KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cassiopeia rummaged around in her cupboards until she found the jars of dried soup mix she had made a while ago. She grabbed a pot and poured water in before setting it on the stove.

She glanced at the candle she had in the corner before she scooped Max up and scratched his ears.

”Protection. My house is heavily warded, but the candles will add an extra little bit while we're here,” she said before she sat on one of the chairs at her kitchen table.

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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Caden picked up one of the texts and was able to read a couple of lines before he had to set the book down. He rubbed his forehead until the headache disappeared.

”Did you find anything promising? Nero can translate if need be. We just need to narrow down which books we should be looking at more thoroughly,” Caden explained.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cassiopeia unbuckled her seatbelt and looked over at Nic. She smiled slightly and opened up the car door.

”Inside. The children are starving,” Cassi said. As if on cue three heads popped up in Cassi's large window, batting back the curtains and opening their mouths in silent meows. Even Max was meowing, seeming more concerned than the other two.

Cassi got out of the car and headed up the steps to unlock the door. As soon as she opened the door she was greeted with yowling and whining.

”You'd think I abandoned you. My goodness. Yes, yes, calm down.” Max pawed at Cassi, refusing to leave until she picked him up. He started to purr instantly, watching her and where they were going.

Cassi didn't set Max down while she fed her cats and topped up their water. Eventually Max released her to feed himself but he didn't stay away from her for long.

While Cassi had a reprieve of deprived animals, she set the kettle and procured eight candles from seemingly nowhere. They floated through the house to separate corners. Once they had their place, they lit automatically. They were magiked and protected not to blow out or catch anything on fire.

”Are you hungry? Thirsty?” Cassi asked Nic.

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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Caden laughed but felt comfortable leaving Avery alone to check on Kimiko. He took Nero's hand and led them inside. He walked through the house to where they left Kimiko earlier to find her still there.

Caden walked inside and looked over the mess of books. ”I'm afraid to ask.” It didn't look like she had gotten very far.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cassiopeia stared out the window while Nic drove back to her place in Chicago. She looked over at him when he asked if she wanted to stop. Cassi smiled and rested her hand on Nic's shoulder.

”No, I'm okay,” she assured him. She pulled her hand back and resumed looking out the window.

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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Caden watched the SUV disappear down the driveway before he answered Nero.

”I'm okay. Do you want to go check on Avery or Kimiko?”

A lot had transpired so far and the day was only half over. Caden felt tired but all he wanted to do was ensure all of his people were okay.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cassiopeia got out of the car and watched Caden walk over. They looked at each other for a moment before Cassi closed the distance and hugged Caden tightly.

Caden tucked Cassi's head under his chin and rested his hand on the back of her head while the other rested on her back.

”It'll be okay, Mon amour.”

Cassiopeia sniffed and nodded. She pulled back and Caden gave her a look before looking at Nic and back. Cassi sighed and nodded.

”I know I know.” She looked around to see Nero and nodded. ”Thanks for your help,” she said before she turned to get into the front seat of the SUV.

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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Caden worried for his best friend. Neither of them ever expected to be in the position they were in now. However, they had each other plus a new support system. Caden rested his arm over Nero's shoulders and looked at Nic after Cassi had gotten into the car.

”Look after her, and when you're ready to summon the demon, call us.”

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Yes, aren’t you?” Cassiopeia asked, giving Nic a look before she climbed into the SUV. ”Besides, I need to feed the cats.”

Cassiopeia buckled herself in before Nero thanked them all. She glanced at them before examining her nails. "What are the chances Crowley just wants an expensive bottle of whiskey? Or some artefact?"

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Caden

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Location: – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Caden had to agree with Nero. It wasn’t good hearing Mundus was still alive, even though Caden had a feeling that they were before Crowley confirmed it. Hopefully, the creature was still caged.

Caden drove back to the house, only feeling settled once he pulled into the driveway. He relaxed in his seat, resting a hand on Nero’s leg as he drove the last few feet to the front door. Caden parked and looked back at Nic and Cassi.

”Do you just want to take the SUV? It doesn’t feel like Avery is awake yet, and I don’t think you’d want him driving you anyway.”

Cassi raised her eyebrows with a silent question. Caden pulled his phone out and revealed the pictures of Nero’s prank to them.

”Oh my goddess, you didn’t? He’s going to be sooo pissed.” Cassi flipped through the photos and zoomed in. She knew it was bad, but it was hilarious. Cassi took the liberty of sending the photos to her phone before giving Caden back his phone.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Good, then we can go back to my place,” Cassi said, hugging Nic back tightly before she released him and tucked the scroll into her bag.

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Caden

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Location: – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”He can be a lot,” Caden agreed with Nic. ”But he’s not the worst.”

Caden took Nero’s hand and kissed the back of it before leading them all back to the SUV. He opened up the passenger side door and helped Nero in.

”Wie geht es dir?” Caden had determined that the meeting with Crowley had gone well, even with the back and forth and the deal Cassi ended up making. They got the answers they needed, plus more on the way.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cassi grinned and looked up at Nic before she turned in his arms to look at the scroll. ”What does it say we need?”

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Caden

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Location: – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”Nein, das tust du nicht. Es gefällt dir nur nicht, dass er dich so nennt.” Caden brushed his lips across Nero’s forehead.

”How long do you think it will take before Crowley finds the information we want? He won’t be able to find you if you remain at our house,” Caden explained.

Chicago After Hours

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Caden

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Location: – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Caden automatically wrapped his arms around Nero as soon as the King of Hell disappeared. Crowley’s words weren’t comforting, and they left a bitter taste in Caden’s mouth.

There had been a very strong possibility that demons were after Nero, but the rumours about them wanting to take over weren’t comforting. That meant competition and sides to be chosen. But if Crowley was able to find something more, that would be helpful in narrowing down who might be looking for Nero.

Caden looked down at the imp and smirked at their outrage about their nickname. ”A cait-sith is a feline apparition seen in the Highlands of Scotland. They are considered to be demon-like smoke creatures that cause chaos and destruction.”

”It’s the perfect nickname for you,” Cassi said honestly.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cassi smirked and squeezed Nic’s hand. ”If he wants me to keep his deal, he’ll keep you alive,” Cassi said. She tilted her head back to kiss his chin before refocusing on Nero and Caden.

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Caden

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Location: – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Caden resisted the urge to wrap his arm around Nero and pull them behind him. He kept his hands to himself, letting Nero present the front they needed, but he was glad when the imp stepped back, and Caden could feel them against his body.

”We assumed it would be one of Mundus’ minions. Clearly, you know nothing about their hold on Hell if they are sending people up to do their bidding. Are you sure you have as much control over Hell as you think?” Caden was playing on Crowley’s ego, hoping the pint-sized demon would give more information than he had intended.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cassi did her best to swallow the lump in her throat that formed when Nic asked about her well-being. She squeezed his hand in an effort to reassure him and calm herself down.

”We’ll talk later.” There was nothing that could be done now, and Cassi couldn’t lose it here.

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Caden

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Location: – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”Answer the question, Kobold,” Caden said, growing impatient with Crowley. He also didn’t appreciate the judging tone that seemed to come across from Nero trying to reclaim themselves.