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The urgency in which this case had been brought to her attention was like nothing Dr. Fleming had ever seen before. Claudia wasn't bothered by the attention, after all she had worked her ass off for years to make sure people respected her work, her voice, and her position. She'd dealt with a number of various cases, from tame to something out of your worst nightmare, but this had to be the first time she was needed so desperately. [break][break]
It boosted her ego to say the least. [break][break]
Normally she would chastise herself for not being humble but after all of her hard work, blood, sweat, and tears, she felt that she was entitled to this. Not to mention, as a lover of science and discovery, this case fascinated her. She always did have a penchant for getting involved in things she shouldn't. [break][break]
Along with the officials at the Fairbloom, the local psychiatric hospital in Petalburg City, Dr. Fleming listened as they did their best to interrogate the patient, to no avail. Of course, it was to be expected, their methods were...elementary at best and barbaric at worst. Once guns were brought out Claudia felt her patience on it's last legs.[break][break]
Unable to take this savage display of strength anymore, Claudia decided to intervene. Stepping forward she made her presence known. Sapphire hues landing on the one they called Josef Gordienko. The way he returned her gaze sent a small shiver down her spine. It hadn't been the first time she'd been looked at like that in her profession, but this was the first time it felt so...alien? That was the best way she could put it.[break][break]
"My, you are far prettier than the others who have been questioning me," he complimented.
"Dr. Fleming, I take it? It truly is a pleasure." Claudia didn't falter though, she
was a trained professional after all. Instead she offered him a bright smile in response to his flattery.[break][break]
As the room fell into silence, Claudia began to think. If she was to get any progress done she needed these brainless brutes out of her way so she could focus, and hopefully get the patient to relax and trust her a bit.
"I will trust your judgment, that she is indeed worthy." a whisper came from the man in front of her that caused the doctor's eyebrow to raise.[break][break]
The man flicked his hand towards her, as if asking for a handshake, a greeting. Claudia's gaze slowly followed, his intention was clear. With this many meat-heads in the room though Claudia was certain things would be fine. She slowly lifted her hand and placed it in his.
"No ring? Is there no one who strikes your fancy? Because you're far too stunning to be single." His honey trap wouldn't work on her. She'd been on the receiving end of such tactics for far too long.[break][break]
But it certainly gave her a bit of an insight to work with. She was eager to poke and prod his brain to sate her curiosity. But before that...[break][break]
Pushing her curiosity aside for a moment she offered a small smile to her patient.
"I find myself too busy to entertain such fantasies I'm afraid. If you could excuse me for one moment." she said politely with a small bow of her head before pulling back her hand and turning to the guards and chief officer in the room.
"Gentlemen. With me." she commanded as her heels clicked on the floor when she exited the room.[break][break]
Upon exiting, all but one guard and the other officials waited in the hallway outside of the patient's room.
"Listen here." She said as she whirled around to face the chief.
"This is a hospital not a jail cell. There is a sick patient in there and if you expect me to get to work and produce some results I need you all to start treating this case seriously."[break][break]
The chief officer sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. He could already tell this was building up to be quite the headache, after all he and Claudia had some history, he knew her well enough.
"And what...would you propose we do?" he asked through gritted teeth even though he was hesitant to do so. [break][break]
Crossing her arms over her chest she stared back at him defiantly.
"I want to be in the room with him alone." Without a moments hesitation the chief waved his hand and shook his head.
"Absolutely not." Claudia huffed as her brows creased into a frown.
"I'm not asking for permission." she growled.
"I will have the floor to myself or I will walk out those doors." she declared as she pointed towards the exit. [break][break]
"Claudia that is out of the question. This man is clearly disturbed he could be dangerous--" Claudia didn't allow the man to continue before she raised a hand to interrupt and silence him.
"That's Doctor to you, I'm on the clock. And lest you forget, this is my profession, I deal with the mentally sick every day. This is not my first rodeo." Her words held a venomous bite to them
"Do not confuse your personal feelings with the responsibilities of your station, Sergeant. You all sought me out. You need me, so you'll do as I say."[break][break]
Silence fell in the hall for a few moments before the Chief Sergeant ran a calloused hand down his face and a heavy sigh ripped through the tension.
"Fine, but you'll have thirty minutes--" Claudia inhaled to protest but the Chief slightly raised his voice and continued,
"--And he'll be restrained. Otherwise you won't be taking another step in that room, do I make myself clear?"[break][break]
Claudia sighed and glanced towards one of the guards that held the picture the patient had drawn earlier. Snatching it out of his hand she glared towards the man.
"Crystal. Now make haste, you're taking up my precious time." she growled under her breath before re-entering the room. [break][break]
"Judicael, is that correct?" Claudia said with a smile as she turned her attention back to her patient. The earlier stress and displeasure had swiftly melted from her features the moment she stepped back into the room. She gestured to the lone guard that followed her into the room.
"Please bear with this for a moment. The restraints will be removed after our consultation is finished. I hope it won't be too uncomfortable for you." [break][break]
She took a seat across from him with a clipboard and a notebook to take notes. Once the guard left the room she nodded as she turned her attention back to him.
"Now that we have the room to ourselves I hope you'll be able to be more at ease." she said as she offered him a warm smile.
"So, Judicael, could you begin by walking me through your drawing here? I'd like to learn more about it, I find it fascinating." she said as she placed the drawing on the table in front of him.