Another really short update. (: I will add more soon. I will be an irregular poster. Sorry this update is kinda depressing. It will get more cheery soon. (:
The following day, Astrid showed up at Tuffnut's house and knocked on the door. She had left her hair down for the morning and placed Tuffnut's favorite flower in it, a pond-lily, so there was a chance he would tinker with it and feel how soft her hair had become after she brushed it.
A rugged-looking Viking, with sandy-colored and greying dreads binded in a leather strap, answered the door.
Astrid had seen Ruffnut's dad a couple of times from afar. He looked more menancing up close, yet smaller somehow. His chin was slender like his daughter, and his eyes were wrinkled, brown and speckled in their sclera from dusty ships.
Astrid asked, "Is Tuffnut here?"
Mr. Thorston inspected her carefully. "He's here, lass. But he's feeling his oats. Come back later."
"He's sick?" Astrid said in surprise.
Tuffnut's father looked indignantly at the hand Astrid placed on his arm. She steadily removed it. "What happened?" She asked.
Mr. Thornston grunted. "He'll live. Bye, now."
Astrid saw the front door shut in her face.
From his bedroom window, Tuffnut nursed his swollen cheek and watched Astrid linger at his doorway. Astrid then searched the gate of his barn and henhouse. After, she slowly departed from his house and disappeared on the edge of the dirt path that led to the main village. Tuffnut sighed, and then he heard his bedroom door open.
"If I ever see you running loose with one of those high-nosed Hoffersons again, I'll have your hide," Tuffnut's father swore.
Tuffnut didn't answer, but glared outside of his window.
His father focused on Ruffnut, who sat quietly on her bed after a tiring, full day of lessons. "How are you keeping up with everyone else?" He asked her.
"Fine, I guess," Ruffnut muttered, glancing at Tuffnut.
Her father nodded in satisfaction. "You should be more like your sister," he said to Tuffnut. "If you don't find a job by sometime tomorrow, you'll be coming with me to the shipyards and learn to work for your keep. I didn't raise you to be a good-for-nothing." The twins' father left their room.
"Why do you let him talk to you like that?" Ruffnut asked when she was alone with Tuffnut again. "You don't have to let him treat you like some kid."
TBC soon.
Btw, I just started playing School of Dragons, and it's fun and relaxing. I never played PC games before. (:
