Good Dog
Tressa huffed as she looked around Grandport. She needed to head over to the auction, and she wanted all of her traveling companions to be there! But she couldn't find Cyrus and Alfyn... Where had they gone?
Finally, after weaving around almost every stall in the market, she saw two people kneeling down over on the beach. She'd recognize Cyrus's cape and Alfyn's messy hair anywhere! But...what exactly were they doing? Tressa squinted and walked closer.
"Hey, guys!" she called. "I need to get ready for the Merchant's Fair! What are you doing?"
"There's a dog!" Alfyn shouted, as if that explained everything.
"...A dog?" Tressa repeated blankly.
"Yes, he's a very wonderful dog!" Cyrus added. "But then again, I suppose all dogs are excellent dogs! And a dozen Lightning Storms on he who dares to say otherwise!"
Alfyn chuckled. "Now there's something I agree with you on any day, Professor!"
They shifted slightly, and Tressa could see the medium-sized mostly-black dog splayed out between them. He was lying on his back with his legs in random directions up in the air, and his tongue was out and his eyes were closed. Clearly, he was enjoying the belly-rubs he was getting from both Cyrus and Alfyn.
Slightly off to one side, there was a woman and her daughter who probably owned the dog. The woman shook her head as she looked at the two men spoiling the mutt, while the little girl giggled. Tressa had to admit that was kinda cute, but...
"Come on, I'm gonna be late!"
"Now, Tressa, anything can wait if it's for the sake of rewarding a very good boy," Cyrus said, in a patient tone similar to one he used for explaining things to his students.
"Yeah!" Alfyn agreed, moving to scratch the dog behind the ears. "Who knows when we'll get to see another dog this great?"
"But I thought you said all dogs were good dogs," Tressa pointed out. "So by that logic, won't the next dog we see also be great?"
"Well..." Cyrus and Alfyn said as they looked at each other sheepishly.
The dog huffed as they stopped petting him in order to ponder this properly. Tressa had a point... And yet, how could they neglect such a wonderful, happy mutt?!
"...Two minutes," Alfyn finally said. "You go on, Tress! We promise we'll catch up with ya."
"Fine," Tressa replied, sighing over-dramatically.
She turned and walked back through the market, secretly admitting that the dog was indeed adorable, and she wished she could've played with him too.