☾ nightfury at the gates (open)

[no_eels]

Who: Toothless and you.
Where: Outside the mansion, pretty much anywhere.
When: 6/23
Rating: This is a kid's movie! (G. I'll update if it changes!)
Summary: Toothless arrives back at the mansion without any memory of it. ...'Arrives' is probably oversimplifying it. 'Crashes' is more accurate.

The Story:

It's funny, but Toothless doesn't remember hedges in Berk. He doesn't even know what a hedge is, in fact, but the shape in front of him strikes him as Viking-made. Plants don't actually grow like that, do they? Is he on some weird new island where the plants are different?

All he remembers is flying — and then not flying.

Speaking of which, with a quiet cry of alarm, the Nightfury lurches to his feet. Hiccup! Was he thrown clear? Where is he? The area around him is large, and he can also smell — is that a beach, maybe beyond the treeline? For a moment, he stands unnaturally still, trying to pinpoint the sound of his best friend's voice. But all he hears are unfamiliar voices, and the rustling of wind through trees. It only makes the thrill of horror in his chest greater, and Toothless immediately sets off at a run.

Or he tries to, at least.

His thoughts being as distracted as they are, his mad dash is foiled by the fish pond being in the way. The Nightfury plunges, unintentionally, underneath the surface, and comes up with wide green eyes, scrambling for the shore amidst the frantic movements of fish beneath him. Such is the gravity of the situation that the fish don't even factor into his mind, just yet. He comes back up on land and this time sets off at a much more successful run, soaking wet and wings tucked tight to his body for greater speed.

Every once in a while, he lets out a loud, long, distressed sounding call — sort of the dragon version of Hey! Where are you? With the speed of his movements, hopefully no one will find themselves in his way.

[ooc: Both prose and action spam are fine by me.]

Comments

[stillplaying]

She pauses at the cry, immediately reaching for the bow carried over one shoulder. The noise is unfamiliar and it's that unfamiliarity that causes chills to run down her spine. It's the result of too many years of watching the Hunger Games on television. From encountering muttations within the arena and Capitol herself.

Something strange and unfamiliar can't ever be good.

Especially when the sound comes from the direction she had been heading. She had a few traps set up for fish in the pond that she still needed to check on. And with two squirrels already caught for the day, she's almost tempted to ignore the area completely.

She's not Prim. She's not good with animals. Doesn't even like them all that much -- except as dinner.

But, curious and stubborn, she continues in the direction of the pond anyway - her arrow notched and ready to fly if need be.

[no_eels]

Those fish traps may or may not be looking good. One of them might be attached to the Nightfury, in fact, though Toothless hasn't really noticed yet. It's not the only thing attached to his tail, after all, and his thoughts are on other matters. Like still not seeing Hiccup anywhere.

Normally, an armed Viking would be something that the dragon would take special notice of. Armed vikings are to be treated with care. But Toothless is distracted by peering through the woods that he can see, as he trots along, and so he manages not to see Katniss until he's running headlong in her direction and — wait a minute!

A call is squashed in his throat as he skids to a halt, eyes wide as he takes in the unfamiliar-looking girl. Toothless adopts a wary stance, ready to run back in the opposite direction if this thing goes sour. He's not looking for a fight, or else he might have displayed something far more hostile. Right now, he's just looking for his friend, and hoping he hasn't found a village like Berk used to be.

[stillplaying]

Her eyes widen when the creature comes into view and she stops dead in her tracks. She's never seen anything like him before. Her breath catches in her throat and her grip on her bow weakens. For a second, that is, before her fist clutches the grip so tight her knuckles are white.

It's not like a mutt she's seen before. Not like the lizard creatures that chased her in the sewers beneath the Capitol. She wishes she could forget them. Forget the sound of their hissing voices as they cried her name down the tunnels. This animal hadn't sound like that. The lizard, the mutt, the whatever it is.

But it's still enough to get her to falter. To forget to pull her bowstring back in defense. The memories come rushing back instead. Memories she wants nothing more to forget. Is this thing here to kill her like the ones in the Capitol had killed Finnick? Killed most of her team?

If it is... it's nothing she wouldn't deserve.

She doesn't attack. Instead, she stands there watching, the fear and trauma clearly reflected in her eyes.

[seekingbrother]

That distressed cry is hard to ignore, and Al slows in his regular daily run to look toward the source, shielded from sight by several large hedges. It can't be something to do with an event, there hasn't been any announcement, but that certainly didn't come from any human throat...

Frowning and with a determined set to his features, he sets off down the path towards the commotion. Hopefully it's just a very unique newcomer to Wonderland, but if it isn't...well, he'll be ready.

