1st Flight [video]

[dragonconqueror]

Oh for Thor's sake, they said this would be easy...

[There's a curious green eye studying the communicator before it zooms out to reveal a young boy of about fourteen or fifteen, his face covered in scratches and scars that look both fresh and old, the oldest one a nick on the right side of his chin. He grins a bit tiredly, sitting back and snapping his fingers.]

I knew I could get it to work! Man, if we had things like this back home it'd make communicating with other tribes easier...

[He fiddles a bit, the screen flicking off as he discovers the other functions, a bit of text gibber jabber appearing before it switches back to full video, then he remembers the people he spoke to said that others could be watching.]

Uh, hi. I'm Hiccup. Great name, I know, but I guess it's kept me from being snatched up by gnomes and trolls all these years so it's worth something at least. If you couldn't guess, I'm kinda new...just arrived really. I don't think I was awake for a lot of the talk though, getting knocked out by a giant dragon tail would do that to you. I think I'm awake. At least I hope so anyway. This place doesn't look like any Valhalla I ever dreamed of.

[He reaches down to scratch at his leg.]

There's...a lot of things here that we don't have at home. I hope I don't blow anything up. And, uh, this is gonna sound kinda strange but I don't suppose anyone has anything I can, er, walk with? [Pause.] One of my legs kind of...doesn't work. They helped me here but I don't know how I'm going to get around...

I guess that's...it? Yeah.

[He goes to get up but lets out a yelp as he puts pressure on his injured leg and he falls backwards, crashing to the floor.]

Comments

[dragonconqueror]

I'm a big viking, I can handle it.

[He's a bit unsure about that in the long run but for the meantime it's as good an excuse as any. He runs his fingers through his hair.]

Um, I think they said this was WO-2D? What I can remember of it anyway, it's not like I'm going anywhere anytime soon.

[guiltapalooza]

Sorry, but right now you're also a hobbled viking, [she says, apologetic.] --And, viking? Really?

[Sue her, she's curious. Willow's pretty unflappable about this stuff by now, but it's still novel.]

WO-2D... Okay, I can manage that. Let me just, get the crutch part down first.

[dragonconqueror]

Really, a viking. Is that so much of a shocker?

[He's genuinely curious. He's had a couple of people question him about dragons but he's never actually said much about being a viking to anyone but Merida.]

Okay. Uh, you'll have to forgive me if I don't come to the door.

[guiltapalooza]

Just a little, historical. But it's nice! I'm sure you'll be really... popular.

[She's so good at reassurance.

Then she nods decisively.] Forgiven. Don't worry, I'm on the job. I'm Willow, by the way.

[dragonconqueror]

History to me is like Gobber repeatedly telling me stories about how his great-great-great grandfather wrote the dragon manual.

[But he digresses. He shrugs and gives a small nod.]

Nice to meet you. Ah, I guess the circumstances could've been better.

[guiltapalooza]

With a name like Gobber, how could his stories not be riveting? [she asks wryly.

Then she's mentally shaking herself off and getting to her feet, reaching for the power button.] Okay, I'm gonna start my mission. You just, convalesce in the meantime.

[dragonconqueror]

Okay, I'll, uh, just be here. Waiting.

[Yep.]

[guiltapalooza]

[She gives a jaunty, encouraging wave before signing off.

It's a while later before she shows up at his door, a set of older wooden crutches hauled along with her. Willow's not exactly graceful with it, but she's determined, and she takes him at his word and doesn't knock at the door. Instead she opens it and sticks her head in, hoping she'd gotten the number right.]

Hiccup?

[dragonconqueror]

Over here.

[He's just been sitting at the communication terminal answering responses and letting people know he's actually more okay than what they think (lies). He gives her a small, awkward wave, turning himself around in the chair with a little difficulty. After a moment of trying, he gives her a smile and just remains seated where he is.]

Looks like you found the place.

[guiltapalooza]

Sure did. I persevered through the wilds of turtle city to hand deliver your very own rustic Chinese crutches.

[She pops in and shuts the door behind her, coming right over and propping said crutches to lean on the desk next to him.

Willow's enough of a softie to ask, genuinely,] How are you doing?

[dragonconqueror]

Thanks, I owe you one.

[He doesn't want to ask where she got them from, it's probably a good idea not to. At the question, he reaches up to rub the back of his neck.]

I managed to get myself around the place enough to find the bathroom. I found a couple of things to replace the wrappings around that part of my leg.

[guiltapalooza]

Don't mention it.

[It's less dramatic than he's thinking, no doubt. She'd just bartered for them, doing a quick spell to get rid of a pesky termite problem in return. Simple stuff for Willow, and didn't require her to use up some of what little money she'd been given on arrival.]

Do you need any help with them? I've done my share of bandaging. You said a dragon did this, right? [Willow has a slightly dubious look at that, but isn't truly disbelieving.]

[dragonconqueror]

I've done my fair share too, don't worry. Kind of happens when your entire life is an occupational hazard.

[He inclines his head, nodding slightly after thinking about it.]

I'm pretty sure Toothless did it to snatch me out of the air. Last I remember I was knocked off his back.

[guiltapalooza]

Boy, I know how that feels, [she says fervently.]

... The occupational hazard, not the-- dragons. [Her eyes are going wide. Even Willow and her jaded history isn't enough to be unflappable about this.] I'm pretty sure you just implied you were riding a dragon when you were knocked off. But that would be absurd and terrifying.

[dragonconqueror]

Well, more being a viking is an occupational hazard. Dragons are just part of the package.

[He raises an eyebrow before he nods, completely serious.]

I was.

[guiltapalooza]

No wonder you're all bruised, [she blurts out.] That's incredible! Can I hear this story?

[A beat.]

Or I can go. If you don't want to tell the story. But I gotta say, feeling some mighty curiosity here.

[dragonconqueror]

It's nothing really big like it belongs in a saga or anything.

[Hiccup ur selling yourself short.]

But if you want. I don't mind.

[guiltapalooza]

Sagas generally contain much of the bad, including tragedies and murder, so I'm thinking that's a good thing.

I'd love to hear it. Should I take a seat? Is it a long story?