KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery ate the majority of his meal by the time Kimiko came back. He noted how she sat further away from him than she had before. He frowned and shuffled closer so at least their legs were touching. Avery finished the rest of his meal while Nero told them about his plan.

Avery choked on his last bit of food. He drank some of his water before coughing to clear his throat. "Remind me if I ever have to get back at someone to enlist Nero's help. That is a rather thorough plan. I just figured we would rearrange some books onto random shelves."

Avery rested his hand on Kimiko's knee and used it to stand. He walked over to the table full of food still and gathered enough for a second helping.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Cassiopeia found herself watching Nic's hands. The glow of the dashboard danced over his fingers while he thought about what she said. Cassi suddenly wished in that moment that Nic didn't know about this part of her life, or about how bad it could get. She wished for something separate from this life. A place she could run to and not be Cassiopeia Claire Alistair, an all powerful sorceress with a dragon for a best friend and a demon for an enemy.

Cassi shouldn't have been surprised by his answer but she was. She felt her cheeks heat up with a pricking in her eyes. She turned her head to stare out the window. She breathed deeply in an effort to hold the hot tears back that threatened to spill down her cheeks.

"It's not the first time I've had to clean up a mess," she told Nic.

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery frowned at Kimiko, her lack of reasoning for being hit not amusing to him. He resumed his eating but didn't get very far before Kimiko helped herself to his plate of food. He pouted and turned away from her to eat in peace.

”When do you want to start rearranging Caden's office?” Avery asked, moving right past the uncomfortable topic of conversation.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Cassi gave Nic some more food before she felt ready to answer. ”Well… I have all the supplies one might need to summon a demon. I have a feeling that's what Caden did and if Caden only wants me in the shop then… I don't know, Nic. Maybe you should just wait for me outside when we get there.”

Cassi knew Nic wasn't a stranger to death. Working in an ER was almost a guarantee to be around a dead body but she wasn't sure how bad the body in her shop would be. She didn't want to subject Nic to that if she didn't have to.

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery had taken a seat on the couch and started to eat before Kimiko arrived. He glanced over when she said goodbye to Cassi and smiled when she joined him. At least until she hit him.

”What was that for!?” Avery frowned and shifted away from Kimiko to eat his good in peace.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassi climbed into the SUV and took Nic's plate from him. ”Yes,” she answered him. Cassi ate some of the pasta she had taken before Nic got into the car and started to drive. She set her plate aside and shifted in the seat to face Nic better.

”What do you want to eat first?” Cassi asked, she examined his plate of food, pushing some of it around with his fork.

Cassi's mind alternated between being angry at Caden and afraid for him. She didn't know what was going through his head but she did know how he got when he was scared or upset.

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.