Huojin

“This is perfect, thank you bud,” Nick replied once the USB with the footage was given to him. “If absolutely any other suspicious activity comes up, don’t hesitate to contact me or anybody else on the force. Whether its regarding this guy, or anybody else.”

“Not a problem. Anything I can do to help of course. I don’t like to see people like that getting away with things.” Huojin admitted. “And I will let you know if there are any other suspicious characters around.”

Watching the footage, the second Huojin exclaimed and pointed out the guy, Nick scribbled down the timestamp. “Perfect! Any chance I could get a copy of this part of the footage to bring it back to the station? We’ll need it for evidence.”

“Yeah, of course. I will get this put onto a usb if you give me a few minutes.” Huojin explained, working through the footage to make sure he’d cut it down to the correct part before fetching a USB from his drawer across the other side of the room. Soon it was on the memory stick and he was handing it over to Nick. “Hopefully that’ll help a little.”

Pulling out a notepad, Nick began writing all of this down. He didn’t want to miss a single detail that the other was telling him. “I would really appreciate that,” he said, following the other to the back so they could check the security footage.

There were two points that stuck out in Huojin’s head as to when the man came in. As much of a pain as it was, he knew he’d have to look at both points in the videos that had been recording. It was pretty painstaking but if it meant he could help his friends and work colleagues in the area and get an ass off the streets he would do it. He trawled through the images until a loud ‘Hah!’ left him and he pointed out someone on the screen. “That’s him.” He murmured, as he watched the others actions on the screen.

“Well, then all the luck finding her then.” Ellie really didn’t have friends, so she couldn’t relate, but still hoped he could find her. “Hopefully you can find her soon.” 

“Thank you, though luck is my speciality.” He said with a grin. “You look like you don’t get out of here too much.”

“Is she a friend of yours or something?” She questioned, curious as to who this person was and why he was so set on finding her. 

“Yes she is a good friend. The best type of friend in fact.” He admitted with a warm smile on his face. “But really, don’t fret. She’s never too far away.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice,” Nick shook his head with a brief chuckle when the other insisted it was a poor photo. “It’s what they gave us. You’d think we’d figure out a way to get better quality security footage, huh?” he added before bringing himself back into the topic. “Well the man left the shop pictured in this photo around 10:48pm yesterday. Was he in your shop the other day as well, or was it sometime before yesterday’s events?”

Huojin gave a hum but it was clear he was already flicking through his memories to try and put a time or a day to when he’d seen him. “I mean... I could be wrong but he reminds me of someone I saw... I think it was the other day because I recall thinking it was around lunch time and I really want to close up and go out for a burger from round the corner. I’d not made dinner.” He stated, explaining before moving from around the counter to the entrance of his shop, turning over the sign and locking the door. “We could go in the back and take a look at the cameras if you want.”

Ellie wasn’t sure who he was looking for, but it sounded like it might not be too hard to spot her. “Well, sorry I couldn’t help more.” She offered. 

“Ah it’s fine. I’ll keep searching. There are only so many places she can be after all.” And he knew her usual haunts. Hopefully he’d catch up with her eventually.

Listening to him, Ellie thought over who had made it through her shop lately before her head shook. “No, I don’t remember seeing her. But if I do I can reach out.” She commented. “You have a name for her?” 

Huojin gave a frown at that. Really, he had no idea where she’d gone but he’d track her down eventually. The girl couldn’t get him off her tail for too long. Besides, she needed him. “I do, but if you don’t recognise the description, you won’t know here.”

“Hmm, forbid you have to get a little sweaty.” She commented, letting out a small sigh. “Is there something I can do you?” 

“Definitely.” Huojin commented with a smirk on his lips. “Actually I was looking for a girl. About ye high, dark hair to here, bit of a kickass.” He explained, emphasizing with his hands. “Haven’t seen her have you?”

Hearing the comment, she sighed before responding. “Well, it’s usually the most effective one for me, but I can try some new ones if you’d prefer.” Ellie had multiple styles up her sleeves, sure she could adapt if needed. 

“No need. I’m not about to challenge you; too much sweating and I like what I am wearing right now too much for that.” Huojin answer.

“I am the mistress of my own fate!” Kida beaned, chest puffed out in pride while she was explained just how the cards worked. The blonde then watched the strange male masterfully shuffle his deck before offering said instructions on how things were going to go. Kida took a gratuitous amount of time to decide what card she wanted and then picked a pretty one that was placed in the middle.

Clearing away all the cards that surrounded the one the woman had picked, he turned the singular card back over to reveal the image. “Interesting... you got The Labyrinth card.” Huojin explained running his fingers over the painting on the card. “In your love life it symbolises that it is going to be a journey before you get to a rewarding union. You are going to have some struggles with communicating with them... perhaps some obstacles you have to get around to do with  family barriers and culture/heritage...” He mused, offering a smile. “But ultimately if you can work through these you will be a strong couple.”

“Really?” Sally chuckled, “And just how small is this small fee?” She challenged as she continued to browse the others store. “Though I doubt you can tell me anything I don’t already know, my b&b is going to be the most successful in town, everyone will rave about it and then in junction me and I have to say, I do love the praise.”

“About, ye big...” He made an action with his thumb and forefinger to display an apparently small amount. “You’d be surprised what the cards can reveal but I understand if you are a non-believe. Even if it did reveal information to you, you would probably ignore it anyway.” Huojin told the woman, leaning on the glass counter. “So what is it you have come in for today then if not for my sparkly company or innate abilities.”

“Oh no- I mean that’s pretty cool and all but I think I’d like to keep my future and fate a surprise.” Benji commented, smiling softly at the other apologetically. “I actually just came here to see what kind of herbs you use in your remedies, see if you need anyone to supply you with them. We’ve had a bit of an overgrow at the gardens.”

“Well that’s a little boring.” Huojin commented but he shrugged anyway, folding the cards and setting them underneath the counter. “I tend to grow the more rare ones out in a greenhouse out the back where possible but I’m not going to turn down more supplies if they are ones I don’t have too much of. That of course depends on how affordable they are. I do hate to buy something I can grow myself.”

“Tarot readings?” Raegan’s eyes list up as she ventured further into the store. The blonde was a sucker for these kinds of things. Well she was a sucker for a lot of things, but things like this especially. Walking into the store had been a trap for an overly-enthusiastic mind like Rae’s. “Well now I can’t walk out of here without a reading,” she sighed before bursting into a giggle. “Let’s see what the cards have in store for me.”

“Just... a small fee first.” Huojin repeated, holding out a palm expectantly, a charming smile on his features as he waited. “But I can’t blame you. What the future holds is always fascinating. It gives us a glimpse into what we may expect.”