KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Uncle Jerry's Pizza – Cary, IL
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”Comfort meals count, regardless of the simplicity,” I assure Nic. I eat another piece of pizza, contemplating his question.

”I'd kill for a good grilled cheese and chicken noodle soup. Have you ever had homemade chicken noodle soup with dumplings? It's orgasmic,” I say seriously.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's Home – Chicago, IL
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I laugh and nod in agreement. ”They do. Nero usually just walks around in my shirts because they are still covered. Not that I mind,” I say, nudging Kimiko and winking.

I pat her leg and stand. ”He is a brick wall, it's a good assessment, but brick walls can crumble. I'll talk to Avery and let Nero know about your plan. Let the cook know what you may want for supper tonight before leaving so they have enough time to prepare,” I add. I lean down and kiss Kimiko's forehead. ”Anata ga koko ni ite kurete ureshīdesu.” I leave the room and head back to mine.

I walk into my room and shut the door behind me. The shower is on and I resist the urge to join Nero. I already showered this morning anyway. Instead, I head into my closet to get dressed.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Uncle Jerry's Pizza – Cary, IL
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Once the pizza cools, I inhale two pieces. I take a break to have something to drink before I start on my third. ”You can have some of my pizza when we get back to Chicago if you want to risk it,” I offer them. At least if we’re in Chicago, he won’t have to wait an hour to potentially die in the bathroom.

”What’s your all time favourite meal?” I ask Nic.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's Home – Chicago, IL
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”Maybe a few more outfits to go out in? And something casual. They have a thing for my clothes for casual wear, but Nero needs something for themselves,” I say with a chuckle. ”Feel free to get yourself some things as well.” I told Kimiko.

I pull my phone out and message Avery to get ready to leave to meet the pack. I set it back down and looked at Kimiko. I sigh and lean back on the couch. ”Hopefully, no more than an hour or two. Levi has a bit of a reputation and takes offence easily, so it’ll take some finessing.”

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Avery Zain

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Location: Staff House - Caden’s Property – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I get out of the shower and check my phone to see a message from Caden. I groan and toss the phone back onto my bed. The last thing I need is to get reprimanded by the Chicago pack alpha. Honestly, his pack had it coming, and Levi was a bit of a dick anyways.

The Chicago pack had a bit of a reputation and was in trouble with Bran often, but they were an important part of the packs in America. I pull on some light brown slacks with a black belt, black loafers, and a green button-up. I tuck the shirt in before rolling the sleeves up. I normally stick with black, but maybe a little colour today will make me look more approachable with the Chicago pack.

I slip on a silver chain bracelet, grab my cell phone, and head to the garage to get one of Caden’s cars.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Uncle Jerry's Pizza – Cary, IL
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I screw up my face and stick my tongue out at it, and Nic. ”Gross,” I declare. I look down at my pizza and lick my lips. ”This, on the other hand, is a masterpiece.” I inhale the smell of it and practically moan. I pick up a piece, testing the heat level, but decide to risk it. I take a small bite to avoid burning my tongue.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's Home – Chicago, IL
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I look at Kimiko, pulling myself out of my daydreams and smile. I rest a hand on her leg and give it a squeeze. ”We went out the other day to get them some clothes; you could see if they want more. Nero has a townhouse; you could see if they want to swing by and check on things or bring some stuff over. Take the SUV just in case,” I say and pull out my wallet. I hand Kimiko one of the credit cards. ”Don’t spend it all,” I tease.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Uncle Jerry's Pizza – Cary, IL
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I laugh at Nic’s confession, but I feel a tingle down my spine from the look he gives. I look away, take a sip of my drink and glance up at the front. My pizza should nearly be ready, and a good thing, too. I was getting rather hungry.

