---

---

---

---

I'm fiddling with my hair until Nic texts me back. I curse and immediately hit dial on my phone. I wait for Nic to pick up before I tell him to let me talk to Kimiko.

---

---

---

---

I smile and nod, watching Nic leave before I turned and looked at Kimiko. My eyes track her movement as she bobs up and down. I frown and put my hands on her shoulders to hold her in place.

"You could start by realizing you are about to upend a man's life. A man who was just introduced to the supernatural community three days ago. You are running a marathon here, Kimiko, not a sprint. This isn't just about you getting answers, it's about answering questions for him that he will likely have after this. Let him adjust to the environment here before you bombard him. I'm not afraid to throw you out of this gym if I have to," I tell her seriously.

---

---

---

---

I eye Nero sideways. Somehow I don't believe them. "Mhmm, I'm sure. Well, just play nice for today," I say and walk into the training room with them in tow.

Avery is standing with Kimiko, attempting to keep her in place as she bobs up and down. I raise an eyebrow and look at Nero.

"Es passiert etwas Aufregendes," I whisper to them. "Möchtest du heute trainieren oder einfach nur zuschauen?" I asked before letting Nero's hand go.

---

---

---

---

Still having a silent debate with myself, I nearly drop my phone when Cass calls me. “H-hello, everything okay?” I ask, trying not to be too concerned, but she did just up and call me.

---

---

---

---

I stare up at Avery when he puts his hands on me, confused. Then my face flushes with embarrassment when I realize he’s right. “Sorry, you’re right.” I said with a purse of my lips, not looking him in the eye but instead at the ground. Why did my mind immediately go to him throwing me over his shoulder to carry me out? I’m depraved. Luckily, that’s when Caden and Nero join the room

---

---

---

---

”Ich liebe ein gutes Drama als erstes am Morgen.” I stand on my tiptoes so I can whisper closer to Caden’s ear as I watch Kiki and Avery with a smirk.

When Caden lets go of my hand, I only pout a little bit. “Ich schaue erst mal zu, aber wenn es lustig aussieht, bin ich dabei.” I tell him with a bright smile.

“Ich kann euch zwei hören.”

---

---

---

---

---

---

"Let me talk to Kimiko," I ask, not answering Nic's other question.

---

---

---

---

I smirk, wanting to tilt Kimiko's chin up to ask her to repeat that statement, but I hear German and decide to just release her and walk away instead. I start cleaning up from my work out, wiping things down, and laying out other things for the others work out today.

I don't know what the others are saying, so I just go about my task. It never bothered me when Caden would slip into another language around me. I knew he would tell me what I needed to know when I needed to know it.

---

---

---

---

I grin at Kimiko. "Good morning, Kiki," I say and kiss her head as I pass to greet Avery.

"Nic is here?" Avery nods and gestures to the changing rooms. I nod and Avery flicks my neck when Nero left their mark last night. I grin shamelessly and shove Avery. He comes at me from a low angle, arms wrapping around my hips, and I laugh, reaching over him to wrap my arms around his waist and planted my feet.

"At least let me warm up first!" Avery lets me go and we push and shove each other a couple more times before breaking apart.

---

---

---

---

I blink in surprise. Well, it seems they know each other. “Oh, uh, okay. Hold on a moment.” I chuckle awkwardly and walk back into the gym to see Avery and Caden wrestling for a bit before pulling apart. I walk over to Kimiko and hold my phone out to her. “Uh, Cass is asking for you, sorry.”

---

---

---

---

“Good morning Caden.” I say, trying not to sound too shameful by what Avery said to me. I watch as Avery flicks a hickey on Caden’s neck. Enjoying the show between Avery and Caden, I barely register when Nic reenters the gym. When he says it’s Cassi on the phone for me, I blanch, unsure of how she is going to react.

I take his phone and hold it up to my ear tentatively. “Bonjour Cassi, comment allez-vous?” I try to say nonchalant.

---

---

---

---

I grin when Avery flicks one of the marks I left on Caden, thoroughly enjoying that he’s on the teasing end for once. When they stop, I pout, but I see Nick come in, so I prance to hide a little behind Caden. I want to stay as long as possible, so I don’t want him to notice me right away.

---

---

---

---

---

---

I tap my fingers on my knee impatiently until I hear Kiki's voice on the other end. "First off, fuck you. Why didn't you tell me you were coming to town? Secondly, what the hell do you want with Nic?" She was definitely the reason I was feeling uneasy today. "Also, Nic speaks French. Have you picked up Gaelic or did you let your studies slide again?"

