The String

{Listener is traversing through a heavily wooded area}

<Footsteps, ruffled foliage, leaf crunching; at least 30s before speech>

<All speech from here that is italicized to when indicated should be spoken with effects, preferably reverb and possibly chorusing; the Kitsune is using telekinesis, but much as the bond is currently weak, so too is the speech. It should be like wisps, almost fading away like wind. Have relatively long gaps between lines to make this a bit of a journey>

Lover...

Turn off the path.

Yes, you should.

You must. You are necessary.

Turn to the right.

Closer. Closer now.

You don't need to worry.

There's nothing to be scared of.

You've always been chasing this feeling, haven't you?

Watch for the creek. There's a bridge nearby to cross.

It wards off the spirits.

You are fearful still. Please do not be.

You have been called.

This is the greatest honor one could have.

This is the time for your ascension.

This is the time for you to succeed.

You will not be lost here.

The forest is thick, but your instinct will bring you to me.

Home...

Can you feel me calling to you?

The pull of the holy strings?

I hope so.

Your instinct has never failed you in the past, has it?

We made sure of that.

These things will make sense in time.

You're almost here. I can feel you.

I do not wish to wait any longer.

The shrine will welcome you.

You are family.

Yes, just beyond those bushes there.

Chase the glimmer of silver.

The line running across the forest...Cross it.

You must cross it. You must grow closer.

Close enough so that I can see you.

Hold you. Cherish you. Praise you.

To make. You.

<Drop all sound effects. The Kitsune has appeared behind the listener in person, and now is speaking normally>

Mine.

{Pause a moment to let the listener be properly scared}

My love...my love. How sorry I am to frighten you so. Be not afraid...I harbor no ill intents. You are safe in this place.

Welcome to our shrine. Does it impress you? I've worked tirelessly to keep it in the best shape for you. How marvelous it stands, lined with silver and blue. Our crest seal is emblazened on the tapestry.

You seem puzzled. What seems to be the matter?

Are you awestruck by the beautiful Kitsune that stands before you? I know that I may have stood out from the humans you have seen in the past, but... 

My dear, I cannot help you if you do not ask of it.

{Mentions the seal}

The seal?

Yes, the mark of the god here is weaved into the fabric of the drapery. How observant of you!

It seems...familiar?

I would hope so. You've been carrying that mark your entire life, haven't you?

The symbology is on your hands, is it not?

Of course I know about them. They led you here, after all. They shine the most beautiful shade of red.

As beautiful as the day is, perhaps we should discuss this more inside the shrine. Come, come...

{Listener protests}

Not worthy? Nonsense. There is none more worthy to enter it than you. Please, follow me.

<Footsteps leading to the shrine itself>

There are hundreds of tile mosaics, yes. I have created most of them myself, from baking the clay, to painting the tiles, to assembling them on the walls. All of these were former patrons of the shrine. Some young, some old, and of all sorts of different places. Finding people in all sorts of colors has made these walls come alive in the most wonderful of ways.

That's not why we are here, though, is it.

Yes, my dear, I am very well aware of your hands. The glow they emanate in the moonlight...the strings that lead off to distant places...the magic potential they have given you...

Yes, magic potential. You have the ability to cast some magic because of those strings. That is a blessing bestowed upon you. You have had many blessings bestowed upon you. [Sighing dreamily] As have I...

Simply look at the markings now. They glow with a great intensity. As for the strings, they are much fuller now, aren't they? No longer just wisps of a connection, no longer just hints towards the bond...it clearly shows just how tied you are.

What are you tied to? Silly human...

{Kitsune reveals the red strings connect to the backs of their own hands}

Look at my hands, dear. You've been tied to me.

The red strings of fate have tied your soul to mine from the moment you were born. We have been destined to meet.

You're surprised. I suppose that is a normal reaction. Come come, sit with me and I shall tell you everything.

<Footsteps; travelling noise. Don't speak until these sounds end>

I have been at this shrine for almost my entire life. About 1200 years, in fact. I have been in service for this entire time. Protecting the lands, helping the god, and inspiring the patrons here to find inner peace.

For a time, anyway.

