Donut Look Now

Chicago After Hours

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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

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Brain still trying to recover from what just happened but excited to start on the bags, I follow Avery. Kimiko is acting weird and I can only guess it has something to do with my family, but she seems to be trying to avoid broaching that topic in the most awkward way possible. “Thanks again for agreeing to help me out with training, Avery.” I say as I get started on wrapping my knuckles.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m dying to know what Kimiko was talking about when she said ‘was’, but I kind of want to save it for later, especially if Cass and I are going to come back here tonight anyway. I glance over and see the fox in question struggling to copy what I’m doing with the wraps and gloves.

“I’m just gonna start on one of the bags…” I tell Avery with an awkward laugh before quickly leaving the two of them at the bench.

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Chicago After Hours

Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

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

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Nic blinks and I can practically see the gears moving in his head. “I’m sorry, did you just say ’was’?”

Avery joins us and I beam widely at him with gratitude. “Yes! Yes we are, thanks.” I say very awkwardly before Nic can ask me any more questions and I have to tell him my mother had blessed his family but suddenly that blessing disappeared and that’s why his mom died.

“What’s next, sir?” Why am I calling Avery sir? And why did this human have to be so intuitive?

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Chicago After Hours

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

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

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It’s hard to contain my excitement when Nic mentions that his parents told him stories of fox spirits growing up. ”Really? What kind of stories, I’d love to know.”

“Well, my mom used to always describe them as spiritual messengers of gods and protectors of shrines. She said our family had good fortune as long as we were good and pious and that foxes would protect us. She seemed to really believe in that… part…” Nic trails off as he sees my expression.

“You’re not about to tell me my family is blessed by foxes, are you?”

I clear my throat at how perceptive this human is. “Er, was protected by foxes.” I offer sheepishly, looking around for Avery or Caden to help ease the awkwardness of this conversation.

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Nero

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

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Seizing my opportunity, I sneak off to go hide some straws.

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Chicago After Hours

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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

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I watch Caden walk away before I smile politely at Kimiko. “So… what are you?” I ask awkwardly, still not knowing how to ask this question. Luckily, she snorts at the phrasing.

“Well, I’m half human and half kitsune - or huli jing.” She tells me and I recognize the phrase fox spirit.

I raise my eyebrows in surprise, taking a second look at her. “Oh! I didn’t realize fox spirits were a thing too! My parents used to tell stories of huli jing all the time growing up.” I never thought I’d have the chance to actually meet one.

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Nero

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

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I take the moment to appreciate Caden glistening with sweat before glancing back at Avery with an innocent smile. “Well, you two have fun, but if you start wrestling I want to know immediately.” I say with a smirk. I picked up the speed with the rope, feeling more and more comfortable with it as I go.

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Chicago After Hours

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

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

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I barely get the word thanks out before Cassi hangs up. I laugh lightly with a shake of my head. I head back into the gym and jog over to Caden and Nic to hand the human his phone back.

“Well I just received an earful from Cassi. She hasn’t really changed, has she?”

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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

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Before I can answer Caden, Kimiko is there to hand me my phone back. I glance at her in bemusement at her words. “I’ll ask Cass about coming by later for supper.” I tell Caden, finishing my time on the treadmill.

“Oh good, I already invited her over.” Kimiko chirps before she gets started on a treadmill herself.

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Nero

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

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I grin widely, thinking of several reasons why she might visit the staff housing, but I keep those comments to myself. “If I go missing for a bit, you know why.” I tell him before glancing over at the crowd gathering by the treadmills.

“Put in a good word for me with the human please.” I say to Avery.

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Chicago After Hours

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

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

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“Well, I’m pretty sure I just overheard Nic ask Caden to use the car longer, so why don’t you come by to drop it off and we can talk then?” I suggest as I cup my elbow. I don’t know what they’re planning to do or the timeframe, but I didn’t have anything specific I need to do.

“Besides, you might have info to fill in some blanks.”

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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

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”Oh, we went to Cary for some deep dish pizza and checked out the nature preserve and museum. Cass wanted to check out the Hindu temple there.” I go into more detail about the fountain and the fact that Cass burned her hand, feeling like it’s important for me to cover all the information we discovered.

“So, we were going to visit Mr Smith - the general contractor - and see if he stole the missing gem.”

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Nero

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

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After his demonstration, I try out the rope again, managing to get a rhythm going. I beam up at Avery. “If I get bored here, I can go and make the straws disappear.” I assure him.

“Do you have a hiding place in mind? I ask.

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Chicago After Hours

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

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

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I fidget nervously, not used to her backing down this quickly. “Uh, if you want, I could wait to ask him anything until you’re with him.” I offer. If Nic learned about our world and stuck around, I’m sure he’s perfectly able to take care of himself, but knowing what I did about Cass’ past, I don’t blame her for being wary.

