[IC] Chicago After Hours

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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Location:Chicago Med – Chicago, IL
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My eyes shift again in response to Nero. The dragon's eyes sparkle before they disappear. I focus back on Nic and the problem at hand. There would be time to flirt and show Nero all I could do later.

Cassi and Nero respond to Nic’s question differently, and I admit I feel sorry for the boy, more so when he faints. I sigh and walk over to him. Cassi rushes over to make sure he isn’t injured, swatting Nero’s hand away.

”Cassi, mon amour it might be best if we leave him this way, mmm? We could drop him off at home while we deal with the Chimera.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Chicago Med – Chicago, IL
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”And what, spell him to forget? Find a vampire to compel him?” I frown in frustration, my eyes clouding over with tears that I refuse to cry. I slip my hand into my bag, grabbing tightly onto the jar of dirt and stones I keep for emergencies. I speak a few quick words in Gaelic while touching Nic’s forehead. His body grows more limb, and the tension in his face fades.

”He won’t wake up until morning, but he will remember this, and we will be answering the rest of his questions.” I stand up to see Caden holding his hands in surrender.

”Understood. I’ll carry him to the car and we can take him back to my place after.” I bend down and throw Nic over my shoulder.

”No. We’ll take him to my place. He’ll be safe there,” Cassi says and marches out the door.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Getting swatted away by Cassiopeia, I straighten and shrug. I tilt my head as I watch her next steps. Yeah, Cass definitely would never let me hurt him. Well, the night turned very different than what I expected. Cassiopeia tells us we’re taking the human to her place. To be honest, I was thinking that she lived with Caden this whole time. She marches out the door and I look up at Caden. ”You know, I’m pretty sure he passed out from exhaustion or something. I mean, I don’t think it was just me.” I say, trying hard not to laugh, before I prance to follow Cassiopeia’s quick pace.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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Location:Chicago Med —> Cassi’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Probably a little bit of everything,” I agreed with Nero. We walked out of the hospital with Nic with no problem. I set him in the back with Cassiopeia. She watched over him closely while I drove to her place.

Unlike me, she lived in the city, so it was easy enough to get to her place. She lived in a townhouse, almost like the brownstones in New York. I parked outside her house and looked at Nero.

”Warten Sie hier. Cassi wird dich nicht in ihrem Haus haben wollen.” I was growing comfortable with Nero and trusted them, but it took a lot for Cassiopeia to trust so easily. ”We’ll be quick,” I assured them before getting out and grabbing Nic. Thankfully, it was later at night. Not many people were up or would be looking out their windows.

I followed Cassi up the steps and into her home. She directed me to the couch — even though I knew the way — and I set Nic down. She elevated his head and draped a blanket over him. I watched her with amusement. She caught me looking and scowled before turning away, but not before I saw her blush.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Chicago Med —> Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I turned from Caden, tempted to curse him or myself for blushing. I lit a candle and whispered some words. The flame shifted from yellowish to a solid orange. A laid a protection spell over the space, extra defense to keep everything and everyone out aside from me, Nic, and Caden.

”There. Let’s get out of here and go get this Chimera..” Caden grabs my arm, and I pause, frowning at him.

”You need to relax on Nero,” he tells me. My frown deepens, and I pull my arm out of my hold.

”I don’t need to do anything. Just because you want to take her to bed doesn’t mean I have to like them. There’s something off about them. They are more powerful than they want to let on, and there’s something about their past that they are afraid of. Whoever or whatever they are, it’s not good, and I will remain cautious of them until I know what is going on. Demons never help unless there is something in it for them,” I remind Caden before walking out the door.

I hear him sigh before following me out. I lock up after him and give him directions for where we need to go.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I nod, definitely not wanting to get any further on her bad side. “That tracks.” They both disappear into the townhouse with the human. I chew on my bottom lip as I try to think. I will need to tell the demons to back off Wu, but I don’t think I’ll report this to Crowley. I swing my legs as I wait for them to come back, listing off the next steps. If we’re able to catch the beastie tonight, I could quickly reap my reward from Crowley and then come back to Caden. I widen my eyes at train of thought, feeling my ears and cheeks warm before I slap both my hands on my face in an attempt to cool my face off.

“What the fuck.”

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House —> Driving – Chicago, IL
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We get back in the car and Caden inputs the address I give him into the GPS. ”Stop a couple of blocks away, and I’ll use Nero’s gift to track the Chimera more precisely,” I tell Caden as he pulls away. I can't help but glance back at my house. I know Nic is perfectly safe and fine there; my familiar will watch over him, but I am still concerned.

