9 Tailed Love

"I'm so jealous! I've never been to Oshance before!" My friend, an owl I named Hoolia, says as I pack my bag. I check over my watering system for my garden once again. "You worry too much. Your plants will be just fine. You know that Jonathan will check them while you're gone," Hoolia says. "You know, I haven't left the woods since my sister brought us here after our parents died in the great calamity. It isn't easy to just... leave. I'm excited, but scared too." Hoolia shivers, fluffing her feathers as if she could feel the freezing temperatures of the Everwinter Forest from here, then lands on my shoulder. "You will be fine. You make friends everywhere you go. Besides, the plants of the city need you. This freezing blight sounds horrible. It almost sounds like-" "The Everwinter Forest," I interrupt her before she can finish. "I thought the same thing. The Everwinter Witch never leaves the forest though, so I don't see how that could be. It will be interesting to actually see the blight first hand and see what I can do to help. I wish Azalea was here though. We always talked about going on my first mission together." I clutch the burned Nature Guardian pendant I wear around my neck. Hoolia hoots sympathetically. "I know you miss your sister. She'll always be with you though. I'm sure she's watching over you and is exceedingly proud of you." I scratch Hoolia under her chin. "Thank you Hoolia. I'm going to miss you too." She nips at my finger. "Don't you dare. I will be just fine. You enjoy your adventure. When you come home, bring me some sort of leaf from the city." I chuckle and cinch my bag shut. "You got it, my friend." I walk out the door of my cottage. I put my hand on the door and say goodbye to the only home I actually remember and start walking. As I walk through the woods, various creatures and other forest dwelling individuals say farewell. Hoolia was right in that aspect, I do make friends everywhere I go. I'm a friendly Kitsune. Most people when they first meet me are shocked to actually meet me, that is if they don't mistake me for an Enumian. Kitsune are people with fox characteristics, ears and anywhere from 1-9 tails. We also have the ability to transform into a fox when we want to. Enumians are a race of creatures that were created by the Omnibeast, a god of the wild whose appearance is constantly shifting from animal to animal. The Enumians have characteristics of animals, but aren't animals. Most have animal ears or a tail, some have patches of scales on their body if their line has more reptilian characteristics. At first glance, someone could easily mistake me for a fox Enumian, unless they know the difference and see that I have nine tails rather than just one. The fur of my tails and ears are white with pink tips, which matches my hair. I have pale skin. Even though I spend a lot of time outside, I'm often under the canopy of the woods. I don't wear shoes often, preferring to have the connection to nature that bare feet give me. Even though Kitsune live a long time, I'm only 22. We all have to start somewhere, right? As I near the edge of the woods, my heart begins to pound, excitement and nervousness mixing together. I can see the buildings of Oshance in the distance, I feel as though my future is waiting for me, destiny is calling.