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I laugh and nod. ”That was a lot of fun. Thank you for not letting him play video games. It gave me an edge,” I tell Ren.

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I sigh wistfully, leaning back in my seat and shake my head. ”And here I thought we were doing so well.”

Caden chuckled and gestured to me. ”Oh, come on Kimiko! He can't have deserved that level of sadness,” he says.

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“You are most welcome.” My dad says with a smile.

I stick my tongue out at Cass teasingly. “I’ll have to find other things to impress you with it seems.”

“You have many talents, Nic. There’s no reason to put yourself down.” My dad reaches out and pats my hand sitting on the arm rest. “Although, it might be difficult to compare to- a sorceress?” My dad questions and I’m surprised he remembered the she’s not a witch.

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I roll my eyes and laugh, still shaking my head. “Avery, it would be difficult to replace you.” I reach out and pat his head like I would a dog.

“Better?” I ask Caden with a brow raised.

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I grin when Nic sticks his tongue out at me. I look back at Ren when he calls me a sorceress, and I smile softly.

”Yes, but Nic can drive and I can't. And he cooks a lot better than I can,” I add in.

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I grin and laugh. ”Better, thank you.”

Avery looks at Kimiko's hand like he's about to bite it off but he ends up grinning as well. ”I knew you liked me.”

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This might be as good as time as any. “Cass is also an accomplished tattoo artist, dad. I was thinking we could get matching tattoos from her.” I raise my eyebrow, waiting to see how my dad might react to this before I glance at Cass.

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Kiki’s ears grow red, but she smacks Avery with her hand as she pulls it away. “Like is a strong word.” She declares with a scoff and a huff. She leans back in her seat and crosses her arms over her chest.

I grin widely. Yes, I’m definitely watching their training session tomorrow.

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I pull out my phone again to show Ren some of the tattoos I have done more recently. ”Nic has been sending me some things that I could do with more of a traditional Chinese style. I could even look at some art pieces from your late wife and daughter to try and incorporate their style. The tattoos I make have runes in them that act like spell work once I place them on your body. They can protect you from all sorts of supernatural creatures you or Nic may come across,” I explain to Ren. ”Of course there are other options if you don't want a tattoo. This is just the best option,” I say.

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I laugh fully and lean back in my seat. I grin down the way at Caden and he shakes his head at the pair of us.

”Don't chew my head off, but if either of you need to go into the woods to hunt, I'd prefer if you both went together,” Caden declared.

”Caden, you know I don't have full control when I'm a wolf,” I remind him.

”It'll be fine. You and Kimiko have been around each other enough now. You and your wolf have her scent and know she's a part of me and mine. I don't trust the Chicago pack right now.”

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It’s my turn to reach out and pat my dad’s hand that rests on the arm of the couch.“I would feel much better if you had some extra protection. Cass even has something to help with pain, if I remember our conversation correctly.”

My dad nods slowly as he thinks it over. “I’ll consider it - I’d love to see what you have in mind for us… Especially if you’re wanting to draw inspiration from…” My dad furrows his brow and looks down at his feet. I can see his jaw clench as he tries to hold back what I can only assume is tears.

“Did you enjoy working with Russell in the shop today?” I ask my dad in order to steer the conversation. I glance at Cass with a small smile, wanting to assure her that the shift isn’t her fault. Not that I think it is at all, but I know now how much she can overthink something.

My dad looks up with a momentary expression of surprise before he realizes I’m trying to help. “Ah, yes, it was nice to see him again. The man does love to talk - not a quiet moment all day thanks to him.” His chuckle sounds a little hollow, but his eyes no longer look dead.

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I give Caden a look, taking a breath to make sure I’m not immediately yelling at Caden. “I understand the concern, but I’d rather not end up as Avery’s midnight snack.” I tell him. “Does it count if we’re on opposite sides of the woods? That seemed to work in our favor the other night.” Besides, I don’t think I could keep my composure if I caught another glimpse of Avery’s bare ass.

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I feel a mix of emotions when Ren drifts for a moment. I feel responsible for putting him there, but also feel like he needs to let himself feel. Nic pulls him out quickly and redirects the conversation. I'm not sure how I feel about that, but there isn't much I can do about it.

