Darker Scales 3: The Reveal Pt.2
#4 of Darker Scales
"Hello Haeley." She spun to face the voice. Sitting on wooden bench was an orange fox, several fluffy tails curled around it and bunched in front of its paws. She stared for only a moment before she realized that she was standing in an empty void.
"I assume that we're inside my head, or something?" She asked looking back at the fox, trying to remember what had happened.
The fox cocked its head curiously. "A strange jump in conclusion, but not quite incorrect." Haeley eyed the, apparently male, fox suspiciously.
"And what is a Ninetail doing in my not-quite head?" Her inquiry earned a gentle snicker.
"Tails, dear. Even in reference to only one being, the title is still plural." He yawned, then continued. "Although, to answer your question; I would simply like to talk. I'm sure you noticed the kobold's stange reaction to you, as well as Simon's theatrics."
"I remember something about an 'echo', but that's about it." He nodded at her words.
"That is why I'm here, I wished to give you a warning. The spirit that has possessed your body is one of my sisters." He sighed heavily. Haeley waited for him to explain as he licked a paw and ran it across his face. "I do apologize for her behavior; she has never liked humans, and to now have one as a host must really grind her gears. However, you are still the only thing that binds her to this plane, as such she must protect you from anything she views as a threat."
"Like Simon?"
The fox flicked his ear, then licked his paw once more. He avoided the question in its entirety. "You are inhabited by the third tail. She can be difficult, but I think you can manage."
"What makes you think that?" Haeley crossed her arms. This was a lot of information to take in. Simon never mentioned that the Ninetails possessed people, and now she was stuck with one.
"You're the first person she's been put with since she died. For comparison; the vessel I am with is my thirty-second." The fox stood and stretched. "One more thing before I go; this place should not look like this. Something has isolated your soul and silenced your magic. Why this happened is beyond me, but I can release that seal, if you wish."
Haeley looked at the fox with raised eyebrows. Magic? Her? Simon had specifically said that-
Oh.
"Yes please." She answered eagerly.
"Bit of a warning first; this seal is what has kept her at arm's-length. I break this and you'll be sharing a body with the worlds grumpiest puppy."
"Do it." She didn't even hesitate.
"Very well, should you ever make it out to Hseru. Go to the Steady Stud tavern and ask for Luke, it'd be nice to meet in person." The fox's four tails fanned outward and began to course with a purple fire. The flames were directed upward into a ball above the fox's head, before rapidly expanding outward and shattering the darkness.
Haeley now found herself in a forest, surrounded by trees she had never seen before. Dead leaves littered the ground around her, their flame colored bretheren falling from the strange zebra-striped trees.
The fox was nowhere to be found but the bench it had sat on remained. Haeley walked over and sat on its wooden seat, feeling a gentle warmth spread through her body.
Curious.