Starts so soft and sweet

[Hiccup]

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[atrb=background,http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/696/hiccupmiddle.png] Well, that settled it. Hiccup followed after Astrid as doggedly as he could, but he was a bit slower than usual thanks to what had happened. It inevitably resulted in his walking side by side with Polka, who in turn looked a little happier because she was closer to him. Hiccup failed to notice that fact. All he was thinking about was how good it would be to actually sit down again. He had to admit he was glad Astrid was leading the way, and that she was kind enough to make sure nothing was in his direct path that could have tripped him up. The last thing Hiccup wanted was to end up flat on his face because his accursed leg snagged on an unseen stick or something. At long last, he was finally catching up with Astrid. From the corner of is eye, though, Hiccup did finally take notice of the fact that Polka looked like she had something on her mind. "...You all right?" Hiccup asked. "Huh? Oh... y-yes. I was just... thinking. That's all." Polka replied quietly. She knew she couldn't keep silent forever. Sooner or later she would have to say something. The question was when and how. Somewhere along the way things had been complicated by the presence of the other blonde girl. "Don't worry about me." she said. She really was beginning to have her doubts about whether or not she should say anything at all. Hiccup appeared happy enough when he had been talking with Astrid. Why would he be interested in her? It's probably better you were intercepted. she thought. Her saying not to worry seemed to appease Hiccup, oblivious though he was, as he didn't question her further. They finally had reached their destination of the large tree. Relief flowed through him as he moved closer, and finally he settled down underneath it. It was finally time to relax. "Gods... you'd think I'd be used to this stupid thing by now. Guess it really was too much to ask for." Hiccup remarked as he sat down, gingerly bringing his legs closer to his body before motioning for Polka to join them. The other blonde girl joined without a word, sitting just a little further from the other two but close enough so that she was near Hiccup. ---- Song: I'm Still Here by John Rzeznik Images and Codes belong to their rightful owners Table made by Rapunzel Don't Steal!

[Astrid]

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[atrb=background,http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/6900/astridmiddle.png] Astrid watched as the two came from behind her side by side. She was unconcerned though, her hearing was greater than that of a regular human, so she'd been able to keep tabs on the conversation. It deeply satisfied her that the Polka girl was very shy ad Hiccup was oblivious to the entire situation at hand. Hiccup wasn't dumb, that was for sure, but in this part of life Hiccup wasn't exactly educated. The blonde was sure though that even Snotlout would pick up on what was going on. Snotlout was one that not most liked to be outdone by mentally. At least the mood seemed light in the point of view of Hiccup. Than Hiccup came to sit down, and Polka, being shy and respectful it seemed, gave him space. Yet she remained close. Astrid refused a scowl, on continued to have the placid look on her face. The girl, was in many ways her opposite, and in other ways much like the scrawny red head. Shy, quite. A magic user, they seemed to not be to socially experienced. But both were kind and likeable. Had Astrid not known Polka's intentions and found out about her own jealousy, Astrid might have been more hospitable to the blonde and dismissed her as another blonde of Hiccup's friends. Polka was kind though, it was a feature Astrid could easily add to the girl's persona. The girl and Astrid seemed to be on two extremes, Astrid being rough, hard, and a survivalist. Not to mention she wasn't what everyone gave the description of cuddly too. Polka was like a blonde little teddy bear. Soft, cute, and not, not cuddly. She seemed to have the personality someone like Hiccup was expected to have. Especially with his latest injury, Astrid wasn't known for her softer side which at Berk, was a mere rumor. It was also confusing to Astrid still, as she did not understand what she actually thought she was feeling. She guessed she liked Hiccup, but the distinguish factor between like and like like were still a blur. She was also trying to justify the kiss on the cheek in her head as well as what Hiccup thought of it. While her resolve was blurry and unclear, Polka's seemed to be closer to the finish line. Something Astrid dreaded as it gave her less time to figure out what she was thinking as well as gouge what Hiccup's reaction would be to Polka. But as of now, he was oblivious and Astrid didn't believe Polka would say anything until Hiccup made some realization. "Who was asking anyway?" Astrid spoke, slowly coming from her thoughts, and turning to the emerald eyed viking. "And I'd say you don't look too unnatural walking." Astrid shrugged. "And what've you been doing in the castle for the past week of being grounded?" Astrid asked, genuinely curious. Than she turned her attention to Polka. She wanted to know more about Hiccup's new friend. "And what kind of... witch are you? How long've you been with Gothel?" Astrid couldn't help but cock her head to one side. Some wolf behaviors didn't seem to go away. It seemed the day had gained some voice, from the babbling brook, constantly talking and whispering its own incomprehensible stories. The birds singing to the sun and sky, the squirrels chattering with one another. Even the trees decided to become puppet masters, their leaves and branches manipulating the sun rays to dance off the forest floor. ---- Song: Howl by Florence + the Machine Images belong to rightful owners

[Hiccup]

