Berk's Grapevine

Animating Toothless: Insider Tips


It's not easy animating dragons. In an interview for Animation Mentor, Dane Stogner, character lead for Toothless on How to Train Your Dragon 2, shares how to make dragons appear natural and in-character when they're on screen.

“For the first film, we mostly referenced black panthers, house cats and wombats for Toothless’ body language. He was very cat-like and stand-offish and mysterious, a scary creature that Hiccup had to befriend. So cats were appropriate. But, two out of three of us Toothless experts, and even Dean DeBlois himself, are greater fans of dogs than cats, and I think there’s legitimacy in the story for having his personality come across more puppy or dog-like in this film.”

He also talks about Premo, the brand new software used on Dragons, and how it has made the process of animating faster and and the results look even better:

“Premo was designed around the idea that animators would have a [Wacom] Cintiq. So, we can just touch and move the character. It is almost like stop motion sometimes. Even on the face. Just push and pull parts of the face around on the surface. We have fully integrated pose libraries, control hierarchies, ghosting, paths, follow cams, and built-in drawing tools with layers like Photoshop. The drawing tools were so easy to use I sometimes did 2D pencil tests in the shot on top of the background rather than shooting reference. It’s exciting.”

And dragon fans also had a bit of an influence on the film as well.

“There were also some tiny model changes that only super fans noticed. He has nubs on his jaw. Those were just extra details we added for this film. But, the fans hypothesized that perhaps the nubs were a sign, much like Hiccup’s chin stubble, that Toothless had aged. There’s a shot where Hiccup’s mother says, ‘Look, he’s your age.’ James Baxter, a supervising animator on the show had seen the super fans’ theories. So he made the choice to have her point to the nubs. The fans influenced the movie.”

Here's the the full interview with Dane Stogner!

308 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh. This software sounds amazing! I hope that I will get to use it someday :)

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  2. Vorpent vs.PotatoJuly 1, 2014 at 5:13 PM

    Me too!

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  3. ❀ωαѕвσяи¢яαzу❀July 1, 2014 at 5:16 PM

    Cool!

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  4. 4th to comment
    What awesomeness went into this movie.

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  5. The hard work they put into Toothy clearly shows! :D

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  6. The hard work pays off, wonderful job!

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  7. I like both a lot but I think they made the right choice for Toothlesses personality. They needed a playful, loyal, energetic dragon. Cats grow out of most of these traits. They become loners but they still like to snuggle and play just also spend a lot of time to themselves. Also dogs are loyal to the end and don't hold grudges where as(remember I love cats) will throw you in front of a bullet to save themselves. I'm not complaining. I like that cat's are independent and a bit prissy. It's kind of funny and cute. But it's not Toothlesses personality. But they still kept some of a cat's characteristics. Like playing with light dots and pawing at everything. I think is a perfect blend of both.

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  8. I never thought Toothless was cat-like. My sister and I always thought he was more dog than anything so it was interesting to find out he was modeled after cats. Nonetheless, no matter which animal they based him off of, he has been and always will be loved by my family and I do believe that the hard work to improve Toothless' acting and movements shows on screen because I forgot several times that he was an animated character. This goes for Dragons and Vikings alike. It's kind of spooky. Good job Dreamworks and keep up the good work. :)

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  9. 😍astrid_hiccup_forever😍July 1, 2014 at 7:19 PM

    Look what i got my b-day is on Friday 😁😁😁😁😏😏😏😏😏😆😆😆😆

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  10. Vorpent vs.PotatoJuly 1, 2014 at 7:25 PM

    I love it!

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  11. 😍astrid_hiccup_forever😍July 1, 2014 at 7:26 PM

    Thx 😄

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  12. ❀ωαѕвσяи¢яαzу❀July 1, 2014 at 8:56 PM

    Lucky you.

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO 😍astrid_hiccup_forever😍
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.

    HIPHIP HOORAY! HIPHIP HOORAY! HIPHIP HOORAY!



    *Claps* 1,2,3,4,5,6......100,101,102


    You're not that old right?

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  13. ❀ωαѕвσяи¢яαzу❀July 1, 2014 at 8:57 PM

    A present for all!

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  14. no one there?

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  15. .............

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  16. ❀ωαѕвσяи¢яαzу❀July 1, 2014 at 9:35 PM

    someone's here

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  17. ❀ωαѕвσяи¢яαzу❀July 1, 2014 at 9:35 PM

    ok :(

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  18. ❀ωαѕвσяи¢яαzу❀July 1, 2014 at 9:35 PM

    .......................

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  19. Vorpent vs.PotatoJuly 1, 2014 at 9:37 PM

    Haha! Oh my gosh...

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  20. ❀ωαѕвσяи¢яαzу❀July 1, 2014 at 9:37 PM

    I guess I just think Toothless was mostly based off cats in the first movie, and seeing Toothless turn doggish (new word?) just seems awkward.

