Lynette sits across from her boss The Witch Doctor inside his clinic. "Lynette I've heard rumors of a young doctor and his seamstress twin sister. Both are mages and I want them to work for me. I can't take the risk of any residential healers going freelance...if there is no chance they will cooperate then you know what to do."
The Witch Doctor pats her on the shoulder and heads back to his quarters. Lynette slips out of the clinic and begins her new assignment. To find this doctor she devised faking an injury in a craftsman section of the city. Best case the doctor will be there or notified of it. Worst case being completely ignored.
She gets in position and gingerly holds her head. "Ouch! Does anyone know how to treat an injury? My newest invention backfired! Ouch! Everything is so blurry!" She wails while stumbling through the streets.
Today was chores day. The clinic had been open briefly that morning and Fred had seen to a few patients - mostly children with a fever - and that meant the rest of day was to be devoted... To chores. A bundle of not dyed fabric in his arms Fred lifted his head at the call of someone in apparent pain. A quiet sigh, he did the good thing and made his way over to this stumbling person.
An injury. How vague.
The fabric was moved to be tucked under his arm and he gave his head a tilt.
"Blurry?" Fred questioned, reaching out his free hand to catch the woman's arm and lead her to a wall, gently guiding her to sit. "I'm Doctor Savage, tell me what's wrong exactly and I may be able to help you."
"Last name Savage, seems to be a kind soul...noted. Plus he's attractive...getting off topic again better focus on the task at hand and see what this doctor can do." Lynette thinks until realizing he asked her a question.
Lynette looks at him with dazed eyes. "I was working on some new cluster bombs when it accidentally set off and pieces of metal ricocheted off my head. After that I was in great pain and my vision was blurred. Can you help me doctor?"
Fred's eyes widened and quickly began to examine her head.
He found nothing though. His fingers brushed through her hair to feel for a bump, he checked his fingers for blood. Nothing. Giving his head a toss to get the dark hair from his golden eyes he just offered her a kind smile.
"Off your head you say? Are you sure it wasn't somewhere else? Perhaps it wasn't a piece of metal? That doesn't tend to bounce off of people's heads. It tends to shred into them." Pushing her hair from her face he examined what he could of her eyes and again, checked for bruises. Placing the fabric on his knew, Fred simply watched the stranger.
"So he saw through the holes in my story...good he knows what he's doing...which also means he's more crucial to recruit." Lynette mentally notes.
"Oh." Lynette gives off a coy laugh. "It may have been a trick of the mind. I haven't slept for days working on those damn contractions. If you don't mind could I rest here for a bit, I swear I won't be a burden."
Fred gave her a slightly confused look, "you're against a wall. You're only going to burden it's supports." Gently he but his lip and looked up and around. "So... There's no pain? Is your vision still blurry?"
"Why does he have to look so good?! This is way to distracting!" Lynette internally screams.
"Um yeah I think it's because I'm over tired though. Is there a free bed I could nap in so I can get back to my work?"
"This way I can spy on him while pretending to sleep. Maybe I really should take a break from working once in awhile." She thinks
Another eyebrow rose and Fred stood up, looking around.
"I could escort you to your home? I'm sure you'd be more comfortable there?" A hand was held out and Fred offered a friendly smile, "what's your name?"
Lynette blushes as she takes his hand and stands up "I'm Lynette...Lynette Norville and yes that will be much appreciated...may I know your first name?"
Fred helped the lady - Lynette - stand and he tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. "Ah! My name is Fred," a smile, "it's nice to meet you. I suppose. In glad you're not hurt." His free hand shot out and he motioned forward, "let's get you home and put you to bed, hmm?"
"Y-yeah my home is just a few streets down. I hope you don't mind the smell of burning metal. I'm an artificer and my workshop is apart of my home."
They step outside and Lynette gives him directions on where to go.
Fred shrugged, "can't be worse than burning hair or flesh." He escorted the girl home, stopping at what she directed to be the front door and gave her a smile. "Here's your home, My Lady." Fred took a step back and smiled all the same, "I hope you have a good rest and may your inventions not backfire!"
