Long Time, No Talk. (Ossac/Horik)

[Horik Stormpike & Argent]

Time and Date:: Late morning - Very Early Spring
Weather:: Mildy Cold



    It was nice to see the snow starting to melt away, or at least watching it melt at the same rate a snail would move. The weather was still colder, but the sun was starting to get warm again as it usually did this time of year.

    Horik decided to get outside of his workshop for once in a lifetime. The winter was particularly frigid, so he ended up spending a lot of his time inside his workshop near the forge as he tinkered away with this and that. It was nice to finally be out and about without having a wall of ice and snow stopping you every ten feet.

    He was out by himself, Argent was being the typical nightmare he was and decided to sleep in again. Horik always had people complain that he never really trained his dragon right, but maybe lazy and settled is what Horik was looking for in a dragon? He just ended up getting that in a spitfire covered nightmare is all.

    Horik adjusted the fur cloak on his back as he walked along, hearing the remainder of the snow crunch beneath his thick boots as he strided forward. "I swear I need to move somewhere warmer. If that exists.." He muttered to himself out of self ignorance, knowing somewhere else in the world it was much warmer.

    Things were pretty quiet as he made his way through the sparsely populated area of the forest, seeing trees spread out around him as he walked through the large spaces between one another. Horik didn't have anywhere in particular in mind to go to, he figured he was just going to walk aimlessly like he always did on the island. Soon enough that aimless walking brought him to one of the open fields that Berk hosted. He took a look around before shrugging to himself and taking a seat on a small hill that rested itself near by.

    Slipping the cloak under hit butt, he sat down. He crossed his legs and took the small bag he had with him off and placed it infront of him. His hands rummaged through the bag before slipping out a leather-bound book he had managed to buy off of one of the traders only a few days ago. It was a story book of some sorts, but Horik hadn't read enough to actually figure out any kind of a storyline to it.

    Slipping his gloves off and placing them beside him, Horik fingered the edge of the book before opening it up and shuffling through the pages to find where he left off.

[Ossac Naegling & Calypso]

Ossac's morning had gone more smoothly than usual. Maybe it was the hint of spring in the air, but the sheep had been very cooperative, especially considering the conditions. Today, they had to travel a bit through the forest. he'd scouted a path with as few trees as possible, but they couldn't be avoided. He walked along the ground as Calypso flew about 10 feet above the sheep, giving a roar to get them back in posotion if any should stray. He had settled the flock in the valley for the night, and this morning they were working on moving back up the mountain for the afternoon. There was a feild they hadn't occupied for a while, and he was hoping the snow would melt as the sun hit that side of the mountain.

He noticed the sheep up ahead had begun to stray. "Calypso!" he called to his dragon and pointed with his staff to the ewes who'd gotten out of line. Calypso banked toward him, and Ossac felt the cold breeze they generated. He pulled his jacket tighter, fighting the windchill. The dragon's prescence scared the flock and caused them to return to the larger group. Ossac trudged on through the melty snow with a watchful eye.

Through the space between the trees, Ossac saw a human figure up ahead. From the distance, it was difficult to tell who it could be, but he spotted some blonde hair. Curiously, he shifted his path toward the stanger. He was sat down. He figured the guy might be lost and need directions, and if that was the case, he'd be happy to help.

He approached the figure, giving a glance back to his flock. Calypso was managing fine. As he got closer, he realized he knew this person. He definately recognized him. "Hello, there!" he called out to the person. Hearing his voice, the face turned around to look at him. Oh! he knew him for sure. They'd been in the same class at the dragon academy back in the day. What was it? What was it?!

He approached with a smile. He picked his brain, trying to put the face to a name... Horik! He'd always been far more popular than him. That made him slightly nervous, but that stuff was years ago, so he brushed it off. "Horik! Long time, no talk!"

[Horik Stormpike & Argent]

    Horik was deep into the book he was reading by the time he heard a voice call out from behind him. Horik raised an eyebrow and looked back to see who it was, at first he couldn't tell but as the person drew closer he smirked to himself. He marked the page and closed the book before standing himself up from his seat on the ground, shaking off the snow from his cloak for a second.


