=Normal POV=

Hiccup loved being able to surprise his girlfriend at school. Of course, he had strict directions not to distract her from her education. Hiccup didn't plan on taking away from her learning, but he had missed her a lot. At the moment, Hiccup was sitting with Cami in the cafeteria of Berkian Dragon Academy while listening to the friends talk among one another. Hiccup had been staying quiet as he didn't really know these people, and he hadn't been able to speak with Camicazi to hear much about them. All he knew right now was that Astrid Hofferson was Camicazi's best friend, and seemed a bit shy. Hiccup had his mind on other things, like the fact he still had two more months of training to endure before being considered a full marine of the Archian State Armed Forces.

"Babe?" Hiccup heard Camicazi call to him, though, he was still in his own world it seemed. "Hiccup!" she said louder as Hiccup snapped out of it.

"Hm? Sorry, babe. I zoned out," Hiccup admitted.

"I noticed," Camicazi giggled a little. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, a bit tired," Hiccup said with a smile.

"Why don't you go home and take a nap? We still have two hours of class after this," Heather suggested.

"Nah, I'm good. Thank you, though," Hiccup replied. "I'm trained to ignore sleep if need be," he added with a chuckle.

"Who would want to ignore sleep?" Snotlout asked.

"Someone on a patrol, guard, or mission?" Hiccup stated. "Speaking of events. Milady, would you do me the honor of accompanying me to the annual Marine Ball?" he smiled at his girlfriend.

"Oh, I'd love to. And forgive my lack of knowledge, but what is it? Some kind of dance?" Camicazi inquired.

"Yes. Every year the base will hold the ball for the freshly graduated marines. Well, those just out of boot camp. Of course, it gets split up so there aren't too many in one place at once. My company is holding theirs's on Friday night at 6:30 pm. There is dinner, music, dancing; I heard it's a fun time. You can stay at my place when it ends at 10:30," Hiccup explained.

"How should I dress?" Camicazi wondered.

"Well, I have to be in this," Hiccup pulled out his phone and showed her a picture of him standing straight in black pants and shoes with a dark gray overcoat that sported a red belt and silver clip. Also, there were gold button and a lighter gray trim on the edges of the coat. On Hiccup's heat sat a white hat with a black visor.

"Holy Odin, Hiccup. You look…fantastic in that," Camicazi's eyes widened.

"Heh, thanks. Yep, the Dress Formal Alpha's are only worn for specific events, and the Marine Ball is one of them," Hiccup informed.

"So, what are you wearing right now?" Tuffnut questioned.

"Service Uniform B or Blast. The C or Cloud attire is the same thing minus the tie, clip, and undershirt. And the Alpha's of the Service Uniform has a green overcoat with gold buttons, gray button-down with a black tie, and the green hat too. I have another Formal Dress suit also, but that is expressly reserved for significant events such as meeting the president, funerals, and promotions. That one is black with white trim, silver buttons, gray belt, gold buckle, and dark gray hat," Hiccup stated.

"Wow, that's a lot to remember," Fishlegs blinked.

"Seems like a lot, but it's not. And our commanding officers will tell us which to where and when," Hiccup responded. "You spend the whole first four weeks learning about military law, code of conduct, radio communication, marching, etc,"

"I'm afraid to know what you do the rest of it," Snotlout mentioned.

"Well, the Marines are an Air, Land, and Sea force; we train for all those areas. Hence why it's three months of boot camp, then two more for the job you choose at the entrance station before you swear in," Hiccup enlightened.

"And you're doing what again? Infantry Rifleman?" Ruffnut asked, and Hiccup nodded. "So, what does that let you do?"

