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Chapter Nineteen: Watchful Eyes

Dawn wasn't sure exactly how much time had gone by since the horrible scene Vernon's ex-mate had pulled the pair into. It could have been an hour, maybe and hour and a half or even longer judging by the way the sun was now settled in the sky. But to Dawn it had felt considerably longer. The whole affair had left the ewe twisted up inside, souring her stomach and sending her mind into overdrive with all sorts of terrible thoughts. Despite Vernon's assurance to the contrary, Dawn knew better when it came to politicians and what they were capable of. She had been inside the political scene long enough to see the way 'distinguished' mammals exerted power over the small. Hell she had experienced it first hoof, although she hadn't realized at the time that it had nothing to do with size or species, merely the nature of power itself. With the right 'say-so' to the proper connection, a mammal could find his or herself without a job, homeless or worse depending on just how petty and corrupt a politician was. She knew it because she had been in the same position, and she had nearly lost herself over nothing more than petty, misguided revenge.

But Vernon seemed to believe that they were more than safe. After all what could Kendrick really do? They knew the Mayor of Zootopia, and he was nothing more than a glorified secretary to the Meadowlands representative. By virtue of hierarchy, anything the wolf could try to do could see him and Damon Ruddy absolutely destroyed by Mayor Snow. Still, the last thing Dawn wanted was to have to call in a favor, to have anything to do with political affairs ever again if she could help it. But, despite Vernon's every attempt to ease her fears, she couldn't get the knots out of her stomachs.

Dawn had remained largely quiet since the terrible scene the she-wolf had caused, her responses minimal and brief. The ewe had tried to press on like nothing had happened, but the mood had ultimately soured. On top of worrying about Loupon's connections, the fight and subsequent silence had caused the ewe to become hyper aware of her surroundings. Suddenly she seemed to notice a great number of mammals staring at the pair as they walked about the fair, boarded various rides and attempted to pick up where they left off on their romantic day out.

Glowering disapproving faces, disgusted sneers, Mother's with children giving the two a suspiciously wide berth as they passed. Dawn wasn't sure if she had been oblivious to it before the fight because of the fun the couple had been having, or if it had only started to pick up after the debacle that was confronting Windpaw. A part of Dawn felt that the number of judgmental stares was on the rise, but she couldn't be sure if it was just paranoia or fact. In the state she was in every face was starting to seem cruel to the timid ewe.

"Alright, I've had enough of this." Vernon suddenly interrupted, pulling Dawn away from thoughts as he stopped the couple in their tracks.

"W-what?" Dawn asked.

Vernon let out a tired sigh, wiping a paw over his eyes.

"Dawn, I can tell that Loupon fella is still buggin' you." Vernon said. "It's been two hours and we've barely been talking."

"O-oh no Vernon, I-"

"Dawn." Vernon shook his head. "C'mon, between the two of us we're constantly talking. You can't tell me you ain't had anything on yer mind for two hours other than which rides to go on, and games to play."

"You didn't say anything either." Dawn muttered, looking down at the ground. The ewe lamely kicked away a small rock.

"That's because I was giving you time." Vernon replied. "I wanted you to talk about it when you were ready. But I think two hours is a bit much Darlin'."

Dawn let out a sigh, adjusting her glasses before looking back up at the wolf. Vernon's ears were sagging as he eyed her in concern.

"T-there's no point." Dawn said. " I mean, it's just the same thing as before, and I already know what you are going to say about Loupon's threat."

"Alright, if that's the case then think of something else to talk about." Vernon rubbed his temple. "I mean, you ain't going to get it out of your head if you don't change the subject Honey Lamb."

Vernon was right, with nothing else to think about the ewe had little to distract her from what Loupon had said, and the implications it could carry for them. At the rate she had been going she was set to sulk the rest of the day for something that probably wouldn't even come right away, or possibly had simply been bluster. It was another two days before they'd be back in Zootopia, and any problems at that point would be far out of reach of the Meadowlands seat of power. If she didn't try to at least push it out of her mind for a little while, it was set to spoil the rest of their date. But Dawn could barely think of much else to talk about.

"W-well what should I talk about?" Dawn asked timidly.

