KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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

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I continue to rub Nero’s back with my other hand, even as they start to shrink. I have no idea how something can get even smaller than they already are, but somehow Nero manages it. Their hand twitches against my chest, and I squeeze it, rubbing my thumb along their fingers.

”The King’s Court,” I say, knowing what Nero is talking about. I nod. ”They used to try any criminal that way, but it was most popular during the witch trials,” I state. I shift back, tilting Nero’s chin up to look at me. ”Your hand, they made you hold the iron bar.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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

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I look into Nero’s eyes when they look at me. I rest a hand on their cheek, brushing away stray tears. ”Of course you can, but don’t push yourself if you aren’t ready.” I give them a soft kiss before I pick up their hand, the one that had been burned. I kiss the back of it and then the palm before I rest it against my chest, over my heart.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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

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I smile softly, still rubbing their back in a slow and rhythmic motion. Nero apologies and I shake my head. ”Entschuldige dich nicht, kleiner Kobold.” I pull the towel away from Nero and move to a dryer side of the bed. I hold them in my arms, resting my chin on their head. ”Hier bist du in Sicherheit. Bei mir bist du in Sicherheit. Was in der Vergangenheit passiert ist, kann Ihnen nicht noch einmal schaden.”

Translations

Don’t apologize, little imp.
You are safe here. You are safe with me. What happened in the past cannot harm you again.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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

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”Shh, don’t talk, love. Breathe, one deep breath in, slow exhale out. Again.” I coaxed and started to rub their back. They were in shock clearly, shivering even though they were still sweating. I continue to rub their back. ”Just focus on breathing and listening to my voice.” I kissed the top of Nero’s head again before speaking.

”The service was lovely. However, Cassiopeia experienced a bout of jealousy. She’s rather funny, that friend of mine. I’m reasonably sure Nic’s female friend is not remotely interested in them, but Cassi has a pretty wicked jealous streak. Speaking of, Nic kissed me. You’ll have to defend my honour,” I tease gently. I keep talking until the shivering slows, and I can remove the wet towel from Nero’s body.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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

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As soon as Nero makes eye contact, I crawl over to them and pull them into my arms, wet towel and all. I pull the book from their hands and throw it across the room like it’s the reason for all of Nero’s pain, and I hold him close.

”Yes, my little imp, I’m here,” I whisper and kiss their sweat-soaked head.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Caden's House– Chicago, IL
Skills: Notice;

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I see a tiny ball curled up under the covers and I chuckle. I walk forward but freeze. Something feels, off. I look around the room and narrow my eyes. Then Nero screams.

I reach the bed in one stride and rip back all the blankets and sheets. They lay in the middle, squeezed tightly around themselves and the book. Nero found something.

I reach out to touch them but yank my hand back in surprise. They're hot. They're never warm. I go into the bathroom and soak a towel before I come back.

”Nero, Meine Liebe. Zeit aufzuwachen. Das ist nicht real. Nero, komm zurück zu mir, mein kleiner Kobold.” I place the cold towel on their body and brush back their hair. I don't dare to hold Nero, even though I desperately want to. I'm warmer than most and if they are experiencing their trauma again, being warm wouldn't help them. I continue to speak to them in soothing tones, hoping to bring them back. I don't bother to think of them lashing out to attack me. At this point, I don't care.

Translations

my love. Time to wake. This isn't real. Nero, come back to me my little imp.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Lì Wu’s Service —› Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
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My phone buzzes while I'm helping a customer, with a couple others in my store at the same time. Apparently they tried coming yesterday but I wasn't open, so I'm trying to help as best as I can.

I glance at my phone to see it's Nic. I'll message them after, I tell myself even though I already know I won't.

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Caden

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Location: Driving —› Caden's House– Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I pull up to my house and am greeted by Henry. ”Henry, Avery and the others will return after they see the Wu family get home. Once they do, send for me. Have they come down at all?” I ask after, referring to Nero of course.

“They haven't, sir.” I nod, handing Henry my keys.

”Come get me when Avery arrives.”

“Of course, sir.” I leave Henry and head up the stairs. I glance in the open rooms as I pass, hoping I'm not walking into another game of hide and seek.

”Don't tell me you went back to sleep, kleiner Kobold,” I called down the hallway. I reach my bedroom and open the doors.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Lì Wu’s Service —› Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Nic jogs over to thank us again and say goodbye. It's fairly brief and it's hard not to be bothered by it. I smile and nod.

”Of course. Have fun with your family,” I say. Caden agrees and waves goodbye.

I sigh and collapse into the front seat of the car. Caden pulls the car away and speeds off to my shop. I sit in the passenger seat, arms crossed, trying not to think.

Once we get to my shop, I kiss Caden's cheek and thank him before getting out. He waits until I'm inside before leaving. I lock the door behind me and lean against the door.

”You're so stupid, Cass. Always trust your instincts,” I berate myself. I shake off the self-pity and busy myself with cleaning up the shop before I unlock the door and turn the open sign on. I find a half sweater and pull it on to look a little more appropriate for work. After about twenty minutes, someone walks in off the street and my life gets back to normal.

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Caden

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Location: Lì Wu’s Service —-› Driving – Chicago, IL
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Cassi is her own worst enemy, but I can't push her. I learned a long time ago that that just makes it worse. So, I leave her at her shop and make my way home. I have nothing left I need to do and no one has called from the station about any new cases. I knew the silence wouldn't last for long, but I'd take advantage of it while I could.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Lì Wu’s Service – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I smile softly and nod, glad I could at least do something for him. However, the moment is short lived. The woman with him, wraps an arm around him and I have to look away. Curse my need to want to help others feel better.

”Let's go,” I tell Caden.

”Are you sure?”

”Yes. We're just in the way if we linger awkwardly. I should go to the shop anyway. It's been a couple of days.”

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Caden

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Location: Lì Wu’s Service – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I glance back at Nic with his family. I know it's different but Cassi can't see it. It's one of the only reasons why I know she actually cares about Nic.

”Okay. I'll take you to your shop,” I say. We walk over to the car and I help her inside.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Lì Wu’s Service – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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The service was beautiful but difficult. I didn't know Mrs. Wu. I never had the chance to meet her, but when you are in a room full of sadness and emotion, it's hard not to be moved by it. I dab at my tears as we make our way from the hall to the cemetery. The Feng Shui Master leads the group to the area they picked for the burial.

I scan the nearby gravestones and my eyes settle on one next to Mrs. Wu's. The flowers I ordered cover this grave as well, indicating a family member already on the other side. Nic mentioned his sister briefly during the reading, but I never asked anything about it. My eyes shift from the grave to stare at the back of his head. All this loss he suffered with, and yet he had the most infectious smile. We slowly turn our backs but I shift my attention behind me. I tightened my grip on Caden to keep from going to Nic. It wasn't my place.

As the service concludes, the group slowly breaks up. Caden and I turn, and I see Nic get stopped from falling by the woman and his father. I was glad he had people there for him. I was glad we were able to save Mr. Wu.

I notice the same acorn Nic does and I smile. The acorn stems from the mighty oak tree. The tree itself is a symbol of strength and endurance while the acorn is rebirth, new beginnings, and growth. It is the cycle of life and death in one beautiful small package. Due to it being my natural magic, it takes no effort for me to lift my hand and twist a circle. Green oak leaves sprout from the acorn. The picture of a new start.