KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park – Chicago, IL
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”Real progress, ya. Not fake yawn cause you want to hold me for the first time progress.” I grab a couple of napkins and stuff them into my pocket.

”Kat said Jane sent you to me. She said everyone was worried about you. They were afraid of losing you.” I grab a fork and fiddle with the tines and glance at Nic.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
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I watch Nero with amusement as they discover bubble tea for the first time. They really are like a child with their wonder and joy packed inside a demonic body. I'm both frightened and fascinated by them.

”The bobba’s are filled with tapioca, while the jellies are either agave or lychee. They just add different flavours,” I say with a shrug and finish off my burger.

”Come on children, into the car. We have a guest waiting at the house,” Caden states. I look at him curiously but he doesn't divulge any secrets.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park – Chicago, IL
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I stare at Nic after he places his order. I eye him carefully, wondering if he's actually a werewolf. I ordered a classic burrito with drink and tater tots for myself. I also manage to quickly pay before Nic. I smile triumphantly at him.

”That's for the fake yawn move,” I tease him.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Outside Mobile Shop – Chicago, IL
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I watch Nero with amusement as they discover bubble tea for the first time. They really are like a child with their wonder and joy packed inside a demonic body. I'm both frightened and fascinated by them.

”I got a classic milk with brown sugar with bobba and a mango slush with jellies,” I say, gesturing to the orange and white one.

Caden plucks the classic one from the tray and shakes it up before stabbing it. The slush one remains and I honestly don't care if Nero lays claim to it as well. I already got my drink from the burger joint I went to.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park – Chicago, IL
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I follow everyone to the dining area and make a small circle to take on the different food trucks and the whole space. I temporarily lose Nic, but I just look up and eventually find his head and green shirt. I hurry over as he's making a beeline for the taco truck. He asks me what I and I shrug.

”Food,” I say honestly. I've never been one to shy away from eating or a good meal. ”I tend to lean towards soft tacos and burritos,” I say and look over the menu as we wait in line.

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Caden

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Location: Mobile Shop – Chicago, IL
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I have half a mind to steal Nero's phone back and replace it with a more flattering photo, but they seem happy with it. I rest my arm over Nero's shoulders and steer them outside.

”You're most welcome,” I said and kiss the top of their head.

Avery is waiting for us, eating his burger outside the car. On the roof in a drinks tray are the bubble teas Nero requested.

”I got a couple different flavors,” Avery states.

"An, just throwing my money around, are you?" I tease. Avery just grins and keeps eating his burger. By the looks of the wrappers, it's his third.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park – Chicago, IL
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”Sure,” I say with a smile. I hadn't even realized we'd been here for that long already. I knew I didn't have to leave right away but I did have to go back to the shop at some point to check on the cats and some other things I had been working on.

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Caden

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Location: Mobile Shop – Chicago, IL
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I smile and nod. I turn around and wave over one of the techies who have been eagerly waiting. I point out the phone closest to mine and ask for a simple flip phone as well and explain one is for work and one is for personal use.

They seem curious about Nero and me but I eventually get the techies focus to remain on me while I get both phones set up for Nero. We get a temporary case and a screen protector for the new smartphone, set up email addresses and an account. I double-check the smartphone comes with the ability to replace it once for free, even if it encounters water damage. Again.

I buy both phones outright so the monthly bill is cheaper, and add one of my cards as the one to use for the monthly payments. I hand Nero their phones.

” One for business and one for pleasure. Don't mix the two up,” I tease Nero.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park – Chicago, IL
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I look at Kat, surprised that Jane was the one to recommend me. I was glad she did, for multiple reasons. I look back at the two racing through the course.

It was heartbreaking to hear how Nic was struggling. I saw it with my own two eyes, but to hear it from people who knew him longer had me feeling it all over again. I don't respond to Kat, I just nod, watching the other two exit the obstacle course and collapse. They would probably need a break now, or at the very least something to drink.

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Caden

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Location: Mobile Shop – Chicago, IL
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”Well, any phone can be made more durable with a screen protector and a better phone case,” I say with a shrug. I mean against the table of phones at the end of the row, watching Nero peruse.

I smirk at the subtle innuendo and nod. ”We can get you two phones then,” I assure them.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park – Chicago, IL
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Kat and I opt to watch Jane and Nic race through the course. It’s quite a sight to see. I’m glad I am on the outside watching this one. Hearing that Kat was similarly concerned about Nic and Jane’s relationship relaxes me.

”Oh, I run a mystic shop selling natural herbs, teas, lotions, that sort of thing, but I’m also a practicing psychic. He was looking for answers for his mom and dad. We just sort of, connected,” I said with a shrug.

I smile and laugh a little when Nic gets stuck at one part before wiggling his way through. ”Honestly, I thought it strange he would come and see someone like me since he is in the medical field. But I’m glad he did.”

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Caden

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Location: Mobile Shop – Chicago, IL
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”No, we can download the game for you and any others you might like. We should get you a newer phone, or one that has been out for a year already. Something with a lot of storage space. If you have a hard time holding it, we can get you something called a pop socket that allows for a better grip,” I tell Nero, unable to hide my amusement as I watch them hold my phone with two hands.

