Donut Look Now

Chicago After Hours

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Nero

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Location: Caden & Nero’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Dress Belt Shoes

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Nero nods they head slightly, wearily leaning their head on Avery’s shoulder as they start to make their back towards the house. “If only I could just become a wolf and run it off too.” They mutter bitterly. They can understand Caden’s reaction but it doesn’t make them feel any better about the fact that he’s run off.

“…If breaking the bond to a dragon is practically impossible, how in the hell do you break one with a nephilim?” They ask this rhetorically, their mind too exhausted to try and come up with a solution right now anyway. “How do you go back in time and kick your own ass?”

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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

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Nic stops for a moment before sweeping his free arm behind Cassi’s knees and picking her up. “That memory you might want to hold onto before sharing with Caden.” He says as he starts walking again. He can feel his own anger boiling with the mental picture that comes to mind from Cassi’s words.

“I’m sorry you had to see it yourself.” He kisses her head as he holds her close, his thoughts going in circles. It’s useless, he feels, thinking that even if he had more knowledge of this supernatural world, he wouldn’t be able to come up with any solutions anyway. “I wish I had the answers.”

Chicago After Hours

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Nero

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Location: Caden & Nero’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Dress Belt Shoes

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Nero hears Kiki leave as they start to calm down enough to unbury their face from Avery’s arms. “He apologized… before run… running off.” They mumble miserably. They don’t have the energy to argue or fight off Avery helping them. They’re pretty convinced that they wouldn’t be able to walk back anyway.

“Arschgeige!”

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Translations

literal translation is ‘arse violin’, it’s just a swear/insult

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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

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Nic can practically hear Cassi’s thoughts, knowing she probably wants to chase Caden down. “So,” He starts, wanting to change the subject. “Is Nero ‘already claimed’ by this… Mundo guy from before?” He guesses as he starts to guide Cassi down the steps to leave the gazebo. He’s pretty sure he hears Nero curse behind him in German.

Chicago After Hours

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Nero

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Location: Caden & Nero’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Dress Belt Shoes

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Nero blinks, their gaze shifting to look up at Caden with a look of concern mixed with fear as their arms fall from his grasp. They feel unable to muster the strength to try and pull him back to them. They focus on Caden’s eyes, watching as his dart about from one person to the next. “Ich wusste nicht, dass.” Their voice is barely over a whisper.

Caden has to believe them, right? Nero wouldn’t have willingly bonded to Mundus in the first place, but they definitely would have been trying to find a way to break it if they had known of its existence. “Mein Drache, bitte!” They plead as he runs off into the woods.

Silent sobs wrack through the demon’s body as they stare helplessly at where their love had disappeared, barely registering Avery’s words or his embrace at first. Once in his arms, their hands grasp him as the tears flood their face before they bury it in his forearms.

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Translations

I didn’t know // my dragon, please!

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

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Location: Caden & Nero’s House - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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“Merde,” Kiki curses after the initial shock’s worn off. She’s grateful that Avery had the sense to try and comfort the imp and wipes at the tears slowly falling down her face from hearing Nero sobbing. Cassi’s voice pulls her attention and she shifts her gaze to look at her ‘older sister’.

“He-” Her eyebrows crinkle for a moment as she strains to find the words. “He fucking ran away…” She says standing up to release some of the tension she can feel welling up inside of her. “I mean, he was about to go full dragon, but still… Merde.” She curses again.

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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

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Nic’s grateful that he hasn’t let himself totally panic yet, especially when Caden started to lose control. He didn’t exactly want to find out what being that close to a dragon would do to his frail human body. His hands move on Cassi’s back in an effort to soothe her as his brain tries to catch up. “We should head inside…” He says, concerned for everyone’s wellbeing at this point.

“It’s going to get cold.” He continues.

It seems like it clicks for Kiki when she blinks and nods. “I’ll go ask the staff to… I‘ll just ask if we can…” Nic glances at her, trying to be patient.

“The less crowded, the better. Gather some blankets and start a fire inside.” He doesn’t mean to start taking charge, but he feels helpless. Dealing with a traumatized demon and sorceress by addressing their mental health first and foremost seems like the best idea. Kiki nods and heads off quickly.

