FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter Thirty-Four: Ask Dawn And Vern

Vernon hadn't been sure about admitting what his true intentions for the trip out to visit the family had actually been about. Had it all gone accordingly he would have simply kept it a secret up until he had gotten his Father's permission to make the tithe happen, and then sprung it on the ewe during the family barbeque. And aside from a few snarky and or crude comments from Yuri, the wolf had imagined it to be an affair made up of nothing but smiles and warm wishes toward the budding couple. But that was little more than a pipe dream now. With everything that had happened and the way his Father had reacted to Dawn's mere presence at the ranch, Vernon knew that getting his permission on this visit would be next to impossible. The dream of the big reveal in front of the whole Hunter pack had dissolved as soon as they stepped foot on the farm, and now the wolf could only hope to get his father to eventually agree to it somewhere further down the road.

Vernon was an optimistic mammal, but he was no fool. He had taken the possible risks into some account when he had pitched the trip to the ewe, most of which he ended up discussing with her the night before at their 'private picnic'. He had expected and accurately predicted Yuri's behavior right down to the letter. But his Father's reception of Dawn had really surprised him. Not because of Dawn's criminal history, a fact that hadn't escaped the wolf when running the various scenarios of the first meeting through his mind late at night while his Honey Lamb slept by his side days before the visit. But because of how cold, distant, and unrelenting Dorian was not only at their first family meal but had remained throughout the trip so far.

Growing up under Dorian's paw, the old law dog instilled many lessons in the Hunter boys as they grew. Of course, most of those teachings had come through the lens of law enforcement not only because the old wolf had envisioned a proud squad of seven sons clad in golden badges, but because it represented the virtues by which the wolf lived his life. Dorian was a wolf of law and honor. He believed in the immutable power of the justice system and saw the concept as what separated civilized mammals from their un-evolved brethren in the animal kingdom. He believed that a mammal was never to be judged by the hide they wore, but rather the weight of their actions. By how they treated their fellow mammals from the biggest elephant to the smallest shrew. And it was these virtues that, regardless of Vernon's ultimate career choice, had deeply shaped the path of his life.

Of course if one were judging by the weight of one's actions, then the wolf couldn't avoid Dawn's history. The ewe's role in the initial night howler scandal was something Vernon really didn't care to think about. He knew it all by now. Between the uncomfortable snippets that Dawn would rarely share, to the articles and stories he had read about as it was happening he had developed a pretty good grasp on the whole affair. Hell the wolf had experienced the growing frenzy at ground zero during the worst weeks of it all. But it was something that shouldn't have mattered to Dorian, just as it no longer mattered to Vernon.

It wasn't because Dawn's recent act of heroism had somehow erased what she had done before. The wolf knew it couldn't, even if he believed firmly that it should count for something in the older wolf's eyes. The lives Dawn had affected the first time around were forever changed in some way for the worse. No matter how significantly, the damage had already been done. No, it simply came back down to Dorian's morals and beliefs. The rules of life the wolf had believed in so strongly that he felt the need to pass it on to his sons. One in particular that Vernon tended to hold tantamount to all others when it came to interacting with other mammals.

"If a mammal is trying to change. To make amends for what they've done and trying to be a better mammal. Give them a chance." Vernon could hear his father's voice recite the mantra in his head.

His father had been the first to say it to him, at least the first he could remember. Although his mother would come to be the one to parrot it more often than Dorian. It was Audrey's favorite saying of the old 'mams, and as Vernon grew older it became his favorite rule as well. One the wolf would practice and abide by whenever the opportunity presented itself. And when it had come to the downtrodden and defeated ewe that had strolled into the Bug Burga on a quiet spring evening six months ago, the wolf had been more than happy to lend a paw without even thinking. The same ewe he would come to love more than life itself.

Yet when Vernon had brought the same ewe to the doorstep of the Hunter Ranch, asking to give her a chance just as he had, the old law dog had practically spat in her face. The simple act of 'giving a mammal a chance' had fallen by the wayside in favor of spurning the ewe's attempts at ingratiating herself into the family. And the more they seemed to try, Dorian grew even more resistant and cold.

"Hunters can smell bullshit." Vernon heard his father's voice again, another tenet Vernon lived by. Although he preferred to more tactfully refer to it as a 'Hunter's intuition' outside of the ranch. It was something his father swore by and believed every Hunter had an innate possession of. And yet, despite Dawn's best efforts, Dorian seemed to be ignoring her earnestness if only so he could continue to loathe her without remorse. It simply didn't make sense to Vernon at the time, why Dorian seemed so dead set on going against his own principals just because of who Dawn was.

And it had left Vernon fairly puzzled until Zach had come clean about exactly what Dorian's motivations were for dis-inviting the couple to the fair the night before.

"Zach's accident." The wolf thought to himself as he scrubbed at his scalp with the fresh towel.

At least it made more sense than simply hating Dawn for her involvement during the night howler scandal. A personal stake in the whole affair, however far removed, was bound to make a mammal turn away from their own beliefs in a case like this. But to Vernon, it still seemed as though there was something more to it. After all, he certainly failed to make the connection between Dawn and that event, hell even Zach had, and yet his father had been prepared to make that chain of events the crux of his argument for ignoring Dawn's earnest attempts at reform. Dorian's principles be damned if it affects him or his sons indirectly. And as such the wolf had chosen to fall back on his stubborn ways rather than allow himself to open up to the ewe's attempts at connecting with him

Then again, as much as Vernon was loathed to admit it, he had been just as stubborn when it came to butting heads with the old mammal when it came to Dawn. As cold as Dorian had been, Vernon had been just as quick to snap back with accusations and harsh words rather than trying to press the wolf as to where he was coming from. As much as Vernon didn't want Dawn to be faced with her past over and over again, perhaps if he had been more patient and tried to draw his father out of his defensive shell he would have been more willing to reach across the aisle. To air his grievances politely and discuss them with the wolf in an effort to work through them together. It wouldn't be easy, and it would take more time, but perhaps it would have lead to progress.

But Vernon had been so consumed with everything going to plan. With getting permission to 'tithe' and announcing it in front of the whole pack that despite acknowledging the risks before actually setting out on the trip, Vernon had been completely unprepared to handle them.

Teeth to tails! Before the idea of getting married came up as a topic of conversation on the subway Vernon had no idea as to how the ewe would feel about the idea of 'tithing' altogether if he managed to get the permission in the first place. It had been a risk factor up there with Yuri and Dorian's demeanors before Dawn professed that she had been more than happy to wed the wolf. She could have felt it was too soon, or simply hadn't been ready to make such a commitment all together for all Vernon had known. But the trip had given the wolf a severe case of tunnel vision, blinding him to most of the greater nuances surrounding the key goal points of getting the approval for 'tithing' his mate. Vernon had already been imagining the ceremony. Picturing the beautiful glow of the harvest moon, and Dawn's enchanting smile as she held his paw under the moonlight. About shared kisses and pledges of eternity among his closest family, friends, and even Yuri. Vernon had wanted that so badly for the pair that the wolf refused to settle for anything getting in the way, even planning so far as threatening to leave the pack if his Father's behavior continued.

And that is where his mate had been in the right. Vernon's impatience and stubborn attitude had been driving him and Dorian headlong toward a war that he wasn't even sure needed to be fought. Dorian was a mammal, just like any other. He had as much of his own stresses and woes to deal with just as Vernon had. And even though it hadn't been entirely the couples fault, the fair debacle had added to it. There was a need for patience and understanding, and Vernon could stand to slow down a bit and at least try to see if they could get through to the mammal before declaring an all-out war on his own family name in defiance. Even if it took two, four, or ten more visits, the couple owed it to the wolf to try and reason with him. Maybe over a quiet lunch, with his mother acting as the mediator, eventually they could bring the wolf around Vernon having to pull out such a last-ditch drastic measure in order for the couple to be tithed.

"Does she know?" Vernon stopped scrubbing his head, eyeing his Mother from across the stall. The she-wolf was still busy turning foil covered cobs that had yet to be bought as Vernon tossed the towel aside, taking his shirt up in his paws. His mind began to run amid with new fears as he ran an arm through his sleeve.

How would his mother react if she knew about Dawn's connection to Zach's incident? Would she see it the same way as Dorian had? That Vernon's mate had nearly caused the death of one of her son's thanks to the butterfly effect? No, Audrey was more forgiving than that. After all, she touted Dorian's mantra more than the old law wolf ever had. Then again, if Dorian had been so willing to turn his back on his principles, who could say Audrey wouldn't do the same?

