How Green Becomes Wood

In response to Xander's question, Dark got up, picked up some of the scrap wood which had been cut off using the band saw, and hit them together. Then he set them back down and said, "We need to prime it first, but yes we can paint them."
 
"Let's do it!" Xander said. He helped Dark get things ready and primed the unicorns with great care. "If we have to wait for it to dry or something before we paint, then I think we'll have to finish this later."
 
"We will have to wait for the primer to dry," Dark said, "but the important thing is the wood is already dry. Normally I would use my moisture meter, but these are already certainly dry enough. If it were still too wet, we would not even be able to prime today."
 
"Trees are plants," Dark replied, "They drink water just as any plants do. They retain that moisture when they are cut. If you do not use a kiln or other methods to dry them, it takes one year for every inch thick the piece of wood is to dry. Not all the wood I buy is already dry, I get some from what Cooger cuts, and sometimes they get wet between logging and when I purchase it."
 
Dark got up to get the primer and the brush, "There is no need to apply it anywhere you do not intend to paint," he explained, sitting back down and resting his forearm against his desk for support.
 
"Cool." Xander glanced at his father. "This was fun. I'm glad you weren't tortured hanging out with me." He helped clean up and then headed inside.

Alec had set up a mini manicure and spa station in the living room and was waiting patiently for his turn with his father.
 
"It's partially for me, sure, because it's something I enjoy," Alec admitted, "but it's your birthday, and I wanted to attempt to contribute to your enjoyment of the day." He waved for Dark to sit down. "Would you like a face mask? It's just one of those types that come in the, like, cloth mask thing, not a clay or anything like that, but I thought it'd feel nice without requiring a lot of clean-up."
 
"I can cut it!" Alec assured him and offered three different face masks, the single-use type that came in a little individual bag. Once Dark chose one, he took it away to cut it to size and then carefully brought it back for him. "So! You want black nail polish, right? Do you want anything else? A single nail a different color? I have a few stickers, things like that, that are removable. But only if you want. I can do them all the same black color, and I have some lovely lotion and cuticle moisturizer."
 
"Just black is fine," Dark said, thanking Alec for cutting the mask before sitting back and carefully applying it, "I do not need anything too extravagant, it is unlikely they will last long given the work I do all day."
 
"Yes, well, that's not really the point of a manicure, is it? At least, not one from home that's basically free," Alec said as he picked up the bottle and shook it vigorously. He sat down across from Dark and took his left hand first to moisturize and lotion it, trying to remember what the last manicurist did for him the last time he went some time ago.
 
Alec took his time, trying to make it a nice, relaxing affair for Dark. He chatted lightly, sticking to subjects Dark liked and trying to steer himself away from subjects that were mostly about his own interests. He did an excellent job with Dark's hands, making his fingers look perfect.
 
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