As I lock up my bike at one of the many bike stands scattered across all the entrances to the huge forest that stretches for miles around the outskirts of this city, I take a deep breath, savoring the fresh, crisp morning air. Like many weekends before, I've decided to take a long trip through this forest on my Saturday, and because of that, I'm starting early. While I'm going to university in this city for chemistry, I've always had an interest in photography, even if it's a total amateur effort at this point. All in all, I just really enjoy walking around in nature, not just passively taking it in, but actively scanning for interesting photo subjects, trying to find little things others might just ignore.

So just like many Saturdays before, I make my way into the forest and begin snapping shots. A cute little assembly of mushrooms here, a long-range shot of a deer there, nothing too out of the ordinary. And yet, at the same time, I can't shake the feeling I'm being watched somehow, like I feel something always just out of my view, disappearing whenever I turn. I'd be lying if I said I'm not getting nervous, honestly... I don't remember hearing anything about there being something dangerous in these woods, so what could this be? After spotting a nearby clearing, I quickly make my way there, hoping that perhaps getting to more open terrain will assuage these worries. But as I approach that clearing, I see a figure standing in the midst of it. I can't really make out what it is, and despite my apprehensions, I can't help but approach.

Getting closer, my eyes tell me something that my mind doesn't want to believe: Standing there in the midst of the clearing is some sort of... fox-man? I'm really not sure what exactly it is I see. It's a creature with the fur of a fox, and yet with the stature of a man? And to make things even more confusing, the creature seems to be waving at me. And then... it talks. "Hail! Well met, traveler! Please, be not afraid, I mean thee no harm!" it calls out to me, further cementing me as incredibly confused. Still, I can't help but approach it.

Even as I get closer, the expression on its face is nothing but welcoming. There seems to be no apprehension at all. "Um... who are you?" is the only question I manage to get out.

"Oh, of course. I have many names, but as it concerns thee, 'Rupert' shall suffice as an appellation. It was the name of the first of thine kind I met some of thine 'centuries' ago, and he most graciously allowed me to adopt his name as mine," he explains, which does just throw up a few more questions.

And, well, I can't resist asking those. "Centuries? How can you have existed for centuries?"

"That be nothing to one of mine kind! Indeed, many of mine kind have existed for countless of what thine kind call 'millennia'. We art guardians of the woods, and this particular parcel of nature art mine demesne, passed down to me by mine parents. As such, it be mine task to protect the plants and the animals alike. And while mine kind rarely reveal ourselves to thine, I can not resist appearing to someone that appreciates mine realm as much as thee," he says, and while all of my faculties seem to be telling me that this simply cannot be real, there doesn't seem to be any explanation I can come up with that would explain what I'm seeing otherwise. At this point, it seems the only thing I can do is just accept it.

"So, um... hi, Rupert. I'm Ian, and, uh, I like taking pictures in your forest, I guess? Nice to meet you?" I tell him, holding out my hand for a shake that he accepts with a genuine happiness in his expression.

"Indeed, this be a most fortuitous encounter! Say, wouldst thou countenance coming along to mine abode? There be a rather urgent matter I require assistance from someone such as thee for..." he then asks me, trailing off perhaps a bit sheepishly.

Logic might dictate that following along a strange fox-man that claims to be some sort of divine being deep into the forest is a recipe for disaster, I still find myself nodding. I can't really explain why... he just seems so nice! Despite this situation being so strange and unusual, and despite his talk being... a bit antiquated, he just seems so approachable and friendly that I want to come along. And, well, I'd be lying if there wasn't a part of me that didn't want to pet his fluffy fur, though I can't see myself admitting that just now. And so, I follow him along through the forest, far deeper than I've ever gone before. Along the way, he points out several little things, like a burrow where an adorable little bunny family lives, a particularly ancient tree that has been standing for several centuries, and all sorts of other things. But the most amazing thing is at the end, when we arrive at another large clearing.

I can scarcely believe my eyes again: There, in the midst of the clearing, stands an absolutely gargantuan oak that towers over absolutely everything. A tree of such a size just throws everything I thought I knew about forests into complete disarray... this must be prehistoric for it to be so huge! How has nobody noticed this before? But as if he already picked up on my confusion, Rupert quickly dispels my questions. "Welcome to mine abode, a magical construction that appears only to those I wish to see it. Thou art in rare company, friend."

Leading me to the massive trunk, he shows me a hole big enough for someone to enter and welcomes me inside. And while I had no idea what I expected to see inside, this certainly wasn't it. A small, homey environment, made up entirely out of plant growths that somehow form furniture like chairs, tables and couches, complete with soft cushions made from leaves. The two of us sit down next to each other, and there's a contemplative look on his face. Eventually, he begins talking again. "The health of mine domain be mine greatest worry, Ian. But as its protector, mine health and its be linked in deep, intricate ways. And while I wish that I wouldst not need to make such an urgent request of thee, there be something that mine life hath been lacking. Certain... desires, if thou understand," he explains.

While I have an idea what Rupert could mean, I can't imagine that's what he really means. "Um... could you elaborate?" I ask in return, and now it's my turn to be sheepish.

The expression on his face turns a bit cheeky—knowing, if you will. "Oh, thou need not be coy, friend..." he simply says.