{"id":22202,"date":"2021-06-03T18:30:59","date_gmt":"2021-06-03T23:30:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/?p=22202"},"modified":"2023-01-19T11:56:21","modified_gmt":"2023-01-19T17:56:21","slug":"chapter-8-sheep-farm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/2021\/06\/03\/chapter-8-sheep-farm\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 8: Sheep Farm"},"content":{"rendered":"

The sky, a strange yellow hue, was filling with clouds; and the air was thick with humidity when the two unicorns left the veterinary clinic. Othello, always cognizant of his favorite pony\u2019s whereabouts, fell in at Tabby\u2019s side.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere exactly is this sheep farm?\u201d Tabby asked, a bit breathless, as she had been moving nonstop gathering supplies since her boss had told her at quitting time that they had been summoned by a sheep farmer with a ewe in labor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCherry Valley Farm, off County A,\u201d Thomas supplied, switching the medical bag to his other hoof.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure he’s not a farmer who is himself a sheep?\u201d Tabby asked. For all his learning, Thomas was still an easterner, and unaccustomed to sentient species other than equines.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs that a thing?\u201d Thomas looked at her curiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Well, sure,\u201d Tabby said matter-of-factly. \u201cThere are sheep that are kept as farm animals, but there are also sheep that keep farm animals themselves.”<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoes that get confusing?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes!\u201d Tabby affirmed without elaborating.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2026 in any case, this is our chance to break into the agricultural scene,\u201d Thomas said, gazing off thoughtfully into the distance. \u201cDr. Martingale has a strong hold on that market.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t really have the resources to be traipsing about the countryside all day,\u201d Tabby pointed out. She would have it easier, being able to teleport; but since she wasn\u2019t a doctor and Thomas refused to use magic, they would be stuck walking. With each other. Talking. Which wasn\u2019t <\/span>so <\/span><\/i>bad…<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot right now,\u201d Thomas agreed, \u201cbut once Elaine is here\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll send her out traipsing the countryside?\u201d Tabby asked with a sideways glance.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d Thomas said with a grin.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s not really going to want to work for her brother,\u201d Tabby scoffed. Strange, how he seemed to hold some kind of affection for his little sister, Elaine, who was in her final year of veterinary school.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d Thomas asked indignantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI mean\u2026 siblings\u2026\u201d Tabby grimaced, kicking at a loose pebble in the road. \u201cThey\u2019re annoying.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have any?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOne. A sister,\u201d she said in a clipped tone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Perhaps sensing her reticence, Thomas didn\u2019t pursue that line of questioning. \u201cElaine\u2019s going to be visiting this summer,\u201d he revealed. \u201cYou\u2019ll get to meet her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s she like?\u201d Tabby asked after a pause.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s always been on the shy side, so I\u2019ve been a bit protective of her,\u201d Thomas admitted. \u201cShe\u2019s very smart, very kind\u2026 you\u2019ll like her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWill I really, though?\u201d Tabby wondered aloud. \u201cI don\u2019t have a good track record.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you will,\u201d Thomas said firmly.<\/span><\/p>\n

The wind picked up then, making further conversation difficult, and the focus shifted to keeping hair from blowing into their faces.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, here we are,\u201d Tabby announced unnecessarily as they crested a rise and saw the farmhouse before them in a cozy little valley. A spattering of raindrops had started.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a chicken coop and bee hives,\u201d Thomas said, getting the lay of the land, \u201cbut I don\u2019t see anywhere to keep sheep.”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Oh, I remember this place,\u201d Tabby recalled, taking a closer look at the buildings. \u201cTiny and I came out here sometimes.”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas knocked on the door of the little blue cottage. It was opened promptly by\u2026 a sheep. The ram was not the standard garden variety farm animal, but was instead colored in a palette usually associated with ponies, having a blue body with a curly green topknot of hair.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoctor! Glad to see you. Come in,\u201d the ram invited, opening the door wide just as the downpour began in earnest.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn’t realize you were a farmer that was a sheep,\u201d Thomas confessed, stepping across the threshold.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAye, that’s what I told you on the phone, ain’t it?\u201d The ram looked at him strangely. \u201cA sheep farmer,\u201d he clarified. \u201cWe\u2019ve got chickens and beehives and the cherry orchard, of course.