Chapter 7: Natasha companion story: Fake Meds
[WE HAVE A WINNER!! THE CHAMPION WHO BEAT EVERY SINGLE OPPONENT IN EVERY SINGLE WEIGHT CATAGORY.... MISS.WANNABE HERO] The loud boxing announcer said as he points at me... I'm only doing this for the credits, also because March signed me up and also because I was bored... Dan Heng is being Dan Heng so in other words shut him self off from the world and is looking though all the data bank info while March singed me up for this.... wait I should check up on Nat since Hook promised her that she would clean the clinic.
As I entered the Hook was unsurprisingly nowhere to be found Nat helping out patients but it seems to be fewer today.
[you need help with anything?] I asked the doctor
[You came at a good time, Stelle, there is something you can help me with. According to my patient records, there are a few that haven't come for their follow-up visits. It happens from time to time, but never as regularly as this. I'm a bit concerned... have you heard of the Complex Illness Mutual Aid Society?] Natasha asked me
[since you brought it up... I assume that organization is suspicious.] I replied back to her
[ Generally speaking, mutual aid societies like these allow patients to share their experiences and support each other. It's a way of countering all the negative emotional effects of being ill... But there might be more to this society than that. I've got a few patients who've started refusing treatment since joining the society... It certainly makes you wonder. The most suspicious part is that no matter how much I ask, no one's ever willing to tell me anything about it... and that's where you might be able to help.] Nat explained to me and told be about the current situation
[I got it so miss wild fire leader wants to get rid of competition~] I jokingly said but was given a death glare
[sorry... sorry, I was joking around... you just want me to go undercover. Right?] I asked her
[*sigh* yes and... It may sound dangerous, but what I want you to do is actually very simple. Investigate this so-called "Mutual Aid Society" and find out what exactly they're up to.] Nat requested and in which I agreed
[Sure, why not] I told her
[You're as considerate as always, Stelle. Good luck, I'll be sure to thank you properly when you're back.] She happily said as she handed me a list of patients to find. as I explored around I found the first patient and he looked depressed
[You... I've seen you at the clinic. You run errands for Natasha, right? *sigh* Let me guess, Natasha wants you to persuade me to go back for a follow-up visit, right? *sigh* ...What's the use? I'm terminal. Life'll be over before I know it.] He said as he saw me
[Was that Natasha's diagnosis?] I asked patient one
[ Of course not, I read it in a book. Every book I read has descriptions that match my symptoms exactly... I can diagnose myself with a dozen incurable diseases before I get halfway through. For people in my situation, a follow-up visit is just a waste of time and money... not to mention medicine.] He tried to explain but pissed me off.
[You gotta be kidding me... right?] I asked him
[...What else is there to say. Natasha was seeing me free of charge. She said I could keep a tab running for as long as I liked, then pay it back when I had the opportunity... I guess I'm too proud.] The man continued to explain
[Money's one thing, but life... are you seriously throwing away you life because of you stupid pride?!?] I angerly asked the man
[You think I need you to tell me? Don't try and persuade me, I've already thought this through... *sigh* ...Dr. Vache never charged me anything either. Natasha's great, but Vache was always my number one...] The man replied back. Vache is he the previous doctor... Raven did have a brother but was unnamed so I'm going to assume that Vache is this Nat's brother.
[He's Nat's brother right?] I asked him
[Yes... and they both used to practice medicine back in Rivet Town. I heard he was a top student from the Overworld medical academy — Belobog's main hospital wanted him. I've no idea what convinced him to set up down here... a kind heart, maybe.] The man told me. It seems like this Vache is a good and intelligent man.... if no one is going to him that means that he must have died or has been gone missing.
[If you don't go to him anymore does that mean he's dead...] I asked the man
[That's what I've heard... he just suddenly disappeared one day.... Uh... I should keep my voice down. Don't go telling anyone else about this next bit...] He said as he slowly started whispering
[Don't worry I won't tell] I confidently told him
[ heard that Natasha had something to do with Dr. Vache's death. They say she was jealous that her brother had stolen her patients, so she...] He whispered but I cut him off and told him that that was impossible since she loves her brother... well Raven loves her brother and wouldn't do that... and this Nat wouldn't do something like that ever from what I know.
[Do you know about the Complex Illness Mutual Aid Society?] I asked the man
[What's that? *sigh* Forget I said anything. Since Dr. Natasha sent you over specially, I'll do her a favor. I'll go to the clinic for my follow-up a little later. Bye for now...] He said in a disgruntled tone as he headed to the clinic. Alright onto the second patient hopefully they know more about the whatever society. After a while I found the patient and they are a elderly woman.
[Hello... why you're not going for your follow-up visit.] I said to the elderly woman
[..What was that? You'll have to be louder! My ears aren't what they used to be- everything's muffled.] The elderly woman replied
[I wanted to ask why you're not going for your follow-up visit.] I said even louder
[Hah? Follow-up visit? Is that what you're asking about? *sigh* Natasha's a wonderful girl. She always gives me a thorough checkup...But at this age, it's rather a lot to bear. Even if they could cure me, I'm sure I wouldn't be around for long. I don't want to waste anyone's time...] The elder explained to me
[You should listen to Dr. Natasha...] I told her trying to convince her to have a Follow-up visit
[That girl's always trying to get me to take my medicine on time. *sigh* I know her heart's in the right place...] She explained to me and told me that the only reason why she isn't going for a Follow-up is because of her deceased husband and how she wants to die but I somehow managed to convince her to go... someone like her wouldn't know about that stupid society so I won't ask. Ok now on the the third patient and he was easy to find since he was a few miles in front of me.
