He watched the transformation, watched Arthur's pained expression and the gruesome in between display of rending flesh and snapping bone.

He'd offer the painkillers again another time. For now, he finished stripping his many layers and shook out his mane of hair - even thicker in the winter- and then focused.

It had been a while, but for him there was no pain. More like a really good stretch where your vision briefly whites out.

A pale fox trotted up beside Arthur - unmistakably the Medicine Seller as it sported the same red markings on his face and eyes. He was small as foxes went, probably the runt of the litter, and his fur was the same ashen blond as his hair, lightening around his belly and muzzle. He was also a bit scruffy, as there were still patches where his winter coat had yet to come in.

His tail, however was enormous. Or rather, it seemed to fork into eight tails and they twitched excitedly as he caught sight of Arthur's distinctive eyes.

He really did make a fine bear.