#Choosing-An-Orthodontist

[aspiredental]

Selecting the right orthodontist is crucial for your family’s dental health. Start by checking the orthodontist’s qualifications, experience, and reputation in the community. Look for a clinic that offers a range of treatment options, including braces and clear aligners, to cater to different needs.

[suburblocal]

Struggling to choose between getting braces or clear aligners? This article will help you make a more informed decision!

[jessiexflem]

– photograph | jessie fleming x reader

content: fluff, fluff, and more fluff

word count: 2.9K

“Slow down!” you pout, your voice drowned out by the Christmas music playing over the speaker. 

Your older sister quickly took off on the ice, leaving you by yourself as you held onto the gate of the rink. The sting of the London winter hits your face, giving your cheeks a rosy blush. Your parents had dropped you off at the local outdoor rink, under the promise from your sister that she would keep an eye on you. Unlike most Canadians, skating did not come the most naturally to you, and you spent most of your time glued to the wall unless your mom was there to hold your hand.

“Excuse me?” a shorter girl, clad in an oversized hockey jersey, peers at you from under her beanie, “Do you need help?”

You nod warily, “I’m stuck.”

The girl holds out a gloved hand, giving you a smile, her two front teeth missing. “I can help you! I’m Jessie.”

“I’m Y/N,” you take her hand, wobbling slightly as you let go of the wall, “I’m scared of falling.”

“I won’t let you fall, I’ve gotten good at this,” the girl reassures, “How old are you, Y/N? I’m five.”

Jessie holds up her fingers on her other hand, gliding the two of you around the rink.

“Me too, but I’m about to turn six,” you say matter-of-factly, “Do you want to come to my birthday party? My mom bought ZooPals for it.”

“I have to ask my mom,” she shrugs, “Can I have the duck one?”

You nod, catching a glimpse of her black skates, “Your skates look funny.”

“Nuh uh,” Jessie frowns, “Yours look funny!”

“They’re figure skates,” you huff, “I’m going to be a figure skater just like my big sister!”

“Mine are hockey skates, and I’m going to be a famous hockey player when I grow up. You can come to my games.”

“I’ll go to your games if you come to my birthday party,” you bargain, holding out your pinky, “Pinky promise?”

“Pinky promise,” Jessie locks her pinky with yours.

--------------------------------------

“Jessie, stop!” you hide your mouth with your hand, “I told you not to look!”

“It can’t be that bad!” 

You frown, wincing at the pain shooting through your gums. After months of attempting to convince your parents that your teeth were fine, you were dragged to the orthodontist’s office that morning, leaving with a full set of braces. Every word, every facial expression, everything made your mouth hurt.

“Speak for yourself, you’re not the one who has to have them!” you roll your eyes, “This is the worst thing that’s ever happened to me.” 

“You’re the most dramatic person I’ve ever met,” Jessie sighs. 

“But you still choose to be friends with me,” you giggle, the blue bands on your braces visible.

“You actually got blue?” your best friend raises an eyebrow, “I assumed you were still going to end up picking pink.” 

Your memory flashes back to the bet you had made with Jessie in gym class last week. You were running a 1,500 meter race against your classmates, and you told Jessie that if she won she got to pick what color bands you got. If you won, she had to give you the cookie from her lunch. Naturally, Jessie smoked you, running faster than the entire grade seven class.

“Of course I did, Fleming, I keep my promises,” you attempted a grin.

“We’ll work on smiling later,” she teases, “Maybe try and look less pained.”

“I should’ve picked pink.”

--------------------------------------

The smell of hairspray fills your nose as your sister completes the finishing touches on your hair. A fishtail braid cascades down your back, your side bangs pinned out of your face. Gold, shimmery eyeshadow was swept across your eyelids, and your lips tingled from your sister’s lip plumping gloss. You slipped into your dress, your mom and sister helping adjust the corset back.

“Y/N! Jessie’s here!” your dad calls from the living room. 

You and Jessie had decided to attend your high school’s winter formal together, neither of you having a date. You wobble to the top of the stairs, cursing yourself for picking out heels instead of flats. Jessie was waiting at the bottom of the stairs, holding a small plastic container. Unbeknownst to you, too focused on not tripping down the stairs, your best friend watched you with a glimmer in her eye, confused at why butterflies began to stir in her stomach.

“We dress up nice, don’t we, Fleming?” you grin as you get to the bottom step. 

“You look, uh, really pretty,” a blush creeps to Jessie’s face as she holds her hand out, “This is for you, by the way. My mom got them for us.”

Inside the plastic container was a corsage adorned with white roses and gold ribbon, matching your dress. Jessie had a similar one on her wrist, her ribbon silver rather than gold. 

“It’s so pretty, thank you,” you smile, “Put it on me?”

Jessie’s hands shake as she struggles to open the clamshell packaging. You watch her patiently, smiling once she pulls the corsage out of the container. She slides it on your wrist, a flash going off in the corner of your eye.

“Mom!” you groan.

“Come on, Y/N,” your mom frowns, “You two never dress up, let me and Mrs. Fleming get some pictures out of this.” 

You and Jessie posed for a few hundred photos to appease your mother until it was time to leave. Taking a step toward the garage, you grab Jessie’s arm in an attempt to steady yourself.

“I’m definitely going to fall in these,” you laugh, adjusting your heels.

“I won’t let you, I promise.”

--------------------------------------

“Got a hot date, Fleming?” Hailie asks from the opposite end of the locker room.

“Don’t you know? Her girlfriend’s coming to visit!” Teagan shouts in a teasing sing-song, drawing ‘oohs’ from the rest of the team. 

Jessie looks up from where she had been shoving her cleats into her backpack to glare at her teammates, a blush creeping to her cheeks. “How many times do I have to tell you that Y/N is not my girlfriend?”

“You mean how many times you’re going to lie to both me and yourself?” the Australian raises an eyebrow. 

“She’s my best friend, Teags, that’s all.”

A hurt look flashes across Teagan’s face, but her tone drips with sarcasm, “Ouch, I thought I was your best friend.”

“Whatever, Y/N was asking if you wanted to come to dinner with us,” Jessie sighs, secretly hoping her roommate has plans.

It was October of Jessie’s sophomore year at UCLA, and due to distance and conflicting schedules, she hadn’t seen you since the beginning of the summer. Luckily, your university’s fall break fell over a weekend that the Bruins were scheduled to play at home. Your plane was due to land in thirty minutes, and Jessie insisted on picking you up despite having to rush to the airport right after practice.