[no_eels]

The longer and longer it takes to find Hiccup, the more worried Toothless is. Falling from the heights they typically soar is no joke. If Hiccup had fallen from his saddle, well... it would explain his entrance to this strange island and its very strange lodge.

Even without his wings, fueled by panic, Toothless is like black lightning as he streaks along the ground, running in a way that is distinctly cat-like as he pounces over hedges and finds paths, trying to find Hiccup's scent.

No luck so far, but he does catch Al's scent, already well within viewing range as he skids to a cautious halt.

[pottershotter]

[After the last event, James has really been itching to get out as stag. It was strange one, and not entirely unpleasant, but he doesn't like when Wonderland messes around with his memories, and he definitely doesn't like not having control over his animagus abilities - he worked hard for those! Plus there was something just wrong about being able to talk as a stag.

That, and there were some things he really needed to think about, and taking a stagly walk on the grounds was a good way to avoid that completely.

But suddenly, a very black (and very wet) blur rushes by him, and he startles and leaps out of the way. It doesn't immediately dawn on him what it was though, so once he's calmed down from the suddenness of it all, he turns and barks loudly in its general direction - sort of a stag version of Hey! Some stags are trying to go for a stroll out here without being run over, thank you!]

[no_eels]

[As a dragon, it's sort of expected that the local wildlife will do everything in its power to get out of your way. A large stag is a nice meal for a Monstrous Nightmare, after all. Toothless doesn't typically go for anything other than fish, but he does make a note of the sound being carried after him.

Why is a stag barking at him?

It does distract him, at least temporarily, from his panic. Toothless skids to a halt, turning smoothly on a dime to look back at the curious creature. He rumbles loudly in the back of his throat, as if to say, What?

Normally, this is where the other animal flings itself away in terror.]

[disparage]

When Caroline had lost Toothless, she had lost one of her first companions in Wonderland. She hadn't thought she'd be lucky enough to see the dragon ever again, deeming Wonderland a cool, albeit, cruel, place to find herself trapped within. She hadn't understood why Toothless had been returned home, either. He was a soothing presence with Wonderland, taking to creative methods to express himself where he hadn't been granted a voice. She had tried her best to not think too hard about his absence, despite feeling it the days when she realised how lonely she felt with the recent loss of a few of her friends.

But when she's out and about in the gardens, having done absolutely nothing worth mentioning, she pauses when she hears a cry from the distance. As she has nothing better to do — and quite likes to follow dangerous and unusual sounds, rather than continue along her way to the mansion where she knows it's reasonably safe — she investigates, following the sound of the cry and the movements with an ear pressed to the earth.

Unfortunately for Caroline, however, the being responsible for the sound collides with her the moment she picks up on a scent and a fast approach. "Oof!" She falls to the floor, but wraps her hands around the rough and dry skin. When she glances up, her eyebrows rise, the breath seems to have left her (despite already being winded by the collision), and she grins — and perhaps tries to pinch Toothless, somewhat. "Toothless!"

[no_eels]

He really should be paying more attention to where he's going. But he's not. He's skittish and panicked and thoughts of Hiccup falling keep repeating over and over in his head. But the broken record does get knocked off the pin when he collides with a pretty blonde viking who...

...knows him?

Toothless is taken aback, freezing in place and staring down with a quizzical expression. Her scent isn't one known to him. He's never seen a viking dressed like her, either; he's pretty sure.

Not quite sure what to do, the Nightfury rumbles in confusion down at her.

[ripstides]

Okay, so true story, today he's actually doing his best to mind his own business. He hasn't been on the network much because he's devoted the last few hours to training in full-body leather armor. He doesn't need it, not yet, but he doesn't want his body to forget what it feels like to move with it on. A lot of the time he doesn't have it to rely on, like on a quest, but since he has the time to strap it on, he does so. As much to teach his students how to wear it as it is a reminder. He's all packed up for the day and ready to head back to the mansion when he hears the kind of inhuman roar ( or growl? ) that a demigod never forgets.

Like the genius he is, he drops his bag and pulls Riptide back out of his pocket. He has the pen uncapped and transforming into a bronze sword in seconds while he bolts towards the noise, undeterred by the sound of whatever it is charging and picking up great speed. Percy sees the dragon moving way too fast in his direction almost too late and has to roll out of the way in order to dodge being trampled, but the sword never leaves his hand. He's obviously experienced in moving around with a blade without losing an eye or stabbing himself in the gut.

Since when were dragons a thing? He hesitates, if only because there are all kinds of creatures in Wonderland, but he's prepared for the worst. Not all monsters are like Mrs. O'Leary.

[no_eels]

Not many things he's seen in Wonderland are familiar to the dragon. He's never seen a lodge like the one that juts out of the ground, completely painted rather than colored by its wood, and the giant bushes are a completely mystery. So is the forest, which is full of trees that Toothless is unfamiliar with, judging from the smells of their pollen.

