KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours

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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 managed to find some bubble bath and oils she could use to moisturize after. She was just testing the water when Nic knocked on the door.

She smiled, part of him finding Nic checking in on her adorable, and another part wishing he would just join her. Nic's bathtub wasn't huge, but she would happily sit squished in the tub with Nic if it meant he was with her.

”I did, thank you. You have everything almost borderline OCD organized in here. I'm half tempted to rearrange,” she teased him.

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Caden

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Location: Alla Vita
– Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”Ich verstehe es besser, aber das liegt daran, dass ich niemanden habe, mit dem ich darüber sprechen kann,” Caden informed them.

Their wine arrived and Caden took the first sip. He nodded his approval and they were both poured a glass before general appetizers were brought out for the table.

”Worauf hast du Hunger?”

Translations

I understand it better, but that's because I don't have anyone to talk to about it.//
What are you hungry for?

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery chuckled and kissed the top of her head. ”Works for me, little fox.” Avery kissed the top of Kimiko's head and threw whatever popped on the TV on for background noise. He settled with Kimiko in his arms, humming softly.

Chicago After Hours

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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 tilted her head to the side, narrowing her eyes at the look in Nic's eyes. She wasn't quite sure if he was teasing her, but she also didn't mind the look he gave her.

She walked forward, closing the distance and kissed his cheek.

”Alright, I'll see you in a bit.”

She walked back to the table and grabbed her bags and backpack before she retreated upstairs. Cass walked into Nic's room, admiring the transformation and sighed. She loved that Nic had gone with the blue tones, and the warmth of the earth tones instantly settled her mind.

Cassiopeia yawned, dumping her bags in one of the chairs by the windows before she went to the bathroom to start her bath. Cassi rummaged under Nic's counter, looking for the bath supplies he mentioned.

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Caden

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Location: Alla Vita
– Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Caden chuckled, continuing to rub his fingers along their arm.

”Nicht alles lässt sich gut übersetzen,” Caden defended himself.

Caden looked at Nero, smiling, and nodded. ”Natürlich. Heutzutage neigen Menschen dazu, ihre Wahrnehmung klarer zu formulieren.”

Translations

Not everything translates well.//Naturally. Nowadays people tend to formulate their perception more clearly.

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Avery Zain

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

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”I mean, I'm fine with that as well. Nic will be here tomorrow morning for training, so it will be back to early mornings again. Although, you can sleep in tomorrow. I'll have to go pick up Nic anyways,” Avery said and ran his fingers through Kimiko's loose hair.

Chicago After Hours

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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 was glad Nic agreed to let her stay the night. She didn't anticipate they would be having sex tonight, but she thought maybe they could do something else. At the very least make-out and be held in his arms in his bed. She knew her cats would survive without her for one night.

"Would you mind terribly if I used your bathtub? Hanging upside down is good for stretching out, but only for so long," Cassiopeia said. "I promise to keep my ankle out of the water," she said and wiggled the offending appenge in the air.

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Caden

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Location: Alla Vita – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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"It does. One day I'll take you to the villa I have in Italy. It smells even better there," he said. Caden released Nero's hand to place his hand on the small of their back, and led them into the restaurant. He walked half a step behind Nero, sheltering their back to hopefully ease Nero's nerves.

Once inside, Caden greeted the attendant, noting their accent and switched to Italian. The attendant's eyes lit right up and Caden went back and forth with the gentleman before they were eventually escorted to a table in the corner next to the large windows. Caden gave Nero the seat in the corner, and he took the one next to them, resting his arm on the back of Nero's chair, and his leg over his other leg in a rather relaxed, informal position.

As usual, conversation and looks from other patrons briefly turned Nero and Caden's way. Caden was always aware of when people looked, being a predator himself who needed to be on guard all of the time, but he simply ignored it, and ordered a bottle of Bordeaux for the table.

Caden tucked the menu away, and started to brush his fingers along Nero's arm. He glanced around the restaurant, heads quickly turned away and Caden smirked.

