Hiccup's first date
It was early Monday morning and the students hadn't even arrived at any of the schools yet. Which was good as Kara at Berk High didn't need anyone to overhear what she was talking about on the phone.
"Yes, Odin we are alone. Well, of course, I'm sure! None of the schools open for another hour and a half! I presume you knew that since you know where every undercover operative is at all times!
I mean you have that Eye of Odin Amulet as the source of your power and wisdom!" she snapped irritably as she sat at her oak desk and gazed fondly at a picture of the Haddocks and her taken a few years ago to celebrate her becoming their godmother.
She was holding it crying when Odin's kindhearted voice raised a few octaves and scolded her.
"Kara, please mind your manners with me. I am still the Leader of Asgard even in this century."
Flushing with embarrassment she quickly apologizes to her lord. "I'm sorry, Odin, but we've lived like for humans how long now? I mean we are talking on phones, have cable and internet plans and I own and drive a Chevy Hybrid!"
"Well, you got a point there. I've all that and I and Frigga drive a Chevy Cruz."
"Now did we honestly think when we promise everyone who was reborn a 1018 years ago that they when they'd be reborn we'd be living alongside them? In these undercover positions, Odin?" she asked him honestly.
"Not in the manner it became, no. We always knew we check up on everyone. But to actually incorporated ourselves into their lives and the lives of Dragon City as much as we have, no that wasn't part of the original plan."
"Even though its stated in modern myths about us that Frigga could foresee everyone destiny she couldn't see this and none of us could truly see any of this playing out could we?"
"No, we could not. Though if we had been able to do then Dragon City would never exist in the first place, now would it?"
"No, it wouldn't. Fate and destiny are just funny and that Tapestry has a mind all its own.
So what did you really want to talk about? Since being a high school principal is no easy undercover position," she informed him dryly.
"Are you trying to be sarcastic or say I gave you the wrong assignment? I gave everyone their jobs and homes and their dragon-dogs with a plan in mind for who was suited best for each job.
And in those jobs could best protect the city, its people and the culture Loki destroyed over a millennium ago!" he sounded really flustered now.
"Odin, don't get your blood pressure up! Please! Or some human doctor might call that into question and realize you're not human! Remember we may look human but we are still who we really are!" she warned him about the risk of being exposed.
"I know we can't risk outsiders from knowing the truth of Dragon City. That as long as they continue to think the founding Dragon City is some crackpot story the better.
"Yes, the better. Now tell me is it just you talking with everyone or is Frigga doing something?"
"Frigga has returned to Asgard for the week to check on the homeland. She also missed our sons and we also needed one of us to check up on Loki's prison tower personally."
Kara shook with such rage and spat the name out, "LOKI! All he is in the myths is a trickster and these humans hate that he's used as a villain! Well yes, he started out as a harmless trickster who just caused a bit too much mayhem for his own good.
But then again that was in the Old Days before the Age of Transformation and Enlightenment. Before we chose our own fate and who and what we wanted to be..."
"And for Loki, he chose to be a psychotic monster who became so narrow-minded and black-hearted? That once harmless trickster just became consumed by all the darkness in every Realm and then just became a psychopath hellbent on murdering his own daughter!"
"Simply because she saw the light and choose love and friendship over hate and loneliness "
"Yeah, they don't talk about that in the myths of today and today everyone figures dragons were made up monstrous creatures and not what they truly were either," sighed Odin and he carried on.
"It's always so dangerous when any of us take our secret portals back home and then our dogs turn back into dragons in Asgard. But we have a duty to try and prevent Loki from finishing what he started."
"I know, Odin, I know. We will always carry the guilt of not stopping his private Ragnarok. And that we're forced to reincarnated his evil followers with the good people due to his evil magic clinging to them."
"Yes, he still up to his tricks to the last."
"The very last agreed. But at least the last of the reborn evil humans have been captured and locked up in the penitentiary. It was on last night news. They got the international arms dealer and war criminal Drago Bludvist.
He's being tried for his crimes and now he's locked up with Johann Arjas, Viggo Grimborn, Ryker Grimborn, and Krogan. So we've got every human antagonist the Riders faced in their former lives locked up in most highly secured prison in Dragon City, Odin."
'It does sorta help we've sort of tip the scales of justice in favor of Dragon City in many ways."
"Is this your way of reminding me we have on our side all whole city of snitches and informants for the police department? Since all of New Helheim gives the police all that information. Or the fact that your son Thor moonlights at the penitentiary?
