[IC] Chicago After Hours

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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”Then stay. There's plenty of room,” I assure them. The staff being around always made the place feel less empty, but the idea of Nero wanting to stay longer makes me happy.

I often will have people shown out in my absence but Nero isn't one I would want to kick out. I'd like for them to stay or come and go as they please. It was one of the reasons why I brought them here yesterday, rather than finding an unknown location to discuss the Chimera.

”Have you found anything that you connected with?” I asked, gesturing to the book. I had more weapons, paintings, sculptures, tools, and other works of art from the 13 century. A little bit of everything really, aside from buildings and clothes.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
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He finally picks up but seems hesitant. This makes me relax and smile. ”Hi, Nic. It's Cass. I spoke to Caden and he suggested we come to his for supper. Does that work for you? How's your dad?”

If he didn't want to leave his father, I completely understood. It would just prolong the conversation we could have.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Caden’s Mansion, Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Okay, maybe I do like letting Caden take care of me. I admit to myself before I open the book to the page I left off. I hold it up a little so Caden can see as well. “Nothing so far, but it is very informational.” I beam up at him. “I can’t tell if I’m excited to uncover my pass or dreading it.” I tell him honestly. I turn my left hand to observe the large scar again before remembering a key detail of the last night; Caden had saw my white eyes. Closing the book I sit up and turn to face him.

“You saw me use my power last night and you haven’t said a word about it… Why is that?” I tilt my head as I watch for his reaction.

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Nic Wu

Location: Nic’s Apartment, Chicago, IL
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I sit up straight, finding myself smiling that she’s calling already. ”Oh, hi!” I reply, quickly making sure to save her number as she tells me her reason for calling. “That might work,” I say as I quickly type up a text to send to Jane, the friend and coworker who sent me towards Cass in the first place. She lives in the same little complex that I do and might be willing to keep an eye on my dad if I do go out tonight. ”My dad is sleeping pretty soundly right now, thanks to the stuff you gave us.” My phone buzzes as Jane replies that she can stay with my dad tonight. ”Okay, my friend Jane is going to keep an eye on my dad for me tonight, so I can definitely have dinner with you two.” I’m a little intimidated, but also excited to go.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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

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I rub the back of my neck, chuckling awkwardly. I felt a little embarrassed about how much of a geek I became with organizing my collections. I had everything cross-referenced in my book, comparing items and little numbers in the corners, referencing other items of the same time period, and other time periods to showcase the evolution of the item. It was convoluted and could be confusing but it was fun for me to do.

They shifted to sit up, and I angled myself to face them. I chuckled when they tilt their head, and I couldn’t help but mirror them. I lift my hand and rest the side of my head on my hand, watching them with amusement.

”I didn’t ask because you would tell me about it when you are ready. Besides, Cassiopeia bombarded you with questions the other day. I didn’t think it wise to do the same.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I relax further, and Max purrs happily on my chest. ”Good. That’s good. I gave some things to help keep off the nightmares,” I state again. ”Okay, so you can either come here for 5, or if you give me your address, I can tell the driver where to go,” I tell Nic. I completely understand if they don’t want us to know where he lives. I still didn’t know how I felt about Nero knowing where I lived, but I at least had protections set up around my house to keep demons and other uninvited guests out. Not to mention the anti-demon possession tattoo I had on the back of my right shoulder.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Caden’s Mansion, Chicago, IL
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Laughing a little, I smile at him and end up mirroring how he put his head in his hand. “I was the one who goaded Cassiopeia into asking me more questions.” I tell him honestly. “Though I do appreciate your concern for me, I can’t imagine you will ask as many questions at once like she does.” I smirk, not adding the fact that I was completely comfortable around him as opposed to Cassiopeia. I can admit it to myself, but I’m not ready to actually say it out loud yet. Untucking my legs from underneath me, I stretch them out so they’re resting in Caden’s lap.

“I’ve never wanted to connect with someone more than I want to with you.” My ears grow warm from admitting this, and I look to the side to avoid eye contact. Too cheesy.