But vikings with swords?

Those Toothless knows well.

He's relieved when Percy rolls out of the way, fully extending his claws to deftly turn and face the viking, wings up and extended alongside him. For a second, he was hopeful. That mop of hair is familiar. But the young viking isn't, and his armor isn't of a style that he recognizes, either. Toothless knows he should keep looking, but he's not eager to start a fight. Maybe the vikings around here know where Hiccup is. Maybe they can lead him to his friend.

Taking a deep breath to recharge himself after his dash, the Nightfury blinks at Percy and rumbles, low, in his throat, like a curious dog or cat. His eyes are wide, nonthreatening, as he watches to see what Percy is going to do.

[oversight]

It's not that uncommon to come across large game in Wonderland - relatively large, that is - but when Blake feels that telltale rumble under foot, he always tenses. With a very large crocodile on the premises, he'd be crazy not to.

Of course, what he expects to see and what he does see are two totally different things. Breathlessly, he raises a hand to wave at the dragon, but then thinks better of himself. Is it Toothless, or is it some dragon that looks remarkably like his friend? Honestly, he's ambivalent about taking the risk... until he sees the poor creature stumble.

Under his breath, he curses his inability to let things be and moves off the track he'd been on in order to head the dragon off at the pass.

Pushing out into the dragon's line of sight, he holds up his hands and says, "Whoa, Whoa, hold on there before you go hurtin' yourself. It's okay..."

[no_eels]

It isn't, not really, but Toothless does indeed skid to a halt rather than let his momentum carry him straight into the viking, or past him. He stares, wide-eyed, as he pants to get some of his breath back. Toothless isn't known for his brilliant decisions when he's fueled by panic, but they're always from the heart. Just as when he'd thrown himself into a cage match to defend Hiccup, he now finds it hard to think about anything other than where his best friend is.

But this viking is intriguing. Not many try to slow down a Nightfury at full charge. He eyes the man, to see what his next move will be, wings furled tightly at his side, tail lashing behind him.

Action

[seekinghome]

Ed had been out to take a walk and have a break from studying in the library, when Toothless barges by.

"Whoa!" He's been missed by about a millimeter and he staggers because that's some speed with accompanying wind that had been built up.

[no_eels]

Toothless barely notices, at first, with how much he has on his mind. The Nightfury is, however, looking for a person about Ed's size, and the sound of him staggering makes gears twirl into place in his mind. He whirls around in a wide circle, at first disappointed that this clearly isn't Hiccup — but then curious, because perhaps this viking has more information than he does.

He sits down, making a rumble in the back of his throat that might be a cautious apology.

[kickassqueen]

At first, she wonders if the cry she hears might be some wild animal in the woods. Other than visiting the Resistance hide out, Charlie has made a concentrated effort to avoid stepping into those trees. It's not that she minds the outdoors - they're just too spooky for her tastes. Plus, wild animals. Who knows what their diet consists of?

The cries continue, though, and they sound less like something on the hunt and more like a creature who is upset. This has her cautiously leaving the mansion, relieved when the sound doesn't come from the creepy woods in the distance.

Turning a corner, she comes to a complete stop when she sees the dragon. Fear has her freezing, her mind screaming at her to run in the other direction because it's a frakin' dragon, Charlie, are you uber crazy. Unfortunately, her body isn't cooperating and she ends up just gaping at him.

Real smooth, Charlie Bradbury. Real smooth.

[no_eels]

Gaping is, at least, non-threatening, and when Toothless cases the garden and doesn't find Hiccup, he has to slow down just to gauge where he should go next. The surrounding forest looks very large and it might take him some time to cover all of it. A lot of time, maybe. Time that Hiccup doesn't have.

He's quiet, trying to listen for any cries of the young viking, when he notices Charlie standing there, staring at him.

She isn't armed, at least. Is she? Toothless scrutinizes her for a moment before he simply sits down and stares right back at her, ears perked forward as he tries to figure out what the red-haired viking is doing, exactly.

[freewill]

Castiel's patrol of the grounds is as much a way to keep an eye out for possible dangers as it is something he does to gather his thoughts. And there have been a lot of thoughts to gather, ever since Dean failed to show for their planned talk after the resistance meeting.

Dean's always so contrary. He demands the truth, and then refuses to hear it. It may be nothing more than needing to wait a little longer, for Dean to be ready to listen to what he has to say, but Castiel's not a patient creature and he's also having a harder and harder time keeping this all to himself.

When that call rings out through the area, Castiel immediately forgets all about that and springs to attention. This is what he needs, a distraction, and so without much hesitation he tracks down the sound and finds a large, black-scaled dragon racing through the grounds.

