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Caden takes a seat shortly after Avery does. He moves Nero easily to sit with them on their lap again. He wishes at that moment to be able to speak mind-to-mind with them, so he could say thank you for staying so quiet. Caden guessed it wasn't easy for the little imp to remain so restrained in a conversation.

Caden rests his left hand back on Nero's left thigh, the contact soothing him.

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Cass squeezed Nic's thigh when he sat beside her, both in greeting but also to restore her confidence. She leaned forward and added some appetizers to her plate.

”Oh, we should. I'm sure he would want to see the fountain to make sure,” Cass nodded in agreement.

She ate one of her appetizers before glancing sidelong at Nero. ”How are you doing, Nero? Looks like you're settling in well,” she commented. She knew it was a bit of a backhanded comment, but she didn't think Nero would be offended by it. After all, the little demon was sitting in Caden's lap for goddess sake.

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”A what?” Avery asked immediately. He watched her pop the round thing in her mouth and looked at the candy bag quizzically.

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Nero can’t help the little sly smirk that grows on their face at Cassi’s question. “I’m finding everything to be comfortable, yes.” They keep their tongue in check though, not asking how sexting with Nic is going.

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Nic gently squeezes her hand back and when she leans back in her seat, he places a hand on her thigh. Trying not to be obvious about it, he glances between Cass and Nero as they exchange words nervously. He’s glad he knows more about Cass, but also he wishes he had learned it sooner so that it isn’t fresh on Cass’ mind right now. He steals a glance at Caden with an apologetic smile.

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Kimiko laughs lightly, covering her mouth so she wasn’t showing Avery her mouth full of candy. She tucks the candy into her cheek before answering. “It means star ball - kitsune all have one, they’re kind of like our life source. I would show you mine, but typically my fox keeps a hold of it.” Plus she’s still not sure how his wolf would react either.

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Caden knew this little exchange was going to happen sooner rather than later. He also wanted Cass to understand how serious he was. He glanced at Nero, smiling and kissed their cheek before looking back at his best friend.

”They've agreed to move in with me, actually,” he declared.

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Nic's hand was comforting on Cassi’s leg. A warm presence to remind her where she was and that they were safe. Still, there was a demon sitting in her best friend's lap and they were now living with Caden.

Cassi's attention snapped to Caden and she stared at him. He matched her intense gaze but his eyes shifted slightly, begging her not to ask the other question burning on her mind. Cassiopeia shifted in her seat and sipped her drink.

”Well, that is big news,” she said, dropping the subject for now.

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Avery's mind races with questions and he suddenly feels like her or Cassiopeia when they ask all their questions. Instead his focus shifts to the tension at the table. He watches Cass and Caden exchange a silent discussion before Cass yields.

Avery clears his throat and looks at Nic. ”How are you feeling after today's workout, Nic?”

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Nero shifts their weight, knowing there’s a secret conversation going on between Caden and Cassi. They hide their anxiety by holding their drink with both hands, sipping it and trying not to glance between the two. Or say what’s on their mind.

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Nic whips his head to look at Avery, keeping his hand on Cass but shooting the werewolf a grateful smile. “Feeling pretty good actually. There’s a few muscle aches but that’s just from me not treating my body very nice for those few days.” His mouth feeling dry, he gulps some of his Italian soda down. He’s sure he doesn’t need to elaborate for anyone at the table to understand what few days he’s referring to.

“How about you, Kimiko - it was your first session with Avery too, right?”

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Kiki chokes a little on the candy in her mouth before just swallowing it. “I was a little sore too, but I don’t know if it was the workout or Avery’s driving skills with a motorbike.” She glances sidelong at Avery with a little smirk.

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Avery glances at Kimiko when she chokes. He raises an eyebrow, and his smile takes on a mischievous grin as he wonders what exactly went through her mind when Nic said that.

”You didn't have to come with me,” Avery reminded Kimiko.

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Cassiopeia fell silent, listening to Nic, Avery, and Kimiko talk. It wasn't like Caden never had people move in with him, but at a rate this quickly? Caden usually waited a month, not a week in. She had a feeling she knew which direction this relationship was going, and Cassiopeia knew it was a train she couldn't stop, but she couldn't understand what Caden found so fascinating about them.