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  21. Vorpent vs.PotatoJuly 1, 2014 at 9:39 PM

    Wait, is anyone actually here?

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  22. Oh, I think there's a way to add another side channel onto your account. I'm going to try to find a video to it.

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  23. Ok, thanks!

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  24. I still have my name but I think I added a side account to mine somehow. 'cause I'm pretty sure if you click your image on the top right hand corner, there should be something that says add account and I don't know what you do from there after you click on add account but yeah that's what I did. My account that has my name is the account that I use to rent movies off of youtube and stuff so you may want to keep that account and just add a new one.

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  25. Oh, ok. I saw that button, but didn't know what it meant. I'll try that.

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  26. Are you still here...???

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  27. I'm going to guess you're gone...

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  28. ❀ωαѕвσяи¢яαzу❀July 2, 2014 at 12:02 AM

    These are like my best drawings of Toothy. Ever.

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  29. ❀ωαѕвσяи¢яαzу❀July 2, 2014 at 12:04 AM

    Annd it didn't work. -_-

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  30. ❀ωαѕвσяи¢яαzу❀July 2, 2014 at 12:04 AM

    Nope.

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  31. ❀ωαѕвσяи¢яαzу❀July 2, 2014 at 12:04 AM

    GRAH.

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  32. So the fans DO write the movies? Oh boy, we better not let the 'Give Us A Happy Ending' petitioners read the Toothless nug/Hiccup's stubble age bit then. XP

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  33. In the third movie, do you think he's going to have them age some more?

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  34. Well two years (hopefully it'll be that long until we see it XD) could be the amount of time the characters age, or they'll go the other option of making them grown-ups and have kids of their own. That's at least my theory.

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  35. The Whisperer of DeathJuly 2, 2014 at 4:12 AM

    Not related t the post but, with the HTTYD 2 game, on the pause menu, why is the Tidal class symbol there and not the Sharp class symbol?

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  36. ❀ωαѕвσяи¢яαzу❀July 2, 2014 at 4:23 AM

    Actually, the third movie may not be Hiccup's memoirs, but it still ends the same as the book series.

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  37. Remember the part where Cloudjumper gives Toothless some fish... Well I got "play" with that part.. Simon let me edited/play with that part.. I remember I did something with Toothless' ears, yeah I remember, I was moving up and down.. And think he left like that just for me c:
    I was SO fun playing with a Toothless like that :3

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  38. ❀ωαѕвσяи¢яαzу❀July 2, 2014 at 6:02 AM

    This place is getting quieter by the second. -_- WHERE HAS EVERYONE GONE?!

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  39. Whose missing me?:D
    I'm missing u guys
    But havnt seen movie yet

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  40. Quiet... Time to post random pictures!... I feel like an IDIOT.

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  41. How cool! Especially that they noted the fandom! I can remember all the speculations buzzing around when we first saw the teaser. Did he just call them nubs?! Did we coin that term? Really not sure, but it is still neat!

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  42. Hey, is anyone one?

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  43. Ikr!? I KNEW DreamWorks was stalking the vine!

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  44. So we'll only have flashbacks of the dragons and learn what happened to them?

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  45. Oh the feels! I don't even have the 12th one yet but I have a pretty good feeling how that one is going down. DOWN! DX

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  46. IK! I can't wait to read it!

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  47. Do-good dragon riders?

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  48. Do you know any good songs?

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  49. Hm, what type?

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  50. Something that goes well with Hiccup and Toothless. Or HTTYD2 type-y.

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  51. Aw, yes. I've been looking for some for awhile for my videos, I think I used Counting Stars by Onerepublic for one of them...

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  52. Oh that's a good one. Do you have a Youtube account?

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  53. Yes, but I'm still working out the kinks. It's through my Google+, so my real name is on everything. I haven't uploaded anything yet, but HTTYDForever101 was helping me with some tips last night.

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  54. I have a video tutorial for first-time YT users if you want me to show it to you.

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  55. Sure! I need all the help I can get!

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  56. Okay! Just a sec>

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  57. Take your time :)

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  58. anyone there?

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  59. Right here!

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  60. Did anyone notice that dreamworks took the fire worm queen off the dragon pedia?

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  61. I haven't checked in a few days... But that's strange....

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  62. Love the salute.

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  63. I know to bad really

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  64. Yeah, I liked her. :(

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  65. Dang, I can't find it. I'm so sorry, I had a tutorial, but I can't find it right now. Try this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7FyIlPHjUo

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  66. Wait a second........in the bottom left he is saluting with his left arm in the bottom right he is saluting with his right arm....make up your mind Hiccup!

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  67. That's weird.

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  68. No worries :) Yeah I'll give that a watch.

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  69. Yeah! I wonder if they forgot he was left-handed

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  70. And to you :)

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  71. greetings my fine fellow!

