KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nic’s Apartment – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”He’s gonna freak out or you're gonna freak out?” I joke and come back for the glasses. I'm highly tempted to lean over the counter and give Nic a kiss but I refrain and walk back to the table. This is fun. Making a meal together.

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Caden

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

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I chuckle and nod. ”Hoffentlich hält es,” I say, and smile at Kimiko. We fall silent for a moment, all enjoying our meals. Avery eats his first plate quickly, already standing to get seconds.

”Kimiko, for Nic tomorrow and the blessing, is there anything you need us to do?” I ask her.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nic’s Apartment – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I follow Nic’s instructions and gather three placemats with the bowls. I start setting up the table. I may be a guest, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t help. I liked helping. Besides, it would help with my fidgety energy.

”I actually know how to use chopsticks. Caden and I spent a stint in Japan and I learned there. I wouldn’t say I’m great at it, but I don’t make a mess,” I say, proud of that minor accomplishment.

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Caden

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

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I hand Nero a drink, wrapping my arm loosely around their waist and take a sip of my drink. ”Oh, really? So, I don’t have to worry about replacing my entire gym?”

Avery laughed and shook his head. He started to dish up a plate of food for himself. ”No boss. Although next week might be a different story. I said I would take it easy on Kimiko and Nic for the first week, but after that, I won’t be so generous.”

I guide Nero over to a chair next to mine and pull it out for them before sliding it back in. ”I’m certain Nic will appreciate that as well,” I conclude and go help myself to a plate of food as well. I pile it up, taking a bit more than usual in case Nero feels like picking off my plate. If not, I could use the extra calories.

I sit down, brushing my knee up against Nero’s leg and start eating.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nic’s Apartment – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I try to let my paranoia go. After all, I’m fine with Nic’s father knowing that we are dating. I guess I’m just nervous if Mr. Wu thinks Nic and I had sex before he got home. Not that it would be a bad thing, but Nic and I just started dating. I didn’t want to rush into anything. The man hardly knew me after all, and I was just starting to scratch the surface with him.

I take the offered bell peppers from Nic, mumbling a thank you before I lean back against the fridge. I munch on the vegetables, finishing them before I move. ”Do you want me to set the table?” I ask Nic.

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Avery Zain

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

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I relax when Caden says he’s fine. I look at Nero when they bounce over to me. I chuckle, setting my drink down to add my number to their phone. ”You’re just going to spam me with TikTok videos, aren’t you?” I tease them. I hand them back their phone and pick up my drink again.

Kimiko announces what is for supper and my stomach grumbles. ”That’s why it smells amazing,” I couldn’t remember the last time I had a good lamb.

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Caden

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

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”Wonderful choice, Kiki,” I say and head to the drinks tray myself to pour Nero and I a drink. ”What did you two get up to before supper?” I ask Avery and Kimiko.

”We started on some training,” Avery said.

”And how did that go?” I asked with a laugh.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nic’s Apartment – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Easy for you to say,” I mutter, ”you’re in your own clothes.” I don’t stop fidgeting but I feel better standing closer to Nic. I pull my eyes away from the living room and look down to see Nic mixing everything together. It looks good and my stomach growls in anticipation.

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Avery Zain

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

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”He does,” I say and mix Kimiko’s drink how she wants it. I decide to mix myself a rum and coke before I bring her drink over. Finally, I hear the upstairs patio door open.

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Caden

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

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”As are you, my little imp.” I slip my hand into their hair, tilting their head up and leaning down to kiss them deeply. I pull back after some time. ”Now I’m ready,” I say. I pull my hand back and intertwine my fingers with theirs. I lead them from the bedroom, down the hall to the doors that are upstairs and lead outside.

Avery and Kimiko are already mingling, drinks in hand, and I lead Nero down the stairs. ”Apologies for keeping you waiting,” I say.

Avery looks over at me, a hidden question in his eyes and I smile. ”I’m fine. Had a bit of a scare, but Nero helped me,” I said and looked at them, squeezing their hand.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nic’s Apartment – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I grin at Nic’s dad, watching him go and relax before I look at Nic. I whack him on the arm when he winks at me. Oh, sure. He doesn’t have to worry about meeting my parents and making a good impression, but me on the other hand. I start fiddling with my hair, looking over at Nic’s dad periodically.

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Avery Zain

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

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”Anything in particular?” I ask, making my way over to the drinks tray that was pulled outside.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nic’s Apartment – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I smile when Nic bumps my hip, and I finish cutting the meat. I’m rewashing my hands when I hear the door open.

Nic might not actually be worried about his father coming home, but I am. I’m wearing Nic’s pants. Goddess help me, I think to myself. I stay behind the counter, smiling and waving when I see Nic’s father. ”Hello Mr. Wu, how are you doing?”

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Avery Zain

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

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I look at Kimiko and chuckle. ”Same. Space cowboy? Really?” I tease. I look over the table and the side table where the food is all setup. It smells amazing. The others aren’t down yet. I’ll give them ten minutes before I start without them. In the meantime…

”Can I make you a drink?” I offer Kimiko.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nic’s Apartment – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I pause in my cutting and look at Nic when he calls me adorable. I think how ironic it is that he is calling me that. If he knew what I could actually do with my power, I don’t think he would be calling me adorable anymore.

”Well, good. We’ll make a good team then,” I say and continue working.

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Avery Zain

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

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I make my way back across the yard, pushing the sleeves of my sweater up over my elbows as I go. I look over towards the forest, looking for nothing in particular. It’s still light out, so I know the Chicago pack won’t be out hunting. I’m not even sure they will come today, but tomorrow night could be interesting.

I turn my focus back to the house and see the kitchen staff outside, laying everything out on the table. They turn on the heat laps and the table. It’s a fire table, so the centre of the table comes to life when the propane is turned on. It’s a lovely night for it, and I’m looking forward to being outside.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nic's Apartment – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I watch him grab the noodles and smile. I haven’t had stir fry with the noodles before, but I’m sure it’s just as good. I grab a cutting board and set it up on the other counter. I wash my hands before grabbing a knife.

”Hey! I made you and your dad a pretty delicious breakfast the other day. And I can cook, I’m just not always the greatest or enjoy it. I like prep work. It’s like mixing ingredients for spells or the potions in the store I sell.” I pull the beef out of the package and start slicing it into long strips.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Ooo, you can show me how to wash rice properly,” I say and pull the beef out of the fridge and set it on the counter. I turn in a little circle. ”Cutting boards?”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I pout and go cross-eyed when he boops my nose. I stick my tongue out and steal more bell pepper. ”The next time I have you over, I’m making that and you’ll understand,” I state firmly.

I look over Nic’s ingredients and run ideas through my head. ”We could make a pasta, or stir fry. Do you have anything for meat?” I ask, and help myself to his fridge.