Ralph exits the apartment and closes the door behind him. He turns himself about face and looks out into the hallway.
“Hey, Ralph!” calls Danny in his view. “Heading out?”
“Yeah,” Ralph answers. “Going to chill with some buddies.”
“Going out with Josh again?”
“Um, not quite. I’m hanging out with Zach, Winnie, and Emma.”
“Taking a break from the big, brown bear?”
“Something like that. I like him a lot, but I shouldn’t be putting off my friends... I need to pick Zach up from work, then we’re headed to the bowling alley.”
“How is that fox doing? Still upset about the dating frenzy?”
“Zach… actually found someone; an old acquaintance from Buscity, he told me. Melissa the Rabbit’s her name.”
Danny’s eyes widen. “The daughter of the CEO from Green Gadgets? What is she doing out here?”
“Starting a new life, from what I heard. I’ll let Zach tell us about her. Right now, I have to get going. See ya!” Ralph speeds off for the stairs and vanishes on his descend.
“See ya, Ralph.” Danny turns and heads back inside his apartment with the mail he had picked up earlier.
“Anything interesting?” asks Kyle, sitting on the couch in the living room area.
“Not really,” responds Danny. “Just bills and… Oh, more junk.”
“Same old crap,” adds Kyle.
“Well, what do you expect? We don’t get anything interesting."
“Nothing interesting ever happens around here, either… We’re mostly cooped up in the apartment much of the day…”
“Well, what do you want to do, Kyle?”
“How about we head outside and wander around the park?”
“That’s what you want to do? Just go for a walk in the park?”
“Got anything better than that, Danny? It’s not like your digital girlfriend is going anywhere.”
“Don’t insult my Kiki! She’s a brave fighter and my trusted sidekick.”
“Oh please… It’s a video game; you’re fighting fictional enemies alongside an imaginary female character in a fake world. She isn’t real.”
“Kyle…”
The tan fox gets up. “Park… Now.”
***
The two animals stroll along the paved path of the city park. They stay together as they navigate through the green space. Many other animals have taken the opportunity to do the same; being the day is very nice, sunshine and clear skies.
“Kyle!” calls out a voice. The two animals stop and turn around. Fast-approaching them is a fennec fox, who is half of their height. Her lime bikini set stands out among her tan fur, yet compliments her green eyes. She quickly collides into Kyle and wraps her arms tightly around him.
“Ooff!” utters Kyle, accepting her hug back. “Hey, Tara. Good to see you.” She pulls away from him with a smile. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Neither you, Babe,” Tara responds. She turns to the rabbit and extends her greeting. “Good to see you, Danny.” Danny responds with a wave and smile. She turns back to her boyfriend. “You two just out for a stroll?”
“Pretty much,” responds Kyle. “Figured it was better than sitting around our asses all day.”
Danny points to his roommate. “He dragged me out here… I could’ve been back home on my computer…”
“Your game isn’t going anywhere,” Kyle states. “However, the light of day is.”
“You know what you need, Danny,” Tara utters. “You need an actual girlfriend.”
“Doubt that,” says Danny. “No girl would ever come near me.”
“You don’t know unless you try… Zach struggled with dating, but he at least tried and did his best.”
“I’m just like him… I won’t get anyone…”
“Oh, stop that,” Kyle claims. “You’re being too hard on yourself.”
“It’s true… I’m not going to-” Danny freezes and notices her; the short, pink rabbit with the conical hat and katana. She is standing with her kobold sidekick as they chat by the fountain. “Oh my God… Who is she…?”
“Who is who…?” Kyle then traces where the black rabbit is looking. “Oh!” He smiles before turning back to Danny. “Looks like you’re in luck!” He pushes him toward the smaller rabbit. “Go get her!”
“Hey!” utters Danny. “Not so hard!” He is pushed closer to the pink rabbit.
“Um,” utters the small samurai bunny. “There any reason you are standing there…?”
“U-uh, h-hi,” Danny spurts. “I-I’m Danny… You look so cool…”
The pink bunny narrows one eye. “Uh, what?”
“I think he’s trying to flirt with you, Haya,” says Berc.
Haya points to the taller rabbit. “Him?” She then faces Danny. “You are flirting with me?”
“Uh, I think so…”
“What do you mean you ‘think so?’ Have you no experience?”
“Well, I…”
“You are weak,” remarks Haya. “Yet, you have the courage to come up and attempt to try to seduce me?”
“It was my roommate’s idea,” Danny says. “Besides, I like the way you look. Are you supposed to be a samurai of some sort?”
“I’m a warrior, Peasant! Do not disrespect me.”
“Oh, I like the way you sound. Where do you come from?”
“You are not to question about my past, understand?”
“Hey,” starts Kyle, coming up to the group. “Just coming by to see how it’s going,” he says to Danny. “You get her number yet, Buddy?”
“Who is this mortal?” Haya asks. “Identify yourself!”
“Whoa, take it easy, Lady,” Kyle utters. “I’m Kyle. I’m Danny’s friend and roommate. Did he introduce himself to you?”
“I did,” Danny claims. “I’m just trying to get to know her.”
“For your information, I am Haya,” the pink rabbit states. “I am a skillful fighter, and you will show me the proper respect.”
“I’m Berc,” says her kobold companion. “I’m her sidekick.”
“Quite an interesting pair, the both of you are,” remarks Danny.
She points to him. “Don’t you dare defile me!”
