middaeg | [OPEN] It's the lightning I feel inside

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[OPEN] It's the lightning I feel inside

Who: Hiccup Haddock III & You
When: All of November
Where: Around the city, outside the Bright Wall.
What: Catch-all log for the month! Quests, forge things, and more.
Warnings: None at the moment.

i. Out to the Forge
[On the path from the city gates out to Hiccup's forge, it's unusual to spot Toothless by himself, pacing in short circles back and forth over the cleared ground and letting out the occasional roar of distress. Actually, it's unusual to spot Toothless without his rider period, unless he's around the barracks or lounging on the Coven grounds. When the Night Fury spots someone approaching, maybe to check on an outstanding order with Hiccup or just to visit, he lets out a screech to catch their attention, looking from them to a spot in the distance, off the path, where the woods are thicker and the foliage more tangled.

The cause of his distress becomes pretty apparent as fire flashes through the air several yards from the path, followed by a grunt of what could be pain and the sounds of a fight. Hiccup's shout filters through the air, and Toothless' ear fins flatten in irritation.] Stay on the path, bud, I mean it! I've got this- ah, Thor- [Alright, maybe he doesn't got this.

Shades aren't totally uncommon out here, but he's never run into a three-headed snake shade before, let alone one this big, and it's an angry noodle.]

ii. Business as Usual
[Pretty much since he arrived, Hiccup has tried to forge connections the way he forges weapons. He knows himself well enough to know that he's no lone wolf, and it's generally served him well. He's taken up trading a few of Toothless' shed scales to a blacksmith in the more upscale area of the Shopping District for scrap metal and materials to work with in his own smithy, along with selling them to a few other blacksmiths for cunes whenever he might get low. Cunes aren't a problem today, but he's looking for more metal, having been spending more time in the forge to take his mind off missing his roommate, but today...

He knew, logically, that anti-everything sentiment has been up since the mist spread through Aefenglom last month, but it hits him pretty hard today. Before he can say anything upon entering the shop, he's being escorted out by a burly man a good half a foot taller than he is (which is considerable), meaty hand gripping his skinny arm. The things the smith is telling him, they seem ridiculous, and the pair cause a bit of a disturbance in the street.]

What do you mean you can't trade with me anymore? What- What does my being a Mirrorbound have to do with anything? You know me, we've been- we've been doing this for at least four months!

iii. Lending a Hand (Many Mans' Trash)
[Apparently a tradition for Samuin is to dump all your crap in the streets. Hiccup cannot comprehend how the wealthy especially think it's perfectly fine to leave their broken things in piles all over the poorer, less well-kept districts. He's been doing a lot of helping out lately because of it, tinkering with things that are only lightly broken to try and fix them up for someone in need, volunteering with the donation drive.

And, like today, passing out the fixed-up items salvaged from the 'trash', out in the Slums. He seems to be a regular in this neighborhood; a few of the older residents, human and Monster alike, stop to greet him by name and see what he's got in the cart he's pulling. Toothless is notably absent - he doesn't bring him out here, due to the risk of infection being higher in dragons.]

Hi, everyone! I'll be bringing by a boar later, it's still being bled right now, but I've got a bunch of stuff from a donation drive someone was running in the city. Mrs. Ashcroft, you were wanting a new iron, right? Oh, and Mr. Hamish, I've got some pants that I think are right about your size-

iv. Friendly Sabotage (Collectables)
[Anybody who knows Hiccup might have found it suspect when he signed up for this particular job. Capturing animals out of the wild to sell as pets as part of a big trend? Yeah, that's not even remotely like him. Newt has adopted three petalwolves, but that was different - they're young, and were likely to get themselves killed by creeping too close to civilization. Newt wants to protect them, not domesticate them.

So, to anybody who knows Hiccup, it's probably no surprise that, when the rest of the collectors have long moved on, he looks around like he's trying not to get caught, and stops at a trap they've passed over. There's a young petalwolf caught in it, autumn foliage blending into the leaves on the ground. It snarls when he comes close, but he kneels down, reaching out a hand to it slowly, unafraid.] It's okay. It's okay, I want to get you out of this snare. Can I come a little closer?

