"I'm gonna die five minutes in," a memoir by Robin Hood

[alionsheart]

Who: Robin Hood + Henry Mills + YOU (anyone interested in joining them, please do so on Days 4 or 5, let me know if you want a separate thread!)
Where: Random horrible spots along the trail
When: Sunday, August 31 - Thursday, September 4
Rating: Probably PG-13, will change if necessary
Summary: One man's desperate attempt to get himself and his companion(s) to a diner in Oregon
The Story:
Robin really can't believe this shit is happening. Robin wakes up on Sunday morning to something very absurd, with his clothing changed against his will, and talk of needing to make it to Oregon, evidently, by following this trail. He's aware by now that these things happen in Wonderland, and it would be a waste of time to insist that he should stay right here until everything sorts itself out.

The important thing is to simply make sure he has everything he needs to make it to Oregon safely, especially since he's looking after Henry during the journey. Once he's fairly certain he's gathered all of the necessary supplies at the trading post, and has everything loaded up, they get moving promptly.

The first two days aren't without their obstacles, but Henry and Robin work well together, and it's been filling a void in his heart, having Henry to look after when he's able to. He's not entirely sure what the end of their journey will ultimately bring, but they'll face it together, and he's confident they'll manage well together.

He's also more than happy to help others that might be in need; at least for the time being, they have enough supplies.

Comments

[no_eels]

This has been a confusing venture for Toothless, who doesn't understand where the mansion's gone and why everyone is in... funny little vehicles. Where's everyone going? But in the interest of not being left behind, the Nightfury has followed everyone on the journey. He can't fly, but he can walk much longer without getting tired. Hunting, too, is no true difficulty, though there aren't enough rivers with fish in them, if you ask the dragon.

When he catches a familiar scent on the cold, icy wind of the mountains — Henry's — he speeds up. Something about the scent seems off, making worry settle in the pit of his stomach. He smells like something animals might try to pick off.

Toothless speeds his feet up, nose to the wind like a blood hound, until he catches sight of the wagon, snorting before he trills. It's a call, of sorts. Are you there?

[alionsheart]

Robin's keeping watch outside the wagon while Henry rests. He's crouched beside the campfire, keeping himself warm, keeping an eye on things and hoping he might spot Regina or Emma at some point. He's not looking forward to telling them after the fact, of course.

Startling just a bit, Robin's eyes narrow in confusion. "Hello, there..."

[no_eels]

Toothless has helped start a few fires in these cold mountains. He appreciates the warmth they give, and the dancing lights. But his mind is more preoccupied, at the moment, than simply seeking shelter. The Nightfury keeps a close eye on the viking he doesn't recognize, coming closer with a few careful steps. He's not interested in a fight in Wonderland — are they even in Wonderland anymore?

He really has no idea. This place is just far too strange for a dragon to figure out.

After a moment, he trills again, and then sits down, trying to look as nonthreatening as possible.

[alionsheart]

Robin isn't the type of person to ever be immediately hostile unless his life - or the life of someone he loves - is being threatened. In this case, he quickly assesses there's nothing to worry about. He hasn't seen a creature quite like this before, but that doesn't mean there's any nefarious intent on the creature's part.

He smiles wanly, exhaustion evident in his eyes, but he relaxes nonetheless.

"Out here by yourself?" He's not expecting an answer really.

[no_eels]

Body posture is what the Nightfury relies on, and when Robin relaxes there's visible relief in his giant green eyes. Fighting vikings requires a lot of heat and energy that the dragon doesn't really have, at the moment.

In response to the question, he makes a loud, trilling noise. An indistinct, almost cat-like sound which seems to be an affirmative.

Or the best he can do, at least, aside from a direct nod.

[alionsheart]

It's quite cold out here, and Robin wonders if this little creature can manage to stay sufficiently warm; and how, really?

"You can come closer to the fire, if you need the warmth," he offers softly, with a slight smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. "Hungry at all?"

[no_eels]

Luckily for Toothless, he's from the North and that means his hide is thick and good for keeping out the chill, even if he doesn't look it. And failing that, he can make his own fires. Though he hadn't done much of that when the wagons were rolling through the prairie; it hadn't seemed like a good idea.

Still, the cold means that he doesn't feel very active. And it also means there isn't much food to hunt. Toothless hesitates only a second before he crawls forward on his stomach, pressing close to the fire. What warmth he can leech from it will sustain him for a while.

He looks at Robin, canting his head to the side before shaking it slightly. Surely the vikings don't have much food. That seems to be the case for many, right now.

