Jinx slowly fluttered her eyes open. How long had she been out? She wondered. She had only settled down for a nap. Anything to pass the time while she was currently detained. Maybe not the best choice of words, she wasn't being held a prisoner, but rather injured to the point she couldn't move. She looked on ahead and saw Chirin. The larger creature was laying down, legs folded underneath, his long neck craning downward. Jinx eyed closer and could tell that Chirin was sleeping. A soft snore escaped him, signifying that. For some reason, Jinx found herself smiling. Despite the intensity Chirin had presented, now he seemed peaceful.

And then Jinx saw it, a soft flinch, followed by a whimper. That didn't sound right coming from a beast such as Chirin. Practically hopping, Jinx crept closer towards Chirin, taking care not to put pressure on her leg. The closer she got, the more she could see Chirin moving ever so slightly. As she got close, she could see a tense look upon his face. If Jinx didn't know any better, she would have to say he was having a bad dream.

Suddenly, Chirin's eyes snapped open, and Jinx let out a small yelp nearly falling backward. Chirin's eyes immediately focused upon Jinx, the pair staring at one another for a good while.

Looking about the cave, Chirin seemed to gather his bearings, his face still showing a sense of bewilderment somewhat.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

Jinx snapped back to attention and replied, "I-I-I just was...well you seemed like you were having a bad dream." Jinx admitted.

Chirin's face returned to its usual stoic expression, "I was."

"Really? What about?" Jinx asked.

Chirin turned away, "It's not worth mentioning."

"I dunno, you seemed like you were having a really bad dream," Chirin didn't respond, "You know? Sometimes it's good to talk about dreams when you're upset."

Chirin turned his face back towards Jinx, "Are you afraid of anything?" He suddenly asked.

"Excuse me?" Jinx likewise asked, surprised by the question.

"You've shown me virtually no fear since we met." Noted Chirin.

Jinx shrugged, "I don't scare easily,"

A soft snort escaped Chirin, "Ironic considering your species,"

"Yeah I know, we sheep have a certain stereotype to us," Jinx remarked bitterly, "But not me!" Jinx suddenly piped up.

Another sound escaped Chirin, and Jinx could have sworn it was a chuckle or some sort of sound of amusement.

"I can see...but to answer your question, my dream was about someone I lost," Chirin at last answered.

"Ah-ha! Now we're getting somewhere!" Jinx exclaimed. Hopping closer to Chirin, Jinx urged, "So come on! Give me the deets!"

"That's all I'm willing to share for now," Said Chirin.

Jinx briefly looked disappointed, but replied, "Fair enough. I guess I haven't earned that right...yet."

Chirin eyed Jinx curiously. That last bit implied something to him.

"What makes you think we'll get any closer than this?" Chirin asked.

Jinx smirked, "Oh you seem like a tough nut to crack, but I'm patient and persistent." The ewe declared.

Chirin settled himself back in, "I see,"

A single day passed and by the next morning, Jinx found her leg feeling a whole lot better. Getting up, she no longer felt the sharp pain coursing through her limb. It had softened to a limp. The moment she felt better, she prodded Chirin, spurring him awake.

"Ta-da!" She declared.

Chirin eyed curiously as the ewe did a little dance, albeit hampered by her slight limping.

"I see you're doing better," He remarked.

"Yep! Not quite at one hundred percent, but I think I've made a recovery!" Jinx boasted, "So how about we go out and get some exercise?" She suggested.

Considering for a moment, Chirin rose to his hooves, "Very well."

Jinx looked surprised, "Really? Just like that?"

"It's better than being cooped here all day. Honestly, I could use less chatter," He remarked before heading out.

Thinking on Chirin's comment for a moment, Jinx couldn't help but wonder if that was a stealthy insult towards her? Never minding that, she followed Chirin outside and was greeted by a miraculous sight: the sun was shining, and the birds were singing, a soft breeze blew causing her wool to fluff up a bit. Honestly, it felt soothing and she greeted the day with open eyes.

"Wow! This sure beats the farm! Man, you're so lucky to live here!" Jinx exclaimed.

Chirin snorted and trotted ahead, "Yeah." He stated, but right away Jinx could pick up there was no emotion in his voice. Turning his head back, Chirin added, "I suppose you're hungry?"

Jinx considered and nodded, "I could eat."

Nodding, Chirin responded with, "Follow me,"

Jinx obeyed and followed after, the only sounds being their hooves against the stone floor. Chirin led the way, which made sense to Jinx considering he lived here. Soon they came to a stop and Chirin moved out of the way to reveal a trove of plants.

"Here, eat." The creature instructed.

Jinx looked at the plants before her, recognizing some of them during the period she was in Chirin's cave. Curiously she edged forward and took a bite. She chewed for a few moments before swallowing. The moment she did, her face lit up with delight.

"Wow! These are pretty damn good!" She declared.

Chirin stared blankly at her, "Well, of course, this is what I've basically been feeding you."

Jinx realized her lapse in memory, "Oh right. Sorry, it's just they taste better when they are still rooted."

"I suppose so," Chirin stated blankly, "The mountain is lush with vegetation like that. One could easily sustain themselves here."

"Oh man, my sister would totally get a kick out of this place! I mean no offense to her, but she's a total glutton."

