Nori hobbled forward, her legs trembling slightly with every tentative step. V kept a firm grip on her hand, ready to catch her if she faltered, their mechanical fingers interlocking like a lifeline.

“Ugh,” Nori grumbled, shooting a sharp glance down at her newly attached Disassembly Drone legs. The sleek, angular metal gleamed under the dim lighting, but the unfamiliar weight and balance made her waver. "You’d think mastering black holes and SOLVER tech would make walking on these a piece of cake.”

V let out a low, amused chuckle, squeezing her hand reassuringly.

“You can rip apart matter and manipulate gravity, but you can’t even handle a few clunky legs?”

Nori’s glare sharpened, her cheeks flushing a faint violet hue. She squared her shoulders, determined not to look weak. “That’s not the same thing,” she retorted, voice laced with stubborn pride as she adjusted her stance and took a shaky step forward.

V gave her a gentle tug, urging her onward. “Come on, Nori. It’s like learning to walk all over again — just taller, heavier, and with zero balance assistance.”

Her grip on V’s hand tightened instinctively, fingers digging in when she nearly tipped sideways. V steadied her without hesitation. “Maybe these legs should come with training wheels,” she muttered bitterly, eyes fixed on the metallic limbs that felt more alien with every step.

Slowly, her movements grew less tentative, more deliberate. After several more uncertain strides, Nori’s expression shifted from frustration to triumph. She let out a victorious laugh. “Ha! See? I’ve got this now!”

V smirked, a teasing glint in their eye as they mirrored her grin.

“Not bad for a rookie.”

Nori huffed, but the playful smile tugging at her lips betrayed her enjoyment. “Don’t get cocky just yet. We’re not done.”

Step by step, the awkward mechanical legs became a part of her — a new extension of her being. With V by her side, offering steady support and encouragement, she knew she’d master this challenge soon enough.