Vernon felt a lump form in his throat as he weighed the possibility of the she-wolf suddenly icing the ewe out after having so quickly embraced her with open paws. Something like that would absolutely crush her, Vernon was certain of it. But as uncomfortable as the idea of making his mother aware of the 'incident' was, the she-wolf was the only hope of making progress with Dorian. And it was best to discuss it with his Mother in private as soon as the opportunity presented itself.

The wolf reassured himself, eager to take his own mates advice at face value and cross the collective bridges when they came to it. For now, the wolf was going to at least bask in the joy he had created by the ewe's discovery of his repaired friendship bracelet. The joy he had only hoped to add to by making his intentions regarding a tithe known to her so they could work at it together.

Yet as his eyes fell back to the ewe, he found her stone-faced in what seemed to be sheer terror. Her eyes wide in shock and her mouth agape as she stared back at the still wolf. Vernon stared in silence for a few moments as he began buttoning his shirt, waiting for the ewe to say something, anything. Yet Dawn remained frozen, seemingly lost in her own mind. And whatever she was thinking about, clearly wasn't good.

"Honey Lamb? Vernon asked warily.

The ewe suddenly jolted to life, her eyes darting around nervously as she quickly turned to wringing her hooves. Her complexion was growing increasingly pallid, and the wolf could easily see beads of sweat beginning to form on her brow. Vernon ran a paw through his damp mane, attempting to cool his paw before reaching out to check the ewe's temperature.

"Ya'll alright?" The wolf caressed her head gently, taking care to check for a fever_. 'Couldn't be pheromones again so soon could it?'_ The wolf thought to himself.

"Yer lookin' a little green under the gills all of the sudden."

"Fine!" The ewe blurted out awkwardly, causing Vernon to draw his paw back slightly. The wolf squinted as his concern continued to rise in response to the ewe's sudden barking statement. Vernon thought back to his father's tenet in regards to 'smelling bullshit', although Vernon imagined even the dimmest cop on the force would have been able to easily see through the ewe's blithe reassurance. Something was clearly wrong. The ewe stared at the wolf for a few moments, the sweat on her brow beginning to drip down as the silence lingered.

"I should get back to making crusts!" With the sudden declarative statement, the ewe spun on her heels in a flash, making a bee-line for her stool before taking her place back at the front of the stand. Vernon haphazardly topped off the buttons on his shirt before jogging up to the ewe's side.

Vernon leaned against the counter as he watched the ewe go back to work. But unlike before, where even at her fastest she had handled each ingredient with great care, now the ewe was frantically reaching out for whatever ingredients she could grasp and dumping it into her bowl.

"Dawn?" Vernon asked, trying to draw the ewe's attention quietly. But she continued to ignore him as she dumped a whole stick of butter into the bowl. It was clear it was going to take a bit more effort to get her to acknowledge him. The wolf leaned closer to her, placing a paw on the counter to balance himself as he eyed her suspiciously.

"Dawn." Vernon said more firmly now, but the ewe continued to ignore him. He could see her shaking now, shivering slightly as she dumped an entire egg into the bowl without hesitation. Eggs weren't even part of the recipe involved in making a pastry crust. Vernon had enough. Albeit poorly, the ewe was clearly hiding something. The wolf reached out a paw, grasping the ewe's arm in order to pull her around to face him. He tried to be gentle, but the ewe's resistance made it hard to do without some degree of force.

Finally face to face, the ewe was doing everything in her power to avoid his gaze. What had he done to get her worked up so suddenly?

"Dawn, what's wrong?" The ewe continued to avoid his gaze as the wolf wracked his brain. Had bringing up the prospect of tithing given her cold hooves? She had seemed open to the idea on the subway, at least to the caprid equivalent. Vernon gave the ewe a gentle shake. "Is it what I said?"

"N-no!" Dawn protested. Her eyes were still far and away from Vernon as he tried to process what was going on.

"Did ya not want to do a 'tithe'?" Vernon frowned sharply. "Cause I mean I figured you'd want to with th-"

"I do!" The meek ewe whimpered in reply. "Of course I do!"

"Then what's wrong?" Vernon shot back at the writhing ewe. The wolf was starting to feel a sense of panic now, the ewe's flighty behavior had to be wrapped up around something big. Vernon's eyes darted toward the grill to catch sight of his mother, the she-wolf now turned around and eyeing the pair in concern. It looked as though she was about to interject when she was cut off by the jarring sound of bells.

"Ding! Ding!" Vernon hadn't moved, his eyes remaining fixed on Audrey as his mind tried to process what had just happened. He felt the ewe slip out of his grasp as he eyed his mother's features for some semblance of advice. The she-wolf gave a simple shrug, her eyes as wide in confusion as Dawn's had previously been.

"What do I do?" Vernon' mouthed wordlessly at the she-wolf.

'I don't know.' Audrey gestured before stabbing a finger out toward the face of the stand. 'But we have customers!' She mouthed.

Vernon's eyes shifted to catch sight of the familiar interspecies couple he and Dawn had met at the tunnel of love, both of whom looked as equally uncomfortable and confused as Audrey was. The awkward looking goat raised a weak finger.

"If you two are in the middle of something we can..."

Vernon rolled his eyes as he shifted his full attention counter side. Whatever Dawn had on her mind was going to have to wait, at least for now. The last thing they needed was another scene. "Nothin' that can't be discussed later...I suppose..." Vernon said with a disappointed sigh.

"Alex was it?" Vernon asked. "And Edna right?"

"Y-yes." Edna prattled off meekly. Vernon could tell from her body language that they had already said as much, and he simply hadn't heard them earlier. The wolf silently cursed his inattentiveness.

"W-what brings you two over here!?" Dawn was quick to jump in, the nervous edge on her voice still present, but fading.

Edna's burgeoning enthusiasm that she had shown the previous day seemed to return in a flash as the ewe smiled ear to ear.

"Oh! Well, we were looking to get some lunch, and wandering around the food stands when we saw you guys!" Edna chirped happily.

"And my little nosy little lamb here happened to spot you two," Alex said with a smirk.

Edna gave the goat playful swat, briefly sticking her tongue out at the billy before turning her attention back to the couple behind the stall.

"And we just had to come say hi!" Edna flashed a warm smile.

"And maybe get a bite to eat." Alex added, rubbing his stomach softly. The goat tilted his nose to the air, taking a few, delicate sniffs before letting out a satisfied sigh. "Is that roasted corn I smell?"

"Fresh and ready fer a heap of butter and seasonin'!" Audrey had joined the conversation, leaning her arms on the counter as she edged in next to Dawn. The she-wolf flashed the couple a wide grin as she picked up the old call bell. The she-wolf held it by the stem, between two fingers, giving the tiny bell a lazy shake as she eyed it curiously.

"I almost fergot we even had a call bell." Audrey chuckled softly. "Usually ain't much need fer it." Audrey smirked slightly as she gingerly placed the metal bell back on the countertop before turning her attention back to the couple. The she-wolf leaned in a little bit closer, her smile widening as she set her sights on Alex. It was clear to Vernon the she-wolf was particularly hungry for a sale, and considering how the day had gone, mostly at the couple's expense, it was something she desperately deserved.

"Can I interest ya'll in a cob or twelve?" Audrey chuckled.

Luckily her laughter proved to be somewhat infectious rather than overbearing, and Alex returned the smile in kind.

"Just two for now please." The goat chuckled. "Oh and if Edna wants one you can make it three."

The ewe turned to her mate, scrunching her muzzle up in playful irritation.

"Oh, you can eat two on your own huh?" Enda chuckled.

"Nah, I just figured you'd be talking their ear off so much you'd be too busy to eat." Alex snickered.

Edna gave the goat another playful swat. "Fresh!" She teased.

"But two is fine for now." Edna said with a chuckle of her own as she turned back to the couple. "As much as I'm pained to admit it, my mate is right. I'd like to spend a little time catching up before I start stuffing my snout!" Edna threw her mate a playful glare.

"Babe, I didn't even eat this mornin' remember?" Alex chuckled. "You dragged me out the door so fast to get us back to the fair I didn't even have a chance to get breakfast in me!"

"Oh, I don't blame the poor fella then." Vernon added, flashing the couple a smirk. "If I were him I would have been through about five er' six cobs by now." The wolf chuckled.

"Alright, so that was two then!?" Audrey interjected, her attention still focused on Alex. As soon as the billy offered a nod, the she-wolf was off like a shot, back to the grill and carefully slathering one of the prepared cobs in seasoning.

Now alone again, or at least without the she-wolf scratching for sales, Edna seemed keen to continue to probe the couple.

"I'm so sorry about yesterday." Edna suddenly frowned. "I mean I don't really know what happened or-"

"Edna!" Alex said sharply, causing the ewe beside him to shrink into her shoulders at the sudden, startling outburst. "Really!?"