"As we are told; The riflemen employ the M16A4 service rifle, the M4 carbine, the M203 grenade launcher, M249 squad automatic weapon (SAW), as well as the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle and the AT4 and LAW or Light Anti-Armor Weapon rockets. Riflemen are the primary scouts, assault troops, and close combat forces available to the MAGTF or Marines Air-Ground Task Force. They are the foundation of the Marine infantry organization, and as such is the nucleus of the fire team in the rifle squad, the scout team in the LAR or Light Armored Reconnaissance squad, scout snipers in the infantry battalion, and reconnaissance or assault team in the reconnaissance units. Noncommissioned officers are assigned as fire team leaders, scout team leaders, rifle squad leaders, or rifle platoon guides. The mission of the Marine Corps rifle squad is to locate, close with and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver or to repel the enemy's assault by fire and close combat," Hiccup informed.(A/N; That is right from the Wikipedia for 0311-Infantry Rifleman in the US Marines!)

"In short, you're on the front lines?" Astrid asked.

"Correct," Hiccup nodded.

"So, the ball is this Friday?" Camicazi questioned.

"You got it, Milady," Hiccup smiled.

"Will I get to meet all the people you've been training with?" Cami wondered.

"Abso-," Hiccup started as his phone started ringing. "Hold that thought," he told her as she nodded, then he put the phone to his ear, "Haddock here," a second later, he pulled it away and put it on speakerphone. "Damn it, Thug! Did you have to yell? My ears are still ringing from bombs at graduation, and that was yesterday at 1100,"

"Oops. Sorry, Hic. It sounds loud on your side; I didn't know if you could hear me alright," the person known as Thug, replied.

"Uh huh. So, did you have a reason for calling, Thuggory?" Hiccup asked.

"Can't I just call and say hello to my best friend?" Thuggory questioned.

"Let me tell you why that's bullshit," Hiccup began.

"Okay! You know anyone who might want to go to the ball with me?" Thuggory wondered.

"What do I look like? The female companion directory?" Hiccup remarked.

"Oh, come on. You know tons of girls at that old school of yours. Hook a brother up, help your teammate," Thuggory pleaded.

"You're a pain in my ass is what you are. You, Eret, and Cody," Hiccup rolled his eyes.

"But we love you, so PLEASE?" Thuggory begged now.

"Hang on, babe. Astrid? Wanna double date to the Marine Ball?" Camicazi asked her friend. Astrid's eyes widened a bit.

"U-Um, don't you have to be a Marine to go?" Astrid questioned.

"Yeah, but Hiccup's friend doesn't have a date to go. You said you needed something to do this Friday anyway, so come on. Please?" Camicazi smiled broadly.

"I-I don't even know the guy," Astrid countered.

"Thuggory is a good man, bit of a nervous goofball at first. You're safe with him, and if he hurts you; I give my word to kick his ass," Hiccup smiled at her. Thuggory could be heard gulping on the speaker. "I promise you'll have a good time, Astrid. Marine's Honor,"

"Please, Astrid. It's my first time going to something like this, and I need you so I don't make a fool of myself in front of Hiccup and all his buddies," Camicazi pleaded while next to Astrid.

Astrid sighed. "Alright, I'll go. However, I want to meet him before the ball starts,"

"I think we can manage that. Hear that, Thug? My girlfriend got you a date. Her name is Astrid, and if you hurt her remember that I have not only have an expert shooter level with a variety of guns, but a Night Fury too," Hiccup stated. "I can make your beating look like a mugging,"

"Copy that! You're the best, Hiccup! Thank you, Camicazi! And Astrid, I promise you won't regret this! I-I, uh, can't wait to meet you," Thuggory called.

"Likewise, Thuggory. I look forward to it," Astrid replied to him.

"You're welcome!" Camicazi beamed. The bell rang overhead as lunch was over.

"Alright, Thug. I'll text you later," Hiccup said as he got up.

"I'll be here. Talk to you later, Haddock," Thuggory responded.

"Bye, Hedsen," Hiccup shook his head, then ended the call before placing his mobile back in his pocket. "You agreeing has made his day," he mentioned to Astrid.

"When should I be ready?" Astrid looked at him.

