Old Acquaintances

[Theraputix]

Ah, the meeting was finally over! Theraputix was curious about what sort of flora would be around on Berk. Sure, the occasional book-pressed plants and descriptions from Ari through correspondance meant he knew things, but it wasn't the same as actually seeing the herbs and roots in their natural environment. The healer assured the Chief of Berk that Ulrika would be fine, and explained that it was most certainly not them that caused her injury. Halldor surprisingly accepted his story, saying that was 'typical' of her. Having tended to her, he thought he understood what he meant. His twins were a little similar. But they were also older, and they were learning responsability. And he had taught them well. Theraputix raised an eyebrow slightly at Baldr's request to go visit the land of Berk, unsupervised. A Hysterian, alone in the woods? If ex-hysterian dragons caught whiff of a lone Hysterian on berk soil, he was as good as toast. He was going to advise him against it, but he couldn't get to him in time when the meeting was adjourned. He really wanted to see Ashaere too, after all. But Ari thankfully invited him to visit her at her house.

They finally stopped at one of the houses. Ari looked around shiftily before knocking. Theraputix looked at the abode. She had her own house? To already have a house of her own, and even her own profession at her age... She has really grown up fast. But Theraputix couldn't really ponder more, as a crack of light opened before them, he only saw a small silhouette, but that was all he needed. His heart began to thud in excitement. How long has it been since he had seen her last! Ashaere. Though he couldn't see it, she was surprised to see him.

They were invited in, and he could finally see his little apprentice all grown up. She had grown into a young woman, though recognisable features remained. This was Ashaere. She remembered her manners, hastily inviting them to sit. Theraputix smiled kindly. He noticed a young man watching stoicly from a corner of the room. There was a glint of sword, wary. Who was he? Seeing the danger of Hysterians on Berk, he knew this wasn't any old viking warrior. That guy didn't even look Nordic, anyway. He could read the emotion on Ashaere's face. She finally spoke his name, recognising him. His smile broke into a larger one.

"Ashaere..." He advanced forwards to give her a hug. "My child, it's been so long! You have grown so much in all this time! Oh, how I've missed you!" He said softly, finally releasing the hug. He wasn't bothered about Ari's presence right now. "And now you have your own profession, as well! You must tell me your story since you disappeared off our coasts. I have to say that I have feared the worst multiple times. I am so glad you're alright." He was gushing a little, but he couldn't help it. After all this time, wondering whether she even survived on her own in the big wide world, whether the Hysterian tribe had 'found' her dead, trying to find her on Berk... and now a final, satisfying conclusion to the mystery.

[Luna Hieler & Ayer]

Luna's heart jumped into her throat when Theraputix answered her, using her Hysterian name. She couldn't recall the last time someone had spoken it fondly, the sound was sweeter than she would have imagined. He folded her in a hug and she wrapped her arms around him in turn. Overcome with happiness, a tear dropped down her cheek. It was one of the most sincere hugs she had ever been given. He spoke, and she answered "I missed you too... oh my goodness, I almost forgot your voice...

He stepped away from the embrace and wiped the tear from her cheek. she looked him up and down. He'd changed very little. A few new wrinkles here and there, but his face was the same. There was something different in his eyes though, a heaviness that betrayed an inner struggle. He spoke again praising her. "Yes, thank you. I heal the dragons here, your knowledge serves me well. I don't work alone anymore, I'm teaching him what I know about healing, he's learning well." She motioned at Curtis as she mentioned him, both indicating him to her mentor and inviting him over. Nervously, she introduced him to Theraputix "This is Curtis, we're, um... together." She smiled, looking between the two of them, she'd never introduced Curtis to anyone like this, she felt very grown-up.

Luna felt bad that she'd made Theraputix worry. "I'm sorry I worried you, it wasn't an easy to choice to make... as for my story, that will take some time to tell."[/font] She glanced at Ari "I know we must leave soon, but a moment, please."[/font] She glanced back at her mentor "Please, sit" she said, taking a seat at her round table. To her right was Curtis, to her left, Theraputix, and across the table sat Ari, eyes even more watchful than usual. As undesirable as it was to her, She felt very obligated to tell her mentor the real story, but she wished she could avoid telling Ari, she didn't want too many people to know. However, it was unavoidable.

