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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I smile as they shift around to make the kissing easier, but we never break the kiss. My hands move up their back as we kiss for longer. I’m enjoying the moment with them quite a lot. My body tingles wherever they touch and my mind is only filled with them.

I start a little when there is a knock on the door, and I stop kissing Nero to look over their shoulder to see Henry in the doorway.

”Henry,” I greet, my voice sounding a little rough.

“Apologies sir, I wanted to bring you the dry cleaning once it was done. Shall I leave it here?”

”Yes, Henry. Thank you.” He sets Nero clothes on the coat hook by the door before closing the door behind him when he leaves. That makes me chuckle, and I look back at Nero. ”Do you want to change? We can go look at the long swords after if you want.’

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
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Being inquisitive never stopped me from asking questions, even if someone was being vague, so I didn't mind that Nic was doing it now. Nero really was right in calling me a cat. I wasn't even sure why I was still on the phone with him. There was nothing for us to talk about, but for some reason I found myself wanting to stay on the phone now. I wasn't sure if it was because I needed it or I felt he needed it.

”What did you want to do?” I asked him, happily ignoring the question he had for 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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I laugh when Nero comes up with his new nickname. My hands rest comfortably on their hips as I look at them and nod.

”Aye, du bist mein streunender kleiner Kobold,” I say before I kiss them. I had been longing to hold and kiss them again, so I was glad for the opportunity. We still had a few hours until Cass and Caden arrived, and I was quite grateful for that.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
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I screw up my nose at their question, not that they can see me, but still. ”You did not just ask me what my favourite colour is. Seriously?” I laugh, causing Max to meow and leave. I sit more forward on my couch. ”Did you always want to be a nurse,” I counter.

Translations

You are my stray little imp..

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 slide my arm around their waist after they’ve moved closer to me. ”They aren’t so bad once you train them,” I tease. I rub my thumb into the back of their spine, inching them a bit closer to me.

It had been difficult since the moment I met Nero to keep my hands to myself or my tone normal. Everything I said to them shifted into a tease or a flirt; it was hard not to. I knew Cassiopeia had her issues with demons, and I had come across a fair few who enjoyed the destruction of the world more than anything, but Nero was vastly different, even if they tried to be like every other demon.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
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”Ya… I guess I don’t know what to talk about. Everything will be explained tonight,” I say, still sounding awkward. It wasn’t often that a patron of my shop became involved in my other world. I had regular people who came for readings, potions, spells, and answers, but this situation was a first for 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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I watch them even as they continue to mirror me. I’m completely fascinated by them. It’s hard to look away. They rest their legs on my lap this time, and I chuckle. I move my arms, resting them over top of their legs and aimlessly pull at nothing on their pants. It’s just something to keep my hands busy. Their next statement catches me off guard, and my hands stop.

I look at Nero, who is now looking away from me. I smile, feeling my cheeks warm. I never blush. I clear my throat and look around the room, searching for the words I want to say.

”I don’t want you to leave. At this point, I want to tell you to bring your cats here and stay for as long as you want,” I say. I look back at them and rest one hand on their cheeks. ”I’ve never wanted to connect with someone like I want to with you, either.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
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I write down the address as he tells me. ”Oh, okay. It’s not terribly out of the way. I’ll let the driver know,” I said. I set my pen down and go back to petting Max.

A strange silence falls in the room and on the phone. ”I, um, guess, I should go,” I say awkwardly. I look down at Maxamilliam, who seems to be watching me with amusement in his eyes — damn cats.

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 rub the back of my neck, chuckling awkwardly. I felt a little embarrassed about how much of a geek I became with organizing my collections. I had everything cross-referenced in my book, comparing items and little numbers in the corners, referencing other items of the same time period, and other time periods to showcase the evolution of the item. It was convoluted and could be confusing but it was fun for me to do.

They shifted to sit up, and I angled myself to face them. I chuckled when they tilt their head, and I couldn’t help but mirror them. I lift my hand and rest the side of my head on my hand, watching them with amusement.

