[IC] Chicago After Hours

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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

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I release my hold on Nero to allow them to sit up more easily. I smirk at the question and look into their eyes.

”Necrophilia. Bestiality. Although, that last one is a bit of a blur since I can shift to any form. Sexuality, race, Creed, religion, or gender has never influenced my choices. I've been around too long and experienced too many world changes to put stipulations on such things.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
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Good going, Cassiopeia, I mentally berate myself. ”No, it's a weekly thing for me. Some hunts are easier than others. The Chimera was a team effort, but I've taken down a few vampires and werewolves on my own. Other sorcerer's are easy, they can be tricky though. It's the creatures that are old or travel in packs that you usually have to watch out for,” I briefly explain.

This was why I didn't want to talk. It was hard not to jump to this conversation since I was a supernatural entity.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

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

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I find myself trying to nod, but I didn’t really give myself enough room to actually do so. “Okay, maybe I should try to get some more of my humanity unlocked because…” My face flushes again and I bite my lip, avoiding eye contact again. ”If just kissing you feels like this now…” Fidgeting again, I keep the next part to myself. I can’t imagine what it will be like if I’m connected with my humanity again. Instead of saying that though, I go down a different thought line. “Did you really mean I could stay here while I do that? I can bring some of my collection to entertain you in return.”

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Nic Wu

Location: Nic’s Apartment - Chicago, IL
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I wanted to ask more, but I remind myself that that’s what tonight will be for. “Okay, I know that I should save a lot of my questions for tonight, but as your new nurse, I need to ask - do you have a first aid kit when you do that?” I tried to keep my tone light, wanting her to know it was more of a joke. If she’s handled herself this well so far, I probably didn’t need to worry about her but… that was like asking the sun not to shine. It’s what I do for my friends. Wait, do I consider her a friend now?

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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

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I laugh and nod, brushing their cheek with my hand, and I nod. ”Yes, everything would be far more enjoyable for you, I am sure,” I say suggestively before I kiss them once.

I’m sure they would enjoy themselves regardless, but the sense might respond differently. Then again, I am not a demon, so I don’t know how they interpret human things. I think being in a body rather than being smoke probably improves a lot of things for them.

I smile when they ask if it’s really okay that they stay. ”It’s more than okay,” I assure them. ”Collections or not, your presence is a welcomed one. If you are staying, perhaps a tour of the house?”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
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I laugh hysterically when he asks me that. I can’t help it. It’s just so, cute? I force myself to stop laughing. ”Nic, I healed your dad, remember? I am a first aid kit.” It’s positively adorable that he thinks he needs to worry about my health. I’ve survived plagues, an attempt at burning, and so many more life-threatening injuries over my many years of life. Nic was far more fragile than I in that regard.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

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

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”A tour might help us… Slow down a bit too.” I say with a tilt of my head. ”But I definitely will be bringing you more presents.” With a smirk, I kiss him once more before I leap off his lap. ”Alright, let’s start with your room then.” I say shamelessly, putting my hands behind my back again and swing one of my legs.

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Nic Wu

Location: Nic’s Apartment - Chicago, IL
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I roll my eyes, chuckling. ”Alright, I guess that’s a fair point.” I admit to her while getting up off my couch to pace around again. I want to make sure everything’s in order for when Jane gets here.

“I’m still going to make you one though.”

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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

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I chuckle and lean forward before standing. ”Oh yes, starting with the bedroom first. That’ll definitely slow us down,” I state. I finish my drink and move to set it down on the table before moving to my desk. ”Which bedroom would you like to see first?” I open up one of my desk drawers and pull out a sheet of fabric to wrap around the stone tablet. The fabric helps to keep moisture off and protects it from light damage.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
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I laugh, shaking my head. ”That isn’t necessary, Nic. Make one for someone who truly needs it. I’m fine,” I assure him. I had been looking after myself for a couple hundred years now; Nic did not need to look after me. If anything, I would have to look after him. Especially if, after tonight, he still wanted to hunt down things.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
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I laugh, spinning around to look at something else that caught my attention in the room. ”Wait,” I turn back around to face him, finding him wrapping the stone in a sheet of cloth. ”Are you telling me you have more than one bedroom for yourself?” Brow raised, I prance over to him to get the answer, finding an empty spot on his desk to sit.

