First Flight. [video from new bark town.]

[berkthorn]

[He's still rubbing at his skull when he starts recording. All those memories rushing back at once wasn't exactly a fun experience, but given the circumstances he's not looking that worse for wear. In fact, there's a hint of a grin starting to appear before he starts talking.]

And here I was, thinking it was all a really elaborate dream. Probably should have known better -- I'm leagues ahead of everyone else on Berk, but no Viking is this creative.

I don't know who's still here, or even how long it's been for you all... Looks like all my stuff is gone, though. Can't have anything be too easy, can I? But it's good to be back.

[A floppy-eared Emolga climbs up into the frame, clinging to the Viking's armor until he can settle down onto Hiccup's shoulder. He wasn't Dinkfin or Adder, but Hiccup's already decided he's fond of the guy. No guessing as to why Johto felt it was an appropriate partner, anyway...]

And this time? Not waiting here for a week. If anyone needs me, I'll be heading to Cherrygrove.

Comments

[doitrockapella]

HELLO
H I C C U P
WELCOME BACK !!!

I HAVE SCRAMBLED THE
T R O O P S !

THEY ARE MOVING VERY FAST

[berkthorn]

I'd expect nothing less from you.

[Zack always was very good at his job!]

Hey, I've got a question. Do you know how long it's been since I was sent home?

[Because time was weird and also the thought of Carmen still being there after five years was physically painful for multiple reasons.]

[doitrockapella]

IT HAS BEEN

...
......
.........

319 DAYS

SINCE USERNAME HICCUP
WENT
O F F L I N E

THAT IS A LONG TIME !

[berkthorn]

[On one hand, it's not as bad as it could have been. On the other, Zack was right and it was a long time.]

Yikes. I sure took my time getting back, huh? Sorry about that, bud.

How's Carmen been doing? You're still with her, right?

[Zack and Carmen were superglued in his mind, but it's better to confirm these things before all your hopes and dreams are crushed...!]

[doitrockapella]

YES
YES YES YES

I AM HERE

AND SO IS
C H I E F

AND IVY
AND MILES
AND ADDER
AND HOOKFANG
AND VICKY
AND VAL
AND BRYNHILDR
AND MACAVITY
AND NIGHT FURY
AND FALKOR
AND LEAP
AND BERK
AND JULEE

AND
AND AND AND

WE ARE ALL HERE !

[berkthorn]

That's great!

[He honestly hadn't been expecting so many of his 'mons to have remained, after he'd worked out the situation in his head. That they all had been transferred to Carmen -- and she's still there -- is icing on the cake.]

I hope they didn't give you too much trouble while I was away. I know some of those guys could be hard to handle sometimes. But I guess I shouldn't be too worried, with you and Chief to keep everyone in line, huh?

1/2

[doitrockapella]

WE WERE VERY
WELL-BEHAVED !

...

B U T

I WILL BREAK A RULE NOW
JUST THIS ONCE

S T A N D B Y !!!

private audio;

[doitrockapella]

[And shortly thereafter, a microphone switches on, just in time to catch the sound of a lot of flurry and animal activity, and some familiar laughter rapidly drawing closer.]

—ight, all right, what is it? Is something —

[SILENCE]

...wrong...

[omg]

private video on his end;

[berkthorn]

[Anyone, Hiccup is sure, could forgive Zack's rule-breaking this time.

Even with the Porygon2's assurance, the relief in Hiccup's eyes when he switches his feed over to video again is evident.]

...Long time, no see, huh?

private video across the board;

[doitrockapella]

[There are very few people for whom Carmen will go full video.

Her kids are two of them.]

Hiccup...?

[And maybe she's a touch older now, and a good amount wiser; her hair's pulled back in a ponytail today, and she's got a little tan from the sun.

But if there's one thing that's decidedly different, it's the fact that her blue eyes are wide with a look of abject astonishment that she doesn't wear often at all.]

[berkthorn]

Yeah, I guess it's been a little longer for me?

[He's talking a little faster, looking sheepish. His hand reaches up to rub at Stormcutter's cheek, mostly so that he can stop feeling so fidgety, though it isn't as if the Emolga would mind either way. All those memories -- and revelations from home -- are doing a good job of working him up to a point of nervousness.]

Not that you don't look a little different. A good different! I mean -- it's good to see you.

[doitrockapella]

A little!

[APPARENTLY WE REALLY ARE RELATED, IF OUR MUTUAL INABILITY TO WORD IS ANY INDICATION]

Look at you, you've — how old are you now?

[and can she just say she loves what you did with your hair]

[berkthorn]

[She can thank Astrid for the braids. His girlfriend did her best to groom him while he was busy Hiccup-ing all over the place.]

Oh, you know, five years...

[Carmen's reaction pulls a wider smile from him, at least.]

Twenty?

[doitrockapella]

[Twenty. She'd done a lot of magnificent things at twenty.

Surely he has, too.]

And you're...all right. Things at home, they're all right, you're — wait.

[...WAIT, INDEED.

She ducks down, apparently rooting around for something, and after a short duration of highly concerted effort she finally reemerges with two hands full of a big ol' glob of Bloober, which she fairly brandishes toward the screen.]

...We discovered new dragons.

[#PRIORITIES.]

[berkthorn]

[He tries to hide the way his heart tightens at the question -- a lot had happened, in the time he'd been away, and not all of it had been fun dragon times, so he's grateful that Carmen changes the subject herself.

#priorities indeed.]

...You sure? That looks more like a, uhmn, a Shell -- Shellos.

[doitrockapella]

...She does, doesn't she? Her name is Locke. Locke Ankey.

[CARMEN...]

They all turned up in a swarm back in February. We'd never seen anything like it.

[berkthorn]

[That earns her a soft chuckle, at least.]

Of course it is...

[He brings the 'gear closer so he can better inspect this glob of dragon.]

Well happy early birthday to you... [Dragons were good presents.] What's it called?

[doitrockapella]

[And to you, Viking son, but you weren't here for it. Rest assured it didn't go uncelebrated even in your absence.]

It's a Bloo— wait, no...um. "Goomy." They're apparently called "Goomies".

[berkthorn]

...Why did you almost call it something else?

[HE ISN'T USED TO THIEF MOM GETTING THINGS WRONG.]

[doitrockapella]

Because we went about a month not knowing what they were called, up until some visitors from a different region arrived and set us straight. Apparently they're native to the other region, but not here. That's why we hadn't seen them before.

[berkthorn]

Well, I just miss everything fun, don't I?

[He shakes his head, but otherwise doesn't seem bothered any.]

Luckily I have someone who keeps me up to speed on all these important things! Don't suppose I'll be getting to see little Locke in person anytime soon?

[doitrockapella]

If you don't already know the answer to that, you really don't remember me as well as you ought to.

[But she's smiling, anyway; it's actually rather pretty, given that it's unusually genuine.]

You're heading for Cherrygrove?

[berkthorn]

[Hiccup rubs at the side of his head, dramatically rolling his eyes.]

Gimme a break, it's a lot to take in!

[He laughs though, returning the smile.]

I like to see new places. Cherrygrove seems like a good start.

[doitrockapella]

If you don't want to walk, I can send a courier with Hookfang and Adder.

[...]

I might still do that, even if you do decide to walk. At least then you'll have the option otherwise.

[berkthorn]

That'd be great.

[Walking had seemed fine, when he wasn't sure if anyone he'd known was still around. It would have allowed him more time to wind down. But really, how much time alone did he really need, and how long could he put up with not flying?]

Man, I can't wait to see everyone again... Where will you be coming down from, anyway?