KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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I spin Nero around one more time before I pull them in close. I rested one hand on the small of their back, and just swayed from side to side with them. ”I can take you to Scotland… Show you my family’s land and maybe even something more ancient,” I said, my eyes flashing to that of my dragon.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Hardware Store – Cary, IL
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I waited for Nic at the cash-out and looked at him when he jogged up to me. ”Why do we need two?”

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 chuckle, watching Nero bounce from side to side. I untangle their arms from mine and take their hand. I brush my thumb along the knuckles, placing a kiss there before lifting their arm above their head and pulling them in a circle so they spin around in a pirouette.

”I’m most looking forward to living again with you. Of showing you things, travelling with you… Of rediscovering life again.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Hardware Store – Cary, IL
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”Men don’t ask for things back. They just take the path of least resistance,” I say and bop Nic on the nose before I steal the sign back and run from him.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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I nodded in agreement with Nero. Everything felt natural with them. It was the major deciding factor in me knowing they were my mate.

I kept walking with Nero until we reached the edge of the forest. The backyard opened up before us, but the house was still a hundred yards away. I stopped walking to turn and face Nero.

”You know what I am looking forward to the most about us being mated?”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Hardware Store – Cary, IL
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”No, I was testing a theory, and I was right,” I said and set the sign I stole from Nic back down.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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I smiled and shook my head. ”There are several places we can spread your items out to,” I assured.

We walk through a forest that has a few animal trails scattered throughout. Sometimes, I walked through here to see where the animals and wolves were going. I liked the forest here because it reminded me of Scotland.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Hardware Store – Cary, IL
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”Mmm, but it’s true,” I declare, twirling around Nic while he tries to pick up the sign, and I snatch it away from him. I hold it behind my back, grinning.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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”Well, we might have to put some things in storage while we go through everything,” I said. ”Do you have an idea of where you might want some things to go? That might help us organize things. Once I see everything, I’ll also be able to work on shipping items to our other houses that’ll fit the theme,” I add.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Hardware Store – Cary, IL
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I grin, watching Nic crane his head and drag me along with him. ”Men. Always the same no matter the century,” I declare.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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I kissed Nero’s head briefly when they fell silent. ”We can have your things picked up whenever you are ready. You don’t even have to be there if you don’t want to. All of my people are warded against possession,” I tell Nero.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving —> Hardware Store – Cary, IL
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I wave off Nic’s offer to pay for the sign. He doesn’t need to do that. I watch him look up and down the aisles. ”Should we just ask someone where it is?” I asked.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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I nod in understanding. I pat Nero’s hands while we walk. ”It’ll take some getting used to. Once we renovate, it’ll seem more like home for you, too,” I said.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Cary, IL
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I look around, confused. I was usually pretty good at directions, but when Nic turned I was worried one of us was lost until he pulled into the hardware store. I grinned when he mentioned we could find a sign here. I unbuckle my seatbelt just as he asks if I want to come in.

I smile at Nic. ”Of course,” I said, and hoped out with my bag. I rummaged for my wallet while we walked up to the front door.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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I laughed when they teased me repeatedly. I smile brightly when Nero wraps themselves around my arm, and I glance down at them as we resume our walk. ”So eager to see what is now yours, are you?”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Cary, IL
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”That would be very helpful. I just need ten minutes, fifteen at the most,” I said. Of course, I could move faster if I needed to, but I didn’t want to screw anything up.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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I smile and close the distance between Nero and me. I kissed them deeply, shifting my hands from their face to wrap my arms around their waist. I picked Nero up and spun them around while I kissed them deeply.

Everything would be okay, I tell myself while we kiss. I wanted Nero, as well as my dragon. After the failed engagement with Cassiopeia, I had been hoping for this moment, but I wasn’t sure it would happen. However, it was happening. Nero chose me. Wanted me as much as I wanted them.

I stopped spinning, setting Nero back onto the ground, and I pulled back from the kiss. ”I love you,” I said again.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Cary, IL
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”That’s the theory,” I say, tucking my notebook back into my bag. ”We’ll have to move quickly though. I can’t create an illusion like I did yesterday. It was easy because no one else was in the fountain, but today, I’ll need that whole area. Maybe I can talk to the people who maintain the temple…” I say, trailing off as I think.

Ω Heroes of Olympus: The Next Age of Heroes Ω Officially Done

Ezekiel Kel

Location: Lotus Hotel Basement ---> Outside The Lotus Hotel – Las Vegas
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Ezekiel breathed a sigh of relief when Nancy didn’t take the oath yet. She would remain with him and the camp for a little while longer then. Zeke knew Nancy’s end goal was to join their aunt, but he guessed she wanted to pass on the mantel of praetor properly.

Ezekiel stays with Demetri as they walk through the Lotus Hotel. He looked around, seeing the hotel differently as they were left untouched. It seemed less vibrant, less daunting. Ezekiel squeezed Demetri’s hand when they reached the Las Vegas streets. The sun was blinding after so long in the dark, but it was comforting, too.

Ezekiel took a deep breath in, not caring if his lungs were filled with pollution. He was outside. They all made it out. Blinking several times, Ezekiel glanced around at the group. Alexios offer was appreciated, and it meant they would all get back to camp quickly. Still, he had a party bus. Unless they could turn off the lights and music and have a calm drive back to camp, Ezekiel didn’t think that option would be viable. He would travel back to camp with his half-sister. Zeke had to make every minute count with her.

”What do you think, Nanc?”