[why you're not going for your follow-up visit.] I asked the very suspicious man
[Why haven't I gone for my follow-up visit... Are you a patient too, or did Dr. Natasha send you over?] The man asked me
[I'm a patient too and I just got worried.] I lied to the man
[I just don't need Dr. Natasha's help now. Tell her to save her worries and medicine for other people, such as yourself.] The man told me
[ Did you have a dispute with her?] I asked patient number three
[A dispute? No, no, she's the only kindhearted doctor in the Underworld. I just don't really approve of her methods, that's all. Too idealistic, and no real efficacy...] The man explained and I can understand where he is coming from. and he went on about his ideology and talked about how Vache was better and talked about this wonder medicine.
[How do I get my hands on this medicine by Vache] I asked the suspicious man
[Hah, what, now you're interested in the wonder medicine? Listen up... the Complex Illness Mutual Aid Society is still selling that medicine... I can tell you where they trade, but there's a rule... You must not tell any of this to Dr. Natasha, you hear? If you break the rule, you'll face the consequences! Here, take this, it's the address. A final warning- do not reveal this information to Natasha!] The man told me as he handed over the coordinates... let's nip that flower in the bud... wait that might be a bad idea but... if I shut it down then I can save a bunch of people since from my experience there is no such thing as a wonder medicine.
the location is a Rivet Town? The place where the fragmentum is at? What a odd choice of location... let's head there and as I headed there I found someone familiar is it that depressed guy.
[Hey, where do you think you're going?] One of the guards said as I approached the gated of area
[I need the wonder medicine to cure my illness] I told the guards
[You're the same as everyone else that comes through here. If you want medicine, you don't need to go any further- you talk to me. And we only take cash, this ain't a charity...] One of the guards tells me. As I was about to take out some money I was interrupted by the second guard
[Wait a minute, your clothes... Are you friends with that doctor woman? I've seen you at the clinic before- I know it! Get lost- now! If you're a friend of that woman then you're not welcome here! Shop's closed today, no customers!] The second guard yelled out... well it seems like the plan failed successfully... I guess. At least no one can the the medicine... well time to go back to Nat and tell her some new info.... or I can beat up the guards and take it. YUP I WILL JUST DO THAT!! I took out my bat and beat up the guards and took all the wonder medicine... I love abusing my powers sometimes.
[Hey~ Nat~ look what I got~] I happily said as I dropped a bag full of "wonder medicine" and explained the situation to her.
[ So the mutual aid society found my bro— ...Vache's research results... and now they're selling this so-called "wonder medicine" to patients...? Thanks for taking all of them even if the method is a bit violent.] She calmly told me.
[I bet you would have done the same thing...] I replied back her
[I.... I might have.... you might be right...] She depressingly said. She would also tell me all about her brother Vache's medicine and how it was dangerous and how bad of a doctor he is and told me if I didn't believe her ask the patients. Which I did... it's not that I didn't believe her its just that I'm more curious on how others inside the clinic think about him. In which I wasn't disappointed, he is a horrible man only seeing people as guinea pigs.
And soon after some patients went inside the clinic asking for the miracle medicine and apparently they saw me taking it all and demanded to be given it.
[I won't give you the wonder medicine... mainly because of how dangerous it is since it call kill you] Nat tried to explain but from what it seems the people didn't care.
[You mean this thing~] I said as a took one out of the bag
[what are you do-] Natasha tried to ask but was cut of by a crowd of desperate patients.
[*whispers* can I gave one of them at least one to make a example] I quietly asked her but she immediately rejected the idea.
[*fake tears* I-I just wanted to gift the people the wonder medicine but when I gave it to someone they passed out on the floor and miss Natasha told me that these medicine actually kills people. And when I checked the body... she was correct! *more fake crying* this wonder medicine is poison of people and I also asked the wild fire leader and they said that Vache was actually banished because the wonder medicine was actually dangerous and how Vache only sees people as test subjects and apparently he was banished from the overworld because of the wonder medicine *even more fake crying*] I lied about the whole story and it somehow managed to work and the people apologized to Nat and leave the clinic.
[H-How did you know about the banishment?] Nat asked me
[I-I didn't I made it up] I told her
[well aren't you lucky... and that story you made up... good job. All we need to do is to dispose all of this] Nat replied back to my answer and the two of use disposed all of the wonder medicine.
[Let's call it a day. Thank you for cleaning up the mess my brother left behind. Here- for your trouble.] Natasha said as she kissed me on the cheek.
[H-Huh w-what was that for?] I asked all embarrassed and my face is all red.
[That's~ your reward~ for helping me~] Nat replied back
Fake Meds Fin... Main plot TBC