renegades, httyd

v. Reflection

renegades
chapter five

    I was the last to return with my dragon. (Which I was obviously very surprised about). Stepping back into the arena, I could hear the little baby Nadder squawk in her hideout of my fish basket. She most likely finished her food and was begging for more. Or maybe to be let out. I don't know how she'll react in being in a different environment than she had been. Would she freak out? Get spooked and fly away? I thought she'd just sleep, turns out she was very talkative. Which was just great.

    Revna smiled when she saw me, and I pursed my lips, giving her a small smile back. I held the basket tighter, nervous for their reactions. Especially when everyone started to frown when I didn't have a dragon walk in behind me. I ignored them for a minute, taking in what the others had found themselves. Speedifist indeed found himself a fast dragon; a Tidal Class dragon called the Windwalker. Long-necked, crocodile-snouted, spine-backed, and in an assortment of purple and yellow scales and pale underbelly; these dragons were smart, dangerous and great for fishing. Perfect for a speedster such as Speedifist, and most definitely will be an added annoyance. Beside him, Clueless nervously reared at the Hobblegrunt he picked who sniffed curiously at the scent of his tunic. So someone at least likes how terrible he smells. The halo-fin around his crown twitched as he tilted his head back and forth. Finally, Wartihog settled for just as he said: an orange and red Gronckle.

    I was most definitely going to be shunned for what I held.

    Eyes were settled on me. The Deadly Nadder inside the basket squirmed. Wartihog arched a brow. "Where's your dragon?" he asked me.

    I glanced at all of their expectant gazes. Astrid tilted her head; she knew the look I had on my face, and so I tried to avoid her eyes. Instead, I nervously pulled around the basket and set in on the floor. Glancing at Gobber, I opened it up and the baby Deadly Nadder leapt out. She squawked defiantly, flapping her wings at the other dragons. I quickly stepped in next to her, placing my hand against her neck━wondering whether that will comfort her. She looked up to me, and her tail began to wag as she recognised me. She squawked tenderly and jumped up onto my lap. Before I knew it, she settled herself against my studded skirt, tucking her head into her wings like a bird in a nest.

    There was silence; bewilderment for what I had returned with.

    Then, Speedifist laughed.

    "You were supposed to come back with a grown dragon, Estrid!" He sniggered. "Not a baby!"

    Clueless was very well ... clueless. He scratched his head. "I thought you said you didn't want a Deadly Nadder?"

    Speedifist doubled over. He wheezed. "Oh, gods, this is great! Best thing to happen all day."

    I grew angry. Finding a pebble on the ground from the loose stone, I chucked it towards him. He screeched and ducked out of the way. His Windwalker shrieked and bounded away. Speedifist had to run after her to tug her back. "Leave her alone!" I snapped. "She was defenceless and about to be eaten by Changewings━I couldn't just leave her there!"