KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Avery pouted as he had been hoping for more than just Froyo. He made a turn and cruised along, ever aware of the traffic and other drivers on the road. He glanced over at Kimiko when she promised to wine and dine him one night.

”Good. I’m looking forward to it,” he said, resting his hand on her thigh while he drove. He leaned his right elbow on the console, his left hand on top of the steering while he cruised through Chicago.

”Don’t they do those robot war things in Japan, too?” he asked, making conversation while he drove.

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Caden

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Location: Car
Skills:
Fit

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Caden couldn’t agree with Nero anymore. He missed them in his bed as well. He missed the house they were making theirs and was looking forward to the renos to start to join their spaces together.

Caden slid in after Nero and immediately wrapped his arm around his imp, pulling them in close and kissing the side of their head. ”The most fearsome little imp in my kitchen covered in flour, baking…Yes, I think I would like to see that,” Caden said, smiling before he kissed them again.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassiopeia scowled at Nic’s arm. It made a lot of sense when he explained it that way. Cass sighed and pulled back from tattooing to look at Nic. You could extract the venom like you would with any poisonous bite, same treatment protocol I would image, too. I can also manipulate the fluid in my body to pull it out, but if I’m out of it, that isn’t as easy. As for a coma… There’s a myth that true loves kiss works,” Cassi said and cracked a smile before she went back to working on Nic. ”So if you have Jason Momoa’s number, that would be great.”

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”Exactly! But in a tree this time,” Avery said and kissed Kimiko back. He smiled, brushing her cheek before he nodded. ”We should.” He closed her door before he got in on the driver's side and headed for the nearest FroYo place.

”Next date is on you,” Avery declared. ”I want to be wine and dined this time.”

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Caden

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Location: Restaurant —> Car
Skills:
Fit

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”Ooo, that sounds like a great way to spend a day with you,” he said and opened up the back door to the town car. Caden looked down at Nero and nodded.

”Yes, it’s time for us to head home.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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”Well… no. If someone with a magical ability is bit more than once by a Redcap, we could fall into a dreamless sleep. A coma for the scientific world. We can come out of it. We won’t die, but.” Cassi pulled the needle away and shrugged as she added more ink and went back to her work.

”Being bitten once won’t put me into a coma or twice,” Cassi added. She glanced up at Nic and sighed. ”You have too much going on, Nic. I can’t run you ragged. It’ll affect your job, and the people at the hospital need you more than I do..”

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Avery rested his arms along the top of the SUV while Kimiko explained why she had never gone. He chuckled and nodded. ”Only if I get to stand on the porch and yell into the trees like black Tarzan.”

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Caden

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Location: Restaurant
Skills:
Fit

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”I’m spoiled every day I get to spend with you,” Caden said and kissed Nero’s hand before he stood and pulled Nero up with him. ”However, I understand what you mean, and I look forward to that day as well.” Caden kissed Nero softly before leading them out of the restaurant and to the car.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassi started tattooing again, debating on whether she should answer Nic’s question. She couldn’t avoid not telling him everything all the time, but there were risks with this line of work, and she wasn’t going to avoid doing it just because it put her in danger.

”Yes. I’ve been bitten before. I got rather lethargic and tired. I was only bitten once, but the venom was pulled out quickly.”

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Avery led Kimiko to the SUV, his hand hovering over her lower back as a guide until he stopped to open the passenger side door. He took Kimiko’s phone and looked over the place she had been talking about. He sent the link to his phone and nodded.

”This place is really cool. How come you’ve never gone?” If she had money and was well off like she said earlier, it didn’t make sense to Avery why she would wait to go.

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Caden

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Location: Restaurant
Skills:
Fit

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Caden chuckled and kissed Nero’s hand before letting them go. ”Thank you, my little imp, and no, everything is packed up and probably already in the jet waiting for us,” he said. He finished his cheesecake along with his drink. ”Thank you for letting me spoil you so much this weekend. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I have.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassi groaned in annoyance. ”Malicious little bastards are what they are,” she said, her Scottish burr coming through. ”They are magical creatures that can shift to look more human, but they are warriors and love bloodshed. They get their name from bathing their caps in the blood of their kills.”