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[atrb=background,http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/696/hiccupmiddle.png] "Well, it may look all right but it sure as hell doesn't feel it. It's just... not natural. ...Duh, of course it's not. Wow. Give me the award for sounding intelligent. I just earned it." sarcasm was evident in his tone. Of course he realized he sounded like an idiot. He was only pointing out that it felt awkward to walk still, even if it did look all right. As for Astrid's question in regards to what he had been up to, that was easy enough to answer. "Mainly, I've been trying to remember what the hell happened out here." Hiccup replied. It was all he really wanted to know. Aside form vaguely remembering using his magic, as had been evidenced when he'd regained consciousness by the fact that there was a thick coating of ash on his hands... and there had been some flecks of it in his furry vest, but other than that and the portion where Astrid had tried to save him, Hiccup couldn't recall anything that happened. Just that he had gotten his ass kicked by a demon. "I don't know, maybe it's just me. It just feels weird not even remembering most of what happened in that fight." he said with a shrug. He wouldn't get any answers by trying to force the memory, that was for certain. So Hiccup leaned back slightly and let his head rest against the back of the tree. He did want to know just what Astrid had been doing when she wasn't looking for signs of him, too. That thought made a sort of guilty feeling return to him. He'd gone and worried her for no good reason. Well... there had been a good reason. Namely that he had been stuck in the castle for a week and before that he had been required to stay overnight with the angels so they could make absolutely certain his leg was in a good enough condition for the long journey home. Even if Hiccup had been able to get his question out, it seemed like the spotlight was being shifted to Polka. In all honesty, he was curious about the little light witch as well. He hardly knew anything about her. Only that she was one of the many blonde girls that seemed to reside within the castle. What? Did blondes just have some attraction to magic that Astrid had missed out on? "Oh, me? I... I'm a light witch." Polka replied. She hadn't thought Astrid would be all that interested in her. Why would she have been? She was rather boring in comparison to the two Vikings she was spending time with. "My specialty isn't so much offensive magic as it is helpful magic, though. I guess you could say I'm a healer, mainly." Polka explained. She'd been able to heal for even longer than she had been at Black Castle. She didn't want to admit that much, though. It would lead to the conversation becoming rather awkward if she were to try and explain about that disease. Especially when she didn't even know if she still had it. "I've been in the castle since early June. I just haven't... had much of a chance to interact with the others that much. I'm afraid I'm not very much of a social butterfly." Polka said at last. That much was entirely true. Even when she had been living in Tenuto her mother had had the greatest difficulty getting her to socialize. The fact that there were no children Polka's age back home had made matters worse. Now she had all the kids her age that she could ever want. The problem was her lack of confidence. "You said you're from the same place as Hiccup. If... you don't mind my asking, what's it like where you're from?" she decided to ask. It kept the topic off of her real reason for wanting to talk to Hiccup, didn't it? That was a good enough reason for her to try and keep the spotlight off of herself. ---- Song: I'm Still Here by John Rzeznik Images and Codes belong to their rightful owners Table made by Rapunzel Don't Steal!

[Astrid]

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[atrb=background,http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/6900/astridmiddle.png] Astrid gave Hiccup a curious look. How could he not remember it? Had he been beaten up badly enough for that to happen? Astrid's fists clenched. Was she a coward to have not actually gone to the demon's hiding place and called out the one who'd done that to Hiccup? Who'd made him lose his leg? To many questions. Astrid was adding more and more questions by the day and it was starting to get frustrating. Most of her questions never gave her answers, nor could she find any without either a self journey (gods forbid that was coming anytime soon) or actually doing the crazy things that the questions called for. She was beginning to fear she was coming up with Hiccup crazy- worthy plans. "How can't you remember what happened? Aside from... yea... and getting whooped?" The girl asked. Astrid had a way of not beating around the bush but going straight through it. If she wanted to know something or say something, chances are she would. "And would you like that award in wood or rock?" The girl joked, flashing a smile and flipping her wrist so a rock she picked up while in thought skipped on the water on the stream. She than listened to Polka's story. Short as it was, it was different. A light witch? Astrid couldn't imagine the powers that being a light witch entailed. It also didn't seem like the girl had the same way of healing as the other blonde chick, seeing as there was a missing 70 ft of hair. She'd probably been in the castle for about the same time as Hiccup. A wonder how the two hadn't actually talked before. Polka gave a simple reply, not delving to much about herself. Though Astrid could sense no underlying, terrible secret, information was being withheld. Though she had a feeling that said information hadn't been near to an answer to the questions she'd asked. Than the girl asked about home. Astrid gave a small shrug. "Different. There are a lot of people like... me. Just bigger, bulkier, and tougher. Our village's been there for many generations, but all our houses are new. Since we have a dragon, pest problem..." Astrid said looking down. She didn't want to delve in to too much, namely Hiccup's father. "And needless to see there's a lot of fighting and fire, and yeah..." A pang of homesickness attacked the blonde. She hadn't been home in so long, it felt like years. Astrid, for a second, wished to be oblivious to this new place. She remembered when being in Berk was all the exploration she needed, she didn't have any yearning for something farther. Life had been about dragon training and killing, finding and destroying the nest. She'd had a solid place there. Here, it was all different and new. In a way the mysteries at hand were daunting and the future was foggy. Not the kind of fog that thinned as you walked in to it, but the thick heavy fog where if you took a knife and cut a circle, chances are you'd have a circle. Everything and everyone here were different and changing. At Berk everything was... solid. She knew everyone, everything, and she had a specific goal in mind. For some reason, she was now tethered to this place and she had no clue where to go. The tether that kept her in her tiny space of territory was tied to short for her to gnaw if off and live and she couldn't turn around and see for sure what lied ahead. It was all confusing. All messed up. "It's also a harder place to grow up, harsher. Mostly gloomy, raining, snowing, hailing, or on fire." Astrid finished the little flashback description. "But it was home, I guess." Astrid exhaled a large gust before leaning back so her head and shoulders rested on the trees and she had her knees drawn up. ---- Song: Howl by Florence + the Machine Images belong to rightful owners

