KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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When I feel their hands on my chest, resting but also lightly pushing, I pull back from Nero’s neck to look at them. ”Do you want me to play the piano for you again?”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Cary, IL
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[color=#DB7093]”Oh!”[/coor] I exclaim and laugh, remembering Nic would probably like to know how his father is doing, as well. ”I’m fairly certain Kat and Jane are trying to put your father into a food coma. You’ll have to look at the picture to see the amount of food they ordered. He looks happy, though. Maybe a little tired, but that could be from the momentous task he has to complete in eating that mountain,” I joked.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I shift in my seat, breathing deeply again to clear my head and relax my body. ”It’s fine. You just caught me off-guard,” I said. I wait for my eyes to shift back before glancing at Kimiko. Her squeak was rather amusing, and I was starting to wonder if I wasn’t the only one having a hard time.

I did see how she looked at me today, and it seemed different somehow, but I wasn’t sure if I was just reading into things because I was looking at her differently.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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I grinned, my eyes narrowing when Nero decided to play along with me. ”Mmm, don’t worry. We’ll make sure the wolf doesn’t hear you screaming my name later,” I said.

Now that Nero was facing me, I had to reposition my hands. I tucked my fingers under their chin as I spoke before using my thumb to push on their jawbone and tilt their head away. I placed a kiss over Nero’s pulse before I gently sucked on the spot.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Cary, IL
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I smile, catching Nic’s phone and flip through his messages to find a new one from them. It’s a picture of the three of them. Nic’s dad looks overwhelmed by the amount of food on the table in front of them, but he seems happy.

”Smile, but no reckless driving,” I tell Nic and turn the front camera of the phone on. I lean over the console and take a picture of me grinning and Nic driving. I send the photo off before setting Nic’s phone in the cupholder.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I chuckled when Kimiko inevitably called me out on how I was dressed. ”Blame Caden. I had to vastly improve my wardrobe for when I’m supposed to be a guest of his at places rather than a driver or bodyguard,” I explained.

I get comfortable on the couch while Kimiko looks for the remote. I throw one arm up on the back of the couch and cross my opposite leg over my knee. Just as I’m settled, Kimiko crawls over and reaches around me to grab the remote. The smell of her shampoo and conditioner invades my senses, and I have half the mind just to wrap my arm around her and keep her there.

”Um, hi,” I said. I can feel my wolf very near the surface, and very interested in this entire interaction. My eyes seem to pick up on the details of Kimiko’s clothes, her hair, and her face. I’m certain that means my eyes have shifted, and I work on breathing to get them to go back, but it isn’t simple when all I can smell is her, and all I can think about is how much I want to be buried in that smell.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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I almost protested when they grabbed my face as they were ruining my fun, however, Nero’s comment makes me grin. ”No. There won’t be a pack connection for the two of you yet. Why do you ask?” I asked in an effort to tease Nero.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Grocery Store —> Driving – Cary, IL
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I remove my shoes and socks once we are back in the car and I start to dry them off with the towel I still have. ”What’s your dad doing today? Should we check in with him?” I remembered the pictures Nic received yesterday of his dad, and once again, I was monopolizing all of Nic’s time today. I was sure the two of them would be worried about the other if they didn’t speak all day.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I hopped back into the shower once I was in my room to rinse off the chlorine. I was already clean, so it was a quicker shower. I dressed casually but nice enough for supper, doubting I would be returning back to my room before the meal. It was a warmer day, so I kept the fabrics light and loose. I added the gold chain that Cass had gotten me for my birthday one year and double-checked my appearance in the mirror before I lightly sprayed on some cologne.

As I slipped on my shoes and made my way back across the yard, I wondered why I was trying so hard for a meal we were having at home. She was probably going to tease me. I could just use the excuse that I had been hanging out with Caden too long. Ya… ya, that would work.

I opened the back door of the house and walked inside, leaving my shoes by the door, and found Kimiko already in the living room.

”Have you found a game or anything on TV?” I asked, reclaiming the same spot on the couch I had last time.

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 when I hear that whine. My eyes are closed again and I tilt Nero’s chin more to brush my lips across their neck. ”Yes, my little imp?”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Grocery Store – Cary, IL
Skills:

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I carry the last bag since Nic has taken it upon himself to be a pack mule. I open the back door so we can set the stuff on the seats after Nic unlocks the doors.

”No. I think I’d like to be the one surprised today,” I say, smiling up at Nic.

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Avery Zain

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

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Kimiko’s robe gaps at the top more when she crosses her arms. I try to stop myself from looking. I really do, but my eyes shift to see the top of her breasts swell as she gets angry with me. She tightens her robe, and I shift my feet, taking a step towards staff housing.

”Ya, sure,” I say quickly with a nod. ”I’ll meet you in the living room again.” I said before leaving. Why did I just agree to sit near her and torture myself for another couple of hours?

