KazAlkemi

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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Caden and I laughed but nodded in understanding. ”Of course, we’re happy to help. Always. And thank you for the wine. This is delicious,” Caden said, saluting Nic with his glass.

I smile into my glass before finishing it off. It does have a lovely taste that counters the meal we had. It was a nice way to finish it off.

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 glance at Caden, and he looks back at me, deferring to my answer this time. I tap the side of my glass, wondering if it is really appropriate. I look at Nic, seeing him staring intently at a plant.

”Of course we’ll come. We’re sorry we weren’t able to find the creature sooner.” Even though it was out of our hands. The police didn’t ask us to be on the case until after Nic’s mom had turned up dead, but Mr. Wu was still missing. At first, the police suspected Mr. Wu had something to do with the killings, but Caden pointed out the markings, and then we got asked to consult.

I couldn’t believe the police, even though Nic’s father was capable of something like that. I hoped Nic didn’t know that… He didn’t need to know that.

X-Men: Cosmic Crusades 👽

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Antoinette McCarthy

Location: Outside – X-Mansion
Skills: Running

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The air and the run were proving quite refreshing. Antoinette was about to move into a sprint when she saw Guin coming from the other way. Antoinette smiled at Guin and slowed up a bit.

”Well met! Do you want to run together?” Antoinette asked. She had been reading some older novels based in the 1800s, so her vocabulary was changing slightly. She found certain phrases much more enjoyable than the present American she was now used to.

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 smile and shake my head. ”Not allowed, I’m afraid.” I pick up my wine glass and relax on the couch. I took a sip, looked at the book in Nic’s hands and nodded.

”We’re trusting you with our secrets, with our lives,” I tell him seriously. Caden nods in agreement.

”The world may like reading and writing about us in stories, but it is another thing to be knowingly living with a dragon or a sorcerer or a vampire.”

Ω Heroes of Olympus: The Next Age of Heroes Ω Officially Done

Ezekiel Kel

Location: Doors of Death
Skills: Archery;

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The fight was strained. Some of them got off good shots like Nancy and Zeke, others like Demi, weren’t able to get a good enough hold on the creature. Artemis fired off a dozen or so areas, some of them making their mark. ”Good shot, Nanc, Auntie!” Now that the giant was blind thanks to Nancy’s arrow, light manipulation would be no good here.

The giant got up again after Alexios’ punch, limiting the safe distance to getting close to the giant. Zeke wanted to use his sword, thinking it would do more damage, but he always wasn’t suicidal. Instead, Ezekiel pulled out his own bow, the quiver of arrows appearing on his back, to match that of his aunt and half-sister.

”Right, a volley of arrows then.” Ezekiel was too concentrated on the task at hand to notice the rainbow that appeared near Nancy. Instead, Zeke is volling arrows at the giant’s neck in hopes of impaling the brute. However, Zeke misses twice and only grazes the creature’s neck with the third shot. Well, that’s not embarrassing. Zeke glances at his Aunt and sister, hoping they saw nothing. That was when he noticed the Iris Message.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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I take the book from Caden, ignoring the suggestive look in his eyes. I set the book in the middle of the circle of candles and take the rest of the sandalwood concoction along with the added bit of Nic’s hair. This time I speak in Gaelic rather than Latin to draw the correct rune on the book. The candles flare slightly and then go out.

I pick up the book and open it. I grin. ”Once upon a time, there lived a fierce dragon.” I read and handed it to Caden next.

Caden chuckled, looking at the book to keep reading. ”The dragon lived an isolated life until a princess was sent to the dragon's tower to be guarded.” He handed the book back to me, and I gave it to Nic.

When Nic opened the book, the first page would read, Treaty 1: This Treaty acknowledges the official relationship between the human and supernatural communities of Illinois. It went on from there, but I saw something different.

I sat back on the couch beside Nic while he looked over the book, and I read what I saw instead. ”Now the princess did not want to be guarded; she wanted to be free, but her parents wanted her protected.” I smiled. ”There, now you have a book that is a fairytale to anyone but you.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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I laugh at the reference and release him from the hug as well. He goes to tuck my hair away, and I find my eyes locked on his for a moment. I’m suddenly aware of how alone we are and how close we are. I blush and quickly look away, picking up my wine glass and drinking.

”So, did you get all the questions you had answered today?” Caden, where the hell are you?

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Caden

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

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I don’t stop, even when Nero comments. I just keep walking, glancing out the back door to the pool to see some of the staff in the hot tub. I smiled, glad they took advantage when they could. Further in the backyard, behind a copse of trees, I had another home built for my staff. It contained a large kitchen, two living rooms, a games room, a large dining room, and a dozen or so rooms. Not everyone chose to stay in the home, but I was there for late nights or those who had nowhere else to go.

I make my way back into the sunroom. I thought about apologizing for taking so long, but I didn’t want to explain why. I glance between Nic and Cass. Something happened here. I chose to let it slide and hand Cassi the book.

”Here you go.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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I start when Nic hugs me off in my own world. He apologies, but doesn’t move to let go. I find myself not wanting him to let go. I hug him back, laughing.

”You really are a huggy person, aren’t you? I don’t recommend hugging anything that wants to curse or eat you, though. They are much less touchy-feely creatures,” I tease him.

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Caden

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

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When he leans into my touch, it takes all my willpower not to drop the book and pick it up. I really need to get back to the others, or I won’t be going back. I snort when they suggest getting Nic a present.

”Humans like things that are alive, not dead. They also like things that weren’t stolen or contain curses. Maybe a gift card to a coffee shop,” I tease Nero.

I shuffle past them, having to make distance between us. ”When I return, I’ll tell you how many times your lovely name came up in conversation.” I wink at them and turn around to walk back.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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”No, no you do not,” I say fiercely. I look at Nic when he questions other sorcerers, and I look away, staring at the flickering candles. ”There are… but I’m the last of my family line,” I say hesitantly. Maybe it’s the atmosphere, the alcohol, or maybe I do trust Nic, but I don’t mind telling him that, even though it makes me incredibly sad.

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Caden

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

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Nero steps closer to me, peering up at me with wide, searching eyes. I chuckle, closing the gap further with another step. I really can’t help myself around them. I was completely screwed.

I reach up and brush my thumb under their eye. ”No, Nic has not fainted again. He’s rather enthusiastic about our world and adamant about helping. He will have to re-meet you soon if he wants to help.” I wasn’t going to keep banishing Nero to my room anytime Nic was around. He was just going to have to get used to it, like Cassi.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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”Not in the same way I do. You have to be born a sorcerer. You could become a witch, but that involves dealing with demons. You could be a Wiccan, too. They deal in karma and manifestations more than anything, but they ‘make’ and ‘sell’ spells. They are annoying, but they think what they are doing is witchcraft. What they do doesn’t hurt none, and it makes them feel good,” I say and shrug.

I wave my hand over a flame and whisper a word. The flame splits and pops into my hand. It dances around my fingertips before vanishing.

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Caden

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

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I nearly collided with Nero when I reached the door. I smile when I see them, though, relieved in an odd way. I didn’t realize I had been wound that tight this evening.

”Hello gorgeous. Unfortunately no. Nic wants some reading material,” I say, patting the book under my arm. ”And what have you been up to? I sent food up to the room. Was it to your liking?”