Duality (DxD) (Part 1)

Ch 32 - An Artisan

After Jin made a near-perfect figure. Something Mrs Kiryuu viewed as perfect, but Jin didn't. Mrs Kiryuu asked him to make another. Making one so she could watch and learn. She didn't see how he made the last one and was amazed at how detailed it was. How well-balanced it was when it dried. Even in such a pose, it stood strong without a base. Standing in the cool martial arts pose Mr Kiryuu thought was a very nice touch.

Jin now had confidence that he was making figures at a quality even someone like Mrs Kiryuu would marvel at. If someone like her found the quality amazing. A manga artist and someone who modelled figures. It was definitely of good quality to sell. Not that he was going to sell away Ban. That figure was his.

But to show Mrs Kiryuu his craft and the combination of different tutorials and demo techniques he saw. He would make someone close to him again. Another guardian he held dear to his heart. Taking another piece of clay and putting all of his focus on it.

He began to carve a young woman with a voluptuous figure. He was careful in his detail and remembered what she looked like perfectly. Slowly carving pieces off the clay, using the flat face of the blade to shape the clay without putting fingerprints on it. He made the details of the very long hair perfect. Making a perfect base to paint the blond that would be her hair. He carved out her delicate facial features and beautiful appearance.

His eyes were crying, but that was because he was straining them so much. Allsight was not something to use for extended periods of time. But for some reason, he was finding it easier than the last time he did it. His eyes were less dry, and not as sore.

He used small carved-off clay pieces to properly accentuate her hairstyle. Putting as much effort into the carving as his guardian did her hair. Creating her tied back loose ponytail, and the spirals that ended at her legs. The spirals were difficult to do. Jin knew it would threaten to break if he did it wrong. So he subtly connected it to the main body. He used carved-off clay to make Taut bandages in the hair.

Then after two hours, she was done. Jin used extra clay to make a spine to the figure so she sat upright without risk of breaking in the position he remembered her most on. Sitting down on her knees in which he would normally rest his head. She was carved in her traditional shrine maiden attire, a coat held closed by a ribbon accentuated by the added clay to make it pop out and not look flat.

Jin was happy with it. She was sitting there again. His two guardians were side by side. An old man who practised weird culture and amazing martial arts, and his first guardian, the woman he held most dear to his heart.

When Mrs Kiryuu looked at it, she was amazed. Jin still had spare clay left over that he didn't ruin it. He had made clay denser in areas to support the figure's structure. He had used parts of the caved-out clay to make the figure have a more 3-dimensional look to it. His attention to detail for even something as small as the eyes, hair or hands was amazing. She had learned a lot just from watching him. Placing it delicately on the shelf to dry and set.

Mrs Kiryuu: Have you done this before?!

Mrs Kiryuu asked curious as to how Jin had gotten so good, so perfect at carving out figures. Enough to still have clay left over so that if he made two more, he could make a fifth without buying more clay.

Jin: Yes. I made the Ban figure before this one.

Mrs Kiryuu: I meant before that!

Jin: Then no. I've only looked at your figures and a few tutorials and demos.

Mrs Kiryuu: {WHAT TUTORIALS HAVE YOU WATCHED TO BE THIS GOOD?!}

Mrs Kiryuu looked at Jin as if he was the enigma she needed to crack. But she didn't have an enigma machine to do it. Completely impossible to tell exactly how Jin did what he did or why he was the way he was. He was without a doubt the most talented, confusing, mysterious kid she had laid her eyes upon.

Aika: MUM! ME AND DAD ARE BACK HOME!

Aika shouted from the front door as you could hear them taking off their coats and shoes. Heavier snow boots and many more layers for Mr Kiryuu. But then Mrs Kiryuu looked at Jin, then the figures and an idea popped into mind.

Mrs Kiryuu: Jin! How would you like to show off what you can do by making one more?

Mrs Kiryuu said enthusiastically. Such a talent would be a waste not to show off. She definitely wanted to show her husband and Aika would without a doubt want to see Jin make one of the most detailed figures she had ever seen. Jin had no reason to say no besides his strained eyes which got more and more comfortable and less sore strangely.

Jin: Sure. {Three examples of my work should be enough to validate my skills for the internet. I'll make Hex too. Then when they're all dry I'll paint them and take pictures.}

Jin thought, but when making Hex, it wasn't justice to him making him exactly what he looked like on a daily. So Jin added some flare to him. He made Hex a similar appearance to his normal look, but gave him a slightly better frame, standing up straight with clothes he saw an anime fantasy noble wear. Standing in a position and holding a king chess piece that could only be said to be a villain. A mighty villain in all his glory.

Jins Arch Nemesis standing next to his two guardians all in poses that were actuated to their character. Ban, was a fighter who fought for others. Hex, was a man who was always 10 steps ahead of others. Then his first guardian, a kind caring woman who held a gentle air around her.

These three perfect figures were Jins first, ones of people he held dear to him and wouldn't sell under any circumstances.