[Hiccup]

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[atrb=background,http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/696/hiccupmiddle.png] "That's the thing. ...I don't know." Hiccup replied at length. It sounded rather stupid, but it was the truth. Try as he might, Hiccup just couldn't recall his portion of the battle. All that came to mind was unintentionally finding that demon and having to go toe to toe with him. The actual goings on of the fight were a blur. "All I know is I remember a lot of pain... but that's obvious. I guess my fire power came out at some point, too, because when I regained consciousness I... my hands were all... covered in ash. I don't get it either, but that's what happens when I use fire. It comes out of my hands and that gets left behind." Hiccup explained. Almost unconsciously, Hiccup had brought his left hand up from where it was resting and began to look at it. Almost like he was expecting to find his hand in the same state it had been when he had woken up from the fight. "I keep going around in circles about the whole thing. No one else actually saw me get attacked. It's mainly what I ended up doing to protect myself that I'm wondering about." he admitted. "See... at one point, I think that demon was... doing something that involved pushing me to the ground repeatedly. Or something. The details aren't clear. Then for some reason he just... stopped. I'd like to think that my body just reacted and something happened, but come on. That happening to me? That's like Snotlout actually growing a braincell and using it." Hiccup laughed. But in all seriousness, the redhead would have liked to know what happened. He doubted Astrid would know. Or Polka. Neither of them were versed in fire magic. Hiccup took that opportunity after he'd finished speaking to listen to Astrid talk about home. For once it wasn't nearly as painful as he was expecting it to be. Probably because he was somewhat numb to pain after what had happened. She was also kind enough not to directly talk about Stoick. Once she was finished, though, Hiccup realized one thing. He knew nothing about where Polka came from. In fact, he was certain no one in Black Castle directly knew anything about Polka's history. "So... what about you, Polka? What was your home like?" Hiccup asked. ---- Little light witch hesitated. She generally didn't like to talk about home those days. Not because she had anything to hide like Hiccup had, but because there wasn't much to tell and she didn't know how to make it sound all that interesting. But she would try. For their sakes. "Well... I come from this little village called Tenuto. It's just a peaceful little place, really. What it's really known for is... well, as odd as it sounds it's known for what we called Floral Powder. It's just a simple herbal medicine, really, but Tenuto is probably the only place you can find it." Polka explained. She almost wished she had a sample of it with her. She had meant to bring some before she left home. "I'm afraid nothing really interesting happens around there. The only thing I can really say beyond that is there was a nice view of the night sky." she said. ...With that bit of homesick talk over, she shook her head just a tiny bit. "I don't really miss it that much, actually. I'd been meaning to leave, anyway." she admitted. ---- Song: I'm Still Here by John Rzeznik Images and Codes belong to their rightful owners Table made by Rapunzel Don't Steal!

[Astrid]

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[atrb=background,http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/6900/astridmiddle.png] "Well if you can't remember what you did, than you must've reacted. I mean, you had the ash to prove it. " Astrid suggested. The question of what had actually happened though, remained. Great, another question. The girl groaned to herself. There was someone who could tell them what happened. Granted it might not be the exact truth and something bad was guaranteed to happen. Just another crazy way to get an answer to a seemingly unanswerable question. "I think you just gave Snotlout hope of a functioning brain cell." The girl gave a light laugh. A small mask to her actual thoughts. "And I think there would only be two ways of finding out what happened, getting whooped again or that demon." Astrid shrugged, as if dismissing the thoughts as crazy. Both were very undesirable ways of getting answers. Astrid than listened to Polka talk of her home. It seemed... small and sweet, somewhat like the girl that came from there. And the night sky? Astrid could never say she'd ever stopped to observe the night sky. Not with the dragon raids at Berk, and the nocturnal tendencies here. She was either fighting or hunting. The only time she'd ever really looked up to the night sky was brief and for a howl pointed to a star, or to watch dragons get away with sheep. It never was necessary to look at the sky. "That seems like... a pretty okay place to live. And what's 'Floral Powder, or 'Flower Power?'" The blonde asked truly curious. Why did this Polka girl have to be so nice? Though the concept of wanting to purposely leave home was foreign. Berk had always been home and had been the home she planned to grow up in and become the next viking generation. Fighting dragons and training the next generation. Maybe even becoming the one to find the nest. Those dreams were now just dreams, a 'what if' or 'what could have' question. No sense in thinking of the past and the way it could have branched off to be. She was a werewolf now, there were vampires, wizards and witches, angels and demons. A brief thought crossed her mind though. If Hiccup was here... and Snotlout was here, well who the hell was the next heir to the next chieftain of Berk? Oh well, one more question. Damn she had to stop doing that... "But we're here now, no sense getting homesick. So Polka is this the first time you've come to the forest? Or do I need to give you the 'there are dangerous things in here' lecture? " Astrid smiled but sensed a sideways glare to Hiccup. The boy seemed to constantly forget that. He was, in a way lucky, except for the previous battle, he'd never run into trouble. He'd yet to meet the beings the crawled in the shadows. Lucky ---- Song: Howl by Florence + the Machine Images belong to rightful owners