    "Its hard to talk when I keep myself locked up in my workshop and you're always out here with your sheep." Horik smiled as he saw Ossac stop infront of him. He held out his hand to the Shepard and smiled back, " How are you Ossac? Been forever since we've talked to each other." 


    Horik can remember Ossac pretty well from dragon training only a couple years earlier. They were never really two people to talk then, but that was probably because they were in different social groups at the time. So they just naturally didn't interact too much, but Horik couldn't see anything wrong with Ossac from past remembrances, so he assumed nothing was different now.


    Horik stood by as he listened to Ossac speak, he ran his thumb along the spine of the book in his right hand as he kept it at his side, his other hand resting on his hip as he looked to Ossac with a smile.

[Ossac Naegling & Calypso]

Horik extended a hand in welcome and Ossac reached forward, returning the gesture with a firm handshake. He briefly wondered if his handshake had been a 'good handshake' before returning to the subject at hand.

"Things have been great. I mean, not a whole lot of pain and suffering comes out of shepherding, but that's the way I like it. Simple." he puctuated the statement with a nod of assurance. Most villagers believed he chose to stay in his line of work because of laziness or even a lack of motivation, but it couldn't be father from the truth. He enjoyed simplicity. That didn't make him simple minded.

"How've you been, Horik? Still tinkering?" he remembered back in their academy days that he'd shown descent potential as an innovator of sorts. "Heh, I remember some of the modifications you used to come up with. Even now, pretty impressive." he let out a laugh "I was always a little jealous of all the attention you got from our classmates with those gagets! Something about you being around turned me into a shy kid." He gave a smirk "Of course, I'm past all that now. Not a whole lot of reason to envy popularity out here" he gestured widely, regarding the land around them with a smile.

[Horik Stormpike & Argent]

    Horik stood by and listened to Ossac talk. By the end of it, Horik was smirking to himself and giving a playful shrug of the shoulders to the shepherd infront of him.


    "Something about me made you into a shy kid eh? That doesn't have anything to do with the fact you love to sit out here with your sheep all year round." Horik remarked teasingly. "I mean, of course I drew the crowd in, who wouldn't want to see the crazy kid and his weird inventions right?" He gave a chuckle before tapping at his book idly, not really realizing he was doing so either.


    "But of course you should be over it. Even in the town, popularity can be a pain in the butt. I've dialed it down just a tad since the academy, if you couldnt tell already." He smiled as he gestured to himself, almost bowing as he did so. Horik stood back upright again and glanced out around them, he could see the odd sheep or too trotting through the snow. Horik had always seen the idea of being a farmer or a shepherd like Ossac, just a calm life. There wasn't any hectic ideas going through his head and his hands taking over to just build whatever. Horik wasn't exactly the type to be able to "Just relax". And he hated it too.


    "So let me guess. You're out here with your flock again, right?" He smiled again as he looked back to Ossac. "Must be a pretty relaxing, easy going life eh?"

[Ossac Naegling & Calypso]

"Ah well, I don't really consider myself shy." There was a pause. The statement clearly warranted an explination. "I love being out here, but sheep are no replacement for human interaction. It's probably what I miss most about it. I sacrificed normal relationships and everything for it. When I first started, it wasn't that big of a deal. My parents passed years and years ago and my grandmother who raised me only just lasted to the end of my days at the academy. When I chose this I didn't have much to leave behind. I regret the choice sometimes. I don't have collegues or friends or... a girlfriend... or anything..." his voice trailed off. He shrugged "I've managed to make things work. Calypso keeps me company. I wish I knew dragonese so we could communicate more, but we manage to understand each other pretty well."

Ossac nodded as Horik explained the popularity issue. He was right, popularity was something that seemed more useful to those who didn't have it. There had always been something... different about Horik's popularity though. He never became a jerk over it. That was the best way to put it.

