It was an odd sort of peace felt by Adam Phillips after gaining the power to shapeshift. And pain. Yes, the pain was still present also. Something greater than either of those feelings emerged though when the object of his affections ran over to him and kissed him, telling him how he did great and that he needed to deal with his wounds. All he could do was smile and nod as she helped him walk. A few significant questions had been answered just now, and now he felt this whole ordeal had been worth it even if he had never learned the magic he had just been taught.
MacKensie spoke as she cleaned the younger Druid's wounds. "You were so brave out there. To fight a bear...?" She shook her head, at a loss for words. "I cannot believe what I just witnessed."
"Part of me doesn't believe everything that happened either," Adam responded. And more than you'll ever know, he thought before speaking once more. "It was quite an experience. It's tough to put it into words just what it was like. It was terrifying, yet it kind of felt like…fighting myself? And now I feel more complete, if that makes sense?" He shook his head before continuing, this time speaking with absolute conviction. "Tough as it was though, it had to be done. There's too much at stake to sit around while people are in danger." When the Ranger finished her work and handed him his clothes, the red-eyed man smiled serenely as if he hadn't just been in danger of losing his life. "Thank you MacKensie. I couldn't have done it without you."
And the mood of the place did a total 360 thanks to the old elf that lived there. "Don't even think about asking to stay the night because it's not happening. When you're hale enough to walk your skinny little behinds back down my mountain, you can scram."
"...of course," the younger Druid evenly replied as he put on his clothes. "Before we leave though, could I ask you a few questions?" Gilligan obliged, telling Adam about various things he should know about his new ability. It was concerning that he wouldn't be in his right mind the first few times he used this power, but if he could fight the bear physically, he could do so mentally. In the end, the grumpy teacher complimented his student, prompting the latter to thank him. "I appreciate you taking the time to help me. I'll be sure to use this ability for good." And with that promise, Adam was ready to leave the mountain. Unless MacKensie needed to do anything beforehand, she and the red-eyed man would proceed back down the trees and start walking back to the city. "You might need to guide me a little this time. I've had a busy day," he said with a chuckle as he pointed to where the bear had slashed him.