[Video: 010] The Next Chapter (Backdated)

[summing_it_up]

Hey. Ah. I know everyone else has been doing this lately, but...I guess we all have to say something, huh?

[Hiccup looks away from the feed for a moment, visibly torn between what he should be doing. At the same time, there's this sense of unwavering resolve that comes to the surface.]

Guys? [Hesitation gets to him, but he pushes to continue.] I gotta go. [He strokes Toothless' head.] We need to go back.

The last time I went home, I came upon a very big, terrible discovery. And this happened the night before the final dragon test I have to go through. I know what happens. Astrid told me. I just...I have to go through with it, you know?

[Toothless gives the boy a nudge. A low gurgling purr clutters the sound for a moment. Hiccup laughs weakly, regaining his balance before looking back at the feed.]

So... [He draws in a quick breath, puffing out his cheeks.] That's it.

...Astrid?

Comments

[summing_it_up]

That's a good thing, right? Better than nothing.

[snowdropped]

Much more.

I'll be sorry to say goodbye to some of the people I've met here, though.

[summing_it_up]

Yeah. Me too.

[After a pause, he laughs weakly.]

Man, saying goodbye is hard!

[snowdropped]

I know.

[Rukia tries to crack a smile, but it's a wobbly half-smile.]

But I think it's better to have the chance, rather than lose someone and wish—that you had said more. That your last words to them were different.

[summing_it_up]

...

[The boy sighs, glancing upward before meeting her gaze again.]

That's a good point. It would be better that way.

[snowdropped]

[She nods.]

I'm glad I got to be your friend, Hiccup. Even just for a little while.

[summing_it_up]

Yeah. I'm glad I'm considered a friend to you, too. I really hope I don't forget this.

And I know you probably don't need me to remind you, but make sure you keep Ichigo in check, okay?

[snowdropped]

I hope so too.

[She grins.] Oh, I've been doing that for quite some time. It would be a shame to stop now.

[summing_it_up]

[He laughs.] Great! I have nothing to worry about, then...

[Toothless nudges him, grunting impatiently. Hiccup hangs onto the dragon, patting his head.]

Okay, okay, we're going, we're gonna go. And...we'll be gone.

[snowdropped]

[She smiles, and if there's no hint of tears in her eyes, well—it's because the happiness for a friend going to where he belongs more than outweighs the sadness of saying goodbye.]

Take care of him, Toothless. Goodbye, Hiccup.

[b2_dragon]

[The dragon might not understand words exactly, but who says he hasn't learned to read understand other things like tone and expressions?

A soft grunt is made towards the screen, and Rukia can pretty much consider that as much of a 'will do' as anything else.]

[summing_it_up]

[To Hiccup, it's a good response. He gives Toothless one more patting as he gives a lopsided grin, caught between waving and saluting half-heartedly.]

Goodbye, Rukia.

[With that, he says something inaudible to the dragon, both of them setting off.]