“So, you’re inviting me to third wheel?” 

“Wait, Teagan, I thought you were coming over tonight,” Hailie interjects.

“Oh, right, I forgot to tell you, I’m sleeping over at Hailie’s tonight,” Teagan flashes Jessie a cheeky wink, “Figured you’d want the room to yourself tonight.”

“I take it back, you’re uninvited.”

“Just doing both of us a favor!”

After eating dinner at a restaurant near the airport, you and Jessie headed back to her dorm. Seven hours of travel and a full terminal sprint to catch your connecting flight had you ready for nothing but sweet slumber. While Jessie’s in the bathroom, you glance around her and Teagan’s room. Teagan’s unmade bed was covered in laundry, and papers were strewn across her desk. Jessie’s side of the room looked the complete opposite, not a pillow out of place. Her homework was tucked into her backpack which sat in her desk chair. An extra pillow and throw blanket sat on top of her desk. Throwing the pillow on the floor, you began to shake out the blanket as Jessie stepped out of the bathroom.

“What are you doing?” Jessie frowns, “You aren’t sleeping on the floor.”

You raise an eyebrow at her, “Where am I supposed to sleep?”

“On my bed?” she gestures at the lofted twin bed, “I’ll take the floor.”

“Absolutely not, I am not kicking you out of your bed, Fleming,” you shake your head. Jessie had a game tomorrow afternoon, and you knew sleeping on the floor would end up in her barely being able to move in the morning. 

“No, it’s fine. I didn’t realize Teagan had the air mattress in the back of her car, take my bed,” Jessie tries to take the blanket out of your hands, but you refuse to let go.

“You are not sleeping on the floor,” you frown, “Your back’s going to kill you if you do.”

“It’s just for a night,” she shrugs, “We’ll get the air mattress from Teagan tomorrow.”

You mull over her words for a moment before pulling yourself onto Jessie’s bed, scooting as close to the wall as you can, before patting the mattress. “Plenty of room. Alright, Fleming, time for bed.”

It’s Jessie’s turn to raise an eyebrow, “You can’t be serious.” 

“Dead serious.”

“Y/N–”

“Come on, Jess, it’s not like we haven’t shared a bed before,” you roll your eyes. 

“Yes, beds that were made for two people, not one that I can barely keep myself from falling off of.”

“We’ll just have to cuddle then,” you tease.

Jessie reaches for the pillow on the floor, trying to hide the growing redness in her face. She tosses both the pillow and the throw blanket onto her bed, before using the bedframe to pull herself up. Once she’s settled under her covers, you notice that she’s practically hugging the edge of the mattress. 

“I won’t bite,” you laugh, “Scoot in, I don’t want you to fall.”

Jessie flicks off her lamp before timidly inching toward you, worried you would hear her heartbeat in her chest if she got too close. You had turned to your side, laying facing the wall.

“Goodnight, Jess, try not to fall, okay?”

Too late.

--------------------------------------

“Bon appétit,” you tip an invisible cap, fake French accent at full force. The smell of fresh basil and vodka sauce fills the room. You sit across the dining table from Jessie, pulling your legs criss-crossed in the chair.

“This looks amazing,” she smiles appreciatively, “But since when did you learn how to cook?” Chelsea had a last-minute, late evening training today, the team wanting to tweak a few things prior to their UWCL quarterfinal, so you spent your time alone preparing dinner.

“Lots of time at home during lockdown,” you laugh, “That pact we made freshman year is getting closer and closer to reality, and I figured one of us needs to know how to cook.”

If you noticed Jessie freeze, fork stuck in her bowl of pasta, you didn’t let on. Her cheeks turn red, thinking about the pact you had made years ago. “If we’re both alone when we turn thirty, let’s get married,” you had proposed one night when the two of you were up late at a sleepover.

“You still remember that?” she chuckles nervously, “You wouldn’t want to go through with it, now, though?”

“Is this your way of telling me that you don’t want to marry me?” you tease. 

“No!” Jessie answers, a bit too forcefully for her liking, “I mean, I–uh.”

“I’m just kidding, Jess,” you laugh, “How was training?”

For the rest of dinner, Jessie’s mind races as she pushes her food back and forth around her plate. “You’re being ridiculous, Fleming, it’s just Y/N,” she thinks to herself.

“Everything okay?” you frown, standing to place your dish in the sink, “It wasn’t bad, was it?”

Caught. Fuck. 

“No, it was great,” Jessie shakes her head, “Uh, I’m just still a bit full from a protein shake I had earlier.” 

And now she’s lying. Her stomach twists with hunger pangs, but she can’t get herself to take more than a couple more bites of pasta. Your words from earlier sat in her mind as she dwelled on the idea of marriage. The idea of marrying you. However, marrying you meant that Jessie had to actually tell you how she feels about you, which definitely wasn’t going to happen. The last thing she wanted to do was ruin the friendship you’ve had for the last eighteen years.

“Don’t lie to me.” 

“What?” Jessie bites her lip, avoiding your gaze, “I’m not lying.”

As if on cue, Jessie’s stomach betrays her, audibly growling. You raise your eyebrow at her, silently waiting for an explanation.

“Sorry,” she mumbles.

“What’s wrong, Jess?” you step toward her, resting your hip on the dining table. 

Jessie weighs the options in front of her. Tell you the truth, and risk making the rest of your London trip incredibly awkward. Lie, and know that you can see right through her. It used to be easy for Jessie to push her feelings aside through the past few years due to much of your friendship being long distance. However, every time you came to visit, she found it increasingly more difficult to keep her feelings a secret.

“Did I say something wrong?” your voice draws her out of her thoughts, “When I mentioned the pact?”

Jessie sighs, unsure of how to answer. You knew her too well.

“I’m sorry, Jess, I didn’t mean to make things weird,” you force out an awkward chuckle, “It was a joke, and I di–”

“I love you,” your best friend cuts you off, her eyes growing wide at the realization that her mouth decided not to consult her brain before speaking.

“I love you, too?” you reply, confused as this wasn’t anything new said between you two.

