riverviewlogs | [OPEN] we go where no one goes, we slow for no one

[At night, flopped in an ungraceful tangle of limbs over the large, warm form of his dragon, Hiccup dreams. Remembers, urged on by nanites. His dreamscape is a grassy hill, a few scattered trees, a biting cold wind and the ocean stretching for miles all around. The sky is clear and blue and- whoever else is here with him can see something playing out, like a movie on a projector. Depending on the memory and who else is sharing this dream with him, his reaction might be embarrassed, or calm, or nostalgic, or sad.

(ooc: Options include most bits from the first movie, Gift of the Night Fury, or any season of the show. HTTYD2 is off-limits past the first initial talk with Astrid. If you want something not on the list, just let me know.
a. Dragon Training
b. Red Death
c. That Perfect Moment
d. Sandbuster)]

[Not too far out into the jungle, there's a newly-formed lake, stocked with fish by a godling with a dragon in mind. Hiccup makes use of it. Toothless is too expensive to feed not to take what opportunities for easy fishing he can get. They're out at the side of the lake on a nice, cool morning, Toothless splashing in the shallows catching (or trying to catch, sometimes) fish while Hiccup sits on the banks farther up, tying rope into a fishing net.

Whether he's talking to himself or his dragon, it's hard to tell, but his posture is not unwelcoming to anybody who might drop by to join the conversation.]

Feels like it's almost time for Dreadfall, huh? Probably no one else celebrates it. Maybe we should get some face paint anyway, keep in the spirit.

[The memory isn't hard to place when Ivar starts having it. It comes in first-person flashes, but it's hard to mistake the dragon who is very present in it (or the phantom feeling of a missing leg that he might understand too well), the wide black wings stretched out to either side. Dragon and rider soar in sync together, the movements unconscious and easy, the sky wide and blue. The air is very cold here, the ocean crisp below, the scents of salt and wet rock and leather ever-present. They dip and weave and barrel through the skies as if born for it, they glide just over the surface of the water with Seashockers and Thunderdrums, they glide high up with a flock of wide-winged Timberjacks that pay them little mind.

And then loosening from the saddle, unstrapping and pulling a lever to lock the tail-fin in place and unhooking a prosthetic foot from the saddle. Sliding off, and plummeting through the air unhindered. There is a sense of elation, of freedom and joy when leather wings open up and slow the fall, a sense of accomplishment flying with Toothless instead of on Toothless.

It's pretty obvious what adrenaline junkie this memory belongs to.]

[The memory fairly obviously belongs to Hiccup Haddock. Toothless' presence is unmistakable, a big, warm solidity beneath the rider. The air is very cold, biting through wool and leather, carrying the smells of seaspray and stone, the unique aroma of Berk. Sea-stacks climb into the sky at periodic intervals, rising from the water like stone sentinels.

The feeling may or may not translate, but what flashes of it there are, are primarily of nerve-wracking intensity. Clipped to the saddle is a cheat sheet with six tail positions, and the ease that Hiccup usually flies with isn't there; this is their first real flight together as a unit. The sense of accomplishment is there, though, when everything seems to work as it should. Except for user error, that is, because they jar roughly into the sea-stacks a couple times, and Toothless smacks the rider's face with his ear for it.

And then, disaster. Heart-dropping, stomach clenching fear as the cheat sheet comes unclipped and the saddle tether loosens from the saddle. Freefalling, desperate. Toothless cannot fly alone, the rider needs to work the tail-fin attached to the saddle. Finally, clammy hands grabbing on to the saddle in mid-air, latching back in. The cheat sheet flies away.

Dragon and rider learn to move together.]

[So a viking walks into a hardware store... It's a less a joke and more something that's actually happening. Toothless, he is informed upon entry, is not allowed in the store, and so there is currently a large black lizard with a saddle on curled up next to some shopping carts outside, waiting for Hiccup to finish up.

