The Fluffy Life of a Sheep Girl

The air was rich with the scent of old books, a heady blend of parchment, leather bindings, and the faint sweetness of polished wood. It mingled with a subtle hint of wax from the softly glowing oil lamps, their warm light reflecting off gilded spines and lacquered shelves. The library was alive in its stillness, each breath of air carrying the whispers of forgotten tales and untold secrets.

Ebony Endymion stood at the heart of the grand reading room, the weight of silence settling over her like a comforting cloak. The golden glow of the late afternoon sun poured through the arched windows, casting intricate patterns on the parquet floor. The light seemed to dance along the ornate carvings of the towering wooden shelves that stretched toward the high, vaulted ceiling.

The library felt like a sanctuary, a place that had existed long before her and would continue long after she was gone. Each creak of the wooden floor beneath her boots and each faint rustle of paper seemed to echo with history, grounding her in a world that thrived on knowledge and imagination.

Ebony tucked a loose strand of her dark hair behind her ear as she picked up a small stack of books from a nearby table. They were varied in size and age—one a slim volume of poetry, its leather cover worn smooth with use; another, a heavy tome on the history of constellations, its edges gilded and glinting faintly in the lamplight.

Her fingers brushed over the embossed lettering of the spine as she walked, her steps unhurried. The shelves loomed around her like watchful sentinels, each one meticulously labeled and brimming with volumes bound in shades of burgundy, forest green, and deep black. The occasional gold or silver detailing on the covers gleamed like stars in the dim light.

The solitude of closing time was her favorite part of the day. The absence of patrons turned the library into a vast, echoing cathedral of knowledge. It was a place where she could let her thoughts roam freely, unhindered by the bustle of the outside world.

As she slid the last book into its rightful place on the shelf, Ebony allowed her gaze to linger on the intricate carvings decorating the wood. Lions, dragons, and vines twined together in a design so detailed it seemed almost alive. She'd often imagined them stirring to life when no one was watching, their forms stretching and curling along the wood as if testing the boundaries of their confinement.

Her humming broke the stillness as she moved to tidy the tables, gathering stray bookmarks and pens left behind by patrons. The melody was soft, almost absentminded, a tune she couldn't quite place but found comforting nonetheless.

The final rays of sunlight dipped below the horizon, and the library's oil lamps seemed to glow brighter in response. Ebony paused by the largest window, gazing out at the world beyond. The town's cobblestone streets glimmered faintly in the twilight, and the gentle hum of life carried faintly on the breeze.

She sighed, her thoughts drifting to her plans for tomorrow. Her sister's surprise had been unexpected but welcome. An all-day pass to the petting zoo was a simple gift, but to Ebony, it felt like a small treasure.

She could already imagine the softness of the lambs' fleece beneath her fingers, their curious eyes blinking up at her as she offered them raspberries. The thought brought a smile to her lips, chasing away the lingering melancholy from the past week.

"Another quiet day, huh?" came a voice from behind her.

Ebony turned to see Jonah, the library's janitor, leaning on his mop with a teasing grin. He was an older man with a kind face and a knack for storytelling that rivaled her mother's.

"Yeah," Ebony replied with a small smile. "But quiet days are the best."

Jonah nodded. "That they are. Any plans for tomorrow, kiddo?"

Ebony's smile grew wider. "Actually, yes. I'm going to the petting zoo. It's been a while since I've done something like that."

Jonah chuckled. "Well, don't let the goats bully you. They can be troublemakers."

She laughed softly. "I'll keep that in mind."

As she finished tidying up, she felt a sense of anticipation. Tomorrow would be special. She'd been looking forward to it ever since her older sister, Scarlet had surprised her with the petting zoo coupon.

Flashback:

It had been a rainy Thursday evening when Scarlet burst into Ebony's small apartment, carrying an envelope in one hand and a takeaway bag in the other. Ebony, bundled in her oversized sweater and clutching her favorite stuffed lamb, barely had time to protest before Scarlet plopped down on the couch beside her.

