“So what is this school exactly and how did you find me?”
He handed me a pamphlet like the one I had gotten from Ryan and I toss it to the side unimpressed.
“I don’t want to read some over embellished pamphlet. Tell me exactly what this place is.”
(M) ‘You didn’t need to do that it could have held something important.’
(B) ‘I want to hear it from him. Not read some pre-planned pamphlet.’
“I highly suggest you read it. You’ll find it contains much more details than the one Ryan gave you.”
(J) ‘Come on Briana he doesn’t look like a bad guy.’
Grudgingly I pick it back up and open it to see he was right. With detailed accounts of the many facilities and personnel who inhabited the school.
“We are a ‘school’ on paper. What we really are is a haven for those that are lost or endangered. Harboring many mythological creatures and legends safe from prosecution and extinction.”
(E) ‘Look! There’s Jack!’
(M) ‘Quiet Elizabeth I’m trying to read this.’
“What does this have to do with me then. I’m human not some mythological wonder.”
“Physically you are human yes, but we both know that’s not the entire truth young fox.”
He pulled out my sister’s research notes and laid them out in front of me.
“Many people hold special entities and powers within them. Whether that person ever becomes aware of those innate characteristics is not guaranteed.
Usually, we find these people after an accident or some kind of freak event. We’ve also tried looking for these people, but our efforts have been minimal at best.”
Ryan speaks up from behind me reaffirming his point.
“It’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack without a magnet.”
“Which is where your sister’s scanner comes into play. We’ve been investing in a new scanning technology that could detect these people at an earlier age, and using a backdoor access we could find these people first before anyone else.”
“So using my sister’s test you found me.”
“Yes we did, it was quite a surprise actually. I didn’t think it would have such good results in its initial testing. Looking at your readings we were able to come to the conclusion that you were a kitsune.”
(T) ‘Well, there goes your little secret.’
(B) ‘I’m not buying it just yet. This was its initial testing wasn’t it.’
“Not to be rude but that seems like quite an assumption.”
“It was a big assumption on my part, but we did know you had innate magic in you so. I just felt that it would give you a sense of comfort to know that you are not alone here.”
(M) ‘That was one hell of a guess. I mean he wasn’t wrong but I thought they would have had more concrete evidence than that kind of guesswork.‘
No real reason to hide it anymore I guess. Might as well embrace the fact.
“Well, you were right. I have the soul of kitsune. What do you want with me.”
“We wish to help nurture your power and protect you from those who wish to use your power for their own desires.”
“Like those guys that came after you this morning. Aurora took care of their detection spell but they must have had an alert signal or something built in. On its destruction it still gave away our location.”
Ryan was leaning against the back wall with a scowl on his face. I didn’t know what exactly it was but I think he had some beef with those guys.
“But I don’t have any power. I might have the soul of a kitsune, but I’m human.”
“That might not actually be the case.”
“What are you talking about? I’ve been human my whole life.”
“It’s just a hypothesis I’m working on, but we can talk about that later. We’ll have plenty of time to explore that later. I’m sure you’ve had a long day and would like to get some dinner so how about this.
Spend the night and talk to everyone here. Get a feel for the place and see for yourself how you enjoy it. Hearing it from them will be a lot more entertaining than me just giving you a long lecture.”
(M) ‘Is it just me or does this guy know more than he’s letting on.’
(T) ‘It just goes with the territory of these guys but he doesn’t seem that bad.’
(E) ‘That’s a standing ovation from you. Why do you say that.’
(T) ‘It's just a gut feeling and the way he looks. Can’t really explain it more.’
(B) ‘Even if he’s trustworthy I need to tell my parents I’m okay.’
“What about my parents? Did you let them know where I am?”
“I’ve already sent them an email with all the information about this place and your willingness to come here. They sent me a confirmation email on how grateful they are for us accepting you.”
I'm not exactly sure what those two are thinking about this, but they are way too accepting of this.
“Can I call them?”
“That can be arranged. We have a landline that we use to communicate. Also, we have fiber optic cable internet. You wouldn’t believe the download speeds we get out here. We try not to use wireless devices here since some of our residents are quite sensitive to it.”
“Here, follow me it’s just down the hall.”
Ryan opened the door showing the way to the phone. I followed him as Mason waved us goodbye.
“It was nice to finally meet you Brenner. See you tomorrow.”