Meanwhile, he's browsing for materials, studiously comparing some metal rods to a couple of metal rods he brought with him (titanium, platinum, samples Loki magicked up for him to look at). He also drifts back to the selection of outdoor canvas fabrics, and finally ends up in an aisle with welding equipment. The acetylene torches for welding are not up for demonstrations, but he can't help picking up a much smaller blow torch and... trying it out. He jumps when it emits a small, steady flame, though he turns it off sheepishly when a worker gives him a dirty look.]

Sorry, sorry... Wow that's cool. Isn't this cool?

[It's the enthusiasm more than anything else that draws Tony's attention away from the inside of his own head where he's busily mapping out his next project. The smell of burning propane is kind of hard to ignore, though, and he rounds the corner almost curiously to see that, yes, the two things are connected.

And the boy with the torch in his hands doesn't actually look all that sorry. That more than anything might be what draws Tony closer with a look of obvious amusement.]

I mean, yes, in general. Probably less if the store burns down, though I'm sure they've got a system set up for that.

[It gets him an unfriendly look of his own, which Tony deftly ignores.]

[He's a little embarrassed he's been caught out when someone else approaches, looking amused, and he puts the torch back - though somewhat reluctantly, subtly turning it to read the warning labels.] I would have put it out! [He's not an arsonist on purpose! Just. An accidental one. Sometimes. Fire just happens when your home is full of dragons, alright, and it's a small miracle that he's not afraid of it.]

All the equipment here is nothing like what I'm used to back home. This is incredible, though, I wonder if they sell just the fuel for one of these, I'm going to run out of nightmare saliva eventually...

Sure, of course they do. Propane's not that hard to get. [And then he pauses, almost visibly mentally backtracking on that statement a little.] 'Nightmare saliva'?

[It's probably a brand name or a weird description of something. Right?]

[Ivar's never experienced anything like this before in his life. One of his greatest disadvantages is being so slow. As a child, he'd secretly dream about being able to run and keep up with his brothers, instead of being practically immobilized by his legs. But this, flying through the skies at top speed on the back of a dragon, skimming sea and sky alike, it's far better than any dream the Viking has ever had during his sleeping hours.

Then it gets even better as he feels the adrenaline kick in when he feels himself free fall from the saddle, heading down towards the water, and then gliding under his own power. He's reluctant to leave this memory, for it's so much fun, something the Viking has had precious little of during his life.

When it's over, he immediately seeks Hiccup out, partially running over the other Viking in his excitement. Fortunately, his wheels only catch the prosthetic leg. Usually so eloquent, he's talking so fast that only a few phrases can actually be made out.]

Flying--you and Toothless--in the clouds--and more flying!

Woah! [He definitely catches Hiccup by surprise, wheel running into the prosthetic leg, and he stoops down to disentangle them carefully - so that neither one does any damage to the other's mobility aid. Hiccup only has one spare leg with him in his saddlebag and he's not sure what it takes to get Ivar's wheel fixed. But he doesn't seem mad about it, laughing a little at the obvious excitement.]

Slow down. What happened? What about flying?

Propane. [He repeats the unfamiliar word curiously, still trying to read the back of the canister.] It's a liquid? [And then he blinks, glancing up, realizing he's probably talking about something unfamiliar too.] Oh! Monstrous Nightmare saliva. The Monstrous Nightmare is a dragon, their bodies produce this... sort of gel substance that lets them set themselves on fire. Usually I get it from my friend's dragon, but- well, it's just me and Toothless here.

[He fumbles on his belt for something that looks a bit like a canister or the handle of a weapon, opening up one end of it to show a greenish, viscous liquid inside.]

"Dreadfall?"

The Draco Malfoy of before wouldn't have just gone traipsing off into an area known to be dangerous. Even the Draco of now did not seek out danger. However, the Draco of now had a different outlook on danger and a different form of confidence in his own abilities. Paired with a feeling of restlessness, Draco had stepped outside fo the well-guarded perimeter and begun to walk.

He came up next to the other man and looked at the gleefully flying and fishing dragon. "I have never seen his like. What kind of dragon is he? And to be so..." Draco motioned in the air, searching for the right word. "Tame? Sociable? Not trying to kill people as a threat."

