job after arriving in the city the night before. Cemre knew he offered her a couple days to get accumulated, but she was eager to start.

With her laptop hugged to her chest, she knocks on his door, waiting for him to tell her to come in before she opens the door.

A smile brightens her features. "Mornin'," She had to take a second to think about it. "I am...ready." Her accent thicker than normal. Dread already consumed her, worried that he would not be happy with her still learning English and fire her. She didn't want to disappoint her family, considering the lengths her father went to help get her here.

[tareknaz]

Name: Tarek Seth Nazir  Age / D.O.B.: 35 / January 12, 1988  Gender, Pronouns & Sexuality: cis man, he/him, heterosexual  Height: 6’5”  Hometown: Washington, D.C.   Affiliation: government   Job position: diplomat   Education: political science degree from Columbia   Relationship status: engaged to @avamhollis  Children: none  Positive traits: organized, resourceful, shrewd, ambitious, confident  Negative traits: dishonest, impulsive, brusque, cynical, pushy

What if... he had followed the path his parents had planned for him?

Tarek followed his parents' wishes and never went into journalism, instead pursuing a career in international diplomacy. He is currently employed at the Consulate of Egypt in New York and is looking to one day follow his father's footsteps and become the U.S. ambassador to Egypt. Additionally, he is engaged to Ava, all in an effort to please their families and make those beautiful political connections. He's still just as ambitious and just as serious, but now with political power!

[tareknaz]

Tarek snorted, joking, "I have to wear a full jacket and black jeans to movie night? Damn. That's rough." Though, he's sure Cemre would be able to talk him into it like pretty much everything else. He's used to it by now even if what it means is something he's been trying to ignore for as long as he's known her.

"Can't help it! Genetics made me a giant compared to you." He laughs quietly, taking another sip of his drink as he listens to what she has to say. Tarek nods, "Okay, but how nice? Like business casual? Or suit and tie situation?" He can pull off either, he at least has that going for him, "What do I have to wear to impress the big boss?" He asks with a playful wink. Or to impress Cemre, but he won't say that part out loud.

Her eyes narrow at him, playfully, when he gives his explanation on how he magically became Danny Zuko. Her head nods with her lips pursing together. His description of what he wore and how the costume came about, would have looked rather hot on him. She sucked in a breath of air when she realised what she was thinking, not able to stop the rose tinge of her cheeks, Cemre looked away for a brief second. "You are forgiven this once, Tarek." A cheesy grin etches on her features. "And you will wear what you did that night." It was for her benefit -- clearly. "I have to see how well you lived up to Zuko." She added, it was for scientific purposes.

"I barely come to your shoulder when I am not in heels." She didn't wear them too often, when they would meet for their drinks or when it was necessary. Cemre nods her head. "Evet." The Turk wasn't really thinking about a story, she liked having him around and if she was going to be bored, he could be bored with her. It was out of pure selfishness, that was what she was telling herself. Her teeth sink down when he mentions that it sounds like a great Friday night. A small flutter churns in the pit of her stomach. "It does mean you'll have to dress nice."

[tareknaz]

"You're out of luck, the only song I know from Grease is the Rizzo one," His sister played her years ago in a high school production and practiced the song to no end. He'll never forget a single word, "and I do think I'd have to be nearly blacked out to give you a performance." It takes a lot to push him to that point, clearly, but if anyone could help his get there it was probably Silas.

"How many drinks have you weaseled out of people so far?" Tarek asks with a chuckle and a well-meaning grin. He and Silas may be very different, but he respects his game, sometimes wishes he could be more like that, "I've only spoken to about four people so far. You're the fifth. Am I wooing you yet?" Tarek teases as he takes a small sip of his whiskey.

"If we were supposed to be playing a game of hide and seek, you've done a shit job on your end," he jokes with that same friendly smile. There's another look up and down Tarek's tall frame, a little more critical this time. "Danny Zuko, huh?" Eventually, he nods his approval, as if it was ever asked for to begin with. "Does that mean I get to hear ya bust out You're The One That I Want if I buy you enough drinks?" A man can dream.

"The usual, yeah. Been running 'round trying to socialize, see how many people I can get to buy me a drink." He won't brag but he's been quite successful. "What about your night, mate? You been wooing any ladies Travolta style?"

[tareknaz]

"I mean, I have the height to at least intimidate, don't know how much actual fighting I could pull off." Tarek teases, laughing softly as Val tries the whiskey, "Not for the faint of heart, Val." He takes a sip of Val's and gives a wince of his own, shaking his head, "No, way too much sugar. You're a stronger person than me." He pushes the sex on the beach back toward Val and picks up his whiskey, "I also came on a full stomach, so hopefully no hangover." He pauses, assessing his friend, "Speaking of, have you been drinking enough water to balance out all that liquor? ... and sugar."

"No, no. Though I love the thought of someone fightin' for my honor." They tease. Val takes a sip and winces a bit - only because whiskey and ice is definitely heavier than the fruity cocktail they'd been drinking. "Y'won't get a stomachache, jesus. It's cranberry juice, orange juice, vodka, peach schnapps, an' triple sec. You'll like it." Val leans into their arms against the table. "Though if all you've been drinkin' is this terrible whiskey, you'll get a stomachache regardless. Get a sex on the beach, like me."