Castiel had thought she had gotten away from Hicup easily without him spotting her. After all, she was more agile and certainly more fast and flexible than most vikings. But then again, so was Hiccup. Still, she figured with his metal foot on the dragons' slick back he would be slower. She laughed silently to herself as she hopped onto the back of another Nadder, only to hear him on the dragon beside hers. She looked up and smiled at him, pleasantly surprised he had been able to find her so quickly. She walked over to the edge of the dragon's wing and looked up at him, confused when he asked if she had been angry about him enter her space.

Why would he even think she would be mad at him about something like that? It wasn't even his fault. And, to be honest, even if he had done that purposely, she didn't think she would be angry with him. In fact, she had learned from their few hugs, that she enjoyed being close to him. So of course she wasn't mad at him! He was silly for even thinking such a thing would aggravate her.

Smiling up at him softly she shook her head as if to say no, it didn't make her angry, or even bother her, and though she didn't let him know anything else, it was clear that what he asked her was the exact opposite of how she had felt being close to him. It had made her very happy, something no human being had ever made her feel before. Hiccup really was one of kind.

It made no sense that she wouldn't be angry unless there was something more to the way she felt about him- more than just the respect the other villagers had. He'd seen it in her smile and disregarded it simply because he couldn't believe it could be true. No one had looked at him that way since Astrid.

He called for Toothless with a whistle and as the nightfury passed by under them he smiled at Castiel and then dropped onto the saddle. The black dragon carried him up through gaps in the flock and they circled around to drift close to Castiel. Hiccup extended one hand towards her: "come on." He encouraged, wanting her to climb on board. "Let me really show you Berk." She was fully healed now and he wanted to take her on a true flight. Without all the careful restrictions. Toothless rumbled in agreement because he knew how well a romantic flight had worked out last time- oh he'd let his human show her their aerial skill but once that was over it was fair game.

Castiel watched as Hiccup called Toothless over with a whistle and flew up before circling around to drift next to her holding out his hand for her. She didn't really understand why she would need to ride on Toothless with him for him to show her Berk when she had Aurora she could ride on, but Castiel also really liked the idea of being so close to hi during a flight. With a smile, she nodded and took his hand to climb up onto Toothless's back with Hiccup. She laughed silently and hugged onto Hiccup so she didn't fall off as Toothless took off with fast spins and turns, Aurora following them a little ways behind, though being sure to not interfere. She could defiantly see what Hiccup and Toothless were doing here and she was happy about the idea of her rider finally finding someone.

Though soon all the spinning an loops stopped and they were high in the air, higher than they had flown since her injuries, and it was a beautiful sight. She looked around in awe and smiled, content to staying up in the sky like this a long a she could.

Compared to the brisk winter air her body was warm against his own- her arms curled around his front and her breath near his neck. He kept his hands on Toothless’ saddle as they picked up speed, abandoning the rest of the flock for their own flight towards the shoreline before they suddenly dipped away from the land. The water was too icy to touch but Toothless skimmed close to it before corkscrewing upward- trailing droplets after them in a spiral pattern before leveling out and racing through columns of stone.

Once more they ascended, high into the cloud cover and Toothless suddenly spread his wings wide. Light flurries of snow seemed to still momentarily in the updraft and float motionless about them like stars. Up here the sun’s light shone off the clouds and colored the sky with beautiful hues. Hiccup smiled though he knew Castiel wouldn’t say anything about the scenery- she didn’t really need to. Gradually they circled lower in the sky, towards the coasts of Berk where the land was coated in soft blankets of snow and dragons drifted through the sky with colors so vast to break up the gray background of another bleak winter.

They landed in the outskirts in one snowy little cove with an iced over lake. Toothless took it upon himself to land in the center of said lake, testing the strength of the ice by stomping on it before rearing the two off his back and sending them sliding. “Toothless!” Hiccup struggled to his feet and took a hold of Castiel to help her up. The ice was slippery by normal standards but with his foot it was pretty much impossible. As soon as he shifted his weight he was falling backwards and she falling with him. Toothless made no move to catch him- just this once, letting Castiel land on top of Hiccup.

