KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Nic’s hand in the small of Cassi's back was comforting and warm, but it was also irritating her. Thankfully, Kimiko came around the corner so she didn't have to brush his hand away. She stepped closer to Kimiko and glanced back at Nero and Avery.

”Yes, we'll have to bring the idiot back home. I don't know when we'll be back, but we'll be back. Keep Nero from dwelling.” Cassi kissed Kimiko's cheek before she gathered her small plate of food and headed for the door.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassiopeia smiled at Nero and nodded. She didn't mind keeping them updated. After all, even though Caden had been an ass and broke into her shop to likely summon a demon, he was still Caden. He was still Cassi's best friend and Nero's partner. She didn't call them mate anymore because, well, they weren't. But one day.

Cassiopeia looked at Nic and could practically see the man wasting away to nothing from his words. She laughed and nodded. "Yes, I'll feed you. Grab whatever you want." She ate her dinner roll and turned her head when Avery came running into the room.

His face was flush with eyes bright. He had a big grin on his face as he glanced back down the hallway but he was quite alone. Avery looked at her and the keys in Nic's hand. He frowned.

"Are you leaving?"

"Yes. Caden's been arrested and I have to go bail his ass out of jail. However, we're taking our time getting there."

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero's House - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Arrested? Caden?

"Please take a picture. I don't think I'd believe it otherwise."

"Oh, Caden's been arrested plenty of times. This is nothing new to him," Cassi said matter-of-fact. Avery stared at her slack jawed.

"What? He wasn't always good, and then there is the whole "I'm a white cop and your a black man" bullshit that had him arrested for way more reasons than I can count."

Avery snorted and walked over to the food. "Ah well, then yes. Been there done that, but I take it it's not one of those scenarios this time?"

"May as well be," Cassi seemed to snarl. Avery glanced over at her then Nic, with an expression that seemed to say good luck. "Ready?" Cassi asked Nic.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassiopeia blinked as she listened to Nero's German. She repeated the phrase back, nearly perfect, and nodded. "Alright. I'll say it to him and have him read it. And good. He deserves it after his behaviour. Do you want me yo keep you updated?" Cassi offered Nero.

Cassi finished the glass of whiskey she had poured and grabbed something that was easily portable for food. She glanced at her clothes, debating on changing. If she had to, she would just have Nic take them to her house or his. It seemed Cassi was developing three separate wardrobes.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero's House - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery laughed as he dodged the pillow. He pulled on his pants and walked over to the bed. He kissed the top of Kimiko's head. "I believe the word you are looking for is "god". At least that's what you called me earlier," he teased again. Avery quickly ran for Kimiko's bedroom door and ran out into the hallway before she could come after him.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassiopeia glanced back at Nero before she climbed up the stairs. "That choice is yours. You can stay here and wait until I decide to bring him back, or you can come and see him for yourself. I won't make you do either and frankly, he deserves to be in the hot seat for once." Cassi decided to keep the fact that Caden broke into her shop to herself. There weren't many reasons why he would do that, and if she told Nero, they would likely come to the same conclusion she had.

"Can you drive me?" she asked Nic once they were upstairs. Avery and Kimiko still weren't in the living room, and if Nero decided to stay, Cassi wanted to leave them with the imp.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero's House - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery grinned and slid off the bed. He walked over to the drawer he had in Kimiko's room and grabbed his usual black joggers he liked to lounge in and a blue adidas sweater.

"Well, the food did smell good. But maybe you can be my dessert later," Avery said, winking at Kimiko before he pulled the sweater over his head.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassiopeia hunted through the wine shelves as she looked for a particular Italian wine she knew Caden had. She had just picked it up and was examining the label when Nic informed her of why Costa had called.

”He what?” Cassiopeia's eyes snapped up to meet Nic’s and listened to the rest of the story.

The idea that she had to be the one to enter her shop didn't sit well with her. Cassi tightened her hand on the neck of the wine bottle.

”I half a mind to sit here and let him spend a couple of nights in that jail cell.” Cassiopeia sighed and put the bottle of wine back. She took Nic's hand and walked out of the cellar and into the hall.

”Are you staying or coming?” Cassi asked Nero.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero's House - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery grinned and nuzzled in closer. ”Only if I get to tell them why I don't particularly care,” he said and kissed Kimiko's nose. He then proceeded to kiss the rest of her face before finding her lips.

”However, I am rather hungry now…”

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassi wiped tears from her own face when she heard Nic. She wasn't sure what Nero was going to say. Maybe they were going to call her a bitch or a liar, maybe thank her. Cassi wasn't sure but it didn't matter much because what Nic said brought Cassi to the present.

