Still preparing

[ex_dragonnerd309]

[Well what do you know, Hiccup's still alive! Yes. And he's still preparing for the maybe biggest battle of his life. But because his mun is an incompetent idiot, Hiccup needs to get back on roll, so this is a 'filler' post that serves as trying to find the muse again.

So, let's get started! Hiccup had brought a whole arena with himself. It's the Kill Ring that's used to train little dragon slayers but right now it functions as Hiccup's base. He has ropes, wood, and chains around, along with a few tools from the blacksmiths' shed. And let's not forget the four dragons who're sniffing around in the place: a Monstrous Nightmare with a Deadly Nadder, and there is a Gronckle munching on rocks not far from a Hideous Zippleback. They seem pretty calm, but Hiccup had brought them together with the arena so he can keep them under check while he's working on saddles for them. After a moment they arrive, Hiccup gets a rope and hurries over to the Zippleback.]

Hey, hey uh- you two-- come- come here just for a moment! I need to measure... your back, um backs and uuh neck- necks.

Comments

[darkercalling]

[That's... interesting. Riku very nearly starts after that Monstrous Nightmare, but once he gets a little closer, he realizes it actually isn't attacking. Or doing anything dangerous at all. Curious...

That's when he spots Hiccup, and he makes his way over to him.]

What's all of this for?

[ex_dragonnerd309]

[Hiccup just finished measuring the itchy Zippleback when he hears Riku's voice. He blinks and turns to him.]

Oh, uuuh, this? Thiiiis... is actually a pretty long story, yeah... [He sighs, as he's rubbing his neck, looking over the dragons.] It's just that, uh, I'll be needing them for saving my father... But they need bridles, because they will be carrying us.

[darkercalling]

A long story? [He looks around again...] I could have probably guessed that.

Bridles... You're going to get people to ride these dragons? To save your father? [pause] Is that... safe?

[noblesavage]

Do you need help, Hiccup?

[It had been too long since she had seen him. Leela crossed the arena without fear or incident, though she was aware of the looming presence of the dragons that she could not see. What had changed since their last meeting?]

[onceandfuturequeen]

[Dragons.

They were close to extinct in her world and, although she trusted Hiccup, the sight of so many of the creatures made Gwen hesitate before approaching. She hovered uncertainly on the edge of the arena, biting her lip.]

[ex_dragonnerd309]

[Nervous laugh.] A-ah, yeah it's... obvious isn't it, huh...

Wellll... Actually, it's safer than what my father was about to do now. [Nods. Yes, he has to believe that for the sake of his sanity.] Dragons are not evil creatures. Most of the time.

[ex_dragonnerd309]

[The dragons could smell fear, especially the Monstrous Nightmare so they close up on Gwen the moment it's clear she's afraid. But Hiccup notices the movement and turns toward her.]

Hey, hey shoo, don't scare her more! [He waves off the curious creatures.] Sorry, they uh... tend to be like this, I-I think it's just how they work... They had to appear menacing for a few hundred years after all... Are you alright, Gwen?

[ex_dragonnerd309]

To Odin's beard, Leela! Somehow it feels ages since we last met... It's good to see you! [Hiccup feels relieved seeing her around, especially before his half-kamikaze plan. He's still preparing to take on the huge dragon, the Green Death, and now he's 'arming' the dragons so his friends could ride them safely.] I... think I'll be fine for now, but maybe the rope I have on me won't be enough...

[darkercalling]

Of course they're not. [Riku shrugs a shoulder.] It probably depends on the world, or the type... Different situations, too.

[He's watching them all roam about, doing whatever it is they will. They really are interesting!]

Need some help? I can try getting one of them to hold still.

[oliverplus]

Whooooa! [Oliver is very happy to see his friend--and especially that he's still okay, considering what Hiccup was talking about doing the last time Oliver saw him--but he is also distracted by the SUDDEN GROUP OF DRAGONS] Hiccup! Are these all yours!?

[ex_dragonnerd309]

Ah, yeah, it depends on... a lot of things. [Quietly.] Do you-- uh, do you have dragons back home...?

You want to help...? Really? [Because Hiccup's still not used to people wanting to help around dragons...] I mean- yes, yes of course you can help, uuuh... But be gentle with them, and don't scare them and-- but I think you'll be fine. [Nervous chuckle.] We should start with the Gronckle...