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Caden

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Location:Chicago Med —> Cassi’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I follow Cassi’s instructions easily. I glance in the rearview mirror to see her watching her house fade away. Interesting. I didn’t realize she cared that much for the human. I look at Nero for a moment then back at the road. ”Was wirst du danach tun?” I find myself asking. It is partly to fill the silence but also to curb my curiosity.

Translations

What will you do after?

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I’m in some sort of daze because I barely register Cass and Caden getting back into the car. Caden’s questions pulls me out of my own stupor and I blink a couple times before I turn to look at him. “H-huh? Oh, uh,” Was he able to read minds too? I nibble on my lip again as I try to gain a grip on reality, hoping it was too dark for him to see the warmth I felt on my face. “Witzigerweise habe ich gerade darüber nachgedacht ... Gilt das Nachtclub-Angebot noch?” I look down at my gloved hands sitting in my lap, a little fidgety on what his answer will be. What the fuck is wrong with me?? I mentally chastise myself.

Translations

”Funnily enough, I was just thinking about that... Does the nightclub offer still stand?”

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
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I smile, enjoying that I caught him off guard and that he is interested in the night club still. ”Es tut. Es wird dir gefallen und du wirst genau hineinpassen.” I assure them.

Translations

It does. You’ll like it and fit right in.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
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Feeling sheepish that I’m getting all worked up, I try to mask it with a smirk and a raised brow. “Ihr Selbstvertrauen ist bewundernswert.” I tell him.

“Dann muss ich wohl mal schauen, ob ich etwas Passendes zum Anziehen habe.” I wink at him before I turn to Cass, feeling a little less anxious now. “So this human, how do the two of you know him?” Of course I knew some of it from when I eavesdropped earlier that day, but I want to hear the story from them.

Translations

“Your confidence is something to be admired.” “I guess I'll have to see if I have something appropriate to wear then.”

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
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I know Nero is speaking to me, but pulling myself from my thoughts still takes a moment. I stare out the window for a moment more before looking at Nero.

”He came to me for a reading. He didn’t believe the whole animal attack story. I tried to steer him away from all of this, but it didn’t take.” I shrug and look back out the window. It wasn’t much of a story, but it was the truth.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I tilt my head and throw a questioning glance at Caden. It seems like it might be more than that with the way she is acting, but I only just met these two today. I purse my lips a little bit. “I wasn’t really going to hurt him…” I tell her, wondering if she might be mad at me for what transpired in the morgue. I tap my pointer fingers together awkwardly. From the two instances where I met the kid today, he doesn’t seem like someone who will go running to announce our world to the masses, but what do I know. I’d have to play it by ear, which would make for a decent excuse to stick around. I slap my hands to my cheeks again, wanting to groan in frustration at these stupid emotions.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
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”Oh? Why not, you seemed pretty ready to off him before you even met him,” I say, not really believing them.

I can feel Caden staring at me through the rearview mirror and I shoot him a look, daring him to say something. For the moment he keeps blissfully quiet and drives.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
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I keep my hands on my cheeks. ”Yeah, well…” I can’t even deny it, she’s right. This time the groan of frustration comes out and I drop my hands. “I don’t know what you want from me here. It shouldn’t surprise you that Crowley would want loose ends taken care of.” I snap irritably.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
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I frown a little at this different display of emotion from Nero. If you can call it emotion, it certainly is a display. I cross my arms and look back out the window.

”No. That doesn't surprise me at all about Crowley, which is why I don't understand why you are being different. Either it's because you want us to do the job for you, so you can get paid or you really don't give a damn about Crowley and hell which only gives me more questions,” I confess.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I don’t have an answer; it’s weird for me too right now and I don’t like it either. I turn back around fully in my seat with a huff, looking out the passenger window with a furrowed eyebrow. “Ich glaub’ ich spinne” I mutter to myself.

None of this had been an issue for me before and I feel like it’s because that curtain between my human life and my demon life keeps moving and shifting. I want to throw something at Cassiopeia in frustration, but I know I can’t blame her entirely for this.

Translation

Literal translation “I believe I spider”, really means “I think I’m going crazy.”

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I looked in the rearview mirror and saw Cassi roll her eyes before looking out the window again. I had been resisting touching Nero since they got into the car, but I couldn’t resist any longer. I reached out with my right hand and rested it on his knee. My thumb rubbed the side of their knee in light circles for a moment before I pulled it back.

