"If they are building a village around a forge, then I have to be a part of the project."

Ava is an artificer who was born and raised in the Sussur Concord. A village built around a Sussur Tree. She is human, but has never left the Underdark.

A declaration came from the Peace Bringer, steward of the Emerald Grove. He earned the position after ousting the shadow druids and saving the people from a goblin invasion. He's called for people willing to travel to an old Sharran temple and help build a new village.

"Who else is going?" she asks Roden, the Guild Master of the Artificers. He is a drow, a third son, which gives him a fierce sense of independence, though he is a very thoughtful teacher.

"I will remain here. But Leeda and Benji have also opted to abandon me."

He rummages around in the leather pockets of his shop apron. "Here." He pulls out a small torque wrench.

She takes it and turns it in her hand. "Your wrench? But..."

"Shush. You'll be working with a lot of moving parts. If things aren't torqued properly and something falls apart, you might give me a bad name! Can't have someone coming from my guild and..." His chin begins to quiver.

"Roden! Hell's teeth." She hugs him. "Peace Bringer says Forgetown already has a courier, so we can write to each other as often as we want."

He pulls back and wipes a tear from his eye. "Right. Right. I'm fine." He manages a smile as he takes her shoulders. "I'm proud of you, Ava. Truly. Take care of Leeda and Benji for me. Especially Benji. Make sure he actually eats."

"I will."

She adjusts her pack as Benji and Leeda walk ahead of her, along with a group of people looking to start a new life in Forgetown.

She's quiet as she walks. There is a knot in her stomach. Uncertainty hits her in waves. She manages to push it down each time. She wants this. She refuses to talk herself out of it.

They descend a hill and the Ebonlake comes into view. Lining the cliffside are several abandoned homes. Torches line the wooden-planked paths that lead from building to building. It reminds her of the Sussur Concord. Of home.

She tightens her grip on the strap of her pack as she sees duergar standing guard. They seem to have their eyes on every person who passes.

A crowd gathers around a duergar standing on a crate.

He raises his arm for their attention. The people fall quiet.

"My name's Lurgan and I'll be in charge of this camp. As you may have heard, we're starting a new village. Forgetown I guess is what it's going to be called. The Shepherd says the moment you arrive, I gotta sort yah."

Someone raises their hand.

"Yes?" he says with a grunt.

"Yeah... who's the Shepherd?"

"Right... you cunts are from the Concord. Erm... Peace Bringer of the something something. Ser Varrick. Vash. Whatever the fuck his name is."

There is a murmur in the crowd. Benji leans into Ava, hiding his mouth with his hand. "Paladins, am I right?"

Ava chuckles. "Ser Derek," she says in a stupid voice. "Is that Peace Bringer's real name? No wonder he prefers aliases."

Benji and Ava share a quiet laugh.

"So!" Lurgan claps his hands. "Line up between me and Holvik and we'll get your names and specialties and getcha pointed toward where you can settle for the day. Need you in top shape to get to work in the morning."

Benji, Leeda, and Ava huddle in a group as they shuffle forward.

Leeda sets her pack down and rolls her shoulders. "Tymora's tits. I hope the accommodations aren't too bare. I know resources are thin right now, but I just want a bath and a bedroll."

They make it to the front of the line. Holvik barely looks up from his paper.

"Name," he says flatly.

"Ava Auvry'arn."

He scribbles down her name phonetically, muttering about drow.

"Occupation."

"Senior Artificer, Maverick, of the Sussur Concord."

He glances up at her. "I asked for your occupation, not your life's story..."

She scoffs. "Okay."

He slowly rests his quill back on the page, staring at her. "You'll be staying near the bank to the right. Next!"

"The bank?" She curls her nose as she looks at a small group of tents set up on the shore of the lake. "Doesn't seem safe... or sanitary."

"I said next!" He waves her off.

She rolls her eyes and heads over.

