KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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

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”Cass is having a highland whiskey, 18 year,” I tell Nic. ”I don’t mind making you whatever you like, Nic. I know it’s a bit overwhelming.” For the time being, I pour a glass of ice water for myself and him and set his on the table. A moment later, the sushi is brought out for appetizers. I sit down on one of the oversized chairs, smiling and thanking my staff.

”Please, help yourselves,” I encourage them.

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 the bottles from Nic, examine them and smile. ”We’ll have them for after dinner. Thank you, Nic. This is quite generous of you. Please, come inside. The appetizers will be served shortly to tie us over before the main meal.”

Cass kisses my cheek as she passes, leading the way to the main living room. The fireplace roars, keeping the space cozy. I note Cassi is wearing a sweater and turns down the gas on the fireplace a bit, so it isn’t quite so warm.

”Can I get you anything to drink to start?” I ask Nic, gesturing to the trolly I have with several different decanters containing different coloured liquids. While I wait for him to decide, I pour Cassi her whiskey, neat, and hand it to her. She takes it happily before collapsing onto the couch. She takes a sip and sighs, resting her head on the back of the couch.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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

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I’m enjoying the kiss, even though it’s brief, when they bite my lower lip before pulling away. My eyes shift automatically to that of a dragon’s. It takes all my willpower to keep the wings from showing themselves. I clear my throat and smooth down my shirt and jacket to compose myself. I turn and head for the door, calming down enough to shift my eyes back.

”You are playing a dangerous game, mein kleiner Kobold. I’ll be sure to come find you after my guests have left.” I don’t dare look back at them before I leave my room.

On the other side of the door, I release all my breath and run a hand over my hair. I curse in a few different languages as I force myself to walk away. Thankfully, every room in this house is soundproof, so Nero can’t hear me positively lose my shit. Normally I was the one to play little games, not the other way around. What exactly was I getting myself into with this one, I wondered.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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We turn on to Caden’s drive when Nic poses his apology for prying. I look out the window for a moment longer before turning my head to look at Nic. ”I’ll keep that in mind,” I say. There’s no point in asking now. I’ll wait for the trip home, or for a different day.

Avery drives us up to the front door and parks. Before I can get out, he has the door open for me. I smile up at him and thank him before walking around the car to stand on the front step.

The front door opens, and Caden stands there. ”Welcome,” he greets. He smiles, but I can see tension crinkling his eyes. I raise an eyebrow, but he closes his eyes and shakes his head slightly before looking and smiling at Nic.

Translations

my little imp

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I shift uncomfortably in my seat. ”You could say that,” I answer vaguely. I keep my eyes trained on the window, my hands no longer fiddling with my hair. The question he asked seemed simple enough, but it was loaded and could lead to other questions I did not want to answer.

My past was not easy to divulge, and what happened to me is one of the many reasons I don’t trust easily. The only person I trusted absolutely was Caden, and only because we grew up together. He had been there.

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Caden

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

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”Now, now, we have to play fair and not scare the human off. If you try to distract me, there’s no telling what I will do,” I say. I let them pull me closer, and I breathe in. Already, their scent is mixing with mine, and I can’t help the little thrill that goes through me.

”So distracting,” I grumble before I kiss them.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”All the questions,” I say and look at Nic. I guess it’s the least I deserve with the amount of questions I ask, but I hate being asked questions.

I shrug noncommittally and look back out the window. ”I don’t really have a favourite season. My magic is tied to the land, so every season yields something special. Every season has its value,” I state.

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Caden

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

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I enjoy the way Nero looks at me, taking in everything about me. I don’t mind people looking at me, but there’s something different about the way Nero looks at me that I like more.

”You’re drooling,” I tease them. I walk over to the bed and look down at them, all spread out. Although I know they are trying, they don’t even take up a quarter of the bed. My eyes roam them, too, and I have to tug on the collar of my jacket again.

”I should go. You are far too distracting. Do you want a plate of food sent up once it’s ready?” I tug on the belt of my jacket, ensuring it feels and looks right.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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”Because I know what you’re thinking. Psychic, remember?” I joked. In reality, it’s because I had been teased about it before, and Nic seemed the type to tease me about it. Clearly, I had been right.

I follow him up to the counter and wait on the other side to keep from hearing how many hundreds of dollars he spends. I know nursing makes a decent amount, but they aren’t doctors. Then again, it really isn’t my business how much money Nic decides to spend or not.

Once he paid, I led the way back to the car and got into the backseat. ”Thank you for making the stop, Avery.”

“Not a problem at all, Miss. Alistair.” He pulled smoothly away from the store, and we were on the road again, leaving the Chicago city limits for Caden’s home. I look out the window and fiddle with my hair.

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Caden

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

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I don’t take a very long shower, mainly needing it to help me relax and feel refreshed. I towel off and wrap the towel around my waist before completing my hair and skincare routine. It seems more like keeping up appearances rather than anything. After that, I exited through the secondary bathroom door and entered my closet. I’m glad I have the two doors, so I don’t have to walk back into the bedroom and disturb Nero. I flip through my clothes and select dark navy blue slacks with a matching jacket and shirt. I dress quickly and hang up my towel.

I slip on dark brown loafers before returning to the bedroom. I glance over at the bed and smirk. ”Comfortable?” I ask Nero. I slip a silver bracelet onto my right wrist and fix the collar of my jacket.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Warehouse Liquors – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Well, who doesn’t like pretty things?” I defend myself. ”What, like Malibu rum? It’s alright. Not my most favourite. I’ve preferred the spiced and dark rums in the past,” I inform him. ”Or rums distilled in whiskey barrels. They usually have a smokey taste or peat taste that I don’t seem to mind. And before you tell me that’s like dirt, don’t. I already know it sounds weird since I don’t like tomatoes 'cause they taste like dirt, but I can assure you it’s entirely different.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Warehouse Liquors – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Cocktails are good; I don’t mind straight either. I usually save drinking straight for whiskey,” I state. I pick up a bottle of rum that has a pretty label and read the back of it before putting it back on the shelf. ”I’m up for trying anything new,” I tell him honestly.

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’ll be thinking of you,” I replied with a wink of my own. I shut the door with a grin and turned around to get into the shower.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Warehouse Liquors – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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’Oh right!” I look at the check-out, then at my watch. ”We still have some time,” I say and follow him to the rum section, which is almost a full wall. I look from one end to the other. ”Wow.” I don’t often come to the liquor store. Caden always keeps a well-stocked liquor cabinet for me. Between that and his wine cellar, there isn’t much need for me to go to other liquor stores.

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, looking down at them and crossing my arms. ”Nero, mein kleiner Kobold, you’re going to make me run behind. Perhaps you can admire me tonight after the others have left.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Warehouse Liquors – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I don’t say anything when Nic offers to take me to a bar. I don’t want to be rude, but I don’t really see that happening. I mean, maybe as friends, in a group. I follow him through the store while he looks over the wines. He finds one that he knows and grabs a couple of bottles. I look it over just in case before nodding.

”Good choice,” I say and make my way towards the checkout, forgetting that I asked him to show me some of the rums he likes.

Translations

my little imp