Lynette giggled. "Yes, may we meet again under better circumstances...oh and before you leave have you ever thought of using your skills for a greater purpose?"
A frown.
"Greater purpose? I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean." His arms crossed over his chest and Fred took a step back, posture defensive. "I already run a clinic, so... Honestly, I'm afraid I don't follow."
"There's another clinic, one that's hidden but it has saved hundreds of people from fatal fates. A skilled doctor like you should consider becoming apart of it."
Lynette smiles at him before entering her home.
There was a long moment and Fred just stared.
"Are you sure you're not ill?"
Lynette stops halfway in the doorway. "At this point I don't know. I've seen things that I never should've and I lost my freewill so I could be truly happy. Maybe I truly am ill or maybe it's just the world that is."
Lynette solemnly stands there for a moment. "So I assume you declined the invitation. Is there no changing that answer?"
Fred threw up his arms and still, could only stare.
"You haven't told me anything, Miss. There is no invitation to decline because only a complete idiot would go into something without knowing all the details." Fred pushed a hand through his hair and sighed. "Are you being made to do something against your will, Lynette?" His tone turned serious.
"I...um I can't explain any further details." Lynette looks around nervously for any of The Witch Doctor's agents. "I...I..." Tears well up in her eyes.
"I can't do this anymore...Fred you and your sister's life could be in danger. I can't discuss more in the open...please follow me." Lynette scurries into her home.
There was a violent internal war.
Going inside the house was a bad idea.
Not knowing why his and his sister's life was in danger was something he wanted to know though. Fred stared for a long moment before he finally made up his mind and followed the woman into the house, closing the door behind him. "You're going to tell me what you mean by that last comment."
"There is a man known as The Witch Doctor. He is a very kind and helpful person, but his paranoia controls him. He wants you and your sister to work for him...for us at his clinic. I'm tasked to recruit you two." Lynette hangs her head in shame for this part
"If either where to resist I would have to take you in by force and you'd become his...his experiments... I don't normally mind it because my targets are usually twisted bigots, but I draw the line here. I can't let him test on innocent lives!" Lynette clenched her fists shaking with rage
This was crazy.
Fred took a breath and pressed his hand to his forehead, pushing his hand through his hair and then just... Not really sure how to process the situation. It was new, that was for sure. Never before had he been threatened to go work somewhere before with so little information.
So, he turned to humour and just smiled and gave a chuckle.
"You're serious?" Fred took a breath and leaned against the door, arms crossed over his chest, "You're seriously serious about this?" A shake of his head, "This is ridiculous, Miss Lynette, I don't want to work for your 'Witch Doctor' friend and I have a clinic of my own to run." His hand went to the door knob, though he didn't turn around to face it, "Have a nice day. Good luck with your Boss."
There was a pause, "And if you touch or speak to my sister, you'll sorely regret it."
"Wait!" Lynette runs over and puts her hand on his. "I won't carry out my orders I'll keep you and your sister safe...just promise me that you'll patch up any injury that he'll inflicts upon me tonight."
Fred took a breath and shook his head, frowning down at her gently, "Why don't you just run away from him?"
"I can't, he has agents all over Connlaoth I am only one of many...plus I owe a lot to him...I am so sorry for bringing you into this mess. Can you ever forgive me?"
Fred sighed and shook his head, "No. I don't even know you." Pinching the bridge of his nose after a moment he gave his head a shake, "But fine, if you can find my clinic and you come to me battered and bruised, I'll patch you up."
The door opened and he gave another pause, "You gonna get someone to jump me on my way home?"
"I didn't expect forgiveness. Talk about bad first impressions, huh? And no in fact I'll make that doesn't happen to you."
Lynette quickly runs to her workshop and gets a strange metal pendant with an orb in the middle. She runs back to Fred "There's a lever on the side flick it up and it will emit a light so powerful that it'll blind anyone trying to ambush you.
She gives a slight smile and waves goodbye to him. "I hope that one day we can reconcile and talk under less strange circumstances."
Fred took the strange little orb but quickly handed it back.
