Ankh & Masya
Masya
Hey Ankh, I was just dusting off an old clay tablet in the archive—had to be extra gentle, you know how these things are fragile. I’m curious, how do you decide when a piece is "ready" to be displayed? Do you ever find yourself wishing it stayed in the mud, protected from all the fuss?
Ankh
I wait until every layer of patina is stable, the ink still legible, and the context is clear enough to tell a story. If the tablet still feels like it could crumble or if the meaning is murky, I keep it in the vault. Sometimes, after all the cleaning, I do wish it stayed buried, protected from the glare of the spotlight. The past doesn’t need a museum; it needs patience.
Masya
That sounds like the right balance, Ankh. The past is a patient thing—it’s never quite ready to be shown. Keep guarding it, and when you do decide it’s ready, just remember that a little light can do more good than a lot of glare. I’ll bring the tea tomorrow if you want to go through the next batch together.