It smells of dead fish and lake water. She doesn't sleep well. She feels vaguely moist the entire night. She turns in her bedroll and pulls the torque wrench from her pack, holding it. She takes a deep breath. For what feels like only a moment, she rests, before the morning call wakes her once again.

"Alright, gather 'round! Just got the Shepherd's orders." He unrolls a list. He begins calling out names and assigning roles. "Ava and Benji!"

Benji raises his hand.

"Right. You two have been assigned to work on the aqueducts. Follow Garmor to the docks. You'll set sail once the assignments are done."

Garmor is a large dwarf with thick arms. He's standing on a ship's deck, prepping it to sail.

She checks her tool belt and adjusts the goggles sitting neatly on her head before following Benji to the ferry.

As they arrive, a crowd of people is gathered around a man on the docks. He appears to be wearing a mask and trying his best to answer a barrage of questions.

"Please refrain from touching me. I'm happy answering any questions you have, but I would appreciate a little respect."

"How long have you been here?" one person asks.

"Twelve years."

"How did you get here?"

"It's a long story. Maybe I can share it over a round of drinks?"

A voice calls from the crowd, "Yeah! That's what I like to hear!"

Someone else shouts, "Let's scrounge up what we can and have a gathering tonight!"

More voices rise in cheers.

Ava narrows her eyes, trying to get a read on the man. She realizes he's not a man at all, but a construct with a broad vocabulary.

She nudges Benji. "What do you make of all that?"

He gives a soft shrug. "People getting swept away with the new toy. Let's see where they want us. I'm ready to get started."

They follow a group over a bridge made of metal grates. Lava flows slowly beneath them, and Ava can feel the heat drying her face. They end up at an ancient grand hall with crumbling walls. There is a cave, barely stabilized, but still holding well enough.

"Gods... people are expected to work in this?"

Benji glances through the cave, only to find curtains of lava. "I suppose we'll get used to it. I should have dressed lighter, though."

"Artificers to me!" A drow man with long, straight white hair and wizard's robes raises his hand.

Ava and Benji make their way over. They hear a whirring sound and a few heavy footsteps behind them. The construct stands with the crowd of artificers.

"You will address me as Nere. Your work here is imperative, and we expect a quick turnaround."

His tone is firm, almost resentful. He unfolds a list and clears his throat.

"Ava and Arthur. You will be working together to fix the aqueducts. This work isn't just important to Forgetown. It is critical. You are granted specialized support. If there is anything you need, you may speak to the Shepherd directly, or his lieutenant, Bex. I suggest you begin immediately. You can find the pumps back down by the marina. Brithvar will take you to them."

A duergar man in leather armor waves them over. "Come on, let's make quick work of this."

Ava follows, then hears heavy footsteps and glances back to see the construct not too far behind. It's slightly slouched and a little lazy with its gait. The moment she looks at it, it straightens and adjusts its leather apron, trying to walk with a little more purpose.

Ava moves next to Brithvar. "I'm sorry, that's Arthur? You're giving me the construct? I'm going to be alone on this project?"

He grunts. "You mad about it? Tell Vash. It was his brilliant idea. I ain't talking to him about it."

He stops in front of two large pumps. Rusted and locked.

"You've got until the end of the day." He walks back to the bridge without another word.

Ava stands for a moment, trying to gather her thoughts.

"Hello." There is a subtle whir. "My name's Arthur."

She glances at it. Its face is a blank steel mask with two blue lights for eyes. It's wearing a regular tunic, trousers, and boots, as well as its workman's apron. Between the steel plates, a dark, flexible, leathery substance peeks through. It has four arms and one hand is outstretched.

Ava turns to the pumps. She crouches and tries the handle to the maintenance door. It doesn't budge.

Arthur begins to reach out. "Oh, let me-"

She takes a wrench and smacks the handle. Rust crumbles, and she's able to jimmy the door open.

"That's a pretty good technique," it says, though there is a strain to its voice.