[Polka]

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[atrb=background,http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/9819/polkamiddle.png] Polka did have to wonder who this Snotlout fellow was, and why the other two were making fun of him, but she didn't want to openly question it. They must have had their reasons for mocking him. He didn't sound terribly bright, if she was going just based on what was being said. In all actuality, as the conversation turned back to questions regarding what she had said, Polka seemed to have expected the question regarding Floral Powder. "It's a sort of medicine that we make to help people with illnesses. Though... lately it has proven to be difficult to sell. All because Mineral Powder is so much easier to obtain. ...I'm sorry, it's all rather complicated. I don't even really know how to begin explaining about these sorts of things." Polka admitted. Innocent little girl hardly understood the concept behind Mineral Powder versus Floral Powder, anyway. All she knew was that the former wasn't as expensive as the latter, and so she hadn't been able to sell her Floral Powder much lately. "And... I actually don't know that much about the forest. Only what Gothel has told us about it being dangerous out here. But it really doesn't seem that bad." Polka said. It seemed calm. Peaceful. Almost like the woods not far from Tenuto, except without the Heaven's Mirrors growing around there. Though she supposed it was possible there were dangers out there. Astrid didn't seem so bad, but she'd seen her turn into a wolf. A werewolf, perhaps? "Trust me, there are dangerous things out here. Like my cousin." Hiccup deadpanned. He'd taken what Astrid had said in regards to it being possible for Snotlout to actually gain a braincell and let his imagination run with it. It hadn't generated a very pleasant thought. An intelligent Snotlout was not something Hiccup wanted to run into. "I think there's vampires out here somewhere, too. I just haven't seen them. Mainly 'cause... I guess I get lucky." Hiccup remarked. "Lucky?" Polka asked. She'd never thought of Hiccup as one to get lucky. He certainly hadn't been lucky when he'd ended up in his fight. "Well... sure. I mean, I could have run into someone other than Astrid today. Most of the time it feels like the world, or maybe Loki, is just trying to spite me. But here we are. Lucky again not to have gotten attacked or something." Hiccup said. All things considered, he could have gotten the snot kicked out of him again. It wouldn't have been very pleasant, nor would it have helped him find answers to his unanswered questions of just what he had done in that fight. ---- Song: Teardrops on My Guitar by Taylor Swift Images belong to rightful owners Brushes:Funkyfroggie22.Deviantart.com, ObsidianDawn, dierat Table made by Rapunzel Don't Steal!

[Astrid]

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[atrb=background,http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/6900/astridmiddle.png] "It does sound rather complicated." Whatever Floral and Mineral powder were apparently in Tenuto they were quite popular. It also didn't seem like there was any violence between the two sides of mineral vs. floral. So if those were the biggest problems Polka had to deal with in her life... The girl was lucky. "I guess you're lucky too, it didn't seem like there were a ton of big problems or violence where you lived." Though Astrid didn't exactly dislike the violence. She'd grown up a viking and was true to the viking breed. Though this girl's background seemed to explain her shy attitude. A small town without a larger population seemed to suggest social ineptness. Though the girl seemed to be doing well at this talking right now. Than Polka continued to talk about her views of the forest. Astrid couldn't help but smile and shake her head. This forest had a way of fooling people, especially this particular spot. Another reason why she chose this as one of her favorite spots. "Hiccup's right. This place is actually pretty dangerous, but I guess my part of the forest isn't to bad. I haven't run into much trouble." Except for the exception of Snotlout who was not only a problem at times, but a friend at others. "And his cousin's like me, just... not smart. And a lot more violent." Astrid didn't entirely recommend him for a first meeting. Especially when one was alone. Snotlout had seemed prone to defend her territory against intruders, questions later. "And you were lucky today too. I coulda been mean." Astrid flashed a grin recalling the punch she'd sent Hiccup's direction. "And it's a wonder why a god would personally appoint himself to you and make life a living hell. But Loki seems the best bet." Astrid looked around as if to see the god materialized and clapping for having figured out his plan. But with Hiccup's luck, well it wasn't unbelievable to any viking. It was actually a miracle or throw of luck that the teen was alive. No one had really expected the boy to survive when he'd been disowned and thrown from the tribe. No weapon, no food, no boat. Just gone. It seemed Berk's next generation though was slowly disappearing. Three viking-to-be's gone. The twins and Fishlegs were left. Great prospects for future vikings. "But anyway, listen to Gothel the forest's dangerous and I'm surprised you," Astrid poked a finger at Hiccup, "still wander in here alone." She was sometimes glad for the disobedience of Gothel's and her own orders, though. Without them she and Hiccup wouldn't run into one another so often and who knows how things would've turned out? On the other hand... Hiccup could still have his leg. If he'd learned not to come to the forest or he hadn't reunited with the blonde, maybe he would've returned to the castle after seeing a battle begin? Once again more questions. her brain was riddled with them and chock full, no need to create to much more unsatisfied answers. "You guys hungry?" Astrid stood up, she was becoming restless from sitting in one place to long, doing nothing. She figured Polka might be to shy to try anything and was deciding to take her chances. There were a few fruit trees that had given way to a few nice morsels. Astrid was already in wolf form, and she'd edged closer to the stream. "Don't move, or wander off alone." With that Astrid bounded away on the short trip to the fruit trees. ((ooc: I figure give Polka a chance and give the opportunity for Astrid to get angry >:3 My evil mind at work! )) ---- Song: Howl by Florence + the Machine Images belong to rightful owners