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Nic Wu

Location: Nic’s Apartment, Chicago, IL
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The driver? I know Caden looks affluent, but I’m hoping ‘the driver’ just means ride-share or a taxi. “Whatever’s easiest works for me. I’m a little bit north, outside of the city so I don’t know if that’s on the way to you or completely in the wrong direction.” I let her know of the apartment complex and nearest cross roads before I give a little chuckle and lean back into the couch, relaxing a bit just from hearing her voice.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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

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I watch them even as they continue to mirror me. I’m completely fascinated by them. It’s hard to look away. They rest their legs on my lap this time, and I chuckle. I move my arms, resting them over top of their legs and aimlessly pull at nothing on their pants. It’s just something to keep my hands busy. Their next statement catches me off guard, and my hands stop.

I look at Nero, who is now looking away from me. I smile, feeling my cheeks warm. I never blush. I clear my throat and look around the room, searching for the words I want to say.

”I don’t want you to leave. At this point, I want to tell you to bring your cats here and stay for as long as you want,” I say. I look back at them and rest one hand on their cheeks. ”I’ve never wanted to connect with someone like I want to with you, either.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I write down the address as he tells me. ”Oh, okay. It’s not terribly out of the way. I’ll let the driver know,” I said. I set my pen down and go back to petting Max.

A strange silence falls in the room and on the phone. ”I, um, guess, I should go,” I say awkwardly. I look down at Maxamilliam, who seems to be watching me with amusement in his eyes — damn cats.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Caden’s Mansion, Chicago, IL
Skills:

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My brow shoots up in surprise as I look back at Caden before I lean my head into his hand more and close my eyes. Anyone looking in from the outside would probably think this relationship is moving too fast, but we’re both over a century old. No one has ever made me want to discovery my humanity more than now and it makes me debate if I ever want to return to Hell. ”How do you feel about strays?” I ask as I open my eyes again. Using my legs, I pull myself closer to Caden so I’m almost in his lap.

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Nic Wu

Location: Nic’s Apartment, Chicago, IL
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”You don’t have to.” I say with a smile. ”Like, I said, my dad is asleep and I’m still off of work.” I stand up, starting to walk around my apartment and tidying things up a bit. Truthfully, I didn’t want to stop talking to her even while knowing we would be together tonight anyway. Despite everything that’s happened, she made me feel relaxed just from hearing her voice.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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

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I chuckle and slide my arm around their waist after they’ve moved closer to me. ”They aren’t so bad once you train them,” I tease. I rub my thumb into the back of their spine, inching them a bit closer to me.

It had been difficult since the moment I met Nero to keep my hands to myself or my tone normal. Everything I said to them shifted into a tease or a flirt; it was hard not to. I knew Cassiopeia had her issues with demons, and I had come across a fair few who enjoyed the destruction of the world more than anything, but Nero was vastly different, even if they tried to be like every other demon.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
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”Ya… I guess I don’t know what to talk about. Everything will be explained tonight,” I say, still sounding awkward. It wasn’t often that a patron of my shop became involved in my other world. I had regular people who came for readings, potions, spells, and answers, but this situation was a first for me.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Caden’s Mansion, Chicago, IL
Skills:

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His touch is distracting, but I pull myself into his lap fully, wanting to be closer to Caden. I loosely wrap my arms around his neck and peer up at him.“Wait, are you calling me a stray?” I tease back with a smirk, guessing he didn’t know of my habit of feeding wild cats, but him referring to me as a stray also excited me for some reason. Thinking of his nickname for me, I start to laugh a little. “Am I a ‘streunender kleiner Kobold’?” I ask with another tilt of my head.

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Nic Wu

Location: Nic’s ApartmentChicago, IL
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I let some air out of my nose in a silent laugh as I throw away some trash. ”Well, we don’t have to talk about your world right now.” I remind her, walking to another corner of my apartment to tidy up. ”What’s your favorite color, for instance?”

Translations

”stray little imp”

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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I laugh when Nero comes up with his new nickname. My hands rest comfortably on their hips as I look at them and nod.

”Aye, du bist mein streunender kleiner Kobold,” I say before I kiss them. I had been longing to hold and kiss them again, so I was glad for the opportunity. We still had a few hours until Cass and Caden arrived, and I was quite grateful for that.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
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I screw up my nose at their question, not that they can see me, but still. ”You did not just ask me what my favourite colour is. Seriously?” I laugh, causing Max to meow and leave. I sit more forward on my couch. ”Did you always want to be a nurse,” I counter.

