The Universe Is In His Eyes

The Stars and Galaxies Shine Bright [Independent Danny From Cats Dont' Dance Selective Multifandom & OC Friendly! Written by Bear]

[adreaminmyheart]

I've gotten on this blog to say

DANNY HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN MOVED BACK TO MY MULTI

I'm now active on it, too!

I just have too many blogs, I can't keep up, and moving all but my main blog to a multi is the easiest solution. I want to thank each and every single one of you for sticking with me, this blog would be one year old next month!

To those who follow me there, I'm excited to write with you again!

To those who don't, thank you so much for your support through this past year!

You're all wonderful!!

[adreaminmyheart]

Since we're trying to actually do things here,

How about a starter call?

Mutuals like for a starter, multis please specify which muse you want <3

[thesilvermoonrays]

But... When I Saw Your Face... Somehow... I Felt Inspired. Like My Strength Was Returning. And Then I Realized... ...I Want You By My Side.

Independent Selective Inuyasha from "InuYasha: A Feudal Fairytale" This Inuyasha is Manga Based! Has some Canon Divergence, and Headcanons! Dark Themes will be present OC - Crossover - Multiship (With Chemistry!) I Write Him As His Own Character, Not Attached To A Ship Has Verses based in canon, and AU verses! Loves plotting, but winging it is fun too! All of it's fun! Pre established relationships must be discussed! All interpretations of characters are welcome here! OCs and Self Inserts are just as welcome as canon characters! If you have a Verse/AU for his universe, I'd love to hear about it! If you'd like to make a Verse/AU with me, I'm all dog ears! Please read rules before interacting! Written by Raindrop <3

PINNED POST

Promo Made By @strebcr!

[adreaminmyheart]

This has been my main blog for so long at this point and has recently undergone a huge overhaul

I'm reblogging the promo maaaaainly as a just in case the inspiration isn't a long term thing. But I have redone what I planed to redo about Danny's pages now.

Also a reminder that I'm happy to exchange discords with mutuals! I know this isn't a muse for everyone, for various reasons all over the place, and I'd still love to keep in contact with all of you! We'll see how things go ✨

[adreaminmyheart]

I'mmmmmm going to be redoing pages honestly

I've grown so much as a writer and storyteller and all of the things since I last wrote this kimeowmeow

To everyone who's still here (to my surprise, it's everyone I've written with omg) thank you all for still being here aaaaa

I have to say once again that I can't guarantee I'll be super sticking with things, but I haven't felt this much inspiration for Danny since. Last May I think, so we'll see where things go

I can say I'll make the effort, but even my pen name has changed lmao

[adreaminmyheart]

not me getting overly inspired for muses I haven't written in a long time all over again

I've cleared out the following list for both this boi and Ariel

I'm not guaranteeing anything but I'm not going to pretend inspiration isn't hitting hard

[luximperator]

Danny had a point. Might as well go out if it he was going to be trying new things. No better way than to find out what he would like. "If you're sure it's no trouble." Sure, Danny had his second wind, but he couldn't help but feel like this was asking a lot of the feline. Even if Danny kept saying it was fine.

Knew better than to argue for long, though, if Danny was set on it. His brown eyes flicked towards the glass of purple juice offered to him, fingers hesitantly taking it. The cigarette earlier had been a mistake, obviously - the taste and the smoke had been horrid, but hopefully this experience was going to be pleasant.

The smell of grape didn't quite fully register as 'grape', because what did he really have to base that off of? but it wasn't awful. Finally, he took a small sip, eyes lighting up from the sweetness. "I like it!" An unfamiliar feeling on his tongue, since there wasn't really liquefied light. Unless you wanted to consider lava, and as Ring-a-Ding, he certainly did not have that!

Mr. Ring-a-Ding sat with the drink, taking small sips now and then, trying to fully comprehend it. Everything had felt so...fake, before. Back in his old world. Would it be like this now, if he ever went back? Full of sensation and texture and temperature? Would everyone think he was weird for acknowledging any of it?

But he never would never be going back there, anyway, so why worry? He stared into the remaining juice, rubbing at the back of his head with his free hand. "There's so much I thought I knew, but never really..." he muttered, trailing off. "Feels silly getting excited about it."