[Polka]

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[atrb=background,http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/9819/polkamiddle.png] Polka could have mentioned that she had never actually left Tenuto before then. She could have mentioned that she didn't know what actually went on outside her home, beyond the safety of that life she was used to, but she dismissed the idea and merely listened to Astrid speak. The tougher of the two blondes was right. She had gotten fairly lucky with the aspect that she hadn't caught the werewolf in a bad mood. But it could have gone an entirely different way. Polka knew that. She had just never considered it that much before. Then she caught Astrid going into wolf form again, having said something about food, and going off on her own. "Take your time..." Polka managed to say. Oh... she could already feel the flustered side of her coming out again. Alone with Hiccup at last. A chance to finally tell him what she had been wanting to tell him. An awkward sort of silence seemed to settle in at last, leaving Polka to look around as she tried to organize her thoughts. Such a simple thing to say sure had gotten her flustered rather quickly. "Um... Hiccup?" "Yeah?" Hiccup asked. He had only just realized they were alone. Him and Polka. Now that he really thought about it, it seemed almost as if Polka was more like him than he knew. The awkward sort of kid that didn't fit in somehow. Yet... she was so innocent. So sweet. Such traits were hard to come by in Berk. He almost envied that. A part of him somehow wished he could have seen what it was like in Tenuto. Just for a day. "If it's about my leg, it's doing better. It still hurts to walk some, but I think I'm getting used to it. ...Sort of." Hiccup said. "That's... not it. There was... a reason I wanted to talk to you. ...Alone." Polka managed to say. Oh, how was she going to put this? How could she just come out and say what she had been wanting to say for so long? A faint blush returned to her cheeks, but Polka was quick to turn her head away so that Hiccup would miss it. Inside she was yelling at herself to stop being such a flustered little girl. How hard was it to say three little words. "It's just that... ever since I first saw you at the castle, I haven't been able to... get you out of my head." Polka said. When she finally did look up again, she caught sight of the confusion in Hiccup's eyes. He still didn't get it? How could such a smart kid (who was, admittedly, a little on the incompetent side) not get what she was trying to say? "What I mean is... Hiccup, I... I think maybe I..." Say it! Say it, Polka! Just say it! "...I like you. A lot." Polka said at last. That was it. The full blush made itself appear on her face, and Polka had to quickly close her eyes to try and keep that feeling from getting too out of hand. Once it had died down some, Polka felt herself relaxing again. She'd done it. She'd come out and said it! ...Why wasn't Hiccup saying anything? "Y-You... like me?" Hiccup stammered. He was stunned. The redhead hadn't even thought she would try to say something like that. He barely knew her. Had no idea that she had feelings for him. In short, he had no idea how to react. "Polka... I... it's not that I don't like you. I do, you're a nice girl. It's just... oh gods..." Hiccup brought his hand to his forehead. She hadn't known he might have been interested in another girl. That he did feel fondness for Astrid, even if the two of them never actually said so out loud. Things just took a whole 'nother step up the awkward ladder. (ooc: >:3 Let the awkwardness commence.) ---- Song: Teardrops on My Guitar by Taylor Swift Images belong to rightful owners Brushes:Funkyfroggie22.Deviantart.com, ObsidianDawn, dierat Table made by Rapunzel Don't Steal!

[Astrid]