Translations

You are my stray little imp..

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Caden’s Mansion, Chicago, IL
Skills:

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A thrill of excitement runs through me at his possessive behavior and I can’t help but smile against his lips. I’ve had flings over the years of course, but this was different. It feels right and I don’t feel the need to try and put on a facade for Caden. I like that particular part a lot. I shift my position a little so I’m straddling his lap a little more.

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Nic Wu

Location: Nic’s Apartment, Chicago, IL
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I find myself laughing along with her. “Hey now, you didn’t answer my question.” I tease before I run a hand through my hair. “Not always, no.” I answer cryptically just to mess a little bit with her. Plus, I really want to know more about her and I have a feeling tonight wouldn’t have room for that.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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

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I smile as they shift around to make the kissing easier, but we never break the kiss. My hands move up their back as we kiss for longer. I’m enjoying the moment with them quite a lot. My body tingles wherever they touch and my mind is only filled with them.

I start a little when there is a knock on the door, and I stop kissing Nero to look over their shoulder to see Henry in the doorway.

”Henry,” I greet, my voice sounding a little rough.

“Apologies sir, I wanted to bring you the dry cleaning once it was done. Shall I leave it here?”

”Yes, Henry. Thank you.” He sets Nero clothes on the coat hook by the door before closing the door behind him when he leaves. That makes me chuckle, and I look back at Nero. ”Do you want to change? We can go look at the long swords after if you want.’

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
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Being inquisitive never stopped me from asking questions, even if someone was being vague, so I didn't mind that Nic was doing it now. Nero really was right in calling me a cat. I wasn't even sure why I was still on the phone with him. There was nothing for us to talk about, but for some reason I found myself wanting to stay on the phone now. I wasn't sure if it was because I needed it or I felt he needed it.

”What did you want to do?” I asked him, happily ignoring the question he had for me.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Caden’s Mansion - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Quite caught up in the moment and enjoying it, I flinch when Henry knocks on the door. I feel my entire face and ears warm with a blush and duck my head to hide in Caden’s chest for a moment. Caden asks me a question and it takes a moment or two before I process it as my boy cools down. I really do enjoy kissing him… I laugh a little into his chest before I pull away enough to look up at him. “I never thought I’d see the day where I would say this,” I begin, side glancing at the coat rack. ”But I think I want to stay in these comfy clothes for a bit longer… if that’s okay of course.” Plus, the shirt smells like Caden and I find that I quite like that.

I will probably change when the human and Cassiopeia arrive later, just so that I don’t have the little kitten bombarding me with questions about my scars. Right now, however, I felt very comfortable and I had a feeling Caden’s staff wasn’t going to ask me about my scars anyway.

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Nic Wu

Location: Nic’s Apartment - Chicago, IL
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Laughing again, I shake my head. “I was originally going to be a doctor.” I tell her, flopping onto my back on the couch. ”Do you always avoid questions about yourself or is that for my pleasure only?” I ask, getting the impression that she preferred to ask not to be asked. I can understand that, I usually prefer the attention to be on someone else, not myself. Either way, she isn’t hanging up the call and I take that as a good sign for now.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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

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I finger the sweater, smiling. ”I think I can survive without this sweater for a little longer,” I tell them. ”And don’t worry about the staff, especially Henry. They’ve seen all number of peculiarities working for me.”

I've had quite the parties in the past with the supernatural community and others with just humans. It was hard to tell which community was more strange. Then, there were the antiquities I would order and bring in. Some of them were a little more active than I thought. Unfortunately, I had to destroy a few things or call Cassiopeia for backup in subduing creatures long thought dormant or gone.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
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I smirk and stand up to walk into the kitchen. ”Usually,” I confirm. It was a safe enough question to ask, and I didn’t mind answering this one. I open up my fridge and search for something to drink

”A doctor? So why did you just settle for nursing?” I probably could have worded my question better, but being blunt was also my thing.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Caden’s Mansion - Chicago, IL
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I beam up at him, very content with the situation. “How did you come across such loyal staff? Or… Well, I guess any staff is going to be more loyal than one made of demons.” I muse out loud. Thinking of how my peons only really obey me because they know I can kill them would not be what I would describe as ‘loyal’.

