[IC] Chicago After Hours

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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I walk with Nic into the dining room, smiling at his shock and awe of Caden's house. If only he knew, I thought to myself. I picked a chair on the long side, next to Caden's usual seat at the head of the table. I look at Nic and nod.

"It wouldn't be a bad idea to do one for him either. I can even give him something so he doesn't feel the pain while I am doing it," I say.

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Caden

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

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I chuckle from Nic's reaction. Most people I bring here don't say that, mainly because they are trying to look or fit a certain image.

"Thank you, Nic. It is one of my more favourite homes. I took great pride in having it designed. After supper, I should show you the sunroom. Cassiopeia graciously designed that one for me."

Cassi perked up at the word 'sunroom'. "I should check on the plants... taking any cuttings and transplant them if they need it. Have your ---."

"Yes, Cass. The staff have been diligently following your instructions to a T. I am certain they do rock paper scissors to switch their rotation if they are on plant duty." I wish I was joking. I had actually seen them doing it once.

[Donut Look Now]

Nic Wu

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

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”I’d love that if it’s not an inconvenience.” I say after a small chuckle at their interaction, making a little note to maybe show Cass my houseplants at some point. My life is too busy usually to take care of a pet, but my plants have been my little babies for the past couple of years. I’d never had an affinity for gardening before, but I did thorough research to ensure they stayed alive.

I took the seat across from Cassi, not wanting to sit at the head of the table, and look at her. ”I figure if anyone can convince him to get a tattoo, it’d be his future daughter-in-law.” Teasing, I throw her a wink and a grin.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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

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I pause when I hear Nic's grand pronouncement. I glance at Cassi who is rolling her eyes.

"I've missed something. Cass, when were you going to tell me? I'm hurt," I mock. She groans and puts her head into her hands.

"There ain't enough whiskey in the world for me to 'andle you two," she says, the Scottish accent coming in strong and I laugh.

"Simmer, love, simmer," I tease her. I take all the covers off the plates at the center of the table. "I hope you don't mind, Nic. I told me chef we were having a guest and they took the Asian theme and ran with it." There was fresh tempera stuffed with chicken, cold cucumber salad, and rice.

[Donut Look Now]

Nic Wu

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

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Is Cassi drunk? I laugh along with Caden at her reaction to all of this before I grin at Caden. “As long as they washed the rice, I don’t mind at all. Thank you for having me over for dinner, I appreciate it.” I tell him, the smell of the dishes releasing into the air and creating a pleasant aroma. ”If you couldn’t tell, my father is very grateful to you and Cassi. I’m sure he would’ve offered the same marriage invitation to you if you were there too.” I throw a wink at Caden.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills: Notice; Shapeshifting

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I chuckle and raise my glass in salute. ”Tempting offer, but I’m afraid I am not a marriage kind of man,” I said honestly. I waited for the other two to make their plates before I made my own.

”Does your father work, Nic?” I wasn’t sure if Nic still wanted to talk about the supernatural community while he couldn’t take notes, but he could take the conversation over again if he wanted. I was just making small talk at the moment.

[Donut Look Now]

Nic Wu

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

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I loaded up my plate, feeling hungrier after the sushi somehow. ”He and my mom owned a corner store and lived above it. I think he’ll probably start working again after a little time’s passed.” I tell Caden. Taking my first bite of the tempura almost makes me moan, it’s that good. I take a bite of everything, amazed that the food is this delicious. ”You weren’t kidding about his chef, Cass.” I tell her after I’ve swallowed everything. ”Oh, I noticed Caden calls you Cassi - do you have a preference what I call you?” It wasn’t a habit of mine to shorten people’s names or give them nicknames unless they told me they preferred it.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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I swallow before I speak and nod. ”Ya, I usually come here three times a week, or Caden brings me food.” I didn’t always remember to cook for myself. Sometimes, I genuinely forgot.

”Oh, um, no. Cassiopeia, Cass, Cassi. I respond to anything, really.”

”Katze.”

I frown at Caden, recognizing the German word for cat, thanks to Nero. ”Except that,” I say and keep eating.

