[IC] Chicago After Hours

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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

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”You’re welcome to come and peruse them. If you want to make updates, you could in a notebook. The history is sound, though, when it comes to killing or disposing of creatures. That doesn’t change as time wears on. Healing people from a supernatural ailment, well, that usually calls for a supernatural cure. A shtriga, for example, puts children into comas after feeding on them so they can feed again. There is no cure for the children until the shtriga is killed.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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I rejoin the group, sitting next to Nic on the couch, and picking up my bowl of ice cream. I cross my legs and eat happily, looking at the plants from a different angle.

”Your knowledge will be valuable, I’m sure, Nic. There will just be some finessing.”

[Donut Look Now]

Nic Wu

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

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”Oh I wouldn’t dream of updating the actual books, don’t worry.” I assure Caden, taking a couple more spoonfuls of the ice cream before adding shtriga to my notes. Cass comes and sits next to me on the couch, adorably eating her own ice cream. I nod to her observation. ”I really hope so, I want to be of help to both of you.”

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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”You do enough, Nic. You're the head nurse at Chicago Med for goddess sakes. You save a lot of people every day,” I remind him.

Caden nods in agreement, finishing off his ice cream. ”We’ll teach you what you need to notice for supernatural attacks, some of the more noticeable signs.. In some ways, you’ll be the first line of information for all of us. Up until now, we usually wait for the police to inform us.”

”Speaking of the police, we’ll need to go into the station tomorrow,” I reminded Caden, pointing my spoon at him.

”Yes, yes. I’ll pick you up in the morning. I already told Costa we would meet him at the station.” I smile and nod, returning to my ice cream.

”Another thing about the treaty, Nic — and this we don’t always listen to — the police or the government don’t want us interfering with cases unless asked to advise. It is maddeningly frustrating, but they still think they have the answers to everything because they are human and we are the ‘monsters’.”

"Idiots," I grumble into my ice cream.

[Donut Look Now]

Nic Wu

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

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Nodding, I find myself agreeing. ”I can do that, yeah.” It would be helpful for someone in my position to be able to alert these two of anything suspicious going on. When Caden brought up the humans vs ‘monsters’, I wince a little because that was my first thought too. But after getting the chance to actually meet them and get to know them, they’re obviously not just monsters. “Leave it up to the government here to think they know better than the actual experts.” I say in agreement with Cass’s observation. Before returning to my dessert.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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”Authority over others has never changed. Not in the last 300 years at least,” I state and set my ice cream aside. I pick my wine back up again and swirl it around my glass.

My eyes wander and I find a plant that could use some attention. I whisper a few words in Latin. The scissors lift on their own and go over to look after the plant for me. I take a sip of my wine and continue to look around the room.

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Caden

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

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I watched the scissors float away to go about the task Cassi clearly didn’t want to do at the moment. I sip my wine and look at Nic.

”Your world will never be the same again, mate. There is one book I can let you borrow. It’s the treaty we signed and the conditions, all the factions, and other supernatural creatures in Chicago. If you make sure your dad can’t come across it, you can borrow it for as long as you need.”

[Donut Look Now]

Nic Wu

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

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Cass’s observation on government doesn’t surprise me. It’s hard enough to be something other than ‘normal’ in todays age, I don’t want to think what either of these beings had to experience or witness in the last three hundred years. ”I’d appreciate that. Oh, and don’t worry about my dad, he hasn’t even said anything about everything since we left Cass’s.” I’m pretty sure he’s just trying to forget it all and in my opinion, that’s better for him.

”Is there a spell I could put on my notebook to make it more secure, though?” I think that will make them feel better about letting me take notes.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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”Ooo! Like if someone else opens it, it’s just a fairytale or some medical notes?” I asked, suddenly excited. I loved disguising spells. ”Caden, go get the book.” I untangled myself from the couch and got up. The scissors continued to float around, going about their task while I went to get some sandalwood from the plant, and candles.

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Caden

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

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I chuckled, shaking my head and set my wine down. ”While I’m up, can I get you anything else, Nic?” I offer.