I play with the collar of Caden’s shirt and tilt my head as a number of questions buzz through my head. Is Cassiopeia is rubbing off on me? Because I suddenly want to know everything about him. I chew on my lip as I try to think of my next inquiry for him.

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Nic Wu

Location: Nic’s Apartment - Chicago, IL
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Oh, so this is how this game will go. I think to myself. She then asks why I ‘settled’ for nursing. I can’t help the laugh that escapes me - it’s a common question I get asked, especially with the stigma around male nurses. “Maybe I’ll tell you about that another day.” I tease as I wrap and unwrap my hospital ID lanyard around my fingers. ”Or if you tell me your favorite color.” I smirk, finding the conversation enjoyable.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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

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”I interviewed them. Honestly, it was a lot of trial and error. Chicago has many strict views regarding humans knowing about the supernatural, and the rest of America seems to be oblivious as well, but not as much in the other countries. Henry I hired for my house in the UK, but I liked him so much and the way he runs the house that I now have him travel with me. I won’t lie to you; there were a few staff members that I had to dismiss. Their minds were usually wiped, or if they had been a part of my staff for too long, well, they are looked after well, but they aren’t a part of normal society anymore.” I only had to do that to a few ex-staff members, but it was enough to have me really change my interview process. It was another reason why I was so grateful for Henry. He ensured everyone was comfortable working for me and paid attention to the rumours running through the staff.

My hands come back to rest on Nero’s hips, and I hold him close. ”You look like Cassi when she is about to ask a hundred questions,” I tease.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I frown when Nic withholds his answer. I internally curse my need to have my questions answered. I could hang up the phone right now and be done with it until tonight, but I can’t bring myself to do it. ”Touche.” I take a sip of my drink before setting it down on the counter. I look around my house, deciding whether I want to answer. The line falls silent again, but I don’t mind it as much.

”Purple and blue, I guess. It changes,” I inform him.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Caden’s Mansion - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Henry is a good asset to him; I take a mental note of that, but hopefully he could handle some practical pranks. Pouting, I playfully glare at him for saying I look like Cassiopeia. “I just have an insatiable need to know everything about you and it’s not like we won’t have ein Scheißkerl of time to to do it…” I trail off, momentarily distracted by Caden’s touch.

“I’ve never encountered these kinds of emotions before.” I avoid his eyes as I say this, furrowing my brow. It scares me, but I don’t say that part out loud.

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Nic Wu

Location: Nic’s Apartment - Chicago, IL
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”Now was that so hard?” I tease her, letting one of my legs dangle off of my couch as we talk. I consider how best to phrase the next part, letting the line fall silent for a moment. “I think it was during my last year of pre-med that I realized nurses are able to spend a lot more time and attention on their patients than doctors are. I finished my degree in Health Sciences, but chose to become a nurse practitioner instead.” I tell her.

Translation

a shitton

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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

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I start to rub circles into their hip with my right thumb, enjoying the look of enjoyment on their face from my touch. I like that they like me as much as I like them. I smile at his comment about having all the time.

”We do have all the time, doesn’t mean you can’t ask all the questions now.” Between the two of us, we had been alive for over a thousand years. That was a thousand years of knowledge and lived lives. There would always be something new to learn that I was sure of.

They glanced away from me again when they confessed about their emotions being new to them. ”Is that one reason why you want to unlock your human past? You’re starting to feel something that isn’t conventional with demons.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Ha ha,” I say and sip my drink again. They may think knowing my favourite colour was nothing, but it was personal and it was mine. Now, it was his. Sharing parts of me meant far more to me than the average person thought.

”Isn’t it hard, though, being connected to your patients for longer than a doctor would be?” I would think forming connections, and maybe even friendships with patients would be hard, especially if they died.

I was no stranger to loss, but I didn’t go out to actively find it or set myself up to experience it. It wasn’t my idea of a good time.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Caden’s Mansion - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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My ears grow warm as he draws circles with his thumb - it’s not fair, I want to tease him too. I nibble on my lip but nod in an answer to his question before I meet his eyes again. “I know it’s not going to be… pleasant.” I grimace as I think of my scars - those memories might even be painful to encounter again. “But… I would like to be able to just… feel when I’m with you. Does that make sense?” I tilt my head at the last part. I don’t know if other species go through something like this, so I’m not sure if Caden will understand but…

“I mean, I don’t even know your sexuality or, or preferences or anything.” I rest my forehead on his chest to hide again as my face flushes. How can I know so little but also know I want to spend eternities with him? It doesn’t make sense.

