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 think about Nero’s question as we walk into the music room. I set them down on the couch before I shift to kneel on the ground in front of them. I rest my hands on their knees and look up at them.

”We might be able to…Although, until our bond snaps into place, it will be difficult to find what I need you to look for,” I confess.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Hindu Temple – Cary, IL
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I hear a bell toll from the temple and gesture towards it. ”Prayer time,” I determined. ”That’s good. That’s really good actually,” I said and hurried to the fountain.

My mind was already racing with what to do and where I needed to go. There were only a couple of people by the fountain that I had to ask to move on due to the fountain needing to be inspected and turned off momentarily. They didn’t seem entirely convinced, considering my attire, but they didn’t question me. They looked like tourists, so I hoped they didn’t go to the temple to question it.

I left the sign placements up to Nic and set to work laying out the candles in the proper positions.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
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Because you’re a distraction, I think to myself. I shuffle my feet and look away from Kimiko. ”I don’t. I need to go shower anyway. I can’t get into the pool after working in the garden,” I said lamely.

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 chuckle and start walking towards the music room. I nod when Nero asks if I would be affected. ”Yes. Strong emotions are felt through the bond unless you block me out. We’ll have to teach you, especially when it comes to our sessions in the bedroom,” I said with a wink. ”I keep Avery blocked all the time unless I need him. After the branding, you’ll be connected to him, too. So anything that you feel that you don’t block, he will also feel. Like the other day when my dragon rose to the surface. Avery could feel some of that because the emotion was so intense. I couldn’t block him from feeling my dragon coming forward so quickly.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving —> Hindu Temple – Cary, IL
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I smile as we drive to the temple, happy to here there are several reasons why Nic likes me. I know he’s informed me of some of them, but I wouldn’t mind hearing them again. I suppose I liked hearing compliments because it wasn’t so common for me.

We reach the temple, and its quieter than it was yesterday. I relax and follow Nic down to the fountain, glancing around to see if we are going to come across any of the temple’s keepers and get in trouble.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
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I frown, not liking that doggy thing. I was hardly a dog. I advert my eyes when Kimiko gets out of the pool, and the memories from the garage come rushing back. I should have just ignored her when she called out to me. I try not to stare at Kimiko’s bare back when she asks me if I have been eavesdropping.

”What? No. I was working in the garden and just came to see if the pool was free. Were you talking to yourself or something?” 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 laughed and scooped Nero up to keep them from tracking dirt all over the house. ”I wouldn’t expect anything else. Now, what shall we do with the rest of the afternoon?”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Hardware Store —> Driving – Cary, IL
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I smile, feeling myself get wrapped up in the moment with Nic. Sometimes, he was so excitable that it was not hard to feel that way, especially when he kissed me like this. Nic ends the kiss sooner than I want, but it’s for the best.

”Hopefully that’s not the only reason,” I said, feeling flushed. I fix my hair and walk around the SUV to get in so we can continue on with our task.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
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I’m just about to turn and leave when Kimiko calls out to me. At least, I think it’s me since I’m the only werewolf in Caden’s house. I turn back and give Kimiko a look.

”Doggy?” I questioned, and what was with the finger guns? Why was she acting so weird? I walk over to the pool but stay off the cement that surrounds the pool. ”I was just coming to see if the pool was empty. I’ll let you get back to it,” I said, pulling the working gloves off my hands.

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 look at Nero quizzically before picking up on the modern reference for a relationship. I laugh and shake my head. ”Ship, my dear. It is the short form of relationship,” I explained. ”But I do agree with you. I think the two of them could be good for each other. However, I won’t push it. Kiki is rather stubborn.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Hardware Store – Cary, IL
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I wrapped my arms around Nic and shook my head. ”You’re reputation is safe with me. Besides, I like to form my own opinions rather than listen to others,” I said.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
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I finally finish building the new garden boxes and I wipe my arm across my face. I’m definitely going to have to shower again. I finish my water and walk around the side of the house. I glance towards the pool, thinking I could sneak in a swim, but I see the pool isn’t unoccupied. Although you can barely see her, I recognized Kimiko’s hair.

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 have a feeling that’s not completely true, but I know better than to push Kimiko’s buttons. ”Alright, Kiki. Well, I’m still glad you two are getting along.” I look at Nero and squeeze their hand before I lead them back into the house.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Hardware Store – Cary, IL
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I grin and put the sign into the SUV. ”A girl has to have her secrets,” I said. I look back at Nic and smile. I close the distance between us again and look into his eyes.

”Are you truly that worried about what she has said about you?”

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 cover my face, pulling in Nero to try and save them from getting completely soaked. I laughed, shaking my head, and water went everywhere. ”Is it really that bad?” I asked Kimiko.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Hardware Store – Cary, IL
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”Oh, really? Maybe I’ll just make sure the SUV doesn’t start,” I called after Nic. I walk calmly to the SUV, my fingers twitching by my side in case Nic tries to leave without me.

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 pause when we get to the other side of the pool, and I glance back at Kimiko. ”You forget I’ve known you for a very long time, Kiki. I know your tells. Do you want my blessing?” I ask her, amusement plain in my voice and on my face.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Hardware Store – Cary, IL
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I giggle more and place my hands on Nic’s chest. ”Maybe. You did know a lot about Enya and privacy laws,” I state.

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 chuckled and took Nero’s hand back in mine to walk around the edge of the pool. ”Well, at least there will be a next time. I’m glad the two of you are starting to get along.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Hardware Store – Cary, IL
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I giggle and shake my head. ”No, she doesn’t think you are. She said you think you are,” I reiterated.

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 cocked my head to the side when Kimiko’s face turned red. ”And, how was your first motorcycle ride?” I asked.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Hardware Store – Cary, IL
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I ignore Nic’s statement for the time being, even though it brings a smile to my face, and I want to respond more than anything. I thank the cashier before grabbing one of the signs. I turn and look at Nic while we walk.

”Hmm, I think Kat was right about you thinking you’re oh so smart and important,” I tease.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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”Supposed to be, and yet I’m stronger,” I said with a grin. I kissed Nero once before I pulled away and escorted them back to the house.

As we neared, I noted Kimiko was in the pool. I glanced around but didn’t see Avery. ”Kiki! Did you go for a ride with Avery?” I asked curiously.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Hardware Store – Cary, IL
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I pause, thinking for a minute, and I nod, remembering Nic and I hiding in the trees to dry off. ”Right, two signs,” I said and approached the cash register to pay for the signs.