[ex_dragonnerd309]

[Hiccup's not yet encountered with that evil he was preparing for the last time. But soon, very soon...] O-Oliver! Um... no, they are not mine, they are... free to go, but first I'm asking them to help us a little. We need to get to that island somehow, and the ships are not fast enough.

[noblesavage]

Time is different here. I do not know how long it has been, but I know that I am glad to see you now.

I can fetch more from the Axis?

[onceandfuturequeen]

[She could have vanished from the Plane if she'd truly feared for her safety, but Gwen settled for taking a single step backwards.]

I'm fine. A little startled, that's all ...

[She tore her eyes away from the dragons to look at Hiccup.]

What are you training for? A tournament?

[Perhaps people fought using dragons in his world?]

[ex_dragonnerd309]

[Hiccup smiles, Leela's presence is already calming him a bit.]

Oh, uh, if it's not a problem-- I mean I-I could go back, but I have minutes there and I don't want to uh, waste any more time...

[ex_dragonnerd309]

[Hiccup sighs.]

Oh, huh, good... They really won't hurt you.

...Uuuh... training...? Oh, no no no no, no it's not training it's just preparing... This really is a training arena... for killing dragons. [He whispers that last bit because dragons tend to be upset about this thing.] But I think it's a good place to keep them together while I work on some saddles for them.

[darkercalling]

There are some. I haven't seen many. ... And most of the ones I've seen haven't been real dragons, just... Heartless that look like them.

[He chuckles lightly.] Is there a certain way to not scare a dragon that I should know about beforehand?

[oliverplus]

[Oliver stops, turning to Hiccup in surprise] You haven't yet? [clearly time has been passing at different rates. but maybe this is an opportunity] Hey, can I help with anything?

[onceandfuturequeen]

I trust you. [And she did, though she still sounded nervous.]

They're very brave to return to such a horrible place.

Why do they need to be saddled?

[noblesavage]

It is not a problem. I will not be long.

[And, sure enough, she disappeared and reappeared swiftly, returning with coils of stolen rope in her arms.]

[ex_dragonnerd309]

What- what is a Heartless...? [And see Hiccup's head full with images of dragons that are hollow in the chest---]

Uuuhh... just act... natural. Yeah, that... might be the trick. And try to keep your thoughts happy.

[ex_dragonnerd309]

No-- Not yet... [Rubs the back of his neck nervously.] Ummm... well I already got the others to help, they are ready to help me with the huge dragon, and all... But maybe trying to get the dragons to calm down until I size them and put some ropes on them so the others can hold on and can control them?

[ex_dragonnerd309]

I think... I think they want to defeat the dragon on their island too. [Smiles a little sadly.]
I mean, he's a kind of tyrant there, forcing them to collect food.

Well, so they can be controlled, we need to get to the island, but I'd like the riders and the dragons to be in charge together... I-If you get what I'm saying, it must sound very stupid...

[ex_dragonnerd309]

Thank you! They seem great for the dragons! [Smiles happily, but then he bites in his lips. He has something in his mind.] Leela, um, where do you go... after you uh, you know, um, bite the dust... Uh, that didn't come out right, I mean, you know when you... after you... go away... d-d-d-die? Is there a place or...?

[oliverplus]

[Oliver's eyes widen] You...need help calming the dragons down? [he turns to survey the crew of them, looking very uncertain about this plan] Um...any good ideas about how to do that?

[ex_dragonnerd309]

Kinda, because going against your king... your... superior is a walk on a sunlit shore. [Hiccup clears his throat. He kinda knows how that feels like.] I wonder if it's enough if we just tell them it will be alright...

[oliverplus]

[he cringes] I didn't mean it like that. Just...uh...do the dragons even understand us? [because they don't look as attentive as Toothless, and that's making him very nervous]

[darkercalling]

Exactly what it sounds like. Creatures without hearts. They're born from the mist, and they attack people who have hearts. [Well... that's the simple explanation anyway.]

[Happy thoughts? Riku? Lol. He nods, taking a few steps toward the Gronkle, trying to make an effort to not appear threatening.] Well, that shouldn't be too bad. Right?

[noblesavage]

There is a dark room on the Plane. You returned to life in a sudden rush, as if you had never died at all.

I do not know what happens if we die in our own worlds. It does not matter. You will not die, Hiccup. Here or there.

[She would not allow it.]

[onceandfuturequeen]

Not at all. My father was a blacksmith and he always said that only a knight who treats his steed with respect is a true knight. I know riding a dragon must be very different to riding a horse, but that should remain the same. They're not slaves.