KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Flo & Santos – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Cassiopeia took a couple bites of her pizza, wiggling in her seat happily, and hummed a little song of contentment before she answered Nic.

”Ah, it's all a part of my plan you know. Get you close and trust me, lure you in with kind gestures and a house key, then I'll start to let the evil crazy out, and before you know it, I've taken over the world,” Cassi said, smiling proudly. She took a sip of her drink, smirking at the bite Nic took of his burger.

”You must have been a hit with all the boys, weren't you?” she teased him.

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Caden

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Location: Marrakech – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”On the contrary, you may eat as you wish. I simply want to give you more options,” Caden said, taking another sip of his wine.

”Mmm, I could order for you. I'm going to get a couple of appetizers for us to share. Is there anything that is catching your attention?” He looked up from his menu to watch Nero.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Shopping —> Driving —> Caden's House - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery laughed, having heard Kimiko even though she mumbled and wore a helmet. Her speeding heart made him smile, only because he was the same.

”I love you, too,” he said and tapped the top Kimiko's helmet before he put the backpack on her.

He geared up before getting up on the bike, and took off once Kimiko was behind him. True to his word, Avery did not speed on the way home, although he was incredibly tempted.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Flo & Santos – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Cassiopeia laughed and pulled her hands back as their food arrived. ”You're probably right, but how fun would it be? You could tell the donors about the archaic equipment you have and how overworked your staff is, and I could sneak around slipping things into people's drinks that briefly has them experiencing heart palpitations, but because your hospital is lacking funding you won't be able to help them.” Cassi pulled her pizza closer and picked up a slice. ”Are you sure you don't want me there?”

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Caden

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Location: Marrakech – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”The flavours they use are rather strong. I'm certain you'll be able to taste it better, like you can with sugar and trans fats.” The wine arrived and was served. Caden inhaled the scent and took a sip. ”And alcohol,” he said with a smile.

He held his glass up, towards Nero for a toast. ”To space and it's terrifying black holes. And to you, reading to me every night about space.” He clinked his glass to Nero's once they were ready and took a sip. Caden sighed happily, feeling much more relaxed now that he wasn't on the road. He flipped through the menu, looking to find something he wanted.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Shopping - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery chuckled, waiting for Kimiko to look at him. When she finally did, he removed one of his hands from her hips, and brushed his thumb along her cheek.

”As long as you are the one haunting me, I'll manage,” he said and tilted her chin down to kiss her forehead. He let her go and turned to the bike.

”Don't worry, I'll drive us home safely. You have me curious,” he said. He looked sideways at Kimiko, a massive grin on his face.

Once he was done teasing Kimiko, Avery grabbed his jacket from the backpack before he tucked the bag of gear inside. It was a tight squeeze but he managed to get it to fit.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Flo & Santos – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Cassiopeia smiled at Nic before looking back at her phone. Nic's attitude towards the doners at his hospital didn't surprise her in the least. Modern medicine had its advantages but the cost was astronomical. In Cassi's earlier days, barter and trade was the way of goods and services. Cass very rarely got actual money for the services she provided.

”Why does that not surprise me? Of course you'd rather remain in the background where the real work is done. But we have to go once. I want to see you feisty,” she declared.

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Caden

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Location: Marrakech – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Caden laughed and turned off the car. He examined himself in the mirror but he was fine. ”It’s Moroccan. The food is typically heavy on herbs and flavours. You might like it more because of that,” Caden said.

He exited the vehicle and walked around to escort Nero into the building. They were guided to a table along the edge of the restaurant. Caden pulled out Nero's chair and pushed them in before he took his seat and ordered a bottle of red wine for the table.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Shopping - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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The smile on Avery's face shifted from Kimiko's statement. He had been amused by how she wasn't letting him go, but that amusement shifted to being stunned from her words. Avery swallowed, his thoughts drifting and he shifted his feet.

”How can you say that to me now? You can't expect me not to speed home,” he said and kissed the top of Kimiko's head. His hands shifted to rest on her hips, twitching with effort to keep from sliding them under her jacket.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Flo & Santos – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Cassi patted Nic's hand. "Don't worry, I'll be gentle," she teased him. She pulled out her phone and opened up the webpage to a clothing store she had in mind. "What is your usual style when it comes to formal or semi-formal events? Doesn't the hospital usually do doner nights or something like that?" She set her phone on the table between the two of them and flipped through some of the images.

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Caden

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Location: Driving ---> Marrakech– Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Caden laughed, the tension easing completely from his body. "I think I would rather like to see that." The image of someone being glitter bombed was hard to deny.

