[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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Cassiopeia narrows her eyes at Nero when they speak German. She heard the tone just as well as I did, though, and knows that whatever he said was meant to be condescending or teasing.

”Kätzchen means kitten,” I inform her. ”You remind them of a cat.” My eyes shift to watch Nero walk over to Cassiopeia. I can tell they are doing it for my benefit, but I don’t mind.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
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I’m grateful for Caden’s translation but it doesn’t make me any happier. It surprises me a bit since I’ve always envisioned myself as a cat, but I don’t like that Nero points this out. Do they know something I don’t?

He sits next to me, and I frown. ”No, nothing yet. All the lore just says how Bellerophon fights the Chimera. Nothing about trapping or luring it. Bellerophon just knew of her location and confronted her in order to prove himself and live.”

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

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

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I catch Cassiopeia’s frown and smirk, stopping myself from calling her kitten again. Her reactions are just too adorable when teased. She reminds me of the saying ‘Curiosity killed the cat’, but satisfaction hasn’t brought her back yet. I could tell she still has many more questions she’s dying to ask me. ”Sounds like our first step is know the Beastie’s movement. Do you think you could make some sort of tracking spell for it?” I ask her. ”Or do we think a modern human device can do it?” I look over at Caden and cross my legs, bouncing one of my feet.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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I flip a few more pages in one of the books I was looking through. I slow and stop, thinking about Nero’s suggestion. I tap the table. ”I could try. It would be better if I had something from the creature or something they touched last,” I confess. I could scry for it, but a locator spell would be more accurate.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

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

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I nod, thinking about it. ”Would Lì Wu’s body work?” Hopefully it hadn’t been cremated or anything yet. ”Since that was the last victim.” I further clarify. Finding something it touched that isn’t a victim is going to be a tall order and I couldn’t just send peons at it unless I ensured that the flesh suits were already dead prior to possession.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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”Ideally, yes,” I stated. I glanced at Caden before looking back at Nero. I was worried about disturbing Nic’s late mother. I know it was necessary and needed to be done, but I felt like we were going behind Nic’s back now.

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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”It’s either that or we wait for another attack,” I remind Cassi. She nods slowly. It wasn’t an ideal situation, but it needed to be done. I look over at Nero.

”Do you have an idea how to get to the body, or should I make a few phone calls?”

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

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

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I gesture vaguely with my hands. ”My ways might be faster but… not be so subtle depending on where it is.” I answer honestly with a shrug. If the idea is to avoid unwanted attention, using my telekinesis to rip a body up from under the ground. Besides, I don’t really want to show off the kind of power I possess. The Kitten is already so wary of me. I throw a sidelong glance at her to see her reaction.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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I nod and stand. ”I’ll make some phone calls then. If we’re lucky, the body hasn’t been released to the family yet.” I stand up, looking over Nero and Cassi. ”Play nice,” I say before leaving the room.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
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I stick my tongue out at Caden’s back before reaching for a different book. I look over at Nero, thinking. I shake my head and focus back on my task. I discovered that the original Chimera had a consort and made note of it and what it looked like. Maybe this Chimera had the same interest. It would be mildly entertaining to have Caden shift into a two-headed dog.

”Find anything about how to bind a fire-breathing creature with three heads?” I ask Nero, prompting them to start doing research if they haven’t yet.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

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

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I tilt my head back to look at her. ”There might be someone I could ask if you’d like.” Unlike her son, Rowena MacLeod was a delight to deal with. ”But I’m sure you want to ask me more questions before Caden comes back, little cat.” I say the pet name in English for her benefit, but I do mean it. It was fun to see what questions she had rolling about in her head.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
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I narrow my eyes at them when they suggest talking to someone else. I have my reservations about that. I don't want anyone else asking too many questions, but of course we needed more people involved. We were going to have to talk to the other factions, maybe we could make do without Nero's help. As for having more questions for them...

"Why do you hate Crowley? I thought all of hell loved him. Are there more creatures down there that are going to escape? How old do you think you are?"

