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A Tale of Two Avians: Chapter 10Chapter 10: Looking on the Bright SideMeanwhile, at the time when Becky started brawling with Edna, Avery had been yanked out of the tent by surprise before he could think about stopping his wife from hurting herself. His back had been turned to the crowd and on his wife when this happened, never knowing that someone from the horse race had taken his chance to seize the buzzard rancher by the back of his shirt, clasping a hand around his beak to keep him from yelling with the other arm wrapped around his waist."Quit yammerin' you bird brain," the sinister voice threatened in a whispering tone."Hmmr?" Avery asked, recognizing the voice of what sounded like Hunter Smith.He tried calling for help, but to no avail, not even when there was not enough folks where Hunter was taking him. Almost everyone was in the dancing tent where the crowd noise and music blocked out other lower sounds, nobody seeing or hearing Avery being carried off into the darker alleyway.Once Hunter had reached another area out of sight from the townsfolk, he threw Avery roughly to the ground, putting his foot on the buzzard's back and said to him:"The boss would like a word with you!""Who?""He means me!" With the sudden voice came a light inside what Avery found to be a tent, illuminated by a large oil lamp on a table, lit by none other than…."Edward Nosedive?"The bald eagle in the dark blue suit and top hat sat beside the oil lamp, looking at Avery on the floor unamused, after Hunter removed his foot from him. Then Edward spoke to the buzzard farmer sarcastically with a smirk. "So how does it feel to finally win your first horse race, hmm?""Is that the reason you dragged me all the way here?" Avery scoffed, getting on his knees and dusting his shirt. "I ain't got time to hear what you got to offer, but I need to get back to my wife and child who are expecting me, so would you kindly tell your partner here to let me pass?" He turned around to leave, but blocked by Hunter who pushed him further to where Edward was seated."Come now, there's no need for us to get all hateful with each other here," Edward tried to sound insistent. "But let me remind you of who it is you're talking to." He clicked his fingers, signaling for Hunter to take something out of his pocket by surprise, then pinning it to Avery's shirt."What is this?" Avery looked down to see that it was a pin labeled VOTE FOR EDWARD NOSEDIVE."You see partner, I ain't such a bad guy that other folks claim to see me as," Edward suddenly turned from sarcastic to insistent when presenting that voting badge. "And let me assure you that I have no such hatred or resentment towards you and your family. But you have no idea how hard and distressing it is to help keep everyone and this city in check. Like Mr. Condor, I only want what is best for this community the same as you only wish to provide for your loved ones. But Mr. Condor can't seem to understand it from my point of view. Therefore, if you vote for me as the new mayor, I promise that I will see to it that you are given the best job I can provide you with. All you have to do is turn down whatever opportunity Mr. Condor offers you or else I'll be ruined.""And what if I refuse?" Avery tested the eagle."Really now, is that any to talk to someone trying to be your friend here?" Edward remained calm in his seat, hardly moved by Avery testing him. "Of course, unless you'd rather live the rest of your lives in poverty with no bigger house and better food to eat, think it over as you leave and we can forget our past differences. What do you say?"Everything was quiet as Avery looked at the badge with Edward's name on it, thinking it over right away. While a new and better job to help better provide for his family sounded like a real dream come true, he was smart enough to know that there was something about the eagle's sudden "friendliness" that sounded too good to be true. And he was about to prove himself right when he suddenly grabbed the pin from his shirt, tore it off and threw it on the ground hard enough to then get a shocking reaction out of Edward who's smile turned into a startled frown."No thank you Mr. Nosedive!" Avery protested, stomping his foot down. "There are some types of deals and briberies that should never be taken!" With that simple statement, the eagle's scheming smile had fallen."But Mr. Buzzard, surely we can still come to…..""And I ain't as stupid and naïve as you think I am, not when I know a cheater when I see one. You think I don't know what really happened at the race or the dance?" Avery interrupted, stern as ever. "Is this how you plan to buy your way into any election, manipulation, cheatin' and bribery? I think I'll pass! Now if you don't mind, I got a wife n' child waitin' for me!"Avery then turned around to leave the tent, caring less about Hunter beside him. The only thing that stopped him was when Edna had pushed her way through the curtains, showing to still be a complete mess from her fight with Becky back in the dance floor, holding Edmund's hand at her side."Edna, what happened to you?" Edward sat up straight from his seat. He paid no attention to Hunter who was trying to keep himself from laughing at her messed up appearance."IT WAS THIS BONE PICKER'S WIFE THAT MADE A FOOL OF ME IN FRONT OF THE WHOLE CROWD!" Edna snapped, pointing an accusing finger straight at Avery and causing him to back away from her in alarm, her beak almost touching his when she got closer like some kind of predator. "THIS WHOLE DAY WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SPLENDID AND WOULD'VE STAYED THAT WAY IF YOU HAD NEVER COME INTO THIS TOWN!" She ranted some more, poking his chest twice.Avery stared at the woman in outrage and disbelief. "WHAT?! You got quite a big mouth there….or should I say a big BEAK!" He snapped back, attempting to get around her. "I say it was YOU n' your husband that made fools of yourselves! And if you want my honest opinion, that's quite a good look for you….goes with your ridiculous hat.""Why I…I never….ever…!"Edna hissed; face growing red from such an insult, refusing to acknowledge it as a fact. "You see what I mean Edward, he completely berated me!""That's my wife you're talking to buzzard," Edward stood up from his seat, ready to come to her defense. "I've been around your kind before to know what they are capable of.""And I've grown up long enough to be warned about men like you!" Avery huffed at him. "You like to talk big about how rich, tough n' powerful you are…..how much better you are than everyone else who ain't as rich as you! But the minute when somethin' don't go your way, you'd do anything to hide behind the largest bodyguard as a shield to carry out your dirty work in silencin' someone like me!" He stopped a moment to catch his breath and move Edna out of his way. "We got plenty o' words for men like you, but right now, all I can call you is a fraud.""WHY I…..I'LL!" Edna had then used both her hands to catch Avery by his shirt, getting ready to do whatever it was she had in mind until…"THERE YOU ARE MR. BUZZARD!"Edna was cut off when a voice boomed from the tent entrance, loud and demanding enough to bring silence on everyone inside, Clarence standing there with a displeased Callahan Condor."Your wife sent me to come find you. Edna, let him go, now!" The hawk sheriff had commanded."Then please take me to her sheriff," Avery wasted no time in running up to Clarence, after Edna released her grip on him. He knew that as these two being here meant neither, Edna, Edward, or Hunter would dare try to do anything horrid while they had been present. "I just wanna get back to my family and go home.""Come and follow me while we'll leave Mr. Condor to handle the matters here," Clarence had insisted as he took Avery back outside, knowing that Callahan can take care of himself as he would try to have a firm, political talk with Edward and his family rumored to have been causing trouble to a few good folks in this community trying to have a good time...........Elsewhere in another part of the fairgrounds, Becky had been sitting on a chair inside the tent where Clarence had taken her after the fight she had with Edna, all messy, and holding a crying Baron in her arms, rocking him as gently as she could, pleading in her mind for him to calm down and for Avery to be found safe and unharmed, not wanting to be without a husband or have her child be without a father if the worst happened with him."Becky, are you ok?" Mrs. Hedgehog was in the tent with her, not wanting one of her dearest friends to deal with this kind of bad situation all alone. "I'm sure they'll find Avery." She couldn't do much but stay by her side and glance down at the baby buzzard boy, now seeing his tears soften up."I…I'll be alright," Becky stuttered between harsh breaths, clearly trying to draw back tears in front of Baron. "I suppose once the sheriff comes back, I should apologize for….""Nonsense darlin', nonsense," Mrs. Hedgehog tutted, patting Becky's shoulder for comfort. "If this is all on anyone, it's that stuck up Edna behavin' like a child. That goes for Edward too." She concluded."But…""She's right; those two are in the wrong here, not you."Both ladies turned to see Clarence speak up and return to the tent entrance with Avery, alive and unharmed beside him."Oh Avery, I was so worried I'd lost you," Becky stood up and went over to him. "Thank you Clarence, but where did you find him?""Seems Mr. Nosedive thought he might have some kind of word with him about all the rumors that happened today with the race and the contests, but Avery refused to hear of his nonsense," Clarence didn't really like to lie to any of his friends, but he thought Becky deserved to hear the truth, whether they all liked it or not."Avery, I'm so sorry, I know that I shouldn't have….""Oh Becky, we can't let that dishonest pair get to us like this," Avery interjected, holding his wife as she still carried Baron. "Things might've gone a bit rocky here and there, but in the end, we still got each other. I won the race and you still won the pie contest….fair n' square.""And you might say that as we speak, Mr. Condor is givin' Mr. Nosedive a piece o' his mind where I found Avery," Clarence had added, flashing a wide grin. "I say rather than ruin it for everyone at the dance hall, they sure cheered n' laughed for you the moment when Edna landed with her rump in that punch bowl." He started to laugh hysterically."And she sure was throwin' one heck of a mighty temper tantrum when unable to press charges against you," Mrs. Hedgehog joined