---

---

---

---

I watch Nic walk over to Kimiko and hand her the phone. She greets Cassi and I grin.

"Nic, why don't you get started on your warmup. I have a feeling Kimiko is going to be a while."

---

---

---

---

I smile and nod at Nic. Nero comes to hide behind me and I chuckle. "Du brauchst dich nicht zu verstecken. Nic weiß, dass du von nun an da sein wirst," I state, talking quietly.

---

---

---

---

I apprehensively glance over at Kimiko and my phone, but oblige Avery and walking over to him. “Alright chief, are there jump ropes? I usually do skipping to warm up.” I head towards the cabinet once Avery points it out and pick out a good length rope suitable for my height.

---

---

---

---

I pull the phone away from my ear with a wince. “Halo dhut cuideachd, cuir sìos sìos air na ceistean airson mionaid gus an urrainn dhomh freagairt.” I give a grimacing smile to everyone in the gym before I step into the hallway.

“An toiseach, fuck thu cuideachd. Cha d 'fhuair mi ach anns a' bhaile mar latha air ais agus mu dheireadh, rinn Avery ag ràdh rudeigin riut? Cha tug mi a-steach mi a-steach mi fhìn, cha do rinn mi dad!” When did he have time to tell her? And why did I feel like a child being reprimanded by her mother.

---

---

---

---

“Ich will ihn nicht erschrecken.” I whisper back. I watch as Nic talks with Avery before grabbing a jump rope. I immediately run towards the cabinet to find one I can use. There were so many different choices. I dig around for a green one with a grin and pull it out. It seems to be the length of two of me, but it should still work, right? I traipse back to where Caden is.

---

---

---

---

---

---

"Tha mi nam dhraoidh aig a bheil intuition làidir agus a gheibh seallaidhean, Kiki," I remind her. Glad she had improved upon her Gaelic. It was murder trying to teach her all those years ago. "Cha nochd thu ach nuair a tha thu a 'sealg rudeigin no a' coimhead airson do mhàthair. Mar sin carson a tha thu an seo agus carson a tha Nic an sàs?"

Nic had been through so much already. I didn't want his life becoming even more turned over because of me or whatever supernatural force was interfering now.

---

---

---

---

I nod and give Nic a bit of a walk through of the gym and everything in the cabinet. "Just go about your warmup like you usually do. I'll be watching periodically to see your form and what we might need to work more on," I tell him, going through the same motions I did with Kimiko.

I leave him to it and go stand with Caden and Nero, who's currently hiding.

---

---

---

---

I chuckle when Nero declares they don't want to scare Nic before they run off in the same direction Nic just went. I shake my head and look at Avery who watches the little imp run off before returning.

"Alright, get to warming up, old man. We don't have time to wait around for you," Avery states.

Nero returns with a jump rope far too long and Avery shakes his head. "Not quite." Avery takes the rope from them and gives it to me before going to the cabinet to get a suitable one for Nero.

Once Avery returns, he goes to hand Nero the rope but pulls back and looks between the two of us. "Don't be distracting each other the entire time, alright? This is my church. If you disrupt the sanctity of it, I will kick both of you out."

I smirk but I nod, knowing Avery is completely serious. I kiss Nero's head before I find a spot to warm-up.

---

---

---

---

I sigh and run my hand down the length of my face. Cassi was as passionate and fiery as they come, so it’s no wonder she’s worried about someone she may or may not be dating. “Yeah, seadh, tha thu uile cumhachdach, tha fios agam.” Despite the less than warm greeting, it feels good to hear her voice after all these years.

“Thàinig mi dhan bhaile oir bha Iouren agus Lì Wu air a 'sgrùdadh a chuir air adhart gu timcheall air seachdain air ais. Lìon caran agus Nero mi a-steach air na tha air tachairt a theaghlach agus mar sin nuair a chuala mi gu robh e an seo an-diugh, dh 'iarr mi a-steach don obair-obrach.” I let out another sigh before I add, “Avery already got on my case, so I’m not going to bombard him with questions today, but Cassi… I need to know why the scroll changed.”

---

---

---

---

I thank Avery before he goes off to Caden and the demon. They had seemed to be hiding from me at first, but about mowed me down when they went for a jump rope. Are all demons like them? They remind me more of a child than anything.

Shaking my head, I concentrate on jumping rope instead. It’s been about a week since I’ve properly worked out, so I can already feel my muscles protesting. I decide not to do any of the fancy skipping I know and keep a steady pace instead.

---

---

---

---

“I make no such promises.” I tell Avery defiantly, but beam up at Caden when he kisses my head before finding a spot for himself.