He smiled at her. “This is quite the predicament we have here, first I fall on you then you fall on me…” He drawled out of old habit, though if she wasn’t mad last time he doubted she would be now. “We really ought to do something about this issue of gravity.”

Castiel was enjoying the ride. The flight was amazing between the aerial tricks Toothless did ad then the wonderful scenery after words. It was truly fantastic. After a little while of flying though Toothless landed down in an icy cove and much to the shock of the riders on his back, he reared up, making them fall off of his back. Castiel gasped in fear, expecting to hit hard ice, only to land on something soft and warm. She blinked in surprise when he saw she had landed on none other than Hiccup and felt her face heating up by the predicament. Still, when she saw the slight smile on his face, she couldn't help but smile back, her cheeks a rosy red color.

She had a feeling Toothless and Aurora were both not only enjoying watching the two human trip over themselves, but had something to do with planning this situation from the way Aurora clicked in amusement as she nuzzled Toothless. Castiel looked over to give Aurora a look of suspicion before looking back to Hiccup and giggling slightly when he spoke about doing something about gravity. It was a funny notion, but if she could speak, she would say she didn't want to do something about gravity, because she didn't mind their predicament one bit. Well....maybe she couldn't say anything, but....

She considered the thought that just ran through her head and bit her lip, trying to think if that was something she could do. And for a moment, fear and worry of how he would react got the best of her. She didn't think she had the courage to do such a thing. But then the thought of letting this moment pass, and maybe even a chance to be with Hiccup slipping by hit her and worried her more than the thought before. She felt her face heat up more and she looked back at him before in a quick and slightly embarrassed movement gave him a soft kiss. She ended it quickly though and in her embarrassment moved to stand, only to gasp and slip once more on the ice in her haste and fall right back on the ice beside him, her face redder than ever.

The redness of her face wasn’t unexpected given the cold biting at their skin but the way she chewed her lip and tipped her gaze with worry in her eyes concerned him. Was she not as well as the healer had assured? Maybe him taking her on the extra flight had overdid it. He opened his mouth to speak but before he could her lips connected with his- she was gone to quick.

He scrambled to get up and stop her from leaving but suddenly she fell. He couldn’t hold back a small chuckle, features softening as he looked at her. “Castiel.” He leaned over to kiss her in turn- ignoring Toothless‘ gummy smile from where he was wearing it at the sidelines.

Castiel thought for a moment maybe kissing him hadn't been such a good idea. What if she ruined the only friendship she really had? What if he never wanted to speak to her again? As she layed there on the ice she closed her eyes tightly at that thought, until she heard him say her name. Opening her eyes, she looked up at him worriedly, though the soft look on his face seemed to tell her that her worrying had been over nothing. And when he kissed her, she was possibly the happiest girl in existence. Smiling under his lips, she kissed him back, wrapping her arms around his neck.

If someone had asked her just a year ago if she would be happy in a village full of humans, she would have laughed and told them probably not. But it seemed fate, and more importantly, a certain viking boy, proved her wrong. There was no doubt in her mind that as long as Hiccup was here, Berk would forever be her home and if Hiccup wanted her with him, she would forever be his.

...

Ava. That was the name of the strange viking girl who didn't really fit in. Not that people treated her badly. No, her 'father' would never allow it. Not to mention if they gave her any reason to leave then they wouldn't have their weapons as she was the one that designed them all. The only one who ever gave her trouble was her 'mother', whom she didn't even really call 'mother'. The young girl always just called her Gunilla like everyone else. She knew the woman disliked, maybe even secretly hated, her. But she never let it bother her. No, she was always too busy in the 'pit'. The pit was a dark place, hidden underground, where her father kept all the dragons they captured. There weren't many at a time. They were just used to transport their people faster. Or to use as bait for enemy dragon riders.