in the laughter. "Don't think there's ever been another gal that ever done that to someone like her." She could see a weak smile form on Becky's face as she let out a sniffle."Ya'll are right, what do I have to feel sorry for?" Becky said with a whimper, suddenly hearing Baron start to laugh before yawning. "I'm happy that we decided to settle here with the friends we made on the way.""Family and friends look out for each other ma'am," Clarence added. "Even if it means protectin' them from any high class ruffians."Avery could feel a smile of his own start to form. Watching the friends he made in this town stand up for him and his family made his heart swell with pride and warmth. Even Clarence and his deputies were willing to stand up against any rich folks that were not showing respect and compassion towards those that were less fortunate, willing to put their careers on the line to do what's right. And that made the buzzard family more grateful than ever."Well, I suppose we should get right on home now," Avery insisted, despite the looming specter of Edward and Edna's treatment towards them hanging over his mind, wanting to ignore what they said before and tell himself that they were in the wrong about them. He knew they already made enemies of the Nosedive family after this, but if Mr. Condor was giving them some kind of hell for what he might've been told, maybe there was nothing to worry about for now. He could only hope so. "My wife looks like she could use a bath, get her clothes all cleaned up, and its passed Baron's bedtime now that he's showin' that he's ready to sleep.""Understood, I'll go get your prize money and trophy to take home," Clarence let go of his friends as he went to go get the same awards won at the horse race, including the gold ribbon Becky won at the pie contest to which Edna tried snatching away from her before. "Better keep them someplace safe at home where nobody will find'em.""Thanks for your support," Avery gave a meek nod, knowing he and his family had nothing left to lose for now. "We'll be seein' ya'll tomorrow then. Goodnight now."The buzzard family said the rest of their goodbyes with friends outside, seeing that most of the townsfolk had left while others stayed behind to clean up the fair grounds. They would save their discussions for when they get back home, putting their son before everything else tonight. On the way home, Avery thought about the incident back in Edward's tent where he was worried that his life was on the line and might've been if Clarence and Callahan had not showed up in time. He was not willing to admit defeat and throw in the towel, not after the friends they made and the enemies that came with it...........An hour or two would now pass since the buzzard family got home safely without any further trouble, having parked the wagon in the barn safely and having time for Becky to bathe herself and put her clothes aside where she would wash them tomorrow, having no time to do it now when they were all tired out from the long day. Even Avery decided he needed a bath himself before they went to bed after tucking Baron in his crib for the night. Now he and his wife laid comfortably beneath the covers, having a minor discussion in the events that went on today."What is it Becky?" Avery asked, noticing that Becky seemed a bit dismal at his left side. "You wanna talk about it before I put the light out?"Becky sighed before she was able to answer. "Oh Avery, I just can't believe I could lose my temper like that in front of everyone. I'm supposed to be a good mother to Baron by settin' a good example for him, but you saw what happened. How could I….?"Avery chuckled slightly, shaking his head. "Oh Becky, you ain't got nothin' to feel sorry about, I assure you. Even Clarence and Mrs. Hedgehog agree. The worse that woman could've done was try to drag our son into it, so any lovin' Ma would've come to her child's defense and taught her a hard lesson. I even did the same towards Edward.""You have, what happened?" Becky looked at him with worry."He tried to offer me a better job if I would vote for him in the next election by turning my back on our friendship with Callahan and all our neighbors," Avery replied, remembering how he could see through Edward sounding too friendly in what he was offering. "But I could tell his sudden friendliness was too good to be true. Mr. Pronghorn was right, that eagle's the last candidate I would ever wanna vote for as mayor of this town.""Now that I think about it, I suppose there ain't nothin' to worry about no more tonight," Becky was starting to feel better, no longer feeling terrible about the dance floor brawl, finding it hilarious with how Edna sure made a mess of herself in the end and with Clarence refusing her request to press charges against her over something she and her husband started. "Oh, I almost forgot to mention what Mrs. Hawktail told me in the tent before Clarence found you.""Really, what was it?""Well, I wanted to wait till we got home before I said anything, but she came by and wanted to check up and see if I was doing alright after the fight with Edna. To cheer me up, she brought up how she had morning sickness recently this week and went to see the doctors.""And what did they tell her?" Avery was desperate to know if this would lead to anything bright and positive."She and Clarence are gonna have a baby. The egg now sits inside their home."The news delighted them both, finding more reasons to look on the bright side of things.
A Tale of Two Avians: Chapter 9Chapter 9: Pies and Brawls"I don't care about not winning the race," Bellamy admitted. "As long as you beat Hunter and his horse, yer more of a winner than he'll ever be."Avery nodded. "We sure showed him, didn't we?"Becky ducked under the rail, holding Baron in her arms and sprinted out to her husband. Avery hopped off Checkers and ran to throw his arm around Becky."Did yah see it darlin'?" He spoke. "Did yah see what happened? I never thought I'd win, but Checkers just kept on goin'.""Avery, we are so proud o' you," Becky smiled for him, relieved that Hunter did not throw him off course after all. "And yer Pa would be proud."Only a few civilians and employees had surrounded Edward Nosedive when he stormed past the Winner's Circle, ranting and raving which fell on the deaf ears of the crowd that gathered to congratulate Avery. "That was not fair and square, that was just a lucky hit! It was Hunter that was way ahead by default! I saw it happened, that buzzard should be disqualified, not rewarded!" He was so busy with his ranting that he barely noticed the same bee that stung Hunter's nose, flying and buzzing behind him. And Edward did not have a chance to finish what he was saying the moment that someone or something had somehow stung his tail feathers. "YEOW! OH, MY TAIL FEATHERS! SOMEBODY CALL THE DOCTOR!" He ran away from the crowd, hiding his bottom as he heard laughing behind him. "EDNA!"All the other civilians pushed through the crowd, seeing Avery hold the gold trophy in one hand and the money and ribbon in the other, standing next to Checkers. Becky stood next to the horse on the other side, holding Baron who was giggling at this point instead of panicking when some wanted to take pictures.Callahan Condor had been the one who handed Avery the trophy, money, and ribbon. "Congratulations Avery Buzzard. I never doubted you for a second out there on the track…. not when it brought back a lot of memories.""Thanks Mr. Condor. But I'd be nothin' without all the friends I made since we moved here. All I can say is it took a few lessons on ridin' my Pa used to teach me about respecting horses."Becky and Avery put their arms around their friends and neighbors, giving them all a hug. Several photographers that were from out of town took countless pictures that would soon appear in a few newspapers when they returned home."And that concludes the Fourth Annual Avian Township Race!" Callahan announced to everyone, hearing their cheers. "But that is only the beginning. The next two events to occur are the rope jumpers and the pie bakers! For those that signed up for the rope jumping event, follow the signs that point south. And for the ladies that signed up for the pie contest had best get ready and set their places up right to the north side!" The bands began to play when the folks then started to leave for those contests. Although the rope jumping was for children, it was still fun for parents to watch them compete."Well, it looks like I better get goin' Avery," Becky said, getting ready to walk as soon as the crowd lessened."Good luck Becky darlin'. I'll go find Sheriff Hawktail so I can ask him if he can hold onto this, so I don't end up losin' it," Avery was referring to the trophy and money, minus the ribbon that was pinned to his shirt."Aw, good thinkin' there dear," Becky nodded, understanding this, now marching to where the pie baking contest was going to take place. "I'll meet you there!" She left with Baron in one hand, carrying the picnic basket in the other hand...........At the north side of the events, Becky stood behind a stand with several more of the others that entered the contest, setting their pies on the table for the judge, being Mr. Pronghorn, to decide on the first, second, and third place winner for the gold, silver, and bronze ribbon. This was something he did every year for the Founder's Day pie contest, having explained the rules that contestants were to bake their own homemade pies and not buy them. Mrs. Hedgehog, Ruby Hawktail, Darla Dove, Becky…. even the dreaded Edna Nosedive had been waiting patiently as the bands continued to play, with Mr. Pronghorn inspecting the apple pie, cherry pie, strawberry pie, blackberry pie, blueberry pie, pecan, sweet potato, sugar, pumpkin, rhubarb, and chocolate chip. Mr. Pronghorn of course had some help from a few ducks that worked with him at the general store, taking their time in deciding, even though there were so many options to choose from with every pie looking so delicious that they knew only three would be chosen in the end."Ladies, I'm certain all yer pies are as sweet and delicious as they appear," Mr. Pronghorn has assured them all, after sniffing the cherry pie. "Right now, this has been a difficult decision for us all as I talked it over with my men here. I'm afraid we'll have to narrow it down to five choices."First, he tried Hillary's sweet potato pie, insisting it was very good and creamy. Next, he did Darla Dove's cherry pie, calling it standard and juicy. Third came in Ruby's blueberry pie, which he called grand. Next was Becky's turn with her traditional