[IC] Chicago After Hours

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Cary, IL
Skills:

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I laugh and wiggle under him to get him to stop leaning so much weight on me. "Yes, well I'm sure that big brain is overloaded by your ego," I joke. He mentions my head being the only chin rest for me and I shake my head under his chin. "This chin rest squirms," I warn him

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I stand in the hallway looking towards Caden's wing of the house and nod. "When the pack bond fell into place for us we had to learn to block each other out, if we didn't, we felt and experienced everything the other did. But because Caden dragon-born, I could feel that, too. It unsettled my wolf in the beginning but now we know when we feel the dragon it's because something is wrong."

I try to follow the thread tying my to Caden. He has me blocked still, so it can't be that bad, right? I feel him on the other side and he pushes me away. "Okay. I think he's fine... He just pushed me away." My shoulders are still tensed though as I continue to stare down the hallway.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

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“That’s okay, the squirming is adorable to me.” I say with a grin, stopping myself from continuing to weigh down on her. Cass’ name is called and our drinks are set out. I quickly move to give the top of her head a kiss before I release her from my hold. I grab my drink with one hand and both of hers with the other, holding them towards her so she can choose whichever she wants first.

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I watch him, concerned not just for Caden but for Avery too. “If he can push you away, that means it’s all good, right?” I glance at his tense shoulder and hesitate a moment before I put my hand on him gently. “Are you fine?” I ask. I’m waiting for him to lash out or yell at me for touching him, but his concern for Caden make me worry as well, wanting to try and fix the situation for both of them.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Cary, IL
Skills:

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I smirk, watching him somehow manage to hold both of my drinks with one hand. I take the raspberry one from him now and put the straw in. I take a sip and nod in approval before thanking the people behind the counter and lead Nic outside, holding the door for him.

"Did you have fun today?" I ask him as we walk back to the SUV.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I'm debating on going upstairs to knock on the door and just make sure Caden really is okay. I don't think he would hurt Nero, and he had more control than I did, but I was still worried. I feel a hand on my shoulder and my attention automatically shifts to look at Kimiko.

I look down at her, puzzled for a moment of why she is here or touching me. I come back to reality and relax. I release a breath I didn't know I was holding and nod. "I'm okay. The house isn't on fire yet. That's always a good sign," I joke poorly.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”I did.” I tell her earnestly with a big smile, setting my drink on top of the car so I can open her door for her. ”Did you enjoy yourself?” I ask her, leaning against the SUV and hold the door open with my hip.

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I smile and shake my head at his joke, patting his shoulder a couple of times before I pull back my hand. “Sorry, you looked ready to shit bricks for a minute there.” I awkwardly try to joke back.

“Should we go and check on them?” I had already embarrassed myself in front of everyone today, what’s one more death by humiliation?

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Cary, IL
Skills:

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I shake my head when he still opens the car door for me. I get inside and set my drink down before I hold my hands out for the other ones. "I did. I really did, thank you for suggesting this."

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I shake myself out after she let's go and I shake my head. "No, I think it should be fine. I don't feel like crawling out of skin anymore. Caden will come let us know when he's okay," I say, nodding to assure her and myself.

I look back into the training room. "Do you want to keep going? I need to expel some energy now anyways," I say, eyeing the punching bag in the corner.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I grin lopsidedly at her, dimples showing. “Thank you for agreeing to come along.” I say before handing her the other drink of hers. I use one hand to hold the top of the car for leverage as I lean in to kiss her lips softly. When I pull away, I instinctively lick my lips and smile over the fact that I could taste her raspberry tea.

“Raspberry was a good choice.” I tell her with a wink before I grab my drink from the top of the car and shut her door, moving to the other side to get behind the wheel.

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I nod, still a bit worried, but relieved that he hadn’t agreed to go check on them. I follow his gaze to the punching bag and look back at him. “I could do that thing where I have the padding and you punch my arms or whatever if that works better for you.” I have no idea what its called or anything, but surely a moving target would be better that the punching bag.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Cary, IL
Skills:

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My eyes drift to Nic's dimples and I shake my head. He really does look good when he smiles like that. I hope I can always make him that happy, I find myself thinking. I'm not expecting what happens next, though. Nic leans in close after resting his hand on the doorframe of the car and kisses me.

