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Owain was still receiving firm looks and mutters behind his back the next day. As far as the other could tell, the bull had learned nothing during his sleep outside. Nobody said anything to him at the table, eventually leaving one by one until he was the only one there. At the very least, the large bovine got to enjoy more of the cow’s milk to start his day.

Work was harder than usual since he was left to work by himself. With the contract for Beau’s milk now set in stone, some crates were sent to the ranch. In those crates were some things that Wayne sent to make the process all the much easier for the both of them.

One of the crates contained a brand new and rather heavy fridge just for storing the milk. Owain handled it on his own, not bothering to ask for assistance from others. It wasn't as if help had been offered in the first place. From his perspective, he had been outcasted in less than a day and dwelling on that thought made him angry all over again.

All day, the bull only received the cold shoulder from everyone. Even Storm and TJ were quick to disregard him, only talking to him if necessary and keeping conversations as brief as they needed to be. And if he dared cross paths with Danny all eyes were on him as if he was going to pounce on the human.

Danny was the coldest of all, pretending that Owain was not even there. He would go out of his way to acknowledge someone else if he needed something or some help, to which the others were quick to lend their assistance instead.

Owain just found this entire situation wholly unprofessional. Everyone else was acting childish, walking on eggshells around him while also coddling Danny. It seemed he was the only one working hard and getting his job done…

“Look at him out there,” Riley said to his twin. The two of them were loading up some bales of hay that were to be taken away. He was referring to the bull leaning against the fencing, looking out into the ranch’s horizon.

“Acting as if he's the victim,” Ryan huffed. “Whatever. It’s not up to us to explain it to him.”

Once they were done loading up the trailer, the two of them went off to take a little break. As they walked side by side, the duo came across Danny, who was washing the windows to Hudson’s house, doing so while standing on a ladder that seemed a bit unsteady.

“Need some help there?” Ryan asked. On either side, the goats held the ladder steady while Danny washed the rest of the window’s leaving them without a spec of dirt or grime.

“Hoo... Thanks, guys,” Danny told them. There hadn't been anyone nearby so he did the job on his own.

“No problem,” the two of them said at the same time, still holding it until Danny came down.

“How are you holding up, bud?”

“Fine, thanks. I digested everything that happened yesterday. It feels good to be working, just to distract myself a bit,” Danny admitted.

“Good to see you up and at 'em,” Riley nodded.

“Hey, can I ask why you two wear gold?” Danny finally asked, referring to the tooth and earring the respective twin adorned.

“It’s the only thing that can tell us apart,” Riley explained with a laugh while pointing out his earring. “I remember when we first came here. Sometimes I would take it off and give it to Ryan and we would mess with the others.”

“Bet you wouldn't be able to tell us apart without them,” Ryan chuckled, crossing his arms.

“Yeah, but we like to work in the background,” Ryan said, leaning against the house’s side.

“And there being two of us makes things so much easier,” Riley nodded.

“Hmm, double the trouble, huh. I’ll make sure to keep my eyes peeled. For now, I have a few more things to do. Thanks, guys,” Danny told them as he grabbed his rag and bucket, leaving the twins alone.

[center]***[/center]

In the town, there was a little meeting of a certain group of rats. They called themselves the Razor Crew. It was the first thing suggested and it was agreed upon without any further consideration. Each member was a young adult who shared the belief that things like college or seeking a job were for the birds. So once the group was large enough, being made of six so far, they decided to become actual street rats.

Most of their funds came from petty theft, stealing from properties during the night, taking things and trying to resell them for some quick cash. But every once in a while they dared to use their numbers to mug someone.

Even though they acted like a gang, none of the rats carried any kind of weapon, solely relying on their numbers to intimidate money out of their targets. Overall they were more akin to juvenile delinquents than the proper criminal organization they saw themselves as.

“Man.. And we were so close too...” the leader of the gang, Vale groaned.

“Damn, butt-sniffer...” another member, Sean grumbled as well, referring to the nosy sheriff.

The two of them and the others were taking refuge in a far corner of town, where things were a bit run down, slated to be turned into a future project, but it had been 5 years since it was meant to start. They made the place their own but kept an eye out for the “affectionately” mentioned sheriff, who always had an eye on them and always appeared just when things were getting good.

“And a human too...” another, named Pete, put in. “Hardly any of those around here. Bet he had some good stuff on him.”

“It’s that damn D’Laney, always poking his nose where it doesn’t belong,” Sean continued to mutter. He was hardly in a good mood most of the time, but it was always worse when their attempts had failed. “How about we finish what we started? You think he would follow us all the way to that little ranch?”

