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Tags: Human, Magic, Magical, Feral, Reindeer, Wolf, Transformation, Male

Stunt Reindeer Core (cast): Meteor from South Timber (a former human teenager named Kristofer Falkner) Codine from South Timber (a stunt reindeer with switched colors) Captain Jumper (stunt reindeer trainer/coach) Surger of Glacier Falls (a stunt reindeer with an odd looking rocket marking on his forehead) Rapid of Cascade River (a stunt reindeer with a two-tone coat which resembles a river) Gusto of Swansong Woods (a stunt reindeer with a hearty outlook on life) Danger of Cavern Heights (a stunt reindeer who seems as if he might jump if you said boo) Laugher of Humor Meadow (a stunt reindeer with a touchy funny bone) Grave of Soul Creek (a heart-fallen stunt reindeer with dark skull markings on both sides of his head)

KF-SRC-01 Cold Hooves By Darrel James Vanwinkle (Ratseye/Pouchlaw) April 29th, 2015

Chapter Three

After being shown where his quarters would be (which was a little more than a warm stall in a reindeer stables building, built by only the gods knew whom,) Kristofer joined the others for the line up where each of them were given a small bag of what looked like raw corn but tasted as if each morsel had been soaked in sugar or something similar. He actually hoped the meals got better than this. He was starting to hanker for a pizza or some spaghetti or even a taco. But a reindeer's body likely couldn't stomach what a human could so at the moment, the sweetened corn was it for their meal. Although after eating the corny treat, he began to feel energy coursing through every part of his reindeer body and he was beginning to experience a hyper active sensation as if he had gorged himself on too much Halloween candy. And he noticed that all of the other reindeer seemed to be experiencing the same as he was.

"What is this feeling I am having?" asked the former human boy turned reindeer. "It feels like I ate too many sweets and drank too much energy drink." He glanced toward Captain Jumper who was simply standing there watching the stunt core recruits undergo their interal metabolism metamorphosis without so much as an emotion. "What did you do to us, Jumper?" After a few moments of silence, the training reindeer captain replied. "Now the sensations you have all experienced should have passed through the majority of your bodies and should have settled into your legs, hoofs, and antlers. This initial treat was to imbue you all with the stunt reindeer core flight ability. This means that you will be able to fly, with practice, any time of the year; not just on Christmas like the more famous sleigh pulling reindeer. In fact, one of their number will be coming by this afternoon to check on your initial training."

Those last few words distracted everyone present to ignore what they had been feeling and gaze directly toward their captain. Jumper then continued. "The first part of your training is to get you to the hopeful rank of a level one flyer. This simply entails basic flight and landing; no fancy tricks or stunts just yet. We don't want Dasher and Comet seeing you recruits wiping out in snow banks, do we?" He shot a wink and a smile at the lot of his recruits. Yes, he said it: Dasher and Comet. Two of the main flyers from Santa's team. "That initial treat was a super concetrated version of the magic corn that allows the reindeer to fly for Mr. Claus. The reason you need a special version of it is because you will be stunt reindeer; bucks who would be performing all manner of outrageous tricks and stunts when other reindeer cannot do it themselves. And properly trained, you won't get hurt doing these stunts."

What felt like the next few days to Kristofer involved the basics of proper leaping, landing, and yes, reindeer flight. Gliding was first, followed by slow flying, steadying for balance, and finally the hardest one, hovering in mid air. The last one was the most important since that was the one required to impress the big brass himself. According to Captain Jumper. Once everyone was able to fly at least decently well, everyone was hitched up to a standard sleigh and then came the full team flight training. Working together to keep the line balanced. Tip the wrong way and the sleigh spilled. What perhaps made this exercise worse than it had to be was that Jumper had positioned fragile eggs along the rims of the sleigh. Since the sleigh was behind the reindeer, they wouldn't know if they broke an egg until after the landing. Of course Jumper flew along beside the others to instruct them on their alignment.

Kristofer stood under a waterfall allowing the cold water to wash the sweat and grime off of his body that he and the others had built up during the last training outing. "I am sorely starting to miss Head and Shoulders and decent underarm deodorant."

Codine waited nearby. "Captain Jumper told me to teach you on how to see the Veil gates tonight, Meteor. That means you could be home by midnight. Although you are one of us now. Earlier, Dasher and Comet said you were perhaps one of the best fliers they had ever seen trained from Jumper's school. I really like you, Meteor. Don't stay gone too long. You did sign a contract with Jumper. And he can summon you back if you try to go AWOL."

Kristofer stepped out of the waterfall and he gave Codine a kiss on the muzzle. "I promise to come back. You are my friend, Codine. I couldn't just leave you training here by yourself."

Codine smiled as he raised up a little. "Hold still while I lick your eyes. This might sting a little. But this is the first step for seeing Veil gates." Kristofer held as still as he could but as Codine licked the surface of his eyes, he couldn't help but to flinch ever so slightly. "I am sorry if that hurt, Kris. now follow me. I am going to take you to the closest Veil gate. The important thing to remember about these gates is that you can see the locale they go to before you jump through. Therefore, when you find a veil gate that goes to a location you recognize, memorize where that is so you can continue to use that one."

When they reached the veil gate simply hanging in mid air before them, Kristofer watched the changing location images for a bit until he said, "I recognize where that is now. It's the overlook where I first came here from. Although it is no where near my home."

Codine replied, "Once you are back on Earth, don't forget that you will be able to fly in your human form exactly as Jumper taught you. Also remember that you will be initially naked. When you first came here and changed into your reindeer form, you ripped out of your clothes due to the transformation. The next time, your clothes will make the change with you." So fly home and square things away with your parents, then take a bath and wash your hair. You are going to smell like you had your head in a reindeer's lap. It is a scent that has to wear off. but you can at least make yourself smell nice. Use your time at home to locate the nearest Veil gate. Once Jumper starts calling for you, it will be do or die time." You are the best friend I've eve had, Kris. I love you." And he gave Kristofer a kiss on the muzzle before stepping back to allow his friend to make the crossing."

"Too bad I cannot use my reindeer form on Earth." remarked Kristofer as he stared at the Veil gate.

Codine replied, "One of Jumper's trainer friends can help you learn how to do that. I'll mention your request to Jumper while you are gone and when you return, we can see about teaching you how to switch forms on either side."

Happy that Codine thought of that idea, Kristofer waited until the image of the overlook came into view before he ran and leaped through the gate.

End of Chapter Three