Ryan led me down the hall to a wired phone which I used to call my parents. It took a while but my dad finally picked up on the last ring.
“Hey kid, what’s up? How is the place?”
“It’s nice but what I’m amazed about is the fact that you were so accepting of this.”
“Well, we thought you’d enjoy it. You did sign up to go yourself didn’t you?”
“Yes, but you weren’t surprised at how sudden it was?”
“I mean we were a little, but they said we could come visit you this weekend, and they told us you wanted to get there as soon as possible.”
I mean they weren’t exactly wrong I hadn’t planned on coming here but it was definitely better than what those other guys probably had in store for me.
“Anyways I just wanted to call and tell you I got here safe and sound.”
“Alright, you make sure to make some new friends. Don’t just avoid everyone.”
“I won’t dad. Talk to you later.”
“Have a good time son. We both love you and hope you have a great time there.”
“Thanks, love you too.”
I hung up the phone glad at least that my parents weren’t too worried about this. I had expected that I would have needed to do a lot more convincing to calm them down. Though since they weren’t home that much I wonder if they were happy for me to be living with others. Instead of living alone at home.
“Your parents good?”
“Yeah, they took it a lot better than I had thought they would.”
“Makes our work easier at least. Most of the time we have to deal with either angry officials or parents. Anyways you go and get some dinner. I have some paperwork I have to take care of.”
With that Ryan made his way down the hall. Following his advice, I went downstairs and reentered the dining hall. I wasn’t sure how they handled food so I stood stupidly looking for food when that kid from earlier tackled my waist.
“Did you finish your meeting? I saved you a plate when I went through the line.”
“Yeah, it wasn’t that bad. Now, where is this food you saved me.”
Jack led me to a nearby table where a couple of kids were sitting at. From what I could guess though I doubted they were young.
“Guys! This is my cousin Brenner. I told you he was coming today.”
“Are you sure you two are related? He doesn’t look like a wolf?”
One of the girls who had two twitching wings on her back said as she squirmed in her seat. What was she an angel?
(J) “She definitely is no angel. I’m sure of that.’
“It’s complicated but I’m definitely not his cousin.”
“Why are you so interested in calling him your cousin Jack. You’ve never even met this man before.”
I turn to see a boy who seems to radiate a holy aura from his skin. His hair also a shining silver which I’m guessing isn’t human. He also is wearing a glove on one of his hands which is weird.
“That’s no reason to not accept him. Besides we canines have to stick together.”
“I’m not part of that group am I?”
A girl with pale skin starred at Jack who quickly rebutted.
“No, canines, like the anime species.”
I wonder what she meant by that but don’t press the question.
“I think Canidae would be a better grouping. That way homophones don’t confuse us.”
I turn to see another girl from the looks of things is, human? No, her ears are pointed. An elf?
(M) ‘She’s a half-elf her ears are too short.’
Man Ryan wasn’t kidding when he said this place was diverse. Made a diversity meeting look homogeneous in comparison.
“Anyways Brenner this is -.”
“Name’s Morayil, nice to meet you.”
I shook her hand as I took a seat next to Jack. I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned to see it was the boy thing again.
“I’m Robin, it’s nice to meet you.”
I had no idea what he was. His aura felt comforting, but his eyes were so radiate I had a hard time looking him in the eye.
The angel girl stood up and reached her arm over the table with a large smile on her face.
“I’m Evelyn a Flugel. What are you? You look human to me.”
“Well, technically I am. It’s complicated.”
“How does that work?”
“Like I said, it’s a little complicated.”
Jack pushes her away as she tries to get a closer inspection of me.
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“Leave him alone Evelyn. He just got here.”
“You just want to hog him for yourself don’t you Jack.”
“No, I don’t!”
His tail wagged quickly behind him giving away his true feelings. Honestly, I wondered if my emotions were this visible from my tails. I turn to the pale girl who sat there quietly eating her meal.
“So what’s your name?”
“Azalea.”
She then returned to her meal ignoring my attempt at conversation. The atmosphere was kinda weird since I felt out of place at the table, but it wasn’t that bad. Everyone chatted about, but I had a hard time keeping track of the conversations and focused on eating my meal. Which was surprisingly quite good.