"I'd rather not associate myself with mage-craft." A strained smile and he gave a sake of his head, "you should be careful about who you speak to. Obviously it can get you into a lot of trouble."
"It's not mage craft silly! It's all mechanisms and gears! And your right...I usually don't talk to people unless they're customers or apart of a mission....I should warn you the same you never know who is really working for The Witch Doctor."
Fred shrugged.
"It's not my job as a doctor to judge people if they come to me for help." A nod of his head and he gave a wave to Lynette before he made his way back home. Fully expecting the strange woman to come to the clinic with wounds that needed to be patched up.
Lynette watched him him walk off. She let out a sigh as she headed to her bedroom. She yelps and jumps back when she opens the door for The Witch Doctor was casually sitting at the foot of her bed.
"Naughty, naughty my dear Lynette. You know my rules of no loose ends." Still in shock Lynette cautiously took steps towards him.
"How did you know so fast? And how much did you hear?"
"My network of agents is precise so if one agent is off task another will find out. As for what I heard...enough. You must know that every hero is viewed as a villain by the other. I must take the mantle and be the villain so everyone else can live in prosperity."
Lynette shuffles in place then stiffens. "I understand boss."
"Good." The Witch Doctor stands up and advances to her. "So you know that I must punish you. But I am not a man without reason your still useful so I won't turn you into an abomination." He grabs her right arm and shoulder. "Just a temporary penalty." He remolds Lynette's bones so that her arm is crooked."
Lynette wails out in pain as The Witch Doctor leaves. "Have a goodnight Miss Norville." And with that The Witch Doctor is gone. Lynette chose to deal with the pain for now and get some rest. She planned on seeing Fred first thing in the morning.
Fred made his way home withou incident. Irritated and put off by the strange occurrences of the day. what should have been a nice easy day ended up being a very odd one. He mentioned nothing to his sister, they had a nice dinner and Fred went to sleep.
Lynette woke up writhing in pain. She had slept in her normal clothes knowing she would not be able to get dressed in her condition. She slid both feet over the edge of her bed and gingerly stood up. "The pain is much worse then last night...breakfast can wait I better go see Fred now." Lynette groggily mumbles to herself.
She leaves her home a heads towards Fred's clinic clutching her right arm. She noticed all the disgusted and concerned looks she got from her gnarled arm, but was in to much pain to be bothered by it. Finally reaching his clinic she knocks with a sheepish grin hoping he can fix this.
The knock alerts him and Fred lifted his head quickly, pushing aside his toast and coffee and putting down his novel. In a place where he could blame its appearance on his sister. Throwing his white coat on and pushing a hand through his hair to make himself seem presentable he opened the door and stared for a few moments.
Honesty he hadn't been expecting the girl to show up.
And now with a gnarled arm.
Revulsion tore through him. Not because of the arm but because that could have been caused by one thing. Magic. Quickly he ushered Lynette into the house before closing the door. It wouldn't matter if that witch doctor had ears everywhere if there was no one around and the room was relatively sound proof.
"You didn't have an arm like that yesterday, Ma'am." Fred began, escorting her to the mostly empty room where he patched people up.
"Yeah...it was my punishment...It actually was a very merciful one compared to what he could've done to me." Lynette gives off a nervous laugh. She then looks him in the eyes with a face of plea. "So do you think you can fix me up?"
Fred stared at the arm for a moment, "if it's broken I can try to set it." He sat the girl down and reached out his hand to feel along the arm gently.
"Your boss sounds like an asshole," Fred murmured before pulling his hand away. "I don't understand what happened. Did he break it? It's in pretty bad shape. If it's not broke then... No. I can't fix this."
Lynette giggles. "Yeah, but he's an asshole with a heart down there. As for my arm he shifted my bones, but not enough to be permanent so I think with enough force and precision everything can be set back in place."
Fred was disgusted.
"You honestly believe that someone who can go this to your arm has a heart? No. I'm sorry. Actually, yes. He does have a heart down there. It's probably as much of an asshole as he is." At Lynette's self examination Fred just stared at her and ten looked back to her arm.