"Whatever ya want Darlin'." Vernon replied. "Just talk to me." The wolf offered a meek smile, and despite Dawn's mood, she couldn't help but feel a smile creeping up on her own muzzle.

"O-okay, okay." Dawn replied. "But can we get back to walking? I think it will help get my mind working again."

"Just as long as it ain't about Loupon, sure." Vernon chuckled.

In truth the reason Dawn wanted to get moving again had nothing to do with jogging her mind. It was a response to the creeping paranoia, the feeling of being stared at and watched. The longer they stood still, the more eyes would certainly be fixed on them, and it was a feeling the ewe was eager to push away. But as they made their way back into the crowds, something did come back to Dawn. It was something Vernon had said to Ana that struck her as odd, something she wasn't sure she had heard correctly.

"Vernon?" Dawn asked.

"Mhh?" The wolf replied.

"When you and Ana were fighti-"

"Oh Dawn, come on, I just want to forg-"

"No-no!" Dawn released her grip on Vernon's paw, placing her hooves up defensively. "It's not about the fight itself. I was just curious about something the both of you said."

"Ugh..." The wolf grumbled, running a paw through the tuft of hair on his head. "Alright shoot."

"W-well." Dawn awkwardly twisted a hoof in the dirt. "You and Ana both said something about omega wolves not having last names?"

"Oh." Vernon seemed somewhat relieved, his brow un-furrowing in response to her question. "That."

"Y-yes." Dawn replied. "I don't remember us covering that in the notes, and it seems rather important."

Vernon let out a long sigh, scratching the back of his neck as he seemingly worked out his reply in his head.

"Welp...it's pretty simple I guess." Vernon shrugged. "Omega wolves weren't considered part of the pack anymore, and since a last name in native circles refers to what pack you are in, it's essentially revoked when they kick you out."

Dawn scratched her chin as she considered what Vernon said.

"Ah, so when Ana called you 'Vernon no last name given?'"

"She was hoping my family disowned me. Even though we don't practice most native wolf things." Vernon grumbled.

"But how did you know Ana's real name then?" Dawn asked. "I mean the non-native one."

Vernon scratched the back of his head awkwardly, his muzzle lips curling around his teeth slightly.

"W-well I was her first real 'mate'." Vernon rolled his eyes, seemingly searching through his memories. " And at the start of our relationship she was still figuring out exactly who she wanted to be. So I ended up learning a lot about her 'actual' family that way."

"I guess that's why she's always made it a point of putting me down whenever she saw me. Trying to pressure me into keeping my muzzle shut about her past, since I was one of the few who knew." Vernon shrugged.

"Not the best way to force someone to keep a secret I should think." Dawn replied.

"Well it's not like it did much persuading." Vernon chuckled. "I usually just kept my trap shut because I didn't want to stoop to her level. It's not like I hadn't heard it all already, it was just quicker to let her tire herself out and move on." The wolf sighed.

"So you never brought it up before?" Dawn asked. "Then why now?"

Vernon glanced back at the ewe, flashing her a meek smile.

"Because making fun of me is one thing, I won't stand fer her tearin' apart my mate." Vernon shook his head tersely.

Dawn blushed fiercely, placing a hoof over her muzzle in a poor effort to cover it up.

"Now I know yer gonna tell me how you don't 'need' me defendin' you, but I-"

"N-no Vernon." Dawn stuttered, squeezing his paw affectionately. "I-I understand Puppy. I know you care about me..."

Vernon blushed slightly. "T-that's puttin' it lightly." The wolf chuckled.

"And I'm sure just seeing Ana had you on edge." Dawn added.

Vernon let out a snort. "Among other things..." The wolf replied.

"Y-you mean like the re-union?" Dawn replied.

The wolf let out a sigh, turning his head away from the ewe and back toward the crowd.

"Let's talk about somethin' else Honey Lamb." Vernon said. "Preferably not about Ana or the re-union. Remember, we're trying to have fun here! To get our mind off the messier things fer now!" The wolf emphasized, evidently eager to change the subject.

