Kealey took in the things that Lee was saying, particularly noting all the drawings and fabrics her sister seemed to have around. Apparently Lee wasn’t quite as in on the industry as Kealey had first thought, that was no matter, though. The woman was being helpful in any way she could. At least until the men started talking about things that really had no business airing out in the middle of a bar.

Kealey didn’t need her abilities to see that Lee was slightly less than pleased with the turn the conversation had taken, especially when the other woman’s eyes slipped shut and she agreed with Kealey’s statement with a pained look on her face. Tarin seemed to take the whole thing in stride, though, and Kealey simply nodded her head at his comments on the matter, even if she was a little curious exactly when it was that Jacen had first met Lee.

Tarin’s next question, however, made Kealey’s eyes widen, but she smiled broadly. This was actually something she was interested in hearing. She and Jacen had never really spoken about the first time that they’d met and as he spoke, Kealey continued to smile at the memory, until Jacen finished telling the first part. She really had been forward…hadn’t she?

”Oh, if you’re going to tell it that way, you’d better at least explain a little.” Kealey said, grinning despite the slight chagrin in her voice, ”I’m really not that rude. You see…for the first time in fourteen years, I couldn’t feel the emotions of everyone in the coffee shop. I narrowed the source of the phenomenon down to Jacen and simply had to know what it was that was causing that. I was off balance and a little demanding, he was more than justified in his initial reaction.”

On Jacen went to say that his reasoning for bringing her along was to make the situation less awkward and Kealey tilted her head for a second, brows drawing together as she tried to figure out how she felt about that. He added on that it was also a good excuse to spend time with her and the blonde smiled, shaking her head slowly, mollified by the comment. Kealey picked up her beer and took another drink, it really did get easier the more of it a person drank, she realized. This was something Kealey could get used to, then again, by virtue of her Irish blood she was almost obligated to be able to drink beer.

”So…do you two come here often?” Kealey said, looking at Tarin and Lee, ”The people at the door knew you by name, and the bartender seemed friendly as well.”

Lee's eyes shot open as Tarin started speaking. They shot open because the words coming out, the tone he was using, were definitely not what she was expecting. Needless to say, Lee was surprised as she sat there listening to a very vague explanation of how they had met.

As Tarin continued, Lee was sure that she would have stumbled had she been walking. Possibly even fallen. Had she heard right? Had Tarin just said that he couldn't blame Jacen for having hit on her, especially if it had been dark when they'd first met?

Her face was one of pure incredulousness as she stared across the table at her husband, though as the seconds, a smile started spreading across her face. Yes, she was surprised by how he reacted, but Lee was at the same time very happy that he was taking it so well, that he wasn't acting incredibly jealous.

Ok, good. Maybe the night wasn't going to be ruined because of that apology, Lee thought as she listened to Jacen explaining how he and Kealey had met.

And, while Jacen's explanation hinted at the fact that Kealey might be a mutant as well with how he said she had demanded to know what he was doing, a moment later Kealey expanded on that.

"I know exactly what you mean by feeling off balance," Lee replied to Kealey almost before she knew that the words were out of her mouth. Oh well, if the Irish woman was a mutant too, there really wasn't any point in hiding it. "It's great not having your powers there, but at the same time just feels strange because you've had them for so long. Right?"

Kealey would understand that, Lee thought, she'd understand better than Tarin would ever be able to. It was just something that, try though she might to explain it, Tarin just wouldn't be able to understand because he hadn't felt it.

And then the question did they come there often. Lee had to smile at that a bit, it was kind of strange, especially in a big city rather than a small town, that the bouncers and bartender would know people at a bar as well as they knew her and Tarin.

"Yeah, I guess you could definitely call us regulars here," Lee replied. "Coming out for dinner and a few drinks is quite a bit nicer than just sitting at home every night."

Lee was surprised, Tarin could see it on her face. Good, it was the least she deserved for not telling him that the man they were currently having a drink with had hit on her. The least she deserved, but the most she was going to get. The happy look on her face and the relaxation of her stature was more than enough. Tarin wondered if he’d really been that bad in the past, if she really needed to be as worried as she was. It was slightly unsettling, but Lee had nothing else to worry about through the night.

Jacen handled Tarin’s question about he and his date well in stride and Tarin had to smile at the smooth way in which the other man acknowledged his date’s presence while admitting that the situation was far less awkward than it would have been had he come alone.

