-ON THE BACKS OF DRAGONS-
-Take it Slow-
What is the defining trait of a Night Fury? True they were famous for their enigmatic behavior and power, but the one thing that they valued was speed. So imagine Moonscale's surprise when after so long cooped up by Sharpfang, her mate, the Alpha, told her to slow down and to forget making good time while flying, but to have a good time.
Surprisingly, this slower pace introduced Moonscale to lots of thing she would have otherwise missed. Some she really didn't care for like all the bright colors, but others genuinely interested her like children or the academy.
The female didn't go to the Academy directly, she was still a little shy around humans, but rather watched from a little alcove above the Academy, still hidden in the shadows.
From her isolated perch, Moonscale watched the next generation of humans and dragons alike learned from the present, but more importantly, how much they enjoyed it. Unlike when she was growing up, the children and hatchlings below were taught in a safe controlled environment to prepare them for the real world instead of a quick lecture and having to sink or swim.
Settling into Berk had been, different then what she had expected, what did she expect? Who Knows? She had been cautious around others not knowing how best to proceed; the other dragons in turn were equally cautious. On one claw it was better then them being openly hostile towards her, on the other, it didn't make her feel any more comfortable.
Good thing human children are more curious then cautious, that brave little boy.
One moment Moonscale feels something grab her tail and whips around to face it, the next she's playing peek a boo with a little boy, unable to resist his adorable face and behavior. That really broke the tension, like a huge weight she didn't know about was lifted from her back.
After that she started to make a few friends, Cloudjumper, Skullcrusher, Silverstar, Stormfly, mostly her mate's closest allies. Unfortunately they were either too social and unintentionally pushed her out of her comfort zone or were the strong silent type.
Tricktrail seemed to be the exception, maybe because they weren't so different social wise. They both were loners and didn't enjoy huge crowds, but they did enjoy being independent, hunting their own food and being able to fend for them selves. So after a while the Cleverclaw became her number one source for answers.
Yes, Tricktrail was more of the strong silent type and unlike Night Furies with their retractable teeth and pose able ears, he always looked ready for the kill, probably why he isn't too social to begin with but the Cleverclaw made an exception for a fellow hunter.
It had been a few weeks since then, and Moonscale had gotten a decent understanding of the Corps, some things she didn't fully understand still, but she learned that that was okay.
Currently she was sleeping in her nest, or house as the humans called it. When a loud bang shook the island, an explosion.
"Barf! Belch!" Even from a distance, she could still hear her mate clear as a bell as he yelled for the troublemaking Zippleback, Explosives and mischief was their specialty. Rolling her eyes she went back to sleep, guess something she just had to get use to.
On the Backs of Dragons
Fortunately the explosion was only really noisy, and the actual damage wasn't any more then a minor repair. Surprisingly the twins and their Zippleback weren't actually responsible; it was one of the chemists working despite having the day off. So the Alpha's returned to their workshop, with the human creating his prototype of a new design while the dragon made idle conversation with passersby dragons.
Unfortunately, their was another interruption, or rather one was coming and Astrid and Stormfly came to warn the two Alphas. Several Viking longboats were approaching the island in a standard V formation, all bearing the crest of the Windspeaker tribe.
Preparing himself for what was certain to be delicate negations, the Two Alphas made their way to the docks to greet the incoming fleet, at the same time however, he sent word to his step sister to go home and keep out of sight until further notice for her own safety, she saw no reason to argue.
The fleet took it's time to actually get to the island, and took even longer to dock even with the aid of several Scaldrens acting as tugs. The Vikings onboard were armed to the teeth with weapons and armor, and didn't waste any time in presenting themselves as warriors to be feared. Toothless made a similar impression with bared teeth; it was obvious who intimidated who.
Finally the chief stepped onto the dock, easily identifiable by the huge bear fur cloak and ornate helmet, not to mention his great sword was fancily engraved with designs. He was in a word massive, not too different from Stoick or Drago in terms of muscle.
He took one look at the Alphas before speaking, his voice deep, filled with power and experience. "So, you're the two Alphas, of legend."
"We are," The human Alpha replied unwavering, "The Chief of the Windspeaker tribe correct?"
"Aye, Thorkel of Clan Nerason, Chief like my father and my father's father before him," The mountain of a man introduced himself, "I have come to propose an Alliance between us, for mutual benefit."
"I see," The human Alpha replied gesturing for the chief to join him on a walk, "I'm not going to lie to you; I've given thought to negotiations with your tribe before, but decided against it."
"Care to explain?"
"There are many nations and tribes that I want to offer a place in the Corps' ranks, but most of them are small and generally under constant threat of invasion and oppression. So we have to ignore stronger more capable allies to secure the little guys, or lose them forever. Simply your tribe is on our list but your one of many, and others face much more immediate danger then you."
"So, you protect the weak, while ignoring the strong?" Thorkel nearly yelled, enraged at the thought of being ignored.
"That was a complement." Hiccup reminded, but that did little to calm the chief down, he already had that hostility in his eyes, almost anything was bound to set him off.
"We are skilled warriors and you turned your backs on us!" Thorkel yelled.
"Because you don't need our help! In fact, why the sudden interest in Dragons anyway? You plan on using them as weapons?" Hiccup snapped back, Thorkel was too war hungry for diplomacy.
"What are you talking about?" The Chief demanded.
"I know you were inspecting everything you've seen so far, you only want to fight, and you're not interested in anything else. Not even change." Hiccup accused, "In fact I didn't even need that! The scout's flyby of your tribe was enough to determine what you're after, war."
"H-How dare you!" The Chief roared as he grabbed his great sword, only for a war hammer to nearly crush his fingers, as Stoick the Vast entered the fray.
"No, how dare you, find justice, in publicly executing a girl?" Stoick demanded as he picked up his hammer, knowing full well the risk a fight would be on his heart.
Thorkel took a stance as he sized up his three opponents before sneering, ". . . What girl?"