She breathed in deeply, gaining some composure before she began. She was sure she was going to have to discuss her past more this evening, and discussing this portion was the least of her worries. If she couldn't keep it together for this, there was no hope for her. Luna planned in keeping this brief, she was aware that time was of the essence.

"I'd been planning on leaving for a while, I didn't see much point in staying. You alone showed me kindness, and things with my family were getting worse and worse, so I stole a small vessel and left. I had planned poorly, I was lucky to live through my voyage. I landed here, and I've been lying about my identity. I'm known here as Luna."  she gave a smirk, wondering if he'd guess where she'd got it. "I did a favor for the Chief's dragon a few years ago, and he made dragon healing my profession. Curtis and I met a year ago, he moved in recently. He knows... most of it." she felt terrible admitting to Curtis that he didn't know everything about her. Some of the details of her childhood were better left unsaid. Regarding Ari, she continued. "He knows who I am, little more than that. There's another local with the same knowledge, the scar makes things difficult." She was quiet for a moment, waiting for some kind of response.

[Theraputix]

Theraputix took Ashaere's invitation to sit down, as she told her story. He glanced at Ari, who was watching them, with a strange sort of intrigue. Had Theraputix known him better in person, he would have felt slightly uneasy. She healed dragons now, though. Theraputix was surprised, yet, also not. It was ingrained in him to not see dragons as friends. But Ashaere was no dragon killer, never had been. Even with Baldr trying to help her in a land against dragons, it was no use. After all, the man had lost three Nadders that were like family to him, so he could probably feel her struggle more than most Vikings.

She told him how she got her new nickname. He smiled and gave a small chuckle at that. Of course she would pick that for a name. She had been guarding her identity well. She was touchy about the subject, it was clear of that when she declared that she hadn't told him everything either. She seemed a little withdrawn, so he decided to take the spotlight off her for a while

"Well, you're alive. That's the most important part, I think." He started. "I'm still a healer, life on Hysteria is... peaceful. Since there's no stories of Queen Dragons like in the legends, we don't get many dragon attacks. Baldr recently changed the law to only attack if provoked... But Vikings are Vikings, I guess. Sticksbreath and Strawface are doing fine, I'll have you know. They'll graduate from training soon. They've become quite the duo on the field. With a bit of wisdom, I don't think anyone should cross them if they're on a battlefield. They begged to come to Berk, but they have a nasty habit of defying Baldr's wishes on the whole... dragon killing thing."

She probably didn't want to hear that her old 'friends' had become growing Vikings with a taste for bloodlust. But he was simply catching up. It was not like she was hoping to return to Hysteria any time soon. Anyway, it was getting late. "I believe we have some planned arrangements. It's already dark outside."

[Luna Hieler & Ayer]

Luna listened to what Theraputix had to say about the way Hysteria had progressed in her absence. She was glad to hear that the healer had been doing well, but it made her sick to her stomach to think of his twins, who she'd grown up with, killing dragons. Sure, that's what they'd always been trained for, but they were only a year younger than her. She was, however, surprised to hear that Baldr had outlawed the killing of dragons without an attack on their part. It seemed her cousin refused to be predictable.

There was an awkward silence after that, neither very sure what to say to follow up his comments about Hysteria. Luna nodded as she mentioned that they should be leaving soon. She glanced out the window and noticed that his mention of the hour was accurate. She would have given almost anything to break her engagement with Baldr and speak with her mentor late into the night. He had been her only hesitation before leaving the place of her birth. Luna was well aware that the passing of his trade was an important thing to both him and his honor as a healer, and she'd worried many times that in leaving, she'd hurt both his feelings and his pride. She lingered on the thought before pushing away from the table and standing.

A sudden feeling of urgency overwhelmed her. She'd begun to wish the inevitable would hurry along so she could be done with it. "Yes, we should be getting along." As everyone rose from the table, she called over her dragon. She didn't think Theraputix had seen him off in the corner, despite his massive size. "This is Ayer. He'll be coming with us." she said with a wry smile at her guest, before sending her dragon out the large door where patients came and went.