Well, it’s now or never, Jessie thinks to herself. “Uh, no, I–fuck,” she shakes her head, staring everywhere but at you, “No, Y/N, I love you, actually I think I’m in love with you, and I need you to stop talking about us getting married or it’ll be all I can think about, and I wasn’t going to tell you because I didn’t want to ruin anything because you’re my best friend, and you definitely don’t feel the sa–”

“Jess, slow down,” you bite your lip, placing a hand on her arm, “Who said I don’t feel the same way?”

“What?” her eyes meet yours, giving you an incredulous look.

“I don’t think you’re ruining anything,” you smile, “Unless you don’t want me to tell you how long I’ve been wanting to tell you how much I want to be with you, then we can pretend like this conversation never happened.”

“You? Want to be with me?” Jessie asks with an air of disbelief to her voice.

“Okay, now you’re just drawing this out,” you tease, “But, if it’s what you need to hear, then yes, Jessie Alexandra Fleming, I, too, am in love with you and have wanted to be with you since I made that pact with you when we were fourteen.”

A smile quirks at Jessie’s lips as her eyes light up. Butterflies soar through her stomach, except this time they aren’t met with a feeling of stress or confusion. 

“Well, are you going to kiss me, or are you just going to keep looking at me with your cute face?” you smirk.

Pulling you into her lap, Jessie places one hand on your hip, the other cupping your face. Her eyes travel down to your lips, leaning in. Your eyes flutter closed, your lips meeting hers. When you pull away, you open your eyes to see Jessie flashing you a cheeky grin.

“So, fourteen-year-old you had an ulterior motive this whole time, huh?” 

--------------------------------------

“What are you looking at?” Jessie asks, sitting next to you on the couch, “Are these for the reception?”

You nod, holding up a picture of you and Jessie at the ice rink from the day you first met. Jessie’s arm was around your shoulders, and your arms wrapped around her waist, both of you cheesing toothless at the camera. Her mom had snapped a photo of you two after forcing her to arrange a playdate with your parents once they came to pick you up. “We were pretty cute, weren’t we?”

“Real cute,” your fiancée chuckles, pulling a print out of the stack. The two of you at your middle school lunch table, Jessie making a face to get you to laugh.

You flick through the remaining photos, which were meant to be framed as centerpieces for the tables at your upcoming wedding reception, each memory bringing you back to a different moment in your relationship. 

“You know, Teagan was about to kill me that weekend,” Jessie gestures at a picture of the two of you after a UCLA game, “After I dropped you off at the airport, she yelled at me for not telling you how I felt.”

“Only took four more years, right?” you tease, holding up a print of your first photo as a couple, a selfie taken on Jessie’s London flat’s couch.

“I guess I could’ve mentioned something a bit sooner,” she blushes.

“I’m just teasing, sweetheart,” you smile, setting the prints on the coffee table, “I wouldn’t want anything different.”

Jessie shakes her head, “You’re lucky I love you.”

“Agreed, I’m really, really lucky,” you place a kiss on your fiancée’s cheek, “I can’t wait to marry you, Jessie Fleming.”

“C’mere,” Jessie pulls you in, pressing her lips to yours, “I love you, Y/N, and I can’t wait to marry you.”

[cal-daisies-and-briars]

1k for 🔼

Loved the new chapter!! Buckshannon kiss part 2 and Uncle Chim for date night!! Sooooo excited for their new relationship and the Buckley parents ANGST

Thank you!!!

The angst is coming soon!

1k for 🔼:

---

“And we want that?” Buck asks.

Maddie sighs. “I guess I just… want my little girl to have a normal family. You know, uncles and grandparents that she might actually know.”

“I get that,” Shannon says quietly from the top of the stairs.

Traitor. 

“I don’t know, Maddie,” Buck says.

He feels really uncomfortable, to tell the truth. 

“Maybe…” She starts. “Maybe this’ll be a good thing, you know? You’re thriving right now, and… And Mom and Dad don’t really know who you are now. Maybe this is a good chance to reconnect.”

“Or, you know, put an end to all that thriving,” he points out. 

“I think I’m willing to try,” Maddie says. “And maybe Mom and Dad are, too.”

Buck looks at Shannon. She gives him a little shrug, like why not? And to be fair, she doesn’t know. She doesn’t know why not. But he can almost see the argument in her eyes. She lost her mother way too soon. She thinks he should take the chance. 

“Fine,” Buck grumbles. “But we’re a team, okay? A-a united front. You are not allowed to leave me alone with them.”

“I won’t. I promise,” Maddie says.

“A-and, I get to choose what and when I tell them about my, uh, situation,” Buck adds.

“Of course,” Maddie promises. 

Despite the reassurances, Buck sort of feels like he’s in for a very bad time. 

▶️

“Okay, you can do it,” Eddie says. “It’s not very hard.”

He’s sitting at the kitchen table, facing Jane in her high chair. She’s calm, mouthing on an arrowroot cookie, staring at him with blank versions of his own eyes. Eddie touches his sternum with his hand.

“Dad,” he says. “I’m Dad. Can you say that? Dad? Dada?”

Jane stares at him, unyielding.

“I know you can do it,” he accuses in as lighthearted a tone as he can manage. 

And the thing is, he does know she can. She’s started talking recently. Not a lot. But enough to say Mama any time she’s looking at Shannon, near Shannon, or thinking about Shannon. Mama and no. Her favorite words. Eddie feels the need to push for Dada, on account of, he never heard any of Christopher’s first words and he needs this. 

“Da-Da,” Eddie says again, emphasizing the syllables. 

Jane blinks, chewing her cookie. 

“She could say it,” comes Christopher’s voice. 

Eddie turns to see his son standing in the entryway to the kitchen.

“She could,” Chris continues. “She’s choosing not to.”

“Wait, really? You’ve heard her say it?” Eddie asks, hopeful.

“No,” Chris replies. “But she’s tricky. She’s not going to do it because you want her to.”

Eddie frowns. Jane? His ten month-old? Is tricky? 

“Uh, Chris, she’s a baby,” Eddie says. “I don’t think she’s, like, spiteful.”

Chris shrugs. “Mom says she’s going to be stubborn.”

“Stubborn?” Eddie asks. 

“Yep,” Chris confirms. “Because she’s a Sagittarius and just like you.”

Eddie coughs. “Hey, now…”

Chris laughs.  

“First of all, being born in December doesn’t mean anything,” Eddie says. “Second of all, being just like me will be her greatest strength.”

