#eret talk

[avannak]

how would eret bring some of his native culture to berk? whether it be in terms of religion, celebration, songs, dances, etc, would eret still hold onto the traditions of his childhood?

I haven’t done a whole lot of research on the potential cultural practices Eret might carry with him, but it’s certainly a great point, and yes. I think clothing, style, songs, and dances would be some of the first and simplest things he brings about from the get-go.

Astrid incorporates symbols and styles from Eret’s clan into blankets and clothing in their own home to help make him feel welcome, and it spreads throughout the tight-nit village.

Eret sings the Hiccstrid babies lullabies he knew in his youth.

Almost all big parties has Eret sharing dances from his home village, with his musically talented crew members providing the beat.

His long conversations/drink-nights with Hiccup often has Hiccup grilling him for more details about the culture he came from and his preferences from such a mingle of cultural experiences.

LOL, this seems like an oddly specific ask. I can’t tell you how to tell if your seduction of an animated character is working or not. Though, I think he’s a naturally physical person - back-slapping, shoulder-cuffing, one-armed-hug sorta dude. But throwing you smoldering bedroom eyes is probably a clear sign. So would be an extra lack of personal space. And I don’t think he’d be short on compliments either.

I do love his eyes (still laughing that the ‘official’ website called them green). Sadly, I’ve only payed tribute to his hair, butt, and hands.

[avannak]

Just saw the post you wrote about Eret's love life, and now, I have to know-- what is Eret looking for in a romantic partner? You've mentioned in the past that they would definitely be fun-loving and have an attachment to adventure, as he does, but what about physical/mental attributes? What does he prefer in a romantic partner in terms of looks, and what is he looking for in a support system? Love your posts!

I’m glad you like ‘em :) Eret’s always fun to talk about.

To your question... y’know, I’ve never really understood the ‘looking for a type’ thing. Particularly when it comes to looks. For me, attraction’s never really planned or predisposed like that, so I have trouble relaying it in other characters.

I don’t think Eret’s been in the habit of looking for anything until very recently (aka, now that he’s “settled” a bit after Drago). Before it was all about in the now, in the moment, from fleeting attraction to becoming enamored with someone. With things slowing down a bit, he might actually start looking.

Eret likes to laugh, he likes to crow, he likes a challenge - anyone who fills his life with that will certainly catch his attention. I think he’d also be attracted to someone who brings him a sense of safety and comfort; someone who reminds him that he’s at peace, and no longer in the confines of an abusive employment.

It’s hard to say if there’s any physical attributes that catch his fancy (though slender and athletic come to mind when I think of my favorite pairing for him ;))

[avannak]

Hey there! Just discovered your blog today, and I've got to say, I absolutely adore it, especially your appreciation for Eret (son of Eret)! I do have a question regarding Eret's general approach towards romance that I'm not sure if you've discussed before. Firstly, do you think Eret had ever been in a relationship (either romantic or sexual) before we as an audience first meet him in HTTYD2, and secondly, how would Eret act as a partner in a romantic/sexual relationship? Once again, great work!

HI! So this ask is for sure days and days old, and I’m sorry about that. I seem to have to wait until I get a day off to sit down and answer things. Thank you for your patience though!

Eret’s past romance is something I’ve spoken a bit about before. It’s sprinkled about, but I’ll collect it all here for you :) I’ll roll it together in a link-laden chronological story.

It all kind of snowballs from starting his youth on the sea. There was no one in his small, northern tribe that caught his fancy (unlike Hiccup), but it hadn’t mattered much as he went sailing with his father at every opportunity… and struck out on his own as soon as he could. He has an adventurers heart, that Eret. Taking down game, each larger than the next, and the challenges it posed had always attracted Eret, but he also truly enjoyed meeting new people. Eret’s charismatic, aware of his own physical attractiveness, and willing– willing to learn, willing to listen, willing to experience new things.

And this post, right here, is where I sort of delve into all the experiences and personal adventures he may have underwent in the ten years between venturing from his tribe and “settling” on Berk. It mostly covers the different women Eret may have had sexual and emotional relationships with (and Eret, as I see it, is a very emotionally involved individual. He’s romantic, for sure). I also HC that he’s open with his sexuality, and long voyages on the sea with a crew full of men lends a hand in the other direction. Eret’s done some fooling around. He’s not callous though, or the sort to want “notches in his belt”. He lets his heart and body pull him in whatever direction catches his fancy.

Until Drago, that is. Which makes Astrid and Hiccup’s ‘rescue’ of him so impressive.

And through those ten years… there’s one other individual Eret’s had a bit of a… we’ll call it head-butting relationship with. Though she’s grown more beautiful every time their ships cross paths. And more maddening.

He certainly didn’t expect to see her again after being taken into Berk. :3

Er… and here’s a “kink” post for him but be careful :/

[avannak]

On the topic of Eret, who do you think invented the traps? Improved on them? Figured out which ones work best for each dragon? Eret is clearly pretty clever, but I can see him figuring out how to use the tools he has in amazing ways rather than inventing them himself. Not to mention the size the forge must be to build those traps!

I think most of the traps were a slow evolution of experience and tweaking. I do headcanon that Eret didn’t start out on Dragons (only when he went south, away from a familiar life, and excelled at larger game), so he was raised with the passed on knowledge of traps, as well as animal behavior. What works, what won’t, which and where and all that.

So I imagine his dragon-trapping days started out of necessity, using traps he was familiar with. And as he encountered more people who fought dragons on a regular basis, he came into contact with those traps and methods, and it was sort of a melding of both experiences.

As he moved around, hitting up villages for trades and dragon-removal, he would speak with the blacksmiths (“I need something like this... but bigger.” “Can you make this weighted at all? It might help.”) and over the years improved the weapons he used.

In a way, I think he did have a tiny hand in the invention process. Mostly applying what he’d learned on the field worked and what didn’t and asking those skilled in engineering to construct something out of it.