Luna took a lantern, and handed it to Theraputix before motioning to leave. She slung her usual leather pack over her shoulder and stood straight before leading the way out the door; the three men followed without question. Once outside, she mounted her dragon and waited for Curtis to climb on behind her. She would have offered the elders a ride, but neither seemed up to the task. Ari, unable in his partial crippledom; Theraputix, on the other hand, seemed wary of the animal, although Ayer showed no hostility. She noticed him eying the dragon carefully. It was not fear she saw in his manner, rather, an uneasiness. She wondered how long, if ever, it had been since he'd been in the presence of a dragon on peaceful terms. Luna looked down at Theraputix from the dragon's back. "He won't bite. And don't worry about pacing, he won't walk too quickly for you." Luna urged her mount forward.

Luna led the group as they made their way out of the village, slower than Luna would have liked; Ari's limp heeded progress. She was not sure what the explanation that Ari would give for them leaving the village would be, but he had assured her earlier in the day that no suspicion would be cast on her. The moon was rising by the time they were between the trees of the forest. It was a full moon, and their lanterns barely gave off more light than the moon was able to. Although the shadows were long, it was bright enough that the way was lit.

The dread made her stomach turn, she was ready to be done with this Hysterian business. She'd left for a reason, and being dragged back into it hadn't been in her plan. She tried to bog down the fear with an air of confidence, but was unsuccessful. The party didn't speak much as they moved through the forest, only increasing her uneasiness, and leaving the terrible memories of her past to dominate her her mind; a sick prelude to what the night's events certainly held. Curtis' arm around her was her only comfort. She leaned back on him and her wrapped his hand around hers, squeezing tightly.

When the group drew close to where the arranged meeting place was, Luna thought about what to do with Ari. Not only was she uninterested in him being privy to the meeting, but his slow progress was a serious delay. Luna halted Ayer and waited for the healers to walk into her forward vision. She regarded the Berkite healer respectfully. "This is where you stay, Ari. I'm sorry. You may return with us to the village after my business is finished. Leave the lantern with him, if you will, Theraputix." She reached into the bag at her side and pulled out her knife. Usually, she didn't share her weapon, but this was a cheap replacement of the weapon she was most comfortable with- the grip was hard and the weight seemed unbalanced.  Nonetheless, she usually felt safer with it by her side, however, with Curtis and Ayer for defense, it almost seemed unnecessary. She handed the blade to Ari "Defend yourself, but only if the need is dire. We will return for you before returning home." she nodded to Ari before urging Ayer forward, leaving the healer behind.

[Your Humble GM]

Ari thanked her as the two of them entered, keeping up his charade right up until the door was closed. He turned and watched the two Hysterians as they stopped holding back and embraced. He didn’t fault either of them, from what he’d gathered from them they had been close and they hadn’t seen each over five years.

Even though he knew the girl’s real name, it was weird hearing someone call Luna Ashaere. The two of them then started to talk about Luna’s new work here. She looked at Ari and asked if they could stay a bit, he didn’t argue, it was good for them to stay in the house for a little bit. He limped over to a seat opposite Luna and to the left of Theraputix. He wondered how much they would be willing to say in front of him.

Luna then went into how she got to Berk, it was interesting to hear, though it didn’t give me much. She then made a comment about about how much he and Sven knew, Ari smiled at this, “neither of us are people who’ll say anything.” Theroputix then decided to give information about Hysteria, the fact that they’d changed the rules about dragons was interesting.

They then came the conclusion that it was time to go. Ari slowly got up, using the table to support him before he grabbed his staff. He saw as Luna’s Aquaterris as Luna called it over, and saw Theroputix’s response to the thing. The Hysterian was obviously still naturally scared of dragons. The four of them went out through the front door as the dragon came through the back. The two children got on Ayer, meaning the two adults had to walk. Ari wondered if they realised the minor illogic in that idea.