I showed Nero some of the iPhones as well as the latest Samsung and Google phones. ”Whatever you like the most is what we can get you. Don’t worry about the colour of the phone. There are hundreds of phone cases to protect the phone, so you can pick what colour you want, or as many as you want,” I tell them honestly. I’d get Nero a phone case for every day of the week and outfit they had if they wanted.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park – Chicago, IL
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I stick my tongue out at Nic after he puts me down. I try to keep myself distracted from how easily he picked me up and the fact that he smacked me. I had this strong feeling that it would have been my ass he smacked if we weren’t in a public place.

I fidget as he and Jane run off to the obstacle course. I look over at Kat and smile at her. ”I’m sorry for thinking you and Jane were with, um, Nic. How long have you and Jane been together?” I ask curiously, making small talk as we approach the obstacle course.

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Caden

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Location: Mobile Shop – Chicago, IL
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I beam at Nero when they finally use the term boyfriend. I kiss them a second time before I take their hand and lead them into the shop.

”I promise I won’t say anything as long as you promise to call me your boyfriend more when we are in private. I rather like that word coming from your lips.”

We walk into the shop and I lead Nero over to the rows of phones in the centre of the shop. The phones flash and light up, showcasing what they do. I pull my phone out and hand it to Nero. ”Do you want a similar or different one?” I have a Google Pixel phone. I was on the iPhone train for a long time, but I enjoyed what Google offered a bit more.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park – Chicago, IL
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I grin as I watch Nic struggle to get out. I feel some sort of satisfaction at getting him like that, but then he gives me this look. I take a step back, but Nic is fast.

”Nic, no!” I squeal as he picks me up and throws me over his shoulder. He doesn’t even react or flinch like I’m causing too much strain on him. I try to ignore that, so I don’t blush. ”Nicholas Wu, put me down!” I wiggle in his hold, trying to get free. Of course, I know a few ways I could magically get free, but I can’t do that here. Damn him.

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Caden

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Location: Mobile Shop – Chicago, IL
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I grin at Nero and tap their nose. ”Bubble tea, little imp.”

”Oh, ya, for sure,” Avery says and slides out of the backseat before he heads towards the fast food restaurants nearby.

I get out of the car and open Nero’s door for them. ”So, did you enjoy story time?”

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park – Chicago, IL
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”Hey! I say and throw another cube at him. Nic climbs out first, and I smile at the back and forth the other two have with Nic. Now that I know nothing is going on, the brother-sister energy comes across more clearly. Nic reaches his hand down to help me, and I smile at him. I tighten my grip on his hand and yank him back into the pit.

”That’s for being cheeky,” I say and lift myself out of the foam pit.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Driving ---> Mobile Shop – Chicago, IL
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”Well, sometimes it's easier to see, but in a nutshell, Caden is the dominant wolf, or the alpha to my wolf, who is also rather dominant, but Caden is more so. My wolf responds well to Caden’s authority and has calmed down. Before, my wolf fought for status, but I’m also older. I’m eighty. Wolves don’t have a long life expectancy. We are constantly fighting for dominance unless your wolf is submissive or an omega. Omega’s are rare though,” I add-in.

I don’t mind answering Nero’s questions. I’ve been doing it most of my life. The werewolf pack hierarchy is a fascinating subject for most people.

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Caden

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Location: Driving —> Mobile Shop – Chicago, IL
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”I was being groomed to be the head of my family eventually. Dragons used to live for thousands of years. With my family being wiped out, I am automatically the alpha, except I don’t have a formal pack. Bringing Avery in saved him and me as well. It gave me purpose beyond drifting from place to place,” I add. I park in front of the mobile shop. I look back at Avery.

”Are you hungry, Zain? Setting up a new phone for Nero will take a few minutes. Feel free to grab something to eat,” I say and hand him my card.

”Thanks, boss. Do you want anything, Nero?” Avery asks.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park – Chicago, IL
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My flushed face gets redder, and I look away from Nic. I pick up a foam hunk and toss it. ”But I’m so old, and you’re so young. I should really give your dad a chance first,” I joke. I toss another hunk of foam before I look at Nic and nod. ”My personal nurse tells me I should do more things for myself, so yes.”

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Avery Zain

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
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”It’s kind of a funny story,” I say with a bit of a chuckle. ”I’m originally from Washington state, but we were across the border in Vancouver, partying for a weekend in the early 1990s when Caden walked into the bar. Every heard turned, and the girls we were talking to instantly got caught up in his presence. I was amazed by the people who gravitated to him. Anyways, we got territorial and destroyed the bar. Caden kicked all of our asses. There were six of us. I was second of my pack then, so I was pretty dominant, but Caden had all our wolves submitting to him. We’d never experienced anything like that — especially since Caden isn’t human. So, we called our Marrok, Bran Cornick, and he demanded to meet Caden. After that, I ran into some trouble with my pack. I was becoming unstable; my wolf was getting more territorial and violent. Bran called Caden in, and he took me in - saved me. For werewolves, when our wolf starts to take over the human, Bran sends in firstborn to…well, kill us. Bran saw an opportunity in Caden though and sent me to him. I’ve been loyal to Caden ever since. He keeps my wolf stable.”