If you like this chapter, be sure to leave a heart or comment so I know you want to see more! Hit the flag for background music :D Previous chapter: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/545320649/ ♡ “Sorry for the mess,” I say sheepishly as I open the door for my guests. “A-and thank you for coming! I have some snacks, if you want any…” Dr. Pax simply laughs, Alphys smiling next to them. “That’s all right, Eliza. I’m just here to get your prosthetic fitted, and then I’ll be on my way.” “O-okay.” I step out of the way to allow the two of them to walk inside. Pax gestures towards a chair near the door, and I sit down quickly. They shuffle through the contents of the huge bag slung over their shoulder, then glance up at me with an optimistic gleam in their eyes. Pulling out a long box, they explain, “I have a few different prototypes of various sizes here with me, in case I can’t adjust one of them to accommodate your needs. I think it would be best if we try the smallest first and work our way up. Is that okay with you?” they ask, and I nod. “Perfect. Now, I’ll need a look at your hip where your leg was amputated, if you don’t mind.” “Of course.” I turn a little bit and pull up my shorts to expose the little stump at my hip. Pax examines it briefly before opening up the long box. From inside of it they pull out a prosthetic unlike any I have ever seen before. It has the exact same shape as a human leg, but is made with a seemingly soft and smooth gray silicone material. It looks unbelievably advanced, yet somehow simplistic at the same time. Almost like something a cyborg would have. The thought makes me a little uneasy, despite my excitement. Pax holds up the leg to my hip and tilts their head. “This may be a little uncomfortable for a moment as I get it attached. It may help if you look away.” “Here, E-Eliza, I’ve got something you can look at!” Alphys chimes in. I’d almost forgotten she was here, so the sudden reminder of her presence is comforting. She pulls up a photo on her phone and shows it to me cheerfully. In the photo, Undyne is energetically racing up a flight of stairs, and a group of kids is struggling to keep up with her. “Undyne sent m-me these pictures from her c-class’s field trip today! I thought you might l-like it, since they w-went to see a musical. I think it was W-West Side Story.” “Oh, I love that one,” I reply with a smile, although the feeling of whatever Pax is doing to get the prosthetic fixed on is undeniably distracting. Alphys swipes to another picture, this time a selfie that Undyne probably took, with Toriel smushed in next to her.
^^^ READ INSTRUCTIONS SECTION FIRST ^^^ “Aaand, done!” Pax declares suddenly, leaning back. “It will take a few minutes to calibrate. How do you feel, Eliza?” “Well, you were right, it was a l-little uncomfortable,” I say slowly. “But I feel okay. Thank you, Dr. Pax.” “Just Pax is fine.” “Right.” “Anywho, why don’t you see if you can stand? Maybe walk around a little, if you think you can?” They smile and hold out a paw. Hesitantly, I glance down at the prosthetic, then take their paw and allow them to pull me up off the chair. Almost immediately my balance is thrown off, and the prosthetic starts to buckle underneath my weight. I yelp in surprise, and Alphys immediately rushes over to support my left side. “Woah, c-careful! It’s been a while since you’ve h-had two feet.” “Yeah…” Carefully, I begin steadying myself, balancing my weight on both sides of my body. The feeling of standing is practically alien, after I’ve been without a left leg for nearly half a year, but also exhilarating. Once I’ve become more steady, I notice that the prosthetic is a little shorter than it needs to be, and I have to bend my right leg in order to keep my balance. Pax seems to notice at the exact same moment I do. “Allow me to fix that. It’ll just be a moment.” They kneel over and begin making some adjustments to the prosthetic. I glance at Alphys, who gives me a big grin. She’s just as thrilled as I am, evidently. “There we are! Try again now.” Pax backs away, and I notice that the false leg fits much more comfortably now. I nod my approval, and Pax makes a vague gesture with their paw. “Give walking a shot, and see how it feels.” Obediently, I step forward with my right foot, and much to my amazement, the prosthetic follows close behind, its movements corresponding exactly with my will. “Amazing!” I breathe as I take another step, then another. “It- it’s just like a normal leg!” “Good. Do you think that is a comfortable size for you? And you aren’t feeling any negative responses to its magic within your body, right?” Pax asks, tapping their chin. I shake my head. “No, it feels great, really.” “Wonderful. Well, if you think you’re all set, then I’ll be on my way for now.” They jot something down on a sticky note in their paw, then hand it to me. “Here’s my phone number. I’d like you to text or call me tomorrow morning and once again tell me if you’re having any side effects… though, I doubt that will happen. Better safe than sorry, of course.” “Sure thing.” I tuck the note into my pocket, still marvelling at the sensation of having two legs again. It’s almost euphoric, and I can’t help the giddy smile that spreads across my face. All my worries about not being able to afford a home or proper medical care, my insecurities about myself and my relationships, and my anxieties about feeling unloved seem to melt away at this moment. I feel truly happy and relieved. Overcome by emotion, I turn to Pax and hold out my hand in an uncharacteristically outgoing manner. Surprised, they take it and give it a firm shake, beaming at me. “I wish you the best of luck on your prosthetic trial, Miss Rutherford.” ♡ Music: "Maria" from West Side Story, piano cover by Tomas Labanc on YouTube Art and writing by me! All Undertale content and characters belong to Toby Fox. YES, I DECIDED TO SURPRISE YOU 3 READERS BY RELEASING A CHAPTER EARLY, ENJOY PUNKS Next chapter: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/552648917/ ♡ #undertale #fanfiction #fanfic #mettaton #eliza #elizaton #alphys
