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[drawsblood]

// username: joric

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[morethan084]

[Frowning when he talks about how he learned how to carve wood, Daisy leans forward to reach out and touch his hand gently.

She knows nothing she can say will make him feel better about an awful time in his life, but at least he won’t have to go through that again.]

[drawsblood]

[ The touch is a reminder of how much he'll miss this, but he doesn't voice such thoughts aloud. Instead he pauses in his task and gives her a grateful smile. ]

All is well now.

[morethan084]

[Daisy smiles sadly in return, because he doesn't have to say it out loud for her to know what hes thinking.]

Good.

[She's leaning further, almost halfway off the bed, to kiss him on his forehead.]

[drawsblood]

[ He smiles at her actions, but sets his things in his lap to hold an arm out in front of her as a barrier. ]

Don't fall.

[ She is leaning quite a bit. ]

[morethan084]

[Daisy snorts out a laugh at that, pressing a quick kiss to his forehead before leaning back on the bed.]

Thanks.

[Scooting back on the bed, Daisy looks at the wood carving.]

What did you say you were making?

[drawsblood]

It's the large Cubit for Wei Wuxian. I hope I don't take off too much. It was pretty round.

[ He turns the wood over in his hands. Hm, bit lopsided at the moment. ]

I'm making you something too, but it's a surprise.

[morethan084]

Right.

[She smiles up at him, touched by his thoughtfulness. Her smile widens when he mentions something being in the works for her too.]

Really?

[drawsblood]

Yes, really.

[ He glances up at her with an amused look. ]

I have given you gifts before. It cannot be so surprising.

[morethan084]

I know, but...

[Her cheeks flush and she looks down at her hands,]

I've never really been given hand made gifts.

[drawsblood]

Hm. I suppose you are used to things being created as one of many. In my land everything is handmade and therefore unique.

[morethan084]

Well, whatever it is. I can't wait to see it.

[And now she thinks she needs to find something to give him in return. She's not talented enough to make things with her hands, although maybe she could give basket weaving a go again. With Andy's help, of course.]

[drawsblood]

Mm. Well, I'll have to get this one finished first. I'm not one to leave things half done.

[ He returns to carving, taking off long curls of wood that he lets fall to the floor at his feet. ]

But I already know what design I want to do.

[morethan084]

Can you teach me?

[Daisy asks as she watches the shavings fall to the floor.]

Not that I'd be half as talented as you are.

[Of course he'll tease her with what he's going to make her.]

I'm guessing that part is a surprise too?

[drawsblood]

It is. You'll have to be patient.

[ He gestures for her to come closer so she can see. ]

It's about using your wrist to make smooth strokes. You don't want to wriggle unless you're carving a design that way. See, you pick a spot and the way you want to shape it, then draw a long stroke down. I want it rounded, so I curve as I go down.

[morethan084]

[Daisy moves to stand next to him, watching how easily he moves the knife.]

You make it look so easy. I’d probably end up slicing my finger off.

[drawsblood]

That's a risk. Mine are scarred up enough that I wouldn't care if I cut myself.

[ A whole finger is unlikely to come off in his case. He sets the knife down on his thigh and reaches for her hand, curling fingers around her own and lifting her knuckles to his lips to kiss. ]

Though I suppose you could always wear a heavy glove.

[morethan084]

I would care.

[Smiling when he lifts her hand to kiss it, Daisy turns their hands over to kiss his hand.]

Wouldn’t that make it really hard to use the knife?

[drawsblood]

[ His answering smile is warm at what she says. He'll miss having someone care about him like this. But then again, when he returns to his village maybe he can rekindle friendships. ]

I meant wear the glove on the hand holding the wood. That's the one in danger of being cut if the knife slips.

[morethan084]

Oh. That makes more sense.

[Daisy admits with a laugh, letting go of his hand after a moment.]

Maybe I'm better off watching you work for now.

[drawsblood]

If you'd prefer.

[ He keeps at it, speeding up a bit from what he's just shown her. It's easy for him to get into the rhythm and know what he needs to do next. ]

While we were with the sky pirates and we docked on land I saw many great displays of woodcarving everywhere. I spoke to some people about it and was given advice. I think I've improved since then.

[morethan084]

Well I wouldn't want to mess up what you've already made.

[Taking a seat back on the bed, Daisy smiles when he explains how he talked to some expert woodcarvers.]

How many have you made since then?

[drawsblood]

Oh, I've-

[ There's a pause and a faraway look comes to his eyes before his brow creases. ]

I've lost count now. I made some ornaments for the Christmas tree and after that I can't remember the total.

[morethan084]

I remember seeing those. They looked amazing.

[Daisy compliments, finding his enjoyment of this hobby endearing.]

I'm going to go grab a coffee. Do you want anything?

[drawsblood]

[ There's a brief smile that's almost boyish on hearing his work looked good. ]

No. I have food here.

[ He always has food stashed away. ]