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 squeeze Ren's hand one last time before I let it go and nod at Nic. ”Yes, I should be getting home to check on the cats.” I couldn't remember the last time I had left them all day like this.

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Caden

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

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I hand Avery his drink and he takes a sip before his eyes widen. The alcohol content of this drink is quite high, and Avery isn't much of a drinker.

I chuckle and sit down with another drink for myself. ”Of course, you're welcome for as long as you wish,” I remind 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 wrap my other hand around Ren's, going through the emotions with him. A couple of my own tears form and fall. ”I'm only sorry we didn't get there soon enough,” I whisper.

Ren's words of thanks comfort me. I'm grateful everyday we were able to get him to safety, and that Nic still had family. Knowing Nic the way I do now, I wish we could have done more.

Nic rejoins us and I try to discreetly wipe the couple of tears from my face.

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Caden

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

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I chuckle and kiss the top of Nero's head. ”Of course, little imp. Avery?”

”Ah, may as well,” he agrees. I smile and set to work making two more Queimadas.

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 laugh slightly at the idea of a nature hospital. It wouldn't be a horrible idea if the sterile field could be maintained. It also reminds me of my dream to live in the middle of the woods, one with nature.

I smile when Ren offers some artwork for me to look at. I hold his hand a little tighter when he starts to slip into sadness again. ”It would be a good way to keep them close,” I say, agreeing with him. ”I lost my family when I was young… the pain of that loss never goes away, but it gets easier to manage,” I tell him.

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Caden

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

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I take a moment to recall Spain with Kimiko and then I laugh and nod. I pull out a bowel and the appropriate alcohol and ingredients along with a lighter.

”I'm thinking middle ages or slightly before,” I say, chiming in on the conversation Nero is having with Kimiko.

I light the bowel with the alcohol, sugar, coffee beans, and lemon slices on fire. I ladle brandy over it, muttering a “spell” and smirk, looking at Kimiko. I let the thing cook for a moment before I cover to extinguish the drink. I pour it into a rimmed sugared glass and bring it to 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 watch Nic stand before I focus back on Ren. ”We went to a nature preserve and walked one of the trails there. Then we went to the museum before lunch, and then we went to a local Hindu Temple. It was beautiful and the fountain was really intriguing,” I said and showed Ren photos of the fountain.

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Caden

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

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”Then don't give me a reason to call him, Niánqīng de húlí.” I finish my drink and look at Nero.

”Old man, and I called her young fox,” I say and kiss Nero's cheek before moving them back into their own chair and stand. ”Would anyone like another 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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I feel a mix of emotions when Ren drifts for a moment. I feel responsible for putting him there, but also feel like he needs to let himself feel. Nic pulls him out quickly and redirects the conversation. I'm not sure how I feel about that, but there isn't much I can do about it.

I sit back on the couch, taking Ren's hand in mind and hold onto him securely, giving his hand the slightest squeeze while he and Nic talk.

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Caden

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

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I stare at Kimiko, a silent battle going back and forth between us as I stare her down. I clench and unclench my fist before I relent. ”Don't make me have to call your father because you got hurt under my watch,” I say.

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 pull out my phone again to show Ren some of the tattoos I have done more recently. ”Nic has been sending me some things that I could do with more of a traditional Chinese style. I could even look at some art pieces from your late wife and daughter to try and incorporate their style. The tattoos I make have runes in them that act like spell work once I place them on your body. They can protect you from all sorts of supernatural creatures you or Nic may come across,” I explain to Ren. ”Of course there are other options if you don't want a tattoo. This is just the best option,” I say.

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Avery Zain

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

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I laugh fully and lean back in my seat. I grin down the way at Caden and he shakes his head at the pair of us.

”Don't chew my head off, but if either of you need to go into the woods to hunt, I'd prefer if you both went together,” Caden declared.

”Caden, you know I don't have full control when I'm a wolf,” I remind him.

”It'll be fine. You and Kimiko have been around each other enough now. You and your wolf have her scent and know she's a part of me and mine. I don't trust the Chicago pack right now.”

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 when Nic sticks his tongue out at me. I look back at Ren when he calls me a sorceress, and I smile softly.

”Yes, but Nic can drive and I can't. And he cooks a lot better than I can,” I add in.

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Caden

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

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I grin and laugh. ”Better, thank you.”

Avery looks at Kimiko's hand like he's about to bite it off but he ends up grinning as well. ”I knew you liked me.”

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 laugh and nod. ”That was a lot of fun. Thank you for not letting him play video games. It gave me an edge,” I tell Ren.

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Avery Zain

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

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I sigh wistfully, leaning back in my seat and shake my head. ”And here I thought we were doing so well.”

Caden chuckled and gestured to me. ”Oh, come on Kimiko! He can't have deserved that level of sadness,” he says.

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 joins us back in the living room. I nod when he talks about having fun.

”I'm not very good at bouncing, but it was a lot of fun all the same,” I agreed.

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Avery Zain

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

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I clutch my heart and look at Kimiko with hurt in my eyes. ”You wound me madam.” I open up another tart and eat it happily but I still look at Kimiko with sadness in my eyes.

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Caden

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

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”I know, but you were over there. Now you're right here,” I say with a smile. I look back down the table and see Avery looking sadly at Kimiko. I chuckle and look at Kimiko.

”Did you break my werewolf?”

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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”They are so close! You can't really be sure about anything. So once that was cleared up, it made things a bit easier,” I explained.

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Avery Zain

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

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I smile at the affection happening at the other end of the table. Caden's had many trysts since I've known him, so nothing really bothers me.

Kimiko tries to threaten me and I just chuckle. ”Then who would train you and let you oggle them all day?”

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Caden

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

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”Mhmm, I said I missed you,” I told them. I resist the urge to move Nero's hair and kiss the back of their neck. Instead, I just wrap one arm around their waist and rest my hand on their thigh.

”Supper was good?” I asked.