[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/200123/bcaa8b3399dd09b06e4e4e08dac499e3.png[/img][/center][hr][hr][center][b]LOCATION: New Berk[/b][/center][hr]
[indent]Steven made note of that odd look, but instead of bringing it up right away he listened quietly as Hiccup continued the tour of the empty village. Steven sort of wanted to kick himself in the head for using his powers with no explanation again, but- He didn't [i]have to[/i] when he was at home. Everyone already knew and accepted it there, there was no need to feel weird about.. being.. [i]weird[/i]. But this wasn't home, so- [i]Ugh,[/i] we get it, y'know? It's this frazzled brain of his. Stupid, stupid, frazzled brain.

The chief's enthusiasm for the tour was quick to return, at least, and.. It was a bit infectious. As Hiccup continued to eagerly name names as they got close to said person's house or their place of work or whatever, Steven had a little smile on his face and got a vivid picture in his mind's eye of just how lively the village [i]would[/i] be, if only people were here... And at that, the smile faltered, because- Stars, Hiccup [b]had to be[/b] in denial at this point. Seriously. There was [i]no way[/i] the chief neglected to notice that nobody except the three of them were present - and, uh.. whatever made that horrible screechy roar, of course.

Steven found himself covering his mouth in a vain effort to keep his thoughts to himself - uugh, this felt like the Rose Quartz trio ordeal all over again. Sort of. Maybe not [i]exactly[/i], but that sense that he had things he really, [i]really[/i] wanted to say but is actively avoiding saying them to spare someone else's feelings? That was definitely similar. Maybe Hiccup would realize the village is a ghost town on his own? Maybe Toothless would nudge him and get him to realize it? Toothless seemed like a [i]very[/i] intelligent dragon, surely he's noticed it, right? Maybe Steven wouldn't [i]have[/i] to say anything. Maybe- Aaah! He [i]can't.[/i] He can't make the same mistake twice. He has to just.. blurt it out. [i]Get it out there[/i], and [i]yank off the band-aid[/i].

[color=ed145b][b]"Hiccup, uhm.."[/b][/color] Steven cleared his throat, but his voice is still sort of low, [color=ed145b][b]"You [i]have[/i] noticed that the village is kinda.. [i]really[/i] super quiet, right?"[/b][/color]

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