So many shadows... (OPEN)

"Really? But I can't create fire. That means it IS special, and that you are special by extension," Daniel argued using his "infallible" logic. "You don't need to explain. I too am a superhero," Daniel assured him with a pose. He was totally jumping to conclusions but Hans was sleeping peacefully or just choosing not to comment.

"Well of course you can't create fire, you're a human... er..." Fox seemed to have a slight coughing fit as he basically announced that he wasn't human to Daniel. The Kitsune recovered quickly though and instead decided to keep Daniel talking.

"Wait, you said you're a superhero? What exactly is a superhero?" Fox asked, wanting to keep Daniel from questioning what Fox was if he wasn't human under that mask and robe. Yet he was also genuinely curious as to what a 'superhero' was.

Daniel was becoming perplexed. Something seemed alittle off but he didn't have time to question it as Fox's attempts almost had the desired effect. "What? You don't know? A superhero is a person with powers that they use for the safety and betterment of their fellow man- or woman," Daniel said rubbing his chin and adding the last part. His face looked like he was making a mental note to come up with a better explanation for later.

Fox tilted his head to one side, illustrating his mild confusion at the explanation on what a superhero was.

"So any one could be a superhero then if that all it takes, just as long as they're making things better for everyone else? Wouldn't that mean a farmer is a superhero since they're skilled at growing food and everyone likes food? Making food would be an awesome power..." Fox said, not really seeing his own fox-fire as being special. After all every other Kitsune could also do the exact same thing he'd done.

Daniel blinked and looked alittle crestfallen by Fox's observation. Yes! In that regard a humble farmer would be a superhero! But that was not exactly what he meant. He had failed!

"He means people with special powers or gifts, who stop bad guys. But usually he only deals with stuff the police can't handle. Like supervillains," Hans clarified with a yawn, getting to his feet finally.

"What are police? Are they like city guards or the shogun's soldiers?" Fox asked, making as decent a guess as he could on what little information he had since coming out of his tiny jade prison.

"Also what's a supervillain? Are they just people who use their powers to do bad things to people?" Fox asked, keeping the conversation at least moderately on track. Of course it was blatantly obvious to most that this little fellow was lacking quite a bit of common knowledge about the modern world.

Daniel blinked out of his brief lapse of sadness at the weird description. "Shogun... soldiers?" Daniel repeated thoughtfully.

"Basically," Hans replied to Fox's question about supervillains.

"Shoguns haven't been around for a great many years... and were certainly not from here in America," Daniel said thinking out loud. Oh no! He was starting to suspect something! "You must also be a time traveler!" Daniel announced in a "HA HA" fashion. Hans rolled his eyes alittle with amusement.

"Huh? Time traveler?" Fox asked, more confused now than when they'd begun. He knew he wasn't a time traveler, after all he couldn't go back and change things that happened or anything like that... though he really wished he could.

"I'm not a time traveler, otherwise I could go back and save my parents." Fox blurted out, and then suddenly started to sniffle. A moment later and he was crying behind his mask, the bad memories coming back all at once. It was a bit overwhelming for him to be sure. His parent's were gone, he'd been locked inside a jade prison for who knew how long, and now he barely knew anything about the world around him! He couldn't even cook a hotdog properly!

Daniel flinched at the sudden change. He didn't mean to upset him! "D-don't cry. I didn't mean to upset you. We were orphans too," Daniel admitted, trying to form some kind of kinship by swapping sad stories. "They died in a car accident... I- still miss them," Daniel added, also sad now.

"I'm sure they're in a better place, watching us with pride," Hans said trying to cheer them both up. "Come on guys. Don't be sad. How about I get us some milkshakes?" Hans offered trying to change the subject.

"No thank you. I'm not a big fan of junk food... especially if it's from that bakery with the sex-crazed red head," Daniel said uncomfortably. He hated how she eyed him like her next meal.

"But the girls miss you. Especially Amy~" Hans chuckled, teasing him. Atleast he managed to change the topic.

Fox continued to sniffle under his mask, trying to stifle his crying but not doing a very good job of it. It sounded like Daniel and Hans could relate a bit though, since apparently they were orphans too. But they're parents had been murdered, they'd just died in some sort of accident. Fox really want to get away from the subject, even though he'd been the one to bring it up in the first place.

