Chapter Text
It was getting late, both in the day and in the week, when I heard muffled knocking at the door to the office I shared with Medic. Looking up curiously, I placed the shades over my eyes to hide the yellow glow before calling in my visitor.
“G’d evenin’, Nurse.” The door opened to reveal Demo balancing a tray of cookies, cakes, honey, and teas as he carefully made his way in. “Hope I'm not interrupting’ anythin’.”
Smiling, I stood and gestured the Scotsman over. “Just going over some notes from the day, don’t worry. What brings you here?”
“I was hopin’ for a wee talk, an’ decided t’ bring some tea and snacks. I’d hate t’ be rude, ye ken?” He gave a crooked grin, eyeing me warily as he set the tray on my desk. His hands had begun to shake minutely, but I decided not to mention it.
“Of course! What would you like to talk about?” Taking a cup, I poured some honey into it, deciding to play into his suspicions.
“I was wonderin’ how ye were gettin’ along here. ‘M sure ye be plenty capable, but it’s always polite to check in.” Demo took a sip of his tea and cleared his throat, clearly struggling to keep his trembling hand steady.
“It is. I’ve been keeping busy, taking notes and studying. I enjoy my work, and find that I learn new things every day here. It’s nice to take a break like this every now and again, though.”
“I take it you’ve been studyin’ up on us, aye?” There was a meaningful look in his eye and I realized that he was sober. He was suffering through withdrawal, hence his shaking hands and nervous demeanor.
“I have, although if you have any questions about your other teammates I will have to inform you that I can’t divulge that kind of information. Doctor patient confidentiality and all.”
“Aye, of course. I was wondering, Nurse, if my file had information about how I lost me eye?” There it was. The reason for his visit.
“Oh, I’m well aware. It was lost due to a magical spell to keep the entity known as the ‘Bombinomicon’ from possessing you. Am I correct?” Taking another sip, I enjoyed seeing the barely hidden surprise in his features.
He nodded, taking a calculating breath. “I’ve been wonderin’ if it were at all possible te be able to see with two eyes again. I’m nae askin’ fer any favors , just simply curious, is all.”
Humming in thought, I recalled that in Medic’s notes he said how Demo’s eye socket was haunted and would often try to kill the team whenever he was given a new eye. Out of the many skills I’ve accrued over the millions of years, undoing curses and removing hauntings was not one of them. Curses were generally only able to be broken by either the person cursed or by the person who cursed them. Hauntings were beyond my grasp as it was a matter of spirits that were as fickle as the sun is hot.
Pursing my lips, I tapped the cup of tea with my finger as I pondered my words before speaking them. “It is possible for you to receive a new eye,” Demo’s eye lit up, his posture straightening, but I continued, “however, there are… consequences.” Leaning forward, I placed the cup down and clasped my hands together, giving him a serious look. “Tavish DeGroot. You’re a very clever man, and so you know everything comes with a price.” Softening my gaze, I feigned hesitancy. “You are also a good man. I can not in good conscience make a deal without warning you. By regaining your eye, not only will you be losing your sight, but you will also anger the spirits.”
Demo paled, sobered by my words. “Wouldn’t want that, no.” Thinking to himself, his eyebrows furrowed before glancing at me curiously. “It’s real generous of ye to tell me that.”
I smile widely, my sharp canines being displayed proudly. “Mm. Of course. Although everything comes with a price. And I already know mine.” Waiting for his nod, I took another sip of tea before continuing. “Tell me, how did you know to come to me? You’ve known from day one. It’s not good business for everyone I come across to know something is… off. So tell me. What gave me away?”
There was a spark in the Scotsman’s good eye, a grin pulling at his lips. “Wasn’t obvious at first, but the way ye had Miss Pauling scared was my first tip. But it’s when ye turned your pretty head that I saw yer ears first, then I caught a glimpse of yer eyes. That was how I knew. I’m always on the lookout fer Fae. Never thought I’d see one until now.”
I chuckled, not breaking eye contact as I watched a bead of sweat run down his temple, fear suddenly catching him at my response. Taking off my glasses, I looked Demo in the eye. “You’re more observant than I thought. Careful that it doesn’t get you in trouble.” Taking a final sip of my tea, I set the cup down. “This was nice, Tavish. We should do this again sometime. Have a nice day.”
I watched as he took the dishes and opened the office door to leave when I called out. “Oh, and Tavish? This stays between us, understood?”
With a hurried nod and a worried “aye, miss”, he closed the door and was gone.