newtralize | Aefenglom Inbox

No it doesn't, but it isn't your fault they're like that. [He understands that it takes time to get those to change their perception of things. A lot of the time, some never do. Newt just doesn't Hiccup to feel like he's at fault. Change like that in larger society was difficult. Slow.

Harry has crawled out of his burrow of shiny things and moves to crawl into Newt's lap. He gently runs his thumb over Harry's stomach absentmindedly.] No one really deserves being treated terribly in any capacity, I think. [He has always been very vehement about that. More noticeably with how he feels about the mistreatment of creatures, but just the mistreatment of those that haven't done anything to merit it.

Newt smiles softly at the other joins him. He sees the other had certainly made an attempt at learning more about tea time. The inclusion of sandwiches and sweets. He appreciated it. The other had really went out of his way.] That sounds like a rather biased opinion, but who am I to argue?

No, but still. [Maybe he just has a less realistic view of how quickly change can come. Berk seemed to change overnight, after the Red Death. (It wasn't really overnight, Hiccup doesn't know how long he was unconscious in his bed after losing his leg, so it only felt like it.) When things happen slower... it frustrates him. He's used to having the kind of authority, as leader of the Dragon Riders first and now as Chief of Berk, to make it happen. Aefenglom is outside any sphere where he might have some kind of control, though.] No-, but it's- it's worse when they hate you because- what, because you're helping people that need it? Just because the people you're helping happen to be Monsters, and poor? It's disgusting. That kind of attitude.

[It's endlessly frustrating. He admires the work Newt is doing. He admires Newt.

Despite his at-times overdramatic movements when he's like this, the tea tray is carefully arranged. That's the thing about Hiccup - he learns quickly and always puts his heart into whatever he's doing, especially when it's for someone he cares about. He doesn't know how to do anything half-assed.

Sinking down onto the sofa next to Newt, he lets their legs press together, not embarrassed by the closeness. It's a simple fact that the Bond is strengthened by touch, and that it feels good to do so. Suppressing a smile that tries to surface, he leans a little closer to pet Harry as well.] I'm not biased. Maybe they don't see it, but you are.

People like them don't consider Monsters as equals. They see them beneath them. Expendable. When you consider those around you expendable; your world view is quite different to those that don't see eye to eye, I think. [A world where those think the world around them serves them.] It's not a good view, in my honest opinion, but those kind of things are backed by centuries of history.

[Newt takes one of the sandwiches from the tray. The other was a comfortable warmth and weight.]

I wouldn't consider myself amazing either, Hiccup. [He doesn't really see it himself.]

I know that, I just- I don't think I'll ever understand it. [And he isn't sure if he wants to. That line of thinking... Well, look at all the strife it's caused so far. All the hardship. All the horrors. It's senseless.

It's easier, at least, to breathe now, safely ensconced in a private place, just the two of them. They've always understood each other pretty well, and since the Bond, it's easy to fall into sync. Hiccup leans against his side comfortably, turned just slightly to the side, some of the tension held in his muscles starting to bleed out of him now that they're both away from the conflict. Sharpshot clambers up to join them eventually (he can't be left on his own at the house, or Hiccup will come back to a forge in disarray - the little dragon's new favorite game is fetching tools for Percy), sprawling out over Hiccup's legs, edging his snout toward Harry and Newt's hand.]

Because you're not the kind of person that- that cares about being amazing. You just are. [Newt isn't the kind of guy who goes around boasting about his achievements. It just makes Hiccup like him more.] And sometimes it... it takes someone else to see what you can't see in yourself.

[Newt breaks pieces of his sandwich to feed to Harry and Sharpshot. The niffler hungrily eats the piece he's given while Newt holds out another piece to Sharpshot to eat. Of course he would feed the animals before actually eating himself. It's just like him, even if he was the one that was shaken up.

Hiccup likely can feel the other fluster if his appearance isn't a dead giveaway. Being called amazing in such an earnest way. His face starts to turn bright red and he looks down at his hands. He focuses his attention on the partly eaten sandwich instead.]

I think you're being incredibly too kind about this.

[Sharpshot is quick to take the offered food, and probably nip at Newt's fingers along with it (it really isn't that he doesn't like Newt, it's just that he's very bitey with him for some reason), gobbling it up quickly. Hiccup pats his back gently in reprimand; notably he takes a little more of a conventional approach to training Sharpshot than he ever does with Toothless, who is quite a bit smarter than any Terror.