Cassi sat down on her stool and switched the needles out on her tattoo gun after washing her hands and sanitizing. ”They are nuisances more than anything, but they do have a nasty bite that can affect other magical creatures. I dealt with them a lot when I was in Scotland. I have to look over Costa’s files that he sent me before I get started, but I don’t think it’ll take me long to dispatch them,” Cassi said honestly.

She sipped her tea and sighed in contentment before looking at Nic. She smiled brightly at him. ”Ready?”

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Restaurant – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”Hmmmm, okay. All noted,” Avery said, taking Kimiko’s hand while he stands. He squeezed her hand while they walked, and he led her from the restaurant. He pushed the door open, his arm over her head and let her go first before he followed along behind her.

”Are there any tree house homes in Japan?”

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Caden

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Location: Restaurant
Skills:
Fit

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Caden smiled and squeezed Nero’s hand after they squeezed his three times, learning that was Nero’s way of saying ‘I love you’. ”I think we balance each other out well. I don’t mind your wholesome, mischievous pranks, but if they go too far, I can bend them back the other way.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassiopeia frowned at the simple emoji message back from Ren. That definitely didn’t make sense to her. And he didn’t tease Cass at all today. Something was up. Cassi picked up her tea after the second kiss from Nic, and she followed behind him and Wayland.

”Ya, I think that’s a good idea. Costa wants me to work on this red cap case anyway. I’m not sure how long it’ll take me. They are incredibly annoying and aggressive, and by the sounds of it, there are several of them causing terror.”

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Restaurant – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Avery laughed when Kiki said it was just chocolate-covered strawberries. ”At least make the dessert something challenging. You already know I can make flawless chocolate-covered strawberries,” he said and paid their supper bill.

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Caden

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Location: Restaurant
Skills:
Fit

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Caden looked at Nero and reached out to claim their hand. He twitched his fingers, beckoning Nero to unfold themselves and reach out to him. ”It depends on who you ask, I suppose. I think we both saw that the couple was not going to last. If anything, you did them a favour. However, right now she does not see it as such. A little kindness will go a long way in getting her to feel confident again,” Caden declared.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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It isn’t until Nic’s thumb runs over Cassi’s lips that she finally shuts up. In fact, she goes quiet mid-sentence and just stares into Nic’s eyes. How is it he can capture her attention so easily? Aside from plants and her work, nothing can pull Cassi’s attention quite so immediately as Nic can. Her anxious heart is grateful for it.

Cassi blushed when Nic told her she couldn’t take advantage. She would never, but she could tease him. Before she can say as much, Nic is kissing her, and Cassi is leaning into in. She kissed him back softly, tasing the strong tea she made him drink earlier, but its diluted now because of the water and time.

Cassi pulled herself away from the kiss. ”Okay, okay. We’re almost finished with the tattoo, and then you can distract me after. Let your dad know you’re staying so he doesn’t worry.”

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Restaurant – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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The next time the waiter came around, Avery asked for the bill. After they left, he crossed his arms and leaned on the table, watching Kimiko. Her fidgeting was getting worse and Avery was half tempted to pick her up and sit her on his lap so she wouldn't run off on him.

”Fresh apple pie, with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce,” Avery said, very specifically. ”Yours?”

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Caden

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Location: Restaurant
Skills:
Fit

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Unlike Nero, Caden doesn't enjoy seeing the woman crying by herself. From the conversation he overheard, it was for the best the relationship ended. It wasn't going anywhere, but it came to a forced conclusion rather than natural.

When the cheesecake is delivered to Caden and Nero, Caden asks for the woman's bill so he could pay it along with theirs. Once the waiter left, Caden picked up his fork and sliced a piece. He contemplated it before eating.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassi crossed her arms and leaned against the counter while she waited for the kettle to boil. She laughed when Nic remembered what he had said about ninjas and backtracked.

”Awe, why? I was already designing a piece in my head,” she teased him. ”And no, you don't need to massage my neck and shoulders. I rather think you need that more than me.”