Chris just keeps giggling. 

“Okay, Dad.”

iv.

On the day he has to see his parents - for the first time in nearly a decade - Buck picks up Jane from Eddie’s house. He wishes Shannon a good time at her open house. He really wants that to go well. He wishes Chris good luck at the orthodontist. Doesn’t sound fun at all. He kisses both his partners goodbye, accepts their well wishes for the evening, and then proceeds to lose his mind on the drive to Maddie and Chim’s. 

“It’s not that I hate them,” he tells Jane. Because she is currently his only company, gurgling in her carseat behind him. “I don’t hate them! I just think… Well, I think they hate me. Never understood what started that, because it’s always been that way. So why try, you know? Nothing ever mattered.”

Jane makes a sharp little sound.

“Okay, maybe I am being close-minded. You’re right,” he says. “But, Jane, you have good parents! They love you. They would do anything for you. I bet, one day, if you’re travelling the world. Let’s say Peru, for no reason. You get sick or something? Boom. They’re on the next flight.” 

“No,” Jane says. 

“No?” Buck repeats. “Are you kidding? They’d go to the moon if that’s where they needed to get to for you.”

“No, no!”

“You’re just being contrary now, Jane.”

After he parks, he carries Jane in her car seat up the two flights of stairs to the apartment, her diaper bag slung over one shoulder. He feels oddly insecure about it, for the first time ever. He has never, not once, felt weird about doing things with the kids. Why would he? They’re awesome kids. He loves them to death. But the thought of his parents observing Buck with Jane tonight? It makes him antsy. He can’t put his finger on why, but it does. Somehow, it seems wrong to bring her into it. Like she’s far too precious.

“Alright,” he whispers to her, right before they reach the door. “You’re on my side no matter what, right?”

Jane smiles up at him.

“That’s my girl,” he says.

Then he walks into the apartment. 

Because of the roundabout journey to pick up Jane and say goodbye to everyone, Buck is the last to arrive. He can see his parents, already there, as he opens the door. It feels like walking into a pit of vipers. Which isn’t fair to Maddie, Chim, and Albert. But still. That’s how he feels.

There’s a moment where everyone sort of stares at him and Jane.

“Hey, Buck!” Albert calls out. “Good to see you, man!”

“Hi, Albert,” he smiles tensely.

His parents cross the apartment to greet him. He’s not sure how they greeted Maddie, but… It seems like they’re not too entirely excited to see him. 

[eyalsfantasy]

Yi city but goth aesthetic

My brain just managed to form a single coherent thought (super rare btw) and all it told me was

Baby bat (beginner goth) xue yang just getting his fangs done professionally and the orthodontist doing his fangs is just so... scrumptious and xue yang just melts,so he scopes around for information wether this angelic man,clad in white clothing from head to toe,is single or nah

He isnt,xue yang is pissed but since he has his mouth full he cant block out the low irritated grumble from leaving his throat,the orthodontist seems to not hear it (xiao xingchen totally did he's just so amused and fascinated by this scrunckly little baby bat that is being so pliant in his hands its too adorable for him to say anything about it) and he keeps asking questions to confirm whether xxc likes his husband or not,and from what xy learned,his husband runs one of the best rated top notch, extremely recommended in the local goth community tattoo body modification and piercing parlour...that xy was already planning on going to for quite some time, and has an appointment booked in in order to get his nipples pierced,and he knows an opportunity when he sees one.

He gets to said parlour and tries to scope out the possible husband,and there he is,the human version of a (very sexy) tree, he's so tall and strong xy knows for a fact he cant top that (he definitely wants to be topped by that tho⁠(͡⁠°⁠‿⁠ ͡⁠°⁠)),and its either fate loves him,or absolutely despises him, because his appointment was switched to be with that absolute wall of a man instead of with the person he originally booked with...so he marches over with the best brave face he's got in stock,sits down on the little chair they have behind the privacy curtain and waits...

As soon as song lan saw him walking in he knew for a fact thats the fascinating little thing his husband told him about earlier that day,and he had to practically beg wwx to switch his client with him,wwx agrees saying he was his last client anyway and he needs to pick up his son from daycare and get some groceries..

And xy is so cute and so bad at pretending he's brave,but sl chooses to spare that poor baby bat and go along with his act..and boy is he glad he went with it, because xy is so good and he listens so well,obeys so well,and okay...maybe it isn't very moral to take what shoulve been a regular piercing appointment and turn it into half a scene with the way sl has been practically domming xy,but he cant help it...and hearing those little gasps of the pain from the needles jabbing into his nipples was just euphoric

After each of the encounters they all think they'll never meet again...until theres a goth event at the local bar and lo and behold,if it isnt the scrunckly little man,the sexy tree and his pale angelic husband all at the same bar..this time sl and xxc agree that they are keeping him.

[cookiesandbiscuits]

I just had the wildest dream about OM.

I dreamt that I, along with the brothers, were in a horror escape game where we have to race with each other and the other players to escape an inn that turns deadly when nightfall comes.

Monsters lurk everywhere at night, but the most deadly creature was someone named 'Katsumi' (idk why or how my brain got that name). She was this beautiful woman with black hair who serves as the waitress in the inn's bar. But when night falls, she becomes a mad assasin-like person wearing a mask who kills the visitors (the players). What makes her deadly is her amazing swordsmanship skills (and apparently, no one has defeated her yet in combat). She also has the ability to make a player become her so she can take their place.

Me and the brothers, along with players appeared in front of an old inn where they have to spend three days and two nights inside. We can choose whether or not we have a role of sorts. I remember seeing a choice to become an orthodontist and a waitress. The one who picks the waitress option becomes Katsumi at the start of the game. We can also choose to remain as normal visitors too, with no specific roles.

Once all of us got our role, various items appeared in front of us. Weapons, tools, abilities, and other things that are related to our role (if a player has no specific role, they will get some miscellaneous stuff that may or may not help them escape). We also got five hearts drawn on our arm which indicates our lives.

The brothers also got their own roles:

Lucifer - a samurai. He gets a katana and the ability to control shadows

Mammon - a rich businessman. He gets a key card that can pretty much open any door except the exit.

Levi - I forgot what his role was, but I remember him having guns and a flashlight.

Satan - a traveler. He gets a map of the entire inn.

I also forgot what roles Asmo, Beel, and Belphie got, but they're there.