To anyone else it would seem like a barrage of questions but I was inquisitive by nature. There were never enough questions asked.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

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

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I let out a laugh, straightening to turn and face her more. ”See, this is why I call you a kitten - you’re so curious and so honest about it too. Just like a cat.” I tell her, smiling before I continue on to answer her questions. ”So with Crowley, I don’t necessarily hate him… he just… Jemandem auf den Keks gehen. My hands gesture vaguely as I try to think of the phrasing for English. ”Okay, don’t laugh, but the literal translation is ‘to go on someone’s cookie’, but it doesn’t actually have to do with cookies… it means they annoy you.” Which Crowley does annoy me. ”Don’t repeat this to him if you value your life, but us demons call him ‘Lucky the Leprechaun’, so he’s not as well-loved as you might think.” I smirk at the thought of anyone calling him it to his face.

”As for other creatures…” I hop off the table to look around the room more as I talk. ”I mean, there is a ton of things down there and not every demon is exactly… upfront with their abominations.” I take this time to tumble onto the floor and do a handstand. ”But we do try not to let the more particularly nasty beasties out since we can’t really control them, as you can probably tell.” Using my hands as feet, I pace around a little. “I mean, even Lucifer wouldn’t let Asmodeus unleash the Shidem, so it’s no surprise Crowley wants to run an even tighter ship.”

Tumbling backward, I sit on the floor and look at her again. ”As for my age…” I tap my chin in thought. “Hard to say, really. I don’t often go about trying to remember my human life - can’t really be a good one if I ended up in hell, could it?” I shrug, but my eyes dart briefly to the swords I had been looking at earlier.

Translations

The literal translation is: “To go on someone’s cookie” It is used to express that someone is getting on their nerves.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
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I was highly inquisitive by nature, and on occasion it did get me in trouble. Nero's nickname wasn't far off, I just wasn't sure about a demon have a familiar nickname for me. I listened to them talk. I screwed up my nose when he explained the term he just used. English always had a poor translation for things. They continued to walk around, even in a handstand for a while before they stopped and looked around again.

"So demons can create other creatures? I guess I shouldn't be surprised so many people don't like Crowley. He approached me once... Wanting to be me into the "fold". I flat out refused him and nearly had to hex him to get my point across. He's left me alone since. Have you created anything? Are you worried about who or what you were in a past life?" I watched them eyeing up Caden's swords. "You really can't sit still, can you?"

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

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

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”Can you blame me? There’s so much to look at.” I tell her impishly, glad she thought it was an attention deficit that had me looking at the swords. ”But to answer your question, no, not really… High ranking demons can create creatures, though I do believe it’s more of Frankenstein-ing already existing creatures. Little ol’ me couldn’t possibly make a beastie.” I stand up and pat her head twice. ”Also, good on you for saying no to Crowley. Does he know your magic doesn’t come from demons?” I ask before walking away to look at something else, ignoring her last question.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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I swat the hand away that pats my head. I wasn't a child and yet clearly they thought they were older than me and could condensed me. "You can't create creatures? So you're not high ranking and yet Crowley trusts you to retrieve his creatures?" I frowned at this, it didn't make sense to me.

I watched them wander again, noting the question they didn't answer. I wouldn't let that one go easily. She asked me another question and I leaned back in my chair, watching them. I supposed I could answer one for the few I had asked them. At least they were answering my questions. Well, most of my questions.

"Yes, he knew. It's why he wanted me to join, much like Caden's family wanting my bloodline." I watched Nero continue to wander.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Caden’s Mansion, Chicago, IL
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I roll my eyes at her dismissal of my pats. ”I can say this much for the King of Hell, he knows talent when he sees it.” I twisted my head to look behind me and throw a wink at her. I don’t want to divulge my true rank to her anyway… or really anyone outside of hell for that matter. Getting cocky is how Lilith and Alistair died. ”Like I said, he knows I won’t try and steal his throne, but that I’m also more capable than your average demon.” For instance, I have never encountered his favorite two humans despite the fact that almost every other demon has. I plan to keep it that way. ”Why’d you say no to his family anyway? Sounds like it could have been a cushy gig.” This part I say to her while waggling my eyebrows before I go to another corner of the room. I’m doing my best to avoid going back near the swords.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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I watched Nero for a long while, thinking about his words about Crowley gravitating towards talent. That was the second time Nero said that Crowley wasn't worried about Nero taking his throne, which meant Nero was capable of taking the King of Hell's throne if they wanted it. Interesting.

