KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Restaurant – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I laugh, leaning back in the booth to stretch out. I cross my ankles under the table. ”Exactly what it sounds like, biscuits and gravy. It’s more popular in the south, but most of these small-town diners have the dish,” I tell Kimiko and sip my coffee.

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Caden

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

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Nero falls into the memory quicker than the others. I hold them tightly, more worried this time because of how quickly they fell into the memory. I kept them close, ready to pull Nero out of the memory if I needed to.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I locked up the shop before answering Nic. ”Oh, that would be a good idea.” I wait for Nic to open the car door for me this time before I climb inside.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Restaurant – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I nod, looking around the restaurant. ”Well, yes then, and they do serve those things, but I wouldn’t recommend it for breakfast,” I say, mildly amused.

The waitress comes over and pours us two cups of strong coffee. I had some creme to mine, but no sugar. She sets down two vinyl menus and lists the specials.

”Do you want the usual, darling?” She asks me.

I smile and nod. ”Thank you, Ronda. Give us a few minutes with the menus, though.”

“Of course, my dears, take your time,” she says before wandering off again.

”You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu,” I tell her.

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Caden

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

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I kiss Nero’s forehead, their nose, and their lips. ”You won’t put a damper on anything. It’s just you and me,” I whisper in assurance.

I’m concerned about what will be brought forth for Nero, but I know that every day, they are getting closer to who they once were and closer to what might unlock their humanity. I’m not sure what will happen to Nero’s soul and this body once they do unlock their humanity, but I am hopeful they will remain all the same.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I smile and shake my head. ”It’s not heavy,” I assure him. I found it sweet how Nic was constantly wanting to look after me. I hoped I’d actually be able to let him do it one day.

I walked around my counter and took Nic’s hand. ”Let’s go see about restoring this fountain,” I said.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Restaurant – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I found a booth and tossed my bag into the corner before sliding inside. I looked at Kimiko with a confused expression before remembering this was her first time here.

”Oh, um, I guess so? What’s your idea of an authentic American dining experience?”

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Caden

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

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Nero’s fears are self-explanatory but also unavoidable. I wrapped my arms around Nero, holding them close while rubbing their back. ”I’m right here to experience every memory with you, but if you’re this afraid, I really don’t want you going back to Hell.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”Spiders are good companions and helpers. It would be wrong to kill them,” I agreed. I separated the ingredients I needed into bags before I put everything into my bag. I look at Nic and smile. ”Ready?”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Restaurant – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”If you can resist burying the helmet into my back, I think I’ll be able to handle everything else,” I chuckle and lead her into the restaurant.

It’s set up like most old-school dinners, with rows of booths around the perimeter, a few tables and chairs, and then stools around the countertop. A robust older woman greets us from the counter.

”Sit anywhere, darlings. Coffee?”

”Please, thank you. Kimiko?” I turn to ask, not sure if she drinks coffee.

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Caden

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

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The worry I’m feeling doesn’t go away, especially not with Nero’s less-than-confident appearance. ”You’re hiding something, something you might not want to tell me yet. Which is fine, but Nero, if there’s something I can do, you have to tell me. If removing all you have from Hell is going to be suspicious, maybe you shouldn’t.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I glanced up from organizing my supplies and tilted my head to the side, staring at the door as I thought about how to explain that. ”Not so much like fox spirits. Spiders are ancient and have a lifetime of knowledge. When they take up residence in doorways, they are watching, keeping an eye on what is to come. If evil is near, spiders create a barrier. If good, they great it like an old friend.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Restaurant – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I chuckled and released Kimiko once she patted my chest. Part of me wanted to lean into that touch, but I ignored that. ”Ya, I should have taught you some hand signals before we jumped on. I’ll teach you some before we go again so you can tell me if you’re okay or not,” I said. I got off the back and stripped my leather jacket off and folded it into my bag.

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Caden

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

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I pull back from Nero and look at them, worry creasing my brows when they mention going back to Hell. ”Do you think you should? I understand your status down there, but won’t Crowley question where you have been or the others who covet your place?” It’s the most I’ve really asked about their life in Hell, and I hope I haven’t overstepped.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I smile, setting my supplies on the countertop to organize everything. ”They definitely help keep the bugs down. The ones in the doorway are my guardians as well. Cleo and Alice. Although I haven’t seen Alice in a while, so she may have moved on.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Restaurant – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I laugh at Kimiko’s comment. Once she gets off, I shift to do the same but have to stop to catch Kimiko so she doesn’t fall over the bike. One arm is around her waist, and the other I set on her arm. ”You okay?” I asked, not helping the grin on my face.

