[IC] Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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Location: Outside Police Station – Chicago, IL
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I chuckle and grab our drinks, thanking the barista before I hand Nero their caramel macchiato. ”Noch nicht. Ich habe nichts dagegen, dass du Seide trägst.”

I sip my cold coffee, finding it refreshing and rest my arm across Nero’s shoulders once more. I scan the area, looking down either street and up at the tall buildings. I become rather still while my senses extend themselves, looking for anything out of place. For any danger.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Inside Police Station – Chicago, IL
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I blanche when Nic points out my face matching my hair. I swat his hand away, putting the backs of my hands to my cheeks to try and calm myself down. I can’t believe he wants to kiss me again. Or that he mentions it here of all places.

”This is vastly inappropriate. You’re supposed to be in mourning,” I scold. ”Go, be with your dad.” I say and back out the door.

Translations

Not yet. I don’t mind you wearing silk.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: - Chicago, IL
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”Ich werde das im Hinterkopf behalten.” Caden hands me my drink and I sip it, humming in delight at how nice it tastes. My wiggling makes me more aware that he’s really moving at all. I peer up at him curiously.

“Was machen Sie da?” I ask, a little concerned.

Translations

I’ll keep that in mind / What are you doing

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Nic Wu

Location: - Chicago, IL
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My ears and cheeks flare in heat. As much as I want to tell her she’s wrong, she makes a good point. ”You’re right, but I plan to do that again soon if you’ll let me.” I tell her before I go sit with my dad, the two of us wrapping our arms around each other.

He leans over, “Your grandparents would be so ashamed,” He whispers to me. “But I’m not and neither would your mother.” I grin lopsidedly at my dad. My mom would be insisting Cass stays, I peer over my shoulder to see if she’s still in the room.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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Location: Outside Police Station – Chicago, IL
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”Spüren,” I state. I stay silent for a moment more before I relax and look at Nero. I kiss their forehead. ”Das ist etwas, was ich tue, um Gefahren zu erkennen oder wenn sich etwas komisch anfühlt. Alle meine Sinne werden hyperfokussiert und bewusst,” I explain. ”It’s old magic. Drachenmagie.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Outside Police Station – Chicago, IL
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I blush, looking away from Nic and tuck my hair further behind my ear. I look back to see the two of them holding each other. I smile and duck out before Nic looks back. I whisper goodbye to Avery before I make my way out of the station. Outside, I stand still for a moment.

Did all of that really just happen? I fiddle with my hair, thinking for longer than necessary. I shake myself out and look 'round for Caden and Nero. They are back by the car, and I head that way. Ready to go home and rest for the evening.

Translations

Sensing.
This is something I do to detect danger or when something feels strange. All of my senses become hyperfocused and aware.
Dragon magic.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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My eyes widen in awe. ”Faszinierend.” I tell him. I want to ask so many questions and find out what else his dragon magic can do, but we’re joined by Cassi. I can find out later. I remind myself before looking at Cassi. Curious, I tilt my head at her.

”Are you okay? You’re flushed.” I observe before I grin widely. ”Did something happen with the human?”

Translations

Fascinating

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Outside Police Station – Chicago, IL
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”What! No, I…” I scrambled for something to say, but only seemed to turn more red. I looked at Caden who looked at me worriedly. I sighed.
”He thanked me and kissed me…” I mumbled.

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Caden

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Location: Outside Police Station – Chicago, IL
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I watched Cassi with some concern and was surprised when she seemed so concerned with what just happened. ”Cass, this isn't a bad thing, unless you really don't like him that way. Then I can go and talk to him.”

”No, no… I mean, I think I do like him, I just… It's just weird timing.” She rubs her arms, looking back at the station for a moment before looking at me. ”Can you just take me home? I fear for the state of my apartment with the cats being unattended all day.”

I smile and nod. ”Something sweet before I drop you off?” Cassi nodded. I smiled and we piled into the car, so I could get Cassi a milkshake.

”He kissed me for all I did, like a thank you. I told him he would have to give you two a kiss as well,” Cassi said after we were driving.

I started to laugh.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: - Chicago, IL
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The human has guts, I’ll admit it. I watch Caden and Cassi as they talk before we get into the car. Cassi’s next sentence makes me snort. ”He’s a little too young for me.” I say before laughing. ”Plus he’s freakishly tall, my neck hurts just look at him.” I turn in my seat so I can look at Cassi in the back. ”Did you ‘thank’ him back?”

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
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I looked at Caden when Nero said Nic was freakishly tall. Caden was over six feet as well, but not as tall as Nic’s 6’4”. I wiggle in my seat to keep from blushing at the thought of him bending to kiss me. Nero's next question is enough to distract me from my thoughts.

”I was in shock,” I confess.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: - Chicago, IL
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I catch Cassi’s glance at Caden. ”Ich mag es aber, mich für dich auf die Zehenspitzen zu stellen.” I quickly tell Caden as I put my hand on his thigh. Cassi’s next statement makes me laugh lightly.

”Ah to be young.” I say wistfully before throwing a wink at Cassi.

Translations

I like having to stand on my tiptoes for you though

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
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I smirk wickedly at Nero. ”It’s fine, old thing. You probably wouldn’t be able to keep up with the youth anyways.”

