The Bar at the Center of the Universe: Entertainment
Tobias Fox 2/21/12
Merging- Foxtaur- Shrinking
General Audiences
The Bar at the Center of the Universe, The Amber Gade, The Timeless Café, and Center point Lounge all different names describing the same place. Oaken furniture gleaming with polish and the strong smell of polish swirling in the air. An old fashioned bar with wooden panels and brass candle brackets in the wall. It matters little that the brackets now have light bulbs instead of candle wicks and electric radiators instead of clunky hot water coils. Its coziness is in no way diminished by its more modern amenities.
A Bar they call this place, a title that vastly understates the true nature of this ancient and odd magical establishment. For the title of bar, implies one room, one purpose, and while it is true that drinking is a great part of what goes on, it is not the end all of this unique place. It is simply a connection, a bridge between one reality and many, mirrored across hundreds perhaps thousands for the enjoyment of the wide variety of spirits, magical entities and gifted sentiments.
A single white door, all alone in a small back corner is painted a glossy white stands out alarmingly in a room of warm colors and rustic atmosphere. It would seem like an unusual choice due to its sterility in an otherwise inviting setting; nevertheless it leads to the pocket reality of choice for many creatures. Especially those seeking the company of this world’s natural inhabitant, the kitsune.
And so this tale begins, a story with no theme, true conflict or unifying element save perhaps a simple message of warning: Beware the kitsune, their fun is mischief and you might be next. A very important thing to keep in mind inside ‘The White Room,’ of the Bar at the Center of the Universe.
* * *
The door to the great white room slid open, the whispering ‘woosh’ of well-oiled metal slipping across another. The room built like a squashed melon, totally pained in a flat white with no contrasting adornments eliminated all sense of depth and perspective. So powerful the effect that some beings have come to call this room, the ‘room with no walls,’ and become ill when entering or exiting.
The creature that entered was a fox, ordinary at first glance and only if one did not see the two extra tails waving behind it. Reddish brown fur and slightly longer in body and in ears it had a slightly fennec appearance despite other characteristics that marked it as the more common red fox.
He padded over on all fours to the beanbag near a group of others curing up much like a puppy does in their nests. His amber eyes sparked with a gleam, hinting at mischief to come, ears twitching at the murmur of soft conversation filtering across the room. That kitsune’s name was Tobias, that kitsune was me.
My head swiveled around taking in the sight of the two nearest creatures. The first, an anthro vixen with a frosty gaze, haughty posture and distinctive aura. A matriarch, no question. The second a human with rather pointed ears, the obvious victim of some magical misfire. My head shook from side to side soft barking laughter, slipping out of my muzzle. He would be easy prey for some fun bit of mischief.
I nodded at the other kitsune and she grinned at me her eyes twinkling with mischief, shifting position her multiple tails unfolded like a fan behind her; standard greeting for tailed-creatures, more tails, more deference. I sighed, acknowledging her with a return gesture my three tails flashing up in the manner of semaphore flags showing three tails.
The incline of her muzzle was fractional, the barest dip of her head in receipt of message. The upward motion of her face was arrested as her eyes narrowed, went wide and then crinkled with amusement. It was clear she could see the two extra tails, which my illusion had failed to conceal
The other creature waved at me in typical human fashion. An empty wave of the furless palm, as if the creature was trying to wash the empty air with an invisible dishrag. No information about their status, or breeding group, or even social class, only how friendly they were. ‘Human innocence,’ I thought to myself, ‘such a wonderful thing especially for me, especially today.’
“Welcome to the Amber Gade!” the human said with a welcoming smile in his voice, “I’m called Leaf, is it your first time here?”
“Here? To this place, I have not,” I let the reply slide off my lips, so the sound came out smooth rather than hard and sharp, “To other places, have.” The human nodded and grinned and gestured to the kitsune to his left.
“This is Mary she’s—” the anthro fox raised one digigrade paw and the human went silent. Clearly Leaf, didn’t have much knowledge about kitsune greeting rituals.
“Tobias am I, of Shadiin and clan Nomar. I am honored to be in your presence Matriarch.” I offered in proper deference. Surname and clan, two of the three required elements in the formal greeting. The elder kitsune arched an eyebrow at me and I winced. It was clear she could easily see my illusion.
“I see you, acknowledge you,” she replied stiffly, “Mary am I, Matriarch of house and clan.” She honored the greeting and revealed nothing. Surname because that would give power, clan because she was unwilling and number of tails because of redundancy.
My returned smile was polite and now with the greetings over, the pleasantries began. Polite banter back and forth which humans loved and the kitsune—well—I generally found dull, barring the occasional gems of sarcasm and humor; with the chance to stir up mischief, but generally; not so much.