They progressed into the forest, most people were either inside or had gone to the great hall, so there were very few people around to notice the group as it left. Ari started to wonder what this meeting was going to be about. Why would Baldr want to see this girl if he’d tried to kill her. He had a feeling that they wouldn’t let him come in all the way, even though they did need him to come with them if his story was to be believable. We were showing a fellow healer the kinds of herbs this island has, total rubbish and not really that deep, but it would be good enough for the people of this island.

Sure enough as they got near the place that Luna had chosen the came to a stop. Luna told him to say behind and gave him the lantern and a basic dagger. Ari did not show any form of annoyance, the amount he did feel, towards being left behind and left on his own with only a dagger, was not worth showing. He said he understood and would wait for their return, nodded to Theroputix and watch the four of them go. He would wait a short time before following.

[Luna Hieler & Ayer]

Luna glanced behind after leaving Ari behind and watched the forest close around him. They would arrive at the place she'd assigned for meeting soon.

The fact that Theraputix was involved with this meeting confused her more than anything. It made her wonder what this was really all about. For some reason Theraputix thought this meeting was a good thing for her. After her last encounter with Baldr, she obviously wasn't prepared to trust her cousin, Theraputix had been the factor that made things different. At first, she'd assumed that the healer had become just like the others; she'd been completely prepared to believe it too. She'd never expected she and her mentor would be face-to-face though. Seeing him had changed everything. The look in his eyes had restored every bit of trust she'd ever had in him and it brought back all the guilt she'd felt leaving him. Sure, his life would continue without her, but, she knew they meant a lot to each other.

"I'm sorry I left... for your sake," she said looking at Theraputix "You're the only reason I considered staying... you know how terrible it was for me though..." Her voice trailed off. "Have you taken on another apprentice?" she asked. She was surprised by his negative reply. Certainly he should begin training someone to take his place someday- it took years to raise a new shaman. Surely he didn't expect her to return...

Through the trees ahead, Luna could see the flickering light of a fire. Her muscles tensed, He was here. Instinct told her to turn Ayer around and flee back home, but she didn't let her dragon sway in his path. Her heart drummed against her chest as they silently emerged into the small clearing and halted just inside the edge. Luna could see a vague outline of a male figure on the other side of the fire, but the darkness covered the other deatils She felt Curtis let go of her and slide down; Luna followed. She turned to Curtis and spoke quietly "Stay here, and don't do anything unless you have to". She said the same to her dragon. She looked up at Theraputix with a sad smile. It was time.

She turned to approach Baldr and was alarmed by what she saw upon further inspection of the scene. His back was turned to her, an unmoving dragon slumped on the ground before him, a Nadder by the looks of it. She gasped, taking a few steps forward. Anger surged through her, making her forget her fear. How dare he kill a dragon on Berkite territory? She glanced back at the rest of her group. They hung back at a short distance, but Ayer's back was arched and Curtis was on the defensive, ready to strike if the time came.  Luna strode forward hotly. Her tone was bitter when she finally spoke. "What's this?!"


_____________________________________________________


Luna- will take us to the meeting place **you are here**
Thera- will react to previous posts, and Scratchet then begin the meeting
Baldr- will properly begin the conversation
Luna- will answer
Baldr- will answer
etc. etc. etc.
And then maybe a cut back to Ari and/or Scratchet close to the end, just to show what they've been us to.

[Theraputix]

Theraputix stood to leave the house, and suddenly in the darkness where the light couldn't reach, something stirred and loomed above them. Theraputix reacted badly, though he knew Berk was friendly with dragons, he had not noticed the dragons at all, too preoccupied with being reunited with Luna. He backed up and stumbled on the foot of his chair.

It was the size of a monstrous nightmare. He didn’t know the kind of dragon, Theraputix lived high enough up in the village to not be generally pestered by Tidal class dragons. The behemoth had massive eyes that watched them. He wanted to reach for a weapon - but he had none, for the reassurance of Berk’s warriors, Luna, and of course, trying not to harm any dragons on Berk soil. He didn’t say anything when Luna introduced it, only gulping slightly. How on earth did a young charming girl like Ashaere tame such a huge creature? Not that he was an expert on Dragon Training. Perhaps Berk knew lots of things that have been lost to the Hysterians since the Dragons rebelled.

