[video]

[forbiddenfriendship]

[the video feed turns on, and a giant, curious yellow eye stares back, accompanied by a deep, rumbling noise that sounded a bit like a cat's purr. Off in the distance comes a young man's voice talking in Norse - although thanks to the communicator's translation, there's an easy English text version popping up]

Toothless, what are you doing with that…[there's a crash, as the voice has apparently just dropped something]...oh gods, it's a magic book.

[the giant eye twists away, as Toothless lifts his head up to look inquisitively off at something to the side - the source of the voice, presumably. The angle is strange, and all you can see is part of his head, but it's clear enough that Toothless is covered in black scales, and big.]

Okay, okay…Toothless, just come over here, okay buddy? [Toothless rumbles softly, but takes a step away from the book, and out of view.] That's it, come on…let's get away from the magic, probably cursed book…oh gods, why me…

Comments

[djinnigenie]

[Warmly, the female voice answers. If he gets close enough, he can see Elissa's face with her faint smile.]

I am not a book. My name is Elissa. We are using strange devices to speak to one another. Sometimes, they allow us to see one another as well. I am still learning to use mine.

Your friend's name is Toothless?

[That causes her to chuckle.]

He had teeth when I saw him!

[forbiddenfriendship]

You're not here? So this is a magic book for talking to people who are somewhere else? Is it dangerous?

[Very, very cautiously, Hiccup inches close enough for Elissa to maybe see part of him. It's a bit tricky, seeing as Toothless is currently hogging most of the screen space]

Well...he has retractable teeth. So sometimes his teeth aren't there.

[djinnigenie]

[The Grey Warden is grinning very broadly, if Hiccup can see her.]

Hello, Toothless. And friend.

Can you see me? No, I'm not with you. I am sitting atop a building in the market at present. It is not dangerous, I assure you - unless you leave it on by accident and say something you shouldn't.

I met Toothless within the star vessel. He was crashing about trying to knock open every door to look inside. I think he even melted one of them. I ran ahead of him and began opening doors until we finally made it outside. It was the most fun I've had in quite a long time. Your friend is most remarkable and so are you for managing to befriend him!

[forbiddenfriendship]

[Sadly Hiccup's not really able to look too closely at the book right now]

So that's why he likes you...[At this Toothless turns to look at Hiccup with a happy dragonish expression - thus allowing Elissa to see Hiccup's whole upper body as opposed to just part of his head]

Uh, thanks for trying to help Toothless, then. Since he's a dragon I was kinda worried that people would...you know. [Panic.] What did you say your name was again?

[djinnigenie]

You are very welcome. Others might, indeed, be alarmed to see your friend, but I have a bit of, ah, experience with dragons... and he did not seem a terrible sort.

[Not at all like the Archdemon or the false Andraste, thankyouverymuch. She spies the boy and her grin turns to a genuinely warm smile.]

I am Elissa. Elissa Cousland. I am a Grey Warden of Ferelden - though you may simply call me Elissa. This is not Ferelden, after all.

[forbiddenfriendship]

Really? What kind of dragons? [Hiccup's never heard of anyone else making friends with dragons. He can't help but be curious]

Ah, I'm Hiccup. I'm...well, back in Berk I'm the blacksmith's apprentice. [And the son of the chief, although that really wasn't something Hiccup liked to bring attention to. Especially since a lot of the village had, for most of his life, also liked to not bring attention to that particular fact] And you've met Toothless. [Toothless pricks up an ear, and tilts his head to the side]

[djinnigenie]

"Immense dragons once revered as old gods. High dragons. Drakes. Dragonlings. Unfortunately, none of those were like Toothless."

[Hiccup's mention of his apprenticeship lights the Warden's eyes.]

A smith! Now that *will* be useful to have around here - at least for me and others who are used to living as we do. Tell me... can you make swords?

[forbiddenfriendship]

Dragon gods, huh? How about that, Toothless? [Toothless purrs cheerfully] That's a nice change from where I'm from. Used to be that everyone hated dragons. I mean, they're our friends now, but...well, they weren't always.

Swords? Oh yeah, I can do swords. And axes, and knives, aaaand all sorts of stuff. I'm not as good as Gobbler though. I'm still just an apprentice.

[djinnigenie]

Dragons are not friendly in my homeland. Most people usually have to flee or die when meeting dragons unless those people know how to fight. Berk? That's the name of your home? It sounds quite lovely. Having dragons for *friends* would be a wonderful change in Ferelden, let me tell you.

[forbiddenfriendship]

This is going to sound strange, but...has anyone tried to make friends with them? We thought dragons weren't friendly too, because they were stealing our food. But it turned out that there was a bigger dragon making them, and they're alright as long as you don't threatened them.

Uh, yeah. Berk's my village. It's cold, and depressing, and miserable. But it's home, I guess. [And now Hiccup doesn't even know if he's ever going to get back there. What in Odin's name will his father be thinking?]

[djinnigenie]

In truth, I do not know that it would be possible to befriend them, but that is an interesting thought. Perhaps I shall try it, if we ever find our ways home again.

Ha! Some say that my homeland of Ferelden is cold and wet and smells of wet dog. Castle Highever, however, is situated upon a beautiful, coastal area with cliffs. As a child, I always enjoyed the smell of the winds from the sea.

[forbiddenfriendship]

Well, I don't really know if I'd actually recommend it. It's not exactly going to be very safe if things go wrong.

[djinnigenie]

[Elissa cleared her throat and looked a bit uneasy.]

I have some experience with slaying dragons.

[Hastily, she reassuringly adds:]

But I would never do that to Toothless. He has already shown himself to be precious and I am quite fond of him.

[forbiddenfriendship]

Oh, don't worry about it. Slaying dragons is also kinda what my village used to do too.

[djinnigenie]

If the two of you ever have need of me, please do not hesitate to call for me. I will gladly provide whatever aid that I am able.

Meeting you and Toothless has been one of my greatest pleasures since arriving here. I shall be proud to call you both friend.

[forbiddenfriendship]

[Hiccup's a little surprised at that offer. Offering help...well, it's generally not considering a very 'vikinglike' thing to do. Not that Vikings never asked or received help - they just generally liked to act as if there wasn't any helping going on]

Uh, sure. Thanks. I'm sure we'll be fine though, really. [he smiles, a little uncertain] But it's good to have a friend here.

[djinnigenie]

One last thing before I go...

[She smiles again, almost grinning.]

What does Toothless like to eat?

[forbiddenfriendship]

Oh, he likes fish. Lots and lots of fish.

[djinnigenie]

Ha! Good to know. And... you?