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[Lan Xichen please tie up your robes in a forge.

The sound of metal pounding on metal echoes out of the forge, and Sharpshot is the one who comes out to greet Xichen, scuttling out from under a table and stopping just a few feet in front of him, rearing back on his hind legs and squawking pointedly. Those buggy eyes might be fixed on the swaying line of fish and the dead bird. His tongue flops out, licks his eyeball, sucks back into his toothy little mouth. Hungry.

Sharpshot is about to pounce for that bird when Toothless fires a gentle blast at his feet, not near hitting anybody, but making a point nonetheless. Sharpshot squawks again and scuttles back into the forge, clawing his way up Hiccup to perch on his shoulders.]

Huh? [Hiccup sets down the hammer and looks up, smiling when he recognizes the other man and waving.] Zewu-jun, hi! Hey! What- What's all this?

[He has never really spent time himself in a working forge. If he needed weapons in the past, he commissioned them like a proper gentleman, not really venturing into dirty places in person. But after the invitation he's enthusiastic and eager to show his gratitude, so he goes right back in, losing some of that careful cleanliness he's been raised to uphold.

And after meeting Toothless, he's downright cheerful about greeting Sharpshot, delighted that this is another little creature that he assumes is a familiar of the forge.]

Hello there, small one.

[He's used to Toothless's manners and doesn't notice that the terror is about to lunge for the treats he brought until the bigger dragon gives his warning shot. As Sharpshot retreats, Lan Xichen laughs.]

Good afternoon, my lord. Will you allow this intrusion? I brought offerings for you and your young master.

[Of the two, Toothless is the lead dragon clearly. He smiles even brighter when he gets Hiccup's attention.]

I brought a gift. You treated me kindly yesterday. I wish to return that gesture as your neighbor.

Edited 2020-02-19 05:08 (UTC)

[At least he's learning to live a little.

Toothless beams at the visitor, dipping his head in something like a nod but is really more like a lizardy head-bob of greeting, and a few rumbles of dragon-y 'laughter'. Apparently he permits the intrusion. His gaze might keep flicking to those fish, though. Even a smart dragon is still a dragon at heart.

Hiccup laughs, stroking a hand along Sharpshot's scales to soothe his metaphorical ruffled feathers, happy to put aside what he's doing for the moment to receive their guest. Ah, the feeling of having a new friend.] Oh, you're giving him a title now? [He says with a joking, conspiratorial tone,] Careful, it's going to go to his head. [Toothless huffs out a sound and flicks Hiccup with his tail-fin.] Oh right, it already did, huh, Mr. Alpha?

[Sharpshot scrabbles down his arm and Hiccup sets him on the table, finally noticing the gift.] Oh, wow. You- you really didn't have to! [Apparently giving is fine but receiving flusters him.] At least stay for lunch with us, then.

[After hiding away, feeling that perhaps he might never want to come out of his room again, Lan Xichen is rediscovering that life has a lot to offer. Being forced into Geargadas had been a trial, but now he can say he has gained something important from it. Going into a forge to be greeted by dragons is an experience he never imagined he would have. And he's feeling pretty pleased with himself for finding gifts for Hiccup and his dragon friends. It feels like an accomplishment.]

Does he not have a title? He should. And you as well. A name of honor suits you... Although I suppose it is not common here.

[With how many times people have asked what to call him, he isn't sure another name would actually help Hiccup, even if it is one of respect. He pulls the food he brought out of the box, little dishes that he was told were popular and would survive the trip to the forge. It's relatively simple, but he lays it out neatly on a clean area nearby. Even if it is just a makeshift table, he makes it look as proper as he can.]

As you said, this is what a good neighbor should do. I have no wish to become a bad neighbor.

[Pulling out a small separate dish, he lays it on the floor with the fish he caught in it for Toothless. He keeps the little bird back, going over to Sharpshot at the work table.]

I did not realize you had more friends here.

It's- it's not really common around here, no. Or back home, for me. At least not for personal conversation - you'd use a title to refer to someone who isn't there. Like- my father was Stoick the Vast, but no one called him 'the Vast' to his face. [He makes a gesture with his hand, an exaggerated shrug, adds,] Prooobably because it was a crack about his weight, but- you know.

