"Fine, perhaps," the doctor agreed as she finished tightening the straps and ensuring that her subject wouldn't be able to get free. "But we should always strive to better ourselves, don't you think?"

She didn't wait for his answer, merely turned away and walked with a click-click of heels out of Kvothe's line of vision. There was the sound of her moving about, shifting through objects and then she returned, holding a roll of surgical tape in one hand.

"Now, down to business then." She smiled, and while it was definitely attractive, there was something about the lighting and the way the shadows fell on her face that made it anything but reassuring. Aware of the boy's frightened gaze, despite how brave he might try to act, she slowly drew out four measured strips of the tape and gently attached them so as to keep Kvothe's eyes open. "Can't have you blinking while I'm working now."

There was a rattle of wheels as the doctor drew the stand and its various implements closer, her hand disappearing out of his sight again but returning in moments holding a large syringe and a vial of a viscous, sickly-yellow liquid. With meticulous care, she raised the vial to the light and drew its contents into the syringe, tapping it work out any air bubbles and pressing down on the plunger until a drop of the liquid oozed out of the tip of the needle.

"Now," she said, and this time there was definitely a hint of dark amusement in her voice. "Right or left?"