punchandkiss | Ninth Viking Charge

[Astrid's gear is being held by one of her pokemon as it clicks on, to reveal the last few moments of a pokemon battle. Astrid is standing on the edge of the Saffron city gym, and in the middle, her Sentret, Fuzzball, bouncing in front of her as it faces off against Sabrina and her Alakazam. It looks like the fights been going for a bit, and Fuzzball darts forward at a shouted command from Astrid.]

[There's a gout of fire from the Sentret as it uses flamethrower, and the Alakazam collapses in a heap, leaving the Sentrat the winner! Astrid lets out a little victory shout, and across the arena, Sabrina just sits down in shock, her eyes wide.]

You beat me with a Sentret.

[Astrid is grinning as Fuzzball flits over and settles on her shoulder.]

Looks like it.

[Sabrina doesn't really acknowledge her at all, she's just staring at her defeated pokemon in a daze.]

You beat me with a SENTRET?

[More puzzled this time, and Astrid isn't grinning at this point, she just looks annoyed.]

Yeah, I did. Fuzzball's amazing. Can I have my badge?

You...beat me with a Sentret. I...just...I can't believe it.

[Astrid glances over at her pokemon and then back at Sabrina in an 'is this normal?' sort of way.]

Well, it happened, so I need-

[Sabrina suddenly hurls the badge and winnings across the arena with her powers, and Astrid has to dive to catch them.]

Just take it and go!

[Is shouted at her by the gym leader, who otherwise is still just sort of staring at her poor, defeated pokemon. Astrid makes a hurried retreat out of the building, snatching her gear from her pokemon as she goes. When she's outside, she looks at the screen and grins, but it's a bewildered grin.]

...So I got my Saffron badge. ...Is she always like that?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Honestly, Hiccup's pretty baffled, too--Sabrina hadn't been an easy battle for him, and it had very nearly been his second failure in the badge challenge. Just goes to show how serious Astrid was about her training... He's happy for her, though, so there's a grin on his face as he follows her out.]

That was great! I mean, it wasn't a surprise for me, but Sabrina's a different story. You might have been a little too prepared for her.

[Astrid just grins at Hiccup, but rolls her eyes at his comment.]

You can't be overprepared, Hiccup. Fuzzball's stronger than hers, it doesn't matter how much stronger!

[There's no such thing as overkill in Astrid's world.]

But uh...thanks for coming to watch. It was cool.

Sure, okay.

[It's more placating than sarcastic, but at least he's agreeing with her on the surface level! Just, uh... Yeah, he doesn't really agree. Safer than sorry may be the way to go, but wow he just watched that practice to the extreme.]

No problem. [He's looking a little embarrassed, though.] I've watched your other battles, after all. I just, ah... Thanks for letting me tag along, I guess.

[She knows that tone, Hiccup. But she just rolls her eyes.]

Hey, it's more fun with an audience anyway. Someone has to see my triumph, right?

[Biggest grin, and she flips her badge into the air, letting Fuzzball catch it.]

Of course! And what is a triumph without its rewards?

[Even if she already got a swag badge and things from Sabrina, that doesn't matter. He is talking about other rewards! Though now Hiccup looks even more nervous because wow, what if she says no, that would suck.]

Can I, uh, well, you know, take you out to victory dinner?

[Astrid is honestly a bit startled by that, and for a second just just looks surprised.]

Uh.

[She's a tad embarrassed, reaching up to scratch at her head before she nods sort of awkward.]

Sure. ...I'd like that.

Yeah? [LOOK AT THAT RELIEF.] I don't know Saffron City's restaurants as well as Goldenrod's, but everywhere I've been has been pretty good. I bet I can find a place. What are you in the mood for, food-wise?

[He hadn't...planned ahead too much. Didn't want to get his own hopes up, and all that.]

[Astrid has to think about it for a second, and then she grins.]

Well, if you're paying, somewhere expensive.

[Because all the teasing.]

[Even if she's teasing, Hiccup takes it into consideration anyway. He is planning on paying, after all--wouldn't be much of a victory dinner for her, otherwise--and if the place is more expensive, they probably have better food. Besides, if it's fancy maybe he can consider this an official date!

That would be exciting.]

Well, that does narrow down the possibilities. [He keeps his tone light, almost like he's playing along, but the gears in Hiccup's mind are turning. Still, that might require...getting dressed up. Uh. Did either of them actually have nice clothes?] Might have to give me more time to prepare, depending on just how expensive we're talking.

[No, no they did not. And this conversation took a turn somewhere she's not quite sure she followed.]

Well, uh. That's cool. Take as long as you need, I guess?

[Yeah, sorry, part of him is off in his own little world. Dating, wow! Girl of his dreams, wow! ...Wow!]

Sure, sure... Until then, though, how about a victory snack? [Because, uh, making her wait is kind of sucky, and he's realizing he's not sure how long this will take, it took him a freakin' week to get out of New Berk Town, seriously.] Can't let today go to waste just because I'm not prepared.

[Astrid can't help but snicker.]

I could eat.

Ninth Viking Charge - [video]

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