KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Police Station – Chicago, IL
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I release Cassi from the hug and smile at Nero. ”I’m sure they would appreciate that.” Cassi nods in agreement and checks her phone.

”Okay, we still have a lot to do and not a lot of time to do it in. Let’s go. Caden, do you know a good caterer?” Cassi asks as she gets into the car.

I chuckle and nod before turning my attention to Nero. I take a step closer to them, closing the distance between us.

”Was denken Sie?” Nero seemed distant, but also determined to help. I wanted to make sure they were okay.

Translations

What are you thinking?

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Police Station – Chicago, IL
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I look at Nero a little sideways, puzzled that they want to help, but then I genuinely try to think. [color=#DB7093]”I don’t think so… We just have to go to Chinatown, and then I need to find some appropriate caterer, but Caden might have another number for that.

Nic replies, and I smile, shaking my head a little. Just let me know when your dad would like to start his vigil.

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Caden

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Location: Police Station – Chicago, IL
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I somehow luck out and find a master who is willing to work on short notice and in peculiar circumstances. I thank them in perfect Mandarin before hanging up.

”Good news. I found a Master. They just want to know when Mr. Wu will be here so they can meet with them, but they need to find a suitable location for the burial.” It was too late for the date, time, and funeral service to be chosen, but this could be at least done for them.

Cassi practically leaps into my arms as she hugs me, thanking me profusely. I laugh a little and hug her back tightly. ”Of course, mon amour.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Police Station – Chicago, IL
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I pat Nero’s hand as we leave the station. Cassi gives me a look when Nero uses their new nickname for her. I shake my head and look at Nero. ”Ich denke, du bist der Energizer-Hase. Du kannst niemals still sitzen.”

Cassi has gone ahead and is on the phone by the car. She’s talking rapidly and nodding before relief crosses her face, and she hangs up the phone.

”Okay, they are going to deliver a bunch of flowers here as well, so it’s a bit more comfortable for the overnight vigil and not so, grey,” she says, frowning at the police station. ”Can you call your contact?”

I chuckle but oblige her and pull out my phone to make a few phone calls.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
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I look back at my phone and pull up Nic’s number. I think about calling but I opt for just texting him.

Good news! Your dad can have his overnight vigil. We had to compromise, though. Caden offered to have security. They won’t be in the room with your dad, of course, but they’ll be inside and around the building.

Translations

I think you're the energizer bunny. You can never sit still.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Police Station – Chicago, IL
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”You think? What gave it away?” Cassi asks, Nero smirking.

Nero leans forward, and I shift in my seat, but they catch themselves and walk around the office with their hands. I cock my head to the side completely. ”You are such a strange little imp.” Costa walks back in, completely ignoring Nero.

Cassi wiggles in her seat. I can see her wanting to protest having the vigil in a police station, but I lean forward and speak. ”Thank you, Detective. I’ll make the arrangements. Cass?”

She also thanks the detective and stands, and I follow her out.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
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”Actually, there is something,” I pause a moment, glancing at Caden before I just launch in. ”Mr. Wu wants to hold an all-night vigil for his late wife. It’s part of a traditional Chinese funeral. I was wondering if we could move his wife to this location to allow him the opportunity to do so.”

”I can have a security detail placed outside to keep an eye out for anything,” Caden offers to sweeten the deal.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Police Station – Chicago, IL
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I rub my hand over my mouth and face to keep the smile from showing when Nero sits on Costa’s desk. After keeping my composure, Cassiopeia and I dive into everything, well mostly everything, that happened to locate the Chimera.

“So the kid knows, and you’re leaving it that way?”

”Yes. He can be trusted. I’ll vouch for him,” Cassi stated.

”We both do.”

“Right. So, do you know where the Chimera came from? Do we need to worry about more coming?”

