Chapter 163: Methods To Processing Clay (1)

Once they were done with lunch, Serena and Theo got to work preparing the clay they had collected earlier. Kiro was out front playing in the grass, so the two could watch over him as they worked.

Serena had learnt that there were two different ways to process clay - a dry method and a wet method. She was planning on testing out both to see which one was more effective in processing the clay.

But before they could get to work on that, they needed to first remove any stones, leaves and other debris in the clay before dividing it into two parts. Then they could begin processing it.

It took them a bit of time to sort through all the clay, Serena having to let Theo finish the rest halfway through because Finn had arrived. Upon seeing what they were doing, the rabbit beastman got interested.

He wanted to see what the two were doing with the clay, so moved his work to where they were working. He had already completed the stone parts of the grinder and was going to carve the wooden pieces today. Which was a simple enough task for him to do that he could watch Serena and Theo work.

Serena didn’t really mind him watching, mostly because it would mean one less thing to explain. Finn could easily teach others instead of Serena having to do it. Which in the long run was better for her.

These skills needed to be transferred to the other beastmen within the village at some point. Otherwise, it was going to be impossible to develop the village into a proper city without others using various skills to help out.

Besides, the rabbit beastman could help give valuable input to improve this process. Or find a better way to do something. After all, he technically was the expert between the three of them.

Once all the clay was sorted through and divided, Serena divided one half again and placed one half into a wooden bucket. As she did so, she broke it into small chucks so it would dissolve in the water much easier.

Theo then poured water into the bucket until all the clay was covered. When it was all covered, he began mixing the mixture to help get the clay to dissolve, sometimes breaking the bigger lumps with his stirring stick.

Meanwhile, Serena went to place the other three-quarters of clay in the sun. Once the clay had been properly dried, it would then be grinded up and processed, half using the dry method and the quarter using the wet method.

She placed the clay on a rag-like fur that couldn’t really be used for clothing or bedding any more. Kiro got bored playing by himself by this time, so ended up joining his sister in laying out the clay.

When they laid out all the clay, the pair of siblings headed back over to Theo. Serena checked on the mixture and mused, "I think that should be fine... Now we just need to leave it and check on it tomorrow."

If it wasn’t ready by then, then they would need to leave it for another day. However, if it wasn’t done by the following day, then they’d need to test if grinding it up first worked better.

And if that didn’t work, then it was likely that the clay they were using was not a suitable type for the wet method. Meaning that they were stuck using the dry method to process all the clay.

"Got it." Theo responded, taking out the stirring stick he’d be using.

He then picked up the bucket and placed it to the side with the stick over it, so that it wasn’t in the way. Finn silently watched the entire thing as he carved up a piece of wood, his eyes clearly full of questions.

"We’re purifying the clay, so it’s easier to work with." Serena stated before the rabbit beastman could say anything. "Once it’s processed, we can make storage items with it."

"Hmmm..." Finn pursed his lips. "I didn’t realize clay could be used to make things. Then again, it can be molded and hardens into shape when dried..."

She could practically see the gears turning in his head, Finn even pausing his carving work for a moment to think about this ’discovery’. Serena let him be, moving to heat up some water so they could wash their hands.

Thankfully, their clothes hadn’t gotten dirty again, so they didn’t need to do a full body wash. Although, they would still wash up later as part of their nightly ritual.

Theo soon took over from her and Serena went looking for Kiro, the cub having run off to do something because he had gotten bored sitting around.

***

Once they were done with breakfast and Kiro had headed off to the village center to play, Serena went to check on the bucket of clay slurry. The other clay had already dried out and Theo was busy grinding it up for her.

He was using a pestle and mortar they had borrowed from Finn, however, Serena felt they had to come up with a better way to grind the clay. Because right now it was quite labour intensive.

She was happy to find that all the clay had dissolved. The only problem was that the mixture was too thick, almost like tar. She needed the mixture’s consistency to be much thinner.

Guess I’ll need to add more water to it and check it out after lunch. Serena mused to herself.

She headed over to their stash of water buckets, grabbing one. She then headed back to where her clay bucket was and added a few bowls of water to the mixture.

Serena didn’t want to add too much water, so was keeping it limited and only adding as needed. Once she was done adding the water, she mixed it with the stirring stick for a few minutes before leaving it alone.

As she was putting the water bucket back, she spotted Finn walking over to the hut. Right on time. The rabbit beastman had gotten interested in seeing the rest of the process and Serena gladly said he could, telling him to come by in the morning.

He had a lump of carved wood in his hand, deciding to finish it up at home when he didn’t finish yesterday. Though Serena didn’t really blame him. She had distracted him a little with her new project.

"Morning Finn." Serena greeted the rabbit beastman. "Theo’s in the front grinding up some clay. You can join in if you’d like."

The rabbit beastman nodded his head in understanding. "Sure. Let me just put this down first."

He held up the wooden piece as he spoke and Serena nodded in agreement. Finn then headed off to put the piece of wood down while Serena joined Theo in front of the hut.

The tiger beastman had worked up a sweat, already having ground up half of the clay. He was currently taking a short break, flexing his arm muscles to stretch them.

"Want me to take over?" Serena offered.

"No. I can do it." Theo responded quickly. "I’ve just got a little bit left to go and then I’m done. You don’t need to worry about me."

Serena pursed her lips at his words, but let him be. "Fine... But let me get you some water. It’ll be bad if you get dehydrated."

Theo wasn’t exactly sure what she meant by that last part, but he had to admit that he was thirsty. "Alright thanks."

"No problem." Serena smiled. "Oh and Finn’s here to observe and help out too."

As she spoke, the rabbit beastman appeared by her side and nodded his head. "Yes. Please let me know if I need to do anything."

Theo stiffened at the sight of Finn, relaxing a little only a moment later. Logically, he knew Finn was only here because he was interested in learning how to process the clay too.

But it didn’t stop his mind from wondering if perhaps there was another reason too. Surely someone couldn’t be that interested in making things. Then again, he had witnessed first hand how obsessive the rabbit beastman had gotten over making something.

Of course, even if he’s interested in Serena, it’s not like I can stop it... Theo mused to himself as Serena went to get him water. It’s normal for beastwomen to have multiple males. I’ve just been lucky so far.

But how long that luck would last was something he couldn’t be too sure of. That priest would come once it was the rainy season and then it was only a matter of time before others tried their luck.

Jason had already, but that didn’t really end well. Not to mention, Serena’s attitude towards having other mates had changed. It was why he even had a real chance now.

And who was to say she wouldn’t be interested in others. Finn was certainly a capable beastman and could definitely help her out more than he even could with some of her projects.

Theo shook his head at the thought, not wanting to think about it. But no matter how much he tried to bury it, it lingered on his mind.