”Alright, Cass, we’re about a couple blocks away now. Time for you to try tracking the thing.” I said. Cassiopeia glanced back at me and nodded. She took the hex bag out along with her jar of dirt and a handful of crystals. I watched her for a moment before observing our surroundings.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
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I set everything on the seat beside me and held the spell bag in my hand while I used the elements of earth to channel the spell. ”Vitto Brosche Tarem Car Manifesto Fen.” I chanted in Latin until the spell took. My eyes rolled back into my head as the vision took hold, and I fell silent as I was bombarded with images. Once I had seen everything, I gasped, and the visions stopped. I kept hold of the spell bag. As long as I was holding it, I would get a new vision if the creature moved.

”Two more blocks, then turn left. Past three buildings and then right into an ally.” I fiddled with my hair, unable to put it up while I held the hex bag. I saw the Chimera clearly, and I was not looking forward to facing it.

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Caden’s touch is both comforting and terrifying to me, the latter only because I’m concerned at how he can help me relax so easily. I also don’t like that when he pulls his hand away, I want to snatch it back. Crossing my arms, I pout but it isn’t for show; I just can’t wrap my head around what’s happening to me. I remind myself that we have a job to do. Still irritated with her, I resist turning around to watch Cassiopeia perform the spell. We’re close to the beastie now and I feel my brain buzzing with thoughts, anxiety creeping up.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving ---> Building – Chicago, IL
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Thankfully, the Chimera doesn’t seem to be moving, and we locate the building quickly. The three of us get out of the SUV and stare up at the building. I finally pull my hair back and tie it up.

”So, what’s the plan? Go in on offensive or use Caden as bait and sneak up on the thing?”

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Caden

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Location: Driving ---> Building – Chicago, IL
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I stare at the building, up and down the street, then back at the building. I slip my hands into my pockets. ”I don’t remember ever coming across a two-headed dog. Using me as bait in that scenario would be difficult. If I get close enough to touch the Chimera once, I could turn into one of them.”
Cassiopeia shakes her head.

”That won’t work. Chimera are very territorial. They will attack you rather than be subdued.”

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I flick my thumbs as I listen to the two of them strategize, shifting my gaze away. There is the obvious answer - I can go in and use any number of the abilities I have as a white-eyed demon. I could use Sedation to put it to sleep or just wrestle it with my Super-Strength and Invulnerability, but I don’t like the second option since I don’t know what the beastie is capable of. Plus, I know Cassiopeia will be even more wary of me if I do this. I sigh heavily before turning to them. “I can try putting it to sleep.” I offer awkwardly.

[KazAlkemi]

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Caden

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
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We both turn to look at Nero. I’m impressed, but Cassi looks like she’s trying not to laugh again.

”How, by talking to it?”

”Cass… If you want to give it a go, Nero. Cassi and I will back you up. I have a blade that will finish the creature off.” I turn back towards the SUV and open up the back. I push a button on the side, and rows of weapons slide out. I open the bottom compartment to reveal an odd assortment of weapons, containers, books, and even a few spell bags. It’s our hunters' cache—another reason for taking the SUV rather than the car.

I look at the drawers and pull out a dagger and a sword. Both blades were golden, as they were used for killing mythological creatures specifically. I had the dagger to Cassi but strapped the sword to my waist. I close everything up once more, looking at Nero. ”Ready?”

[Donut Look Now]

Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills: Sedation, Localization

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I shoot Cass a glare. This is what I get for trying to help. With a sigh, I pull the bottom hem of my shorts up to grab a couple of the throwing knives strapped to my thigh. Caden asks if I’m ready and I look up at him. “Just… I don’t know if it’s going to work on it, so be careful.” I say, almost pleading, before I tiptoe into the warehouse. On high alert, I try to keep my eyes peeled for any sudden movement. The warehouse has the typical open layout; we’re on a catwalk that wraps around the big open space, a story up from the cement flooring that makes up the subfloor level. The floor below is riddled in objects and I lean over the railing to get a better look. It’s crushed phones, half chewed shoes, and gnawed-on bones - things that the chimera couldn’t digest, I guess. This must be its nest. I confirm it when I sense a human in the warehouse somewhere with Localization - this was definitely its nest.

I look behind me to signal to Caden and Cassiopeia that I’m going to try putting it to sleep, giving Caden a pointedly look to be careful. Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes and concentrate.