“Done. Try moving your hand.” Cogsworth said they opened their eyes, releasing Tesla’s finger from their mouth.
“Who knew ya were a biter?” Tesla laughed as she began massaging her gauzeless thumb. Ever turned back to look at their new arm which was made of copper piping and wiring. The hand was made of copper plating with wiring that led into the fingers and up the arms. The fingers were made up of small copper pipes which were held together at the joints by hinges. Ever slowly closed their hand into a fist wincing as they did so before opening it. They continued to open and close their hand before looking over at Cogsworth, “I can move it?”
“Of course, you can.” There was pride in his voice and he smiled at Ever before he continued. “Now this is just a temporary fake. I’ll make you some permanents but that should take about a week, maybe less.” He said as he picked up another silver object, “You ready this time? I’m gonna need you to pin her leg down.” Cogsworth said looking at Tesla who held up her thumb, which was now wrapped in gauze, which she placed in front of Ever who took it between their teeth. Tesla pressed their leg against the counter and Ever grabbed Tesla’s hand just as he pressed it into the flesh of their ankle.
They squeezed their eyes closed and bit down harder, causing Tesla to cry. “Ow, ow, ow, ow!” The pain in their ankle spiked and before slowly dissipating until it was just a low throb. Ever opened their eyes releasing Tesla’s thumb and letting go of her hand. Ever looked down at their foot which had a similar design to their arm only that the bottom and top of the foot is made up of copper plating and the ankle being made of copper piping, wires, and springs. Ever moved the foot forward and back and to the left and right before jumping off the counter. They winced loudly as pain shot through their leg before fading back into a dull throb.
“Try walking across the store,” Cogsworth said as he began packing up the box. Ever took a deep breath before taking a hesitant step forward with their left foot wondering if the copper pipe and plating was stable. When the foot didn’t slip out from under them they moved forward taking short strides attempting to keep from falling over themselves. The feel of the foot was awkward and uncooperative which led to Ever having a strange limping gait. Bringing their leg around in an odd semi-circle like movement with each step as they attempted to keep from moving the actual foot. “It’ll get easier to walk with time and once I’m finished with your permanents it’ll be just like your old one just with the need for routine maintenance.”
Ever made it to the other side of the store leaning against the wall as Tesla spoke. “So, how much do I owe ya?”
“Five gold coin should just about cover it.” Cogsworth said.
There was the sound of rustling fabric and clinking metal as Tesla spoke. “Luckily for us, I got an allowance for this trip. As long as I get a receipt that is.”
“I can write one up for you real quick.” Cogsworth said.
Ever listened as he walked behind the counter and began moving things around as Tesla placed a hand on their shoulder. “Need a shoulder to lean on while ya find your feet.” Ever nodded wrapping their arm around her shoulder and leaning into her as she turned them around moving toward the counter.
Cogsworth handed Tesla a slip of parchment paper. “Come back in about a week for your permanents and some minor adjustments.”
Tesla took the paper, stuffing it in her bag smiling at Cogsworth. “Thank ya.”
She nudged Ever in their rib who flinched and looked up at Cogsworth. “Yeah. Thank you.” He smiled at them as Tesla helped Ever over to and out the door.
On the walk to the tailor Ever managed to get the hang of walking on their new foot no longer walking with an odd semi-circular gate. Instead, they found it far easier to move by pushing their body up with their real foot pushing their body forward and moving their prosthetic foot forward to repeat the process. It was decidedly less awkward and hopefully less noticeable to those looking on.
The tailor was in the shopping district which was decidedly nicer then the residential area with paved roads and well-kept storefronts. Most were made from stone, brick, and iron with large windows for window shopping. The pair walked through the strip of stores, Ever taking in the names on some of the signs. ‘Flora’s Floral Arrangements’, ‘Fred’s Fry’s and Burgers’, and ‘Cedars Woodworking’ were just a few. Tesla came to a stop as Ever took on the signs causing them to bump into their back. Ever, with some difficulty, backed up and saw the scowl on Tesla’s face.
“It should be around here somewhere.” She mumbled as she looked down at a slip of paper which had an address and the name of a store. ‘Spool & Thread’
Ever looked over the storefronts at the signs until their eyes landed on one that looked like a spool of thread with the words formed out of thread and a needle going through the center of the spool. “Is that it?” Ever pointed at the sign and Tesla looked over at it squinting her eyes.
“Don’ know how I missed that.” She shrugged and took Ever by her left hand. “Well, no matter. Let’s go.”
Tesla pulled Ever forward causing them to stumble, barely managing to catch themselves. “Whoa.”
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