After that, the rules were explained to us:

1. We cannot kill other players. That includes the player who becomes Katsumi. Only Katsumi has the ability to kill other players.

2. At daytime, we must act like normal visitors as if there's nothing wrong going on at the inn. There are no monsters in this time of day, so we can freely move around the inn. You can use this time to look for clues for the puzzle.

To escape, we either: survive the three days and two nights in the inn or get the "key" from Katsumi which is her mask. However, you must solve a puzzle first before facing her off to get her mask, otherwise, you'd be turned into her and she'll take your place. Satan approached her one time without solving the puzzle first so he got turned into Katsumi.

If you became Katsumi, the only way to escape the inn is to take a player's role by using your ability to turn a player into the next Katsumi and use the mask to open the exit. However, to fully escape, you must guess the name of the player you turned under a minute or else, you'd turn back into Katsumi (the player who turned Satan into Katsumi failed to guess his name).

We struggled to escape the inn via mask route. I remember dying twice before taking a break with my mom (I saw the player who turned Satan into Katsumi get dragged back into the inn when they failed to guess his name during this break).

On my third try, I got the swordsmanship skill that can rival Katsumi's (I was overpowered af) and was able to get her mask. Lucifer and the others fought Katsumi while I was opening the exit with the mask, and using the name of the player who was Katsumi at the time (her name was PinkAmber), I was able to open it and escape.

Then I was woken up.

It's pretty common for me to get vivid dreams but this is the first time I've dreamt of OM characters this way.

It's kinda interesting though. Should I try to write this as a fic?

@cloudcountry @amberheavendremurr @nocreativityfornames what do you guys think?

[lumine-no-hikari]

Dear Sephiroth: (a letter to a fictional character, because why not) #405

I had a weird dream that I don't remember very well. Something about needing to rehome all of our cats, for reasons I can't recall. I do, however, remember crying a lot.

Weird.

Today I scoured through the website for state jobs, looking for ones that I qualify for. I found a bunch of potential openings that I can maybe fill. But... I hit a roadblock. Apparently, a non-trivial number of them want me to attach a record of my unofficial college transcripts.

In order to get those, I need to access my college email, which I don't remember, because it has been like 13 years since last I've used it. I tried to get that info, but to do that, I need a PIN, which I also don't remember. So I tried to follow the process for that, but the PIN was sent... to the email address of an old high school teacher, because I didn't have my own email address back when I applied.

Sigh.

So I contacted the IT department over there to change the personal email address associated with my data over there (because I'm a big adult human now, with my very own email address and everything). But in order to do that, I need the address of where my mother lived at the time I applied, which I also don't remember.

...Sigh.

So I guess I'll go in person tomorrow; thankfully, the place where I gotta go isn't very far. I suppose I'll get it done after the orthodontist appointment, which is after physical therapy. So... tomorrow is probably gonna be pretty busy.

Aside from that, I... probably spent more time reading the news than I should have. The state of my brain right now... isn't great. Watching one's country descend into fascism in real time is really not good for the blood pressure, lemme tell ya. Still, what can I do aside from trying to keep my chin up and trying to be a source of support for those who need me?

We got burgers today. And I'm staying hydrated. In fact, I'm gonna get more water in like 10 minutes. I should probably eat again soon, too. Though admittedly, everything seems like it's either too much, or kinda gross.

...I wonder if you've experienced this. You wanna eat, but your body has decided that all food is illegal. Or maybe your body wants all the food, and can't choose, so it would rather sit, paralyzed and hungry. I'm in these states with some frequency. And, as insane as this is probably going to sound, sometimes I am in both states simultaneously, and the results are very weird, to say the least.

...Oh well. Maybe I'll ask M and J for suggestions or whatever, when I go down to get water.

I thought about playing Hades, but it feels incorrect. Continuing work on the crafting project also feels incorrect. I'm trying to get my brain to figure out what does feel correct, but it's being... uncooperative. I'm not really sure why.

On the bright side, I did get some pretty good pictures of the sky today. Here, check 'em out. I took one with the lamppost in front of me, and one with the lamppost behind me...

I decided to get pizza with mushrooms on it. I also got garlic naan and tzatziki sauce to dunk it in, and macaroni and cheese bites. They'll arrive soon. If they're pretty, I'll take pictures.

While I waited for the things to arrive, I decided to do some leisure writing, and I got clarity on a thing that has been bothering me for... gosh... a very long time. There's this thing I've been trying to do, and I thought I've been doing it wrong the whole time, but... actually I wasn't doing it wrong at all. I'm just not used to moving within the space, which makes it a little hard to navigate. But... I think I have a slightly better understanding of what I'm supposed to do. I guess time will tell me if I'm right.

Anyhoot. Here are the snacks we got...

This was a pizza with onions, mushrooms, and alfredo sauce:

This was a pizza with sausage, apples, and candied pecans:

These were gouda macaroni and cheese bites with garlic parm sauce:

...And this is tzatziki sauce made with goat milk yogurt, with some garlic naan:

...There are so many delightful things in my world. I wish you'd pop by someday so I can share them with you. Even though it's impossible, think about it anyway, okay?

I think I will sink a little more into some leisure writing; it's been a while since last I've done that, and it might explain why I've felt so disconnected from various things.

Today's letter is short. Sorry about it. With tomorrow being so busy, maybe I'll have a little more to write to you by then.

Please stay safe and healthy out there, Sephiroth. Please do your best to make choices that won't lead to you disappearing. Because I love you, and... I don't want to imagine what my life might have been like if I hadn't had your example to look to when I was struggling the most.

I'll write again soon.

Your friend, Lumine

[ckret2]

This design is so good!!! Would love to know more about Mabel’s interactions with Bill!

(Footnotes: "wtf is that purple thing Bill's wearing?" The first thing he could find. "Mabel has an earring?" Yeah that's how I've decided to show she's 13. Also her braces are a slightly different color because I got to choose new rubber bands colors whenever I went to the orthodontist. "What's the joke with Xanthe?" It's an Ancient Greek name that means golden/yellow. "Is this why Bill's fake name around outsiders is 'Goldie'?" Yes. It's short for Goldilocks.)

They get along like a house on fire. They get along so well it makes everyone else kind of nervous. They get along so well the others suspect Bill's faking it to manipulate Mabel.

