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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Anders grins, seeing no problem at all with poking fun of mages he grew up with who aren't here.]

His real name was Florian Phineas Horatio Aldebrant, Esquire. I think Hiccup is a lot better compared to that!

[Okay. He has to smile at that.]

Yeah, no kidding! That's a really fancy name!

His parents got carried away, I think. Although it sounds like yours has a history too. Or do parents always name their children after bodily functions where you're from? That could be awkward.

Not all the time. Just something scary or strange enough to foil evil spirits and gnomes.

You mean demons and things? The ones I know don't much care what you're named. I think I like yours better. I could stand going through life called Burp or something if it meant being safe from demons!

Well, it's been working for us, yeah! I guess since there's different worlds, not all demons are the same...

Well we could always compare notes, if you like. What do yours look like? Do they attack people normally, or does someone have to bring them out first?

Oh. Well, they...come in all sizes. Big, small, really small. They mostly do things out of mischief, so it's not always something hugely terrible happening. Whatever their interest, they go for it.

Uuh. What about yours?

I think I like your demons better. In Thedas, demons will possess mages like me so that they can get a foothold into the mortal realm. They kill and torture humans for fun or to feed off their emotions and things. A mage possessed by a demon becomes a horrible abomination, and most of the time there's nothing human left in them at all.

They're a bit of a worry for all mages, and the Chantry uses it as justification to lock us up and kill us if they think we're possessed, among other things.

[He makes a face.]

Yeah, I think I like mine better too! That's just too much to deal with, possessions and everything.

That's not a very good reason, either. Really unfair. Is there, like, no way to get rid of them?

You're telling me! Still, if I'm lucky, I won't have to worry about anything like that in the future.

[He shakes his head in answer to the question.] I've heard rumours of people being able to go into the Fade and convince the demons to leave somehow, but it's difficult, not to mention dangerous. The templars generally just prefer the easier, more fatal method. Hard to be possessed when you don't have a head any more.

Oh. [Fingers tap his lip in thought as he visibly droops.] No wonder they choose the more violent option. I can see why they do, even if it's messy. And gross.

And fatal? We're talking about people that think cutting off my head is an acceptable idea here.

Well. That too! Sorry– Viking thought bubble just butted in at the moment.

Viking? Is that something dangerous about this place that no one's mentioned yet? That's just what I need.

No! I mean, yes, but no, ah– [He pauses.] –Dangerous, yes. Stubborn and angry, definitely! That's just what me and my people are known as back at home. People have heard of Vikings, but they're not a threat here.

Your people are Vikings? Is that to do with where you're from, then? Like being from Ferelden or the Anderfels?

I...guess? If Ferelden and Anderfels are about the same? Barbaric attitudes, stubbornness issues?

I can't really say. I think the Anders are a lot worse in general, but I've never really been there. It does sound rather like the Fereldens, though. Especially if you like dogs as well.

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