“Even if he did,” Vale chuckled, liking the sound of it. “He can’t arrest us for going on a light countryside walk right?” He and the others sneered as a plan was already forming between them.

[center]***[/center]

It was nearing the end of the workday officially but TJ and Prince had finished up their duties earlier than expected. The pig was rather excited, leading the hog away. After hearing the latter’s confession yesterday, TJ saw him in a new light.

The two of them took a walk out past the main area, staying close to each other. Prince very much enjoyed the feeling of peace that came from just taking in the fresh air and the various sounds of nature. He noticed that the one accompanying him had taken some strides to make him more comfortable, wearing shorts and smelling much, much cleaner.

“Well, this is nice,” Prince admitted.

“Yeah, it sure is,” TJ nodded.

The two of them went out until they reached a field of flowers that grew closer to the forest. That was where the two of them sat down and enjoyed the soft sounds of nature, from the rustling of leaves to the chirps of birds.

Sitting so close, Prince felt his heart starting to race. They didn’t just come out here to enjoy the sights. The hog decided to take TJ up on the offer, to teach him how to “ease up.” He was nervous about things like this, but it wasn’t as if he didn’t want to.

“Hey,” TJ said. He could see the hog’s anxiousness in the little fidgets of his body. “Mind if I tell you a story?”

“What kind of story?” Prince asked, now taking interest.

“A story about a young pig who came from a simple home, raised by his mom. He never wanted much, taunt to enjoy the little things in life. But of course, every kid wants more, mostly because of what the other kids had. They teased him and flaunted their new stuff and made fun of him for not having it. This made him act out a bit, leading him to wonder what he really wanted out of life. He was perfectly happy with everything he had, so why did he suddenly want more? A question like that stuck with him for a long time...”

Prince listened and nodded.

“And then it was time for him to grow up and go out into the world. And for some time, he just wandered around with no purpose and no place to go. So he took odd jobs that only lasted a day, giving him enough to at least get something to eat. But one of those jobs brought him to a place that was owned by a wolf. And there were two bulls, two goats, and a recently hired horse. They were all more than nice enough, but they reminded him of his love of the simple things. Simple sights and simple pleasures, doing what you feel like, for the sake of yourself and your own happiness, no matter what anyone else says...” TJ went on. “And at the end of that day, the wolf liked what he saw and decided to keep him on, offering everything would need in exchange for some old fashioned hard work. And the pig would have been stupid to say no.”

He chuckled as he finished his story, looking over at Prince who wore a soft expression.

“So, does a certain hog have a story to tell?” TJ asked playfully.

Prince snorted and laughed. “Well. I actually grew up from a pretty wealthy family from the city beyond here. I also had everything I could have wanted, but that came in the form of things. Of course, when you’re young, there’s never too much you can have. But with those things, I also had the desires of my parents to satisfy. They had high expectations for me. As long as I was good, they brought me more things...”

“But for a long time, something felt wrong. I did more than well in school, winning a few awards. That certainly pleased them. But they wanted more. More awards and greater achievements. That continued up until it was time to go off to a chosen college. But that feeling never left me, just growing stronger and stronger. And the day before I was to be sent to the next step of my life, I realized what the feeling was... It was an emptiness. Every part of my life was decided in advance and those many things kept me distracted and motivated to follow their every word. When that finally sunk in for me... Something compelled me to just run away. I was an adult then and was sure that I could fend for myself. And that eventually led me to a small town where I ran into a certain wolf. He saw that I needed some help so he bought me something to drink and we talked. I told him a story just like this and he offered to house me for a few days in exchange for work.”

“And I remember you weren’t so keen on getting your hands dirty,” TJ chuckled, nudging the other porcine’s shoulder. Prince couldn’t help but laugh a bit as well.

“It was early days. I don’t mind it as much now. There’s something rather rewarding once you see the fruits of your labor.”

“Sure is,” TJ nodded.

“TJ.” Prince said, his tone changing. “I know you and I don’t often see eye to eye, but I do enjoy your company. Your ways are just the complete opposite of everything I grew up to know. And in a strange way, I find myself becoming rather jealous of you; how bold you are and unapologetic your actions are as well. Sometimes, I wish that I could be more like you.”

“R-really?” TJ asked with widened eyes. “That’s funny cause I always felt some pressure when you arrived. You speak so well and you’re not like any pig or hog I met before, wanting to keep yourself all prim and proper. I honestly couldn’t help but compare myself to you...”

