That's adorable, actually. He and Felix really are two of a pair. Lartia snickers at him, leaning forward on her elbows. "Don't take it so hard. A girl's got to wonder, c'nsidering the company you keep."

His real answer takes a moment to digest, and she looks curious again. "Ah, now we're getting somewhere! So you've a fancy for... being some kind of artificer? Playing with devices? Marcella must love that."