"Oh." Dawn said disappointedly. It was clear she had touched another sore spot. She could tell there was more going on to Vernon's feelings about the whole affair regarding his brothers and Father, but for now he had elected to keep silent about it. Dawn had only really known Vernon for six months, but in that time she had learned it was best to let him open up to her on his own terms. The wolf wasn't the type to want to burden others with his problems, especially not those he was closest to. And Dawn being his mate usually meant he was most reluctantly to talk about that sort of thing unless it was dire. If it did come to that, she would have to put her hoof down, much as he had earlier with her feelings about Loupon's threat.

Dawn went back to examining Ana and Vernon's exchange in her head, looking to glean more useful from her chattering about native traditions. Dawn shuddered as she recalled Ana's 'mutton' comment, praying in that moment that Vernon had been right about the she-wolf not being allowed on any tribal hunts. The ewe preferred to believe she was trying to put the scare into her, and that there weren't actually packs that still partook of such terrible practice despite the rumors. At the very least Dawn would be able to sleep at night if she saw it that way.

"Vernon?" Dawn asked, suddenly remembering another tidbit from his rant.

"Hmm?" He replied.

"You said your grandmother gave up her pack name? Right? So she wasn't an omega?" Dawn asked curiously.

"Naw, she was just sick of pack life. At least that's what Ma used to say." Vernon replied.

"S-so what? She just left forever?" Dawn continued her volley of questions.

Vernon let out another sigh. "Well, yes. Ya' see you can choose to expel yourself from a pack when it comes to native bloods."

"What?" Dawn was slightly surprised. "I don't think I fully understand."

The wolf came to a stop. Turning to face Dawn, Vernon Crouched down to her level, placing a paw to his chin.

"Well, if you don't see eye to eye with your pack for whatever the reason, you can choose to be an omega more or less." The wolf mused. "O'course doing something like that means you can never go back. Yer essentially walking away from your family, from everyone related to you."

"Oh that's awful!" Dawn said, clasping her hooves to her muzzle. "Your poor grandmother!"

Vernon chuckled. "Ah, she was all right. If she hadn't done that she would have never been with my grandpa." Vernon slowly rose to his feet, but not before giving the ewe a playful pat on the head. "Even if he had lived near her on the west coast, she'd never get permission to tithe a civilized mammal. So she made her own family to replace the one she lost."

"Still though..." Dawn muttered. "I don't know if I could make such a life changing decision like that." The ewe smiled up at Vernon. "She sounds like she was really brave."

In that moment the wolf seemed to look troubled, his eyebrows pursing as he stared off and away from Dawn. "Yeah..." The wolf trailed off. " She was."

Vernon was silent for a moment before his attention snapped back to Dawn. "T-then again, you almost killed yerself to save me." Vernon flashed the ewe an awkward smile. "I'd say that's pretty brave."

Dawn felt the heat rush to her cheeks and desperately tried to hide the growing blush with her hooves.

"Vernon! Stop!" she whined playfully as the wolf laughed.

"I'm going to kill you now though." Dawn said between her own giggling.

"Oh?" Vernon crooked and eyebrow. "Why's that?'

Dawn gave the wolf a playful slap. "Because now I have to redo that whole native wolf chapter! I can't leave the name thing out!" She laughed.

Vernon's ears drooped slightly.

"Aw my bad Honey Lamb, I just forgot is all!" Vernon whined. Dawn watched as the wolf got down on his knees and clasped his paws together. Vernon shook his paws as his face twisted into mock terror.

"P-please spare me Floofs!" Vernon said dramatically, wringing his paws.

Dawn tried to play along, but she couldn't keep the laughter from breaking through her fake stern tone.

"W-well maybe you can make it up to me." Dawn grinned. "But how?"

With that, Dawn found herself pulled into the wolf's arms, and soon enough she was back atop his shoulders. Dawn was still giggling madly, but swatted at the wolf's head a few times as she scolded him.

"VERNON! I told you to warn me!" Dawn laughed.

"I'd say now is the perfect time to hit the Tunnel of Love, wouldn't you say?" Vernon grinned up at the ewe.

Dawn blushed slightly as her laughter waned and a long involuntary _'Awwwww'_escaped her lips. The blush grew redder as the ewe managed to give a meek affirmative nod, which only served to widen Vernon's grin.

"O-okay, I'm ready." Dawn stammered.

"Great!" Vernon barked.

Placing a paw above his eyes, the wolf began to scout the fair grounds. It only took him a few seconds before he found what he was looking for.