You see...the god of this shrine had been alive for a very long time. As people stopped coming to the shrine, or even this part of the country, they became weakened. And so...they wanted out. Eventually regressing from public life entirely, leaving just the shrine staff to look after them.

Most of the staffing was relieved of duty. Others, who were already close to their own demise, passed away warmly by the few remaining maintainers of the blessed land.

Eventually, no one was left to care for our god...except for me. Another 200 years passed. Slowly. Quietly. I watched as the final strands of ambition fade from their eyes in that time. This once powerful being as a saving beacon for humanity, turned feeble and sad in what seemed like a moment.

I don't feel upset about this decision. They had lived a long and prosperous time. That did not make it any easier to watch.

The time had come for them to pass. In gratitude for having served longer and more devoted than any other, I was promised a gift. The final remains of my god's power. One half of it went to me. The other, as they had explained, was tied to a new soul of their choosing. One they had deemed worthy to be my lover. My mate. My...destiny.

Perhaps it is cliché, but they told me about the legends for the red string of fate. Explained how that simple story would be the basis for finding the one I was destined to be with.

I had mentioned that I created most of the mosaics here, did I not? There is one that I had no part in. Look above you, on the ceiling. This mural was created by them. Vast, isn't it? One centimeter square of tile for every week since they had promised my mate to me. Two hundred years of ceramics. There on the left, it starts with the god leading me and others from the sunrise. See my ears and tails? In the center is the shrine we are currently in. On the right, day fades to a sunset. Then myself once again, and at the far end of the mural...it's you. The resemblance is unmistakable. How beautiful you look, paved in clay and expensive paints. You can even see our bond, tying us together, as we hold hands facing the future together. I've stared at its perfection for years.

Can you see it now? The unwavering assurance that you were promised to me? Our god foresaw your beauty. They had also foreseen your...likelihood of doubt. They had hoped that in forming such artwork that it would surely convince you of your place here in the shrine. With me. Such high blessings from our god...

{Longer pause for processing}

Yes, our god. It was their will that brought you here, after all. Does that not make you theirs in any capacity? You are a follower, whether you were aware of it or not. When you prayed, those prayers went to them. Not anyone or anything else. If I was lucky, I was even able to hear those prayers. Sometimes, I was even permitted to grant your wishes...

[Dreamy sigh]

{Listener inquires about the bonds}

About our bonds? Well...

Once you were born, there was a faint red glow from the back of my hands. The symbol of the shrine had appeared with magic. As years have gone on...the strings have become thicker. Less ephemeral, more...tangible. As I was commanded, once the bond between us was solid and thick like ropes, I needed to tug you in my direction. Gently, of course, but still to pull you in to your home.

Even now...

<Rope pull noise; tension>

I can pull you towards me, like a tether or a leash. But I do not wish to do this to you, my dear. There is no need to exact force on a soul who has yet to exert force in return...

But...we are still bonded together. No amount of walls or distance will change the fact that your magic always leads to me...or mine to you.

{Longer pause to process}

I believe you have already come to understand I have no intention of letting you leave. Not yet.

If you ran...where could you even go off to? I can trace you from our bonds, let alone being a predator in these woods for over a thousand years. You don't know what powers kitsune hold—I've made sure of that. Especially not one that was graced by the gods.

Of course...I don't anticipate you loving me in return, initially. I am confident you feel as though you don't know who I am. How could you ever love a stranger like me...mysterious, powerful, and demi-human.

But you have seen me. I know it. In dreams, I have appeared to you. In visions during the day, you hear me calling your name. In quiet moments, you have felt the prayers I speak for you. When our bonds were strong, I would grant you the feeling of magic.

Don't lie to me, beloved. I sensed your reactions every single time. Silent confusion, to loving thanks, to rage in a fit of confusion. These reactions are all normal when it comes to something bigger than yourself. Mortal as it may be, your body has a keen sense of when I was with you, listening or praying.

Don't give me such a nasty glare. Is it so wrong to try and do good things for your fated partner? Is it wrong to have tried to make this very conversation one of love and civility instead of combat and depravity?

You maintained privacy. I could not see you directly, or what you were doing. I simply wanted to warm you to my presence before you came.