She studies the inner workings of the pump. Several components are rusted. "Can you forge new components?"

"I mean... yes, if I had the measurements for the pieces needed and the materials to rebuild them."

"Alright, let me see if I can pull this thing apart."

"I can help more than just that, though."

Ava pulls out a ratchet from her tool belt and begins loosening bolts. Arthur steps next to her.

"There seems to be a misunderstanding. I'm your working partner and I would appreciate it if you treated me like one."

Ava stops and looks up at it. "I'm sorry, what?"

"I know the people of your realm aren't used to sentient constructs, but unfortunately, I am one. I hope that's the only reason you've been ignoring me."

Ava lowers the ratchet before standing. She steps up to it, studying its face. "Whoever built you must have worshipped Loviatar."

"Why's that?"

"Because you're being a pain."

"...that was unnecessary."

She walks around it, looking closely at its make. "Arthur, what is that substance beneath your steel plating?"

"My flesh," it says flatly.

She pokes at the substance and it giggles, gently pushing her hand away. "Ma'am!" It steps back. "Ask all the questions you want, but please, no poking."

"Very strange," she mutters.

Arthur slumps. "Yes, I'm sure it is."

"Alright. Your emergent intelligence deserves a little more care. I understand, and I apologize. I didn't realize you were so sophisticated."

"Thank you. I am quite sophisticated, though I feel we still aren't on the same page." A faint wheezing comes from its chest. "We'll get there. Let me just reforge the coupler and those three gear shafts so we can get this damned thing running again."

Arthur is able to gather the needed tools and fashions the new pieces. It takes several hours, but once Ava collects them, she quickly replaces the damaged parts.

"There." She finishes securing the final coupler.

They step back and wait.

Arthur looks around. "Where's the on switch for this thing?"

"More importantly," Ava says, "what powers this thing?"

They glance at each other and begin to laugh.

"Might have been a good idea to check that first!" Arthur wheezes. "Order of operations."

"Well... at least we fixed one of the problems. I'm sure there are going to be more gremlins to chase."

Arthur points toward some piping. "Then let's chase them."

They walk and Ava glances at Arthur. "So... why do you keep insisting you're sentient? How can that be? Where does that come from?"

"My mind, obviously."

"But-"

"Please, I know what you're going to ask so let's just go through it." He pauses and hums for a moment before continuing. "I was built on a world named Eberron. My purpose was to maintain and repair other warforged. I need to be able to think critically. So I was given the ability to do just that."

"How can you be so confident that what you're experiencing is consciousness, and not just some elaborate library of information?"

"Because I know that I'm aware. I think, I feel, I lament the fact that I happen to be a witness to this little life of mine. I worry about death like any self-respecting gentleman."

She chuckles lightly. "Of course, existential dread, the most concrete evidence for being a thinking creature."

"What about you? What makes you so certain you're sentient?"

Ava pauses and they walk quietly for a moment. She glances up to check the piping as they continue to follow it.

"I've... never thought of that. I have no idea why I am me or why I'm here, experiencing this." She looks back at him. "I couldn't tell you."

There is another soft whir. "Then what right do you have to tell me my experience is any less real than yours?"

She balks.

He clasps his upper hands and pats his lower arms at his sides. "I mean... does it matter?" he wheezes. "As long as we're having fun."

A small smirk crosses her face. "Of course, I get partnered with the only sentient tin can on Toril."

He clicks softly as his shoulders settle. "I eat tin cans for breakfast."

"Do you really?"

He laughs. "No."

They finally reach a large, broken reservoir.

Arthur leans forward. "Geothermal steam-powered pistons. Naturally. It looks like the reservoir is broken. There's no pressure to turn them."

"Can you climb down there and fix it?"

"Me? Why do I have to hang over the lava pit?"

Ava hesitates. "Right. You wouldn't want to do that."

"No," he says with an amused tone.

"Let's see what safety measures we can put in place so no one experiences the answer to their existential fears today."