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo the ewe is\u2026\u201d Thomas worked out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy wife, of course, Sheila,\u201d the ram stated. \u201cI\u2019m Grant.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNice to meet you,\u201d Thomas said, shaking his hoof.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, look who it is, Miss Tabby!\u201d Grant exclaimed when he saw the pink unicorn following the doctor. \u201cTiny said that you\u2019d up and left him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was his idea,\u201d Tabby pointed out, barely avoiding knocking her head on an overhead beam in the relatively tight quarters. Everything was on a slightly smaller scale than customary in equine dwellings.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSheila, the doctor is here, and guess who the midwife is; it\u2019s Miss Tabby,\u201d Grant said, leading them to a curtained-off area in the one-room cottage. \u201cShe\u2019ll tell you nothing\u2019s wrong, but don\u2019t listen to her,\u201d he continued, addressing the medical team.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s making a fuss over nothing,\u201d the pale orange ewe said from the bed, shaking her head. Though smiling, it was clear she was in some distress by the pained look in her eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cContractions started mid-afternoon,\u201d Grant said, hovering about. \u201cBut there\u2019s been no progress.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThese things take time,\u201d Sheila chided. \u201cIt\u2019s the way of nature.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat may be,\u201d Thomas agreed, \u201cbut since we\u2019re here, let’s just check on things.\u201d He\u2019d never had a patient capable of speech, and that part was a bit unnerving.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe thought we kept sheep!\u201d Grant chortled as the examination got underway. \u201cThe very thought!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAh, yes, our poor dumb kinsmen, bless them!\u201d Sheila agreed. \u201cNo, too close a relation to stomach the keeping of.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy Great-Uncle Angus married one,\u201d Grant noted conversationally, even as he paced about nervously. \u201cThey all said he was crazy, and expected her to go frolic in the meadow instead of meeting him at the altar; but there she was at the church and baa-ed her way through the vows. Eighty fine years they had together.\u201d He nodded with conviction.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCan I ask why you didn\u2019t go to the hospital maternity ward?\u201d Thomas asked the couple, trying to keep concern from his voice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Grant shrugged. \u201cThe hospital isn’t always willing to work with our kind.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou hear about it happening sometimes, but usually we’re sent to a vet for our ailments,\u201d Sheila added. \u201cBetween Tiny and Doc Martingale, our needs are pretty well met.\u201d Moments later, she cried out as a contraction wracked her body.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell? How do things look?\u201d Grant asked anxiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a good thing you called,\u201d Thomas admitted. \u201cThe lamb\u2019s head is entering the birth canal, but not the feet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The couple exchanged worried glances. \u201cIs it serious?\u201d Sheila asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s correctable,\u201d Thomas assured them. \u201cI\u2019ll need to push the lamb\u2019s head back and then pull the legs forward to proceed to a normal birth position.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, what are you waiting for?\u201d Sheila said, mustering a brave smile. \u201cGet on with it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Things progressed quickly from there on.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRemember to breathe, dear,\u201d Grant entreated, holding his wife\u2019s hoof.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think I don\u2019t know how to breathe!\u201d Sheila snapped, her brow shiny with sweat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, most species get on just fine without a coach,\u201d Tabby said, frowning at Grant.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTabby,\u201d Thomas said warningly. This was hardly the time to argue birth plan strategies.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Tabby snapped, her voice rising. \u201cI\u2019m just saying she doesn\u2019t need someone shouting at her to do what\u2019s obvious!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s right, though,\u201d Sheila said, putting an end to the disagreement. \u201cGrant, dear, why don\u2019t you go boil some water?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Grant conceded, trotting off to the kitchen area.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t really need boiling water,\u201d Tabby pointed out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? Oh,\u201d Sheila laughed. \u201cThat\u2019s just what we always have the fathers do to keep them out of the way–something to occupy their minds, the poor dears. The lambing process is quite an ordeal for their nerves.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat makes sense,\u201d said Tabby. \u201cNow, just, uh\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBreathe?\u201d Sheila supplied.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere,\u201d said Thomas triumphantly. \u201cThe lamb is in place.