Chapter Thirteen
A Nickname Basis With Jesus
"What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies."
-Aristotle
In lieu of a belief system to give me comfort, I found a few more simple ways to help me get through the rough patch:
Singing softly to myself. I more often than not sang "Oh You Beautiful Doll", because it's one of the only songs I can actually sing decently/remember the lyrics to. It's not much, but it takes my mind off of this situation, albeit for only a few minutes.
Then there were my sessions with Hiccup and Toothless. I know I resisted the first few times, but... I began to enjoy flying with them, socializing with them, and just being around them.
I was wrong about them. They weren't just being nice to the new guy. They were actually as nice as they let on. It seemed like Hiccup always made a point to be extra kind to me whenever I struggled, and whenever he did, I felt my anguish ebb away.
Toothless was more reserved in his socialization with me on most occasions. We spoke about my predicament, mostly. He filled my mind with many stories of good versus evil between the powers behind this whole "Design" of his (he referred to these powers as the "Celestials"), and as is the case with astronomy, the more I knew, the more questions popped up.
I also quickly discovered that, what I knew about astronomy, which is a knowledge base I've built since I was eight (I'm 20), is nothing compared to what Toothless knows. He's miles ahead of me. I gathered such information that night at the Great Hall; Hiccup had no idea why I looked so blown away while I stared at the Night Fury.
I'll make you a deal, Rick: If you keep behaving, I'll teach you what I know.
"Deal," I said. He nodded, and we went back to eating. Yeah, it was kind of patronizing, the way he said it, but I am the youngest in that house (Hiccup's almost 23, Stoick's in his forties, and it wouldn't surprise me if Toothless was at one point on a nickname basis with Jesus). I was told to respect my elders as a kid. It's a shame I'd forgotten that rule for these past months...
Also, Toothless was nice, but I was still sort of terrified of saying 'no' to him.
"So, what are you planning on doing about the lack of projects?" asked Hiccup.
"I'm thinking of toughing it out for a day or two in case something comes up. You still need me until the real guy gets back to it," I said.
"I heard through my Dad that he's going to be good to resume building before next week is up."
I took a drink from the mug before me (I don't know what was in it, but it was good), and sighed.
"Yeah, here's hoping I can lecture."
Hiccup laid a hand on my shoulder.
"I know I said that science isn't a huge thing here on Berk, but knowing the stars at night will be helpful to new sailors and riders alike."
I smiled at him. "Knowing what makes them tick is a bonus."
"Exactly."
We finished eating before most of the other Vikings (we didn't exactly feast, save for Toothless, who always does), and headed back home. I was going to point out a few constellations for Hiccup, but the clouds rolled in between now and when we got to the Great Hall. At this point, it was almost nine in the evening.
When we got back to the house, we sat in the parlour to play a card game before bed.
"So," I said.
"So," he replied.
"Fives are wild... You know what occurs to me?"
"What's that, bud?"
I drew a card and trashed another.
"I never thanked you for letting me live with you, Hiccup..."
He picked up the card I'd trashed and then threw away one of his own.
"So... thank you," I said. It felt good to be finally getting this out. "...and thank you for always being so patient with me. It means a lot, even if it may not seem like it does at times."
He smiled at me. I've got three of a kind...
"It's no problem at all, really. I'm just happy to help, Rick."
I stared at him while he looked at his cards, and then I looked down at Toothless, who was eyeing Hiccup with adoration.
"Rick's kind of formal. If you guys want, you can call me Ricky," I said. He drew another card, and glanced at me. "That's what my friends called me, anyway."
"Ricky, huh?" asked Hiccup. I nodded, and saw Toothless give me a goofy smile.
Then it's nice to meet you, Ricky.
I chuckled.
"Ricky," said Hiccup.
"Yeah?"
He threw away one more card, threw down a full house, and gave me a grin.
"Pay me!"
End of Chapter
827 words.
"Pay Me" is part of the rummy family of card games. It can be fun, but it's time consuming, and I'm horrendous at it.
Next chapter will certainly progress the plot to some extent. Things will happen in it, so hold onto your seats.