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Nic Wu

Location: Chicago, IL
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”Okay, so I’ll make you a few and you can give them to people who might need them.” I continue to tease, smiling to myself despite it. I open my fridge and make a mental note to order a grocery delivery for tonight, otherwise there’d be nothing for my dad, let alone Jane and her girlfriend, to eat.

”Alright, so tell me what I should bring to Caden’s.” I say, changing the subject and straightening from looking through my fridge. Even when my parents had nothing, they always made sure to bring a gift to any house they visited as guests. ”Would he like a first aid kit?”

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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

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I glance at Nero as I tuck the tablet away for safekeeping. I smirk and nod. ”Not everyone gets to see my whole house. This office, for example. Cassi is the only one aside from my staff that knows of it. And now you. I have a private bedroom for myself, as well as a dining and living space. The part you were in yesterday is for the public. Likewise, I have a bedroom there that I use when I bring nighttime guests home.” I lean forward and rest my hands on the desk. ”So tell me, Nero. Which side of me would you like to see first?”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
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I smirk, finding his need to help amusing and adorable. ”I’ll use the utmost discretion when handing out first aid kits. However, I will push more natural herbs and items first,” I inform him. ”As for Caden, he’s immortal, so, you’re good on that front. Maybe a bottle of something strong? I don’t know. Once you try the food his chef prepares, it's hard to go back to eating anything else,” I say, so he doesn’t feel the need to bring a food item.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
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I swear, if my face could have its own animations, my eyes would be sparkling right now. ”Okay, I don’t think you can get any more interesting even if you try.” I say, wiggling a little in excitement. I nibble on my bottom lip as I try and think about it. ”Which one do you want to show me last?” I ask instead.

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Nic Wu

Location: Chicago, IL
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”How about this then,” I tell her. ”We start making first aid kits together.” I chuckle before moving on to the second part of her answer. ”So… how rich are we talking about? Do I need to go buy a suit for dinner? I’m a little nervous now.”

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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

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I smile and walk around the desk. I reach out for Nero’s hand. ”Komm mit mir, mein kleiner Streuner.” Once they take my hand, I lead them from the office and back towards the central portion of the house. I gesture to the white and glass living room as we pass. ”You already know this to be the living room and outside the pool,” I say and look back at him with a grin. ”Everyone sees this first. It holds some of my more interesting collections, like the swords.” I point them out again, but don’t let us linger long. I take Nero down a hallway and point out the washroom they used already. Further down the hallway are a set of rooms and a sunroom.

”These are guests bedrooms,” I explain. ”The sunroom is for them to use in the morning, but it's full of all sorts of plants that like the morning sun. Cassiopeia set it up for me. She has an affinity for plants,” I explain.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
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I find myself genuinely smiling at his offer. I know it’s a bad idea and probably won't work, but I can’t help it. ”That would be fun,” I say. I find I mean it, too. It would be fun to work alongside Nic. I just don’t know if he’ll want to do that once he realizes how deep the supernatural world is.

”Oh, he’s stupid rich,” I inform Nic. ”But no, you don’t need to dress formally. This’ll be a casual supper,” I assure him.

Translations

Come with me my little stray.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
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Why do I love these nicknames he has for me? Luckily only my ears warm at the stray comment and I’m being led around. ”And I was just getting over my grand entrance this morning.” I playfully pout when he mentions the pool and grins at me. I’m almost sad when Caden doesn’t let us linger by the swords, but it’s probably for the best right now - that will be for another time. It’s cute how almost excited he is to show me everything. ”So, am I staying in one of these rooms then?” I ask, peering around him to get a good look at everything. The plants did make everything feel cozy.

