[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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I smile at Nic, not surprised that he did like that he had that effect on me. We pull onto my road and Nic stops outside my place. I sigh and look up at the house. It seemed so lonely now, despite the tiny hoard of cats inside.

I turned my head and looked back at Nic. ”I really did have fun today,” I told him.

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Caden

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

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I smile and continue to rub my hand up and down Nero's side. ”Depending on how Kiki's talk with Nic goes tomorrow, do you want to go over ideas for renovating your room after the workout?” I ask.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Cass’ Townhouse - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I shift in my seat so I’m facing Cass more. “Me too.” I tell her as I reach over to cup her cheek, my thumb rubbing against her skin. “This is where I ask for a nightcap, right?” I tease.

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Nero

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

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I go wide-eyed and nod enthusiastically. “Yes please!” I chirp. I wonder how Caden would feel about maybe adding a door between the two rooms. I don’t know what exactly I want to do with the room outside of making it ideal for the cats.

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[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I smile, resting my cheek against Nic's hand, and laugh at Nic's cheeky request. ”You make it very tempting for me to say yes,” I inform him, especially after that kiss at the park and the fountain.

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Caden

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

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I chuckle and nuzzle Nero's cheek. ”Then we'll do that,” I said.

I relaxed back into my chair and looked across the yard. The sun was setting and the sky was full of colour. The backyard was large enough, with a forest in the back that helped the overall atmosphere. I stirred my drink in my glass before I took a sip of it and sighed, shutting my eyes and leaned my head back against my seat.

I tightened my arm around Nero, shifting them closer and smiled. ”I could get used to this,” I said.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Cass’ Townhouse - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I smile, happy at the thought that even after spending all day with me, she still wants to have me around longer. “We could always say Wayland forced me to go inside.” The thought makes me chuckle a little as I picture the cat trying to tow my large frame anywhere.

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Nero

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

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I curl more into Caden, resting my head on his chest, my ear over his heart, and closing my eyes. “I think I’m already used to it and I love it.” I say in a mumble as I listen to his heartbeat. A breeze sweeps by and wraps around us for a moment before moving along while in the distance we can hear an owl hooting.

“Are you able to talk to animals as a shifter?” I ask curiously.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I laugh and glance back at the house. I can see the curtains shifting and Wayland and Calypso poke their little heads out the window. I laugh and point at them.

”Well he knows you're here now,” I state.

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Caden

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

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My hand goes to rest on Nero's back when they cuddle in closer to me. I smile when they say they love the life I have and being here with me. They didn't say it outright but the statement was implied.

I open my eyes and watch the trees. I shake my head. ”I can't, but I do get this feeling of being connected to them. There's an understanding that passes between me and the other creatures I've shifted in to when I take their form again,” I explain.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Cass’ Townhouse - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I grin with a chuckle. “Well, it won’t do for me to ignore my son.” I turn off the SUV and get out to open Cass’ door for her. I’m not expecting anything to happen, but the idea of spending more time with her makes me unbelievably happy. One might even say heartbreakingly.

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Nero

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

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I make a small ‘hmm’ noise, finding his voice relaxing to listen to. “Interesting.” I say, opening my own eyes to look up at him. “What’s your favorite part of being able to shift?”

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I laugh and nod. I open my car door just as Nic gets to my side. I grin and lead the way up the steps to my front door. I unlock it to be greeted by a chorus of meows, all sounding like I've abandoned them.

I roll my eyes and set my bag down. ”Yes, yes, I know. I abandoned you all for three days. Yes, yes,” I greet them all before taking my shoes and socks off.

Wayland rubs up against me before sitting at Nic's feet and looks up at him expectantly.

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Caden

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

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I pause to think about Nero's question. ”I've never really thought about it before,” I confess. ”I like that I'm able to help many different people and creatures who deserve second chances, but I think I like how freeing it is. I can be who or whatever I want whenever I want.”

[Donut Look Now]

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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Location: Cass’ Townhouse - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I laugh at Cass when she beats me to her door, shaking my head as I follow her to her front door and into her place. I follow her example and slip off my sandals before I pick up Wayland. “Hello, my child. Did you have it rough today without mom?” I coo to him as I scratch his chin.

“I missed you too, buddy.”

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Nero

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Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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If I wasn’t in such close quarters with Caden, I’d tilt my head while listening, but instead I close my eyes again, listening to his voice reverb through his chest. “It would be nice to be able to change on a whim.” I say in agreement. “If only your bite could turn me into one.” I joke.

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[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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I smile, watching Nic and Wayland interact for a moment before I wander into the kitchen. ”Do you want a cup of tea, Nic? Or water?” I offer as I examine my plants and the cats' food dishes to see how they fared.

