Welcome to Underland

Unplanned Plans

I'm woken up to my phone ringing, I blindly reach out trying to grab it and not answer it without checking it. Glancing at the phone I see it's an unknown number causing me to frown but answer anyways because it may be someone or something important.

"Hello?" I answer not bothering with formalities because I'm too tired. "Hi Elliot! It's Nox, how are you" my brain takes a moment to register. "Oh Nox yes hello I'm good how are you how's the business going" I'm honestly confused as to why he's calling but don't want to be rude. "Oh I'm good yes but I have some news for you. Your wheelchair will be here next Wednesday! It has been shipped and all! So would you like to make an appointment to try it out so I can explain everything to you about how to use it and all? He asks sounding incredibly chirpy. "Oh yeah that sounds great ehm how does Wednesday at 4 sound? I have some work to do that day but should be able to make it to you for 4" I answer quickly after checking my mental to-do list for next Wednesday. "That's perfect! I'll see you then, feel free to contact me for any mobility aid needs!" Nox says making me jump remembering my current predicament. "Nox do you sell canes by any chance" I enquire. "Yea I do, if you want you can come and have a browse today at my selection. I close at 3 today though so it'll have to be before then" I look at the clock and see it's 11 now so I could go there in a while and straight to the club after. "Yes that's perfect I'll be there in like half an hour. See you soon" I hang up and groan, my body feels stiff I need to stretch a bit.

Doing my mental body check I decide to leave the knee braces on for the moment and my wrist braces before tidying my apartment up and getting dressed. I look around the room trying to find the shorts I threw somewhere yesterday before finding them sticking from underneath my bed. Grabbing them I pack my bag quickly rushing through the apartment and put the door before running back in and taking my pills and grabbing my crutches. I look at my crutches but decide to ditch them in the end considering I'm getting a new cane today and I don't want to carry crutches and a cane around the club tonight.

I get a taxi to the wheelchair place and cringe at price, I hope I don't become a regular here cos it's gonna be hella draining to my bank account if I am. The drive goes by quickly leaving me in the wheelchair place at 11.30. I walk in to be greeted by a receptionist.

"Um hi I'm here to talk to Nox about a cane?" I say to her. She looks at me and scoffs "yeah sure you are. Why would Nox waste his time to help someone find a cane when it's pretty simple? Just go look and pay for it up here". She turns around and gets back to work on the computer. I sigh and turn looking in the vague direction she pointed and walk over.

There are lots of different types of canes on display all over the wall making me take my time looking at the different hand grips hoping to find the most comfortable out of them all. Finally I decide on two canes and a foldable cane and walk over to the receptionist giving her the barcodes of the ones I would like. Rolling her eyes she takes down the details before walking into a room and shutting the door.

I sigh before sitting down in one of the chairs on the opposite side of the room, I'd have preferred to not have to move around much today without assistance but that may not be the case if she decides to just lie and say they're not in stock.

It's thirty minutes later before she leaves the room to announce they're out of stock of all the canes I wanted. They are also apparently out of stock of all the canes that would match my height apart from a quad cane or a walker. I raise my brows at her before shaking my head and deciding to leave it considering that the quad cane is too much and a walker is definitely not happening.

"Thanks, I'll leave it. See you" I say before walking towards the door. I'm sitting outside on the curb waiting for the taxi I ordered when I get a text from Nox.

Nox - What time will you be here? I have a few canes in mind that I think would work!

I take a deep breath before texting him that I'm just pulling up not wanting to cause trouble for anyone or drag this appointment out any longer. I wait two minutes before pushing myself up off the ground and walking back into the shop.

"You changed your mind I guess? I'll go get a walker for you" the receptionist starts before I stop her. "I'm waiting for Nox, he is going to help me" I say rolling my eyes before sitting down on the chairs and waiting for him. I only get settled into the chair before he walks in and waves at me smiling.

"Hey Elliot! You ready to have a look at our selection? I have a few ideas of ones that you might like!" Nox says giving me a hand up before guiding me over to the canes. He spends the next few minutes guiding me through the selection before pointing out 4 canes he thinks I'd like. I smile and point out 2 of them which are the 2 I chose earlier before pointing out a foldable cane too. He smiles before talking in depth about them all in depth while moving to another side of the room and pulling the canes out from there. It takes everything in me to not go mad at the receptionist but I'm too tired and just let Nox continue to serve me ignoring the receptionist as I pay.

"We should grab coffee or something together one day! You mentioned you're new to town and I'd love to get to know you better" he smiles at me as he packages up the foldable cane and one of the others leaving me to use the last one. "That sounds great, well you have my number anyways haha just text me when you're available?" I say uncertain of wether this is a friends thing or a potential date thing. I lean on the cane and instantly relax the tension in my body. "Yes that sounds amazing! Do you want me to deliver these to your place to save you from having to carry them around for the day?" he asks when hes finished packing them up. I look at the boxs and do a mental inventory. "No I should be fine, I'm heading home now for a few minutes anyways so I can just carry them with me" I reply awkwardly not really knowing how I will carry them and make use of the cane I will be using to support me. "Oh! Don mentioned that you live in the same place as him! I'm actually heading over to his in a few minutes if you want to wait I can give you a lift?" he asks seeming excited. "Oh I wouldn't want to bother you" before I can even finish he ushers me over to the seats in the waiting room and says he'll be back in a moment.

"He's mine cripple so back the fuck off" the receptionist snarls at me before following Nox. I roll my eyes before glancing at my phone. I'll get home and drop off the extra canes then head to the club and go in for my recap session then test. It'll be fine.

Nox appears again and grabs my hand "Ready to go?" he asks looking excited. "Yeah lets head off" I say smiling. We carry my canes out to the car and head on our way. The drive is nice with easy conversation happening so it flies by. I thank Nox as we pull up outside my apartment block and get out of the car, juggling all the boxes as I do. Nox smiles and waves at me before driving away. I get into my apartment quickly not wanting to run into my oh-so-lovely and welcoming neighbour again. I drop the boxes on my coffee table as I get in and take a seat on the couch. I look at the watch and decide a snack with pain meds will get me through this training session and test.

I arrive at Underland ten minutes early and fold up my cane placing it in my bag before ringing the buzzer. The door opens and I walk in keeping my eyes to the ground in case Master Raine is there. "You can head straight into his office" a female voice says. I nod and head towards his office and knock on the door.

"Enter" I walk in slowly and keep my head down. I hear footsteps and suddenly Master Raine's shoes are in my sight. His hand lifts and grasps my chin lifting my head to look at him, he's smiling gently. "Welcome back Elliot, are you ready for your last day of training and your test?" he asks. "Yes Master, I think I am ready and I have prepared," I answer quietly. "Good boy" he responds before putting a collar around my neck and guiding me to his room. "Lets finish this training".