“Uh… yeah, it’s not this way.”
Maya turned yet another of the many corners she had come across to find herself staring down an empty hall. There had been a group of musicians that had come to perform at Gale’s Emporium, and she wanted to attend the concert. That had been easy, as Gale had been more than willing to allow her to do so, she was one of her top employees after all. But she had not been prepared for the labyrinthine way that she had come across.
One would expect for a showgirl like her to have plenty of experience with such things, being literal part of her line of work, but she had to admit that she had not gone to many concerts herself. There was always a first time for everything, the saying went, but how hard could it be to navigate backstage in a building she worked on?
“This is getting ridiculous, come on…”
She walked silently, but her mind was both fuming and kind of nervous, not wanting to miss the brand-new single of the artists. She was also a tad embarrassed at having lost herself in a place that was so familiar to her, but that line of thought could be set aside and never be brought up again, or Kodaka would never let her hear the end of it.
Left and right, back and forth in a merry go around that never led her to the place she wanted, or just out of the backstage. The show was about to start shortly, and she was wasting time and energy pointlessly. She had also spied a silhouette of a security guard, not a usual sight, but a necessary one after some fans had gotten a bit too… passionate. Trying to sneak backstage? Not a good idea, and Gale had made sure it would not happen again.
The brown and red walls seemed to enjoy toying with her, the pattern only interrupted by doors as the corners and turns offered no help. But finally, after wandering around one knew how long, she finally seemed to spot something. A door at the end of the hallway, the literal light at the end of the tunnel. Still, there was something… off about it. There was… maybe a bit too much light?
“I don’t think this is the right way to the stands.” She murmured to herself as her feet took her towards the door. “Is it?”
However, once she walked past a door next to her destination, she did notice there was something else. A security guard, finally someone that could give her directions. She would probably be reprimanded too, as no one but the artists were supposed to be wandering around after the incident, but she was willing to bear with it.
“Ex-” Her voice died in her lips as something got a hold of her and dragged her back, covering her mouth with something shiny and glittery. Unable to call for help and surprised, she was dragged back and into a room as she tried to reach for the guard with an extended arm. Although the stumbling and the dragging did cause the man in black to look around for a moment, it was not enough.
There were many thoughts going on at the same time. Anger at the sudden assault, confusion at the whole situation, even slight worry that she would miss the opening of the show. However, all of those were immediately set aside when she felt someone behind her press their body against hers, her mind freezing in horror as she felt herself merge with the other person.
Maya Goodwall, resident and veteran showgirl of the Entertainment Emporium, girlfriend to a kitsune with shapeshifting abilities, woman able to merge with others at will, and officially in trouble. As the two bodies became one, Maya found herself whisked away from the control of the body.
As the merge happened, her outfit underwent its own changes, having her bust bounce around wildly as it fluttered and morphed. Her gray blouse became much more form-fitting, her breasts swelling and growing to a more than sizable size as the cloth solidified into a revealing vibrant blue outfit that went on to cover the right arm, as a belt clasped itself around her waist. Or rather, their waist, as she was effectively put in the passenger’s seat. And yet, in her panic, she could hear small gasps of pleasure from another feminine voice.
“Good to know she enjoys it…”
Her shorts morphed and shifted, becoming much tighter, shedding the light taint for a glossy black color as some frills fluttered as they grew in length. It put on display the full roundness of the rear of the fusion, going along with the overall statuesque figure that the body sported. With more small gasps to accompany too, earning a metaphorical blush on Maya’s mind. It did feel good she had to admit... even if it had been an accident. Finally, her shoes fared the same fate, morphing into glossy black and delicate looking footwear.
And then the door opened, revealing the guard she had tried to reach for. The man peered into the room, the shades covering his eyes and making his expression unreadable.
“I’m SO dead.”
“Ahri? Is something wrong?” Asked the man, his voice never breaking the calm and collected professionalism.
“Oh, it’s nothing. Just doing a quick warmup.” A different voice came from the lips. “But thank you for asking.”
Whether the guard bought the excuse or not Maya didn’t know, the man briefly lowering his shades and arching his brow before leaving and closing the door behind him. The moment it did, the fusion woman looked briefly over her shoulder.