homemade apple pie, judged as perfectly sweet and traditional style. The last one had been Edna's chocolate chip pie, which he called delicious like a homemade cookie."Before I announce the winner, I will start off with handing the Bronze Ribbon to Mrs. Nosedive for her chocolate chip pie, congratulations!" He gave her the Bronze Ribbon for coming in at 3rd place, ignoring the fading smile from her face. "And to Ruby Hawktail, the Silver Ribbon for her blueberry pie." Now he turned to announce the winner of the Gold Ribbon at 1st place. "And Becky Buzzard, I award you the gold ribbon for your magnificent, traditional apple pie.""I…. I…." Becky could hardly say anything, staring in disbelief and excitement at the sight of the very gold ribbon being handed over to her. "…. thank you, Miles." She tried to appear humble when saying that, never thinking she was going to win with her simple apple pie. "I don't know what else to say."Ruby was the first to start clapping for Becky with the others following her, Edna being the last to clap lightly, doing her best to put on an impressive smile to hide her dissatisfaction from the others. While it was satisfying to win something, she could hardly believe that this was the first time with her being outshined by the wife of that other buzzard farmer who won the race. She hated it but couldn't show it. Her next moment would come; following another event they haven't yet announced which only needed volunteers with no need to sign up."Congratulations Becky, yer a fine baker," Ruby shook Becky's hand for support. "We're so mighty proud o' you.""It sure is grand, Mrs. Hawktail," Becky smiled, proud of her gold ribbon for this year. "Honestly, I only entered at first to share the family recipe with my new friends. I thought it would've been too simple to win anything.""I once thought the same thing when I entered my strawberry pie from last year," Ruby thought back to those events. "I may have ended with the Bronze Ribbon, but in the end, I learned that losin' every now and then is like learnin' to be better next time and to never stop tryin. And in this case, its character that counts above it all.""She's right," Mrs. Hedgehog stepped up. "For me, I just like to compete and join in on the fun so folks can share and enjoy the family recipe. Yours must have been passed down from generation am I right?""That, it has been," Becky nodded, hardly noticing Baron look at the gold ribbon curiously, trying to reach it as he liked the shining color of it."Looks like that gold ribbon has brought your son's attention to it, Mrs. Buzzard," Hillary started to chuckle at the cute sight of Baron reaching his hand out to his mother's prized ribbon."Oops, sorry Baron Honey, but this ribbon ain't no toy," she said softly, pinning it to her dress shirt. "It's something that folks like Mr. Pronghorn and the judges hand out when you win fair and square. But you'll understand someday if you should ever decide to compete in any future events.""Your ma's right, little one," Mrs. Hedgehog looked down on the tiny baby, wrapped up. "Besides, if you keep lookin' far too long at gold like that, it might give you gold fever.""A baby hit by gold fever?" Ruby looked at Mrs. Hedgehog strangely. "Nonsense. I see no gold nuggets twinkling in his eyes. I say he's just curious like all other babies can be.""Oh now, really?" Becky shook her head at the thought of Baron developing gold fever, despite already knowing that the ladies were only joking around, going along with it. "By the time our little Baron grows, me n' Avery will see to it that he steers clears from the path o' the gold fever before it finds him first."Edna Nosedive finally walked away from the pie stand, gathering everything now that her part in this contest was finished, taking Edmund's hand as they went on their way to not have to listen anymore to the ridiculous nonsense about the urban legend of gold fever. By then, in the midst of all the ladies' discussions, little Baron had somehow caught a glimpse of the eaglet turning his head to look at him strangely; too young to know or understand what it means to be given the cold stare..........."So, you lost the gold ribbon to Mrs. Buzzard, Edna?" Edward asked his wife. Him, Edna, Edmund, and Hunter Smith having gathered inside their personal tent. "There's always next year if she decides not to enter in it again. And what does it matter? Your chocolate chip pie is and will always be better than the rest of theirs." He was talking about the ladies that were in the same pie baking contest. "Even Mrs. Buzzard's.""My own chocolate chip pie beaten by Mrs. Buzzard's common apple pie?" Edna scoffed, tearing the third prize ribbon off her dress shirt and placing it on a small table. "We'll soon find out what happens at the dance if she ever decides to show up and outshine me there." She was then curious to know why else Mr. Hunter was in the tent with her husband. "And what else has Mr. Hunter done this time, more drunken outbursts?""No, I was just finished with calling out Mr. Hunter here on why he failed to use the secret weapon like I told him to before the race was finished!" He looked at Hunter sourly as he said this."I told you, it ain't my fault that the bee got on my nose without warnin' before I was just about to use it!" Hunter protested. "There were eyes all over….they would've seen me!""Not if you had rubbed yourself with olive oil to keep the bees away like I told you to!" Edward had shot back, rubbing his bottom while he ranted, catching Edna's attention."Was this the same bee that paid a visit to you next Edward?" She questioned, narrowing her eyes."What….no, absolutely not Edna!" Edward had denied, taking his hand away and blushing from humiliation. "I just sat on the wrong side of my seat after the race ended, losin' my bet!"Edna was hardly buying it, but decided to let it go when she was more concerned about something else. "Well whatever it is, what secret weapon have you been going on about? I'd like to know. This is my tent as it is yours.""Alright Edna, I'll tell you," Edward had grabbed a can of some kind off another table full of supplies and showed it to her. "Just a good dose of itching powder ordered all the way from Jersey City; that same shop where they sell other merchandise for pranks."At first, Edna scoffed slightly at the thought of her husband getting Hunter to cheat in order to win the bet. "Oh Edward, is that your way of…." She stopped in midsentence when a devious thought crossed her mind. "….how much is left in that can?""It's not half full yet….why darling?" Edward found it odd that she would ask him that.Without answering clearly, Edna quickly snatched out of her husband's grip and ran out of the tent, taking Edmund with her, leaving only a few words behind her. "I'll see you over at the dance square contest tonight!""Huh, I wonder what scheme may be goin' through her mind now," Hunter spoke up in confusion."Never mind her. If she's got a plan to get even with those buzzards that cost me the victory money, we will not interfere. But we'll be there to watch her take part in that dance. I know my wife, she's better than the rest of them put together." He and Hunter went back to discussing personal business...........A few hours had gone by since Avery and Becky won first place for the horse race and the pie baking contest. While Edna was busy plotting to get even with Becky, everyone else had been too busy watching the jump roping, tug o' war, hoop rolling, sack race, three-legged race, horseshoe toss, and everything else that had been listed on the schedule. Avery had taken part in the tug of war game with Clarence, helping him, and other strong men to win against the opposing team of coal miners that fell in the mud hole. Thanks to Clarence, Avery did not have to worry about his trophy, ribbon, and prize money being hidden away in the sheriff's tent, protected by his men for safe keeping. Their main job was to help put a stop to any kind of dangerous trouble that might pop up if folks should ever need their protection. For Avery and Becky, winning at least one first prize was more than enough for them, never being downhearted if they got second, third or fourth. Of course, Becky remembered in between hours to give Baron his nap or bottle in a quiet area, watching others having fun and chatting with their friends. And as happy as Avery had been with winning the horse race, in his mind, what Hunter had said to him before that he knew had something to do with Becky, having been wanting to ask her, but at the same time, could not spoil what was left of their joy and fun. Looking out for Baron was even more important than always winning, and became a relief from the bustling crowds and noise of the events still going on.By nightfall, the Founder's Day celebration was in full swing. The crowds were now hovering in and around the big striped tent where the dancing was about to take place and a music band was playing their instruments. Becky had loved dancing and never forgot her first dance with Avery before their wedding night.The music began and the couples of High Wind Gulch reeled around the floor. Mr. Pronghorn was swinging with one of the elderly women named Mrs. Sandra Sparrow who lived somewhere in the neighborhood across from the buzzard family's home. And Reverend Badger-field was already on the dance floor with his wife, hearing other couples laughing at several jokes being told to one another. Mrs. Hedgehog had volunteered to hold Baron while Becky and Avery had joined the others on the dance floor, watching the others dance about, followed by banjos, fiddles, and harmonicas as song after song went by such as "Turkey in the Straw" soon followed by "Bile Dem Cabbage Down" before "Cotton Eyed Joe, Tin Roof Blues," and "Dixie" that many folks liked to dance to."Swing your partner round and round and bring her back to me!" Sheriff Hawktail had been dancing around wildly with Ruby, both laughing in joy.By the time that the dance floor was packed and a new music tune had played, Bellamy couldn't help but wonder if Avery would ever let anyone else dance with his wife, even if they are close friends."Pardon me Avery, but would it be too much trouble if I danced with your wife just this once?" he asked as politely as he could.Becky looked to Avery with hope in her eyes, showing she wouldn't mind if she danced with another as long as he knew that she still loved him and nothing would come between them."Becky, you know I'd never hold a thing against our closest friends," Avery said mischievously, which was his way of saying she was more than