Far more interesting, though, was the story about how the two had met. Jacen was pretty vague with his version, but Kealey chimed in and filled in the blanks. Tarin nodded slowly, the woman was a mutant. Her power sounded intriguing too, feeling the emotions of everyone in a room? Tarin’s eyebrows rose at the thought, and he took a slow drink of his beer. It had taken him ages to deal with his own emotions towards Lee…he couldn’t imagine what it would be like to feel everyone’s.

The women were talking again, this time comparing what it was like to have their powers suddenly shut off and Tarin took another drink of his beer. At least they weren’t talking about girl stuff. It was strange, though, Tarin really didn’t get it. He looked at Jacen and shrugged his shoulders.

“My powers aren’t that active…and even if there were spirits around here I just wouldn’t be able to see them. It was worse when I was younger, but anymore I can tune them out when I want. So you don’t have to worry about me mooning over your abilities.” Tarin looked at Kealey, then at Lee, then laughed and shook his head.

“It’s a chick magnet, though, isn’t it?” he said, chuckling, “Well…a mutant chick magnet.” Tarin looked at Kealey again and shook his head, “Emotions, huh?”

A chick magnet? Jacen had never really thought about his ability in that perspective but basically Tarin was right. First he had met Lori at the tennis tournament followed by Kealey at the coffee shop and then Lee while out on a jog. With his physique and mannerisms Jacen had never really had difficulty picking up women in the past but since his ability had shown up he had deffinately attracted women that were much more interesting than the type he had gone out with before.

"Of course... if they all knew that I wasn't a mutant most of them probably would have headed for the hills." The police officer thought as he lifted his beer to take another swig, "It's still amazing that Kealey decided to stick around."

"Maybe just 'mutant magnet' is a better term." Jacen said wryly as he remembered some of the others that had dropped into his lap or into his truck depending on the situation. There had been that first day with three butts plastered on his windshield, there'd been the skittish woman that fell into the bed of his truck, and even that woman that tried to kill him in the park. "Anyone with an active power gets a little edgy when I'm around."

Falling silent, Jacen focused on listening and sipping at his beer while Kealey explained about her abilities. There had been enough talk about his own so it was now her turn to be under the microscope.

Kealey was still halfway listening to the conversation going on around her, when Lee seemed to jump in and echo her exact feelings after meeting Jacen for the first time. She nodded vigorously at the brunette, ”That’s exactly what it’s like. It’s unbelievable to not worry about getting my feelings mixed up with everyone else’s but at the same time…” she said, casting a quick look in Jacen’s direction, ”Sometimes I wish I could turn them back on…if only for a minute.”

Lee’s husband seemed interested in her powers, and when he looked at her and mentioned her powers, she nodded her head. ”Yup, emotions. Everyone’s. “ Kealey smiled at Jacen then looked at Lee and Tarin, ”I’m getting better and better at it, but for the longest time I didn’t know up from down.”

Lee pointed out that they could definitely be considered regulars at the bar they were sitting in and Kealey nodded her head. It would be nice to be that recognizable in a place like this. There would be no waiting in line or anything like that.

”What about you two? Kealey said, turning to look at Lee, ”I assume you do something active since we seem to be on the same page there, and did I hear your husband right? Is that the kind of medium shop that you run? Real spirits?”

Jacen pointed out that anyone with an active power, something felt or used constantly, got rather uncomfortable, or at least on edge, around him, and Lee couldn't help but agree that that likely was true. Not siphoning was nice, something she had wanted since she had discovered what she did when she was 15 years old, but despite that ten year desire, suddenly not siphoning did put her on edge, if only subconsciously.

And, despite the fact that they had grown up in different countries, on different continents, and had only just met each other, they were connecting so easily and completely, relating to how each other's powers felt when they were around Jacen, it was rather surprising.

But then Kealey asked about them, about what they did. Tarin had already explained, at least vaguely, what his powers were with the spirits, but other than the fact that both she and the Irish woman knew exactly what the other felt when their powers shut off, Lee hadn't said anything about hers.

"Yeah, Tarin can actually see, and communicate, with spirits," Lee confirmed with a slight nod. "And I," she continued slowly, her eyes dropping down to look at the half empty bottle in her hand. "I siphon energy from people."

