KazAlkemi

X-Men: Cosmic Crusades 👽

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Antoinette McCarthy

Location: Botanical Gardens — New Orleans
Skills:
Fit

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Antoinette nodded in understanding. She took everyone’s advice to heart, but Antoinette felt confident in her ability. She had a natural curiosity and compassion that she was sure would aid in her ability to not push Mary over the edge. That being said, as the group moved forward, Gambit decided to approach his sister first. Initially, Antoinette didn’t think that was a bad idea. She figured he or Guin would be the best option in trying to talk to Mary and help her stay in control.

Antoinette stopped several feet away from Mary, almost next to Perry when Perry collapsed. Antoinette knelt down beside Perry, her hands hovering around the woman in a way that said she wanted to help but didn’t want to overwhelm Perry. Antoinette glanced back at Mary, debating on what the best course of action would be.

”Guin…Mary’s already got another voice in her head. I think any more would overwhelm her, but we need to keep her mind stable enough while we work on the Phoenix. She knows your mind best aside from her own, but I might be able to create the illusion of calm in her head with your help.”

Roll Request

Dependant on Guin’s answer - If Guin says yes, Annie wants to use her illusion casting and sensory inducement to create a safe environment inside Mary’s head. Illusion binding/construct is a subset of the illusion casting power, and with Annie’s growing ability in her illusion casting, I think this is something that would fall within her power.
Her idea is to use Guin’s telepathy to boost her own power and keep Mary calm.

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero's House - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Preoccupied with kissing Kiki's neck, Avery didn't answer her first question. He held fast when she squirmed against him. Avery tightened his hold on her hips and pulled her in closer. He rubbed himself against her butt, grinning.

”I'm not quite there yet, but if you give me a few minutes I'm sure to rise to the occasion,” Avery said wickedly.

He lifted his left hand from her hip to turn Kimiko's face to look at him. He kissed her lips swiftly before he completely released her and walked away.

Avery slipped off the leather straps, letting them hang around his hips, and started to unbutton his shirt. When he was freed, Avery turned around while taking his shirt off. He faced Kimiko once more and tossed his shirt onto the bed.

”The food will be fine even if we are a few minutes late,” he said, answering her first statement.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit Hair Make-up

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Cassiopeia managed to get her dress off with a bit of magical help. The silk fabric fell to the floor and she stepped out of it. Cassi looked down at her feet and wiggled her toes. They were dirty from walking barefoot through the woods. Cassi suppressed a giggle and turned on the water at the sink to wash her feet.

She hummed to herself while she soaked a cloth and cleaned her soiled feet. Despite all this, Cassi's mind continued to wander back to Nic. She glanced at the door, wondering what sort of state he was in. Cassi mediated briefly on the thought that she would feel less wound up if she just took care of herself. She knew how to do it quickly, but those thoughts deteriorated into thoughts of Nic and the time he took to please her. Cassi sighed and sat on the cool tile floor with the water still running into the sink. Why did this have to be so difficult?

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Caden

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Location: Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
Skills: Shapeshifting; Ancient Magic
Fit

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“You can't be serious.” The demon started at Caden, wondering if the shapeshifter was crazier than he realized.

”Deadly,” Caden's eyes darkened as he grinned. He approached the demon and pointed the blade to their chest and slowly pushed. ”After all, I have what he wants. Perhaps I can strike up some sort of deal.”

The demon tilted their head to the side, a terrifyingly close gesture to one Nero might do. They smiled and repeated words that carried the weight of a ritual.

“You must feel the wrath at killing another, the lust in taking off their flesh, to envy and steal that which belongs to another. To send someone you care for to beat and kill another that has helped you in the past.” The demon watched the realization of what he was saying dawn on Caden's face and started to laugh. It started quietly, more of a snicker before it evolved into something louder and wilder.

Caden backed away from the demon. He rubbed a hand over his face and started pacing. Could he do it? Could he kill that many people and enjoy it? Caden had certainly felt lust, greed and envy. And he experienced gluttony daily, but in the way the demon was implying? Caden turned his head to glare at the demon who continued to laugh. If he could kill demons in this way, Caden would certainly feel the deadly sins with no qualms.

In the distance, sirens could be heard. Caden flipped his knife around and stalked towards the demon.

”Sorry, but it seems our time is up.” The demon started to panic and went to run, but it was pointless. The demon was trapped and Caden was quicker.

Caden grabbed the demon by its neck and pinned them against his chest. ”Thank you for your help.”

Caden's eyes flared, and the magic holding the demon in place vanished. Caden grinned as soon as he felt hope flare in the demon's body. They wiggled against Caden, ready to smoke out when Caden clamped his hand over the demon's mouth and whispered an ancient word of power and death.

