[IC] Chicago After Hours

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

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

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“Raccoons are natural, aren’t they?” I tell him, sticking my tongue out at him before I run off to clean my face.

Most of the makeup on my eyelashes had been cried off, so it was just my skin that needed cleaning. I almost leave the red lipstick on because of Caden’s comment, but end up wiping that off too. I dig through the drawers and pull out the same tools Caden had used just the other day, combing my hair through. I give myself a once-over before I run back to Caden’s room.

“Do I shut and lock the door or is that going to impede the hot chocolate?” I ask as I traipse into the bathroom.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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

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I'm leaning against the counter in the bathroom when Nero walks back in. I smile and walk over to them.

”Impede, but we can close the bathroom door. They'll leave everything on the table in the main bedroom.” I take Nero's hands and lead them over to the bathtub. ”I'll give you a moment alone to settle and get into the tub. I'll knock before I come back in with the hot chocolate.” I miss Nero's cheek before I release their hands.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

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

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I grab his hand back and gently, but firmly, pull him down a little so I can give him a kiss back. “Thank you.” I say, looking him in the eyes so he can see I’m being genuine before I release him.

”I’m guessing I shouldn’t cannonball into the tub, right?” I give him an impish grin and wink before I start undressing again to climb into his tub.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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

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I smile and watch them walk to the tub. I laugh and shake my head. ”I don't recommend it.” I watch them undress before I turn and give them some privacy.

I walk out of the bathroom and shut the door behind me. I open up my bedroom door so no one has to knock and then I walk back to my window. I open the curtain and look outside. I let my eyes adjust to the low visibility, but I can't see anything in the backyard. I hoped I didn't make a mistake pinning Avery and Kimiko with each other.

I let the curtain fall when I hear someone enter the room. I smile and thank them for our meal as well as the one they prepared for the other two when they eventually return.

I shut the door behind them and look at the bathroom door. I decide to give Nero a few more moments and pour myself a drink.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

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

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The moment I step in, I feel my muscles that I didn’t know were tense almost immediately relax. I wade my way in and sink until just my eyes and a bit of my nose are above the water and just close my eyes. I imagine Caden playing the violin and could almost hear the playful notes of the allegro he chose to perform again. I hum along to the memory, bubbles popping up into my face.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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

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After I pour my drink I sit down and make some notes about the latest supernatural trouble. I sip my drink as I work and decompress from my day. After ten minutes, I finish my notes and drink. I grab the tray and knock on the bathroom door before I poke my head.

”Ready for some company?”

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

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

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I open my eyes to find Caden peeking in. I grin and lift my jaw so I’m not submerged. “Dying for it actually.” I say.

“What were you up to out there?” I ask as I wade over to the edge of the tub and rest my chin on the edge as I wait.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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

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I chuckle, my eyes sparkling as I watch them in my bathtub. I walk over to the, closing the bathroom door behind me. I set the tray of snacks and hot chocolate on the ledge beside the tub.

”Checking to see if I can find the troublemakers, when I couldn't, I wrote down what we learned at the club, so I can address it tomorrow.” I dip my hand in the water and flick water droplets at Nero. ”Is the temperature okay?”

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

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

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Resisting the urge to splash him or pull him in, I opt for sticking my tongue out at Caden when he flicks water at me. “It feels good to me, but if you need it warmer I’m okay with that.” I tilt my head as I look up at him.

“Now get in here, I’ve missed you.” I want him to enjoy some of the relaxation before I start throwing questions at him.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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

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I laugh and hold my arms out and bow. ”As you wish.” I look up and give them a wink before I stand and strip off my pants.

I watch Nero as I unbutton my pants and push them down my legs. I step out of them and kick them away before I slip into the large bathtub. I slid in behind them and wrapped my arms around them. I kiss Nero's shoulder and shut my eyes. Our night might not have gone as planned, but I thought this was better.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

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

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I shake my head at him as he undresses. “It’s almost like you want me to watch.” I tell him as he gets in and wraps him arms around me. I watch his face as he closes his eyes and I smile as he relaxes. I don’t want to ruin the moment so I just rest my head on his chest instead, tracing the tattoos on his arm with my finger.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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

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”Maybe because I like it when you watch me,” I say and kiss their shoulder. I like the way Nero traces my tattoos. Their touch is gentle but it leaves a trail of something more desirable as they go over the same spots over and over again.

