KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Nicholas! I'm standing over a stove,” she reminded him. She shifted her stance so it was wider and could handle the weight he was adding to her, but the digging of his chin into her head was rather unpleasant. She was moments away from jabbing her elbow into his stomach.

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Caden

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

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Caden shifted back in his seat as soon as Nero stood. He dropped his leg and wrapped his arms around Nero losely, grinning at his mate. Kimiko drew his attention back and Caden looked down at Nero's red pants. He ran his thumb along the velvet and shrugged.

”The rest of the day, a week, a month. However long you want, Kiki. What he did was reckless and stupid. I knew Avery to be thick headed and rash, but I didn't think he was that stupid. He could have done a lot of damage. As it is he exhausted his mental reserves. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if he didn't wake up today, which makes me half tempted to wake him up and make him do a perimeter check for me,” Caden said bitterly.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cassiopeia stirred in the mixtures before she turned the stove down to keep it from boiling over. ”Is your head so heavy that you need to use me as a leaning post?” she asked teasingly.

Truthfully, Cassi didn't mind. She enjoyed that Nic liked to be that close to her even though it was new for her. She valued her own space and the comfort as well as growth that came from that. But it had been a while since she had someone to share that with aside from Caden. It was far different to share one's time and space with a partner than it was with a friend.

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Caden

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

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”Alright, perhaps another room you want renovated then,” Caden suggested. He squeezed their hands before looking over at Kimiko. ”How long are you going to let Avery stew by the way? Not that he doesn't deserve it, I'm just curious.”

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cassiopeia laughed and nodded. Crowley definitely did have a punchable face. She hated very much that he was Scottish. As if having any more ties to him was comforting.

Cassi scratched Max's head one more time before kissing her familiar's head. She set him down and he stretched before finding a nearby perch. Cassi stood and kissed the top of Nic's head before she went to add in the soup stock and mix.

”I wasn't going to hit him, but I did feel the storm close. You grounded me, though. Even if I did feel a little weak in the knees. Which definitely wasn't the right emotion to have,” she admitted, still feeling slightly embarrassed.

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Caden

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

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Caden couldn't help but smile when Nero said they were frustrated Cassi had to make a deal as well. Caden already knew Nero didn't mind Cassi, maybe even liked her and wanted her friendship, but hearing that Nero was expressing emotions for her made him happy.

”It sounds like you need to work your frustrations out, because unfortunately, all of those things are out of our hands and have already happened. But your feelings are still valid. I suggest breaking things. Kimiko already damaged the training room. You could continue in there if you like,” Caden offered, trying to bring some humour into the situation while providing a possible solution.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”He is, but he's also one of the most powerful demons. I enjoyed how protective you got over me, even though I did worry you were going to do something stupid,” she teased, watching him.

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Caden

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

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Caden held up a finger to Kimiko, silently asking her to wait a moment before he captured Nero's hands.

”What are you having difficulties with?” He could very clearly see the frustration right now. Caden wasn't sure if it was overstimulation or something they had read that was upsetting them. Caden wanted to understand what Nero was thinking, so he knew how to help.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Probably, but I want to look after you right now because I know you're going to want to look after I tell you what's going on. But we'll wait until lunch is served,” she said and patted his knee. She scratched Waylan’s head before continuing to pet Max.

”I didn't think I'd like having you with me today as much as I did,” Cassi confessed. ”It felt like we were a team.”

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Caden

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

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Caden watched Nero closely, ready to pull the book away from them if their expression got any worse.

”No, Cassi didn't give over her soul or agree to killing or hunting anyone down for him, but Cassi is the last of her kind and the most powerful. He could want anything from her.”

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cassiopeia shut her eyes when Nic started to massage her shoulders and neck. She sighed not wanting him to stop but also wanting him to just sit with her.

”Mmm, just sit with me, Nic. You can do that later if you really want to,” she said, tilting her head back to look at Nic.

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Caden

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

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Caden smiled and watched Nero sit down before Kimiko drew his attention. He sighed and pulled a chair out to sit down. Caden removed his jacket and draped it over the back of his chair before sitting and crossed his legs.

”It went as expected. We got some of our answers. However, Nero owes him a favour, and Cass.” Caden looked at Kimiko, knowing she knew just how much Cassi hated demons.

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.”