Fred smiled with a tight, embarrassed look when the witch commented on his surname. It always came with expectations and though Fred had always fought to live up to that impressive name, he always felt like he fell short. His reason for being here today only proved that point.

"Oh, um, my finger has been bothering me for a few days. I think it's a-" his face turned a deep shade of red as he held out his finger which was red and a bit inflamed. "I think it's a splinter," he finished. "I tried to get it out myself," he added, speaking more quickly to try and defend himself but soon his words faltered again, "but I think I just made it worse." Shame.

Fred appreciated that she was trying to make him feel better but he was fairly certain she was lying to him. He very much doubted that people often came in for something as dumb as a splinter. He was imagining far more serious injuries or illness than that. Still he gave her a little grateful smile and let her take a look at his injury.

He nodded when she explained what she was going to do but didn't start talking about anything, just watching as she expertly began to work in a way that told him she was very skilled in what she did.

Fred did his best to hold still but she did have to direct him not to move once. He tried to take calm, steadying breaths as she worked. He winced when she pulled out the splinter before she said three and then looked at the splinter as she set it down. It was pretty long actually, he was surprised.

He looked at it for a full two seconds before he finally let his tense muscles loosen and he let out a soft "Owwww," whimpered sound.

Fred tried to keep his eyes from watering as she manipulated his finger. She was very thorough and he was glad for that but it was twinging a bit. "A little," he said, his voice cracking slightly so he cleared his throat and repeated it what he hoped was a more 'manly' sound. "Just a little."

Fred inhaled a deep breath, enjoying the scent of the cream as she rubbed it into the wound. He really hoped it didn't get infected. He'd have to make sure he listened and did as she directed. Maybe he'd tell Veda to make sure he did it.

Fred looked up at Koralia with a near sheepish expression at her demands. "Yes ma'am," he said obediently. Fred had always responded well to an authoritative woman.