Ariel - becoming enamored with the mystical, magical kitsunes of the Hallow in the story The Legend of Darumond - decides to try the form of a kitsune on, only to become dysphoric over the fur. Ouch.

SINCE THEN, though, this has come up multiple times in the Behind the Veil series. Ariel mentions in Embrace of the Ocean that she still wants to try it, even after the dysphoria, suggesting a friend (Frua) could help, maybe...

And sure enough, in an effort to help Frua with her identity issues and more at the time (in A Healing Friendship), Ariel ends up getting used to the form alongside making her friend more comfortable! You will certainly see this version of Ariel in the future!

Oh, and wouldn't you know? She's also the descendant of a Hallow kitsune! Who knows what effect that might have had on her... But she cannot hide her genie existence, which in kitsune form manifests as the ethereal tails. Still, the number, 4, is still reflective of who she is, a person who's driven to guide others through tough situations.

I'm the artist who drew this and the author of the character and her backstory. I'm the owner for copyright purposes.