ever wonder what cows think?

[slayers_desire]

It was a beautiful spring day, and April was in a field near the farm. She sat on the top of the steel gate, staring out a the herd of cattle that were enjoying the nice day.

She looked at peace, and the reason for that was simple. April was using her psychic gifts to create bonds between herself and the cows in the field, as she learned on Pandora. She had been there for a while, since she worked up from the grass and hay in the field to the animals that belong to the Kent farm.

April was getting better at connecting through her gifts. Her eyes weren't even closed this time. So her far-away look might cause a passerby to wonder what was on the young woman's mind.

Comments

[kalel-ofkrypton.livejournal.com]

Clark's just finishing up his chores when he sees her, so he wanders up, leaning against the gate beside her. He watches her for a moment. "Thinking deep thoughts?"

[slayers-desire.livejournal.com]

It takes her a second to focus on him. "Hmmm? Sort of."

Her eyes have a familiar out-of-focus appearance to them, like when she has her visions.

[kalel-ofkrypton.livejournal.com]

Well, nothing's floating, so that's a good sign. He hopes, anyway. "In what way?" he asks.

[slayers-desire.livejournal.com]

"I was..." She blushes. "Talking to the cows."

[kalel-ofkrypton.livejournal.com]

He considers that for a long, long moment. "Psychically, I assume." He's talked to the cows plenty, like his dad did, but he's never expected them to understand. Or reply.

[slayers-desire.livejournal.com]

"Yes. I was using a new technique I learned to connect to multiple minds. It is easier to do when you are communicating with a... simple mind." She doesn't mean to sound offensive. But cows have simple thoughts.

[kalel-ofkrypton.livejournal.com]

"Huh." He doesn't even think of it as potentially offensive, whether to him or the cows. "What're they thinking?"

[slayers-desire.livejournal.com]

"They are enjoying the sunshine. Sniffing out water and the good kind of grass. Just like when I was a deer... the grass has different tastes. So I can sort of relate in a strange way."

[kalel-ofkrypton.livejournal.com]

"That's really interesting." He can remember what it was like as a kangaroo, with all the animal senses he had, but he's sure that it's a little bit different for the cows. "Have they noticed you?"

[slayers-desire.livejournal.com]

"One or two have. And because of the herd mentality, a couple of the others get a small interest when that happens. Nothing too lasting. They lose interest easily."

[kalel-ofkrypton.livejournal.com]

He nods, and that matches up with what he's noticed growing up on a farm. "They have short attention spans, usually."

[slayers-desire.livejournal.com]

"It is the linear thought. They think about sleeping, eating and getting water. They don't worry about making things happen, and just trust in what is provided for them. And they are alert for predators, but it doesn't rule their lives."

[kalel-ofkrypton.livejournal.com]

It's strange, hearing what goes on inside the herd's heads. But it's interesting too, and he wonders what they thought of his dad. But they likely don't remember him, not specifically anyway. Can cows even tell the difference between humans? "Are they happy?"

[slayers-desire.livejournal.com]

"Of yes. Very happy. Very proud to be on this farm. Their memories are not as precise as those that belong to humans... but they still have some that have last. That one..." She points to one. "Remembers you taking care of it in the barn when it was sick, and young."

[kalel-ofkrypton.livejournal.com]

He looks at the one she points out, recognizes it, his memories filling in the other side of the scene. "Wow, I didn't know that they remembered things for that long. We've only had this herd for about four and a half years, but I wouldn't have expected them to have memories from when they were calves."

[slayers-desire.livejournal.com]

"They remember enough to make bonds. A few of them miss seeing the jacket your dad wore. And smelling him around the farm yard."

[kalel-ofkrypton.livejournal.com]

He's silent for a long moment. In a way, it's almost comforting to know that Jonathan made an impression on the cows, that he'll live on in their memories too, not just in the Kents and their friends. "They probably don't understand why he's gone."

[slayers-desire.livejournal.com]

"No. They don't." April places her hand ontop of his. "They just know a member of their herd is missing."

[kalel-ofkrypton.livejournal.com]

He turns his hand palm-up underneath hers, clasping it gently. "I guess that means we're all honorary cows, huh?" Thinking of his dad is still painful sometimes, but it's slowly getting easier to remember the good parts.

[slayers-desire.livejournal.com]

"In a fashion. Cows have their own heirachy. There are those that are followed, and those follow. And for those cows... you and Martha are always worth following."

"Me they don't know as well yet."

[kalel-ofkrypton.livejournal.com]

"So that's why you're out here, bonding with the herd." It's kind of sweet, if in an odd sort of way.

[slayers-desire.livejournal.com]

"I want to be a complete part of this farm. Its my home." April blushes again. It sounds so foolish.

[kalel-ofkrypton.livejournal.com]

He chuckles and gives her hand a squeeze. "If that means bonding with the cows over grass, I say go for it."

[slayers-desire.livejournal.com]

"I am going to work my way up to more intelligent animals. Good thing Shelby likes me, it will make that easier."

[kalel-ofkrypton.livejournal.com]

"That'll be really interesting too. He's a smart dog." He looks out at the field again for a moment, watching the cows meander around as they graze. "Is this a new kind of psychic exercise you've discovered?"