[IC] Chicago After Hours

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Really? What gave it away?” I ask, teasing. I shift in my seat a little so I can look at him better while he drives and we talk.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving- Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I glance at her sidelong. “You just seem like one of those girls who really likes plants and stuff.” I resist the urge to say it in a valley girl accent.

“But I’m curious why you chose the other two places.”

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I grin and fiddle with my bracelet while I ponder Nic’s questions. I shrug, glancing out the windows. ”I like art and stuff,” I say, mimicking Nic for fun. ”No, but seriously. I’ve always liked art and what people create. There’s life in it. And the temple, well, temples are magical. I can feel a connection to what has been lost or left behind. Even something made in this century has remnants from the past. They’ll often place something from another time or from another country in a temple, and the spirit in it lives on.” I shrug again, fiddling with my nails and my bracelets. ”I know it sounds silly.” I fix my hair, a nervous habit I’d always had.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving- Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I shake my head. “Not at all.” I tell her, turning my head to look at her briefly.

“Who told you it was silly in the first place? Do I have to go beat them up?” My hand on her leg squeezes it gently. “Your reasons are… really cool? I can’t think of the right word, but I really do like them.”

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I narrow my eyes playfully at Nic. ”I believe you’ve called me silly,” I inform him. I had momentarily forgotten that Nic’s hand was on my knee. The squeeze is comforting, and I look at his hand, my mind drifting as I think about this moment and the past.

I slip my hand under his and intertwine our fingers. I look back at Nic and smile. ”Thanks, Nic. I know this is all really new, and it can be overwhelming.”

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving- Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I squeeze her hand. “I could see how it might feel like that to some people… And I mean, it is a lot but, I dunno. It meant I got to meet you, after all.” I grin, knowing it sounded cheesy, but I mean it.

“Maybe I’m just used to how crazy an emergency room can get, so this doesn’t really faze me.”

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I hold Nic’s hand securely, rubbing my thumb along his skin while he talks. It’s an unconscious thing, a need to keep preoccupied. I always found doing more than one thing at a time helped me to maintain better concentration.

I shake my head at Nic in amazement. ”Maybe I need to come to the ER one day to understand how the strange goings-on of there being a supernatural community doesn’t faze you.”

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving- Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I laugh, shrugging a little. “I dunno, I mean… No day is the same there and the moment you start thinking you’ve seen it all, something new is right around the corner. It makes you think on your feet.”

“My parents always spoke of things that seemed impossible and I’ve always believed in ghosts and spirits… Maybe everything else just made sense. Also you’re not allowed in my ER, you’ll distract me.” I grin lopsidedly.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I watch my thumb run along Nic’s hand as he talks. What he says makes sense in a way. I just never thought to compare the chaos and unknown of the ER to the unpredictability of the supernatural world. Although in some ways, the human world was more unpredictable to me than that of mine.

I look over at Nic when he calls me a distraction and I grin. ”I’ll distract you? Really? Hmm, well now I want to test the theory,” I joke. I would never want to take his attention from saving people, but I can’t deny how amazing it would be to get to see him in action.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving- Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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“Test it in the morning when it’s the least busy.” I tell her with a wink. “But just so you know, there’s no leeches for you.” We’re approaching the preserve now and I start keeping an eye out for a good parking space.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I gasp. ”You want me to come in the morning and you tell me there are no leeches? What kind of backwoods operation are you running at Chicago Med?” I joke.

I wait for Nic to find a parking spot before I release his hand. I smile, excited for our second date. It's off to a pretty good start already. I grab my bag and my tea, getting out of the vehicle before he insists on opening my door for me again.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving- Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Laughing, I pull into a spot to park. Cass doesn’t even give me a chance to pull the keys out of the ignition before she’s jumping out of the SUV. I shake my head, grabbing my tea and getting out to join her. ”Alright, lead the way plant lady.” I tell Cass, walking with her towards the entrance.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nature Preserve – Cary, IL
Skills:

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I narrow my eyes at Nic, but I'm smiling as I walk past him. I sip my tea and shake my head. There was more here than just plants.

We make our way inside and find the trailhead. I take a deep breath in as we walk and sigh. ”Have you ever travelled outside the United States?” I asked curiously. I think Nic mentioned living in Canada, but I don't know if he got to travel much while there.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving- Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I shake my head as. I follow her. “Well I was born in Canada and my family used to visit often or go camping, but otherwise I’ve been pretty stuck inside the States for awhile now.” I smile and look at Cass.

“Where have you traveled?” I ask, pretty sure she’s seen more of the world than I have.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nature Preserve – Cary, IL
Skills:

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”Quite a few places, I was just thinking, though, how nature walks like these remind me of Scotland. The highlands are an incredible place to grow up let alone visit.”

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving- Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I watch her face as she talks about Scotland, smiling at the admiration for nature that I can hear in her voice. “Maybe one day you can give me the grand tour of it.” My lips lift up in a smile, my dimples showing.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nature Preserve – Cary, IL
Skills:

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I look over at Nic and smile brightly. ”I would like that.” I take his hand and hold it securely as we continue to walk.

I hadn't been home in a very long time. I've been too scared to return. Frightened the land would reject me after everything, but maybe it wouldn't be so bad if Nic came with me. Maybe I would actually go back if I had a reason to.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving- Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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“Me too.” I squeeze her hand when she hold it and bring it up to my lips so I can briefly kiss it. It’s stunning here, with everything in bright green colors. I can hear birds sing over head and the light whistle of the wind. There’s enough room in the area that we barely encounter anyone else as we continue onto the trail.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nature Preserve – Cary, IL
Skills:

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We walk in silence for the majority of the time. I make Nic stop with me, not letting go of his hands, at random points during our walk. I stop to listen to a bird, or watch one fly over head. I stop to point out berries or certain plants that yield medicinal properties, both for healing and for poison.

"Ooo, see that one? That's water hemlock. Highly poisonous when ingested. It can cause seizures and respiratory failure," I explain to Nic, however, I don't explain that I've used most of these poisonous plants as poisons.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Nature Preserve - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I’m thoroughly enjoying the walk with her. Cass has taken the task of tour guide and points out various plants to me. It probably should concern me that she seems to have a lot of knowledge on the poisonous plants, but she’s also pointed out plants to aid with healing. “If I ever have to survive in the wild, I’m taking you as my ‘one item’.” I tell her before I lean in a little closer to look at the water hemlock more.

“Is there something in nature that can work as an antidote for the hemlock?” I ask, turning my head to look at her.