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Nic Wu

Location: Chicago, IL
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Genuinely happy about the idea of making these kits with her, I smile. “Okay how about…” I try to rack my brain for something that I could have to bring to Caden’s supper but it comes up blank. ”Alright, I got nothing. What would an immortal rich being even want?” I squeeze the bridge of my nose. I’m happy I don’t have to dress up - if this were going to be a common thing, Both Cassiopeia and Caden would learn fast that I only have one good suit.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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”If you want,” I say with a smile and a nod. I walk into one of the bedrooms to give Nero more of a chance to look around. ”These ones don’t have private washrooms, but the phone connects you to the staff, so you can ask for anything you may want or need.” The bedrooms were set up well with queen-sized beds, an armoire, a small seating area with a table, and a TV. There was a phone on one bedside table and some of my collection pieces. Nothing was of major importance in this room, though; it was more for taste and appearance. Everything was washed in white with neutral tones. The sunroom really was what made this side more inviting for guests.

”Come along, much more to see,” I inform him. I take him back to the living room and then up the glass stairs. There was a larger guest room with an attached bath, but only one upstairs. It was set up similarly to the ones downstairs, just with a king-size bed instead and more room around things. On the opposite side was a room with wide windows overlooking the backyard. It was a sort of sitting room. There were finer art collections here, including some rare paintings. I had Turner’s Alps Snowstorm from the 18th-century sublime period on one wall and Fredrich’s Wanderer above the fireplace. They were both conversational and beautiful pieces, which is why I had them placed in this room. I also used this room to get to know people; talking about art was a wonderful way to get to know someone.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
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There were a few things I knew Caden liked. Mainly collectables, good drinks, and stimulating company. There were other things, but I was pretty sure Nero was looking after that with him. ”We can pick up a bottle of wine if you really want, but I wouldn’t worry so much about it. Not tonight.”

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
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”Why these pieces?” I ask, genuinely curious about the artwork. I tug on Caden’s hand to pull him along with me as I traipse over to get a closer look. ”I have artwork as well, I mean, but… it’s more of having it for the sake of hoarding than how I feel when looking at it.” I turn to look up at him with an excited look again. ”We can add that to the pros list for humanity.” I said, beaming. I want to ask which room is closest to his, but I’m also worried that will come off as clingy.

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Nic Wu

Location: Chicago, IL
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”I’d like to do that if that’s okay.” I tell her honestly. These people were the reason I felt like I could live again. It’s the least I can do. I have both the need to repay them both hanging over me and the traditions my parents my parent drilled into me shouting in my mind. I feel like I need to make up for the way I acted both times I met Cassiopeia and Caden the day before. I take a deep breath. ”It would help ease my mind if I could do this.”

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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I follow Nero into the room, looking up at Turner’s work and smiling. ”Why do you think I picked these ones?” I release his hand and step behind Nero. I slip my arms around his waist and hold them. ”What do you feel?” I ask, whispering in their ear.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
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”Okay.. We can stop somewhere, and I’ll help you pick out a bottle,” I say. At least I know what Caden would like, and I can also keep it within Nic’s price range.

”Oh, do you have any allergies? I can text Caden if you do to make sure the chef prepares something within your taste.”

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
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His whisper tickles my ear and I wiggle in his arms, scrunching closer against him as I try to think of an answer instead of focusing on his touch. ”Not feeling much about art right now if I’m totally honest.” I laugh and try to concentrate on the pieces again. ”One of them seems painful… the other seems lonely?”

