oo41 [ action ]

[fourteen]

[ Today, you are having a perfectly normal day. Perhaps you are on your way to the battle dome. Perhaps you're walking home along the path. Perhaps you're in the middle of town. Or perhaps you're heading further north.

If you're anywhere along this meandering south-to-north route, a young girl is going to slam into you at a full tilt. She's very sorry; she didn't see you there. But she's got this sense of absolute panic she can't quite shake, and she wants to get home right this moment.

In her disorientation, she has, of course, forgotten she can access magical portals of darkness. Forgive her; after all, she spent rather a long time here without them! And who wants to be messing about with the forces of darkness when they are too panicked to think straight?

Anyway, she may slam into you so hard that you both fall over. Or maybe she'll just knock you off balance. Either way, there is now a very startled, dazed, and still somewhat panicked teenager staring at you with wide eyes. She's barefoot, and her dress is dirty, but she seems otherwise alright. What will you do? ]

Comments

[dragoneer]

[He winces at that.] Geez, really? [He hasn't even been kidnapped once. He doesn't realize how lucky he is.]

S-still. If you need anything, I'm more than willing to help.

[fourteen]

... you sort of get used to it. [ An awkward shrug. ] It's really okay. Really! If anything, I feel like I should be the one helping you.

[dragoneer]

[His face draws genuine surprise.] Why would you think that? I'm fine. You...well, presumably haven't.

[fourteen]

Well... [ Her eyes move pointedly to his bags of groceries, then over to Toothoess and his saddlebags. ] I did just knock all your groceries over.

[dragoneer]

Oh, those? [He tries a lighthearted laugh that comes out nervous more than anything.] Don't even worry about it. It's not like I had to, you know, pay for them, or something.

[fourteen]

Well... I still feel a little bad. But as long as you're sure... [ A pause. ] You know, Hiccup ... were you apologizing to me after I ran into you? [ Curious look. ]

[dragoneer]

[He reaches a hand to rub the back of his neck.] Ah, well...I guess I was? I-I mean, I was in your way and should have seen you coming.

[fourteen]

... [ after a beat, she ... starts to laugh. ] That's kind of a strange thing to apologize for.

[dragoneer]

[He is deeply offended sliiiiightly confused as Toothless perks his ears up.]

Ahh...it is? I-I--I dunno. I guess it is. I just didn't really think about it.

[fourteen]

... it's sweet, though. Thanks, Hiccup.

[dragoneer]

[He blinks. Did she just call him...sweet?

And...yeah, okay, he is totally NOT BLUSHING right now. Nooooooope.]

Oh, uh-uhm--it's nothing, really, I just--yeah.

[fourteen]

[ .... gosh, he's so awkward. She can't help but laugh. ]

Come on. You need to get those groceries home, don't you? I'll help you with them.

[dragoneer]

[He looks at the groceries in his arms, almost as if he forgot they were there.]

...Oh, right. Um...I-I don't want to trouble you, though. We can make it.

[fourteen]

[ She shakes her head with a smile. ] Well, how far away are we, anyway?

[dragoneer]

Oh, it's not far. Just down near the rec center. B-but really, you don't have to. It's okay.

[fourteen]

Right... [ She still remembers the house number he told her. The truth was -- is -- that she still hadn't quite gotten her bearings yet. Whatever the Malnosso did to her to panic her so badly is still wearing off... ]

Well, what if I want to? I don't mind.

[dragoneer]

[He gives her one more uncertain look, before handing her one of the bags he's carrying. If she really wants to...]

Okay. If you're sure.

[fourteen]

[ She hugs it to her chest, grinning. ] I'm sure! Lead the way. [ Though, after a moment, her curiosity will get the best of her. ] By the way... what's all this for? [ It seems like a lot! ]

[dragoneer]

[He glances over at her as he walks.] Oh? Well, I just like to, um, cook. So I kind of...get a lot of things so I can experiment. Otherwise I end up making dozens of trips to the grocery.