A Boy(?) and his Dog(???)

## Premise

Nikola attempts to win over the bird-dog Sentry.

## Cast

* Nikola N. Change (Authorticity)
* Sentry (Zen)

## Plot Summary

After bringing Sentry back to their apartment, Nikola and their grandparents set up a room for Sentry to stay in with access to a screened-in balcony and plenty of dog and bird toys and treats. Nikola has left Sentry to their own devices for several days, but heads into the room for the first time, dressed in sturdy clothes and carrying treats. He wakes Sentry from a nap, but Sentry seems pretty content and friendly, so Nikola offers them some frozen carrots as treats. When Sentry approaches Nikola for the treats, Nik asks them to sit first, which they do, earning much praise from Nikola. Sentry retreats to their dog bed to eat the treats, and Nikola crouches and pulls out a book and begins speaking aloud, trying to get Sentry used to their presence and the sound of their voice.

After talking for a while, Nikola offers Sentry more treats if they go lie down in their dog bed. Sentry is reluctant to turn their back on Nikola, who carefully offers the treats forwards. Nikola takes out a soft dog brush and lays it on the floor, and Sentry looks at it but doesn't react otherwise. Nikola talks a bit about leaving their home to come to Wellspring City, and how reading this book about a character swept away to a magical world helped them. Sentry hesitantly approaches Nikola, but stops when Nikola tries to hold still and instead noses a toy towards Nikola, trying to cheer him up. Nikola starts meditating and accidentally broadcasting their thoughts to Sentry, surprising them as they look for the source of the voice, but Nikola doesn't realize. Sentry eventually realizes the thoughts are coming from Nikola, who doesn't know they can hear him, and relaxes.

Nikola wonders if anyone is missing Sentry, and Sentry puffs their feathers up. Nikola admires how floofy Sentry is and hopes they get to pet them at some point, which makes Sentry perk up. Sentry hesitantly approaches Nikola, who snaps to attention, worried he looks like prey to Sentry, and stops broadcasting their thoughts. Sentry stops, not liking that Nikola is afraid of them, and Nikola reassures them that they're good and haven't done anything wrong. Nikola offers to pet Sentry, bracing to be bitten, and Sentry sniffs Nikola and then pushes their head against his hand to be pet. Nikola pets Sentry, who is enthusiastic about being pet, and Nik buries their face in Sentry's feathers and reaches an arm up to scritch Sentry's back.

Sentry fails a Wis save and assume Nikola is trying to grab them. They start barking and backing away from Nik, who quickly lets go and tears up a little but tries to reassure Sentry anyway. Sentry realizes that Nikola was just missing the animals from their farm home, and Nikola realizes Sentry is nervous about being grabbed but did enjoy the pets. Nikola flops onto the floor and invites Sentry to come closer again and offers them some peanut butter treats. Sentry sniffs the treats but doesn't eat them, staying in the corner instead, and Nikola goes back to broadcasting their thoughts. Sentry calms down a little, but doesn't approach Nikola again. Nikola leaves Sentry a few carrots and leaves the room.

The next day, Nikola comes back into the room after school. Sentry is out on the screened balcony barking at some nearby birds when Nikola comes in. Sentry watches from the doorway to the balcony, watching as Nikola sits down and offers some treats. Sentry hesitantly approaches Nikola, and sits when Nikola asks them to, earning some treats. Nikola talks to Sentry about their book and their family and friends, but Sentry doesn't seem familiar with the idea of people that make your life better. Nikola explains that they like spending time with Sentry, and Sentry's company is like a treat for him, but Sentry is still puzzled by the concept.

Nikola offers to pet Sentry again, and Sentry is hesitant, but their desire for pets wins out and they approach Nik. Nikola very carefully pets Sentry, who enjoys being pet. Nikola relaxes and starts broadcasting their happiness to Sentry, who also relaxes a bit. Nikola asks if he can get closer, and Sentry hops a bit closer to Nikola. Nik praises Sentry and offers them some more treats, which Sentry ignores in favor of being pet. Sentry eventually settles onto Nikola's lap, and Nikola attempts to brush them, but Sentry does not like the brush so he doesn't try it. Nikola eventually falls asleep petting Sentry, and Sentry drags their dog bed next to Nikola and goes to sleep in their bed.

## Notes

The transition from bird to dog on Sentry's body is gradual, with no apparent scar.