KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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

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I wave Nic off and close the front door. I turned around to see Kimiko sneaking into the room and smirked. ”What, you didn’t hear while you were eavesdropping?” I joke.

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Caden

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

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I grinned, slipping my hands into the pockets of my trousers, and looked down at Nero. ”Why do you want to see my t-shirt collection so badly?”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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I heard my phone go off finally, and I launched myself across the room to grab it. I quickly read Nic’s message and reread it before replying. Chai latte works for me… Can we stop at my shop before heading out?

I really want to ask him how the conversation with Kiki went, but I restrain myself. He’ll be here soon, and I’ll see how it went for myself.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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

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I shake Nic’s hand and nod before I open up the door for him. ”Hey, no problem at all. Like I said, I have fun training. We’ll see you and Cass later today,” I say with a smile and a nod.

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Caden

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

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I look at Nero and grin while they stare at me. I walk into my closet and pull on some casual clothes for the day. ”Yes, I think so. Unless there is something you would like to do.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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

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”Ah, no. Nero’s kind of an anomaly. Most demons are brutal and care little for human life. Nero is different and actually wants to regain their humanity. I’m not sure if it is possible, but they aren’t your stereotypical demon.”

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Caden

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

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I linger in the shower just a little bit longer after Nero gets out. I close my eyes and listen to the sound of the shower before I turn the tap to get some cold water. I always found it invigorating and refreshing after a good, hard workout to end my showers on cold. After that, I turned the water off and walked out to towel off and change into something comfortable for the day.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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

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I chuckle and walk with Nic to the front door. ”We’ll make it challenging for you,” I promised. We reach the front door, and I turn to look at Nic.

”Oh, Nero wanted to know if you like them better now.”

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Caden

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

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”I’ll call my contractor right away and ask,” I said, and kissed Nero’s forehead before pulling them into the shower with me.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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

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I smile and nod. ”Of course. I enjoy training, so it was no problem. We’ll keep it up this week, and next week, we can switch it up and have some sparring after the weight training.”

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Caden

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

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I grin. ”Yes, I was thinking of a secret bookcase door as well,” I said.

I enter the bathroom just as Nero scrambles from the bed to follow me. I laugh at their statement and nod. ”I’ll remember that,” I said, turning on the shower. I wiggled out of my clothes while the water heated up.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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

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I finish doing a shoulder roll when Avery comes out of the changing room. I pushed myself up and shook my head. ”Well, yes, but I had to clean all the machines down and then just decided to mess around. I wanted to walk you out but also see how the workout went for you,” I say.

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Caden

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

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I cock my head at Nero, thinking about their question. I turn around and look at where the door could be. I had a bookshelf there, but we could incorporate a door into it. ”I’ll have to talk to my contractor, but I don’t see why we couldn’t,” I said and looked back at Nero. I smiled at them and walked backwards to the bathroom. ”Are you going to join me in the shower?”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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

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I frown, not sure I like the idea of that. I have a feeling Nero pranked me as well as Kimiko at the same time. After they leave, I sit down on the mat and do some Muay Thai moves on the mat while I wait for Nic to finish up.

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Caden

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

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I chuckle at Nero's comment and shake my head. We enter our bedroom and I toss Nero on the bed.

”That would be a good idea. We can definitely go over some design ideas,” I said, nodding in agreement.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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

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I look at Nero and take the straw from them before I start laughing. ”Amazing, thank you. Where did you put the other ones? I rinsed the straw off and packed it away.

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Caden

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

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I laugh when Nero jumps onto my back. I wrap my arms around their legs, amazed by them. I look questioningly at the straw Nero hands Avery, but don't say anything until Nero and Avery are done talking.

I leave the training room with Nero and piggy back them through the house. ”What do you want to do today, little imp? The day is ours.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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

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I smiled, watching Nero trying to comfort Kimiko. ”You’ll figure out the answers that you both want eventually,” I tell Kimiko.

”Avery, I'm going to head up and shower. Would you mind staying here until Nic is ready to leave, and see him out?”

”Of course boss,” he says and goes back to cleaning up the equipment.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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

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”Yes and no. The knowledge that the stories he was raised on are real will be shocking, but you'll also help to give him closure on why this is happening. However, he'll have the same question of why as you do.”