Gyromice89: Thank you, I was trying to make it funny. I might make a Viggo survived chapter later, but right now I'm not really taking requests for stories.
Massive HTTYD Fan: I wasn't really thinking about doing it in Ryker's perspective, but I needed someone who knew Viggo and would see how the midnight-sun affected him, so it turned out to be Ryker's perspective. Yeah, he was acting more long-wordish than usual. I used a thesaurus for that.
What-If: Well, It's not exactly a what-if, more of a head-cannon I have. The man Viggo saved from the lava was the one pretending to know Heather's father.
A/N: Words in italics are either flashbacks or thoughts, I think you can figure it out.
Harek's POV
Harek found himself growing nervous as Viggo drew closer to him, not because he was afraid of his scarred face, as so many of his fellow Hunters were, but what news he might be bringing. News that Krogan was displeased with his work. He hoped that wasn't the case.
"Harek, was it?" asked Viggo after coming to a pause in front of him, hands clasped behind his back.
"Yes sir," Harek answered, eyes flicking down to his feet.
"Come now don't be like that, I'm not here as the harbinger of bad news,"
"Right sir, I understand sir," Harek said, relieved as he dared to glance at Viggo's face, which seemed sincere. He knew Viggo was an expert manipulator, but believed he was telling the truth here. Unless it was all some big ruse to bring his guard down and strike at the right moment with the news of his doom.
"Remember that I said perhaps you would repay me in some small way after I saved your life?" Viggo asked.
"Yes, I do," was Harek's response. He owed his life to Viggo and would do what it took to repay him.
"I require your assistance. I'm in need of someone who can be subtle, and will teach you if need be."
Viggo's POV
Viggo had asked the man's name after saving his life, so if he needed some favor, he would be able to find him. Fortunately though, he had remembered the man's face and did not have to ask around for a 'Harek'. Honestly though, why were all his mens' faces so similar. After approaching the man, Viggo was for a fleeting moment confused as to why this man seemed nervous. Last time Harek had not been frightened by his scar, but then realized the Hunter believed he was bringing bad news from Krogan. He felt annoyance and slight anger at the man for believing he would serve as a lowly messenger for Krogan. They were business partners, he was not a servant of Krogan. Instead of showing anger though, he put on a reassuring smile and reassured the man that he was not doomed. He felt amusement as the Hunter's face lit up in realization. It did not take much time to train the man in the art of manipulation, he seemed to be a quick learner, or maybe just a natural manipulator.
Harek's POV
Viggo's task was not that difficult, but when he first heard that he would need to learn to be manipulative, he was worried he would not be able to. Krogan apparently needed something, an object that one of the Riders had in her possession. What he needed to do was to pretend he knew the girl's deceased father, to pretend that he was still alive and to make sure the girl believed him. "You must play into her desires. She wishes to find her father, and believes him to be a good man. Give her a sense that you know her father, that he has done great deeds. Sing his praises if you have to. If she asks an unexpected question, do not panic, just give her the most reasonable answer you can without showing on your face that you are lying."
He's been waiting an hour or so before the girl finally arrived. She was wearing a hood and had raven locks of hair and was unmistakably the girl Viggo had described. As she came to a stop in front of him, he began.
"Nice to finally meet you, Heather. I've heard so much about you." He was slightly worried he would screw this up, and then punished for messing the mission up. Viggo had given him clothing not closely resembling that which the Dragon Hunters wore so she would not become suspicious.
"Is everything alright?" asked Heather, narrowing her eyes, perhaps seeing something in his expression. She stood, not taking a seat. Odin's Beard. She knows, she does. Panic coursed through him for a moment before he regained control. However, he was fortunate, as it did not show up on his face.
"Yes. It's just..." he began, and glanced down as he struggled to find an adequate answer. "Well the resemblance is remarkable." She seemed to find his answer believable, as she drew the chair across from him and sat down.
...
"...I was trapped, cold, injured, on my last leg, if you will. But your father, he..." he paused, and rested his chin on his fist, trying to think up a believable story. "Well, let's just say that I wouldn't be here today without his undying support and generosity."
"So what about now?" was Heather's question as she leaned forwards to hear more. Harek could tell she was enthralled in the story, believing every word of his speech as if it was real, as if it wasn't a cheap story made up on the spot to manipulate her.
"He vowed to spend his life building huts for homeless Vikings. He calls it 'Oswald's Huts for Humanity'. And that's where he is at this very moment." He winced internally. Perhaps he was laying it on a bit too thick.
"That's incredible. I can't wait to see him. To meet him, really. I was so young." She seemed to genuinely believe him, and the fact brought a slight amusement to him and sense of accomplishment that he, a 'simple-minded' Hunter could fool someone so thoroughly.
"And I will be honored to expedite the reunion." Expedite? Such a big word. Seems like the time I spent in Viggo's company has rubbed off on me. Both Heather and Harek stood up, intent on leaving the building. "No. This way," he said, gesturing to the back door as Heather turned towards the front. I'm almost done. Just get the girl out the door and you're done Harek. She looked back towards him.
"Uh, but the entrance is-"
"We mustn't be seen. Too dangerous," he said, cutting her off.
"Dangerous? I don't understand." Why oh why do you have to question me, I'm nearly finished.
"Heather, I implore you to trust me. There are those who would rather not see a father-daughter reunion." Implore. I'm still sounding like Viggo aren't I? He was really hoping she would believe his poorly thought out lie. If she asks an unexpected question, do not panic, just give her the most reasonable answer you can. Viggo's words resonated inside his head. It's a little late for that.
"But that makes no sense," Heather said in a tone that said his reasoning didn't hold merit in the realm of truth. Harek started walking towards the back door, hoping she would follow him.
...
"I have to tell you, Harek, the thought of feeling my father's arms around me, it's indescribable." Heather had followed him out the back door without any resistance, she was most likely too overjoyed at the thought of seeing her father again to worry about such discrepancies in his story.
"I've assumed it would be," he said without glancing back at her, knowing by the sound of her footsteps that she was following him. He hadn't really assumed that, he'd just come up with that at the moment, he hadn't thought about that at all. Though that was due to the fact that he was in fact not bringing her to be reunited with her father, and the fact that he did not care much about the other's feelings.
"I just hope he doesn't jab me with that rusty old hook of his. That I do remember." She said this in a strange tone of voice, like it was forced. Perhaps she does not hold much fondness, towards her father's hook. He chuckled.
"Yes, Oswald's hook has needed a good polishing since the day we met." Right as he finished saying this, he heard the unmistakable sound of metal scraping against metal. His eyes widened. Her axe. She's figured it out. How?
"My father doesn't have a hook, Harek." Of course. But I was supposed to be the one manipulating her.
"No, he doesn't," came the reply, not from him but from another, amusement evident in his voice. Krogan. He turned around to see him on the roof.
