Donut Look Now

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Pleased with the shameless flirting, I sit up a bit and kick my legs like a child sitting in a chair too big for it as I listen. With a snort I say,”Oh ekelhaft, you pigs haven’t passed the reins over yet? No wonder it’s such a shit show up here.” I can visibly see Costa bristle at being called a pig, but I really don’t care. Leaving it up to the humans to solve this was like asking a toddler to perform brain surgery.

”And please tell me one of you know what it looks like.” I continue. “The King of Hell wasn’t very forthcoming with information about it and apparently my little imps are useless.”

Costa runs a hand down his face. “We don’t have much intel on it up here either.” He tells me tiredly before turning to the other flirt in the room. “And you know I don’t get to make that call.”

Translations

ekelhaft = disgusting

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Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I raise my eyebrows in appreciation for not just knowing the language, but also speaking it flawlessly. The taller one was interesting, to say the least. Making it obvious I am checking him out, I look him up and down before I answer. ”Ich habe mich noch nicht entschieden.”

I shoot him a wink before taking a seat on the detective’s desk and crossing my legs. ”Was macht ein Prachtexemplar wie Sie hier? I bat my eyes at him with a coy smirk.

Translations

”I haven’t decided yet.” “What’s a fine specimen like you doing here?”

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Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I size the two newcomers up - both of them stood taller than me, but that is something I’m used to. This body was perfect for what I need to do. Not missing the little feline pupils from the taller one, I smirk and flash the black demon eyes in response.”First, I don’t take orders from the Leprechaun,” I start. ”But he made an offer I couldn’t refuse. Klappe zu, Affe tot.” I end the phrase with a couple claps of my hands before flashing a wide smile.

Translations

” Klappe zu, Affe tot” literal translation is “Close the lid, the monkey is dead” but it’s more like saying “That’s all folks!”

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Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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We have a little staring contest as neither one of us says anything for a minute. Then the detective sighs and breaks eye contact. “I’m sure you have a reason for being here?” He asks. “What can I do for you?” I can see how much he hates having to help me.

”I need everything you have on the,” I smirk widely, using my hands to make air quotes. ”Animal attacks, or whatever you’re calling it.” I’m being nice by asking for this instead of just taking, but this city had its ‘rules’ or whatever. Costa’s not listening, looking over my head at something behind me. ”Alright, what’s catching your attention when I’m right here?” Tapping my food impatiently, I try to bring his attention back to me by waving my hand in front of his face.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Although every part of me wants to follow Costa back into the station, I stop myself. Work wasn’t expecting me back for a while, but maybe if I had hard evidence that something bigger was going on, someone would finally listen. I unlock my bike, heading off to the hospital.

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Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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The detective walks back into the station and motions me to follow him. With a smile, I push myself off the wall I had been leaning against. ”He seems very determined.” I chirp to Costa as I follow him. His jaw tenses as he watches me with a cautious side eye.

“He hasn’t figured anything out.” He tells me quietly. “So no reason to involve him any further.”

With a raised eyebrow, I cock my head to the side at his order. ”Ooooh, you are a brave one, aren’t you?”

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Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”It wasn’t just my parents!” The kid says, frustration building in his voice. “There have been other victims! I see Costa finally making his way back to his desk and it seems the kid also notices this. Finally done trying to get anywhere with the officer behind the desk, the young Wu tried to force his way into the bullpen toward the detective.

“Nicholas?” Costa seems a little shocked to see him trying to physically force his way through.

A large smirk appears on my face. According to the reports, Nicholas Wu is the sole surviving family of the latest dead victim Lì Wu. There hasn’t been any signs of his father, Shouren Wu, since the incident either, but a foot or finger of his would show up eventually, I’m sure.

”Detective, please, I need to talk to you. I think you need to reopen the case on my parents. I think this is part of something bigger-“

Costa’s eyes land on me and I swear his face pales when he realizes I’m watching the drama. I throw a wink his way, flashing him the classic black demon eyes. Without missing a beat, Costa steps forward and starts steering Nicholas towards the exit, giving me a look as if to tell me to behave until he gets back. I give him a small mock salute.