Her father said the world was changing. Evil people were riding these beasts and would soon attempt to take over everything. Dragon riders were bad. And they had to be stopped. That was why she made her inventions for her father. They would help get rid of the villains. Smoke balls that released black fog, stolen from the Smothering Smokebreath. Darts dipped with the venom of the Fireworm. Her own dagger which only she held, made to replicate the electricity of the Seashocker. And many more inventions that could prove deadly. Creating these things for her people was the only life she knew.

But, she wanted more. Ava was restricted to not leaving the village. She had never seen a battle. Never even been near one. She was too scrawny. The only thing she was good for was her brains. Yet, despite her weak body, she wanted to go out into this changing world her father spoke to about. She wanted to see it first hand. She wanted to have an adventure, even if it was a small one. Yet, her father never budged. He ever let her leave. She was a prisoner in her own village.

Her father left often with most of the men in the village. Usually when they did this they would come back with a few new dragons they would want her to get weaponry from. If one could say she did. No, she never went near them. She had people get them for her. She would tell them what she needed from them after observing them and they would get it for her. She never got close to the beasts. She was too frightened to. This time though, when her father left, her mother made an unusual request of her. Apparently, the man who always fed the dragons had fallen ill and they needed someone to feed the dragons. And she was telling her to.

"B.....But mother. Why not get someone else to do it. The dragons aren't too weak to attack someone like me, btu surely someone else could hold their own against--"

"Why are you always such a pain in my side! I swear if it wasn't for Einar I would have sent you away years ago. Now go do as I said or so help me I will lock you in that room of yours until Einar does return!"

And she knew the harsh woman was telling the truth. She would indeed lock her up, with no food likely either. So, with that threat, Ava slunk off, down to the pit alone, dragging a long basket of fish behind her as she entered, "Why does h always have to be that way?.....What could I have possibly done to make her hate me like this?" She sighed, "What could I have done to be so onfined for that matter. I dont want to stay here! I want to see what lies beyong the village walls! Surely it has to be more exciting than this place..."

She opened up the basket and the more she thought about it, the more she perked up with an idea that was crazy, yet inviting, "Maybe.....maybe I could leave!" She said quietly to herself, "Just for a few days of course, but....they would relize I was gone quickly. They'd probably drag me back...." She sat on the ground with a pout before perking up again, "But.....not if I fly out!" The expression changed momentary though from hay t fearful as she looked at all the dragons in their cells, chained up and shook her head, turning away from one side of the cells to grab the basket. She took some fish out of the basket, and being sure to be careful, she waited until one of the dragons she was trying to feed was turned before in a quick movement opened the cell and threw the fish in, as well as closing the cell before the dragon could react, "Heh, me ride a dragon? That's rich. I'm not even brave enough to go into one of the cells. I'm not near strong enough to control them either. They'd bit my hand of if I tried mounting one." She said quietly as she bent to grab more fish.

It was humorless that he should end up here, trapped behind cold iron and chained but something gave him the inkling that this was the tribe of their enemy. Perhaps it was the man himself (who he caught glimpse of on arrival) that strung a string in his memory, of another- large and strong with a thick hand that clutched around his wing and flung him away to sand and stone. One does not forget that kind of pain and those that inflict it.

Perhaps it was a bit strange that he sat around waiting for some sign and that tonight the great spirits had heard his request, sending him what he sought most. But he knew- with all the intelligence he had inherited from his bloodline that this girl would not remember him. To have been here so long around dragons and not to come back? There could be no other explanation. She was raised by the customs of this corrupt land and knew not of the dragons’ true colors. Another gift came to him though as he heard her words. She wished to travel away from here and that he could use but not in this form. He would use the deceiving ways of his mother’s ancestors to get her to come with him. It would be for her own good though. After all- he didn’t wish to sacrifice her too their spirits…

While painful to do so under these conditions he forced his form to shift. He was stiff but had not yet sat in these chains so long as for them to rub into his flesh. “H-hey.” His voice was a little rougher than he would have liked, probably from disuse or the small portions of water they were given- hardly enough to wet his mouth, really. “I heard you want to leave. I can help.”