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It was not long before Tabby placed a wrapped bundle in Sheila\u2019s forelegs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, just look at the wee mite,\u201d said the awestruck father, who had returned from his task.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s perfect,\u201d Sheila agreed, beaming down at the tiny aqua lamb with a tiny tuft of curly lavender hair. \u201cWe’ll name her Lorna, after my mother; and what is your given name, Doctor?… There you go, Lorna Thomasina, a very sensible name.\u201d She nodded firmly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s really not necessary,\u201d Thomas protested while washing his hooves.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNonsense, the matter is decided,\u201d Grant sided with his wife. \u201cLorna Thomasina it is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo offense to you, dear; you have been lovely,\u201d Sheila said, turning to Tabby and patting her hoof. \u201cBut throw a Tabitha in there, and I think that\u2019s a bit too much, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI completely agree. I don\u2019t have much use for it myself,\u201d Tabby said with conviction.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometime during the delivery, the storm that had been threatening had come to pass; though the wind, thunder, and lightning had hardly been paid heed to by the occupants of the cottage as they had more important things to occupy their minds. Now the fierceness of the storm had, for the most part, dissipated; but a pounding rainfall continued.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t think of heading back in this weather,\u201d Grant pointed out as the two ponies collected their supplies. \u201cYou\u2019ll need to wait it out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStay for supper,\u201d Sheila invited, reclined on the bed while Lorna nursed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, don\u2019t put yourself out on our account,\u201d Thomas said, shaking his head. \u201cYou have more important things to focus on. We would be underhoof.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNonsense, Grant is perfectly capable,\u201d Sheila volunteered her husband. \u201cHe makes a passable alfalfa casserole.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, dear,\u201d said Grant dutifully, taking down a bowl from a kitchen cabinet.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not Grandmother\u2019s mixing bowl!\u201d Sheila was aghast. \u201cThe very idea!\u201d The lamb bleated, too, as if also offended by her father\u2019s ignorance.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOoh, that\u2019s a 535 Pyrogine, orange sunset design exclusive to 1963, highly collectible,\u201d Tabby observed, jumping into action. She helped locate a less historically significant bowl, but that was the extent of her kitchen expertise.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dinner preparation was a companionable time, with Grant regaling the ponies with tales of his origins in the pastureland around Greenwoods, his courting of Sheila, and the couple\u2019s move to Cherry Valley Farm. Tabby was remarkably inefficient at peeling potatoes, but otherwise things went according to plan. By the time they sat down at the rough-hewn table and benches, the rain was letting up; and when clean-up was done, there was a hint of orange sunset in the sky.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s gettin\u2019 dark,\u201d Grant observed, walking with them to the door after a last check on mother and lamb. \u201cYou\u2019re welcome to spend the night.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you\u2019ve done more than enough already,\u201d Thomas assured their host.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLiable to have wolves set upon you,\u201d Sheila piped-up from across the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAye, just like Uncle Robby,\u201d Grant said somberly, shaking his head. \u201cHe learned his lesson.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGod rest his soul,\u201d Sheila murmured.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStill,\u201d Grant continued, his visage brightening, \u201cthat was up in Westridge twenty years ago, and wolves aren\u2019t as plentiful here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I have a hodag,\u201d Tabby offered. Othello was patiently waiting on the porch, his spiked tail wagging gently back and forth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell then, I reckon that\u2019s fine,\u201d Grant conceded.<\/span><\/p>\n

Parting words were exchanged–notes on caring for mother and baby, and entreaties to visit–and then the ponies and hodag started out for home.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