"Well, when the human needed their jail did we not build it for them? Did we not sent the Light Elves to built it for them to make sure it would be inescapable and stand up to anything?
Did we not ask our fellow gods who are talented in nature magic to make the lands around it magically enchanted so if evil did by some miracle it couldn't escape?"
"Yes, we've done our part to help them here and still do our jobs rotating back and forth to Asgard to replenish ourselves and make sure we also making sure Loki isn't somehow getting his magic back."
"Yes, knowing him he'll find a way to override my powers and get them back. And that brings us to the danger we now face or rather Dragon City faces."
"His sons and the demon dragon Krashath! Now that his human cohorts are rounded up he'll be sending his kin and that demon out to do his dirty work! But we have no idea what form or powers they've in this strange new world!"
"And that's why I am calling. You must protect your students and keep a closer eye on your godchildren. You know if anyone is a target for Loki's wraith it will be Hiccup, Boden, and Una. Especially Hiccup."
"Odin! I'm only one Valkyrie whose wings are currently invisible. Furthermore, I'm forbidden from using my powers by your own command while I'm in Dragon City. How can I protect anyone?
Because I'm not touching one of those human's demon creations called guns!"
"You'll find a way and you do know if worst comes to worst you'll become be allowed to become a Valkyrie once more."
"Okay, well the students will be arriving soon and I need to go do my duties to the school. And you've other people to contact and warn. So all of us have to be on alert with our double duties."
"Yes, make sure you keep a close eye on Hiccup and his brother and sister."
"I always do. He goes to my school and I live right next door. It's not gonna be too hard."
"Hopefully not. Check in with you later, Kara. Bye."
"Bye." sighing as she put the phone back on the receiver she sat down and cried for a while. Then she looked at the photo of her and the Haddocks in the golden heart-shaped frame. Engraved on the frame was the phrase. "Where your treasures are there your heart will be also"
Never had true words been spoken. Trying to pull herself together she went to go do her job as principal but soon found her worries about Hiccup had just escalated when she had not walked 15 feet from her offices and overheard a group of kids talking. And what they're talking about made her stop.
"That's what I heard! Astrid going on date next Saturday but no-one knows who it is with!" Tuffnut was saying to a group of kids.
"But how can you not know?!" exclaimed one junior girl with blond hair with a pink stripe dressed in steampunk clothes and her friend with red hair and a blue stripe also in steampunk clothes also added.
"Come, Tuff! You and your twin sister are the king and queen of gossip! You know it faster than even Facebook or Twitter! Your better the movie spoilers! So how could you not know who Queen Bee going out with?" asked Blue Stripe.
"Hey, we checked out all our sources and did a lot of wheeling and dealing to get the info we did get, Gee! So you and Mia want to chill so we can dish out what we do know?"
"Okay, but you better spill what you do know! And fast!"
"Yeah, and why Astrid didn't ask me out?!" Snotlout was demanding as he and some other students were part of this group.
"According to our highly reliable sources, we did find out that on our day off last week Astrid did ask someone we only know as a Mr. X out on a date." Ruff started to say.
"Unfortunately despite extensive searching, bribery, hacking and other means to gather further information all we've been able to get on the mystery boy identity is this. It's not someone at our school or any of the high schools." Tuff added in a miserable way.
"Nor anyone at the college has my beau, Eret informed me of that one," Ruff added in helpfully.
"So what you're saying this boy is either Jr. High or online or something like that?" everyone demanded.
"Or how about we all agree its none of your business who your classmate asked out on a date?" spoke a deadly calm voice from behind them and everyone turned to see their school principal look at them all with a look of rage on her face.
"I'm very displeased to have just overheard this sort of talking going on. Do any of you know how hurtful gossip and rumors can be? Or worse spying can be? Does anyone ever put themselves in the other person shoes? Hmm?
I guess not judging by your expression and the fact you clearly don't care that I'm lecturing you right now and still fully to intended to find out who your classmate is going out with when its really none of your beeswax." she was fixing them wall with a hard stare and her full lovely lips became very thin.
"Now I want you all to your classes in the next five minutes and if I get wind of more this kind of behavior or if I do find out that people are invading other students privacy? Even if it's off school property after they were warned?
Expect a week of harsh punishment that only just starts with detention! Now you are dismissed, except for you three," pointing to the twins and Snotlout. "My office now."
They followed the beautiful woman into her office and sat facing her in the chairs. "Now I'm not gonna lecture you further on your declining behavior which is getting to be a bit more appalling.