"And there it is! Looks like the lines pretty short too!" The wolf chirped.

"Are we that close?" Dawn asked, placing a hoof above her face in an effort to spot the ride herself. "That's lucky."

"Actually I started heading for it minutes ago." Vernon chuckled. "I was waiting for the right time to spring it on you."

Dawn gave the wolf another playful slap.

"Bad Puppy!" Dawn said with a laugh.

"Mean sheep!" The wolf fired back with a laugh.

It had only been a short walk before the ride came into Dawn's line of sight. It was dressed up much in the same way as the others, carved polished wood statuettes drenched in harvest hues. The main hardwood banner was emblazoned with the words "Lazy Lover's Lagoon.", surrounded by a swath of embossed hearts as it hung over the entrance to the tunnel itself. Flanked on either side of the banner were cute cartoon sheep, one with a bow and the other a top hat, nuzzling each other affectionately. In the waters below, a gaggle of boats styled after various different mammals lie in wait for passengers, bobbing gently with the ripples on the mammal made canal's surface. As they arrived she could see a pair of bunnies leaving port, snuggling up to one another as their boat drifted into the dark interior of the tunnel, as well as the three couples waiting before themselves. A pair of foxes, another set of rabbits, and a sheep and goat stood waiting to board as Vernon took his place in line with Dawn still riding atop him.

The attention was almost immediate to Dawn. As soon as the wolf took his place in line, the ewe watched all three couples turn to look back at them. The foxes did a double take, before keeping their backs sharply turned away. The pair of rabbits looked shocked before quickly hiding their faces, although Dawn could tell they were whispering in secret. And while the goat had only briefly glanced at them with vague disinterest, the ewe he was with stared at them curiously.

And worse yet, she continued to ogle Dawn, instead of following the proper social etiquette of looking away before you've been seen. Dawn could feel her stomach begin to burn as the sheep stared at her. She was certain the mammal was going to say something.

"Edna..." The goat muttered, giving the sheep a terse pull by the arm. It broke the stare, and shortly after the ewe turned away from them. An involuntary sigh of relief escaped Dawn's muzzle as the crisis seemed averted.

"You're up!" The ride operator instructed the foxes, ushering them aboard the nearest vessel. Within a few moments, the pair were ushered into the dark tunnel. Dawn watched as the tod and vixen intertwined their tails, leaning against one another as they dissipated into the darkness. Despite their previous stare, Dawn couldn't help but smile at the intimate expression of love.

"Excuse me?"

Dawn felt a lump form in her throat as she turned her attention toward the voice only to find the same ewe was staring at them.

"Are you two going to ride together?" The ewe asked, brushing aside the drape of wool that hung partially over one of her azure eyes. The ewe was a bit larger than Dawn, dressed in an orange and deep red skirt and blouse that more or less matched the fall scenery around them. The sheep seemed to bounce slightly in her step, evidently excited, although for what reason Dawn was unsure. She could only hope it was just for the ride itself.

Dawn could feel the wolf below her muscles starting to tense up.

"We are." Vernon replied calmly.

Now the goat was looking over his shoulder, a clear look of nervousness crossing his face. Dawn could see him run a hoof up one of his horns as he muttered something to himself. The strange ewe looked at her feet briefly before looking back up at the pair and cocking her head.

"Like as friends or..." She trailed off, playing with her hooves idly as she seemingly tried to skirt what she was getting at.

"She's my mate!" Vernon said firmly. Despite not being able to hear it, Dawn could feel a growl rumbling inside the wolf's frame. It was deep and low, something only detectable due to the fact that she was touching him.

"C'mon Edna, leave 'em alone!" The billy chided, pulling the ewe back around. "Gods know we got our own problems." Dawn could hear him mumble.

"Rabbits up!" The operator said, loading the small rabbits onto the next available ferry. An awkward silence now hung in the air as Dawn watched the couple follow after the foxes before them.

"Y'know I think that's really brave." The ewe had spun back around, offering a meek smile up at Dawn.

"I-" Vernon's voice was loud for just a moment before he seemed to realize just what the sheep had said. Dawn could feel his stance soften dramatically, as if the simple comment had sent shockwaves through him. Dawn was also equally surprised, nearly falling off the wolf as she registered what the sheep had said. The last thing she had expected was unsolicited praise from a stranger.