“Then... Let’s agree that we’re both very different,” Prince suggested.

“Very, very different,” TJ nodded.

The two of them sat in the flowers and enjoyed the quiet that came soon surrounded them, feeling a shared, deeper understanding for each other.

[center]***[/center]

“Hey, Danny.” Marlo said. On his face a small smile. It brought a smile to the ranch hand’s own face, who came back to the Stables after a long day of doing chores. It was hard work and his body still panged with the slight ache of exertion. But it felt good to get things done and even better when he could finally sit down and get something to refresh himself.

“So, how goes it?” Danny asked the highland bull, who sat on the other side of the table.

“Things are going just fine. Thanks for asking,” Marlo nodded. “We managed well enough in the fields with the two of us.”

“You and Storm, you mean?” Danny pressed. And in response, he received a nod from the long haired bovine.

“I don’t know if you guys should just avoid him. Sure, I don’t trust him right now but is it worth being an extra hand short?” Danny asked with concern.

“We’ll be fine. After all, it might help him realize what he did wrong...”

Danny hoped that was the case. He was getting the hang of the chores and felt he didn’t need the assistance of Owain in any way. But if someone else like Marlo or Storm were to offer their assistance, he would be grateful for it.

Speaking of which, the clydesdale showed up next, panting as he came in, clearly winding down from the work he came back from. With him came the scents of earth and sweat. He said nothing until he had a drink, sighing in delight then going on a bit of a small rant about tilling the soil on his own. He understood the reason why, but the stallion seemed to realize just how much an extra bull could contribute.

The ranch hand tried to console the horse, praising his efforts so far. That did lift the Storm's spirits and a cup of some milk brought his plucky demeanor back.

“I’m just still pretty pissed at him. Not only for what he did, but what he said. But now I feel kind of bad for punching him like that,” Storm said while looking at his fist.

“You did that?” Marlo asked, referring to the black eye that Owain gained overnight.

“If you would have been there, you’d probably have done worse,” the equine snorted, his tail flicking.

While taking another sip to calm himself again, he and the others heard the clopping hooves of someone else approaching. And turning around revealed that it was Beau. The edge that rose quickly fizzled out. His heavy hooves carried a distinct ‘thump’ that was very similar to Owain’s.

“What’s with that look?” Beau asked. He saw Storm with a cup of his milk and gasped. “Is something wrong with my milk? Is the taste not right? I knew I should have went to bed earlier--”

“Beau. It’s great,” Storm assured, taking a drink to prove it.

“Are you alright?” Danny asked. Even Prince wasn’t as quick to become distraught.

“I’m sorry,” Beau sighed, sitting down. “I take my milk very seriously. I’m pretty proud of it. All my life, they always told me that I was one in a million. Some even called me a mutant, but not in a bad way. No, back at my old farm they told me to always be proud of what I could do.”

“And they were right,” Storm smiled, licking his lips.

“Seeing others drink my milk is like watching a food critic try a meal you worked so hard to make. You know it’s good, but in the back of your mind there’s that fear that you slipped up somewhere. When the farm was first threatened with closure, I put pressure on myself to make the best milk I could. Maybe I could have stopped what was coming. I know it had nothing to do with me specifically, but you can’t help but take it a bit personally when you put so much belief in making a change.”

“Sorry to hear that,” Marlo said.

“It’s alright. It wasn’t all bad. When it did go under, they had already found places for the others to go to. Other farms and ranches across the country. But I was in a sort of holding. The higher ups didn’t believe that a male cow could produce quality milk nor did they believe my records. I had to wait for one to show up and give them a...demonstration. Once that was all done, I was told of a place that would be the perfect fit for me.”

“And that’s here, right?” Danny snickered.

“And they were right. I’ve only been here a bit but it’s been amazing. Meeting you guys, getting time to just do what you want... And tending to my many needs most of all. Hehe. I hope I’m not too high maintenance,” Beau said, referring to Danny.

“No way. You’re amazing, Beau,” Storm piped up. “You make more milk than any other cow I’ve ever seen.”

“Well, males are always producing, right? And I’m not bad looking either..!”

Just as the others were laughing, the twins showed up, followed by TJ and Prince. It was a surprise to see the two of them not arguing. In fact, they looked rather content in each other’s presence, sitting down and joining the conversation.

Beau recounted his whereabouts before his arrival to catch the others up, and they listened to every word with interest. Danny looked around and noticed that most of the Stable crew were inside. And though he was not thrilled at the idea of seeing him again, he couldn’t help but wonder where Owain was.