[adreaminmyheart]

He wouldn't go so far as to say they have a shared favorite just yet, but it was still good to know that if nothing else, grape juice could be a go to. There were still so any possibilities. Food was just the start of it, there were hobbies, favorite times of day, the magic that was the change in seasons. There was... really everything. It brought a sense of excitement.

If only it were the spring, he could go on about new beginnings. He didn't understand at all, someone not getting excited at a new chance at life. That was exactly what Danny had gotten when he'd first come to Hollywood. It had broken him into pieces and built him back up again, but wasn't that part of life? Such an incredible part of life, it was hard to even think about how he was running on no sleep whatsoever.

The feline couldn't call himself a total optimist anymore, not after what happened. That wasn't going to stop him from doing what he could to turn that frown upside down!

"Why's that? Seems to me like something to be really excited about! Y'know, there was a lot I thought I knew too, and I was wrong about a lot of it. But you take the what life throws at ya and use it to start something new!"

A quick impromptu tap routine up to the table, he's feeling rather inspired right now. It was simple in nature, but no less lacking energy, just as the wide, crooked smile across his face.

"You still have a job and all, I can help you out with finances. Y'know, like ah... buying actual furniture? And things for a refrigerator? Essentials!" Though his words paused, a finger raising to a quiet frown in thought. "Might want to consider upgrading from that tiny place, too. Might be hard to think about now, but even a little more space can make all the difference."

[luximperator]

Probably was a good thing the dance wouldn't go on forever now that it was actually catching up to him a bit. Clearly he wasn't as out of shape as, say, Lux was when he first came out of the screen, but he was working with a more 'real' body so he was a bit winded at the end. He chuckled out a breathless laugh, taking in the quaint home. Better than his apartment building by a mile! Far more inviting, for starters.

He stepped on in, using his cane absently before he eventually set it aside by the entrance. "I like it! Feels nostalgic." And far more lived in. Ring-a-Ding's smile twitched more at himself and his lack of, uh, decorating, back at the apartment.

As for what crossed his mind on what to eat, his mind flashed back to vague memories of Sunshine Sally making him breakfast. Was it an actual memory, though? Or just a fabricated episode? One he hadn't even truly been conscious for?

But he remembered sunny side eggs, bacon, made in the shape of a smile and a pile of pancakes. Not at all of what it tasted like. Pancakes were supposed to be 'sweet', right? He blinked, shaking himself out of the memory.

"Uh...sunny side up eggs? Though, I guess I'm not picky. Can't say I know what I actually like." For now he took a seat on the nearest chair for the moment to wonder what other 'memories' there were. How real were they? Did it matter?

[adreaminmyheart]

"I guess there's no time like the present to learn, right?"

He's mostly used to the whole 'Lux brings these worlds to life'. Part of him was even thankful for it, even if that wasn't the religion his own father had tried to drill into his head. Whatever the case was, the world existed. Even if it wasn't supposed to be, the world was real right now. It meant he was dealing with... well. He'd learned quite a bit in one night alone.

Someone who didn't even truly know who they were. The least he could do was try to help RingADing find out. Right now they could try focusing on what foods the guy liked.

...Good thing he'd been taking cooking classes. One upon a time, he wouldn't dare touch a stove. But Tiana had so lovingly taught him so much, had practically eased every fear he had about them altogether. Turning it into some kind of love language, he was still figuring that part out. But her words would always ring in his mind. As long as you put your heart, and soul into it, that meant more than anything else in the world.

"We should probably go all the way. I mean, I guess it's okay if you only want that. But that kinda breakfast is the kind I was raised with, 'cause it gives ya lots of energy! A meat, eggs, some kinda savory. Some people choose pancakes, some choose waffles, some choose french toast..."

Now he's just sort of listing off things he'd experienced in childhood, taking out utensils. Danny's voice is sort of trailing off as he tries to gather his thoughts, he has to make the most of the energy he has right now. Every passing moment meant another moment where he was going on absolutely no sleep whatsoever. The adrenaline of dancing could only last so long.

"Any of that sound interesting to you?"