Horik mentioned his flock "Oh yeah, oh yeah. Every day. Life of a shepherd for you!" He chuckled "Headed up the side of the mountain a bit today. Haven't been to the area in a while." He swung his head around to glance at the flock. They were making progress without him. "In fact, I should be getting back to them" he mumbled. He turned his attention back to Horik. Without thinking twice he asked "You wanna walk with me for a while? I could certainly use the company" he didn't answer immediately, so Ossac added "I mean, if you're busy you don't have to! I'd hate to inturrupt." but he hoped he'd accept the offer. It was true that he missed being around people and he wouldn't mind a conversation with Horik at all.

[Horik Stormpike & Argent]

    Horik listened to Ossac talk about his long gone parents, and more recently passing grandparents. It made him a little uneasy, not about Ossac himself, but just at the idea of it all. Horik never really thought about the idea of loosing either of his parents, though he was obviously aware that the day would come, soon or down the road though he didn't know. But he trailed himself away from the darker thoughts and listened to Ossac make comment about wishing he knew dragonesse. He was going to hold off his comments until the Shepard was done speaking.


    The mood lightened dramatically though when Ossac starting making the comments about being a shepherd. From what Horik could tell, being a shepherd was a really easy job, that or Ossac just had things down pat so well there wasn't a flaw for miles.


    Hearing the mumbled comment about needing to get back to the flock, Horik raised an eyebrow. He was about to speak before Ossac offered to have him come along with him, then saying if he couldn't that was okay too. Well, Horik had nothing else to do anyways, it was technically a day off for him to just doddle off somewhere. Plus he liked the idea of going for a walk and talking a bit with Ossac, he hadn't had a full fledged conversation with him, aside from now, since the academy years ago.


    "I would love to." Horik smiled as he gestured with his hand for Ossac to lead the way, and when he did Horik walked along with him. "And lets hope the mountain slope doesn't decide to be a twat today." He mumbled loud enough for Ossac to hear, not intentionally though but it was self humour anyways, and he saw the confusion of the shepherds face when he spoke, so he translated himself. "I'm always too busy mumbling at Argent I get used to mumbling dragonesse under my breath. Its a weird habit to be frank." He laughed as he looked at the sheep around them.


    "Oh and back to earlier. Don't regret yourself too much. So what if you don't have anyone to work around with, a dragon is more than enough company, at least that's what I've learned with my dopey dragon. And pfft. Oh well, no girlfriend? You'll find someone down the road, be hard seeing you fail at that."

[Ossac Naegling & Calypso]

"Great! Yeah, we're just headed this way-" Ossac grinned and pointed with his staff toward the flock and waved it in the air indicating a direction. He led on, making his way to the head of the flock as he listened to what Horik had to say.

He heard as Horik mumbled inaudibly beside him... almost in a different language. He knit his eyebrows. "Everything alright?" he asked with a concerned cock of the head. He listened intently as he gave an explination. "You... you speak dragonese?!" it wasn't really a question but it came out like that. His mind raced. He desperately wished he could speak the dragon tongue. Days got lonely with no one to talk to, but being able to speak with his dragon could change everything. "I'd give anything for you to teach me how" he blurted with a sideways grin. It took him a second to realize the gravity of what he was suggesting- Horik had his own life miles away from here. It was a silly thing for him to say. He tried to cover the blunder with more blabber "I mean, there's no way that's going to happen though! We both have stuff to do and I'm only in town a couple nights out of the month, I mean it would just be neat and all I'm just saying..."

He tried to change the subject back to what Horik had been saying about any regrets he might have. "Oh yeah, Calypso's enough for me right now, I don't need a girlfriend or something like that I'm not sure why I said that. The two of us keep pretty happy. I'll take the freedom for now, settle down later" he let out a nervous laugh "but thanks anyways"

[Horik Stormpike & Argent]

    Horik raised an eyebrow curiously, and then smirked when Ossac seemed to babble on, trying to gain his composure again in his language. Horik patted Ossac on the back and laughed a little when he finally seemed to regain himself again. " You know Ossac. Its not like I spend my time doing anything else that I actually NEED to get done. Its all things to keep me busy." Horik started up, looking ahead of them to the landscape infront, "I mean, as long as you hang around me, I wouldn't mind teaching you a thing or two. I can always head out here instead of you having to go to town all the time."