[He makes an aborted move to go take over the setup of lunch, but then realizes how filthy his hands are at the moment.] Uh- You, you don't have to do that! You're a perfectly good neighbor already! And, you're the guest here- [He darts over to the wash basin, rolls up his sleeves, and starts hastily washing up his hands and arms with a chunk of natural soap and the water left in the bowl.

Sharpshot crows happily at the man's approach, since he bears food, watching him with big eyes and turning in circles a couple of times out of excitement. Hiccup stifles a laugh.]

That's Sharpshot. He came through my mirror by himself somehow, a few months ago. It was a whole... thing. It's just him and Toothless here, no more surprise dragons.

Hm... I am used to one's title being taken as a mark of honor or affection. You are known by your courtesy name, but often we find other names for each other to show respect or to distinguish ourselves. Zewu-jun is such a title. It is somewhat more familiar than "Lan Sect Leader" for conversation.

[Yes, he is thinking in terms of giving the two of them somewhat more formal nicknames.]

No one has to, but I choose to. It is my pleasure to do so.

[Now that he feels more comfortable, the quiet authority is coming right back to him. He lays the bird down for Sharpshot with a small nod of appreciation, standing back with his hand behind him to watch the dragon.]

You call dragons to you without trying. No matter what you say, that is impressive.

[Once he's satisfied that Sharpshot is pleased, he goes back to the setup he attempted to make into a presentable picnic. It isn't nearly clean or formal enough to match a sect's standards, particularly the Lan's, but he's personally pleased because this is his first visit of this type. So for Xichen, it's a success. Despite being improvised, he still goes about pouring Hiccup tea with precision belonging to ceremony, moving a small cup close to the viking once it is full.]

Are all of the people of your island dragon masters?

Even naming conventions are different everywhere, I guess. [He laughs.] I- I get a lot of comments about mine. 'Hiccup' isn't a common name outside of Berk, I guess. [He works at scrubbing the grime from under his nails and getting clean enough to politely come to the table.

Apparently there's no arguing with him on this one, so while he looks mildly sheepish, he's not unpleasantly embarrassed. If anything, he's pleased - he's made a new friend, apparently. And Sharpshot has a new human to be fond of.

The little dragon waits just long enough to be considered polite, though his tail swishes, before he pounces on the dead bird put in front of him to start chowing down, rapidly and messily, like Terrors are wont to do.] Oh, I- I didn't call him, he just sort of showed up on his own. Somehow. We don't know how those mirrors work yet.

[Once he's tied up and shed his apron, Hiccup pulls a couple of chairs over to the table Lan Xichen is setting up. It's maybe not the fanciest picnic, but it's nice nonetheless, especially for someone more used to and appreciative of the simple things in life. After he pulls out a chair for his guest with a smile, he sits down in the other and picks up the cup of tea.]

We're not- masters, we just... live alongside them, and rescue them from hunters.

I admit, I have never heard of a name like yours. Or "Toothless", but I suppose there must be some reason behind it.

[He's happy enough to accept that as it is and not ask for any sort of explanation. If Hiccup wants to tell him where he got his name, that is up to him. It won't change his high opinion of him anyway.

The little dragon gleefully feasting on his offering gets a satisfied look, and he's still wearing that when he joins Hiccup at the table. He closes his eyes with a small nod that might be agreement, but is probably just Lan Xichen's way of not saying he thinks Hiccup can call dragons even if he doesn't realize he can.]

You rescue dragons. [That definitely sounds like a great fantasy to him.] And you live together in your city. How many dragons have you saved?

His teeth are retractable, I was a runt. [A pause, and Hiccup laughs sheepishly when he realizes that's probably not an explanation that makes sense.] We, uh, we call the runt of a litter a 'hiccup'. I was- I was early, and small.

[Which doesn't sound much nicer, actually. Meanwhile, Toothless is inching toward the fish, trying to mind his manners obviously, but watching it carefully.]

Oh, a lot- I couldn't... I really couldn't count. It's a good life, even if it's getting a little crowded on the island. [He smiles, starts making up a plate from the food he brought to set in front of his guest, because that's what you do when you have someone over.] What about where you come from? It must be interesting, all the- the cultivating?

[The way Lan Xichen's brow creases slightly at the answer says that it doesn't make sense. At least initially. When Hiccup explains, he isn't sure whether that name is cute or cruel. he decides that it must be intended as a fond gesture and smiles instead as Toothless eyes his meal.]