"I'm sorry!" The ewe protested.

"Do you really think they want to talk about that right now?" Alex huffed.

Edna's frown seemed to deepen as she looked back to the couple with apologetic eyes. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to upset you guys!" The ewe protested. " I just wanted to tell you how terrible I thought that was! Stopping you like that!"

"He did more than stop us..." Dawn said with a sigh, the ewe sliding her bowl of mess aside as she leaned on the counter.

"Yes, I can only imagine." Alex frowned.

"Ya'll wanna take a seat?" Vernon interjected, gesturing the couple to the short row of stools in front of the serving counter. "There's only four of 'em, but we ain't exactly pressed fer space at the moment."

The couple's eyes followed the wolf's paw as he gestured to the seating, and after sharing a seemingly agreeable glance, the couple sat on the tall stools just opposite the counter. Alex helped his mate onto the first stool before taking a seat of his own, the goat letting out an irritated sigh as he leaned his arms on the table.

"Again, you'll have to forgive my Edna." Alex said, flashing the wolf a sympathetic glance. "My mate is very well-meaning, but often kind of blunt when it comes to sensitive subjects."

Vernon turned his attention to the ewe seated by Alex's side. Edna was looking at her hooves, twiddling her fingers nervously.

"I-I can't help it Ally..." The ewe whined softly. "My family was always very...er...direct with each other."

Alex nodded softly. "I know dear, I know." The goat cooed, placing a hoof on the ewe's shoulder. "But you really have to work on that."

"It's not that sensitive a subject really..." Dawn muttered, drawing the wolf's attention back to her. Her voice was sorrowful, but steady and calm. And while she was frowning, Vernon could tell that unlike before the ewe had a handle on her emotions. " I mean, it's something Vernon and I are used to..." Dawn sighed softly. "Although aggressive confrontations like that are much rarer to come by back in the city ."

"You really don't have to talk about it if you do-"

"No." Dawn stopped the goat mid-sentence. The ewe glanced up at Vernon for a moment offering a weak, reassuring smile before shifting her attention back to the couple. "It's fine, really." Dawn gestured to the pair. "Besides, it's easier to talk about it with a couple that might understand."

"So what happened?" Edna didn't miss a beat, the ewe clearly eager to take Dawn up on her offer before she decided to retract it. Vernon let out a defeated sigh, running a paw across his scalp in an effort to control the wave forming in his drying fur.

"Welp..." Vernon muttered as he leaned forward to engage the couple, placing his paws astride the counter. "That old billy that let you two on stopped us at the gate more er' less.." Vernon grumbled. "Started talkin' our ear off about how our relationship wasn't right. How it spat in the face of the natural order or some garbage." Vernon grit his teeth as he recalled the hateful old goats scarred face.

"The usual shit we have to deal with from one of them 'pearl clutchin' types." The wolf spat.

"Oh gods." Edna muttered, her eyes shimmering slightly with tears. "That's terrible."

Vernon bit his lip as he could feel the anger welling inside of him. He would have loved nothing more than to give that old billy a good sock in the muzzle. And after how everything had panned out the day before, perhaps it would have been better if he had. After all, it seemed like making a scene at the fair had been something completely unavoidable. So he might as well have made it one that left him feeling somewhat satisfied.

Suddenly, the wolf felt the gentle caress of Dawn's hoof on his paw. Her fingers intertwining with his as she glanced up at him. She flashed the wolf a soft, reassuring smile despite the sadness behind her eyes as she continued to stroke the side of his paw with her thumb. Vernon knew she could tell the thought of the old 'mam had gotten his hackles up, and she knew just how to remedy it. Vernon felt his grimace slip away as her comforting smile washed away the broiling ire in a deluge of warmth.

"Yes he had quite a few..." The ewe continued for him, her calm and cool demeanor making it easier for her retell rather than him. "Interesting thoughts on interspecies couples to say the least."

"I know..." Alex muttered. A grimace of his own forming.

Vernon quirked a curious eyebrow at the young billy. "What?"

Alex rolled his eyes, letting off a huff as he crossed his arms defensively.

"That old-!" The goat stopped, his brows furrowing tightly. "Ugly, miserable-" The goat stuttered, seemingly struggling to find his words. "He just-oh!" Alex spat, shaking his head dismissively.

Much like Dawn had done for Vernon, soon enough Edna's hoof had managed to find it's way wrapped around one of Alex's, her fingers intertwining tightly around the billy's as he uncrossed his arms.

Alex's face slipped to a more sad expression as he glanced back at his mate.

"Oh Edy..." Alex said with a sigh.

Edna flashed him a similarly soft smile, before turning her concerned expression back toward the other couple.

"After we got off the ride, we waited around to see if you two came out after us." Edna continued in the place of her tongue-tied mate. "And when we saw a couple of sheep come out in the boat afterward, we knew that old goat who was arguing with you hadn't let you on."

"You waited for us?" Dawn asked.

Edna gave a brisk nod.

"We did more than that." Alex snorted.

Vernon shifted his stance, leaning on his free paw while remaining gripped to Dawn's hoof with the other as he eyed the couple incredulously.

Edna winced slightly, and Vernon could see her squeezing the goat's hoof tighter in her own.

"Well, I was absolutely disgusted." Edna continued. "So I walked back around to give that old goat a piece of my mind!"

Vernon smirked, impressed by the little ewe's moxie when it came to standing up for the couple. But his smile was furtive and short, as the ewe's frown deepened.

"And I take he had some more..." Dawn muttered meekly. "Questionable things to say."

"I'll Say!" Alex barked, slamming his free hoof against the counter. Vernon could see a fire behind the billy's eyes, one he imagined was quite similar to his own just moments earlier. The goat leaned up on his chair slightly, pointing in the vague direction of the tunnel of love as he eyed the wolf with intensity.

"That rutting dagmuncher made my Edy cry!" Alex spat. "He went on and on about Edna being a 'loose little gimmer' because she was mating outside of her species!" Alex pounded the table again. "That if she wanted a bigger 'mam she might as well just go to the stables and be done with it!"

Vernon's muzzle tightened into a grimace of his own as he imagined the nasty old goats' verbal assault on the sweet little ewe. Vernon couldn't imagine whatever Edna had to say to the old 'mam could have been nearly as crude or offensive as what he had chosen to say. And the idea that another couple had been abused by the grizzled culler buck had only done more to get the wolf's hackles up.

"Oh my goodness." Dawn's hooves were pressed against her muzzle as she looked at the pair in shock. "That's awful!"

Edna wiped her eyes with a hoof, doing away with the slight shimmer that had formed on the surface. As Alex eased back into his seat, the goat was quick to pull the smaller ewe into his side, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead before returning his attention to Dawn and Vernon. Surprisingly, a small smirk had crawled across the goat's muzzle.

"That's where I stepped in."

Vernon felt a tinge of excitement as he leaned in a bit further, the goats smile fostering hope in the wolf that the billy had done something to get back at the older goat.

"What did you do?" Vernon asked, his eyes wide as he scanned the goat for a response. Alex's smile widened into something more of a mischievous, knowing grin. However, instead of continuing his tale, the goat gingerly released his mate, flashing the ewe a playful glance.

"What did I do Hon?" Alex said in an amused tone.

Edna gave a soft giggle, the ewe covering her muzzle as she gave the couple a brief, peeking glance. It was as if the usually peppy and talkative ewe had grown suddenly reserved and shy.

"Alex...well...he..." Enda giggled as she glanced back toward her mate. The little ewe leaning back into his side as she bit at a hoof. "He pushed that old goat into the water at the ride."

Vernon's smile gave way to an open muzzle, his jaw hanging open in awe of the little billy seated before him. Alex simply crossed his arms, a smug smile remaining plastered on his face.

"He didn't even see it coming." Alex said with a smirk.

"You did that!?" Vernon leaned in closer, he could feel his tail starting to wag as joy overtook him.

"It may have been petty..." Alex muttered. "But damn did it feel good!"

Vernon let out a loud, howling laugh. He couldn't believe it. Alex had done exactly what Vernon had wanted to do to the old goat. After everything bad that had happened on their trip out to the North Meadowlands so far, knowing that speciest goat had gotten his just desserts and then some was like music to the wolf's ears. Vernon could hear the others laughing now, all joining in on the delight of knowing that karma had come full circle for the nasty billy running the ride.

"Oh my g-goodness" Dawn was struggling under a fit of giggling herself.

"H-how did he react?" Vernon managed to sputter through his own laughter. "What did he say?"

Alex was doing his best to stifle his laughter, but the goat could barely keep it together.