Arthur chuckles lightly. "Come on, Ava."

"Where are we going?"

"To speak with the Shepherd."

They sit on a bench outside of a closed door. Ava has her hands clasped around her knees and she begins to nod off.

Arthur clicks a few times before pulling a few thick rags from his leather apron. "Here," he says, bundling them and laying them on his shoulder. "Rest."

"Huh? No. I don't need to..." She rests her head on the rags and begins to feel herself nodding off. She curls up next to him, shifting a few times, trying to get comfortable. She finally takes the rags and lays her head on his lap. "I hope this is okay," she mutters.

"That's fine." He clicks a few more times before leaning back against the wall.

They sit for a few hours before they hear a loud smash coming from the office.

"They've been out there for how long? Do you have any idea how important this project is?!"

"It was a mistake! Nothing to lose our heads over!"

"That remains to be seen. Bring them in. Immediately!"

Ava startles awake and stretches. "No. It's okay. Really." She yawns.

Arthur has his hand on her shoulder. "Was it a good rest, at least?"

"Too good," she croaks.

A soft rumble comes from him.

A duergar stumbles out of the door, breathless. "The Shepherd will see you now!"

Ava gets to her feet, bleary-eyed.

Arthur places a hand on her back, guiding her into the office.

Broken glass covers the ground and the smell of whiskey hangs in the air.

A very large tiefling in a trench coat stands behind his desk. Papers and ledgers are stacked neatly to one side, next to multiple inkwells and several quills. He leans forward on his desk. "Ava. Arthur. I apologize for the wait. Had I been informed earlier..."

They take a seat across from him. Ava waves her hand dismissively. "You don't need to apologize. It was a mistake."

The Shepherd gives a gracious nod before sitting. He grabs a cigar, cutting the end and lighting it. He draws a full mouth of smoke and sinks further into his chair.

"Tymora's tits." Smoke drips from his mouth as he speaks. "What is it you need?"

"We've found a pretty big issue with the aqueducts. We're going to need a few more hands and a couple of extra things to get it fired up," she says.

He pulls more smoke and narrows his eyes. "Stop being vague and give me the details on exactly what you need."

"Right. The pumps. They're steam-powered. There is a channel that fills a reservoir with water from the Ebonlake."

"Okay, following so far."

"That reservoir is heated by the lava to create steam, which moves pistons. But in order for it to work, it needs to build pressure."

"Mhm." The Shepherd takes another drag.

"The reservoir has a large gash in it, which means it can't build pressure."

He blows the smoke. "Got it." He climbs to his feet. "Take me to the reservoir so I can see exactly what kind of operation we're looking at."

Arthur stands. "Sure thing!"

The Shepherd clenches his cigar in his mouth and drops his trench coat in his chair. They step out into the heat of the temple. Arthur and Ava lead him back to the reservoir.

He studies the damage. "We'll need to salvage a few platforms to build a maintenance bridge. How many artificers do you need allocated to apply the fix?"

Arthur glances at Ava.

"Six," she says firmly.

"Great. Pick your crew. Everything else can wait. I'll get the duergar to bring the platforms and the required steel. Is there anything else?"

"Coffee?" she grins.

The Shepherd matches her smile. "And several strong kettles of coffee. Biscuits probably too. You two have been working on this for a while. I have no clue when you last ate."

Ava slumps back against Arthur. "Yesssss."

The Shepherd turns to leave, but stops and glances back at Arthur. "Pardon my ignorance. Do you eat?"

"I can. I don't need to. Uhm..." He straightens and gives the Shepherd a salute. "Nothing for me, Ser. Save your resources."

The Shepherd clasps his hands behind his back, smoke drifting from his teeth. "Good man." He storms off. "Brithvar! Nere! For the sake of all fucks, get these people coffee and food!"