"Demons aren't my family. Demons destroy families. You know, the more you try to avoid going towards the swords, the more obvious you make it that you want to see them." I stand up and go over to the weapons. I hover over the metal, outlining it, but never touching it. Then I reach down and push open the cabinet doors. Three shelves are revealed, full of daggers, knives, and smaller swords. I look over at Nero and watch them closely.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

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

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I freeze in place, keeping my back facing her. ”Verdammte Katze.” I mutter under my breath before I spin to face them, planting a wide smile on my face. ”We don’t all destroy families.” I tell her, trying not to see past her into the cabinet. Every little hair on my body stands at attention. I truly don’t know why I’m afraid of peeking behind the curtain, but I absolutely don’t want to to experience it around my new ‘friends’.

”I haven’t destroyed any family at least.” Maybe if I show a little vulnerability she’ll drop whatever this is and go back to asking the fun questions to answer.

Translations

”Fucking cat.”

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
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”No? Are you sure about that?” I reach into the cabinet and pull out a dagger. I run a finger up the blade, effectively cutting myself. I rub my fingers together, spreading the blood, and continue to watch Nero. Something’s happening to them and I wonder if being in Caden’s house is releasing something Nero has been blocking.

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Caden

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
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”Cassi, mon amour, why are you giving away all my secrets?” I walk back into the library, setting down a tray of snacks and treats to see one of my weapons cabinets open and a blade in Cassi’s hand. I lean my arms on the back of a chair watching the two of them curiously. I’ve clearly missed a few things while I was on the phone with Detective Costa and the coroner.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

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

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My eye twitches, but I keep the smile on my face. I have no idea what she’s playing at or why she cut her finger but I didn’t like any of it. I tug under the collar of my blouse and swallow hard. ”What-” I start to ask before Caden walks in. Averting my gaze away from Cassiopeia and to Caden, I almost sigh in relief. Letting her ask all those questions was clearly a mistake.

”What’s the status on the body? Are we able to get to it?” I ask, taking this moment to put much needed space between me and the curious cat.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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

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I pull my eyes away from Cassi, who keeps the 17th-century dagger to herself for the time being.

”The body hasn’t been released to the family yet; however, it will be tomorrow, so whatever we are doing, it must be tonight.” I look at Nero. ”You’re welcome to wait with us or return to your residence until this evening.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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I resume my seat while Caden speaks to Nero. I don’t often practice blood magic, but I have a need for it on occasion. I am half tempted to use it to unblock Nero and see what on earth they are hiding, but something tells me I would live to regret that decision. Still, the way they reacted to me cutting my finger and speaking on demon behaviour was intriguing, to say the least.

The last few questions proved informative, and I felt further along in uncovering who this demon really was. They were high ranking, higher than they wanted to indulge in, and Crowley was tied to them somehow. Nero could become a very powerful friend or bargaining chip should one require it.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

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

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”Uh, ah, I think I’ll wait at my place.” I feel a little suffocated and as much as I would enjoy shamelessly flirting the afternoon away with Caden, I need some reprieve. Glancing around, I find some paper and a pen. ”This is where I’ll be,” I say as I write down my address. ”And this is the number to the house phone. Archaic, I know, but I don’t use cell phones too often.” I lie easily about the cellphone as I hand the slip of paper to Caden.

”You two try not to have too much fun without me.” I say with a wide grin. ”It was.., entertaining.” I add before I leave the room, wanting to take this chance to walk in the fresh air and maybe not think about whatever the fuck had happened to me just now.