The demon's eyes widened moments before Caden felt them go limp. He titled the creature's neck back and sliced it open before discarding the demon. Caden wiped the bloody knife on his polluted clothes, and slipped it away. The police sirens growing closer.

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero's House - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Avery chuckled and continued to kiss Kimiko's shoulder and up her neck. ”I can be quick, too. I just prefer to take my time.” Avery slid his hands back on Kimiko's hips to move her dress lower. He tugged the fabric down so it fell and he pushed it down her hips.

”Are you sure you don't want me to be quick?” He had reached her ear with his kissing and whispered in her ear before biting her lobe.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit Hair Make-up

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Cassiopeia's mind wandered to how Nic felt her hands when she saw him shift his weight. Goddess save her, she wanted him badly. Cassi bit her lip, staring at the chest that was revealed to her by Nic's open shirt.

[color=#DB7093][I]”Ifrinn fhuilteach,”[/color] Cassi cursed. She grabbed the whiskey and her clothes before hiding in the bathroom. She locked the door for good measure, not trusting herself to not walk out of the bathroom stark naked and demand Nic take her on the bathroom floor.

Translations

Bloody hell

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero's House - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Avery's attention shifted when a black dress invaded his vision. His eyes slid up Kimiko's dress to find the zipper she needed help with. He smiled despite the situation and placed his hands on Kimiko's shoulders.

”I'm actually looking forward to messing with Caden a bit.” In a petty way it was almost like payback for Caden making Avery work over time.

Avery moved away from the door and slid his hands to Kimiko's zipper. His eyes followed the zipper, taking in the colour of Kiki's skin as more was revealed to him.

”How long do you think we have?” he asked. Once he finished unzipping her dress, Avery rested his hands on Kimiko's hips, and kissed the top of her left shoulder.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit Hair Make-up

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Cassiopeia smirked, her eyes wandering to Nic's hands while he unbuttoned his shirt. ”Well, the room is soundproof,” Cassi said, pushing the idea further.

Her body felt tight with the idea of taking Nic into the shower. Her mind flooded back to how Nic looked at her earlier when she walked out to meet him. She took a shuddering breath in from the thoughts swirling in her head and stood.

”I should go change,” she said feeling breathless.

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Caden

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Location: Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
Skills: Shapeshifting;
Fit

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“I already told you. The King wants his Queen back. I assure you Mundus is alive and well and looking for Nero. They've been obsessed with them for hundreds of years. I've never understood the appeal.” The demon spat a mouthful of blood to the side before sneering at Caden.

”If he desires them so much then why hasn't he come for them himself?”

“Because you don't send a King to do medial tasks!”

”Or because he isn't able to,” Caden said. The realization dawned on him and he slowly smiled. ”He's trapped, isn't he? Or not at full strength yet.”

“You know nothing! Mundus gets what he wants regardless of his current state. He filled Nero's head with horrid thoughts and tortured them until they finally gave in. The same will happen again.”

”I don't think so. The world has changed since Mundus ruled.” Caden released the demon. They dropped to the floor and glared at Caden while he walked away from them.

Caden turned back around and watched the demon. He pointed the bloody knife at them. A pleasant smile sat on Caden's as if he had just read something enjoyable. The demon shifted uncomfortably, quickly realizing they did not have the upper hand.

”How do I get in contact with your so-called King?”

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero's House - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Avery followed behind Kimiko happily. He took in more of her outfit, feeling a healthy appreciation for how good Kimiko looked and how well she dressed. When he reached the room he shared with her, Avery hovered in the doorway until he heard Nero and Caden's door closed. He glanced at Kimiko when she asked how Nero was doing and sighed. Avery stepped into the bedroom before shutting the door behind him.

”They're putting on a brave front but I don't think they're okay. Even the prank didn't light up their eyes like it usually would. I know why Caden ran, I hardly blame him, I just wish he didn't for Nero's sake.” Avery leaned against the closed door with his arms crossed. He stared at a spot on the floor with his brow furrowed. ”I've never seen Caden lose control like that.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit Hair Make-up

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Since Kiki was in the room Cassiopeia normally occupied if she spent the night at Caden's, she led Nic to the guest side of the house. She picked a room she had helped decorate. It was mainly white with light brown trimmings and accents. Green, yellow, white, and orange plants decorated the room with black and white pictures of famous movie scenes and piano players.

Cassi tossed their borrowed clothes on the bed before she flipped onto the lounge chair by the windows. She pulled her legs under her dress and sat cross legged on the chair, with her head tilted back and stared at the ceiling.

”No,” she said simply. Cassiopeia opened the bottle of whiskey without looking and lifted her head to take a healthy swig from the bottle.