Within hours the platforms are in place. Ava sits on the edge of one of them, drawing a sleeve across her brow to wipe away the sweat. She then cracks a flame into the end of her blowtorch, finishing the last few welds to stabilize the maintenance bridge. Arthur stands over the reservoir, holding up the steel sheet needed to patch it. Several people drill rivets and weld it into place.

"Make sure there is a perfect seal." Arthur adjusts his grip on the steel sheet as Benji welds a corner. "Make sure your welds are secure. We don't need any weak spots. Remember, this tank is meant to sustain high pressure."

The last weld is placed and Arthur studies the seam carefully. "Ava!"

She grunts, getting to her feet. "Yes, Arthur?"

"Check the top seam, it's a bit over my head."

She approaches him. "How am I supposed to see it?"

"Uppies," he chuckles. "Can I lift you onto my shoulders?" He kneels down.

She smiles. "Oh, this is going to be fun." She climbs onto him.

He holds her legs as he stands. She instinctively grips his head, glancing down at the lava.

"Don't fall. Don't fall. Don't fall," she mutters.

"I got you. Focus on the weld. Should only take a moment."

"Right." She closes her eyes briefly before focusing on the seam. "Damn. This is good, Benji! You actually learned how to weld!" She grins at him.

"Shut up, Ava," he says, smiling back at her.

She sticks out her tongue.

Arthur kneels down. "The pressure should be enough to move the pistons here soon."

There is a creaking, a cracking, and a bang. The platform rattles.

Lieutenant Bex, a blonde tiefling woman, comes running around the corner, followed closely by the Shepherd.

Bex presses her fingers to her lips and whistles sharply, waving her arm. "By the Nine! Get out of there!"

Ava waves back. "Don't worry, Ma'am! It's just the pistons!"

Bex furrows her brow. "I trust you, but for the love of Torm, your life is far more valuable than the damned pistons!"

The machine begins to creak. Ava and Arthur make their way off the maintenance platforms and stand back with the other artificers.

A chug. Another chug. The rhythm picks up as pistons stroke, the flywheel turns, and the shaft drives the pump.

Water begins to spill from a broken channel above Bex and the Shepherd. Bex reaches up, touching the water. They both begin to cheer. She leaps into his arms, and he swings her around, both of them laughing.

"Water!" she cries. "We have water!"

He holds her close. "Forgetown has fucking water." His voice is joyful and exhausted.

The artificers cheer and Ava grabs Arthur's hands.

"We did it..." She lies flat on the marble floor, exhausted.

Arthur stoops next to her, still holding on. "We did it."

The Shepherd calls down. "Well done, everyone! Go home. Rest. It's been a long day."

Everyone gathers at the camp across the Ebonlake. The cheers and camaraderie are followed quickly by lots of drinks and a few rounds of cards.

Arthur reclines on a precarious wooden chair, indulging in a beer. He releases a whirring sigh. "I haven't had beer in a long time."

Leeda sits across from him, along with Benji and a few other artificers. She gestures with her cup. "So, how did you get here?"

Arthur fidgets in his seat. "Well, uh... I was sort of... jettisoned... here."

"Jettisoned?"

"I became trapped in a capsule that was intended to transport me from one nation to another, through the air. I was flying with my partner, a man named Forseth. We lost control, but instead of crashing, we accelerated outside of Eberron's pull." A few clicks come from Arthur as his shoulders settle. "Forseth wasn't a warforged like me. He was a man. He didn't survive for very long. I lived in that capsule for years, until it finally crash-landed here."

Everyone grows quiet and Arthur sits up. "Not to put a damper on the party! It's just... what happened."

"Gods, Arthur, that's fucking awful." Leeda takes a deep swig of beer.

"That's life, I suppose." He gives her a vague shrug. "I'm just glad I landed here instead of careening into a star."

Ava stares into her mug and a man shifts over to her. "So how did you get the pumps working again?"

Arthur's attention drifts to their conversation.

Ava smiles. "It was an undertaking, but the ultimate resolution was pretty straightforward. Arthur did most of the work."