The dirt path to the farm was muddy from the rain; but once they were back on the paved county road, the way was a bit smoother. Water dripped down from the surrounding trees.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey may not have much,\u201d Tabby said with a last wistful look back in the direction of the farm, \u201cbut little Lorna will be happy, don\u2019t you think?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think they have plenty of what matters. So, yes,\u201d Thomas said, wondering about her contemplative turn.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2026\u201d Tabby trailed off, then continued cautiously: \u201cAre you close to your parents?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026 was. They\u2019re gone\u2026\u201d Thomas sighed. Even after all these years, he tried to avoid the straight-forward term<\/span> deceased<\/span><\/i>, and instead settled on, \u201cLost at sea.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh! I\u2019m sorry.\u201d She awkwardly turned away, clearly at a loss for words.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas hurried to fill the void, lest she leave off the conversation entirely. \u201cIt\u2019s fine,\u201d he said. \u201cThere may have been some rough patches growing up, but overall\u2026 we were close.\u201d <\/span>Except at the end<\/span><\/i>, he reminded himself guiltily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019d be proud of you. I mean,\u201d she hastily clarified, perhaps embarrassed at the sentimental turn, \u201cyou\u2019re a doctor; there\u2019s not much more a parent could wish for.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think there are more considerations for a parent than their offspring\u2019s level of education,\u201d Thomas said, looking at her quizzically.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby gave him a disbelieving glance, but said nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour parents\u2026 you don\u2019t talk about them,\u201d Thomas noted. \u201cDo they live in this area?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby shrugged. \u201cMy mom lives abroad; travels a lot for business. I don\u2019t see her much.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd your father?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLost on an expedition in the Himalayas,\u201d she said quietly. \u201cHe was a hippologist. Working on his doctoral thesis.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Thomas echoed her remark from earlier.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was just five,\u201d Tabby said dismissively. \u201cI don\u2019t remember him much.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas suspected she cared more than she let on, but let the topic rest. They lapsed into silence as Thomas considered the meager information she had offered, that though short of details, was beginning to reveal a picture of a family with high expectations, of which Tabby felt she had fallen short.<\/span><\/p>\n

About a mile away from town, Othello stopped and pricked his ears, and Tabby put out a hoof to stall Thomas. There was a rustling in the bushes, and suddenly a majestic canine creature appeared, silvery gray with pointed ears and tapered snout. It looked the ponies in the eye for a moment before bounding across the road on its hind legs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere <\/span>are<\/span><\/i> wolves,\u201d Tabby said, after an indeterminate amount of time had passed to process the encounter. She was apparently unphased and stepped forward, once Othello had indicated it was safe to do so. \u201cBut around here, it\u2019s more common to run into a dog-man.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Thomas said, heart racing at the unexpected sighting of a creature that was surely large and strong enough to inflict real damage. And the look in its eyes had been unsettling; as if it was not happy and trying to communicate something…<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo one has agreed on whether they are sentient or not,\u201d Tabby said as an aside. \u201cIn any case, they are very discreet and don\u2019t care to communicate with ponies.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t suppose they\u2019ll be seeking medical help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cProbably not,\u201d she agreed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before long, they reached the outskirts of town, and other pedestrians were spotted, so it no longer felt like they were alone in a primal world. The encounter still had an eerie hold over Thomas\u2019 consciousness, yet with Tabby by his side\u2026 she was so strong and capable. These sorts of things didn\u2019t rattle her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, this is my turn,\u201d she said as they arrived at the intersection of Park and River Streets. She hesitated, shifting weight on her hooves.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll see you home,\u201d Thomas offered quickly. But Othello looked at him, baring his fangs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have Othello,\u201d Tabby said with a grin. \u201cNo need for chivalry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas found himself feeling resentful of the hodag. \u201cWell\u2026 see you tomorrow,\u201d he said at length. \u201cGood work today.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks. Yeah,\u201d she said with a quick nod, before finally turning and walking away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas looked thoughtfully at her retreating form. He had felt really close to her today, and for the first time felt confident in considering her a friend, not just an employee. He hadn\u2019t had time for friendships in a long time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A friend\u2026 no, that\u2019s not what he was thinking of when he imagined leaving her with a goodnight kiss…<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t go there<\/span><\/i>, Thomas warned himself. A flirtation could ruin it. It was just as well that she had sent him on his way; it avoided temptation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sighing, he set out in the direction of the clinic.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Author’s note: Some geographic features in this universe share names from our world, like the Himalayas.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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