Working with Clay

Writers: Chelle, Mirren
Date Posted: 10th February 2012

Characters: Chupsin, Alivya
Description: Chupsin teaches Alivya how to make a pot.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 6, day 14 of Turn 6
Notes: Follows: Making Plans

After making sure his apprentices knew what they needed to do, Chupsin
headed out to enjoy the restday. Wearing his tunic that had a few stains
on it since he'd likely get dirty, he waited to see if she would show.

Alivya's steps towards the infirmary were more steady than she felt. She was
sure he'd be busy or have forgotten. At any rate, she wasn't sure he'd be
there. She smoothed her skirts subconsciously and wondered if she should
have worn a nicer one, not one to be dirtied. Then she smiled at herself.
She was acting like a silly flit! She was still smiling when she entered the
infirmary and saw that he was actually there.

Tourniquet rode on Chupsin's shoulder and the firelizard's head turned at
her entrance. The healer felt the movement and also turned, spotting Alivya.
"Ah there you are. So did you bring any clay or do we need to find some?"

"I brought some," she pulled a bag out from where it had been hanging at her
waist. "I hope it's enough."

"It'll work for you to learn anyway." Leading her out of the infirmary,
Chupsin took Alivya to where there were some potter wheels set up. These
weren't really for the heavy duty ceramics they used, but more for the
children or for casual use. "Let's see...we need some water.." He looked
around and procured a bucket and some water.

Alivya had seen wheels like these before, of course, but she'd never used
one. She had always wanted to try though. It looked incredibly challenging
and messy! She took the chunk of clay out of her bag and untied its
wrappings. It was cold and soft in her hands.

"Set the clay there on the wheel. Use the water to get it pliable. Once you
can work it pretty easy, we'll go from there." He watched her, pulling a few
stools for them to sit on.

She perched on the edge of the stool and put the clay down as instructed.
Reaching for the water, she gingerly poured a few drops onto the clay. Then
a few more. As she went to knead the clay, it was tough and not at all easy
to work. "Do I need more water? I don't want to put too much..."

"Oh yes. Don't worry, it'll harden back up again if you put too much, but
you have to be able to work it." The healer's fingers were long and thin,
necessary for his craft. They made it easier for him to work with the clay.

Watching with interest as his hands caressed the air, she suspected that he
would be better at this than she was, but she was nothing if not determined
to do well. She added more water to her clay and tried to emulate his
movements. The clay was still too firm.

Sitting beside her, he pointed to the water. "You're not going to melt, I
promise." His eyes followed her fingers. Her dirty hands would have normally
offended him, but in this case she
was creating something. Creation was something to be valued. As a healer, he
respected it.

You don't grow up in the Hold's orchards without growing up in and around
dirt. Although she didn't enjoy having filthy hands, she was accustomed to
the feeling of squishing damp soil with her hands. This was a similar
feeling, but softer, less grainy, more pleasantly tactile. And wet enough to
be pliable now. "Is that better?"

"Aye, much better. Now you need to form it. We're doing a pot so you're
going to make sides with a hole in the middle. A round one is easiest and as
you form it, you spin the wheel by hitting the pedal. Always keep it moist
as you work though or it'll crack." Chupsin could spin the wheel for her if
need be, but he wanted her to try.

She pushed the pedal, gingerly and just with her toes. The wheel spun
half-heartedly. Another, harder push and she could feel the clay whirling in
her hands. Putting her thumb in the centre of the clay a bowl shape started
to form. Then fell sideways in a blob.

He smiled since that could happen all too often. "Put the clay back together
and then start again. Don't go too fast and don't let it get too thin on the
sides or it'll do that again. The thicker, the better." It would take longer
to fire, but the resulting product would be harder to break.

She squashed it into an uneven ball and started again, this time more
slowly. The pot began to form, neatly and evenly, slowly, slowly. Then
suddenly it was too tall and it collapsed sideways. Alivya exhaled with
exasperation.

"Practice makes perfect. Here..." He took the clay and put it together
again, using the water to bring it to a solid mass. Setting the mass on the
center of the wheel, Chupsin got his hands wet and the mass wet, and then
began to spin it. Keeping the speed even, he used his skilled fingers to
form a bowl that then turned into a pot.

"You make it look so easy!" She shook her head in amazement, but smiled.

"I have a lot of practice. Sometimes when I need to think, I come here." He
gave a mental shrug after he finished. Pulling the pot off the wheel, he
carefully put it in a box. "You'll need to put it in a fire, to make it
solid." Chupsin went to wash his hands, ready to have the mud off of them.

She followed suit, making sure to get the clay out from under her nails. It
took some time to make her hands clean, the clay had dried a bit and was
sticky. "Thank you so much. I think I know what to do now, when I can get
some more clay." If she could.

"You're welcome. Let me know how the herbs grow. If you need more seeds, I
have plenty." A thought occurred to him though he was pretty sure her mother
would have taught her. "You know how to prepare them if you need to?"

"Yes, I..." She had been about to say that her father had taught her and
that she knew almost as much about his craft as he did. At the last moment
she thought better of it. Shards knew what the healer would think of a young
woman having such knowledge of a man's craft!
"I do", she finished, her voice soft and guarded. "I suspect I've taken
enough of your time."

"I'm sure you have duties to attend." Even if it was a restday, someone
would have to see to dinner. Chupsin began to lead her away from the room.
"I'm pleased to meet you, though, Alivya. Take care."

"Yes, I have to go and watch my brothers and sisters." She smiled slightly.
"Good day Healer."

Last updated on the February 16th 2012

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Working with Clay