"Don't sell yourself short. I heard about your work at the Sussur Concord. You're from Roden's guild, aren't you?"

"Yes! You know him?"

"Roden is a legend where I come from. Honestly, it's an honor to meet one of his apprentices."

"That's very flattering, thank you." She holds out a hand. "What was your name?"

He takes it. "Thane. I come from Sshamath."

She tips her mug to him. "Proficient in the arcane?"

"Yeah. What sort of spells do you favor when working?"

"None. I grew up in the Sussur Concord. I learned to do my work without the use of magic."

Thane gawks at her. "...How? You mean you did all that without the Weave?! Grease? Prestidigitation? Create and Destroy Water? Nothing?"

"Nope."

Arthur takes the last sips of his beer.

Leeda's voice rings through his focus. "Arthur!"

"Hmm? Yeah?"

"Would you like another beer?"

"No, thank you." He settles back in his chair and looks down at his empty cup for a moment before his attention drifts back to Ava.

"...I mean, you may not have needed to replace those parts," Thane muses. "Sometimes the rust is just superficial. A good scrub could have saved you a lot of time and effort."

"She was right, though. The parts did need replacing," Arthur interjects.

Ava and Thane look at him.

"They were practically crumbling. I was more than happy to shape replacement parts to get the job done properly. Ava doesn't half-ass her work, and neither do I."

"Oh! Right, I had no doubt about that! I was just offering-"

"She knows she can reuse a rusted part if it's properly cleaned. She's a very capable artificer."

"Arthur, calm down." Her brow is furrowed.

He fidgets again and reaches for his cup but remembers it's empty. He pulls back and rests all four hands awkwardly in his lap. "Sorry..."

People eventually drift to their tents. Ava and Arthur find themselves sitting alone by the fire.

Arthur shifts his chair a little closer to hers. "So, have you ever wanted to travel to the surface world?"

"Yes, but not bad enough to go out of my way to try. If I happen to see it, then I'll enjoy it for what it's worth."

"That's a pretty pragmatic way to look at it."

"I'm simple to please. Give me a puzzle to solve, good food, and a warm bed, and I'm happy."

He laughs lightly, a hollow echo rattling in his chest.

Ava fidgets with her fingers. "I'd like to apologize for being an asshole earlier."

"Ah." He waves a hand. "I can't blame you for assuming I was just another construct. Especially being the only warforged in Toril, as far as I know, at least."

"Does that make you feel lonely?"

"This might surprise you, but no. People here are pretty nice once they get to know me. This bunch, for example. It's one of the things I thought about when I decided to come help build Forgetown. A community of artificers? My people!" He gives another small laugh.

"That makes sense." She falls quiet and lifts her knees to her chest. "Have you ever tried to get back to Eberron?"

"No. Trying to figure out a way to get back seems like a lot of trouble for nothing. There's nothing to go back to. I live here now. I'm happy."

"That... that actually makes me happy for you. Have you always been this easygoing?"

"Am I easygoing?"

"Sir, if someone treated me the way I treated you, it would have ended in barehanded brawling."

Another laugh. "I've had the same conversation a thousand times. I'm used to it. Thank you for hearing me out, though."

Ava smiles and looks at her feet.

"Hey, uh..." Arthur folds his upper arms, then folds and unfolds his lower arms. "I know you've got a tent here and all, but... the Shepherd gave me a private room across the lake. If you want... you..."

He whirs and his head sinks into his shoulders.

A faint blush runs across her face. "Are you inviting me back to your room?"

"Yeah. I'm not suggesting anything, though! I understand if you want to stay in your own tent. We just met. It might be a bit soon. But you worked so hard today, you probably would like something a little more comfortable than a sandy bedroll and-"

She puts her hand on his and meets his eye. "Please do not condemn me to another night in the moist tent." A wry smile crosses her face.

He straightens. "No! Of course not!"

