KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit: Joggers

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Avery froze when Kimiko flinched from his kiss on her neck. He felt a growl of annoyance build in his throat, but he kept it buried. It wasn’t her he was annoyed with. Avery opened his eyes, staring at the tree Kimiko was backed against. Tears pricked his own eyes in empathy with Kimiko.

He released her hip, sliding his arm around her waist, pulling her from the tree, and he turned. Avery sat down on the ground, his back now against the tree and lifted Kimiko into his lap.

”I’d prefer if you didn’t. Caden might take the damage from my pay,” he joked poorly. Avery cupped Kimiko’s face in his hands, making her look at him.

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Caden

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Location: Boat —> Ellis Island – New York
Skills:
Fit

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”Yes. We have a couple hours to tour the island the the Statue before this boat will take us back, and then we can continue on with our last day in New York.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nic & Ren's Apartment – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”Mmm, four, maybe five hours,” she told him truthfully. She could help Nic with the pain and possibly the healing process, but there was no way to rush a tattoo. It took time to make things look right and precise.

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit: Joggers

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Avery’s kiss remained light, his lips brushing across Kimiko’s while she responded to his statement. He chuckled, running his lips up her jawline to her ear. They had yet to kiss or be intimate like this. Avery had really been trying to resist Kimiko and respect her boundaries, but it was getting hard, especially when she was the one to pull him in.

”Well, I can’t say I’m disappointed by that,” he whispered in her ear. He placed a kiss under her ear. Images of her bruised skin flashed across his closed eyelids, and he placed another gentle kiss on her neck, sweeping those horrible images and that horrible night from his mind. Those thoughts had no place in this moment.

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Caden

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Location: Boat – New York City, New York
Skills:
Fit

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Caden held his glass to Nero and clinked their glass with his. ”It’s a date,” he said. Caden finished his mimosa and glanced out the window. Caden smiled and set his glass down before he stood.

”Come with me,” he said and pulled Nero up from their seat before leading them out onto the deck of the boat. A gust of wind greeted them, but it quickly subsided as Caden guided Nero up to the bow of the boat. The Statue of Liberty loomed, larger than life the closer they got. It was even more awe-some than gazing at the Empire State building.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nic & Ren's Apartment – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”I think that would be a good idea,” Cassi agreed. ”Whatever is going on in his head might relate to why your family blessing is gone.”

Cassiopeia closed up her notebook and looked at Nic. ”So, when can I tattoo you?” She’d prefer sooner rather than later, just so she knew he was safe and protected, but if he wanted to wait until whatever was going on with his dad was resolved, Cass understood that as well.

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit: Joggers

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Avery chuckled, his eyes drifting to Kimiko’s bottom lip. He ran his thumb over her chin and pulled down to force Kimiko to stop biting her lip.

”Do you have any idea how attractive you are when you do that?” Avery dropped his head and leaned in closer. His lips hovered just above Kimiko’s as he spoke again. ”Or how attractive I find you in general?” He pressed his lips lightly to hers, dragging the kiss out.

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Caden

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Location: Boat – New York City, New York
Skills:
Fit

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The conversation paused naturally between the two while they indulged in a well-prepared meal. The boat travelled through the waters, giving an excellent view of the New York skyline and some of the world-renowned bridges. In the distance, the Statue of Liberty could be seen looming over the water and New York like a guardian.

Caden leaned back in his seat, sipping his fresh mimosa while he took in the view both outside the point and across the table from him.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nic & Ren's Apartment – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Cassi shut her eyes, enjoying the compassionate touch Nic always seemed to have. At the mention of Ren’s tattoo, she opened her eyes and looked at her sketchbook.

”Oh, sure!” She shifted in her seat, moving plates back out of the way and flipped back to Ren’s tattoo. ”It’s a reflection pond. It’s supposed to be representative of the past and present or where your life is going. I thought it would be nice to have something that represented Kiki and your mom in this way. And water is supposed to be healing and cleansing, but…Maybe not. Maybe it’s too reminiscent of what he’s lost,” Cassi said and ran a finger over the half-finished drawing.

