KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Art & History Museum – Cary, IL
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I smile, holding onto Nic and burying my head in his chest. I’m glad I agreed to a second date as well. Mostly because I was finally letting myself have something, but also because I was getting to know this amazing man and all that made him, Nic.

He released me after someone else walked into the room, and I smiled up at him. I tug on his hand. ”Come on, I’m hungry, and I want to see the gift shop before we go.”

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Caden

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Location: Caden's Home – Chicago, IL
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I chuckle and shift forward on the couch. I set my cup down and picked up the cello Kimiko had been playing. ”You are welcome here for as long as you wish, Kiki. You know that,” I assure her.

I was concerned about her waiting around for her mother, though. It just seemed like a set-up for more disappointment. I used to think that was one of the reasons why she had been so destructive. I let my mind drift from that thought, though.

”You and Nero seem to be getting along,” I muse, fiddling with the cello a bit.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House - Pool – Chicago, IL
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I’m making a final lap when I hear Nero shout…from above? I flip over and stare up in shock as Nero plummets into the pool. I yell, freaking out and swim to the edge.

”JESUS FUCKING CHRIST ON A CRACKER JACK BOX!!” I hold onto the edge of the pool, looking down to make sure Nero’s not dead, but also I’m seething. I pull myself from the pool when I know they are fine.

”What the hell was that?!” I demand from Nero as I stop around looking for a towel. ”WHERE DID ALL THE BLOODY TOWELS GO?!”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Art & History Museum – Cary, IL
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I kiss Nic back softly, wiping a few stray tears from my face after. I smile shyly from the fact that I was the one who got emotional on Nic’s behalf. ”Once a month,” I agree. ”And should you ever want something more permanent, I’m sure Caden could talk to the art curator of this place and get this painting back for you.”

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Caden

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Location: Caden's Home – Chicago, IL
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I grin when Kimiko gives me some of the details. ”That’s my girl,” I praise. It would be worth listening to Levi have his temper tantrum after this.

I relax back in my seat and sip my drink. She doesn’t answer my question about how long she plans on staying, and I don’t press the matter. I know she needs to talk with Nic, but that can wait another day.

I look at Kimiko and snort at her statement. ”Was?” I tease her.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Art & History Museum – Cary, IL
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I follow Nic’s finger and look at the inscription. It doesn’t register to me until he tells me who. He leans forward and I go with him, but I’m mainly watching him. I glance at the painting and the inscriptions. I see all three Wu women’s initials, plus the little blurb. This painting is a work of art and history. Nic’s history.

I look back at him, up into his face, and I can feel the emotion rolling off of him. I start to feel tears build up in my eyes just from the mix of emotions I am certain Nic is feeling right now. I hold onto his arm a little tighter, moving one of my hands down his arm to intertwine our fingers.

I don’t know what to say, but I feel like I should say something. I look around, thinking maybe we should find a manager and tell them who Nic is. Or maybe Caden can buy the painting for Nic. In the end I look back at Nic and back at the painting.

”We can come here as many times as you want. Once, twice, three times a week. We can bring your dad.”

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Caden

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Location: Caden's Home – Chicago, IL
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”Ah, so that is why I have a phone call from Levi,” I pull out my phone and set it on the table. It reads that I have one missed call and one unread voicemail from the Chicago Alpha. ”I suppose he wants to have a conversation. Hmm, was the fight fun at least?” I ask Kiki, a shameless twinkle in my eyes.

I take another sip of my drink and stare at the liquid. ”Avery is an interesting character. He was slated to be killed before the Marrok called me. I’m not trying to excuse Avery’s behaviour, but I would like the two of you to get along, especially if you plan to be here for any length of time. How long do you plan to stay, Kiki?”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Art & History Museum – Cary, IL
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I'm so enthralled with one of the sculptures that I lose track of Nic. The hand work of the piece I am looking at is stunning. I feel like if I stay here overnight the piece will come alive.

I jump a little when I hear Nic's voice after so long. ”Hmm?” I manage to pull my gaze from the sculpture and find Nic. I wander over to him, automatically wrapping my arms around his and look at the art piece.

”This is stunning,” I compliment. The brush strokes seem to shift the longer you look at the painting.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's Home – Chicago, IL
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I grin innocently and sit down across from Kiki. I pour her a generous cup of Shochu before I pour myself some. I lean back on my chair, resting my ankle on my opposite knee. I let my drink breathe for a minute before I take a sip. I shut my eyes for a moment, feeling transported back to Japan.

”Don't bite my head off for this, but is it because you two are similar?” I open my eyes and look at her. ”You're both duty bound, under oaths, and apprehensive of others. You may be more open than Avery is but you have quite the bite, Kiki dear.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Art & History Museum – Cary, IL
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”Oh, that’s one thing you don’t have to worry about me. I love food. I’ll let you know when I’m hungry. However, sometimes I forget, and I get that ‘hangry’ feeling. So, you’ll also learn to feed the sorcerer, and she’ll be happier,” I state. We walk into the first room and its history in Cary. I smile and start looking around the room, taking it all in before I pick something and start reading.

