KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Restaurant – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Cassi shook her head at Nic and resumed looking at her menu. ”I like food, but that doesn't mean I need all the food I've had in other countries. The food was what made some of the countries fun. Having the good food I had in France or Italy wouldn't be the same here anyways.”

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Caden

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Location: Planetarium – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Aliens could have been a plausible explanation for many earthbound things that were otherwise unexplainable. It was definitely an interesting theory, but Caden wasn't completely sold on it.

He smiled at Nero, thinking of all the conversations they've had before answering. ”It's free-flowing, ever changing, and moving. One thought or idea never seems enough. There's so much wonder and curiosity for this world and what lays beyond, despite the atrocities you have seen. It's a wonder to behold, and I feel privileged to have you share it with me.”

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Avery Zain

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Location: Garden of The God's —> Shopping - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Kimiko's comment coaxed a chuckle from Avery. He patted her hands that rested on him and turned his head to talk.

”Not to worry, my fox. I plan on working on the Mustang over the winter. By spring or early summer you can wear whatever you like in the car.”

Avery turned the bike over and backed it up before rolling forward and headed into Chicago. He took the country roads faster, and when he hit the freeway, he slowed enough to match traffic. Periodically Avery would pat Kimiko's hands or squeeze her leg, reminding her she was safe, and that he would look after her.

Once he exited the freeway, Avery slowed right down. He took the city streets slow, making his way to the motorcycle shop.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Restaurant – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Cassiopeia took Nic's jacket happily. She couldn't resist inhaling the scent of his jacket before she laid it across her lap. She didn't really need it but she wasn't going to deny Nic's jacket or his kind gesture. He may be younger than her but his chivalry and kindness was that of some men who were from her time period.

His teasing made her blush but she shook her head again. ”Choosing food would be like you asking me to choose which cat to save. Impossible.”

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Caden

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Location: Planetarium – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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A wide grin shifted across Caden's face, the idea of Nero singing to him brought a pleasant image to mind, and he hoped Nero wasn't teasing him.

Caden gently guided Nero to the check-out counter while they filled him in on their thoughts about space. Caden nodded, knowing the facts of this.

”It is possible. Or some other secondary hand involvement. Maybe angelic. Maybe Hubble was a supernatural creature himself. Or time travelled.”

Caden set his and Nero's wares on the counter to pay for them. He took the bag once everything was packed, thanked the attendant, and led Nero from the building. He opened up the car door for Nero and watched them.

”I love how your mind works.”

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Avery Zain

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Location: Garden of The God's – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery smirked when Kimiko couldn't come up with anything. He may have teased her a lot, but his need to make good on his word always won out. He pulled on his jacket and grabbed his helmet.

Avery paused before he looked at Kimiko. There was a slight look of disbelief on his face.

”Fashion isn't as important as your safety,” he said and pulled on his helmet. ”But no one looks bad in leather.” He gave Kimiko a very purposeful look from her toes to her head before he winked at her and got on his bike.

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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”We can most certainly do that,” Cassiopeia agreed. She would love to travel the world with Nic, especially before they were ready to settle down. Besides, if he truly wanted to return to Scotland with her, she had to go first to make sure she was okay being there.

Cassi followed Nic, sensing he had a spot picked out. She smiled shyly when he led her to a quiet spot that was set aside. He pulled her chair out for her, smiling that perfect smile for her. Cassi squeezed his arm before she took her seat. She slid off her jacket, sitting on the majority of it to keep her legs from getting cold, and pulled out the menu to look over. Cassi paused in her hunt for the perfect pizza when Nic asked her to pick one food.

”That's impossible,” she declared, completely serious.

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Caden

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Location: Planetarium – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Caden couldn't deny Nero's position on them falling. The image Caden conjured in his head was rather adorable, especially since he was there to catch Nero anyways.

They stopped in front of the rows of books and Caden started scanning. He found one about the planets and all the facts on them that he grabbed before Nero spotted one that spoke on the creation and formation of space. Caden grabbed the text as well and scanned it, a slight smirk on his face.

”Will you read me a chapter every night before bed?” Caden asked, humour twinkling in his eyes.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Garden of The God's – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery stood after her and paused. He raised his eyebrows in disbelief. ”I'm the tease? I've followed up on every move or innuendo I've given you,” he determined.

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, that's a rather big question. Ummm, I mean pizza in Italy isn't anywhere close to how it is here. There was one pizzeria I always went to where they collected the ingredients straight from the garden they grew in the back. They only took what they needed to make the pizza you ordered, so it took longer but the taste was unreal. In Spain, I didn't eat much but drank a lot, in France I gained a bit of weight. I had a morning tradition of going to local bakeries to get my breakfast. Hamam Mahshi and shawarma in Egypt. And Indonesia I pretty much ate soup the entire time. Like Italy all of the ingredients were really fresh, and the spices they used were amazing. I've gone to Indonesian restaurants in Europe and in America, and unless they get their spice direct, it doesn't taste close to the same,” Cassiopeia informed Nic.

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Caden

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Location: Planetarium – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Caden looked at the sweater Nero picked, and silently questioned the little imp. ”You're going to trip on it,” he teased them. He dropped the sweater over his arm before taking one of Nero's hands and led them over to a section of books and texts on space.

”Help me pick a few. I want to learn more about this space you love so much.”

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Avery Zain

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Location: Garden of The God's – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery laughed the more Kimiko got red, and completely refused to tell him what she had been thinking. ”You are such a tease,” he informed her and kissed her nose. ”Fine. Keep your dirty little secret. We'll come up with what you want from me later. If you win. Now, let's go get you some riding gear,” he said and patted her bum to get her to stand.