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Caden

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

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I chuckle and kiss the side of Nero’s head. ”Unfortunately, shapeshifting doesn’t work that way. It is something you have to be born with,” I say and return my focus to Nero.

[Donut Look Now]

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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Location: Cass’ Townhouse - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I hum as think about it, following her into the kitchen with Wayland still in my arms. “Maybe some water?” I ask. I’d ask for tea, but I would want something like chamomile so that I could sleep easily tonight and that wouldn’t be the best idea with driving.

“How old are your fur babies?” I ask as the other cats run around my legs.

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Nero

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Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I smile when I feel his lips on my head. “Damn, well… You can still bite me anyway.” I say cheekily, opening my eyes to wink at Caden. Although I love any time I spend with Caden, being held by him and just talking is one of my favorite things to do. I still can’t believe I’ve fallen for someone, but I’m glad it was with him.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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”Well, Wayland is four, Calypso is five, and Maxamillian here has been my familiar for twenty years. And he’s still young.” Max hops onto the counter next to me effortlessly and rubs up against me for pets. I kiss the top of Max’s head before I reach above and grab a mug for me and a glass for Nic. I go over to the fridge, fill Nic’s glass of water, and set it on the counter for him.

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Caden

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

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”Mmm, good,” I purr into Nero’s ear. I nuzzle into their neck and breathe them in. ”Did you know dragons mate for life?”

[Donut Look Now]

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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Location: Cass’ Townhouse - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I barely register that she’s put a glass of water in front of me. “Familiars are a thing?” I ask excitedly, glancing between Cass and Max with wide, curious eyes.

“What can familiars do?” I absentmindedly scratch behind Wayland’s ears.

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Nero

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Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I don’t know how he manages to illicit a shiver from me every time Caden whispers in my ear or nuzzles my neck, but he manages it somehow. I squirm a little before processing what he’s said. “Does that only work if their partner is also a dragon?” I have to admit that the idea of staying with Caden forever sounds very appealing to me.

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[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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I turn on the kettle and laugh at Nic’s excited comment. ”Familiars are a thing. They choose their sorcerer or witch. They just kind of show up one day and don’t leave you alone,” I say M, scratching Max’s head. ”For that reason, don’t expect him to cuddle you. He likes you, he’s told me so, but he really is a one-person cat for obvious reasons. Max used to be a sorcerer, and came back as a cat in his next life. He retains some magic but at very basic levels. We can communicate, but not the way you and I do. It’s through feelings and intuition mostly. We’ve also been together to long now that I just know and understand his habits. If we get separated he can find me easily, and he helps me navigate some of the more trickier spell work. He can also bless some of the potions I make if I need it,” I explain to Nic.

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Caden

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

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”Truthfully, I am not sure, but if my family and Cassiopeia’s family wanted us to be joined, I assume yes. For a very long time, I thought she would be my forever, but when we didn’t marry, it felt right that we didn’t. After that, I haven’t felt a strong enough connection with anyone I’ve been with to warrant mating for life. I always assumed it was because I wasn’t meant to or my mate hadn’t been born yet. As you know, age doesn’t matter much to us.

I finish my drink and set the empty glass on the table. I rest my free hand on Nero's leg, looking at how my hand seems to encompass their leg, and how naturally it does so.

[Donut Look Now]

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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Location: Cass’ Townhouse - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I listen, enraptured by this knowledge, as I drink my water. My thirst is isn’t quenched though, so I try to pick what questions I’d like to ask. “Have you had other familiars or… I guess my question is, what’s the lifespan of a familiar?” I kind of hoped it would have been like the show, Sabrina, where the cat would talk, but that would be too easy. Plus, Max would probably grow weary of answering endless questions.

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Nero

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Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I look at Caden’s hand and start tracing the tattoos on his hand and knuckles. “So, would I need to be alive to be in the running for your mate?” We’ve only known each other a few days, but why do I want to be Caden’s ‘forever’? I bite down on my bottom lip, nibbling on it.

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[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Max hops off the counter to find something more entertaining, and I fix up my tea while I answer Nic’s questions. ”He’s my first. Honestly, I took that really hard for a long time. I thought I wasn’t blessed to have one. Familiars aren’t as common as TV shows and movies make them out to be. Now that Max has chosen me, Max could live as long as I do, or if he feels his mission with me is completed, he could move on. And before you ask, no, I don’t know what his mission is. He refuses to tell me, and he doesn’t have to annoyingly.”