“So, she really is capable of fusing…”
In one of her many crystalline tails that waved behind her she spied something. It was diffuse and hard to tell what it was at first, but she did make out its shape. Maya’s form was visible inside her glittering tails, the figure of the brunette visible once she figured out which way to look at her. The kitsune couldn’t help but smirk as she heard Maya’s voice in her mind, the showgirl panicking at the situation. In fact, Maya herself didn’t know either that she was capable of making such noises and screeches in her mind, as she finally realized whom she had merged with.
“Aaaaaah! Ohmygodohmygodohmygod, I’m so sorry! I had no idea! I just got lost and- I swear, I’m sorry! I had no clue-”
“Calm down.” Said Ahri, with a calm and even warm voice. “I’m not mad.”
“…you’re not?”
“Not at all. In fact, I just triggered your fusion ability to keep you safe.”
“Really?”
“Mhm.” The kitsune nodded. “I assume you know about that small incident not too long ago?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, the security is just a tiny bit on edge. Fans are a wonderful thing, but sometimes they don’t know how to keep their passion in check.” Explained the guest star.
“Yeah, I guess… wait, how do you know about my ability?”
“I spoke with your manager the other day.” Said Ahri never losing the smirk. “She says you’re very talented at this.”
Maya suddenly found herself as a spectator, a memory playing in front of her. Two women stood in an office, Ahri being recognizable at a glance, while the other one did not stand out as much. Still, Maya recognized her in an instant. Fair skinned and short haired blonde clad in red and black, it could only be Gale Rider herself, manager of the Entertainment Emporium.
“Arrangements have been made, such an… unpleasant incident will not happen again.” Said Gale.
“That’s good to know. Actions can mean well, but their execution is often… flawed, more so when emotions intervene.”
“Anything else I can help you with?”
“There is actually.” Said Ahri. “I have heard about this showgirl of yours…”
“Maya Goodwall? One of the best performers and a hard worker.” Answered Gale, her professional façade never breaking.
“Indeed.” Agreed the kitsune. “But it has also reached my ears that she’s… quite special, isn’t she?”
“She is.” Admitted Gale. “However, I will not disclose any personal details of my workers, I hope you understand.”
“Absolutely.” Conceded Ahri. “But… maybe as a small compensation for the incident it could do.”
There was a moment of silence, as Gale and Ahri both stared each other down in a silent standoff. However, this stalemate was broken when Gale spoke.
“What do you intend to do with this information?”
“Nothing harmful, I assure you. I will only quench my curiosity.” Answered the kitsune almost beatifically.
“Really?” Said Gale with a certain deadpan tone. “If that’s the case, I’ll only tell that, besides being a magnificent showgirl, she can merge with other people.”
“Merge?” Repeated Ahri, incredulity noticeable in her voice.
“And no words I say will make it justice.”
“Really?” Smirked Ahri.
Maya found herself back in the dressing room, Ahri having moved in front of the mirror. The kitsune gave her one confident smile, winking the one visible eye playfully as she posed for the both.
The sight in the mirror was beautiful, a white skinned blonde fox girl, clad in blue, black and glitter. Right arm flexed behind the hair, hips cocked to a side and left arm firmly planted on her waist. She even pursed her glossy red lips, playfully teasing the woman in the mind.
Diamonds were everywhere in the outfit, be it in the belt’s buckle and the two small chains that came from it, or the nine crystalline tails that the performer displayed behind her. The same glitter was on her hips, the outfit’s frills not wanting to be overshadowed by the black or the blue that took the body and right arm.
And yet, the knowing eye could see small details that weren’t originally there, manifested in a streak of brown in the otherwise blonde hair. A lock of brunette hair that invaded the face of the artist, covering her right eye along it.
“And I must say… it feels wonderful.”
“Oh, thanks.” Blushed Maya in their mind. “Say… Why don’t we make the most of it by performing?”
Sound was starting to reach them from the stage, the kitsune’s ears twitching and reacting to it. The show would be starting soon and it was time to face the lights and the music. The merged kitsune and showgirl smiled apparently at herself in the mirror as she exited the room and headed for the stage.