Castiel bent down, grabbing more fish, before moving over to another cell. She threw the fish in quickly and closed the door just as she had done with other dragon moments before, only this time, as she closed it, she heard a male's voice speaking to her. he turned quickly in fear, to see in one of the cells not a dragon, but a young man. Out of instinct, she reached to her side and unsheathed her dagger, pressed a button on the side to have it spark to life, made from pure electricity. She wasn't sure what to make of this sudden appearance. How had a person gotten in here without anyone seeing him? And more importantly, what happened to the dragon that had been in the cell before.

A part of her mind came up with its own answer that the rest of her refused to believe. This young man had white hair and bright green eyes. The dragon that ha been in that cell had had white scales and bright green eyes. Yet, what she was thinking was impossible. Dragons couldn't transform into humans. That was crazy and unrealistic. But...the idea that they could just seemed so familiar to her for some reason. So familiar in fact that the impossible prospect of them changing like this seemed possible.

Very slowly she approached the cell, caution and a slight fear in her eyes, holding the dagger tightly by the hilt, "Who are you? And how did you get in here?" She asked in a stern voice she she normally wouldn't have at all, but one she mimicked from her father and mother and all the other vikings in her village. It wasn't natural for her, but it would make her seem less weak. Right? She hoped so anyway.

She paused at the offer he could help her leave and seemed to consider this, "You.....can help me leave? How?"

Blizzard tipped his head at the dagger, momentarily enthralled by its strange nature as electricity arched across the metal as it would a seashocker’s scales. But he’d seen a similar art of weaponry before- and as such he blinked away his stupid daze. How dare he become awed like a simple nadder… Fooled by a well crafted blade. He would stand but heeded his mother’s advice about humans and their unease around members of their own race that walked around without any extra skin covering their first. Not that he understood it but he did not need her running away now. “That’s what I said.” He confirmed with a bit of drawl as if she was a mere hatchling that couldn’t understand the obvious. But then he’d already told her he could help her, there was no need to repeat.

“I have another form.” He continued on a lighter note, tipping his gaze to look to one high corner of his cell- seemingly in thought. “I heard you say that you would like to fly away on a dragon but are afraid one would bite your hand off. In my other form I have no teeth though.” It was a half lie so technically… it was still a partial truth. He didn’t feel the least bit bad about it. “In exchange for my freedom from this cell, I can fly you away from here.”

"Another form.....so that means....you're a....." Dragon. A dragon that could transform into a human. She could only imagine all she could learn from such a being. All the inventions she could build with the information. But right now her mind wasn't set on what she could build or learn from him. No, right now her mind was set on his offer. He would fly her away from here safely if she let him go. She thought about this deal and decided after a moment of thinking through and finding things that could go wrong with her trip, to add something to this deal of theirs, "Okay, I'll take you for your word BUT, there are plenty of my father's enemies out there. Dragon rider's mainly. I don't wish to run into any of them. I'll agree to your deal if you keep me safe from the dragon riders."

She figured there wouldn't be much of an argument there. There were plenty of dragon riders out there, but what were the chances they would run into one? She figured slim. Taking her keys she unlocked and opened the cell door, awaiting for him to change back into his dragon form before she drew closer, as she didn't want to see anything by accident, and after looking to his mouth to see he really didn't have any teeth, she carefully approached him. It was a scary thing, being this close to a dragon. Her hand swere shaking as she reached out for the chains and went to work unlocking the chains that bounded the dragon.