[To you, he looks up and says, frowning,] You're not going to tell the others about this, are you?

v. A Hard Lesson to Learn
[Hiccup still attends lessons regularly at the Coven. He has to use his magic on a regular basis anyway since he's Bonded to a Witch (though having a familiar helps - at some point after Dorchacht, he made it official, taking Toothless on as his familiar), so he can often be found on the Coven grounds, in the courtyard, practicing. He's in more advanced classes in some fields now, but in others, he's still trying to grasp the basics.

Like now, with healing spells.

He's sitting cross-legged in the grass, uncaring of the chill outside or the damp ground, focusing hard on a shallow cut on his arm, murmuring the words over and over. It doesn't seem to close up. Eventually, he lets out a little frustrated shout. Toothless, curled up behind him in the dying grass, cracks open one eye, not too concerned - this has been happening all morning.] What am I doing wrong?

[ooc: If you want to do something else, feel free to wildcard me, or hit me up at

nekky or nekky#8210 on discord to plot out something different! Hiccup's forge is always open for weapons and armor requests (or follow-ups to things I might have forgotten), and he can be found almost anywhere in the city or just outside it.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Dances for these kind of things can be, well, what you may call intimate? [A bit of a helpless shrug and a nervous laugh.] Most of the time, you typically dance with a partner. In some cases, you will switch partners throughout a dance, but that's a very formal affair. I highly doubt it'll be something that happens. [Just so Hiccup doesn't need to worry about the more intricate things that happens during a waltz.]

Yes. This is fine. A waltz is pretty basic at its core. We call it a box step because of the movement your feet make. It's pretty simple though. When one leads, its because the one leading typically decides the movement and pace and your partner follows. When you take a step forward, I take a step back.

I guess the point of that is to dance with as many people as possible? [Switching partners all through a dance sounds... like not much fun. Like you don't get much time with each partner.] If the point of this party is to get to know people, though, I guess they wouldn't do that. ['Intimate' is right, though. Being this close to Newt, holding one of his hands, his own at his Bonded's waist, it's hard to imagine dancing like this with anyone he doesn't know as well. That's the whole point of going, though.

Hiccup nods, glancing down between them at the placement of their feet. 'Box step' sounds... simple enough? If his feet are just supposed to make a box, that's not so bad.] Alright, so... like this? [He takes a step forward, but... with the wrong foot first. He sure does tread on Newt's toes, and he nearly jumps, cringing.] No, not like that. Sorry!

I never really thought too much about it. The particulars. [Waltzes went from being something for peasants that were adopted by aristocrats he thinks? He never looked into the history of it personally.

He offers a sympathetic smile.] Are you okay, Hiccup? You seem, well- Is there something on your mind? [While Hiccup is technically supposed to lead, he'll gently urge the other until they can fall into a rhythm together.] It's alright. It happens with learning how to dance. [He's also wearing army issued boots, so Hiccup doesn't really have to worry too much about stepping on toes.]

Maybe I'm just- overthinking things. Wouldn't be the first time. [The last sentence comes out a little bit of a mumble, and he watches their feet intently while Newt shows him the steps. He's still fairly clumsy with it, treading on his toes a few more times before he starts to get the hang of leading, and resorts to taking pretty stiff steps instead. It's hardly graceful, but he never expected to be.

The question has him blowing out a breath.] I'm- I'm fine, I- [A pause, and then the next bit is mostly spoken to himself.] -am completely unable to hide it from the person I'm Bonded to, so I don't know why I'm still doing that. Sorry.

It's- It's really nothing. Things have just been so quiet around the Edge without Keith there.

[Newt is patient with the other, but they're not quite synced well at all. Their steps are sloppy and they don't always seem to be on the right page which leads to fumbling with them trying to stay in step with each other. Sometimes Newt moves too fast for the other; too used to the steps. Almost unconscious.]

Even if I weren't bonded to you, you might find yourself hard pressed to hide things. Observing living beings is what I've done all my life. [He smiles a little at him.]

That's why you've been here more often? [It wasn't that they didn't spend time together often, but Hiccup's stays seemed to get longer and more often as time went on.] Hiccup. You're lonely. You miss him.

[He just doesn't seem able to get it. Either he's moving too quickly or too slowly, or he's stumbling through the motions, they just don't seem to match up. It's a little frustrating, but Hiccup is trying, like he tries at everything else, mentally bemoaning his lack of grace.

He does snort, momentarily distracted from his own clumsy feet, at that comment.] Even people? Because I'm pretty sure I'm just a bad liar.