Cassi set the bottle on the table beside her seat. A record player sat nestled in the corner with a few records tucked underneath. She leaned over and selected a Nat King Cole album to play quietly. Once the soft baritone of Cole's voice filtered through the speaker, Cassi's attention returned to Nic.

”Do you want a shower?”

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero's House - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Avery walked over to Kimiko while she told everyone the plan. He didn’t mind the idea, especially if it allowed him a few moments alone with her while they changed. Avery stood behind Kimiko, wrapping his arms around her and kissed the side of her head. He knew PDA wasn’t really their thing, but Avery felt comfortable around his friends. Besides, the day had been trying, and he just wanted to hold his girlfriend.

”Are they the silky ones?” Cassi asked. She had bought the wicked things for Caden as a joke one year.

Avery chuckled. ”Alright, so we’ll meet back here after we are changed. The kitchen staff worked all day to make this meal, so we definitely can’t let it go to waste.” Avery gently tugged Kimiko back as he stepped towards their room.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit Hair Make-up

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Cassiopeia walked into the house and gathered the clothes Kimiko had gotten for them. She still had a change of clothes, but that was in Kimiko’s room unless she had already moved them to one of the guest rooms. She reclaimed Nic’s hand and a bottle of whiskey as she passed the cabinet.

”Yes. And we should drink all the most expensive liquors. Caden spared no expense after all,” Cassi said and pulled Nic towards the quest side of the house.

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Caden

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Location: Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
Skills: Shapeshifting;
Fit

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Caden had weaved some spell work with Cassi’s supplies and his own magical ability to create a space that would prevent the demon from smoking out before Caden had his answers. Still, Caden’s hand remained firmly fixed to the demon’s shirt while he demanded answers. Caden’s eyes glowed with a purple-green fire, the only sign of his wavering control.

”What do you know about the Knight of Hell, Nero?”

“I know they haven’t been in Hell for a long time,” the demon sneered. “Always thought they were too good for us.”

”And what of their relationship with Mundus?”

The demon’s eyes narrowed, a puzzled expression on their face before they smirked. “What would a shifter want to know about the King of Hell?”

”King of Hell? Last I heard he was rotting.”

The demon thrashed in Caden’s hold. Caden pinned the creature against the wall, bottles of liquid crashed to the ground and cast an interesting smell to Cassi’s workshop. Caden was going to be in so much trouble with Cass if she didn’t kill him.

“How dare you speak of such horrible things!! The King lives and will return to us! He—-gargh!” Caden turned the knife he had grabbed earlier from Cassi’s drawer and stabbed it into the side of the demon. It burned the creature's side as Caden had soaked it in holy water before.

”Focus, if you please.”

“That demon whore is betrothed to them. Everyone in Hell knows that,” the demon said, fighting against Caden and his knife. “And he wants them back. We’ve been searching endlessly for them, but we can never get close enough. Until you two were seen at their house. Oh yes, shifter…We know all about you. Thought you were clever, were you, pretending to be the bitch?” The demon laughed, and Caden cut into them again.

”My patience wears thin. Answer my questions and nothing more or die now.”

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero's House - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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The idea of Nero completely reorganising Caden's office in some strange order with no way of figuring it out was incredibly amusing to Avery. He laughed while he closed the distance to the house.

”I will gladly help you rearrange Caden's office, and I don't even care if he knows I helped.”

They reached the back porch when Nero touched Avery's cheek. Avery paused, looking at Nero. He felt himself blush, a goofy grin on his face.

”Thanks, Nero.”

Avery turned his head when he heard the backdoor open and smiled when Kimiko walked out. He walked closer with Nero still in his arms. Avery set Nero down finally before talking to Kimiko.

"Nero and I are going to rearrange Caden's office. Want to help?"

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit Hair Make-up

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”Caden has everything. He even has Baiju if you want,” Cassi said, having had some of the traditional Chinese liquor before.

Cassi blushed when Kimiko met them on the back porch. ”I can't believe you carried me all the way here,” she mumbled. ”You can put me down now,” she added.

Cassi looked at Kimiko and nodded. ”That's good, Kiki. Thank you for doing that.”

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero's House - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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The staff merely glanced at Avery carrying Nero before they quickly turned and went back to work. Sarah questioned Avery with a silent look, but he shook his head before focusing back on Nero. He held Nero a little closer, at a loss for what to do for them. He didn’t like seeing Nero unhappy, but he could tell the imp was trying.

”Well, I would punch him in the face, but if you don’t want to resort to physical violence, might I suggest rearranging his office? He’s rather particular about order.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit Hair Make-up

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Cassiopeia desperately wanted to kiss Nic when he looked at her like that. The world always seemed to disappear when he gave her that smile. She settled for resting a hand on his cheek, running her thumb along the lines of his face. He didn’t have a single imperfection. Cassiopeia wondered if he ever had acne growing up.