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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

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My unease for Nero starts to dissipate as I watch the demon try and jump rope. I put mine away after the warm up and join Caden at the treadmill. “Thank you for letting me borrow your car.” I tell him genuinely.

“And uh I wanted to ask if we can borrow it a little longer - we came across something of your guys’ world that Cass and I want to find a resolution for.” Once again, I start to get the impression that I need to also ask his permission to date Cass, but I shut that down again. I’m not a teenager and Caden is not her father.

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Nero

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

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I laugh and grin. “Who needs to prank the fox back when you can just torture her here.” When Avery asks if I know how to jump rope, I smile sheepishly up at him.

“Was it that obvious?”

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Chicago After Hours

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

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

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I sigh and run my hand down the length of my face. Cassi was as passionate and fiery as they come, so it’s no wonder she’s worried about someone she may or may not be dating. “Yeah, seadh, tha thu uile cumhachdach, tha fios agam.” Despite the less than warm greeting, it feels good to hear her voice after all these years.

“Thàinig mi dhan bhaile oir bha Iouren agus Lì Wu air a 'sgrùdadh a chuir air adhart gu timcheall air seachdain air ais. Lìon caran agus Nero mi a-steach air na tha air tachairt a theaghlach agus mar sin nuair a chuala mi gu robh e an seo an-diugh, dh 'iarr mi a-steach don obair-obrach.” I let out another sigh before I add, “Avery already got on my case, so I’m not going to bombard him with questions today, but Cassi… I need to know why the scroll changed.”

Translations

Yeah, yeah, you’re all powerful, I know // I came to town because Shouren and Lì Wu were on the offering scroll up until about a week ago. Caden and Nero filled me in on what's happened to Nic's family so when I heard he was going to be here today, I asked to join the workout

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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

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I thank Avery before he goes off to Caden and the demon. They had seemed to be hiding from me at first, but about mowed me down when they went for a jump rope. Are all demons like them? They remind me more of a child than anything.

Shaking my head, I concentrate on jumping rope instead. It’s been about a week since I’ve properly worked out, so I can already feel my muscles protesting. I decide not to do any of the fancy skipping I know and keep a steady pace instead.

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Nero

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Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
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“I make no such promises.” I tell Avery defiantly, but beam up at Caden when he kisses my head before finding a spot for himself.

I turn back to Avery with a playful glare. “Also, why a church? That’s offensive.” I stick my tongue out at him before I try copying Nic’s movements with the rope.

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Chicago After Hours

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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

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I apprehensively glance over at Kimiko and my phone, but oblige Avery and walking over to him. “Alright chief, are there jump ropes? I usually do skipping to warm up.” I head towards the cabinet once Avery points it out and pick out a good length rope suitable for my height.

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

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Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
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I pull the phone away from my ear with a wince. “Halo dhut cuideachd, cuir sìos sìos air na ceistean airson mionaid gus an urrainn dhomh freagairt.” I give a grimacing smile to everyone in the gym before I step into the hallway.

“An toiseach, fuck thu cuideachd. Cha d 'fhuair mi ach anns a' bhaile mar latha air ais agus mu dheireadh, rinn Avery ag ràdh rudeigin riut? Cha tug mi a-steach mi a-steach mi fhìn, cha do rinn mi dad!” When did he have time to tell her? And why did I feel like a child being reprimanded by her mother.

Translations

Hello to you too, slow down on the questions for a moment so I can answer // First of all, fuck you too. I only just got in town like a day ago and lastly, did Avery say something to you? I only introduced myself, I haven't done anything!

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Nero

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Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
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“Ich will ihn nicht erschrecken.” I whisper back. I watch as Nic talks with Avery before grabbing a jump rope. I immediately run towards the cabinet to find one I can use. There were so many different choices. I dig around for a green one with a grin and pull it out. It seems to be the length of two of me, but it should still work, right? I traipse back to where Caden is.

Translations

I don’t want to scare him

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Chicago After Hours

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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

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I blink in surprise. Well, it seems they know each other. “Oh, uh, okay. Hold on a moment.” I chuckle awkwardly and walk back into the gym to see Avery and Caden wrestling for a bit before pulling apart. I walk over to Kimiko and hold my phone out to her. “Uh, Cass is asking for you, sorry.”

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

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

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“Good morning Caden.” I say, trying not to sound too shameful by what Avery said to me. I watch as Avery flicks a hickey on Caden’s neck. Enjoying the show between Avery and Caden, I barely register when Nic reenters the gym. When he says it’s Cassi on the phone for me, I blanch, unsure of how she is going to react.

I take his phone and hold it up to my ear tentatively. “Bonjour Cassi, comment allez-vous?” I try to say nonchalant.

Translations

Hello Cassi, how are you?

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Nero

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

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I grin when Avery flicks one of the marks I left on Caden, thoroughly enjoying that he’s on the teasing end for once. When they stop, I pout, but I see Nick come in, so I prance to hide a little behind Caden. I want to stay as long as possible, so I don’t want him to notice me right away.

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