Clover was a simple creature. Being a sheep was not as complicated as it looked. A sheep's life consisted of four things: Grazing, sleeping, growing fat, and making little lambs. Clover had already accomplished the first three things, especially the third, but the fourth was still a work in progress. It wasn't exactly the mating period yet. When the time came, the males would be released into the flock to pick out a mate. Clover hoped with all of her heart she would be picked.
Her father always told her she was a fine example of a sheep, so that alone signified she would attract a mate. Her sister? Perhaps not so much. Not that Jinx wasn't attractive as far by sheep standards, but it's just her personality seemed to clash with that of the flock. She found nothing wrong with Jinx. Sure she probably would never mate or produce lambs of her own, but Clover could see her as a very loving and fun aunt.
As Clover nibbled at the grass, she couldn't help but notice Conner's pacing.
"Are you alright?" She asked as she swallowed.
Conner halted his pacing and stared up at the mountain, "You have to wonder what she is doing?"
"Hmm? What do you mean?" Clover asked.
Conner turned to her, "Ms. Jinx. She's been going up to that mountain for months!"
"So?" Clover asked once more.
"Well, aren't you the least bit curious?" Conner inquired.
"Jinx has always done her own thing, it's nothing new," Clover stated.
"Yes, but this has gone on far too long. I know it's easy for you but I'm getting worried," Conner admitted.
"It's easier to not think about it," said Clover, "It's how I survive."
"Don't you feel the least bit taken advantage of?"
"Bite your tongue!" Clover suddenly snapped.
Conner realized what he had said and bowed his head, "I'm sorry Ms. Clover, but Ms. Jinx has a habit of doing this. She goes off and does whatever she wants and we have to cover and clean up for her."
"Oh we do not clean up for her...all the time, but she always pays us back," Reminded Clover.
That was true. Jinx may have been a free-spirited hedonist, but she did treat her friends well.
"Well in any case, don't you think we should go up there?" Conner asked.
"Wouldn't that be breaching Jinx's privacy?" Clover worried.
"But what if she is in some kind of trouble?" Conner pointed out.
Clover hadn't thought about that. If her sister was in some kind of trouble, she might require their assistance. After all, neither she nor Conner knew about this mysterious Chirin. Though Jinx had spoken sympathetically of him during the brief moment she mentioned him, he was largely a mystery.
"Well...maybe...I wouldn't want anything bad to happen to her," Clover admitted.
"My point exactly! So as our duty! We should go up there and make certain no harm has come to Ms. Jinx!" Conner declared.
Clover scuffed at the ground reluctantly, but then looked up determinedly with a nod, "Alright, let's get going!" She declared.
The two friends headed up to the mountain, ready to see what their friend was up to. There was just one problem. Getting through the fence gap was easy for Conner. Being a slim shape, he was able to easily maneuver himself outside. Clover on the other hand?
"Conner!" Clover called out.
Conner turned around and gaped as he witnessed the sight, "Oh my," He muttered.
Clover was tuck in-between the fence gap, "I'm stuck," she pitifully whined.
Honestly, Conner kicked himself for not expecting this. Fat as Clover was, it was a no-brainer she would easily get stuck in narrow spaces.
"Don't worry, I've got you," Conner reassured.
Standing on his hind legs, Conner began to tug at Clover with her paws. He struggled and pulled, but found no sign of Clover budging.
"It's not working!" Clover exclaimed.
"Try sucking in your gut!" Conner suggested.
Clover took in a great breath of air and felt her belly shrink. After a bit of continuous pulling, Clover popped out, and onto Conner. The two friends tumbled and when it was done, Clover thankfully hadn't landed fully on Conner.
"Are you alright?" She asked.
Conner got to his feet with a shake, "Yes, quite alright, how about you?"
"Well I'm no longer stuck, so that's good," Clover declared.
"Yes indeed," Conner said as he continued his way towards the mountain, Clover lagging.
The pair of them managed to reach the mountain but found a slope to their surprise. Once again, such a task was no problem for Conner, but Clover held great difficulties being as large and out-of-shape as she was. By the time they reached the top, Clover was huffing and puffing.
Conner looked sympathetically at his friend and said, "Perhaps you should consider a diet Ms. Clover?" He suggested, "I mean no offense by that, but eating right and exercise might help your body in the long run."
"Oh now, why would she do that? She's perfect just the way she is!" A female voice spoke.
Conner and Clover looked up and noticed on a small wall of stone, there was a mountain lion! Immediately, Conner jumped in front of Clover, while the latter shot up like a rocket.
The mountain lion licked her chops and hopped down, "My, this is certainly a sight, I never expected to find such a fat, succulent lamb-chop."
"N-N-N-Now don't get anything ideas Madam!" Conner stammered.
"I'd watch your mouth poochie, otherwise I might add you to the menu. Never tried dog before but I am not a picky sort."
Clover and Conner both gulped in unison. The pair of them backed away, but as soon as they did, the mountain lion took a step forward. Without much thinking, Conner said the one thing they were all thinking of doing.