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[atrb=background,http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/6900/astridmiddle.png] Astrid had picked out a few nice apples and apricots, as well as a large fan leaf filled with blackberries and gooseberries. She'd also pleasured herself in eating one or two... handfuls before heading back with the rest. Sure she was a wolf, but she was also human, meaning a straight meat diet didn't always suit her. Fruit and even some vegetables taken from gardens in the town, skillfully gnawed and bits broken to be blamed on the thin rodent population of the forest. if she remained unseen, she'd be left alone. No hunters would be after her, no townsfolk angrily putting a bounty on her head. Astrid didn't exactly have money to spend. She didn't live with the other werewolves where she suspected they had ways of receiving supplies, while she traded for her needs. Or took from gardens or the forest itself. Though she desperately wished for a double edged axe, though the ones in town didn't fit her liking. They were to thin and small, not the heavy but carefully sculpted ones of vikings that cut through a dragon's armored protection. Astrid had the fruits bundled in her arms, and the pleasant fragrance brought a smile to her lips. Astrid could now understand why Polka would be fooled by the forest. Especially today. The sun was nice and warm, birds sang and the stream ahead babbled. It was like a picture someone would use to get tourists. Astrid did not know this, but she felt this to be an oddly nice day. This was a better part of the forest, newer it seemed, the trees were bright and green with youth. The day was still young as it was. The sun moving sluggishly across the expanse of blue. Though it seemed things had grown still, the air thicker as if sudden humidity had set in. Astrid continued through the trees, expertly weaving past their branches and bushes. Astrid carefully made her way across the stream, the longest of furs getting wet. Astrid had yet to pay attention to the two she'd left behind... but it was quiet. Hiccup's hands were on his forehead, masking his face from her angle. Polka had a rosy blush on her light face. Astrid had a feeling on what had happened. She'd underestimated Polka. Setting down the fruit, Astrid popped a blackberry into her mouth, watching the two with narrow eyes. The awkwardness, though brought out Astrid's worst fears in her head. Pushing off from the large tree she'd been leaning on, Astrid turned arm snapping off and tearing a branch limb before heading a little ways upstream. From there, and out of sight were large splashes and more cracking sounds of poor tree branches. She hadn't wanted to blow up in front of the two for fear of looking ridiculous for fears that might not've happened. Though larger surges of water found it's way downstream, pushing the water over the stream banks. The river now pulsating with the odd pattern of objects thrown in it. A shrill call of a bird's warning was mysteriously cut off. It might've been best had Astrid gone a bit away, as only the two teenagers waiting by the river bank could imagine. Pity to the one who decided to check on her. ---- Song: Howl by Florence + the Machine Images belong to rightful owners

[Hiccup]

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[atrb=background,http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/696/hiccupmiddle.png] Only when Hiccup actually moved his hand away from his face did he catch just a glimpse of Astrid. She was... retreating? Oh gods. Now what have I unintentionally caused? Hiccup wondered as a look of dread crossed his face. With Astrid, there usually was no telling what would happen. With Polka... well, the girl had just admitted something that Hiccup was quite speechless about. It was a horrible situation to be in. "Uh... I think I'll go check on Astrid! You just... stay here. I'll... I'll get back to you." Hiccup said hastily. He rose to his feet, ignoring the pain that came along with coming up on his prosthetic leg, and went in the direction he assumed Astrid had gone. This left Polka, obviously very alone and probably assuming rejection. Gods. Why did she have to say that? How the hell was I even supposed to respond to that? She's a friend. That's all she is. Now I have to explain that to Astrid. Hiccup thought bitterly as he made his way along. Once or twice he stumbled, mostly a result of his metal foot catching on something underfoot, but otherwise he was able to keep up all right. As he got closer, he could clearly see what she had been up to. Breaking apart innocent sticks and beating up water. Oh yes... it was clear to see that someone was upset. "Astrid? It... it wasn't what it looked like. I mean... Polka and I... we're just friends. That's all she'll ever be to me. A friend." Hiccup explained as calmly as he could. It was a difficult thing to explain, and of course that typical Hiccup bluntness didn't make things any better. He could only imagine that Polka had heard what he'd said. In that moment he wasn't sure of how much he cared, though. He just wanted to assure Astrid that he didn't return the feelings he only was beginning to realize Polka had for him. ---- "I mean... Polka and I... we're just friends. That's all she'll ever be to me." Polka's sky blue eyes widened in horror. She knew it had been a bad idea to speak her mind. The one time she did, everything came crashing down around her. He didn't return her feelings. Stupid. Stupid, Polka! Of course he doesn't feel that way. Of course he wouldn't... you're just Polka. Not special enough. she thought as a look of regret crossed her face and the blush began to fade away. Her eyes trailed downward and stayed put on the ground before her. She didn't dare to meet the gaze of the other two teens, assuming they were looking her way. She felt so stupid in that moment. ---- Song: I'm Still Here by John Rzeznik Images and Codes belong to their rightful owners Table made by Rapunzel Don't Steal!

[Astrid]