Chicago After Hours

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Nero

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Location: Caden & Nero’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Dress Belt Shoes

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Nero tries to hold their laughter back when Caden mirrors their expression and instead they flash him a subtle wink before focusing on Cassi once again. Their hand barely wraps around Caden’s forearm but they still try, unable to hide a small excited wiggle as they smile nervously up at him. Their wide eyes watch as the gold and purple magic and its behavior, a sense of wonder and peace coming over them.

That is, until everything goes wrong. Nero watches as Cassi starts to fall and moves to catch her before they feel like their head is trying to split into two. They seize up, the pain excruciating as their hands clutch tightly at Caden to stay upright. Flashes of imagery assault Nero’s mind, feeling like one blow after another.

Only one thing cuts through it all clearly, the voice itself making Nero’s knees buckle. “Bow my children, and welcome my mate." They know that voice and their teeth grind against each other before the pain finally stops. Panting, Nero opens their eyes, searching for Caden’s face first.

“Cassi?” Nic’s voice is calm, but there’s a clear tone of panic as he tries to look over Cassi for injury and hold her upright at the same time. Both of Kiki’s hands now hold Avery’s, her knuckles white from the grip she had.

Nero briefly feels like everyone is talking under water for a minute as they try to come to their senses. Just in time to hear Cassi’s words. They’re already claimed. Nero feels their own tears running down their cheeks as they return Cassi’s stare and everything seems to freeze in hushed silence.

“It’s okay, you’re okay.” Nic is whispering fiercely as he holds Cassi in a tight embrace and tries to reassure her.

Nero’s buckling knees finally give way, no longer able to hold up the trembling demon. “Oh.” Their voice sounds distant even to their own ears as they fall limp, eyes trained on Cassi’s back but not really looking.

Chicago After Hours

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

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Location: Caden & Nero’s House - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Kiki watches as Cassi tells Nic that he is her love, and her cheeks blush. She can tell Nic doesn’t fully grasp what his girlfriend had said to him, but Avery easily distracts her. “I’d like that.” She says in a soft whisper as the two of them sit down. She grabs his hand in hers and places them in her lap as Cassi begins the ceremony.

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Nero

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Location: Caden & Nero’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Dress Belt Shoes

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Nero keeps stealing glances at Caden, noting the grin on his face as Cassi begins to talk. They can’t help the snort they emit when the witch teases them about using holy water. As much as the demon tries to focus on what Cassi is saying though, their eyes keep drifting back to Caden.

The impulse to fidget or wiggle is strong, but they fight it. They can keep still for once - they don’t need to be in a handstand right now. A small smirk lifts up a corner of their lips as they start to thinking about the unity and connection they’ll share with Caden after the celebrations end.

Chicago After Hours

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Nero

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Location: Caden & Nero’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Dress Belt Shoes

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Nero’s wide eyes stay on Caden’s face, watching him. “Sounds a bit… intimidating.” They tell him honestly, but a smile remains on their face. They follow his gaze as he looks around and the nerves start to get to Nero - did they truly deserve to be with Caden? Everyone here undoubtedly loves and respects Caden but the imp? Maybe they just put up with them. Will his family accept them?

Caden’s question comes through, interrupting the rabbit hole of thoughts their mind was running rampant with. Nero’s eyes meet Caden’s before nodding. “Ready.”

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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

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“Only if they fill a seat or eat a meal.” Nic jokes but watches Cassi closely as she touches the items on the altar. He wants to tell her it’s okay, thinking her mind might be going down the familiar path of blaming herself for the deaths, but holds back as everyone else starts to join them on the altar.

Instead, he kisses her cheek and squeezes her shoulder. “I love you - you got this.” He tells her encouragingly before stepping out of the way more but still close by.

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

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Location: Caden & Nero’s House - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Kiki steps up and turns in mild confusion when Avery doesn’t. Oh, she thinks as her expression softens while he gently brushes her cheek. “We can try and if I get in my head, I can just head back into the house.” She offers a gentle smile before a thought occurs. “Oh, this would be our first shift together since we formed the bond, wouldn’t it?” Suddenly the aspect of shifting seemed much less concerning.

