KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Garden of The Gods – Chicago, IL
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I nod in agreement. Hearing that she went through another similar experience that I had, it definitely seems like she wouldn’t be one to perpetuate the cycle. I lean back on my hands and look up at the sky.

”It’s just that you ask a lot of questions,” I inform her.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
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I glance at the house when we stop in front of it. ”Ya, by you ringing the doorbell,” I say. I look at Nic and grin before I open the door and hop out of the car. ”If she opens the door, I have a powder I can blow in her face that’ll put her to sleep. You just have to catch her so she doesn’t hurt her head,” I tell him.

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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”I do with the one in Scotland and one other. My other properties are not as extensive,” I told Nero as we walked along the path into the woods. I lean Nero into the trees and along the tree line. In the distance the sound of water can be heard as we near the little creek that runs through my property.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Garden of The Gods – Chicago, IL
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I laugh and nod my head from side to side. I definitely deserved that comment. ”So I don’t need to train you anymore?”

I listen to her story about her experience with people only wanting to get close to her father. We really were similar. ”Ya. It’s been like that for me with the Marrok and then with Caden.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
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I smile and squeeze Nic’s hand in return. ”Thank goodness for people like you, Jane, and Kat then.”

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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I grin and take Nero’s hand. ”Let’s go,” I said. I lead them down the hallway to the upstairs patio and outside. ”When I first bought this place, I wanted to get horses. The property is big enough for it, but when Bran asked me to keep an eye on the Chicago werewolf pack, I couldn’t. However, that did allow me to plant a bigger garden for the kitchen and do some other things,” I said, leading them across the backyard.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Garden of The Gods – Chicago, IL
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”Flirting is just my default,” I tell her truthfully. I rock my feet from side to side, hitting the toes of my shoes together. ”I’ll probably end up screaming into the void with or without your help. I’ve been a shitty person to you, and you don’t deserve it. I just have a problem with being asked a lot of questions. People always end up wanting something from me when they find out who I am or who I know. I find when I’m being asked a lot of questions, it’s not me they actually want to know. It’s what I can give or do for them that they want.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
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”Vigilantly work,” I note and nod my head. ”That’s good. Sometimes, I feel like the treaty has failed the supernatural community, but I also know what it’s like outside of Chicago.”

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Caden

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

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I smile, watching them run off. I rub the back of my head and glance around my room before I head for the door to wait for Nero. Suddenly I feel nervous about showing Nero more of my place, and I’m not entirely sure why.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Garden of The Gods – Chicago, IL
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I laugh at the simple way Kimiko asks me that question. ”No, but I have a feeling this is going to keep you up at night unless I tell you. Well, maybe I won’t just so you stay up at night thinking about me,” I teased and found a place to sit on the ground as well. Leather really doesn’t move easily, so I am certain it is quite the show as I try to kneel, and they stretch out.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
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”Please tell me you were corrupted before I met you,” I say, intertwining our fingers like before.

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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”A walk might be nice. You haven’t seen the full grounds yet,” I declared.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Garden of The Gods – Chicago, IL
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I glance away from Kimiko, feeling my eyes continue to be drawn to her. I stare out at the trees again, feeling the need to scream again. ”I’m sorry about earlier… I took my past frustrations out on you, and that wasn’t fair of me,” I say, but I can’t look back at Kimiko.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
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”Oh easily,” I said but wave that idea away. ”I’d rather go now. I want to solve this.” I said. I had no patience when it came to completing something supernatural-related.

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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I smile and kiss Nero gently while I hold them. ”You are most welcome. What would you like to do now? We could watch a movie or go for a walk,” I offer.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Garden of The Gods – Chicago, IL
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I cock my head to the side, watching Kimiko hunt around. I look away when she starts stretching so I’m not staring. ”Remember when I said I try to go to the restaurant once a week? Once a week unless Caden needs me for something.” I kick the ground at my feet and glance at Kimiko.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: – Chicago, IL
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I narrow my eyes playfully at Nic and shake my head. ”You two are horrible,” I declare and get into the SUV.