welcome to try out dancing with Bellamy, seeing no threat from him unless it was one of their worst enemies.Nodding her head, Becky grabbed Bellamy's hand, both of them out on the dance floor in one step. Avery decided to stand at the edge of the floor where Mrs. Hedgehog was with Baron, having fallen asleep in her arms, despite the music and noise of the crowd going about. Many of them clapped along to the musical beat."Becky, I feel that I must warn you about someone here that might have it out for you and Avery as I overheard from one of the judges," Bellamy had said to her urgently, spinning Becky across the floor.Becky looked at him, puzzled. "What do you mean by that Bellamy? Who could possibly…?" She never got to finish her sentence the moment when both had been distracted enough to not notice someone else maneuver their way around and ACCIDENTALLY bump into Becky and Bellamy, knocking them off balance. Becky turned to see that it was Edna with Edward, spinning away laughing, answering her question right there on who the ram was referring to. There was no doubt that other than seeing them win in first place at the horse race and the pie contest, the crowd became delighted with the buzzard family's dancing that it was the final straw which infuriated the eagles, viewing them as some kind of competition getting in their way.Vexed, Becky did a cross-the-center cut with Bellamy and rammed directly into them, spinning away laughing, while Edna stood and glared daggers.Bellamy grabbed Becky's hand as the announcer brought the music to a halt. "Alright ladies, listen up now." He said, wiping the sweat from his brow. "And now folks, it's time to move onto the jig dance contest. Every lady that has signed up shall now come forward. So circle around and get jigging!"As the younger girls entered the circle to compete, Bellamy wished Becky luck after she had cursed Edna as believing herself to be the belle of the ball, stepping inside the dance circle once the music started, having been in many of these dance jigs before and never missing a beat. She had no idea what was Edna's problem or her husband's, but she sure as hell was not going to lose to her. From twenty ladies, it was down to fifteen, then ten, then five. The rule was to keep up with the music without missing a beat or else one mistake and you're out. Edna Nosedive had managed to avoid any cuts, dancing surprisingly well for such a stuck up bird woman, which Becky had thought, dancing over towards her."Which school in New Cattleton did you learn to dance so well?" She asked, half out of breath.Edna only laughed. "Oh darlin', if I told you my secret, I would not be the best dancer around here, now would I?"Becky was gigged by this horrid woman, not even the least bit winded, with her anger giving her a second burst of energy. By now there were three dancers left being Darla, Becky, and Edna, with her husband cheering her on."Dance the night away Edna love!" Laughed Edmund.Edna danced a circle around Becky and laughed in her face. Darla tried some fancy footwork herself, but a misstep had sent the restaurant owner back to the crowd where her husband and friends were waiting, so now it was finally down to Becky and Edna. Now the competition was as intense as ever, with the announcer keeping up a nonstop patter to push the band to play faster and faster. Becky thought her heart would give out too soon, feet up, feet down, in what seemed like a blurred motion of a hundred steps a minute. Edna was hardly that tired out with the crowd not having much faith in Becky lasting longer than her.With Becky still dancing, Edna looked over to Edward with anyone hardly noticing that he had given her a sign by nodding his head a bit as she was on the edge of the dance ring. He seemed to be using the "do it" sign in using that same itching powder she had swiped away which Hunter failed to use on Avery during the horse race. But at the last second, Becky thought something did not seem right with how those two were looking at each other, but said nothing and acted like she didn't notice, spurring herself into a final effort as the two bird women closed in tighter, allowing Becky to maneuver the dance over towards where the food and punch bowl sat on a table. Edna still followed closely behind her, playing along when secretly looking for that opportunity to push her over and sneak in the powder.Becky ducked in time as a "slipped elbow" went over her head and bent backwards as she saw whatever it was that Edna held before hit her square in the face, causing her to sneeze, blowing some of the particles on a few other bystanders that were watching, now scratching their faces terribly, allowing Becky to time it just right to spin around and bump her hip sideways at the moment when Edna was now bending backwards, now caught off balance and about to land on top of the table, until the eagle lady still had a few more tricks up her sleeve to see that this plot works."Here, take a sniff of this!"Hearing this, Becky turned around when she saw that Edna was ready to throw something at her, ducking just in the nick of time, hitting Edward straight in the face instead, and knocking him backwards and off his feet."What in tarnation is yer problem Edna?" Becky snarled at Edna, still scratching her face. "Can't handle a little competition in the way?""There ain't no way I'm losin' the spotlight to a buzzard in my book!" Edna had snapped. "And besides, I make better pies than you do!" And before she knew it, the eagle woman had leapt so suddenly at her, tearing off the same gold ribbon attached to her dress collar, tearing a hole there, but becoming more shocked in outrage and disbelief to see Edna holding it up high and out of reach.Becky's eyes grew wide. "HEY GIVE THAT BACK YOU TRAMP!" Even her anger grew as she furious with Edna's terrible attitude. "I WON IT FAIR AND SQUARE, UNLIKE YOU!" She tried reaching for it, only for Edna to keep her back with her free hand. "I SAY YOU WAS TRYIN' TO CHEAT HERE AGAINST ME!""You're just jealous that my family is rich n' powerful while you're so dirt poor!" Edna had hissed, holding the ribbon away.Avery could feel his fingers digging into his palms as he clenched his fists tighter to see how another female was treating his beloved wife. Years before, he was taught never to hit any girls, good or bad, but in this case, he was just about ready to break that promise he made in order to protect Becky, until some other force had grabbed hold to the back of his shirt, yanking him out of the tent which nobody noticed, too distracted by the fight going on."WE AIN'T POOR; WE JUST DON'T LIKE OVERSPENDIN' ON OURSELVES LIKE YOU DO!" Becky had snapped back. "I RECKON YOU ONLY MARRIED YER HUSBAND FOR MONEY INSTEAD OF LOVE THAT NO DOLLAR CAN BUY!" She tore a piece of Edna's rich clothing in retaliation."Hey, that's my best dress bone picker!" Edna retorted."Look who's talkin' here! You wanna piece o' me?!" Despite having been a buzzard woman all her life trying to avoid fighting with anyone, even for the right reasons, Becky was preparing to put this cheat in her place by showing her fists."BRING IT ON!" Edna challenged, dropping the gold ribbon."JUST WATCH ME POP YER STUCK UP EGO!" Becky smirked.Although some of Avery and Becky's friends tried to stop this, only a few remembered the rule that once women started to brawl, there would be no stopping them, not even when the buzzard lady rolled up her sleeves and the eagle had tossed her hat aside. The band then started playing a different tune once the two started to dive at each other, punching and kicking. Soon the fight became dirty with Becky punching Edna across the cheek. Feeling the burn, Edna rebelled in anger and grabbed Becky's hair, yanking it hard that Becky let out an aggravated cry. In that moment, she sent her fist flying towards Edna's beak as hard as she could.Edna screamed an insult and punched Becky in the gut. Becky tried to move back, but Edna was still holding onto her hair, allowing the buzzard lady to recover quickly and raise her head to head butt her opponent. Edna let go and stumbled back in a daze, landing with her rear in the punch bowl, still on the table. Although she managed to make Edna look like a wet hen with a few laughs from the crowd, the attack wasn't as strong, causing Becky to tumble over there with her, cracking the table in two. Both of them rolled to the floor, covered in food and punch stains all over. Becky took the chance to jump on top of Edna, ignoring some of the folks that starting to encourage her to keep at it, even making bets with one or the other on who would make it alive in the end.Sparks flew behind Edna's eyes when she hit her head on the floor, feeling Becky slapping at her face until instincts popped in her dizzy mind, slapping and punching back against her attacker. Becky let out a smirk as she grabbed Edna's feathers around her neck to get back at her for the hair pulling assault, yanking at them harder than any angry buzzard woman could. At this rate, Edna had grabbed hold of Becky's right arm getting ready to bite into it, some of the children shouting 'FIGHT' repeatedly.However, Clarence had arrived back in the tent with a few of his men after he heard from Mrs. Hedgehog that Becky had gotten into a terrible fight with Edmund's wife as she ran out of there to search for him, not wanting Baron to see what was happening with his mother, now crying. He told the town baker to wait where she was at, rushing over to the riot, ordering the other townsfolk to move aside, letting him and the other law birds to through."ALRIGHT, THAT'S ENOUGH YOU TWO, BREAK IT UP!" Clarence's voice boomed through the riot, everyone moving aside for him, quieting most of the folks when they watched him lift Becky off of Edna before the eagle woman could take a bite of her arm, hands thrashing wildly and her breath coming in short whimpers.For Becky, it was all red again, blinding red. And then she was staring into the crowd of people, even Edna picked up off the ground by one of Clarence's men after she was lifted off her."Mrs. Buzzard, control yourself now!" Clarence said sharply, arms holding her waist in a firm grip to stop her from attacking Edna any further. "This ain't no way for a mother to behave and set a bad example for her child! Yer lucky that Mrs. Hedgehog found me just in time to tell what happened!"At the mention of her son, the fight was over and the energy was gone from both fighters, surrendering to the weariness of their muscles and the overload inside their brains. There were no winners in this brawl, no matter who had started it. Now