Once she had him free, she very clumsily climbed onto his back, "Okay, well, it's late, so I think everyone should be in bed...we shouldn't have any problems getting out of the pit and once out, we'll be home free to fly off." She informed and had a nervous smile, "Just....uh...don't fly to fast.....or too high.....okay?"

With her standing in front of him with such uncertainty he still could not make the promise in the exact manner she hoped, not even to ease the expression away. He still remembered her as that little girl with the huge smile shaping those flat human teeth into something amazing- chasing him around that cozy home of her parents. He’d missed her like his father must have missed his tailfin. Because of that he could look her in the eye and promise something with confidence: “I will keep you safe.” It wasn’t the dragon riders he was worried about. He’d keep her safe from them but they would never hurt her- it was this tribe her worried about.

When she seemed satisfied with this response he shifted back, waiting patiently for her approach and exposing his bare gums to prove the truth of his previous claim. While it would be amusing to spook her, her hands were already shaking so bad that she may collapse in failure of her heart should he so much as make a sudden movement and so he was still.

So clumsy was she and he impatient with her movements. He rumbled deep in his throat at her foolish request and tipped his head in order to look back her with one eye. Casually he moved from the cell, pausing momentarily only to gobble up a few of the tasty fish she had abandoned in their path. How could he possibly resist? But he knew there was no savoring or completing this meal so after gulping down only a couple he slunk away from the remains and as they fell beneath the moonlight, dashed forward and leapt for the sky.

His wings scarcely made a sound as the snapped open and he caught a draft of the wind, carrying them higher on gentle currents. Drifting lazily like a small boat on a calm sea. He purred to assure of their security- this high up the dirty Vikings down below in that village, wouldn’t be able to touch them.

Ava shakily sat on the back of the dragon as he walked from the cell, nervously awaiting for them to get outside so they could fly off. The idea of being so high up int he air was a scary thought. Well, the idea of falling mainly was what she was afraid of. Once they were outside, she jumped slightly at the sudden movement of the dragon's quick run. She yelped, holding onto the dragon with her arms around his neck, eyes closed tightly as the two of them ascended into the skies. It left her heart racing and her body shaking, even scared to move or open her eyes those first few moment in the sky. It was only when she felt their flight smooth out and heard his purr that she slowly opened her eyes and looked around.

She had to admit, the view from where they were was amazing. Snow fell around them in flurries and the village by now was al gone out of the sights. This dragon really was fast. Faster than she thought he would be at least. Sitting up, she gazed around, "So....this is what you dragons see every day? Must be nice. If I had wings, I'd stay up here forever."

She had no idea where they were going. She had never been outside of the village before(as far as she knew anyway) and thus had no idea what might be a good place to go to or explore. So she figured she'd let the dragon take her somewhere he thought fitting. After all, he had to have seen may places, so she assumed he would take her somewhere nice and exciting. She patted his side with a still slightly shaky hand, "Alright, I don't really have anywhere I know I'd like to go, so...just take me where ever you think would be a good place for me to start off at in my exploring."

This early on into the experience he wasn’t expecting her to enjoy it. Blizzard had seen many humans take to the sky for the first time and few took to it very well. Most ascended with screams bellowing from their throats and arms clutching tight at the dragon. Had he known the times in which they were enemies first hand than he might have confused it for a stranglehold and a battle cry. This love of flight must be in her blood. He drifted onward over dark seas with a map marked by the stars and let the silent currents carry him with only a brief glance backwards in the direction from which they had come. He’d mark it in his memory.

For awhile their flight was without turmoil but about an hour in something in the air had changed. He’d dipped gradually lower as dark clouds accumulated in the sky and turned in the direction of land. Despite how badly he wanted to put that last island VERY far behind them he would not risk her so… foolishly. His body jarred as his feet hit the ground and his momentum continued as he carried them further inland. He stopped in a surrounding of ancient trees and warmed the earth with his fire.

No doubted she’d be tired. It’d be best they rest now and wait out the approaching storm. He lay down to signify his intentions, hoping she’d make some sense of it. Human could be very daft.

