riverview | video; un: youradhere

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video; un: youradhere

[Well, this is certainly bringing things full circle. The irony doesn't escape him, but this time Christian is actually making an effort to do his job. As much as can be expected from him, of course.

Which means the network gets a nice view of a man at a small desk, looking more like an assistant than a professional in his oversized sweater and jeans completing the look with tousled hair. He's organizing books on the surface as he addresses the network, with titles including How to Find Yourself, Practical Counseling, and The Pocket Manual for Technical Magic stacked on top of each other. He has the phone sitting on one such stack, propped up behind the others.]

So. [Wait, false start.] You ever feel like this place is just a little bit weird?

I mean, how many cities have portals that lead to other worlds and collect people? And hire Magic Counselors? Hi, I'm Christian, Magic Counselor if you ever need one. I'm not sure how many people here do the magic thing. Do you?

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[If Hiccup falls to his death and Christian never gets to see a real flesh dragon it will not be fine! This is the stuff of literal legends and he's not about to pass it up. He wishes some of his friends were actually around so he could boast to them about this conversation, because if he does ever get back they will never believe him. Well, most of them at least.

And offering to trade toaster pastries for a once in a lifetime encounter is such a great deal. He grins broadly, grabbing his coat as soon as he hears where the two are staying.]

Yeah, I'm on the eighth floor, but I'll meet you on the first. I'm heading back now.

[ He's going to meet a fucking dragon. ]

[Flashes of the inhabited city's perimeter can be spotted in the background of the video minutes later as they head back. The video jostles a little more, and Hiccup laughs,] We'll see you on first in a little bit, then! [Before he finally turns off his phone and slides it back into his saddlebag.

Toothless is fast, but they keep up a lazy pace, the dragon's broad wings cleaving through the air like yak butter. It still isn't very long before they touch down on the roof (easier to land up here than down there where people might get in the way) and take the service elevator down to the first floor.

Christian will probably get there first. If so, he'd see them enter, a tall young man in leather armor, emblazoned with a dragon crest, and the Night Fury, wings tucked against his sides, tail swishing in short motions. Hiccup has a hand resting on Toothless' scaly shoulder, just above the edge of the saddle.] Ready to get this saddle off for the night, bud?

[Christian makes a pit stop. He's excited, but that excitement just fuels his focus, and a promise is always a promise. That is the key point of any magical transaction. Breaching that rule is a taboo that he doesn't even humor. When he gets to the housing building, he's prepared. He crosses the room as soon as he sees Hiccup and Toothless enter, a plastic bag in hand as he approaches.]

Hey! Dragon Kid!

[He's definitely still excited, with his eyes taking in Toothless in all his dragony glory.]

So this is him. You're sure you're both real?

[Hiccup waves briefly at Christian before he gets to work unstrapping the bulk of the saddle from the dragon's back.] Hiccup. It's nice to meet you. [He laughs, scratching Toothless behind the ears when he gets most of the apparatus off. They're in for the day, going to visit with someone who is absolutely enamored with the idea of dragons, apparently, and going to experience pop-tarts.

He raises an eyebrow at the question, glancing at Toothless, who... while he doesn't shrug, the noise he makes sounds like a shrug.] Yeah, I'm pretty sure we're both real. What do you think, bud?

[Toothless looks back at Christian and lets out a little roar. Stop being ridiculous, human.]

[Christian has some trouble pulling his gaze from the black dragon, but he does manage to give Hiccup the appropriate nod of greeting and grin as he approaches both dragon and rider. After all, the saddle and tack don't escape his notice, and the man that can ride a dragon is interesting for that much alone.]

Hiccup. It's nice to meet you. [There's only a slight pause, barely a skip as he digests the name. But he's heard worse, so he doesn't dwell too much on it. He couldn't anyway, since the next moment has Toothless roaring, which snaps him right out of whatever calm he was maintaining.]

You're real. Oh, God, that's- That's good. Here. Here.

[He breathlessly fishes a box of pop-tarts out of his grocery bag and hands it to Hiccup like he's passing over Christmas gifts.] And I didn't know what dragons eat, so I got some eggs and bacon. Have you guys eaten yet?

[Toothless stares right back, green eyes wide and a little curious, sitting back on his haunches and tilting his head slightly to the side. He towers, sitting like this; his wings are tucked in, but his wing span is probably impressive, to be able to keep a dragon this size plus a rider in the air.

He makes an inquisitive little noise, a low, rumbling mrr, ear fins cocking. As if he's responding to Christian's amazement and near disbelief, he reaches out with a front foot and, very gently, bats at his chest.

Hiccup laughs as he takes the box of pop-tarts, regarding it with his own sort of curiosity.] I think we could eat. Night Furies generally eat fish, but I have some in a cooler for him. I like bacon and eggs. Is this a pop-tart? [Holding up the box.]

[ The curious dragon gets a smile from Christian, who takes the patting claw as a good sign and holds out a hand for Toothless to examine. It does occur to him that there's a chance he might lose that hand, since he's used to creatures, even friendly ones, being interested in taking a bite, but for the moment he doesn't think there's any indication that Toothless will try it. ]

Great. I'm having breakfast with a dragon! You'll like it, right?