Just a mutant magnet, huh? Tarin mused as Jacen pointed out that it wasn’t just females who were drawn to his powers. It made sense when he thought about it, though. It had to have been an absolute shock to her system to suddenly stop drawing energy from someone. Tarin wondered what it would be like to be around a bunch of spirits then suddenly just…stop knowing that they were there. Another thought occurred to Tarin, a darker thought and one that he wasn’t going to voice out loud, but a thought just the same. What would happen if Jacen was around during a merge? It was something he’d have to save to ask later…maybe after a few more drinks.

Kealey was a curious female, Tarin decided, all smiles and happiness. She said that not too long ago she hadn’t really known up from down, but at the moment she seemed a completely confident and capable young woman. As she explained a little more about her powers, Tarin again thought that it would be a difficult condition to be in. “Well. I’m glad it’s you with that ability and not me. I’m horrible at dealing with my own emotions most of the time, let alone anyone else’s.”

The blond woman asked about his and Lee’s powers and Tairn nodded at Lee’s explanation of his. “Yeah, it’s nothing incredibly exciting or exotic.” He added, shrugging his shoulders, “It’s made me a little more morbid than most people, though, so if I say something that seems out of control…I apologize in advance. Getting to know them up close and personal kind of puts a damper on sentimental or romantic notions about the dead.”

Lee explained about her own powers and Tarin couldn’t help the way his eyebrows drew together when she dropped her eyes away from everyone at the table and stared at her beer. Tarin took a drink of his, finishing it off and set it down. “Lee also has the ability to tame and housebreak men who come to her in possession of absolutely no manners.” He said with a bright grin at her as he reached over and squeezed her hand. “I’m a prime example.”

Taking a sip of beer, Jacen remained silent while the others chatted. If Kealey wished she could turn her powers back on for just a minute then maybe she could grasp that he would give anything to be able to shut off this ability of his and exert some sort of control or influence over it. He had been attacked multiple times because he had an ability that was different from the typical mutation. If humans found out they would hate him for what he was but at the same time most mutants despised him because he could render them powerless. He was human but yet he was something other than human. He was a chance in the evolutionary pattern that in one move through the whole world upside down. And more amazing than that was the fact that the man who attacked Kealey had said that he met someone with the same ability as Jacen. Were there really more people out there with his ability? Were there really more people that could cancel out mutations?

Even without Kealey ability, Jacen could see the emotions continually changing around the table. The blond was exited to be talking to other mutants that knew people in the industry she was so interested in. Lee was happy to have someone to talk to with similar interests but she was embarassed or worried because of her own abilities. Tarin was relatively laid back, relaxed in the situation but obviously very aware of Lee's discomfort. He was out to make her feel better and even Jacen had to smile at the other man's attempts. It was obvious Tarin loved Lee and that was something you found so rarely in this city. Real love.

"How long have you two been together and how long have you been married?" Jacen spoke up, momentarily changing the subject to hopefully let everyone relax a little more, "Lee said she wasn't used to be married yet but anyone can see you're happy together which I would guess means you've been seeing each other for what... a couple of years?"

It was strange as Kealey watched Tarin and Lee interact, her experience with married couples was similar to her experience with most other things. Limited. It was strange how these two picked up on silent cues from one another, seeming to anticipate reactions before they happened and adjusting their words and behaviors to bring about the most desirable response. Lee had been floored when Jacen brought up that he’d hit on her, but the smile she’d lavished on her husband after he’d reacted could have only meant she was pleased.

The emotions behind these actions were things that Kealey was honestly somewhat curious about. It was very rare to find people who were really in love, especially in New York City. Couples would unite on the street and feel nothing but comfortable pleasure, or comfortable irritation. Kealey had a feeling that things ran much deeper with Tarin and Lee. Especially when Lee’s smile faded as she explained about her powers, and Tarin stepped in to save the figurative day.

”I know how you feel.” Kealey pointed out. It was strange how sometimes she didn’t even need her powers to tell what the people around her were feeling, ”I subconsciously trespass on people’s emotions. Within fifteen minutes of meeting someone, I usually know more about them than they know about themselves. More people than you would believe are uncomfortable with that, I can’t blame them.” Empathy didn’t usually do much for Kealey, and people pitying her usually only ruffled her feathers . Hopefully her words wouldn’t have the same effect on Lee.