[Donut Look Now]

Nic Wu

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

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A little startled, but mostly amused by Cass’s sudden enthusiasm, I shake my head at Caden. ”I think I’m good, but thank you. You’ve been such a gracious host.” I tell him with a smile before I start watching Cass run around excitedly. ”Is this how she usually reacts to spell requests?” I ask Caden with a chuckle.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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

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I look back at Cassi as she piles candles onto the table, completely in her own world. I smile fondly. ”Sometimes. Not everything is fun, though. Or for a good reason.” With that, I leave the sunroom to go and retrieve the book. Which is in my office.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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I speak and hum to myself as I set up the candles and crush up the sandalwood leaves in a mortar and pestle. I sprinkle a little over one of the candles and light it with a wave of my hand, the other 11 following suit. I turn and look at Nic, scanning his body before landing on his head.

”Can I have a bit of hair from your head?”

[Donut Look Now]

Nic Wu

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

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I furrow my brow at Caden’s last comment, but he’s leaving before I can ask any follow-up and Cass is looking at me like I’m the canary and she’s the cat. ”You’re not going to be cursing me, are you?” I tease, but I bow my head towards her so she can take what she needs.

”Try not to mess up my good look, my beauty is dependent on my hair.”

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Nero

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

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Bored of the 13th century books for now, I head towards Caden’s office to see what else I can borrow to entertain myself. It’s hard for me not to try to spy or eavesdrop on the dinner and reading medieval literature was not captivating enough for me.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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”I save curses for special people,” I say before plucking hair from his head. I turn and add it to the sandalwood concoction I am making. ”There, now the book will only reveal its true form to you. Once we have the book, I can spell it, and it will last up to six months.”

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Caden

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

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I reach my office and go over to my desk. I open up the bottom drawer and pull out the right book. It almost looks like a ledger, but it has all the papers outlining the treaty, rules and regulations, as well as all the supernatural creatures that resided in Chicago at the time of the treaty and those that have entered the city after for sanctuary.

I tuck the book under my arm and close the drawer before heading to the door. I glance around, seeing no evidence of Nero being in here besides the books he had been reading earlier and his clothes. I wondered how they were doing.

[Donut Look Now]

Nic Wu

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

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I felt the little pinch as she took my hair and straightened to watch her work again. ”That’s so cool.” I say as I grin lopsidedly at her. ”Would a regular human like me ever be able to learn spells?” Curiosity was back in full swing.

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Nero

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

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About to prance into Caden’s office, I stop myself short so that I don’t run into the brick wall that is him. ”Oh, hello.” I say with a tilt of my head. I wonder if he might still be mad at me for earlier and I have to bite my lip to keep from smirking at the memory. ”Is the party over?”

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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”Not in the same way I do. You have to be born a sorcerer. You could become a witch, but that involves dealing with demons. You could be a Wiccan, too. They deal in karma and manifestations more than anything, but they ‘make’ and ‘sell’ spells. They are annoying, but they think what they are doing is witchcraft. What they do doesn’t hurt none, and it makes them feel good,” I say and shrug.

I wave my hand over a flame and whisper a word. The flame splits and pops into my hand. It dances around my fingertips before vanishing.

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Caden

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

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I nearly collided with Nero when I reached the door. I smile when I see them, though, relieved in an odd way. I didn’t realize I had been wound that tight this evening.

”Hello gorgeous. Unfortunately no. Nic wants some reading material,” I say, patting the book under my arm. ”And what have you been up to? I sent food up to the room. Was it to your liking?”

[Donut Look Now]

Nic Wu

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

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My jaw drops a little as I stare at Cass’s fingers as she plays with the flame. Maybe i should be a little disappointed that I can’t perform magic without making a deal with a demon, but I’m too busy being amazed by her. ”Well, I definitely don’t want to make a deal with a demon anytime soon.” I say with a smile. ”Are there many sorcerers around?”

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Nero

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

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Pouting for a moment that it’s not over, I peek at the book under Caden’s arm, trying to see what it is. ”Well, I’ve been absolutely bored without you, but the food was good, thank you. However, I’m afraid if I could have, I would’ve fallen asleep by now from sheer lack of excitement.”

I step closer so I can beam up at Caden. ”How’s the night gone so far? Did the human faint again?”

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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”No, no you do not,” I say fiercely. I look at Nic when he questions other sorcerers, and I look away, staring at the flickering candles. ”There are… but I’m the last of my family line,” I say hesitantly. Maybe it’s the atmosphere, the alcohol, or maybe I do trust Nic, but I don’t mind telling him that, even though it makes me incredibly sad.