An egg was tapped. Then another. Well... maybe bacon wouldn't hurt, but only because he wanted to try something out. He had the same thought. Eggs as eyes, bacon in the shape of a smile. That was just something that made Danny happy to see, maybe it would make RingADing happy too.

"Y'know, I got plenty of stuff. So don't be shy or anything. I guess you don't have a favorite fruit, either..."

Emerald eyes glanced in thought, a glass taken from another cabinet. There were a lot of selections, fruit juice was Danny's favorite treat. But how was he supposed to pick the right one? RingADing obviously wouldn't know what his own favorite fruit was if he'd never had them. Might as well try out his own favorite first.

Grape juice.

Something sweet, but not overly so. Pouring the liquid, only halfway, just in case the firefly didn't like it, the glass is set down on the table.

"Why don't you try this? If you don't like it, we can always try something else, but it's a lot more flavorful than water."

[allnostalgic]

   His passionate drive was a contagious energy. She could feel his warmth radiate as if he was a sun shining down on her. It makes Judy feel at ease — like he was not a stranger, but an old friend. Which of course wasn't the case — he just had that aura to him; a good first impression.

   Despite this, Judy is surprised as his paw extends to her with the question. Eyes blink a few times before she sheepishly lifts her arms to wave her hands lightly. ❝Oh, I'm not so sure about that... it's not that I don't enjoy dancing, it's just that—❞

   Judy was about to explain how she was on patrol and was going to use her duty as an excuse... but when did that ever really stop her from having a moment of fun? Her ears were sharp; she was intelligent and observant. Having a short break would not distract her from her own dream and purpose.

   ❝—you know what? What the heck.. let's do it!❞

[adreaminmyheart]

Even when it came off as though she may not accept his offer, the smile was one that didn't waver. This was why he offered, never pushed. If there was one thing he'd learned, it wasn't to push something you wanted onto someone else, he'd done plenty of that during younger days.

Though words couldn't describe how bright his emerald eyes became when she agreed.

"Great!"

Now that permission was granted, he ever so delicately took her hand. It was important for a dance partner to feel comfortable. Important to be able to express everything through touch, through movement. That was how you invoked emotions out of any who watched, as well!

Movement started slow at first, him gauging her skill level so he could adjust his own to match. Once he'd made the assessment, you can bet he's right back to showing off his natural positive energy. Excitement, passion. Just that he's gently guiding her along as he does so, rather impressed with her ability as well.

There was only thing better than dancing. And that was having someone to share it with! There's no helping his laughter, a toothy grin that could bring out the sun on even the stormiest day. A laughter like spring, no matter the season. A music all its own.

"You're pretty great at this! Just make sure to tell me if I go too fast, and don't let me keep you from your work too long!"

Though his speech paused for a moment, he didn't miss a single step to the song in his heart.

"I didn't even get your name. I'm Danny! It's really great to meetcha!"

[emeraldtied]

{➹} – IT WAS HARD for the hedgehog not to follow the voice he had picked up on that afternoon. He didn't often hear others singing just for the heck of it, unless there was a special occasion or the like around. There was nothing that he could pick up on, and seeing the feline only piqued his interest more.

Singing was one thing, but the only other people he knew who willingly made flower crowns just because were Cream and a certain hybrid.

"Personally, I haven't found a soap that smells bad, so it sounds like a compliment t' me," he answered in turn, smiling as he walked over since the invitation seemed genuine. He only stood near the feline, not wanting to take up too much of their space as he looked from the crown to the individual flowers themselves.

"Though I s'ppose, these days, it's hard t' find a soap that doesn't smell like flowers. They do seem t' be a staple when it comes t' scent."

He may have used products derived from something else (coconuts) but he was more aware of that sort of thing than he thought he would be thanks to some of his friends. Frankly the whole idea of having half a dozen different products had never appealed to the hero even a little bit, but he didn't ridicule those who couldn't say the same.

"I can't say I've seen a flower I don't like so far either."

[adreaminmyheart]

"Me neither!"

Words spoken with a gentle laughter. It may have been summer, but laughter like his could have made spring flowers bloom. Not too loud, but not soft. Genuinely himself, as always in these kinds of situations. He may have had to put on an act when he was around the city, but out here? He didn't have to be the big name he was.