When we finished our meal Jack led me outside as he bid his friends goodbye. He then gave me a tour of part of the school quickly pointing out the school, the dorms, barn, gym, and other miscellaneous buildings running towards each building with extreme vigor trying to show them.
Unfortunately, the sun went down before he could finish and has to lead me to his dorm. Opening the door I followed him inside. To see a normal kids room. There were toys and a couple of hides littering the floor with a bookshelf holding a couple of books. With The Call of the Wild and White Fang prominently on display.
(J) ‘This guy definitely has good taste in literature.’
“Nice room.”
“Thanks, but I have a question.”
“What is it Jack?”
“Where are your ears and tail?”
“You mean why am I not a fox?”
“I hear you were a fox but there was some other word they used. It started with a k I think.”
“Kitsune. They are a type of mythological fox.”
“So why aren’t you a fox?”
“I’m not too sure myself. All I know is that I have the soul of a fox but I’m not a fox. It’s complicated.”
(E) ‘We really need to spend some time to come up with a better answer than that.’
(B) ‘Later Elizabeth, it has been a long day.’
“So you are not a fox?”
“Like I said it’s complicated.”
“Which is why you came here isn’t it.”
“Yeah, it seems like somebody wanted to capture me and Ryan came by before and I went with him.”
“Why’d you come here?”
He wouldn’t look me in the eyes as he sat on his bed.
“I was revered as a spirit in my village in Japan. My parents gave me to the local priests who hide me away in the mountains. It wasn’t bad they brought me food and took care of all my needs. All they asked me to do was perform an ancient ceremony to bless the people's harvest.
One day though some men came and tried to capture me. One of the priests knew an associate of Mason’s who recommended that I come here. It took me a while but I think my English has gotten pretty good.”
“How long have you been here?”
“Oh around thirteen years.”
“Thirteen years? How old are you?”
“Forty-three, I just had my birthday last week.”
“Forty-three? How is that possible?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, aren't you, I don’t know, a little young?”
“No, I mean Azalea is fifty-four and Evelyn is a one hundred and ninety-eight.”
Okay, age is kinda weird around here. This seems like it’ll be a pain to understand.
(M) ‘Evelyn’s older than me? That’s surprising.’
(J) ‘Do we technically have an age?’
“So how old are you Brenner?”
“I just turned seventeen.”
“That means I’m older than you!”
“Yes, it does.”
I’m not sure I’m okay with this.
“You mind if I try something? It might help you understand my body’s situation.”
I held out both my hands.
“What do you want me to do.”
“Hold my hands.”
“Okay?”
He grabbed my hands and I propped his soul. When I did though something weird happened though.
I found myself on a grassy plain and when I looked at myself I found that I was Briana now.
“You’re a girl?”
I turned to see Jack looking at me with a confused face.
“Your Brenner, right?”
“It’s complicated. My birth name is Brenner, but my fox name is Briana.”
“And you’re a girl?”
“Don’t even get me started on that. Like I said it’s complicated.”
He looks puzzled before lowering himself and asking me.
“You want to play tag?”
Not like we were doing anything. Why not.
“Sure, let’s see what you can do!”
“Just so you know I’m not going to go easy on you.”
I tag him and create a half dozen copies of myself as I turn around to taunt him.
“Then catch me if you can Jack!”
He grins and jumps so fast I have trouble keeping up and disperses one of my illusions.
“Then I just have to find the real you. It shouldn’t be that hard to do.”
He then jumps and disperses three more of my illusions before I start running away. But at this rate, he’ll catch me. Guess that leaves me with only that option.
‘Transform!’
I feel my body change into a fox and disappear into the tall grass. I run along trying to get away but I can hear him coming behind me. I then feel something bite the scruff of my neck lifting me up. I turn to see a wolf with a big grin on his face.
He then transforms back into a boy holding me in his hand.
“You’re it!”
I scowl in his direction. As I change back into a girl.
“How’d you find me? You shouldn’t have been able to see me.”
“I can still smell you.”
Oh right, he’s part wolf. I forgot to account for the fact that he’s not human as well. I lay down in the tall grass in defeat as the wind whips through my hair giving me a sense of calm.
The wind picks up though soon after and I’m thrown back into reality and find myself back in Jack’s room with a very angry woman looking down on me.
“Who might you be?”
Jack stand up quickly and addresses her.
“Ms. Oak! This is Brenner, he just got here today.”
