KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassiopeia was quickly falling back asleep again when Nic wrapped his arms around her. She wiggled against him, happily stealing some of his warmth.

”Yes…I’ll go with you to Caden’s today…but don’t get excited. It’s not going to become a habit,” she said and substituted the pillow she was crushing for Nic’s arm and hand.

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Avery would return Nic's message letting him know that Avery would text when on his way.

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Caden

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

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Caden peeked his eyes open to look at Nero. He kissed their nose before shutting his eyes again. ”And what reaction will I get if I call you cute?”

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassiopeia could feel Nic's body start to tighten back up and she turned her head to press her lips to his chest. Maybe she would wait to tell him… She could talk to Nero while the rest of them trained.

”Fine,” she grumbled. ”I need to talk to Caden about your monster problem anyway.” Cassi continued to grumble before she released Nic and rolled away from him. She yawned and curled up around a pillow instead.

Once she moved, Cassi's aura magic dissipated from around Nic. Cassi yawned tiredly again, curling up tighter around the pillow.

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Caden

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

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Caden moved his hand and wrapped his arm around Nero when he felt them flop down. He hooked his arm around Nero's waist and pulled them in.

”Cute?” he growled. ”There's nothing cute about it.”

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassi's night hadn't been easy. She slept lightly, alert to any changes Nic made while he slept. In the morning, as soon as Nic moved, so did she but she was less happy about the idea of Nic being awake.

She grumbled incoherently and tightened her arms around Nic. She knew fully well he was going to train today, even if he didn't want to she was going to make him go. If he wasn't going to work, that was one thing, but it would be good for him to blow off steam.

Her aura still wrapped around him and the access use of magic had started to take its toll on Cassi. She was by no means drained, but her attitude was more salty than she normally was.

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Caden

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

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Caden had slept well. He woke a couple of times to check on Nero, but only to kiss their cheek before he rolled over and quickly fell back asleep.

Dawn had finally approached and Caden started to naturally stir, but he kept his eyes closed, not fully ready to wake yet.

He felt eyes on him and shifted his hand out in search of Nero.

”Lay down with me before I have to get up,” he said, his voice gruff with sleep.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassi started to trace lines along Nic’s chest, repeating the pattern over and over until she felt the spot warm. She traced Svefnthorn, the rune symbol for sleep[/url] to add a dreamless sleep for Nic. The action made her yawn, but she continued until she said goodnight to Nic.

”Wǎn'ān,” she whispered happily, enjoying that she knew how to say a few words in Nic’s native tongue.

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Caden

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

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Caden smiled and shook his head. ”I’ll be fine. The light beside the bed is soft enough,” he said and kissed Nero once more before he stood and flicked the lamp on.

Caden turned the large bedroom light off before he undressed fully and helped Nero out of their clothes. For once, Caden was able to resist the urge to ignore his need for sleep and let Nero dress for bed while he crawled in on his side and settled in for the night.

”Wake me if you find something interesting,” he said before he settled in to sleep.

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery woke the next morning feeling a bit groggy. He yawned and stretched around Kimiko carefully. He kissed her head before he slipped out from under her and tucked the covers in around her. As he had the night before, Avery slid his sweater back, and left a note for her, but on the bedside table this time. He then dressed and headed out to check on the cameras and do a perimeter check with his morning run before making breakfast for himself.

He messaged Nic while breakfast was cooked to make sure Nic still wanted to train this morning. Nic had been doing well with the routine, but consistency was key.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassi released an undignified squeak when Nic scooped her up before placing her on the bed. She blushed immediately, turning her head away from Nic to try and compose herself.

She looked back when he thanked her, and she immediately crawled into his side. ”I’m glad I could be here for you,” she said and cuddled into his side.

Cassi rested a hand on Nic’s chest and sighed. ”I know I shouldn’t be in this mindset right now, but I love being in your arms,” she said. As she relaxed, that same glow of her aura from before wrapped around Nic. A faint blue and yellow glow surrounded them both.

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Caden

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

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”Yes you are,” he teased and kissed Nero’s lips softly. ”Now, is there anything I can get for you before I fall asleep?”

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassi smiled when Nic’s strong, familiar arms wrapped around her. She knew now wasn’t the time or place for her thoughts and feelings, but she loved Nic. She was in love with him, and that made it hard not to feel warm and fuzzy when he held her like this.

”Lucky for you cuddling is required,” she informed him. She rested her hands over his, letting Nic pull her to the bed.

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Avery Zain

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

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”Ooo, I think I’m going to like being doted on,” Avery concluded.

He wrapped his arms around Kimiko, pulling her into his chest as he lay down. He pulled the blanket over the top of them, burying them both under the covers and kissed the top of her head.

”Get some sleep, my fiery little fox.”

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Caden

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

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Caden looked at Nero, seeing a sort of glaze come over them as he recognized they were separating themselves from how they were actually feeling. He reached out and placed a hand on their cheek.

[.color=#006400]”I won’t let you go through this alone.”[/color]

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassi stood with Nic for a long time. She was certain an hour or more had passed. Her tea was long gone before Nic turned to her, but she didn’t mind. Her mind had wandered while they stood in silence.

