[ he wants to point out that if he really were high all the time, then she wouldn't actually know the difference between it and what he's like when he's sober, but her more serious question distracts him enough from sassing out any lasting teases. ]

Well, what if I told you I don't really like cigarettes?

[ he raises a brow at her, knowing that in any other scenario, for anyone who wasn't aware of the way his world works, that the idea would probably be ridiculous. but with the context, it's simply more pieces of a large puzzle sort of coming together. ]

The nicotine addiction's all Ryker's. Pretty much sensed it the moment I woke up in this sleeve — lungs have a different tightness to them and the craving's on the tongue. Taste buds, appetites — all of that changes with whatever sleeve you're wearing. It's why I don't do synth sleeves much. Customizable, sure, but pretty much everything you put in your mouth just tastes like saw dust.