    It was true. Horik kinda wanted someone to be around him, sure Argent was there, but the nightmare seemed like he was half asleep all the time. Okay, not seemed, but actually is half asleep all the time. Horik had always had himself up in his workshop, occupying his time with some random project that may or may not work. Sure it wasn't fun to just screw around all the time, but the minimal human contact always got annoying, and a little tedious after awhile.


    After his comments about finding someone else, Ossac replied to them like he did his previous statements. Horik smiled when the shepard remarked about Calypso keeping him enough company, and that he would enjoy his freedom for now.


    "Mhmm.. The dragons are nice to have around for company. Though you can barely keep up a conversation with Argent half the time. But meh, settling down isn't on my list for a long time unless the absolute right person comes along. Not like my life would change much anyways if I found someone." Horik smiled as he gestured to himself again, "Doesn't matter who you attach to this, it will still be the same way as before." He gave a light shrug of the shoulders, "But such is such."

[Ossac Naegling & Calypso]

Ossac's heart leapt as he felt Horik's hand on his back. He couldn't help but crack a smile. It had been so long since someone was friendly with him. "That would be amazing! I don't know how well it'll work out, but I'll try and find you when I'm in town. You can teach me the basics, I guess" He didn't want to make Horik feel too obligated. They didn't know each other very well. It was really generous for him to offer to do anything at all. He turned to him with a wide smile on his face "And good luck trying to find me! I'm somewhere different almost every day. But I guess if you feel like taking a fly you might see me out and about"

Horik went on about his own dragon, Argent. He did remember the Monsterous Nightmare vaugely. He gave a nod at the comments and added "Calypso keeps me sane, for sure. I acatully wouldn't mind settling down but I don't see that happening for a while. First I have to meet someone and well, sheperding doesn't lend itself to an active social life"

There was a pause in the conversation. Ossac took an opportunity to give some attention to his flock. Calypso was doing well keeping things in check. He didn't have to worry much with her around. She was an incredibly reliable dragon. He hoped she didn't wear herself out too much though. He'd been hoping to go for a fly later.

Remembering Horik was there, Ossac rekindled conversation. "What's that book you were reading earlier?" he asked curiously.

[Horik Stormpike & Argent]

    Horik was happy when Ossac took his offer of teaching the shepherd dragonesse. Horik could see it being interesting, maybe a little amusing at times, but could be a little frustrating too. But that was to be expected when you were teaching someone a language they know very little, if not anything about. Horik can remember when he learned dragonesse, it took him quite awhile, but to be fair he also did it will very little help from other people. He learned it from whatever written stuff was around on it that he could manage from traders or other vikings. The rest of it was just talking to Argent for hours on end, slowly managing words out of the dragon. Maybe that's why Argent was always sleeping, payment for spending so much time with Horik whilst helping him out.


    The inventors attention was brought back when Ossac went off to tend to the herd briefly, seeing as how Calypso had everything under control, Ossac had little to do at this point. But soon after Ossac returned to the conversation, he asked about the book that Horik had been poking at earlier.


    "Hmm? Well.. I haven't been able to read too far into it. But from what I have managed to gather so far is that its a story set in some distant land far south of here. A place where deserts reach out for as far as the eye can see, and the heat is just as about as oppressing as the cold is here. " Horik looked up at the sky for a brief moment, not wanting to take his eyes off of the land infront of him in fear for tripping and falling, making an idiot of himself mostly. "Bout a small group of travellers and their stories as they crossed the landscape." He looked back to Osaac and smiled before looking back to the land ahead.


    "That's about as far as I have been able to manage into the book. I try to get to it whenever I have free time really. "

[Ossac Naegling & Calypso]

Ossac nodded as he listened to Horik's description of the book. "That sounds pretty exiting! I know how to read. My grandmother taught me. Haven't read anything in so long. A story? Almost forever. I think the only time I read a story was when I was very young. Before I started all this" he gestured toward his flock with his staff "Of course, I love a good story. Used to want to become a storyteller. That was... a long time ago though. I still think it would be neat though. Being in the center of town on a cool autumn night, fire blazing everyone sitting around, snuggled close to their loved one. Standing in front of them all, keeping them mesmorised with the story. I doubt I'd have the theatrics for it... or the boldness. Conversation, I can do, but narratives... I'm not sure. A good story brings people together. That's what I always liked about it, I think."