"Wir sind ein echtes Paar," he said, switching to German for the sake of a private conversation.

Translations

Literal - we are a real couple; wanted to say - we do make quite the pair

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery prolonged the kiss, a intense feeling of love and joy overcoming him while he kissed her. When he pulled back, Avery rested his forehead on Kimiko's, smiling and rubbing his hand along her back.

"What would you like to do now?" They could easily watch another movie until one or both fell asleep, or go for a swim. The cooler weather was starting to come around, but Caden's pool was heated. They were told they could easily keep the pool operational until mid-October before they would have to winterize it.

Chicago After Hours

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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 laughed and squeezed his hands. She had in fact brought a change of clothes with her, but at the sound of Nic's joy in her wearing his clothes, she wouldn't deny him the opportunity to see her dressed in them.

"Well in that case, I think we can finish with sleuthing tonight. Bring the flash drive with you tomorrow. Caden can take a copy of it when you go for your training session," she said.

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Caden

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Location: Car ---> Alla Vita – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Caden pondered the thought while he drove. "I'm certain I could. Like how I can change my eyes or hair or other individual features, but I don't think it would be something I would like to do outside of the bedroom. I like this height," Caden informed Nero with a childish grin.

He drove a few streets over until the restaurant came into view. It was lit up and exuded warmth. The greenery outside and inside the building was a great attempt at making the patrons feel like they were in Italy. Caden parked the car out front and handed the keys to a valet before he opened Nero's car door and offered them his hand.

Alla Vita came highly recommended, and Caden was looking forward to a traditional Italian meal.

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery wiggled his nose after she flicked it, then laughed when she kissed it.

"You are awfully adorable," he mumbled and found her lips with his.

Chicago After Hours

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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 stared at Nic, seeing his eyes look her in with a hunger she is sure mirrors her own look. She swallowed, feeling her clothes getting tighter, and she looked away from him as well.

"That works, too," she said, pushing her notebook around. "Would now be a bad time to ask if I can spend the night, or should I go home?"

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Caden

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Location: Retail Store ---> Car – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Caden chuckled, staring at Nero's legs for a bit longer. "It was rather nice looking you in the eyes for once," he said, looking into Nero's eyes now.

He leaned in and kissed Nero's cheek. "Remember...whatever you want," he whispered into their ear before Caden stood and closed the car door. He walked around the back of his car, taking a minute to breathe and settle the intense feelings he was experiencing.

He got in on the driver's side and started the car before he pulled away and headed further into Chicago.

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery wrapped his arms around Kimiko when she cuddled in closer. He pulled her completely onto his lap and nuzzled her neck.

"Oh, hush. You said it first," he reminded her and nipped her neck before pulling back to look at her.

Chicago After Hours

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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 looked sideways at Nic to find him staring at her and she quickly looked away.

"Goddess kill me," she moaned and buried her head in her hands. After another moment of embarrassment, Cassi sighed and rubbed her hands on her legs. "If you're partner was a shapeshifter I mean... wouldn't you want to know what it's like?" she said, gesturing to herself.

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Caden

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Location: Retail Store – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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"Mmm, if you say so," Caden said. He took his card back, and thanked the staff once more for their accommodations. He'd have to send them a thank you gift soon.

Caden led Nero out of the store and helped them inside the car. Caden crouched once Nero was inside and smiled at them.

"I know I've said it already, but you really are beautiful," he said, brushing the back of his hand against Nero's cheek. He looked down their body, his other hand rubbing against the tights they wore, happy that they indulged him and wore what he wanted them to.

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery snorted and laughed when she tried to mimic his voice again. "Gods I love you," he said without even thinking about it.

He leaned back against the couch, eyes back on the TV, and nodded. "I do, but I wouldn't mind following you around wherever you went, either."

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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"Oh, I'm sure he would be more than willing. Although, it is really eerie...kind of arousing, too," Cassi said. Her face turned beat red when she realized what she had just said.

"Umm, forget I said that," she said and pulled her plate back over and started to stuff her face again.

