The next day started differently.
Not too differently, mind you, but that requires some background information.
It had come to my attention from B.B. that the twins didn't often sleep in the same spot twice. Be it in the rafters, on the floor, or even strapped to the wall, the matresses were typically only reserved for special occasions, or them being too exhausted to think up anything new. Despite this, they both typically rose well-rested and ready to be major pains in the asses of the masses.
That's why when only Tuffnut had the energy to get up from his spot underneath the yak taxidermy I had my right to be concerned.
"Heeeey." I whined. "Uppy uppy, daylight's burning!" Ruffnut only groaned and rolled over. I wiggled next to my girl's face and barked softly. "Hey. What's wroooong?"
"Go away, Pepper..." She mumbled from inside her fetal position. She didn't have a fever, she didn't smell like sickness, but she was a bit pale. She clutched her lower abdomen, and that's when I figured it out.
Shark week, riding the cotton pony, the devil's waterfall, surfing the red tides.
"Periods, huh?" I asked despite knowing I wouldn't get an answer. "Hate 'em." I crawled out when Tuffnut set down some food for me and some for his downed sister. I ate, then got outside. I had a plan. Running out to look for Petite, or any other dragon for that matter, I wound up at the arena once again. Almost everyone else was there, except for Astrid and Stormfly. Then again, I don't exactly want to see Astrid at the moment, assuming they synched up. I know I got angrier during my time during the bloody typhoon.
"Hey, Pepper, didn't anyone tell you the unspoken rule?" Hookfang asked me as he walked over.
"That kinda takes away from the 'unspoken' part, so no." I said. "What is it?"
I jumped as Mee cut in, startling me from behind. "When the girls mysteriously get sick every month, all dragons and affiliates get time off to assist in recovery." I shook off being startled and looked at her strangely.
"Do you guys not know what a period is? Know what, nevermind, I don't feel like explaining that." I had shit to get done and there was only these two and Toothless, i'd have to repeat myself a million times. "The reason I came here is so I could get some help with Ruff being sick. Anyone know where I can get some hot water?" Both nodded.
"How is this gonna help?" Hookfang asked.
"I don't know the science behind it, but it helps with the pain they're feeling. Helps me at least, most of the time." I replied. As I was talking, Mee had already gotten me a bucket of water. From where, I don't know, but you don't look a gift dragon in the mouth.
"You can have B.B. heat this up so it doesn't cool on your way back." She said. I grabbed it by the edge and mumbled out a thanks around the weathered wood, and began the wobbly trek home.
You ever try carrying a bucket in your mouth? Try having a snout. Long story short I got water up my nose too many times. Once I managed to get back, however, I ran into another problem.
Where the fuck did B.B. go.
I set down the bucket near the front door and walked around, looking for traces of zippleback.
"B.B. where are youuu?" I called out. "Our girl needs us! You don't just dissapear in times of need, what are you, the avatar?" I huffed and set out once again. Stupid wild goose chases.
I found myself out by the same storehouse I was ambushed near from days ago. I could see the hole leading into the cat base and walked closer, listening in. It was dead silent, and super creepy. Most people would leave it at that and go on their merry way, but apparently common sense is for people-people and not dog-people. Sticking my head in, the whole crawlspace was empty except for the crate Whittney was using as a podium, only it was shoved aside. I could almost make out something where it used to be...
"Pepper, what are you doing?" I flinched, hitting my head as I pulled it out of the hole. Sure enough, here was B.B., and Stormfly was with him.
"Why are you looking around in that dirty hole?" The nadder asked warily as I dealt with the slow-forming bruise on my noggin.
"That's the cat base of operations I pulled her out of." B.B. answered for me. His other head faced me. "It's empty?" He asked.
"Completely void of any and all cats, captain." I sassed good-naturedly. "Could I get you to come back home for a second though? I have this idea that could help Ruffnut-" I was interrupted by an eager Stormfly.
"You know how to help the girls?!" She asked excitedly. I sheepishly backtracked as her spines raised.
"It's only an idea! I just need some dragon to heat up some water for me so I can at least try and help." I mumbled, toeing the ground.
"Better than nothing! You have no idea how absolutely horrible it is to see your human sick." Stormfly said quickly.
"We kinda sorta do know?" I muttered under my breath as B.B. picked me up. The three of us flew back home, and the water was heated to above room temperature. After B.B. knocked the door open again for me, I shoved the bucket across the floor to the same spot under the yak Ruffnut hadn't moved an inch from. She had thankfully fallen asleep, which left me open to move her arms away from her stomach. Nosing the warm bucket into her body, I yapped a few times to wake her up. Blinking slowly, she pat my head a few times.
"Pepper, I don't know how you got this or why it's here, but this better be good." She sleepily chastised. I just pushed the bucket closer into her and laid down in a position of which she couldn't move the bucket from. "Pepper, what in Thor's name- " I licked her nose before she could speak more, and together we played the waiting game.
It took a few minutes, but after a while I saw the color return to her face. I stood and let her rest, the next few days were gonna need it.
Author's note:
FINALLY some of the fluffy sugary sweet filler that I and I alone have been craving! It's also integral to some of the plot later that Ruffnut and Pepper are practically inseperable, so it all works. Pat myself on the back there. Besides, what kinda writer would I be if I just shoehorned in the eternal bond between dog-girl and viking-girl? I have a reputation to uphold!
Just kidding, I really don't.
Anyways, what better bonding than kicking nature's ass while still getting yours handed to you? Menstruation. Nobody wants it. If anyone is uncomfortable with the topic, well, don't study human biology.
Also, keep an eye out for a special halloween oneshot story that's completely unrelated to ADGTV! This time it'll be rated k so I hope to cast a wider net.
Please review, I'll even take flames, they boost the review count.
Lookit' me, abusing the system!- Carly