KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery stood and grinned at Kimiko. "Good." He circled back around, and lined up with her again. "Make sure to keep your legs tucked in if you are jumping. Your opponent could easily grab your leg and pull you back down," he warned her.

Avery ran at Kimiko again. He kept his momentum straight, shifting only when she did. He grabbed her arm and spun her around, twisting her arm and pinned it between him and her. He hooked his fingers around hers, spreading them a part while he pulled on her arm and shoulder.

"Can you feel that strain in your shoulder? I can easily sublux your joint from this position or break your arm or your fingers. You want to keep your arms in close as well. But if you find yourself in this position there are a couple of options. You can shapeshift, you can hook your foot around my ankle and roll us forward, using my speed against me, or if your opponent is the same height as you, you can break their nose," Avery said.

Avery's back was to the little audience Kimiko and him had acquired, and she was pressed right against his chest. Despite Avery saying he wanted to remain professional in the training gym, Avery can't help himself and placed a kiss on Kimiko's cheek before he released her arm. He stepped back from her and reset his position.

Avery's mind whirled with different training regimes he could do with Kiki. It ranged from bag training, to one-on-one boxing moves with gloves and pads, plus agility training. From what he observed during the morning workouts, Kiki had a lot of flexibility that she would have to use to her advantage.

Avery held up one finger. "Rule one," he said, waiting for Kimiko to repeat it back to him.

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Caden

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

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"Mmm, that was one part of the modern world Cassi could never get behind. She appreciates public transportation, but she never had a desire to learn to drive. It didn't appeal to her. Honestly, up until the second world war ended, Cassi always took a horse everywhere," Caden informed Nero and Nic.

Caden watched Avery pin Kimiko, and nodded in agreement with the options Avery gave her to get out of it. He let her go though and Caden watched that with interest.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Play into your strengths. Your opponent will often be larger than you. Of course, don't estimate those smaller than you. Right Nero?”

The little imp was perhaps the smallest thing he had seen that was still an adult human. And aside from Caden, the deadliest thing in this room..

”Rule number two. Don't let your emotions take over. Your anger will be the death of you. Unless you learn how to control it.”

When Kimiko had been taken, Avery's emotions were all over the place but he harnessed them when it came to killing the wolves. Of course, his size had been a factor in overpowering his opponents as well.

”Rule number three. Observation. Everyone has a tell in fighting. Some subtle, some obvious. It's best to figure it out sooner, rather than later.”

For Avery, it was a shift in his hips. They would move left or right depending on what foot he was going to step on. It was subtle. Most people would expect a foot to twist, the eyes to shift or a hand to move. A lot of Avery's power came from his centre, from his core and from his hips.

Before Kimiko could confirm she was ready, Avery ran at her again. He used the same momentum as before, but rather than going right he went left to take out her legs once more.

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Caden

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

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”If you change your mind, let me know. I'm sure we could work out some sort of deal,” Caden said.

Caden could understand Nic not wanting to accept handouts, and respected him for that.

He refocused on the training session. Avery shifted his weight and ran at Kimiko much the same way as he did before but there was a slight change. Caden's opposite hand twitched when Avery went left rather than right, and Caden hoped Kimiko saw it but he wasn't sure. Avery moved fast, and hadn't given Kimiko much time to recover from her first hit.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Alright,” Avery said. His eyes shifted down to watch her crack her knuckles, before she was done, Avery was running at her. He moved like a train, heading straight for her. At the last second, Avery turned in a three-sixty, his centre of gravity lowering as he swept his leg out and took at Kimiko’s legs. She fell back, slamming into the mat, and Avery stood.

”Rule one. Don’t let them attack first.” He walked around Kimiko and took up his first position again.

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Caden

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

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Caden chuckled and kissed Nero’s cheek. His eyes shifted to Avery, watching him shift his stance. Caden’s hand twitched on Nero’s waist when he realized what Avery was about to do. Caden watched Kimiko’s back hit the mat and shook his head.

Avery was probably the best person to train Kimiko or any of them. He wouldn’t hold back. He never held back. Especially when it came to training like this. If Avery gave his all and Kimiko could get the upper hand, then he knew she would be safe. That they all would be safer.

”Let me know when you want to leave, Nic. I’ll get someone to drive you back to Cass’ house. If you ever decide you want a car, let me know. Cassi has room for you to store it at her place,” he informed Nic.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery finished wrapping his hands while watching Kimiko. She seemed nervous, but they were also being watched. Avery smiled kindly and shook his arms out before cracking his neck.

”Okay. Which is easier for you, being attacked first or attacking first? I want to see what you usually do and teach as we go along,” Avery explained.

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Caden

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

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Caden sat on a stool with Nero on his lap, resting his chin on their shoulder while his eyes tracked Avery and Kimiko.

”We can leave if you want,” Caden reminded Nero, although it was clear Caden wanted to see how this was going to play out.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain & Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery waited for Kimiko to start her run before he turned and looked back at Nic. He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

”Kiki and I made it official over the weekend. I told her I want to keep it professional while I'm training, but apparently she still wants to tease me. Anyways, let's get you started on some leg work.” He guided Nic over to some of the machines that would strengthen his lower body. He added weight to the machine's until Nic was lifting what he needed to properly build muscle.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain & Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery examined Nic's tattoo closely, wondering if he should get Cass to add to the tattoo he had on his back. He really liked the 3D work she had done with the trees and the fox made him smile.

