A Tiny Error

Chapter 5

He looked up, smiling widely.
"I know what I'm gonna name him!"

The employee grinned and nodded.
"What's his name?"

"Cinnamon!" Ink stated proudly.

Error looked up at Ink. If the creator could see his expression, he'd probably see a look that resembled an 'I-am-so-done-with-you-right-now' kind of look. But, that might blow his cover, so Error looked back down at the scarf wrapped around him. He studied the little notes here and there, internally laughing at Ink's inability to remember some very basic things.

'Your notebook is by the fridge.'

'Poison ivy has five leaves.'

'Don't leave Broomie in the Doodlesphere!'

'Dream wants you to fix GZTale.'

'Huh?' Error thought. 'I don't remember destroying a GZTale. Must've been Nightmare."

At the thought of his friends, Error sighed. What if this is permanent? What if he can never go back to playing Uno with the gang? What if he never goes back to watching Nightmare get angry at Dust when he skips Killer, or Horror playing a reverse card knowing Error doesn't have that card or color? Tears stung his eyes, but he remained calm. He noticed Dream looking at him weird, so he focused more on what Ink was saying to the employee. Something about a collar with the name Cinnamon printed on it.

Dream tilted his head in confusion. The dog was exhibiting emotions. Sadness. Fear. Regret. Pain. Was this possible for a dog?
"Ink, something is wrong with your dog. I can feel his emotions, and he seems really sad."

Ink looked down at Error and petted him carefully.
"Don't worry, Cinnamon. It's gonna be ok. I'll make sure you are safe from now on!"

Error flinched at Ink's optimism. Once Ink finds out who he is, he won't be so eager to protect or take care of him. If he's lucky, Ink will just leave him in a random AU to starve and freeze to death. And with Error gone, the multiverse will collapse in on itself. Perhaps a few AUs will survive, but hundreds of billions of lives will be lost. Ink will forever wonder why, and the answer will probably never surface. Mostly because Ink wouldn't want to listen.

Ink set Error down on a counter and put the collar on. The employee showed him how to put on the harness and explained that dogs as small as this would be safer in a harness.

"It helps prevent their trachea from collapsing. It's very common for a dog this small. I mean, he's as small as a Coke can, for god's sake!"

"Thanks for telling me. Now, I'd like to get him the best kind of food possible."

"I'll be right back." The employee went back down the small dog aisle and grabbed a bag of Pedigree Small Dog Food. "Here we go. It's a healthy mix of meat, vegetables, and grains. Perfect for a growing pup. I'd also recommend you take him to a vet to get a checkup. Wanna make sure he's healthy, right?"

Ink nodded, then payed for the items.
"Thank you so much! You've been very helpful!"

"You're welcome, and good luck with your new furry friend!"

Ink made a portal back to the Doodlesphere and hopped through, and Dream followed soon after. The creator set his plastic bag of supplies on the counter in the kitchen, and set Error on the couch still wrapped up in his scarf. Ink set the bowls for food and water down right next to the wall dividing the kitchen from the living room, then poured some food in the bowl.

"Alright, Cinnamon. Here's some food for you. I'll get some water too!"

Dream rubbed his forehead when he sensed a shift in an AU.
"Gotta go, Ink. Nightmare is... probably causing trouble, somewhere. And where he is..."

"Error can't be too far behind." Ink nodded to his friend. "I'll join you as soon as I can. Be careful, Dream."

"I will. And I hope things work out with Cinnamon." He smiled as he made a portal and hopped through. Ink smiled. He hoped so, too. What he'd give for just a moment with a pet, snuggled up on the couch, watching movies and eating popcorn. Maybe he can finally make that dream a reality.

Error had tensed as soon as his name was mentioned. His true name. He watched Dream leave, and Ink approach him with uncertainty. He couldn't make a run for it without possibly hurting himself badly, so he sat in fear and apprehension as Ink knelt in front of him.

"Well, buddy. Guess it's just you and me, now."

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Well, that was... longer than expected. I didn't plan on making the pet shop scene so long, but it was just... there. Next time, I think we'll have a bit of the Bad Sanses' reaction to Error's disappearance. They are gonna be so mad-

:)