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

[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?