The floor was strewn with clothes; or as many clothes as I actually owned at this point. I had a few of my own from Hiccup, some dresses that used to be his moms, and some from Astrid. I rummaged through my dressing drunk, trying to figure out what to wear. I was going to be an official Viking tonight. I knew I had to fit the part, but I wanted to look nice.

Back on the island, there was never a need to be beautiful, wear fancy clothes, or wear any clothes for that matter. I was alone, and could therefore do whatever I wanted, or dress however I liked. The sudden pressure of fashion and behaviour standards made me stress, and I tried to avoid stress as much as possible.

I groaned and sat back on my heels amongst the scattered garments. What would Astrid wear? Maybe she would know what to do. I lifted up a few shirts and threw them on my small bed. I guess it was a good a shot as any.

The dark lighting in my room quickly vanished as I opened the door. It was mid afternoon and I didn't have much time left. I jogged down to her house, knocking briefly on the door, which I had only just learned was a custom around here. I had to learn that the hard way.

Back home we could just walk in and out of homes- no body had anything to hide, and nothing worth taking. On Berk, well… let's just say I may have walked into Hiccup's place in the first couple days of our arrival… naked. He was getting dressed, and I had wandered in on his exposed back facing me. I quickly exited and when he came over to apologize, I had to straighten it out- it was my fault. I just didn't realize that 'knocking' was something people did here. He had to explain it to me.

Astrid opened the door and smiled. "Hey! Did Hiccup send you over here?"

I shook my head. "No, I was hoping I could get your advice."

"My advice?" She leaned against the doorframe and crossed her arms. Clearly she didn't get asked for help often. "Like what?"

"Well… my welcome party is tonight-"

"Yeah! Oh, it's going to me so much fun."

I smiled. "I have no idea what to wear."

Astrid smiled, "no problem. Let's go back to your place." She shut the door behind her and we meandered back to my room off the back of Hiccup's house. "Did Hiccup tell you what happens at these things?"

"Not really… just that they welcome me and then have a party."

She laughed, "That's pretty much it. I'd watch out for some of the older Vikings though, they can get a bit... touchy."

"Why's that?"

"When you become an official Viking, or when a kid grows up enough to earn that title, then we have the ceremony. It's also like a coming-of-age thing."

"That's bad?"

"Well, you're a girl. It means you're eligible."

My heart sunk. I knew all too well what that meant.

"Hey don't fret it too much. Just means you can get married- doesn't mean you will, unless you want to."

I groaned inwardly, and avoided glances from other Vikings as we passed by. It's not like anyone would want to marry the new half-dragon in town anyways… compared to them I was a freak, let's face it. But the possibility still made me queasy.

We finally entered my small room and I flopped exasperatedly on the bed while Astrid set her hands on her hips and looked around.

"Wow… I'm glad you asked me for help- looks like you've gone through a war."

"What was your ceremony like?"

"Usually happens around the age of 16 to 18, after a few tests and all. You're certainly old enough either way. How old are you anyways? 17? 19?" She paced the room and picked up the clothes, examining each and throwing some onto the bed next to me, and the rest back ingot he trunk.

I looked at the ground, how old was I? I don't even remember. I was still young, but that was back on the island. My family died a few years ago, and I was… I must be…

"39."

She froze. "You're 39? As in years?" Her eyes were wide and confused.

"I think so… one year for us is a full cycle of the seasons. Even the island had its cold season when it blew down from the North."

Astrid shook her head and stood there looking at me baffled.

"That's how we count years too… though they're much more complicated with the moon cycles and such; but a year is one cycle of all the seasons. There's no way you can be almost 40… you look just as old as I do."

"How old are you?"

"20."

"Dragons age differently than humans… and they live longer. Maybe Dragon Wing's naturally live longer and age slower," I suggested.

She sighed, "I don't know, makes sense to me. Does Hiccup know that?"

"Don't think we ever talked about age- it never came up."

Astrid held out a few tops in front of her, looking them over, and set one down next to me and went to fetch the boots. "You ever going to tell him?"

"If it comes up."

"I think he'd be interested to know."

"Why?"

She didn't answer, just stood back and admired her selection of designs next to me.

"Try these. I'll wait outside," she smiled and left the room.

I examined them closely, and threw them on quickly since I didn't want to keep her waiting for so long. I looked down at the brown leggings, similar to what most of the other young Vikings wore, with Astrid's boots. They matched my leather skirt, that had similar resemblance to Astrid's too, except without studs down each leather panel; instead it had a diamond-like pattern. I was wearing a brown long-sleeved shirt that went to my wrists, but was half-hidden by my leather forearm bands. My shirt was the only thing that matched my blue nature: a bright blue top, with a fur hood and black belt around the waist.

It certainly looked like Astrid had picked it out for me. I couldn't help but smile though- if I wanted to look like anyone else in the village, it would be her. Maybe Hiccup would show more notice to me then…I shoved the thought away.

My small box of accessories sat on a desk in the corner- all the pieces I had made. Hiccup had been showing me how to punch holes in leather, and make pendants. I picked out a black leather neck band; simple, but pretty with it's silver design tracing it's length. Hiccup had shown me how to melt certain dragon scales, and use them as a metallic-like paint. I didn't like the idea of melting scales… considering I have them myself, but I went along with it.

"Are you done yet?" I heard Astrid call from outside.

I hurried to the door and opened it, her face lit up. "Oh you look so great!"

Really? Astrid thought I looked nice? I was truly flattered, especially coming from someone like her. "Thank you so much!"

"I have to get back and work on my own outfit- this hair doesn't braid itself."

I smiled again and waved her off as she strode down the hill with an elegance I could only wish to have.

I closed the door behind me and fiddled with my hair, eventually deciding to braid it over my shoulder again. I examined the tip of my brown locks. I was a freak. My hair, though it was biological, had a slight tinge of blue to the end of each strand. No other Dragon Wing had it, and the elder's used to meet to discuss if I was a bad omen. I had always disregarded their opinions though, not caring what I Iooked like. At least it matched my eyes and darker wing colour, which also made me different. A common Dragon Wing had brown eyes and darker hair usually, with black wings that resembled a Night Fury's. Never had someone like me been born with darker blue wings, eyes, and hair- and the features haunted me ever since.

It wasn't much longer after I had fixed my braid that I heard a soft knock at my door. I instantly knew who it was- since he always knocked the same way, like it was our secret code. I bounded over, putting myself in a positive mood. I was actually going to become a Viking today. It felt like I was getting a real family again. Nothing could ruin this day.

The door swung open to reveal Hiccup, who again just stared at me with his wide… perfect… green, eyes. I stumbled forward a bit, earning a smile from him, and an awkward/nervous one from myself.

He finally composed himself up enough to speak. "You look like a real Viking."

"Really?" I smiled brightly and held the hem of my skirt, spinning around to exaggerate my excitement. He nodded.

I finally looked down, realizing that he was wearing something unusual from his regular garments too. It was the familiar green tunic, except in a long sleeve under a more practical leather vest than his leather armor. He also had armbands on the upper and lower parts of his arms, which made his muscles look larger compared to the rest of him. He wore similar brown pants, classic fur boots, and what I thought was a blade clasped at his waist. I was unused to seeing him in a formal outfit, and I had to remind myself to quit staring. I must have been looking for a bit longer than I should have, because his cheeks were red and looking at the ground. My cheeks flamed in response… terrific.

"My dad said to get you- people are starting to gather at the great hall," he finally broke the awkward tension.

I nodded and left with him without another word.