“So, as I was saying,” Leaf said, “I have always been fascinated with foxes, kitsune and other magical creatures. It’s the reason I think I can get into the Gade, that and my magic. After all, normal aren’t normally able to see the entrance much less get past the wards without help.”
My glance was like the thin layer of frost that covers the pond; totally visible yet concealing everything. Standing up on the bean bag and stretching out to my fullest, “You like foxes?” I asked with a chuckle, Mary shifted in her chair, the scent she was giving off was tense, coiled and ready. She could sense it, the chance for mischief. What is called the ‘perfect opening’ to us practitioners of the pranksterous art.
“Oh yes I do, I—” he never finished; the yelp he made was a passable imitation of a kit that’s just had his tail stepped on. Rather impressive to my way of thinking.
“Um, what the—why,” Leaf asked his head tilted up in a futile attempt to get a good look at me. It was all I could do not to chuckle at him. Mary wasn’t so restrained she laughed, the musical voice of one who is accustomed to pranks and mischief, giving, receiving and watching. “Why are you on my head?” He finished his question.
“Because, I can,” I chuckled. It was clear that as fascinated as Leaf was with foxes he was not amused to have one sitting on top of his head. “Do you have an issue with that?” My three tails thumped the back of Leaf’s neck.
“You should mark him as yours.” Mary said with a paw between her teeth, stifling laughter.
“Don’t give him any ideas!” Leaf stat bolt upright a little frightened.
I ignored the sudden movement, using my tails to balance myself on his head; knocking Leaf’s temple with one of my paws. Irritated by the gesture Leaf attempted to brush me aside. I repeated it.
“Yes Toby?” Leaf brushed my paw away for the second time.
“Boring you are!” My paw slapped the side of his head again, emphasizing my point with another sharp poke. At this point I could sense the attention of a few of the other scattered groups, all pausing in their collective conversations to watch and to laugh. “Entertain me!”
Leaf’s eyes narrowed and flicked from one person in the room to another, he too had noticed the—for him, unwanted—attention. Perhaps—I thought to myself—Leaf was beginning to realize what it meant to be surrounded by creatures who prided themselves on being able to cause chaos. “How?” Leaf replied hotly.
Mary poked him in the ribs, “You heard the kitsune, let’s have some entertainment, and make it good!” It was clear that Mary had just upped the stakes on this. Whatever happened now she at least was expecting something interesting, and if she didn’t get it...? She would have to be watched.
“Wooohoo! Entertainment!” A chakat cackled from across the room.
“Kitsune style?! Better than a movie.”
“Oh, this one thinks, that one is boned,” a feline voice called from across the room
“Screw off!” Leaf yelled at no one in particular or perhaps everyone in the room. It was my belief he meant me.
“Do you really wish to annoy me?” My paw slapped against the side of his head once again, “You did see what happened to that kid Nico, that so-called mage. He liked to mouth off too, now she likes to be milked and wander around the pasture-lands.”
Mary sat back in the couch, lip curled back in a smile. It was difficult to tell if she was amused at my audacity or irritated that my small time prank had preempted something bigger she might have had planned.
Leaf winced visibly, clearly well aware of the object lesson taught to Nico. “HEY! Not cool… that was you? I mean--actually it was really cool, I wish I could have been there to see it! Kinda impressive handiwork.”
“Well if you don’t want to see my handiwork first hand; less talk more entertainment.”
Leaf twisted his fingers in the air making an overly complicated gesture for an obvious summoning spell; three bowling pins materialized. Tossing them high in the air he caught one after another after another. “Tada!?”
The barking cough that came from deep in my throat made Leaf take notice. He took my point; unimpressive. With a quick flick of his wrist Leaf made a stumbling and bounded off the couch and landed on a rolling unicycle that materialized under him as he landed; juggling the pins and balancing me on her head.
“Alright, I am slightly more impressed,” My lips parted in a toothy feral grin. “If I wanted to watch a circus...”
An instant later with a snap of his fingers and a wave of his hand all of it—bowling pins and unicycle were gone.
“I’m gonna’ give you one final chance,” I said to the flagging human, “After that I’m going to show you my entertainment. From across the room I could hear the reactions to my proclamation. Inwardly, my own feelings matched those of many in the room. Leaf didn’t realize it yet but there was nothing that he could do that I would find entertaining enough.
Sighing Leaf leaned forward, “I know…” He dropped a small object to the floor where it exploded in scintillating shards of silver light. The flash-bang served its purpose well; blinding everyone around for the instant he needed for the desire effect. When the light cleared Leaf was standing on one foot in a heroic pose; miniature fireworks exploding around punctuated by the faint sound of an orchestra playing something rather marshal.
The attempt was quite nice, but unfortunately for him I already had something of my own planned. “Very nice illusion, quite impressive how you managed to make the tiny fireworks go off in time with the music. But still—I am sorry to say—insufficient.”
