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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”Many years,” I confessed. ”It was probably the most difficult instrument I’ve learned to play. Being able to plan it now the way I can is a reward unto itself,” I said and showed Nero the next note on the scale to play.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Grocery Store – Cary, IL
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I’m looking in the opposite direction when Nic tugs on my arm. I stumble forward, jogging a little to catch up with his speed. Someone is excited for a picnic. I grin, shaking my head.

”So I have to let you spoil me, but what if I want to spoil you?” I counter.

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 laugh, feeling my cheeks warm for probably the first time. It wasn’t that I did feel emotional when Nero said things to me, I just responded to their heartfelt words in other ways. This time, though, I did feel slightly embarrassed, but relieved they felt the same.

I rubbed the back of my neck, not quite able to meet Nero’s eyes as I handed them the bow. I distract myself by placing their fingers. ”It will take some time to get the notes and the placement of the bow just right. The bow is like a second instrument. Depending on how you tilt, push and pull it, will depend on the sounds you make. Don’t worry about breaking strings or the threads. All of that are easily replaced and have to be once in a while for age.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving —> Grocery Store – Cary, IL
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I go to get out of the vehicle and pout when Nic says he’s paying. ”Fine,” I said and got out of the vehicle. I wait for Nic, though, and take his hand before we walk into the grocery store. ”Something tells me we’re going to be that couple that races each other to the cash out to pay before the other.”

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 at Nero and set them on the piano bench to go and fetch my violin. ”I think eternity with you will be too short,” I said. I return with the violin and teach Nero how to hold it.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Hindu Temple —> Driving – Cary, IL
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I gasp at the idea Nic suggests and nod my head eagerly. A little picnic in some park under a tree sounds absolutely perfect. I sit in my seat, happily tapping my hands on my legs while I wait for Nic to back up and drive to a grocery store.

I actively ignore how he backs up, so I don’t think about that and him kneeling in front of me. I start looking along the streets until I find and point out a little grocery store we can go to.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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”Hey,” I say and take Nero’s hand. I run light fingers over their scars and the new one I created this morning. ”I happen to like these tiny hands. Be nice to my mate,” I gently scold. I kiss Nero’s palm, wishing at that moment I had the ability to heal them.

”Hmm, well, I’ve always gravitated towards the violin. Or any instrument with a string, really. There’s something about the tones the strings create that soothe me. But anything you chose to play, Nero would bring a smile to my face,” I told them. I didn’t want them making decisions solely based on what I liked or didn’t like.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Hindu Temple – Cary, IL
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”I would love something to eat, actually. Maybe somewhere outside?” Not only would it help to dry me off more if we sat in the sun, but it would also help me to stay grounded and connected to the earth. I always found after a ceremony like that I was flighty and in the clouds. My family and Caden used to joke that they should tie bricks to my feet to keep me from trying to fly away.

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 as I watch Nero stretch their fingers as much as they can. ”Unfortunately, no. They are all relatively the same size. Keyboards might be a bit smaller, but not by much. You might have more success with a string instrument, like the violin or viola. The guitar wouldn’t be easy, as there are some notes that require your fingers to be pretty spread out as well,” I explained, and started looking about the room for something else Nero could try.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Hindu Temple – Cary, IL
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I watch Nic as his eyes flicker to my lips. I like how much he’s attracted to me as I am to him. He focuses back on drying my legs, and I force myself to look away and dry off the upper half of my body. ”I think that’s okay, Nic. I can sit with the towel wrapped around my feet and ankles while we drive back to Caden’s,” I said.

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 at Nero as they join me at the piano. I pull them onto my lap and nod. ”I would love to teach you,” I said. I kissed Nero’s cheek before I pointed out C and then the rest of the main scale on the piano. ”It seems tedious, but once you know the scales, it makes learning the songs easier.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Hindu Temple – Cary, IL
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I laugh, brushing my thumb along Nic’s dimple. I snatched my hand back after I realized what I was doing. It was hard not to be memorized by Nic when he smiled like that.

I take the towel from Nic and start drying myself off. I pause when Nic kneels though to dry the bottom of my pants, and I can’t help but stare at him. He looks up at me, and I have a desperate need to run my fingers through his hair, bend down, and kiss him. My fingers twitch on the towel I hold, and I bite my bottom lip when he winks at me.

”I feel very much like Cinderella at the moment. Should I misplace one of my shoes?” I joked.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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”Ah,” I said and my fingers shifted on the keys to dive in from chords to an actual melody. ”I've never recorded, but I've written some things.”

The melody flows out of me, like an extension. Some people wouldn't necessarily consider the music I choose to write uplifting but it meant something to me all the same.

[color=#0064]”Learning an instrument can be hard if you don't already have the natural ear for it. I'm self taught and it took me quite a while to understand the way music works. I felt I could play anything but it took me a while to truly understand what I was playing and put it together in a way that worked. Cassi has a natural gift for it, but she never learned beyond the piano,”[/color] I informed Nero.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Hindu Temple – Cary, IL
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I smiled, blushing of course, and shook my head when Nic complimented me again. I gathered all the candles, deciding to leave the jasmine in the fountain. It added a nice touch. After the prayer ceremony, I think everyone would appreciate coming to the fountain. I hope the luck of this place has changed now. ”Did you! Oh bless you, you smart man.”