"Well, I believe the event is being held at Arc Plaza Hotel, and starts at 6:30 pm. Uh, you want to meet us with your dragon for 6? Gives you time to meet Thuggory, and do any last minute getting ready things?" Hiccup suggested.

"I can't fly on my own," Astrid admitted.

"Oh, right. You don't have your licenses until end of this year. Cami and I will swing by around 5 pm-ish, and you then you can fly with me since I'm fully licensed," Hiccup offered. "The hotel is only an hour or so flight away,"

"Yeah, that sounds okay. Cami can give you my address," Astrid enlightened.

"Perfect," Hiccup nodded. "Cami, come on. You don't want to be late for Dragon Training," he called to his girlfriend. Camicazi strolled up to his side, then the two walked hand in hand out of the cafeteria. Astrid sighed a bit. Well, she had wanted to lose her feelings for Hiccup, so maybe this essential blind date might not be a bad thing. Thuggory sounded like a sweet man, and he told her she wouldn't regret it. Astrid made her way outside for the final course of the day. In four days, she was going to the Marine Ball with Thuggory, Cami, and Hiccup. Astrid prayed that the Gods were with her on Friday night.

{Friday, November 20, 2009-Arc Plaza Hotel-6:05 pm}

The rest of the week leading up to Friday had been smooth. On Monday, the friends finished Dragon Training, and then Hiccup left with Camicazi on Toothless, Hiccup's Night Fury. Mimic was flying beside them, and the next morning, Hiccup dropped Camicazi and Mimic off at school before he left and promised to see her later on. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday were standard. However, now it was Friday evening. Hiccup and Cami arrived to pick up Astrid at 4:30 pm, and then the three of them flew to the city where the hotel was located. The first thing they did upon landing was get inside the hotel, and use the bathrooms to change into their ball attire. Now, it was past 6 pm and the event began in twenty minutes. Hiccup was finished first, standing in place to wait for the girls when a male came up next to him.

"Hey, Thug," Hiccup smiled seeing his friend in the uniform. "The girls should be right out,"

"No worries. I really appreciate this, man. I didn't want to miss the ball," Thuggory mentioned.

"Thank Cami, she's the one who asked her friend to come. Not more than two minutes later, Camicazi walked out with Astrid beside her and approached Hiccup and Thuggory. Camicazi was wearing a knee-length sleeveless black dress that hugged her curves; the strap went around the back of her neck, and then there was a red flower on the right side just above the breast. Cami wore black heels on her feet, and then the final piece was a thick red belt with silver clips in front. Camicazi's hair had a fishtail braid on the left that moved around back into a ponytail with the rest of her long blond hair. Astrid wore a long black spaghetti strap dress that reached to her ankles with silver strap heels, and a long, red, tie around the waist with the pieces flowing down the front left of her leg. Astrid's hair was pulled back into a french braid for the top and then as it came to the back of her head, it turned into a typical braid that hung over her left shoulder.

"We hope this is okay?" Camicazi asked. Hiccup pulled her over to him by her hand, then kissed her lightly.

"It's perfect," Hiccup replied as Camicazi blushed. Hiccup could see that she was wearing lip gloss, black eyeliner, and gray eyeshadow. Astrid had eyeliner, and a shimmering silver eyeshadow. "Astrid, I'd like for you to meet my best friend, Thuggory Hedsen. Thug, this is Astrid Hofferson," Hiccup introduced the two.

"An honor to make your acquaintance, Miss. Hofferson," Thuggory offered a light bow with his hand out.

"The pleasure is all mine," Astrid responded as she placed her hand in his, and Thuggory kissed the back of it. Astrid smiled as Thuggory let her go, then put his arm out, and Astrid linked her arm to his.

"Well, I think we should get inside," Camicazi suggested.

"Quite right, Milady," Hiccup nodded in agreement as he led Cami inside the room, and then Thuggory and Astrid followed behind. The group of four found their table, and took a seat to watch others talking or just arriving. At 6:30 pm, the lights dimmed and the music kicked on as everyone figured out that the Marine Ball had just begun.