I would've thought being brought here with your parents and having the District Leader, his wife and myself having to have a discussion about the subject matter would've straightened you three out and made you fly right.
I guess not and I'm starting to wonder what will straighten out your behavioral problems. And as for your grades? Am I seeing a very severe lack of trying with your tutoring and after reviewing the camera footage? I can see you all are pretty much goofing off and not taking this seriously."
She slowly closed a folder in front of her and gave them a stare that once would've made them die right then and then. It didn't kill them but it did scare them effectively to death.
"I'm being as patient and understanding as possible. But that patience and sympathy are running out fast. So this your last chance and I do mean your last chance. Don't mess this up.
Either you start putting forth true effort in your tutoring classes with Fishlegs or we will have to take more drastic measures that your not gonna like. And if you don't clean up your act there will be even more actions you don't like.
Now, do you understand me? I'm not joking around. I'm being serious here. Let me phrase it this way. If you three don't get your thick heads out of your rear ends I'm gonna put you someplace where the sun doesn't shine and they'll have to pump it too you for next couple of years and the air not gonna be breathable either."
And when they all pale to the color of snow she felt they got it. "Glad I made myself clear. You are dismissed. Now get it together!"
Everyone was watching Astrid closely as if by watching her they figure out her mystery date was but that didn't work and if anyone was stupid enough to ask they got their nose broke.
Finally nearing lunchtime Ruff and Tuff tried a different tactic to get some information. One which was way below the belt.
"Tuffnut, I will not! I will not do this! Not for all the dragon scales in Dragon City Museum go sweet talk with Astrid just so you can and the rest of the buffoons can laugh at her date's expense! Forget it!" Hawly was telling her boyfriend as she was getting some cheesecake from the lunch lady.
"C'mon, Hawly! We are desperate! Everyone in school is depending on us and every other source has failed us! We need to know or we are gonna get beat up by a mob! Do you want me to beat up?"
"What I want," she told him sharply, "Is for you to grow up and focus on what Ms. Wings told you and that thickheaded buddy of yours to do. Which is grow the hell up and start improving your grades!" she replied in a huff.
"Hawly! Come on!"
"No! Tuff! The answer is no! Now I've to go have lunch with the rest of members of the Metaphysics Club! As you know I'm the leader and we're part of the fundraiser this weekend at the Anquetils' community center.
They're trying to raise funds to for the conversation parks breeding programs. They're asking the different clubs at the different high schools to help. I told them our club would be glad to do some fortune telling through tarot cards and my specialty rune stones.
Do you want to do something useful with your time instead of trying to find out who Astrid going on date next week with? Why not hit the books, grow up and you along with the rest of the school band practice for the fundraiser?
Try and help the community for a change. Not embarrassing or bullying someone. Now I got to go talk to my club. Good day! Hey Mia! Gee! Glad to see you!" she waved to the steampunk dressed girls in her club.
"Struck out, Tuff?"
"Yeah and that sis was our last chance to find out who possibly Astrid going out with."
"Maybe not. Look who going over to the club table area right now!" Ruff pointed as Astrid was making her way to where all the clubs sat in the cafeteria for lunch.
"Hey, Hawly got a second?"
"Sure, Astrid! What do you need? Fair warning the whole school and city want the 411 on your "Big Date"
"That's what I want to talk about with you. Can we talk privately? Or somewhere your boyfriend not gonna hear us?"
"Well there one place he can't go and Ruff never goes in there either. Says it makes her sick. C'mon." as they bolt from the cafeteria and head to the fourth-floor bathroom and shut the door after making sure no-one was in here.
"Why won't Ruffnut come in here? And how can you be sure no-one gonna walk in here on us?"
"Um, two reasons. One this is actually the staff's bathroom and two any girl who is in desperate need to use it wouldn't not because it's the staff's bathroom but because of the revolting pink color makes you want to throw up." waving her hand around.
It was a very sickly shade of old lady pink and yeah it made you want to vomit. "Does the school staff purposely paint it this way to make sure students don't use it?"
Laughing, Hawly only shrugged, "I can only guess at that. But trust me we won't be interrupted. Now, what do you need me to do?"
"Besides keep your boyfriend and the rest of the school Neanderthals from finding out who I am going out with next Saturday?"
"You don't want the whole school knowing you and Hiccup Haddock are going on a date and you also would like me to discretely put his mind at ease? Is that what you were about to ask?" she asked with her arms crossed and eyebrow cocked.