"I grew up on a farm, I've been taking care of flowers since I was a kitten! It's not my career choice anymore, but I guess some things never change. Like a love of flowers!"

Smile as strong as the summer sun, he carefully placed the flower crown on Sonic's head. Taking a few steps back, his hands went to his hips, smile brightening even more so, into a full out grin.

"Looks great on ya! I really like yellow, it makes me think of a sunny spring day. And you're blue! So it kinda makes ya look like blue sky, with the warmth of the sunshine radiating off of your head! Your eyes, oh, those can be the grass."

Now his laughter was a chuckle.

"Something like that! Sorry for talking your ear off there. What's your name? I'm Danny!"

[luximperator]

If Mr. Ring-a-Ding didn't know about a second wind, he certainly would now. Danny was as energetic as the day he'd first met him! A sharp contrast to the early morning. Not that he was complaining. Did give him the urge to want to match that energy - couldn't have Danny showing him up, after all!

And looked like he wouldn't have to when Danny invited him to dance. He grinned, pushing his hat up and posing. "Don't mind if I do!" This, he was used to. Like old times - it was what he was originally made for, after all. And they might as well have some music fill the moment - wherever it came from, it didn't matter. This world was a musical in its own right, so it wasn't even out of the ordinary for a tune to fill the air as Ring-a-Ding danced along with the melody. More swing in nature, his tap-dancing shoes a perfect fit even if he had grass to work with.

"Betcha I can dance there faster than you!"

[adreaminmyheart]

"Even if ya can, getting there's the fun of the journey!"

Tap, flipping around acrobatically. That would always be his specialty. That would always be what came most naturally, and he was happier than he could have been that RingADing was dancing with him like this. Their natural styles may have been different, but they complimented each other perfectly, the feline somersaulting through the air flawlessly, even working with his friend by using RingADing's hands as a temporary boost to flip even higher.

Danny was almost disappointed when they arrived, it meant the dancing had to stop. God knew this was such a reminder, such a refresher of why he loved performing so much. Dancing, singing, it would always be his life's deepest passions.

"Well, this is it!"

It was actually a fairly large cabin, woods nearby, but the house itself was next to a field of flowers. A small lake, more akin to a pond was a slight ways to the west. Hands go to his hips, this cat was grinning all over again as he opened the door. Warm oranges and browns were the color scheme inside, a tidy house in every way.

"Make yourself at home! I mean that. Got any ideas on whatcha want for breakfast?"

[luximperator]

"I can see how it can get pretty overwhelming, yeah," Mr. Ring-a-Ding murmured, antennae perking up when the bus slowed and Danny confirmed this was their stop. He followed behind the cat, surprised when they were seemingly leaving the more familiar setting of the city to more fields.

Now this felt more like it! Reminded him a bit of the town- he shook his head at that thought and kept up. "I don't blame ya! It's real nice!" There was a small compulsion to look at the sky, to seek that sun, but he was smart enough to ignore it.

At least until he felt in his coat pocket for a pair of sunglasses. Ha! So he had a pair after all! He slipped them on and grinned, looking up. But it did give him an idea - one last try to be sure, he felt inside his jacket and indeed ended up pulling out his signature yellow cane. Something he'd never seen Lux use, himself, for whatever reason.

Did this mean his own toon physics were still intact? Huh - guess some part of him didn't have to obey the physics of this reality entirely.

No complaints here! He whistled his song and did a happy spin with the cane as he walked along beside Danny. "Really is a nice day, huh!"

[adreaminmyheart]

"I'd say so."

He couldn't help it. Feeling the soft grass beneath his feet, the scent of flowers. Now there were even trees here and there. Tired as he was, he's going on no sleep whatsoever for what must be over thirty hours now, his kind of setting would always be an immediate uplift in his mood. It's like the lead in his feet from exhaustion vanished in seconds.

Probably what others would refer to as a 'second wind'. An absence of the sleepiness, the exhaustion one had felt only moments ago.

"But I can think of a way to make it even more nice."

Bending his legs slightly, Danny flips into the air flawlessly, though it doesn't stop there. An incredible display of acrobatics, he's flipping and twirling all over the place, complex footwork in perfect tandem as he doesn't miss a single step while simultaneously moving forward.

