the wanderer.

[omarixwatkins]

meet OMARI WATKINS

OMARI WATKINS, the 34 year old BARTENDER AT ON THE ROCKS, who is best known around town for BEING THE GUY WHO STEPPED IN AT THE RIGHT MOMENT AND TALKED DOWN A NEAR BAR FIGHIT WITHOUT ANYONE REALIZING HOW CLOSE IT GOT. apparently they’ve been living in SOUTHPONT for A FEW WEEKS (MARCH 2026), and according to word on the street they are NEUTRAL.. i’ve heard that they are quite OBSERVANT & NONCOMMITTAL, and if their life had a theme song it would be PINK + WHITE by FRANK OCEAN.

THE DETAILS

BIRTHDAY: october 18, 1991 LOCATION: sedona, arizona in southpoint (alone) LOCAL STATUS: arrived in sedona (not planning to stay) in march 2026 OCCUPATION: bartender at on the rocks VEHICLE: 2016 bmw series 328i, black EDUCATION: high school (class of 2010) & college drop out at university of florida (spring 2014 before he was supposed to graduate)

IMPORTANT RELATIONS

PARTNER/SPOUSE: none CHILDREN: none NOTABLE RELATIONS: younger brother to jasari watkins, older bother to aunika watkins-ellington

PET(S)

none

COMMUNITY

FREQUENTED LOCATIONS: on the rocks, desert diamond casino, off the record, pulse fitness center, sedona springs, sullivan's grocery LIKES: craft cocktails, food trucks, throwback playlists, working out, warm weather, places with a crowd, meeting new people, low pressure environments DISLIKES: overly complicated menus, cooking for himself, overly trendy music, rigid schedules, being inside too long, overplanning, confrontation, clingy behavior, wet socks

TLDR;

born in naples, florida on october 18, 1991. is the second child in the watkins family. younger brother to jasari watkins and older brother to aunika watkins-ellington.

always known for the type of presence that he had. made friends easily growing up. wasn't necessarily a class clown but not a star student either. was always involved in sports from a young age.

while jasari had a lot of pressure on her shoulders from expectations, he rarely let it bother him the same way. he understood them, but he found a way to move around them whenever he could.

between jasari and aunika, he was the mediator in family arguments. he didn't necessarily resolve them but could definitely redirect an argument.

after high school, omari didn't have a clear path but he followed jasari to university of florida, just in case something might spark his interest. and a few things did. he bounced around in a few different majors because he thought that is what he was supposed to do. he ended up dropping out of college the spring he was supposed to graduate.

that's how he got into bartending. it rewarded his natural strengths and charm. at first, it was only a job to pay the bills and one that he liked at that. but over time, he found that the bar scene suited him well.

relationships followed a similar pattern for him. he didn't lack attention and he didn't struggle to connect with people, but he didn't tend to commit all that well. omari was always someone who liked things to be easy and uncomplicated.

he had one relationship that had been easy and uncomplicated for him, at least until it wasn't. it wasn't a huge unravel of the relationship when it ended, though, just two people disconnecting over a long enough time that it was no longer easy to ignore.

omari came to sedona in march of 2026 when he was supposed to only be helping jasari move here. but what was a weekend, turned into a week, turned into him getting a job and now he's been in sedona since. even going as far to get a lease on an apartment (month to month, of course, because commitment)

HEADCANONS:

while omari liked to lead a path for himself, when he did give college a whirl, he followed jasari to the university of florida in attempts to follow her path but not really 

omari dropped out of college right when he should have graduated

he started out as a business major in college because it was practical and expected of him (what a mistake that was)

when omari switched to a kinesiology major, he thought that it would be the right fit that time around, but it wasn’t 

he is the type of person to always have music playing (mostly on a low volume)

a bad texter. he will text back, eventually

omari is definitely the type of person that will show up unannounced 

he is someone that knows when something matters but he won’t always act on that knowledge 

omari will always show up for his family, no questions asked 

as a bartender, he knows the regulars more by their order rather than their actual name 

since he has been bartending for so long now, he can make a great drink without measuring anything 

swears he can leave the bar scene at any time, he just hasn’t 

not the type of person to start a deep conversation but if they happen naturally, he’s less likely to avoid them 

omari will always give his attention easily but rarely gives commitment 

google doc || pinterest || musings || mirror image || development

[nevermindcrs]

