Photo by: Sonya
Roland desperately wanted to buy Gavin’s ranch. As he sat on Gavin’s porch eating steaks, he tried to convince the man once more.
Roland took another bite of ribeye as crowds of Gavin’s peacocks stared intensely at them from the yard. “Ranching is problematic,” he said. “A lot of the animals mutated while coming to the colony . Seems the spaceship’s shield didn’t block everything. A lot of animals weren’t viable anymore. How about your peacocks?”
“They changed a might,” shrugged Gavin. “Doubled in size. Couple other changes.”
“Makin’ any money?” probed Roland.
“Got orders to beat the band from Earth. Giant peacock feathers are in fashion.”
“Razor-Wolves are a real problem.”
The native predators truly were a threat. A small pack could slice a cow to ribbons in seconds.
“Not for us,” said Gavin.
Roland shifted in his seat. “Feed for the birds gotta cost a lot.”
“Not really.”
Roland’s mouth worked. “Well, whaddya feed ’em?”
Gavin tossed half his steak over the railing. Peacocks gobbled it up in seconds.
He smiled. “I feed ’em Razor-Wolves.”
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Written for the weekly Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers writing challenge. Look here for the original prompt and a blue link to other stories: https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com/2015/11/17/fffaw-week-of-11-17-2015/
EagleAye
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Hahaha! The peacocks are the carnivores eating the razor-wolves! LOL! And those ribeyes they were eating were razor-wolves! Great spin on the prompt Eric! I wasn’t expecting that ending and it was a real grabber! Love it!
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Ah, you have a sharp eye indeed. Yes, those steaks were Razor-Wolves, but he didn’t have to shoot one. The peacocks did all the hunting. If you can call it hunting. The wolves sneak in expecting an easy meal, and the peacocks give them the shock of their lives. I’m happy I could surprise you. You folks are so quick, you’re not easy to trick. 😉 Glad you liked this. Thanks so much! 🙂
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Now, I didn’t realize it was the peacocks that were doing the hunting. That’s pretty cool!
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Talk about your major peacock changes — upped the fierceness level by what, a thousand percent? 🙂 Now the only problem is, how do you protect all the other animals from your peacocks!
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Hehe. Gavin used to raise Pheasants too. Not anymore. He’s missing a couple ranch hands too… His food bills are pretty low now, but Razor-Wolves won’t last forever. The smart ones will realize Gavin’s ranch isn’t a safe place. Oh well, there’s always Roland’s cattle. 😉
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I wonder what Gavin is going to do when his peacocks eat all the Razor-wolves in the neighborhood, and will start getting hungry and restless…
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Yeah, that’s an issue. Roland’s cattle might have a bigger problem than Razor-Wolves in the future… 😉 Gavin already has combat-armor on order for himself and the ranch hands. 😉
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That armor can’t be cheap. If I were him, I would consider selling the ranch, or at least setting up a Razor-wolves breeding center. 🙂
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Haha! Maybe raise his own cattle as feedstock. Then start selling the peacocks as a home security system. 🙂
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Okay, so who’s the poor schmuck that has to try and pluck the peacock tail feathers 😮
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Haha! A guy who wears chain mail. 😉 Actually, the feathers are only “harvested” after a bird is …”expired” with a high-calibre rifle…from a safe distance. 😉 😀
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Awww, poor birdie 😦 Maybe they could genetically engineer them so their tail feathers molt twice a year.
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A fascinating take on the future and mutated peacocks. I loved that they eat the razor wolves who try to eat them. Great tale as always.
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Peacocks as predators. Unique twist.
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I do enjoy thinking outside the box. 😉 Thanks so much, Laura! 🙂
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Sounds like the razor-wolves are valuable in their own way…free feed for the peacocks, and for Gavin! Money coming from the income of the giant feathers of peacocks is also a plus. I’d say Gavin is doing well for himself and will not consider selling his ranch. Smart guy.
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They sure are. Though, Gavin might have to consider raising Razor-wolves as feedstock. They won’t last forever. 😉 Gavin’s got it worked out so far, so no way he’s going to sell. The day may come when he tries to buy Roland’s ranch! 😉
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Yikes! Better keep an eye on those peacocks, should the razor wolves wise up 🙂
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Indeed! Those birds have quite an appetite. Maybe it’s time to feed them cattle before they get really hungry… 😉
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Love it! The circle of life!
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Exactly! Thank you kindly. 🙂
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