Little Fox in Big Trouble

Nineteen

By two o’clock my mother and I had grabbed lunch at a local burger spot and made our way back out to the lake. We found a safe spot, just inside the tree line, on the other side of the lake from the now dwindling police activity and sat down on the forest floor.

“Okay, let’s see,” my mom wondered out loud. “Where should we start?”

“What about the fox fire?” I asked. I really wanted to learn how to conjure and manipulate fire. I mean, what could be more useful in self-defense (or offense) than fire?!?

“Calm down, Kit. As fun as you think your kitsune bi might be, it is far from the most important thing you need to learn. Not to mention, learning how to use your magic in more simple ways first will make it a lot easier for you to control your fire.” She said. “Although, now that I think about it, the most important thing to do might be charging up your star ball in case you need the extra power.”

“Umm, okay. Except, I didn’t bring my star ball,” I said, looking at the ground. She told me to get it before we left the apartment. But, in my defense, she started talking about getting something to eat and my stomach was grumbling so loudly that I didn’t hear anything she said after the word lunch.

She sighed, dramatically, and said, “Of course you didn’t. Fine. We’ll work on charging up your star ball, later, I guess.”

“Sorry,” I grumbled.

“For now, we can work on getting you connected to the forest and comfortable with your nature magic.” She said.

“How do I do that? What does that even mean?” I asked her.

“Put your hands on ground, Kit. Flat. Palms in the dirt,” She instructed. “Good. Now, close your eyes and take a deep breath. Feel the forest around you. Use all of your senses and feel the energy in everything here.”

I did as she instructed and inhaled deeply. I couldn’t describe the scents. I’m not even sure how I knew what I was smelling; I just did. It was fresh air and damp earth. I could smell the greenery, the tree bark, and the dirt. I let my fingers curl into the dirt under my hands. I could feel each grain against my skin; cool and heavy. I could feel the air on my skin, humid but with a light breeze that brushed against me every so often, raising goose bumps along my arms. I could hear birds chirping, brush rustling and twigs snapping as small animals darted across the forest floor, and crickets further off in the dark spots hidden by brush and canopies created by leaves. I could hear the animals chittering at each other throughout the forest, near and far, and branches creaking quietly as the tree critters ran across them. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. Somehow, relaxing and invigorating all at once. Calming and intense.

“Good,” my mother crooned. “Now, I want you to focus on the energy all around you. Feel it in your fingertips, your senses, everywhere, and draw it in. Just pull it from the forest and into your core.”

I couldn’t tell you how I understood what she wanted me to do, but I did. I took another deep breath in and this time, when I did, I pulled that energy into me with the air. I could feel it, like static electricity arcing into my body. It felt like it was rushing through my veins and into the very center of my being. “Oh, my gods,” I breathed. It was the most amazing feeling I had ever experienced in my life. Honestly, if this is what it felt like for drug users to get high, I could understand how they got addicted.

“I know. It is a powerful experience,” my mom told me. “But, we aren’t done yet. Open your eyes, Briseis.”

Once again, I did as I was told and opened my eyes. I immediately sucked in a breath and cast my gaze around the forest. It was amazing. Everything was brighter. The colors were more vivid. I swear I could see things that I never could have before. I could see ants marching up a tree trunk several feet away. I could see a worm wiggling through the grass behind my mother. I could scarcely believe it. “Mom,” I gasped.

“I know, sweetheart. I know.” She smiled and it was radiant. I almost didn’t notice the red fox ears poking from the top of her head. I had never been able to see them before. She noticed where I was looking and smiled again. “It’s the magic. You can see through the glamour that hides these things from the humans.”

“Wow.” I said.

“Wow, indeed,” she agreed. “Now, do you see that small flower to your left?”

“I do,” I said.

“Gently grab the stem. Just between your index finger and your thumb and push some of that energy you just absorbed back out. Into that little flower.” She instructed.

I looked at her skeptically, because somehow, despite all I had just experienced, I didn’t think anything was going to happen to that pretty, little weed. I did as she instructed, though, and reached out to pinch the stem. I closed my eyes again and focused on sending the energy I had just taken back out into the forest. I exhaled as I did so and imagined the magic leaving my body alongside that breath.

“Briseis,” my mom whispered.

When I opened my eyes, tears gathered in the corners. That small flower that I reached out to had grown at least a foot in height. New leaves had sprung on the stem and the flower had doubled in diameter. Best of all, though, was the color. The orange of the flower petals and the green of the stem and leaves had become brighter, more vivid. This tiny little weed had become the most beautiful flower I had ever seen.