"first time for everything." before california, his time on a beach had been quite limited. he preferred city skylines and high rises, neither of which he'd find in sedona. "i think i'd prefer taking my changes on the beach, but here i am." at least there were hundreds of other people doing the same, so the odds were stacked in his favor. "that makes two of us." ozan chuckled softly and nodded. he wanted to put himself out there too, but he'd pulled back just a bit out of the fear that he'd bump into the one familiar face he didn't want to see. "what's been your favorite part of it so far? of the festival... and sedona."

[omarixwatkins]

Omari smiled into his own coffee, giving a head nod of approval. "Our odds on the beach have to be a whole let better, right?" The man chuckled softly. "At least the scariest thing there is someone forgetting to put the cooler under the umbrella or something." He joked once more. Sand and bonfires seemed to be a lot more simple than the set up that he had going here. Omari's gaze shifted, looking out. "It is beautiful and a different kind of quiet at night." Where Miami never seemed to sleep. It still felt a little unsettling to him. "My favorite part..." his voice trailed off as he turned his attention back to the man, "honestly, the people." He knew it was a cheesy answer, but it was true.

[vcrbis]

Her  halt  was  delayed ,  assuming  the  familiar  voice  she  heard  was  meant  for  another.  But  his  attention  was  on  her ,  making  it  hard  not  to  mistake  who  his  words  were  for.  Iyana  turned  to  face  him  fully ,  realizing  then  who  he  was.  She  has  seen  pictures  of  him  at  Jasiri's  place  and  heard  her  speak  to  him  on  the  phone.  She  was  going  to  answer  his  question ,  but  she  saw  him  shake  his  head.  She  shifted  her  weight  from  one  leg  to  the  other ,  waiting  to  hear  what  he  had  to  ask.  The  corners  of  her  lips  curved  upward  when  she  heard  what  he  had  been  informed ,  knowing  that  it  had  to  come  from  Jasiri.

Iyana  let  herself  hesitate  for  a  moment  in  case  he  changed  the  question.  ❝   If  you  have  the  money  for  it ,   ❞  she  started ,  giving  her  answer  more  thought.  As  easy  as  it  is  for  her  to  encourage  it ,  this  is  her  friend's  brother.  ❝   and  it  won't  leave  you  scrambling  to  pay  your  bills  or  affect  your  savings ,  you'll  be  on  the  right  track  to  making  a  responsible  decision.   ❞  The  dedication  in  her  answer  also  highlighted  how  she  had  played  with  the  idea  of  getting  a  tattoo.  ❝   As  long  as  it  doesn't  affect  anything  career-wise ,  and  you  pick  a  placement  you  know  you  won't  regret  down  the  line ,  it  wouldn't  be  an  irresponsible  decision.  Unless  the  tattoo  specifically  needs  to  have  a  meaning  or  look  a  certain  way ,  then  the  decision  could  be  delayed.  It's not exactly  a  no.   ❞

[omarixwatkins]

By the time that she finished answering, Omari found himself staring at her a second longer than he had intended to. And then he laughed, but it wasn't at her. The answer had come with an impressive level of seriousness, more so than he had expected. "You know," he said, reaching up to rub at the back of his neck as he spoke, "I was fully expecting a yeah, go for it, kind of answer." He chuckled softer this time. "But instead I got a full risk assessment and honestly, respect." His eyes drifted toward the tattoo sheet again before returning to her. "The financial hurdle is cleared," he began ticking off the points on his fingers, "I pay my bills, got a savings, my boss might think it's funny," he paused for a beat. "I think I'm in the clear."

[respairs]

⸺JASIRI WATKINS.