He's even laughing as he does so, before his movement comes to a pause, staring right back at the firefly.

"C'mon, dance with me! It's not like I live much farther away, so it couldn't hurt!"

[heedingcalls]

The joyous excitement that had been encouraged by the other did not last long. Goldie's smile faded in brief confusion before her eyebrows furrowed in concern. He had said it was right to call him by his first name, hadn't he? No, she didn't make that up. He had said that it was preferred. She releases him quickly and takes a few stumbled paces backwards.

He had said it was okay.

Is it not okay?

Why does he sound so mad? Why were men always so... mad? Was it her? Did she MAKE men mad? At her? Her own family, Pinky and now her first REAL co-star? She's the common denominator in these setups, after all. It has to be her. Maybe people were right.

Goldie does not know what she did, but knows she had done it wrong. Like always.

Tears are pricking at the corner of her blue eyes and, despite her best efforts, the songbird can not stop them from forming. Goldie's lower beak is quivering, and she bites at her lip to suppress the action. She blinks tightly and looks away, shying beneath a gaze that is so harsh.

He seemed so nice, too.

❛ I'm-- I'm sorry. You said I could-- You said we could go by f-first names. I didn't-- I'm sorry..... Sorry.❜

[adreaminmyheart]

Oh God. Oh no no no. That wasn't his voice.

That had been his father's voice.

The tears in her eyes snap him right back to reality. Oh God. He'd just made her feel the way he was made to feel. Every single day. That was unforgivable. Absolutely unforgivable. Here he was, the feline who always believed in accepting yourself, finding himself with a burning sense of self loathing. He'd become the man he told himself he'd never become, even if only for a split second.

His father.

"Goldie, I--"

There's a slight shakiness to his voice. Any hint of malice has completely vanished, replaced by fear. Fear for her, and fear at what he realized he'd become just moments ago. Something he would never believe in, is unprompted physical touch. But he was taken by the moment. He stepped forward, and pulled her into the softest, most gentle hold he'd ever given anyone in his entire life.

"Please... don't apologize."

The fear in his earlier tone was replaced with the utmost gentility. Soft, like a sun shower on an otherwise sunny day. These were things he'd never have told anyone else. But this was in the moment, and she deserved an explanation.

"There's no excuse for the way I just spoke to you. I know I'm credited by that name, but that's for legal purposes only. The truth is, I hate being called that. From friends, to strangers, I want to be called Danny. What you just called me, coming from that beautiful voice of yours, it just... stirred up some really negative memories, let's put it that way."

A soft stroke of her hair. He couldn't even be drawn in by how soft it felt in his hands. All focus was on her feeling better.

"We can go by first names, but please, call me Danny. That doesn't excuse the way I just spoke to you, there's no way you could have known. I've never told anyone that. Not even my friends. It's easier to handle politely asking people not to call me that, but your voice... it's so sweet, so soft. Something about it just brought back a lot of negativity in me that I usually don't feel, and--"

Deep breath through the nose, and release.

"Gonna be honest, I'm not even sure if I'm making sense."

[heedingcalls]

She has so much anxious energy in her that Goldie is unsure of where to even place it. He's already so kind, so cordial. Much nicer than any other male she's encountered in this business, that's for certain. Her cheeks turn red on her tawny colored face, and Goldie can't help but laugh, embarrassedly. She pulls her hand back just to clasp her digits to her chest and nervously twiddles them. Goldie bounces on the balls of her heels and tries to summon a wider smile.

He really, really is SO nice. And even with her being such a newbie, too!

❛ True! True! This'll be a great learnin' experience. I just've been following your career, sir. I just want you to know that just because I'm new doesn't mean I won't be doing my best for the show-- a-a-and you and the crew! I'm just so thankful for the opportunity and I really don't wanna mess it up. ❜

Goldie can't contain it. She hops excitedly and grabs for his arm again. She's ready. This is IT, after all! Her moment to prove she has what it takes to make a name for herself. And with Danny as her leading co-star, there is no better start than this.

