Era spent most days in the tent with Grayson - especially when he was sleeping. He was so prone to nightmares that someone had to be there for him. The worst part was - he never remembered them, or that he ever woke up from them. This made Era really sad, Grayson hated making her sad. So on days that they would have good weather they’d share a stroll through the camp. They liked to watch all the people train. Well she did, it reminded her of better times. It made Grayson sad, and she didn’t like Grayson to be sad. So then they would venture to find some lunch.

Grayson never ate much, despite her pleas for him to eat more. She knew he was still hungry but he just didn’t feel like he was. She would try and coax him to talk to others, which he wouldn’t. He honestly never listened to her but she was loyal so she kept trying! Wagging her tail ever faithfully at him, nudging the palm of his hand, he’d always pet her - which she liked - but the answer was the same every time.

And still the faithful little dog would try.

But today was different.

Era was a good dog - she never forgot a scent. Even though her nose wasn’t as good as some others she’d met, it was good enough. Grayson had told her so on many occasions. She’d smelt something vaguely familiar but different. It was hard for her to explain whilst eating dinner that evening. Her nose twitching thoughtfully, ears alert to the numerous voices that floated above the campfire. Something was tugging the back of her memory, it wasn’t a bad one, nor a good one, it was just there. Like when Grayson would say, its right on the tip of his tongue, but it was on the tip of her nose. She didn’t bother alarming her fairy, not until she knew what it was.

Dinner was uneventful as usual, Grayson retired to his tent right as dusk settled around them, blanketing the camp in deep purples, blues, and pinks. She went to follow him in the tent but that scent caught her right as he opened the flap.

“You coming Era?”, Grayson asked as he dipped in, holding it open for her.

Her eyes shifted and narrowed at a shadow figure disappearing into the waning darkness. “In a minute.”

He shrugged, thinking nothing of it and disappeared into the tent.

She wandered for a while, catching wind of something exotic before it disappeared again, but the trail that she recognized was still heading the straight and narrow. That was until it turned, and turned again, sending her all different directions into the wood. She didn’t worry, she’d find her way back the same way she came in - or hoped.

The darkness seemed to close in as the underbrush thickened, letting little light in through its branches. The eerie echoes of the night creatures almost caused her to turn around several times but she’d take in a deep breath, knowing she was drawing closer and continued this personal mission. She didn’t know how long she wandered on for, time was such a funny thing for a dog, even for a familiar.

The scent grew stronger and she knew he was close. Excitement caught her, speeding up her pace she lost track of her footing and stuck her paw in something sharp - slicing it open across her toe. She hesitated, biting back a yowl as she licked at her front right paw when she heard his shuddering breaths.

Ears perked up she limped over towards the sound and brushed her nose against the person. He startled her as much as she startled him, leaping back she stood there frozen, head tilting down with every word he spoke and ears honed I’m on him. She knew this person, a long time ago. Except, he wasn’t supposed to be here. Wagging her tail she belly crawled towards him, offering her paw for him to examine and winced when he took it.

“Hey Grayson…” She didn’t have to do much to open the link and speak to him, he was still awake, thank goodness. “You need to come find me, I’ve got something important.”

She could hear his mental groan but knew he wouldn’t refuse her. He’d find her through the woods, surely.

The little blue dog looked up at boy, catching the shadows of his face through the soft light of the moon. “You don’t remember me, do you?” She finally asked him, tilting her head curiously.

After all, she never forgot a scent.

Grayson