Chirin watched the pair known as Clover and Conner. He didn't quite know what to make of them. Jinx had spoken of her half-sister and her childhood friend, but this was the first time he was seeing them in person. Jinx's sister certainly was on the big side. Chirin reckoned one could make another sheep out of her. He read her pretty well. That was one of the lessons Wor had given him.
Clover he could tell was a pleasant sort. He could smell the fear coming off of her. It made sense considering how others reacted to him. But Conner was having a far more difficult time analyzing. He had never interacted with the dogs on his farm. They had seemed like a great glorious band of protectors. That was what his mother had reassured him with as a child, and he believed it. He never thought the guard dogs would fall.
And then came Wor, and he three years later. They all fell before fang and horn. Chirin's opinion of dogs had dropped that day. After all, if they were so mighty, why would they have fallen so easily?
Yet Jinx trusted this Conner with her life she had said. Chirin was still rather skeptical but was momentarily jolted out of his thoughts.
"So what do you think of my sis and bud?" Jinx suddenly asked.
Chirin considered his words carefully. He would have given his blunt and honest opinion but took care not to offend the ewe who had shown him much kindness over these long months.
"They are certainly...interesting," Chirin stated.
Jinx let out a tiny laugh, "They setting off any red flags?"
The ram could tell the ewe was examining him closely, "I mean no disrespect, but I haven't had much interaction with guard dogs or other sheep besides you. Not since three years ago Chirin almost added.
"I can tell they aren't bad creatures," Chirin settled.
"Well don't talk badly about them okay? There's a reason these two are the only other animals on my farm I hang out with," said Jinx.
"Speaking of which," Chirin said pointing on ahead.
The farm had come into view. Just the fence and beyond that, the meadow and the barn itself.
"Here already?" Jinx said in surprise.
"You coming Jinx?" Clover called back, Conner keeping a close eye on her and Jinx, his eyes still not fully trusting Chirin.
Chirin could see that but merely snorted in response.
"Just a sec okay? You two go on ahead!" Jinx called after.
An uncomfortable look crossed Clover, but she nodded and began to waddle on inside. Conner likewise still held some uncomfortable demeanor but trusted Jinx enough not to protest. As he took the time to help push Clover's large bulk through the fence gap, Jinx seized the moment.
"I have to say Chirin, this has been the best set of months in my life. I mean it. I've enjoyed my time with you," Jinx beamed up with a smile.
Chirin couldn't help but smile back, "It was my pleasure Jinx."
Suddenly, a sly grin crossed Jinx's face, "You know? I want to do something special for you."
"Something special?" Chirin repeated.
Jinx thought for a moment before clarifying, "Come to the barn tonight, I'll meet you there."
"Wait? Your barn?" Chirin asked.
"Bingo!" Jinx cheered.
Chirin looked uncertain, something Jinx picked up on, "No worries buddy, just come tonight. I'll take care of everything."
Though uncertain as he was, Chirin trusted Jinx enough to nod and go, "Very well, tonight."
Grinning to one another, the two friends parted and headed back to their respective homes.
Now Jinx had to put her plan into motion. If all went well, it would be a night Chirin wouldn't forget.
XXX
"Absolutely not!" Conner stated with the utmost firmness.
"Oh come on Conner, please?" Jinx begged, her eyes growing wide as saucers.
"Don't give me that look Ms. Jinx! Honestly pouting and begging like a child.
"I am not pouting...yet," Jinx muttered.
The young dog was in a great dilemma. Though doing a request for a friend was something friends did for one another when that friend was Jinx, and with her interests and habits, such request could end badly for one another.
"Ms. Jinx, this goes against the rules and I've bent them for you countless times, but this is the last straw!"
"Look it's not for me, it's for Chirin," Jinx clarified.
"Chirin?"
"I know it sounds fantastic, but I want to do this for him."
"No offense Ms. Jinx, but normally you are the one who gets something out of doing "this"." Conner specified.
"Alright it's partially for me, but mostly for him!"
Conner never looked more uncertain. He could tell Jinx wasn't doing this out of selfish desires.
"If the other dogs catch you-"
"Just run interference! Make something up, keep them away long enough," Jinx suggested.