The flight was surprising.....soothing. She had thought she would be terrified of flying so high in the air, riding the wind currents on the back of a beast that could easily kill her or throw her off. But now being up in the sky, she felt.....at peace. She had never felt so calm, not even when she as working on her inventions. She wanted to hold onto this feeling for as long as she could.

But then the feeling changed. Maybe it was her viking instinct, knowing when a possible danger could be heading her way. And this time, the possible danger was not man made. The skies began to darken and the wind picked up ever so slightly. And she could guess that if it was dangerous to sail during such conditions that flying would by far be too dangerous to do during this. She brushed her shoulder length hair from her face as the wind began to whip it around and bent lower against Blizzard as he hanged direction and headed toward an island not too far away from them and she stayed that way against him even as he ran further inland to the middle of the island where the waves would have no chance of affecting them.

She watched with curiosity as the dragon blew fire to heat up the ground before laying down. She took this as a sign they weren't leaving any time soon and carefully slide off of hi back to it on the warm scorched ground. The warmth of it was comforting and she sighed as she lay back, very few droplets of rain reaching them through the thick over growth of leaves, "I could really get used to this. Its.....nice." Giving a yawn she stretched and rolled over to her side, getting comfortable, "Night Dragon Boy." And with that, not too long after her words, she peacefully asleep.

Regardless of how well she had taken to being around him- he saw sense in keeping his distance for a time at least until sleep had claimed her and her breaths had slowed to the rhythm of slumber. Soon the warm bed he made would cool as the brisk air continuously kissed the heat away. Drops fell steadily from the thick canopy as more water gathered at the top under an endless stream of rain. Blizzard snorted as a drop pegged him between the eyes and stood, plodding closer to Ava’s form and curling his tail carefully around her slight figure. So fragile humans were.

He lay again, daring to move no closer as he watched her sleep. What a reward the great spirits granted him- or was it a test? Or how Berk would be so happy to have the girl back. It was this thought that he used to squash the selfish desire to keep her out here with him.

The drops were falling faster though, penetrating the cover of trees and while he was reluctant to see how she’d react upon waking- Blizzard spread his wing and hid her from the elements by curving it over her. It was some what uncomfortable but knowing she was less likely to catch some awful human illness made it easier for him to sleep.

Despite the rain, Ava managed to sleep peaceful through the night. She was definitely aware of the rain fall as she slept, but for some reason didn't gt wet and wasn't bothered by any of the droplets that were sure to be falling from the skies. She was warm even. And though she was aware of these thing, it didn't make her think enough for her wake up. She just slept on until morning time came and when she finally woke up, she nearly had a heart attack, finding something was wrapped around her and covering her. She went into a mini panic, thrusting her arms and trying to get away from whatever had her and when whatever was over her lifted and she saw it was the white dragon from before, having wrapped his tail around her and covered her with his wing she sighed, trying to catch her breath and calm down, "Don't do that. I nearly had a heart attack." She said and shook head, moving to stand up once she was calm again, "Warn me next time."

Looking up into the trees, she saw sunshine peaking through the canopy and smiled, "The storm's gone, maybe we can make it a little further today?" She said, looking back at him. It was strange, how relaxed she felt around this dragon. Like she had known him more than just the few hours she had spent with him thus far. If she was honest with her, she was even more relaxed around him than she was with her parents and she barely even knew him!

Tilting her head to the side, she thought about this a moment longer before shrugging to herself, "Let's get going."

A stiffness had overtaken his wing and with the pins of needles of a sleeping limb it took a moment to realize it was being beaten against. Then even longer to realize why- he lifted it away from his attacker and stared blearily at her, discarding her complaint as he shook himself dry. It had gone better than he had thought it would, he hadn't woken with her metal tooth in his side. Once more he looked at her while stretching and noted that her breathing had finally returned to normal and suddenly she was eager to get going. He shook his head and sniffed the air which still smelt of rain but the sky was bright and inviting. Some breakfast was probably in order.