I look back at Nic when he suggests I give him a list. I point a warning finger. ”If you put whole tomatoes in anything…I will throw it in your face.” I could do tomato sauce (obviously since pizza), paste, or even salsa, but whole tomatoes were disgusting.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's Home – Chicago, IL
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I laugh and rub the side of my neck, and nod. ”I know, it seems like it would be so strange for me to be okay with this, but it’s not. I’m thrilled, really.” I smile to myself, staring at nothing as my mind drifts to last night and how we told each other we loved the other.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Uncle Jerry's PizzaSUV —> Uncle Jerry’s– Cary, IL
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”Baking and cooking? Hmm, a man after my own heart,” I say, smiling. I could cook, as was evident when I made breakfast for Nic and his dad, but if someone else offered to cook or liked it, I was not one to turn down a free meal.

I laugh when Nic talks about destroying his mother’s paintbrushes. ”Your poor mother. Did you tease her a lot like you do me?” I ask curiously.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's Home – Chicago, IL
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I chuckle, not feeling embarrassed by it, but I’m sure we turned quite a few heads, especially when we disappeared into the back room and didn’t reemerge. ”Ah, no. I just needed that for last night. I’m really rather quite bewitched by them,” I confess.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House – Chicago, IL
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I look at them and shake my head, chuckling. ”Of course it was you petit démon. Well, I can’t go shake off in the boss man’s bed, but I’ll keep that in mind about getting Kimiko back,” I say and walk towards the staff housing. I glance behind me to see Nero doing cartwheels and running around in the sun to dry off. I chuckle again before heading into the staff housing to clean up.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Uncle Jerry's Pizza – Cary, IL
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I take Nic's hand and both of mine, grateful he doesn't mind my rambling, but also knows how to get me to shut up. ”I bet that's why you're head of the ER. I'm sure it can get crazy in there and you need to be able to keep all the patients straight,” I said with a smile. ”Is there anything creative you like to do?” I remove one of my hands from Nic's to take a sip of my drink.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's Home – Chicago, IL
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”May God help the people of Chicago,” I tease when Kiki mentions taking Nero into town. ”I will need more help finding who’s or rather what is responsible for the recent string of kills,” I tell them.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House - Pool – Chicago, IL
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I float around Nero, listening to everything they say. I sigh. Maybe I am being a bit of an ogre towards Kiki, but she gets under my skin so easily and asks pretty invasive questions right away. Even Cassiopeia wasn't that bad.

I sigh and tread water again. ”Maybe,” I respond. I splash Nero lightly and make for the stairs out of the pool. ”I should go change. I'm getting all pruney. Did she seriously take all the towels from around the pool?” I ask Nero.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV —> Uncle Jerry’s – Cary, IL
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”Mmm, the sweet sting sounds delicious,” I say and got myself a large one, so I’d have leftovers. Leftover pizza in the morning was the best breakfast as far as I was concerned.

We got our drinks and found a table to sit at while we waited for our pizza. I tap my fingers on the table and finally ask Nic a question, unable to hold back anymore.

”Tell me about your mom,” I say. ”I mean you don’t have to I’d just like to know more about her but you don’t have to talk about her if you don’t want to.” I ramble quickly.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's Home – Chicago, IL
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”I know you’re more than capable, Kiki. I still worry,” I say and wrap my arm around her shoulders. ”That being said, today, while I’m gone, feel free to roam around the house, or you can take one of the motorbikes or cars into town if you want to travel around and see Chicago. Cassi’s busy today, but I’m sure she’d love to see you.”

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House - Pool – Chicago, IL
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I furrow my brow but smile at Nero. ”Cookies? I question them, holding back a laugh. They ask me about Kimiko, and I shrug. ”I don’t know. It’s nothing and everything, I guess. She’s loud and has no sense of boundaries, and she doesn’t seem very responsible or happy to be here. And, well, foxes and wolves don’t get along. Foxes are always invading wolves' territories and causing trouble. They are crafty and sly and untrustworthy. It’s hard to separate the human mind from the wolf’s,” I explain to Nero. I roll onto my back again, floating on the water as I stare up at the blue sky. ”Werewolves are one and the same with their wolf brother or sister. It is hard to separate one from the other. If we as a human feel frustrated, our wolf feels rage and wants to solve the problem so there is balance again. It’s difficult and exhausting to balance both sides.”