"He yelled something about d-disrespecting a v-veteran before one of the boats bumped him in the back of the head." Edna managed to choke out.

Vernon could feel tears forming in his eyes as he let out another howling laugh. His stomach was starting to hurt from all the laughter now. Vernon wiped at his eyes as he desperately tried to regain his composure, but the wolf knew it was going to be a while before he would be able to get a hold of himself. As Alex said, it may have been petty. Bu the wolf definitely needed the laugh.

"O-Oh my goodness..." Dawn was snickering, the ewe seemed to be doing a better job of pulling herself together than Vernon was based on the sound of her voice. "I-I hope you two didn't g-get in trouble f-for that."

"We r-ran like cheetahs out of there!" Edna giggled.

Alex wiped a tear from his eye, his laughter starting to trail away as he spoke.

"Yeah, we left the fairgrounds as fast as our little hooves could carry us!" Alex said, letting out a satisfied sigh. "Didn't want to spend the rest of our 'relaxing' day looking over our shoulders for the North Meadowlands Police."

Vernon was still laughing, but he had managed to dial it down somewhat as the need for air began to outweigh his overall amusement. Vernon flashed the couple a grin as he took a deep breath between chuckles.

"Don't worry." Vernon snickered. "We ain't gonna rat you out, that's fer sure."

"Well, sounds like ya'll are havin' a grand time." Audrey interjected, the she-wolf bringing a plate of piping hot corn cobs around the laughing wolf. Carefully she placed the multiple stacked paper dishes in front of the young billy, and Vernon watched as Alex's eyes lit up with a hungry glimmer.

"Yeah Ma." Vernon said with a pleasant sigh. "We're havin' a real blast." The wolf rolled his eyes, only for his mother to pinch his cheek with one of her free paws.

"Don't be fresh now Puppy." Audrey said with a smirk as the wolf playfully swatted his mother away.

"Oh Em Goodness..." Alex said dreamily, the goat slapping his hooves together loudly and rubbing them. Vernon watched the goat run his tongue over his teeth in anticipation of the glistening, sticky cobs. "These look amazing..."

Audrey chuckled softly. "Just wait till ya taste 'em Honey." The she-wolf said, leaning an arm on the counter as she sidled in next to Dawn once more.

"That'll be five bucks, by the way." Audrey added, lazily extending her leaned paw toward the goat.

Alex stopped just short of grasping the ends of one of the cobs, freezing for a moment as realization apparently washed over him.

"Ah..." Alex said, his hooves quickly darting to his pants pocket. The billy desperately fumbled to free his wallet from it.

Vernon wasn't sure if it was a craving desire to dig into the sizzling corn cobs, or if it was that his pocket was a bit too tight that was the source of Alex's struggle. But whatever the reason the goat was desperate to the point that he had nearly slipped off his stool during a particularly harsh tug. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Alex managed to pull his wallet free, and in a flash he had found and practically thrown the five dollar bill Audrey's way.

Audrey chuckled softly as she scooped the crumpled bill into her paw, watching as the goat quickly clasped the edges of a cob with his hooves.

"Thank ya kindly Darlin'." Audrey said, straightening the bill before neatly folding it in half as she began to walk away. "Enjoy."

Alex looked up at her for a brief second, only acknowledging her statement with a terse nod before gripping his teeth into the side of the glistening cob.

Vernon could hear the audible crunch as Alex dragged his teeth across the cob surface. Pulling back from the cob slightly, the young billy began to chew the morsel now sitting in his maw. Vernon watched as his eyes lit up, opening wide before slamming closed as tightly he imagined the goat could muster. Alex turned his head away slightly.

"MHHHhhh...OHHH..." Alex moaned with pleasure as he chewed, eliciting a giggle from the ewe sitting beside him.

"I've never heard him moan like that before!" Edna said with a laugh before leaning across the counter toward Dawn. The ewe placed a hoof aside her mouth Vernon's way, attempting to block the wolf's hearing.

"Well, not outside the bedroom at least." Edna said softly, causing Dawn to recoil sporting a fresh, hot blush. She wasn't alone however, as Edna was now sporting one of her own. As the ewe glanced up toward Vernon, the wolf did his best to play off the fact that his ears had picked up what she said.

"Ohhhh..." Alex cooed as he swallowed, lapping at his lips with his tongue. "Rut it, I can already tell you I'm going to need another."

"'Nother cob, comin' up!" Audrey yelled back from her place at the grill. The She-wolf pulling another foiled cob off the stove and repeating the seasoning process.

The goat was quick to bury himself back in his corn, letting out little pleasurable moans and sighs with each bite. However, with the corn stealing the goats focus, that left the couple at the mercy of his mates curious and possibly blunt questions. And unsurprisingly, she was ready with another one. Edna rolled her eyes at Alex briefly before leaning back on the counter and eyeing the pair curiously.

"So...how was the rest of your trip to the fair yesterday?" Edna asked, her features laced with slight concern. "I hope it improved."

Vernon winced slightly, his eyes darting over toward the ewe at his side to find an equally concerned looking ewe. Dawn glanced back at him with a look of uncertainty, her eyes seemingly searching his own for direction on how to proceed with such a delicate topic.

"Oh no." Edna's smile dropped immediately, the ewe recoiling from her lean and away from the pair as she covered her muzzle with her hooves. "I did it again didn't I?" I'm so-"

Vernon held up a paw, stopping the ewe mid-sentence. "It's fine." The wolf said with a sigh. "It's not like you could have known what happened anyway..."

Edna kept both of her hooves over her mouth as she eyed the pair warily.

"Forget I even said anything, we can just-"

"No..." Vernon heard Dawn utter softly. Vernon glanced back at the ewe in surprise, but Dawn simply grasped his paw, giving the wolf a soft, affirmative nod before returning her attention to Edna. Dawn let out a soft sigh, and as she did Vernon could feel her squeeze his paw softly. "We may as well..."

"We don't need to go into heavy details now..." Vernon interjected, throwing the ewe a concerned glance of his own. Dawn nodded again, and Vernon gave the ewe's hoof a soft squeeze of his own before turning his attention back to the other couple.

"Well, we were kinda at the center of a lil'..." Vernon winced slightly, his ears dropping as he tried to muster the strength to continue. "Scene..." Vernon grimaced sharply, the word had tasted particularly bitter on its way out. "Here at the stand yesterday afternoon."

"Oh no..." Edna replied, her eyes shimmering slightly as Vernon assumed the ewe expected to hear the worst.

"Short version is..." Vernon paused, running a shaky paw through his scalp. " A bunch of fairgoers made us leave early yesterday."

"What?" Edna stared at the wolf in a mixture of shock and disbelief. The ewe had braced her hooves on the counter as she leaned in slightly, cocking her head in a curious manner. "Why?"

Vernon rolled his eyes slightly. He knew the lamb was enthusiastic, but certainly not oblivious. The implication was already in the air, but apparently she needed it spelled out for her.

"Because of Vernon and I being a couple." Dawn uttered sadly.

Enda seemed to reel at that, the ewe leaning further over the counter as she eyed the pair in disbelief, and what seemed like a hint of ire.

"What!?" The ewe spat in shock. " I ca-" Edna stammered. Suddenly she and Alex seemed to switch places as the ewe now struggled for words. "How cou-" Edna shook her head.

Frustrated at her own inability to reply, the ewe gave the goat next to her a soft swat.

"Alex can you believe that!?" Enda frowned.

Alex eased the bald corn cob back onto his plate, letting out a soft sigh as he turned his attention to his mate.

"I can". Alex said bluntly, flashing the pair a disappointed sigh. "But that doesn't make it any less terrible."

"Drove my family out too." Vernon added with a grumble as he leaned against the counter. "Luckily it was near closin' anyway, but still..."

"That doesn't make it right!" Edna added, her cheeks puffed slightly as she let out a huff. "There isn't a rule against being an interspecies couple! Pred prey or not!"

Alex grasped his other cob gingerly, his eyes shining with that familiar hungry shine for a moment before he turned his attention back toward the couple.

"I know I may not seem like the type..." Alex said. "But If I were you I wouldn't have stood for that kind of treatment." The goat lowered his cob slightly as he eyed Vernon. "I mean, that's textbook discrimination! Those mammals had no right to do that."

"We didn't want to cause a scene..." Dawn murmured quietly, the ewe offering the couple a weak shrug. "Or any more of one than we already had..."

"I take it that's why you didn't thrash that old goat at the tunnel of love before I did big fella?" Alex said with a chuckle. " I mean a wolf like you could have battered that ram up and down the fairgrounds!"

Vernon gave a soft, affirmative nod, gritting his teeth slightly.