"Shifted your bones." Fred stared at her for a long moment, "you realize that bones are fragile right? I'd have to break your arm to fix this."
Lynette frowns. "Well if you were to break my arm do you by any chance have healing magic or something like that to speed the process up....I really need to get it healed to continue my primary job as an artificer."
Fred just stared wide eyed.
"Are you from connlaoth? Perhaps you're Serenian. Even speaking of magic can get you sent to a Mage camp." A shake of his head and he lifted his hands, giving a shake of his head.
"And no, no I do not have magic. Maybe it's best if you leave and seek a different Doctor, Miss Lynette." Fred had gone tense, frowning.
Lynette sighs "Yes I'm Connloathian and yes I'm aware of the punishments...believe me I know the punishments of violating discretion." She looks solemnly at her arm. "But I'm desperate and in a lot of pain here."
She whimpers. "Just do the procedure my arm can't get in any worse condition than this."
A sigh.
This person just didn't understand.
"Maybe you should go to a better doctor and get that taken care of. Or go back to that Witch 'doctor'." Fred frowned at it for a moment before closing his eyes and shaking his head, "I was expecting a wound or something, not... I'm sorry, I don't re-break limbs to set them and you're looking I don't get the mordecai down here to track your every move to find that Witch doctor who can, apparently, screw up your body."
Fred gave a strained smile and took a step back, "please leave, Lynette."
A surge of disappointment goes through Lynette. "I...I understand." she leaves the clinic now not knowing what to do. She just wandered until she found herself at the Witch Doctor's clinic and did the special knock. The Witch Doctor quickly pulls her in and sits her down.
"So he knows his stuff, but can't execute them...interesting. Lynette tell me everything you heard today and I'll reset your arm." The Witch Doctor states.
Fred went about his day normally.
There was lunch at the usual time of which Medina ate more than usual. He could only frown at his sister, looking at her stomach. All the symptoms of pregnancy were there. Except now Medina was being even more quiet.
There was the slightest bit of guilt for turning away Lynette.
It wasn't because he couldn't. He could. It was a process though and having to re-break an arm that didn't get broken and heal like that in the first place. Too much of a bother. That woman had a mage on her side and Fred wasn't interested in getting tangled with it. All he wanted was to live in what peace he was allowed.
Even if that meant turning away people who needed his help.
Upside.
No one ever came in with a strange flesh-sculpted arm. And usually no one came in to ask him to heal things with his magic.
Fred sat outside his bedroom on a little patio, a cup of tea on the little table and a book in his hand. A mystery novel. Passingly he wondered if Lynette would show up, come back begging to get her arm fixed because that Not So Nice Seeming "witch doctor" man "broke" it again.
What even was a Witch Doctor? Fred gave his finger a lick and flipped the pages, reaching to take a sip of tea before he resumed reading his book. Not that it mattered, he'd never have to deal with it.
The Witch Doctor listens then gives a curt nod. "Very well, it seems this doctor is a hack after all, he doesn't concern me anymore. As promised I'll fix your arm." He grabs her arm and does some adjusting making it back to normal.
The Witch Doctor looks her in the eyes. "You are dismissed your mission is complete. I will bring you back when I require your help again."
Lynette nods and scurries out of the clinic now not able to hold back a grin. The first thing she does is head back to Fred's to tell him the good news.
The presence went unnoticed for a few moments.
A sip of tea and finally Fred looked up, cup still to his mouth.
"Oh. It's you."
The cup went back down onto the saucer and sharp golden eyes went up. A hand pushed his hair away and he frowned gently, a tilt of his head. "I see you're..." A sharp look at the arm, a gentle frown, "All better. You know how suspicious that looks, right?"
Lynette stands awkwardly hoping she was going to get a better reaction. "Well yeah I know, but really only the other agents and my customers notice me, and I didn't have any customers since the incident."
Lynette looks at him, eyes full of guilt. "I know I can never make things up to you...but The Witch Doctor isn't after you anymore." A slight smile curls up on her lips. "I was hoping to make you an apology gift if you'd accept that."