You never gave indication of hatred. I would have felt it. Hatred always emanates from souls, and you hold none towards me. Think deeply about your emotional state in this moment. There is perhaps confusion...curiosity...fear...ex-cite-ment...? But not hatred. Your soul won't allow hatred towards me, just as mine won't allow it towards you. To hate would go against destiny.

Our bonds are so much more than simple tethering ropes. We share feelings. Security. Emotions. Magic. Thoughts, if you'll allow it.

<Some kind of spacey or 'in-your-head' effect>

Yes, my love. We can use telepathy.

<End effect>

You are frightened again. I promise to not do that without warning or reason.

I can feel your fear. It oozes out of you like molasses. Sickly sweet and cautious. I'm sure, then, that you can feel my love in return. A warmth, drowning out that fear. I suppose that would be confusing to experience.

I don't think you're scared of this. Of us. Of the future before you. No...I think you are simply scared of me.

I think...you're worried about doing the wrong thing. Doing something to upset me, with an unpredictable reaction. How romantic~...but also baseless. It would be very difficult to upset me now that I have you here.

This is not a punishment. It is a blessing that you just have yet to realize.

Two days. I ask you to stay in this shrine for two days only. Choose to ignore me or choose to learn about me, I do not mind either way. But I believe truly that two days will be more than enough for you to understand that this is your home.

If you refuse and attempt to flee...I will bring you back here. And you will stay for much longer than two days. I do not think this is a good course of action.

If you decide this is not a place you could live...I would be happy to accompany you back to whatever living quarters you have. I would rather not abandon this beautiful home...but I will not leave your side.

Humanity is often material in their desires, no? Then consider: Two nights in a well-furnished, well-maintained shrine, with a loving personal attendant by your side. A free luxury hotel. No strings attached...mostly.

I have beautiful things to show you. We have magnificent gardens and glass sculptures. There is a terrace a short way away for gazing at the stars. I can show you the many kilns we use to make our mosaics-

{Listener lights up to this mildly}

Oh~? Have I piqued your interest? Tell me my love, what has gripped you?

The kilns! How interesting. Might I ask why they interest you so?

{Give space for listener answer}

You work as a potter for a living! Oh oh oh, how wonderful! How delightful that our fates share clay and fire. I do hope you will show me your talents. I am sure they are vast, and your creations beautiful.

Is that why you've spent so much time looking at the mosaics over me? I suppose I cannot be upset with this. You're admiring fine work after all. My work. All done with adoration for you.

My love...my treasure. The strings of fate have brought us together today. May we never have to part for the rest of our natural lives.

No my dear, you mustn't worry. You were blessed by a god, you will live so much longer than an ordinary human would. It is also quite possible that the blessed bonds that tie us together will grant you my gift of longevity as a kitsune. You will never have to fret about losing me or yourself to death.

May I embrace you? I wish to hold you at long last. I have been so patient in doing so over these two-hundred years.

{The listener complies; this is a good point to sound physically closer to the listener(s ears)}

You precious thing. How fortunate I am to have such a wonderful thing like you.

{Listener protests}

Nonsense. You are wonderful. I have decreed it so. So too did Dan'eya {Dahn-ayy-uh}.

Dan'eya was the former god of this place, yes. How magnificent they were... and how wonderful we will be, taking their place. We have been chosen and trusted to continue their legacy. Destined to be lovers until the end.

My name...? But of course. It is Afosiosi {Ah-fo-see-oh-see}. It is an old name from a far-off culture. It is known today as Greece, if I recall. My mother was from that place, or somewhere nearby. Dan'eya would sometimes just call me Sisi or Siosi...you may call me the same, if you wish.

Only you...

You need not utter your name, if you don't wish. It was told to me long ago when the binding prophecy formed.

{The listener says it anyway}

How gorgeous it is to come from your lips. It is like soft music by candlelight.

Stay with me here in this moment. I wish to relish it more. The day has much time before it turns to night.

{Longer pause}

My bonded soul...welcome home. I shall love you forever.

{Fade out. Optionally, add some forest ambience sound effects for awhile as the two lovers sit in silence in each others company and for ASMR effect}

END.