Avery had a tattoo on his left arm of the moon in brilliant detail, a wolf overlayed howling at it and a couple of evergreens making a rough 3D impression, but nothing like the work on Nic's arm. The moon contained the anti-possession symbol whereas the wolf contained a strength rune. On his back, Avery had the beginnings of a mountain scene across his shoulders and lower neck, with some specific line and dot work in the shape of a diamond. It was a work in progress as he didn't know what he wanted to do with it.

He pulled back, looking at Nic and nodded. ”Definitely we can do some core and leg stuff for you today. By Wednesday you should be fine to do arms. Just let me get Kiki set up.”

He looked at Kimiko, who he had been ignoring even though he felt her eyes on him. He smiled sweetly at her before bidding to the treadmill.

”Get up. Treadmill for fifteen,” he declared.

Caden meanwhile dropped the weight bar after finishing his rounds of deadlifts. He stopped to drink some water before Avery gave him weighted exercises to do for his lower body. Caden sighed. He didn't like these ones as much.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain & Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery glanced down at Kimiko, a bemused expression on his face. He looked at Nic then back.

”Oh, not to worry. I have absolutely nothing planned. Nothing at all. Aside from her training regime in the mornings, I believe Kiki is completely free for you to take to lunch, Nic.”

A mischievous sparkle twinkled in Avery's eyes as he watched Kimiko, clearly picking up that she was trying to tease him and even possibly break his professional stance during training.

Avery turned his focus to Nic and instantly noticed the tattoo and how fresh it was. ”Wicked tattoo, Nic. When did you get it done?”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain& Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery opted to be a trainer mostly today since he started so late. He normally worked out before he trained people unless he was just training Caden. When it was just the two of them they often went about doing their own thing. However, Avery was training three people today, so he needed to concentrate more.

Avery stood in front of Caden, watching him do his pull-ups. Avery crossed his arms, smirking at the dragon.

”Engage your core, old man. You're slowing down,” Avery said and knocked against Caden's core, causing him to tighten up.

”You're going to make me pay for that comment today, aren't you?” Caden finished up and dropped back to the ground.

”I would never. I am a professional. Now put on the weight belt and start with the one arm pushups. Fifty on each arm, then deadlifts,” Avery said, smiling cheerily before he walked over to Nic and Kimiko.

”What am I cancelling?” he asked Kimiko.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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When Kimiko stopped Avery to kiss him until both of them were breathless, Avery couldn't help the grin that crossed his face. Now he definitely didn't care about the gym or training today.

Avery rested his forehead against Kimiko's, taking one more minute with her. ”How about we start with hand holding when we are around the staff and our friends? Then we can go from there. But if you ever want to push it, just know that I'm comfortable with that.”

Avery quickly pecked Kimiko’s lips before he forced himself to walk away from her and into the gym. If he didn't do it now, he wasn't going to do it. He'd much rather take Kimiko back to her room and talk about their relationship.

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Caden

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

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Even if Nic hadn't said he was in love with Cassi, the dreamy expression on his face told Caden everything he needed to know. If Caden had any doubts before, he didn't now.

Caden finished his warm up on the floor before he stood, and grabbed water from the fridge.

”She is pretty incredible. I'm happy for the two of you. I'm also glad Cassi is with someone who cares for her the way she deserves. I'm rather protective of her, but I know I don't have to be with you.”

Cassi was due for something good in her life. Something to show her that she was worthy and worth being loved. She had been carrying the burden of her family on her shoulders for many years. Nic was good for her for many reasons, and Caden would always be grateful for Nic giving Cassi the love she needed.

Avery finally walked into the gym and Caden turned. ”Well well well, look what the cat dragged in. Or should I say fox?”

Avery smirked and nodded to the pull up bar. ”I think you need a longer warm up. Up you go.”

Caden laughed before he listened to his trainer.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Is it embarrassment or shyness?” Avery asked, slowing his pace to match hers while they talked.

Suddenly the gym didn't seem as important to Avery. All that mattered in this moment was Kimiko and her feelings. This was perhaps the most honest moment the two of them were having in terms of the intimate part of their relationship and Kimiko wasn't shying away from it at the moment.

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Caden

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

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Caden chuckled and nodded, remaining silent for a moment while he worked on getting his heart rate up. He glanced at the door while he ran, still surprised Avery hadn't shown yet. Surely he would have texted to say training was off. At least Nic and Caden had an idea of what to do in the gym.

”Cass is anything but reckless. She's usually pulling one of us out of the fire, if you'll pardon the phrase,” Caden said as he slowed to a walk before getting off the treadmill.

”I have a plan to win her back, don't you worry,” Caden joked before he went to one of the mats to continue his warm up with some ground work.

”Speaking of winning Cassiopeia over. How is it going between you two? I see she finally got her mark on you,” Caden said and nodded towards Nic's upper arm tattoo. ”Impressive work,” he added.

Cassi was always a stickler for detailing but Nic's tattoo was meticulous in its detailing.