[ He at least fits in with Hiccup's habit to talking to the dragon directly. Christian turns his attention to the box. ]

That's a pop-tart box. The actual pop-tarts are inside. Come on. We can use the kitchen and try some.

[Toothless leans in, gaze flicking from his face to his hand a couple times. Everyone has been nice enough here that the dragon isn't too worried about his rider's safety, so luckily he won't be biting any hands off. He tilts his head slightly to the side for a moment, and then a big tongue darts out, licking over his hand and leaving a sheen of sticky spit. Toothless sits back and makes a purring noise, evidently pleased with himself.

Hiccup shoots Toothless an exasperated look, and the dragon only barks out a noise like laughter at him as they head to the kitchen.]

Yeah, he'll probably like it. Don't let him slobber all over your clothes, it doesn't come out. [At least not very easily. Who knows with a washing machine, though.]

I figured that. [He slides a table over to the side in the kitchen to make a bit more room and then settles down on a chair to open up the box and then the poptart package.] It's some kind of cake?

Hello to you! That's a nice greeting.

[He doesn't mind the dragon slobber at all. The hand gets wiped off on his shirt tail, and he may just be examining it more closely later. How many times is he going to get a chance to get real dragon spit? This is definitely a rare opportunity for him.]

I's all right. I can get another shirt. You ride him? Did you make all of that gear yourself?

[What kind of world did they come from?]

It's a pastry, but it's a little more like a cookie than a cake. They're good like that, but better if you heat them up or put them in the freezer for a little.

[ He goes to the flat top, fishing out a pan to cook the bacon in. ]

They come in all kinds of flavors, so if you like them I can bring you more.

[Toothless pads after them toward the kitchen and plants himself just far enough away from the stove to give the humans some space to work. But he's watching the proceedings interestedly, the tip of his tongue occasionally flicking out to lick around his mouth.

Hiccup perches on the edge of the counter, taking a bite of a pop-tart. Classic strawberry.] Oh! There's preserves in it. [Berry preserves are at least familiar. When it's winter most of the year, you learn to preserve what food you can get.] These probably go in the... toaster? [He's used that before! A few times, at least.

He watches Christian, munching on the pastry.] Yeah, I'm a dragon-rider. I built most of my saddle and Toothless' tail fin, but Gobber helped with upgrading the design. My- he's my dad's friend, I worked in his forge. He designed my leg.

[Christian sets to work making breakfast, Frying up bacon and eggs as he listens to Hiccup test the pastry. He keeps looking back over his shoulder to marvel at Toothless, who is watching with his big reptilian eyes and looks content to keep them company. This is one of the most incredible moments of his life, and possible one of the most surreal despite dealing with spirits and other strange situations.]

It's better if you put it in the toaster.

[This is totally fact. Christian makes a plate for Hiccup and himself, with some extra because the dragon is bound to get some, and takes them over to the table.]

You work in a forge. What is your home like? You have dragons and regular dragon-riders and a forge. It sounds like an amazing place.

[He does put the next one in the toaster, and eats that with an appreciative little sound as Christian finishes up breakfast. After that's done, Toothless follows them to the dining table, scooting about as close to Christian as he can get, tongue flicking out a few times.

Hiccup pulls out a chair and laughs a little.] I think he wants some eggs. You can feed him, he won't bite. [And then the dragon's nose is creeping in a little closer.]

Berk is an island in the middle of nowhere, and it's winter nine months out of the year. It's pretty unique, though, because we coexist with dragons, and we've expanded the village in ways that are more convenient for the people and the dragons. I'm really proud of my home and how far we've come.

[Christian sets down the plates and looks over at Hiccup with a slightly guilty, playful smile. Because he was absolutely going to feed the dragon under the table like a dog even without permission and getting permission just calls out his bad habit in his mind. If he had just asked it would have been fine after all. Live and learn.]

You live in a village with near eternal winter and dragons.

[Well, no wonder. It sounds like Hiccup's world is much closer to the subtle realm than his. There must still be lands somewhere out there that embrace some magic... What a thought. He's jealous.]

I'm guessing that not everyone is as comfortable with dragons in your world as you are.

[He says, as he tips the plate in front of him toward the black nose leaning in for the food.]

[Toothless has gotten really good at begging for scraps in Riverview. People are all too willing to feed him from their plates at functions and on the street. Sometimes it's fine and sometimes he eats things he shouldn't and gets cranky. Eggs seem to be fine, bacon is probably okay.] Yeah, that about sums it up. Berk hasn't always been the easiest place to live, but vikings are hardy.

[Toothless leans a little closer, over Christian's shoulder, and his tongue flicks out rapidly, taking a whole fried egg in one go. Hiccup gestures at him with his fork.] You be polite. You're gonna make us look bad. [Toothless' response is smacking his mouth a few times. It almost sounds sarcastic.]

Yeah, Berk is... still kind of unique in that regard. There is still a black market for capturing and selling dragons to use as- as slaves. And even my village not too long ago still saw dragons as just... dangerous.

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