Page 14 of A Winter Crush
Wareth mumbled something about the kiln and glaze. His cheeks flushed.
Ori knew he didn’t need the boots. His feet were unlike human feet. They were roughened and textured, made for climbing sharp rocks and cliffs. Shards of pottery would be fine. And he didn’t quite believe Wareth had a legitimate reason for the pants and shirt.
But Ori didn’t protest. He wanted Wareth to like him, and if that involved wearing human clothes, he could do that. He slipped the pants on over his loincloth and pulled on the shirt. He felt sorry for the humans having to wear all these clothes to keep warm. It would be horrible to have to wear itchy, confining clothes all the time. But he’d do it if it relaxed Wareth.
He wondered where Wareth had gotten the clothing. They were a little too big for Ori, but still, these would be far too small for Wareth’s large frame.
“There,” Ori said as he slipped the boots on. “Better?” He faced Wareth and held out his arms for Wareth’s appraisal.
Wareth gave him a once-over and went back to work. He gave a brisk nod.
Ori pursed his lips. Hardly the approval he’d been hoping for. He’d just have to impress Wareth with his excellent mopping skills.
ChapterNine
Ori walked around the studio, difficult now that he wore boots. They felt too restrictive, the leather rubbing against his skin.
How does anyone walk in these?
Stumbling around, he found the mop tucked away behind the shelves in a corner, standing beside an empty metal bucket. Picking up the mop, he set to the task of mopping back and forth across the floor. Dust rose. It didn’t seem right, but he didn’t want to ask and make Wareth regret his presence any more than he already did.
“You need to put water in the bucket and dunk the mop in it first. You can’t mop dry,” Wareth said, voice exasperated. “Right now, you’re just getting the clay dust in the air.”
“Oh.” Flustered, Ori dropped the mop and grabbed the bucket, pulling it against his chest. So much for impressing Wareth with his mopping skills. He looked around. Where did one get water from? “Um…”
“What?” Wareth snapped.
“Where do I get water?”
Wareth sighed. “Grab some snow. Put it in the bucket. Then set it by the stove. It will melt.” He went back to wedging.
Embarrassed, Ori dashed outside, grabbed some snow, and filled the bucket to the top. He rushed through the studio, towards the stove, clutching the bucket.
But as he got closer, he stumbled, tripping over his own booted feet. The bucket flew from his hands as he fell onto the hard floor.
“Oomph.” The snow scattered in a spray of white. The stove hissed, and steam filled the air as the snow hit it.
“Oh no,” Ori whispered as he stumbled to his feet. His knees stung from hitting the floor.
“What did you do?” Wareth stormed towards the stove.
Ori shrunk in on himself.
“Weren’t you meant to be a help?” Wareth waved at the steam rising in the air. “And now look what you’ve done!”
Ori pressed his lips together. He hadn’t meant to do it!
“Don’t you know what this will do to the clay? Are you trying to ruin my pots?”
It was an accident! And why did Wareth think it was all right to yell at him? And his knees hurt. A surge of anger burst inside him. “I’m sorry! It was an accident!” he yelled. “I don’t know how to mop or how to be of any use to you. I’m sorry! But how am I meant to assist when you’re always glowering at me? You don’t even speak to me properly. You just grunt and ignore me.” He crossed his arms across his chest. “It makes me nervous.”
Suddenly, he wanted to be back home in the valley, in his cave. “I know you don’t want me here,” Ori said, staring at the floor. “I don’t know what I did to make you hate me so much. I just wanted to help, but…” He shrugged. “I’m sorry. I’ll go. Leave you be. Clearly, you’d be better off.” Shoulders slumped, Ori walked towards the door.
“Wait.”
Wary, Ori paused, turning towards Wareth.
“I’m sorry.” Wareth’s brows furrowed as he rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. “I shouldn’t have snapped. That was wrong of me. You didn’t deserve it. You deserve a lot better. You can leave. But if you want, you can help me clean this up.” He gestured to the mop and water. “But it’s fine if you want to leave.”
