video; un: youradhere

[buildingcastles]

[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?

Comments

[buildingcastles]

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.

[thisisamazing]

[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.

[buildingcastles]

[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.

[thisisamazing]

[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.

[buildingcastles]

[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.]

[thisisamazing]

[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.