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Nic Wu

Location: Chicago, IL
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”Thank you.” I say, happy to find an arrangement that worked. ”Not really allergies so much as Asian heritage.” I find myself laughing as I go to explain that. ”I’m lactose intolerant. My mom always makes…” I let the sentence trail off when I realize I was talking about her in present tense like she was still around.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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I chuckle and can’t help but place a kiss on Nero’s neck. ”That’s fair. I’m distracted as well.” However, their answers give me pause, and I look up at the paintings. I examine them from Nero’s perspective and nod. ’I can see that, the struggle of the group in one versus the isolation of the other.” I nod, staying silent for a moment as I look at the both of them.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
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I start writing down Nic’s allergies to milk when he falls silent. I realize what he’s gone and done, and I stay silent for a while, too. ”It’ll get easier,” I tell him. ”It might not be for a while, but one day that hole won’t feel so deep.”

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Caden’s Mansion - Chicago, IL
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The kiss he plants on my neck causes a shiver up my spine and I wiggle a little bit again before he responds to my observation. “I think you’re the cause of both our distractions right now.” I mumble, but I tilt my head so that I can see Caden’s face a little better. It’s kind of stupid how attractive he is at almost any angle and I pout a little about the fact before I break the silence.

“So what do you feel?”

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Nic Wu

Location: Chicago, IL
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My eyes are welling up, nodding along with what Cassiopeia is saying before I remember she can’t see me. “You’re right,” My voice is a little strained as I try not to let the immense sadness I feel for my mom seep into my tone. “I mean, I know you’re right, but I wish sometimes I could just turn off the emotions for a bit…” I put my phone on speaker mode and start distracting myself by putting together a grocery delivery.

“So, do you have any allergies?” I ask in an attempt to change the subject.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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I knew I was not helping to keep us focused, but the tour was more exciting this way. I looked up at the artwork again. ”Beauty, power, strength. Conquering the unconquerable. But also respect,” I said, looking at the portrait for the last part. I glanced down at Nero and smirked. ”Don’t get me started on talking about art, or we’ll never move forward.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
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I fiddle with my hair while he speaks. Death and loss were such a hard topic to discuss or comfort people on. Everyone dealt with grief differently. I was glad when Nic decided to change the topic. It was another question about me, but I was happy to go along with it this time.

”Nothing, actually. But I don’t like tomatoes. It's a texture thing, I think, but also, they taste like dirt. Just gross.”

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Caden’s Mansion - Chicago, IL
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I mirror his smirk back up at him before standing on my tiptoes so I could kiss the tip of his nose.“Okay, but we’re definitely going to at some point because you’re too adorable when you’re talking about art.” I duck out under his arms to escape his hold and spin around to offer my hand. ”Where to next?” I ask with a little bob of my head.

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Nic Wu

Location: Nic’s Apartment - Chicago, IL
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Grateful that she followed my lead, I finish the grocery order and put the phone off of speaker. I snort at her response. “I can understand the texture, but… dirt?” The timing was impeccable since I had just added some tomatoes to the order. I chuckle and go on to tease her. “You wash your fruits and vegetables before eating them right?” I walk back to my couch and flop onto it once again.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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My eyes widened with surprise at the small kiss and the comment. I’m adorable? Nero moves quickly in only the way Nero can and I find myself chuckling. I reach out and take his hand.

”Do you want to see the kitchens or the other side of the house?” I ask.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
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I groan. This is why I don’t talk about myself. ”Of course I do! And besides that, tomatoes don’t even grow in the ground. I know it doesn’t make sense, but that’s all I could think of to compare them to. They’re just, ick. I don’t get their purpose.”

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Caden’s Mansion - Chicago, IL
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I purse my lips as I think about it. “While I’m sure your kitchen is immaculate and as shiny as everything else, I don’t need to see it.” Every part of the house he’s shown me so far has been perfect as if designed by an interior architect, but I want to see his side now, not the kitchen. Smiling, I give him a mock salute with my free hand. ”Lead the way good sir!” I mockingly command of him.

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Nic Wu

Location: Nic’s Apartment - Chicago, IL
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I laugh again, hearing the mild frustration in her voice. ”Hey, I just gotta make sure since we had to have a whole social media campaign to teach white people to wash their rice.” I pause, sitting up. ”Wait, I need to know if you wash your rice.” My tone is serious, but I just want to tease her further.