In truth, they actually do get along like that. If the inside of Stan's mind looks like a black-and-white Escher painting and the inside of Ford's mind looks like a somber Kubrick movie and the inside of Dipper's mind looks a lot like reality, then the inside of Mabel's mind looks like a collaboration between Hieronymus Bosch and Lisa Frank—and wouldn't you know, the inside of Bill's looks a lot alike. Neon DayGlo chaotic colorful anarchy.

They're similar enough that if everyone in the shack takes a random guess at what it is Bill wants, Mabel's guess is usually closest to the mark—and because of that, he gravitates more toward her, which gives her more practice making sense of him, which quickly turns her into the household Bill expert.

Add to that, when Bill's not being creepy, Mabel's the most willing to help him with not-bad not-evil things. And as the local arts & crafts specialist she's the most qualified to help with his acute self-image issues. It sounds fun!!!

Bill won't talk about (or acknowledge) his feelings unless he's hit an explosive boil-over point; but inwardly, privately, he's raw and lonely and desperately grateful for someone who's on the same wavelength as him and who's willing, in a tiny way, to help fix his body.

He's also too alien to recognize (or care) that Mabel's efforts are straight up ridiculous.

For all their unexpected and frightening similarities, the main difference between Bill and Mabel is that Mabel's idea of a good time ends when real harm to other people begins—but that only applies when she notices the harm. Bill only half comprehends that she has limits at all, and when he does understand, he assumes her limits are like his: they're driven by fear of external consequences rather than an internal moral compass.

He thinks with enough time he could free her from those fears. She doesn't mind recklessly shooting a fireworks rocket if she doesn't notice the broken bones and bloody noses it leaves behind; so the next step is to teach her to notice them without fearing she'll get in trouble for it; and from there he'll teach her to enjoy the bones snapping as much as she enjoys the rocket exploding, just like he does. She's got a whole world of bright, colorful, sparkly mayhem to enjoy once she stops worrying about the consequences!

But until he can teach her to appreciate a cherry bomb, he can deign to appreciate a glitter bomb. They're both overstimulatory assaults on the senses, and that's great.

Mabel, meanwhile, is convinced she's well on the way to reforming Bill into a Fun Big Sister/Brother.

(Starting from this post, I'm gonna put all my human Bill AU posts under the tag #bill goldilocks cipher. Easy to remember—but you can bet nobody else is using that tag.)

[jube-jube-bird]

Houses the Golden Trio Should be in if Rowling ACTUALLY made sense.

Part 1

So to my understanding the sorting hat sorts according to traits but largely values, hence why so many families have like the house they are all sorted in to as ya know being raised with family values and stuff but of course, as seen with Sirius Black and Albus Potter, being raised with the values is not enough.

As a reminder - Gryffindor: courage, bravery, nerve, and chivalry. The golden trio do fit, they're reckless and have a strong sense of justice and they choose to be brave, which is like the main thing. But I think there are better suited houses.

Starting with:

Hermoine - Ravenclaw

The most obvious and accepted house. Okay so Hermoine was raised by orthodontists/dentists, people in the medical field, and that's a lot of studying and they probably encouraged that academic mindset in their daughter. Ravenclaws value intelligence, learning, wisdom and wit. Hermoine is literally bullied in Gryffindor because she likes learning so much and sharing knowledge. Some argue it's because she is so by the book and not creative that she is unsuited to Ravenclaw. However, in the first book, it is Hermoine's different way of thinking, the practical muggle way, that gets Harry through the fire. Is she the wild conspiracy theorist like Luna? No, but she does look at things from different angles and she embodies all the other traits very well. And if she truly did not value learning and smarts why did she care if she was top of the year or not? Now some argue she is a Gryffindor because she does do daring things like when she trapped Skeeter in a jar. But I'd argue that her courage is more so an adaptive thing, influenced by the boys and life or death shenanigans. I'd also argue that her trapping Skeeter in a jar is a more witty and sly move then daring and reckless. Reckless would be like publicly confronting her, Hermoine instead uses her wit, pieces all the information together and then comes up with a very intelligent, creative and kinda crazy solution.

[solarpunkpresentspodcast]

Solarpunk … orthodontics?

My jaw hurts.

It’s hurt for decades; I started clenching it at night when I was asleep when I was a preteen. This coincided with several factors, none of which I think are wholly the source but were probably contributors to the issue: we had just moved cities and I was under a ton of stress moving to a new neighbourhood and starting at a new school for the first time, I had just begun an orthodontics saga of many years which started with wearing headgear to forcibly shove my upper back molars further back into my skull in order to make room for the rest of my upper teeth to move backwards (with the eventual help of braces) to correct an overbite that was starting to affect my bite, and that I was an extremely anxious eldest child. Looking back, it’s clear I was on the spectrum and had a diagnosable anxiety disorder. But discovering that would be much further in the future.

All I knew at the time was that my jaw hurt. I told my dentist and orthodontist and they recommended I sleep on my back, so that I would have less chance of clenching. I did this, and still to this day must choose: do I sleep clenching my jaw, or with my mouth wide open? I have a choice between a) painful muscles or b) terrible breath in the morning + slowly yellowing teeth. Hoorah. I wasn’t given any other advice.

It is at this point that I would have liked any of the professionals involved in the process to have talked to me about the ramifications of seriously and irrevocably altering the shape of my jaw on the surrounding musculature but frankly, I’m not sure they were trained to do that. And by “that” I mean talking to children, communicating professional knowledge to a lay audience, and knowing about the muscles of the face all at the same time.

I would hope that in a future solarpunk society, there would be people with those skillsets employed by health professionals to communicate and emphasize a more holistic look at healthcare - in a way that meets people where they’re at. I was thirteen; I wasn’t ready to hear or understand even the little that dentists would tell me now in my late thirties. I needed someone skilled to discuss this with me. The braces and headgear needed to happen: my bite was getting painful, my overbite was growing so extreme. But even a knowledge of the side effects would have been empowering to me, as a child. I had very little say in any of this process, though I got to pick the colour of the elastics around my braces, yay.

My jaw still hurt.

In the early days of 2012, I woke up one morning and couldn’t chew my food without pain: not even soft foods such as pancakes were safe. I made an emergency appointment with my dentist at the time, who quickly assessed the issue and whipped up a mouthguard for me. I didn’t have insurance at the time (having aged out of my parents’ coverage, and none afforded by my college), and the dentist was sensitive to that, and gave me a discount. Bless him; I’m sure he’s long retired, but I hope that if that little family dentist office off the Danforth in Toronto is still in operation, that it’s seeing some good years.