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 hummed over Nic's suggestions, trying to decide if something ethnic was really what she wanted today, not that it wasn't delicious, but Cassi was feeling…Pizza. The word instantly captured her attention and Cassi nodded eagerly. Grease. That's what she wanted.

”Oh, pizza. Yes, please!”

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Caden

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Location: Planetarium – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Caden smiled on Nero's lips, grasping a handful of their sweater in his hand while he pushed on their lower back to bring them closer.

”I didn't think I was the bad influence,” he joked before releasing them. ”Alright, show me this jewellery that has captured your attention so.”

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Avery Zain

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Location: Garden of The God's – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery's eyes danced when Kimiko tried to brush past something she wanted to say.

”Oh, no. Tell me what that beautiful mind was just thinking.” If she truly couldn't come up with anything, Avery figured they could figure out what she wanted after she won, because even though Avery wanted to win, he hoped Kimiko did.

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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”They do, and we can do proper conditioning once you adopt another, so they can get used to each other and their new surroundings,” Cassi said, looking into shops as they passed.

”Do you want to eat first or shop first?”

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Caden

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Location: Planetarium – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”Jewelry? Is what I've gotten you not sufficient?” Caden teased Nero. He brushed their shirt aside to reveal the dragon pendant they wore before meeting Nero's eyes.

”Whatever you want, I'll get you,” he said and kissed them.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Garden of The God's – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery chuckled and shook his head. ”No, because I don't know what you want. I know what I want. I want you to be vulnerable and look at me with that shy confidence I love.” Avery brushed his fingers across Kimiko's cheek, smiling at her.

”So, do you want me like that? Or do you want me to do something that's embarrassing or do something for you? Like cleaning something or doing your laundry or whatever you want.”

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 blushed and leaned up to kiss Nic's jaw. ”You, Ren, and Wayland need to pick out the cat. They have to like you the most, and well, all cats like me,” Cassi said with a cheeky smile.

She pulled Nic from the elevator and walked over to the SUV with him.

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Caden

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Location: Planetarium – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”Well in that case, let's go see what we can find.” Caden kissed Nero once before they wandered the building.

They took in a couple more shows, plus some exhibits and interactive games. ”Alright my little imp, what did you have your eye on in the gift shop?” Caden thought he might look in to see what sort of literature the store had. Being surrounded by space had helped Caden develop an appreciation for it, but he wasn't ready to fly to space.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Garden of The God's – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery shifted, pressing himself into Kimiko's touch. He looked into Kimiko's eyes and shook his head. ”No, that's too simple. You know I would make them for you daily if it's what you wanted. No, it should be something else. Something I don't normally do, or something you've been nervous about and need an excuse to make it happen.”

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 smiled and took Nic's hands in hers.

”I don't think so. We'll have to see, but how he reacted when you came to my shop that day, and how he is even acting with your dad… I think he might want to stay with you and him. Wayland was always the cat to comfort my patrons at the store, but he took to you exceptionally quickly. If he has chosen you and Ren, it won't be like I'll never see him again,” she pointed out.

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Caden

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Location: Planetarium – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Caden kissed the top of Nero's head, smiling in agreement. He held Nero for the rest of the show before he stood and helped them up.

”Alright. I'd ask if you want to explore the rest of the planetarium but I have a feeling I've prolonged your need to go to the gift shop long enough,” he said, releasing Nero's hands. ”Am I right?”

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Avery Zain

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Location: Garden of The God's – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery laughed and slid his arm around Kimiko's waist. He pulled her onto his lap, grinning.

”Why do I have to come up with your winning prize? Isn't that your job?”

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 smiled and nodded, saying goodbye to Ren before walking to the elevator. She stared at the buttons on the elevator for a while, lost in thought. She took a steadying breath before letting it out.

”I have a feeling Wayland may have found a new home,” she confessed, looking at Nic.

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Caden

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Location: Planetarium – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”Ya. There's no light pollution where we live. We always get a good show out there whether it's just the stars or the aurora. Could be relaxing, romantic even.” Caden turned his head to look at Nero. He shifted his arm to rest their hand along their back and rubbed his hand along their back.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Garden of The God's – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery's eyebrows rose, questioning Kimiko's claim. ”I believe half your body is ticklish, at least the last time I tickled you proved that. But I'm glad your hips aren't,” he said and continued to rub his thumb along the front of her hip.

”And I'm giving you five chances to beat me at least once! That should be worth something,” Avery declared. He narrowed his eyes at her, daring her to laugh. However, he couldn't keep his own smile from his face.

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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The image of Nic's dad playing with Wayland was a sight to warm anyone's heart. Cassiopeia smiled and wiggled her fingers at Wayland before scratching the top of his head. He meowed happily before focusing on the play with Ren. It looked like Wayland was going to be good for not only Nic but Ren as well.

”Do you want us to bring you food?” Cass asked Ren. She pulled on her jacket, fixed her hair, and grabbed her bag.

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Caden

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Location: Planetarium – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Caden laughed and shook his head. Nero's ambition was something to be admired, but Caden didn't think they would succeed with it.

Caden walked into a large, dark room with Nero. There were multileveled seating, plus a large open space on the floor to lay down and look up. Caden brought Nero over to the space on the floor and stretched out on the ground. He set his hands behind his head and looked up.

The show started by the room darkening first. Music came across through hidden speakers, and the ceiling lit up with thousands of lights that looked like the stars in the sky. They shifted and moved, matching the spin of the earth. Every once in a while, shooting stars or a meteor shower would happen. Then a constellation would be signalled out.

”We should do this at home,” Caden murmured while the show continued.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Garden of The God's – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Only if I win all five! But if I lose one I get nothing. Seems like a lot of work to me,” Avery said with a grin.

Kimiko wiggled under his touch, and Avery looked at where his hand was. He raised an eyebrow at her. ”Are your hips ticklish, too?”