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Caden

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

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Nero’s gentle touch sets my blood on fire, and my dragon rumbles inside me. Maybe they’ve been so close to the surface because of my connection with Nero. I haven’t had them so uneasy since Avery and I formed a pack bond. It could be possible Nero is supposed to be my mate.

”I’m starting to think that doesn’t matter. You just have to have an essence still.”

[Donut Look Now]

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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Location: Cass’ Townhouse - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I laugh, loving how Cass already knew what my next question would be. I think over her words. “What made you think you weren’t ‘blessed’ to have one? Is there some prerequisite to having a familiar?”

I know there’s something Cass is holding back on something - she was so closed off to me on that car ride to Caden’s, but I never want to make her feel pressured to share everything with me. I’m curious by nature.

“I’m sorry, you don’t have to answer that if you don’t want to.” I assure Cass, letting Wayland jump out of my arms.

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Nero

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Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I look up at Caden, understanding what he’s probably saying but also having no idea what it means to have ‘an essence’. “So technically, you can choose your mater?” I feel myself hold my breath as I wait for his answer.

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[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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I smiled while I mixed honey in with my tea. I decided on a raspberry mint mix. Apparently, I was on a raspberry kick. I turned around, and gestured for Nic to follow me into the living room.

My house was a bit more boxed off than Nic’s open concept. My kitchen was in its own little nook with a small table by a window overlooking the garden in the back. There was a little looking window in the kitchen, so I could see the dining area, but the walls closed it off. My living room was back near the front and a bit narrower than the dining and sitting area next to it. I had a bathroom on the main floor and then two bedrooms plus another main bathroom upstairs, then a master bath.

I sit down on my overstuffed creme-coloured couch and curl my legs up under me, sipping my tea. ”That answer leads into the heavier topic of my life,” I tell Nic with a sad smile. ”I do want to talk to you about it, Nic, sooner rather than later. Maybe the day after tomorrow? We can go out for drinks or go to the park and drink, maybe.”

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Caden

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

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”Yes and no. I could feel someone is my mate, but my dragon half might not agree, and vice versa. Unlike Avery, where he and his wolf are one and the same, I am separate from my dragon, and they are from me. I am a host to them if you want to label it.”

I ran my hand down Nero’s side again and met Nero’s gaze. ”I think I figured out why my dragon has been so close to the surface lately,” I tell Nero, my eyes shifting to that of the dragons.

[Donut Look Now]

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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Location: Cass’ Townhouse - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Following her, I take a seat next to her on the couch and nod. “That is totally okay. And if you find you don’t want to talk then either, I’m fine with that.” Even though I’m dying to know, I want to also make sure she knows that there’s no pressure.

“I’m excited to find out more about you, but just know that I’m a patient man.” I place my hand gently on her thigh.

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Nero

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Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I take a shaky breath, finding myself a little frozen as I’m hypnotized by his eyes a little. “W-why?” I ask, hoping the answer is me but also scared of the answer being me.

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[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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”I know you are, but it’s important to me that you know before our relationship progresses further,” I tell him seriously. ”I like you, Nic. I’m having fun with you, and my cats like you. Caden likes you, and even though he doesn’t dictate what I choose to do with my life, his opinion makes a difference.”

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Caden

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

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I smile, brushing my fingers along Nero’s cheek and over their bottom lip. ”You… I believe you are our mate in this life,” I say. My heart is racing as I say it, and there’s excitement in my dragon as well, but they seem calmer than I do after I say the words.

My eyes shift back, and I take in Nero’s entire face. My eyes move back and forth as I try to gage their thoughts and feelings on what I’ve just disclosed. This was something I probably wouldn’t tell Kiki or Cass for a while still. They didn’t need to know this yet.

[Donut Look Now]

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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Location: Cass’ Townhouse - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I nod until the last part of what she said. “Oh, so that’s why I felt like I needed to ask his permission to date you.” I say, cracking a joke before I squeeze her leg lightly with a sheepish smile. “I like you too and I’m glad that the important people in my life - Jane, Kat, my dad - like you too. It helps me feel like I’ve made a really good choice in asking you out.”

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Nero

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Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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My eyes widen, even though I could guess what he was going to say. I swallow, suddenly feeling like my mouth is drier than it’s ever been. “But…” I don’t know why I’m trying to find an excuse that he shouldn’t pick me, but I feel like I’m the wrong choice. I close my eyes for a moment, needing to concentrate to tell myself not to immediately think I’m not worth enough to date Caden, let alone be his mate.

“I… don’t know what to say…” I say, finally opening my eyes to look back at Caden’s. I bite my lip, not knowing how to tell Caden that somehow, I want to be his mate. “Is that… okay? For me to be your mater?”

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