Entry #19:

Contrary to popular belief, dragons do not molt their scales at once. They shed individual scales, and new ones formed underneath. However, this process is irritating for dragons, like for harpies. Assistance is welcome, but caution needs to be exercised when dealing with the exposed skin underneath.

Time sighed, plucking a small ball of moss-green fur on his cot. Despite his and Twilight's shedding season already ended days ago, they could still find some shed fur stuck on their things. It was especially bad with their clothes whenever they transformed back into humans. It would not trouble the elder werewolf, but his descendant tended to shift more than he did.

"Pup."

The said hero looked up from where he was sunbathing. Blue eyes widened comically at the fuzzy thing between the Old Man's fingers, and the Rancher lowered his head in embarrassment. An apologizing whine escaped his throat.

"Go sleep on your own bed next time."

The Hero of Time wisely ignored the pitiful whines and puppy-dog eyes cast in his direction. Despite the Ordonian's rugged looks, he was a cuddle bug. Despite living with non-werewolves for most of his life, he had a strong sense of loyalty and a stable pack mentality. However, he feared abandonment, which could only get aggravated given how he easily bonded with people.

Time knew where that issue stemmed from and had gone through it. Allowing his descendant to do as he pleased would worsen things. The latter had already latched on to Wild and vice versa. The Old Man could do little to separate them, but mingling with the other heroes did the trick. They still preferred each other's company most of the time but no longer hesitated to seek a different company occasionally.

It was tough love, but it was necessary. Time did not wish for both to live the same regret for the rest of their lives.

The Hero of Time finished packing his sleeping materials when a particularly pissed dragon came barging into camp. Four and Wind were right behind his heels, raising their hands surrenderingly.

"We didn't do anything!" The Sailor quickly clarified. "He had been in a bad mood since we left -"

The heroes jumped back when the Champion nearly slammed against a tree and plopped down on its base. He almost tore his Champion's Tunic and undershirt off, grumbling in hisses and growls under his breath. Sky squawked in surprise when the other hero's tail nearly impaled him where he was preening his feathers.

"What's up with him?" Warriors asked. "Hey! It's still daylight. If you're going to strip, do it somewhere we won't see! We're not interested."

"Warriors!"

The vampire threw a teasing look at the scandalized Skyloftian. "I sometimes forget you're a fellow knight, Sky. You and Sun…did you -"

"I'll stop you there, Captain."

The said hero raised his arms placatingly, finally folding under Time's stern gaze. The harpy was as red as his feathers; if he were as temperamental as some heroes, he would have clawed someone's face seconds ago.

The elder werewolf glimpsed his descendant stretched lazily as if he was not bothered by his protégé's latest tantrum. The Hero of Twilight transformed back into human, only sparing a glance at the other hero once. He reached for his bag and rummaged through the contents. "Captain, you bought that brush from your era, didn't you?"

The Hero of Warriors blinked at him. "What brush?"

"You know…" Twilight pulled out a couple of clean towels. "That."

Recognition sparked in Warriors' eyes. Sympathy flashed on his expression when he looked at the miserable dragon. "Ah, you mean that? Yeah, I did. I also bought the cream I told you about. Will that help?"

"Yes, bring it over." The Ordonian nodded. He turned to the other heroes who were listening to their exchange. "Can someone fetch me some warm water? Don't make it too hot, or it will scald."

"I will do it," Hyrule rose from where he was seated. "What's it for, anyway?"

"You'll see."

The Traveler shrugged and went on his way. The Rancher stood up with everything he needed in his arms and walked toward Wild. The latter was pressed against the tough bark, clearly agitated. He bristled when he saw his mentor approach.

"What?"

The younger werewolf sat beside him, laying a cloth on his lap and the ground. "Get off the tree and come over here. I'll take care of it."

The Champion shut up at that and nearly threw himself at the Hero of Twilight. His tail twitched eagerly as deft fingers brushed against his scales. They expertly inspected each, checking for any new ones underneath the exposed hide. Twilight found one ready to shed and gently started rubbing on the skin.

"Why didn't you tell me you're molting?" The Rancher asked as he patiently waited for the old scale to give away. It did without much resistance, revealing the soft and shiny new layer. It would take hours before it hardened so utmost care would be needed.

"Forgot." The Hero of the Wild murmured, relief apparent on his face. He had settled down into a loose ball on the Ordonian's lap.

"Forgot or wasn't paying attention?"

"Mmm."

His mentor huffed. This guy. The Captain joined them with the items he promised. "Do his tail." The younger werewolf said. "I'll teach you. It'll be faster this way."

The other hero plopped across him. "As long as I don't get hit in the face, I'll do it."

"You won't." The Hero of Twilight assured him, glancing at the pixie who had returned. He heard him ask Legend to help him heat the water. "Just do as I tell you, and don't keep any scale. You'll be fine."

The Hero of Warriors looked dubious but listened to the other man's instructions. After half an hour and a combination of more itchy scales removed, warm water, and a bristly boar brush, the two were attending to a purring puddle of a dragon. The usually animated tail wrapped limply around the Captain's waist, much to Twilight's amusement. Hyrule helped them dab the cream to soothe areas that would shed in the following days.

If the other heroes noticed Wild setting Twilight, Warriors, and Hyrule more portions during dinner, they did not say a word. If anything, there would be a competition for who gets to tend the dragon during the rest of his molting season.