Astrid was shocked and Hawly laughed once before speaking benevolent. "I figured it out myself. Look he's not as invisible as he thinks he is. And considering you did save him from being bullied and we all three have a few of the same classes? The way he couldn't look at you without the barest hint of a blush? It was easy."
"Well, he'd be glad to know someone knows he exists in this school. So can you help me and him out any? I mean I understand that he's nervous and all but I don't want him to die before we actually go out."
"Exactly what have you two decided for the date? Have you even talked about it?"
"Not exactly yet. We haven't even had a chance to talk before the Terrible Twins caught wind of it. I can't even ask him what he wants for the date!"
"Do you just want the simple normal first date? You know dinner, movie?"
"Well, a little romance would be nice."
"Well, I think I can help tell him what you'd like to do without anyone realizing he's your date and he tells me his answers and reports them back to you. And no one will be wiser."
"Really?!"
"Sure. I've got to practice for the fundraiser, don't I? Well..." reaching into a hip pouch and pulling out some green rune stones, "I've got to practice with someone, don't I?"
"Really?! You'd do that for me?!"
"We are friends! It's not a problem. I all ask him during free period and tell you during study hall, okay?"
"Deal. Now let get out of this bathroom before we're discovered."
Well, this plan worked out pretty well. A free period which changed every week let the students go wherever they wanted to do whatever they wanted as long as it was inside the school.
Hawly found Hiccup practice the piano by himself in the music room. It seemed he was in the midst of playing a highly romantic tune. His eyes were closed and his lips were in a smile and Hawly politely waited till the song was finished.
"Hey, Hiccup? Got a minute?"
Hiccup was so startled he jumped up like he'd been bitten by a rattler. First, by the fact, someone had said his name and second someone had even come into the room.
"You...you talking to me?" he asked startled and wide-eyed.
'Well, yeah, Hiccup. You're the only kid in the school with the name Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III. Are you not?" chuckled Hawly gaily.
"No-one knows my name. No-one I exist. No-one even notices I'm here."
"Well, tell me if that's true, how do I know your name?"
"I don't know, Hawly Rotrude. I know a lot about you. You're the founder and leader of the Metaphysics Club, play the bagpipes really well. Loudly in someone ear when they're annoying you.
You like to feed the animals in the park in your free time as well as a volunteer a great deal. You have got a T-shirt you wear when you volunteer that says "Make Dragon City Greener"
You're a fairly good student, except in math and science and you've been dating Tuffnut for two years. You do love him but get exasperated with his immaturity at times. And also Fishlegs tutors you as well. But only on Mondays."
"Wow. Anything else you know about me?"
"Well your favorite way of telling the future is through rune stones and you don't like your living situation," he finished while looking crimson.
"And what crystal ball told you all that? Maybe you should join my club? A soothsayer like you?"
"I"m not soothsayer! I just very observant!" he said defensibly, sighing. "Besides I feel things more with my heart and remember things more deeply than others. Like my memory isn't quite photographic but it's different than others. But my heart?" pointing at his chest.
"Your heart feels different?"
"Yeah, so why did you track me down of all people during the school once a week free period?"
"Because I want to practice for the upcoming fundraiser at the Anquetil's community center to help raise money for the breeding programs at the conversation parks. And I kinda of felt of all the people in this school you needed your fortune told."
Laughing he gave her a weird smile. "Me? A nobody needs his future told? Well, okay! Might as well tell me. If you need the practice to help Skullette and Firefang's family out to help also my mom's friend Mrs. Sarryck out let's do it."
"I wasn't aware you're friends with the Anquetils or your mother knew the Sarrycks," Hawly said in a surprised voice as she was reaching for her stones.
"Does anyone know anything about me? Or know I am here?" he challenged.
"Let's see if that in the future of these stones," as she poured them into her hand and shook them and then threw them and watched them land in a very peculiar way that puzzled her.
"What? What do you see?"
"Well, there are a few things I see of past, present, and future for you, but not just you those you care about most. But it's all tangled up its hard to untangle the web."
She shifted through the stones still she could read them more clearly and started to say. "What I can say is this. The dangers of your past are seeking your destruction in your future."
"What? What dangers are you talking about? Do I get bullied like a million other kids? What is someone gonna beat me up or something?"
"No, Hiccup, this danger is an old and very powerful and very angry soul. He seeks your destruction. Mind, body, and soul. So it's a great danger from your past. Something you did greatly anger someone they want revenge on you."
"Revenge? On me? For what?"
"I can make out the words Transformation and Enlightenment. However, I don't understand their meaning or significance. On the other hand, something you did in the past was so great it as made this anger soul obsessed with wanting your destruction above all others.