"I would have loved to." The wolf replied with a sneer. "Him, and half of those fellas that showed up yesterday looking to push us out!"

"Oh Puppy..." Dawn cooed, squeezing his paw again softly. "Please..."

"It's one thing dealing with some snot-nosed mammals whisperin' behind our backs, or an off-color comment." Vernon glanced over at the ewe by his side. Removing his grip from her hoof, the wolf moved his arm around her, pulling her against his side protectively. "But getting a lynch mob together to drive us out of a public place? What are we, Frankestag's Monster!?"

"Puppy..." Dawn cooed. Vernon could feel her hooves wrapping around his waist, one of them reaching up for his chest as the ewe gripped tightly against his side. It was clear she was trying to calm the wolf down, but Vernon was having a hard time as the bile left over from yesterday's incident bubbled to the surface.

The wolf growled softly. "I like to think of myself as a peaceful fella. But what are we supposed to do when faced with somethin' like that!?" Vernon spat.

"I tell you..." Alex said between chews. "Me and Edna have been through a lot of crazy stuff..." The goat took another chomp of his cob. "But nothing quite like that Vernon."

The wolf ran a paw through his scalp, letting out a harsh sigh. Glancing down at the ewe now tightly clasped to his side, the wolf gave her a gentle pat on the head.

"We've been so good at risin' above all that stuff back home..." The wolf muttered. "But I never it expected that kind of behavior from so many mammals out here."

Vernon glanced at the sky, dragging a paw down his face as he let out another sigh.

"I suppose I should have-" Vernon muttered. "I guess what was I supposed to expect from a bunch of old nags and nannies set in their ways?"

"We aren't all like that boy."

The new voice drew Vernon's attention back to the earth. The wolf searched around for a moment, glancing around Alex and Edna in his efforts to find the source.

"Over here lad." The wolf's attention was drawn to the side of the stall, where a particularly older lady goat in a peculiar fuzzy hat was making her way toward the stand. The tan nanny dressed in a draping red sweater and dull purple skirt strolled in an almost careless fashion as she made her way over to another one of the stools before easing her way up onto the seat. With a soft groan, the old she-goat took her place alongside Alex.

"I'd say most old folks don't really give a hoot about what others are doin'." The nanny continued. "At least not enough to get particularly ornery about it."

Vernon quirked an eyebrow at the newcomer.

"Are you sure about that Ma'am?" The wolf asked.

"When you get older you tend to care less and less about what others think about you, believe me." The goat placed her hooves on the table. "And that goes double for what older folks feel about how other mammals carry themselves."

The nanny goat raised a finger. "But it only takes a few nosy busybodies to stir up a herd of mammals, getting them all worked up over something they didn't even know they were supposed to care about." The she-goat chuckled softly. "And as for us old folks, well all we want to do is put our feet up and take a nap. But we can't do it till those busybodies shut their muzzles up and leave us alone."

As the couple listened to the older goat speak, Audrey returned to the counter with another cob of corn, setting it down in front of Alex. The goat flashed Audrey a wide and satisfied grin, handing off another few bucks before readying himself to take a bite of his newest piping hot cob. But as the goat raised it to his muzzle, a small weak voice piped up from somewhere unseen.

"Wha 'sat smell?" The voice uttered softly. "Is that roasted corn?"

Vernon perked up, his ears darting from side to side as he tried to locate yet another previously unseen eavesdropper.

"Yes, it's roasted corn Harry dear." The nanny replied to the voice, her eyes were now looking upward, almost as if she were trying to look at her scalp.

"Did you want some?" She replied.

"Oh no..." The other voice continued. "I've never been a fan...."

Vernon quirked his eyebrow, the wolf still puzzled as to who exactly was talking. It sounded as if it had come from the old she-goat, yet he couldn't see anyone. Maybe it was a walkie-talkie? But if so, then how could he smell the food.

"Oh you aren't a fan of anything!" The she-goat laughed.

"I smell pumpkin pie." The voice responded. It sounded fuzzy and warm, but with a certain bleariness that comes with age. "I like pumpkin pie."

"You want some pumpkin pie dear?" The goat asked.

"Huh?" the other voice responded.

The nanny rolled her eyes. "Pie! You want some?"

"What kind of pie?" The softer voice replied.

"PUMPKIN PIE!" The nanny raised her voice, causing Vernon to flinch.

Silence hung in the air for a moment, during which Vernon, Dawn, Alex, and Edna exchanged a series of awkward glances.

"Oh, that sounds lovely." The voice replied finally. "Yes please."

Vernon, though confused, couldn't help but smirk slightly at the conversation taking place. While he wasn't sure exactly where this mysterious Harry was, the banter he shared with the she-goat was simply adorable. It sounded as though they had known each other for a long time, their way of speaking to one another honed after years of becoming accustomed to each other's unique idiosyncrasies and what Vernon could only assume was a hint of the absentmindedness that comes with age.

"So you wanted a pumpkin pie then Mrs..."

"Mrs. Mina Hoofer." The She-goat replied. "And this is my Darling Harry." With that, the she-goat gestured up toward her strange headwear. For a moment, Vernon was confused as he stared into the red-banded ball of fur on the top of the nanny's head. He squinted for a moment before the mass suddenly began to stir, causing the wolf to nearly jump out his pelt. As the fluff shifted in place the identity of the mysterious Harry became abundantly clear.

Mina wasn't wearing a hat at all.

"Hello young fella..." Came from the stout little mole sitting atop Mina's head. The tiny rodent adjusted his spectacles as he rose to his feet, dusting off his red sweater as he clasped onto one of the old nanny's horns for support. "Name's Harry Moleman." The tiny mammal spoke, extending a tiny paw Vernon's way.

Vernon winced slightly, the shock still permeating his body for a bit before he managed to extend a wary paw toward the minuscule mammal. Vernon gingerly shook the tiny rodents hand.

"Vernon Hunter." The wolf replied, offering an awkward grin. "Nice to meet you sir."

"So polite..." Harry continued as the wolf released his grip. "You don't see that enough these days..."

"T-thank you Sir." Vernon added, clearing his throat in an effort to shake off the lingering confusion in his tone. Vernon ran a paw through his scalp before gesturing to the ewe still clasped to his hip.

"And this here is Dawn Bellwether." Vernon added. "My mate."

The ewe extended a wary hoof, leaning slightly away from the wolf to reach the mole's paw and giving it a gentle shake.

"I trust you've heard of me?" Dawn murmured sadly as she released her grip on the moles paw.

"Nope." Harry replied, smiling blankly back at the couple. Mina rolled her eyes before flashing the pair a warm smile.

"We have." Mina added. "And we don't have to go down that road my dear. I'm the kind of mammal who prefers not to dwell too much on those sorts of things, especially when they are past and done with. " The goat chuckled softly. "I'm too old to be keeping tabs on 'grudges' I'm supposed to be holding."

As Dawn's hoof returned to Vernon's waist, the ewe offered a meek smile.

"T-thank you." Dawn replied.

"Don't worry about it Dearie." The nanny was quick to reply, gesturing a hoof in the air dismissively.

"So you and Harry are...?" Vernon trailed off, uncertain as to how to ask such a delicate question.

Mina nodded softly, paying careful attention not to jostle her little friend from his perch.

"That's right." Mina assured. "Harry is my mate."

"Another pred prey couple!" Edna cooed in awe.

"Pred prey?" Alex paused, holding the cob of corn away from his muzzle slightly. The goat raised an eyebrow at his mate curiously. "A mole?"

Edna nodded briskly. "Moles eat all sorts of grubs and bugs and junk." The ewe added enthusiastically. "That technically makes them a predator."

"How did you know that?" Alex replied.

Edna rolled her eyes, placing her hooves on her hips. "My classes at college revolve around mammalian biology." The ewe let out a sigh. "I swear, sometimes I think you don't even listen to me."

Mina raised a hoof to her head, gingerly shooing the small rodent into her palm before bringing him down to the counter and setting him down. Mina offered Vernon a kind smile.

Vernon could barely speak, he was still somewhat shell-shocked by all the information he suddenly had to process. Predator and prey couplings were already a rare thing, even more so among elder mammals. Yet somehow, here in what Vernon considered to be the most rural part of the Meadowlands, he and Dawn had stumbled across another couple in the same situation as they were. Mina leveled a knowing glance at the wolf.

"I did say 'believe me' when I mentioned about how you stop caring what others think of you when you grow old, didn't I?" Mina said with a smile.

"But he-" Vernon stuttered. "But you-" The wolf ran a paw through his scalp fur as he stumbled over exactly what to ask first.