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit: Joggers

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”Ah, is that what it is?” Avery chuckled and released her cheek to brush his thumb along her jaw. His other hand remained on Kimiko’s hip, firmly pressing her hip into the tree. He barely noticed that hand, more focused on Kimiko’s face. ”It’s alright. I think I keep overestimating how much self-control I have as well.”

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Caden

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Location: Boat – New York City, New York
Skills:
Fit

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”Sweet and salty today,” Caden noted of Nero’s meal, as he added syrup to his plate of waffles.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nic & Ren's Apartment – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Cassi shifted to stand, ready to follow Ren or tell him to stay and she would do the dishes, but Nic kept her firmly in place. She looked at him, worry creasing her brow and was ready to tell him she should go when he spoke first and completely shot that unspoken thought down.

Cassi opened and closed her mouth several times. She was reminded of when she first met Nic, and he always seemed to know or understand what was happening. His observation skills were paying off again. He would have made a great sorcerer, Cassi thought to herself.

She looked down at their joined hands before she leaned forward and pressed her forehead to their hands. ”Are you certain I shouldn’t? Maybe you two can talk about the information Kimiko needs… I have a feeling whatever is on his mind would answer those questions.” Cassi pulled her head away to look back at Nic.

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit: Joggers

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Avery smirked on Kimiko’s lips, liking that his nickname for her was so well received. After she pulled back from the kiss, he rested his forehead against hers and shut his eyes. He breathed in her scent and sighed. The sound of her voice, mixed with the touch of her hands, and her scent mingled with him and the forest. It was both soothing and arousing.

”Whatever I am feeling or emotions, I have become heightened because the wolf’s emotions and instincts are so primal. So in a way, yes but also no because I already have all these feelings without the wolf’s help,” Avery said. He kept his eyes closed while he spoke, letting the strange mix of sound, touch, and smell envelope him before he pulled back to look at her.

He rested a hand on her cheek, brushing his thumb along the flushed parts of her skin from the run and maybe a little because of him.

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Caden

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Location: Boat – New York City, New York
Skills:
Fit

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”Brunch? Yes, I’ve done brunch before,” Caden poorly joked. He kissed Nero’s hand before sipping his drink. ”I haven’t done this type of excursion before. I was doing some research into brunch dates as well as seeing the location of where we are going when I came across this and thought it would be a fun idea.” The food arrived shortly after Caden was done explaining.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nic & Ren's Apartment – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Cassiopeia closed her eyes from the simple peck, grinning after rather than giggling. She looked at Ren, feeling concerned again about how he was acting. She had a brief thought of maybe leaving. Something definitely didn’t seem right.

”Oh, no. It is a simple task for me. Something I do quite regularly,” Cassi assured them both.

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit: Joggers

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Avery went to pull away but Kimiko grabbed him, dragging him further into the trees until her back pressed up against one. Avery's voice got caught in his throat, seeing her do that. It's what had gone through his own mind before he pulled away.

Avery moved a step closer to her, limiting Kimiko's chances of escape unless she pushed against him. ”I think you are overestimating my self-control, little fox,” Avery said once he cleared his throat.

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Caden

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Location: Boat – New York City, New York
Skills:
Fit

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Caden ordered waffles with sausage and bacon for his meal, deciding to stick with the mimosas. He easily slipped his hand into Nero's and held it while they travelled.

”I think it would be a smart idea. We can get you a passport at the same time. I have someone who takes care of all those things without asking too many questions.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nic & Ren's Apartment – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Cassiopeia nodded in agreement with the hanging baskets. She glanced around again, the ideas coming to her more easily now that she had someone to bounce them off with.

”We could for the smaller ones, but I don't want to take away from the view you have. I'm also thinking we should place something against the house for any vining plants to climb. As for the wind, I can always magic a bubble around the terrace to keep it at bay. I mean, I'm hoping you both would be okay if I did some spell work in the house like I did with my place to keep anything from entering.” She glanced at Ren again before looking at Nic.

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit: Joggers

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Avery tried not to but he couldn't help the groan that slipped past his lips when Kimiko traced his lips with her tongue. It was from a combination of how attracted to her he was, and running outside that heightened Avery's senses. It simply felt more hyper aware and connected to everything.