So watch your back."
"Okay..."
"Your present is a pleasant one. Life is simple thought about to become a little more complex. As new challenges of everyday life become more difficult with each step you take. But you'll find great rewards and greater happiness each coming day.
For soon you'll not be lonely but have a life surround by friends, family and one great love in your life."
"That sounds wonderful and well nice to hear what you saw in my past. What about my future."
"The stones are telling me your time grows short. Your old enemy will find you and attempt to end your life. And one in gold will fight to save you. As well, many others fight to save us all. But your life will be in the most danger."
"What?! Wait! Wait! Wait! What are you trying to say?! That these rocks are telling you that my date with kicking the bucket it coming?!" he looked pale and in disbelief.
He didn't want to believe it, however, a part of him knew this was the truth. He knew in his heart that a part of him was missing just as everyone knew all the stories and legends that went with all the artifacts and books so closely guarded and protected by Ms. Sjofn at the Dragon City Museums.
He knew every time his family went there which was very often in the summer that the way Ms. Sjofn spoke she was only speaking the truth and in such passion and detail it was like she'd been there and lived it.
Or how she and so many others really looked at him, Boden and Una as if they were miracles. It had given them all a strange feeling like they're expected to do something important.
So deep in his heart, he knew if someone told you they're foreseeing your death in Dragon City you took them seriously.
"I'm sorry, Hiccup, I didn't expect the stones to tell me this. I only came in here as a favor to Astrid to use them to ask you about what you two wanted to do on your date."
"What?!"
"Shush! Don't worry! I figured it out for myself and no-one else knows! And I won't tell either! Look she just wants to go to a movie, have dinner and maybe go down to watch the stars. Is that alright with you?"
"Sure, it's fine. But please don't tell her what you just told me those stones said! Please!"
"You've my word. I'll go tell Astrid that you agree to dinner and movie and watching the stars."
"Okay, and Hawly?"
"Yes?"
"Thanks for being nice to me."
"It's nothing. You are a nice guy. More people should know that. And your brother and sister are nice too."
Hiccup tried to put out of his mind this prediction of his future and his family went to thinking he was just worried about his date. Which was part of the problem, but they had no idea he was fearing his death."
His parents were trying to calm his worries about the date by talking about their first date and courtship at their house for the next few days.
Meanwhile, Astrid had enlisted more help to get ready for the date. She'd gotten Heather, Helena, Raven, Ase, Eira, and Erica to meet her at the Mall a few days before the date to help her pick out an outfit for the date.
The older girls are best for their feedback and dating advice. Ase was needed as a lookout as she had eyes and ears of a hawk and Eira and Erica when not helping at the Greenhouses wrote a beauty blog. So they felt they'd at least offer help with hair, makeup, and accessories.
"So, girls where should we shop? It's the first date and I want to look nice, but not over the top and you know not too sexy." Astrid was telling them about her desires.
"Well, we only have four and half hours tops to shop," Heather told them and Ase agreed.
"Yeah, we both left our siblings at the Dragon Lair Arcade on the second floor. Asta is a wiz at the cairn games. She never fails to get 3 prizes out of those things!"
"And Dagur gets the high score on all the first person shooter games. Which tends to worry Mom of course. She doesn't allow any violent games into the house. So if he wants to play anything with blood, guts, and gore? He has to come here." Heather explained.
"And so we all have to be back to train by then. It's fall time and everyone in the Moralien and Shardas Districts, children included all pitch in at this time of year to bring in crops, livestock and other products for Dragon City's economy.
So we can't slack off for longer than that!" the female twins explained.
"Yeah, it's true, fall and winter are the times the Moralien and Shardas are supposed to carry the most weight of the City. It drives my father and Kustaa mad every year trying bring at the end of year quota and figures," Ase confirmed.
"My Dad has year around problems with handling the medical aspect of Dragon City and we all know Hiccup's father has enough problems trying to protect wildlife from around world year round."
"And that Alvin guy must never get a break either," Helena pointed out, "I mean he's got to deal with all kinds of people everyday 24/7 365 days a year! He never gets a break!"
"No wonder the guy never got a wife of his own! Who has time to date when you deal with everyone else problems in life?" Raven muttered while twirling her raven black hair.
"Okay, that's enough. Life tough and hard for all of us in Dragon City and the leaders have a tough enough job as it is. Now about we find me a dress?" Astrid got them back on track.
"Well, how much money do you got? That be a starting point," Heather wanted to know.