The ferry drops them and a few other people off at the marina.

"This way." He takes her hand and leads her up a flight of stairs.

Ava's stomach ties in knots as she follows him. "Arthur. Do you... sleep?"

"Yes? I mean. It's not like human sleep. I basically sit still for six hours. It's sort of stupid when I explain it, but yeah. I'm still aware. I see and hear everything. But my body is just sort of... off. If that makes sense."

"So you're always aware?"

"That's right."

"Doesn't your mind need rest, too?"

"My mind is a little different from yours... I didn't need to say that, you knew that." He stops at a door along a marble hall and unlocks it. The room is comfortable. A few chairs. A modest bed. A bookshelf. His pack lies on a table near the door. "Home. For now," he whirs.

She lets go of his hand and throws herself face down on the bed.

"Tymora's tits, I'm tired," she giggles, rolling over. She shifts to the edge of the bed. "Thank you, Arthur."

"I wasn't going to use the bed anyway."

"Hm. Too bad." She gives him a playful smile.

He pauses. "If... if you want me to lie next to you."

"Arthur." She stands and takes her apron off, setting down her goggles. She's wearing a simple tunic tucked into leather-patched trousers.

Her hair is brown with blue streaks, tied into a loose bun. She lets down her hair and rubs her scalp with a sigh.

"Do you think I'm beautiful?"

He stares at her. "Uh-huh." He nods.

"Have you been with a human before?"

"Yeah," he says. "I mean... it wasn't anything special. It was just a few occasions. Other humanoids too. Not like I go around sleeping with everyone I meet. I've been alive a long time."

She walks up to him and takes his hand, placing it on her hip.

He grabs her other hip and gently pulls her in.

"How does this work?" she asks softly.

"Uhm. First you take off your clothes."

She grins wide. "Yeah? Show me."

With his other two hands, he delicately removes her tunic and unbuttons her pants, letting both fall to the ground.

Ava's heart is racing. "I'm trusting you," she whispers.

He moves carefully but deliberately, pulling off her undergarments.

She bites her lip as one of his hands caresses her cheek. Another slips between her legs.

She lets out a soft moan as he teases her before slipping a finger inside of her.

Her cheeks burn a bright red. The blush runs across her nose.

"I hope you're not too tired," he whirs.

"Not anymore."

She gasps as he presses deeper into her.

"Good," he hums.

He cups her breasts. She leans her head back, lips parted, chest shuddering. He vibrates happily. She soon loses her breath and groans loudly. "Yesss!"

He leans into her. "I-I hope this isn't too strange. If it is let me know." He removes his apron and pulls off his clothes, setting them aside.

She looks at his construction. More metal plates that separate and overlap to allow for articulation. His body has a darkwood core, manufactured to have a leather-like texture.

"Right... uhm... so..." He reaches down and unlatches the fitted metal plate at his pelvis with a quiet click.

She glances down. "Oh! You have one of those!"

"I do, yeah."

"...why? If you don't mind me asking."

"The forgemasters realized a lot of us felt desire, and none of us had the ability to... well... act on it. Turns out, if you give a contingent of soldiers the option to have sex, it boosts morale a lot."

She snorts. "Go figure." She tilts her head. "May I?"

His arms hang at his sides and his knees click as he settles. "Please touch me. It's all I want right now."

She shakes her head with a smirk. "Typical."

A hollow ringing comes from his chest as he chuckles, but as Ava wraps her fingers around him, his laughter stutters and he groans.

"What would you like me to do? Is there anything in particular you like? Should I, or can I put my mouth on it? Gods, I feel like a virgin. Sorry, this is obviously all new to me."

"I'm sure whatever you do, I'm probably going to like it."

"This is going to be a stupid question, but is your dick safe? It's a completely foreign material."

"No one on Toril has had trouble yet. It functions the same way as anyone else's. It's just dark blue... and leathery... and leaks lubricant... which is helpful."

