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 smirked when Kimiko went to follow me again but stopped herself. I ignore her first statement in favour of answering her question.

”Sarah works for Caden. She rides, so sometimes we’ll take the bikes out. I just thought I would offer since I was already going,” I restated.

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Caden

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

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I tried not to, but I couldn’t help it. I laughed at Nero when he used the wrong words. I shook my head and kissed their forehead. ”Hashbrowns with eggs over-easy,” I correct.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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My heart breaks when Nic uses the same nickname we have for Kimiko to refer to his sister. Caden and I always called Kimiko Kiki. I looked up into his eyes when he asked about dinner.

”She offered the same on the phone. It’s fine with me. Nic…I’m so sorry about the nickname. That was insensitive of 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 grin and walk through the threshold and into the backyard. ”I was going to go for a ride on one of Caden’s motorcycles after and get something to eat. If you want to come, wearing leather is better for your safety. If you don’t, I think Sarah is your size, and she’d let you borrow what she has.”

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Caden

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

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”That’s for me to know and for you to find out,” I state, throwing Nero’s statement back at them. I lean in and kiss Nero’s lips. I pull back with a smile and lead Nero out of the closet. ”Are you hungry? I’m going to have breakfast brought to your room while I call the contractor,” I explained.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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”Her reactions? What reactions, what did she do?” I asked, frowning. ”Kiki’s an old friend, but she’s abrasive and doesn’t think before she speaks. I didn’t want her treating you like some pawn on her way to her mother. Not with everything you’ve gone through,” I said and buried my head in Nic’s chest.

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 walked to the back door and opened it, only to find that Kimiko was still following me. I stopped and turned around to face her. ”Well, I believe Nero is wanting to become more human. Traditionally speaking, being human comes with social anxieties of needing to feel accepted. Now, as much as I would enjoy company in my shower, I don’t think you want a second shower.” I look Kimiko up and down before I speak again. ”Do you own leather?” I ask before I even think about what I’m asking.

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Caden

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

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I take Nero’s hand when they continue to declare I don’t own t-shirts and lead them into the closet. I take them over to one of my drawers and open it up to reveal t-shirts of every colour. ”Polos, cotton, nylon. All sorts. Now, which ones are you going to steal from me?”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Nic doesn’t even get a full knock on the door before I throw my front door open and wrap my arms around his neck. ”Are you okay? What did Kimiko say? I told her not to bombard you with information or questions. Did she bombard you, did she freak you out, are you okay?”

I slid my arms back to place my hands on Nic’s face as I talked. I search his face for my answers, making sure he is both okay emotionally as well as physically. It didn’t look like he did any sparring with Avery or Caden.

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 smirked and started walking towards the back of the house. ”He didn’t bring you up. We just spoke about the workout, and Nero asked me to see how Nic was warming up to them,” I told her.

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Caden

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

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I chuckle, shaking my head and walk into the bathroom. I return a few seconds later with my cologne. I mist myself before I hand the bottle to Nero. ”There, smoother until your heart's content,” I tell them.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Okay… Safe travels <3 I set my phone down and start fiddling with my hair while I bounce my leg up and down. I need to find another task to do to keep myself busy until Nic gets here.

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?”