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 nod and settle inside for the drive to the pizza place. I look over the menu on my phone to see what other sorts of things they have. Nic and I fall into a brief silence while he drives, which I don’t mind. The museum turned out to be a little more intense than I think either of us thought it would be.

I want to know more about his mom and sister and what they were like. I want to hear stories that he was told about life in China and Canada, but I don’t want to be too pushy, either.

It’s strange. I never typically worry about asking too many questions or too many personal questions. Like with Nero, I just keep pushing and pushing. However, with Nic, I don’t want to push him away with being so forward.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's Home – Chicago, IL
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”Oh, no. I spoke with Bran and met Levi when I first arrived here five months ago. This conversation, I’m sure, will be more about him being upset by you and Avery. It would be best if you just stayed out of it. I’ll bring Avery with me, though. I need him to relax while we are here. He’s protective, but I can’t have him being overprotective. It’ll influence how long I can stay here if he doesn’t relax.” I sigh and pick up my drink.

”Aside from everything, it’s good to see you, Kiki. You know I worry when I don’t hear from you for months on end.”

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House - Pool – Chicago, IL
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I laugh and swim around Nero lazily. ”Do what you must,” I tell them. I’m not worried about Caden getting jealous or retaliating. I know what Nero is to them, and I would never do anything to jeopardize it. However, I like Nero, and if they’re going to prank me, it seems only fair that I retaliate a little.

I stop swimming when they mention Kimiko. I roll my eyes. ”Of course. I should have known. Maybe I should go shake off in her room like the dog she thinks I am and use her sheets as a towel,” I say, slightly bitter.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Cary, IL
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We stand outside the SUV for a moment, and Nic kisses my hands. I blush at his words, looking down.

”Despite the circumstances?” It wasn’t exactly the typical meet-cute people dreamed about.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's Home – Chicago, IL
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”They run by their own sets of rules. They know I am close to the Marrok, but I’ll have a better idea once I meet with Levi.” I wasn’t concerned with the wolf pack and their petty territorial disputes, but I had to stroke everyone’s egos to make sure we all got along while I was here. I debated sending Avery somewhere else while I was here but ultimately decided against it.

”Please do. Just be on your guard as well. There are more supernatural creatures here than anywhere else because of the treaty.”

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House - Pool – Chicago, IL
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We eventually resurface and I release Nero before I splash them. I’m laughing now, feeling settled and more comfortable than I had in a long time.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Art & History Museum —> SUV – Cary, IL
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I take a couple of laps through the gift shop before deciding on a book with all the pieces in the museum and a ghost book. I flip through the book showcasing the museum pieces, and it has the sculpture I was looking at, plus the art piece Nic’s family made.

After paying, I retake Nic’s hand. As we walk out to the SUV, I squeeze his hand again. I want to ensure he’s okay, but I also want him to know I’m here.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's Home – Chicago, IL
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I can't help but grin, my eyes twinkling mischievously as I look towards the back window. I set the cello aside and stood to go look out the window, chuckling with delight when I saw Avery stomping around, his frustration bringing a smile to my face.

”I told them Avery doesn’t like jump scares. Seems Nero capitalized on that.” I return to the couch, resting my hands on Kimiko’s shoulders. ”I’ll talk to Avery. He hasn’t been happy since we came to Chicago. The werewolf pack here is one of the founding families, and they are highly territorial. I allow them to hunt on my lands as a sort of truce, but it drives Avery up the wall.” I kiss the top of Kimiko’s head before walking around and sitting beside her. ”If you go out again, let me know. If the Chicago pack is out and sees you, they won’t stop to check if you are supernatural or not,” I say seriously.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House - Pool – Chicago, IL
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I slowly turn to look at Nero. Amusement is hiding in my eyes, but I’m also mad because that was terrifying. ”Oh, you think this is funny, do you?” I walk over, making giant strides to where Nero sits. ”We’ll see about that.” I grab them up and launch the two of us into the pool, cannonballing into the deep end.