He can definitely feel him fluster but he doesn't think anything of it, really. Newt is a modest guy, that must be it.] After the disaster that was today, I really don't think I am.

And, anyway, you- you know I wouldn't say it if I didn't believe it.

[Newt doesn't seem terribly bothered and just gives the other a few scratches under Sharpshot's chin. Bites and scratches were something he was so used to that they're just another tiny scar to add to the collection if they even manage to scar.]

Those people- Your actions don't reflect anymore or less because of their actions. People are unnecessarily cruel sometimes. A lot of times. But I appreciated you going out of your way to take me there regardless. You decided to clean up and try and get reservation in the first place. It was all entirely thoughtful. That alone...That alone, I was happy enough. [It's very rare that he has someone that goes above and beyond to offer a kind gesture to him.]

I think it's a little more embarrassing because I know you're being quite genuine. You're a very honest person, Hiccup. Didn't you say you're bad at lying? [He looks at the other with the shyest of smiles.]

[Sharpshot generally has more manners than to bite that hard - they're more like sharp-toothed puppy gnaws, and Hiccup would probably reprimand him more strongly if he thought Newt minded too much. He's had worse. And a little roughness is just par for the course with dragons.

It's Hiccup's time to get a little flustered, when Newt tells him, so sincerely, that just the thought made him happy enough.] Well, I- I mean, I promised, when we were still stuck in Dorchacht. And- I wanted to do it. [He had been looking forward to the afternoon with his Bonded. Though, he guesses they're still getting to spend the afternoon together, so things could be worse.] I just- wish it had gone better.

[He lets out a sheepish laugh, meeting his gaze despite the slightly embarrassed flush on his face, a kind of warmth filtering through his end of the Bond.] I guess I did. Look, you- you just deserve to hear those things once in a while.

I know you promised and I don't think you would have broken it. [He knew the other wouldn't. That wasn't the point, obviously.] I just- I really do appreciate the time and effort. Even if things didn't quite go as expected. [Or well at all. They can both agree things went quite terribly if anything.] We'll find another establishment that won't have issue with what I do. Honestly speaking, an extravagant afternoon tea is wonderful and all, but I'm more interested in the experience of having it with you. That, and if they can make a good cup o' tea.

[Newt carefully leans forward to take a cup and saucer from the tray.

Honestly, he doesn't know how to respond to that. There's no use in arguing.] THank you, Hiccup.

['Didn't go exactly as planned'. Yeah that's an understatement. Still, he's flushing lightly, hearing his words, a little embarrassed but also fond at the same time. Yes, as long as they're doing it together, it'll be nice.] Maybe once Aziraphale gets his shop open. I think he's going to sell tea. [And another Mirrorbound certainly won't want to cause trouble with them, especially one as nice as Aziraphale.

He smiles, scratching his fingers lightly over Sharpshot's spined back, and then lightly through Harry's fur.] Hopefully my cup o' tea is alright. I think I've gotten better at making it. [Considering he only knows what tea is because of Newt. They don't have it on Berk, at least not tea like this. Just medicinal teas made from plants that aren't tea.]

Oh. Yes. He's quite kind. I do quite enjoy his company. I do feel rather terrible. I think Lilac gave him a bit of a fright. [His Swooping Evil...] I hope his shop does well, really. I'd love to help out even. [Because Newt is always a helper.

Newt laughs though. Lighter despite the events from earlier.] It has improved quite a bit. If I am to be honest, there were a few pots you had made that weren't very palatable. I don't think any creature at a watering hole would even willingly consume. [He sips at the cup in his hand thoughtfully.] Much better than before.

Oh, is he the one who got Lilac from the whole- the mess with everybody's stuff? [That still gives him a tiny heart attack. He was so, so lucky that Percy had gotten Sharpshot and not someone else.] Surely he didn't scare him that bad. He's gorgeous. [Says the viking who thinks scaly overgrown lizards are incredible. Berkians have a weird idea of beauty and apparently a wolf-skulled venomous beast fits right in to those standards.

He laughs, a little embarrassed.] We don't even have tea on Berk! I actually never had it before meeting you. Well, not- tea, tea. We have medicinal teas, but they're supposed to taste awful.