Wearing a mouthguard every single night to bed wasn’t foreign to me, because I’d worn the retainer I was given after my braces came off religiously for many years until about two years before this. I still wear a retainer to this day: it not only makes it so that I am not clenching quite as hard, but it saves my teeth from the bone-cracking pressure. (I was informed by my current dentist that clenching my teeth is a major contributor to my receding gums, which is a current dental issue I have, yay again.)

My jaw still hurts now, though.

In that future solarpunk world, I’m sure young people wouldn’t wake up with debilitating pain in their jaw and be forced to think above all else about how this is a financial setback. In a future solarpunk world, I would hope that insurance coverage would be a thing of the past, as it would be unnecessary. I don’t know how the details of that would work out. I just know it would save so many young people from worsening the anxiety that was already so bad that it led to jaw pain.

When I moved to a new city and saw a new chiropractor, he would help me to mobilize and relieve the tension somewhat in those muscles at the end of each appointment. It helped, somewhat, especially to mitigate the damage caused by the stress of graduate school - and then a car accident, and then COVID.

I was finally diagnosed with an anxiety disorder several years ago, and though I’m mitigating it to my best abilities, I haven’t stopped clenching my jaw while I sleep, or during the day subconsciously. I’m still searching for some sort of relief other than constantly wearing my nightguard, which is just an automatic thing that I do after brushing my teeth every night. (I don’t think that this sort of wearable tech makes me a cyborg, just a boring responsible person.)

In a solarpunk world, many people are going to need dental surgery. Many people are going to need orthodontic interventions. It’s just a fact. But what can we do now to make sure that the dentists and orthodontists of the future actually work to make their patients’ lives better, not just their teeth?

This is my two cents’ worth. What do you think?

PS: I should mention that though I live in Canada, dental is not covered by our (ailing, politically besieged) social healthcare system.

[makiitabaki]

I love how my orthodontist somehow managed to choose the worst financial moment and contact me to continue my treatment (almost 6 years after the date I was supposed to do so).

[wanderingandfound]

I thought I had very clearly recounted my dental problems and then when I'm looking at the first step of the orthodontist's proposed solution, wondering how this won't just exacerbate the problem because it's literally recreating the origin of the problem on all my teeth but one, instead of the original four, and the assistant says something along the lines of "Do you think your bite ever looked different than this?"

????

Yes?

That's what I've been saying?

I had the perfect bite until 2021???

I was 25 fucking years old when a dental appliance caused my back molars to supererupt?

I have said this TO YOU multiple times by now?

I asked my mom multiple times later if I was unclear and she says I wasn't (albeit she does have all the context for this and could fill in any blanks I left, but I'm pretty fucking sure I didn't leave any significant blanks).

They tried to blame my front teeth not fitting together on my tongue thrust! I've had this tongue thrust my entire life and multiple years of speech therapy and an aversion to s's to prove it! It didn't fuck up my teeth as a full grown adult!

And yet I still gave them sixteen hundred dollars to manufacture a piece of plastic I'm only supposed to wear for eight weeks.

Well, at least I got to choose the colors of blue, green, and glitter.

[blackbeardentalservices]

Common Misconceptions About Clear Aligners

Clear aligners have revolutionized the way people achieve straighter teeth, offering a modern, discreet alternative to traditional metal braces. However, with all the excitement around this innovative treatment, there are still some common misconceptions that may leave you wondering if clear aligners are right for you. At Black Bear Dental, your local provider of clear aligners near you, we’re here to clear up these myths and provide expert insights into why clear aligners could be the perfect fit for your smile journey.

Myth 1: Clear Aligners Only Work for Minor Teeth Adjustments

Many people believe that clear aligners are only suitable for small corrections, like closing minor gaps or straightening slightly crooked teeth. This misconception often leads patients to think they aren’t a candidate if they have more complex dental issues.

The Reality: Clear aligners have advanced significantly and are now capable of treating a wide range of orthodontic concerns, including crowded teeth, overbites, underbites, and crossbites. At Black Bear Dental, we use the latest aligner technology that can effectively address even more challenging cases. Our experienced team will conduct a thorough evaluation of your teeth and customize a treatment plan that suits your specific needs, no matter how complex.

Myth 2: Clear Aligners Take Much Longer Than Traditional Braces

A common misconception is that clear aligners take longer to straighten teeth compared to traditional braces. It’s easy to assume that because clear aligners are removable and less visible, they might not be as effective in achieving timely results.

The Reality: Clear aligners can be just as efficient, if not faster, than traditional braces, depending on the complexity of the case and how consistently the aligners are worn. Most patients complete treatment in 12 to 18 months, which is comparable to traditional braces. In some cases, clear aligners can even achieve results faster because they are designed to apply continuous, gentle pressure to shift teeth more predictably.

Myth 3: Clear Aligners Are Uncomfortable to Wear

Some patients worry that clear aligners might be uncomfortable or painful, similar to the discomfort often associated with metal braces. This misconception can discourage people from choosing aligners, fearing that the treatment won’t be as comfortable as advertised.

The Reality: Clear aligners are custom-made from smooth, BPA-free plastic that fits snugly over your teeth. While you may experience mild pressure when switching to a new set of aligners, this is a sign that the aligners are working. Unlike braces, there are no sharp brackets or wires to irritate your cheeks and gums, making clear aligners a far more comfortable option for most patients.

Do Dentists Recommend Clear Aligners?

Absolutely, many dentists and orthodontists recommend clear aligners as an effective, convenient alternative to traditional braces. At Black Bear Dental, we often suggest clear aligners for patients seeking a discreet and flexible treatment option that fits seamlessly into their lifestyle. Here’s why:

Effectiveness: Clear aligners are proven to effectively treat a wide range of orthodontic issues, offering reliable and predictable results.

Aesthetic Appeal: The nearly invisible appearance of clear aligners allows patients to straighten their teeth without the noticeable look of metal braces, which is particularly appealing for adults and teens who are conscious of their appearance.

Convenience and Flexibility: Because clear aligners are removable, you can enjoy your favorite foods without restrictions and maintain your regular oral hygiene routine with ease.