Caden pulled into a parking lot, the smile still on his face as he parked. The smell of herbs and citrus seemed to waft through the parking lot and into the car. Caden's mouth started to water, and the earlier annoyance of bad drivers seemed to disappate.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Shopping - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery quickly took half a step back, bracing himself for Kimiko's hug. His arms automatically wrapped around her and he held her close. Her sentiment eased any worry Avery had been feeling about the words he confessed to her. His heart soared even when she looked away from him to hide her embarrassment.

Avery rested his chin on her head, holding her closely. "At least we are in agreement about something," he teased her. Avery kissed the top of her head before relaxing his hold on her.

"Although, if you are wanting to spoil me today, we have to go back to Caden's. Bikes weren't designed to carry many things."

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Flo & Santos – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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"Mmm, no," Cassi said with a grin. "I want to put you in a few different things to see what looks best on you. I have a couple of dresses in mind for myself and they are different colours," she explained.

The cold water on her arm shocked her initially, but Cassi used her magic to cause the water to bead off her skin and fall onto the table. It was subtle, easy magic that no one else would notice.

"How do you feel about suspenders?" She wasn't sure how formal she wanted Nic dressed, but it would be fun to play dress-up with him today.

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Caden

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Caden slowed to create some space between him and the other drivers. He glanced at Nero, a smile playing on the corners of his lips. "And what little gift might that be?"

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Avery Zain

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Location: Shopping - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery raised his eyebrows at Kimiko when she cut off her comment. He had a feeling what she was about to say, and his ego told him to demand she finish the statement, but Avery didn't want to get into another fight.

He had money and he had very little expenses since Caden took care of most things. She didn't need to worry about him spending all his money on her. What use did he have for it beyond that?

"You're winning because you are you, and you have given me more than I ever thought I would have." Avery looked away from Kimiko. He set her helmet on the seat before grabbing the one she had been using and strapped it down to the back of the bike. "I figured I would just follow along in Caden's shadow until I died. I never thought I would find a mate. After all, if it wasn't for Caden I wouldn't even be alive right now. But he showed up and gave me a purpose, and then you came along and gave me life again."

Avery looked back at Kimiko. The emotion was strong in eyes, and the tops of his cheeks had darkened from his slight blush. He wasn't sure what it was, but he felt he could express himself easily in the presence of Kimiko. His music had always done that for him with others, but with her, it was different.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Flo & Santos – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Cassi smiled and thanked the server before turning her attention back to Nic. Her heart skipped a beat when he smiled like that, and she quickly captured his waiting hand in both of hers.

She grinned when he asked her to be his personal stylist. ”I think it would be easiest, especially if I want you to match me without revealing exactly what I'm wearing,” she said while tracing the love line on his hand.

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Caden

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Caden glanced at Nero briefly, not wanting to take his eyes off the road for long. He smiled tenderly and rubbed his thumb along their thigh.

”There seems to be more people driving recklessly today. It is rather annoying.”

As if on cue, a car that had been in the lane next to them served and cut Caden off. His hand twitched on Nero's leg and breathed heavily out his nose. Almost like an animal when they expressed annoyance.

Caden took the next exit he could and drove down some quieter side streets. This way, he could think more clearly about lunch.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Shopping - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery walked ahead of Kimiko, and had just set the bag down on the seat of the bike when she made her declaration. With his back to Kimiko, he tilted his head back and sighed heavily.

He turned around and gave Kimiko a look before he dug around in the bag. He pulled out one of her riding jackets and ripped off the price tags before handing her the jacket to put on.

”This isn't some competition, Kiki. All this stuff is to keep you protected. Besides, if it was a competition, you're winning already and you know it,” he said pointedly.

Avery pulled out Kimiko's new helmet and started taking off the protective stickers and things so she could wear it on the trip home.

X-Men: Cosmic Crusades 👽

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Antoinette McCarthy

Location: Foyer —> War Room – X-Mansion
Skills:

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As Antoinette entered the kitchen, Guin’s voice filled her head. She looked at the others, eyes widening to find Klara and Runa there with them. She headed out, sort of leading the others down to the basement and listened in to some of the conversation the others were having.

”Are you two here about Mary, too?” She looked at Runa and Klara as she asked. ”Jean and Scott are. She sent Gambit a letter stating she's in trouble and doesn't know how long she can hang on for. It is quite alarming,” she explained.

After she entered the War Room, Antoinette went to stand with Guin and Pietro. It seemed to make more sense since the three of them had a certain amount of information, plus they were dressed similarly in workout gear.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Flo & Santos – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”Mmm, we could still order it. We could bring the rest back to your dad. I was thinking about getting some minestrone and the Buffalo Bill’s pizza.” She tucked the menu aside when the server came over and smiled. She ordered for herself, plus something else to drink.

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Caden

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Caden breathed through his nose and settled his nerves. He reached his hand over and rested it on Nero’s thigh. ”I’m trying to decide if it should be something simple or some Moroccan or Indian.”

