( ✈ FOURTH FLIGHT; VIDEO — BOTH COURTS )

[smithwork]

[ A bedroom beneath the Station. One of the larger ones, given Toothless is there with his head tentatively on the bed taken up by the limp figure of Jack Frost; dark blood looks like it's been cleaned up as best it can, smears remaining on one of Jack's legs around a nasty wound.

Specks of the same old blood can be seen on Hiccup's cheek amongst his freckles when he leans into view. ]

I've heard of people falling asleep for extended periods of time before, but do they often ... go through accidents while they sleep? I, I'm not explaining this very well. Sort of, like they might be getting injured somehow, but they're haven't moved? [ Dressed down for the broadcast in a red hoodie and layered green tshirts, Toothless has similarly had his saddle placed in a corner with Hiccup's armour. They've been here long enough to get into a routine. ] He's also a little dead, but he was that way before. It's more noticeable now since he isn't moving. Or breathing. Also, his clothes changed this one time? Gah!

[ Face-palming in frustration, Hiccup rakes back his hair. ]

See, I don't even know if I need a healer because all his wounds are re-knitting despite the fact he just keeps getting more. I'm not some magical undead warlock, wound-healing, mystical wardrobe stylist. If anybody could shed some light on what's going on, I'd appreciate it — Yeah, bud, what is it?

[ Glancing over his shoulder when the Night Fury whines in distress, Hiccup drops the locket upon seeing a dark bruise spread over their unconscious friend's jaw. ]

Jack —!




( ooc: so arisa is on hiatus for her fancy cruise and jack is being canon updated!! as a sidenote on her behalf, he's going through around 300+ years of accidents and junk as he matures/becomes a pro at what he does, so there are plenty of bruises/fractures/breaks to be seen in the first few days of his enchanted sleep. feel free to notice the signs! c: )

Comments

[smithwork]

Like a seer? Do you think they'd know whether I should be setting his broken bones? I — I want to, I've tried, it just seems a waste of time when he starts getting hurt somewhere else.

[ Gods, he's tried, but he doesn't want to sleep if Merida isn't here to take care of Jack in his stead. ]

Do ... you think he can hear me?

[mesmerism]

I think it couldn't hurt to get a second opinion from someone who might have more experience.

[ She does feel bad for him. They may have had a little tiff at Samhain with being in different courts, but he's obviously broken up about his friend, and she wishes she could help. ]

He might be able to. I think anything's possible here. And talking to him couldn't hurt either.

[smithwork]

[ Nodding along (the second he finds a healer willing to help he'll latch onto them like a leech), his shoulders can't help but sag. ]

I don't know what I'm doing. My dad would, if he was here.

[ Wanting Stoick close by more keenly than before, Hiccup is half-ashamed at the thought of his father suddenly swooping in to take over. Half-relieved, too, in a perfect world where it could happen. ]

[mesmerism]

[ Piper smiles faintly and nods. It's not because she thinks her dad would be the same way; quite the opposite, actually. He freaked out so much learning that gods and monsters were real that he accepted the memory erasing potion she offered him so he never had to know about it. ]

Maybe try to put yourself in his shoes? Ask yourself what he would do.

[smithwork]

He'd fix it, just like that. [ Truly believing every word. ] He's amazing that way, Chief and all. He takes care of everybody.

[ Not knowing what else to do about Jack's bruises, Hiccup gently presses a warm towel to them and arranges a pillow to keep it close. ]

He used to tell me stories about Jack. About Jokul Frosti, anyway.

[mesmerism]

Yeah? How do the stories match up to the real guy?

[smithwork]

[ Hiccup cracks a wavering smile. ]

He's a lot nicer in person than he's made out to be. [ Here, after a pause, he tries to swallow the lump in his throat. ] When we, uh, first met in the library? He decided he was going to be my friend and I — I would have given anything to make him go away.

I'm an idiot.

[mesmerism]

Hey, no you're not. Sometimes it takes time for people to grow on us, or we're afraid of getting to close because of-- reasons.

[ Yeah, she can relate to this. ]

But whatever the reason, you're friends now, right? You wouldn't be watching over him and worrying if you didn't care.