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 walk slowly closer to Nero as I play, making the sounds softer as I near them. I kneel down behind the couch just as I finish playing the last note. I set my violin aside and leaned over the couch to kiss Nero’s shoulder. My free hand goes to their chin, and I tilt their head away so I have more access to their neck.

”If that is what you prefer, then I will happily do it, my little imp,” I whispered.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Grocery Store – Cary, IL
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I smiled and shook my head. ”No, this is plenty for a nice little picnic,” I declared.

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Avery Zain

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

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”Ah, understandable, but your loss,” I teased, not being able to help myself. I run the towel over my head and face, but I’m mostly dry now as I stand in the sun in front of Kimiko. ”I guess I’ll go and get dressed and wait for supper. What are your plans?” I asked her curiously.

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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My eyes closed as I played, something I naturally did to help me fall into the music a bit more. I open my eyes back up when Nero starts talking. I smile when I see their eyes are closed. I switch the tune into something a bit more magical sounding and keep playing for them. ”I can play for you next time,” I offered. ”I enjoy playing the violin.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Grocery Store – Cary, IL
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I push the cart while Nic looks on his phone for somewhere for us to. ”Whichever is closer. I don’t mind either way,” I tell him truthfully. I’m just excited to have a picnic with him. It seems so simple, but to be able to sit outside and relax in nature while sharing a meal with Nic was probably my ideal idea of a perfect date.

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Avery Zain

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

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I glanced away from Kimiko to see the towel on the chair she was leaving for me. ”Ah, well. Nero wasn’t entirely thorough with getting all the towels. Luckily, I still have some in my room, I just didn’t want to risk bringing one in case you got the idea to come out here to steal it. Seems I had the wrong idea about your intentions,” I said and walked closer to her.

I know I’m testing my self-control as much as I’m testing hers, but I don’t care. I leaned down next to Kimiko to grab the towel she had left, and I wrapped it around my shoulders.

”Thanks.”

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 and clap lightly when Nero plays through the scale. I chuckled when Nero vowed to get me back for all the compliments I had given them. I take the violin and bow from Nero and place it under my chin.

”Hmm, well I’ll just have to double up on the compliments I’ve been giving you then,” I say before I start playing a classical piece.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Grocery Store – Cary, IL
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I’m just grabbing some mustard when I hear Nic. I smiled, glancing down at the drinks he gathered. ”They look tasty,” I said, noticing the raspberry cider as well. That one looks really good.

”I got mustard, do you want mayo or butter?”

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
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Once I wipe down my arms I notice a small figure and look down to see Kimiko openly staring at me like I had been at her earlier. For some reason, her eyes on me pleases me. One because she is looking but also because I was doing the same earlier, so now I don't feel so creepy.

Her eyes linger before snapping to my face, and I grin at her. ”What are you doing down there, little fox?” I note that she's in a robe, and the top gaps open slightly. My eyes shift, but I don't let them linger anywhere aside from her face.

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 chuckle and have Nero play the note a couple of times before I finish off the scale and get them to start again. ”I don’t need the compliments. I know my worth, but they are lovely to hear. You may compliment me as many times as you wish,” I tell them.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Grocery Store – Cary, IL
Skills:

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”Whatever you like. Surprise me,” I said with a smile. I turned back to speak with the butcher about getting some ham for our sandwiches. I get them cut a little thicker, but not so thick it would be hard to bite through. We can always layer the ham in case we want a thicker sandwich. Once I have the package of ham, I go in search of condiments.

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Avery Zain

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

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I do a few laps in the pool, working everything out from the training this morning to the bike ride and then building garden boxes. I pull myself out of the pool and wipe the water off my body. I didn’t bring a towel with me as I didn’t want Kimiko stealing it. As I think about it, I wonder if she’s noticed there are no straws anywhere in the house yet.

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 Nero and chuckle. ”It isn’t often, but yes, I can blush,” I said and leaned down to kiss Nero’s lips before I moved their finger positions again. ”It’s the flattery. I don’t hear it very often, at least not the way you say things.’

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Grocery Store – Cary, IL
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”That’s okay. Do you want to pick the drinks then? We could just do water if that’s easier.” We reached the in-store butcher, and I flip-flopped between ham and roast beef. ”What do you think? Ham or roast beef?”

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 find myself blushing again from the compliment. ”Thank you, my dear. I really do try to play from the soul,” I explain.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Grocery Store – Cary, IL
Skills:

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”Mmm, so be it,” I said. If that’s how he wanted to play it, then that is exactly how I would play it.

I looked over the items on display. ”Well, carrots for sure, and we need fruit. Lettuce or spinach for sandwiches, cheese. Oh, we should get some meat from the butcher if they have one in store. That’s always far better. Hmm, drinks. What do you usually like to drink?” I asked as I gathered up the veggies we needed.