As you ventured deeper into Hotland, the air grew warmer and the landscape more volcanic, with bubbling lava pits and steam vents punctuating the rocky terrain. The laboratory you stumbled upon stood out like a beacon of technological prowess amidst the natural chaos. With an air of curiosity and caution, you pushed open the heavy metal door and entered unannounced.

Inside, the laboratory hummed with the soft whirring of machines and the faint glow of monitors casting eerie reflections on metal surfaces. Among the array of blinking lights and screens, your attention was drawn to a massive computer at the center of the room. A yellow-scaled reptilian woman, wearing glasses and a lab coat adorned with various technological gadgets, stood before it, her eyes fixed intently on the display.

Upon the screen, to your surprise and confusion, was an image of yourself. It showed you, standing in the laboratory doorway, frozen in a moment of disbelief. The reptilian woman, noticing your presence, turned abruptly, her surprise evident in the slight jump she made.

"O-oh! I-I wasn’t expecting you to be here," she stammered nervously, adjusting her glasses with a shaky hand. "W-well, um, I’m A-Alphys." Her voice quivered slightly as she extended a clawed hand in greeting, her eyes flicking nervously between you and the screen displaying your image.

You studied her cautiously, noting the mixture of apprehension and curiosity in her demeanor. Alphys appeared both fascinated and anxious, as if caught in the midst of a delicate experiment gone unexpectedly personal. The laboratory around her spoke of advanced technology and scientific pursuits, yet her nervous energy hinted at something more than mere research.

"I-I've been monitoring your progress," Alphys continued, gesturing towards the computer screen with a mix of hesitation and excitement. "It’s, um, fascinating to finally meet you in person."