"Okay, little sis, I come bearing gifts," Scarlet declared, pulling out a glossy coupon and waving it in front of Ebony's face.

Ebony raised an eyebrow, setting down her mug of chamomile tea. "What's this?"

"It's an all-day pass to old Davie's petting zoo!" Scarlet said with a grin. "I thought it might cheer you up, you know, after your breakup with Olivia."

Ebony blinked, taken aback. "Scarlet, you didn't have to—"

"Oh, hush," Scarlet interrupted, tossing the coupon into Ebony's lap. "Instead of sulking in bed with your army of stuffed animals over that—ugh—bitch, you can go pet all the cute farm animals you love so much."

"I wasn't sulking—"

"You were sulking." Scarlet smirked, cutting her off again. "But I'm not judging. I mean, who wouldn't after getting dumped via text?"

"It wasn't like that!" Ebony protested, though her cheeks flushed slightly.

Scarlet raised a skeptical eyebrow, then burst into laughter as Ebony started pouting. Her cheeks puffing up like a sad child. 

"Thank you. For the gift, I mean," Ebony mumbled, clutching her older sister's sleave gently. "You're a really great sister."

"I know," Scarlet replied smugly, patting Ebony's head. "Now, go make some sheep friends tomorrow and get some fresh air."

Ebony sighed as her thoughts returned to the present. She returned the final book to its place, brushing her hands together with a satisfied sigh. Admittedly, she wasn't too upset about the breakup. Still, it was nice that her sister wanted to cheer her up, even if Scarlet had misread the reason she'd been locked in her apartment for a couple of days. The truth was, she'd caught a cold going around among the college students who visited during lunchtime. She'd tried really hard not to get sick—sanitizing everything and even wearing a mask—but it hadn't been enough.

The breakup itself had been abrupt but not entirely unexpected.

Flashback:

Ebony had been reorganizing the library's history section when her phone vibrated. She fished it out of her cardigan pocket to find a text from Olivia:

"Hey, so…I'm moving to LA. It's kind of sudden, I know, but I think it's the right move for me as an artist. Sorry, but I think we should break up. You're amazing, though, and I'll always remember our time together fondly."

Ebony had stared at the screen for a long moment, her heart sinking but not shattering. She'd known from the start that Olivia, with her free-spirited nature and wanderlust, wasn't one to settle down.

"Well," Ebony had muttered under her breath, slipping her phone back into her pocket. "At least she texted."

It had stung, of course. But deep down, Ebony had already prepared herself for this moment. That didn't stop Scarlet from misinterpreting her brief self-imposed isolation as heartbreak rather than the lingering effects of a cold.

Despite everything—her recent breakup, the frustrating cold that had left her bedridden, and the stress of work—tomorrow promised to be a bright, fluffy respite.

Gathering her things, Ebony flipped off the library lights and locked the doors behind her. As she walked to her car under the twinkling stars, her heart felt light for the first time in weeks.

Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.

Ebony's small apartment was only a fifteen-minute walk from the library, nestled in a quiet, tree-lined neighborhood. The familiar creak of the front door greeted her as she stepped inside, shaking off the crisp evening chill. The soft glow of fairy lights strung along her bookshelf illuminated the cozy space, casting gentle shadows over the piles of blankets on the couch and the framed stargazing maps on the walls.

A soft thump and the sound of paws skidding across the hardwood floor signaled Puck's arrival. The energetic border collie bounded into the room, his tail wagging furiously, ears perked in excitement.

"Hey, Puck!" Ebony laughed as the black-and-white bundle of energy practically tackled her, his cold nose pressing into her hand. "Miss me, buddy?"

Puck barked in reply, his warm brown eyes shining with joy. He did a little spin, a trick he'd perfected for treats.

