Jinx made it past the fence border. So far it had been an uneventful trek back to her farm. Honestly slipping past it was as easy as sneaking cigars from the humans. And Jinx had done both in her life. How she did the latter still raised questions, but Jinx would only reply "I have my ways". That was how life on the farm went. She would do something outlandish that would raise questions, but then she would give a response that answered it or at least got them to stop asking questions.

Her hooves touched the familiar meadow ground. The grass felt different, but that was probably perhaps she had spent her entire life behind the fence. In the distance, she heard the bleats of several sheep. There was no panic, no sounds of a disrupted order. Perhaps they simply hadn't noticed her departure? That or they didn't care. Nonetheless, Jinx breathed a sigh of relief. All were in the clear when suddenly she heard a brisk bark.

"Halt!"

Jinx froze as she saw a black and white shape running towards her. Panic filled her, but she relaxed as she noticed the familiar furry face.

"Conner," She said happily.

Running towards her was a border collie, young and male to boot. The canine held a fierce determination in his eyes but they softened the minute they noticed whom he was barking at.

"Ms. Jinx?" The dog said as he skidded to a halt.

"Hey, Conner." Jinx greeted.

Conner shook his head and sniffed, "It is you! Oh goodness, Ms. Clover will be so relieved!" The dog panted, "Where have you been?"

"Oh, you know? Out and about?" Jinx replied jokingly.

"You've been way out and about, it's been days!" Conner exclaimed.

"Relax Conner I just hurt my leg and I was recuperating," Jinx assured.

"Hurt your leg!?" Conner cried.

"Shh! Keep it down you don't want the whole flock to hear do you?" Jinx hissed.

"Ms. Jinx it's my job to worry! After all, I'm in charge of the entire flock's safety!" Conner continued.

"You're not the only dog on the farm Conner. Heck, you and I are the same age!" Jinx exclaimed.

Conner was indeed around the same age as she and Clover. Although he wasn't a regular playmate, the dog occasionally had hung out with them. Being of the canine persuasion, Conner's duty was guarding the flock and making sure no intruders got in. Though he wasn't as old as the other dogs on the farm, he still made certain to perform his duty to the latter. Seeing that Jinx and Clover were both the daughters of the top ram of the flock, Conner always made certain to add a "Ms." honorific before their names. Jinx would always tell him to knock it off, but after it happened so many times, Jinx eventually gave up.

"That may be Ms. Jinx, but it's still my duty! Besides, what would your father say if something happened to you?" Conner asked.

Jinx blew a small raspberry-like burst of air, "My dad? Are you serious?"

"Okay bad example," Conner said reconsidering his words, "But what about Clover?"

Jinx was about to answer, when suddenly they both heard a cry of, "Sister!"

Both Jinx and Conner looked on ahead and gaped as they saw the charging white bulk of a certain ewe.

"Clover?" Jinx exclaimed.

Clover charged forward, moving at a speed that contrasted with her size. The closer she grew, however, it became noticeable that there were tears in her eyes. Suddenly, Clover charged forward, and before Jinx could utter "Oh shit!", Jinx found herself being pinned down by her colossal half-sister.

"Oh, Jinx! I was so worried! I thought you were hurt or dead or eaten!" Clover cried through tear-stained eyes.

"Clo...ver."

Clover ceased her sobbing and looked down at the smaller ewe, and it became apparent that there indeed was a size difference. Jinx's face appeared as if it was gasping for air, and indeed she was. The sheer weight of Clover pressed down upon Jinx, so much that the Ewe's face was turning blue.

"Sis…get...off...me...please!" Jinx gasped.

"Oh!" Clover got up allowing her half-sibling air.

Once she was free, Jinx rolled onto her legs and shakily got up. She took deep breaths and she attempted to get some sustenance into her lungs. As soon as she felt her lungs were healthy enough, Jinx shot a furious look at her sister.

"Sis! I've told you a thousand times not to do that! Geeze you nearly crushed my ribcage! Jinx exclaimed.

"Ms. Jinx." Conner said cautiously.

Jinx looked upon Clover's face, and she noticed her sister's remorse. Softening her face, Jinx put a hoof upon Clover's large bulk.

"It's good to see you, sis," Jinx said with a warm smile.

Once those words were uttered, Clover's lips began to quiver and the tears resumed before Clover embraced Jinx in a hug, "Don't ever do that to me again!" She sobbed.

Taking her leg, Jinx returned her sister's hug, "I'm sorry," Looking to Chance, she added, "You too."

Smiling, Conner replied, "Apology accepted Ms. Jinx,"

Everything was set, the three friends had made it clear they were all good with one another, but then…

"So, you've come back."

The brisk, deep, pompous voice spoke through the meadow air. All three turned around and before them, there was a strong-looking ram. Though he held the similar stout shape of his fellow sheep, a great deal of strength lay within. A shining radiance of strength glowed off of his body. Within his face there lay a dignified pride. Both in form, and voice.

"Hello there Pop. How's it hanging?" Jinx asked.

Clover bowed her head, "Hello Papa."

Conner stood to attention, "Oh! Sir Timber! A-A-As you can see, your daughter is safe and sound!"

Timber nodded, "Good work Conner, least someone is performing their duties admirably," Timber then glared at his eldest daughter, "But that doesn't excuse your actions, young lady."

"Here we go," Jinx breathed under her breath.

"I believe you and I need to have a talk," Said Timber, "The pen, now!"

"Please don't be too hard on her Papa!" Clover pleaded.

"Yes Sir Timber! Ms. Jinx isn't hurt and she did come back on her own volition." Conner added.

"Enough!"

