Donut Look Now

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I grin at her lopsidedly over her adorable behavior before gesturing towards a shooter game with zombies. “Shall we kill some zombies?” I suggest before asking in a lower voice, “Are zombies a real thing?” I look around to make sure Kat and Jane aren’t near enough to overhear.

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

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

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I take a good gulp of my drink before settling myself by Caden. When he shows me the photos, I shake my head, not recognizing anything. “What are the theories?” I ask before finishing off my scotch. It’s a little strange that in one of the largest monster populated cities that whatever this thing is, is draining blood like a vampire and taking hearts like a werewolf.

“I wonder if it’s even drinking the blood or eating the hearts. Feels like it could be a red herring.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I grin. “That’s where the best jokes comes from! Rude!” I declare with a gasp after Cass hit me with her virtual bike. I know there’s a stereotype about boys and video games, especially Asian boys, but I really did mean it when I said I hadn’t been to an arcade since middle school. I think my parents kept me from getting too involved with video games in order to help me stay on the fast track to becoming a doctor. All this to say, Cass is currently kicking my ass. Jane doesn’t hide her amusement in the fact that I’m losing either, because she starts cackling.

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Nero

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

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If I want to put a little extra effort in my outfit tonight, I should start getting ready now. “I’m going to go die of embarrassment now.” I joke. “But really, I’m going to go get a jumpstart on getting ready, you two catch up.” I say before prancing away and towards Caden’s room.

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

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

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“Ooo, espionage before I’ve even had the chance to get rid of the jet lag. I love it.” I say as I watch Nero walk away before turning to Caden. Crossing my arms, I raise an eyebrow at him. “Alright, I have a million questions - first of all, a demon? That’s unexpected you sly thing.” All I’d known of Caden since I first met him was that he was always such a free spirit in his relationships, it’s surprising that a demon is the one to have tied him down. I briefly wonder how long it will last, but otherwise tuck that thought into the back of my mind.

“Second of all, what’s the case?”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I laugh at Cass’ confusion. “You’ve never heard that before?” I pull out my phone and quickly pull up the meme I’m referencing to show her before the race starts. “I was talking about this stupid meme.” I tell Cass, still chuckling.

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Nero

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

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I watch Avery leave with mild interest. He’s a hard one to get a good reading on. “Ich glaube, der Welpe mag sie nicht besonders.” I look up to say to Caden.

”Oh! Sie sprechen Deutsch? Wie wunderbar.”

I blanch, not having expected someone else knowing German. I cough and smile sheepishly. “Sorry, I got a little too comfortable thinking Caden and I were the only ones to speak it.” Now I definitely regret not learning more languages.

Kiki laughs it off. “That’s quite alright, no worries little one.” She says before turning to Caden. “I think he put me on your side of the house? I was surprised he still remembered me. Where’s Nero staying? I don’t want to step on any toes.” She certainly darted about conversations like a fox would with stealing food, I observe.

Translations

I don’t think the puppy likes her very much / Oh! You speak German? How wonderful!

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I share a grin with Jane. “She already knows us so well.” I say with a laugh before heading over to the bike game. “Now if only these were acoustic bikes instead.” I say dramatically as I step over the side of one and take a seat. I’ve always been tempted to get a motorcycle, but my mom had always talked me out of it, asking why I wanted to die young.

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

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

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I raise my eyebrows and grin mischievously when Caden introduces someone as his partner. I look at the little thing in wonder. “Why, you’re adorable!” I say to Nero. “You simply must tell me how you were able to finally get this man to settle down.” I coo before taking a look at Avery. A dragon, a demon, and a wolf all under one roof? Well, and a fox now. This could turn very interesting or into a massacre.

“Now Caden, I’m sure I would have remembered someone this handsome if I had met them before.” I give Avery a flirtatious wink and a smirk before turning back to Caden. “Now, where are are you taking me for my expensive dinner tonight?” It’s easy to put up this act while around Caden - he’s the one who helped me master the cool and confident exterior in the first place.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I grin at how enthusiastic Cass is about this litter arcade. Everything she does is just adorable. “Alright Cass, where do you want to start?” I ask with a gentle squeeze of her hand. I’m glad to see there’s an air hockey table along with several other arcade games you’d expect to find.
“Just know that Jane and I will fight to the death in any of them.” Said shorty smacks me on the arm and tells me to shut up.

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Nero

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

Once released, I swiftly pull my glove back over my hand and follow Caden in his search for Kiki. I hear light steps and an attractive girl walks out of Caden’s dining room, grinning.