Hiccup looks up from his netting, deft fingers tying off the knot he was working on before he sets it down in the grass. It's about half finished already, good mindless busywork for a lazy morning. It's easier to enjoy the dangerous great outdoors when your best friend is a 1700 pound dragon with fantastic hearing; since he didn't react much to Draco beyond a glance, Hiccup isn't put on his guard.

"It's a holiday where kids dress up in costumes and face paint and the adults tell them scary stories," he explains, leaning back against the rough trunk of a tree, gaze moving from Draco to Toothless then. It's no surprise when people ask about him.

"Toothless is a Night Fury. He's trained, he's been with me for five years now. On Berk we don't kill dragons anymore, so they don't need to kill us. I know most people here aren't used to dragons, but he's generally harmless."

Draco doesn't sit, just comes to stand by the other man and watching over the water and the dragon. "Sounds like American Halloween." Not that Draco was overly knowledgeable on this. Just something he had overheard once. Spoken by muggleborn students who also were not overly knowledgeable.

The talk about the dragon was more interesting.

"Night Fury? We do not have any of those. Our dragons are apex predator creators. Hyper Carnivores who breath fire. A danger to even the keepers at the dragon reserve whose job it is to keep them from being killed and poached." Which, when you thought about it, made the fact they had been used in a school competition rather idiotic.

[Ivar finally slows down enough to repeat what he was saying. There's excitement sparkling in his blue eyes.]

I saw one of your memories. It was like I was really there. You and Toothless flying in the clouds. Then you jumped off his back and went gliding next to him.

[Normally, Ivar might be a bit more guilty about experiencing someone's private memories, but this time, it had been so darn cool that he just couldn't help himself.]

...dragon.

[Yeah, that's pretty much the only thing Tony picked out of all that. He glances down into the open canister, but it doesn't really explain anything. His eyes flick right back to the guy's face like Tony might be able to figure out if he's being fucked with. Problem is, he looks completely honest.]

You get it from dragons.

Hiccup doesn't really know what Halloween is, or where America is, so he just shrugs his shoulders idly. Dreadfall isn't a huge holiday anyway, not like Snoggletog or Bork Week. But he's content to talk about Toothless, to satisfy another's curiosity.

"He's one of a kind, I think. We've never found another Night Fury." He shifts a little to stretch his bad leg out, working a cramp out of his knee with his hands. "The dragons I know aren't like that. They defend themselves, they want to survive like anything else, but we've learned to coexist with them." Hiccup's mouth turns down in a slight frown. "Do many people poach dragons where you come from? That's terrible."

[Oh, oh. Hiccup hasn't experienced a lot of that so far, but that has been what's going on lately. He might feel weirder about it if it was a more personal memory. Not that flying isn't personal, but... it's clearly an experience that excited and delighted Ivar, so he can't feel too bad.] Oh, testing my flight suit! I've almost worked out all the kinks. It's really something, isn't it? I mean, we nearly crashed into a sea-stack after that, but... work in progress!

[A pause, and he looks a little thoughtful.] I wonder if I could rig up the saddle for a passenger so you could come flying with us...

Yeah? [He tilts his head slightly, and there's a split second before he realizes that this guy's world must not have dragons. His expression is nothing but earnest, at least; he probably couldn't lie if he tried. He's very bad at it.] We have dragons in my homeland, dozens of different kinds, and they're all pretty different. Toothless is right outside if you want to meet him!

You have a dragon outside.

[This conversation isn't going to go well if Tony does nothing but repeat whatever the kid says, but honestly his brain is having a slightly hard time processing.

At least until he shrugs. He's dealt with gods, is this really so much weirder?

(Yes. Yes it is.)]

Okay, sure. Take me to your leader.

It was definitely an amazing experience. Like riding in my chariot times ten.

[Hiccup couldn't know what being like that, free among the clouds, meant to someone who'd been confined to the slow path his entire life. His eyes light up when Hiccup mentions designing the saddle for a passenger.]

If you could do that, you would become one of my favorite people here.