I don't have a lot of time to process or respond when he does that. I feel his lips on mine briefly. He pulls away, licking his lips, to taunt me more I swear, and then the door is closed. I watch him walk around to the other side my face probably very red and I shake my head, cursing in Gaelic. Just when I think I have the upper hand, he goes and does something effortless like that.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I look at Kimiko and give her a lopsided grin. "I'd advise against that," I tell her seriously. I walk past her, back into the gym to a cabinet and pull out bands to wrap around my knuckles.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

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When I get in the car, I see Cass is fully flushed. “Ready to go home, petite tomate?” I ask. I’m tempted to trace her blushing cheeks, but I refrain, instead putting the car in reverse and backing out. I reach out to put my arm behind Cass’ seat and remember what she said about it being attractive to her. It really is just out of habit, but I bet she feels like I’m trying to punish her.

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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It takes me a moment to get my bearings straight after his smile. I didn’t know he could smile like that. When I finally process what he said, I follow him into the gym, watching him walk to the cabinet. “Wait, why? I thought you said sparring helps with your wolf?” My head tilts.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Cary, IL
Skills:

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I ignore Nic backing up this time, sipping my drink and stare at out the window. Of course he calls me his little tomato and I sigh. Once we are going forward I relax back in my seat, letting my head fall back against the cushion. If only I knew how to drive and then I wouldn't have to put myself through this much torture.

"Have you ever been in a fight?" I ask, switching gears completely.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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"It does, but when I'm this wound up I don't hold back. Caden has been the only one I spare with when I'm like that. When he's not around, I use the bag and end up replacing it twice before I'm done," I say as I wrap my hands. "I'm not doubting you have strength, just not werewolf or dragon strength."

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I glance over at her when she asks if I’ve been in a fight before. “Uh, several actually.” I say after clearing my throat and averting my gaze back to the road.

“Most of them are just from trying to stop people from attacking other hospital staff when security is taking too long. Most people calm down pretty quickly when they see my full height, but there’s always at least one asshole who tries anyway.” I rub the back of my neck awkwardly.

“Why do you ask?”

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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My mouth pops open in a little ‘o’ when he explains. “Touché.” I say while nodding. “Thanks for thinking of my safety and deciding you don’t want to kill me… At least for tonight.” Teasing, I throw him a wink and walk back to the weights.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Cary, IL
Skills:

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I glance over at Nic, surprised to hear that he had been in some. When he explains why, that makes more sense to me. Nic didn't come across as the violent or aggressive type. He definitely was the more passive type. A healer and a defender like he described.

"Just in case this Scott fellow becomes aggressive tomorrow when we start questioning him. I can fight as well, but I usually take the magic route when it comes to subding someone. If I can anyways," I explain.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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"Just for tonight," I joke and walk over to the bag. I wait until Kimiko starts lifting weights, checking her form to make sure it is still right before I start hitting the bag.

I keep my hands loose, hitting the bag lightly to warm up. I breath out everytime my fist connects with the bag. Ever since I was little, I had this obsession with boxing and MMA fighting. I used to watch the fights when they were underground as well as the one that nobles attended with people like me fighting just to make money to have a meal for the week. It wasn't easy work but it was something.

Slowly my surroundings drown out around me and I'm moving around the bag, hitting high and low as my pacing increases. I connect with the bag every time, hitting harder and harder until the bag starts to split. I keep going until I eventually step back and wind up for a roundhouse kick. I jump and twist and the bag shatters. I step away and take a drink of water.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I nod, thinking that it makes sense. “Yeah, I’m usually able to subdue someone without too much effort, so you won’t have to expose yourself with your magic.” I convince her, reaching over to rest my hand on her leg again as I drive.

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Smiling a bit, I start back on the weights like he had shown me. When I start hearing hits landing, I use the mirror to watch Avery. I was still curling the weights, but I was definitely entranced by his fighting technique. My da and I would regularly go see boxing matches as I was growing up and I loved watching fights. At one point I even convinced my da to let me start boxing. It turned out I was terrible at it, so we kept to just watching it after that.