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Avery Zain

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Location: Shopping - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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The look Kimiko gave Avery had his eyes flicking to her lips. He groaned and rolled his head back. ”Damn you and your eyes and you playing on my protective nature.” He tugged Kimiko into the store, ignoring her question for now.

Avery took Kimiko through the store and guided her through the process. They also had help from a store attendant, but Avery wanted to be involved. He ensured she got a helmet that fit snug enough to not allow for extra movement but enough to slide a finger in at the front of the helmet. There were dozens of colours to choose from, so once they found a style Kimiko liked, she was free to pick whatever colour.

The riding jacket had just as much freedom, if not more, for Kimiko. The attendant explained that Kimiko would want something that allowed for movement and probably something that had venting in it to keep her cool on the hot, sunnier days. They showed her leather jackets and textile ones, ones with venting and ones without, plus ones with liners for waterproofing. Avery offered to buy her two jackets to keep them from being too bulky on her frame and give her a bit more style choice.

”I have several jackets,” he explained, encouraging her that it was okay to get a second jacket if she wanted it.

The pants Avery insisted Kimiko get a few pairs. There were jeans she could wear or leathers she could pull on over her clothes like she had been doing. Avery wanted to give her as many options as possible so she was comfortable. The jeans were all lined with a type of material that would prevent sheering if they ever crashed. Of course, they were supernatural creatures that would heal quickly, but it would be painful and still take time.

Avery had no problem telling Kiki when she looked good in a pair of jeans simply because he got to stare at her ass without being penalized for it.

For riding gloves, she didn’t need such a high grade as Avery had unless she desired to learn how to drive. The shoes likewise followed the same example. She could get riding boots if she wanted or just make sure she had a sturdy shoe for riding. If she wanted something open-toed, she would just have to pack them into a riding bag.

Avery stood at the front counter, watching everything being packed up after he had paid for Kimiko’s items. In hindsight, they probably should have driven the SUV, but Avery had carried several items like this on his bike before. It was doable.

Motorbike Gear

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 took a moment before clearing her throat and looked at Nic.

”What are you getting?” She took a sip of water from her glass, and glanced around the pizzeria. Her attention quickly drifted back to Nic, unable to keep her focus off him.

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Caden

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Location: Planetarium – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”Pity. You are going to make me decide then?” Caden backed out of the parking spot before he put the car in drive, and took to the busy Chicago roads.

Traffic was thick with the noon time rush, and there were several locations where Caden's quick reflexes paid off. After the last close call though, Caden's hand tightened on the gear shift.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Shopping - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery wrapped his arms around Kimiko's waist once she was free from all her gear. He smiled down at her. There was a slight height difference between the two of them, one Avery enjoyed. Although, if she had been his exact height or even taller, he wouldn't have overly minded. .

”Your safety is more important to me than if you ‘look cute.’ But yes, I will tell you if it looks bad. Promise,” he said, with a peck to Kimiko's lips before releasing her.

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 nodded her head, better understanding Nic's intention. She continued to hunt for her meal while she spoke.

”Well, put Italy as number one on that list. I'll think and pick the other two and let you know… Deal?” She glanced up from the menu to find Nic watching her. Her cheeks warmed, and her eyes flicked back to the menu even though she had already decided on what she wanted.

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Caden

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Location: Planetarium – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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A soft smile looped across Caden's face, and he leaned down to kiss Nero's lips. His kiss started lightly, a soft melding of lips until he kissed them a second time.

Caden pushed the melding of their lips to deepening, following the speed of his heart as it picked up from the kiss. He brushed his tongue briefly along Nero's lower lip when Caden's hand itched to touch Nero, only, he had no free hand, so Caden had to pull back.

He released the kiss, turning his head slightly to whisper teasingly. ”You're welcome and thank you.” He pulled away completely and shut Nero's car door.

After Caden placed the bag he carried into the trunk of the car, he got into the driver's seat and turned the car on. ”Do you have any preferences for lunch?”

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Avery Zain

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Location: Shopping - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery killed the engine once he parked, and pulled the helmet off his head. He grabbed a towel from the bag Kimiko had and ran it over his scalp. Due to the longer ride he had sweat slightly, but not a significant amount. He rested the towel on his handlebars, looking at Kimiko and smiled.

He had a feeling she was enjoying herself more and more with each ride, and the close proximity even had Avery's heart racing slightly. He was certain if Kimiko listened hard enough she would be able to hear it.

”So, do you want to take a walk about the store first, or do you want me to talk to a store attendant right away to get you setup?” Avery climbed off his bike while he spoke to Kimiko, hanging his helmet off the other handlebar, and stripped off his jacket.