The scent of lavender and sage filled Aurora's nose as she stepped into the candlelit shop. Crystals and dried herbs hung from the ceiling, and hand-painted tarot cards lined the shelves. This new world was still so foreign, yet something about this place felt familiar.

"Welcome, child."

Aurora turned to see a woman emerge from behind a beaded curtain. Her long auburn hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her blue eyes were as calm as a moonlit lake. She wore a flowing dress embroidered with flowers.

"I'm Serenity," she said, her voice soothing. "Please, have a seat."

Aurora sat down at a small table, her hands trembling slightly. She wasn't used to this human form yet. Her fox instincts told her to remain vigilant in case of danger. But despite her wariness, something about Serenity put her at ease.

Serenity smiled, her expression open and warm. "You have traveled far to be here. I can sense that your spirit is not entirely of this world."

Aurora's eyes widened. Could this human see her true essence?

Serenity continued. "You have great empathy within you, an otherworldly gift. With time and patience, you can learn to nurture it."

"But why was I sent here?" Aurora asked, her brow furrowing. "I don't understand my purpose."

"All in due time," Serenity said. "For now, know that you were guided here for a reason. I will teach you the ways of humans so that you may find your path."

Aurora felt a spark of hope. Perhaps with Serenity's help, she could discover her destiny in this strange new world.

Aurora looked around the cozy cottage, taking in the dried herbs hanging from the rafters and the crackling fireplace. This place felt comforting, yet so foreign.

"I know everything must seem strange to you now," Serenity said kindly. "But I will show you our customs and way of life. There is beauty to be found here."

She went to a shelf and retrieved a book. "We will begin with language. Here are words from the common tongue." She opened the book, showing Aurora intricate letters on the page.

Aurora's ears twitched, her fox instincts taking over for a moment. She longed to dart outside and feel the earth beneath her paws. But she took a deep breath and tried to focus on the words swimming before her eyes.

"It looks...complicated," she admitted.

"It will become easier in time," Serenity assured her. "For now, we'll go slowly."

For hours they practiced, Aurora sounding out letters and simple words. Her throat felt raw. But a sense of pride also bloomed in her heart. She was communicating in the words of humans!

As dusk fell, Aurora's stomach rumbled with hunger. Serenity stood gracefully. "Come, I've made us a meal."

They sat by candlelight as Aurora eagerly devoured a bowl of savory stew. The flavors were exquisite on her tongue. When she finished, she let out a contented sigh.

"Thank you for your kindness today," she said shyly. Though the human world still confused her, she felt the first stirrings of belonging with Serenity's gentle guidance.

Aurora rose with the sun the next morning, a habit ingrained from her days as a fox. She found Serenity already awake, a serene smile on her face.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Good morning, Aurora. Did you rest well?"

"Yes, thank you," Aurora replied, marveling that she could understand Serenity's words.

Serenity beckoned her outside to a garden bursting with flowers. "Come, it's time I teach you more about your abilities."

Aurora looked at her curiously. "Abilities?"

"Your empathy, your healing powers," Serenity explained. "They are still within you, though diminished in this mortal form. But you can learn to harness them."

Serenity extended her palms, and a soft glow emanated from them. Aurora's eyes widened.

"I sense your otherworldly essence," Serenity continued. "With practice, you may strengthen yours as well."

Aurora felt a spark of excitement. She had not realized her supernatural gifts remained.

Serenity led her through breathing exercises to center her energy. Then she instructed Aurora to focus on sensing the lifeforce around her - the trees, flowers, even insects.

At first Aurora felt nothing. But slowly, with Serenity's gentle encouragement, she began to feel the thrum of energy pulsing through the garden. It was exhilarating.

Aurora practiced for hours as the sun traveled across the sky. Though she tired, her curiosity about her emerging abilities grew. She was eager to discover the extent of her supernatural gifts. With Serenity's guidance, her understanding of her essence expanded in ways she had never imagined.

Aurora awoke the next morning feeling refreshed and eager to continue exploring her abilities. As she stepped outside, she was suddenly overwhelmed by a wave of emotions that were not her own - grief, sadness, anger. She stumbled, grasping a tree for support.

"What's happening?" she gasped.

Serenity was at her side in an instant. "You're sensing the distress of others," she explained calmly. "This is part of your emerging empathy."

Aurora focused on steadying her breathing as Serenity had taught her. The turbulent emotions ebbed.

"With practice, you will learn to control what you feel from others," Serenity assured her.

As they walked through town, Aurora felt pangs of loneliness, heartache, and despair radiating from the villagers. Each time, Serenity showed her how to center herself and not be consumed.

That evening, Serenity invited Aurora to join her for dinner. As they ate, Aurora felt an easy rapport growing between them.

"Tell me how you came to understand your own gifts," Aurora said.

Serenity's eyes took on a faraway look. "It was a long journey for me as well. I know the challenges you face."

Aurora realized that though Serenity seemed so self-possessed, she had struggled too. This knowledge only deepened her admiration and kinship with the mysterious woman.

They talked late into the night, bonding over their supernatural abilities and the isolation they sometimes felt living among mortals. Aurora had never felt such an instant connection with anyone. With Serenity's support, her confidence in her emerging powers grew.

Aurora awoke the next morning feeling refreshed and determined. Today she would put her empathetic abilities into practice.

As she entered the village square, she spotted a woman sobbing on a bench, radiating profound grief. Aurora approached cautiously and sat down.

"Are you alright?" she asked gently.

The woman shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "My husband just passed away. I feel so lost without him."

Aurora placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I'm so sorry for your loss." She allowed herself to fully feel the woman's sorrow, yet kept her own spirit anchored. Aurora stayed with the grieving widow for some time, listening and offering words of solace. The woman's aura gradually lightened from dark despair to a somber gray.

"Bless you, child," she said, patting Aurora's hand as she left. Aurora blinked back tears, moved by the power of human connection.

Later, a frantic mother stopped Aurora, begging for help finding her missing son. Again, Aurora opened her senses, allowing impressions to guide her. She found the boy huddled in an alley, frightened but unharmed. As they reunited with the worried mother, Aurora felt their relief wash over her like a cleansing rain.

At day's end, Aurora returned to Serenity, brimming with awe at her emerging talents. "I'm beginning to understand," she said. "This gift allows me to ease suffering in the world."

Serenity smiled. "You have taken your first steps on a wondrous journey." She pulled Aurora into an embrace. Aurora nestled against her mentor, gratitude swelling in her heart. With Serenity as her guide, she knew this was just the start of the good she could do.