Both the ewe and border collie flinched at the brisk but harsh word.

"I will deal with my daughter on my own, Clover you go about your business, and Conner, you are dismissed."

Clover and Conner bowed their heads and replied, "Yes sir."

Nodding, Timber motioned Jinx to follow him. Jinx held no choice but to follow, but as she did, she caught a brief glimpse of "good luck" from her sister and friend. Jinx nodded at them, noting their good wishes were met, and continued on her way for the expected verbal lashing from her parent.

The father and daughter duo headed down the meadow, all the while they caught looks from the other residents of their flock. Jinx could see them murmuring to themselves. This prompted a scoff from the young ewe. It was always like the members of her flock, to mutter among themselves out of earshot. It wasn't like she wasn't used to it. After all, she was the flock weirdo.

A wooden creak knocked her out of her thoughts. They were at the barn door, and they stepped inside. The familiar somewhat musty smell of the barn filled her nostrils. The smell of her sheep sisters lay. This was where she slept most of the time. When she wasn't sleeping off a hangover that is. When that happened, anywhere was fair game.

Timber came to a halt, turning around to stare directly at his daughter. Jinx stood silently and awaited what came next.

"So, from what I hear you took a little trip up to the mountain?" Timber asked, his voice retaining the firmness formally presented.

"That would be correct Pop," Jinx replied.

Timber gave Jinx a firm glare, "And you did this without permission or any word to anyone?"

"I told Clover," Jinx admitted.

"I meant someone with authority. Nevertheless, your half-sister did inform me of your whereabouts when I questioned her. I'm glad at least I have one loyal and obedient daughter."

"Look can we just get through this whole shpiel? I mean we've been down this road many times. You yell at me, go on about how this farm has an order, I'm disrupting it, blah blah, I'm a bad daughter, yadda yadda. Am I covering everything here?"

"Typical! Always an upstart rebel! I can see I should have put in a harsher hand in bringing you up!" Timber spat.

"You didn't bring up squat! Ma was the one doing the raising and she was a nag just like you!" Jinx likewise spat.

"Our "nagging" was to bring you up into a respectable lady! One that would follow the standards of our flock!"

Jinx rolled her eyes at that one, "Yeah making me a glorified baby maker who will either help make a coat or some fancy Greek treat."

"It's what we are bred for!" Timber declared.

Giving a little scoff, Jinx muttered, "Oh yes, bred to be harvested and slaughtered. Yeah, what a life! I certainly hit the jackpot. Guess if I have a kid one day I could simply say, "Okay Jinxie Junior! Now remember, your role to be a mindless follower, doing whatever you're told, and basically being a perfect slave", and then little Jinxie would go, "Gee Mommy! I can't wait! My out lives are so bleak and meaningless!" Jinx then did a salute, "Private mindless soldier reporting for duty!"

"Get out!" Timber yelled.

Rolling her eyes yet again, Jinx replied, "Gladly. Happy to have this little "chat" Dad."

And so Jinx left without a word, forcibly pushing the door open, letting it slam shut behind her. Timber just stood there and gave a weary sigh. He knew in his heart this would not be the last discussion he would have with his unruly and rebellious daughter.

Jinx returned to the meadow, going about her usual business. Much of the rest of her fellow ewes didn't pay her much mind, never asking about what had transpired on that mountain. Likewise, Jinx said nothing and just resumed her usual life. Soon the day passed and all the sheep filed inside. Soon they all settled down for sleep, all except Jinx.

The faint traces of moonlight spilled into the pen, seeping through the cracks within the door. All the while Jinx just stared at the door. And in the darkness of her pen, she wondered about Chirin.

"Jinx?"

She turned aside and noticed Clover staring right at her. Usually, the great big bulk of her sister was snoring away, Jinx likewise was snoring away, especially after a night of drinking cider. But not tonight.

"Sis? What are you doing up?" Asked Jinx.

"I could ask you the same thing," Clover responded, "I can't relax when I know something is on your mind."

"Who says I have something on my mind?"

"You've been acting weird since you came back from the mountain," Clover noted.

Jinx looked away from her sister and continued to look at the door, picturing the mountain behind it, "Something did happen on that mountain."

"Oh? What?" Clover asked intrigued.

"I met someone. A ram." Jinx revealed.

"A ram? All the way up there?"

"I know, I was surprised too. His name was Chirin."

"Chirin?"

"Yeah...and I promised I would go see him again."

"What!" Clover's voice rose.

"Shh! Keep your voice down!" Jinx hissed.

"Jinx if Papa finds out you know you'll be in trouble!" Clover cautioned.

"That's why he can't find out."

It finally dawned on Clover on what her sister was implying, "You want me to cover for you?"

"You know Pop is all bluster. He's not going to care where I go."

"But what if he asks me?!"

"That's why you have to keep silent!"

Clover gave a little pout and flopped herself down, "I honestly get the feeling you're taking advantage of me."

"Come on Sis, It's not like that," Jinx reassured, "It's just if you met this guy, you would see that he's lonely."

Clover still looked uncertain, though she trusted her sister, she knew this was risky, "I don't know,"

"Come on Clover...please? For me?" Jinx pleaded.

The hefty ewe considered her sibling's words for a moment, then with a sigh said, "Alright, for you," Within that sigh, there was a smile.

Jinx smiled and replied, "Thanks Sis, you're the best."

Clover's smile never left her, even as she drifted off to sleep. Jinx likewise slept with a smile upon her face. She would have to make her move in the morning. Just a quick jaunt up the mountain, spend some time with Chirin, and be back. After all, she had made a promise to her friend, even if her friend didn't think she was telling the truth.

Nevertheless, a promise is a promise.