Enter the smithy.

With the forge unlit and no sounds of a hammer swinging against metal, you step around the empty exterior towards the front door to see that the lights are still on--magic ones of course, which is completely different than electrical. Before entering, you drum your knuckles against the door to knock, and then you wait to hear the sound of Laira Holland's voice in response.

"You know it's a shop! Whoever is out there, you can come in if it's unlocked."

That's fair enough. I've just seen enough anime to know what happens when you enter a room without knocking. "It's me," you reply as you step inside. "Woah!"

Taking up most of the interior is a pile of dragon parts. Everything has been completely disassembled, cleaned, and sorted, leaving tons of bones, scales, and more all around the center. Meanwhile, Laira is laying back against the wall nearby. She leans back her head and blows air from her lips as she tugs on the straps of her overalls to cool herself down. Of course, she wears nothing beneath it. You watch as her nearly exposed breasts jiggle up and down as she continues to pull on the material--an incredibly generous amount of her sideboob is visible as always. Unlike usual, her ponytail is undone, leaving a messy head of fiery orange hair to hang flat down her head.

"I'm sorry, Kyle. I haven't even started yet," she admits.

"Well it hasn't been very long. I didn't expect it to be done. That isn't why I'm here."

She pulls herself up from the wall and steps around the bits towards you. "See, I just haven't found the inspiration."

"I see."

"This is not only my first time working with parts from a dragon, but it isn't even an ordinary one! My mind is racing. I have no idea what to do. If I'm going to make a suit of armour for the Demon King, it has to be the perfect one. This just isn't it. I feel like I'm missing something. If I just throw this together into some basic gear, will that even be worth it?"

"All right. I get it." You cross your arms and nod. "That does make sense. I can't leave this all to you after all. Just keep it on the backburner for now. Just like anything creative, it has to come to you. Meanwhile, I'll see if I can run into any other parts to mix in."

She breaths a sigh of relief. "Good idea. Thanks, Kyle. Is that why you came here?"

"Yeah of course. Luna said something was bothering you."

Laira slides her fingers back through her hair. You get a sense that she's suddenly a little more self-conscious about her unkempt appearance. Though more prominently, you see her start to flush red. "W-Well, thank you muchly. I uh, have a request then while you're here. I'd like accurate measurements for this project. I know Luna has them! But I need to make sure."

"Sure. I wouldn't want it any other way."

She pulls a roll of measuring tape from a drawer and brings it over. As she extends it out and over your arm, she looks you over, deep in thought. It's like she wants to speak but she can't find the words.

"Are you good?" you ask.

Her voice is quieter now. "I hope you didn't find it offensive that I didn't join in with that Erotrain thingy. It's that that, uhm... Well, I didn't want--" She cuts herself off and doesn't continue.

"I didn't expect anyone to do it," you reply. "So don't feel bad.

"I just didn't want that to be my first time," she whispers.

Fair enough. I actually have no idea how many of the girls were virgins or not. Nobody ever mentions it. I'm sure at least some of them must have been, right? Either that, or they've all had really disappointing swings in the past. I guess it doesn't really matter. "Hey it's all good. I wouldn't want that either."

"If we ever... I just would want it to be more special. And the Erotrain sounded so embarrassing! and--Never mind. Thank you." She giggles softly. Next, she travels down your body, wrapping the tape around your waist. "You're quite the man then, making that many girls happy."

I'm not sure how to respond to that one. It's still a weird thing to think about, even for me.

Laira tightens the measuring tape a bit too low, giving your manhood a sudden squeeze.

"Ow."

"Ah, sorry!" she replies, flustered. "I was just lost in thought for a moment."

"At least you're not my doctor."

She rises back up with a timid smile. That's not all, however. There's a heated colour in her face, and she's having difficulties speaking. Her chest heaves up and down nervously. "I have something so embarrassing to ask." As she glances away, she bites her lip. "Once I finish the dragon armour for you, well, I'll let you pay me back in any way you'd like. Do you know what I mean?"

"And it'll be special," you reply.

Quickly, she turns around and brings her hands to her face. "Y-Yes." But she then turns around to stick out her tongue playfully before hurrying over to a nearby desk. Then she turns an eye back again. "So you better go get some rest. It sounds like you have some important responsibilities tomorrow."

You nod. "That's true. Hopefully I find some ingredients for that suit then sooner rather than later."

Her eyes return to the desk where she fiddles with the tape. "I hope so too," she whispers.