A calm lake sits along the hiking trail, not too far away from the campus but still well within the neighboring redwood forest. It and the creek leading away from the lake, further into the forest, are filled with various wildlife, and fishing and swimming are allowed with teacher supervision. A small building on the side of the lake contains equipment for fishing and wildlife research.
"We don't have very much time until we have to head back." John explained once they reached the lake. "So let's not go in the water today. If you take a look over there" He pointed to a building a little distance away. "You can find research tools, fishing equipment, and some sports things in that shed. You may request to use these items on your own time, but for now, it will primarily be used in your classes only. All of you are able to swim, correct?"
"Yup!" Nairn took in a deep breath and sighed. "Yeeeeeees! Fresh air!"
Husk nodded. Feeling the air against his skin he really wanted shift right now and take off into the skies but, he suppressed the urge.
"Oh! Oh! Mr Skyranger, can we transform? Please? Pleeeease?" Nairn asked John hopping up and down like a kid and clearly loving the outside.
John looked around at all of their excited faces. Glancing down at his watch he spoke. "We have about twenty minutes until we change with Tsuka's group. Would you all want to go back in your other forms and meet me back at the front office? If we do that, we have to stay as a group. I don't want anyone to get lost on the way." John asked the group as a whole. He would allow them to go as a group if they all did.
"Yaaaay!" Nairn said and reached for the coin he kept in a pouch around his waist.
Donovan looked at him with surprise. "Wait, we can change into our other form our here?"
Posey's eyes widened. Change form? Oh, that was right. Everyone here could shape shift, just like her. She looked longingly at the cool water, but she suppressed the urge to dive in. Not today, the principal had said. However, just being able to fly again would be so freeing.
"I mean, just give the word and I'll change and dive into the water." Donovan said.
"Please, please please please pleeeeeeease Mr Skyranger!!! Don't make me give you doe eyes." Nairn said with a bit of trouble deciding between said doe eyes or a snigger at such a bad pun.
Husk looked up. We could transform? He hadn't ever been able to transform in front of anyone besides his parents in a long time.
"No, no getting into the water. If you want to change, you may go behind a tree. Just make sure to bring your clothes with you when you're done. I don't want to find your underwear here in the woods while I'm taking a walk. If you need help shifting or would rather not shift right now, that is okay too. I will walk back with those who do not feel comfortable. Understood? Shift and meet me back here in about ten minutes."
Donovan nodded and and went behind a big tree. He striped down and changed into his dragon form. He had copper colored skin with a row of small row of spines going from the back of his neck. He had pearl white teeth, red eyes, and two long whiskers going down his head. He got down one all fours and began walking, moving his body up and down until he was flying.
Nairn almost hugged John, but stopped himself and said: "Thank you thank you thank you THANK YOU!" And sprinted off to hide behind the nearest tree. He quickly threw off all his clothes, took his coin and grasped it tight. When he came out, he was a magestic stag, with silver fur and antlers that weren't fully grown yet. He galloped around and sped off into the woods before emerging again a few seconds later. Nairn had forgotten how alive this always made him feel.
Husk smiled as he ducked behind a tree as well. He came out flying as a falcon. He flew around the group, flapping his wings excitedly.
Only the girl left, John thought to himself. "You got your clothes?" He asked the hawk and the deer. The dragon still had to make an appearance.
Donovan came down from the trees and landed where he was standing before he went to change. He stood up on his back legs, towering over everyone at an impressive 8 feet with his tail being two feet long. He looked down at John and looked around for Posey.
Nairn rushed back to the tree behind which he had transformed, went out of sight for a split second, and came back into view with said clothes hanging off his antlers, then tossing his head so they fell back to the base of the tree. He then galloped straight towards John, Donovan and Posey, and though his face didn't change, anyone would swear there was a grin reflected in his eyes, if that weren't impossible. Then he ran off, feeling the voices that came with his power pressing for privacy. Nairn knew he couldn't deny them, though he added a little almost human like leap to tell the others he was fine.
Husk flew behind the tree he had transformed behind and flew back out with his clothes in his talons. He perched up on a branch above the group and let out a cry. Though one couldn't tell if he was smiling on the outside Husk was definitely smiling on the inside.