[alionsheart]

It's true that they don't have an abundance of food at the moment, but Robin's own appetite - normally quite voracious - has been a bit stunted as a result of the physical and emotional fatigue he's suffered the last few days. It's not that he feels sorry for himself, it's quite the contrary: he's always thinking of others, thinking of Henry, and thoughts of the boy have him too worried to think much about eating.

"I can't eat much of my own meal," Robin admits, reaching for the small plate of food he's cooked for himself. It's just some potatoes and small scraps of meat, and Henry's had his fill for the evening, so he holds it out. "It's quite alright, if you're in need."

[no_eels]

Toothless just looks, for a long moment. It doesn't look like he'll accept, until finally he stands up and walks around the fire. He walks slowly, so as not to alarm the viking — just in case. But not slowly enough that it looks like he's stalking the plate of food.

He's been doing plenty of that, lately, although it's been stalking rabbits, for the most part.

His wide green eyes observe Robin for just a second before he takes some of the meat, like a dog accepting table scraps, chewing thoughtfully. Toothless isn't one to ignore food indefinitely, if it's pointed in his direction.

[alionsheart]

He understands why the creature might be wary, but Robin just smiles softly - if a bit wearily - at him, as though to encourage him further. If he can do a bit of good, slight as this is, then he feels accomplished for the day. He certainly hasn't felt terribly useful with Henry, because so much of the boy's current state of being is out of his control.

"It's nice to have a bit of company, I must admit."

[no_eels]

The Nightfury swallows his accepted scraps, looking at Robin for a long moment. Many vikings are looking drained, at this point, but this one looks different. Being worried is a heavy burden. Even Toothless knows that. It can make it impossible to think about anything else, and consume all of your thoughts.

Even if they're much more simple thoughts than a viking has, Toothless' mind is consumed with worry about where Hiccup is and if he's all right.

He makes a decision, flopping down on the ground next to Robin to provide some additional warmth. And something to settle against, if he'd like. The behavior is not at all dragon-like, at least from "traditional" dragons, and more like the behavior of a particularly huge Newfoundland dog.

He's given Toothless food, and that means the dragon is his friend, now.

[alionsheart]

Indeed, it's the sort of behavior he'd come to expect from a dog, or any other domesticated animal, but he's completely surprised when the creature tucks in close to him. Once he's near to him, Robin realizes what his intention is, and he's touched, truly.

The warmth is much appreciated, and Robin nestles closer after a moment, shifting to relax against him. He's careful, though, mindful of the creature and not wanting to hurt him.

"You're alright, I'm not hurting you?"

[no_eels]

Toothless is a sturdy creature — you have to be, to come from the area of the world that he does. Other dragons are usually much larger and heavier, and Nightfuries are sleek. They have to have something going for them, aside from their almost supernatural speed in the air. Robin's weight is nothing for him. He could even carry the viking in the air.

He trills quietly, to assuage any doubts in Robin's mind; he's perfectly fine.

In this way, they can keep each other warm.

[alionsheart]

It's the first time in days Robin can simply just be. All of his energy, both mental and physical, has been focused on Henry, and now that he knows the boy is on the road to recovery, Robin can truly let himself relax. So every tense muscle finally loosens, and he takes a deep breath, watching it linger in the air as a small cloud of white for a moment before dissipating.

"I'm looking after a young lad, he took ill yesterday, but we've gone through the rest of it, I think. He's not my boy; rather, he's the son of two people quite dear to me, but I care for him as though he were mine. And it's helped to have him around, in the moments when my ache for my own son is quite strong." He pauses, not sure why he's saying any of this out loud, really. "You're welcome to continue on with us tomorrow, if you'd like."

[no_eels]

He turns his head to listen to Robin, having noted the scent of Henry not too far away. Toothless remembers someone at the beginning of this whole thing, explaining that getting sick was to be expected. For some reason. While he can't say any of this has made sense to him, at least he's found a few of his friends along the way.

And made a few, it seems.

Toothless trills, gratefully, eyes wide. This whole thing has been largely lonely, after losing Hiccup and trying to find him again. Having some constant company sounds like a breath of fresh air.

[alionsheart]

Robin interprets those sounds as something akin to agreement, since the creature has reacted positively so far. Perhaps he's wrong, but he'll assume that until proven otherwise. So, he smiles softly, letting out a long, slow exhale.

"Good. We'll be glad to have you. And I appreciate your company this evening as well."

[no_eels]

Toothless gives Robin a gentle nudge with his snout in return, before laying down his head and letting out an almost gusty sigh. He's pleased to have found such good company — and company that wants him to stay, even! Not everyone he's met along the trail has been so generous.

He'll be content to lie here until he falls asleep, ready to wake up at the first sign of any trouble. But somehow, among these frosty mountains, he doubts any trouble will come from outside the camp. Everyone is far too cold.