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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My eyes sparkle while looking at Nic. ”I’m sure my staff would love a personal nurse. My hiring process is quite lengthy though,” I warn him, going along with the joke easily enough. It was probably best to just leave Cassi be for a moment.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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”Do you two want me to leave? I can leave. I’d much rather go swimming with Henry. At least they appreciate my company and don’t feel the need to tease me every 60 seconds,” I said, frustrated.

Caden chuckled and focused back on his food. ”Heard and understood.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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I swallow before I speak and nod. ”Ya, I usually come here three times a week, or Caden brings me food.” I didn’t always remember to cook for myself. Sometimes, I genuinely forgot.

”Oh, um, no. Cassiopeia, Cass, Cassi. I respond to anything, really.”

”Katze.”

I frown at Caden, recognizing the German word for cat, thanks to Nero. ”Except that,” I say and keep eating.

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Caden

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

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I chuckle. ”Nero came up with their own nickname for Cassi since she asks so many questions. She doesn’t seem to like being called a cat, even though she claims she once was one.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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

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I chuckle and raise my glass in salute. ”Tempting offer, but I’m afraid I am not a marriage kind of man,” I said honestly. I waited for the other two to make their plates before I made my own.

”Does your father work, Nic?” I wasn’t sure if Nic still wanted to talk about the supernatural community while he couldn’t take notes, but he could take the conversation over again if he wanted. I was just making small talk at the moment.

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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I pause when I hear Nic's grand pronouncement. I glance at Cassi who is rolling her eyes.

"I've missed something. Cass, when were you going to tell me? I'm hurt," I mock. She groans and puts her head into her hands.

"There ain't enough whiskey in the world for me to 'andle you two," she says, the Scottish accent coming in strong and I laugh.

"Simmer, love, simmer," I tease her. I take all the covers off the plates at the center of the table. "I hope you don't mind, Nic. I told me chef we were having a guest and they took the Asian theme and ran with it." There was fresh tempera stuffed with chicken, cold cucumber salad, and rice.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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I walk with Nic into the dining room, smiling at his shock and awe of Caden's house. If only he knew, I thought to myself. I picked a chair on the long side, next to Caden's usual seat at the head of the table. I look at Nic and nod.

"It wouldn't be a bad idea to do one for him either. I can even give him something so he doesn't feel the pain while I am doing it," I say.

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Caden

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

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I chuckle from Nic's reaction. Most people I bring here don't say that, mainly because they are trying to look or fit a certain image.

"Thank you, Nic. It is one of my more favourite homes. I took great pride in having it designed. After supper, I should show you the sunroom. Cassiopeia graciously designed that one for me."

Cassi perked up at the word 'sunroom'. "I should check on the plants... taking any cuttings and transplant them if they need it. Have your ---."

"Yes, Cass. The staff have been diligently following your instructions to a T. I am certain they do rock paper scissors to switch their rotation if they are on plant duty." I wish I was joking. I had actually seen them doing it once.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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"Me, actually," I say. I didn't do mine, of course, but I had done Caden's and several others. It was after I had looked up other ways to keep people save from possession, disease, and other supernatural things. I found if I used ruins and set an intention, I could ward people from all sorts of things. The only thing was they only worked if the sorcerer cast them, so I took up the art of tattooing. After that it became a bit of an obsession.

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Caden

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

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"Fortunately no. The soul in Nero's body has long since left this world," I say, answering Nic's other questions. "And before you ask, I am not going into the scientifics of how that possibly works with a dead body. I have spent too many sleepless nights awake debating that with many people. Besides, that subject of conversation has nothing to do with why we are here today."

Henry walks into the room and nods to me. "Supper is served, sir."

"Excellent. The rest of you have eaten?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. I have nothing pressing, Henry. You may dismiss the staff for the evening. They can use the pool if they wish or take some cars into town."

"Are you sure, sir?"

"Yes, the three of us can bring out the dessert after, and I can manage the dishes."

Henry visibly brightens at the idea of having an early night off.

"Thank you, sir." He bows his head before hurrying from the room to let the others know.

"Shall we?" I look to Cassi and Nic. Cassi stands and leads the way into the dining room.

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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I smile happily, encouraged by Nic's initiative and nod. "Certainly. You can train with Avery and I, if you wish. He's my training coach. And the tattoo is because we can give you an anti-possession tattoo."

"Demons can possess any body they want, dead or alive, but anti-possession tattoos prevent them from being able to inhabit that body. Angels have to ask for permission before they can enter a host body," Cassi explains. I remain quiet, letting that fun fact take its time being absorbed.

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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Cassiopeia visibly relaxes when Nic admits to being wrong. She curls back up onto the couch, eating another sushi roll. The majority of it is gone now. I made sure the staff didn't make too much. Sushi did not last well into the next day.

Nic's next question makes me chuckle. "Because Nero is a prankster and a shit disturber. They won't kill you," I assure Nic. "But that's not to say others won't want to. You are a part of this world now. That makes you a target."

"How do you feel about tattoos?" Cassi asks after swallowing her roll. At least she swallowed. I've known her to just talk with her mouth full.

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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Cassi and I exchange glances at this news. I look at Nic and lean forward once more. "I hope you understand how dangerous that was, Nic. Nero is not like other demons, they have a growing appreciation for humans. If another demon was sent to clean up the mess and we didn't solve the problem in time, we wouldn't be having this conversation."

"Incredibly stupid. Reckless. Too smart for your own good," Cassi mutters. She finishes the rest of her whiskey in one swallow, getting up to pour herself another.

"We understand why you did what you did, but I implore you not to go looking for trouble, alright? It is one thing for people like me and Cassi to, but another for you. You are not invincible," I tell Nic seriously.