Donut Look Now

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nero

Location: Caden’s Mansion, Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Tilting my head, I watch the exchange between Caden and his staff. He cares about them. I observe before turning my attention to Cassiopeia. ”Well at least it’s not a flesh pedestrian,” I say while taking another sip of my drink. ”Nasty little fuckers.” Suppressing a shudder, I think back to the few times I’ve encountered them, specifically the beginning of America’s pilgrimage. ”No offense.” I add for Caden’s benefit.

Speaking of the victim’s family members, I ask,”Is there any family I need to worry about?” I wish I could ask Cassiopeia to show me the creature, but I was getting the impression that she might not be overjoyed by my presence here in the first place. Tapping my finger on my glass, I glance between the two for any signs that they might be holding back information.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nero

Location: Caden’s Mansion, Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I chuckle at her response, telling her, ”Ich werde mir das merken.” Happily taking the drink from Caden and taking a sip. My eyebrows shoot up in surprise - whatever he gave me was delicious.

As much as I want to learn every fascinating detail about these two, I remind myself that the sooner we resolve this pet issue, the sooner I can get my reward. ”What can you tell me about our missing beastie?” I ask, changing the subject. Stepping closer to the two, I sit on the edge of one of the lounge chairs, tucking one of my legs under me.

Translation

”I’ll keep that in mind.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nero

Location: Caden’s Mansion, Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I watch their exchange with mild interest. They must have been friends for awhile now. Feeling a twinge of jealously, I scoff at myself mentally. ”Surprise me.” I respond to Caden with a smile. You can’t go wrong with most alcohols… unless it was American-made. That’s just piss-water.

I take a few steps forward to look over the backyard. ”So, how long have the two of you known each other?” I swing out my leg dramatically to turn back around and face them.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nero

Location: Caden’s Mansion, Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Most of them bore me.” I tell Caden simply. Following Cassiopeia through the house, I take this moment to look around the place. It’s clean, almost minimalistic in its design, the only personal touch that I can see are the many collectibles Caden seems to own. I shove my hands deep in my pockets as I feel kleptomaniac urges to start swiping things. It wouldn’t help me finish this journey any faster if I made enemies.

“Do you eat?”

I look over at Caden and tilt my head. ”Depends on the food.” I say impishly. Truth be told, I don’t need to eat, but there are some dishes that I cannot say no to.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nero

Location: Caden’s Mansion, Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I scoff at Cassiopeia’s warning, raising a single eyebrow at her. ”You seem to be under the impression that I like other demons enough to gossip with them.” I tell her before I slip out of the car.

The two of them exchange words in… I frown while trying to decipher the language, but ultimately give up. I don’t care enough. Instead, I give a low whistle of appreciation as I survey the mansion before me. Based off his clothing and choice of transportation, I could already tell that Caden had good taste, but his choice of living quarters confirmed it.

The butler or whatever speaks familiarly with Cassiopeia, further solidifying that these two weren’t just coworkers, but friends. The staff member turns his attention towards Caden and myself. Never one to feel awkward, I give him a little wave and flash a smile. ”Guten Tag.”

Translation

”Good day.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Oh stop, you’ll make me blush.” I tell the flirt, sending a wink at his reflection in the rear view mirror.

“I’m Cassiopeia,” The other says and I redirect my attention to her as she introduces herself and Caden. When she tells me she won’t divulge her power source to me, I fake a pout.

”Well, you’re no fun.” I tell Cassiopeia before I turn to Caden. ”Well that must come in handy.” I tell him with a newfound appreciation, giving him a once over again. ”Sind deine Eltern Architekten? Denn du bist wie ein Meisterwerk.”

I shoot a wink his way before settling back in my seat. “Am I correct to assume you’ve both been keeping an eye on our missing pet this whole time?” As much as I would like to shamelessly continue flirting, Crowley’s prize is much more lucrative and far less likely to end up boring me.

Translations[/hider

“Are your parents architects? Because you are a masterpiece.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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He would drive a little sports car. I think to myself as I climb into the vehicle. This is where having a tiny little flesh suit is convenient; I’m always carry-on size. ”The name’s Nero.” I chirp to the shorter of the two’s question. “It’s a pleasure to meet the both of you.” I smile widely from the backseat before I lean forward and hold on to each of their seats.

”And you both are?”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I pretend to think about it. ”I would follow, but keeping up with you with these short little things, I gesture to my legs, ”Might make some poor humans question their sanity.” I never learned how to drive a car and as useless as they had been, I want my minions focused on finding the beast instead of driving me around.

”A ride would be much appreciated.” I give my best angelic innocent expression.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I narrow my eyes at the girl, but remain smiling. Secret riddles are the most fun to untangle. Costa comes back in with a file. I don’t miss that he also stares at me longer than the other two, but it came with being a demon. I hop off the desk to exit through the door Mr Tall, Dark, and Handsome holds open for me. I have to stretch on my tiptoes to do it, but I pat his cheek with a smile.

”Mein Prinz.” I coo before walking through. ”Haben Sie etwas im Sinn?” I walk backwards to keep my gaze on the other two.

Translations

”My prince.” “Do you have somewhere in mind?”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Watching with increasing interest, I lean forward and rest my elbows on my knees. My hands hold up my head. I will never admit it to the Leprechaun, but getting involved with this was proving to be entertaining. The third person finally steps in and I sit up when she starts using magic, magic that didn’t come from those of us down in hell as far as I could tell. I watched her move to be next to the shifter before she asks me a question.

”Oh, only when there’s something interesting going on.” I tell her with a smile. ”Although, last time I was in Chicago for business was back in…” I tap my chin as I think about it. ”What was is, 1929? There was some kind of love holiday going on or something.” I shrug before leaning towards her, sure that if my eyes could sparkle like an anime character, they would be.

”Now, I’d love to ask you about what just happened with the pig and you.”

Historical Footnote

The 1929 Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre was the cold blood murder of seven members of the Chicago’ North Side Gang by unknown assailants. The incident was a result of a power struggle between the Irish North Siders and Italian South Siders.