Jasiri sat a little taller on the bar stool, shoulders up and chest high. “Of course,” even if she’s wrong, the stance doesn’t falter. “Hey, it’s you we’re talking about, Mr. Casanova– I never know what to expect.” Growing up, Omari was the popular one, with the energy that brought substantial interest along with it. The cliches her brother whipped out made her laugh. “You’ve been reading my romance novels,” she teased. One of those instances should be how he meets someone that gets him to settle down, and she would never let him live it down.  

“It’s my job,” she grinned. As far as big sisters go, Jasiri would like to think that she’s done a pretty solid job all around. “He’s not coming though,” she answered, feeling the need to clarify since he did ask. “Comic con is still just an us thing, I promise.” Jasiri typically plans before she acts, so she can understand her brother’s hesitation with regards to Levi. “Believe me I know how things may look, but I know what I’m doing.” Jasiri has already panicked over this move enough for the both of them, and then some. It felt right, but didn’t align with the rest of strategically plotted life. “You don’t need to worry,” she adds.

[omarixwatkins]

"Mr. Casanova?" He pressed a hand dramatically against his chest. "I cross Florida's state line and my reputation follows me?" His grin gave away any attempt at sounded offended by his sister's words. "I've been a model citizen since moving here, I'll have you know." He paused, for a beat. "But don't you dare tell anyone I've been reading those." His finger wagged in her direction, teasing her once more.

"I know." The words came easier than he expected this time. That was the thing about his older sister. She had a plan, even when no one else could see it yet. Omari, however, had always been content figuring it out as he went. "If you're happy," he shrugged this time, "that's enough for me. Just remember you've got me."

END.

[nevermindcrs]

𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐬 ( @omarixwatkins ) — 𝐬𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 !

"have you ever camped in the desert before?" ozan peeked over the rim of his coffee toward the other, their table quickly filling up with others looking to be seated in time for the show to begin. "someone told me about these things once and i haven't stopped thinking about them," he added, shoulders rolling slowly, movements slowed by the lack of sleep he'd gotten. between the uncomfortable choice of air mattress and the stories he couldn't push out of his head about skinwalkers and how they'd clal your name, sleep hadn't been much of an option. "anyway. is this your first pride festival in sedona?"

[omarixwatkins]

"I haven't, actually. Camped in the desert, I mean." Omari let out a laugh before taking a sip of the coffee in front of him. His camping experience had been pretty much nonexistent living in Florida. "I guess the closest experience I've got to camping is falling asleep at the beach after a bonfire. But I don't think that really counts." His smile lingered as he lifted his coffee again. "But, yeah, first pride. First time in Sedona, actually." He said with a laugh escaping him. "I think I've accidentally been saying yes to everything but what better way to experience it all."

[nextchaptcrs]

Kamaria hadn't really been out in the town since her wedding day because she knew her name would be all over everyone's topics of conversation. She'd just leave her apartment for work and that was already bad enough when she had classes with the older kids. They knew better not to say anything, but the staring was brutal. She even thought about skipping the festival, but had plenty of people to convince her of the contrary. So, there she was, enjoying her mocktail and occasionally having to resort to the smile-and-nod technique whenever someone stopped her in her tracks to tell her what a douchebag her ex-fiance was or how she was such a beautiful bride that day or, even worse, to ask her how she's been holding up.

When she turned her attention to the near voice she'd heard, her expression conveyed some kind of dread for what was inevitably coming again, surely some other invasive question about what happened months ago. She did note that the man was a complete stranger, but those were the ones that wanted the juiciest details, she'd realized. Upon hearing what he actually had to say, the relief she felt was almost palpable. A smile immediately graced her lips. "Wow, how much time do you have? Because I've been to this festival ever since I can remember and I always leave feeling like I missed something and then swearing to so it next year." She laughed at the end, actually excited to be talking about something else for the first time that day. "This is your first one, right? If you're feeling really bold, I'd say there's nothing better than getting a tattoo! You know, so you can always remember it."