Again she spoke and he turned his gaze towards her, that seemed like an invitation to take her and as such he strutted forward, bucking his head between her legs and flipping her onto his back. Spreading his wings he breathed in the brisk morning air and shouted his greeting to nature with a bellowing roar which shook the moisture from the high canopies. Flicking his head with satisfaction he narrowed his eyes and boasted straight up, scattering leafs in their wake. He leveled out his flight at a couple hundred yards and looked out over the see before tipping his flight towards the north. Today he'd take her to a small village on an island some ways away. He wanted to spend more time with her before taking her right to the dragon riders. By that time she'd be considered one herself.

Ava hadn't really been expecting to just be thrown onto his back and showed it with a yelp as he practically flipped her onto his back, "Hey! I could've climbed on myself you know!" She said in a sort of mock annoyance, because even she knew it would have taken a lot longer for her to climb onto his back than it would have been just him putting her onto his back. She couldn't help but jump a little when he let out a very loud roar, covering her ears, "Men. Always have to show off, don't you?" She half teased before he took off. The take off still let her a bit a shaky. It would take a while getting used to them. But at least she wasn't screaming or clinging onto him any more. She just leaned forward to help with the ascending and soon they were off into the air.

As they flew she sighed, enjoying the crisp morning breeze and just the feeling of freedom this flying gave. It was fantastic. It was only a half hour into the light that her stomach began to protest though for something sustain it an she looked down at him, "Hey, how about we stop and get some breakfast before continuing. It might be good for keeping our energy up with all of this traveling." Once they had found a good place to land on an island she hopped off of his back and began to gather woods for a fire. Dragons maybe were able to eat raw fish, but she had to cook hers. So, once she had the fire going, she went to the water of a small and pulled out her dagger. There were small pools of water where the tide had come and gone leaving fish in these pools. Using her dagger, she turned on the electricity and shocked the water until all she had to do was pull the fish out. Grinning to herself, she walked back over to the fish and began to cook, humming slightly to herself as she did. Very soon she had her fish done while eating she looked over at the dragon, a curious look on her face, "By the way, you never did tell me your name. I'm Ava."

If at all possible- he thought he heard her stomach gurgle and a cackle of amusement vibrated from his throat in response. Leave it to Ava to wait until they were over open seas to decide she was hungry but then he couldn’t blame her, the excitement of flying with him must have dulled it up until now. And now she was trying to reason with him as if he needed so much to be convinced- he’d been hungry long before she admitted the same to it herself. Leaving the trail of lazy currents to cut his own path through the sky, he thought in all this that maybe he should be more baffled than anything because she was talking to him as though he wasn’t a mere beast. She acted so odd for someone that had grown up on THAT island. Where the Vikings chained their kind and studied them for their own sick gain. What would had become of him had he not left before that? But of course, he could have escaped at anytime so he didn’t have to think about the ifs.

Land greeted them at the end of his soft decent and he lifted his snout to the wind- tasting the air for Vikings. They smelt of metal and salt (on a good day). There was a settlement here but it was not near where they were now so as Ava played around in the kiddy pools he had taken flight once more and swooped his fill of fish from the sea. He returned in time to watch her ruin her own meal with fire, burning out the tasty juices and leaving the fish dry. This is what humans did though so he didn’t question it and instead watched her turn her meal over the flame. Once they had meant her qualification for overly dead food, she began to eat.

He was still expecting her to be distrustful and not so startlingly… open with him. As if she actually remembered they’d be close? He sat down on his rear hunches and shifted forms, leaning his hands forward against the sandy shore and smiling haphazardly at her. “That’s because you hadn’t asked nicely. My name is Blizzard.” He tipped his gaze towards the tree line and said with some consideration. “There is a human village on this island... They have shown little hostility in the past and it might be a good place for you to start your ‘exploring‘.”