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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I smile and nod, standing up with Ren to walk to the living room. I glance back at Nic, hoping he's okay with being saddled with the dishes. I take a seat next to Ran on the couch, watching Nic for a minute longer before I refocus my attention on Ren.

”Yesterday. We went on a group date with Jane and Kat. Although, when they showed up, I wasn't sure if I was on a date with Nic anymore,” I confessed to Ren.

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Avery Zain

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

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”That's fine. I'll just use your bedsheets to towel off,” I threaten Kimiko.

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Caden

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

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I grin at Nero when they ask me what they had said, but they get distracted and I let them. While Avery is teasing Kimiko again, I reach over and pluck Nero from their seat and set them on my lap.

I nuzzle their neck and whisper in their ear. ”Bha mi gad ionndrainn.” I nip Nero's ear after I whisper that I missed them in Gaelic before I pick up my drink.

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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My cheek warms where Nic kissed it, and I watch him go. Ren pulls me from my thoughts and I nod.

”It was our second date if one wants to be technical,” I informed Nic's dad.

I want to help Nic clean up, but I'm also enjoying talking with his father. I know he hasn't talked to Nic much about what happened, and I feel having me around helps Ren process things or at the very least know he's not alone.

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Avery Zain

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

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”TikTok, love,” Caden corrects.

I pause and ponder over Nero's dilemma. ”I could try, I suppose. But you have a lot more unchecked energy than I'm used to working with. I think you'll get bored easily and I won't be able to switch it up enough for you,” I tell Nero honestly.

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 match Nic’s glare, momentarily forgetting Ren is in the room until he finally asks if we are dating. Nic checks his watch and I laugh. Definitely longer than five minutes.

I’m surprised when Ren hugs me, but I quickly return the hug, making a mental note of the strength in his hug to see if he truly is okay. I hug Ren a little tighter before I release him. I'm thankful we got to him in time. That we got him out.

”Your son was quite persistent,” I joke, looking back at Nic. ”Seems it runs in the family.”

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Avery Zain

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

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I grin, thoroughly enjoying Kimiko’s discomfort. Nero pulls the attention away from her for the time being, and I cock my head to the side. ”I’m not sure how Caden would feel if I did you,” I state.

Caden chuckles again and shakes his head. ”Nero is very much off the market, as it were. And you don’t need a work-out routine, little imp. You are likely stronger than all of us combined,” Caden says, taking Nero’s hand into his.

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 at how understanding Nic’s father is. At one point and time, I wanted many children (as was expected of me) but after everything that happened, I didn’t want any for a long time. Sometimes I wished though to have one or two, to pass on knowledge and traditions.

I look over at Nic, whose head is now in his hands, and pat the top of his head. ”Sounds reasonable,” I say to Ren.

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Avery Zain

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

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I glance at Kimiko, helping myself to five tarts and shrug as I work on freeing one from it’s container. ”Depends on if you want an exercise routine where we’re naked or remain fully clothed,” I say with a cheeky grin.

Caden laughs, tears nearly in his eyes I think, as he tries to compose himself. I smirk and eat the tart merrily. I drink some water before I give Kimiko a serious answer.

”You’re speed, but you also need endurance, so I would focus on that more than brute strength, but you need to bulk up a bit in order to have enough fuel to get you from point a to b and c without tiring. It’ll be a step by step process that will change over time,” I tell her simply. I can’t give her every single detail because I need to see how she performs first.

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 beam from the praise and close up my phone, blushing slightly from the other comment. Nic suddenly chokes on his water and I look over at him. I smirk, a mischievous glint in my eyes. ”I don’t know. Future daughter-in-law has a nice ring to it,” I say and look back at Ren. ”How many grandchildren are you expecting, Ren?”

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Caden

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

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I laugh from Kimiko’s comment and Avery just grins as he finishes up his third plate of food. Around that time, the kitchen staff came back outside to deliver us dessert.

”Well, whatever you get out of it, clever fox, I’m sure you’ll enjoy the show if we spar,” I state.

”It just won’t be tomorrow. We have to get you and Nic on a routine, and Caden back into a routine. Then if you want to talk to Nic tomorrow, we have to leave time for that,” Avery adds.

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 back at Nic when he smiles at me before I focus back on Ren. ”All three locations?” I look down at my phone. I have a whole new appreciation for the piece now. The blending work to make everything dynamic and cohesive was incredible.

I look back at Nic when he wonders why his mother would let him carry expensive art supplies. ”She wanted you to feel included, and a part of the journey,” I said matter-of-factly.

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Caden

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

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”Ah, so you do want to see Caden and I half-naked. I knew it,” Avery chimes in, commenting after Kimiko. I laugh and sip my drink.

”Well, we’ll see if there will be any sparring tomorrow. That is up to the trainer,” I say, tipping my glass towards Avery before taking a sip.

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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”Do you know much about the painting, Ren? Like if it’s a landscape from Canada or China? Or when your wife and daughter were working on it?” I ask curiously.

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Caden

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

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I smile and pat Nero’s knee. ”Not anymore, mein kleiner Kobold, but I wouldn’t do any pranks or intentionally try to frighten the man,” I say and look back at Kimiko. ”When we met Nic, we were hunting down a Chimera that had attacked the city. Cassi decided to do a locator spell by using the last victim the Chimera had killed. Nic caught us and Nero was there. Needless to say, hearing Cassiopeia was a sorcerer, I a shapeshifter, and then Nero a demon was a bit too much for Nic to handle. After that, Nero continued to unsettle Nic with their imp, childlike qualities, despite being one of the more terrifying things in hell, so we asked Nero to stay away when we had Nic over to explain the supernatural world of Chicago to him. But, with mine and Nero’s relationship having progressed so quickly, I don’t want them hiding anymore.”

I explain all of this to Kimiko, but my focus remains mainly on Nero, with my attention shifting to Kimiko only a couple of times.

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 glance at Nic when he places a hand back on my thigh under the table. Mhmm, can’t stop touching me, I knew he wouldn’t have been able to do it if I had said otherwise.

While Nic’s dad tries to visualize the painting, I get up from the table to grab my phone from my bag where I left it by the couch. I open up my photo album and find the picture of the painting I took. I come back to the table and set the phone down for Mr. Wu — Ren — to see.

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Caden

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

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”He did it in a round-about way. He asked to borrow a vehicle from me for today.” I glance at my watch, noting the time. ”And I haven’t heard from Cassiopeia all day, so I am assuming it is still happening and is going well.”

I finish up my meal, debating on seconds when Avery stands for thirds. I rest a hand on Nero’s leg, leaning back in my chair, grinning at them.

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 in thanks when Nic fills me in on the saying. I wait for the others to start before I pick up the chopsticks and finesse them properly. It's been a while since I've had a meal where chopsticks were needed. After the first couple bites I get back into the groove of it.

”We did. It was really good. Definitely worth the drive,” I declare.

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Caden

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

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I smile, watching Nero get up to make their own plate. Any progress is good progress. I look at Kimiko and nod. I finish my bite and grab my drink. ”They went on a date today. Their second I believe.”

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 sit down, smiling as we all come to the table and take our seats. The food smells delicious and I'm looking forward to it. ”How was your day Mr. Wu?”

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Caden

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

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I chuckle and pat Nero's knee when they offer their help. ”Yes, Nic is tall and very new to this world. Try to give him as much detail as you can and feel comfortable giving him when he asks questions. Also, he has a thing for Cassi, so don't scare him away or you'll have her to deal with,” I joke.

”He's pretty nice,” Avery added.