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Nic Wu

Location: Nic’s Apartment - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I grin lopsidedly at her flat response to my teasing, but her next questions gives me something to think about. I sit up and rest my head on my hand, giving it some thought before I answer. “I could see how it might look that way,” I say slowly, closing my eyes as I pictured my little sister in her hospital gown, smiling brightly at her nurses. “But it’s not really about what I want - it’s about providing what they need. So much information can fall through the cracks or go unnoticed because a doctor didn’t have time to ask the right questions. I try to bridge that gap.” It’s been awhile since I went into that much of an explanation, but I hope it makes sense to her. ”I mean, that’s why I want to learn as much about your world as possible. If there are things I can watch out for that maybe other medical staff wouldn’t, maybe I can help more people.”

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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

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I continue to rub circles into their hip with my thumb. I always seemed to have to do something with my hands, and I enjoyed this activity far more than twirling my pen or tapping my fingers on the desk. When they lean into me, my hands move up their back and hold them close.

”I think I understand. If you didn’t want this connection with me, those questions and these feelings wouldn’t matter to you. You would just do whatever you wanted and move on,” I say. I shut my eyes to focus on holding them.

”I’m never satisfied for long. I am constantly looking for something to capture my attention, but it never lasts. I confess I’ve had a couple of long-term relationships, but I haven’t felt this way before. I’d like for you to connect with your human side so we can share this feeling. But I understand and respect your hesitation. I am worried about what will happen when you unlock your memories, especially with your physical scars. As for my preferences, well… It would be easier to ask what I am not into,” I inform him, a dark, flirtatious note in my tone.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I find myself nodding in understanding, but remember I’m talking on the phone and have to say something. ”Right, yes. Yes, that makes sense,” I agree. ”It’s brave of you to want to bridge that gap between the mortal and supernatural worlds as well. It’s one reason why I have a shop,” I state and then freeze. Crap. Now I’m giving information freely? Dammit, Cassiopeia. ”I mean, well, uh…” I sigh loudly and finish my drink. ”The shop allows me to conduct business with the humans and help them, whether it's just the confidence to go about their normal days or if they truly did encounter something supernatural, like you, then it provides me with a way to hunt down the creatures.”

The human world considered what I did to be magic or witchcraft, or nowadays, it was grounds for being called crazy. That was furthest from it. Disney and Hollywood really messed up a lot of things, but they didn’t miss the mark on the persecution we went through and still go through. My shop did well enough so that I made a living, but it wasn't easy keeping it afloat. I had lost count of how many times it had been broken into or vandalized over the years. People still feared the strange and unusual, and if they thought I was the most bizarre thing out there, well, I was happy to take the fall for it if it kept them safe from the real monsters that go bump in the night.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Caden’s Mansion - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I close my eyes, relaxing as he continues talking, almost as if I could just fall asleep in his arms like this. Finding myself playing with a little bit of hair on the nape of his neck, I let out little mhm’s and other noises of agreement as he spoke. He explains what I’m feeling much better than I can and I can’t help but a bit envious. But he’s right, if I want to be all in, getting to know my human side will help. My hands freeze as he answers my last string of questions, catching the shift in his tone. I fidget a little in his lap as I lift my head just enough to peer at him. ”Okay, I’ll bite.” I say, a smirk slipping onto my face as I raise an eyebrow. ”What aren’t you into?”

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Nic Wu

Location: Nic’s Apartment - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Even though the conversation has shifted into something more serious, I still find myself smiling as she gives away some information about herself freely, finally. ”Wait,” I say, sitting up again after her last statement. ”You actively hunt down monsters? It wasn’t just a one time thing for me and my dad?” My mind buzzes with questions. Does she do this alone? How did she stay safe? Is there a supernatural equivalent of a first aid kit that she needs? My desire to help her grows in size hearing this. If it’s been anything like dystopian shows, it might mean she’s cutting corners when it came to her health.