she was fully aware of her surroundings and seeing that the townsfolk were in a bit of shock while some had seemed to enjoy the fight, disappointed that it had come to an end."Baron, Avery I….where's my baby?" She whimpered, thinking first of her husband and child, searching the crowd for them. "Where are they?""Baron is inside my tent with Mrs. Hedgehog!" Clarence answered her. "Looks like I better take you there and help get this all straightened out, so follow me.""What about Avery?" She pleaded."We'll find him Mrs. Buzzard, but we need to get you outta here before things get any uglier than they already have." The eagle sheriff turned to face the crowd, clearing his throat to get their attention. "This matter is handled folks, go back to your business!""SHERIFF! This bone picker attacked me!" Edna had pointed an accusing finger at Becky while she was still held back by the other law bird named Deputy Roderick Raptor, a common black hawk with dark brownish feathers all over his face. "I wish to press charges!""That won't be necessary Edna Nosedive!" Clarence said firmly. "I heard about what happened from the other witnesses in how this started! A woman your age should know better!""WHAT?!" Edna whimpered, unable to release herself from the deputy. "I demand retribution for this, for the damage she and her family caused with their appearance here!" She scanned the crowd for any sign of Edward, seeing that he was nowhere in sight. "Edward, get your tail over here and help me!""You are dismissed Mrs. Nosedive, I'll take it from here!" Clarence had insisted, not the least bit frightened by her petty threats. "If you got any other complaints to file, I suggest you take it up with Mr. Condor at City Hall. Now if you'll excuse me, I think you've caused enough pain to this goodhearted mother here! Come with me Mrs. Buzzard!" He signaled for Deputy Raptor to release Edna, knowing she would not dare jump at Becky now that the law was handling this."Just wait till my husband hears of this!" She warned, now marching in anger and disappointment out of the tent to find Edward, desperate and anxious to tell him everything that happened to her in there, but not forgetting to take Edmund with her, who had been watching it all from the corner with the other children. As far as anyone did not know, he seemed to have enjoyed everything. "Come along Edmund darling! There is nothing more for us to see here. The sooner we get back home, the faster I can get this filth off me once I have my bath and take my dress to the cleaners first thing in the morning. When he hears about this, I promise you that there will be hell to pay. But we'll leave that to your father!"...
A Tale of Two Avians: Chapter 8Chapter 8: Founder's Day RaceLate spring had become a busy, yet happy time for the buzzard family. Avery had been early in the field, having some helping hands with friendly neighbors in planting the seed for the wheat in the half acre fields. Things were improving for them, even if it would be a long way off before the wheat would be harvested in the fall before winter comes, since wheat takes four months to fully grow. By the advice of Mr. Pronghorn during another of Becky's shopping and food trading trips, he told her that wheat was expected to be at least ten bushels to the acre at fifty cents each. Even if the first crop doesn't turn out the way she and Avery want it to, there can still be uses for it to make a living, even if it meant sparing some of it for their horses. When she told Avery this, he was already intending to make plans for next year, especially since Becky wanted to be helpful by starting a small vegetable garden, having come to an agreement and raising a few chickens in the coop for their eggs and meat with the money they saved from selling what they could. They needed to give the wheat time before it would be fully grown and hopefully not worry about it too much.Today was now the day of the Founders Day event and every family, old and new was invited to attend and enjoy each other's company, rich or poor. Baron was still no more than a year old, but they were taking him along in hopes he would be glad of the company in some way while she still gave him his bottle when he needed it."Do we have everything Becky?" Avery asked her, carrying a picnic blanket and several other items in his arms. "Or do you need another minute?""No, that's everything Avery," Becky assured him, double checking every spot in the house to see that nothing was forgotten, except maybe the napkins from the table she placed in at the last second. "Now we have it all. Let's get goin' now."..........By now the buzzard family had since arrived in their wagon, where the picnic was happening right next to a beautiful lake. The elaborated, decorated stalls and games happening stretched as far as Becky's eyes could see. After reading the papers about the events, she thought it would be a good idea to sign up for the pie baking contest like the other women have, including Mrs. Hedgehog, Darla Dove, Ruby Hawktail, Hillary Badger-field, and many others. The family read that there would be races and contests for children of all ages including jump roping, hoop rolling, three-legged race, sack race, Bilbo Catcher, and for the adults, tug of war, horseshoe toss, air flying, wheelbarrow race, fishing, wood chopping, and a horse race that Avery signed up for, planning to ride with Checkers. Gleaming golds, yellows, oranges, and ruby reds shone from every angle, draping every attraction like a gift wrap, all tightly packed in, but still featuring large, already massively, crowded lanes of visitors, nearly the whole town. A mix of scents from the baked delights hung heavily in the air, and Becky found herself covering her beak to keep from drooling. The Founder's Day event was so much more than they both anticipated, and yet it also made Becky a bit nervous to know that it would be crowded, so many more folks in this town than she thought, even those she had not yet met. How would they react upon seeing a buzzard family in town? Would it be the feeling of being uncomfortable around them or something worse?She did her best to shake off the lingering thoughts as Avery helped her down from the wagon once they parked it in a safe spot, even giving a helping hand with the picnic basket and with Baron, wrapped up in a light blanket. She was dead set on trying to be positive and not be overcome with worry on a day where they should be having fun. It was about spending time with family and friends, if not everybody."We're here today to have a good time Becky," Avery tried to assure her and be as supportive as he could to ease down his wife's worries for the sake of their child. "For Baron's sake." He wrapped his arm around her as they started walking through the crowd."I suppose you're right," Becky found no reason to argue or protest anything. They haven't had any trouble from anyone for the past couple of weeks ever since they started attending church on Sundays. And she had yet to speak of that horrible town drunk but forgotten about him. "Let's find a spot."It wasn't a very long trip towards the side of the lake as there had not been too many couples and families there eating as they thought. To their surprise they did see the familiar faces of Darla Dove, Bellamy Bighorn, Peterson Pelican, Dr. Hare, Clover Cottontail, even Sheriff Hawktail with his wife Ruby."Aw Becky, Avery, what a pleasure to see you here," Bellamy waved to them, having been leaning against a tree when talking to a goat in farming clothes. "There's an empty spot over there if that's where you're heading.""Well, howdy Bellamy, we promised that we'd make it," Avery greeted them. "It would not be so neighborly of us not to show up and join the rest of our friends at this gathering."He let Bellamy give him a helping hand with setting out the picnic blanket before putting the basket on top, so that Becky wouldn't have to worry about putting Baron down just anywhere that she felt was not safe for him to be. It took some effort as the light wind picked up, forcing them to use stones in keeping the sheet from blowing away. Leaving Checkers to drink from the lake, Avery sat with Becky down on their chosen spot, crossing his legs as they ate and talked, enjoying this day together, even when it came time to give Baron his bottle. Lucky for him, the crowd noise was not that loud enough to scare him badly to the point in crying like most babies would do. It was a great day for a picnic and a fun event such as Founder's Day and there's been word that Callahan Condor would be the one making announcements for which games are about to take place, which would be for another hour."I'm so happy we had chosen to come here, Avery," Becky looked into Avery's eyes as he had chewed on a biscuit. "I was mighty doubtful at first after all the trouble we went through since we moved here, but even hard workin' folk deserve to have fun in between workdays."Avery smiled after he swallowed. "I hadn't forgotten to lock up the barn and the chicken coop before we left. So, we don't have to worry about them runnin' loose on their own."It seemed like Avery did think of everything days earlier before Founder's Day would arrive. Becky had rocked Baron in her arms after she finished eating, feeding him a bit of food from the basket and burping him. How did she and Avery get so lucky to finally have friends and become a family in their new home? There will be hard times every now and then, but they could not let that destroy whatever happiness and love carried through the good times. They were going to have fun today, and nothing or nobody was going to ruin that."Hey Avery, which contest did you sign up for again?" Bellamy had shown up half an hour later behind Avery, still sitting at their picnic spot."Oh, the horse race, have they announced it yet?" Avery looked over at the ram with concern."Not yet, but I feel that I must warn you that there is another contestant who signed up with the rest of them…. can you guess who that is?"Avery shook his head in response. "No, who is it Bellamy?" The answer he would hear would soon make Becky shudder and cringe; hearing Bellamy let it out."Hunter Smith!"Just as nobody predicted, Avery turned when he heard Becky hacking on a grape, touching her throat when it happened."Becky darlin', you alright?" Avery rushed to her side, patting her back lightly until she finally stopped hacking, and was able to swallow carefully. "You must've swallowed too fast or something.""I'm alright Avery," Becky smiled lightly, letting out another cough. "I guess I got a little excited thinkin' all