Open Hours [open]

[i-saw-myself.livejournal.com]

Hiccup was seated in his forge, the fire was turned off to keep things cool and more comfortable, and various plans for machines and weapons and other interesting gadgets scribbled on parchment and pinned up to a cork board. Candles procured from Orongo were lit around the room, though the wide windows let a light of light in, creating a comfortable workspace. Right now, he was sketching out the intricate designs for...something. It may have been designs meant to go on an axe. Perhaps.

After putting out his omnicomm message, he waited to see if anyone had something to say.

"Here goes nothing, bud," he said, the "bud" tacked on out of old habit, before his eyes widened slightly as he was reminded by the following silence, once again, that a certain dragon wasn't there to listen like he usually was.

That was okay, though. He was going to keep busy. Throw himself into doing the best he could to help the crew. Not that it took much more than a few fish to earn the dragon's love and affection, but Toothless would be proud of him when he finally woke up again. His father would be too.

And you know what? If he did this right, and helped people that deserved helping, deserved someone else working towards their best interests, he could be proud of himself.

Comments

[dearest-nehaa.livejournal.com]

Nehaalista had read over the omnicomm note, and though she'd agreed with his ascension to the council, thought it would be best to give him a personal congratulations, anyway. She announced herself by knocking on the wall.

[Hello, Councilman.] she signed. [I came to give you my congratulations.]

[i-saw-myself.livejournal.com]

"Oh, hi! Councilwoman Nehaalista, right? It's nice to meet you properly."

He gestured to a wooden chair. "Come on in, have a seat. And thanks. I...honestly wasn't expecting it, to be perfectly honest."

[dearest-nehaa.livejournal.com]

[That's right.] It had to be a little unnerving for Nehaa not to move her lips to speak. [Considering the changeable nature of the ship, it is probably best to expect nothing and prepare for everything. Still, I think you'll do well.]

[You're certainly one of the more adept at getting your point across.] And without requisite human violence, too. [I will be pleased to serve with you, I think.]

[i-saw-myself.livejournal.com]

Slightly, but he was polite enough to not say anything. He'd actually figured out the connection between her signs and the words, and assumed Stacy was translating some sort of hand sign language.

"I hope I can do more than be articulate. I know my lack of experience is going against me, but...I...just wanted to do something more to help out. I think I might actually be able to do some good with this. Help you guys by making things run more smoothly."

[dearest-nehaa.livejournal.com]

[We'd appreciate it; there are many strong personalities in the council. For my part, I prefer to observe, as I cannot sign quite fast enough, but I make sure my words carry their weight when I do...] she paused a moment and grinned, wiggling her fingers. ["Speak," as it is.]

[i-saw-myself.livejournal.com]

"Here's the question of the hour: when you do speak, do the others listen?"

[dearest-nehaa.livejournal.com]

[Yes. If they did not, I would resign. What good is a councilor that no one listens to?]

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"Hey! Assume there's knocking going on out here! I don't have freaking arms to do it!"

Of course this new position would place the dragonriding Viking in closer proximity to the demon Overlord more often, but a visit this early surely can't have been expected.

But he wasn't just blasting down the door. That had to count for something?

[i-saw-myself.livejournal.com]

"Knocking assumed," Hiccup said jovially. "Come on in."

[badassfreakingoverlord]

And so the book did, or rather his minion nudged the door open with her foot to carry the book in.

"So," Zetta said, sounding cheerful now that that little social awkwardness is over. "Welcome to the cool kids' club."

[i-saw-myself.livejournal.com]

"Is this the part where I learn the secret handshake? Can you even teach me it when you don't have hands?" he jibed playfully.

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"I can walk you through it. Step one, slap yourself in face."

They were both in good moods, clearly. And... kind of scarily.

"Actually, I'm here because believe it or not, I think you and I are close to being on the same page now I'm doing it unconsciously, for Magog's sake."

[i-saw-myself.livejournal.com]

"Same page, ha--sorry," he snorted, and then cleared his throat. "Same page on what exactly? I assume you mean Council business, but I'm curious as to which Council business."

[burnedbrighter.livejournal.com]

Azula felt her heart flutter slightly as the forge drew into sight. She finallly felt as though she were accomplishing something other then spinning her wheels trying to stabilize what was left of her strength.

Upon learning how the comm system worked she dedicated herself to learning about those who used it frequently. It was through their words she would find ways to overcome them in time. They were all just pieces on a Pai Sho board.

And this piece...he was very important. Already she began forming ideas of who he was from his words. Idealistic obviously. A strong sense of responsibility.

And most importantly, friends with her brother.

So far she had done well to avoid the others from her world (Or perhaps they were avoiding her, she had yet to figure that out) but she knew the time would come soon when she would have to face them.

