Harsh Lessons

She seems to grow nervous at the thought. "You know that sometimes, you don't have to use magic for everything... Hell, I try never to use it. And if we kick their asses, then Johnny won't be able to do business with them when he gets back."

"And I don't mind getting roughed up if it means I get my junk...and besides, I have a gigantic Viking who can heal me by cutting himself...that's totally normal." She laughs.

She  lets out a puff of air,  like she's just had someone explain a complex math equation.

"See, this is why people like me don't get far. Not really burdened with an overabundance of brains. I'm not the planner,  I have one thing that works so I don't stray too far from the tried and true results. And some guys get off knocking around girls and making them cry. When you're broke,  alls well that ends well."

"You disapprove?" she asks with confusion. "I figured someone taking whatever steps needed to get by would be something someone like you would appreciate...."

She bristles at his unspoken accusation. "Look, grandpa, I've been at this a long time. I know cell phones and vibrators work, but I'm not asking you to give up fucking whoever you want and stop banging on rocks after knowing you for a few days."

She takes back the same amount of steps he's taken towards her, her posture becoming more defensive.

She scratches at her neck and tries to keep herself from shifting her weight from side to side. "Can you just maybe not try to tell me everything ever in my fucking life is wrong!?"

She threw up her hands. "What is it with you and your baby mama? Doing things for nothing. See, that makes no sense. Everyone wants something. So maybe I should ask you what you really want? There has to be something in it for you."

He returned his gaze to her. "If you want we will work on making it so you don't have to be beaten or fucked." He looked around the wall near the forge were a few weapons he had made were hung. None like his axe, but still of incredible quality. He chose a dagger, and brought it over to Tori, handle out.
"For now pay with this. Whether in their hand or their chest, I don't care, but it gives you time to think on the alternatives."

She looks from the blade to him, like a dog being handed a steak, but expecting to be kicked.

"I just don't get it..." She says,  quickly snatching it from his palm. Fully anticipating some invisible shoe to drop, she watched his shoulders to possibly see any telegraphed strikes before they happen.

"But just...thank you." She says,  in a quick,  fluid motion,  she rushes at him and gives him a grateful, if not very firm hug.

"Yeah Yeah." She says, letting go. "I get it. You're Vigo the mighty fuckening Viking Smith of yesteryear...and I won't say any different." She might have actually smiled, but quickly put on her best apathetic face.

She looked at him with a sideways stare and then soon her head dismissively. "This is most definitely the weirdest week I've ever been in. Hey old man, anything you need from town?" she asks as she searches under a section of fur die the keys to the borrowed car.

She took the blade and keys and toddled off without a second glance. He's hear a car grumble to life an she takes off.

About two hours later she comes back with a bloody nose, bloody knuckels and a bag from Walgreens

She smiles proudly. "He'll be hard pressed to hit another girl. I might even still have one of his teeth here somewhere." She grinned.

"And I got you a present."

She looks at him and shrugs like it is no big deal. "I mean  whatever. I just saw something at a pawn shop and I thought you might be able to use the one thing. The other thing is totally selfish."  

She takes a bag out of the other grocery bag and holds it out to him,  turning away quickly as a show she didn't really care what he thought about it. Though she did sit down and look over at him over the table where she started setting out a syringe,  a lighter,  some rubber looking tubes and a spoon.

If he opened the bag,  he'd find a book,  a straight razor with a long leather strap for sharpening. And in the bottom, there is a small Norse style dragon hammer pendant.