1. video/action

[henrydaniel]

[Henry had to figure out a way to ask for an artist without actually letting his mom know what he wanted. He had to be vague, and though she knew a little about what he was doing, he didn't think she knew that he was having a real actual book made for. Which was why Henry's face appeared on screen and he gave a little smile and wave.]

In case you don't know me, I'm Henry. I'm looking for someone who can illustrate. You know, like a kid's book or something?

[Wow, this was not shaping up to be subtle at all, but he figured as long as Regina was still surprised by the finished product, it was okay.]

If you can, it'd be great if you could get back to me. Or you can find me in room 27 on the eighth floor. Thanks to anyone who can help.

Comments

[action]

[no_eels]

[Toothless hasn't, as yet, learned to take advantage of the communicator which rests in a pocket of his harness. Though he does occasionally hear things from it, his presence on the eighth floor is due to a different concern. Hiccup is gone, and Toothless has been looking for him. In vain, as yet, but the dragon is hopeful.

And more than a little miserable.

He's snuffling along the hallway, sniffing at the floor and walls to try and catch Hiccup's scent, when he picks up on Henry's voice through a door. Rumbling, he approaches it and lifts a paw to give it a sort of slap. He's seen vikings doing that, around here. Maybe it will get Henry's attention, if he's inside.]

[henrydaniel]

[Henry looks up from his video, disheartened by the lack of replies. He doesn't know how he's going to finish this piece of the present for his mom, but maybe he can go to his grandfather for help. Maybe magic can do it. Even if it comes with a price. He's distracted from his thoughts though by a noise that isn't quite a knock and looks up, going to the door. When he opens it, boy is that the surprise of his life. He's learned the dragon's name by way of Snow, so he grins.]

Toothless!

[There's no hesitation either as he reaches out to pet the dragon.]

I missed you. Robin said he saw you when I was sick. A lot of...weird stuff has happened since then. Sorry I haven't seen you.

[no_eels]

[The Nightfury gives a pleased little trill in response. Both to the petting, and Henry knowing his name. He's glad it's finally made some of the viking circles here in Wonderland — playing charades is tiring, and not everyone is very good at it.

He tilts his head to the side and closes his eyes, quite clearly asking for more attention now that he's found someone who doesn't seem to mind giving it.]

[henrydaniel]

Did you hear me talking? Wanna go to the kitchen?

[He needs a break anyway from video games and maybe being alone.]

I read a little bit about what you might like to eat, and I figured it would probably be...meat right?

[no_eels]

[Toothless' answer is a loud trill of enthusiasm. The Nightfury is always game for going to the kitchen with someone. And eating. Constant food is one of the perks of being here. Of course, now that Hiccup is gone, it's dulled somewhat in luster.

But he'll never refuse a trip. Or meat, for that matter.]

[henrydaniel]

[Locking up his room, Henry walks with Toothless out toward the kitchen, and he wonders if he should update him like he would any other friend. It can't hurt anything.]

My dad came to Wonderland a few weeks ago. And my birthday was a couple days ago, but I don't think it matters since I won't get any older here.

[no_eels]

[He walks along next to Henry at an easy, matching pace, his relaxed gait a great deal like a big cat. When Toothless mentions his birthday, the Nightfury gives a soft trill, eyes bright and alert as he looks up at the young viking. He knows that word. Hiccup's said it a few times, in relation to himself and Astrid, and he'd made it sound important. Whatever a birthday was, it was important. And it had happened a few days ago?]

[henrydaniel]

[Smiling, Henry looks over, one hand moving to Toothless's head, patting lightly.]

We didn't do anything because...everybody was singing songs? And that was kind of weird since my moms don't like each other very much. At least right now. So being in the same room seemed like a bad idea.

[That actually hurts Henry more than he lets on, he really wants his parents - all three of them - to just get along. But he knows there are a lot of adult things going on and a lot of hurt feelings. He would feel guilty making them feel guilty. And he wants them to be okay because they really are, not because of an act they put on just to make him feel better.]

[no_eels]

[Toothless has an inkling, at least. Dragons are sensitive like that. Possibly because Hiccup sometimes never lets onto what's really troubling him, until it bursts out of him and Toothless is his audience.

He gives Henry a gentle nudge with his snout as they walk, rumbling. Perhaps what was bothering Henry's parents would work itself out with time.]

[henrydaniel]

My dad...died back home.

[Henry isn't sure how much Toothless understands, but he seems to understand enough, and Henry can talk to him in a way he can't really talk to any adults. And so it doesn't really take much time at all. Henry is just sad, has been for a few days despite the birthday things that had wound up happening, low key as they were. He's sad for Regina, sad for Neal, sad for Robin. He's worried about Emma and her getting too much blame just for trying to save someone's life. It's all...a lot.]

I'm trying to spend time with him here, while I can.

[no_eels]

[The Nightfury rumbles, eyes wide. He remembers someone else saying that they'd died and come back. This is slightly different, but it's close enough that Toothless can wrap part of his mind around it. Even if the conclusions he comes to might be slightly incorrect.

Toothless rumbles a bit louder, in sympathy. He fully understands the important part of this conversation — that things are rough for Henry right now.]