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Caden looked away when Cassiopeia did and pulled Nero in closer. ”It'll be okay,” he whispered in their ear, as much for him as for them.

Supper was brought out then, and the cook finished the steaks up on the BBQ next to the table. Caden thanked his staff, appreciating their dedication and talent.

”Get what you want first,” he told Nero. Caden settled back into his seat and sipped his drink. He looked back over and locked eyes with Cassiopeia again. He looked away from her first this time. He didn't want to have this discussion until after he ate.

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“You invited me! I couldn’t say no.” Kimiko bumps Avery with her elbow. “Besides, that was before I knew how fast you ride.” She glances nervously over at Caden and then Cassi. She could cut the tension with a knife.

Without really thinking, she puts her hand on Avery’s forearm, trying not to go into the same freakout tone that she had used this morning with Nic.

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There’s no way anyone’s missing the silent showdown between Cass and Caden. Nic pats Cass’ leg before standing to grab her plate. Leaning down, he murmurs to Cass, “Would you like me to prepare your plate? Just let me know what you don’t want.” He once again glances over at Caden but otherwise tries to stay out of it for now. Any other night, he might play mediator, but this isn’t his place.

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Nero gave a subtle nod to Caden when he whispers it’ll be okay. They give his cheek a kiss before hopping off to grab one of the more rare looking steaks. They glance back, not missing the shared look between Cassi and Caden. They add some of the sides to their plate, more to try than anything else, before they pull the chair nearest Caden next to him and sit down in that, hoping that might help with the tension.

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Avery laughs and shakes his head. Kimiko's hand rests on his forearm and he understands it to not be a casual thing. Avery quickly squeezes Kimiko's hand before he stands. ”Hey, boss, another drink?” Avery asks, speaking more loudly than he needs to.

Caden shifts his focus from Nero to look at Avery and grins. ”Of course.”

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Even though he looked away, Cassiopeia continues to stare trying to figure out why. She barely startles when Nic whispers in her ear, but it does work to pull her from her thoughts.

”Oh, um, sure. Thank you. No tomatoes,” she reminds Nic and makes the effort to look at him.

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Caden relaxes when he no longer feels Cassiopeia's eyes on him..he settles fully, free to finally stand and get himself a plate. Avery tries to break the tension and Caden is grateful for the effort he is making.

Caden prepares his plate and returns to his seat with food and a fresh drink. ”So, Kimiko, I think we're all dying to know what the next steps for Nic and his family are regarding this missing blessing. Do you have any ideas?” Caden asked, in an effort to open up conversation with the whole table rather than separate talks.

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When Avery squeezes her hand before standing, Kimiko blinks, just now realizing she had done it without thinking. At Caden’s question, Kiki smiles nervously. “Oh, um, well, Nic, were there any big changes with your family in the last couple of weeks?” She wanted to ask if they stopped being ‘pious’ but that’s not exactly polite dinner conversation.

“It could be anything, just something that changed from typical for your family.”

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Nic kisses Cass’ head as he stands with both their plates, nodding to let her know he wouldn’t put tomatoes on her plate. At Kimiko’s question, he tries to think of anything that could have changed in his family. “Honestly, days and weeks blend into each other for me, especially with the long hours I was keeping at the hospital. Sorry - my dad might have a better idea though.” He adds the last part as he returns to his seat and sets Cass’ plate down in front of her.

“I can ask him when I get home, if you’d like.”

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Nero picks at their food, enjoying the steak, but finding most of the other foods a little plain. They don’t know if that’s because of the food or because of the tension that only just let up.

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Cassiopeia looked over the plate Nic made for her and smiled. She cute into her steak and took a couple of bites before she drank some of whiskey.

”Do you know what kind of blessing your mom could have given Nic’s family, or is it the same fore every family?” Cassi asked, interested in the conversation shift.

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”What usually causes a blessing to be revoked?” Caden asked after Cassi’s question. He ate his meal happily, enjoying the taste of everything and the shift in tension.