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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I lost time while I was reading, and I didn’t hear Nero until they walked back into the bedroom. I look up, set the book aside, and stand. ”How was your bath, my little imp?”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Garden of The Gods – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I stand there while they laugh at me and the situation we are in. I feel like it’s deserving as well as therapeutic for Kimiko. I rock my heels back and forth and look out over the edge until she’s done and asks me another question.

”I have, although I use it more for stretching than mindfulness. This works better,” I say, gesturing to the space around us.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: – Chicago, IL
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I hug Nic back, both amused and impressed, as he talks about the different oaths taken. I suppose I was talking about the second oath he mentions, which is a law more than an oath. His last statement shocks me, though.

”Nicholas Wu, did you look this man up in the hospital system?” I searched his eyes, wondering where this rebel side of him had been hiding.

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Caden

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

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I go out to the bedroom and stand there for a moment before I start to tidy up. I replay Nero’s memory in my head over and over again, committing Mundus’ face and voice to memory. I knew Hell was full of people like Mundus, and Nero likely did some of the same things he did just to regain some control in their lives, but Nero was mine now, which meant anyone who had harmed them had harmed me.

I walked over to the bookshelf in my room and scanned the row of books before I pulled one down. Any of the books I needed for more research-based purposes were in my office, but I wasn’t going to leave Nero. I brought my book over to the couch and sat down to try and drown out the murderous thoughts in my head.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Garden of The Gods – Chicago, IL
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I watched the rock she was about to throw clatter to the ground next to her. I walk over, reach down to pick it up, and toss it into the air. I then turned and yeeted it over the edge.

”I usually stay here for a while but I've never brought a guest here let alone one against their will. I'm not sure what the protocol is,” I state simply and look back at Kimiko.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: – Chicago, IL
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I whip my head around and stare at Nic. ”What!?” I look back at the building, worried I was too loud, and move in closer to Nic. ”Isn't that against some oath you wouldn't have said back in school?”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Garden of The Gods – Chicago, IL
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I sigh, feeling better after my little yelling contest into the void. Nearby I hear something crash and clatter. I look behind me to see Kimiko throwing things as far as she can. I imagine she's envisioning throwing me over the edge.

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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I smile and lean forward to kiss Nero softly. ”I'll come check on you in a little bit,” I said before standing and retiring to the bedroom.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: – Chicago, IL
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We say our goodbyes and head back to the car. I cursed in French once we were far enough away and I looked back at the building. ”I should have known he wouldn't have it on him. Still, I wish he did so we could have solved this today.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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Location: Garden of The Gods – Chicago, IL
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She eventually unwraps herself from around me and I get off the bike. I set my helmet down and glance at her. ”I'll take you back after this. I just couldn't go back yet,” I say, and shrug.

I pocket the keys from the bike and walk over to the edge of the road. I take in the sight before I hop the guard rail and walk through the path that shouldn't be there and start climbing over rocks until I get to the edge of the cliff. Trees blanket the ground far below, stretching out for as far as I can see. I was amazed when I first found this place. I didn't think I would get such picturesque sights with no longer being in the west coast of the states, but I was glad I found this.

I shut my eyes and take a deep breath in before I tell as loudly as I can into the emptiness around me. I came here to yell a lot.

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Caden

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

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Nero untangles themselves from me and shimmies out of their clothes before getting into the bath water. I'm half tempted to run my fingertips along their skin as they move, but I keep my hands to myself. Instead, I look at the marks on their back, having a newfound hatred for them.

Nero disappears under the water and I feel myself relax as I watch the steam curl around them. I smile at Nero when they ask if I want to join. I shake my head and bend down beside the tub.

”No my little imp, this time is for you. I will be in the bedroom reading if you need me, okay?”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: – Chicago, IL
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I genuinely blush when Nic throws in my actual nickname. I have a feeling that statement was more genuine than ruse because of that fact alone.

I look away, letting the men carry the conversation for the time being as I collect myself. It almost fails when Mr Scott calls me Nic's girlfriend. I mean, I am, but it's the first time I've heard someone else say it.

I regain my composure when Mr Scott states he doesn't have the gem on him. Of course he doesn't. I twitch in annoyance but I plaster a smile on my face and rest a hand on Nic's arm.

”Oh, yes please! As soon as possible,” I say.