ArtreyCroght: Yes, it has been a long time. Many changes are happening in my life right now; every now and again I make time to relax and you so much for reading, I appreciate you.
silvertreebranch: Awe, that makes me so happy that you enjoyed. Thank you for the feedback and enthusiasm.
Guest: Thank you for always being so supportive. All of your posts light up my day and help me get through these harder times in my life. Thanks (:
SUMMARY: Tuffnut and Astrid connect during lunch at their jobs.
CHAPTER 12
Tuffnut and Astrid sat at the bridge by the docks, their feet hanging over the edge of the end of the bridge that was many meters above the sloshing ocean.
Far beneath their soles, an abandoned canoe bobbed on the windblown water like a buoy. There was a pleasant scent in the air that smelled of dewy vegetation that spawned underneath the bridge, and of seaweed.
Astrid finally uncovered her lunch pail and showed Tuffnut its contents. "I made it myself. Have some."
"Great, I'm starving," Tuffnut confessed. He inspected the pail. There was charred veal wrapped in a handkerchief, potato mash with rosemary in a flatbowl, and even desert. Tuffnut immediately reached for a pastry in the pail and gasped happily when he brought it to the sunlight. "A jelly tart?" He took a cautious bite. "With yakbutter?!"
"Yeah, I hope you like it," Astrid said, looking pleased at his face and taking a pastry for herself. "It's the first time I made these."
The two ate in content silence for a moment, with Astrid calmly giving Tuffnut permission to take more food for himself. Tuffnut found the change in Astrid's cooking as a surprise. It tasted even better than it had in their times on Dragon's Edge. In the past, her meats would end up completely blackened, or pink and cold. It seemed that Astrid had now found the right balance.
"I guess we did it," Astrid said between chews. Both of them knew instantly that she had referred to earning their new positions.
Tuffnut grunted approvingly as he ate. "What's it like working for Phlegma?" Tuffnut asked when he was ready.
"It's a little boring, but I'm used to dealing with flowers. You have to treat them all like babies or they won't grow."
"How d'you mean?"
"You can't give them too much water, or too much sun, or they'll want to shrivel up and die. But it's not too hard, really." Astrid paused, then asked, "how do you feel about working for Gobber?"
"He's nice to me, and I get paid pretty well. The job leaves me covered in yak guts all day, but I don't think it's that bad. I've been covered in worse."
Astrid chuckled some, and thought better of asking what he meant.
Tuffnut made a thoughtful noise. "I think I'm actually getting better at it. Today Gobber gave me a pat on the back, so that was cool."
"Cool."
"What's the hardest part about your job?"
"The customers," Astrid admitted.
Tuffnut groaned in complete agreement. "Ugh. Mine hate me."
"Maybe because they're all just used to Gobber and Hiccup working there. Give it some time." Astrid added, "maybe smile more?"
"Really?"
"Phlegma told me the same thing, and it actually works."
"Hmph," Tuffnut replied softly. He decided that he would try it once he returned to the smithy.
Astrid and Tuffnut continued to chat about their jobs, but soon Astrid's foods were all eaten. Tuffnut mourned not having Astrid as a coworker so they could chat whenever they wanted. Astrid picked up her pail, stood at the dock, and was then followed behind by Tuffnut. They arrived back at their work area to see that the modest lines at the smithy and the village's herbal service had tripled in size.
"Tuffnut?! Get over 'ere!" Gobber called over the angered chatter of the Hooligans at his service window.
"Astrid!" Phlegma yelled, crossing her stout arms angrily when she finally spotted Astrid walking towards the main square with Tuffnut.
"Guess we better get back to work. Good luck," Astrid sighed. She gave Tuffnut a wry smile and started back to her post.
"Hey."
Astrid stopped and turned around.
"I'll walk you home later." Tuffnut said. "We're going the same direction anyway, right?" Tuffnut hoped she wouldn't mind, so he could spend more time with her.
Astrid agreed with a nod, intrigued by the hesitancy in his voice. Tuffnut looked satisfied, and then he returned to the smithy.
Words: 663