At hearing something about milkshakes Fox cried even louder, blurting out, "I don't even know what a milkshake is!"

Everything was really starting to get to him now. No family, no home, and not even the knowledge about where he was or what was going on. He felt so utterly alone and overwhelmed.

"Ah! T-then we can get you one! W-would that make you feel better?" Daniel stammered anxiously. He hated feeling helpless at a time like this. He couldn't think of what to do. So- he had no choice but to fall back on his signature move. "Friendship hug!" Daniel said suddenly pulling Fox up into a comforting hug. It would be funny with Daniel being so much more taller then Fox if it wasn't so touching. He also didn't need to announce what he was doing- he got alittle carried away there... but in hindsight it may have been better to make his intentions known.

Fox went stiff for a moment in utter surprise as he was suddenly brought into a hug, and not just any hug apparently but a friendship hug! The Kitsune sniffled a moment more and then clung to Danile, hugging him back as if his life depended on it. He didn't know how much he'd simply needed a hug, and apparently a friend. He'd been alone so long, afraid for so long... just this simple act of kindness left Fox feeling relieved beyond belief. The masked Kitsune kept hugging Daniel and slowly but surely his sobbing stopped altogether.

Daniel also felt relieved that his new friend started to calm down, patting him on the back to help calm him down. "There there, much better now?" Daniel smiled warmly at Fox. But it seemed like even though he wasn't a time traveler, he was completely out of touch with the modern world. Well based on his attire... his only other reasoning was that Fox lived in the forest! But he had knowledge of Shoguns and stuff which implied that he was from Japan atleast. But he still couldn't figure out why.

"Welp I'm gonna head over to Deez. You want anything bro? Maybe some hot sticky buns~" Hans chuckled, making Daniel flinch.

"Hans really. Sometimes I wonder where your head's at," Daniel scolded him, setting Fox down finally.

"What about you kiddo? Nothing beats the blues more then something sweet. And some warm company don't hurt either," Hans smiled impishly as Daniel narrowed his eyes at Hans.

"If he would like to go, then I would be more then happy to accompany him. I don't trust you to keep him safe from that red head," Daniel added seriously. Hans just made an open arm shrug, not denying or confirming what his brother said.

Fox finally calmed down though he was a bit confused as to the question of whether he'd like to go to someplace called 'Deez' or some such. The talk of more food did interest him though, and something sweet would be really nice. After a few moments of listening to the two brothers go back and forth Fox spoke up.

"I guess I could go. But what's this about a dangerous red head? Is it an Oni or something?" Fox asked, after all normal people didn't have red hair! Well at least they hadn't back where he'd come from... at least humans didn't anyway. Though come to think of it he had seen quite a few unique and colorful hair styles in the city since he'd awakened. Maybe it was just a human or something new altogether.

"Heh. No. She's ONIy a girl that really likes Danny," Hans punned. Daniel groaned at his joke.

"I do not deny she has good taste... but I am not comfortable with how... how..." Daniel said at a loss for the right word.

"Forward she is?" Hans asked filling in the blank.

"I guess so..." Daniel shrugged,

"Alright. Lead the way bro," Hans smiled cheerfully as Daniel resigned himself to his fate and did so. He had to be mentally prepared for them this time!


The three would soon arrive at a bakery/diner with a DD neon sign on the side. One of the Ds of the sign looked like it had little horns and a spade tail, where the other one had angel wings and a little halo. After walking inside, the group was greeted by a very buxom, blue haired waitress behind the counter. "Welcome to- oh, Hans. Sup? Hi Danny~" the blue haired waitress smiled from behind the counter, curious to see who their friend was.

"Greetings Alice. How are you and your sisters?" Daniel was about to ask in his usual loud manner, choosing to be more quiet so as not to attract HER attention yet. Adriana seemed to be busing tables on some roller skates, keeping with the theme. Hans simply waved in greeting.

"Better with some friends here~" she replied with a warm smile, sincerely happy to see them. Adriana skated by, her tail following behind as she continued to bus tables.