KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Fox River – Cary, IL
Skills:

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I smiled at Nic and leaned into his touch. I truly did admire Nic's kindness and his compassion. I also adored how he could make me feel so small and cared for.

He leaned in to kiss me and I readily kissed him back. I marveled at how soft his touch was and yet how deeply I felt things when he kissed me.

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Avery Zain

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

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Needing something to do with my hands as well, I started helping Kimiko gather feathers. With nowhere else for them to go right now, I started stuffing them back into the pillow that broke. I paused in my work when she apologized. I shifted in my seat to pick up feathers from the ground.

”Don't apologize, unless your apologizing for that terrible battle cry,” I said and glanced sideways at her. My fingers twitched and before I could stop myself I was tucking a piece of Kimiko's hair back so I could see more of her face.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Fox River – Cary, IL
Skills:

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”Thank you for asking me out… I've had a lot of fun these last couple of days,” I said, resting my hand on his shoulder. We never would have had this opportunity if he didn't have the courage to ask me out. I was glad I was smart enough to say yes.

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Avery Zain

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

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I pick another feather out of her hair but notice she's stopped laughing. I realize again how close we are. This isn't just reaching around me to get the remote, this is borderline cuddling.

”Kimiko… I—” The back door opens then and I jump away to look behind me. The kitchen staff is walking in, laughing about something. They smile and wave at us as they pass to go to the kitchen to start preparing for supper.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Fox River – Cary, IL
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I take a bite of the sandwich Nic gives me. I don't get to swallow it before Nic teases me. I push him, covering my mouth to keep from spitting out my food. I swallow and push Nic again.

”I knew you were making fun of me!”

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Avery Zain

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

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I grin, resting my hand over Kimiko's where it gets on my arm. ”He'll never believe you,” I tell her.

When Kimiko leans against me, I almost stop breathing again but for an entirely different reason. It feels right but it also feels wrong. I know I'm very clearly attracted to her, but I shouldn't be. I can't be. But I also can't push her away. Instead I let go of her hand and picked the feathers out of her hair, letting them fall to the ground.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Fox River – Cary, IL
Skills:

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I lean over and kiss Nic's cheek. ”You are incredibly giving and thoughtful, did you know that?” I set my drink aside and wrapped my arms around my legs.

”I'll have the same as you. I want to see if goat cheese is really worth the hype,” I teased.

I rested my cheek on my knees, watching Nic before I sat back up and crossed my legs. ”Trees are quite chatty, actually. They see a lot and like to talk. The willows were planted together and enjoy when people come to visit since they are cut off from the rest of the park.”

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Avery Zain

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

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I laugh even harder from Kimiko's battle cry. I curl over, unable to block her hits anymore. I'm hardly breathing from laughing so much. I finally get a reprieve when I feel something tickle my face.

I sat back and looked up to see that Kimiko had broken the pillow. I grinned and looked at her.

”How could you? That was Caden's favourite pillow,” I joked.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Fox River – Cary, IL
Skills:

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I glance at Nic when he asks me if I can talk to the trees. I find myself hesitating for a moment. I already know I'm strange and different from anyone he's dated before, but do I want to be more strange and unusual to him?

”Yes,” I eventually hear myself say. I break open a bag of carrots and start eating them, lost in my own thoughts until Nic pulls me back again.

”Oh, you don't have to make my sandwich,” I said.

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Avery Zain

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

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I throw my arm up to block most of Kimiko's blows, but I'm laughing as she hits me. Each word is matched by a blow from the pillow, and it just makes me laugh more.

”I don't need anyone to believe me. I already heard you say it, and that's enough for me to treasure this moment always,” I teased further.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Fox River – Cary, IL
Skills:

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The trees are young still with another ten years or so of life left in them. They were planted together and truly seemed like the best of friends. I smiled, looking up to watch the sunlight dance in-between their swaying branches. I lingered for another several minutes before I took a step back and joined Nic.

I sit down, wiggling my toes into the grass while Nic sets everything up. I dig through the bag with the drinks for the sparkling raspberry cider, and pour us a cup each.

”This was a great idea,” I declared. I was in a good mood to start with, but being out here, surrounded by so much nature and with Nic, my mood was ten times improved.

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Avery Zain

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

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I clutch my chest when Kimiko says I’m right. I can’t help but to be a smartass sometimes. Well, most of the time. It was just so easy to do.