”I didn’t ask because you would tell me about it when you are ready. Besides, Cassiopeia bombarded you with questions the other day. I didn’t think it wise to do the same.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
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I relax further, and Max purrs happily on my chest. ”Good. That’s good. I gave some things to help keep off the nightmares,” I state again. ”Okay, so you can either come here for 5, or if you give me your address, I can tell the driver where to go,” I tell Nic. I completely understand if they don’t want us to know where he lives. I still didn’t know how I felt about Nero knowing where I lived, but I at least had protections set up around my house to keep demons and other uninvited guests out. Not to mention the anti-demon possession tattoo I had on the back of my right shoulder.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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”Then stay. There's plenty of room,” I assure them. The staff being around always made the place feel less empty, but the idea of Nero wanting to stay longer makes me happy.

I often will have people shown out in my absence but Nero isn't one I would want to kick out. I'd like for them to stay or come and go as they please. It was one of the reasons why I brought them here yesterday, rather than finding an unknown location to discuss the Chimera.

”Have you found anything that you connected with?” I asked, gesturing to the book. I had more weapons, paintings, sculptures, tools, and other works of art from the 13 century. A little bit of everything really, aside from buildings and clothes.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
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He finally picks up but seems hesitant. This makes me relax and smile. ”Hi, Nic. It's Cass. I spoke to Caden and he suggested we come to his for supper. Does that work for you? How's your dad?”

If he didn't want to leave his father, I completely understood. It would just prolong the conversation we could have.

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 smirk as I look down at Nero after they casually lay their head on my lap like they do this all the time. I find it completely endearing. I laugh when they suggest swimming in the pool.

”I would prefer it if you stayed,” I confess. ”As for swimming in the pool, I'm afraid I don't have a proper swimsuit for you to borrow. You would have to go in the nude." My eyes shimmer and shift with mischief, the smirk never leaving my face as I look down at them.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
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I wait until after lunch before I call Nic. Max lounges on my lap, purring loudly as I give him pets. He was my closest companion for the last ten years now, and I was grateful everyday that he had chosen me. Except when he meddled. Then I was annoyed.

The phone rang in my ear, and I nibbled on my bottom lip. Nic wanted to learn about this world, my world, and I was so worried about what that was going to do. What if he hated it? What if it freaked him out and he started hunting us? What if it got him killed? What if he loved it?

I sighed, rubbing my head where an ache was starting to form.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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Nero’s enthusiasm makes me smile. I watch them flip through the pages before I sit back at my desk and continue working on the German Dragon. Every so often, I look at Nero to ensure they are okay. I want them to find out more about themselves so they have a better understanding of who they are. Personally, I want to know who gave them those scars. Or what.

My eyes drift to their neck and left hand while they continue to read. Seeing those markings reminded me of dark times when the slave trade was happening. So many people I cared for ended up with those markings or worse. The pain of that era kept me up at night sometimes. I didn’t want that for Nero, but I also wanted to avenge them like I did for all the black lives lost in the 18th century.

My phone buzzes beside me, pulling me from my thoughts. I checked the caller ID and saw it was Cassi.

”Bonjour mon amour. Comment ça va?” Cassi updates me on what happened with Nic and his father. I smirk to myself. Cassi was terrible with the beginning stages of any kind of relationship. She had difficulty trusting anyone, and I never blamed her for it.

”I’ll send a car for the two of you for supper,” I offer. ”Detective Costa can wait for his debriefing. One more day won’t change anything,” I say. I speak with Cassi for a few more minutes, switching back to French before I hang up the phone. I rejoin Nero on the couch, resting my arm behind him.

”I have some news, Kleiner Kobold. Nic wants to speak with Cassiopeia and me on the supernatural community of Chicago. Unfortunately, he has requested that you not be in the room. You do not have to leave tonight when they arrive, but you won’t be able to join us for the evening meal.”

Translations

French: Hello my love. How are you?
German: Little imp.

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 sipped my drink and glanced at my bookshelves. ”13th Century?” I stand up and scan the shelves until I am looking for the row I want. I pull out a couple of books and bring them over to Nero. ”This is everything I have from the 13th century. Take a look through and let me know if anything tickles your mind. Most of it is in English, but I do have a tendency to jump languages. And we can go look at the swords again if you like,” I offer.

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 take Nero's hands and pull him towards the green couch by the window. I sit him down and pour us two drinks, and hand one to him.

”Cassi can move in stages if you want, but it isn't a science. Sometimes memories just come tumbling out,” I inform him. ”If you want, you two can continue to just talk, bombarding you with questions while you pick and choose what to answer. If something starts to shift, allow yourself to go down that tunnel. We could also talk to the vampires or the Djinn. Although, I'd rather you not make a deal with the Djinn. They can be underhanded.”