KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

I smiled at them, refraining from mirroring their look this time and instead walked towards the ensuite bathroom. ”And mysterious? Good-looking, commanding, brilliant…” I trail off as I walk into the bathroom to turn on the rain shower. After I grab a towel from the closet in the bathroom, I hang it up on the hook outside the shower before walking back to Nero.

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Driving —> Warehouse Liquors – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

”Really? You’ll have to show me which you recommend,” I said as we pulled up to the liquor store. ”Thank you, Avery. We should only be a few minutes,” I told him before getting out of the vehicle. I waited on the sidewalk for Nic before walking in with him.

I lead the way to the correct aisle and point out a few different reds in various price ranges. I also briefly explain the different notes each one has and what they pair well with.

”I’m not sure what Caden is making, and he doesn’t usually tell me, so it would be hard to pick a wine based on that. These wines, however, are good on their own. He’ll likely open the bottle for us to share after the meal,” I tell Nic.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

”I’d like it very much if you did,” I told him. ”We won’t be in this part of the house tonight, so feel free to roam from room to room,” I informed him. ”This room is good for reading, but if you decide you want to watch some TV, you’ll have to go to one of the other rooms.”

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Driving —> Warehouse Liquors – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

”Of course, Caden will appreciate the personal touch. Not that you needed to bring anything; we kind of owe you after yesterday,” I said and glanced out my own window. ’Do you drink wine?” I asked curiously.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

My eyes roam over them once more, taking it all in before I nod. ”Probably. I need to change anyway. You can keep the sweater still, if you'd like,” I offer. My fingers twitch in my pocket, badly wanting to touch some part of Nero, but I resist. I find myself hoping they will stay the night with me, so I could hold them all night long.

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Cassi’s House —> Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

Satisfied for now, Wayland dashes back into the house once he's put down. I turn around to lock my door, giving myself time to blush and compose myself.

”Oh, um, thank-you. Green looks good on you,” I compliment back. I nod and walk down the steps with him before climbing into the back seat.

”Oh, good evening, Avery.” I say, greeting the robust driver. Avery used to be a mixed martial arts fighter in the heavyweight division. Even though he no longer fought, he still trained. He was Caden's trainer and part bodyguard and sometimes driver. I appreciated Caden sending Avery to pick Nic and I up.

“Good evening, Miss. Alistair,” he greeted in kind. No matter how many times I asked him to call Cassiopeia, he never did.

”Could you stop at Warehouse Liquors, please?”

“Of course,” he said. He pulled away once Nic was in.

I set my bag on the floor and buckled myself in. ”I'll give you a few different wine options in different price ranges that Caden will like, then you can pick whichever,” I told Nic. I wasn't going to assume Nic had money to burn, but I wasn't going to insult him either. I figured a bottle under $50, one over $50, and one between $150-$200 was good to choose from.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

”I thought about putting it in the other bedroom I use, but decided I wanted the space over here.” My phone dings and I pull it out to see the driver I sent for Cassi and Nic has picked them up.

”Cass and Nic should be here in thirty minutes,” I announce.

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Cassi’s House —> Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

I just give the cats some treats when there is a knock on the door. Surprisingly, Wayland ignores his treats and runs ahead of me to the door. I grab my bag and open it up to see Nic standing there. Wayland walks out, fluffy tail flipping about, and he meows for pets.

I laugh and shake my head. ”Quick pets Wayland, we have to go.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

My usual smile shifts from cocky and confident to shy and humble. ”I am. If you want. The other room is perfect for you though, if you prefer. And it’s right next to mine, so it’s close enough,” I say, not wanting to pressure them into staying with me in my room.

Both rooms also have their own attached bath, so there was no need to leave it. The guest room had a TV as well as well as other amenities that mine lacked. For my room, I wanted quiet and peace. I felt having a TV took that notion away.

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Cassi’s House —> Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

I eventually made it home with an hour to spare. The four-legged hooligans immediately take over my townhouse and zoom over the entire place. ”If there is a single plant out of place or gone when I come back, there will be hell to pay,” I threaten before disappearing into the bathroom. I know better than to close the door behind me.

I make quick work of showering before finding something to wear. It’s not very cold out, but since it will be dark and late before getting home, I decide to dress more cozy than anything. I know I could show up in a ball gown, and still, Caden would somehow outshine us all. I learned that a long time ago and stopped competing. When I started doing that, I was happier, but also found I looked better. Confidence and all that.

After dressing, I pin my hair half-up and leave it to dry naturally.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

My eyes never leave them as I nod. ”Back up the stairs, double oak doors at the end of the hall,” I tell them, letting them take us there.