Jacen spoke, asking more questions about the two of them and Kealey listened intently. Having been around nuns most of her life, finding out about married life was something she had an interest in. Her parents had been the happiest of people most of the time, but money had caused them minor problems here and there. She wondered if it was like that for Tarin and Lee, being business owners and all. It felt strange and slightly awkward to not be contributing anything to the conversation while having so many thoughts on what was being said, but Kealey just smiled and nodded, ready to hear what was going to be said. She lifted her beer and took another drink and was surprised to find it empty when she’d finished. Wow, she’d drank the whole thing? Apparently beer was an acquired taste, and one that could be acquired quickly. Interestingly enough, she wanted another too. So she waited for a lull in the conversation, then spoke.

”I think I might go get another drink…” she pointed out with a smile, ”Does anyone else need anything?

Suddenly, Lee felt Tarin's hand gripping hers as he was talking, explaining about how she had managed to 'tame' him, and she jumped slightly. Almost immediately though, Lee raised her eyes to Tarin, giving him a slightly apologetic look.

"I didn't mean to," she said softly, trying to explain it. This jump was nothing like how she had used to jump at his touch the previous fall, after all. "It's just weird not feeling you..."

But then she squeezed Tarin's hand back in return, giving him a smile. "I have done a pretty good job doing that so far, haven't I?"

Apparently it was time for more questions, and as Jacen was speaking, Lee's eyes moved over to him as she took a sip of beer. "We got married at Christmas," Lee said, then turned her eyes back to Tarin; he had always been much better at keeping track of their anniversary than she was. "How long have we been together now?" Lee asked Tarin. "Two years now?"

A moment later, Kealey said that she was going to go grab another drink and asked if anyone wanted her to grab them something. Glancing around the table at the drinks, Lee turned to look at Kealey. "Here, I'll come with you," she said, finishing off the last of her beer and standing up.

Lee jumped when he touched her and Tarin almost had to hide the frown on his face. It didn’t show, though, and he smiled at her. When Lee explained that it was still strange to not feel him, it was Tarin’s turn to be a little shocked. He’d forgotten about the effect Jacen’s abilities had on people, especially Lee. Instead of pulling his hand back, Tarin nodded and smiled saying, “It’s fine.” Softly. He kept his hand where it was on top of Lee’s but ran it slowly up to her forearm and back down, “Can’t feel a thing?” he said, finishing off the beer in his other hand.

Lee seemed to be pulling out of her momentary funk and Tarin grinned and nodded his head, looking at the other two people seated at the table, “She can nearly take me out in public without worrying that I’m going to pee on something I decide is my territory.” He said, nodding sagely.

Kealey’s words were strangely unsettling to Tarin. It was odd to think that someone could know your subconscious desires simply by being in the room with you. The young woman seemed as sweet as they came, but if there was someone like her out there….was there someone out there who could do the same thing, but didn’t have the same restraint? Tarin realized how rude his thoughts were and frowned down at his empty beer bottle. He’d leave the power talk to the girls for now.

Jacen wanted to know more about them, the relationship stuff, and Tarin was also content to let Lee handle those particular pieces of information. Tarin nodded his head at the fact they’d got married at Christmas. It made him think of Vegas, of their wedding night, and his mouth went dry. Lee asked him if it had been two years since they’d first gotten together and Tarin simply nodded, mute and with a stupid little smile on his face. “Yup…something like that.” He needed another beer.
Tarin was just getting ready to get up to get it, when Kealey beat him to it. Tarin was reaching for his wallet, when Lee hopped up and commented that she’d go to. That left him alone at the table with Jacen, who knew how long it would last too. With Lee approaching the bar with another pretty girl beside her, God only knew how long Matt would keep them occupied.

Tarin turned to Jacen, “She’s so worried about how people feel about her powers.” He said, hoping the other man didn’t find this conversation odd. “It’s incredible how vulnerable she is about that sort of thing. Her parents really messed her up when she was a kid.”

Tarin leaned back and picked up his bottle to take a drink, realizing it was empty and setting it back down, he looked after Lee and smiled slightly, “Yeah…she’s vulnerable about that…but I’ve seen her take out twenty or more armed men in the space of probably thirty seconds without batting an eyelash.” Tarin shook his head, “I’ll never understand women.”