"I-I, uh...thanks?" Vernon sputtered.

"You were so firm, you didn't even hesitate." the ewe continued. " You weren't ashamed, you were proud of it, I mean of being mates. That's beautiful." Edna smiled widely.

"O-oh." Dawn murmured. "I-I honestly wasn't expecting that." Dawn said, trying her best to smile back at the ewe below.

"You we're expecting us to make fun of you?" The goat let out an annoyed sigh, turning to face the towering pair. The blue eyed billy was clad in more muted attire than his date, wearing a simple green sweater and brown pants with darker stitched patches over the knees. His horns were tightly spiraled on either side of his head, and as well maintained as his long goat beard. He briefly stroked it as he eyed the couple. "Like we're in a position to judge what's natural?" He shrugged.

"Well, usually when people feel the need to speak up it's generally-" Vernon trailed off.

"Disgust, yeah I understand. Trust me, Edna and I get nothing but that kind of stuff from our parents." The goat rolled his eyes. "I can't even imagine what kind of fresh hell the two of you go through on a daily basis with the stigma that's follows a pred/prey couple around." The goat chuckled.

"Heh, well I..." Vernon ran a paw through his hair tuft, briefly touching Dawn in the process. The wolf paused for a moment, allowing Dawn to place her hoof on his paw and squeeze it. Vernon glanced up at her, flashing a brief smile before turning his attention back to the couple below. "Thank you."

Vernon extended his paw to the goat, which the goat took in kind.

"Vernon Hunter" The wolf stated, voice rising pleasantly as he shook the goat's hoof.

"Alex Frisa." The goat replied with a laugh before wrapping a hoof around the ewe next to him. Pulling the sheep into a side hug, the goat continued. "And this nosy little ewe is Edna McCalli. My mate."

"S-sorry." The ewe gave the pair a meek grin as the goat squeezed her face up against his own.

"I-it's fine." Vernon replied. "You folks are more pleasant than most strangers we talk to."

The ewe let out a giggle before turning her attention to Dawn's lofty seat. "And you are?"

Dawn froze for a moment, shrinking back low against Vernon's head as the pair looked up at her expectantly. The ewe wasn't sure how to proceed. While the couple was nice enough to have been receptive to their unconventional relationship, Dawn's identity was something else, and she was somewhat afraid her name alone would dispel the good will the strangers had bestowed upon them. While she was never ashamed in the slightest when it came to her relationship with the massive wolf she sat atop, the name that followed her still carried with it some feeling of disgrace and humiliation.

"This is Dawn Bellwether." Vernon said proudly, stealing the ewe's chance at lying away from her. Dawn continued to slink against the back of the wolf, so much so she could barely see the couple over Vernon's hairline.

"Oh, you are that Vernon and Dawn! From the_'Zootopia's Last Night'_ plot!" Edna chirped. "So you are an item!" The lamb cooed.

Dawn let out another sigh of relief as she clambered back to her previous position.

"Ah, so the rumors were true." The goat laughed. "Well good for you. It must help your relationship to have most of the city rooting for you, right?"

"You'd think so." Dawn let out a weak, albeit relieved chuckle.

"Next!" Called the ride operator.

"Well looks like we're up, it's been nice chatting with you." Alex gave a polite bow of the head before turning towards the ride ramp.

"Same." replied Vernon.

As Edna followed, she glanced back at the couple, offering a bright smile.

"I hope you have fun on the ride!" She chirped.

Dawn offered a polite wave as the two were loaded onto the next boat, and with the couple out of the way Vernon made his way up to the gate.

As the ride operator started Alex and Edna's boat off toward the tunnel, he turned back toward the entrance and for the first time Dawn could clearly see him. It was an old billy goat, horns long and worn. His facial fur was a bit on the disheveled side, and his pinstriped red and orange ride operator vest had seen better days. But was the most striking feature about the old billy was that he was clearly blind in his right eye. It's blue iris faded and covered in a milky film as it wandered up and to the left of his sightline. The other piercing icy blue eye was now levied at the couple, and Dawn watched as the goats lip curled into a sneer.

