we’re bloggers, it’s an occupational hazard

— Cressida Cowell, ‘How to Speak Dragonese”

Of course it makes what follows absolutely gut wrenching and brutal— like, genuinely difficult to listen to (if you’re like me and read via the audiobooks). But I’ll de damned if Cressida Cowell isn’t a gift to this world for what she puts into it through her stories.

Hiccup’s opening narration does not end in “this is the story of how I became a king”. It ends in “this is the story of becoming a hero… the hard way.” And that just speaks volumes— about the character of Hiccup himself, about the incredible life lessons Cressida Cowell presents in these books, and to how gosh darn good the adaption is in that it captured that essence and just… bottled it for a movie format.

I think about that sometimes. Don’t let people use you when no matter how much you do it’s never enough. Also if I recall correctly at one point they ask for a sturgeon dressed like Stoick, their chief. Don’t remember if Snotlout somehow finds that one but either way, that is hilarious but also kind of concerning.

Hiccup Haddock you are the level of melodramatic I aspire to be.

Astrid and “dragon”? Bitch her name is Stormfly and she knows her worth, have some respect.

I need my baby dragon fix. And Hiccup calling Astrid milady. And to cry when Toothless comes back and destroys that new tail.