[henrydaniel]

Thanks, Toothless.

[Henry isn't even sure what he's thanking him for. Just for listening. Because he's pretty sure dragons don't have to do that, but he thinks he has a friend in Toothless. And he's glad for that. When they make it into the kitchen, Henry opens the fridge and pulls out the first thing he thinks Toothless might like. ]

Steak. Do you like it raw or...should I cook it?

[no_eels]

[Just looking at it makes the dragon's stomach audibly grumble, and the dragon makes a noise which seems to be a no, green eyes locked on the piece of meat that Henry's retrieved. Steak isn't as optimal as fish, but it'll do very nicely.

He opens his mouth, exposing his short teeth, and trills like a begging dog.]

[henrydaniel]

[He has his answer and grins, though he does find a knife to quarter it so it isn't so big. Once he's done though, he figures the 20 ounces probably could have been handled well by the dragon.]

Okay, here you go. Piece one!

[How exactly do you feed a dragon? He holds out the meat, then lightly tosses it in his open mouth, hoping that's the right way.]

[no_eels]

[Toothless snaps the quarter of steak out of the air eagerly, chewing with a truly pleased expression on his draconic face. Wonderland truly does give him lovely meals. He makes little mumbles in the back of his throat as he chews, and the quarter is easily devoured.

The Nightfury opens his mouth back up, tongue lolling in his mouth. More?]

[henrydaniel]

[Pieces two, three, and four came one right after the other and Henry grins.]

Are you full, or do you want anything else?

[At this, he opens the fridge doors wide so that Toothless can see inside.]

[no_eels]

[As Henry will learn, here, the answer to that question is always yes. Toothless chews down his steak with as much pleasure as he'd eaten the first quarter, catching them like a winged seal as he rumbles. When the refrigerator is opened wide, though, the steak is already forgotten as he pads forward to stick his head inside.

He closes his jaws around a huge tuna fish — likely imagined there by the dragon — and then drags it out to feast on it, trilling happily.]

[henrydaniel]

So, you really like fish. Now I know.

[Henry gets out some food for himself, leaning against he counter and eating a large sandwich, already constructed.]

Thanks for finding me, today. You can come over any time you want to.

[He has no idea what all they can do, but he just really likes having Toothless around, a lot.]

[no_eels]

[Toothless looks up from his half-decimated fish to trill, pleased by this idea. There are long stretches that most of the vikings he knows are busy, or occupied with other things; tracking down Henry is definitely going to happen a lot.

Especially if they both raid the kitchen. Henry has the excuse of growing, but Toothless is just a walking stomach. He did all his growing a long time ago, for the most part. Everything else that changes now is going to be slow.

Unless he eats so much he turns into a balloon. That could happen quickly.]

[henrydaniel]

[Henry doesn't always have anything else going on. He has his moms and his dad but...as a red-blooded teenager he doesn't really want to hang out with them. He likes Robin and Hook, but they're kind of some times boyfriends to his moms with complications. And his first friend his age, Bran, disappeared. So it's not like Henry is doing anything else, and he's happy to just hang out with Toothless.

Even if Henry is a growing kid, he's still a bottomless pit so yeah, he can spend a TON of time just eating with Toothless.]

Hey...do you think you'd want to explore the outside of the mansion with me? The rest of Wonderland?

[Maybe with a dragon, Pan would leave him alone.]

[no_eels]

[The Nightfury gives a few soft sounds in return, ears perking up. He's seen some of Wonderland from the air, but not all of it. There does seem to be a lot of it to explore. Someone had said that there was no end of it, but that had to be nonsense, didn't it? The vikings said you could fall off of maps.

Sometimes vikings just say strange things, Toothless thinks. Maybe it helps them to feel mysterious, somehow.]

[henrydaniel]

Good. There's this...well, he looks like a kid, but he isn't. His name is Peter. I'm pretty sure he wants to hurt my family but he pretends he doesn't, so I haven't been going outside because I don't think he ever comes in.

[But really, Henry can't do this forever, just avoid the outdoors. The forest, fine. But he doesn't want to be wary of even going to the gardens or exploring the checkerboard hills or any of that other stuff.]

[no_eels]

[Toothless growls softly in response.

Henry is very much a viking that the dragon treasures, and the Nightfury won't stand for anyone threatening him. Or his family, for that matter, although Toothless isn't one hundred percent positive who they are. But still, if they're important to Henry, then he'll stand by them, too. Whoever they are.

He gives a soft little snort. No one's hurting Henry on his watch.]

[henrydaniel]

His name is Peter Pan, just so you know. And thanks, Toothless.

[Henry grins and reaches out to actually hug the dragon. He very well may be the only outlet he has, the only consistent friend.]

[no_eels]

[Henry's answer is another soft little snort, as Toothless closes his eyes. He puts up no resistance to the hug. Unlike some of Hiccup's hugs, which are to garner sympathy or lighten the mood, this is a hug for a specific purpose, and it's nice to feel that he has a weighty friend here in Wonderland.

Toothless' kind might live alone — or they might not, as a last of his kind he isn't sure — but this Nightfury isn't prepared to.]