Caden laughs as he drives before pulling into the ice cream parlour.

”I got it,” I say before jumping out of the back seat to get us milkshakes.

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Caden

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
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I’m suddenly frustrated with cars when Nero puts his hand back on my thigh. I shift a bit in my seat to give them more of my leg, but that’s the best I can do with the gear shift and consul in between us. I park outside the ice cream parlour and watch Cassiopeia run inside. I tap an unheard rhythm on the steering wheel.

”What else do you like about me? Aside from kissing height?” I grinned, looking at Nero.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: - Chicago, IL
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I watch Cassi leave before Caden asks a follow up to my German. I tilt my head and pretend to really think about it before I finally answer. ”I like your eyes.” I tell him honestly, keeping myself from divulging more, but I do squeeze his thigh gently.

”I like that you make me feel safe and I can be myself with you.” I chew on my lip and fidget in my seat, feeling my face warm a little in embarrassment. It shouldn’t make me feel embarrassed, but maybe it’s just the newness of everything.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
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I smile as Nero tells me the things that they like about me. As a shapeshifter, I don't have a problem changing my form to a form that suits the time. It's how I've survived most years. However, it is nice to hear that my original form is enjoyed. The next comment Nero makes doesn't have anything to do with my physicality, though, and that makes me smile more.

"I'm glad that you feel so comfortable around me." I rest my hand over top of theirs while it rests on my thigh. "I never want you to feel uncomfortable or pressured into being or acting a certain way."

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: - Chicago, IL
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I look over and smile at him. ”And that’s just so different from everyone else I’ve come across.” I gesture to myself. “This body is close to how I appear down in hell, so I get underestimated quite often and I think I’ve put up this tough act for so long that…” I take a deep breath as I struggle to find the right words, but a different line of thinking comes to mind instead and I furrow my brow. The heavy curtain that hides my humanity shifts again. “I think I was like this as a human too…”

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
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I let Nero speak, let them talk out what they are thinking and feeling before commenting. "I've heard that demons will often take the forms their souls are most comfortable in. But they'll also take the form that will best serve them for the task at hand."

I pick up Nero's hand and kiss the back of their hand before I put it back on my thigh, slightly higher than before. "I like your smaller stature. It strokes my primitive desire protect," I say with a wicked grin.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: - Chicago, IL
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I raise my brow at him, a small smirk forming on my lips from what he is saying and from where he put my hand. “Turns out I like being protected.” I say with a gentle squeeze. “Plus, I’m conveniently travel sized.” I joke, half tempted to hop into his lap to prove it, but I don’t think he’d let go very easily given the way he’s grinning at me.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
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I laugh and remind myself to be on my best behaviour, especially when Cassi walks out with three milkshakes. I reach behind my seat and open up the back door for her. She slips inside with a thanks before she hands me one of the strawberry milkshakes. She hands Nero the other, keeping the third for herself.

I take a sip of mine, enjoy the thick creamy texture mixed with real strawberries. I put mine into the cupholder before pulling away and make for Cassiopeia's house.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: - Chicago, IL
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“Thank you.” I chirp to Cassi, holding my milkshake with both hands as I drink the delicious concoction. Wiggling in my seat, I make a small hum of appreciation for the flavor. “Is the milkshake helping you cool down at all, Cassi?” I ask teasingly. I can’t blame her for getting flushed though since it’s a non-stop battle for me not to blush at some of the things Caden says to me. I continue enjoying the milkshake though, kicking my legs a little in a happy dance.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
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I pause in drinking my milkshake before I continue on. Damn Nero for trying to rile me up again. "So Nero, come across anymore 13th century artifacts in Caden's home that get you all hot and bothered?" Two could play at the 'let's make the other uncomfortable' game.

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Caden

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
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I chuckle as I drive. I had a feeling I was just going to have to let these two battle back and forth with wits and words until they came to some sort of understanding. Either that or I put them in the boxing ring to get it out that way.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: - Chicago, IL
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I laugh and grin, but my eye twitches at the memory of her making herself bleed a little to get at me. “Actually, Caden let me borrow a couple of 13th century books to read. Nothing so far from that,” I say before I turn to smirk wickedly at her. ”Something at his house does get me all hot and bothered though.” I send her a wink and waggle my eyebrows in a suggestive manner. Then I turn back to sip happily at my milkshake again.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
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I fidget in my seat uncomfortably due to the upfront statement. I open my mouth to retaliate but Caden gives me a look. I clamp down on my straw, annoyed and look out the window. No fair, I thought to myself. I guess my statement could have been mean, but I also think Nero would have taken it in stride.

"Are you coming to the funeral tomorrow, Nero?"

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: - Chicago, IL
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This is the girl who told me she knew all the ways to make Caden shout in ecstasy, so I find it a little strange there was no comeback. I turn just in time to see Caden’s look in the rearview and pout a little. I was looking forward to a battle of the wits with her, but maybe I took it too far.

I fidget, but feel relief at her next question that efficiently changes the subject. “I was not invited and I try not to make a habit of crashing events.” I’m sure Shouren would have no problem with me there, but I’m not sure if Nic would feel the same. I glance at Caden.