I turn back to Avery with a playful glare. “Also, why a church? That’s offensive.” I stick my tongue out at him before I try copying Nic’s movements with the rope.

---

---

---

---

---

---

I fall silent as Kimiko tells me why she is in town. I slump back in my pillows as I process it. Of course. That's why they went so long in Chicago with coming across nothing and no harm. I can feel my eyes start to prick from tears but I refuse to cry.

"Of course... Yes, of course." I fall silent again, wishing I was there to walk Nic through all of this, but the facts are I can't always be there. "Let me know if there is anything I can do to help."

---

---

---

---

I cross my arms and watch Nero attempt to jump rope. "It's just a saying. If Hell is sacred to you, I could call this place hell. By the end of the day Kimiko and Nic might be thinking it's hell," I state, hoping that makes Nero feel better about it.

"Do you know how to jump rope?" I eventually ask.

---

---

---

---

After I warm up a little with that, I take to the treadmill to jog and stretch my upper body out a little as I go. I find I never get a good enough upper body stretch when I'm warming up.

---

---

---

---

I fidget nervously, not used to her backing down this quickly. “Uh, if you want, I could wait to ask him anything until you’re with him.” I offer. If Nic learned about our world and stuck around, I’m sure he’s perfectly able to take care of himself, but knowing what I did about Cass’ past, I don’t blame her for being wary.

---

---

---

---

My unease for Nero starts to dissipate as I watch the demon try and jump rope. I put mine away after the warm up and join Caden at the treadmill. “Thank you for letting me borrow your car.” I tell him genuinely.

“And uh I wanted to ask if we can borrow it a little longer - we came across something of your guys’ world that Cass and I want to find a resolution for.” Once again, I start to get the impression that I need to also ask his permission to date Cass, but I shut that down again. I’m not a teenager and Caden is not her father.

---

---

---

---

I laugh and grin. “Who needs to prank the fox back when you can just torture her here.” When Avery asks if I know how to jump rope, I smile sheepishly up at him.

“Was it that obvious?”

---

---

---

---

---

---

I sigh. "No, no it's fine. I can't be there to hold his hand through everything, and he really wants to be apart of this world. I'm seeing him later today, so I can talk to him then. When do I get to see you?" I ask, changing topics of conversation.

---

---

---

---

I glance over at Nic as he joins me, and smiles when he asks for the car a bit longer. I raise my eyebrow in surprise that Cassi found something and didn't tell me. And that she wants Nic to help her with it.

"Oh, what exactly did you two get up to yesterday?" I ask curiously.

---

---

---

---

I laugh loudly and shake my head at Nero. "Speaking of pranking. I want to remove all the straws from the house without Kimiko knowing," I state.

I take the rope from Nero and show them more slowly what to do. I jump ten times before I hand the rope back to them. "When the rope starts to arc down, bend your knees. Jump when you hear the rope hit the ground," I say, tapping my ear.

---

---

---

---

“Well, I’m pretty sure I just overheard Nic ask Caden to use the car longer, so why don’t you come by to drop it off and we can talk then?” I suggest as I cup my elbow. I don’t know what they’re planning to do or the timeframe, but I didn’t have anything specific I need to do.

“Besides, you might have info to fill in some blanks.”

---

---

---

---

”Oh, we went to Cary for some deep dish pizza and checked out the nature preserve and museum. Cass wanted to check out the Hindu temple there.” I go into more detail about the fountain and the fact that Cass burned her hand, feeling like it’s important for me to cover all the information we discovered.

“So, we were going to visit Mr Smith - the general contractor - and see if he stole the missing gem.”

---

---

---

---

After his demonstration, I try out the rope again, managing to get a rhythm going. I beam up at Avery. “If I get bored here, I can go and make the straws disappear.” I assure him.

“Do you have a hiding place in mind? I ask.

---

---

---

---

---

---

"Okay. We'll have lots to catch up on then. Thanks, Kiki, and good luck," I say and hang up the phone shortly after. I wiggle down into my bed more and throw a pillow over my head and grumble into it. At least the uneasy feeling has gone away now.

---

---

---

---

I get off the treadmill and wipe the sweat from my neck and lean against the front of Nic's, nodding as he explains. "Good, good. That should be fun for you two. Why don't you come back after? We can have supper or drinks and talk about any other questions you may have." I'm sure by that point, too, he'll have processed what Kimiko has to say today.

---

---

---

---

I nod in approval as Nero starts to get a good rhythm and increases the pace naturally. I tap my chin as I think about it. "Somewhere in staff housing would be good. I doubt she'll be over there ever," I say.