”We’re trying to narrow it down, but I don’t believe another will be coming. Chimera are rare as it is. When they do appear, they are usually concentrated in Europe.” Of course, I knew the hell connection, but I wasn’t going to tell the detective that. Nero could if they deemed it necessary. If not, no harm done.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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”Business as usual then.” I squeeze their hand before releasing it. I take in the police station and Cassi’s impatient ‘hurry up’ call from nearly the front door. I smirk and look at Nero. ”Los geht's.”

I led the way into the police station. We don’t wait long to be led back to the detective’s office. Which is for the best since the three of us draw some attention. We aren’t typical faces seen in the station. What with my hands covered in tattoos, Nero’s small statue, and Cassiopeia’s European look.

”Detective,” I greet. We shake hands before sitting down.

Translations

Let’s go.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
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I frown at Nero when he calls me cat again. ”This is something I’m going to have to get used to, isn’t it? Being called a cat and… this.” I say, gesturing to Caden holding Nero’s hand.

Caden looks at me through the rearview mirror and smiles. ”Aye, mon amour.”

I sigh and look out the window. ”Oh, fine.”

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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I grin when Cassiopeia finally concedes. ”Atta girl.” I look at Nero and wink before concentrating on the drive.

”So, what are we going to buy after?”

”Oh! Nic and his father don’t have the availability to have a traditional Chinese funeral. Nic hopes Mr. Wu can sit with his wife for the night, so I’d like to ask Detective Costa if that is possible. I’ve already ordered the proper flowers; they’ll be sent to the service location two hours before the ceremony starts. But we need to get these white envelopes in Chinatown for donations, oh, and we have to wear white, not black and no colour, and… hold on.” Cassi pauses in her speed delivery of information to pull out her phone. She pauses for a moment, and I catch the slight smile in the rearview and smirk before she starts talking again. ”Do you know a feng shui Master?”

”I could make a phone call,” I offer.

”Oh, good. They’ll let us know how much we can actually do in a short amount of time.” She starts typing on her phone in a flurry. We reach the police station, and she only pauses to look out the window. ”Oh, good. We’re here.” She unbuckles and piles out of the car before I can get out and open the door for her. I momentarily watch her walk along the sidewalk before shaking my head and laughing.

”My best friend,” I say fondly before looking at Nero. ”What can you do.” I shrug and wink at Nero before I get out and open their car door to help them out.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
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Ya, no problem. I’ll let you know what they say. I tucked my phone into my bag before topping off the cats’ food and water dishes.

”Alright my babies. Take care of the place for me. Leave the plants alone.” I look at them all pointedly before I go to the hall closet to grab my coat.

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Caden

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

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”Four personal that I drive around. I have a couple of SUVs, but those are for the staff and Avery when I need drivers.” I pull onto Cassi’s street and park in front of her house. I lift Nero’s hand while I can and kiss the back of it. I rub my thumb over where I know the scar is.

”Your scars don’t frighten me,” I told them honestly. I look into Nero’s eyes for a moment before I hear Cassi’s front door close. I smile at Nero and release his hand before I get out of the car and open the back door for Cassi.

She pats my cheek before getting into the back. I smirk, amused by the way she mothers me sometimes.

”Hi Nero,” she greets. ”Caden, we need to go shopping.”

I close my door and pull away from the house. ”Before or after the station?”

”After is fine.” I nod. I reach over and take Nero's hand while I drive.

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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Caden and I are going to the station to talk about what happened. Maybe we can talk to someone about allowing that for your dad. It was the least we could do, I mean really.

I pulled up the internet on my phone and started looking through other traditional religious practices. When I got to the flower section, I jotted down what flowers were appropriate and quickly called my usual florist. They may already have flowers going to the service, but more was better, right?

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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Nero’s hand came to rest on my leg, and I smiled. The contact instantly helped me feel more relaxed — even though I already was. I glanced at Nero and chuckled.

”At this house or in general?” I ask him seriously. We cross the city limits into Chicago, and I speed around traffic to Cassiopeia’s house. I do have to slow down some, but I steal weave around slow drivers.