[omarixwatkins]

Omari couldn't help the smile that appeared on his lips. He could tell that what he had asked hadn't exactly been the question she was expecting to fall from his lips. It was subtle, but it was enough for Omari. "I'm sure my mom will love hearing that I got a tattoo at a festival because a stranger suggested it." He teased, the corners of his lips pulling upward with the teasing words he spoke. "Have you got one to remember the event by?" His curiosity was genuine as he looked to her. "I'm Omari, by the way," he held out his drink free hand to introduce himself to her. "You've got a great campaign platform with the tattoo idea. I'm pretty much halfway sold on it already."

[kirazturan]

The brunette peered towards him and flashed him a smile. It had to be hard to come to work and be treated as an un-licensed shrink and then deal with other personalities who weren't always favorable after a night of drinking. "I don't think that you should be expected to fix any kind of problems and I guess I didn't think that you would." She wanted him to know that he shouldn't feel bad for her returning back to the same state she'd arrived in. One that was sad and slightly worn down. Not from any other doing than her own. "People have a lot of shit that goes on and you're just here trying to serve drinks. I wish I was a little more peppy to make your night better but I don't know that I have the energy for that."

[omarixwatkins]

Omar held up a hand, "Don't put that on yourself." There wasn't an ounce of pity in his expression, only wanting to reassure the woman sitting at the bar. "You don't owe me an entertaining conversation simply because I poured you a drink." That had never been the expectation for him. "Us bartenders are here for the good nights and the bad nights." His shoulders lifted into a shrug as he spoke. "We celebrate with people but we also see them through breakups, bad news and trying to figure out what comes next." His smile softened as he looked at her.

[silvcrshadows]

Levi’s brows pull together, studying Omari like he could accurately assess his expression without fail. The indifference shown? Excepted though.  “— The job’s going well here so far, right?” The entire Watkins family were smart as whips, Jasiri’s younger brother already paving his own away after this recent move couldn’t be less of a shock to the system either. “In a way, yeah, I am saying you’re lucking out.” A passing beat. “You’re already in a much better position than I was..” His tone anything except pointed. “If that makes you feel any better?” He bet it might've.

[omarixwatkins]

"So far, yeah," he nodded his head. The job had surprised him, after all. And not because bartending was something that he was unfamiliar with, but because Sedona itself was different. He tipped his head to the side as he weighed what Levi said. "I won't fight you on that." He knew that it helped that his sister was here. That he had been given an inevitable landing pad with her being around, even if he hadn't planned on sticking around longer than moving her and making sure she was settled. Funny how life had other plans for him, but he was going with the flow, trying to see where it would take him this time.

END.

[omarixwatkins]

OMARI WATKINS' PRIDE LOOK!

[omarixwatkins]

starter for @vcrbis

location: sedona pride festival

Omari was easily influenced by a good sales pitch, especially at a festival. Though, it seemed that the flash tattoo both volunteers knew that too. Omari had casually been walking through the fairgrounds and now he stood in front of a display, seriously wondering if he needed another tattoo. The answer? Probably not. And he had told that to the tattoo artist, who promptly responded with That's exactly what someone who needs another tattoo would say.

And how could Omari fault her for that. She was right.

Omari's gaze had landed on someone as they walked by and he spoke before they passed by. "Help me settle an argument." He gestured to the flash tattoo display. "Do I look like someone who should get a tattoo at a Pride event?" He shook his head immediately, "No, wait scratch that question. That's loaded." Omari loosely crossed his arms over his chest. "What I meant to ask is whether or not I'm making a responsible decision? And before you ask, yes, I have been informed that asking random strangers for advice is a terrible system to live by."

[omarixwatkins]

starter for @nextchaptcrs

location: sedona pride festival

Omari had always known how to appreciate a good crowd. From playing sports growing up to working as a bartender, he was in his natural element. This felt a lot more Miami coded, though Sedona was still significantly smaller. With the music carrying in the light breeze, long before he reached the entrance he was met also with laughter and conversation as he made his way into the event. By the time he made it fully inside, he had only stopped twice. Once, for a conversation with someone selling handmade jewelry and the another because a food vendor had convinced him to sample something he'd never tried before. And Omari never turned down food.