❛ Thank you so much. Really. I-I'm just so eager to work with you, Daniel.❜

[adreaminmyheart]

Her ability to go on put his own to shame! But that was a great refresher. Usually he was the one who was constantly rambling on, he was still working on it. Never expected to enjoy hearing it from someone else so much. When she takes hold of him again, he was just about to laugh lightheartedly.

Just about.

...Daniel.

...Daniel Joseph.

...Daniel Joseph Richardson.

As beautiful as her voice was, her voice wasn't what he was hearing right now. It was an older man's voice. It was a reminder he had farm work to do. He had to be up as early as possible. Work. Go to school. Work. Come home. Clean everything spotless. Organize everything. Go to bed. Wake up and do the same thing all over again. No days off.

There were no days off when you were a farm cat. Not working meant no money. No money meant no food, and if long enough, no place to live. It was one thing to hear it from a fan. But a co-star?

"...Don't. Ever. Call me that."

It was purely unintentional, how dark his tone and expression were. Repressed memories came flooding back to him when someone of her vocal tone said his name. Soft and sweet, just like his mother had been. And just the thought of his mother calling him that made his fur stand on end.

Now of course, Goldie wasn't even remotely close to a mother figure to him, and never would be, even if they had been close. It's the tone of voice that unintentionally set him off.

[luximperator]

It was probably a good thing that Mr. Ring-a-Ding was thick skinned by everything he'd already been through, so the insults were met with jabs and jokes of his own through a sneer of a smile until the bus driver called them out.

Finally, he slumped back in his seat with a sigh. He re-opened an eye to glance at Danny and shrugged.

"Eh...I mean, I had fans askin' for autographs but nothin' too crazy. Pretty modest followin'. Enough that I wrote a song mentioning it, I guess." He rolled his eyes a little at that.

[adreaminmyheart]

"Not to sound ungrateful, but I kinda miss the days when I didn't have many fans. When all of it first started, I thought it was just a lot of new friends. Learned the hard way from experience that it's not the case at all."

A short sigh through his nose. A temporary break in his 'character' he always played for everyone else. Give him credit, he's going on no fuel whatsoever.

"What you just saw is pretty normal. I can live with that. But then ya get people showing up on your doorstep to profess their undying love to you. Sometimes even teenagers. And you gotta reject them, and watch them walk away, sometimes bawling their eyes out. I don't look that young, do I? Can't do anything that goes against what people expect of you, or you'll wake up to a mailbox stuffed so full it can't even close. All angry letters demanding to know how you can do such a thing, as if it were actually me who did it, and not a part in a movie.

But the worst of it is--"

The bus slowed.

"...Oh, this is our stop."

Danny hopped off the seat, taking a few steps, before looking past his shoulder to make sure RingADing was following him. Upon exiting, there was some sidewalk, but to the west, was a big grassy field. Completely different from the city. And that's the direction Danny began walking.

"It's not too far from here. I know it's a real commute to the studio, but I guess I just really missed being around grass, and flowers."

[luximperator]

"More like I heard it helps with stress," he mumbled, embarrassed, before they had settled into silence. But far be it from him to think they'd have a peaceful bus ride.

He was practically getting squished against the window as Danny was getting crowded by those fans of his - though, he was quick to catch on that they were probably in it for the clout of having an autograph than any real fanaticism of his works if calling him by his full name was any indicator. Ugh.

Ring-a-Ding scowled and squirmed his way out from behind Danny to point fingers at the group.

"Y'ever heard of personal space, ladies? At least wait til after he gets off the bus! Shoo!"

[adreaminmyheart]

Ordinarily fans wouldn't listen to anyone telling them to get away, but. Look at him. Human face, pig nose, two sets of arms. Now they're insulting him. And probably would have continued, but the bus driver was yelling now. People weren't supposed to stand up while a bus was in motion.

They didn't really have a choice but to listen. It was that, or get kicked off the bus where they were. Bus drivers in the city were no joke. Attempting to smooth out his already unruly hair, he looked at RingADing.

"...Sorry about that. You really saved me there. I mean, I can usually handle that kinda stuff no problem. Has anyone ever been like that to you wherever you were from? 'Cause this is a multiple times a day, daily thing for me. Gets kinda tiring."