They left. As they emerged from the special door for dragons, Ashaere and her partner riding this slinking dark-coloured beast, it almost seemed… elegant. They began the walk away from the village and into the forests. It was similar but different to the forests back on Hysteria. After a moment they were nearing the meeting point, Ashaere stopped and asked Ari to stay behind. Therputix thought that odd, but then again, these were not only Hysterian affairs, but very personal as well.

They continued without him, and not long after Ashaere repeated that she was sorry to have left. He looked up at her from the ground. “It’s quite alright, not everyone is adapted to dragon-killing life… Even Baldr… to an extent.” He remembered Baldr had such a difficult time to the change with Hrothgar’s rules. After all, he had three dragons that he considered more like family than his real one. Ashaere suddenly asked a new question, interrupting his thoughts. “Oh! I haven’t found anyone who’s taken an interest yet… But I’m also thankful. Having to teach an apprentice, and dealing with my twins… They’re bad enough as it is!”

They saw light ahead. At first he thought he heard a dragon sound but he dismised it. It was probably just this huge beast beside him, which he was still wary of. He was the only one on foot in the party now. Ashaere had said it didn’t bite, but though he could trust her words, he could never trust a dragon.

They finally entered a clearing and they witnessed a scene. He saw Baldr hunched over a Nadder, on it’s back, twitching slightly. But it was obvious he hadn’t killed it, killing dragons was always a messy affair, after all. But then the connections dotted rather fast, and colour drained from Theraputix’s face. Is that really… her? He thought she had died with the other two! Please not her. The one that severed the friendship between him and Baldr until the day the dragons rebelled, that is. He felt shock, confusion and slight dread.

“By the gods combined… You have got to be kidding me.”

[Baldr Bjorg the Bonkers]

Baldr heard the noises behind him and thought how to act, he knew he couldn’t move too quickly, that could cause trouble. He heard a female gasp and knew that Luna was behind him and had seen Scratchet. He slowly turned and saw the half-shocked, half-angry red-headed girl he’d expected to see advancing on him.

He could see on the edge of the clearing the dimly lit figures that where her walking party. He recognised one to be Theroputix, who was looking shocked at the nadder behind him. The other two were unknown to him, though he could tell that they were a black-haired young man and some form of large dragon, both seeming ready to fight if it was needed. He knew that if a fight did break out he would probably lose, and while he was glad that was the case since it hopefully made Luna feel safe, it did still scare him to be so vulnerable right then.

But right now Baldr had to talk think more about getting his way out of trouble before it got to that. Luna accusatively asked what he’d done, “Its-sir-eh-” he stumbled, the girl was surprisingly scary in this moment, “Sh-she’s fine.” He finally got out, “She’s not hurt or anything, all I did was,” he slowly raised his hand to his own chin and scratched it the same way he’d done it to Scratchet the moment before, “She’ll get back up in a bit, I promise. Luna.”

He didn’t like that they came there in that moment, partly because it was a really bad way to start a dialog, have one side think the other just killed a dragon, but also because it meant he could sent Scratchet off immediately, “Scratchet, girl, if you could get up as soon as you can,” Luna turned back to her two allies and while she did he looked at Theroputix.

He looked mortified, and Baldr knew why. Once Scratchet was old enough to be an actual nuisance to people, she’d been a big one to Theroputix, which had meant that the friendship they did had had been put on ice until Hrothgar took over. “Sorry Thero, I didn’t know she would be here…or that she’d find me here if she was.” he did worry about what her appearance might do to their working relationship, or if it would make Baldr’s work back in Hysteria harder…he knew that the shaman was likely going to be an obstacle to the changes he wanted to make.

[Luna Hieler & Ayer]

Luna watched Baldr closely as he turned around and tried to give her some kind of explanation. His face showed a moment of vulnerability- making her feel more confident of herself. If he'd come with evil intent, he would be more certain of himself. She noticed he referred to her by her Berkite name, her heart twisted a little.