about the pie contest. I know I might not win, but I just want to share the family recipe with other folks." She coughed three more times, her face a bit pink from it. Again, she couldn't bring herself to tell Avery what happened that day upon her first encounter with Hunter.Avery waited for his wife, concerned that it was more than just a natural cough caused by a simple grape seed. "Becky, ain't there somethin' yah wanted to tell me?""No, I'm sure it was just a seed," she answered, but it was an obvious lie. The distressing look on her face made it clear that it was something other than coughing up the seed. "Avery, I heard about this Hunter Smith from the neighbors' weeks ago. He has a terrible reputation for bein' the town drunk and he works for that Nosedive creep down at the construction site. Avery don't do this. I beg you. He's bound to cause a calamity.""I can't quit now Becky; this might be what's needed to put that drunk in his place," Avery smiled bravely, under the circumstances. "We can't expect to live here if we don't learn to live among our opponents and show that we ain't scared."Becky shook her head. This is what she was afraid of. She knew Avery better than anyone he knew himself, not wanting that drunken creep to do the worst if anything should happen to her husband or if he revealed what happened that day. "Avery, please reconsider.""I promise that nothin' bad is gonna happen to me Becky," Avery said, hugging Becky tenderly before sitting up to go fetch Checkers from the lake. "And I think it might do Checkers some good to run along the other horses for good company.""ATTENTION, LADIES N' GENTLEBIRDS!" The announcing voice of Callahan Condor had spoken through the megaphone as he walked around. "The horse race will start in fifteen minutes. All contestants that have signed up shall make their way to the racetrack and bring the horse they shall be riding on!""Looks like we better get on walkin'," Avery said, turning to Becky again before he started walking. "It will be a while before the pie contest starts, so that gives you time to get ready and watch us give it our best shot. It's gonna be alright."..........The big race was announced, many folks attending and buzzing with excitement. Colorful flags flapped in the wind and stylish spectators filled the stands. Of course, to the buzzard family's disgust, Edward Nosedive had been there with his wife and child as well, revealing that he had built a reviewing stand from the judges, talking loudly and issuing commands to the unlucky employees who didn't duck out of his way in time. Still, in that position, the Nosedive family acted as the center of attention just how he liked it. Edna sat under her yellow umbrella, drinking lemonade and showing off her jewelry to others. Young Edmund sat by her side, wearing stylish clothes for someone of his age.Within earshot of Edna, Peterson Pelican, being one of the racers, whispered to Bellamy where they waited at the starting line. "That boy Edmund is lookin' mighty stuck up in that outfit they put him in. At his age, you'd think he'd not be givin' such high expectations so early.""You can only push a child so hard to be somethin' he's not," Bellamy agreed to this, nodding his head. "If they keep this up, he'll end up as bad, if not worse than his Pa." He then took a quick peek at Edna, seeing bolts of anger coming from her eyes, sensing that she must be the type who can read lips, quickly turning to face the racetrack and not look her way again.Becky found a place to sit down next to a few of the women from town, seeing that most everyone in the county had gathered to watch the horse race, some even making bets with others to see who would most likely win as she overheard. The very idea of wasting money on a bet was what she never wanted to get involved with and would rather put that money to good use. She looked ahead and saw Avery ride forward on Checkers to the starting line, not yet seeing any sight of that horrid Hunter Smith anywhere, hoping he wouldn't dare stand next to her husband on whatever horse he was riding."Nervous Avery?" Bellamy spoke to Avery, sitting atop his horse named Ollie."I feel a little sick to my stomach," Avery admitted, holding the reins."Then that means you're ready to show them," the ram replied, giving him a bit of a pep talk. "Just don't listen to them other racers and let them do all the horsin' around. Cause it's best to save your energy for when it counts."A thousand thoughts raced through Avery's mind when he thought back to when Becky sounded reluctant in the idea of him taking part in the horse race at the mention of Hunter Smith, as if worried for his life, having not asked her if there was anything about that guy she hadn't told him yet. But whatever it was, he would have to worry about it later and try to stay focused on the race. Even if he doesn't end up in first place, the important thing was to have fun.His thoughts were then interrupted when a sneering voice spoke along with the sound of hoof beats. "You call that miserable thing a horse? I say you picked up a mule!"Avery was frozen stock still, fighting to turn in the direction that the voice had come from. Please tell me it's not who I think it is. Avery pleaded in his mind."So, it's true then? They decided to let a buzzard farm boy into the race?"There it was the last painful bit of confirmation that the buzzard needed to guess exactly who it was possibly referring to him since he was the only buzzard about to race with the others. He knew what he was, but he didn't need to hear it from someone only using that word to be rude and spiteful. Avery kept his gaze low, first eyeing the ground at the horses' hooves, but eventually met the sight of the same brown bull with long horns, wearing coal miner clothes, a red shirt and blue overalls."Hunter Smith," Avery grumbled through clenched teeth.The bull let out a laugh. "What're the odds I'd run into you of all the bird folk out here," He grinned. "I'm surprised you guessed my name so easily. I reckon the neighbors told you about me ain't I right?"Avery let out a harsh sigh and before turning on the sarcastic pleasantries. "Oh, they sure did, and it's a good thing they did. Hard to believe they allowed you to take part in this race, despite your bad reputation as a town drunk." Avery retorted, flashing a fake smile.Hunter simply chuckled in response to this. "That sheriff threatened to kick me outta town, but what a relief my boss bailed me out a week later before that happened," Hunter returned the false smile. "I'd have nowhere else to go then."Before Avery could fire off another biting comment, Hunter cut him off."By the way, I had a run in with another pretty lady…. right before they had me locked up for makin' a scenery since I drank too much that day. But she should've not gotten in my way then, not that I don't feel bad for what happened." He cooed."What are you talkin' about Hunter?" Avery demanded, hoping this did not have anything to do with Becky or his son. If so, it would answer why she's reluctant to have him race if Hunter was there. "If it's my wife you're goin' on about, tell me what…."It was then that the judge's announcement had started and prevented what would have been a brawl. "Alright quiet down everybody. Quiet, attention please!" Everyone turned, seeing that it was really Callahan Condor speaking through a megaphone. "The Fourth Annual Avian Township Race is about to begin. Now ya'll know the rules, and the course is well marked. And the first one to cross the finish line wins the blue ribbon, one hundred dollars, and the beautiful gold trophy. Now is everybody ready?""We've waited a century, let's get it goin'!" One canary civilian had cried out, only joking about it for laughs."On your mark…. get set…. GO!"On the word GO, a gun was set off and Avery shot out with Checkers, immediately taking the lead with the other horses thundering down the straightaway, just a few steps behind them, even Hunter's horse Trigger Hoof.Checkers hugged the rail as the pack approached the first turn. Another bay horse passed him and took the lead as they rumbled around the curve. Trigger Hoof worked his way up past Bellamy's horse Buckskin and penned Checkers in. Avery looked for a way out without harming his horse, but Hunter had him trapped in the middle of the pack, and Trigger Hoof wouldn't budge. Anxious as he was, Avery was patient when he recalled some of the lessons that his father taught him when he learned how to ride horses, about staying where he was until it was time to make his move at the turn, hardly making any other response anything else, until Trigger Hoof muscled in on Checkers, slamming into his flank.Avery shot an angry look at Hunter, sensing that this bull was desperate to break the rules and see that he never wins, even pushing him hard to run his horse into the rail and get him disqualified. Well, he was not ready to let that happen."Getting' ready to lose farm boy?" Hunter hissed. "Don't take it too seriously now. You can't have everyone here thinkin' that you n' yer kind don't belong here! They don't need to know any further about yer history from long ago, cause they already know yer outta yer league!""Guess again Hunter!" Avery shot back, learning not to let those horrid words distract him from staying focused, allowing Checkers to find a way out from Trigger Hoof's grip and get ahead of him. "Eat my dust!" He didn't see Checkers stick his tongue out at Trigger Hoof."Oh no you don't, get back here!" Hunter demanded, not giving up so easily and ready to be beaten by a buzzard farm boy.Standing back at the podium on the side of the track, Edward clenched his fist and hissed at the sight of his working bull running so far behind of that buzzard taking the lead. He just made a bet on Trigger Hoof and there was no way that other horse could ever win. Why hadn't Hunter used those special tools in his pockets like they had planned?By now Avery spotted the finish line at the far end of the track, kicking Checkers into high gear with the world becoming a blur of motion around them. The other horses seemed to be moving in slow motion behind them, even Trigger Hoof."Looks like Trigger Hoof is coming behind Checkers!" The announcer's voice had proclaimed. "By now it's a matter of how large the margin of victory wills…. but tarnation!" He interrupted himself. "Here comes Trigger Hoof chargin' along! The race is far from over!"Avery and Checkers moved perfectly in sync, trying hard to keep away from Trigger Hoof catching up on them, having been riding together for as long as they can remember. The other horses