”Everything’s fine. What did he want?” Cassiopeia stood up from the ground and moved to the wine cellar. Nero remained huddled on the ground, but Cassi wasn't going to force them to stand if they weren't ready yet. Likewise, Nic didn't need to know what had just happened. That was between her and Nero.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero's House - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery chuckled and kissed Kimiko's head. He rubbed his hand along her back, enjoying the lingering effects of the moment they just shared. ”I doubt it. But if they did, I don't much care.” Avery opened his eyes and turned his head to look at Kimiko. He smiled and wrapped his other arm around her.

”I'd much rather spend the evening with you than socialize.”

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassi wasn't sure if telling Nero was the best idea, especially with how they looked. But she also understood that feeling of guilt or shame from something you had done in the past.

”You were chained to him. He stood over you and you were dressed in a very thin material. It was completely see through. The dark material contrasted with your skin to make you look like the night sky. The chamber was full of creatures. He had them bow to you, welcoming you as his mate… I don't know what happened, Nero but whatever it was… Whatever made you choose him first, all that matters is you, the you that you are now, is better than what you were then. You actually know what love and family is. What it means to have both with power. What you had then… That wasn't love. It was a perverted obsession. And I know Caden will get you out of it because we are all going to do whatever we can to get you out of it.”

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Costa was silent on the other end of the line for a moment. “An hour, maybe two. Caden won't be released until Cassi comes to get him. I have to know if she wants to press charges as well. See that you do have her come, Nic,” Costa said and hung up the phone.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassiopeia looked away from Nero when she saw their tears. She didn't blame them for the tears or the vulnerability, but she could understand the imp not wanting to showcase. Cassi sighed and moved back to sit against the wall. Her own tears started to fall as the memory came back full force.

”I don't know if you want to, but it might give you the answers you are seeking.” Cassiopeia wiped her face and looked back at Nero. If they wanted to know, she would tell them, if not, Cassi would help them up and retrieve a bottle of wine.

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“He broke into Cassiopeia's shop. It's locked up now and I've kept my people from entering but I can't keep them away forever. Caden made me promise to not let anyone in besides Cassi. I suggest you pack up whatever you are doing and head this way,” Costa told Nic.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassiopeia tried not to smile at the exchange of looks between Nic and Nero. ”Do you not trust me, Nero? I thought we were friends now?” she teased. They finally got up and Cassi led the way downstairs.

Cassi ran her hand along the wall while she walked, humming the Nat King Cole song from earlier as she went. She glanced back at Nero when they spoke up and shrugged.

”Then consider it another lesson.” She kept walking until she heard Nero fall. Cassi turned, alarmed by why they just suddenly fell. Cassiopeia got down on the ground and rested one hand on Nero's back and the other over one of their hands. Nero's question made her pause.

Cassi let Nero go, sighed, and sat back on her heels. ”Not directly to Hell no, but he might try and find more answers for you. He usually comes back by the morning,” Cassi said, hoping her word choice would tell Nero that this wasn't the first time Caden had lost it.

Upstairs, Cassi's phone would start to ring. Detective Costa's name flashed across the screen. Unfortunately, Cassi was downstairs but Nic was right there.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassi sat on the couch and crossed her legs. She grabbed one of Caden's pillows to use as a little table and set her plate on top before she started to eat happily. The chicken was delicious and the pasta was rich. It looked to be an Italian meal and Cassiopeia scanned the liquor trolley for a bottle of wine that would pair nicely.

She heard Nic and Nero talking but didn't really pick up on the conversation until she heard Nero apologizing to Nic. Cassi looked back to catch Nic's eye. She had a silent conversation with him before looking at Nero.

”We need wine,” Cassiopeia set her plate aside and stood. ”You may be content with a sugar overload, but I need a little red for this delicious meal. Trust me Nic, it'll taste better. Nero, come help me find a good bottle downstairs.”

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Caden

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Location: Police Station – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Time moved different in a jail cell. Caden wasn't aware of how long he sat in the cell before Costa came back. His dragon had grown silent, conserving energy likely once he realized Caden wasn't going to get them out of the cage.

“I've called Cassiopeia on your behalf. You'll be released then but not a moment sooner.”

Caden acknowledged the words Costa spoke but didn't comment. Costa hesitated a moment before leaving Caden in silence once more.

Caden wasn't sure if he was relieved she was coming or shamed. Would Nero be with her, he wondered?