You don't have to hold back. It's my fault for not being prepared enough. I'll bring more next time.

[The question Hiccup asks surprises him into a laugh and he has to cover his face with one arm holding his sleeve to suppress it.]

You would find my home boring, I fear. I come from a quiet mountain. There are rivers and lakes, but I have never seen an island large enough to hold a city. Perhaps other regions have more exciting experiences to share. The Lan sect is known for musical techniques. We use instruments as part of our... magic.

[It isn't exactly right, because spells and talismans aren't quite the same as channeling power directly through music or swordwork, but it is close enough.]

Much of the day is devoted to studying and practice. Compared to this, it is very still.

[But it is home. He looks fond when he talks about it.]

[Toothless glances from their visitor to Hiccup just briefly, who gives him the smallest of nods, and then Lan Xichen will probably get a good look at why he's called Toothless - his teeth pop out, all at once, and he snatches up the fish to take to the corner.

Hiccup stifles a little laugh of his own.] I don't know about that. When all you know is mainland, islands seem interesting, right? When all you know is islands, the mainland seems just as interesting. [He's never really been out of the archipelago, before Aefenglom.]

That sounds incredible. You all play instruments? What else do you study? Does your uh, your sect have a lot of books? [Look they don't have that many books back on Berk. Not exactly a common viking past time, reading.]

[When Toothless flees with his prize, Lan Xichen lights up with an actual smile. It turns out a dragon is, in fact, still an animal when it comes down to it, and something about that is so simple and pure he can't even hide the warmth it makes him feel.]

Cloud Recesses has an extensive library. Education is an important part of cultivation, and strong minds are as valuable as strong bodies. Although I don't think that many students would call the hours they spend memorizing material incredible.

[School and homework are universally boring to young minds.]

History, natural studies, calligraphy, poetry, philosophy... we study to expand our understanding of the world and to find more refined ways of self-improvement. There is also swordsmanship, archery, and riding. Things that will be practical for journeys outside of the sect. If we were to one day visit a place like your island, I'm sure there would be countless copies of field reports and stories written about your home.

[Hiccup follows his gaze briefly with an exasperated smile of his own, shooting Toothless a look and telling him, nose scrunching up,] Quit making people think I don't feed you.

[With the dragons settled, though, he's happy to focus on the conversation. Zewu-jun's home sounds fascinating, and he leans his chin in his palm, attention on the older man.] I would. That sounds- well, it sounds a little like studying magic here, but- [But more extensive than any formal education he's ever had.] -more.

We don't have that many books on Berk. Not, not a whole library full. And most of them are about dragons, or stories about our ancestors. The- uh, other stuff, that sounds more like Berk. Weapons, and archery, and- well, we ride dragons, but.

Do you not study these skills here? The city seems quite educated and wealthy enough to afford it.

[Yup, he sure is coming from a different situation. But there is no malice or disdain in Lan Xichen's questions.]

Studying is important in all areas. Military tactics and history are important to know, but art also expands the mind and teaches us self-discipline and the natural laws of the world. If I had some of our texts with me, I would be happy to share them with you.

[Because it seems like Hiccup wants to know more about the other fields of knowledge beyond weapons and riding.]

Some things can be shared even without libraries. Calligraphy, music and meditation can be shared without too much effort. And they have uses in cultivation as well. Perhaps they can also be useful for magic done here.

I just- study spells, sometimes. I don't go to as many classes these days. History and tactics and art, though... I haven't, but that all sounds really interesting. [He's a little wistful here. It would have been nice to get to expand his horizons when he was younger, instead of only sticking to a trade and failing at weapons training.

He hums thoughtfully.] They could be. I've used a lot of things I knew before in my spells. Some of my people's language, symbols. I like to work them into my enchantments - they, they really make them mine. I think some other witches use music in their spells too. [None of it sounds like things he'd be good at, really, but perhaps in Lan Xichen's magic.]

Surely they must have some of those classes here.

[Why wouldn't they? He can't imagine any place not having lessons not only available, but mandatory--growing up in a sect is certainly different, it seems.]

If that is the case, then I shall try to incorporate my studies into magic as well. Perhaps that is something I may one day share with you.

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