Customized Treatment: Every set of aligners is tailored specifically to your teeth, ensuring a precise and comfortable fit that drives optimal results.

At Black Bear Dental, our focus is on providing personalized care that meets your unique needs. We evaluate every patient’s individual case to determine if clear aligners are the best choice for achieving their smile goals.

Discover the Truth About Clear Aligners at Black Bear Dental

Clear aligners offer a transformative way to achieve a straighter smile with minimal disruption to your daily life. Don’t let common misconceptions hold you back from exploring this innovative treatment. At Black Bear Dental, we’re committed to guiding you through the clear aligner process with expert advice, advanced technology, and compassionate care. Schedule your consultation today and take the first step toward a healthier, more confident smile.

[alvydental]

Benefits of Using Dental Aligners for a Perfect Smile

Achieving a perfect smile is a common aspiration for many individuals, and dental aligners have emerged as a popular and effective solution to address this goal. Unlike traditional metal braces, dental aligners offer a discreet, comfortable, and flexible approach to orthodontic treatment. If you’re considering enhancing your smile, understanding the benefits of using dental aligners can help you make an informed decision about your treatment options.

Discreet and Comfortable

One of the most significant advantages of dental aligners is their discreet nature. Made from clear, BPA-free plastic, Alvy Dental aligners are virtually invisible when worn, making them an attractive option for those who prefer a more subtle orthodontic treatment. Unlike metal braces, which can be noticeable and uncomfortable, aligners are designed to fit snugly over your teeth, providing a comfortable and nearly invisible solution to teeth straightening.

Customization for a Perfect Fit

Dental aligners are customized to fit your unique dental structure. The treatment begins with a comprehensive examination, including digital scans or impressions of your teeth. Using this information, a precise 3D model of your mouth is created, and a series of custom aligners is developed to gradually shift your teeth into their ideal positions. This personalized approach ensures that Alvy Dental aligners are tailored specifically to your orthodontic needs, resulting in more effective and efficient treatment.

Convenient and Removable

One of the standout benefits of dental aligners is their convenience. Unlike traditional braces, which are fixed in place, Alvy Dental aligners are removable. This feature allows you to eat and drink without restrictions and makes maintaining oral hygiene easier. Simply remove your aligners while eating, and brush and floss your teeth as usual before reinserting them. This removability ensures that you can continue to enjoy your favorite foods and maintain a high standard of oral hygiene throughout your treatment.

Improved Oral Health

Maintaining good oral health during orthodontic treatment is crucial. Dental aligners help facilitate this by being removable, which makes it easier to clean your teeth and gums thoroughly. Traditional braces can trap food particles and plaque, making oral hygiene more challenging. With Alvy Dental aligners, you can clean your teeth and aligners more effectively, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease.

Efficient Treatment Time

In many cases, dental aligners can provide faster results compared to traditional braces. The advanced technology used in the design and manufacturing of aligners sheets in the USA allows for precise adjustments and efficient movement of your teeth. While treatment time varies depending on individual needs, many people find that aligners offer a quicker path to achieving their desired smile.

Fewer Office Visits

Another advantage of dental aligners is the reduction in the frequency of office visits. Traditional braces often require regular adjustments and check-ups, which can be time-consuming. With Alvy dental aligners, you typically need fewer visits to the orthodontist, as the aligners are designed to be changed at home according to a pre-determined schedule. This convenience can make managing your orthodontic treatment more efficient and less disruptive to your daily life.

Predictable Results

The use of advanced 3D imaging technology in designing dental aligners allows for highly predictable results. Before you even start your treatment, you’ll have a clear view of how your teeth will shift and the final outcome of your smile. This level of predictability helps ensure that your treatment plan is tailored to meet your expectations and deliver the desired results.

Choosing dental aligners for your orthodontic needs offers numerous benefits, from their discreet appearance to their customizable fit and ease of use. With the convenience of removable aligners, improved oral health, and efficient treatment times, it’s no wonder that many individuals are opting for this modern approach to achieving a perfect smile. If you’re looking for a reliable and effective solution, consider Alvy Dental aligners and experience the advantages of a confident, beautiful smile.

At Alvy Dental, we are committed to providing high-quality dental aligners and exceptional care to help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. Explore our range of aligners and start your journey to a perfect smile today.

[mega-punani]

Hi! I recently discovered your pirate au and am absolutely in love!!! 💕 I have a few questions if you don’t mind:

Does there already have to be moisture in the air for Razz to be able to create rain and storms? For example, would his powers work if the crew had to travel through a dry, desert climate like the Straw Hats did during the Alabasta arc?

I noticed Razz has a monocle in one of the earlier pieces of art. Does the fashionable skelly actually have vision problems or does he have it purely for the ✨aesthetic✨?

Does Dr. MC have experience with dentistry too, or does Cinnamon have to seek help elsewhere if there is an issue with his braces?

YAWWWWW THANK U!!! I'm glad you found all this stuff cuel enough 2 leave an ask 🥰.

1. Razz does not need moisture in the air ahead of time! But it def will make summoning storm/rain much easier. Traveling through dry places and summoning will be significantly harder than summoning in the middle of the ocean, most definitely. However, his pride is big as hell, so he'll never show that it hinders him, lol.

2. He uses it to read sometimes but not day to day life (so I guess he doesn'thave a major vision problem)! Just for smaller letters and such... he did choose a monocle instead of a pair of glasses, though. He finds em tacky on him and refuses to yield.

3. All doctors need a lil experience w/ teef, it's part of one's health after all! But def Y/N is not qualified to fix up some braces for Cinnamon. He has that done by an orthodontist much before he meets them! However, they can help with things like pain, minor adjustments, and such to help the journey go a bit smoother.

[drshvetathareja]

Explore Dr. Shveta's holistic approach to Braces Treatment In Gurgaon, focusing on individual needs and overall well-being. Discover how her personalized methods go beyond alignment, offering a transformation in dental aesthetics and oral health. With state-of-the-art technology and compassionate care, Dr. Shveta ensures efficient and effective braces treatment, delivering transformative results. Choose expertise and personalized care for your braces treatment in Gurgaon with Dr. Shveta, the sought-after orthodontist in the region. Take the first step towards a beautiful and healthy smile by scheduling a consultation today. Elevate your dental experience with Dr. Shveta's comprehensive approach to braces treatment in Gurgaon.