It's frightened, it's lost, and by Castiel's estimation it's only just arrived. He would have noticed this sort of thing sooner. He lands a few feet to the beast's side, and approaches it with the kind of caution required for such an ancient creature.

[no_eels]

Toothless' head is a bunch of frightened thoughts, stirred into chaos, but knowing that he isn't alone in this strange place is a good thing. There had to be vikings around, of course, to build such a strange hunting lodge, but he hadn't seen any when he'd crash-landed. What he's assuming is a crash-landing, of course, because what else could it be?

This viking's attire isn't anything he recognizes. He looks for weapons, out of habit, before he slows down to a cautious trot, trotting in one way and then another with nervousness. Toothless makes a quiet rumble in the back of his throat, not sure what to make of the vikings' approach — are you friend or foe?

[mph]

[ The Night Fury might have the speed advantage in the sky, but on the land no one is faster than Speed. It's all in the name, that's why he chose it. He's dashing around the grounds, trying to find a way out or anything at all that might be useful, when suddenly he zips to a stop right next to the distressed beast. ]

Woah, you're a dragon.

[no_eels]

[It feels almost like a breeze, at first. A very curious, violent breeze, and then — and then suddenly there's a viking next to him. What in the...

Toothless makes a surprised noise akin to a squawk (thankfully Hiccup isn't around to hear it, or he'd never hear the end) and lurches to the side a few steps, following it up with a growl just to save face as he eyes the viking in question. Where in the gods had he come from...]

[tellingthelies]

Lying Cat is prowling around the grounds, munching on a rabbit she caught earlier and generally minding her own business. Then she hears that roar.

That does not sound good.

Lying Cat knows animal sounds. That was a roar of distress, not a roar of anger or aggression, or even a hunting call. Somewhere nearby a large animal is in distress.

Lying Cat's moral code doesn't usually include helping total strangers, but then again, she's had to rethink her code while here. There isn't a single familiar person in this place, and if she wants to survive this world, she needs to make friends. That means helping strangers.

She picks up a bit of rabbit leg she hasn't finished yet and bounds off in the direction of the roar. She spots the dragon soon enough, and her eyes widen at the sight of it. She's never seen a dragon before. She sort of thought they were myths. This one's oddly small--all the stories say that dragons are anywhere from the size of buildings to the size of a Timesuck. Honestly, she's glad. She doesn't want to deal with something the size of a Timesuck ever again.

The dragon is running wild through Wonderland, so Lying Cat falls into stride alongside him, though she stays about twenty feet away. Wouldn't do to accidentally get into a fight with him.

[no_eels]

A small cat is a sight that Toothless isn't all that familiar with. He knows the smaller wild cats and the tufts of fur that they leave on plants, and he knows how they smell. This smell is similar, but... different. When the cat gets into stride with him as he runs, Toothless slows his pace just a little and looks to the side, confused.

The little cat is running with him?

What's going on, here?

Why is all the wildlife on this island so strange? First a deer that smells like a viking, and now this.

Too curious not to, Toothless finally skids to a halt, green eyes wide as he takes in the creature. Nothing in his body posture is all that threatening, and not even his tail is lashing as he sniffs at the air.

[halfwinchester]

<sub>[After last month and the circumstances surrounding damn well nearly drinking himself to death, Adam's been outside more often than usual, at least a few times a day to walk the dog, and sometimes on his own. He's been near death in Wonderland before, but it's a bit different when you do it to yourself and use one of your favorite crutches to do it. He's needed different ways to burn off energy that aren't... sitting inside and drinking alone. (Not that that was a very fun hobby to begin with, but it'd still eaten up time.)

Adam is lucky enough--or unlucky enough, depending on your perspective--to be outside on a rather aimless strolled when Toothless happens to start streaking around on the grass. He's followed the forest's treeline along the outer wall of the head maze and is crossing the grass to get back to the path when he sees it.

It. Whatever that black comet on legs happens to be. What the...?

Adam has to stop and squint extra hard before he recognizes the creature for what it is. He knows that dragon. In fact, Toothless is the only dragon he knows.]</sub>

Hey! Hey!

_{[Sure, Toothless isn't a dog a person can just call over, but the dragon's sure acted like it in the past.]}

Where you going?

[no_eels]

[It's an unusual question for a viking that he doesn't recognize to ask him. It stops Toothless dead in his tracks, and he turns to look at Adam with a questioning gleam to his giant green eyes. Where is he going? He has no idea. Anywhere. Somewhere with Hiccup, hopefully.

Somewhere he can find Hiccup.

Because right now, the viking is nowhere in sight, and it's making him anxious. But he does lengthily pause, now, to take in the sight of Adam. No armor, just like the other vikings he's seen.

He makes a loud sound in the back of his throat. What do you mean, stranger?]