KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Frozen Yogurt Place – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”No, we still have about an hour and a half before they land,” Avery assured her. He sat down after Kimiko and took another bite of his yogurt.

”When they get back…Do you still want me to stay with you, or do you want me to go back to staff housing?” Avery asked curiously. His eyes didn’t quite meet Kimiko’s as he talked. He would be okay with whatever he decided, but he hoped she’d still want him around, despite Caden being in the house to protect her.

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Caden

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Location: Car ---> Airstrip
Skills:
Fit

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”That you have,” Caden said with a nod. ”And what do you think that means?” he asked, hyperaware of how Nero’s hand moved along his leg.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassi turned the lights back on and started to clean up. ”Well then, sure, I can show you how to tattoo.” She finished her tea as she cleaned, falling into an easy rhythm that set a happy smile on her face. It was like putting everything in order again, and Cassi liked little tasks like that.

”I’ll leave your tattoo uncovered tonight, but I’ll cover it tomorrow before you leave. The second-skin I’ll put on it should work for a week or so before you need to take it off, but in the morning, I’ll also run a healing spell over your arm to speed the process up,” she said, talking while she cleaned. ”The rune symbols I used are for healing, wellness, protection, endurance, and wellbeing. So you might notice that you heal faster if you are ever injured, and you might notice you aren’t as tired after a workout or work. Nothing like a supernatural entity experiences, but more improvement than a normal human would.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Frozen Yogurt Place – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”Hey! I got blueberries and raspberries, too!” he defended. Avery snatched his yogurt away after it had been weighed and took a large helping from his cup, and ate it happily.

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Caden

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Location: Car
Skills:
Fit

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Caden chuckled and rubbed his chin. ”Of course, you can make me blush. I just don’t all that often,” Caden said, their arm wrapped around Nero. He kissed their head again before finishing his glass of champagne, more than content with Nero’s hand wandering where it wanted.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassi rolled her eyes at the compliment. ”Well look in the mirror. You can see it all better. The way it was meant to be seen,” she said. Cassi stood, opened up her drawers for a black light and waited for Nic to look in the mirror to see his tattoo before she shut the light off and turned the black light on so he could see the rune symbols, the Celtic shield, and the anti-possession symbol.

”An apprentice? Do you want to learn to tattoo?”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Frozen Yogurt Place – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”Because I’ll share with you,” Avery said and followed along behind Kimiko. He added blueberries and raspberries to his as well as some M&M bits.

He looked over at Kimiko and shook his head. ”Jesus woman, do you want some yogurt with your toppies?”

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Caden

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Location: Car
Skills:
Fit

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Caden sipped his champagne, his own cheeks darkening from Nero’s words. ”I didn’t want to assume, especially with how long you have had them,” he explained.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassi blushed, but she continued her work, needing to focus on this part more than anything else she had done so far. After some time, she answered Nic. ”Oh, I think you are stronger than that,” she said and went back to her work.

Cassiopeia completed the Nauthiz rune symbol for willpower and endurance, and the Sowilo symbol for health and cleansing in one fluid movement. It took her more steps to complete the traditional symbol for protection: the Celtic shield knot, but once it was completed Cassi shut the needle off and wiped her brow. She smiled at her work, spraying it down with cold water and wiping it gently.

”Take a look,” Cassi said, pleased with her work.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Frozen Yogurt Place – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Avery chuckled and got himself a cup of the flavour of the month. ”There, one less flavour to choose from.”

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Caden

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Location: Car
Skills:
Fit

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Caden chuckled and leaned forward to open the bottle of champagne and poured them both a glass. ”A fox is a canine. And Avery adores you, trust me, your babies were well looked after,” Caden said and handed Nero a glass.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassi smiled sadly, but nodded. It was true. After the loss of her family, Cassi really tried to create that with Caden, and Kiki when she came along.

[color=#DB709]”Thank you for letting me tattoo you. I feel better with you being a part of my world knowing I've protected you as much as I can,”[/color] she said.

Cassi started to add the hidden runes as she worked. [color=#DB709]”You might feel some more tingling as the magic connects with you… You also might feel more pinching as the tea wears off,”[/color] Cassiopeia wanted him before she continued with the invisible ink.

As Cassi completed each rune, Nic's skin would glow faintly before fading as the magic settled and became a part of Nic.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Frozen Yogurt Place – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Avery doesn't mind being dragged around by Kimiko. Honestly, he finds himself enjoying it. He chuckled at her enthusiasm and followed along behind while she tried all the different flavours.

”Are you going to try every flavour?”

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Caden

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Location: Car
Skills:
Fit

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”MMM, so you have to prank your dragon, too? You can't just leave me be?” Caden didn't mind if he was the one being pranked. He knew he could get Nero back just as easily.

”I gave my staff the weekend off,” he said, picking the new string off his clothes. ”Kiki and Avery would have dealt with the cats.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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”Well, I would share with you,” Cassiopeia announced. She finished a line and wiped away some ink and blood before starting working again.

”Oh, it's been a while. I learned how to do it with a needle and thread dipped in ink. It was a slow and incredibly painful process. But it was also rewarding. My family used to get tattoos when you went through a ceremony. It was a mark of accomplishment. A high honour to be tattooed by the matron. I never got to do it for my family, but I did it for Caden and did it to myself once.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Frozen Yogurt Place – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Avery turned into the parking lot of the Froyo place and parked. ”Oh, maybe. I've seen videos and it looked pretty cool.” Avery pulled the keys out of the ignition and opened up the door. ”I think the hiking around there is really good. We could camp, too.”

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Caden

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Location: Car
Skills:
Fit

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Caden laughed. ”What's with you having the desire to get our bed so messy all the time?” Caden picked at his pants before looking at Nero. ”And I'm certain your cats will be pleased with your return.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassi pouted at Nic. ”You wouldn't share with me? How rude,” Cassi said returning to her work.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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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 -- Paused (indefinitely)

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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 -- Paused (indefinitely)

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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 -- Paused (indefinitely)

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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?”