I follow Nero into the hall but don’t dash after them if they decide to make a run for the last room — my room. I follow at a steady pace, my long legs eating up the distance. My hands take up their place in my pockets once more. I feel myself wound tight, but I don’t make a move, other than walking.

Once Nero opens the door, he will see the final room. My bedroom. The bed was an Alaskan king-size (currently unmade). It was massive. Truthfully, I debated on putting this in the white bedroom with the other king-size since that was the room I used when I had nighttime guests, but I decided to keep the ridiculously large bed for myself. The room was big enough for it.

The room was completely accented in golds and greens, with some recessed shelves full of books, and some plants. There was a large book nook under the window to stretch out and lounge on with gold and green pillows, and an oversized blanket. Some artwork and other pieces sat on the walls, but not much. This room was much of my sanctuary as it was my space for a reset. So, I kept it empty of most things my other rooms had.

There was no TV, but there was a record player behind one of the couches, with a few shelves of records. A liquor cabinet sat in the corner, mainly there to help on sleepless nights.

I stood in the doorway, letting Nero take their fill of the room.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

Nero’s voice draws my focus back, and I clear my throat.

”Yes, right.” I leave the darts on the board and exit the room. It took tremendous willpower not to touch Nero as I passed. I take them down the hall, away from the stairs, and stop at another room near my office. I look at Nero once, taking in his very white, very bare legs and shake my head once more before opening the door.

”The music hall,” I state, my voice sounding odd in my ears. There was another piano, but there were also several other instruments, including guitars, bass guitars, acoustics, violins, trumpets, and saxophones. I stood out of the way, watching them look over the room.

There was a fireplace in the room and French doors that opened out onto the grass in the backyard. It was perfect to help keep the room cool on warm days when we were in here. The walls were lined with more paintings, both historical and creative. It was a fun little room. I gave the staff free access to the room, which they often took advantage of.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

I smirk and focus back on the dartboard as they leave the room. They could continue the tour solo or come back. I had my bets that they would come back.

”Oh? What’s that?” I call out, throwing my second dart. I hear their voice enter the room again and smirk, throwing my third dart before looking at the doorway. The smirk on my face drops as I take in their very naked legs.

I simply stare, my mind racing.

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Cassi’s House —> Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

”You would think I leave for days and starve you. Not that I leave you in charge of guarding my shop with a supply of food that comes from a magical box so you don’t starve,” I grumble. The automatic feeder seems to mock me as it releases more kibbles for Calypso and Wayland. The pair in question kept winding around my legs and meowing in agony.

”My gods! Do you want to come home with me then?! I won’t be home tonight, but you’re welcome to destroy that place if it matters so much to you!” They seem to perk up at the idea and prance around everyone. I roll my eyes.

”Worse than children,” I grumble. ”Fine, then you all have to sit and be quiet while I ward the place.” The three of them move to the room's perimeter. One North, one East, and one West, leaving me to take up the South position. I set items down in the middle, including the door’s bell, before lighting candles and sitting down to ward my shop for the night. Once completed, I hang the bell back up.

”Seriously. It would be so much easier if you two would just stay here like you are supposed to.” Calypso hops into my bag and gets herself comfortable. Clearly, her mind was made up while Wayland and Maxamillian waited by the door for me. I sighed and closed the shop, letting them lead me to the bus stop.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

I turn and open up the dartboard before picking up the darts and taking several steps back. ”Lots of different things. For status, for drinking service all night, antiques, laws… Men, women,” I say with a wink at Nero before I throw the dart at the board. It’s just shy of the bullseye, but if one knows the rules of darts, one knows you don’t want to hit the bullseye every time.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

The excitement of what I am keeping from them radiates from their every pore, and I can’t help but chuckle. They walk away from the billiards table before I can answer their question — again. I walk to the table, ignoring their impatience.

”Depends on what we’re playing for. I’ve known to throw a game or two if it's just for status. If it’s for something more, well…” I shrug and trail off. I roll the white ball around on the table before going over to the sideboard to pick up the darts.

’I’ll also set up a shooting range in the backyard when the need arises. I have a series of guns from all eras in a locked shed by the garage,” I explain.

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Cassi’s House —> Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

Max hops into my bag once we reach the bus stop. Cats, for some reason, aren’t allowed on public transit. The whole thing irritates me, but Max and I make it work. It’s a fifteen-minute drive to my shop, plus another five-minute walk to my shop.

Max runs on ahead, and paws at the door. ”Well, if you were more patient, I would open the door, but you always insist on running ahead.” He responds with an irritated meow, and I roll my eyes. I unlock the door, and rather than hear the doorbell, I hear a cacophony of meowing.

”Jeez, you’d think I deprived y’all from each other’s company,” I say. I start mucking about the shop, mumbling in Gaelic as I go about my chores.