She heard her cousin refer to the dragon by name, and on especially familiar terms. She looked and saw that it was in fact Scratchet. How did he know that? Had he been speaking with her? Luna saw the dragon's eyelids move, her legs also twitched. She was alive, and uninjured. She knew that if she was hurt that she would be making a racket, she remembered what that had been like...

She turned around to look at Curtis and Ayer, giving them a look telling them to back down. No one here was hurt, and that's the way she wanted to keep it.

The girl gave Baldr a suspicious look before coming around to his side of the fire. "She's not just going to get up because you ask her. Scratchet doesn't listen to anyone." She walked around to Scratchet and checked her vitals- feeling her pulse and opening her eyelids. She didn't notice any kind of injury. She turned to her cousin "What's going on? And I'm not just asking about the dragon." Luna eyed Scratchet with annoyance before returning her gaze to Baldr.

[Scratchet]

At first, Scratchet was too much in a state of ectstasy to realise there were some new arrivals in the clearing. Thankfully she hadn’t opened her eyes yet, but her sense of smell got to her first, and then hearing, and she heard Luna’s voice. She sounded shocked! Excellent! Hysterians were known for being dragon killers, she shall play dead! Oohohohhho! Maybe she could demonstrate to Baldr some of her new tips and tricks she had learnt over the past two decades. She stayed put and kept listening in.

She found it adorable, Baldr sounded really afraid. Well, that was just a minor thing for this spontaneous plan. She hadn’t really died! And he knew that too. But Luna did. Somehow they knew each other, but the Nadder wasn’t really aware of the dire situation and how she was making this worse. Baldr hurriedly asked her to get up, followed by Luna saying she didn’t follow orders. Scratchet grinned on the side of her face they couldn’t see.

This would be a good cue, she could feel footsteps in the ground of someone coming near by. When she got close enough, Scratchet jerked and spread everything in one big rash action, to make them all jump. “BOO!” She cried, trying to scare Luna. Finally opened her eyes, she guessed the voice right, alright. She did her iconic cackle, more at the fact that Luna said she didn’t do what she was told, ever. Then she proceeded to get up as Baldr asked her to. She shook herself slightly, quickly tidying herself up before eyeing the situation.

Baldr began to adress Theraputix in the shadows. Her crest of horns perked in interest. Theraputix was here? She croaked a noise of glee, she was about to bound over him and bother him to make up for the 21 years of absence, but she felt something bristle in Baldr’s emotions. Her spines raised slightly before flattening again, and bowing her head slightly. Maybe not now then. She eyed Theraputix though. He was a marked man.

After this chaos died down a little, Luna finally asked what the heck was happening. But then she broke a rule. She called her ‘the dragon’. She raised her head and snorted, tail spines fully erect in disgust. But she had to behave, she was with Baldr! She had obviously caused enough trouble here anyway. She did remember that she was supposed to go for when the people arrived, but now knowing who they are, she wanted to play a little. She made a slight uncomfortable squawk though to signal Baldr she wasn’t happy about that, she didn’t want to be just refered to as a ‘dragon’. It didn’t make her feel special at all!

[Baldr Bjorg the Bonkers]

When Luna commented about how Scratchet wouldn’t listen to anyway and walked past him, he smiled slightly. He finally stood up and turned to watch her checking Scratchet. She asked him what was going on. He realised he was going to have to start of his stuff now. He didn’t really want to say anything right then, he didn’t want to go through this with Scratchet around. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust her or anything, it was just having an extra familiar face was going to make him so much more self-conscious.

He needn’t have worried though. Before he could answer, Scratchet decided that that was the time to come to life, jumping to life and shouting ‘boo’. The moment was very successful as far as Baldr was concerned, “Gods damn it, don’t do that girl.” She cackled and got up, preening herself and looking around. She seemed like she was about to do something but then bowing slightly, he didn’t know what that meant but he had a feeling that it probably was restraint from doing something bad…hopefully she’ll keep that restraint.

