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Yup. There indeed was New Berk. What started as a little blot on the horizon, was quick to turn into the silhouette of an island. Tuffnut watched Ska'i's eyes light up, taking everything in. Outposts were everywhere, as were landing pads. And there seemed to be more dragons - some without riders - flying around, then there were bugs and birds in the sky.
Tuffnut found himself enjoying taking in her sense of wonderment; it was like she didn't know where to look first. Everywhere her eyes went, there was someone doing something. Sheepherders, yak milkers, and farmers gather food together. Meanwhile, others unloaded them from wagons, into their baskets. Gobber was working on something in his smithy, and Gothi threw something in her pot to make it explode a bright green mushroom up in the air. A short line had already gathered, waiting for her healing touch.
It was all very odd. "Everyone's busy, today," he mused. "It's not even Snoggletog."
"I did tell my dad we were coming," Hiccup confessed. "I guess that didn't stop anyone from preparing for winter."
The dragons followed his lead, choosing to land in the middle of the village. They dismounted, and everyone shouted out a "hello!" or a quick wave, then hurried back to their business. More than a few curious eyes stared at Ska'i, then double-took when she wasn't looking. Tuffnut was wary and suspicious at first. But then he noticed the stares and occasional whispers were more out of curiosity than anything else. Nerves began to get to Tuffnut a little, thoughts such as What if they don't like her? Then instantly a second voice came in Well, I don't care. I like her, and that's all that matters. Then he realized if he was feeling this nervous, and these thoughts invading his mind, he couldn't imagine what Ska'i must be feeling and thinking. He immediately reached for her hand. Despite her bright wandering eyes and friendly smile, he could feel the slight tremble as she gripped his hand back.
Stoick approached Hiccup, welcoming him with a, "Always good to have you home, son!"
"Thanks, Dad," Hiccup clasped his father's forearm back in greeting.
"And this must be Sky!" Stoick boomed.
Hiccup corrected him before Tuffnut caused trouble for himself. "Ah, it's 'Skaa-ee,' dad."
"Oh! I apologize," and Stoick reached out a giant hand. "Ska'i," he corrected himself.
"Sir," she greeted, letting his hand dwarf hers. Tuffnut had almost forgotten how much louder Stoick's laugh is than his voice, as the very ground beneath him shuddered. "No, please, call me 'Stoick.' Especially if we're going to be allies." With a wink, he added, "Eventually."
"Uh now, Dad, we don't know that for sure," Hiccup intervened. "As I wrote, Ska'i technically doesn't have an official say -."
"Ah, I know son!" He clapped a hand on Hiccup's shoulder, buckling his knees. "Just trying to remain hopeful, you know! At the very least," he turned toward Ska'i. "I have the great honor of hosting the daughter of a chief!"
Another commotion cut a small cheer short, as a crowd of people headed to the ocean.
"What's going on?" Hiccup asked his dad, wariness in my voice.
"Hmm," Stoick studied the shoreline of the high cliff-like hill they were all standing on. "Appears that our new trader has finally reached our docks, son."
"What?"
"A new trader?"
Ska'i stayed silent. Tuffnut made a mental note to fill her in, later.
"Why don't we see what this one's made out of then, hmm?" Stoick suggested. They followed him, the chief cutting a path through the crowd like a rolling stone in a still, shallow creek. Ska'i kept hold of Tuffnut's hand, not that he made any attempts to let go of hers.
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