Dawn felt her heart slip into her throat as Vernon continued his march toward the gate. But as soon as he was mere inches from it, the old goat snapped a hoof between them and the marked entrance.

"Now hold on second there." The goat grumbled. "What is this supposed to be?"

Dawn gulped, glancing at the boat now making it's way into the darkened tunnel. The ewe could see one last glimpse of Edna, now looking back toward Dawn with a concerned look on her face before they were enveloped by darkness.

"What is THAT supposed to mean?" Vernon huffed. His muscles immediately tensed again.

"This rides a couples ride." The goat said dully as he chewed on some unknown substance.

"And...?" The wolf gestured between himself and the ewe on his shoulders.

The goat spat in a nearby bucket, before continuing to chew. "REAL couples."

Dawn could feel a rising growl return to Vernon's throat. "WE. ARE. A. REAL. COUPLE." Vernon stated, each word more emphatically than the last.

Dawn could feel herself slipping down his back again.

The old goat cocked his head, seemingly trying to stare them down with his bad eye despite the fact that it was clearly useless. It was only now that Dawn noticed the scar that ran on the outer lid, denoting the injury could have only been inflicted by another mammal. Perhaps it was his way of intimidating them, and in Dawn's case it was definitely working.

His silent stare lingered for what seemed like forever, leaving the ambience of the crowds of fair-goers to fill the void. Of course it didn't last forever, and the sudden uproarious laugh that cut through the previously low sound of the Harvest Festival made the ewe nearly jump out of her wool.

The old goat was practically choking with laughter. At one point bending to place a hoof on his knee as he tried to catch his breath.

"Woah nelly!" The goat wheezed, wiping a tear from his eye. "It's been a good long while since I had a laugh so good." The old goat grasped the nearby gate and braced himself, and for a moment Dawn hoped the goat had simply been teasing them, and was going to let them in.

But as his laugh subsided, he's face slipped back into a cold, stern seriousness as he stared back up at Dawn. The goat grimaced as he eyed her suspiciously.

"Darlin' you need me to get an officer?" The goat asked, stroking his beard. "This wolf holding you against your will?"

"Excuse me!?" Vernon huffed. Dawn could feel the wolf take in a large breath of air, causing her to rise slightly. She could tell Vernon was readying to slip into intimidation mode.

"Well I figure that's the only reason a little ewe like that would go along with you calling her yer mate. She's prob'ly scared." The goat grinned before spitting into the bucket. "Ya'll can't expect me to believe-"

"We're together." Dawn stated firmly, doing her best to diffuse the situation. While the whole confrontation made her nervous, she knew she had to sound firm. Any wavering in her reply would only lead the goat to believe his suspicions to be true. "Vernon is my mate!"

The goat looked back at her first in slight shock, but then his muzzle twisted in disgust.

"So can we get on already or what!? Vernon glowered.

The goat moved his hoof down to the latch of the gate. But instead of lifting it and allowing the couple to pass, the old billy pressed the locking mechanism back into place.

"Not on my ride, not while I'm here." He grinned smugly at the couple.

"You can't be SERIOUS!" Vernon snarled.

The old goat crossed his arms, spitting another black gob of tobacco into the bucket near the ride controls.

"You can't be serious!" He retorted. "Walking around the way ya all are, proud of yer crimes against nature." The goat shook his head. "Well I ain't keeping my maw shut and looking the other way. I'm callin' it like I see it." Stabbing a hoof up at the sign over the tunnel, the goat continued. "This ride is fer celebrating mates, not filthy perverted prey-chasin' fetishists like yerself!"

Vernon took a steep forward as he began to loom over the disabled goat.

"How DARE YOU!" Vernon growled. "WHY I-"

"Oh I'm sorry." The goat placed a hoof to his muzzle, shaking his head dismissively. "What do they call ya'll-" He gestured up to Dawn, scratching his beard for a moment. "Ah yeah, pred-baiters!" He sneered.

Dawn grimaced sharply, a feeling of nausea starting to overtake her. Worse yet, the conversation was getting louder, and with it returned the feeling of eyes boring into the ewe. Dawn glanced around briefly, noting the few fairgoers who had stopped to watch the spectacle. If someone didn't step in to stop this soon, it would just be another debacle like the Windpaw fight just hours before, and that was the last thing she wanted at this point.