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Caden

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

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I remove my arms from around their waist to cup Nero’s face in mine. ”Even if you never decide, I want to spend as much of my life with you as you’ll let me,” I say and kiss Nero. I pull back and rest my forehead on theirs. ”If you bring me your collection, you might lose me to it for a few days,” I tell Nero honestly.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I watched Nic for a moment, my heart soaring more from this simple gesture. I don’t understand how he understood me, but he just did. I’m smiling ear to ear while I gather up some sand, seeds, and pressed flowers directly from India.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Restaurant – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I chuckled. ”Adrenaline rush, yes. I don’t think it’ll kill me, but I guess it’s fun to feel the potential of it.”

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Caden

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

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The smile I always seem to wear when Nero is around me or talking to me faulters. I search their eyes, trying to understand what they are telling me. ”You want to give me your collection? Why? You’ve been working on that collection for hundreds of years,” I said, shocked that they would want to gift me something so personal like that. Of course, any gift they give me is a gift for us.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I paused in the threshold to the back and turned to look at Nic. I grinned at his question and nodded. ”Leave the ones in doorways for sure. The others check if they are occupied or not. If they aren’t, you can get rid of them. Sometimes, the spiders move on from their webs to create new ones. That being said, if there are any webs dangling, get rid of those, too. My patrons don’t enjoy walking into spiderwebs.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Restaurant – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I tilt the back to turn a corner and pull into a parking lot. I roll the bike forward and shut it off before putting down the kickstand. I pull my helmet off and glance behind me. ”So?” I asked Kimiko. I hang the helmet off one of the handlebars and start to pull my gloves off, waiting for Kimiko to get off the back of the motorcycle.

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Caden

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

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”I’d put things away to avoid the clothes wrinkling. We can move things if we need to when the contractor starts their work,” I said. My arms automatically wrap around Nero’s waist when they sit on my lap. ”Once the room is ready, we can move your furniture over. I’m sure we can add a couple of pieces to the main portion of the house, this room, our room, and my office if you want,” I said.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”Mmm, the age thing stops being a problem after you turn a century old,” I joked. I feel my heart tighten when Nic vows to stay as long as I let him. At this point, I don’t know how long that may be. Would I be able to watch him grow old and die without me?

I clear my throat to clear my head and smile at Nic. ”We’ll see who gets annoyed with the other first,” I joked before I removed my hand from Nic’s and opened up my door. I walked up to my shop and opened the door for us. The familiar bell greeted us, and I headed straight to the back to gather the supplies.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I feel her hold loosen, and she relaxes. When I feel her helmet stop digging into my back, I put my hand back on the handle bar and keep driving through the country.

I knew a restaurant in a smaller town that had the best breakfasts and lunches. They even did a brunch special I tried to go to on my Sundays off. I was always a fan of supporting more local or family-owned businesses. As we neared the town, I started to slow down more.

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Caden

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

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I finished my breakfast and leaned back in my seat with my coffee. I chuckled at Nero’s wink. This room was definitely going to be more overflow and the cats’ room.

”Speaking of cats. Do you want to add a cat door between our rooms and into the hallway?

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Mystic Dream – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”Ah, so the age difference does bother you,” I said and patted Nic’s leg. ”It’s okay. I know I can be intimidating,” I say, sighing dramatically, and look towards my shop. ”I’m just destined to be alone, I suppose.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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If I was alone, I would have gone even faster. When Kimiko starts to dig her knees into my waist, though, I slow up the bike. It sends an odd little thrill through me that she is holding on so tightly. I may be the only person here, but the fact that she is clinging to me for safety satisfies the primal need in me to be a protector.

I shift my hand and rest it over Kimiko’s hands and squeeze them. I should have taught her hand signals before getting on the bike, apparently.

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Caden

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

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I grinned, agreeing with Nero’s comment. I keep eating, nearly finished my meal when Nero asks me another question.

”We can if would like. Aside from the bed, is there any other furniture you want to remove from here to make room for yours?”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I laughed and shook my head at Nic. I set my tea down and looked at Nic, curious now. ”Did you think it was going to be that hard to win me over?” I knew I put up a front and came across as standoffish to people who showed an interest in me, but I had my reasons.