As if I hadn’t already been a depraved idiot most of the day, I found myself excited from watching him move around the bag. When it shatters, I blink and shake my head, refocusing on the weights. It’s not easy though - I could really much rather watch Avery’s muscles as they flex with each move he makes.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Cary, IL
Skills:

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"Well, don't forget your first aid kit just in case," I tease him. I curl my fingers around Nic's where his hand rests on my legs. I don't hold his full hand though, wanting the contact of his palm on my on my leg still.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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After I finish my water I look back at Kimiko to see how she is doing. She definitely has improved since she first started even though it wasn't that long ago. I watch her muscles flex and extend with each pull and release. She definitely has a strength and a body there that we can work with.

I try to ignore the other thoughts that enter my mind and I walk back over to Kimiko. "Good, let's switch it up now," I say and lead her through another set she can do to strengthen the opposite muscles. I always liked to work both muscle groups when I was training. Some people didn't but I felt I got better, more even results.

Once I have Kimiko set up on a new routine I return to my side of the gym. I pick up the broken bag and set it aside to be cleaned up properly later. I go into the back to grab the new bag and hook it up. Once it's in place a start my final rounds. I go into my routine faster, adding more kicks than my first round. I don't practice kicks often, but they are important. As I punch and move around the bag I think about what I'll need to do the next time I want to train this way. I'll have to do some ground work with the bag, I think to myself.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I laugh, shaking my head. “You should know I always have one on me.” I say with a grin. The only time I don’t have one is if I’m not carrying my backpack or the fanny pack with me. It’s a force of habit that I picked up from a young age. My dad would always keep a first aid kit and emergency supplies in the car. I just started carrying around bandages and things in my pockets for awhile before I bought little cases to hold them in.

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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“Thanks,” I say, trying to make my voice sound normal when he switches up the set I’m working on. Once again, I focus on trying to implement what he showed me, but once I hear the thwacking of the punching bag, I unconsciously start watching Avery through the mirror again.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Cary, IL
Skills:

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"Then we'll be prepared," I declare. I set my raspberry drink down and pick up my peach. I take a sip and wiggle in my seat. "Yes, it was a good choice to get two," I declare.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I go to change up my stance and start throwing punches from my less dominate side and I glance over at Kimiko. I grin openly when I catch her staring at me. I look back at my bag and throw a few more punches as I talk.

"Do I need to get you a blindfold for tomorrow? There were will be three boys for potential distractions," I inform her. I don't think much of Kimiko's staring. It's a common thing for me and it doesn't bother me. I've had people stare because they were attracted to me, because they were sizing me up for a fight, and because they were training me. Bugging Kimiko about it, though, that was pure fun.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I smile to myself, deciding not to tease her on her drink choice. I found her reactions incredibly adorable and her little dance is the cherry on top. “Why not mix the two?” I ask.

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I must have zoned out, because Avery’s face wakes me up. Startled, I flush and physically turn my head alway so I won’t be staring. “S-sorry.” I say. I don’t want to tell him that I might like if he blindfolded me.

“Just make sure you all keep your shirts on and I’ll be fine.” I say, grateful that Avery had kept one on now or I might find myself drooling.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Cary, IL
Skills:

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I look over at Nik slowly when he suggests combining them. ”Why didn't I think of that?!”

I debated trying it while in a moving vehicle but I don't want to risk it, besides they are delicious enough on their own.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Don't get your hopes up,” I say and land a few more hits on the bag. ”Caden rarely trains with a shirt, and if he and I spar, well. Maybe you should just leave at that point,” I tease her.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Now that makes me laugh. “God, you’re adorable.” I tell her genuinely. “Would you like me to pull over so you can do that?”

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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“I have half a mind to throw one of these barbells at you if you keep this up.” I say, staring a hole into a spot on the mirror to keep myself from instinctively looking over when I hear the hits land.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Cary, IL
Skills:

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I shake my head adamantly. ”No, I like them just the way they are,” I say and switch back to my raspberry tea.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Ooo, how hard do you think you can throw it?” I ask, keeping the taunting up. I hope she knows I’m having fun and don’t mean it maliciously. I pick up the speed on my bag, hitting harder and faster.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I chuckle, somehow finding that reaction to be even cuter. “Okay ma petite tomate.” I say, squeezing her thigh gently.

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I turn to look at him instead of through the mirror. “You’re on thin ice, mister.” I warn playfully, pretending like I’m trying to aim the weight in his direction.