[Ignore the fact that Ivar ranges somewhere between being ecstatic and petrified about flying in general. He feels people were meant to have their feet on the ground. If the gods meant for them to fly, they would have been given wings.]

"That sounds better than how the ones in my world are." Dragons were such danger in his world, and yet endangered.

"Sadly, yes. For potion ingredients and wand cores. A competent maker of either will wait for supplies from a dragon who has died of natural causes. However, some are not so patient and lack an appreciation for life. Dangerous as our kind of dragon is, they are still majestic creatures." Draco studied Toothless another moment and gave a nod, deciding he liked the dragon and the idea there was a world where they were treated well.

"I'm glad that life is better for dragons in our world." He then turned and held his hand out to the other man. "I am Draco Malfoy."

[Hiccup gets it, at least in a way. He was never the most athletic viking in the first place, but up there, on Toothless, nobody can match him, nobody can stop him. They're a seamless team.] I know what you mean. The first time I flew with Toothless was- it was amazing. That's when I feel the most free, you know? Up there.

[He's bright at the idea of an engineering challenge, though, eager to let his friend experience it for real, apparently.] I'm going to be your favorite person here, then! It shouldn't take much, the saddle already fits two, just some securing straps and a second tether and we can be airborne in no time.

I have a dragon outside. [He repeats, trying not to laugh. The reactions are still entertaining. Some people are less fazed than others but everyone is curious. Hiccup gets it though, dragons are the coolest.

The reference, though, goes entirely over his head. He cocks his head slightly to the left while he puts back the things he'd been looking at and starts outside the store.] Uh? My dad is still back on Berk. It's just me and Toothless. Hey, bud!

[The 1700 pound dragon is indeed outside, sat just around the corner out of foot traffic's way, but he perks up and comes trotting out when he hears his rider, warbling out a noise that somehow conveys irritability. Hiccup grins and reaches out to rub between his ears.] I know, sorry I had to leave you out here.

[And that...certainly is a dragon. Not that Tony had thought the kid was kidding, considering the earnestness he practically radiates. But still. Dragon.

Tony hangs back a little to just watch them interact, and he can't entirely help the small smile curling at his mouth. It's cute, he can admit it.]

Toothless? [He echoes after it seems like they've had a moment to bond or whatever. He's more looking for confirmation than questioning the name -- he's got a robot called Dum-E, after all.]

Retractable. The name just stuck. [Toothless certainly looks toothless right now, reluctantly smiling a gummy dragon smile at the affection he gets. The two are close, that much is obvious; even their movements sometimes seem an unconscious mimic of the other.]

You can get closer if you want. He's harmless. [Well, as harmless as a huge plasma-blasting dragon can be. Toothless glances over at Tony, tilting his head, ears twitching, and he warbles out a noise like a question. His tail thumps gently on the asphalt, the prosthetic tail-fin clanging.]

[Anything Tony might have said immediately takes a backburner at the sound of metal, eyes zeroing in on the...dragon's tail. He studies it for a moment before it registers that it almost looks like it's meant to replace...huh.

Tony eyes it a moment longer, then lets his gaze trail over to the kid himself. The one who's obviously incredibly fond of the dragon. The one who was one hundred precent geeking out over a hardware store. And Tony can't help but make a logical jump there, to nod his head towards the metal tail fin.]

Your work?

[Ivar will never quite get used to people doing nice things for him without expecting something in return. He's never experienced the give and take that friendship has before. He just looks so happy at the mere promise that Hiccup is going to do this for him. Imagine what he'll look like when they actually go flying.]

I'll be counting down the time until you get that ready to go.

Yeah, the tail-fin and the saddle. That's what I was looking at materials for. I don't have a replacement for his fin with me, so if this one got damaged when we're out past the fences, I'd have to fix it... somehow. He can't fly without it. [He's pretty proud of the design, the thin metal rods and pins and cording that attach the foldable tail fin to his tail, and in turn is hooked into the saddle, which has a pedal mechanism that his prosthetic foot slips into perfectly. It's a very purposeful design, a little rustic in the materials department, but well thought out.]