"I'll take another beer if you don't mind Kealey." Jacen replied with a grin before lifting his bottle and draining down the last of the cold liquid. With a slightly amused expression on his face he watched as the two very different yet very beautiful women headed over to the bar.

Turning around to face Tarin, Jacen gave the other man his undivided attention as they began to talk more. "If more of us were as concerned with our ability as Lee is with her maybe people wouldn't fear us so much." Jacen observed, doing his best to forget and ignore the fact that he himself wasn't a mutant. Tarin's next statement took him by surprise and he caught himself raising an eyebrow in curiosity. Glancing over his shoulder, Jacen focused on the slim and petite woman in her black dress before turning back around to look at Tarin.

"I never would have thought about Lee being much of a fighter." Jacen admitted with a slight grin, "Of course my ability threw her for a loop so I didn't really see that side of her."

Glancing down at his empty beer bottle Jacen wished that he had more to drink. That revelation from Tarin deffinately deserved a drink but for now he was empty. "Uh... if you don't mind my asking. How did Lee even get in a situation where she had to fight twenty or more men?" Jacen suddenly asked, turning his head to face the other man. Outside of professional fighting or military action, Jacen couldn't really think of any reason for that sort of fight to take place. Were Lee & Tarin involved in something more than just a small Medium's shop? Surely they wouldn't be doing anything drug related but what then?

For no other reason than the unexplained, Jacen suddenly found himself on alert. He turned his head ever so slightly so that he could watch Lee & Kealey out of the corner of his eye while still watching Tarin. Unless the other man had a very good explanation for his previous statement there was going to be a lot of suspicion surrounding the rest of their conversation.

Two years. It seemed so short, and so long a time all at once that Kealey had to think about it while she tried to puzzle out exactly how she felt. It seemed possible that two people could meet, fall in love, and get married in that amount of time. Again, Kealey didn’t really know how things like that worked in New York, and she didn’t want to seem ignorant enough to have to ask. So she accepted it with a smile, and by saying, ”Well, belated congratulations.”

It seemed as though she wasn’t the only one ready for a refill and Jacen asked if she’d mind grabbing him a beer and Kealey nodded her head. She wouldn’t mind at all, and she grinned as she slid from her seat, setting her heels firmly on the floor before starting to make her way towards the bar. Lee said she’d go along, so Kealey waited by the table until the other woman was ready, then straightened her dress and started the walk to the bar. The only problem was, the bar ended up being more than 8 ft away from the table they’d chosen to sit at.

Kealey actually stumbled a little bit at the veritable tsunami of emotion that hit her when she stepped outside Jacen’s field, but managed to stay on her feet. Luckily, the establishment wasn’t all that busy, and most of the people around were mellow or happy with what they were doing. Lee, on the other hand was something of a bundle of different emotions. More evident than anything else was contentment and enjoyment. Kealey assumed that this meant the other woman was having fun. She was also worried though…no…Kealey decided that worried wasn’t the right word. Off balance was better. The blond had a feeling from the conversation and the feelings that she knew what that was from, ”You get used to being around him.” Kealey said as they came up to the bar to wait for the bartender. Kealey realized it must sound like the comment had come out of the blue, ”We’re outside his field…” the blond said, cheeks coloring slightly. ”I couldn’t help but feel…is that what’s got you off balance?”

The two women chatted for a few more minutes, and Kealey couldn’t help but feel a sense of increased irritation as the bartender finally made his way towards them. Kealey was relieved, to be honest, even if everyone in the bar was feeling pretty good, all those emotions were still getting overwhelming.

The bartender was frustrated, with what, Kealey didn’t know, but he smiled as he approached them, feelings warming as he spoke to Lee.

”Ah, so you had to get away from him and come back to me.” he said, then leaned on the bar in front of Lee and winked at Kealey before speaking, ”When are you going to tell him that you’re actually in love with me so we can run off together?”

They bantered for a few moments, then the bartender turned his gaze to Kealey. He was a handsome man, even If Kealey found herself deciding she preferred Jacen’s slightly more rugged looks to the bartenders more…metropolitan. ”When you going to introduce me to your friend?”

Normally when men talked to her like that, Kealey was instantly put off by the feelings they exuded. This man was slightly different, though. There was attraction there, but it wasn’t overwhelming, more than that there was playfulness and good will. The frustration was still there, underneath everything, but now he was playing. Kealey smiled, ”I’m Kealey, and we’re all out of beer at our table. Would it be possible to get another round?”