"I've 45$ in shopping money to buy a complete outfit for this date. The rest of the money I have is for the date."
"Well, then let's go to Dream Dresses. They're having a sale with things 50% off as well as a BOGO on accessories," Helena pointed to a boutique three stories away from them.
"Yeah, that seems like a good place to go. It's on our list of the Top Ten Best Bargain Fashion Boutiques." Eira cried delightfully and her twin added, "Yeah we even did a video interview once with some sales girls and it got us some major views on our blog!"
"Okay, let's go there!" as they hurried inside the boutique to shop among the hundred beautiful dresses and hundred eye-popping footwear.
Meanwhile, Hiccup had been more or less ordered to get out of the house by his parents and chill out at the mall. His parents felt he was so nervous that he was gonna give himself a brain aneurysm.
Therefore he was at the Arcade himself at the moment with his brother and sister. It was mostly his brother and sister playing the games. Boden had spotted his crush and she had spotted him. And now we're busy trying to win every stuffed animal in the cairn games and Una was playing the rolling ball game and pretty much hitting dead center every time.
Hiccup had played a pinball game for a short while till his mind went blank when he heard the words ring across the arcade. "I shall have my vengeance now! You shall die now!" and what sounded like an AK 47 went off and Hiccup lost his pinball game and was shaking like a leaf.
And then heard a familiar cackling laughter and realized it was only Dagur playing the first person shooter game. "Judgment Day: Vengeance Is Mine"
"Really, Dagur? You've to play something that involves blowing people brains out their heads like their overripe melons? And you wonder why your mom checks your room for weapons five times a day?" Hiccup came over to ask him as Dagur's new high score was logged in.
"It's just a game, brother, chill out. I know the difference between reality and fiction."
"Do you? Does anyone in this day and age? Does anyone know the true horrors and evils humanity can do?!" he was practically yelling and freaking out and Dagur looked at him like he was crazy.
"Wow, will you take a breath and chill, bro?"
"Stop it with 'brother' thing, Dagur! You know I hate it!"
"Well, you still need to calm down. What is eating you? Did you watch a dozen murder shows last night or something? You've been really freaked out lately. My mom notices you're freaking out when she stopped by two days ago to pick up some papers from your dad for my dad."
"I've had a lot on my mind! Not that its any of your business!"
"Hiccup stop yelling! You're causing a scene! Your gonna get security called!" Una came rushing over worriedly. "Mommy asked you to take us to the mall to calm you down! Not so you could flip out more!"
"What is making your brother have his own deranged episode, Una?" inquired Dagur to the little girl who answered before he could stop his sister.
"He's just worked up because he's going on his first date in a few days and it's driving him up a wall," Una answered honestly.
"A date?! Well, well, Hiccup you're finally growing up finally become a man. No-wonder your worked up. Especially if the girl's hot. Why don't we go to the snack bar and talk about it."
"What are you a dating expert?" Boden asked as he came over with Asta's arms loaded down with prizes.
"No, but maybe your brother might finally calm down if he had another guy to talk it over with? You know guy to guy?"
"That does make logical sense. Since Mommy and Daddy weren't really helping to be honest."
"Guys this really isn't helping..."
"Oh, come on, I'll buy a pizza and soda for everyone and we'll just talk it over. Mono to Mono and your brother and sister and their friend can just enjoy a pizza. Look do you want to be so nervous you fall flat on your face when she walks through the door."
"C'mon, Hiccup! It's free pizza! Asta just needs to text her sister to say we'll be in the food court! C'mon! I'm hungry and I want a large sausage pizza! And Dagur's buying! How can you pass this up?!" Boden was pleading with him.
"Fine! We will get a pizza, but just pizza and soda! Nothing more than that! And Asta you've texted your sister right?"
"Already done!"
"Okay, let's go."
So Dagur did buy one extra large deep dish sausage pizza and everyone large sodas. So while the young kids were enjoying the pizza and getting all over the faces, Hiccup reluctantly told Dagur about his upcoming date with Astrid.
"So that's what Heather and the girls have been so tight-lipped about! Gods! I thought girls never shut up! But man can they be silent when they wanted to be!"
"Wait a second Heather knows about this?"
Dagur gave him a look as if to say. "You stupid?"
"Hello, Astrid and Heather video-chat all the time. How else do you think Heather finds out information about her crush at your school? That silly Fishlegs she so gaga about?"
"Okay, didn't realize that."
"I guess you didn't realize that Heather's best friends at school are Helena and Raven either, did you? And those three share everything?"
"So how many people know about this date?"