”Your hot chocolate is getting cold,” I inform them.

------------------------------------------Fade Out (Sensitive Topic)--------------------------------------------

[KazAlkemi]

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
Skills: Shifting

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I spent nearly half the night outside. I even managed to hunt down a couple of rabbits before I shifted back and walked through to Caden’s back deck. I open up the box on the outside of the pool where there are extra towels and clothes for me. I wet a towel and wipe my face and body before I dress and head into the house. My stomach growls in rage. Despite the rabbit meal, I am still starved. I head into the kitchen and open the fridge.

There are a couple of plates labelled ”For Avery & Kimiko”. I pull one of the plates out and go to sit down. Did Kimiko shift, too? I didn’t notice her out there. Odd, and also another reason not to like foxes. I sit at the table in the kitchen and stuff my face with chicken and sandwiches.

[Donut Look Now]

Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

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

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I find a couple prey and have my fill of the glands before I grab the carcasses to bring back with me. I find my robe again and shift, wrapping myself up before I head inside to try and find the kitchen. I stop in my tracks when I find it though, seeing that someone else had beat me to the room. ”Oh for fuck’s sake.” I mutter before walking the rest of the way in.

“Does Caden have a freezer or something for game?” I ask Avery, holding up the two rabbits I found by the ears. I’m not one to waste if possible, but I still didn’t want to have to ask Avery for directions.

[KazAlkemi]

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I’m halfway through my feast when I hear footsteps and then a familiar voice curse. Well, it was only a matter of time until we came across each other again. Still, I should have taken my meal back to the servants' house.

I look over at Kimiko and note the robe and rabbits. I point towards a row of freezers. ”Far right one. There’s a plate of food in the fridge set aside for you. Caden must have let the others know we were out, so they made something for us if you’re still hungry. I can leave so you have the space to yourself,” I offer and start to stand.

[Donut Look Now]

Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

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

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“Sit back down.” I tell him sternly as I go to put the rabbits away. I wash my hands and some of my face off in the sink before I go to grab the plate from the fridge.

I note that Avery is clean and in new clothes. “I figure we might not like each other, but while I’m here we can at least try to get along.” I sit down and take a bite of a sandwich to start. “I left a note on Caden’s side of the house letting him know we were both out.” I tell him.

[KazAlkemi]

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I hover between sitting and standing for half a minute before I set my plate and drink back down on the table, and sit. I watch Kimiko move about the kitchen while I resume eating. Once she sits and talks, I look back at my plate of food, contemplating leaving again.

”Ya, I figured you did,” I said, gesturing to the food. I wince and sigh. ”Sorry, default setting.” I know she’s right, and I need to relax and try. After all, she did fight alongside me tonight. It’s just I don’t know her and she’s in my territory. Well, Caden’s, but by default, it is mine to protect as well.

”How was your run?” I ask awkwardly.

[Donut Look Now]

Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

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

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I snort before I clamp my hand over my mouth. “Sorry, I could just see how hard you were trying and…” I stop myself and take a deep breath before I try again. ”My run was good. I tried to steer clear of the side you disappeared into…” I nibble on my sandwich a little more.

“How was yours?” I force myself to ask.

[KazAlkemi]

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I smirk when she tries to prevent herself from laughing. Honestly, I was glad she laughed. Trying to make conversation with someone you didn’t want to was painful enough. I finish one of my sandwiches and sip my drink before answering.

”It was good, relaxing. It's probably best you avoided me, though. I’m not sure what it’s like for you, but my wolf takes over when I shift. If he didn’t recognize you or if you ran, he’d likely have chased you down. That would have been an even more awkward conversation with Caden.”

[Donut Look Now]

Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

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

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“Noted.” I say with an appreciative nod. “I have a good amount of control, but that’s only because of Caden’s help… So yeah, that would have been a very awkward conversation with him.” I chuckle at the thought. “I’d pay good money to watch it though.” Finished with one sandwich, I move on to my own drink and sip it before looking to see what else had been packed into my ‘lunch sack’ of a plate.