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Kimiko hates that the shift in the conversation has to make her the center of attention now, but she guesses it’s better than the alternative. “The scroll only shows the names of the blessed and their location.” Kiki tries to remind herself that she doesn’t have to be irritated by the question, even if it feels like she’s explaining it every other hour.

“As for revoking - this is the first time I’ve seen it happen… Someone pointed out to me recently that I should probably reach out to other kitsune.” She steals a glance at Avery.

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He tries not to, but Nic start to overthink everything that’s happened in the last couple of weeks. “But it was made by my parents? Not my grandparents or anything?” He asks, eating his food slowly.

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Cassiopeia looked at Kimiko with a slight turn of her head. She could hear the shift in Kimiko’s voice only because she had know Kimiko for so long. Apparently Cass’ question was a repetition. Still, Kimiko answered and Cass was grateful for that.

She fell silent though, concentrating on her meal, and letting Nic ask his questions.

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Avery looked at Kimiko when she referenced him. He smiled at her and nodded. ”I give great advice, what can I say,” he said happily.

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Kimiko pats his arm. “Don’t let it all go to your head now.” She tells him before returning her gaze to Nic.

”The blessing was under Shouren and Lì Wu, so your parents would be the ones who made it.” She tells him before glancing between Cassi and Caden. “Do either of you have any fox spirit contacts you could reach out to?”

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“They could have made an offering for a safe journey from China to North America.” Nic suggests, finally starting to eat his food.

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”I could make some calls,” Caden agreed. ”I reached out to try and find some people for your dad when he was looking for your mom originally. Hopefully they are still around,” he explained.

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”When would be a good time for you to talk to Nic’s dad?” Cassi asked, chiming back into the conversation.

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”Too late,” Avery joked. He finished up his first plate and stood to get a second.

”Avery….” Cassiopeia called Avery’s name in a sing-song voice. He turned around and saw her empty glass. He chuckled and turned back to finish making his plate of food before pouring Cassi a fresh glass of whiskey.

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Nero reaches over and places a hand on Caden’s leg, missing sitting in his lap already but also glad that the tension subsided for now at least.

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“Honestly anytime works for me. I haven’t picked up any work here yet, so my schedule’s free.” Kimiko tells Cass.

Nic thinks about it for a moment. “Would tomorrow work? We could do lunch.” He suggests, a few places coming to mind that they could go to if homemade didn’t appeal to Kimiko.

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Ignoring Avery, Kimiko nods to Nic, standing up to finally get food now that she isn’t the center of attention and the one steering the conversation away from the tension. “Lunch sounds great.”

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”Did you want to us to introduce you to Deductive Costa? He might be able to set you on the path of some cold cases if you’re wanting some work right away,” Cassiopeia offered. She wasn’t fully sure if she was invited to this lunch, but she could introduce Kiki to Costa whenever.

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Kimiko tilts her head as she considers it. “Maybe - I haven’t gotten restless here yet so I can wait. Also, you should probably join the lunch too Cassi.” She tells her with a smile, also feeling a little bad for my irritation earlier.

“What if we bring lunch to Cassi’s shop? You have one here, right?”

Nic nods from his seat, seemingly liking the idea.

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”If you want. I understand if you want to have lunch just with Nic. You two can use the back room while I’m up front with customers,” Cassiopeia offered.

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“My dad knows you and like you, Cass, it might be a good idea for you to be there too.” Nic says with a pat on Cass’ hand.

Kimiko sits back down with a pleased smile. “Then it’s settled. Lunch tomorrow.” She digs into her plate.

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Cassiopeia nodded and finished eating. She sat back and sipped her whiskey. She avoided looking at Caden and Nero, opting to look at Kimiko and Avery. She was rather intrigued to see why two of them were matching. Maybe she would get some information out of Avery on the way home. Or Kimiko tomorrow.

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Avery finished up his second plate of food, and debated getting a third. He looked over at Kimiko who had a fresh plate of food. He picked up his fork and stabbed one of her small potatoes and ate it happily.

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Kimiko stops herself from stabbing Avery’s hand, instead using her free hand to pinch his arm skin. “You’re on thin ice.” She tells him with a playful glare before stealing some of his drink in retaliation.

“Thank you for having me over for dinner again, Caden.” Nic says, pushing his clean plate a little further from him.

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