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 grin at Kimiko and the tilt of her head as she tries to dig in deeper. ”I like supporting small communities and local businesses. I came across this place on one of my rides and just kept coming. Is that a good enough story, or were you hoping for something more dramatic?” I asked her.

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Caden

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

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What they’re asking, I’ve only known vampires being able to do, and Cassi one time. It took a lot out of her, though, so I told her to never do it again. I place my hands over Nero’s and nod. ”If you think you can, then show me,” I said. I would happily share the burden with them.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I grinned when Nic divulged that Kimiko wasn’t strong in the gym. She was a fiery thing, but she did lack some of the finer skills. I sipped my tea and intertwined my fingers with Nic’s while he drove us closer to Mr. Scott’s.

I smiled when he explained why he wanted me there. ”Well, we’re doing that this evening,” I said, glancing back at Nic. I had a feeling it was more related to him having missed me. At least, I was hoping that was one of the reasons.

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 try to come once a week, but it doesn’t always work out that way,” I say 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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My eyes search Nero’s, looking for traces of what they just witnessed. They hold my face, and I lean into their touch.

”You did what you needed to do to survive. You survived, Nero,” I reminded them. ”Whatever happened, won’t happen to you again. Whatever you have in Hell, we don’t need it. I just need you here. With me.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I shift in my seat, looking at Nic with interest. ”Kimiko was hogging Avery’s attention? How so?” I asked, my eyes sparkling with curiosity now.

He asked me if I would want to join them and I sighed. ”Probably not. I know enough to take care of myself, with or without magic,” I say honestly.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Restaurant – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Uh, two lumberjack slams, with extra toast, bacon, and sausage,” I informed her. The Lumberjack Slam also came with two pancakes, two eggs, ham, and hashbrowns, as well as toast, bacon, and sausage.

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Caden

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

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As soon as Nero looks into my eyes I release their wrists and wrap my arms around them securely. ”I’m right here, my love. I’m not going anywhere. I’m right here,” I whisper and rub Nero’s back.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”I’m not. He might know of the supernatural world, but I’m not worried he is something. If he is, I can take care of it, but we’ll have to wait to see,” I said. I looked over at Nic when he squeezed my thigh.

”Aside from Kimiko’s news, how did the work out go?”

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, finally understanding. ”No, not like British biscuits. Here, biscuits are like buns, and what you are thinking of as dessert we call cookies.”

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Caden

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

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Nero starts pounding their fists on my chest, and I’m alarmed by the strength of them. I have a feeling I’m going to bruise from it and I make a mental note to shift that part of my body so Nero won’t have to see it.

”Nero! Nero, come back to me. You’re safe, my love, my little imp. Komm zurück, meine Liebe.” I grab onto their wrists to stop them from pummeling me.

translations

Come back my love.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I set my bag down on the floor by my feet before I buckle in and reclaim my Chai Latte. I sip the comforting drink and settle into the seat. I switch on the heat, feeling a little chilled.

”I think we should ask more questions about how the restorations went. If he encountered any problems that led to him having to modify the original designs. Maybe a piece didn’t fit anymore. Once we have him comfortable, I can show the pictures of the missing gem. I’m sure he’ll become evasive. A gem of this size and where it comes from is quite rare, so I’m sure he’s holding onto it to sell it. If we can’t get him to give it up naturally. I’ll have to get it out of him. Either that or you distract him while I search the place.”

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.