Chicago After Hours

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Nero

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Location: Caden & Nero’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Dress Belt Shoes

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“White lingerie would only just blend in with my sk-” Nero isn’t able to finish the thought as they let out a small squeak from Caden picking them up, not having expected it. A small blush dusts across their nose and cheeks, slightly embarrassed as they look up at Caden.

Safely in his arms, Nero softly giggles. “Hmm, what about Germany?” They suggest before realizing that Caden is just casually planning their wedding. It’s inevitable, of course, but it makes the imp smile in a goofy manner nonetheless.

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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

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Nic chuckles, his mind drifting briefly as he remembers just how good Cassi had looked in that skirt. “Maybe on the days I’m not on a panel.” He says with a quirk of his lips before considering Cassi’s question. He hums as he looks around the set-up, eyeing the dagger and bowl. He knows he didn’t need to, but he had stuffed some first aid supplies into his pockets after changing earlier.

Finally, Nic looks back to meet Cassi’s eyes. “Outdoors, maybe even something just like this, but definitely intimate. I’d only have my dad… oh and Jane and Kat, of course.” He adds. “But yeah, intimate would be nice unless you’re planning on inviting a lot of people than maybe I can be convinced otherwise.” He says this with a teasing glint to his eyes.

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

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Location: Caden & Nero’s House - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Kiki tilts her head slightly, thinking over Avery’s suggestion. To be honest, walking into the forest could have triggered her trauma from the kidnapping, but between the atmosphere, the reason for entering, and the man she clings to, that memory is staying safely tucked away. “That might be nice…” She says softly, turning her head to look back at Avery again. Her heart thrums in her chest a little as she considers her next question.

“Would you want to… shift?” She asks in a mumble. Her anxiety with it all is slowly fading bit by bit, but there’s still that subconscious dread in the back of her mind.

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

I also have a present!

Open me!

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

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Nyx Heir the Wanderer

Plaza at the Pier, Execution Platform

_{Skills: Shifting}

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Nyx watches from the crowd, squished between bodies of others who came to see the Duke of Nordor meet his grisly end. His eulogy made a hush fall over the people there and she can feel the palpable tension among the commoners and nobility listening; these people are tired of the Wizard Queen’s reign as well.

It was truly a blessing to have Laurent’s phrase that could make the Skybound siblings sleep, for without it she would not be able to watch this event unfold. Once the twins had returned to their quarters, Nyx made quick work of putting Mene to sleep before finding a random soldier nearby. As was common, there was drinking involved with those off-duty and it had been easy to slip some sleeping drug into a mug without much notice.

One passed out soldier later, Nyx had made quick work of taking Asteria’s clothing off and placing it nicely in a storage closet before shifting into the body of the man she had drugged and stealing his clothes before stuffing him into the closet as well. She had arrived at the execution platform just as Duke Sev started his speech.

Now, there are some brave souls who cry out against the Wizard Queen, easily lost in the swarm of people. This is exactly the opportunity that Nyx has been hoping for. “Justice for the duke!” She yells in the deep voice of a man, the bass of it reverberating in her chest. Similar shouts scatter throughout the crowd. Nyx moves through the throng to a new position, making small changes here and there to her appearance. She doesn’t want to exert all her energy and end up being unable to shift back into Asteria, after all.

“End the Wizard Queen’s tyranny!” This seems to spur the people forward, the onlookers pushing closer to the stage’s edge. Nyx briefly wonders if the Duke of Rhinecliff would recognize her but quickly dismisses the thought as she repeats the same process a few more times. Once the crowd is successfully riled up with screaming and shouting, she slips away towards the back of the audience.

With one final glance over her shoulder, she watches as the people of the kingdom come close to a riot. She’s glad she had managed to pass around some rotten fruit and vegetables, knowing that a few of her spies had done the same. “I hope she gets hammered with some mushy tomatoes.” Nyx mumbles to herself before making her way back to the ship.

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

I do believe I like the sound of that