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Caden

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Location: Retail Store – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Caden chuckled, and kissed Nero back softly. "If you find it hasn't, their wine is still amazing," he said.

Caden pulled out his wallet and handed the salesperson his card to run. "Is there anything else here that's caught your eye?"

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery found himself smirking when Kimiko blushed. He had a feeling there was something about having that 'space' that she wasn't telling him.

He finished his apple, core and all, and wiped his hands on a napkin before he placed both his hands on Kimiko's body.

"I happily take full responsibility for your head being jumbled," he said and hunched forward to kiss her forehead briefly. "As for living together... Of course I would love to live with you. I never thought I would be in a position to live with anyone other than Caden, so I don't exactly have a house fund, but I could easily rectify that if you don't mind waiting... I don't want you to have to support me. I mean, unless you want to be my sugar mama," Avery said with a cheeky grin.

Chicago After Hours

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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 scribbled down some notes while Nic talked. Same person or multiple?? Memory gaps??? Cassi circled these items several times.

"So in all actuality, it could be one person, but they are wiping the minds of the trauma teams." Cassiopeia tapped her pen on her paper, thinking it over.

"How strange," she mused, but she was also fascinated. Cassi was always happy with a challenge. It got boring fighting the same monsters day in and day out, but a new one was always exciting.

"Maybe try talking to them tomorrow at work, see what they are saying. If it is the exact same story or any deviations in what they are telling you. Maybe approach them several times during the day to see if the story stays the same or if it changes."

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Caden

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Location: Retail Store – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Caden looked down at his small imp and chuckled. "Of course I do. How do you feel about Italian?"

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery bit into an apple while he rubbed his hand up and down Kimiko's arm. He watched whatever was on the TV now, not really focused on it but looking at something to keep his eyes busy. If he didn't, he would just stare at Kimiko the entire time, and whenever he looked at her for a prolonged period of time she would blush and hide on him.

Avery had never been so lazy before, and although he was enjoying himself, it felt weird. After they had eaten, Avery messaged Caden to check-in. Caden had finished up before Nero was done, so the two of them were together and going out for supper. Avery tucked his phone away after that, one less thing he had to worry about.

He took another bite of his apple when Kimiko made her proposal. He chewed slowly, repeating her words in his head to ensure he heard her right.

"Why? I mean, if it's space you want, I can understand that, but we'll be here most of the time anyways...Or I guess I will be. Are you thinking of staying here? In Chicago I mean."

It was a good time to have this conversation again. Now that they were bonded, living separate or travelling without the other was not an ideal situation. Just thinking about being without Kimiko for more than a day made Avery's stomach clench in discomfort, threatening to expel everything he had eaten this afternoon.

Chicago After Hours

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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 don't think it's an actual bomb. If it was, there would be more damage. Or the instruments rattling on the tables or something." Cassi pushed her half eaten plate out of the way and leaned forward to look more closely at the screen. "I don't think I've ever come across something like this... I mean, it's possible to make everything disappear, but a missing body that just goes poof? Why hasn't anyone said anything...Unless whoever is doing it can wipe people's minds or convince them everything is fine..."

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Caden

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Location: Retail Store – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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"How rude. I defended your honour today," Caden reminded. He had a smile on his face though as he changed out of his clothes into the fresh suit. He buttoned up the vest after tucking in the dress shirt. He slipped on the jacket, deciding to leave it unbuttoned.

Caden did a quick check of his face and hair before he stepped out of the change room, finding Nero already waiting for him. He smiled, capturing Nero's hand to stop their fidgeting and he twirled them around.

"Breathtaking as always."

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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"Ya... I had a feeling that's what the pink mist was. I'll talk to Caden and Kiki. She has access to the Men of Letters files. They might have something on record about it. Let me know what the other hospitals say, or if this happens again tomorrow," Cassi said, thinking they might have to stage something if they can't figure out what's going on.

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Caden

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Location: Retail Store – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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"I haven't the faintest idea what you are referring to. I am a gentleman," Caden announced, going into his own change room.