Donut Look Now

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

Location: Caden’s Mansion - Chicago, IL
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”I’d love that if it’s not an inconvenience.” I say after a small chuckle at their interaction, making a little note to maybe show Cass my houseplants at some point. My life is too busy usually to take care of a pet, but my plants have been my little babies for the past couple of years. I’d never had an affinity for gardening before, but I did thorough research to ensure they stayed alive.

I took the seat across from Cassi, not wanting to sit at the head of the table, and look at her. ”I figure if anyone can convince him to get a tattoo, it’d be his future daughter-in-law.” Teasing, I throw her a wink and a grin.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

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

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My eyebrows raise in surprise and amazement at Cass’s revelation before I turn to Caden as he speaks. Why is he defending Nero? I thought he said demons were a nuisance. Before I have time to reply to either of them, a staff member walks in to speak with Caden. I try my best not to just stare and eavesdrop on their conversation, but it’s kind of mesmerizing how well Caden takes care of his staff. Even though it’s clear that Henry is excited to take the night off, he isn’t visibly surprised by Caden’s offer.

Standing up, I stride over to stand near Cassi as she leads the way. ”You know, if you’re doing the tattoo, my dad might actually let you do it. I was just worrying about how to convince him to…” My mouth falls slightly open when we enter the dining room, my sentence trailing off before I can finish it. ”Caden, your house is gorgeous.” I say, mesmerized by the design. I almost want to ask him if he can hire me as part of his staff too.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

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

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I take a quick note of that while nodding and mulling that over. Looks like I’m getting a tattoo. ”So, do you guys have an artist you recommend or…? I scrunch my brow as I read my last note. ”Wait, does that mean Nero is like… holding someone’s body hostage then?” I would also need to try and convince my dad to get a tattoo too, but that might be hard to do given his generation’s hatred for tattoos.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

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

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That explanation doesn’t make me feel much better, but Caden seems sure that the tiny thing won’t kill me. I wince a little when I remember how hard that ‘tiny thing’ had pushed me last night. Yeah, Nero could have definitely killed me already if they wanted to. I turn to look at Cass when she asks a question. ”Uh, neutral I guess? Why?” Before she answers I look at Caden to say, ”Can you teach me ways to defend myself then if I’ma target?”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

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

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Staring at the floor, I clench my jaw. Knowing what I do now, it was incredibly stupid of me to stick my nose in all of this. ”You’re right.” Then the other part of what Caden says hits me and I look back up. ”Wait, but Nero said they were going to kill me in the morgue - why haven’t they?” I glance between Caden and Cass.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

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

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I digest this information, trying not to spend too much of my thoughts at the mention of my mother. “So then, heaven and hell are actual places?” It’s more of a rhetorical question than anything else. I glance down at my notes and remember the information I had researched yesterday. I flip the notebook to those pages and ask, ”I don’t know if this is helpful or not, but I spoke with the other trauma hospitals in the city about these attacks and gathered my own information.” I clear my throat, not wanting to mention the fact that I had originally putting my little report together to uncover the truth.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

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

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My hand works quickly to write this all down. I feel a little guilty at the mention of Nero. ”So, why is Nero here then? If demons stick to themselves, I mean.” These two are talking about them like they’re still around. I look around like they might magically appear and perform their weird little antics.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

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

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I blink a couple of times to give myself time to process this before I say, ”Right, so immortal god, got it.” I nod to myself. It was a little unnerving to have two Cassiopeia’s in the room but I didn’t want to come off as offensive, so I resorted to joking instead.

”So, what other, er, species are there” I’m using shorthand for my notes, making it a little harder for anyone to read them as anything but nonsense.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

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

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I nod in response before I ask my next question. “I guess the first question would be about the… ‘Factions’? I’m unsure of how to phrase the question and even more unsure what to actually call each species. ”I know there are, uh, witches, demons, and…” I stop myself short. ”How do I ask, er, what you are exactly without coming across as offensive?”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

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

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I crinkle an eyebrow - I might sometimes be naive and believe in the best of people, but I’m not a child. Leaning forward, I look Caden in the eyes. “I’m not a gossip and even if I were, that would be pretty stupid of me. On one hand, it would be completely disrespecting both of you, two of the…” I’m not sure how to refer to them, so I awkwardly move on. “People to save my only family left. Plus, based on everything you have both said already, I’d be signing my own death warrant as well as my father’s.” I clear my throat. “So yes, I understand.” I say while trying to keep my tone free of ‘Duh’. ”No offense.” I mumble the last part.