I sit back on the couch, taking Ren's hand in mind and hold onto him securely, giving his hand the slightest squeeze while he and Nic talk.

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I stare at Kimiko, a silent battle going back and forth between us as I stare her down. I clench and unclench my fist before I relent. ”Don't make me have to call your father because you got hurt under my watch,” I say.

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My dad tells us about his day, but there’s not much of anything to cause alarm for me - it seems like it was an entirely normal day for him. “I’ll be right back.” I say, getting up to go into my bedroom for the bathroom.

“So what else did you get up to today with my son?” My dad asks of Cass.

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I glance between Kiki and Caden as they have their silent battle. “Please don’t call my Da, you’ll surely give him a stroke over something as small a paper cut.” Kiki retorts. “The man has passed 80 now, Caden, he’s not the young lad you first met, Ōrudoman.”

“What’s that mean?” I ask in a whisper to Caden.

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I watch Nic stand before I focus back on Ren. ”We went to a nature preserve and walked one of the trails there. Then we went to the museum before lunch, and then we went to a local Hindu Temple. It was beautiful and the fountain was really intriguing,” I said and showed Ren photos of the fountain.

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”Then don't give me a reason to call him, Niánqīng de húlí.” I finish my drink and look at Nero.

”Old man, and I called her young fox,” I say and kiss Nero's cheek before moving them back into their own chair and stand. ”Would anyone like another drink?”

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“Oh, Nic loves nature. I think if there was a way to keep an environment sterile outside, he would set up a hospital outside.” My dad says with a smile as he looks at the photos Cass shows him. “I do have some old paintings of Kiki’s and Lì’s that I can let you borrow. I think your idea of drawing inspiration from them is…” He looks down again, sadness seeping into his posture.

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I only pout a little when Caden sets me down in my own chair again. “If Caden is an old man, what does that make me?”

“Can you make that one drink I really liked from that time in Spain? I don’t remember what was in it though.” Kiki says in answer to Caden’s question. ”As for you, little demon, how old even are you?” She places her hand in her hand, resting the elbow on the table.

I try to do the math quickly in my head. “Somewhere north of at least 500, I think. Caden’s helping me remember.” I finally say.

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I laugh slightly at the idea of a nature hospital. It wouldn't be a horrible idea if the sterile field could be maintained. It also reminds me of my dream to live in the middle of the woods, one with nature.

I smile when Ren offers some artwork for me to look at. I hold his hand a little tighter when he starts to slip into sadness again. ”It would be a good way to keep them close,” I say, agreeing with him. ”I lost my family when I was young… the pain of that loss never goes away, but it gets easier to manage,” I tell him.

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I take a moment to recall Spain with Kimiko and then I laugh and nod. I pull out a bowel and the appropriate alcohol and ingredients along with a lighter.

”I'm thinking middle ages or slightly before,” I say, chiming in on the conversation Nero is having with Kimiko.

I light the bowel with the alcohol, sugar, coffee beans, and lemon slices on fire. I ladle brandy over it, muttering a “spell” and smirk, looking at Kimiko. I let the thing cook for a moment before I cover to extinguish the drink. I pour it into a rimmed sugared glass and bring it to Kimiko.

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I pause by my door, it’s cracked just enough for me to hear what Cass says to my father. She doesn’t try to steer the conversation away from his loss and I find myself admiring her.

“I’m so sorry to hear of that.” My dad says, squeezing Cass’ hand back. “You’d think I would be used to loss after so many of my family…” He trails off, but I know he means my grandparents that he lost before leaving China, his daughter, and now his wife. “Thank you for ensuring that my son didn’t have to face this alone.” I swallow the lump that’s suddenly appeared in my throat at his words and blink back tears. Once I’m composed I rejoin the two.

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“Hmm… perhaps Chīsana kyōryū then - little dinosaur.”

Nero thinks about it before grinning. “I like it, makes me sound like some ancient power.”

I happily take the drink from Caden, a grin on my own lips. “Yes, that’s the one! Reminds me of foxfire.” I sip and sigh in content. He made it perfectly.