[He almost seems to flinch away from the realization.] I mean... Yeah, of course I miss him. He was my friend. But- I miss a lot of people, and I'm- I'm okay. Really. Things are just- too quiet at home.

Well, I spend a lot of time observing people. [People don't exactly approach him much. He's the far less popular of the Scamanders. He's only recently gained popularity back home due to his book.] Although, the being bad at lying probably doesn't help. [He offers a teasing smile.

Newt hesitates, which causes them both to kind of stumble.] I beg your pardon- Sorry. I- [He tries to get back on the right step with Hiccup.] It's okay. To miss people. Missing people from home. I don't think that's abnormal, but I think there's the knowledge of returning home and seeing them.

Here though. We don't get to say goodbye. Just they disappear and that's that. It's harsher, I feel. We possibly won't ever get to see them again and it's hard. [And Newt had never been someone who really acutely felt his loneliness. He had been comfortable during his travels. Didn't mind being away from England to see the entire world. His creatures were plenty enough for companionship. He thinks his feelings on that has shifted a bit since then though.] I wasn't sure if the melancholy was you or I, honestly, so I hesitated to make sure you were alright.

No, you're fine, I- [Hiccup overcompensates, tries to move a little too quickly back into the steps and bumps Newt, thankfully not nearly hard enough to send them both careening to the floor.] Sorry, sorry- [This is turning out to be more difficult than he thought. If he can't even fall into sync with his Bonded, how is he going to manage to dance with anyone at this party?

He makes a slight, lightly frustrated noise.] Yeah, no, I- I guess you have a point there. It is different. [And he doesn't like thinking about it. Newt can probably feel the little tug on his heart through the Bond, the brief thought that what if Newt disappeared through his mirror one day?, but it's quickly shoved aside.] We were- Keith and I were basically in this from that first night in the Coven. I guess it's been hard.

[And then his expression turns to a rueful little smile as he looks at Newt's face instead of their feet.] I couldn't tell either. I didn't want to- You're missing someone too, aren't you?

[Oh dear. This is going quite terribly, actually. Newt doesn't try to let this deter them. He can feel the other being frustrated and Newt tries to keep calm. A steady rock for them both to try and find equilibrium.]

It's different. [Friendships can run their course. People can grow apart or closer naturally. Here, people just disappeared and that was that. No closure or anyhting. Just that they're gone.] I don't think that's something to be ashamed of. Losing people in any capacity is difficult. Especially when you truly cherish them.

[Hiccup probably feels it more acutely. The heartache.] The one who had helped me back with the strange fog and transformations. He's gone, I suppose. [And Newt was very much someone who valued the relationships he had with people quite deeply.]

[Newt's calm is appreciated. Hiccup slowly gets himself back under control; he can probably feel the frustration ebbing as he tries to breathe and focuses on the steps again.]

It's not really that I'm ashamed, it just- feels a little ridiculous, I guess. That it's so strange to have the house so quiet. ['Cherish'. Hm. Hiccup cared a lot about Keith, but he isn't sure if he'd call it cherishing, they hadn't really gotten that far into their friendship. He wonders if his feelings and Newt's are bleeding a little, the edges between them blurred by the Bond.

It makes sense when he mentions who he's missing. Hiccup frowns, concerned and sad all at once, giving his waist a gentle squeeze in sympathy.] Oh, Newt. I'm sorry, that's- [Even worse than losing a friend. That's the person that Newt had fancied.

His focus is completely elsewhere now, but strangely, he stumbles a little less.]

Things have always been rambunctious for you, hasn't it? Even back home. [Hiccup's life always seemed to be rather wild. Not too much in terms of quiet time and he feels like whatever quiet the other had still wasn't quite so, well, quiet.] At first. When I had first arrived. I found sleeping to be a bit difficult. You become so used to a certain level of noise that you realize you have to adapt when it has changed. It takes time. To get used to something- someone- that has been there for awhile.

[It's hard to say where emotions end and start. It also sounds a bit like Newt knows that feeling acutely, although there's a certain pang of heartache. Something terribly sad that the other might be thinking about something particularly saddening.]

Oh, it's fine. Really. I enjoyed his company much like you enjoyed Keith's. I don't think my loss is less or more than yours. [A pause.] I just want you to know that you don't have to keep it to yourself or anything. That, uhm, you aren't alone. [The last sentence comes out a bit awkward considering that they were here dancing together. Bonded.]