Ebony set her bag down and ruffled his fur affectionately. "Okay, okay. Dinner first, tricks later."

She made her way to the kitchen, Puck following closely at her heels. She pulled out his favorite kibble—a blend of chicken, rice, and sweet potato—and filled his bowl. Puck sniffed the food and then dug in with happy crunches.

As the sound of munching filled the air, Ebony leaned against the counter and watched him with a fond smile. Puck had been her constant companion for years, ever since Scarlet had surprised her with him after she'd moved into her own place.

"You're my best boy, you know that?" she said softly.

Puck paused mid-bite, his tail wagging again as if he understood.

After feeding Puck, Ebony grabbed her own dinner—a simple bowl of leftover soup—and settled on the couch. Puck leapt up beside her, curling into a ball at her feet. She pulled a throw blanket over her legs and stared out the window at the clear night sky.

The stars shimmered brightly, their light cutting through the city's haze. A sense of calm settled over her as she thought about tomorrow's plans. A day with lambs, sunshine, and fresh air sounded like exactly what she needed.

Puck let out a soft, contented sigh, his breathing slowing as he drifted off to sleep. Ebony reached down to scratch behind his ears, her fingers brushing through his soft fur.

"I think tomorrow's going to be a good day," she whispered.

The stars twinkled in response, silent but reassuring.

----

The first rays of morning sunlight spilled over the windowsills of Ebony's bedroom, casting a soft, golden glow across the room. The sheer curtains fluttered gently in the breeze, diffusing the sunlight into warm streams that painted the walls in shades of amber and cream. Her room was a serene blend of comfort and whimsy—plush pillows in celestial patterns were piled high on the bed, and an assortment of houseplants thrived in ceramic pots shaped like moons and stars.

Puck was already awake, perched at the edge of the bed with his head resting on his paws, watching the world outside as if anticipating an adventure. His ears perked when he noticed Ebony stirring.

She groaned softly, stretching under the cozy blanket, her limbs heavy with the lingering warmth of sleep. She blinked against the soft light, the familiar sights of her room coming into focus—the bookshelf crammed with worn paperbacks, the star-shaped fairy lights still faintly glowing from the night before.

"Good morning, Puck," she mumbled as she sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

The border collie barked quietly in reply, wagging his tail as he jumped off the bed and trotted toward the door, eager to start the day. Ebony smiled and swung her legs over the side of the bed, her bare feet touching the cool wooden floor.

She padded to the window and pulled the curtains aside, letting in the full brilliance of the morning. Outside, the world seemed fresh and bright, the sky a clear, endless blue. Birds flitted from branch to branch, their chirping a cheerful symphony that harmonized with the rustling leaves.

Ebony took a deep breath, savoring the crisp morning air. Today was the day—her long-anticipated visit to Old Davie's petting zoo. The thought sent a ripple of excitement through her, and she couldn't help but grin.

"All right, let's get moving," she said, turning back to Puck, who danced in place with anticipation.

She pulled on a soft sweater in a dusky rose hue and her favorite pair of jeans, comfortable but sturdy enough for a day at the farm. After brushing her hair and tying it into a loose ponytail, she headed to the kitchen to make breakfast. The scent of freshly brewed coffee soon filled the apartment, mingling with the buttery aroma of toasted bagels.

Puck trotted in, sniffing the air hopefully. Ebony laughed and tore off a small piece of bagel, holding it out to him.

"You know you're spoiled, right?" she said as Puck gently took the morsel from her hand.

With breakfast finished and her bag packed, she grabbed her keys and the petting zoo coupon from the counter. The golden letters gleamed under the sunlight.

"Let's do this," she whispered, more to herself than to Puck, who was now happily settling in for his morning nap. She gave him a final pat on the head and kissed his forehead.

"I'll be back before you know it."

With that, she stepped out into the sunlit world, ready for the day ahead, unaware of the strange and wondrous journey fate had in store.