Still on top of his head I leapt into the air; forcing him to lean forward. I don’t jump very high but that small leap was still enough—landing on his shoulders with only my back paws the momentum shoved him to the ground, first to his knees then to his hands and knees and finally belly to the ground.
“Get off of me!” His irritated tone is not lost; under different conditions I might have complied but today…
“Nah” I grinned down at him, playfully swishing my tails from one side to the other, letting them brush across his body. Above us on the couch I could hear Mary chucking softly to herself.
“Uhng, all of you foxes are bad for my health,” Leaf sighed in exasperation.
“Oh, really now?”
“Yah,” he laughed, “I’m going to break my neck trying to entertain you.” To my great pleasure I could hear that he had no hostility in his voice. The aura he was giving off was almost as playful as any young kitsune; that much I could sense it.
“Easy to please we are—uh—quite easily entertained, once you learn the right tricks to—play,” there was a snicker in my voice and I knew he could hear it. “You will find out when you become one of us.”
I took one furred forepaw and drew a series of strange symbols above Leaf’s back and smiled, “Or to be more precise, a part of me.” Letting the magic settle into the prone human I take a brief moment to let him struggle to his feet. His attempt fails.
“Ooh, scary,” Leaf said, valiantly attempting to bluff, “what are you gonna do? Absorb me or something? You aren’t allowed.”
“Actually,” Mary replied, “Such rules are at the discretion of his clan. And since I too wish to be entertained…” Leaf’s face drained of all color as he continued to squirm beneath me.
“Now little one, are you ready for my lesson in the proper way to entertain a kitsune?” Leaning forward and speaking into the semi-feral ears of the human, Leaf had ceased to move, having either lost his nerve or simply resigning himself to the inevitable. With a vulpine smile, I raised one claw tipped finger and delicately drag it straight down the center of his back the ripping sound clearly audible all across the room.
I take a step back, placing my footpaws just so—one in each corner of his lower back. Stretching out with my senses, I feel the tension in Leaf’s muscles, hear his heartbeat and deep breaths. With a smile, I drop my magic into the human and begin to sink into his back.
Leaf gasps, his skin ripples around the contact points; fur sprouting, flowing across his body as mine sinks into his. His feet and hands slide into paws a fluid motion that speaks of boneless and graceful transitions.
Meanwhile Leaf’s upper body remains completely untouched—apart from the rapidly spreading coat of fur—including arms, but as my belly slides through his back a new set of legs form under him. His bones slowly shift, seamlessly accepting my frame as his new lower back, including a second spine and ribs; accommodating upper of a humanoid and the lower body of a foxtaur.
“N-nock it o-off,” Leaf gasps,” obviously having trouble with forming words. The stress of the transformation making it hard for either of us to focus on cohesive ideas. His body ripping; muscles and nerves trying to understand each other in this body as my tails slide out of the back of his body.
“Nnn, Tobias cut it out! Stop!” Leaf shouts through gritted teeth, his face pushing forward into a vulpine muzzle. He tries to stand but can still only partially control his still shifting body and stumbles back down to all four knees.
“I think not…” I sink into him up to my neck, “Don’t fight it, it’s almost over…” The last of the changes complete as the top of my head vanishes into Leaf’s now fully foxtaur body—our fully foxtaur body.
“Oh—” Leaf moaned leaning precariously to one side, “I feel kinda ill.” His voice was different than it was before. Having a slightly different pitch, before anyone else could reply he started to chuckle and sat up a little straighter.
“Of course you feel a little bit—off,” I spoke from inside of him, using his voice, “You need to get used to our new body!”
Mary slid over on the couch to pat us, on our, animal torso and grinned; “Now that IS entertaining.”
The very last of the changes rolled across the new foxtaurs collective body, a vulpine muzzle, complete with black nose triangular ear and eyes quickly swirling around with their new color, semi-liquid, metallic yellow, almost amber. It took a moment for Leaf’s vision to adjust. He rubbed her eyes and blinked as everything swam back into focus.
“How does it feel—Ahh! My face!” Leaf cut my words off with his own explosion of shock. His hands, now slightly more stubby than a humans, covered in fine reddish fur and tipped with a tiny black claw brushed all over his face, up to his new ears and down as far as he could reach towards his tail.
“It’s bizarre; now get your own body!” He yelled at me. I only chuckled with his voice, I could feel his thoughts; sense him trying to push me my mind away from his and getting hopelessly tangled in my thoughts in the process.
“Nah, I like your body—in fact—I think I’ll take it for a spin.” Before Leaf could ask what I meant I pushed his thoughts to one side and placed one foot in front of the other. Slowly walking over to the couch, “So… Leaf, congratulations, I am no longer bored.
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