Sea Rider

If anyone had told Sea he'd be feeling his worst pain at seven moons, he'd have snorted and snarked back that he's too good to mess up that badly.

But, here he is, writhing back and away from that vibrating crystal his nose had pressed against. An agonizing burst flooded his body like an explosion was contained in his veins, inside his fur. He knew it would make him older, turn time on his body, yet this was excruciating. Leaf Trodder gave this the okay?

The old wolf sat on the other edge of the crystal, watching with a snapped jaw and intense eyes. Sea's elongated whines rung his ears, yet he stayed rooted to the floor.

FInally, the pain eased and Sea lay panting on the cave's cold, stone ground, his black eyes squeezed shut. Swan Diver's familiar nose prodded every inch of him, inspecting his fur and skin for abnormalities or external injuries. "Nothing out of ordinary, Leaf Trodder," her wizened voice sung.

The senior leader waited until Sea picked himself up and sat on his haunches, scrutinizing. Sea was much larger, his fur filled and longer; a noticeable amount of muscle had tacked itself onto the young wolf. His large paws now seemed proportionate with his body. He'd grown four months in one minute.

"A strong pup," Leaf Trodder remarked, standing to pad on shaky paws over to Sea. "I'm impressed, Sea. Keep him rested, Swan Diver; he's earned it. Plenty food, plenty sleep. He'll join the hunts when he's recovered."

Sea shut his eyes as the lead wolf touched his nose to his, his ears briefly flicking back. Sea's body was spent, and it took everything in him to remain upright as Leaf Trodder left the healer's cave--and he collapsed against Swan Diver, heavy and holding back his grunt.

"Let's get you nested, my dear," murmurs Swan Diver as she supports his large body, standing to walk him through the cave. "Long night of sleep for you."

Sea doesn't care much about a next--heonly hopes Hallow won't think his change is apalling.