[And that's enough to overcome any of Tony's wariness, and he ambles on over to crouch down next to the dragon to get a better look.]

'Scuse me, Puff. [It's a genial comment as he braces a hand right next to the dragon's body and leans in.]

Huh. Clever.

[The nickname makes Toothless snort a few purple sparks in gentle indignation, and he huffs, but he lets Tony lean in to look at the saddle and tail configuration.

Hiccup moves to join him, leaning bodily against Toothless and stroking his scales as he beams in pride. It's always nice when someone appreciates his inventions instead of rolling their eyes at him.]

Thanks! Building things was about the only thing I was good at when I was younger.

Yeah, I know how that goes.

[It's an almost absent agreement, most of Tony's attention still fixed in on the design itself. It's pretty ingenious, for what it seems like the kid had to work with.

The thought makes him huff a little to himself as he straightens up.]

What kinds of materials are you looking for? I've got a fair amount, but I can also help you find what you need.

[He nods back at the store as he says it. It's taken him a while to work out, but not everyone just wants things handed to them. For some reason.]

Oh, uh. I'm not sure, exactly? Things are so far advanced here compared to what I'm used to. I don't even have a forge to work in right now. I guess I was just looking at what my options are, for when I do find a place. [He's never even heard of half the things that are in common use these days. Hiccup's been reading up, and taking an engineering class at the local university, but it can still be overwhelming.]

The first thing I'll need to do is make a spare tail-fin, and then I wanted to make some modifications to my leg... So I guess I'm just scouting some good metals right now.

[Hiccup longs for the friendships he left back on Berk. He misses Astrid, and Snotlout, and Fishlegs, and even the twins (sometimes). He misses his village. It's nice, to have met Ivar. They're not from the same place, but he's the one of the closest things to home here, and Hiccup wants to be his friend. He wants them to go flying together and spend time together.]

I'll try not to keep you waiting too long.

[Leg? Tony can't help but glance over at him, eyes trailing down. And oh hey, look at that. Explains some of the saddle modifications.]

Well, metal is definitely a thing I can do. If they don't have it here, I can probably source it.

[If he's talking forges, then it's probably iron or copper. Tony idly wonders what'll happen if he introduces the kid to steel.]

Anyway, the first step to good engineering is ideas, and you seem to be doing fine there.

[Even his leg, despite being made of wood and iron, is a more advanced design than someone might expect from a viking, though it's hard to see the mechanism that changes out the foot - he's just on the walking foot right now.]

It's hard to imagine them not having something that would work here! There were way too many choices, I'm just used to iron or copper, or gronckle iron if weight isn't an issue. [Steel would probably blow his mind.]

You seem to know a lot. Are you an inventor too?

[Gronkle iron? Tony isn't sure if he just shouldn't ask or if he should launch into non-stop questions. Seems like wherever this guy is from, it's very different to what Tony calls home.

Though from the sounds of things, he he plays this right, he might get to find out whatever he wants. It seems like engineers wanting to babble about their work is pretty universal.]

Amongst other things, yeah. [He holds out a hand, mouth curving into a little half-smile.] Tony Stark.

[Ivar had come from a place where he'd never known the friendship of anyone but his brothers. Those in Kattegat close to his age either pitied him, or as he got older, were scared of him. Coming here and having friends for the first time had been a truly extraordinary experience.]

This was definitely one of the better things to come out of the weird shit that keeps happening around here.

[A lot of people's memories had been pretty much a downer. Ivar guessed that was to be expected considering how hard people's lives were, but it was nice to have one that was happy.]

[He would definitely have no trouble getting Hiccup to talk about anything and everything. The kid doesn't seem to have a lick of wariness in him, eager to share discoveries and information.

He shakes his hand with a wide smile.]

Hiccup Haddock. It's great to meet you.

[OPEN] we go where no one goes, we slow for no one

Memory Share | OTA

Lakeside | OTA

CLOSED to Ivar

CLOSED to Marco

CLOSED to Tony Stark (MCU)

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