Second Flight, Open Commentlog
[In the village, a gangly young man rushes past you, holding a torch. He apologizes profusely. He realizes he just narrowly missed hitting you, and that if he had, he probably would've set you on fire. He's very sorry about that, no, really.
Hot on his heels is a rabbit.]
Hot on his heels is a rabbit.]
Well, your friend has nothing to fear from me, youngling. I've no intent to make myself to your own homeland and report any indiscretions you might be participating in that allow you the knowledge to ride a winged creature.
[Knowing look is knowing, Hiccup. She might not know precisely what a dragon is, as there are no such creatures on her world or within its stories, but the general comprehension is there. Human not terribly confounded at riding a gryphon is rather obviously used to fantastical beasts. The fact that he seems well seated and quite at home there mixed with the quick denial could only mean you were up to things you perhaps shouldn't have been.]
There is no pleasure in bringing misery for the sake of bringing it where I come from ..
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No one--no one can know. There's...I--Someone I--I-I know from home is here and...
Dragons...and Vikings...
They hate each other. They just--they always have, until me, so...
He jus'--no one can know...
[...but a part of Hiccup is very glad you know, bird-lady. Finally, he was able to tell someone, so now his chest doesn't feel quite as tight anymore.]
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Turning her head, she studies the boy as she circles down toward the temple a slow progression of spirals. The boy hadn't yet entered his adult years, but he was past the fumbling, child stage, much like the gryphon he was riding atop. Mama gryphon is go; Hiccup, you now have one (1) gryphon of your own at your need of her. Someone giving you a rough time? You need a ride somewhere? Need someone to dash off into silly, not quite thought out adventure? Here's your girl! 8D
She finally shakes her head, looking down at the ground below them.]
There is naught to be gained from breaking such confidence and I'd not put anyone at risk that need not be there. [She gives a gryphonic shrug, shoulders shifting slightly under his legs. Another glance back.] I do not believe anyone should be judged by appearance, nor should friendships be decided by them..
[God knows where she would be if everyone in her home camp had believed what they were told of her and what the saw. She'd have never befriended Skan or 'Drake if they had viewed her as the misborn she'd believed herself to be.]
Your secret is safe with me..
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Well, uh.
Thank you.
You're...y'know, you're a pretty cool...talking...gigantic bird lady.
[Smooth, Hiccup.]
Not to be rude, but what are you exactly?
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She glances back at his thanks, a bit surprised that he feels the need to thank her for doing what is right. After a beat, she nods her head once and her expression is soft.]
You are most welcome.
[At the compliment, she fluffs her facial feathers slightly and chortles in amusement.]
Well, thank you. You are quite acceptable for a two-leg.
[Her tone remains amused and it's clearly not meant to be a biting remark of any sort. At the last she is hardly surprised, but she does sigh softly. It's not that you're asking, Hiccup .. it's that no one seems to know her for what she is. It's a bit disheartening after a time..]
It's not rude at all, truly .. I'm a gryphon. We're magical constructs of two predators: birds and feline. I tend to fall on the smaller side of my kind...
[Way to be insecure, Zhaneel.]
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'Magical construct' sounds nice and important. He makes a note to ask more about it, but first...]
Well...you're bigger than me.
Not that that's all that hard, but.
[He shrugs, though she may not see it.
He knows what it's like be a runt, lady. It's sucky, ain't it.]
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His response gives her a moment of pause and she glances back at him, inner lids flicking across her eyes. Yes, Hiccup, being a runt sucks whether two-legged or four and she more than understands. However, she'd never really thought of it as 'still bigger than x'.
She catches the shrug though, a dismissal for something that means something to the boy, whether he admits it or not aloud. Why hello thar, kindred spirit! Her tone is light as she speaks again. See, she knows how to handle delicate scenes!]
Mmm .. such is often the case with humanoids. You're taller than any hertasi I've met .. easily of a height with any youngling of a like age that I've ever encountered.
[See, Hiccup, you ain't so different! Yer just fine! What's that? Zhaneel should listen to her own advice? FFFFFFFFF]
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