"Well, I can feel it," Lee said, frowning slightly as she tried to figure out how to explain it. What she normally felt, and didn't now because of Jacen, was something that other people didn't know what it felt like. At least with Kealey's powers, it was more understandable to others, everyone felt emotions, she just felt everyone's.

"But normally," Lee continued slowly. "I can feel when someone's about to touch me. In that split second before the contact, I can feel it, the energy level jumps because of how close you are.

"That's why I started tensing even before you'd touch me after I got out..." Lee finished, lifting her eyes to look at Tarin again having realized that they had dropped to the table as she had spoken.

And boy was that a downer topic. Beer was needed, most definitely, after that.

Hopping off her chair, Lee walked with Kealey up to the bar. Only to see Kealey stumble slightly as they were walking at around the same time Lee felt a wave of energy starting to flow into her. But before she was able to even reach out to help steady the other woman, Kealey had regained her balance and they were continuing on.

And, out of the blue as they came up to the bar, Kealey commented that you got used to being around him. Glancing over, Lee was confused at first, but quickly understood what Kealey was talking about as she continued.

Lee simply nodded when Kealey asked if being around Jacen was what had her so unbalanced. "It's weird," Lee admitted. "For something I've wanted for so long, I just feel strange not siphoning."

And, though the little chat she was having with Kealey was nice, Lee was glad when Matt finally approached their end of the bar. Placing an elbow on the bar, Lee leaned over toward Matt slightly.

"Not for quite while yet," Lee replied. "You've got to learn not to leave me waiting so long before I'll leave Tarin."

Matt went on, asking whether she was going to introduce Kealey to him, but the other woman beat her to it. And then went on to ask about another round of beer.

"Not only do you refuse to come to your senses, but now you're parading gorgeous foreign women in front of me who have boyfriends too?"

"Maybe you should get out of here sometimes," Lee suggested. "So how about those beers? I'm rather thirsty, and if we take too long, the guys'll come over, wondering what's taking us so long."

Tarin’s eyebrow rose slowly as Jacen pointed out that if more mutants were as cautious with their powers as Lee was, maybe there wouldn’t be so many problems and Tarin shook his head. Keeping his eyes on Lee so he wouldn’t give the wrong impression with his words, Tarin spoke, “You wouldn’t say that if you knew why she acts the way she does.” He paused a moment, then shrugged, why not tell a little more if it would get the point across, “She wouldn’t touch anyone for six months after we got her out of the camps.” Lee had brought it up before and now that Tarin was thinking about it, it was hard to get the memories out of his head. This boded well for continued conversation.

Jacen pointed out that he would never have pegged Lee for much of a fighter and Tarin had to chuckle, albeit a bit darkly, “You’re lucky you didn’t see that side of her.” Tarin explained, smile spreading more widely, “She doesn’t just take the energy. When she’s got extra it makes her stronger, and faster.” Tarin was proud, he realized as he explained about Lee, “She’s amazing.”

Jacen was uncomfortable. Tarin’s revelation about his five foot three inch wife had made the SWAT officer uncomfortable. Tarin shook his head and smiled, “Hey, don’t worry. Nothing illegal, I promise. She was actually saving my ass. We went on this humanitarian trip down to Colombia to rebuild a school that some drug overlords had destroyed. The town had some problems with a few restless spirits as well, so mine and Lee’s talents were singularly suited to the task.”

Tarin paused a moment to let all that sink in, then finished the story. Well, as much of the story as he was going to get. Tarin was not going to fill this guy in on the inner workings of the Kabal, no matter how All American he seemed.

“One of the overlords heard about our efforts and sent a bunch of thugs out to show the people who was boss. They were going to make an example of me and Lee stepped in and saved the day.”

Tarin wasn’t ashamed to admit that his wife had saved him. In fact, he was almost as proud admitting that as he had been talking about Lee’s powers. “We’re lucky.” He said, then leaned to the side and scowled at Matt over Lee’s shoulder. He winked and gave a thumbs up then went back to talking to Kealey. “They’ve got thirty seconds to come back from the bar, or I’m going after them. Otherwise we’re going to end up here talking to each other all night while Matt keeps their attention by holding our beers hostage.”