"RUN!"
And so in a flash, the two friends darted off. In their panic, they headed further through the mountain, but it proved fruitless, as the mountain lion easily countered them!
"Did you really think that would work?" The mountain lion asked.
Clover and Conner were at a loss as to what to say. A big scary predator staring them down, and they were helpless. The mountain lion prepared herself to strike when suddenly something impacted her!
A gray blur rushed by striking the lioness, sending her flying a few feet.
"You!" The lioness exclaimed angrily.
Conner and Clover watched in shock as a large gray beast loomed in front of them.
"I'd back away if I were you, Selena," The creature spoke.
Selena growled which prompted a snort from the beast. The feline hissed and then ran off without a word. Conner and Clover's eyes grew wide as the creature turned around to face them. They didn't know what to think of the beast that stared down at them. They were not sure if they were drawn to the horns, the cold face, or the bell around its neck.
"Clover! Conner!"
They were snapped out of attention by the sound of a familiar voice. A black shape stepped into view and although they were fixated upon the great beast, another prod fully brought them out.
"What are you two doing here?"
They looked and sure enough, it was Jinx.
"Jinx/Ms. Jinx?" Clover and Conner said in unison.
Jinx's surprise didn't leave her face, clearly not expecting to see her sister and her friend up here.
"So you do know these two?" The beast asked.
"Yeah, this is my half-sister and my friend," Jinx answered.
Conner shook his head, "Wait? Ms. Jinx, you know this creature?"
"Yeah, this is my friend Chirin," Jinx clarified.
"What!?" Conner exclaimed.
"This is Chirin?" Clover asked.
Chirin stared firmly down at the two animals, "Hey," He grunted.
Conner and Clover were speechless.
"I can feel those stares, so spill it, what are you two doing here?" There was no anger in Jinx's voice, just curiosity.
"We were just worried about you Jinx!" Clover exclaimed.
"Yes, you've been coming up this mountain for months without any word of what you were doing!" Conner added in.
Jinx sighed, "Guys, I told you I'm fine, I was just hanging with a friend, that's all."
Conner stared up at Chirin then said to Jinx, "Ms. Jinx, do you mind if we talk to you in private?"
Jinx looked up to Chirin and said, "Whatever you have to say to me, you can say in front of Chirin."
Clover likewise looked at Chirin and shuddered, "Please Jinx, just in private?"
"It's alright, go ahead," Chirin allowed.
Jinx felt hesitant at first, but complied with a simple, "Okay, be back in a sec."
The three animals stepped away from the larger beast. Once they were a good distance away from Chirin, Conner immediately blurted out in a whisper, "With all due respect Ms. Jinx, but are you crazy!?"
"Woah what?" Jinx said in surprise.
"Jinx, you didn't tell us your friend was a monster!" Clover added in.
"He's not a monster!" Jinx cried, but making sure to keep her voice low, "Look, I know he looks scary, but he is not a monster, trust me."
"Yeah but he's big and scary," Clover shuddered.
"I do agree with Ms. Clover, something about that fellow seems rather off," Conner added in.
"Oh come on! Sure he's a little on the big side, but he's not a bad guy! Really!" Jinx said defensively.
Clover looked towards Chirin again, watching as the larger creature was staring in their general direction. A smile crossed the large ewe's face and she said, "Well that's good enough for me."
"What?" Conner flatly asked.
"Look, Jinx says he's her friend and I believe her," Clover said.
"But Ms. Clover!" Conner protested.
"Do you trust Jinx?" Clover point blankly asked.
Conner was taken aback, "Well I-"
"Do you trust her?" Clover asked again.
Looking towards Jinx, Conner couldn't help but feel conflicted. He then glanced over to Chirin with an emotion of uncertainty upon his face. It was his duty to keep all members of the flock safe, and that included Clover and Jinx. But here Jinx was, with a creature who looked built to kill, but he couldn't shake off the memories he held with Jinx and Clover. He had known them since he was a puppy. And such a bond of friendship, especially one as old as that could not be broken so easily.
Letting out a tiny sigh, Conner nodded and said, "Alright then...I trust you Ms. Jinx. Though I do admit I am uneasy, I do trust your judgment."
Jinx chuckled, "You trust me? Honestly, you're more of a worry-wart than Clover."
"Though I admit you don't always have the best judgment, I do know you have a good heart, and you attract the best after all," Conner grinned.
A warm smile crossed the ewe's face, "Thanks, you guys, I mean it."
A jingle of the bell sounded out signifying everyone to Chirin's presence, "We should get these two back," Chirin stated, "Selena isn't one to give up so easily."
"Aww, but I thought we could show my sis and bud around!" Jinx protested.
"I wouldn't suggest it," Warned Chirin.
Considering it for a moment, Jinx realized her friend was right. "All right you two, let's get going."
And so the quartet headed down the mountain. Though Jinx noted to herself, Clover and Conner not being terrified of Chirin from the sight was a good sign.