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Caden

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

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Nero steps closer to me, peering up at me with wide, searching eyes. I chuckle, closing the gap further with another step. I really can’t help myself around them. I was completely screwed.

I reach up and brush my thumb under their eye. ”No, Nic has not fainted again. He’s rather enthusiastic about our world and adamant about helping. He will have to re-meet you soon if he wants to help.” I wasn’t going to keep banishing Nero to my room anytime Nic was around. He was just going to have to get used to it, like Cassi.

[Donut Look Now]

Nic Wu

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

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”I’m sorry.” I tell her truthfully as I stand up. Having a silent debate in my mind for a second, I decide to pull her into a gentle hug and wrap my arms around her. ”Sorry, I probably should have asked if I could hug you.” I admit, but I don’t let go. ”Please don’t change your mind on cursing me now.”

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Nero

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

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I lean my head a little into Caden’s hand, enjoying his touch. ”I’ll make sure not to tease him this time around.” I say impishly with a smirk before I tap my chin in thought. ”Maybe I could give him something as an apology? What do humans like these days.” I definitely don’t want to be missing everything like this. I start to wiggle and fidget a little bit at the thought. ”It’s been so hard to stay put away.”

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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I start when Nic hugs me off in my own world. He apologies, but doesn’t move to let go. I find myself not wanting him to let go. I hug him back, laughing.

”You really are a huggy person, aren’t you? I don’t recommend hugging anything that wants to curse or eat you, though. They are much less touchy-feely creatures,” I tease him.

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Caden

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

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When he leans into my touch, it takes all my willpower not to drop the book and pick it up. I really need to get back to the others, or I won’t be going back. I snort when they suggest getting Nic a present.

”Humans like things that are alive, not dead. They also like things that weren’t stolen or contain curses. Maybe a gift card to a coffee shop,” I tease Nero.

I shuffle past them, having to make distance between us. ”When I return, I’ll tell you how many times your lovely name came up in conversation.” I wink at them and turn around to walk back.

[Donut Look Now]

Nic Wu

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

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This revelation about her hit a little close to home for me and I try not to cringe at what I said about her family yesterday. Cass teases me back, so I chuckle along with her, happy that she didn’t hit me or anything. ”You know that scene from Elf where he tries to hug a raccoon? I resonate with that a lot.” I rub her back gently for a moment before I break the hug by stepping a little back and noticing I messed her hair up a little. ”Oops, sorry.” I say, tucking a strand behind her ear.

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Nero

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

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I playfully glare up at him as he teases me. ”Well, that makes my list of possibilities significantly shorter.” Too soon, Caden removes his hand and starts to leave. ”Wait, that’s just rude of you to leave on that note.” Crossing my arms, I watch as he walks away with a huge pout. I’m going to make him regret that.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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I laugh at the reference and release him from the hug as well. He goes to tuck my hair away, and I find my eyes locked on his for a moment. I’m suddenly aware of how alone we are and how close we are. I blush and quickly look away, picking up my wine glass and drinking.

”So, did you get all the questions you had answered today?” Caden, where the hell are you?

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Caden

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

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I don’t stop, even when Nero comments. I just keep walking, glancing out the back door to the pool to see some of the staff in the hot tub. I smiled, glad they took advantage when they could. Further in the backyard, behind a copse of trees, I had another home built for my staff. It contained a large kitchen, two living rooms, a games room, a large dining room, and a dozen or so rooms. Not everyone chose to stay in the home, but I was there for late nights or those who had nowhere else to go.

I make my way back into the sunroom. I thought about apologizing for taking so long, but I didn’t want to explain why. I glance between Nic and Cass. Something happened here. I chose to let it slide and hand Cassi the book.

”Here you go.”

[Donut Look Now]

Nic Wu

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

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My eyes held hers for a moment and I glanced at her lips for a moment before she broke the stare. I caught the blush on her face and cleared my throat to turn and grab my own glass of wine, hoping she doesn’t catch my red ears. ”Oh, um, yeah” I answer her question lamely and then Caden walks in. I sit immediately, putting more distance between me and Cass. ”Welcome back.” I try to say in a normal tone and smile at Caden.