Yeah, I- Yeah. I'm used to- to controlled chaos, I guess. [He breathes out a quiet laugh, knowing how much that's the truth. Even "quiet, alone" time on Berk isn't so quiet or alone - there are hundreds of dragons on the island, dozens of vikings, and someone always wanting his attention for some reason. He certainly doesn't know what it's like to live completely alone. When he speaks again, it's almost reluctantly, as if he doesn't want to try to get used to what the reality is now-] It will take some getting used to.

[He shakes his head, giving Newt's waist a light squeeze.] You- You liked him, though. More than a friend, didn't you? [Keith was his friend, his roommate, not someone he fancied. His expression settles into something soft, a little smile, not completely happy but not completely sad either.]

I know. That- that I'm not alone. And you don't have to keep things to yourself either, you know, I'm- [He hesitates to say this, knows he can't totally promise it, but still...] I'm always here for you too. We're Bonded. We're in this together.

Everyday, I wish I could hear all my creatures again. [Newt misses it. The cacophony of noises made by countless creatures. It's terribly quiet in comparison now and it had made sleeping difficult at first. He never really realized it until being in Aefenglom and how eerily quiet things could become without his companions.] People are impressive though. In their ways of being able to adapt to their situations. [And while he has many negative things to say about people, he also thinks humans are rather impressive in ways too.

Newt chuckles a bit.] Even I can have a fleeting fancy of some kind. I don't think that it means less or more though. Just because I might have had a thing for him means that it means more exactly. [Newt seems so ensnared by their conversation, he just lets his feet follow along the other.] I would be more upset if you were to leave for example. Quite so. It is nothing against him, but I find that I would terribly miss seeing you. I Bonded with you, Hiccup.

[And perhaps Newt should consider his words and the particulars, but it isn't on his mind at the moment.]

So do not think that we must compare our loss and pain. It isn't comparable and I would hate to imply that your pain is less significant to mine.

[Newt may feel a little pang at that, as he talks about how he misses the sounds and presence of all his creatures. It resonates with Hiccup, who has Toothless, sure, but misses all the dragons of Berk - the Terrors singing in the mornings, the Gronckles rumbling down the road, the cacophonous flapping of wings at midday fishing time. It's hard to be without the sounds you've grown used to. The quiet is cavernous in comparison.] Yeah, I know, I- being here means adapting to not being home. I'm alright, most days, but then one thing disrupts the new balance and... [Well. Keith being gone is that disruption now. They've lived together since the start almost.

He smiles ruefully, barely even thinking about his steps now.] It always feels selfish to think about my own problems, I guess. [He'd rather focus on others. It's how he was raised, to always put the village first.] I- [Oh. He stumbles over half a step, just slightly, before evening out again, when Newt says that he'd miss Hiccup more.] Oh.

I'd- I'd miss you too, you know. I still can't imagine being Bonded to someone else. Having to Bond someone else just to get by. It wouldn't be like this. [It wouldn't be easy, wouldn't be comfortable, like favorite riding leathers or a well-worn tunic. It wouldn't feel like home.]

You're resilient. It'll be fine. [Hiccup seems to be someone who had really gone through a lot and had grown a lot from it all. He doesn't know a lot about Hiccup's life, but just the bits he has heard from the other makes him think so.]

I can understand that sentiment. It's also easier to focus on helping others and get distracted by the plights of others I think. [Newt rarely ever thinks about his own problems (or he compartmentalizes his problems away).

He smiles shyly; face flushing immediately.] I appreciate that you think that. [Hiccup can feel it. The fluttering feeling from Newt. His chest feels tight and he almost wants to laugh.] I don't think there's anyone else I'd bond with. [He really can't if he was being honest. He just hasn't connected with someone as well he had with Hiccup.]

[Hiccup only gives him a smile for that, a little embarrassed, a little grateful. It's always nice to know that someone has faith in you; he has that in spades back home, but not as much here. Maybe that's why Newt's friendship means so much to him. The other man is his biggest support here in Aefenglom.]

It's just how I was raised. [He imitates a rough voice in a thick, almost Scottish-sounding accent,] "Son, all we do, we do for Berk." [A quiet laugh.] I think you're the same. But there's nothing wrong with that.

[He does feel it, the fluttering, but he doesn't necessarily connect it with anything but appreciation for each other. They were lucky to connect the way they did, they've been lucky that they're both here still. Hiccup feels that too, an answering warmth coming from him through the Bond.]

