KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nature Preserve ---> SUV – Cary, IL
Skills:

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I actively make sure I'm not staring at Nic when he reverses, instead I check my phone to see if there are any messages from Caden. I slip my phone away just as Nic rests his hand on my leg. I don't think he is aware, but I certainly am of the hand placement. I let it go though, feeling comfortable with him, despite the electrified feeling coursing through my body.

"Hmm, I like all art but if I had to chose it would be sculptures. I like the details some of the artists can put into the work. It almost feels like they captured the person themselves in the stone or wood," I say. I look over at Nic. [olor=#DB7093]"How about you?"[/color]

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden's House - Pool – Chicago, IL
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I stop swimming and lean against the far end of the pool. I've struck a nerve, that much is obvious. "I see you as young," I say seriously. "But you're also closed off and that makes me nervous. You obviously care about your charges, the ones under your family's protection or wouldn't be here, but you also seem annoyed by it. I don't know if that's a reality or if it's a mask. I don't know if you are here to use Caden or if you genuinely care about him. I don't know you, so I don't believe anything you say until I see it." I say point blank. "My trust and friendship is earned, not given freely." My eyes flash yellow, my wolf in agreement with me.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nature Preserve – Cary, IL
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I laugh and hit Nic's hip back so we have to do this weird little one foot in front of the other's walk that I've seen teenagers do on TV. We get to the SUV and Nic opens the door for me, celebrating his silent victory. I laugh again when he asks if I need a drink.

"No, I'm okay. But we will have to get another on the way back to Chicago," I say seriously. I step up onto the running board and manage to lean over just enough to kiss Nic's cheek in thanks before I sit down.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden's House - Pool – Chicago, IL
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I chuckle and let go of the wall to float on my back. "The view is better when I use my mouth," I say cheekily. I stop in the middle of the pool and tread water for a moment, watching Kimiko getting out. Yellow really is her colour.

"Swimming is good for training," I inform her. "If you're serious about actually training."

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nature Preserve – Cary, IL
Skills:

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I can sense us getting closer to the parking lot again, and although I am excited to go to the art and history museum, I enjoyed walking with Nic. Being in nature was my happy place and it seemed to be Nic's as well. Maybe we could make going for hikes or trail walks a regular thing.

I listen to Nic talk, not thinking he was rambling at all but explaining. I was the Queen of rambling, so I knew what a true ramble was. I smile a little when he says he'd worry regardless of the situation.

"Worrying causes you to age faster. You'll be older than me before you know it," I tease him.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden's House - Pool – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Kimiko's eye roll is hard to miss but neither is her obvious staring. This is something I was used to as well. I was smaller in height but I was well defined everywhere else. Some of it was from being a werewolf, but a lot of it was because of working out and needing to get out built-up energy. There was a reason why people who didn't know about werewolves thought we were roid heads and gym junkies.

"Is there something I can help you with, Kimiko or are you just here for the view?"

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nature Preserve – Cary, IL
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I hold onto Nic's hand that's draped over my shoulder and wrap my arm around his waist, well, more his hips, as we walk. I'm starting to smile when he asks me what's wrong. I open my mouth to say nothing and switch topics, but I know I shouldn't. I close my mouth and worry my bottom lip, trying to figure out how to word this without drawing the focus of my worries onto me.

"I'm glad you and your dad have each other. It seems like the two of you really get along and are close. I guess, I just wish you didn't have to worry about each other so much."

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden's House - Pool – Chicago, IL
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I finish another lap and pop up on the edge. I hear the little fox's voice and turn my head to look at her. I roll my eyes and wipe the water from my face. "Contrary to popular belief, it's not that big of a house."

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nature Preserve – Cary, IL
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I laugh from Nic's last statement. I nudge him with my shoulder as we walk, smirking up at him. "Worried about a little healthy competition?" I ask teasingly.

Nic's father looked happy enough in the photo but I was still worried about him and Nic. They were holding each other up right now, trying to move forward and trying to live. I just wished there was something more I could do for them. I scuffed the ground as we walked, feeling frustrated, but knowing this was a part of life that Nic and his father needed to go through.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Outside Nic's House – Chicago, IL
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Minding my own business, swimming laps in the pool until boss man wakes up.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nature Preserve – Cary, IL
Skills:

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I gasp, surprised by Nic's sudden showing of excitement but then I'm laughing as he spins us around. He sets me back down gently and cups my cheek, flushed from the wind and Nic's excitement.

His phone buzzes and he pulls back to look at the message. I watch his face shift from joy to panic and I move closer to him, worried. He relaxes quickly and I do the same when he tells me his dad says hi.

”Do you want to call him? Just to make sure he's okay?” I ask.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nature Preserve – Cary, IL
Skills:

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I blush softly and tuck my hair back and nod. ”It came to me easily because of my emotions but I shifted the wind around us.” It was a fraction of my power, like lighting and blowing out candles, but it was exhilarating to use it in this way again.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nature Preserve – Cary, IL
Skills: Nature Magic

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I smile up at Nic, feeling confident and happy. Of course I could easily understand him here. Nature was a part of me. Even if Nic said nature was destructive and deadly, I would agree with him, because it was. Nature could turn easily. She could bend both ways. But he found peace in it just like I did, and that said something more for me.

Nic's arm slips around my waist easily, comfortably, like it was always meant to be there. My arms automatically wrap around his neck to keep him close. He bends to kiss me, and I don't have to put much effort into kissing him back.

Nature responds around us. I can hear the sounds of the water, the wind, and the birds more clearly. I can feel the sun dance along my exposed skin. I can feel the boards under our feet expand and shift, as if they are still alive. I become more connected to nature around us. The wind picks up, playing with my hair before it lifts Nic’s and slides down his back.

My fingers stretch out and I twirl the ends of Nic's hair with my fingers. The wind wraps around us again, holding us close before it dissipates and I pull back from the kiss to breathe.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nature Preserve – Cary, IL
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Nic walks on ahead, and I let him, falling into step behind him while we walk along the boardwalk. I watch the back of his head, smiling as he talks. I stop when he stops to turn around, and smile from how insecure he looks. I close the distance between us and look up at him.

”It makes perfect sense,” I assure him. ”Silence can be deafening, but nature is serene and contentment. It’s healing.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nature Preserve – Cary, IL
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I laugh and take his offered hand to stand. ”Well I didn’t think sitting in your lap in the middle of a nature preserve was exactly beneficial to why we are here,” I declare. I open up the trash can by the bench and toss my empty tea cup into it before closing the lid.

”What’s your favourite thing about nature?” I ask, curiously. Nic seemed to be the one asking all the questions lately. I hardly had a chance to get one of my own in.