Baldr then noticed she was annoyed slightly, after a second he realised why. Luna’d called her ‘the dragon’. All Nadders are very prideful, and Rags, Rocky and Scratchet had been no exception, and Scratchet had always had added insecurities due to her stuntedness, so calling her ‘the dragon’ was something that would piss her off. “It’s okay girl,” he smiled at her and placed his hand on head and rubbed slightly, “You should go though, come back in like 20 minutes we should have finished what we need to do. Don’t mention any of this to anyone okay? I don’t want you or Luna to get into trouble for you guys seeing me.”

[Scratchet]

Baldr reassured her after Luna's comment. She lowered her head and came closer to get some more cuddles, returning a head nudge or two. She emitted a purr as Baldr told her to start making her leave now. "Okay Baldr," She started, eyeing Luna and Curtis. She had told no one about her past. It was her little secret that she was Hysterian, and this little revelation would surely cause an interesting reaction. It wasn't a secret she was willingly going to let loose of, but it seemed this turn of events had deemed this news to be known. Frankly, Scratchet didn't mind, as long as these two witnesses didn't start blarbing. Maybe she could play the assylum card and get away with a few tricks like that, if her position came to common knowledge. But she was certain the chief would call her a spy. Preposterous, she knew, but that guy was so high strung up on Berk's safety, he was bound to think crazy things. After all, what dragon would want to willingly work for Frothy?

"Alrighties." She squawked, returning to her natural height and flapped her wings a bit in a stretch. "I'll see ya later. Don't you DARE leave this island without me knowing! If you're not here when I get back, I'm going to make your buddies remember who I ammmmm~!" With that final sentence, she sauntered off into the vegetation. She trotted a little ways, excited and brimming with happiness. Baldr was here! Baldr was really here and he still loved her and gave her cuddles! She crooned happily as she looked back on what just happened. And then the memory quickly happened upon the arrival of the group. Her gait slowed slighlty as she thought about it.

She only just met Luna and Curtis on Berk. Since her time on Berk, to her awareness, Baldr had never set foot on Berk until this year. To her knowledge, they had never met prior. So what relation did they have? Did something happen on Hysteria during the time she was away, and Baldr forgot to fill her in? She looked back the way she came. She could see a little bit of the light of the fire in the darkness. She grinned, turning around and going back where she came from. Though she knew how far the sound of her steps travelled (she's tested this, for Scratchety reasons), so she didn't go right back up to the campsite. Instead she circumnavigated it and tried to get in earshot. Baldr said she had to go, but he didn't say she could listen in... Especially if he didn't know. And if she did get caught, Baldr knew her too well. He'd surely forgive her.

She had little idea she wasn't the only one eavesdropping.

[Luna Hieler & Ayer]

Luna watched in annoyance as Scratchet bounced around, causing choas. Scratchet made a big deal about being referred to as 'the dragon'. Luna rolled her eyes. She didn't want to deal with this, she had enough to worry about already. "You are a dragon" she muttered.

She did not speak as the hyperactive Nadder interacted with the others, but she was listening very carefully. It seemed that Scratchet had a relationship with her cousin, and Theraputix as well. She was very confused- Baldr had a lot of explaining to do. Luna observed Baldr's behavior with scrutiny. She noticed that he continued to refer to her by her Berkite name, it didn't sound right. But even more interestingly, the way he spoke to Scratchet was strange. His dragonese caused her memory to recall better times. Everything about the Baldr before her now reminded her of how things had been long ago. This wasn't the same man who'd attempted her murder.

Nothing about it made sense.

Scratchet eventually left the clearing, leaving behind a playful warning for Baldr. She couldn't help but wrinkle her nose at her cousin and the dragon as it made its exit. Good riddance, there was something wrong with that Nadder. Addressing Baldr, she asked "How do you know her name? Scratchet, I mean. Do you know each other?"

Turning to Baldr she looked him up and down. She hadn't gotten a good look at him in a few years. Chiefdom had not changed him much, but age showed. The familiarity was a little uncomfortable. 

[Baldr Bjorg the Bonkers]

He smiled as she nuzzled him, then she pulled away and agreed to go. He chuckled when she made her threat, “I wouldn’t dream of it,” he called out as she turned to leave. He watched her move out into darkness, he knew she was just joking, though it’s not like he would be testing her on that idea. He thought for a moment, there was probably no more that a third of the men with him old enough to remember Scratchet well enough to recognise her, and nowhere near that number would actually remember her.

