How Green Becomes Wood

"I was thinking for an accent," Dark said, looking over at Xander for a moment, "I was thinking I could add silver highlights in its main and tail. Add some shine to the eyes. I would keep the bulk of it black. And I am not sure how you can help, it is quite small. I can teach you a bit, if you would like, although the unicorn would be difficult to begin with."
 
"I'm not sure I can help, with it being so small, so what if you set me up with one of my own and we make them together? You that one, me another one?" Xander asked. He rooted around until he found another block that looked similar to the first and made an attempt at drawing the same unicorn as his father. It was... close.
 
Xander tried making a few more marks and then gave up and held it out to Dark. "Yes, please. If the foundation is wrong, the rest will be wrong." While he waited for Dark to fix his drawing, he masked up and put on the glasses.
 
It took Dark a little while to fix the lines and then he handed it back, "You are going to need hearing protection, also, but let me walk you through how to use the band saw first. You are forbidden from cutting off a finger on my birthday."
 
"Is there a day I can cut off my finger? Just so I know to pencil it in," Xander said. He picked up the ear protection but didn't put it in yet as he waited for Dark to walk him through the process.
 
"The day after you are no longer on my health insurance." Dark answered immediately. Then he explained the sorts of cuts he should make on this piece, how to hold and maneuver the wood, and the sort of feedback he'd receive from the machine. He took a scrap piece of wood to demonstrate with and offered Xander make an attempt with that first, just to get a feel for how it worked.
 
"Yeah, alright. That makes sense," Xander agreed. He did take Dark's instructions very seriously. He had no intention of actually chopping off his fingers. He accepted the scrap wood and took his time getting familiar with the bandsaw. Once he felt confident, he tried doing the real deal. He took his time but still made a couple of tiny mistakes. They would be easy enough to work with or cover up, so he was okay with that. Once done, he turned off the machine and took out his ear protection before showing Dark.

"Looks alright, I think," he said. "Next step?"
 
"Now, you need to do the more difficult part of whittling away what if left so we actually have the horse. And in between that... More sanding than you are imagining." Dark replied, sitting back down at his desk and handing Xander a suitable tool. Since he was still working on this part, he was able to more directly talk him through it while actively showing the techniques he used. Really, Dark made it look easy. Beneath his skilful hands, the wood faded away in smooth, even cuts as though it were soft wax.
 
Xander's cuts looked more like hacks and gouges, but he was slowly getting the hang of things. Gradually, he was starting to get slivers off. It took longer than he expected, but, eventually, he managed to get something that looked like a horse with a pointy head.
 
"That looks good," Dark said, going into his drawer and taking out sandpaper and then bringing over a bucket of water, "Now we just have to sand it smooth." He handed him a specific sheet, "Start with this one."
 
"Got it," Xander confirmed. He settled in, content to sand. And sand. And sand. He actually liked the repetitiveness of the job. It would probably get dull eventually, but for now, it was soothing and calming to mind and hands. Well, somewhat cruel to the hands, but good for something to do. He didn't need to talk, content to sit and sand with his father. It was enough to be together engaged in similar projects.
 
Dark focused in on his work, occasionally pausing for prolonged periods to just stare at his unicorn before very intensely working on a small area. Occasionally he just turned the piece over in his hands and without really looking at it, feeling for any irregularities. He would also look over at Xander to make a suggestion or to tell him to change the grit he was using.

The sanding was, ultimately, the longest part of the process, but like Xander, Dark was content to sit back, work at it, and let his mind wander. Although today had been a good day, at least thus far, there was still a great deal on his mind. The task let gave him time to think.
 
Finally, Xander felt he was done and held up his very sanded unicorn. It wasn't anywhere to Dark's level, but it was surprisingly good for his first time (he gave his teacher credit for that), and it looked like a unicorn. He was proud of that fact! His first wooden creation looked within the realm of what he'd been trying to make. That was a win in his book.

"Is it time to paint?" he asked Dark.
 
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