“Haya,” Berc utters, getting in front of her. “Just calm down…”
“Listen,” Kyle spurts, trying to diffuse the situation. “Take it easy, Ma’am… There must be a huge misunderstanding… My friend here was only coming to you to ask you out.” He turns to his friend. “Isn’t that right, Danny?”
Danny trips over his words. “I… um… I…”
“See, Haya?” asks Berc. “They mean us no harm. This rabbit was only interested in getting closer with you.”
“Well,” Haya begins. “For your information, I am not one that can be claimed easily. You are wasting your time; as well as mine.” She vacates the area. “Come, Berc. We must track and destroy any demons and find the one we’re after.”
Berc turns and faces the two animals. “Uh, it was a pleasure meeting you both! See ya around!” He waves and distances himself from the duo.
Danny lets out a sigh. “Oh well, that’s that.”
“Hold on a minute,” injects Kyle. “You can’t just take rejection like that!”
“Why not? Kyle, were you not standing here when she turned me down? There’s nothing I can do about that.”
“Even so, but that doesn’t give you an excuse to give up. It’s clear to see she is uninterested in you because you haven’t impressed her. You need to work on trying to get her to like you back.”
“And how am I supposed to do that?”
“You find out what she likes.”
“I barely even know her, Kyle… What would a chick like her be into?”
“She dresses up and acts like a samurai warrior, doesn’t she?”
“Uh, looks that way…”
“Don’t you think it’s possible she could be into the same stuff you are? You know, like video games and comics?”
“I… suppose so…”
“Then there’s your answer. Research into it more.”
“I… guess I can try…”
***
Outside of the park, we see Rachael Ringtail sitting inside the diner across from her partner from the set. The two of them are waiting on their food as they have some hot beverages.
“Ah, isn’t this nice?” the sheep asks. “Nothing but sitting here and enjoying some lunch. I appreciate you coming.” The green raccoon remains in her seat, silent. “Okay, you haven’t said a word since we’ve sat down. What’s on the old noggin?”
“I’m just a little worried, is all,” Rachael finally utters.
“Worried about what? About the show?”
“No, about Zach… He’s been having dating troubles, when I last heard.”
“You’re worried about a predator like him? Rachael, look at him! Devious and sly, just like all foxes. You’ll never know when he’ll strike!”
“Willy, you don’t know him very well, and you do not understand! He’s not hurting you or anyone else. Zach’s a gentle and kind fox, and he wouldn’t do any bad things. Despite what some rumors say about him. If you’d gotten to know him better, you’d understand.”
“Why is this of concern for you?”
“Because of the way you treat him! Especially after you stole the superhero role from him and lied to everyone about it… You are no better than that!”
“He doesn’t deserve it, Rachael. That fox was trying to steal my spotlight. That, or he was trying to get closer to me so he can take advantage of me.”
“You’re always thinking about yourself, Willy…! Never anyone else!”
“I’m looking out for all animals like me, Rachael. Predators, like the fox, are a danger to all prey animals! They need to be reminded they are not kings and queens over us!”
“Zach hangs out with prey animals, Willy! He’s friends with a rabbit, a warthog, and a chicken! They’ve been friends for a couple of years.”
“He could be planning something! Those animals could be in danger!”
“I think you’re delusional, Willy. You are bias, ignorant, and don’t give people a chance. This isn’t like what happened in the past! Things have changed.”
“I’m done with this conversation! I do not want to hear anything else out of your mouth. No more talk about the fox and his evil ways, nor do I want to hear about any other predator. And do me a favor; don’t talk back to me about my life! I’ve already made my choices.”
“And I will make mine.” She gets out of her chair.
“Where do you think you’re going?!”
“There’s no reasoning with you, anymore. What I’ve done, it’s all to make everyone happy and get along. Apparently, that’s not something that can happen with you… You will never learn from anything with your current state of mind.”
“So, what? You’re going to quit the show?”
“When this season of ‘Wool & Wiles’ is done, I will be, too. I have better things to focus on than to pretend to be your friend behind a camera. Thanks for lunch…” The raccoon then waltzes away without another word.
“You’ll be sorry,” Willy says. “That fox will be, too, if he isn’t careful!”
***
The red fox, having been nearby when the conversation had taken place, shakes her head and continues on her way. As she’s halfway down the alley, she stops at the sound of clanking and shattering glass coming from one of the bins. She cautiously turns the corner to investigate, and notices the red demon on top of the bin, chugging down beer from the bottle he holds.
The imp turns to her, spotting the fox from nearby. “Ah, well look who it is. If it isn’t the red, naked fox.”
“I am wearing essential coverings, thank you,” she tells him. “And I have a name; it’s Amina, in case you have forgotten.”
“Right. Whatever you say, Toots.”
“Don’t call me that either, Igor.”
“Ah!” The imp points to her and smiles. “I don’t believe I told you my name before. Those four animals tell you who I am already?”
“Yes… Emma informed me about you; the troublesome demon she, Zach, Ralph, and Winnie have summoned.”
“Quite right, you are. Say, whatcha doing down this way? You know it’s dangerous go down an alley all alone, right?”
“I am well aware. I am returning home after a successful scavenge.”
“This a shortcut you take?”
“You… could say that.”
“What did you scavenge? Food from the diner’s garbage?”
“Look, I’d love to chat, but I must be going. Farewell, Igor.” Amina continues down a bit further.
Igor watches as she disappears behind the wall. “Meh…” He goes back to sucking out the remaining liquid from the glass bottle he holds.