Yes. Lilac would be considered fairly dangerous given that he has some resistance to magic from the protective skin it has, but his diet also means that he's quite the predator. [He does eat brains after all.] He's quite gorgeous, but not everyone thinks so. Swooping Evil isn't quite a kind name in itself. [He doesn't think there's anything evil about Lilac, but he won't deny that the creature might be scary to others and the way it eats to be grotesque.]

We have medicinal teas too, but we really have a potion that helps whatever ailment at hand. I can't say those taste very good. [Also, he's pretty sure that most would gag knowing what goes into a potion.]

'Swooping Evil' is no worse than Night Fury or Terrible Terror. [He scritches his fingers gently down Sharpshot's spine again; the little dragon stretches luxuriously and curls up happy.] Hopefully they both were okay at the end of it, though. I think I would have heard about it if poor Aziraphale had gotten his brains eaten. [A quiet laugh.]

See? Sometimes a tea isn't supposed to taste good. Making tea that is supposed to taste good has been a learning curve!

Terrible Terror is a hilarious name for... well... [Never underestimate a creature, but he still finds quite a bit of amusement from the name. He could understand the naming put into Swooping Evil and Night Fury at least.] Oh, no. She knows better. Most of the time. I think had he felt he were in danger, it might be a different matter. Aziraphale isn't a man whom I would find intimidating on first glance. [Newt is one to talk.]

Many teas have medicinal attributes to them! [Newt laughs softly.] It's fine though. You can make a good pot of tea now. Though, you should have seen the face that Theseus had made when he drank some. I forgot to clean the pot and brew another pot at some point.

You've never seen them in a flock! [He laughs, unable to help himself. Terrors certainly don't live up to their name when you just see the one.] At least it turned out okay. It's lucky, isn't it? That they both got found by decent people- friends. Percy was the one who had Sharpshot. If someone else had gotten him...

[He has to stifle another laugh.] That's comforting to hear, that my tea nearly poisoned your brother. Glad to know I've gotten better at it now.

Not poisoned, but I don't think it agreed with his palette at all. And neither of us exactly have a taste for coffee. [He would usually take bad tea over coffee.

Hiccup's first few brews though...]

You make a smashing cup now though.

One of these days I'll make you both yaknog and you can see how bad my drink-making could be. [It's funny that back home he's actually a fairly decent cook, at least compared to his mother and Astrid. Making tea was just a whole new thing to learn, though.]

Practice makes perfect, huh? I'll add that to my list of new skills I learned here.

You know this isn't a challenge to make the most awful drink you can deliver to us, Hiccup. [He isn't sure what yaknog could be. He's thinking something made with a yak but something like eggnog.

That...doesn't sound all that appealing. Not that Newt won't at least try it. He's an adventurous type.] Now if you could remember to bathe more often... [Smelly.]

I'm just saying. You'd never talk about how bad my tea was ever again. [Newt has the right idea. It's curdled yak milk. It's horrific and Hiccup can't keep it down even though Astrid insists on making it for every Snoggletog.

He laughs, leaning playfully into his space and flinging an arm around him.] I'll have you know, I'm the cleanest viking on Berk. [It's possibly for the best that Newt will never meet his family.]

People have most definitely insulted British cuisine before, but you certainly make me question what exactly you guys eat on a daily basis sometimes. [Because some of it sounds like the opposite of appetizing.

Newt laughs though.] That does not help your case at all!

Oh, you know. Whatever will grow on a lump of rock in the middle of nowhere, twelve days south of freezing to death. And a lot of fish. We're not picky. [Generally speaking on Berk, you eat what's served or your starve. And what's served is very often simple vegetables, hunted meat or fish, and lots and lots of dairy products.

He laughs too, very much in Newt's space now, half draped over his back and resting his chin on his shoulder.] Sure it does! It's better than taking a bath once a year when spring comes around.

Saying something like that is possibly one of the reasons I can appreciate city life. [And Newt knew how to rough it and all given his time traveling. There was just something pleasant about the comforts of eating at an establishment.]

Hiccup, I would refuse to let you anywhere close to me if you only bathed once a year. [Even Newt had limits to how long someone can be unwashed.]

It's not all bad. You learn to like smoked mackerel. [His tone makes it hard to tell if he's telling a dry joke or if he's serious. Maybe a little of both.

That gets a laugh out of him.] It's probably a good thing you can't meet my family.

Well, there are plenty of things that I am fond of that I think isn't quite so popular. I haven't had a nice black pudding in awhile. [British food have the most misleading names.]

They'd have to properly bathe for that to happen.

Aefenglom Inbox

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)