Though only the flickering orange of the fireplace was your source of light, it would be enough to take in the strange sight of the fox changing shape before your eyes -- the body growing larger, legs lengthening and gaining some thickness, fingers becoming visible from its paws. It would soon be obvious that it was female from her slender shape and the rounded edges of a rather large pair of breasts growing into view of the fire's light, though her bushy tail curled in front, the fine fur, and her crouching position blocked her most intimate parts from your view for the moment -- this wasn't her first time doing this, evidently. Her face had shifted towards something more humanlike, though elements of its previous vulpine shape could still be seen.
It was only a couple of moments after the shapechanging stopped when she spoke, although it might have seemed like an eternity to you. "Greetings."
"Y...you can talk?" You managed to stutter out.
"Yes. I am Sanioch of the House of Cawlina. It was once a name that brought honor, providing protection and communion with those we served. This is my family's estate, which I have lived on for many years now due to a curse placed upon my forebearers." A howl from the rainstorm outside interrupted her story for a moment, drawing a stern look from Sanioch's face towards a door before it died back down to background noise. "Unfortunately, I was unable to prevent you from being drawn into this by the curse. You should not go outside now -- there are beings lurking in the darkness outside that even I can barely fight against. A human like you cannot hope to survive against them -- believe me on that."
A moment passed as you took that in. "So...I'm stuck here until this storm passes?"
"Likely beyond. The forest around here has also been enchanted such that those who go in without a plan don't...return as they would like."
Another pause. "So I'm stuck here forever, you're saying?"
"I have had many years to research the tomes and texts that I have salvaged from my House's library." Sanioch seemed a bit proud at the end of that claim. "I believe that I am close to breaking this curse that will free the both of us. However, I will need your help."
"Me?"
She nodded. "Specifically, it requires..."