"We AIN'T NO FETISHISTS!" Vernon barked, taking another step. The ewe could feel herself rising as the wolf raised his shoulders in an attempt to intimidate the bigoted old goat. "WE LOVE EACHOTHER, NOW DO YER JOB, SHUT YER YAP, AND LET US ON!"

The old goat took a step forward, squaring his own shoulders as he stared up at the couple. It was clear he was staring Vernon in the eyes as best he could.

"Pft, that ain't love. Yer just another pred preying on the small and meek fer yer own sick pleasures." The goat spat at the floor, leaving a tarry dab at his feet. "Or maybe yer gal gets her rocks off to the fear of being with a pred? Maybe she thinks she's making up for pred discrimination somehow by bein' with you? A bit of sheep guilt?"

"Why you son of a-"

"Vernon don't." dawn tugged at the wolf's fur, trying to grab his attention as the number of mammals looking their way increased. The wolf glanced back at her briefly, ears drooping for a moment before turning back to the goat. Vernon seemed to slacken his stance slightly, seemingly trying to calm himself.

"You let that last couple go!" Vernon lowered his voice somewhat, the wolf evidently trying to restrain himself. "You can't tell me a goat and a sheep is normal either!"

The goat hacked another slick, black loogey in the nearby bucket.

"More normal than the two of ya'll!" The goat hissed. "At least it's prey stickin' with prey. Not some some affront to the very natural order on every darn level!"

"Are you kidding me!?" Vernon sputtered.

The goat gestured toward the dark tunnel angrily. "It's my fault society has come to accept even that kind of thing! Mammals like me stood by for far too long thinkin' common sense would prevail! But nowadays nearly no one bats an eye! But with ya'll two, I'm puttin' my hoof down!"

"This is discrimination!" Dawn said firmly. "We'll go to your bo-"

The goat let out a barking laugh.

"Unlike those two before ya'll the public is still mostly on my side when it comes to couples like 'you.' The ram gestured toward them as he emphasized the word. "I ain't puttin my job at risk for tellin' you two to scat." A mischievous grin crossed his muzzle as his tone grew more jovial. "If anything, I'm keepin' ya'll from disturbing the other decent mammal's good times."

Vernon let out a loud snarl, his posture returning to it's previous looming position. The wolf had snapped to it so quickly that Dawn had nearly lost her grip and fell off of him.

"IF YOU DON'T LET US ON YOU'LL BE SWIMMING IN THAT CANAL YOU OLD GREYWOOL!" The wolf yelled.

More eyes, more glares. Another terrible scene taking place. It wasn't worth it to Dawn, not for something as silly as a ride. It was time to stop. Dawn began to gently tug at the fur on Vernon's neck.

"Vernon, stop."

"Pft, you try and I'll get the sheriff. The recruitment stand ain't far from here." The goat let out a quiet chuckle.

Despite the gentle tugging, Vernon seemed to ignore her. Instead the wolf let out a loud laugh.

"Try it buddy! My Pa is the sheriff!" Vernon sneered. "Who's he gonna believe!?"

"Vernon, that's enough." Dawn pleaded.

The goat shook his head dismissively. "That may have worked if it was just me big fella." The goat grinned. "But how may witnesses are gonna see you strike first? They'll see the big bad wolf harassing an innocent old prey mammal who can't defend himself!" He laughed. "No amount of friends in high places is gonna get you outta that."

"I DON'T CARE! I"M FIXIN' TO-"

"VERNON!" Dawn yelled in the wolf's ear, tugging harshly at his neck.

The wolf winced, turning to the ewe in shock.

"Dawn!? What!?" The wolf asked in confusion.

"I want to leave." Dawn muttered.

The wolf looked at her in disbelief. "H-Honey Lamb." Vernon sputtered. "You can't be-"

Dawn stared at the wolf as seriously as she could. "I am."

Vernon let out a whine, looking briefly back at the smug old goat before turning back to Dawn.

"B-but-."

"Vernon please, we should just go." The ewe sighed. "We aren't getting anywhere with this grizzled old tup." The ewe grumbled, an edge on her voice as she eyed the goat. "This ones just not worth you getting in trouble over."