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  72. Why, thank you kind sir!

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  73. How goes your day?

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  74. Very well, thank you :)

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  75. ugh, gotta go. brb

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  76. Does anyone want ice cream?

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  77. *raises hand in air* ME ME ME!

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  78. Cool when you get some can you bring me some to

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  79. I was not joking XD

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  80. We should have a contest

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  81. What kind?

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  82. I don't know maybe a dragon design contest.

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  83. Gotta run bye

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  84. Awe, bye! :(

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  85. Why you no back yet?

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  86. I will be back in like an hour.

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  87. We could draw dragons.

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  88. Anyone here?

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  89. I'm back!

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  90. Hehe. Sorry.

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  91. I'm back! Is anyone still here?

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  92. What do you mean?

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  93. DID YOU SEE THE MOVIE?

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  94. YES I DID!!!!!!!!!!! :D

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  95. this is the best movie ever

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  96. i ve never cryed like this

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  97. the werder thing is that in usa he didn t do very well at the box office

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  98. less than the first

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  99. Really? I thought it had.... Well, it's still got a few months left.

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  100. Oh, that makes sense.

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  101. anyway i hope the therd gonna ba the best

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  102. gonna be the best (sorry)

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  103. I sure hope so! But DreamWorks has done a great job so far.

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  104. some fans dont want to see a wedding

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  105. you know what i mean

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  106. Well, I for one definitely do ;) Hiccstrid shipper til the end!

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  107. Yep! Have you been here long? I just joined yesterday.

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  108. yes but i nrver talked to anyone and WELCOME

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  109. never (sorry again

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  110. Thank you! It's kind of awkward at first, not knowing anybody, so I just try to talk to everyone I can.

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  111. No prob. I can't spell.

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  112. it s weird me too

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  113. That's amazing! Can my life get any better? HTTYD and Star Trek! I can die happy now!

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  114. Aw, thanks. everyone is so nice here! it makes it so much easier.

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  115. yes sure it s a kind of family

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  116. Fandoms are family, as I always say :)

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  117. like in berk

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  118. Yes! Exactly!

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  119. did you see everithing about dragons ? or just the movies

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  120. Everything :)

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  121. so i supposed you have to wtch this
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5XgSpUamXY

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  122. watch (sorry

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  123. Lol! Yes!

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  124. the people on berk change a lot betwen the 2 movies

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  125. I noticed that too...

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  126. but for the best

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  127. Ugh, I'm sorry. I have to go. will you be here in a hour or two?

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  128. Yes, I agree.

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  129. maybe good bye

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  130. KK, be back as soon as I can. ttyl

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  131. bye brother

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  132. i ll follow you

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  133. I followed you.

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  134. See ya round, bro :) K, now I'm really going ;)

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  135. ik you i did the same

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  136. ;) no prob

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  137. you are not leaving as you said ?

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  138. Eh, more or less waiting for my mom to call... I guess I have another minute.

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  139. enought time too say NICE TO MEET YOU

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  140. Nice to meet you too :)

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  141. Haha. So, what is your favorite dragon breed/

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  142. a night fury

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  143. Oh, wait. There's mom. See you!

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  144. mine is probably a whispering death.

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  145. Yep, bye!

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  146. Who's on?

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  147. VelocityTheSpeedStingerJuly 2, 2014 at 12:39 PM

    lol I did a motivational like that too!

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  148. VelocityTheSpeedStingerJuly 2, 2014 at 12:40 PM

    Happy Birthday in advance!!

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  149. Hellllllllllllloooooooooooooooooooooooo????

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  150. Is this not one of the coolest dragons ever?

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  151. Hey Pride! Haven't talked to you in awhile!

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  152. Wanna continue that RP we were doing?

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  153. Sure! It's been awhile I forget where we were. I think Hiccup and I were at my house.

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  154. Yep:
    Mom: So, Hiccup. Do your wounds still hurt a lot?

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  155. Hiccup: A-a little bit. Not much. Thanks for you consideration.
    GDL: I bet you think I picked the perfect guy huh mom? All beat up like he is.

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  156. Mom: As long as he keeps you happy, I don't care how beat up or how mangled he is.
    Dad: I like this guy. Good choice on the husband, Sweetheart.

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  157. Thanks dad! I've loved him since the moment I saw him.
    Hiccup: Dinner almost finished GDL? I'm starving.

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  158. Pride: Almost (the character Pride is a great cook, so he's helping.)
    Mom: What is dinner, honey?

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  159. (Okay! :)


    GDL: I'm making salmon with a side of mac and cheese. I would make chicken and mac and cheese, but Hic doesn't like meat.

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  160. Hello? XD

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  161. Hiccup: Sorry, guys. I don't think it's the best diet either. I just don't like meat.
    Pride: That's my one argument. Hiccup needs to eat more meat, otherwise he could literally bleed to death.

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