He really was just a boy. He couldn't have been much older than she was when she had lost her limbs. A part of her, deep down, trembled for him, wondering what had caused the accident but knowing it would be improper to ask. After all, he may have been born that way, and she would be a fool to make assumptions.

Nikita took a mental note of his lopsided stride as he crossed the room to sit in the indicated chair. So his arm wasn't the only new thing he might need, she observed. Not only that, but the leg prosthetic was a make and model she had never seen before. Was it possible he'd made it himself?

But Arashi was there to speak about the arm. Nikita leaned forward, resting her elbows on her desk. "I would be very interested to see them," she said of his blueprints, though she doubted his designs could hold up against what the WPT team could make, with their wealth of skill and experience.

Arashi Akiyama

NOTES
+ Mission: Cut One's Losses

Nikita frowned as Arashi apologized for his one-handedness. "There's no need for an apology," she said after he'd fallen silent. "None of this is your fault."

Having reassured the boy, she lowered her eyes to the various sheets of paper that defied lying flat on her desk. Absently, she moved her phone and her mug of tea to two of the corners to hold the blueprints down.

The drawings were crude, the designs functional. The fact that Arashi had been able to build and use them told Nikita two things: one, that he was skilled enough — or had skilled enough help — to make ideas into reality; and two, that the limbs had to be simple enough for even an untrained boy to construct.

"How exactly did you make these? When was the last time you updated your hardware?" Nikita asked, firing questions to better understand how she might be able to help her visitor. "How dexterous was your artificial hand?"

In her computer, her Rotom stirred. It swiveled the mounted webcam around and pointed it at Arashi's blueprints.

Arashi Akiyama

NOTES
+ Mission: Cut One's Losses

Listening to Arashi speak, Nikita suppressed a sigh. There was no use scolding him or making him feel bad. Even though he should have sought out professional help from the beginning, it was entirely possible he didn't know who to contact or didn't have the money to pay for regular upgrades and maintenance. Children's prosthetics cost the most simply because they had to constantly buy new ones.

At least he was there now, seeking Nikita's help.

Glancing over at Arashi's file on her computer monitor, she said, "I'm glad you've decided to consult a doctor and have your prosthetics built by Wells. A team of engineers will work with you, using your designs as a base, to develop state-of-the-art prosthetics for your arm and leg. You'll even be able to write with your right hand again, especially if you choose the option to enable Rotom interfacing."

Her own Rotom swiveled the computer monitor around so Arashi could read it. After minimizing the document with his patient info, it launched a presentation depicting an array of false arms made of different materials, their advantages, and their disadvantages.

"You will be able to decide a variety of characteristics, such as material components, how removable your limbs will be, and so on. Thankfully, all of our prosthetics are designed so that you can remove them yourself and do your own everyday maintenance. Large repairs or upgrades, of course, will require you to return to us."

Her tone was clipped, professional. He might have been young, but he was still a paying customer. Nikita watched his face to gauge his reaction.

"Does all that sound agreeable, Arashi?"

Arashi Akiyama

NOTES
+ Mission: Cut One's Losses

The expression on Arashi's face was more than surprise at the notion of being able to write again; it was disbelief, like it had never occurred to him that technology was capable of restoring such functionality and freedom to his new body. Nikita gave him a slight nod, allowing him to process his emotions without distraction.

Only when he asked about the Rotom did she speak up.

"Yes, you will need to obtain one by the time you have your final fitting in order to qualify for Rotom interfacing. It can be a dangerous feature to install since it means wild Rotoms will be able to enter your arm, but many patients do not regret choosing the option."

On the computer monitor, the option for Rotom interfacing lit up, selected.

"An emergency contingency plan?" Nikita raised an eyebrow at Arashi's next question. "Do you mean a backup arm?"

Arashi Akiyama

NOTES
+ Mission: Cut One's Losses

"Of course. That's not a problem at all," Nikita replied. Rotom made a note on the computer monitor for a second, backup arm. The cost jumped as it recalculated for a second arm.

How the boy was going to afford three prosthetics was beyond Nikita's knowledge, especially if he never had the means to procure a good arm or leg before, but neither was it her business.

"Rotom interfacing is possible for legs as well, but having it in the arm is the more popular choice," she continued. "Considering you're still growing, I would recommend a regular prosthetic for your leg just in case we need to lengthen it in the future. It will be easier to do that without having to rebuild the artificial nerves."

Nikita then went on to explain the process of obtaining the new prosthetics. Arashi would have to come in several times for fittings, get the sockets surgically grafted (unless he wished for his prosthetics to be fully removable), and go through physical therapy for at least six months in order to grow accustomed to his new limbs. However, WPT did not offer physical therapy for their clients; he would have to sort that out with his doctor.

"Do you have any other questions for me, Arashi?" Nikita asked at the end of her lengthy explanation.

Arashi Akiyama

NOTES
+ Mission: Cut One's Losses

Arashi's determination was certainly inspiring, though it coaxed little more than a polite smile from Nikita. She knew a youth's energy and vitality knew few boundaries. If he believed he could do it, then he could do it.

Inwardly, she was glad for Arashi, that loss of his limbs had not dampened his spirit. Not in any way she could see, at least. Not at that moment.

"Excellent. Then I believe our appointment has reached its end," Nikita said with a decisively conclusive tone. Her Rotom swiveled the computer's monitor back toward her so she could review the notes on the screen. "You may take your blueprints back with you, but please bring them again during your first fitting, so that our designers may review them. We will be in touch with you to schedule that appointment."

She bade Arashi farewell and waited for him to leave her office. When he was gone and the door closed once more, she sat back in her chair and sighed.

"I'll never get used to it, Rotom," she murmured. "Seeing children in that situation. Let's do our best for him, hmm?"

Still in her computer, Rotom chirped its affirmative response.

Arashi Akiyama

NOTES
+ Mission: Cut One's Losses