An absence of narcotics

You seek out the Tiger Keeper's gaze. Usually when you meet, it is in a cloud of hookah smoke, and his affect languid and careless. But today his lambent eyes are alert. Whatever is about to happen, it has his full and undivided attention. He blinks at you once, slowly, in acknowledgement.

Of Stripes, and Coils Tigers, beast-tamer, and Tiger Keeper. Not your usual picnic.