KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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I sigh, looking over at my cats as they wake up and start to become more playful. All my plants survived yesterday, but I wasn’t sure how lucky I would get two days in a row. You would think animals tied to their sorcerers would be more considerate of such things.

Well, what do you need in order to do that?

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Caden

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

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”Completely,” I agree and escort them from my room and through the house. Once we walk outside, I don’t have to go get the car. Avery brought it around for me before leaving.

I open the passenger side door of the Audi for Nero and help them inside before closing the door and getting in on the driver's side. I pull away from my house and am quickly speeding down the road, the world flying by. I’ve never been the type to move about slowly.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Okay… If you’re sure. I’ll pass the information along to Caden.

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Caden

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

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”Could be both,” I said honestly. ”I’m just speculating." I finish my coffee before taking my phone out and text Cassi that we are on our way.

”Regardless, I’m highly attracted to power. It’s a good thing you’re powerful then,” I tease. I stand up and button my jacket back up. I offer Nero my hand to help them stand.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Oh… That must be difficult. Are you sure he’s okay? Is there anything I can do to help? Maybe it was a little guilt, and maybe it was a little genuine wanting to help out, but I felt like I should do something for them. Like, maybe get flowers or order those giant platters of meats and cheeses.

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Caden

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

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I listen intently, leaning forward little by little as Nero talks on. It’s fascinating, the hierarchy of hell. Honestly, sometimes I thought it was better laid out than in heaven. Although, it really was the same.

”Hmm,” I said, pondering over it all when they finished. ”Do you think Lucifer pulled a prank on you by making you weaker?” I speculated. Either way, Nero was more powerful than any demon I had encountered, making me feel all tingly inside.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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I smile slightly but don't respond right away. I know I'll be seeing him again tomorrow for his mother's funeral, so really, what's the point in him visiting the shop. I set my phone down for a moment, just thinking.

Caden seems to think I can just drop the shield and be okay. It's not so easy for me. I sigh, feeling frustrated and pick my phone back up.

How's your dad? I ask. It seems the safer option right now.

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Caden

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

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I chuckle at the comparison. It was a fair assessment. I was curious, but I didn't want to be rude. Instead, I pressed my leg to theirs and finished my meal. I picked my coffee back up after pushing my plate away and leaned back in the chair.

”I'm curious about the fact that you have demons under you that you tell what to do. You're a white-eyed demon, which I'm learning is a higher ranking demon. You're more powerful than any other I've met. I guess I just want to know how powerful and how you got to that point.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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I scratch Wayland’s head while I read over Nic’s message. I smile a little, looking down at him. He was such an easygoing, fluffy guy. He was one of my best employees.

I don’t know. He’s already used up most of his vacation time and is my best employee.

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Caden

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

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My eating slows when Nero mentions having other demons in their house. I suddenly feel like Cassiopeia, having a few questions I want answered, specifically what ranking they really did have in order to command other demons. I resumed my regular eating.

”I’m fine if they are there. We’ll take Cassiopeia back home before we go,” I tell Nero. She had a harder time with them than I did.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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After fully ignoring Nic’s text for fifteen minutes, I was compelled by some annoying creatures to pick up the phone. ”All of you are horrible. Come here Wayland. You can be a part of this madness.” Wayland flopped over on the floor and peered up at me. I snapped a picture before sending it to Nic.

Good morning.

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Caden

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

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I walk back out of the closet, securing a watch to my left wrist before fixing the sleeves of my shirt. I walk to the table and kiss Nero’s head before I sit down next to them.

”After we dealt with the detective, I was thinking I could take you back to your place. You can check on your cats, and maybe I can convince you to pack a bag,” I say and help myself to a couple pancakes with syrup and bacon.

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 take another sip of coffee to let Nero take another look. The tattoo sleeve on my right arm is in full glory. It was designed and done by Cassiopeia. It contains the anti-demon-possessing pentagram, but it’s interwoven with a mountain-scape that climbs my upper arm to where the dragon's head peeks over. My forearm is filled with various runes, but they shift and flow to create another scene of fire and destruction. The tattoos on my right fingers look like talons nearly but have the shape of daggers. A bleeding rose covers the back of my right hand, while my left hand has a small weeping woman, curled in on herself. The tattoo on my left upper arm is an adaptation of the death tarot card that Cassi once pulled for me. The symbol of change.

I refill my coffee cup and wink at Nero before I return to the closet. The full dragon takes up the right side of my back, wings spreading out over the left, making it look like the dragon is climbing or flying up the right side of my body. The wings seem to pop, but only because they cover lash marks from the 17th and 18th century slave trade.

I close the closet door behind me to prevent Nero from getting an even more tempting look. I decide on the grey suit and change relatively quickly.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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I pull my toaster waffles out and toss them onto the plate before coating them in syrup and icing sugar and strawberries for colour. Waffles are a staple in this house. My phone chimes, and I pick it up only after I’ve taken the initial bite. I expect it’s a text from Caden, but it's from Nic. I panic and toss my phone.

Calypso and Wayland scatter from the noise as my phone hits the table. Maximilian just gives me a look. I frown. ”I thought I was the psychic,” I grumble and eat more of my waffle while I stare at my phone.

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Caden

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

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I take a sip when the door opens, and Nero walks in. They don’t notice me quite yet until they do. I smirk. ”Du hättest mit mir duschen sollen,” I tease them.

I look away from them and nod at the table. ”Your breakfast is here. There is coffee or orange juice if you prefer.”

Translations

You should have showered with me.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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After showering, I play music from my TV and dance around the house as I get ready. I’m trying not to let Nero coming along dampen my mood. I had a feeling they were still in the house while Nic and I were over. So, apparently, demons are Caden’s latest taste. I sigh to myself in the mirror.

”You’ve known Caden all your life. You know he wouldn’t pick someone to be close with if they weren’t a decent creature. You saw yourself them fall into their humanity from time to time.” Max sits on the counter, watching me through the mirror. His tail flicks back and forth while he watches me. I smile at him and scratch his head.

”I know; trust my intuition.” I finish my skincare routine and apply some mascara just for something. Intuition. I lean back from the mirror and glance down at my phone. Trust and intuition. I hover my hand over my phone, debating before I shake my head.

”Not today. One life-altering thing at a time. Come on, Max, it's time for me to eat.” I shut the bathroom light off and go to the kitchen for something to eat.

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Caden

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

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I laugh, shaking my head as they run off. I wondered if demons knew they smelt like sulphur. Surprisingly, Nero’s was faint enough that I didn’t notice. Maybe that was a perk of being a white-eyed demon. I mull it over while I’m in the shower. As I clean off, I think about needing to take Nero to their place so they can either gather more clothes or get what they need done. Mildly, I wonder if Nero would consider getting a second wardrobe, but I let the thought flow from my head. It was perhaps too soon to shower Nero with gifts.

I get out of the shower and wrap a towel around myself before entering the closet. The smell of syrup, bacon, and fresh coffee greets me as I examine my suits. I’m torn between grey or simple black, so I leave to fetch a cup of coffee.

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 was going to shower now,” I informed them. ”You could wait or go now. We have two hours before we have to leave. Everything you might need is in the guest bathroom.” I pick up my phone when it buzzes and look to see who is trying to get a hold of me.

I confirm with Detective Costa on meeting at the station before I message Cassi to inform her we’ll be collecting her in two hours. Nero is coming, play nice. I text before setting my phone down.