In the short time that he had already been at the fairgrounds, he was having a great time. A grin was lingering on his face as he navigated the crowd, a drink held in his hand. His attention wandered, not looking for anything in particular as he took in everything around him as he moved through the fairgrounds. However, someone caught his attention. He didn't recognize them, didn't recognize many people in Sedona, not yet.

As he approached, he still wore a grin on his lips. "Okay, serious question," Omari didn't miss a beat in speaking as he carried an easy confidence. He rarely struggled to start conversation. "If you had to recommend one thing here that I'd regret missing, what would it be?"

[sunsetfumes]

"ya laughed didn't ya?" some confidence surfaced in her slight smile, her hand idly wrapped around the drink he'd made her. "pretty sure ya like me," she added, as though that was how it worked. often times it was the start of something good. if people could make each other laugh, even when things seemed bleak, then that was a good sign. "ya've got your family to console ya anyhow."

finally paige lifted the drink to her lips and had another sip of it. the blonde had never really been a heavy drinker, not since the accident nearly 20 years ago. so it was a one and done night for her, but she lingered and took the drink slowly because she was avoiding home and was actually enjoying the conversation with the bartender. "see, lookit that, we're already becomin' such good friends. i had a feelin' we'd understand each other."

with her head tilting to the side she considered his response and eventually nodded. "what can ya say about this place?" curiosity of course won over.

[omarixwatkins]

"One laugh and you've decided I'm a fan?" His brow raised playfully. "I'm pretty sure that's how rumors get started." The accusation that fell from his lips didn't hold any real conviction. A smile lingering on his lips would tell her that he didn't think she was entirely wrong, though.

Her comment about them becoming friends earned another shake of his head. "I'm honored to make it there before another conversation or two." He rested his forearms against the bar as he looked at her. There was something easy about talking to her.

The question about Sedona lingered for a moment longer than he thought it would. "I don't know." The words fell honestly from his lips, having been caught in his bluff. "It feels different though, not necessarily in a bad way. Miami is bigger, faster and half the time you don't see the same person twice." He pushed himself up from leaning on the bar. "I think some of you all are crazy for wanting to hike before sunrise, but I have to say it's growing on him." The admission came easier this time. "Which, for better or worse, I think that's something I have to pay attention to."

[nevermindcrs]

while her love for the ocean and all things within it hadn't changed, it wasn't the path her heart had led her down. "yeah, it's still a dream of mine." she never passed on an opportunity to donate to a good cause, especially one as important to her as that.

miriam laughed softly, her shoulders rising as she smiled toward her. "not a lot of people make it past the first drink." granted, she usually never let them. it was a protective factor, a little for herself, but mostly for the people who thought getting close to her was a good idea. "i think so too."

she looked around the bar for a beat, wondering if maybe he needed to go. however, she didn't push it. "so, when you're not behind the bar... what else do you like to do?" clearly he had plenty of experience in mixology, but she wondered what else he'd gotten up to in life before he'd landed behind a rail in sedona.

[omarixwatkins]

Not everyone made it past the first drink. That was a statement that Omari could understand. "I guess you can say I'm feeling pretty accomplished then." At her next question, Omari leaned back on his heels as he considered it. "What don't I do?" The answer came with a grin and then he shook his head. "Kidding. There's plenty I don't do." He let his gaze drift out into the crowd again before landing back on her. "I like to work out," he started, "play the occasional pick up sport. Basketball, but I'll try anything once." A grin tugged at the corner of his lips. "I like to chase down good food. Especially from food trucks or hole in the wall places." He paused for a beat. He was usually the listener, not the one revealing much about himself. Yet, the woman at the bar was getting it anyway. "What about you? You know, besides saving the ocean and all."

