A Kitsune's Tribute, Part 1 (Patreon)

An infection among other things has kept me off my feet for most of this month. But yesterday I was able to whip something up that I hope you will all like. Please let me know if you do <3

The following story is set in the world of Lifestyle Changes - a small series which you can find here:  https://www.patreon.com/posts/14449330 

It was elaborated on in a longer, more complete story by the talented VictorTheMaker here:  https://www.furaffinity.net/view/28062524/ 

It features a girl who accepted a job at a temple, only to be surprised at the changes that would come with temple life, and her own reactions to said changes. It could be described as a sequel, though I'm not sure if I want to make it canon. Probably! 

Continued in Part 2

- - - 

The day started as it always did, lately. Light footsteps made their way into my room before the heavy curtains between me and the sun were pulled back, bathing me in its bright, warm light. I grumbled and pulled my blanket over me, not wanting to give up those last few minutes of sleep. But the temple maidens were thorough in their duties and the soft blankets were gently tugged from my grip. I was left to mumble and rub at my eyes while they went about their business, tidying my room of scraps from last night’s dinner.

There had been a time when I would have had to grasp blindly at the bed-side table for my glasses, but ever since the transformation my eyesight had improved such that my glasses were completely unnecessary. Not to mention, they were designed for a human head, with human ears, not the long, fluffy ears I now sported. But every now and then habit overrode common sense and I grasped at the bedside table for glasses which were no longer of use. My furred fingers clasped gently around the metal frames and I had already pulled them close before I remembered they were useless to me now. Their only purpose, a memento of a life I had seemingly left behind. 

Whether the temple maids saw my reflections or not, I didn’t notice. They finished cleaning my room for me and left a clean set of clothes at the foot of my bed, which I reached for and started to get dressed. 

“We’ve got a new duty for you today.” The voice of Endra, the temple’s matron and primary keeper jostled me from my thoughts. I wasn’t surprised I hadn’t heard her enter, she was always light on her feet, popping up to surprise me whenever I thought to grab a sneaky midnight snack. I turned to look at her, pulling the last of the temple robes about myself.

“What can I do?” It had been awhile since I had decided to stay - at least, for now. Some of the weight had been worked away, some seemed to have just melted off. While I remembered my first few weeks of waddling around, sporting a thicker stomach than I’d ever seen on another person sloshing about my waist, these days I was more or less back to normal. Chubby, a little fat. It made attending to the temple chores a lot easier, though by and large this was a voluntary thing. The other maidens made it clear to me that by virtue of my transformation alone I was quite allowed to wallow about in my room all day. Although the prospect was tempting, temple duties were a pleasant distraction.

Endra strode around to the front of me, her sharp eyes seeming to appraise my form. “The temple’s offerings box,” she replied, reaching forward to adjust my uniform, “Now that we have a maiden blessed by Inari as strongly as you were, the nature of the donations has changed. Here.” She wrapped an arm around my shoulder and gently lead me from the room, as though to show me.

Despite the temple being so large, it was only moments before I found myself in front of a drastically changed box of offerings. Where as before there had been a large platform where people would leave bowls of rice and money, now there was an equally large box which seemed filled will all manner of food - mostly fattening. Chocolates, pies, muffins, donuts and all manner of baked goods had been stuffed into the box which was now overflowing. 

“Word has travelled that the temple has been strongly blessed by Inari, and it has long been tradition among the faithful here that an offering of food, particularly food one makes oneself, is the best way to receive a part of that blessing.” Endra gestured to the box with her long fingers. She must have seen my confusion, because she continued. “Basically, people have donated food to the temple, which they want you to consume, so that their own lives may be touched with fortune.”

“And they want me to eat it because I’m-”

“-blessed by Inari.” Endra finished with a nod. She looked from me to the offering box. “Now you know me, I’m not one to push duties upon someone who does not wish them. We are all here of our own volition. But-”

“I’ll do it.” It was my turn to cut Endra off, and I was surprised by my own authoritative tone. The words had leapt from my muzzle, but I knew why they did. The temple had been so kind to me. They had taken me in where no other place would, and helped me lead a life that I had thought impossible before. Of course, turning into a kitsune had been a surprise, but learning that I could control my appearance to other humans via illusion magic had eased the shock. I had a strong desire to give back to the temple, with the other maidens shunning my help, this seemed a good way to do it. 

Endra smiled and clasped her hands together. “Perfect. I’ll have the box brought to your room immediately.”