“Is this what these yanks teach you? To just yell at your guests?” Her accent is beautiful with a hint of Scottish lilt to it. I tilt my head as she makes a run at Caden and throws her arms around him with a laugh. “I’ve missed you too, old man.” She says.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I grin at her idea. “Let’s find out.” I say, getting up from the table and grabbing everyone’s trash to throw away. “I don’t think I’ve been to an arcade since I was in middle school. Here’s hoping I’m still good.” Garbage taken care of, I offer my hand to Cass to hold while we walk if she wanted to.

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Nero

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

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Squeezing Caden’s hand back, I think it over - Caden’s right, this isn’t a job for me, I’m just following Caden to spend time with him, so technically I could do whatever I want. “I’ll keep that in mind then.” I say with a grin as we approach his house. I’m going to dress cute as fuck tonight. I decide to myself.

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

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

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I see a flash of headlights from my spot on the couch and excitedly put my book down. It’s been awhile since I last was in the same room as Caden and I’m glad he happened to be in the states at the same time as me. I sit up a little straighter, but avoid running to the front door to ambush him.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I’m the first to finish my food, but that’s not a surprise to anyone who knew me. “I’m going to start setting my schedule to be opposite of yours if you keep teasing me like this.” I threaten Jane in jest. The hospital would probably love if they could do that, having their head ER nurse and head ER doctor on opposite schedules so that the ER ends up always being in good hands.

I never really cared about working overtime or staying late at the hospital before, but with Cass now… I glance at her, eyeing the way she’s eating her food in the opposite style of how I eat. Yeah, maybe I’ll start using my PTO more and staying on my current schedule would mean more time for date nights with Cass too. I start gathering the trash into a pile.

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Nero

Location: Driving - Chicago, IL
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I stare at Caden’s hand in my lap for a moment before I rip the glove off completely and hold his hand. “Kitsune…” I say, mulling the word over. “That’s a fox, right? Wait - am I going to be the only one not able to easily pick out this perfume scent tonight?” I pout a little at this revelation.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I would grin at her agreeing, but my mouth is full of food. Then she has to ask her question to Jane and Kat, making my ears turn red before they even start.

“You should have seen him in college.” Jane starts with a snort. “We would go to the dining hall and this guy would have five grilled chicken breasts for himself with a bowl of broccoli. There was something about him needing a high-protein diet at the time.”

I swallow my food. “Okay, it was a diet for body conditioning and usually I wouldn’t have had anything since breakfast so I’d be starving, thank you very much.” I grab the paper straw wrapper near me and flick it at Jane.

“Okay, and what’s your excuse now?” Kat asks.

”… I’m hungry.” I say in a small defeated voice. High protein is still a good diet plan with how much I’m on my feet with work.

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Nero

Location: Driving - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I grin widely. “This will b fun! I declare, settling back into my seat once again. ”Does Avery know this old friend too?” I ask Caden, tugging on my gloves a little. I hadn’t felt pain since the memory resurfaced yesterday, but it was rather itchy today.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”I would also like some alone time with you.” I say, nodding in agreement. I smiled at the food choice from Cass. “I think I know just the place to go, unless you have somewhere in mind?” I mix up my beans and rice, eating in large bites. There was a cute place outside Chicago where the pizzeria is part of a butcher shop that I think would be perfect.

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Nero

Location: Driving - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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“Aber das ist ja das Tolle daran!” I say with a fake pout before I turn fully in my seat to look back at Avery.

“Do you want come to the club with us, Avery?” I ask in an excited wiggle before adding, “Two noses would be better than one.” I do my best impression of innocence as I silently beg Avery to agree with wide eyes.

Translations

But that’s the fun part!

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I laugh, shaking my head. “I promise your burrito was safe, but what I meant was for our next date. What kind of food would you enjoy?” I eat one of the tacos in almost one bite.

“Ooo, already planning a second date?” Jane asks in excitement. Kat pats her shoulder in a ‘don’t-embarrass-them’ kind of way and slightly shakes her head in a warning. Jane misses the social cue. “We can go on another double date if you’d like!”

I chuckle with a shake of my own head and look at Cass. “Jane wants to make friends with a couple so she can have all the group dates and stuff.” I explain.

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Nero

Location: Driving - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I think about it for a moment as I deliberate the pros and cons. Having extra eyes in the club scene to find our killer might be a good thing… I glance back at Avery for a moment before I face Caden again. “Können wir den Welpen mitbringen, um sie abzulenken?” I ask with a cheeky grin.

Translations

Can we bring the puppy to distract her with?