"How long have you been together?" Dawn asked, stealing one of Vernon's questions away. The wolf nodded dumbly along with Dawn's question, eager to hear the answer himself.

Mina chuckled softly. "Oh we've been together for quite a while now." The nanny assured. "Although Harry wasn't my first. I was married before, but my ex passed away some years ago."

"Oh, I'm so sorry." Dawn said sadly. However, the nanny remained all smiles.

"Oh don't worry my dear." Mina reassured. "We had quite a full life together. We saw our children grow up, leave, start families of their own and so forth." The old goat smiled warmly. "We had many happy years, and he passed away peacefully." The old goat chuckled. "I'd say you couldn't ask for much more than that."

"Aw..." Edna cooed softly.

"Yup, my dear Billy's gone to that big sex shop in the sky."

Vernon's eyes widened slightly, and the wolf shared an awkward glance with Dawn and the others to affirm he had heard the old nanny goat correctly. The wolf opened his mouth to speak, but decided it was better to leave the comment without clarification.

"But now Harry and I are together, and we're enjoying all we can with what time the gods allow." Mina chuckled. "And we aren't about to let what some miserable, prudish busybodies say or do ruin that for us."

"That's right!" Harry added, the tiny mole sounding surprisingly more invigorated than before. The rodent waived a tiny cane in Vernon's direction. "We're far too old to care about what other small-minded folks think about our relationship."

The older goat gave the tiny mole an affectionate nudge with her hoof.

"We normally don't." Dawn added somberly, the ewe releasing her grip around the wolf slightly to better face the couple. "Vernon and I are usually very good at dealing with scorn or disgust from others but..." The ewe shook her head. "An angry mob...I mean? How were we supposed to deal with that?"

"Angry mob eh...?" Harry asked, leaning on his cane for support as he appraised the couple. The rodent swayed slightly as he squinted through his thick glasses. Licking his lips, the old mole turned his attention back to his vastly larger mate.

"I can't say we've ever had to deal with that..." The mole said quietly. "Have we dear?" His voice was almost pleading. It was clear the diminutive rodent was uncertain whether he had or hadn't.

Mina shook her head dismissively.

"I can't say we ever have." Mina replied, giving the tiny mole a ginger pat on the head before turning her gaze back to Dawn and Vernon.

"But I've seen a mob or two in my time." Mina chuckled. "Protests and demonstrations and so on."

The old nanny leaned in slightly, gesturing the wolf and lamb closer to her.

"And you know what I've found?" The she-goat said with a smile.

Vernon leaned in slightly, his curiosity piqued as to what pearl of wisdom the well-traveled she-goat was about to dole out.

"What?" Dawn asked, nearly slipping off her stool as she attempted to lean as far as Vernon had. The ewe clasped the counter to stable herself.

"While it doesn't work with all of 'em, you'll find most of the time the best way to disarm them is to inform them." Mina stated.

Vernon recoiled slightly, quirking and eyebrow in confusion.

"Inform them?" The wolf queried.

Mina gave a brisk nod.

"At the base of every group of scared, angry mammals is one, key trait." Mina continued. The goat raised a finger, closing her eyes she did so. "Ignorance."

Mina gave Harry an affectionate caress with the side of her hoof. At first the rodent jumped slightly in surprise, but he quickly recognized the hoof and leaned into it.

"Whether they are old or young, mammals fear what they don't understand." Mina added. "And while you might not be able to convince some of the most stubborn of them, I think you'll find that most can be disarmed by engaging them in polite discussion and most importantly..." The goat raised a finger again. "Letting them ask questions about your experiences."

"Ask questions?" Vernon scrunched his muzzle slightly as he mulled over the she-goats words. Mina simply nodded.

"You never know what kind of mammals you can turn around just by talking to them." Mina continued. "And you'd be surprised to find that most mammals are more open than they'd appear about such things."

Vernon was dubious about the old nanny's claim. He couldn't recall seeing any curious looking eyes in the mob that had formed around the stand yesterday afternoon. But he had definitely seen fear, and quite a bit of shame. Especially when his Mother had called out to those she had known among the crowd of discontented Meadowlanders. Then again, if so many of them were ashamed of what they were doing, then why had they decided to act at all. Could it really be that they had been riled up by Ana's bitter tongue, spurred on by the loudest, squeakiest wheel among them to go along with something they ultimately hadn't wanted to do? That ignorance rather than distaste had been the driving force behind the fearful flock?

"And who could honestly have a problem with a nice young billy like you!" Harry said with a smile gesturing to Vernon. "You seem like quite the upstanding young mammal to me."

Vernon raised an eyebrow in confusion as he glanced down at himself.

"Billy?" Vernon muttered.

The mole nodded briskly.

"Just because you are dating a fox doesn't mean you aren't a mammal like the rest of us." Harry continued, seemingly blissfully ignorant of his inaccurate descriptions.

"Fox?" Dawn asked in equal confusion.

"Any mammal that gives respect, deserves respect is what I say." The little mole flashed a wide grin as he leaned on his cane. "In fact back when I was a younger-"

"Harry..." Mina sighed, placing a hoof over her eyes before dragging it down her wrinkled muzzle.

"Hmm?" Harry replied, glancing back at his mate.

"Vernon is a wolf dear." The she-goat gestured to Vernon.

The mole turned, leveling his gaze back toward the wolf. He adjusted his glasses as he stared up at the wolf, squinting at him in silence for a moment.

"A wolf you say?" Harry asked, glancing back at Mina.

"For goodness sake, he's double the size of me Dear!" Mina groaned.

The mole adjusted his spectacles again as his eyes fell back on towering canine.

"I just thought he was tall." Harry said with a laugh.

"Still if that is the case then you two should have even less to worry about." The little mole said cheerily. "I mean, you may be two different predators, but at lea-"

"She's a SHEEP Harry!" Mina yelled, a slight irritation rising in her tone.

"Huh?" Harry asked, cupping his ear with a paw toward the old she-goat.

"A SHEEP YOU OLD CODGER!" Mina raised her voice, causing Harry and Vernon to flinch.

The mole waived a claw dismissively back at the old nanny.

"Alright, alright!" Harry shouted back. "You don't have to shout!"

Mina let out an aggravated sigh as she leaned on the counter with an arm, placing a hoof to her temple and massaging gently. "I wish that old fool would have just agreed to getting the hearing aid."

Vernon did his best to stifle his laughter, holding a paw to his muzzle in an effort to hide his growing smile. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Dawn and the others were more or less doing the same.

"Look, my point is-" Mina continued, leveling her gaze back on Vernon. "Communication and education are the most powerful tools couples like us have at their disposal." The old nanny tutted." If anything you'll find being open will end up drawing you up a mob of your own. Only this time they'll be on your side." The old nanny said with a laugh.

"Well that's all well and good." That had come from Dawn, the little ewe had pulled away from Vernon now, her gaze leveled back at the older mammal. "But I think the crowd around here is more or less done with us if today's sales are anything to go by." The ewe said with a somber sigh. "I'm afraid it seems they've made their final stance on the matter pretty clear."

Mina waived a hoof at the ewe dismissively.

"Well we're here aren't we?" The she-goat said with a chuckle. "And all it takes is a few mammals to be brave enough to step up to the counter and break the ice to start a chain reaction."

Vernon shook his head softly. Despite his general optimism, even he had to admit that aside from the current customers, the stand was effectively dead. He had seen mammals actively avoiding it all day, and aside from drawing a few mammals like themselves, his hope was starting to wane.

Word had spread fast among the North Meadowlanders about Vernon and his questionable relationship with Dawn, and it was clear none of the natives wanted to be associated with such a family in any way because of it. He wanted to take her words to heart, to hope that things would turn around for his Mother's sake. But at the moment, sales prospects seemed remarkably grim.

"Well, all this yammering on has got me hungry." Mina said with a smirk. "So how about that pumpkin pie?"

"Pumpkin pie?" Harry muttered, the mole suddenly perking up. "I love pumpkin pie."

Mina let out a tired sigh as Vernon tried to stifle another laugh.

"Alright then..." Vernon sighed, running a paw through his scalp before leaning on the counter toward the couple. "How would you like it?"

"What do you offer?" The nanny replied.

Vernon rolled his eyes slightly.

"Well, we offer individual slices for about two fifty a piece." Vernon said, tapping a claw on the counter. "And ten bucks for a full pie, boxed to go." The wolf gestured a paw toward the overstuffed racks of pie to his side. "And we offer pastry crust for those looking fer a more traditional taste, and graham cracker crust for those who like it on the sweeter side."

"Pumpkin pie." Harry muttered, the mole squinting slightly as he eyed the boxes of pie behind the wolf. With a pastry...or graham cracker crust?"