We're good together. You and me. You- you understand me. [And he hopes he understands Newt too. The Bond helps, but more than that, it just makes sense that they're close.]

I can't say it was because I was raised that way. It seems more like a natural attribute of mine. To possibly an annoying degree. [He was a Hufflepuff and it really showed.

Newt smiles softly.]

I think anyone can learn to understand another if we spent more time doing so. Like dancing. Dancing can do well to express oneself. [A pause.] You've gotten the hang of the steps, Hiccup. [This entire time they've been speaking, it seems their steps have started to sync better. Their minds more at peace and less chaotic.]

You're not annoying. [The comment comes immediately, without thought, even though the comment about being like that to an annoying degree is no doubt a joke.] You're a good person. [An embarrassed laugh.] You- always manage to make me feel better about things.

Maybe, but I don't think any other Bond would feel like ours. [A moment later, he looks down at their feet, a little surprised that yes, he seems to be getting it. They haven't stumbled, he hasn't stepped on Newt's toes, at least in the last five or ten minutes. He's still obviously a beginner, but it's coming much easier now.] I guess I have. You're a good teacher.

[Maybe, but I don't think any other Bond would feel like ours.

It makes his heart flutter and he has to swallow whatever he was feeling. He didn't want to think about what it meant right now. What the other means to him, or more importantly, how long the other has meant to him as they did.

His face just turns a bright red and he ends up stumbling. Completely flustered.] No- I- It's nothing like that! The steps are easy. You just...had to clear your head a smidge is all.

[Newt clears his throat as they stop. Or he stops. His poor heart wants to hammer out of his chest.] I- You did well! I think the party will go fine and you'll do fine with anyone that asks for your hand. For dancing that is.

[Hiccup's hands shift to steady him when he stumbles, letting out a quiet laugh, but also wondering what caused it when they had been doing so well. At least it wasn't his misstep this time, he guesses. His smile turns a little more playful.] You taught a one-legged viking how to waltz. Give yourself a little credit.

[His hand lingers for just a moment when they stop, just a touch longer than might be normal for 'just friends', and he laughs again.] If I don't break anyone's toes, I'll be happy. It's not like I'm out to impress anybody, really.

Having one leg doesn't diminish your capabilities. I've never even considered it. [He says it honestly. He doesn't view the other as having a handicap. While he understands that the other has limitations because of it, he doesn't see it as a means to hinder certain things. Hiccup is fairly graceful for someone with only one leg anyways.]

No one? [It's said curiously. He guesses that the other has never spoken at length of being interested in anyone here.]

[Oh. Oh, Newt is such a kind man with such a big heart. Hiccup has to try not to laugh, though Newt can probably feel his amusement through the Bond.] Oh- Oh, no, I'm not- It's a joke, Newt- well, not that I have one leg, because I do, but. I'm really not insecure about it anymore. It was six years ago, and- you know, it's not that unusual on Berk, we even have Stump Day. That's really nice of you to say, though.

[It is. Nice, that is. He appreciates that Newt doesn't look at him any differently; nobody really does at home, not because of the leg, but the fact that he's quick to defend Hiccup like that is... nice. Makes him feel warm, and fond.]

Huh? Oh, no- not really. I just want to see what a masquerade is like, and maybe meet some people, do some networking. Have a dance with you.

Oh. [Newt seems a little embarrassed, but he was already flustered to begin with. This really does not help and he rubs the back of his neck sheepishly.

He had just taken Hiccup's words quite literally.]

Oh, well. I'd, uhm, I'd be happy to dance with you again. I enjoy it. Dancing.

[Hiccup can't help but laugh a little now, fondly, leaning in to bump his forehead gently against Newt's.] Sorry. I'm used to- you know, being able to joke about it. It doesn't bother me, I promise.

[He brightens noticeably at that, in his eyes and through the Bond, painfully obvious that Newt agreeing to dance with him at the masquerade makes him happy.] Great! I like it too. The dancing. Maybe one of these days I'll even teach you a Viking dance.

No, I- I think that I take things, perhaps, a tad too seriously. [Newt has some humour, but British humour was more on the dry side.

It's easy to see how the other brightens. From Hiccup's stance to the way that his eyes light up. He tries to not let it make his heart flutter so much.] I would look forward to that. I think, though, that we've done some plenty dancing for today.

[OPEN] It's the lightning I feel inside

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