“Can I have one?” I hear Nero almost immediately ask.

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I wrap my other hand around Ren's, going through the emotions with him. A couple of my own tears form and fall. ”I'm only sorry we didn't get there soon enough,” I whisper.

Ren's words of thanks comfort me. I'm grateful everyday we were able to get him to safety, and that Nic still had family. Knowing Nic the way I do now, I wish we could have done more.

Nic rejoins us and I try to discreetly wipe the couple of tears from my face.

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I chuckle and kiss the top of Nero's head. ”Of course, little imp. Avery?”

”Ah, may as well,” he agrees. I smile and set to work making two more Queimadas.

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I can’t help but notice I’m not the only one caught in their emotions. “Well, I believe I’ve stolen almost all of Cass’ daylight today. Would you like me to take you home?” I ask with a small smile.

“Oh, did you rent a car?” My dad asks.

“Something like that, yeah.” I say with a chuckle. “Caden was gracious enough to let me borrow one of his.” I explain to him.

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I turn in my seat to watch Caden prepare two more of the drinks, unable to hide my excitement. Once I get the drink from Caden, I try a sip and grin. “Kiki, everything tonight has been delicious. Stay around, please.”

Her cheeks turn pink as she blinks, probably not expecting those words after the conversation in the music room. “Well, if the Chīsana kyōryū insists.” She says and I’m able to recognize she is calling me a dinosaur again.

“I do.”

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I squeeze Ren's hand one last time before I let it go and nod at Nic. ”Yes, I should be getting home to check on the cats.” I couldn't remember the last time I had left them all day like this.

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I hand Avery his drink and he takes a sip before his eyes widen. The alcohol content of this drink is quite high, and Avery isn't much of a drinker.

I chuckle and sit down with another drink for myself. ”Of course, you're welcome for as long as you wish,” I remind Kimiko.

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I nod in return. “You’ll love this dad, Cass did say we could steal Wayland for a sleepover sometime soon.”

His eyes pop open in surprise. “That would be nice.” He says. The dryer buzzes, indicating it’s done with its load. I go to grab Cass’s things before either of us forget.

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I wave Caden’s words off as I sip my drink. “We’ll see, there’s still this brick wall that might run me out of town.” I shoot Avery a wink before leaning back in my seat and holding my drink in both hands.

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I laugh and nod. ”He's taken quite the liking to, Nic. We'll make sure to get all the supplies you need for a sleepover,” I state and follow Nic to the dryer so I can change my clothes back.

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”Running is excellent for conditioning. Might be good for you,” I joke.

”Like running with the bulls?” Caden asks.

I sip my drink and nod, but pause. ”Wait, did you actually do that?”

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“Just another in the long line of beings that fall for my charm.” I say teasingly before pulling out Cass’ clothes and hand them to her. “If you want, you can wear my pants home. We’ll see each other tomorrow either way.” I offer to Cass.

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“Wouldn’t you like to know?” I grin, suppressing a laugh.

Nero manages to worm their way back into Caden’s lap. “Were you wearing red while doing that?” They ask with a head tilt.

I laugh. “No, we aren’t that thick.”

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I take my clothes from Nic and weigh the option of wearing his pants home, but I shake my head. ”That's okay. As comfortable as these pants are, I don't need to hoard them,” I say with a smile and head to his bedroom to change.

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I chuckle when Kimiko plays coy with Avery. I wrap my arm back around Nero when they reclaim my lap and smile. ”Besides, needing to wear red is a myth. Bulls are colorblind. Most people just wear it so if you do get impaled by the bulls horns the audience can't see you bleed out,” I say matter-of-fact.

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I try not to let myself be disappointed that Cass doesn’t want to steal my pants, but I figure she’ll eventually steal a hoodie of mine. “Do you need me to grab anything while I’m out, dad?” I ask of him as I grab some sandals to wear, figuring my shoes were probably still damp.

“No, I’m fine.” My dad assures me.

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I peer up at Caden. “So did you or did you not run with bulls?” I ask.

“Maybe.” Kiki teases and I pout in frustration. This table is tool full of too many cheeky people and there’s only four of us.