Vernon nodded. "Yes sir."

The mole tapped his chin with a claw.

"Pastry is nice...but graham cracker is better." The mole mumbled to himself. Harry was clutching his chin now, rubbing it as he made little 'thinking' noises to himself. "Or should I, Hmmm...?"

Vernon waited patiently as the mole returned to his quiet murmurings, all while the nanny goat that was his mate seemed to be growing increasing visibly irritated at just how long Harry was taking. Mina had begun to grit her teeth slightly by the time Harry turned to acknowledge her.

"Mina, what do you thi-?"

"Harry, Love, just pick a pie already!" Mina replied with an irritable huff.

Harry returned to eyeing the pies for a moment, the little mole adjusting his spectacles before tapping at his chin again.

"Pie, or slice?" Harry glanced over his shoulder at his mate.

Mina leaned on a hoof, rubbing her temple as she let out an exasperated sigh.

"Harry, for the love of God..." The goat muttered.

"How about one of each pie then?" Dawn interjected, the ewe seemingly doing her best to diffuse the situation.

"And a slice of each type?" Vernon added, flashing the couple a wide grin.

Harry formed a smile of his own, grinning back at his exhausted looking mate as he waved a cane toward the couple.

"That sounds great doesn't it Dear?" Harry chuckled. "We can share!"

Mina rolled her eyes slightly. "Alright fine." The she-goat replied, turning her attention back to Vernon. At the very least Mina seemed slightly relieved.

"Do you have rodent sized pies?" The she-goat asked.

"Oh, yeah we do." Vernon replied, scratching his head awkwardly. "I should have mentioned it before." The wolf offered the pair a meek smile. "Only five for those."

"Just make the to-go pies both rodent size." Mina said with a tired sigh. "The gods know between the two of us it would take us a while to work through a whole normal sized pie, let alone two smaller ones. We aren't as young as we used to be after all."

"Two slices and two pies..." Vernon said, doing his best to stifle his laughter. "Coming up."

As Vernon turned to bring the order to his mother, he noticed the she-wolf was in the midst of brokering another sale. Apparently his gaze had failed to pick up on the old ewe that had made her way to the counter while lost in the entertaining banter of the other older couple. As Vernon approached, he could hear the tail end of the conversation.

"I know I was supposed to pick up my order yesterday b-but..."

"But what Mrs. Dewlap?" Audrey retorted. The ewe was speaking in hushed tones, and Vernon could see she was cowing as if to remain hidden from view. "Too busy in that mob of yers to-"

Both mammals froze as they suddenly became aware of Vernon looming over them. The wolf was hard to miss after all. Audrey developed a worried frown, while the ewe nearly jumped out of her pelt in fear, cowing deeper into her shoulders.

"You got a sale Vern?" Audrey asked, standing back up to look the wolf in the eyes.

"Er...yeah..." Vernon replied, his glance drifting to the ewe still huddled by the counter. The wolf scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Two slices, and two rodent sized pies."

Audrey placed a finger to her chin, tapping it briefly. The wolfess seemed to be musing over something.

"We didn't make any rodent sizes today did we?" Audrey asked.

Vernon shook his head weakly.

"No we didn't." Vernon shrugged. "We only make a couple anyway considerin'..."

"I think we have some in the back fridge from yesterday." Audrey muttered, pressing a finger to her bottom lip.

Suddenly a mischievous grin formed on the she-wolf's muzzle as her eyes shifted toward the meek ewe hunched near the stand.

"Vernon Darlin'?" Audrey asked. "Could you handle this customer while I pull those pies from the back?" The she-wolf said with a smirk as she eyed the increasingly shrinking old ewe. "She's just here to fill a late order."

Vernon glanced at the crumpled ewe, only for her to duck further under the counter lip as his eyes fell on her.

"Are you sure about that?" Vernon asked, scratching the back of his head. "I mea-."

"Mrs. Dewlap is an old friend of the family!" Audrey said, her smug smile widening. "I don't think she'd have a problem orderin' from one of my sons now would she?" Audrey sneered slightly as she leaned over the counter, her glare fixed on the ewe.

"N-no Auddey dear!" The ewe protested, her voice quavering as she spoke. "Of course not!"

"Good then." Audrey replied, a satisfied expression crossing her muzzle as she swatted her paws free of dust. " I'll be back in a minute." The she-wolf said with a wide grin, patting Vernon on the shoulder before making her way to the back. Now Vernon was more or less alone with the fearful looking ewe.

Vernon let out a sigh, running a paw through his scalp fur as he stepped up to the register.

"So...uh..." Vernon muttered, peering over the lip of the counter at the diminutive older ewe. "Yer order Mrs. Dewlap?"

"W-well I..." The ewe bit her lip. She was nervously fiddling with her hooves in a similar way to his mate. Her antsy hooves twisting and squeezing each other subconsciously as her anxiety flared was something Vernon had picked up on fairly early in their time together.

"I um...I-"

Vernon knew the tension needed to be eased. Based on what he had overheard, the older ewe had been a part of the mob from the day earlier. One of the many judgmental muzzles jutting out in the crowd. Vernon should have felt angry, but instead all he could muster was pity. Perhaps Mina had been more right with her wisdom than Vernon had realized. And for that reason Vernon felt that perhaps it was best to give the old nan's approach a try.

"Mrs. Dewlap." Vernon muttered softly, trying to keep his tone as gentle as possible. "I know you were in that mob yesterday."

"Oh gods!" The ewe grew flustered, placing a hoof over her mouth. "Listen, I didn't me-"

Vernon held up a paw, stopping the ewe in mid-sentence.

"I forgive you." Vernon said with a sigh.

The ewe's eyes grew wide, the older mammal staring back at the wolf in shock. Her mouth hung agape for a moment, the weight of his words seeming to take a moment to register fully before she could bring herself to speak.

"I'm so sorry Vernon!" She replied. "I am, to Audrey too!" The ewe whimpered. "I just..."

"Mob mentality." Vernon muttered, causing the ewe to shrink away slightly. It took her a moment before the withered ewe finally offered a small nod. It was a poor excuse, but the wolf wasn't about to start arguing with a timid octogenarian over her lousy justifications.

"Listen..." Vernon said softly. "I know it might be hard to wrap yer head around, but my relationship with my mate...well..." Vernon scratched his head. "We're just like anyone else." The wolf said with a sigh. " We love each other regardless of the pelts we wear."

The ewe offered a meek nod.

"Now, you may not approve of that." Vernon said somberly. "And I ain't gonna castigate you fer beliefs." The wolf said, massaging his temple softly. "But if there is anything I can answer fer ya..." The wolf trailed off for a second, trying to think of the proper words. "Anything that might help you better understand where we're comin' from, well..." The wolf offered another soft smile. "Yer welcome to ask it."

The timid ewe still seemed somewhat wary of the wolf, but slowly she began to straighten her stance. Her desire to hide seeming to fade under the wolf's offer.

"R-really?" Mrs. Dewlap asked, the ewe's eyes darting around as if to check for others spying on her. "Are you sure?"

Vernon chuckled softly. "Ask away."

Slowly the fear faded from the withered ewes features, and soon she managed to bring herself to a standing position, placing her hooves on the counter as she fiddled them. Still, she kept her eyes on her nervous hooves, unable to bring them up to meet the wolf's gaze.

"H-How...?" The ewe paused, twiddling her thumbs together. "How does it work?" The older ewe managed to steal a glance at the tall wolf before returning to her hooves. " A relationship like that I mean?" The ewe bit her hoof slightly. "I-It must be awfully difficult."

Vernon chuckled, somewhat relived by the innocuous question. "It can be." The wolf said, glancing back at his mate father down the counter. The wolf let out a pleasant sigh as he watched her chatting with the others at the end of the stall. "But bein' with her makes it all worth it."

The wolf turned his attention back to the timid older ewe.

"O'course conversations like this help."

For the first time, the older ewe managed a smile.

"T-that's lovely." She said softly. "That really is."

Vernon smiled. "Thank you kindly ma'am."

The ewe went back to fiddling with her hooves for a moment, twisting a thumb in her other palm before bringing her gaze back to the lumbering wolf.

"I really am sorry Vernon." She said softly. "I was ashamed then and I'm even more ashamed now."

"It's alright Mrs.' Dewlap." Vernon said with a sigh. "All water under the bridge." The wolf said, leveling a paw in the air and sweeping it by. "Now, yer order?"

"Oh!" The ewe chuckled. "Mutton chops, I almost forgot." The ewe hoofed through her head wool. "I was supposed to pick up ten pies yesterday, five graham cracker, five pastry."

