Home Sweet Home

[Cade]

They'd been shopping. The weather was shit. It was worse than Chicago back home. And it was cold. Cade hated the cold. He was grateful Anna had decided to help him pick out some new furniture -- not that the stuff provided wasn't great, but he wanted his own things about him and the landlord was of course cool with that and would move the things out when new ones arrived, so at least the place wasn't empty.

But while they were out Cade picked out new bed sheets, towels, some cool plates and glasses. It was starting to feel like home. The weather was getting worse but he hoped it would hold out, he wanted to pay Anna back for all the help by cooking he a hot meal -- something his dad used to make for them on cold winter days -- a bit ole pot of homemade chilli.  The sauce had been simmering while they were gone, so the new apartment smelled wonderful.

Anna was helping him carry the smaller things up and he smiled as he offered to take them from her to put on the counter "I hope you'll stay, let me serve you some of my dad's chilli and some homemade corn bread." That was his step-mom's recipe.  He didn't really have anything from his mother, he would have to ask Nox if there was anything special -- though from the way Nox cooked Cade was pretty sure he did most of the cooking even as a kid.

[Anna]

The cold sucked. The snow sucked. It all sucked! But she was with Cade and that was enough to make her happy. The fact that he wanted her help with getting some furniture said that he was still interested. She was just glad to spend time with him.

She still wasn’t pushing. She knew his boundaries and respected them. Anna entered the apartment after him, setting his stuff down out of the way. The first thing she noticed (besides the blessed heat) was the amazing smell of chili.

She grinned as he offered some. ”Of course I’ll have chili!” she said with mock incredulity. ”Chili on a cold day is as Chicagoan as not putting ketchup on hot dogs.”

She removed her shoes and put them next to the door in order to keep from tracking snow over the apartment before she began to remove her cold weather gear.

[Cade]

"Excellent." It had been a while since he'd cooked for more than one. It made him sad and happy at the same time. But he didn't let it show.

He offered Anna a place opposite the island so they could chat. "Wine?" He chuckled. "Not sure if white or red pair better. But I bet Nox would know. But I have both, you have a preference?" For a thug of a guy Nox knew alot about food -- he had some odd things in his arsenal that Cade was jsut learning. And most of it he wasn't even learning from him but everything else around him. He did so much. Ana and Liv both had nothing bad to say about him.

"I haven't cooked for anyone in a while." he smiled. "It's a good thing to do."

[Anna]

Anna took a seat across from him. She wore a light blue sweater with a pair of jeans. Very simple. The smell of food was in the air and she absolutely loved it. She was really glad that Cade had invited her along today.

Anna knew little about wine pairings. She just drank wine. She chuckled at his question. ”I don’t know anything about wine pairings. Red sounds like it would go better with chili. Who knows? We can find out.”

She smiled an encouraging smile as he said it had been a long time since he had cooked for anyone else. Likely that had been his wife. It meant he was at the very least beginning to heal a bit more. It was a step. ”Well I’m glad I get to be a part of it!” Cade was beginning to pour wine into a glasses. She waited and clinked her glass with his and took a sip. ”Living at Nox’s place to keep an eye on Elyse had meant I haven’t done a whole lot of cooking at all lately.”

She looked around the apartment. Last time she had been here, he was still looking. ”How’s the new place? And how’s the new job?”

[Cade]

Cade chuckled. Nox definitely seemed to know his way around the kitchen. Though he'd learned from his step-mother and father, it wasn't likely a genetics thing. "I'm sure it's nice to be cooked for too."

Cade finished preparing the chili and pulled two teal bowls from the cupboard and plated two for them, and cut some of the cornbread from the cast iron dish. "Cheese? sour cream? or any other topping for you?" He asked before sitting down next to Anna. "The place is good. It's nice here. Neighbors are good and it's close to work. The office is shaping up. I've seen a few kids. It was good getting back to work. How is the club?"

[Anna]

Anna smiled as the chili began to be served. She loved food. It made her glad she was so active. ”Both please!” she said to the offer of cheese and sour cream.

She took a bite of the chili first and then the corn bread. Both were incredibly delicious. ”Oh my god! So good! The club is great! Now that I can use my magic all the time it’s been fun to add to my routine. The guys and girls are all great there! Our little club of magicians keeps growing too.”

A noise came from her wallet - an emergency alert. She picked it up and read it. ”Damn,” she said, her gaze going toward the window. The snow was falling. Hard. ”Snow falls expected to be heavier than predicted. Recommended action is to stay indoors. I think this is going to be bad, Cade.”

[Cade]

He looked at his Wallet. "You can stay as long as you need to. We got Marisol across the hall so we'll know when it's safe to go out again." Having a cop next door was a good thing.

It was a little weird having her stay however long but it was the right thing to do. And it was jsut Anna, they were friends.

"I have lots of wine and chilli"

[Anna]

Anna kept eating her chili, but her eyes went to the window. It was falling way heavier than expected. She was no stranger to winter storms, but had never seen anything like this and it wasn't showing signs of stopping. She was glad for Cade's offer though. She wouldn't be likely to get a ride anywhere now anyways, and she wasn't sure she'd trust anyone to drive in this.

Anna sent a few messages out, checking on friends and letting them know she was safe too. She'd keep an eye out on it to alleviate her own anxiety. "Thanks, Cade," she said, her smile genuine.

This had the potential to get awkward. They both liked each other, but he wasn't ready for more than friendship. That was fine, but who knew how long they'd be stuck here. "Always good with chili and wine, and don't worry, I'm small and unobtrusive." she grinned.

Cade mentioned Marisol and Anna remembered the woman - Cade's cop neighbor. "Marisol's probably out in this - I hope she's okay. Same with all the other emergency people. Nox has a paramedic friend - one of the club's security guy's twin sister. She's probably really busy right now." It was hard for her to keep the concern out of her voice. She was really worried about it all.

[Cade]

She probably was in the heart of the mess. "You are probably right. About it all. Marisol will be safe she's a good cop. Everyone else we know shouldn't be stupid. They'll be safe." Though Cade was almost certain Nox would be helping anyone he could. And probably stupidly.

There was pleenty of food and heat for now. Cade sighed. "We should probably find candles in the boxes and extra blankets -- we might need them before they storms over."

Cade put the chilli on warm and the cornbread in an air tight container before he got up to start looking through boxes. He supposed he could finish unpacking while he was at it.

[Anna]

Anna finished off her chili and bit of cornbread. She nodded at Cade's suggestion. It was a good time to unpack. The candles and blankets might be needed too should the power go out. She had other means for light and warmth too should they need. She put her dishes in the sink. She would wash them later. It was the least she could do for his offer to stay.

"Sounds like a plan. I'll follow your orders, Captain!" she gave him a salute and smile.

Cade let her know of a box she could unpack and she began to do so, setting aside anything she might find to be useful for sheltering in place. "I also have ways to create light and warmth should we need it as well. A basic light is what we use to teach newbies and with Juls flame and illusion technique, I can alter it to create some warmth. I think we'll be okay, but still good to be prepared."

Her wallet was beginning to get a steady stream of replies. Seemed like most people had found shelter. She should really check on Nox too. He was probably out being a white knight and saving everyone to the detriment of himself.