Life on the Edge

4.04 Not Lout

With Spitelout's storehouse finally finished and stocked, the Riders find themselves invited- meaning ordered by Stoick- to attend the official opening.

"Hm. Pretty good turnout," Hiccup notes.

"Of course, it's a good turnout, Hiccup," Snotlout says smugly. "The people love the Jorgensons."

"Uh-huh," Ragnar says skeptically. "You sure it's not because Stoick made them show up?"

Snotlout scowls at him. "No! It's not."

"I mean, that's why we're here," Astrid says with a shrug.

Snotlout only scowls harder. "Stupid Hoffersons," he mutters, flying ahead on Hookfang so he can land on the island first.

"Was it something we said?" Ragnar asks with an 'innocent' smile.

Hiccup chuckles and shakes his head, leading the rest of them after the Nightmare. When they land, they see just how good the turnout for the event really is.

"Look at that," Snotlout says, gesturing at the crowd and still feeling rather smug. "All of Berk has come out to admire the Jorgensons' handiwork."

Tuffnut shakes his head. "Nah. Everyone's just here for the free food."

"Nobody comes to these things to admire anything," Ruffnut adds as she dumps an entire tray of meat into her helmet.

Stoick clears his throat to call everyone's attention where he stands in front of the building's doors. "In every Viking's life, there comes a time when you have to take a chance. Risk everything. Today, we celebrate a man who took the initiative. We now have a new off-Berk storehouse thanks to-"

"Spitelout Jorgenson of the great Jorgensons!"

Ragnar can't say he's surprised when Spitelout himself shoves the storehouse doors open so he's front and center instead of the chief. "Like father like son," he mutters as the crowd starts to cheer.

Snotlout doesn't even hear him. "Spitelout! Spitelout! Oi! Oi! Oi!" he cheers.

"Why do I have the feeling Spitelout's success is gonna go to Snotlout's head?" Astrid asks, arms crossed as they watch him run over to his father.

"Because it will," Ragnar says simply.

"Come on, guys," Hiccup says, lightly nudging Ragnar's shoulder with his. "Give him a break. He's just excited for his dad."

"Which is nice," Heather says. "Up until it's not."

Meanwhile, Snotlout finally makes his way through the crowd to his dad's side. "We finally showed 'em all what it means to be a Jorgenson!"

Spitelout raises his eyebrows. "We didn't show them anything, boyo. I did." He claps a hand on his son's shoulder and turns him around to face his friends again. "Look at 'em. All clamoring for Hiccup's approval."

Snotlout watches the others. He sees the way Tuffnut has his helmet balanced upside down on his head as the other Riders watch on with various levels of amusement.

"Working every angle," Spitelout goes on. "A Jorgenson doesn't ask permission to be great. That's the only reason we have this storehouse."

"Dad, I think they're just having fun," Snotlout tells him honestly.

"Oh, fun? A bit of silly time?" Spitelout asks sarcastically before his tone abruptly changes. "Sharpen up, boyo! They're kissing their way up the ladder. Thor only knows what they're saying about you."

Snotlout turns back to look at the others again, almost sure he can hear them talking about him as his dad's words start to sink in.

Spitelout wraps an arm around his shoulders. "Astrid? A Hofferson?" he scoffs. "I wouldn't trust her to sharpen my axe. Or that Fishlegs- he and Hiccup are as thick as thieves. And those devious twins? Nothing stings more than a dagger between the shoulder blades."