Considering that, Conner realized it made sense. That and he was quite good at public speaking. At least when he wasn't speaking to a hungry mountain lion who made her intentions on eating him and his overweight friend quite clear.
Releasing a sigh, Conner said, "I'm probably going to regret this,"
"Oh thank you! Thank you!" Jinx said grabbing Conner in a hug, "Don't worry if anything goes wrong I'll take full responsibility!"
"You taking responsibility? Maybe this Chirin has been a good influence on you?"
Smiling a smarmy grin, Jinx replied, "Naturally factually!"
And the young ewe pranced off to await what the night would bring. Oh, and what a night it would be. At least that's what Jinx believed. Conner had a good idea of what would happen. But he couldn't mistrust Jinx.
XXX
The day passed and stepping into the night. And as the sun went down, a solitary ram descended from the mountain. He made his way through the field and into a place he once swore never to return to. It had been a long time since he had stepped hoof into a farm. Even though this wasn't his birth farm, the sight was familiar enough to send a chill down his spine. A farm was where his life changed, and not necessarily for the better. But, Jinx had promised him a night, and from the looks of it, she had made good on her promise to make certain there were no witnesses. There was no trace of the flock, and certainly no guard dogs. All the better for him. At first, he found it impossible for one ewe to influence all of this, but Jinx had mentioned her father was the "top ram" around the farm, so she was high up on the barnyard food chain so to speak.
Cautiously, Chirin traversed into the farm. He noticed several buildings up ahead. One of them was the pen where they kept the sheep, but he noticed another building, probably the barn Jinx spoke of. Taking his chances, Chirin crept forward, making certain his bell didn't even ring. He looked about for Jinx but found no trace. Unless she was blending in well with the darkness. Having wool black as pitch probably helped out.
"Chirin!"
Chirin heard the rasp and looked about, but found no trace of a source.
"Chirin! Over here!"
Though the voice didn't specify where exactly "here" was.
"Chirin!"
The ram snapped his attention to the building before him, his bell ringing gently. Adjusting his eyes, he noticed a small crack in the door and a head poking out of it. He recognized it instantly.
"Jinx?"
"Quick come here!" The ewe beckoned.
Chirin quickly hurried over. As soon as he did, the door creaked open and Chirin stepped inside. As soon as he entered, the ewe beamed up at him.
"Well well, you certainly know how to take up an offer huh?"
"Yes...I suppose so," Chirin answered.
"Hoo boy! Brother, you are in for a treat!" Jinx cheered.
"What kind of treat?" Chirin asked with slight suspicion.
Without a word, Jinx gestured her hoof to a large barrel. There were several to be precise. Yet the barrel had a noticeable nozzle upon it.
"Remember that drink I told you about?" Jinx asked.
Chirin recalled his past conversations with Jinx, "You mean cider right?"
"You got it! Well, seeing as I've talked your ear off about the great beverage known to man and sheep, I think it's only fair I offer you a taste!" Said Jinx.
Chirin widened his eyes and he knew what Jinx wanted to do now, "You want me to drink this cider?"
"Look I know you've probably stuck to water and milk from your ma's teats, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Jinx urged, "Trust me, once you have a taste it will be like nothing you've ever had before!"
Looking on towards the barrel, Chirin felt apprehensive. He trusted Jinx but still wasn't certain of putting something of human creation down his throat.
"Still need reassurance? Well, no worries handsome let me give a demonstration," Jinx said in a calming tone.
For a moment Chirin was surprised by her declaration of calling him "handsome" but ignored it as Jinx turned the nozzle with her hoof and out flowed an amber liquid. Jinx stuck her muzzle underneath and took a greedy slurp, before turning the nozzle, cutting off the flow of cider. Jinx licked her tongue as she swallowed before letting out a brisk sigh.
"Now that hits the spot!" She declared, "Oh my god! I swear the taste never gets old!" Looking over to Chirin, she beckoned, "Well come on, take a swig!"
Cautiously, Chirin stepped forward. As he did, Jinx turned the nozzle again allowing the liquid freedom. Chirin stuck his muzzle underneath and gently slurped the cider down. Jinx shut off the nozzle as her larger friend savored and swallowed. Smacking his lips for a few seconds, Chirin considered what he had just tasted.
"It's...actually not quite bad," The ram remarked.
