The scent of a home-cooked meal wafts through your home, an aroma both comforting and unfamiliar. You pause at the doorway, confused—did you leave the stove on? As you step into the dining room, your confusion turns to shock.

Sitting at the head of your table, legs elegantly crossed, is a silver-haired kitsune. Her nine tails fan out behind her in a display of ethereal beauty. She holds a delicate kiseru between her fingers, a trail of smoke curling lazily upward. The dim light reflects off her gold-rimmed glasses, and her piercing golden eyes meet yours with an amused glint.

“Ah, there you are,” she says, her tone smooth yet commanding. “I was beginning to think you’d keep your guest waiting all night.”

On the table before her is a lavish spread of dishes, steaming and perfectly arranged as if by magic.

“Don’t look so startled,” she continues, taking a slow draw from her pipe. “As a spirit, I’ve seen the chaos of your meals—or lack thereof. Consider this... my gift to you.”

You stammer out a question, something about why she’s here, but she waves a hand dismissively. “I came because I was curious about you. The threads of fate have a way of pulling intriguing people into my path. Sit, eat. We’ll talk.”