She thought about her family and how similar Ren’s words had sounded to her grandmothers all those years ago. She had overheard her grandmother and mother talking shortly before they were attacked. She hadn’t thought anything of it, but Cassi couldn’t scratch that itch in the back of her mind. Then, of course, there was Ren and his deal.

Ren’s deal with the demon was still valid. She had to tell Nic, but she had to fix this, too. She didn’t want Nic to be without any family. Not yet. The only thing she could think to do right now was the last thing she wanted to do, but who else understood the deals of demons better than a demon.

Cassiopeia looked up at Nic and nodded. She took his teacup from him before walking back into the bedroom. She set the cups down on the little table, he hand before she rubbed her hands.

”Do you want some help falling asleep?” She didn’t want to overstep, but Cassi was a helper by nature. If there was something she could do for Nic, she had to do it.

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Avery Zain

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

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”Well, you do owe me a date night,” Avery reminded her. He leaned in close and kissed her softly.

He honestly didn’t care about the pants or the little sparks she set off. Honestly, Avery loved Kimiko’s temper. It was fire and passion. He had gone toe-to-toe with her before they even dated, and part of him loved the banter; even if it had annoyed him to no end at the time.

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Caden

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

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Caden fell silent for a moment while he worked the tension out of Nero’s feet. He stared at the door, contemplating Nero’s words and the problems they found themselves in.

”I do agree, but I don’t want to push too much…” He paused in his task, looking back at Nero. The urge to know more and protect their mate from their past conflicted with the need to protect them now. Maybe they could run to one of Caden’s homes in Europe, the dragon found himself thinking. Of course, Hell was everywhere.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassi came to stand next to Nic, their arms brushing lightly as she stood close to him. She looked out over the city, listening to the sounds of nightlife.

”I know. We don’t have to say anything. We can just stand here for as long as you want,” she told him.

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery opened his eyes at the sound of Kimiko’s frustration. He smirked at her, watching the sparks land on the blankets and on his pants. One burnt a little hole in his pants, and he gently patted the other ones out on the blankets.

”You know, if you wanted my pants off, you could just ask rather than try to burn them off,” he teased her.

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Caden

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

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Caden sat next to Nero on the bed, removing his own shoes and socks. ”I think it would be best to operate under the worst-case scenario but hope for the best,” Caden told Nero truthfully.

He rested a hand on Nero’s bare leg for a moment before running his hand down to pick up their legs. Caden shifted Nero and plopped their feet into his lap before he started to apply a decent amount of pressure to the bottoms of their feet. He massaged Nero’s feet while he talked.

”The little Scotsman doesn’t look out for people unless he already has an interest in them. He obviously cares for you, and I take his warning seriously, especially after today. I’d trust your feelings that it doesn’t feel right. We should definitely contact him tomorrow. I’m sure we can find some creature or human up to no good to get your blood from them.”

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassiopeia turned to watch Ren make his way into the living room. She can't help but think that she was meant to help both of them. She fiddled with her hair and glanced towards the stairs, debating on if she stayed with Ren a little while longer or went to check on Nic.

In the end, she felt the pull towards the stairs the strongest. With a quiet good night to Ren, Cassi took the two cups of tea and headed up the stairs. She magiked Nic's door open and stepped inside.

She didn't see him in his room, but one look towards the terrace had he heading for that door. She opened it without using her hands as well.

"I brought you tea."

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Avery Zain

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

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Once Avery felt Kimiko was in a meditative state, Avery closed his eyes and found his forest easily. He tugged on the line connecting him to Kimiko, and smiled when he felt a tingling through his body.

"Okay, once you find our tether, I want you to just concentrate on that. This might...feel not good. As in wrong and like a part of you is missing, but it is the easiest way to tell if you can block and if it is working. Also, don't be surprised if it doesn't work for you right away. Caden seemed to have the knack for it but it took me weeks. Anyways, once you have our connection, I want you to try and dim it. You can think of it as a switch, or a wall, maybe pour water over the fire...Whatever analogy works best for you. Every once in a while, I'm going to tug on our bond. When I start to lose you, I'll know it's working, but if I tug on it and you come back, well, we'll have to keep working on it."

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Caden

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

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Caden tossed his jacket into the corner and started to strip off his shirt, smirking at Nero while he went about his task.

"You might, but I'd really rather you just tell me."

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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"Well, that's what you have me for. If you have questions about the supernatural world, I can answer them or find the answers for you."

She took a minute to watch Ren drink some of his tea, sitting in companionable silence with him before she stood back up and prepared her and Nic's tea.

"Can I walk you to your room, Ren?"

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery chuckles but nods before sitting on the bed cross-legged.

"Okay, when you're ready, I want you to look for your center again like you did earlier."

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Caden

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

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Caden looked at Nero with a bewildered look on his face from Nero's crude humor before he laughed. "I think the second option would be a more difficult option to guess than the first."

He walked inside the room after Nero. He closed and locked the door before he went to the windows and ensured they were locked before drawing the curtains.

"Now, do you want to tell me why you are acting so nervous, or do I have to pry it out of you?"