Honestly, he's not sure if he's ready to go through it just yet so he's been working in the forge.

When she knocks, he doesn't look up since he's in the midst of trying to figure out how to make a spring work in a sort of leg and so waves to the person at the door.

As the Marks slip onto the metal, he uses a touch of sodering and then sets it down,

"Do you mind if I just see if this works? I'll be glad to help you after that."