[luximperator]

The last thing Ring-a-Ding was expecting was to be taken by the hand and led onto the bus. He'd blinked and sort of gawked when Danny stole the cig from the rat and smashed it, but only gave an apological smile and wave at the offended rat before he snatched his notebook before he was tugged too far away from it to grab.

But he did seem a bit disoriented and coughing a little from the strange feeling in his throat from the left over smoke until they sat down in the bus.

"Y-yeah," he cleared his throat once more. "I mean, I kinda know they are but I just..." Sounded like a good idea in the moment. His antennae drooped a bit before he turned his head away to stare out the window.

[adreaminmyheart]

"Old habit or something?"

Seemed kind of unexpected, he'd never seen the guy smoke. But he'd also only seen him on set. He knew better than to think co-stars were friends, they were co-workers. That's what RingADing had been, too, until now. If he had experience, why did he immediately start coughing his lungs out, though?

All questions running through his mind as the bus continued.

Things seemed calm enough now. The feline leaned back against the seat. He'd just close his eyes for a moment...

Just a short moment...

He's nodded off again. But only for a second.

...Because he's jolted awake by a bunch of women screaming his name.

His name. Not his nickname. These weren't even real fans. Not if they called him Daniel. Didn't these people read interviews? Every single one, he stated that he wanted to be called Danny.

Find your patience, Danny.

Within seconds, he's pushed back against the firefly. Screaming women holding out a small book and pen each. Can't even have a normal bus ride, can he? Ordinarily, he's immediate to react. This was just part of life if you went out in public. But he hasn't slept. He hasn't eaten. So for the moment, he's just sort of staring, trying to process the situation.

Reflex will kick in soon enough.

[stormwept]

"I know... I'm sorry, Danny." As if having to rehearse a part that he's had to play so many times. To have to ease the tension in the room as if there were any. Drake should've just swallowed what he said and kept it to himself. But if it erupted and came at the cost of Drake's 'secret' coming out, than Drake would've never forgiven himself. Drake takes a deep breath in... and out. He turns to face Danny, forcing a weak smile. 'Just swallow it, Drake.'

"I'm okay, I promise. Jus'... sayin' stuff I don' mean." Drake beamed, hoping that it would convince Danny that Drake was just 'seeking attention' as they had always called it back 'home'. Drake would turn to face the little record player and hops off the bed where he would try to deflect the issue at hand by trying to turn it back on. "I'm ready now." Drake began to poke around at the little machine inside the room, hoping it would be enough to not talk about it anymore.

"...Danny? You're... not gonna send me back when we're done with our tutoring, roight?" That was the one fear he had when this was all over, is that he'd be right back where he started.

[adreaminmyheart]

...Did he think he as stupid?

If there was one thing a professional actor could see through, it was a fake smile. He'd been in the business for a while. Studying emotions, vocal tone, facial expressions. That was Danny's career. Maybe a little too much so, to the point that Danny faked his own emotions. But he wasn't going to acknowledge he was being a hypocrite. At the same time, he wasn't going to press for information, either.

Anyone, from child to adult, deserved to open their heart willingly. Not have it pushed out of them in an uncomfortable manner. Whatever this was about, Drake clearly didn't want to talk about it. So he'd leave it there, for now. But it was definitely a lesson to the feline. Be even more gentle than he already had been. For whatever reason, this kid was hurting. Someone had to step in, and take care of him.

Time for him to put on that fake smile. Not because he was annoyed, quite the opposite. It hurt his heart, to know Drake was suffering for one reason or another. But what would anyone think of him if he wasn't his positive, encouraging self?

"Now why would I do a thing like that? I can't say I have a whole bunch of connections here. But if you really wanna pursue the music industry, I'll be taking you to the states. Got looooots of connections there. Just make sure this is what ya want, before ya actually say ya wanna go. There's a lot more to the industry than just singin' and playin' an instrument. The only ones who think it's all about havin' fun are the ones who are on the outside looking in."

Danny knew that better than most people, and he wasn't going to sugarcoat anything to a child. He'd seen plenty of attempts to take advantage of child actors, and he was sure it happened all the time. It's just that in his experience, he was there to step in and put a stop to it.