Chirin snorted again, "Well grazing is what sheep do best,"

"Yeah but she makes it an art," Jinx declared, "One time when we were little, a bunch of us dared her to eat a whole hay pile. She only ate half, and nearly barfed, but she was a trooper!" Jinx remarked that last bit with pride.

"You speak highly of your sister." Chirin noticed

"Well of course! She's my sister. Well, half-sister." Jinx corrected.

"Half-sister?" Chirin asked.

"Yeah, same father, different mothers," replied Jinx. Looking over to Chirin as she swallowed, she asked, "So you got any sibs?"

Chirin's eyes looked to the side as if he was thinking about what to say, "Probably, maybe, I was my mother's only child, and I never knew my father…my real one at least."

Jinx took another bite of a plant and chewed, "Well I can tell you my dad is a total drag. A total stickler for rules and since I don't follow them I'm not exactly his favorite daughter," Jinx continued to chew, talking in-between mouthfuls, "My Ma's no better easier, total nag fest."

At the mention of the word mother Chirin's face darkened, but Jinx didn't notice at first.

As soon as she was finished, Jinx swallowed and let out a burp, "Ah! Hit the spot!" She declared with a smile, but the smile fell as soon as she noticed the grim expression upon Chirin's face.

"You should honor your mother." He stated bluntly.

Jinx's eyes narrowed into a glare, "Clearly you haven't met my mother."

"Nevertheless, she gave you life." Chirin stated, "You should be thankful for that."

"I suppose," Jinx muttered. The ewe took a glance at Chirin and noticed the rigid expression upon his face. Something about mothers seemed to have added some uncomfortably. "Well anyway, maybe you could show me around some more?" She asked, hopefully changing the subject.

Face still just as rigid, Chirin moved on ahead and said, "Very well,"

As Chirin walked away, Jinx couldn't help but feel like she had made a grave error. At the moment she chided herself but kept silent towards Chirin.

The great beast led her further, showing off the mountain's splendor. All the while Jinx watched. She noticed most of the area was the same. Lots of rocks with various vegetation strewn about. Indeed, one could sustain themselves here. She wasn't sure how they handled winter, but obviously, if someone like Chirin managed, then it was possible. Looking on ahead she kept a sign out for any possible followers.

"So that mountain lion?" Jinx asked.

"Selena," Chirin answered.

"Yeah her, so you don't think she's going to jump out and surprise us do you?"

Chirin looked back to her, "Why? Are you afraid?"

"What? No! I'm just…well I don't like being surprised that's all." Jinx claimed.

Ever the stone-faced one, Chirin simply replied, "So long as you're with me, you'll be fine,"

Jinx found the tone of his voice neutral, "You know? You could show a little more emotion."

"I give as much emotion that is needed," Chirin bluntly replied.

"I guess but I mean you technically have a guest and maybe you could be a bit more hospitable?"

Chirin didn't reply to that and kept on ahead. This prompted a sigh from Jinx.

"Look is this about the mother comment? I'm sorry okay. Obviously, something about mothers irks you. I wasn't trying to make you upset." Jinx apologized.

And then Chirin came to a stop.

"It's alright, it's not your fault. It's just baggage." Said Chirin.

Jinx detected a hint of sadness in his voice. Though Chirin tried to hide it well, Jinx knew it was there.

"I know we haven't known each other that long, but maybe talking about your problems will help?" Jinx suggested.

Chirin stared at her, and within that strong face, she did notice a twitch of some regret perhaps?

"Even if I did open up, there would be no fixing this problem." Stated Chirin.

"You don't know until you try," Jinx replied hopefully.

At that moment, Chirin's expression softened ever so slightly, "It's hard to fix when I am the problem."

With that said, Chirin turned around and resumed his walk, and Jinx simply sighed and followed.

Sympathy flooded into Jinx's heart, she couldn't help it. Despite the strength and stoicism, Chirin was presenting, Jinx could see a wound within him. She was always a perceptive creature. Maybe the most perceptive creature in her flock, nay the whole farm. She could crack almost anything, had a way of making things work turning them to her advantage. But her actions were far from manipulation. She wasn't a nasty creature, (despite what a certain high-class ewe said), she honestly wanted to help Chirin. Although she didn't understand why herself, it's just she could see a wounded beast needing assistance.

She just had to keep pressing harder. Hopefully, this little tour will ease things she wondered. Seeing that she was here until her leg was better, perhaps she could do just that? All she would have to do is wait and see.

XXX

Chirin wrestled with himself. This whole situation was foreign to him. Why was this ewe trying so hard to get to know him? Even now he could tell she was staring intently at him. Of course, this all was happening because he just had to rescue her. He still tried to figure that one out. Part of him thought it was because he wanted to deny Selena her prize, another example of their rivalry. That or he still had some lingering kinship for his sheep brethren?

Either way, she was here now, and she wasn't going anywhere until her leg was one hundred percent better. Of course, if Wor was here, he would have simply viewed Jinx as a meal. Chirin knew if he was here Jinx would be a corpse by now. But then he thought what would his mother do? He knew saving her is something she would have wanted. As he thought of them, he couldn't help but miss them all the more. Oh, how he wished they were here, but he knew that they were gone, gone, and never coming back. And it was all his fault.

Letting people in, just only led to pain after all. Least for him.