Dated May 5, 2013

[talking_fishbone]

To say things hadn't gone as planned would have been both a gross understatement and, essentially, the story of Hiccup's life. Last time, it had ended with a dragon for a friend and, maybe, some interest from Astrid. Today, though, it ended with him covered in a splicer's blood and creeping towards the showers. Normally, he'd have just dove into the waterfall to get the worst of it off, but the feel of it was so foul that Hiccup had a feeling he'd do better with more immediate measures.

Hopefully, he wouldn't have to make too many explanations. No matter what the reason, saying hello to someone whilst dripping with all manner of filth never went well for anyone.

Comments

[followsthewisps]

"And I'd do a fine job of it, worth your money," Merida laughs, poking his uninjured side again. With the salve properly warmed between her fingers, she smooths a generous layer over in bruise, making sure she covers all the sickly yellow-violet skin.

The mention of actually learning his trade had her pausing. It would indeed be both useful and interesting to her, as well as to the island, what with the seemingly small number of smiths present. Merida can't help but wonder what sort of objections her mum would raise.

"I'd have to consider... And I think you'd have to consider learning to actually use the weapons you make with me, in that case."

[talking_fishbone]

"If only so I don't learn to shoot my eye out." He took a deep breath as he felt her smoothing the salve over his bruise. If only because he told himself it would help, he felt better.

"I'll show you how to make a sword and then we'll get a few swings in."

[followsthewisps]

"Let that soak all into your skin and don't put your shirt back on until it's decently dried. I'll make sure no cheeky lasses try to turn your stomach into washboard again."

She caps the jar of salve and wipes away the excess on her fingers, happy that they also cooled down the slight burns from the tea on her finger tips. Taking a seat to enjoy her own tea, she grins across the table at him.

"So, it'll be my turn to make you a worthy sword then?"

[talking_fishbone]

"Only as worthy as the one I made for you," Hiccup said, grinning wryly. He went over to another chair and sat carefully to avoid smearing salve everywhere.

"I don't think that's anything to worry about, unless Valkyrie's around to tease me."

[followsthewisps]

"That's a hard challenge, then. Feremaucht is a fantastic piece of steel,"she grins back, lifting her mug to her lips. Merida doesn't doubt that she'll take to the forge faster than she had with the loom, but even then, anything she could create in the next few months will likely pale in comparison to Hiccup's more practiced hand.

[talking_fishbone]

"When you make a sword for someone you care about–friends, family, whatever," Hiccup carefully didn't mention romance. "Then you're going to put your all into making sure it'll protect them."

He hoped that Merida understood that it meant he'd put even more effort into perfecting her sword than any one he'd made before.

[followsthewisps]

Merida smiles softly at him. It's admirable how he cares for his friends in such a way that he makes them the best for their safety.

"The island must be full of your master works, then."

[talking_fishbone]

"Only for people who ask it of me. I wouldn't force a sword on someone who didn't want it." He paused and added, "Or for someone whose father forbade me to give the four-year-old a sword for everyone's peace of mind."

[followsthewisps]

She laughs, not needing much to guess who's child Hiccup is speaking of. "Normally I'd point out that I was four when I was gifted my first weapon, but I think our wee neighbor can wait a bit still."

[talking_fishbone]

"Yeah, but at four years old, none of us were Reynald," Hiccup reminded her. Not that he really thought Reynald was any kind of threat, but he would abide by Robb's request.