Truthfully, he missed reading, but books were expensive, and he had nowhere to store anything like that with his lifestyle. Besides, books were hard to get ahold of on Berk. It just wasn't the kind of thing most traders brought around these parts. It was more of a southern trade. "By the way, how did you get a hold of that? The book, I mean. Family library? or have you managed to find a merchant who sells them?" He'd be interested to find out. Maybe he could afford a book or two and trade them away again for another. Reading would certainly give him something to do on a boring afternoon.

[Horik Stormpike & Argent]

    Horik was a little interested when Ossac made comment that his grandmother had taught him how to read. He wasn't sure how many people on the island could read, but it typically wasn't a skill that everyone wanted to, or in that fact, needed to pick up. So hearing that the shepherd was able to read was interesting, just because it was, and beneficial because it could come in handy when Horik goes to teach Ossac dragonesse.

    He stood by quietly as Ossac continued on, explaining how he wanted to go and be a storyteller, but not having the right attribute to actually do it. Or at least that's what Ossac assumed out of himself. "Mhmm.. Stories bring people together, almost like music but not to the same degree. Stories are stories, everyone knows them, but only in their mother tongue of course. But I mean, its just a calm lifestyle, and enjoyable I would think too. Horik seemed to babble slightly, but he soon shut himself up and let Ossac continue on.

    "I know for a fact my family has very, very little books. My parents aren't exactly fans of the written language to be frank. Though my father would be more interested than my mother. But anyways." He paused for a moment and smiled before continuing on, "I manage them off merchants that pass by here. One of the merchants that come more regularly in the summer time tends to keep books on hand for me, she knows I'm a constant customer when it comes to them."

    Horik looked over to the sheep before tapping at the book in his hand again, "If you want to take a book off my hands every now and then, I have no problems with it. Long as I get it back of course. " He smirked as he brought his attention back to Ossac, "Meaning I don't want to find out that one of your sheep decided to rip it apart on you."

[Ossac Naegling & Calypso]

Ossac listened to him describe his book source. "Ah, well that's good to know! Let me know next time she's on the island, I'd love to see what she has to offer" if she was ever in town, he wouldn't mind make a day trip to see him. It would be interesting to take a look. He had very few possetions his name and owning a few books might be good.

But next, Horik made another generous offer. "Wow, are you sure?" He had a second where he paniked a little. Did he still remember how to read? Of course he did, it's not something you just forget right? He took a glance at the cover of the book Horik had. He could read it. He smiled. That was a silly thing to be worried about, he'd just hate to agree to something like this and then be unable to read. He couldn't stand the thought of the embarrasmment.

When Horik stated his condition, Ossac couldn't help but let out a laugh. "What? My innocent little lambs? Chew something up?!" his voice dripping with sarcasm. He reached down and scooped up one of the little ones who walked beside him and scratched it's head. "Well I won't say things like that never happen, but we keep it to a minimum, and of course, I'd take special care of something like that!"

[Horik Stormpike & Argent]

    Horik watched as Ossac scooped up one of the smaller sheep into his arms and make comment about keeping the destruction of his books to a minimum. He laughed and patted the sheep's head before taking another look about the area.


    "I'm glad to hear that." He remarked as he walked ahead by a few steps and looked back to Ossac again, "I feel like you'll be one of those people that will be able to really enjoy a book. Not like some of the other people that just toss the book aside and head off to break something." Horik started off, his tone kind of dying as he finished off the sentence. He looked to the ground before looking back up to Ossac and smirking before walking up to him, "You know what? Here. Horik held the book out for Ossac to take from him.


    "I want you to read the book first, then give me your thoughts on it once you're finished with it. Doesn't have to be in-depth details, but just what you liked and didn't like about it is all I ask." Horik smiled. It almost sounded like he was giving Ossac a book report, minus the writing bits thrown in there.