fell away as Avery kept moving his horse forward, not looking back, remembering to keep focused on the track as he learned. Only Trigger Hoof remained between him and the finish line, both of them dueling for the win.Mr. Pronghorn and a few of his companions had been cheering so loud, they almost lost their voices. "Come on Avery, you got this, don't fall behind! WE KNOW YOU GOT IT IN YOU!"Trigger Hoof then pulled up behind Checkers, practically nipping at his tail. It seemed that would have been the losing point for Avery at the last five minutes, if not for a bee that was whizzing around Hunter's face that he did not see coming, stinging him on the nose, causing him and his horse to fall back off course, leaving Avery once again in the lead."Looks like Trigger Hoof is outta the race folks and Checkers is nearin' the finish line!" The announcer blared.Checkers gave it everything he had and didn't dare to glance sideways, looking straight ahead and pushed for the finish line, not even hearing the angry, protest from inside the podium where Edward and his family had been watching everything. Sweat poured down Avery's face from the hot sun, every muscle in him ached and he just kept on focused with the lessons in his mind. The announcer's voice would then blare over the crowd through the megaphone once Checkers was the first to cross the finish line."Ladies n' gentle birds, the winner of the Fourth Annual Avian Township Race is Avery Buzzard with his horse Checkers!" The announcer cheered.Mr. Pronghorn let out a whoop, soon joined by Sheriff Hawktail with his wife Ruby, before the crowd gasped and cheered, a combination of joy and disbelief.Checkers slowed to a walk, panting heavily. Avery eased up on the reins and hugged him around the neck. "We did it partner! We won ourselves a race!" he said. He led Checkers toward the Winner's Circle, unable to believe that after years of trying and competing, he had won his first horse race, being congratulated by his close friends and neighbors who were not the least bit disappointed about not winning, as long as they would know that Hunter would not be the one in first place. Even Becky was cheering for him, Baron included, even though he was only a baby, he seemed to be smiling to see his Pa ride proudly to where many folks gathered, now walking down to go and see him, telling others that she was his wife, letting her stand aside Avery as Callahan Condor came with the race officials, handing the buzzard family the blue ribbon, one hundred dollar bill and the gold trophy.
A Tale of Two Avians: Chapter 7Chapter 7: Building the FutureEdward Nosedive stopped his fancy buggy on the crest of the hill to look down on High Wind Gulch, completely oblivious to the beauty that surrounded the entire countryside. His wife Edna watched with concern at what could be going on in her husband's mind when he drove them up here. And three-year-old son Edmund, even at a young age knew that by the look on his father's face, he should stay where he was in his seat."Oh, now really Edward?" Edna said firmly, while being calm. "They're just one buzzard family. You have nothing to worry about, and neither do we.""Just one buzzard family?" Edward debated, grinding his teeth in anger. "Can you believe the nerve of that badger letting them into the church grounds?" He shook his head in disbelief.Edna rolled her eyes as she took Edward's hand and rubbed it. "Well, he is a preacher you know, that's what they do. He can't just forbid someone from entering because of their race. Unless they had been causing real mischief for everyone, then he'd have a reason to make them leave.""Pa, why are you so angry with the preacher?" Edmund had suddenly asked from the back of the buggy curiously. "And why did we stop here?"Edward answered, not even looking at his son. "It's not the preacher I'm angry with, son. It's the fact that Callahan will not heed my warning on who he allows to stay in my town.""And what's a warning Pa?" Edmund had asked with a perplexed look on his face, being only three years old to still not know too much about this life.His mother turned and giggled. "Oh Edmund, it's the statement that indicates an impending danger, problem, or unpleasant situation." She noticed how her son was scratching his head in confusion. "You'll understand it when you're older."Edward turned and winked at the confused Edmund. "That's right son, you may not get it now, but when the time comes, you'll understand what else I have planned for my family."The young eaglet was still confused in his mind when he thought this involved an item or something. "What am I not getting Pa?"Edward shook his head and sighed gruffly, cracking the whip over the horses to make them move. "It's not all about getting Edmund; this is about building the future." He guided the buggy down the hill. "Come, I'll show you what I mean."..........None of them said anything more throughout the ride as it kept going on down until Edna noticed that her husband was riding them towards the same construction site that the buzzard family had passed by on the road to church. She politely waved to some of the workers carrying lumber and cardboard as they rode on and stopped the buggy next to a stack of red bricks piled beside a field of stumps revealing to be a clearing operation. Most of the wooden carts in place had some kind of logo to indicate ownership in Edward's name. Some of them even branded into the chopped-up timber logs like a cattle brand."Pa, why is there a letter in the trees?" Edmund peeked out from the buggy, curious about the letter N carved or branded into the stumps and many equipment and carts."Well Edmund son," Edward grinned over his shoulder, explaining it all as clearly as he could to his wife and child. "That letter N stands for our last name, Nosedive. It's what ranchers, cowpokes, and business dealers call a logo, or better known as a brand mark. It's how they mark property ownership with their cattle, furniture, timber, and equipment." He pointed this all out to young Edmund as they watched the workers carrying most of the timber, bricks, and tools around the construction site. "Without that brand, anybody could claim it as their own. See that crate over there?" He pointed to the nearest crate with the Nosedive symbol for Edmund to see."I see it Pa.""That circle surrounding the N is our family name." He swept his hand across the field of stumps and to the construction site where almost everything had the Nosedive brand. "When the time comes for me to retire, all of this will belong to you."All of this?" The eaglet stared at the workers moving everything around.Edward nodded. "Yes, you're too young to have it now. But soon I'll be the mayor that this town needs over Callahan Condor. And I will make you my new heir.""Your new what?"Edward rolled his eyes impatiently. "My new heir! It's when a person is legally entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death. In other words, if anything were to happen to me in my time as mayor, then it will be up to you to take my place and continue our family legacy. That is why we drove down here. To show you your future.""My future?""With all the money I made from selling off the timber, a new home and property of ours is under development," Edward added. "Callahan might think that a town mayor has no need for a home bigger than the others, but he has no idea how incorrect he is on that. Our family owns enough land here to build what we wish. In time, this land and this town will someday be yours to lead and make it better under our name."Edmund nodded and turned his head at anywhere he could watch the construction site with all the workers moving about and minding their own business. Edna on the other hand knew all this was too much for a three-year-old to take in at once, but he'll learn eventually as Edward was hoping. After all, their bird race was known and believed to be the wisest and most powerful above the other avian races."Under our name…." Edmund repeated his father's words, his eyes darting to the timber logs, the workers, the equipment, and the landscape where the construction was happening…. after the trees had been cleared. He stared at the stumps and the lands across the town's borders. "Do trees ever grow back Pa?""Only if the stumps are left in place," Edward replied, turning to his son. "Otherwise, we could have them cleared away and replant new trees. There are more trees on Moo Mesa than we know to take care of that. But in this case, we don't need new ones there…...not while we build over where they used to be.""But what're they building here?" Edmund questioned. "Does not look like fun to me.""Son, there's more to business here than just having fun," Edward smirked. "Every goal starts with hard work. We get paid to do a job and make good profit to take to take care of ourselves. After all, business is business. And there is a protocol to it….and the march of progress."Edna could tell that this sounded all too complicated for her son. She could tell that he wanted to understand things clearly in what he was watching with the construction. But he seemed to gather interest in what being the mayor of this town meant. So, when Edward jumped off the buggy, he picked Edmund up and carried him to where he was walking through various places, moving passed the workers so he could introduce a few of them and describe what they were working on, with Edna following behind her husband. Two men, a beaver and a woodchuck in working overalls emerged from a stack of bricks on top of a hill, wheeling a few down. Edward blocked the sun to get a better view of the two and what they were up to."Here come Buster and Winston," he said, pointing toward the two coming their way with the wheelbarrow of bricks."Those two rodents you mean?" Edna had scoffed at their appearance, being dirty from the hard work they had been doing all morning. "They're not quite clean.""Maybe not, but they are my loyal workers," Edward admitted, shrugging his shoulders and tipped his hat to the two when they finally were close enough for him to greet them. "Morning gentlemen, how's the construction going so far? You look as if you've been working all month with no rest." He avoided the urge to chuckle at their dirty appearance."It's only been two hours since we started moving these bricks for the chimney," Buster was the first to speak, pointing to the hill they had walked down from."That's right, boss," Winston then spoke next, wiping his face with a cloth. "It'll take a lifetime to bring them all down with just the two of us. Maybe we need more workers to hire.""They'll come