“I love your thinking, showgirl~”
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“You really should have seen their faces. It was just a split second, but I would have loved to have snatched a photo of them.” Laughed Ahri, as the kitsune that kept her company smiled and listened.
The show was over, having been a thundering success, and the composite woman had retreated along with the rest of the band. However, they had noted that something about her seemed a bit… “off”, so to speak, and the reveal had the reaction one would expect… mostly.
Maya dreaded the moment, but having basked in the glow of the lights and the thrumming beats of the music, the time had come to face a different kind of music. Ahri explained to the rest of the band members and after a moment of astonishment they were… barely surprised.
“You must feel blessed, having such good friends.” Said Kodaka, fidgeting in place.
“Yes, yes I do…” Admitted the fused kitsune.
Silence set in, creating an awkward and uncomfortable mood between them. It had been always lingering in the background, since Ahri had made her way to Maya’s house under the directions of the latter. But, since the moment she had stepped inside, invited by Maya herself and her girlfriend, Kodaka, there had been that air of awkwardness.
“And reasons for it are not precisely scarce…” Thought the songstress as she reclined in a couch. Of all things, Maya’s dear was a kitsune like her.
“Surprised?” Asked Maya’s voice in their mind.
“I… am.” Admitted Ahri. “I did not expect to meet another of my kind here…”
“But?”
“The more I think about it, the less surprised I am. You seem a very good match for each other.”
Maya’s laughter echoed in their mind, although the kitsune was more interested in the company they had. Fair skinned with a beautiful purple mane that shared hue with her tail, her one tail. As far as the number were concerned, she should be rather weak, but…
“Um… Miss Ahri?” Asked Kodaka as she clasped her hands. “How’s Maya?”
“She’s fine! Don’t worry, she’s safe and sound.”
“Thanks…” Smiled Kodaka, her eyes wandering to nowhere and anywhere. She was fidgeting in place, constantly clasping and separating her hands, while her ears twitched at the most minuscule sound.
“You have something you want to ask, don’t you?” Said Ahri. “Out with it.”
“I…” Hesitated the foxgirl for a moment “I… was wondering if you would mind if I snuggled with you… that sounds so much worse than I imagined…”
The purple haired kitsune was blushing to the point she was incandescent. Was she to be perched in the roof of some skyscraper, she would easily pass for some light in an antenna. And the nine tailed fox-girl couldn’t help but giggle, causing Kodaka to lower her vulpine ears in embarrassment.
“Sorry, sorry. Didn’t mean to poke fun at you.” Dismissed Ahri. “Your home, and your girlfriend; no need to ask for permission.”
“Really?” Asked a suddenly hopeful Kodaka.
“Absolutely.”
As Kodaka sat next to her, slowly making herself comfortable, Ahri used her tails to surround her, bringing the two of them closer. It was a bit awkward at first, the fluffy and warm embrace of the crystalline tails quickly won Kodaka over, enough to have her intertwine her tail with Ahri’s. As she leaned on her, closing her eyes as her lips curled into a small content smile, Maya’s voice spoke again.
“You sure about this Ahri? This is prime material for the paparazzi and the media.”
“Nothing to worry about. Besides, Gale mentioned she would make sure everyone was on their best behavior. Especially the media coverage.”
“That’s her alright…” Sighed Maya.
“She seems to enjoy this.” Commented Ahri. “You do this often?”
“It’s pretty much routine.”
“Sounds fantastic.”
“It is.” Admitted Maya, warmth noticeable in her voice. “There are still some hours until the fusion wears off, could you watch over her?”
“Sure.”
“Thanks.”
Ahri carefully and tenderly ran a hand through Kodaka’s hair, the kitsune breathing calmly and soundly as she leaned on her shoulder. She had fallen asleep incredibly quickly, and she was more than willing to do Maya a favor. However, there was something else, something that she did not tell her.
Among what she expected of the kitsune there was… a glow, an ember. What it was, she could not tell with certainty, but it was there. A small and faint glow of an ember that refused to fully fade away. It was waiting to awaken, and she could only wonder what would take for it to do so. But for now, she would watch over her as she slept.