She eyes me up and down confused.
“How’d you do that? Usually humans can’t cast that kind of magic.”
“He’s not human Ms. Oak. He’s a kitsune. We were just playing together.”
“But-”
“It’s complicated Ms. Oak, I’m sorry for any disturbance I might have caused you. I’m still trying to understand it myself.”
She sighs before walking over to me and putting her palm to my forehead before making a small chant. A symbol then appears in front of me before sealing itself on my forehead.
I only stare in confusion before I feel my entire body seize and I fall to the ground. My vision blackens as I lose control.
“Brenner!? What’s wrong! What did you do Ms. Oak!”
“I, I just put a simple mana inhibitor on him so he couldn’t use magic.”
“Well take it off your hurting him!”
I soon feel the pain fade away but my vision is still blurry and I can’t feel my limbs and I fall in and out of consciousness. I feel my body being carried while people keeping hovering over me. I think I see Mason at one point but I’m not sure.
Waking up I bolt upright in a panic finding myself in a hospital bed. It reminds me of the ones they have at the infirmary at school. I turn to see Jack spoked awake at my sudden awakening. He must’ve fallen asleep next to me last night. But something seems off, wasn’t he smaller before.
Oh no, I look down at my hand and see that it’s my kitsu-, no my hands. I can only stare at my hand as the realization of what just happened hits me. Jack can only stare at me wondering what happened as well.
(T) ‘Well, this is definitely an interesting development.’
“So you really were a kitsune.”
Before I have time to answer the curtain opens. Mason appears with a tired look on his face and stares at me in confusion before recomposing himself.
“I, see your awake Brenner. I’ll have Holly bring you some more appropriate clothing. How about we let our friend here have some time to herself Jack.”
“Sure.”
He follows Mason closing the curtain leaving me alone. I sit there not sure what to do honestly. I then get out of bed and stand up to find my two tails to greet me. My oversized pants fall down and I realize why Mason told Jack to leave.
A young woman the enters the room and smiles to me as she sets the clothes on the bed.
“How about we get you into some more appropriate clothes.”
I then get dressed in some simple drawstring pants and a t-shirt. Which Elizabeth found tp be quite distasteful, but I didn’t want her fashion advice at the moment and ignored her. I then followed Holly out of the room where Jack was sitting in an empty chair next to Mason.
Mason gestures for me to come over and leads us back to his office. With Jack following behind me with eyes full of curiosity. When we arrive he sits down at his desk gesturing for me and Jack to take a seat.
“I am sorry for last night Brenner. Ms. Oak’s, actions, were not meant to cause you any harm. I want to make that absolutely clear, and we’ll do everything we can to help you adjust to your, new circumstances.”
“So these are real!”
I feel Jack tug on my ears and I quickly swat away his hand away.
“Of course they are real! What else did you expect!”
He cowers back in his chair with his hands in the air as I rub my ears turning to face Mason.
“Sorry, it’s just, I didn’t think they were real.”
“Well they are real, and I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t do that. My ears are sensitive as you can guess.”
Mason still looks confused trying to piece my situation together.
“So is this a permanent thing Brenner?”
“I hope not, but right now I just need some time. Also, it’s Briana, or that’s what Veloria named me.”
Mason stared at me with interest. Not entirely sure what to think and nods.
“Very well Briana, if that will make you more comfortable.”
“Thank you, I’m sorry for the trouble.”
“Not at all Briana, we’re here to help you through this whole process.”
“Then would you mind not telling my parents. I don’t want them to freak out.”
“Hopefully we can both find a way to solve this issue before that becomes a problem. Is there anything we can do to help?”
I ponder what could have been the cause of this. Kitsune are shapeshifter and illusionists so maybe something was broken when she cut off my mana. But, what exactly was it?
‘Growl!’
I might need to solve my stomach’s needs before I worry about that though. I’m surprisingly quite hungry.
“I think my stomach requires some food first.”
He chuckles a bit before recomposing himself.
“It does appear that is the case.”
“Then let’s go eat breakfast Briana! I’m starving as well and we have to show the others I was right as well!”
Jack quickly gets up and tries to drag me to the door with surprising success. I try to shake him off to no avail.
(T) ‘What are we some prize to the kid?’
(E) ‘No, he’s just excited.’
(M) ‘You would think he would be more mature considering his age.’