Vernon looked practically hurt, his ears flattening tightly against his head as he let out another whine.

"I c-can't just let him get away with this Dawn!" Vernon whimpered. "I-I wanted to...we deserve...I just-"

"Maybe tomorrow Vernon." The ewe said softly, gently petting the wolf's head. "We did a lot today, and I'm getting pretty tired as it is. I think maybe we should just go back to the stand for a while."

Vernon let out a few agitated huffs, staring daggers at the smug goat standing in front of the gate. The old billy took another spit in his bucket. Dawn could feel the wolf's muscles continue to pulse beneath her, adrenalin straining Vernon's whole body as it struggled to remain in fight mode.

Dawn laid her head on top of Vernon's placing a kiss on his scalp as she continued to stroke his fur.

"You don't need to fight every battle Puppy. Sometimes it's better to walk away." Dawn cooed.

With that, she finally felt the wolf relax. His posture returning to normal as he let out an exhausted sigh. He was quiet for a few moments, his breathing getting slower as he seemingly tried to compose himself.

Slowly the wolf turned away from the gate, and began to walk back down the entry ramp. Vernon made it about two steps before glancing back at the old goat. The nasty old mammal seemed pretty pleased with himself as he unlatched the gate again.

"We'll be back tomorrow." Vernon hissed. "And we're getting on then."

The goat chuckled. "Good luck, I'm running it tomorrow too."

Vernon snarled and began to turn around, but Dawn was quick to yank his fur hard enough to stop him in his tracks. The wolf let out a painful yelp before eyeing Dawn sadly. The ewe remained stalwart, despite wanting to cry at the sight of her defeated Puppy.

"It's not worth it." She repeated.

The wolf let out another almost pleading whine, but the ewe remained stone faced, and eventually the wolf began to reluctantly continue down the ramp. Now clear of the ride, Dawn could see the smaller crowd dispersing. It hadn't been nearly as big as the one surrounding them during Ana's tirade, and for that the ewe was thankful. It was bad enough that they had already caused such a terrible scene once before, something she was certain would get back to Dorian. And she was sure the older wolf would be anything but impressed. She could only pray that this skirmish had been small enough to evade his radar, and so she could have one less negative point against her in the wolf's eyes.

"I don't understand." Vernon muttered finally. The wolf had remained silent a good minute or two after they left the ride behind. "Why did yo-?"

"We aren't going to get your Father to give me a chance if all we do is get into fights all day." Dawn was more than ready with her response. She had expected Vernon to ask why she had told him to back down, although she was surprised he hadn't asked sooner. "You think that mess with Ana isn't going to get back to him?" Dawn shook her head. "At least with her we have an excuse. The both of you have a terrible history together, but with that goa-"

"He was being a bigot!" Vernon whined.

"Is Dorian going to see it that way Puppy?" Dawn sighed. "Or is he going to see it as antagonizing the townsfolk?"

"He can't possibly side with that goat!" Vernon huffed. "We are in the right!"

"Vernon, your Father already doesn't like me. I don't want to make it any worse by forcing him to keep the peace around us. I just want...I just want to lay low for the rest of the day." Dawn said.

"But Mutton C-chop." Vernon whimpered.

The ewe began to gently pet his head again.

"We still have our picnic right?" Dawn cooed. "Just you and me, and no one else to spoil it."

Vernon's ears rose slightly. "Y-yeah we do." His tone became slightly more cheerful as he said it.

"T-then we have that to look forward too." Dawn added.

Vernon flashed the ewe a genuine smile, making her heart flutter in the process.

"I love you Dawn." Vernon said.

The ewe squeezed her arms around the wolf's neck a little tighter in an effort to hug him.

"I love you too Vernon."

With a sigh, Dawn rested her head atop Vernon's he continued to make his way back to the family stand. In actuality she had grown kind of tired of the bustling crowds and the noise of the fair and was eager to be getting back to the ranch soon enough with or without the chastising the couple had received from the old goat. Just hiding in the back of the stand for an hour or so until the family returned home sounded like the perfect way to recuperate for the romantic picnic still on the horizon. And with all the attention, the ewe was rather eager to just lay low and enjoy the relative quiet that would offer. She could only hope that she was done being a part of public disturbances for the rest of the day.