[nevermindcrs]

"honestly?" he paused to think about it. a few weeks in, he'd known that maybe it was the place for him. by a few months, he'd known that for certain. "it took a couple of weeks for me to realize that i wanted to stay. by a couple of months, i knew it was home." he'd made friends, some that felt more like family, he'd built a career for himself that had potential. it didn't matter if he'd skipped college, or if he didn't have any security blankets to fall back on. he'd made a life for himself, and sedona had made it easier for him. "don't mention it." mav nodded, his smile wide and pointed at the other. he couldn't tell him what to do, or how to feel, but he could be there whenever omari figured it out. "well, if you ever need any help, or if the wind decides to keep you right here in sedona, then i'll always be too."

[omarixwatkins]

A couple of weeks. Then a couple of months. That all should have felt simple to Omari. For most of his life, he treated places like they were temporary. Some lasted than others, but eventually something else always came along. While it hadn't been another city since moving to Miami, it was always another job opportunity. But, Maverick's answer stuck with him. It sounded easy. "That is kind of crazy," a laugh escaped him, "but not in a bad way." Omari kind of wanted to experience it. "Guess we will see." A corner of his mouth pulled upward. "Who knows, maybe I'll be standing in this same spot one day giving someone else the advice you just gave me."

END.

[wells-hannah]

JORDAN BAKER AND OLIVIA BAKER ALL AMERICAN | 6.14 “I Do (Part I)”

[omarixwatkins]

@respairs

[nevermindcrs]

"don't have a whole lot of experience in that," he teased in return. there was something special about sedona and he wanted other people to see that too. well, at least the people who weren't hellbent on coming in and making it something that it wasn't. from what knew of the other, that wasn't the case.

maverick laughed softly and nodded. "of course your opinion matters. might be the new guy, but i was too at one point. now look at me. it's been fifteen years and this is home." maybe omari couldn't commit to such, but being there meant that sedona meant something to him too. "that's not how this town operates." after the fire, everyone had come together to help raise money to repair the chapel. that was more than a community. "just think about it. at the end of the day, you know what's best for you. all i'm saying is... this place is what you make it."

[omarixwatkins]

Something about what he said stood out to Omari. Fifteen whole years and the guy was calling it home. "How long in did it take you to realize it was home?" Omari found himself asking, the answer raising more questions for himself. Maverick's explanation gave him pause, something that felt worth remembering. He wasn't sure that he knew what was best for himself, not sure if he ever knew that. Yet, maybe Sedona would be the place that would give him the direction to find out what was best for himself. "Thanks, man." Omari's thoughts lingered longer than expected. It sounded promising, building a life here, that was. "I guess we will just have to see where the winds take me."

[nevermindcrs]

"one good drink and the service. that's why you'll see me again." at the end of the day, his job started and stopped at serving. he'd gone out of his way to help her out and she'd taken notice of it. kindness or not, not everyone cared enough to step into situations that didn't involve them. "i went through the marine biologist phase too. i thought i'd save the whole ocean." her father had approved of that journey, but the older she got, the more she realized she wanted to follow in his path of veterinary medicine. "that's better than any plan could ever be."

miriam breathed a quiet sound of laughter and nodded. "classic is where my mind went," she countered, a shoulder popping upward casually. when he continued on, she went silent again, head falling to the side as she looked him over, her gaze moving back to settle on his. "another classic. i could see it." when he reversed the question, she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and mulled it over. "whiskey sour. first sip is strong, but if you keep drinking, you get to the sweeter parts."

her father was the same way, and she supposed that's why she'd spent so much of her life trying to impress him. "as frustrating that probably was, i'm sure when he did compliment you... there was nothing else like it."

[omarixwatkins]

Her observation earned a shake of his head, but his lips held a genuine smile on them. As a bartender that was the kind of praise that didn't seem like it meant a lot, but it meant more than he'd ever let on. "Savin' the whole ocean would be a kick ass way to live life." Not certain that it were something any one person could do on their own, but the man could dream. That he was good at doing.

Her answer caught his attention. "Seems I've gotten past the first sip myself." His posture eased without him thinking about it. "I think that suits you." Omari tilted his head, clearly entertained by the conversation.

The crowd around them was ebbing and flowing with in the bar, the movement never fully stopping. "You've hit the nail right on the head." His attention remained fixed there, the answer staying with him. "There really was nothing else like it."