Once they'd almost reached Berk, Hiccup turned to the left to look at the newcomers. Scout's blonde hair was whipping around her head, whirling around in its ponytail. She had a smile on her face, and then she flicked her eyes to meet his. He felt his chest squeeze, knowing he'd been caught. She narrowed her eyes slightly but smiled. Hiccup pulled Toothless up a bit to slow him down, and Scout flew closer.
"Where are we landing?" she called out over the wind.
Hiccup sat up straighter in his saddle.
"I don't know. I'd say in the middle of town like normal but that might freak you out"
"Why would that freak me out?" Scout called, moving Sora slightly closer.
"Because it's a village you don't know and you have a Night Fury too…" he said, trailing off.
Scout frowned.
"Where else could we land?" she said.
Hiccup thought for a moment, but couldn't think of another place. Scout rolled her eyes.
"I guess it's landing in the middle of town then right?" she said, and Hiccup nodded. Toothless murmured and Sora made a chirping noise. Hiccup smiled, and they kept flying. As they neared Berk, Hiccup watching Scout to make sure she wouldn't freak out. Instead, she looked somewhere between nervous and excited. Her eyes were wide and bright, but she was still chewing her bottom lip, looking like she was about to smile. He could understand why she was nervous, but he knew everything would be alright.
They approach the centre of town, and people in the area all looked up and started gasping and pointing. Toothless landed gently on the ground, Sora at his side. Hiccup slid off Toothless, removing his helmet, and waiting for Scout to get down. When she did, he saw she was now more nervous. People starting moving forward and Sora started to panic. Scout sensed this and moved to comfort her. From the crowd broke through Valka.
"Hiccup, where were you? It's almost time for lunch and-" Valka started, but stopped when she saw Scout and Sora. She gasped, moving quickly towards Sora, who growled but fell onto her back, purring. Hiccup smiled, remembering how she had done the same thing to Toothless when they'd first met. Scout's eyes widened slightly and she looked at Valka, who laughed.
"Don't worry child, I won't do the same to you" she said, still laughing. Scout laughed nervously, shooting a glance at Hiccup, who stepped in.
"Mum, this is Scout. Scout, this is my mum, Valka" he said, and Scout relaxed and smiled at Valka.
"Hello. Hiccup found me and told me about Berk" Scout said, and Valka nodded, kneeling down to pet Sora, who had rolled onto her stomach.
"He told you we ride dragons?" Valka said, and Scout nodded.
"I'm not sure he believed me when I said I did too" Scout responded, and Valka smiled.
"You do have a beautiful dragon Scout. And her name is?" Valka asked. If Scout was surprised that Valka knew Sora was a girl, she didn't show it.
"Her name is Sora" she replied, and Sora murmured in response, her light blue eyes locking onto Valka's.
"That's a beautiful name" Valka said, and Scout smiled again.
"In my village, Sora means 'songbird'. I thought it was nice" Scout said, and Sora rose and nudged Scout's face with her nose. Everyone laughed, and Valka rose to her feet.
"You look hungry. Would you like some lunch?" She asked, glancing quickly between Hiccup and Scout. "I assume that's why Hiccup invited you back here, that and your dragon" Valka added, to which Scout and Hiccup nodded.
"Then come this way" Valka said, indicating the direction of the Hall. Scout glanced at Hiccup briefly before following her, Sora by her side. Hiccup started to follow when he saw Astrid near the front of the crowd. They made eye contact, then Astrid looked away. Hiccup wished things hadn't gotten so complicated. Toothless bumped into him and he followed the girls up the hill to the hall.
