sirenspull | [Video: 005] Morning:

[The Great Outdoors! Well, whatever was left untouched within the city's perimeters. Still, it works. Beautiful. Just beautiful.

As the ~~rock~~ NV sits somewhere off to the side, Hiccup is seen in view with Toothless. He leans over the dragon, checking the saddle and the tethers attached to it and the prosthetic tail fin, tugging it a few times to make sure it's secure.]

Check. Check. Everything looks good! [He claps his hands together, stepping back as he does so. And after he takes a moment to approve of how well everything has held together, the boy easily swings a leg over one side, patting the scaly black flank.] Okay, buddy. I think we're ready to go–

[Go indeed- "go" is the magic word as Toothless eagerly bounds forward, wings stretching out from either side as the black dragon rushes towards the ledge of a cliff. Oh. Boy.]

–waitWAITWAITTOOTHLESS NO–

[They plunge.

A very high-pitched scream is heard, fading into the background.]

[ SOME TIME LATER: ]

[The scene stays the same, much like one of those computer screensavers used for peaceful default ambiance settings. But it isn't long before it's disturbed again, a miffed black dragon and his bedraggled boy entering in from the left side of the screen.]

I said I was sorry!

[Toothless glares flatly at Hiccup as he snorts. He shakes off the excess leaves and twigs before tromping off.

Hiccup sighs, letting his hands drop to his sides as he returns the look, watching the dragon go.]

We can try again– oh. Yeah! Okay, fine. Iii see how it is. [Pause. He suddenly looks offended.] Oh, you did not– !

[Excuse him as he chases after the dragon for a bit.]

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You made that? [A low, appraising whistle.] Wow, that's pretty impressive work. Do people usually ride dragons where you come from? Like... it seems like a pretty unusual skill from where I'm standing.

[He takes a moment to preen. It's nice. And then he goes back to fumbling over his words.]

We, ah, we actually...don't? Well. First of all, Vikings take the more violent approach towards dragons since there was – is? – a lot of tension between us and them. Because limited food sources, houses getting burned down, dragons killed...

But! After a while, it's learned.

[He laughs a bit--boy, kid, you are so uptight.] Easy, Hiccup, this isn't an inquisition, I'm just curious.

So, what I got from all that floundering was you guys and the dragons had a bit of a rough start, and now you're working on reaching an understanding and a sort of symbiosis...?

[As Axel speaks, Hiccup lets his shoulders slump.]

Yes. That's exactly it, summed up.

Well, I guess good on you guys for trying to work toward a compromise. I can't imagine negotiations with dragonfolk are ah... easy.

Not when the whole Viking mindset is "kill or be killed." More or less. Convincing them in general took a while.

Well, that can be a useful mindset under the right circumstances. [He's been there.] But I don't recommend it for arbitrary daily use, really.

Yeah, I figured. There's a different air about this place that sets it apart from home and it's been...easier to adapt to, sadly. For me.

I dunno that I'd say it's sad, really. This place is kind of a melting pot, so it makes sense it'd be easier to find a niche when the status quo is all over the place like it is here. Frankly I'd take this place over the mess I was in back home any day, Darkness monsters and all.

Really? I guess I usually don't hear people say that everyday. Because going home is pretty important. But if it's as bad as you say it is, then that's completely your decision and not mine to make.

Eh, I say home's what you make of it. The only good things about 'home' for me are all here anyway, so I'm not really interested in going back. But I guess that does make me a minority.

Well...I do have to agree with that. Being here would feel really different without Toothless and Astrid.

But I sure don't blame anybody who does want to go home... [He waves a hand--just to be clear on this.] I mean, just 'cuz there's more going for me here than back home doesn't mean I don't understand why that ain't the case for most people.

[He's a bit of a special case anyway...]

[He arches a brow, but he gives a shrug as he shakes his head.]

Hey. Different people, different reactions. Different reasons in staying or trying to leave, right?

[Video: 005] Morning:

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