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[atrb=background,http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/6900/astridmiddle.png] Astrid didn't know why she cared so much. Hiccup could go with any girl he chose to be with. It's not like she'd showed any interest in the scrawny teen. She'd always felt bad for the teen when the others picked on him, she never joined in, but she never defended him. She'd never spent to much time with him. She shouldn't care, when was it her place to be in other people's business? It never had been. Why should she care, she didn't care. Nope, nope, nope , nope. Astrid kicked another rock into the river, causing even more of an uproar with the stream. The little fish that had been peacefully swimming about were now race cars, using the current to get the hell out of that part of the stream. Astrid had a nice forked branch in hand, than Hiccup showed up. "Astrid? It... it wasn't what it looked like. I mean... Polka and I... we're just friends. That's all she'll ever be to me. A friend." The boy had mustered a calm voice. Astrid swiveled on her heel, pointing the stick at him. "Thank you Hiccup, THANK you so much for saying that. I feel infinitely better." Astrid snarled, using sarcasm to get her 'I'm upset' point across. Astrid wasn't one to convey her feelings in tears, sobbings, and the typical soft girl side showing. it was weak, and Astrid never liked feeling weak, nor did she like giving anyone the chance to take advantage of her. Mad as hell and raging usually got the truth out. "I leave for a few minutes and da da da!" Astrid gestured a hand towards Polka, rolling her eyes. She than shifted her body to face the stream and chucked the branch across so it snapped against a tree by the bank. Astrid took a step away, turning her back to Hiccup and ranted on. "But why should I care? We're not..." Pause. "together!" Astrid said at last. He had a lot of blonde friends, Rapunzel, Polka, and her. She had no specific claim to the red head. Sure she was... fond of the likeable viking. "And does it take you that long to tell a girl likes you?!" The blonde switched the rant to that of his obliviousness. "I could tell!" her voice turned into a hushed growl, a sideways glance to the now sad blonde. Her eyes were downcast. Call Astrid cruel, but at that time Astrid couldn't register any feelings besides the ones mixed up and upset in her own head. Astrid bent down and skipped a rock down the choppy surface of the water, kicking another one into the water. The two colliding and sinking. "Damnit Hiccup!" The girl uttered, brushing her bangs back and taking a deep breath. She was so confused. She wouldn't admit it though. She wanted to ask if he and Polka were just friends how about them? Though the girl wasn't into the mushy stuff and didn't want to act like a soap opera. In an Astrid way, the question was in her actions. Had this happened to Snotlout or Tuffnut or Fishlegs she wouldn't have cared less. She rarely every cared about anyone's business, she normally stayed out of it. Astrid turned her blue eyes to Hiccup's emerald ones, questioning and glowering. What more could she say? She'd already yelled, thrown sticks and rocks. And still she felt she hadn't gotten it all out. Now all she had to do was see Hiccup's reaction to all this. ((ooc: Bitchy Astrid is mean xD And it was so hard to word the post and I'm pretty sure I didn't word it right anyway xD )) ---- Song: Howl by Florence + the Machine Images belong to rightful owners

[Hiccup]

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[atrb=background,http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/696/hiccupmiddle.png] "Hey. Don't get snippy with me. I'm being honest here!" Hiccup exclaimed. For once in his life, he wished that maybe he had actually tried to say something to Astrid herself in regards to how he felt. Hadn't it been clear enough from the fact that he had been worried about her when he didn't know what had happened that he liked her? Obviously not. Now the redhead was annoyed. "I don't like Polka like that! She just sprang that on me from out of nowhere!" Cruel though it sounded, it was the truth. Hiccup hadn't even gotten to know Polka that well before that day. He'd never even had the opportunity to talk to her. She was a shy, frail thing that was always by herself except for on a few instances where she was with someone else. Why did it have to be him she apparently had a crush on? "And how the hell was I supposed to know? We all know how it was back home. No one ever looked any way at me except with this look that was like saying 'Hey, you, get lost before you break something'. You think I know how to tell a girl likes someone? I've never been the object of anyone's affection before." Hiccup said He'd raised his good hand in the air, but dropped it after a moment. So what if he had a bunch of friends that happened to be girls? He'd never been outside of Berk before then. Never had the chance to interact with girls who might not have seen him as a failure or a worthless Viking. No, this was his first real experience dealing with emotions involving girls outside of Berk. Why did it have to be someone like Polka? Someone so innocent didn't deserve someone like him. A freak that couldn't do anything right. No, he deserved someone else. Who that was... well, he didn't know. "Doesn't the fact that I've known you longer than her mean anything to you? What about the fact that I was so worried about what had happened to you in that fight?" ---- Song: I'm Still Here by John Rzeznik Images and Codes belong to their rightful owners Table made by Rapunzel Don't Steal!

[Astrid]