The bull in question had distanced himself from the others. If they did to him, then he wasn’t going to come back and willingly be shunned.

Owain just kept replaying the previous day’s events, being so close to getting what he finally wanted and then having it be ripped away at the last second. It made him seethe and he just stewed in it as he walked just outside of the ranch’s front gates.

As deep as he was into his thoughts, Owain’s instincts alerted him to something. His ears flicked in response to a sound but he wasn’t sure where it came from. He dared to look around but found nothing at first. With a groan he thought it was just his imagination until he heard some snickering behind him.

Turning around quickly, he saw some rats appearing out of the bushes. First there were three, he was sure that they would be easy to take on. But that number doubled into six, making him less sure.

“Well, what’s this I see?” Vale asked. He reached his fingers out and Pete handed him a cigarette. It was already lit and the rat slowly puffed on it. “A steer that wandered out of his pen.”

“What should we do with him, boss?” Sean asked.

“I think it’s only right that we herd him back to where he belongs. Or, we could take him over to the butcher’s. I bet we’d get a good price for him too.”

The gang closed around him. Owain’s size was a disadvantage. The rats easily dodged the swings of his fists and in turn pushed him around. Their snickering surrounded him, only making him angrier. Then he was tripped by something. And as he fell to the ground with a heavy thud, hands were grabbing at his body, first holding him down then lifting him up.

“It’s our big payday, boys!” Vale laughed. He led them and they were carrying the struggling bull towards town.

For a moment, Owain started to panic. He was sure that their threat about the butcher was bluff, but what were they going to do to him other than that? The moment they realized he had no money on him, they were going to be pissed...

Just as he began to fear the worst, the rumbling of Hudson’s truck caught his ear. And there he was, returning from town after delivering the daily supply of milk. The truck came skidding to a halt before the wolf stepped out with a shotgun in hand.

“Put him down and get the hell away from my property!” Hudson growled, cocking the weapon.

“Oh fuck! It’s the old nutter! Book it, boys!”

They dropped Owain to the ground and the unprepared bull was soon face planted into the ground, getting a mouthful of dirt. The rat’s facade of toughness scattered just as fast as they did, hightailing it back to town, leaving Hudson to sigh. He put his shotgun back in the truck and helped Owain up.

“Thanks, Hudson.”

“Owain...” the wolf said with a stern tone to his voice.

“I know... Trying to fight them was dumb.”

“The way I see it: There is dumb...there is stupid...and then there’s whatever the hell you were thinking yesterday with Danny.”

Owain huffed and rolled his eyes. Was this all anyone had to talk to him about?

Hudson noticed the bull’s attitude. But rather than getting mad, he instead put his hand between the bull’s legs and groped his crotch.

“H-Hudson! What the hell?!” Owain jumped.

“What, you don’t want someone hitting on you right now?” the wolf asked.

“Wha- Hell no! I’m still trying to calm the fuck down after those...” The bull stopped when he realized that these words were rather familiar.

“Then why the fuck did you think it was a good idea to hit on Danny after he just came back from a similar situation?” Hudson pressed.

“I... I didn’t know he had been through that...”

“That’s because he was trying to tell you.”

Owain thought back and did recall Danny mentioning something about rats and the sheriff, but he was too focused on where his hand was to actually listen.

“I... Oh... Oh fuck...” the bull groaned.

Hudson just rolled his eyes and shook his head. More often than not, he saw even the crew as his own. And just like his own sons when they got bullheaded, giving it to them straight was just what youngsters needed to be sorted out.

“You better count yourself that Danny’s smaller or you would be walking around with a shiner on each eye,” Hudson chuckled then his expression turned serious again. “Now. What you need to do is stop moping around and make things right.”

After patting the bull on the back, he couldn’t help but smirk again. “Start using the head between your shoulders, Owain. I know you can, those witty pranks of yours ain’t come from nowhere.”

Those words made the bull think. He nodded and joined Hudson in the truck, riding the rest of the way with a lot to ponder. The wolf had a point. At this point he had to regain the trust of Danny and the others. Just suddenly apologizing after the way he acted wasn’t gonna cut it. It was only now that he realized how beyond stupid he was. if he couldn’t tell the others that he cared, then he would show it in the best way he knew how.

That night, he slept outside again. He felt more focused than ever, having a clear goal in mind and the building drive to make it happen. Soon, the bull closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, actually looking forward to what the next day would bring.