[smithwork]

[ Reasons. Sounds familiar. ]

If he was just sleeping that would be one thing, but there are so many things going on with him that it would only make sense for this stuff to be dragged out over a long time. This morning his fingers were broken, and now they're fine but his leg and side are ... not so great.

[ Rubbing his eyes with the back of a wrist so as not to get his dirty hands on his face again, he sighs. ]

I wish he'd breathe just once, even for show.

[mesmerism]

That would definitely be helpful.

[ She can't imagine sitting at the bedside of any of her friends and seeing them not breathe. ]

At least he keeps healing himself? It's not a good thing that he's hurt, but at least it's a sign that his body is taking care of itself.

[smithwork]

That's true.

[ Sitting on the edge of the bed, he finds himself staring at nothing very much bar the middle-distance before recalling he should keep up the conversation, glancing back at his locket propped up nearby. ]

Are you at Caer Glaem, then?

[ Might as well try and shift the topic along, instead of being morose. ]

[mesmerism]

Yeah, at the moment. I haven't really wanted to go out traveling lately. What about you guys?

[smithwork]

I went up to the Barrel for a few days after Samhain, the coffee was disgusting but it helped.

[ Sober up, that is. ]

The day before Merida called me about Jack, he'd come to hang out with me. We went flying for a few hours. He'd been everywhere before that, visiting people, and he told me about what was happening at Cothromach.

[mesmerism]

What is happening in Cothromach anyway?

[ There's a hint of worry to her voice. ]

[smithwork]

Apparently there's some fighting going on down there, I didn't get the details. I haven't had time to start asking around although I know my friend Jon is alright, Jack checked up on him for us.

There's always a fight going on somewhere around here, it feels.

[mesmerism]

Yeah, I don't know either. People really do like to fight here, don't they?

[ She can't help worrying about Leo, but he's so smart and fast on his feet that she's sure he's all right. ]

I've seen plenty of battles back home, but I guess I can't get much of a break from them. Not for long anyway.

[ She shakes her head, having enough of feeling sorry for herself, no matter how brief a moment it was. ]

How's your dragon doing?

[smithwork]

You should come to the Station. If anyone kicks up a fuss here, it's a lot more like likely they'll be told to push off by anyone and everyone regardless of sides.

[ Offering her a stronger smile, Hiccup tilts the locket to show Toothless with his big head resting on the foot of the bed, puffing warm air over Jack's cold feet. He pets him lightly and the dragon's sad green eyes briefly close. ]

Jack's part of his flock now, he's worried and doesn't want to leave until he knows he'll be okay.

[mesmerism]

The Station kind of reminds me of home. I mean with the technology and modern clothes.

[ The dragon's being sweet and it makes Piper's expression brighten. ]

I hope someone else is able to tell you more about what's happening.

[smithwork]

It's only homely for me because of the company, everything else is new. [ If something happens to Jack, he isn't sure if he'll want to stay.

He shrugs. ]

To be honest, we're keeping our heads down. I don't want anyone thinking Toothless is just a weapon.

[mesmerism]

I can understand that. Hopefully you can get someone you trust around him.

[smithwork]

Care to dragon-sit sometime?

[mesmerism]

[ Her eyes light up. ]

Really? You're serious?

[smithwork]

All you've gotta do is make sure he eats his basket of fish at the right time, maybe gets a rub. He's worked out how to turn on the taps so you don't need to worry about giving him a drink.

[ Toothless also might have figured out Hiccup will come running when he hears a tap and hasn't gotten into the habit of turning them off himself, but details. ]

Sure, Piper. If I need someone to keep him company for a day, I'll let you know.

[mesmerism]

Cool! Yeah, just let me know!

[ She can't wait to tell Leo. He'll be so jealous! ]

I have this teleporting ring so I can get to the Station really quick now.

[smithwork]

[ Hiccup's smile is pleased but still small, and he glances down to adjust a hearth-warmed towel by Jack's cheek. ]

Sometime, then. It's a plan.

[ Even if he can't get too enthused about much of anything right now. ]