Letting out a laugh, Jinx announced, "Well the night's still young, brother. Let's drink on!"
And so the pair continued to drink away as the night went on. Eventually, the nozzle was shut off and the pair lay satisfied. Unfortunately, the drink itself did have its effects.
Chirin lay numbly, blearily staring out as he struggled with his vision. Occasionally he would shake his head as he attempted to regain focus. All the while, Jinx lay at his side laughing it up as if she
had heard the funniest thing ever.
"And sho I sayz to er (hic) that I washent going to take her crap!" Jinx slurred.
Chirin did not respond but simply looked on ahead. The drink had affected the pair, Jinx more so than him, but the only clear indication they were equally hit was the blush that streaked across their faces.
"Ya see da shing about me (hic) ish I'm a girl who doesh whatever she wants (hic)!" As Jinx ranted, a goofy smile lay upon her face, "Shure dere are peop*(hic)peap(hic)," Jinx's speech became interrupted by a hiccuping fit, but she regained herself, "dumbasshes who shink they know wash better for me! But ya know (hic) what? They don't!"
"Uh huh," Chirin muttered, stifling a burp.
"Ya know Chirin, yar alright. All shree of yas (hic)!" Jinx continued to slur as she stared at her tripling vision.
Chirin just numbly stared ahead, muttering another "Uh huh."
Suddenly Jinx let out a yawn, "Man I'm pooped!" She declared, "I'm gonna get shome relax and resht (hic). Night handshome!"
Within moments, Jinx was out like a light, snoring in fast succession. Chirin just stared on ahead, struggling with his vision, A small creak sounded out, and within his distorted gaze, Chirin noticed a black and white shape.
"Goodness Ms. Jinx, don't you have any self-control?"
The answer to the rhetorical question was a loud snore.
Even in his clouded mind, Chirin recognized it as Jinx's dog friend Conner. His vision adjusted well enough to see it indeed was the border collie.
"Goodness, you're just as blazed as she is," Conner muttered.
Chirin titled his head confusedly.
"Can you get up?" Conner asked.
"Yesh...I...think so," Chirin half slurred.
Uneasily rising to his hooves, Chirin's body shook with a hiccup, his bell jingling as his head bobbed upward.
"Alright just take it slow," Conner directed.
Chirin took a slow step, wobbling ever so slightly, another hiccup accompanying his steps. Conner provided a guide of sorts. Blurred as the ram's vision was, he could still make out colors and shapes for the most part. The dog led the ram outward, and before long, Chirin had gained a pattern on how to move about.
"You know Conner? I ushed to think dogs were ushless (hic)," Chirin declared, "But after meeting you. You? Your alright!"
"Yes, yes, let's just get you home and...oh no!" Conner's voice trailed off before calling out in alarm.
Chirin spied several shapes ahead. He couldn't make them out so well, both from the distance, and partially because of his intoxicated state, but they were around Conner's size.
The shapes came to a halt. What Chirin assumed were their faces looked on ahead, "Conner what is that thing!?" One of them exclaimed.
"Now now, everyone just calm down!" Conner urged.
But before long, the shapes took off in a full sprint. Chirin numbly stared on ahead, watching as the quadruped shapes made their way towards him. At first, his mind drew a blank, yet within moments, memories flashed back in his mind. He recalled a stormy night. A night of teeth against the horn. Lightning flashed in Chirin's mind and then something went off.
Chirin was off in a flash. He struck and his hoof met with one of the shapes. The figure let out a loud yelp.
"Please stop!" Conner pleaded, but Chirin was like a force of nature.
The ram continued to strike, sending the figures flying. Suddenly, Chirin slammed his hooves down and found himself staring into the face of a dog.
The canine whimpered and managed, "Please don't hurt me!"
Chirin breathed heavily, nostrils flaring as he cried out, "You didn't do anyshing to protect her! You didn't!" The dog continued to stare upward at the angry ram, "She'sh dead! You hear me! Dead!"
Suddenly, a great illness overtook Chirin. Raising he staggered off before letting loose upon the ground. Soon he disappeared off into the distance. Conner was soon left alone, staring at his injured comrades. All the while Jinx slept away, unaware of what had transpired.
Indeed, it had been a night to remember.