The first couple of rooms are much the same. They talk about the history of the town of Cary, how it came to be and what it is famous for. They showcase local artists, both current and past. There is even a bit of supernatural history about Cary, tales of ghostly apparitions and mysterious disappearances. I take pictures of the information to file away for later.

Some of the other rooms are renditions of famous paintings, and there are a few sculptures and stand-alone pieces that I quickly become wrapped in.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's Home – Chicago, IL
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”I’m sure you can, especially if I am the bear,” I say with a mischievous wink. I lean forward and place another affectionate kiss on Nero’s head before I reach around them and grab one of the decanters filled with a clear liquid.

I laugh when they suggest I wear their clothes. ”I could change forms and wear your clothes for a day. Could be fun to pretend to be you for a day.” It’s nothing I haven’t done before. I used to impersonate police officers daily to get access to cases before they had me on speed dial as their top consultant.

I look back at the pool where Avery still swims. I look back at Nero and grin. ”That definitely counts, my little imp. Have fun, but not too much without me,” I say. I place my fingers under Nero’s chin and kiss them softly before I leave them to their pranks.

I follow my senses and find Kimiko in the music room. I poke my head around the corner and ease my way in, making little to no sound so as not to disturb her, even though I know she is going through a warm-up.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Art & History Museum – Cary, IL
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I buy our passes into the museum and glance towards the entrance. ”Well, usually from the beginning to the end,” I say cheekily. ”I just follow where my feet take me, no real set destination or time limit. Except today’s time limit will be when we get hungry,” I say with a laugh.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's Home – Chicago, IL
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I laugh and pull them into a hug. ”You’ll be the first to know,” I say and kiss the forehead. ”I told Kiki we’d have some one on one time though. Do you mind entertaining yourself for a little longer? Avery doesn’t like jump scares or bears. I might have to help you with the bear one, though.”

I grin and pick at their sweater. ]”Mmm, I see the new wardrobe I got you wasn’t enough,” I tease.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Art & History Museum – Cary, IL
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I frown a little, still concerned until he calls me adorable. My face reddens and I look away, although I know it’s too late, and the ‘adorable tomato’ comment won’t be far behind. I stay in the SUV while Nic gets out, trying to compose myself while he walks around the vehicle. I tuck my hair behind my ears and get out when Nic opens the car door.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's Home – Chicago, IL
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I cover a hand over my heart and take a couple of stumbles back. ”Ah, you wound me Kashikoi kitsune,” I call after Kiki.

I look down at Nero and chuckle. ”Mmm, you better make them count before I retaliate then,” I say. I take Nero’s hands and pull them in to kiss them good morning. ”Danke, for earlier. I didn’t realize how tired I was.”

Translations

Japanese — clever fox
German — thank you.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Art & History Museum – Cary, IL
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I glance over at Nic, his head on the steering wheel. ”Are you okay?” I ask, resting my hand on his back. I hope he’s fine… I really can’t drive.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's Home – Chicago, IL
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”I have a music room on my side, or we can meet in the sunroom on this side,” I say, giving her two different options.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV —> Art & History Museum – Cary, IL
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I smile, glancing down at Nic’s hand before I look back out the window again. ”I know... Sometimes it is what it is.” Like us, I thought to myself. I wrap my arm around Nic’s arm, leaning against it slightly, and smile. I watch the world go by as we drive to the museum, content to stay quiet.

Once we arrive at the museum, I shift excitedly, eager to go inside.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's Home – Chicago, IL
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I release Kiki, looking at her closely. She doesn’t normally let people get under her skin so easily. She’s never carried what others' opinions of her were. Well, she did care when it came to people she cared about or was close with, like me. She would often ask for my advice.

Nero wanders over, and I stare at the talking tower of towels. [color=#006400][i]”Nein, mein kleiner Kobold[i]. Go hide the towels in my office. Avery never goes in there,”[/color] I encourage. I look back at Kimiko and wait until Nero leaves.

”Do you want to have a drink with me? We haven’t had much time to talk, you and I.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Cary, IL
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I can’t help but stare at Nic while he talks about art and what it means to him. I usually ask others questions to avoid answering any myself, but with Nic, I genuinely want to know more. I’m glad I agreed to go out with him today.

He looks at me and smiles. I quickly look away from him, embarrassed to be caught staring. His question makes me pause. ”Oh, that might be a factor. That may be why it feels more real to me.”

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Caden

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Location: Caden's Home – Chicago, IL
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I woke up a couple of hours later to an empty room. I don’t mind, though, and stretch out before I toss the blankets back. I get dressed in something simple for now, knowing I’ll have to dress and go into town today, but not right now.

I grab my notes from last night and go through what I wrote down while I walk downstairs. I glance up to see Nero wandering around with a mountain of towels. I look at them sideways, blinking a few times before voices catch my attention. I turn to see Kimiko getting out of the pool in a huff.

I snort when Kiki calls Avery a wet dog. She storms into the house, and I grab her shoulders gently. ”Kiki,” I greet. ”Not having fun?”

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House - Pool – Chicago, IL
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I frown as Kimiko goes off, quickly losing her patience. I don’t know why she thinks I should automatically be friendly to her or nice to everyone. People, including our own kind, aren't very nice. Did she just completely forget that from last night? I roll my eyes when she storms off. I wave her off, not caring at this point and return to my swim.