soon enough boys," Edward responded, still holding onto his son. "To see the amount, I'm willing to pay them in the paper." He thought of the job advertisement he sent out across the mesa requiring construction workers for fair pay that he sent out a month ago and will take more time for them to keep coming."Does Mr. Condor know of what we're doing here?" Buster had suddenly brought up Callahan Condor out of curiosity and concern in their progress."Of course, he knows about this," Edward responded reluctantly, hating to be questioned about that vulture that this town seemed to set their eyes more on than him. "If not, he would have demanded I put a stop to this construction that's already in place when there's no way I would plan to waste that tax money for nothing.""Any news on the mayor election boss?" Winston had asked, hoping it might lead to something other than construction business."Not yet, but I would like my favorite henchmen to do me a favor in the meantime," he had muttered. "Be sure to report back to me every now and then on what Mr. Condor is up to. What he might plan and propose as mayor could become a problem to us in our upcoming plans.""Whatever you say, boss," Winston had saluted in reassurance. "Anything else you like us to do?""Aw yes there is," Edward had stated with a smirk, still holding his son. "It may not be a big deal to some, but there's a buzzard family that moved into town months ago. They're of no deep concern at the moment, but they may hold the key to Callahan's downfall…..and my victory." He chuckled, dismissing the two workers as they went back to work and tipped their hats to him, leaving their boss alone with his wife and son, with little Edmund now tugging at his jacket lightly."Pa, what are buzzards?" He asked in a timid voice.When asked the question, Edward did not hesitate to tell his son the story of the Great War of Moo Mesa which happened after the falling of the comet, in which a gruesome battle then started between the vultures and the tribe of crows where many lives across the mesa had been lost. And any that survived had likely gone into hiding. Stories of this are now told throughout churches and schools in hopes nothing like this ever happened again. Other than that, Edward proceeded to discuss in how he and Callahan Condor started out as partners in a university over in New Cattleton, coming together to build the town of High Wind Gulch."You see son, Callahan Condor has developed this unwholesome belief that folks from all communities should come and live together side by side," Edward had started telling his son a half-truth story in how he and Callahan met and came together. "What he fails to understand is how his cousins, the buzzards started this whole mess by allowing their greed and lust to consume them enough to take everything that the crow tribe held onto dearly, seeking out the silver hidden in the rivers which soon led to bad blood between the two communities. To allow any of those remaining bone pickers to live here in town would leave everything we worked for to be destroyed and lead other descent folks to turn against one another."Callahan Condor, that name caused jealousy and resentment to gnaw at the inner core of Edward's being, believing it truly should be him that the town must kneel down to, not that ruffled scavenger that he reluctantly used to call a friend. And if that wasn't bad enough, he allowed Sheriff HawkTail to drag Hunter Smith away to jail, one of his hired coworkers that was stupid enough to give into the effects of the whisky bottle to which Edward warned him to go easy on. Not because he deeply cared about the welfare of Hunter, but worried that his drunken mouth might accidentally reveal one of his upcoming schemes to the sheriff, which is why he had to send in another of his henchmen to make sure that he hadn't been saying any of it. So far, he had said nothing of it and Edward hoped to keep it that way. He had hoped the alcohol made Hunter forgetful until he would be ready to set bail on him.But he wanted to make sure that neither Sheriff HawkTail nor Callahan knew what he was truly building in this part of town, not just yet. All that he revealed to Callahan is that it would be something big and important for the good of High Wind Gulch. Their relationship may be strained, but that was not of his concern. By the time he becomes the new mayor around here, everyone will be sure to put all their trust in him as they do for the entire eagle community instead of that feathered bone picker."There is another side to the Great War son," Edward then started walking back to the buggy with Edna. "By the time that the vulture clan wiped out nearly all the crow tribes, the government had sent their eagle soldiers to drive them off the same lands where the war took place…..after those vermin picked the flesh of their dead bodies.""Oh, now Edward must you bring that up to him?" Edna had given her husband a disapproving look when he went into the disturbing side of what happened after half the crow tribe was slain by the vultures. "He's not old enough to understand it yet.""Our son cannot be denied the truth about our community Edna," Edward had debated. "Not when it was our ancestors that had part in this story to become the saviors that helped to bring the Great War to an end before the vultures multiplied and destroyed everything in their path. That's why we still live Edmund. We are the symbol of supreme power and authority, which is why Congress looks up to us as the ones who will help lead them and their nation to victory against all enemies that threaten our way of life." He stopped walking for a moment to look down at his son and continued. "Edmund, I've grown up in another distant city where I have seen the great things that the eagles have done to build this part of the mesa. Yet even then, in school I learned the mistakes made by other past leaders from one generation to the next hardly changed anything for the upper-class system working to keep society safer and our community was dying then as it is now." He put Edmund in the back seat of the buggy and went on talking as he and Edna got up in the front seat, preparing to ride out of the construction area. "There are even those that speak out against the march of progress without knowing that it's what drives a nation forward and to leave the past behind. Therefore, we cannot allow certain members of a different community to run as the next town mayor or lead the government, otherwise their rules would create uproar for all classes to fall into chaos." He snapped the reigns to get the horses moving carefully across the path where the eagle family was able to watch the remaining workers continue working on the construction site. "As for me, it is likely that it will take me more than a year to get this town back on track in my image that differs far from Callahan's. And there's no way I will allow the new age to slip back into the dark ages under his ruling. Son, I promise you this. I will see to it that our enemies do not threaten our lifestyle as I lead High Wind Gulch into the future myself and bring a new era of prosperity to the townsfolk."He could already imagine the praise and cheer from the crowds during the election once he wins the number of votes and be named king of the birds. They would have to see him as their savior and great leader over Callahan."And as for the remaining buzzard communities that still dwell out there," Edward had taken something out from under his coat. "Let me assure my loving family that any enemies that stand in our way and defies me…. will be crushed." By the last word, he squeezed the orange in his hand so hard that juice squirted out violently, leaving a trail behind across the buggy as it kept on driving.Little Edmund watched carefully to see how his father squeezed so firmly into that orange in his hand and how the remaining juice bits dripped and leaked outside the buggy. While anyone at his age would have shaken from discomfort and confusion, a thought had struck Edward in what his life would someday be when it will be his time to build the future as the next king of the birds.
Transport and Buildings
Dog Town (Cowboys of Moo Mesa AU) by Anonymous-Guy-3000
The Sweet Shop by Disneycow82
CowTown Backdrop by CCB-18
CowTown Layout by CCB-18
Toys, Products and Adverts
Wild West Cowboys of Moo Mesa - Folders by Foldersiconslover
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''Wild West C.O.W-Boys Of Moo Mesa'' Deputy Badge by CCB-18
Clip Art
Sadie x Lilly screenshot edit by PurpleReign9000
Mature Art - 15 Up
They're in love your honor by PurpleReign9000
MM Shipping
How do Ah look? by SonicFanGirl321

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:iconpurplereign9000:
I am relatively new to joining groups. I was wondering, what are some rules, or is there anything important I should know?
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:iconccb-18:
CCB-18 Featured By Owner Jun 22, 2022  Hobbyist General Artist
Rules are basic. Just put the submissions into the correct folders, and you can't go wrong.
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:iconpurplereign9000:
PurpleReign9000 Featured By Owner Jun 22, 2022
Thank you kindly, I do look forward to showing off what I've got for this fandom^^
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:iconbahner:
bahner Featured By Owner Dec 10, 2021   Filmographer
Here’s another sexy beefsteak that should be in the gallery
www.deviantart.com/ctlftr/art/…
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:icondisneycow82:
Disneycow82 Featured By Owner Dec 4, 2021  Hobbyist Filmographer
Since there are no Co Founders for this club, you should send an invitation to LSheaM and Captain-Art-hero. They would like to join.
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:iconsonicfangirl321:
SonicFanGirl321 Featured By Owner Oct 8, 2021  Hobbyist Traditional Artist
I wonder how the characters would look in modern clothes, don't you?
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:iconbahner:
bahner Featured By Owner May 25, 2021   Filmographer
Yes please do submit him, it would be an honour to see him in the gallery
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:iconrecky1998:
RECKY1998 Featured By Owner Apr 21, 2021
muchas gracias por agregar mi arte Sundazed Kid
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:iconbahner:
bahner Featured By Owner Apr 10, 2021   Filmographer
www.deviantart.com/recky1998/a…

Please add this masterpiece to the gallery, it’s simply awesome
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