"I think only the girls Astrid would've confided in, to be honest. Otherwise, it would be all over Facebook already and the school websites."
"True."
"Look, me and Helena? We've not yet gone out on our first date. But we're getting there. It's a slow process, plus there the rules of the group home where she lives we have to work around."
"Do they have a dating rule or something?"
"Rules among the people who live there yes. And if you chose to date someone who doesn't live there you have a curfew and you can't break it. And you've to get permission first from Ms. Luriel to date one of the group home kids."
"You haven't got permission yet?"
"I've not worked up the nerve to ask yet. I'm too scared."
"You scared?"
"Well, what she gonna think looks at me? My dress style? My personal interest or the fact I'm schizophrenic? You think she's gonna want me to date one of the precious charges under her care?
Particularly the one she raised like a daughter? Since Helena lived in the group home since she was a baby? The others come from broken homes or were thrown out of foster homes and need a temporary living situation. But for Helena and Raven, that's their forever home."
"I say just be honest. I mean she lives across the street and has an assistant that spends nights at the group home, right?"
"Yeah, I guess."
So the boys ended up talking about dating, girls, and romance in general till their cells rang letting them know the girls were coming and all of them had to catch the train home.
Finally, it was Saturday Night and Hiccup was going on his first date and he was ready as he was ever gonna be. He was wearing some new clothes Valka had bought for him and she had told him to shower beforehand.
His father had just finished brushing his hair so now he was looking at himself in the hallway mirror. He was wearing a bright emerald green long sleeve shirt with a dark red denim multi-pocket vest, black jeans with a scarlet pinstripe and black leather boots.
He was holding a single rose and breathing very hard while Una and Boden reminded him of deep breathing, giving Astrid compliments and keeping the conversation light.
Finally with Toothless keeping him steady when the doorbell rang at the time Astrid was supposed to arrive he took a deep breath and threw it open and all but stop breathing. Astrid was stunning and she looked more beautiful then the Valkyries and Frigga put together.
She had let her beautiful blond out of its braid, so it hung loosely in rippling waves down her back, she wore little makeup but her eyes light up the night, and she was dressed in a beautiful off the shoulder pinkish red dress that stop at just the right length, she had just a few golden accessories and matching heels.
"Hello, Hiccup? Ready to go?"
He couldn't speak, she had stolen his voice and heart already. But Una managed to kick him without anyone else noticing in back of his left foot.
"Um, you look like a goddess! I mean you are so beautiful!"
"It's not too much? I mean it's a little much for seeing a movie and dinner isn't it?"
"No, no, no! It's perfect! I mean am I underdressed or overdressed?"
Now Astrid was stunned as she could see while Hiccup was on the scrawny side he was insanely cute and he looked well HOT in that outfit. "Um, well you look amazing too." she stammered.
"Um here, a Frigga Rose for you. My mom got it at the Niva Greenhouses. They're a new hybrid and may cure childhood cancer."
"Thanks, it's beautiful," she said as she smelled it and took his hand in hers. "Come on we needed to hurry if we're gonna catch the movie. And make those reservations at the restaurant."
"Don't worry my godmother knows the owner at Raxtus. He owes her favor so dinner is free and we get the best table as well."
"That is so awesome! Let's get going!"
"Remember you two be back in the Berk District by ten!" Stoick told them and they yelled they understood.
The movie the chose was great. Highly romantic, plenty of action, a dash of comedy and a happy ending. Also, dinner at Raxtus was highly romantic as well. It was the most high-class restaurant on the boardwalk and well normally two high school students wouldn't be dining there that was for sure.
When Astrid asked what exactly did Kara do that the owner owed her a favor for as they're busy enjoying crab and lobster by candlelight while romantic music was being played in the corner Hiccup only grinned.
"She saved his life."
"What?!"
"He wasn't watching where he was going. His head was totally in the clouds and crossed the street and a truck was coming and she ran out into the street and saved his life. So he promised her one free meal any night she chooses here."
"And she chooses to cash it in for us?!"
"Yeah, she told him I'm her godson and he understood it's my first date and well why do you think we getting the royal treatment? And all the best food. Just no wine. I mean we're 15, not 21 and my mom would never let me have poison anyway."
"Well, I'm glad for all the fairy tale romance. This is a wonderful first date and I think I picked a good movie."
"Yeah, "The Valkyrie and the Lost Love of Valhalla?" I mean seeing a movie telling the story about a young Valkyrie and a valiant warrior. I mean who doesn't love a love story?"
