I don't own Httyd or Rtte, Dreamworks and Cressida Cowell (I think) own them.
What-If: Fishlegs had explained ornamentals and edibles better to Snotlout in the episode 'Not Lout'.
Some of the dialogue is right from the episode.
"I could...help...you." Snotlout said reluctantly, gesturing with both his hand towards Fishlegs.
Fishlegs scoffed and began chuckling, "You" he began, pointing at Snotlout "want to help me," he indicated himself "fix my garden?" "Why?" he asked, suspicious.
"I'm just trying to be, you know, more thoughtful and strategic." Snotlout said, walking closer to Fishlegs. "Truthfully, I've always respected your work, Fishlegs," he placed an hand on Fishlegs's shoulder, "and I really like...plants," he lied, clasping his hands behind his back, hopeful. If he learned to be more 'thoughtful and strategic', as Hiccup had put it, perhaps Hiccup would grant him the title of leader of the Riders after he became chief. It couldn't be that hard, after all, Jorgensons didn't ask permission to be great.
"Oh, well in that case let's get started." Fishlegs said, pleased that someone shared his interest. "Your two basic types are ornamentals and edibles. You don't want to mix those up, believe me." he stated, articulating with gestures. "Then you have - you're not listening to me are you?" he asked, noticing Snotlout drifting off.
"Uh, noooooo - I got it, ornaments and edibles, blah blah blah."
Fishlegs sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He realized he needed to change tactics. "Look, edibles are plants you eat, understand?" At the other boy's nod, he continued: "Edibles are what Heather uses to make her delicious mutton."
"Yumm, Uh huh, go on."
"Ornamentals are plants that are aesthetically pleasing - look nice, like the flowers you said Heather had," Fishlegs told him.
"So, is this ornament or edible?" asked Snotlout, shoving the plant in Fishlegs's face.
Fishlegs pushed away Snotlout's hand so the plant wasn't right in his face, then said "It's ornamental," stressing the last syllable for clarification.
"Alright, let's stick this over here," said Snotlout, getting on his knees and grabbing a spade, which was conveniently located nearby. He was ready to replant the plant, which would help him become more strategic (somehow).
"Oh no no no, you have to be strategic in your planting Snotlout, make sure you plant it in the right spot." Fishlegs took the spade from is hands and made him put the plant down.
Oh, so that was the strategic element to this. "Uh, how?" he asked.
"Some plants, like the herbs Heather uses, only grow in the sun, and will die in the shade. Then you won't get Heather's good cooking. Some, like those Red Oleanders over there, grow only in the shade."
"Woah, woah, wait a minute! aren't Oleanders deadly to dragons!?" Snotlout exclaimed, frightened for Hooky (not that he'd admit it).
"Only Blue Oleanders are deadly, Red ones are completely harmless to dragons." Fishlegs reassured. "I would never plant something deadly to my Meatlug!" At her name, Meatlug twitched a bit in her sleep before continuing to snore.
"Okay, so how do you know what a plant likes? It's not like plants can talk." Snotlout asked.
"I use trial and error."
"Huh? What?"
"Do I have to explain everything to you?" he asked rhetorically, a bit frustrated. "Trial and error is where you test something, like whether a plant can live in the sun or not, and if it works you continue to do it, if not you try something else."
"Okay, I've got this. So, what does this one like?" asked Snotlout, holding up the same plant. This time thankfully not in Fishlegs's face.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
"You see, Hiccup, some plants, like Dragon Root, grow in the sun, and some plants grow in the shade, and stuff like that." Snotlout commented patronizingly. In the background, Fishlegs was rolling his eyes at Snotlout's antics.
"You know, I gotta say, I'm pretty proud of you Snotlout." Hiccup said.
"Well, it was Fishfa-legs who taught me all that, so you have to give him a tiny bit or credit. Just a tiny bit though!" Snotlout replied, to Fishlegs's slight surprise.
"Are you sure you're feeling okay Snotlout?" Astrid asked.
"Shut up Astrid."
fin
I hope the characterizations of the characters (characterizations of the characters, ha.) were okay.