”I’m right? I’m sorry. Can you repeat that? And say it slowly. I want to savour this moment,” I joked.

I was also glad to hear that my explanation made sense, even though it sounded like I was scrambling for the right words.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Fox River – Cary, IL
Skills:

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I grinned at Nic and nodded. ”Yes. You should have,” I declared, pretending to be offended as I waltzed into the park. I walked ahead of Nic, letting my feet lead us to our destination.

I wandered down a little path that opened into a much larger area. To the left, through some trees and under some brush, was a smaller, hidden path. Grinning like a child, I hurried for the path and bent myself around trees. It would likely be more of a squeeze for Nic because of his height, but it was worth it.

There were a series of willow trees seeming to lean on each other. The grass was lush and green with little flowers. The space was virtually untouched, but you could see shoe prints that had crushed down the grass in areas. Under one of the willows, there was even a bench. It wasn’t a secret spot by any means, but it was unoccupied for the time being.

I wiggled happily and jogged over to the bench to set my stuff down. I immediately placed my hands on the trees and greeted them like old friends.

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Avery Zain

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

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I shift my arm off the back of the couch, holding my hands together as I think about how to word my response to Kimiko’s question. Her second of the day, even though she said she would only ask me once a day.

”He does. He experiences many different emotions like any other animal does. Hunger, anger, grief, desire. But whereas humans can regulate their emotions, animals cannot, so whatever the wolf feels becomes heightened. Likewise, because I am a werewolf, I have a hard time keeping my emotions in check. I feel things naturally, but they become heightened because the wolf and I are one and the same. I’m sorry. I’m probably explaining this badly. The wolf doesn’t influence how I feel. I feel what I feel. It just feels more because the wolf doesn’t know self-control.”

I glanced at Kimiko once I was done to try and gauge how she felt about what I had just said or tried to say. ”I think it would be a good idea to reach out to the other kitsune. Don’t think of it as asking for help. Think of it as research or a history lesson,” I suggested.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Fox River – Cary, IL
Skills:

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I grab a couple of bags to help Nic out, and I notice the dilemma. ”I’m sure we could find a bench,” I said. ”Although, I’m sure I’ll just sit on the ground anyways,” I informed Nic. I wiggle my toes on the warm pavement before I step from the parking lot onto the cool grass and sigh. Yes, I would definitely find a nice spot on the ground to sit.

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Avery Zain

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

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”Oh,” I said, trying not to sound disappointed. ”With the anger thing or just emotions in general?” I asked. So…maybe she didn’t feel the same way and was only reacting because her fox was reacting. ”The Men of Letters or Caden weren’t able to find anything on your mom?” I asked, moving the conversation forward.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving —> Fox River – Cary, IL
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I smile and beam at Nic. ”I think I’d like that,” I said. I had fun on the double date with Jane and Kat, and I enjoyed having supper with his father last night. It made sense that I would like to spend time with all of them in one room.

We make it to the park and it’s absolutely gorgeous. I can see multiple trailheads plush a few picnic shelters from the parking lot. I’m sure there are more places hidden within the trees. I open up my door and I can smell the lake in the distance.

I hop out of the car, forgoing shoes this time. I can usually figure out where to step and where not to step.

”This place is gorgeous, Nic,” I compliment.

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Avery Zain

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

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I stare at the silent TV for a minute before looking at Kimiko when she turns to face me. I just turn my head to look at her, deciding to keep my body away from facing her.

”Oh,” I said, trying to absorb everything she just said. ”So…is that why you’re looking for your mom? To figure out which one she is?”

There was still a lot that I was learning about my wolf, but at least I had people I could call if something new happened to me.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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”Ah, you want me to play my other favourite instrument,” I said. I stood up and picked Nero up off the couch. ”I can do that.” I grinned and carried Nero from the music room up the stairs to our bedroom.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Cary, IL
Skills:

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I smiled as Nic explained some of his family traditions. ”Oh, I like that,” I said, nodding in agreement. ”I also like how you’ve created such an extended family… It’s nice not to have to be alone and have people to share things with.”

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Avery Zain

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

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I fall silent as Kimiko finds a game for us to watch. I turn my focus to the screen, but I’m not really following what’s happening. I drum my fingers on my leg before I look over at Kimiko.

”Does that happen with you and your fox? Are you two separate entities like the wolf in me, or are you one in the same?” I ask curiously.