The moon was absent from the night sky. The city glowed like a gem in spite of, and perhaps because of the complete blackness that surrounded it.
As the fox – turned - human wandered into town, she remarked with pleasant surprise that many humans were still going about their business in the soft glow of dozens of torches and hanging lanterns, despite the fact that the sun and set several hours prior. And, as she had hoped, no one paid her any heed.
She strolled casually through the streets, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the town. She enjoyed walking in her new human form. True, she was not as fast or as agile as she had been, but there was certain solidity and concrete heaviness about this form that she had never known, and that she enjoyed.
After a time, she came to a large fountain in the center of the town. It sprayed water high into the air that came crashing down in a large stone pool, bisected by a bridge. She walked out on it, a hand lightly brushing the railing as she walked.
Foxes really had no emotions. Yet, as she gazed out at the fountain, softly lit by firelight, she felt what she could only be described as happiness.
And yet, the sudden metamorphosis was incomplete. Her vulpine ears and tails were testament to that. She pondered how she might finish it, but how could she, when she did not know what sparked it in the first place?
She sighed. She supposed that she had what she had always desired, and should not ask for more, and while she was happy, she could not help but feel that she was incomplete.
She remembered the robed man. Could there be others like him? Others that might explain what had happened to her?
Her stomach rumbled, breaking her out of her thoughts. She realized that she hadn't eaten for hours. She looked around. What did humans do for food?
She spun on a heel and started walking down the streets again, remembering various stalls that humans had stood behind, with various goods arranged on top of them. She approached one. The owner of the stall was preoccupied with something, his back turned. Arranged in front of the stall were large crates of apples. She picked one up and examined it closely before turning around and walking away.
"Hey!" someone called from behind her. She spun. "You have to pay for that!" It was the stall owner. He was stepping out from behind it, looking angry. The fox girl backed away slowly, trying to understand what he was telling her.
"Did you hear me?" He thundered. "Pay or give it back!"
The girl continued to walk backwards until her heel caught on an empty crate in the street. She tripped and fell on her backside, hard. The apple fell to the ground, and her helmet was knocked off. It rolled out into the street with a metallic ring.
She froze. The man simply stared at her, taking in her ears and eyes. Then it was his turn to back away, shock and fear blatant on his face.
"What are you?" He whispered.
The girl stood and dusted herself off. She looked up to see dozens of shocked people, stock still, studying her intently. She walked towards them, but they backed away from her, recoiling in fear. She did not understand. She was like them now, human. Yet they did not accept her.
The stall owner yanked a torch off the wall and waved it in her face.
"Go!" He cried. "Get out of here, monster!"
Monster? She was no monster, just a-
"I said get out!" He said, thrusting the torch at her again.
The girl looked out at the people for help, silently begging them to understand. Her look was only met with more fear. It was clear that this town that had seemed so friendly a few short hours before now no longer welcomed her.
She turned on a heel and stalked away. There was nothing for her here.