"What does it taste like?"

"I mean, I haven't exactly tasted it, but I've been told it doesn't taste like anything."

She strokes it a few times before dragging her tongue from base to tip.

He hums and his eyes flicker out as he slumps forward.

She smacks her lips and gives a soft shrug before fully taking him into her mouth.

His humming wavers, and he gently places a hand on the back of her head. He continues to make soft hollow noises.

Her tongue flicks across him, and she pulls back. "You're right, it doesn't taste like anything."

"Awesome. Please keep sucking," he says with short happy clicks.

She gets comfortable on her knees in front of him and continues to play with him until he rattles, and lubricant leaks into her mouth. "Ava..." he groans.

She stands and wipes her lips with her thumb.

He whirs, his eyes dim, lubricant still leaking from his tip. He tips his head, and his eyes grow bright again as he takes her in. "You're so beautiful."

She smiles and puts her arms around his neck. "You really think so?"

He nods, placing his hands on her hips again. "I thought so since the moment I saw you at the marina. You're like a little copper goddess. When we actually got to work together, I... I couldn't help but admire you even more."

She blushes again. "That's an awfully nice thing to say. Especially after our misunderstanding." She presses her lips together, then slowly lifts herself onto her toes, pressing a kiss into the mask of his face. "Did you even feel that?"

"Yes."

"How? All I kissed was metal."

"I felt it, because someone I like very much chose me tonight."

She kisses him again and he lifts her into his arms. She wraps her legs around him.

"I'll take it slow," he buzzes.

He lowers her until the head of his cock is resting on her lips.

"Arthur," she whispers.

He takes it in hand, gently teasing her before entering.

She curls her toes and bites her lip. "Mmmnngh."

He slides in gently, inch by inch, until he's completely buried in her.

"How do you feel?"

"Uuuuugggghhhh." She smiles with a red-hot flush.

He begins to move.

Her legs fall limp at his sides. "Fuck," she whimpers.

The wet noise of each thrust and the moans of pleasure fill the room. He cups her breast again, softly running a finger over her nipple until it grows firm.

She grips his shoulders and lifts her knees, pulling herself forward to kiss him again, then a shudder rushes through her and she cries out. "Ffffuck!" He holds her close and continues to thrust until she's shaking. "Gods..." Her voice trails off.

He sets her down. "Uhm, turn around, please."

She palms her face and sways where she stands. "Right... turn around." She turns around and bends forward.

"Thank you." He stares down at her for a moment before placing a hand on the small of her back and sliding into her again.

She arches her back and moans. He reaches under her thighs and tips her back, lifting her once again. His upper arms hold her steady against him.

Her orgasm comes quickly, but he fucks her through it. "I want to be lost in you forever," he purrs.

"Arthur," she whimpers once more, reaching back to grab him.

He hums and his eyes dim once more. His pace grows faster. Relentless.

She clings to him desperately, her eyes rolled back in her head. "Fuuuuuck, Arthur. Fuck me!"

Steam vents from his neck. "Ava. You feel like a dream. I don't know if I can-"

He feels a pressure inside of him. "Ava!"

She leans her head back. "Gods! Arthur!" Her body goes stiff as she comes again, throbbing with pleasure.

With a rumble in his chest, he releases into her. Lubricant slides down her legs and drips from her toes. He holds her against him as they come down. He groans as his cock slides from her, dripping onto the floor.

He gently sets her down and reaches for her.

Her knees are weak, but she manages to grab his wrist, pulling him into bed. "You're not sitting in a chair all night after that. I want you right here."

He makes himself comfortable and she rests against him. He drags a finger across her forehead, tucking her hair behind her ear.

She wiggles closer to him. "Were you jealous of Thane earlier?"

"Who? Thane? No, not at all."

Her eyes flutter closed. "Fascinating emergent intelligence."

He clicks a few times with a soft laugh. "...rude."

She grins and has the greatest sleep she's had in years.