If there was one thing that he didn't like about living with other Fables for the first time, it was all the damn rules. There were the obvious ones, such as no killing and no stealing. Those he could understand, no functional society could exist without them and with only a rather small community it was necessary that residents not be at each other's throats. Then there were all the pesky, little rules. No loitering, no lollygagging, no standing on the grass. Then if you ever wanted to do something constructive you'd have to wait in bloody lines for hours on end and scrape through mountains of damn paperwork. In all honesty he wasn't sure he could scratch his own ass without someone's seal of approval.

Life had gotten rather complicated for him rather quick.

His mind grew foggy and the sights and smells of everyday town-life, carriages and people moving to and fro, small boys trying to sell newspapers, horse manure on the roads, it all simply became too much. He reached into his back pocket and retrieved a cigar, running it just underneath his very sensitive nose.

Ahhhh, Cuban.

Lighting a match which he also carried on him, he promptly lit it before sticking it into his mouth and the delicious taste of tobacco filled his mouth. The fog in his mind cleared, and he found he could breathe more easily. His little sinful habit had quickly arisen out of necessity. It'd seem town life didn't agree with his heightened senses, causing a sort of 'sensory overload'. With the rate this town was growing, he figured he'd need to find a more abundant replacement. Cigars aren't cheap you know. He took a look around the rather filthy and crowded streets of New York, previously known as New Amsterdam just a few decades prior. It seemed the British had taken control of the town, and decided to rename it.

Not that he cared much for Mundy political struggles.

Why would he? For as long as he could remember he had been his own wolf. That had been a time when lines and rules counted for nothing. It was just him, the woods and whatever he could find to quench his hunger. Life was simple then for the Big Bad Wolf. Life was good.

The Big Bad Wolf.

For most of his life that has been his name. He had been a legend.

Nowadays he went by… Sheriff, three weeks and counting.

A bit of a downgrade if he did say so himself.

Sheriff. Sheriff Wolf? Sheriff Bigby?

No, no matter how he said it, it still didn't sound right to him. Then again having fingers didn't feel right. Nor did walking on two legs.

How the hells do humans keep their balance?

But being the sole law enforcement of the fledging Fabletown had to take the cake.

"Mr Wolf, is something troubling you?"

The question was voiced by the woman he happened to be accompanying down the street. Ms Snow White, assistant to the deputy something or rather, in all honesty he didn't care much for titles. Most high born lords and ladies rubbed him the wrong way, by their superior attitudes and even their mannerisms. This woman on the other hand…

He took a good look at her.

She held a certain degree of grace and dignity about her that was for sure. Her raven hair which framed her face ran down halfway her back. Serious blue eyes, in which he could find not a trace of malice, a cute button nose, high cheek bones and a gentle, yet somehow serious round face. In a simple yet elegant blue dress which complimented her pale skin, and a simple beige coat with what he assumed to be fur lining the edges, she struck the perfect balance between sophisticated and professional with… pretty.

Now that's a word he didn't count on saying.

He was staring, better to say something.

"It's just… so different. One minute I'm in the woods, minding my own business, next minute I'm…"

He gestured to himself, not yet possessing the words to describe his situation fancifully.

She nodded understandingly. "I understand, a lot has been asked of you and I'm grateful to you for your commitment so far."

Well, a thank you was the last thing he'd expect from anyone. This woman piqued his interest that was certain. She also made good company. Besides the fact she smelled nice.

"Want to know the worst of it?"

She gave a little shrug. "My damn tail's gone! How am I supposed to stay upright?"

The pure look of mortification on his usually serious face seemed to amuse her, to which she responded with a scoff while shaking her head and looking away.

He was glad she knew it was a jest. He could only join her mirth.

"Yeah, well…" What was the etiquette for conversations such as these?

"How are the others treating you? Any warming up to you so far?"

Ah. Now that wasn't a pleasant train of thought. Other Fables as a rule wished to have nothing to do with him. He could hardly blame them; after all he might have already eaten half of their relatives. Still would it kill them to at least pretend to be civil? It wasn't as if his interactions with them were lengthy. Besides, wasn't the pitch for Fabletown that everyone got a second chance?

"Not… particularly." That bald bastard was the worst of the lot.

She frowned slightly.

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"I don't exactly blame them. I haven't been the nicest character in the past." He replied with a shrug.

She held her ground nevertheless. "Still, we're all supposed to get a second chance and I know you've been trying very hard."

"Well… thanks." Damn it, conversation still wasn't his strong suit.

"I know that you've been through a lot already, but you've already done some good for this community."

He scoffed. "What broken up a couple of bar fights? Not that anyone would thank me for it. Or hell, even look me in the eye."

"It's something, and believe me I know what it's like when people talk behind your back. You shouldn't worry about them."

"I don't care what they think. I care what you think."

She came to an abrupt halt at that and her eyebrows raised in what he assumed to be shock.

"I didn't realise you thought so highly of me."

He had stopped to face her as well. "You're the only one worth respecting." He was only telling the truth. She was the only one he could see working to improve anything in this hole of a town.

Her face seemed to light up as she flashed a small but meaningful smile. With that they continued their walk.

So maybe being Sheriff did have some perks.

Once again, feel free to shoot me story suggestions!