~Whew~ What started out as a cute meet between our eldest Oxen brother Jerak and the sweet young Melee, quickly turned into a head-butting of sorts between brothers. I'm slowly finding that my muses' indecisiveness is no longer surprising me. Is that a good thing or bad? Who knows. As long as I get a story out of it I'm gonna shoot for mellow yellowness. ;D
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Jerak sighed; relieved to see his youngest brother Arnold had remained where he’d left him—guarding the beautiful bovine, Melee. Upon arriving in the town of Talbot’s Peak, blessings had abounded for each of his brothers through an honest day’s work, hard labor and the sincere good will of their fellow shifters. For Jerak the blessings hit closer to home and he’d found his mate in a lovely young cow.
“That was fast.” Arnolds fear lay barely hidden by the mask of indifference he’d worn for so many years.
“Did Nick screw you out of our pay?”
His brother’s lack of trust cut Jerak as deeply as it did his brothers. They’d not been able to protect the sweet-hearted youth as they should have during those years after their parents death. The careless use and abuse they’d suffered while in their oxen forms left lasting impression on the smallest of them. “Of course not, Arnold. Nick is a fair and caring leader who found us work when we needed it the most.”
“Yes, back-breaking labor, so nice of him. Did he pay a pittance?”
“We are Ox, we do well with physical labor intensive work.” Jerak set his hand on his brother’s shoulder hoping to sooth the angry beast within, but being shrugged off instead.
“Can I have my cut now?”
“Yes.” His wallet bulged with both dollar bills and the town’s new currency.
“What’s that, fake money?”
“No, actually, this is a Talbie—currency of the realm, as it were. They can be used at all of the shifter run businesses in town and at the pleasure club. I’m not sure if the human run places are on board yet, but it sounds like Nick and Dante are still working on that.”
“Sounds like a crock of shit to me, Jerak or should I call you Jack. I’m surprised you didn’t let Nicky-boy talk you into taking some bean he’s calling the new penny.”
“Watch it, Arnold.”
“Just give me the damn money.”
Arnold’s defiance would get him into more trouble than he’d bargained for one day. He just hoped the youngest would let his brothers help him out when the time came.
“Spend it wisely.” Jerak said, handing over a fifth of the cash. “And thank you, brother, for watching over Melee.”
“Whatever…”
~~~
Serena
