KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I smile, looking over at Nero when they rejoin the group. I watch them take Kimiko’s straw with mild intrigue.

”Well, Nic guessed he lost the kitsune family blessing, and Kimiko is freaking out that Cass is going to kill her. As for what is happening now, it looks like Kiki isn’t used to such trained hand-to-hand training.” I turn around and look at Nero.

”Und was hast du gemacht, kleiner Kobold?

Translations

And what have you been up to, little imp?

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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I watched Nic go through the first round, nodding in encouragement. He was doing really well. I would have to give him something more challenging on his second day. I gave the second routine while they had their cool down and started them before looking at Kimiko this time. She…was not so lucky.

”Okay, okay. Stop,” I said. I positioned myself on the side of Kimiko’s bag and walked her through the hand movements one at a time, getting her to mirror me. ”Focus on power if you don’t have the speed. I want you to make every hit.” I told her before getting her to start again.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”No, because I’m on her good side,” I say with a wink and dart away before she can retaliate. I go stand by Nic’s bag and watch him finish a round.

”Good, good. Alright, let’s do several rounds. Each round will be different and will last about three minutes, with thirty seconds in between to breathe or drink some water. Okay? Let’s get started.”

I use Nic’s bag to demonstrate the moves I want them to do. I start off with just a hitting combo to ease them into it. ”Focus on speed or power in the beginning. Remember there are several rounds, and it’s important to participate in each one to keep your heart rate up.” I grab a remote and turn on some upbeat music. ”Ready?! Begin!” I say and step back.

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I finish with the weights and stand up to stretch and drink some water. I go over to the bench and watch Nic and Kimiko at the bags, taking a bit of a break before I have to start on my resistance training. Thankfully, I’ve been working out with Avery for ten years now and have a well-established routine, so I don’t need him for much help.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Well, you are definitely one of those,” I tease her again. I opened up the boxing gloves and slid them over her hands one at a time. ”Are you seriously that scared of Cass?” I ask, slightly amused by how panicked Kimiko is. It’s also quite adorable. Wait, what?

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I listen to Kimiko panic and watch her wrap her hands. I have to get her to stop and refocus several times before she finally gets it right. I snort when she asks if Nic is psychic.

”No, he’s not psychic. He’s observant. He’s the head nurse at Chicago Med in the emergency department. Noticing things and seeing beyond is kind of his thing. Also, Cassi likes him, so there was likely something under all that that she noticed. But if his family was upfront with him about their history and your kitsune, well,” I shrug at Kimiko. ”Maybe answer some of his questions first if he has any. If he outright asks you, then you aren’t bombarding him with information. He’s asking for it.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I watch Kimiko with amusement, wanting to leave her to struggle just for the hell of it, but Nic is the better man and says he’ll start with the bags. ”Start with a basic one-two punch, Nic, alternate between strikes, hooks, and uppercuts. I’ll give you two proper routines once I help hopeless here,” I say and look back at Kimiko with a grin.

I grab an extra pair of wraps and teach Kimiko by showing her what to do.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I give Kimiko a look when she calls me sir and tries to be bubbly. ”Right, well. I'm going to get you guys set up on the bags and run through some punching and kicking drills to help warm up a bit more, and get your minds thinking about defense and offense.”

I lead them over to a bench where I have set out wraps and gloves for each of them.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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I spot Caden while he lifts the heavier weights, making sure is form is in line and the machine is handling what Caden can do. My eyes drift to watch Nic and Kimiko. I see Kimiko looking over like a deer in the headlights. I surmise that she's told Nic and needs backup.

"Keep going. I'll be back," I say and pat Caden's shoulder before I wander over to the treadmills.

"You guys ready to move on?"

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery and I grin before walking away. He sets me up with every weight machine, adjusting everything so I'm nearly lifting 300 pounds. It isn't bad, but man made machines can only have so much weight before they tip over. This is usually just a warm up before I go outside and start lifting other things that normal humans can't, like vehicles. Still, it's a good work out and Avery manages to up the weight of the machines so I'm lifting 400.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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I had to modify most of the machines in the training room to work for supernatural creatures. It took a lot of work, extra supports, some mechanics and welding but I managed to make every piece of equipment safe while adding extra weight so it would be more of a challenge for me, and somewhat of a challenge for Caden. I was pleased when I could get him to do enough repetitions and sets to get him to actually sweat for a change.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I look at Kimiko as she comes back and I grin. "I did warn you," I reminded her before I decided to walk away and let the two of them talk.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I smile and nod. "I think it'll just take time, but I'll try and wear him down." I glance behind me to see Caden wander over. The other two remain on the treadmills and I take that as a sign to leave them alone for the time being.

"Do you want to get started on your training?" I ask Caden.

Caden seems to watch Nero jumping for a moment, grinning at nothing in particular before he focus on me. "May as well."

"Alright, let's get you going on some weights first, and then we can do resistance training before going outside."

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s Home – Chicago, IL
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"Okay. We'll have lots to catch up on then. Thanks, Kiki, and good luck," I say and hang up the phone shortly after. I wiggle down into my bed more and throw a pillow over my head and grumble into it. At least the uneasy feeling has gone away now.

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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I get off the treadmill and wipe the sweat from my neck and lean against the front of Nic's, nodding as he explains. "Good, good. That should be fun for you two. Why don't you come back after? We can have supper or drinks and talk about any other questions you may have." I'm sure by that point, too, he'll have processed what Kimiko has to say today.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I nod in approval as Nero starts to get a good rhythm and increases the pace naturally. I tap my chin as I think about it. "Somewhere in staff housing would be good. I doubt she'll be over there ever," I say.