"Yes, it was so romantic that warrior's face was so beautiful that she couldn't reap him and she fell in love instead? And ask Odin to spare his life and though the warrior still had to die they're married and lived together as husband and wife in Asgard?"
"Yeah, that was amazing. Do you ever wonder what that feels like?"
"What? What feels like?"
"True love? To feel it so deeply you know your heart and soul are forever joined with that person that you could never be apart from them even in death? That you make any sacrifice for them? And love them no matter what?"
"How do you know that kind of love even exist? Especially nowadays were everyone either cheats, divorces or loses it as soon as possible. What does anyone really know about what true love is anymore," Astrid asked in a disappointed voice and sighed before looking at Hiccup.
"I never liked another guy the way I like you again because well they never represented anything but the worst of humanity. I want to see something good in this world. But there so much ugliness. I want to know there more than war and blood. I want to know there is love and that you can reach happily ever after."
"I believe there are reasons to hope, to fight even among the darkest of times. I mean what would you do if you did know you were gonna die, Astrid?"
"What?"
"If you knew you're dying would you only look for the ugly things or would you look for the beauty?"
"I look for all the adventures and challenges I could find. I would want to live before I die. And I want to more than just survive. Death isn't gonna get the best of me. I'll fight it till my last breath."
"Then I guess maybe I should too. You know find reasons to fight and just live in the moment and stuff."
"You're a very wise and enlighten soul, Hiccup."
"I just like to think sometimes I don't worry about what doesn't matter and focus on what does."
"Hmm. How about we have dessert and go enjoy the moon and stars?"
"Sure. You like chocolate and strawberries right?"
After having the most romantic evening at the most romantic restaurant on the boardwalk they enjoyed talking more about life in general and they got more romantic and philosophical as they talked and a little closer for body warmth.
Then they saw it. Twin shooting stars pass in front of the full moon and if that wasn't the right time to kiss they didn't know what was. As they gazed deeply into each other eyes and inch closer as their breath was soon on the other lips and touch on their fingertips and soon they're involved in a passionate kiss.
And then they heard it. The unmistakable sound of a cell phone camera taking pictures. And both angrily broke apart from their kiss and saw to their horror the Twins, Snotlout and a very reluctant Fishlegs at the end of the pier clearly enjoying the show.
"Yes! Internet gold! This is gonna go viral in five seconds! Maybe 2! The loser Hiccup Haddock and Astrid Hofferson smooching! Oh, I never thought I see the day when someone would pay Astrid to go out on a date with them!" laughed Snotlout taking more photos of Hiccup mortified face.
"So Astrid picks the loser of losers of the school to go out with! No wonder no-one knew who she was going out with! It's a total nobody!" Tuff was laughing so hard he was falling over.
"At least I've got a college guy whose buff whose my boyfriend and look at me, I ain't even that pretty. You lower your self to go out with a talking fishbone? Astrid, you really are giving girls with dreams and taste bad names," scolded Ruff sarcastically.
"I'm sorry, but they were going to feed Meatlug chocolate bars if I didn't hack your cellphone GPS and track you down, Astrid!" apologized Fishlegs as if that made up for all this.
Astrid didn't say anything. She just stood there vibrating with anger and held up one hand to Hiccup and whispered to him so only he could hear her. "Give me five minutes."
And Astrid with the speed and strength of a Valkyrie gathered all four of the fools up and went behind the photo booth and a souvenir stand and there were the sounds of great agony and something being smashed.
She then returned without a hair out of place or her dress torn and calmly said, "Hiccup time to go home it's almost curfew and you promised to walk me home."
He didn't ask what she did but he had an idea and laying in a bloody bruised heap with smartphones smashed were the four idiots unconscious after Astrid had beaten the living tar out of them for spying on her and Hiccup.
Hiccup and Astrid got Astrid home on time and resumed their kiss there. She then thanked him for the most wonderful evening of her life and told him not to worry about the fools.
"Listen to me Hiccup. I don't care what anyone at school or the whole city says. It's you I want to be with. So I'll see you on Monday and let's make plans for our next date then. Okay?"
"Sure, Astrid. It was the time of my life tonight too."
"Okay, Gotta go, you know how daddies can be with their little girls with a little sister I'm sure."
"Yeah, I can. I understand."
"Okay, goodnight Hiccup Haddock. I love you!"
"Goodnight, Astrid Hofferson. I love you!"
They kissed one more time before departing and as Hiccup walked home he jumped high in the air because he knew for sure he just got himself a girlfriend! His life just got a whole lot better!