So learning about their allies was essential.

She took one last moment to adjust her robe in the reflection of a window. She had requested a comfortable dress robe be made, something that made her feel like a princess again but still functional. She couldn't fight in it very well but it was easily shed of needed.

Her hair was finally starting to even out once more, though had to be pulled back to achieve any sort of manageable form.

When she was satisfied with her appearance she approached the forge, the familiar scents drew her back to the machines of her homeland.

Taking one last breath in she exhaled slowly and noted with some pleasure that her voices had fallen silent for the moment, as if they too were anticipating this conversation. Finally, she knocked.

[i-saw-myself.livejournal.com]

"Door's unlocked. Come on in," Hiccup said in friendly tones.

[burnedbrighter.livejournal.com]

Azula entered quietly and shut the door behind her "Good day Counciler. I do hope I haven't caught you at a bad time." Being polite was a habit she had to work herself back into, but once learned skills were never truly lost.

[i-saw-myself.livejournal.com]

Hiccup nearly shat out his heart when he saw her. He froze where he sat, a clear sign that he'd been warned about her.

His comm-ring, he had his comm-ring, didn't he? He promised Zuko he'd keep his comm-ring with him--and he had kept it.

But he'd taken it off while working with some of his tools and it was on his work table across the room. Azula was in front of the door. Any attempt at bolting could easily be intercepted by her.

"Actually--"

It'd be too suspicious if he just outright bustled out the door. He had to make sure he didn't set her off.

"Actually, I only have a few minutes before--before I promised someone I'd go look at one of their projects, but until then, you have my undivided attention."

Don't talk to her, Zuko had said, but what he hadn't said was exactly what to do if he was pinned down in a room with her.

He had to try to talk his way through this, and figure out a way to run for it, without just...running. It was a little hard to outrun, you know, fire being shot at you.

[burnedbrighter.livejournal.com]

Azula tipped her head in a half nod, "I see you recognize me. Good, that should save us time since you're so...busy." The voice she used said she didn't believe him.

"I simply wished to hear your thoughts on the future for our crew, now that you are in office."

[i-saw-myself.livejournal.com]

"Right. Right."

He swallowed thickly. "Obviously, we need to have more cohesion, and less infighting, and I have a few ideas on ways the Council can communicate with the crew to help with that and include them more in the legislative process. Open meetings, regular hours--and Zetta had the idea for communal projects to put people to work setting up things we need, but to also get them more used to working together than bickering."

Please go awaaay, Azula.

[fireforger]

Daja waited until after Hiccup's consultation hours would have just passed before arriving at his forge. After all, she didn't have any desire to speak with him in regards to Council matters today - but what she did want to do was see how his first Council duty had gone.

What she didn't expect was to walk in and find Hiccup hyperventilating on the floor. "Hiccup!" she cried. "What happened? Are you alright?"

[i-saw-myself.livejournal.com]

On the floor, propped up between the side of his worktable and the wall so nothing could get at his back. And yes, hyperventilating. Slightly.

Okay, a lot.

He wanted to get away from here, but on the other hand, he'd felt pinned to the spot, too terrified to move. Azula had been the last one to come in for the day, and he'd been there ever since, quietly freaking out, even despite talking to Astrid and Zuko.

"Busy panicking," he said breathlessly, trying to calm his breathing down. "Be with you in a minute."

[fireforger]

Quick, Daja moved over to Hiccup, kneeling down beside him and placing one strong hand on his shoulder. "Hiccup, I need you to concentrate on breathing right now," she said, keeping her voice calm and reassuring. "Just like when you joined me for meditation. Don't think about anything else, just breathing in time with my voice."

Normally Daja never needed to count her breaths out loud, but this time she did, giving Hiccup an external sound to focus on. She would continue until Hiccup was calm enough to return to breathing normally.

[i-saw-myself.livejournal.com]

It took a while because he was pretty much freaking the heck out, but eventually, he calmed down.

"I think I'm in trouble, Daja," he said finally, when his breathing was calmer. Still a little shaky, but calmer.

[fireforger]

"What happened?" she said, trying to not let her own worry seep into her voice. Hiccup was by no means weak, or a coward - anything that scared him this much was serious. And right now, Daja needed to be strong for him.

[i-saw-myself.livejournal.com]

"Zuko's crazy sister, Azula, the one who attacked him? She saw us talking on the omnicoms. She knows I'm his friend. She tried pulling some 'woe is me' act and when I didn't buy it, she threatened me."

He shook his head slowly.

"It was like starting down a dragon--no, not just any dragon, like...like staring in the eyes of the Green Death. All I could see staring back was fire and something that wanted to tear me apart with its teeth."