Cassi turned around when the kettle boiled and poured herself a cup of hot rosehip and cerulean tea with other fresh herbs. As it steeped, she refilled Nic's water glass for him.

”Actually, would you maybe consider spending the night? I know you just moved in to your new place and the bed is very comfortable since you mention how comfortable it is every time you sleep in it… but there was all that tension with your dad today and you haven't spent the night since that night at Caden's and…” Cassi continued to ramble even as she moved to finish preparing her tea.

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Restaurant – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Avery could think of several other things he would enjoy far more for his reward than frozen yogurt, but the stern look on Kimiko’s face, mixed with her hopeful expression, had Avery caving rather than teasing her.

”We definitely have time to get you frozen yogurt.”

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Caden

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Location: Restaurant
Skills:
Fit

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”Oh? I thought you and Kiki shared a bond over pranking. I wouldn’t want to take that away from you two,” he said before assuring Nero that they would be getting dessert as well. They still had an hour before they needed to be at the airport to leave.

Caden was equally sad and happy to be returning to Chicago. He was feeling rather tired and was looking forward to sleeping on the plane, but he had enjoyed a simple weekend with Nero where neither of them had responsibilities to attend to. That would all end tomorrow.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassi paused to look at Nic’s arm. ”At least another hour, closer to two.” She resumed walking out of the room and smiled at Nic. ”You can leave the room. Just don’t lean against anything. I’ll be swapping the needles out for a fresh one when we start up again anyways, so everything will remain sanitary,” she assured him before she resumed walking.

Cassi rotated her neck and arms while she walked. She stretched out her fingers and yawned before walking into the kitchen. She turned the kettle on for some tea before pouring Nic a glass of water.

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Restaurant – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Avery glanced down at the empty plates when Kimiko stopped talking midway through her sentence. In the last week he had replayed each time he came in contact with the Chicago werewolf pack over and over again, wondering if there was a different way they could have approached Levi and his pack. After hours of beating himself up, Avery determined that there wasn’t. Levi and his pack had been self-absorbed and entitled. It wouldn’t have mattered how Avery and Caden treated them. They would have acted and done what they wanted regardless. Avery was just glad he had been there the night at the club. Who knows what Terry and them would have tried that night if Avery hadn’t been there.

Kimiko started talking again, and Avery glanced up at the mention of her underwear drawer. He grinned, amusement plain on his face. He shrugged, the epitome of innocence. ”I have no idea what you are talking about.”

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Caden

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Location: Restaurant
Skills:
Fit

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Chuckling, Caden signalled for their waiter and relayed what he wanted. The waiter happily complied before leaving to fulfil the task. A few moments later, a piece of cheesecake with two forks was delivered to the not-so-happy-looking couple.

Still smiling, Caden turned his attention away and finished his drink before finishing his meal.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassi paused in her tattooing to look up at Nic with amusement before shaking her head and returning to her task. Most of the next couple hours went like that: Nic feeling rather good and Cassi being entertained by all his wild theories and the things that seemed to upset him most. Honestly, Cassi found most of those things to be amusing.

”I need a little break. Why don’t you stretch a bit? Your body should still be numb, but your head should be clearing a bit. I’ll go get you some water,” Cassi said and pushed her trolley aside before she stood and stretched.

Wayland also took the opportunity to jump from Nic's lap, where he had been happily taking all the human's attention, and went to stretch his own legs.

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Restaurant – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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The waitress returned with another drink for Avery, so he didn’t have to keep stealing Kimiko’s. He sipped his sweet tea before accepting Kimiko’s plate of fries. ”What did you buy for Nero?”

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Caden

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Location: Restaurant
Skills:
Fit

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Nero’s delight is a show on its own. Caden is torn between looking at the couple and looking back at Nero while they enjoy themselves. Caden just shook his head, amused by their antics.

”Should we send over a piece of cake in congratulations for the happy new couple?”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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When all the reviews of the movies had come out, Cassi had read up on that fact and knew it was one of several the fandom was disappointed with. ”Rey was pretty cool though,” Cassi commented while she continued to work.