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills: Notice; Shapeshifting

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I chuckle. ”Nero came up with their own nickname for Cassi since she asks so many questions. She doesn’t seem to like being called a cat, even though she claims she once was one.”

[Donut Look Now]

Nic Wu

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

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I choke on my food, almost snorting in laughter. Pounding on my chest a couple of times, I swallow and take a drink of my water. ”I was literally thinking she looked like a cat earlier during sushi.” I tell Caden before turning to Cass. ”Don’t worry, I’m not going to call you a cat… out loud at least.” With a cheeky wink, I grin.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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”Do you two want me to leave? I can leave. I’d much rather go swimming with Henry. At least they appreciate my company and don’t feel the need to tease me every 60 seconds,” I said, frustrated.

Caden chuckled and focused back on his food. ”Heard and understood.”

[Donut Look Now]

Nic Wu

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

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I put my hands up in surrender. ”Roger that.” I say, going back to eating before I end up teasing her again. ”Oh, speaking of Henry, Caden, do you have any staff openings for a nurse?” I jokingly ask after a few bites. It’s not like I would actually leave my current job, but my boss doesn’t let me take the rest of the night off to go swimming. With only a few bites left of everything on my plate, I was starting to feel full.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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

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My eyes sparkle while looking at Nic. ”I’m sure my staff would love a personal nurse. My hiring process is quite lengthy though,” I warn him, going along with the joke easily enough. It was probably best to just leave Cassi be for a moment.

[Donut Look Now]

Nic Wu

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

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Finishing the last bites of my food, I gently push my plate away from me. ”Actually, that reminds me of a question I had. How much of your staff is human?” Maybe I can help them with first aid kits or something, even if Cass insists that she’s the first aid kit, but she can’t possibly be everywhere at once.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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

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”All of them, except one,” I tell Nic. I finish my own meal and lean back in my seat with my drink. I glance at Cassiopeia, but she is still happily picking away at her meal, enjoying that the attention isn’t on her for the time being.

[Donut Look Now]

Nic Wu

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

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The answer surprises me. ”And do they all know… everything then?” I ask in a follow-up question. My fingers twitch to start collecting plates, but I’m not sure how that will be received, so I politely fold them in my lap to placate myself.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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

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”They do. I vetted everyone, although I do confess that some were not up to the task and were dismissed. A few of them, I had to take action to protect the supernatural community. I assure you they are living their lives well enough and are taken care of even though they are no longer part of everyday society,” I tell him truthfully.

[Donut Look Now]

Nic Wu

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

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Nodding, I pick up my water and finish it. Every action I have seen from Caden so far has supported that he wants to protect his community more than anything else. ”So, how long have you been in Chicago?” I ask him. ”If that’s okay to ask.”

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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

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”I’ve been here for ten months doing some consulting work with the police. It’s not my first time in Chicago, but the last time I was here was five years ago,” I tell Nic.

[Donut Look Now]

Nic Wu

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

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I nod along before I stopping myself. What had Caden just say about the staff? ”Wait, if anyone else would’ve killed me for uncovering the truth… What happened to those you’ve dismissed?” Did I want to know? No. Did my insatiable curiosity need to, though? Probably not, but here we are. ”Or should I not ask…” I trail off, glancing between Caden and Cass.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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

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I watch Nic closely for a minute. It did surprise me that he didn’t question me on that. He seemed concerned with Nero’s meat suit but dismissed the fact that I had to deal with some of my ex-staff. I look at Cassiopeia — who has stopped eating.

I look at my drink and swirl the liquid around. ”I’ll tell you if you really want to know, Nic. I am no stranger to judgment, and I am far from perfect. I have been alive for three hundred years and have made some unpleasant decisions for my protection and the safety of others.”

[Donut Look Now]

Nic Wu

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

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Stunned, I nearly choke. ”You’ve been alive for three hundred years?” I mean I know ‘immortal god’ would mean he could live awhile, but I did not expect that. Shaking my head as if to tell myself no, I say, ”Sorry, not the important part.” I rub the back of my neck and shoulder, staring off on a very specific part of the tablecloth rather than look into either of their eyes. ”Were they given a fair chance?” I ask in a smaller voice.