(T) ‘He might be old but I doubt he sees it that way.’
“Let go Jack! I can walk on my own!”
“But if we don’t get there fast enough Tyson will eat all the bacon.”
“You two go enjoy breakfast. Just know if you need anything Briana, my doors are always open.”
“Thank you I’ll make sure to remember that.”
“Come on Briana! We need to get going!”
He waves us goodbye as Jack drags me out the door. I give up as he clearly is to focused to hear me. I can only follow along and see what breakfast awaits us.
When we arrive at the dining hall I see the people I was with yesterday look at me in surprise as Jack pulls me along towards them.
“Hey guys, I told you she was a kitsune. I told you didn’t I!”
Azalea looked very confused as she looked at both of us.
“She’s Brenner? I thought he was a guy, and a human no less.”
She looked at Jack in suspicion.
“You aren’t using any magic are you?”
“No, he isn’t unfortunately.”
They look confused and honestly, I can’t blame them. Jack tries to lighten the mood as he turns around.
“How about you take a seat and join them Briana. I’ll go get us some breakfast real quick.”
“He then dashed off leaving me alone with them.”
Azalea waits until Jack’s out of earshot before she asks me.
“Briana?”
“My fox name. It just makes things easier for me. I’m sorry for the trouble.”
“Are you always this full of mysteries?”
“I don’t think you’d believe me if you said I wasn’t always this way.”
(J) ‘Stop lying to them Briana. We’ve always been mysterious.
(B) ‘I can at least imagine that it wasn’t always this way.’
Morayil chuckles as she takes a bite of her breakfast.
“Well, it definitely provides for more interesting conversation. It’s been getting a little stale recently.”
Robin nudges her as he frowns at her.
“Don’t eat and talk, you’re spiting your breakfast all over the place.
“Sorry Robin, my bad.”
I smile at their banter and lean back when I feel a tug on my tails and turn to see Evelyn pulling my tails in curiosity. I try to slap her wrists but she nimbly jumps back using her wings to stabilize herself as she stands back up.
“Her tails are definitely soft and cuddly that’s for sure.”
I have a flashback to my initial days in this form and try to back away as she slowly prowls towards me preparing to jump. Jack comes back in the nick of time and pushes her to the side as he sets a plate of food before me.
“Here you go! I made sure to save you some bacon as well.”
“Thank you.”
Evelyn frowns as she makes her way to an empty seat as I slowly eat my food. It’s quite good and soon I’m devouring it all. Just because I don’t know what’s next doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy this meal! Though, it does seem to be quieter than last night. I look around seeing that they are looking at me and Jack trying to hide their smiles.
“What’s so funny?”
Robin smiles as he gestures towards Jack.
“Oh nothing, it’s just Jack is acting like a total fool.”
I turn to see him blushing while his tail is swinging rapidly behind him.
“No, I’m not, you’re just seeing things.”
Morayil isn’t buying it and presses Jack as a sly smile forms on her face.
“Is he? Cause from where I’m sitting you have a crush on her don’t you Jack.”
He blushes even more with his tail speeding up to accompany his racing expression.
Wait, no it can’t be. Does he really have a crush on me?
(J) ‘Someone has a crush on you!’
(T) ‘Our little lass is growing up so fast isn’t she.’
(B) ‘Quit it you two. Stop assuming things. We just met!’
“No, you’re just imagining things Morayil. I mean I just met her and she was a guy yesterday. But, her fur is very pretty, it’s just pretty to look at, that’s all.”
(B) ‘Oh god he does have a crush on me doesn’t he.’
(T) ‘HAHA, this should be interesting. Go get’em lass.’
I’m not sure what to think about this. I already had enough to deal with at the moment.
I try to ignore him and finish my breakfast as they snicker at us. When I finish my plate he grabs my hand.
“Come on, I never did get to finish our tour yesterday. How about I show you around!”
Before he can drag me along to far though Evelyn jumps up and stops him. Pulling us apart and hugging me tightly against her. I feel quite uncomfortable but I doubt I can break away from her strong grip.
“No way Jack, she’s coming with us today. You got to have your fun yesterday. Now it’s time for her to have some girl time with us today.”
I feel like I’m now stuck between two great evils. I hope this isn’t a permanent thing I’m going to have to deal with because this might slowly become a nightmare.