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[atrb=background,http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/6900/astridmiddle.png] Hiccup had a point. Many points actually. But was reason working with Astrid today? No, it appeared reason liked to be teamed with Hiccup today. "Well I'd think you'd have SOME clue! I mean she followed you into the forest to 'check' on you when you hardly knew her! I think that'd be some tip!" Astrid growled back raising her hands in exasperation. Astrid did have some sane time to wonder though, she'd tried to come to his rescue and had been looking for him for over a week, yelling at him for causing her worry. In Hiccup's mind it must've been normal friend behavior! it was infuriating, not only because Hiccup had obviously gotten none of it, and Astrid was starting to think her motives for such action had not been normal friend behavior. "And I don't think it's 'out of nowhere' it was opportunity! I didn't think she'd actually use it!" Astrid shouted to no one in particular. Astrid was starting to get irritated, this time not only at the red head before her, but at her own lousy logic. "And at home it was different! We were vikings, vikings aren't like Polka! It was so... obvious! Do you think that would be evident in any viking girl?" Astrid shouted, using her hand to brush back her hair and hold her head for an instant. It wasn't evident clearly. Astrid had her suspicions of her own feelings, and actions over the course of the past few days, and it never seemed to be obvious. Except maybe today, right now. It was BS if he couldn't tell by the way she was arguing back at him. If her outrage at the two on her return hadn't been enough. "And don't give me that crap about being worried, I KNOW, but you'd be worried for anyone who disappeared from view like that. Don't deny it! If it were Polka or Rapunzel, or whoever else you know!" Astrid huffed taking a breath and turning to look at the surrounding forest. For a brief instant just running felt like a good idea. Right now though, Astrid was engaged in verbal battle and someone wasn't getting the crap beaten out of them and she had no excuse to run off. "I've known you longer than Polka,, you've known me longer. You've also known Snotlout longer! So I guess no, it doesn't mean much. Not right now, we weren't always crossing each other in the halls of a castle we were confined to either." Astrid sent a glare at the scrawny teen. As of right now, she was amazed she was making any sense. Viking curses were on the edge of tongue though. It seemed Astrid was denying everything Hiccup said, trying to reason out any feelings. Probably causing much frustration on the boy who seemed to be trying to get his point across. The forest had gone quiet around them. As the screaming match had started it seemed all birds and rodents had gone to their nest or the treetops to escape the wrath and noise of the angry creatures. Even the babbling stream babbled quietly, whether from the water lost or from being partially clogged by the multitude of sticks and stones in its path. Hiccup wasn't an Astrid and he seemed to be on the opposite end of the personality spectrum. He was less prone to violent action, raised tempers, and irrational thinking and acting. Astrid though, wasn't. She was a purebred viking with a mix of modernization and pushing and challenging herself on everything she did. Someone like Hiccup and Astrid didn't ever mix socially anywhere else it seemed. As of right now, there was an example of why. Two vikings with the same amount of viking stubbornness mixed in their blood. "If Polka's actions were such a mystery to you, what about me? Huh? " The girl barked, not realizing what she was implying herself. "I was worried about you, YOU had your but whooped and than you were gone! " Astrid shouted hands clenched in a fist, itching for something to throw across the stream, kick, punch, anything. It seemed for a second her jealousy actually voiced itself, but was gone in the rage of a teenage viking girl. ((ooc: ... i think I got carried away o.o )) ---- Song: Howl by Florence + the Machine Images belong to rightful owners

[Hiccup]

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[atrb=background,http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/696/hiccupmiddle.png] Oh, now it was getting heated. Now Hiccup was having to fight just to get his point across that he actually did care. It didn't help that things on his end were feeling warmer. More heated than he would have liked. It also didn't help that his head was beginning to hurt from the yelling match. He supposed it was true what they said. Yelling matches solved nothing, and no matter how loud it got it wouldn't be any better. "What is so hard to understand about this? I barely know her, so how am I supposed to return feelings for someone I don't even know? And furthermore, you have no idea what you're talking about. It wouldn't matter if it was Rapunzel or Polka or anyone else. YOU'RE the only one that would be hardheaded enough to come after me like that!" he snapped. It was true. Rapunzel had a frying pan, Polka was a frail, shy thing that didn't seem to have any offensive techniques, but Astrid? Astrid could defend herself better than that. It also helped that she was stubborn. "And let me tell you something. The only reason I wouldn't know if someone felt that way about me is because I've never felt like that around anyone before! Not before now, anyway, and Polka has nothing to do with that! Hell, if I could I would have come straight from where the angels were keeping me and would have come looking for you if I'd had any idea what had happened. But no. They made me stay put." Hiccup said. Had he had any idea of what was going on in the area directly in front of him, he would have realized his fire was playing up again. Taking that ranting feeling and rolling with it. He lifted his hand up, almost as if he was trying to make a point, and held it so that his palm was pointed toward him as opposed to the ground. "And furthermore-" WHOOSH! A flame burst forth from Hiccup's hand and went straight up in his face. Once it died down and he'd blinked a couple of times in an attempt to clear his vision, a little cough followed and an exasperated groan came from the redhead. He was not having a very good day anymore. "Gods dammit, I care about you Astrid! Why the hell do you think I keep coming out here? It's not because I'm looking to make amends with Snotlout, that's for sure!" he exclaimed at last. It was as if that one rogue flame had made him stop trying to beat around the bush and get to the point. He probably hadn't realized quite what he had said yet, but when he did... well, it was all up to interpretation on their parts. ---- As the yelling match went on, Polka found she couldn't help but watch. She'd gotten up and moved closer to the group, but not close enough to actually become involved in the argument. She didn't have much of a right to become involved, anyway. She'd heard everything. The intense argument was not something that she was used to. Polka wanted to say something. She wanted to apologize for making things so turbulent all of a sudden, or at least try to take back what she had confessed to Hiccup, but it was too late. She had to watch as the two Vikings went at it. Then, out of nowhere, Hiccup ended up feeling the wrath of the fire within him. Polka winced visibly. That was the problem with letting emotions take control when one wielded the element of fire. That sort of thing happened. "Gods dammit, I care about you Astrid! Why the hell do you think I keep coming out here? It's not because I'm looking to make amends with Snotlout, that's for sure!" Then, Polka froze. Whether Hiccup knew it or not, he had pretty much confessed that he liked Astrid. As more than a friend. Polka took a step back, uncertain of how else to react, and shook her head ever so slightly. Whether she liked it or not, though, it sounded true enough. Hiccup liked someone else. ---- Song: I'm Still Here by John Rzeznik Images and Codes belong to their rightful owners Table made by Rapunzel Don't Steal!