"You still want them?" Vernon asked, quirking an eyebrow.

The ewe nodded decisively.

"Yes of course!" The ewe chuckled. "Your mother makes the best pies in the whole county! My family can't do without them."

Vernon chuckled warmly.

"I know the feelin'." Vernon said with a smile as he began to punch in the ewe's order on the register.

"So that'll be a hundred bucks." Vernon added, tabbing out the final price. "Will that be cash er credit?"

"Cash please." The ewe replied, gingerly removing a wad of zbucks from her purse. She quickly counted the crisp bills before handing them off to the wolf. Vernon nestled the cash gingerly in the register, slamming the draw shut with a tap from the side of his hip.

"Ill go pull 'em from the shelf fer you, be back in a moment." Vernon said, flashing the older ewe a confident smirk.

Mrs. Dewlap nodded. "Thank you Dear."

As the wolf turned to face the other side of the stall, he noticed a slight change since the last time he had looked Dawn's way. Aside from Alex, Edna, Mina, and Harry, there were at least two more mammals now huddled around the group. Another she-goat and a ram. As Vernon approached, their conversation began to filter in.

"So do you get to ride on his shoulders?" The she-goat asked, clasping her hooves over her muzzle as she tried to stifle her giggling.

"Sometimes." Dawn replied.

"I bet that's awesome!" The she-goat replied enthusiastically.

Dawn giggled, offering the she-goat a soft nod. "I must admit, it feels great to be able to reach those tall shelves."

"Honey Lamb?" Vernon asked cautiously. The ewe quickly spun around, seemingly startled by the wolf's return.

"Oh Vernon!"

"He calls her 'Honey Lamb'. That's adorable!" The teenage goat cooed, flipping her mane out of her eyes.

Vernon was surprised to say the least. He hadn't expected to see any more mammals hanging around the stall. Perhaps the ewe had used Mina's technique as well?

"Vernon, could you let Audrey know we need three more corn cobs?" Dawn asked, holding a clump of money up toward the wolf. Vernon gingerly took the cash from her hoof, eyeing the ewe in confusion.

"Fer Alex or fer..."

"For our other customers." Dawn said, flashing the wolf a smile.

Vernon looked at the cash in his palm for a moment, still trying to take in what was happening.

"Hey buddy?" Vernon looked over to find the ram leaning over the stall toward him, gesturing the wolf down to his level. Vernon was put off for a moment, but the rams persistent gestures to come closer wore the wolf down. Vernon reluctantly brought his ear within the ram's range as the young sheep cupped a hoof near his mouth.

"So which is better, wolves or sheep?" The ram whispered, causing Vernon to raise an eyebrow.

The ram winced. "In bed I mean." He was quick to follow up with. Vernon could feel the blood flush to his face as he stood back up, staring down at the ram in disbelief. Had he really just asked that kind of a question?

"I mean, I've always been kinda curious..." The suddenly reluctant looking lamb added, tapping his hooves together nervously.

Vernon wasn't sure how to answer such a loaded question. There really wasn't a right answer for such a thing in the first place. To him, Dawn was the best he'd ever had, sheep or not. But the ram probably expected to hear that with Dawn right by his side.

"Well I-"

"Ding! Ding!" The call bell rang out again, and Vernon turned to find more mammals standing at the register. There were at least five or six new customers now, and the line was growing by the minute. At the front Mrs. Dewlap was still waiting patiently, now having a spirited discussion with some of the mammals in line.

Vernon turned back to the pie shelf, starting to pull the boxes of tasty treats down from their perches.

"My little Honey Lamb is the best I've been with." Vernon said, turning his attention to the ram as he continued to stack pies. "O'course that doesn't mean you shouldn't consider givin' she-wolf's a try if yer curious."

The ram developed a blush of his own, slinking against the counter slightly.

"M-maybe..." His voice cracked slightly, the young ram revealing his age through tone alone.

Vernon chuckled as he scooped the last of the pie order into his paws, taking them back to the front of the stall with careful steps. Arriving at the register, the wolf gingerly handed of the towering stacks of boxed pies to the diminutive older ewe on the other side.

"Oh thank you Dearie!" The ewe replied, doing her best to get her arms around the stacks. "And thank your mother for me too."

Vernon chuckled as he released his grip on the stack, satisfied that the old ewe had a grip on them.

"I will Mrs. Dewlap." Vernon replied.

"And you be good to that girl of yours young 'mam." Mrs. Dewlap added with a chuckle. "Wolf or sheep, you treat that young lady with respect."

Vernon chuckled despite himself. That had come from a ewe who not twenty-four hours before had been ready to chase the couple out of the fair. Now she was acting as if he was one of her grandkids.

As Vernon watched the older ewe trail off into the crowd, the next few in line flooded to line the counterface. Some of them were holding money out, while others were trying to yell out questions over the rising rabble. Vernon recognized many of the faces in the growing crowd. Like Mrs. Dewlap, most of them had been in the mob the day before. Yet where there had once been glares of fear and mistrust, there were now curious glances and pleasant smirks.

"What do you do about cars?" One voice called out. "Do you have one wolf-sized one? Or one wolf one and a sheep one?"

"Neither, I drive a scooter." Vernon replied.

"How do you handle the whole claw situation? Do you wear gloves around her?" Another voice relayed.

"Uh, I shave 'em down till their dull as dirt." Vernon replied awkwardly. "Most preds do."

"Do you help her shear?!" Another voice followed with.

Vernon felt the blood rush back to his face in a flash.

"That's a bit too personal!" The wolf replied with a huff. But the roar of the crowd only grew as more mammals continued to filter in. The stand was swamped now, worse than Vernon had ever seen in all of the shifts he had ever run. It was another mob, but this time they were attacking with questions and pup like curiosity. Mina had been right.

"ALRIGHT!" The wolf held his paws above the crowd, bellowing loudly to get their attention. The swelling mob quickly fell silent under the wolf's powerful command, some cowering as the outburst had taken them by surprise.

Now that the wolf had their attention, the wolf lowered his arms. Vernon gave a terse 'Ahem!' Loudly clearing his throat as his eyes scanned the assembled mammals.

"I need ya'll to line up and be orderly!" Vernon ordered, gesturing to the front of the stand. "I can't help customers if yer all clumped up like a swarm of bees!"

The wolf placed a paw on his head as he scanned the crowd, more were coming still, as if the Hunter stall had it's own gravitational pull, drawing in every mammal from around the fairgrounds. Vernon glanced back in the direction of his mate, catching Mina's eyes for a moment as he did. The old Nanny had a wide grin on her muzzle as she shook her head.

"So please line up one at a time!" Vernon continued, turning back to the hushed crowd. "And you have to be buyin' something if you want to ask a question! This is a business, I can't have everyone just standin' around here!"

With the wolf's declaration, a wave of purse and wallet grabbing washed through the crowd, many fumbling as Alex had earlier as they reached for their cash.

Vernon placed a paw to his head as he watched the mammals shift into an orderly line, many of them waiving cash in the air as they silently waited for the wolf to tend to their needs. The wolf could barely fathom what he was seeing.

"Okay." That was Dawn's voice, and the wolf looked down to find her now standing at his side, the petite ewe wrapping her arms around his torso as she leaned into him. Dawn offered the wolf a warm, loving smile. "Next."

The ram at the front counter slapped his money ton the counter sharply.

"Are you married?" The ram spat out. "Also a graham cracker pie please!"

Vernon couldn't believe it, the wolf was still reeling from what was happening. Not ten minutes ago the stand had been dead, and suddenly it was in the middle of a stampede. And it was because he and Dawn were there. They had gone from the driving force keeping customers from the stand to the main attraction in the blink of an eye. As Dawn began to work the register, the wolf's eyes trailed across the crowd, following it from front to back as he wondered at the size of it all. It was only when his eyes came across a familiar hat, far, far in the back of the mob was the wolf pulled back from his dreamlike state.

He could see those eyes, the cold grey eyes of his Father watching from the side of a stall at the far end. His brows furrowed in disapproval. Despite the size of the mass of mammals, Vernon's hearing seemed to hone in on the white wolf. The din dying away enough for Vernon to pick up his Father letting off a derisive snort as he pressed away from the stand he was near and strolled off back into the rest of the fair grounds.

Dorian knew they were there now. But what could he say? The crowd wasn't doing him any favors this time around. Unlike the day before the community had rallied around the pair, and with it the supposed damage to the Hunter reputation seemed to have been completely wiped away. His Mother's business was booming, and Dori would be left with egg on his smug face.

'That ol' miserable mammal was wrong after all...' Vernon thought to himself, a smug smile crawling across his muzzle. Vernon's day seemed to be getting better and better.