I follow Nic to the SUV and eagerly grab a towel.

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 walked over to the piano. ”Something new or something older?” I asked, as I played a few bars to warm up my fingers.

One of Nero's cats came and curled up beneath me. I reached down and scratched them as best I could before focusing on the task at hand.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Hindu Temple – Cary, IL
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I hold Nic a little tighter. A reminder that I'm okay. I laugh when he compliments me and I pull back to start gathering my candles. ”If you keep complimenting me, it's going to go straight to my head.”

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 shake my head. ”With what Cassi and I shared and how long our history is, we have our own bond. Our own connection. The only bond you'll receive from me will be Avery's because he is pack and so will you be.” I look down to see the cats running around and I smile to scratch them before I stand up.

”What instrument would you like me to play today, mein kleiner Kobold?”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Hindu Temple – Cary, IL
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The space around the fountain seems more somehow. I smile, and close my eyes to really take it all in. I feel strong arms encircling me and warmth starts to seep into my bones. I had forgotten I was now wet again. Nic's words have me wrapping my arms around his neck, and holding him close.

”I wasn't hurt for long,” I reminded him.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
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I head straight to my room and close the door quickly. I'm breathing heavily and I can't think straight. I hit my fist against the door before I marched into my bathroom and turned the shower on.

Cold water hits me as I step inside, but the thoughts and images of Kimiko don't slow down. I need to relieve the pressure I'm feeling somehow so I allow myself some indulgences with the images that plague me.

By the time I'm done the cold water actually feels cold, and I'm more settled. I scrub the rest of my body clean before I shut the water off and grab my towel. Once I'm dried, I pull on my swim shorts, thinking the pool should be fine now that my mind feels more settled. I debated on bringing my towel but ultimately decided to leave it behind. I didn't want a certain fox or imp getting any ideas.

I head back to the main house to find the pool now empty. I grab some water from the cooler that sits outside before sitting on the edge of the pool.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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’Through a lot of trial and error,” I informed Nero. In response to their other statement I bend my head down and kiss both of Nero’s hands. No, I couldn’t keep my hands off of them. Whenever I did something without my hands being on them, I could only think about touching them again.

”For me it was visual,” I said and shut my eyes. ”There are lines, cords. I have several of them. I have some connections to my remaining family members: one to Cass, one to Avery, and one just waiting. That one’s new. That one’s yours,” I say with a smile. I squeeze Nero’s hands, and the floating cord pulsates. ”When I’m blocking, I picture the cords and tell them to be quiet. I build a bubble around me and keep what I need contained there.” I open my eyes and look at Nero. ”Avery tells me his is a wall. And I’ve spoken to others who don't find visuals helpful. They used words instead. You’ll have to discover what works best for you.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Hindu Temple – Cary, IL
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Once the candles are set, I start to throw the jasmine petals into the water. Nic comes over and asks me if he can help. I smile at him and shake my head. ”Stay out of the circle and enjoy the show,” I tell him honestly.

Once I’ve filled the water with the dehydrated jasmine from India, I set the empty bag down and pick up the bag of sand. I pass Nic and kiss his cheek. ”I’m sorry. Much of my work doesn’t allow for outside help.” I start to trail the sand around the fountain, connecting the candles as I go. Once the circle is complete, I snap my fingers and the candles light. I pull out the yellow sapphire and approach the fountain. The sapphire starts to glow, and I smile.

The wind starts to pick up, but it doesn’t touch me, the sand, or the flames. In the air, I can smell the oils and flowers native to India. I can hear the bells and the chimes. I can hear the voices calling the stone home. I shut my eyes and start to chant in a different language as I approach the fountain and climb inside. I’m soaked again, but I could care less.

Once I put the stone in place, the noises I hear increase in volume, the wind picks up again, the candles flare briefly before they burn out, and the sand is wept away. I stand in the fountain for a minute longer before I crawl out and stand back to look at it. ”It feels different. It feels complete.” I don’t know if Nic will be able to tell. It’s more of an intuition-based feeling and an innate connection to land around me that tells me I succeed in my task.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
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When Kimiko gets out of the pool, I can’t help but stare at her. My eyes trace the natural curves in her body and how she stands. I note the way the water seems to cling to her before losing its battle to remain and drips down her body to pool on the concrete around her feet. I’m staring at a drop of water as it rolls down her legs when Kimiko’s laugh hits my ears wrong. I snap my attention back to her face and frown.

”Oh, okay. I guess that’s fine then.” I pause awkwardly after that, not moving to leave. And then I realize I’m staring again. ”Well, guess I’ll just go shower.” I turn around and march across the yard to staff housing. What the hell was that? I’m not usually that awkward around women, and Kimiko has never been that awkward around anyone.