”If only I could see you in action without being a distraction.” Cassi slid her hand from Nic’s cheek and rested it on his chest, thoroughly impressed he was still carrying her.

”I guess it would have to be some sort of creme-based liqueur if it was to be mixed into hot chocolate. Which isn’t usually strong enough for me, but I suppose I shouldn’t be drinking to get drunk.”

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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills: Shapeshifting;
Fit

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Caden tore apart Cassi’s back room. His eyes were bloodshot after shifting back into his usual form. He glared at items he didn’t want and crushed many of Cassiopeia’s herbs underfoot as he tossed things aside, looking for specific ingredients. Usually, Caden knew this shop as well as the bookshelf in his own house. He could have found the items he was looking for easily, but he was exhausted from shifting so rapidly and drained from the emotions of the day. He wanted answers, and he wanted them now. Once he had the ingredients required, Caden broke the demon warding on Cassi’s shop and summoned a demon.

The demon had barely registered their surroundings no sooner than Caden had his hand wrapped around their throat. ”You better have the answers I seek, or this will be a short trip for you.”

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero's House - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Avery laughed and shrugged. ”He might like that too much. I don’t know if you know this, but Caden is a bit of a pretty boy and a shapeshifter. Anything you do to him, he could just shift and make it work. Now, if you wanted a second shot at me, I might be convinced. Just as long as you pick colours that are more my shade this time.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit Hair Make-up

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Cassiopeia looked around and sighed. ”Fine,” she said and wrapped her arms around Nic’s neck. She smiled briefly at some of the staff she knew as they walked by. Some smiled back or took a second look, confused by why Cass was being carried. She looked away, focusing back on Nic.

”I’m better than Nero…or Caden. Thank you for taking charge back there…It seems it doesn’t have to just be a medical emergency for you to know what everyone needs,” Cassi complimented. She leaned close and kissed Nic’s cheek. The man never seemed to stop caring for her or the people important in her life. She laughed when he suggested hot chocolate. Cassi smiled and shook her head.

”I’m thinking something stronger.”

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero's House - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Avery glanced at Nero as he started to walk. The forest had taken on a gloom now that the sun was nearly set. What had started off as a magical evening full of hope and anticipation had quickly turned into one of misery.

”Trust me…Running away from your problems isn’t the best solution. Kiki can tell you that,” he said, remembering how he had run from her and blocked her out when things had gotten hard. ”He’ll come around, but don’t make it easy for him… I know he left to protect you and us from his loss of control, but he left you here to deal with the worry and the pain of that memory. Whatever it was. He shouldn’t have done that.”

When Avery first met Nero, there had been something about them that Avery instantly liked. And that like had turned into a need to protect them. Avery would happily beat on Caden for Kimiko and Nero. Even Cassi, but he was certain Cassi would do that all on her own.

Avery mused over Nero’s rhetorical questions when he spotted Nic scooping up Cassi to carry her. He smirked and pointed it out to Nero. ”How about those two. Never thought I would see Cassi let someone coddle, let alone carry her like that. I think it's good for her.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit Hair Make-up

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Cassi was pulled to a halt by Nic, but she barely registered why until she was in his arms. Her mind had been flooded with Nero’s past and their present, but when she felt the ground leave her, she had enough sense to cry in alarm. Cassi’s face flushed, and she looked away from Nic.

”You can’t possibly think you can carry me through the woods and across Caden’s backyard to the house, do you?”

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Caden

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Location: Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
Skills: Shapeshifting;
Fit

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Caden ran until his wolf couldn’t anymore, and then he shifted to a bird and flew until Cassi’s shop was within his sights. The hawk disappeared into a tree, where a squirrel quickly scrambled down the trunk to get away from hungry claws. The squirrel bounded across the park before crashing into a trash can. A cat yowled, fleeing from the noise and raced across the street, where it was nearly hit by a car. The cat disappeared into an alleyway, and a man walked out.

He glanced left then right, his blonde hair shining brightly in the light of the street lamps. He walked towards Mystic Dreams, constantly looking this way and then, but he wasn’t really paying attention. If he had been, he would have seen the woman walking along a path in that same park where the hawk, squirrel, and cat resided.

Now disguised as a middle-aged white man, Caden drew a design on Cassi’s door. The thing unlocked, and he quickly moved inside. Although he didn’t break anything, the woman found it odd to see a man sneaking about outside a store that had been closed for days. She knew the woman who ran that shop. She was friendly if a bit odd, but there had never been a man who looked like that in her shop. The woman pulled her phone out and quickly dialled 911.