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Nic Wu

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I try to fight against the detective and officers pushing me out the door, but I’m not strong enough. Hardly sleeping and eating has taken a toll on me. ”Please, listen to me!” My voice cracks but I don’t care. I just needed someone, anyone, to hear me out. Once I’m pushed out the doors, Costa places a firm hand on my shoulder.

“You need to let this go, son.” He tells me. There was a look in his eyes I can’t quite discern that looks almost like… guilt, but it could be pity for all I know. “Your parents would want you to go on living your life. I suggest you do that.” He awkwardly pats my arm with his other hand before he releases me and goes back inside the station.

”What’s the fucking point.” I grunt before kicking a rock, sending it flying into a nearby parked car.

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Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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One human woman dead and her husband now missing, but the woman had died after getting admitted to the hospital. Based on the other reports, not many made it pass the doors of the emergency room before dying… If they got away from the thing at all that is. This could mean I’d have my hands full of not just finding the little shitter, but also trying to tie up any loose ends.

I mused over these details as I make my way through downtown Chicago, whistling as I go. Both of my hands are shoved deep in my pants pockets as I watch the humans flit about, blissfully unaware that a beast from hell was running amok and snacking on them. Reaching my destination, I pull a hand out of my pocket and open the doors to the police station.

”I need to see Detective Costa right now. Please, I have information that I need to share with him.” I overhear as I waltzed in. At the counter was a tall young man arguing with the receptionist. I recognize the detective’s name as one of the pigs that was privy to the secrets of our world. In fact, he is just the person I came to the station to talk to.

“Mr. Wu, like I have already told you several times, Detective Costa is not available right now.” Curiosity gets the better of me and I side step closer to continue eavesdropping.

Now I know that Wu is a common Chinese surname and the odds of this Wu being related to the Wus I had come here to see Costa about, but how delightful would it be if this kid is related? I lean against a wall to watch, hopeful that I could kill two birds with one stone all in a single trip.

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Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Leck mich am Arsch!” I swipe the paperwork off my desk. ”Fifty fucking reports on this haustier and not one description of what it looks like?!” I groan loudly and dramatically, letting my head slam into the desk. Hearing footsteps enter the room, I hold up a hand. “Whoever the fuck you are, go away.” The words get caught mostly in the desk and my words sound more like garbled mumblings. I also don’t hear the footsteps receding.

Tilting my head up, but keeping my chin on the desk, I glare at the dumbass before me. “You’re playing a dangerous game here.” I growl, but my interest is piqued. What could possibly be so important that this demon would risk his own neck to ignore my orders?

“S-sorry.” The little man squeaks. “There was a fresh attack just five days ago and it wasn’t in our reports so I thought you might want to know-“

I tilt my head. ”Where?”

Translations

“Lick me on the ass!” (German phrase like “Bite me” or “Kiss my ass”.) Haustier is German for pet.

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Nic Wu

Location: Mystic Dreams, Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Thanks.” I give them both a tight-lipped smile before walking out, the chime sound barely registering. You will not find peace. Stuffing the paper bags in to my backpack, I unlock my bike and automatically put my helmet on. At least unconscious me still put safety first. I put my hand on my bike and close my eyes for a moment as I replay the last half hour or so in my head. You will not find peace.

Even if I didn’t find any answers with the psychic, I did end up with a new lead. My eyes flying open, I search my backpack to check if my hospital ID is still there. You will not find peace. Already knowing the way to the hospital by heart, I jump on the bike.

The statement plays again in my mind and I almost laugh at myself. ”I don’t think I’ll find peace either way.”

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Nic Wu

Location: Mystic Dreams, Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I watch Cassiopeia for a minute, trying to listen to what she’s saying but it’s like all I can hear is a high pitched whine and her warning. The tears I had been fighting fall down my face as I feel myself on the verge of hyperventilating. You will not find peace. With shaking hands, I try to ground myself before I have a full blown panic attack. You will not find peace.

”I’m sorry,” I say as I stand up slowly, feeling an eerie calm wash over me as I realize this is a dead end as well.“For taking my anger out on you.” I clarify. You will not find peace. Tiredly, I run my hand over my face and take a deep breath before pulling my wallet out of my back pocket. ”What do I owe you?” You will not find peace.