---

---

---

---

I barely get the word thanks out before Cassi hangs up. I laugh lightly with a shake of my head. I head back into the gym and jog over to Caden and Nic to hand the human his phone back.

“Well I just received an earful from Cassi. She hasn’t really changed, has she?”

---

---

---

---

Before I can answer Caden, Kimiko is there to hand me my phone back. I glance at her in bemusement at her words. “I’ll ask Cass about coming by later for supper.” I tell Caden, finishing my time on the treadmill.

“Oh good, I already invited her over.” Kimiko chirps before she gets started on a treadmill herself.

---

---

---

---

I grin widely, thinking of several reasons why she might visit the staff housing, but I keep those comments to myself. “If I go missing for a bit, you know why.” I tell him before glancing over at the crowd gathering by the treadmills.

“Put in a good word for me with the human please.” I say to Avery.

---

---

---

---

---

---

I look at Kimiko as she comes back and I grin. "I did warn you," I reminded her before I decided to walk away and let the two of them talk.

---

---

---

---

I smile and nod. "I think it'll just take time, but I'll try and wear him down." I glance behind me to see Caden wander over. The other two remain on the treadmills and I take that as a sign to leave them alone for the time being.

"Do you want to get started on your training?" I ask Caden.

Caden seems to watch Nero jumping for a moment, grinning at nothing in particular before he focus on me. "May as well."

"Alright, let's get you going on some weights first, and then we can do resistance training before going outside."

---

---

---

---

I watch Caden walk away before I smile politely at Kimiko. “So… what are you?” I ask awkwardly, still not knowing how to ask this question. Luckily, she snorts at the phrasing.

“Well, I’m half human and half kitsune - or huli jing.” She tells me and I recognize the phrase fox spirit.

I raise my eyebrows in surprise, taking a second look at her. “Oh! I didn’t realize fox spirits were a thing too! My parents used to tell stories of huli jing all the time growing up.” I never thought I’d have the chance to actually meet one.

---

---

---

---

I take the moment to appreciate Caden glistening with sweat before glancing back at Avery with an innocent smile. “Well, you two have fun, but if you start wrestling I want to know immediately.” I say with a smirk. I picked up the speed with the rope, feeling more and more comfortable with it as I go.

---

---

---

---

---

---

Avery and I grin before walking away. He sets me up with every weight machine, adjusting everything so I'm nearly lifting 300 pounds. It isn't bad, but man made machines can only have so much weight before they tip over. This is usually just a warm up before I go outside and start lifting other things that normal humans can't, like vehicles. Still, it's a good work out and Avery manages to up the weight of the machines so I'm lifting 400.

---

---

---

---

I had to modify most of the machines in the training room to work for supernatural creatures. It took a lot of work, extra supports, some mechanics and welding but I managed to make every piece of equipment safe while adding extra weight so it would be more of a challenge for me, and somewhat of a challenge for Caden. I was pleased when I could get him to do enough repetitions and sets to get him to actually sweat for a change.

---

---

---

---

It’s hard to contain my excitement when Nic mentions that his parents told him stories of fox spirits growing up. ”Really? What kind of stories, I’d love to know.”

“Well, my mom used to always describe them as spiritual messengers of gods and protectors of shrines. She said our family had good fortune as long as we were good and pious and that foxes would protect us. She seemed to really believe in that… part…” Nic trails off as he sees my expression.

“You’re not about to tell me my family is blessed by foxes, are you?”

I clear my throat at how perceptive this human is. “Er, was protected by foxes.” I offer sheepishly, looking around for Avery or Caden to help ease the awkwardness of this conversation.

---

---

---

---

Seizing my opportunity, I sneak off to go hide some straws.

---

---

---

---

---

---

I spot Caden while he lifts the heavier weights, making sure is form is in line and the machine is handling what Caden can do. My eyes drift to watch Nic and Kimiko. I see Kimiko looking over like a deer in the headlights. I surmise that she's told Nic and needs backup.

"Keep going. I'll be back," I say and pat Caden's shoulder before I wander over to the treadmills.

"You guys ready to move on?"

---

---

Nic blinks and I can practically see the gears moving in his head. “I’m sorry, did you just say ’was’?”

Avery joins us and I beam widely at him with gratitude. “Yes! Yes we are, thanks.” I say very awkwardly before Nic can ask me any more questions and I have to tell him my mother had blessed his family but suddenly that blessing disappeared and that’s why his mom died.

“What’s next, sir?” Why am I calling Avery sir? And why did this human have to be so intuitive?

---

---