Avery shifted in his position, unwrapping his arm from Kimiko's waist to rest his hand on her hip. He slowed his kiss, pressing his thumb into the soft flesh on the inside of her hip bone before he pulled back from the kiss.

”We should probably keep running.”

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Caden

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Location: Boat – New York City, New York
Skills:
Fit

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Caden sat at a table with Nero, chuckling from their excitement and questions. ”Brunch is on the boat today. As for our destination, you'll see,” Caden said.

A few minutes later the boat started and smoothly pulled away from the dock and started to rumble forward. A waiter came around with water and mimosas while taking everyone's orders.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nic & Ren's Apartment – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Cassi squeezed Nics hand in thanks. Something definitely wasn't right. She turned her attention back to her food, but her appetite wasn't the same. Thankfully, Nic pulled her attention away again to ask about the planters. She flipped the page in her sketchbook to reveal Nic's terrace as it was with some doodles on it of planters and boxes set up in different ways.

”I've seen some people stack them, but we could also have several boxes lining the railing and then set up a second row. We can even hang some off the railing but I'm not sure I like that.” She pulled the notebook closer and started playing around with more ideas.

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit: Joggers

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Avery smiled as Kimiko went along with the moment. He slid his arm around her waist, noticing how alive she felt from the running and all the flirting and teasing. He kissed her deeply, savouring the moment with her just like he did with every minute he had with her.

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Caden

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Location: Driving —> Boat – New York City, New York
Skills:
Fit

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Caden grinned and kissed Nero's cheek, falling silent. He didn't confirm nor deny Nero's question but as they pulled up to the marina, the answer would be obvious.

A local company had started hosting brunch on board boats that would then take the patrons across to Ellis Island where they could view the Statue of Liberty up close.

Caden got out of the car first and helped Nero out before leading them to the boat that already had several people aboard, waiting for the boat to depart and their meal to begin.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Cassi nods slowly when Ren tells her that he liked that tattoo and where he wanted. Her fingers twitched again, but with the urge to see what memories trigger his reaction. Cassi wouldn't betray Ren's trust and look into his mind like that. She couldn't, not to him.

”Are you sure? I don't mind changing whatever you want…”

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit: Joggers

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Avery stopped with Kimiko, ready to grab her if she needed to but she caught herself. He grinned, pleased she had accepted his deal.

”Good, then I'll know what you're missing,” Avery said, grabbing Kimiko's hand, pulling her in quickly to kiss her before she could protest.

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Caden

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Location: Mandarin Oriental Hotel —> Driving – New York City, New York
Skills:
Fit

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Caden led Nero from the hotel to the street. Once again, a town car waited for them and Caden helped Nero get into the vehicle first before getting in after them.

”How do you feel about boats?” Caden asked as they neared their destination.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Cassi swallowed, her fingers twitching in Nic's hand with nerves. His words didn't even really register with her, she was so focused on Ren and how he felt about it.

”Is it too much? I could make something more simple or use black and white rather than colour,” Cassi offered.

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit: Joggers

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Avery snorted but nodded his head in agreement. ”If I win…. You show me your underwear drawer,” Avery said with a boyish grin.

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Caden

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Location: Mandarin Oriental Hotel – New York City, New York
Skills:
Fit

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”Well, I'll be sure to thank her once we get back. Are you ready to go?”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Of course Cassiopeia blushed from the praise from both Wu men. ”I'm not quite finished with yours, Ren. I confess I'm struggling to capture the right feeling for it.”

Cassiopeia flipped the page over before she rested a hand on Nic's leg under the table. She had drawn out a reflection pond with a curious fox looking at themselves. The features of the fox however were more feminine and human-like but still kept with Kiki's design. She was in the process of creating 3D like flowers that haloed the fox, but she also had some in the water. The water looked like it was rippling in those areas, but those flowers weren't fully finished either.

”I'm not sure if the flowers should frame Kiki's fox, or should frame the reflection pond like a picture frame, you know? I was also researching zen gardens and the ideas behind them, but I liked the idea of the water for you, Ren and the reflection pond of seeing the past and future seemed to fit.” She looked at Ren, wanting his opinion. Her hand tightened on Nic's knee. She was worried she had missed the mark and didn't want to offend Ren.