He heard Luna ask him the question and he knew he needed to start talking to her now. He looked back at her. She’d changed so much since Ashaere had ran away from Hysteria, but he looked exactly how he’d hoped she would look when she grew up. He smiled gently, “I know Scratchet’s name because I was the one who gave it to her.” He paused, “I’ve got a lot I need to explain, don’t I? Mind if we sit while we talk?” he aim this at everyone. He sat back down where he’d been when Scratchet had appeared and watched at the other three sat down in front of him.

“I suppose I should start with some of the stuff we’ve been keeping under wraps for the past 20 years, it’s an easier place to start from and then from it get to what I need to say.” He couldn’t get himself to just talk about that yet, and she did need to know about her history, as it had been kept from all her generation. “We weren’t always dragon haters. When I was a child and Hrothgar’s father was still Chief, w¬e were probably closer to dragons than the people of Berk are. That’s why most of the adults of berk know Dragonese, because we lived with dragons.”

“But then we started go get civil unrest due to arguments over succession. Hrothgar and my mother, Tyra both had some legitimacy to be the next in line. My mother being a competent leader and the elder, Hrothgar by being…well male.” Hysteria was like most lands and their chiefship did have the male prerogative. “For the last few years of my childhood with dragons this went on, with certain sides getting violent and people were worrying that a full on war would break out when my grandfather died. But something happened before that could. The dragons rebelled.”

“It started when one of three dragon that had come forth to the Chief during a festival. I can’t remember why they’d come to him or what the celebration was, that information wasn’t something that needed to stick. What did stick was the sight of a Monstrous Nightmare out of nowhere roasting my grandfather alive right in front of everyone. Some of the men sprang to action and attack all three of the dragons, who then fought back.”

“From that all Hel broke loose. Both the Chief and my mother died in that, and Hrothgar got the whole island into an outrage against dragons. The problem was, you threaten a dragon, the dragon becomes a threat. I don’t know how, but my uncle was the instigator of all of this, because he played the island too well for it to have just been an opportune take over. Given all the things he did in the two decades of ruling Hysteria, all the thin-” the words got caught for a moment, “all the things he made me do I can believe he caused that first attack.”

[Luna Hieler & Ayer]

Luna was a little taken aback by Baldr's response to her question about Scratchet. Before she could respond, he asked everyone to sit. She gave him a long look, she was looking forward to some clarification. She was no longer fearful. Nervous, yes, but it was clear to her that Baldr had no evil intent this evening.

Theraputix came forward and sat quietly. Luna glanced back at Curtis and Ayer, who stood awkwardly, unsure what to do. She motioned for them to join her. Curtis sat next to where Luna stood and Ayer settled an arm's length behind them. Once all the others were settled, Luna sat, settling herself close to Curtis.  She gave him a weary look as he placed his sheathed sword across his lap. Shifting her weight, she crossed her legs, accidentally kneeing him in the side "Sorry" she mumbled. The healer in her responded by touching his side to make sure he was okay, but she realized that was silly and withdrew her hand. She looked at him with apologizing eyes.

She looked up as Baldr began. What he had to say was startling. If she had been foolish, she wouldn't have believed him, however, Luna knew a lie when she heard one. This was painful truth. Her heart wrenched as she listened to the History of her people. She never would have imagined Hysteria at peace with dragons, the thought was disorienting. "Why doesn't anyone talk about it? Even if they did, whats the harm in knowing the real reason for their hatred of dragons?"

The mention of his mother's death saddened her, even if she had died fighting dragons. He continued on about Hrothgar- her father. Her stomach turned as she learned about the terrible thing he had done, she didn't have a difficult time believing it, especially after the horrors he had committed against her in her childhood. She clasped her hands tightly, pushing away the painful memories.

Baldr mentioned being forced in his actions. Her curiosity was aroused, as well as her concern. She hesitated before asking "What did they make you do?"