#strategies to help reduce back pain

[nahoney22]

Massage Therapy*** 🌊

🫧 Pairings: Tech X Female!Reader

word count: 4.5k

prompts: none

Tech gives you a massage, what else could possibly happen?

warnings: NSFW, 18+ only. Explicit Sexual Content and Language. Oral Sex ie blowjob, Fingering, P in V Sex, Nudity, Dirty Talk, Soft!Dom Tech, Breeding Kink, Size Kink, Petnames, Oil Massage, Consensual Sex, Mutual Pining, Fluff, Kissing, Multiple Positions, Slightly Rough Sex, Spanking, Teasing, Flirting, Cum Denial, Creampie, Slight Possessive Tech, Not Proof Read, a bit Messy.

A/N: Total self indulge fic and tech has a big [REDACTED]

Reblog to support content creators. 🫧🌊

“What is so amusing?”

The Marauder hummed softly in the background as the team sat around, recuperating after a somewhat successful mission. Hunter, Echo, Wrecker, and Tech were sharing tactics and strategies and Tech was detailing the mission’s success. More to the point of explaining how his calculations had been spot on. But, you couldn’t help but chuckle, grabbing his attention.

“I’m just saying, Tech, your calculations might be great, but sometimes you overlook the obvious,” you teased.

Tech raised an eyebrow. “I hardly think that is the case. My assessments are thorough.”

“Oh really?” you challenged, stepping closer with a smirk. He gazes up at you from his spot, slightly wide-eyed. “I am sorry to tell you that you missed the part where the droids’ power cells were defective, which is why they were so easy to defeat.”

Tech frowned, his mind already processing your claim. “I accounted for their reduced efficiency due to age of creation, but… I didn’t specifically check for defective power cells.” He recalls quietly, pinching his chin.

Hunter and the others watched with amusement as the debate unfolded. “Sounds like a bet’s brewing,” Hunter said with a grin, leaning back in his seat.

You grinned back. “Alright, Tech, let’s make it interesting. If I’m right, you owe me a favour. And if you’re right, I’ll help with the repairs to the Marauder for a week.”

Tech considered this, the prospect of additional help appealing, especially from you, though he was confident in his calculations. “Very well, it’s a bet.”

Wrecker chuckled. “This is gonna be good.”

Tech pulled up the data on his datapad, scrolling through the information with practiced ease like he’s done this a million times before. You stand behind him, arms crossed and truthfully quite smugly-confident. After a few moments, you watch as his face fell. “It appears you are correct. The power cells were indeed defective.”

Echo clapped Tech on the shoulder. “Looks like you owe her, Tech.”

Tech simply nodded. “It seems so. I will fulfill my end of the bet.” He swivels in his chair to face you. “What is it you require?”

You ponder for a moment, not really thinking that far forward. “Undecided. But I’ll get back to you.” You say with a wink before walking away.

Tech watches you leave, swallowing hard but refusing to let the strange strain of his emotions show in front of the others.

If only you knew how you make him feel. Then again, perhaps you would be able to tell him how you are making him feel. Fluttering in the stomach when your name is mentioned in passing? Clammy hands when you talk to him? A small wave of arousal just when you’re near?

But surprisingly welcome.

It was new.

A few hours later, the others had dispersed to do their own thing whether to go to Cid’s or a walk which left just you and Tech alone.

Tech approached you after staring at you silently for the last minute or so, his usual confidence tinged with a hint of awkwardness. “Have you decided yet?”

You jumped a little, not hearing him approach initially but smile at him as you face him. “I was only teasing Tech, you don’t have to do anything for me.”

“On the contrary. You asked for something from me after proving me wrong which is a rarity, so I will do what you ask.”

As he was speaking, you felt a slight pain in your shoulder that had been bugging you for a few days now which spurred on an idea. “Well… there is something you can do for me.” You say sheepishly, taking a step towards him.

The proximity suddenly made him clam up, his fists tightening behind his back as your eyes and the smell of you captivated him. Your lips are moving but he isn’t processing what you’re really saying. “Sorry,” he clears his throat, “what did you say?”

“I said you could maybe give me a massage?” You say quickly, realising how personal that sounded. “Only if you feel comfortable. It’s just I have a few knots that I feel like you could tend to.”

Tech hesitates, giving massages was definitely not his forte or something he spent researching but for you? He felt like he would do anything these days. “If i can help relieve your pain I shall do it. Albeit I can not promise groundbreaking results.”

You giggle, eyes creasing at the corners and nose scrunching. Tech had never described anything as ‘cute’ before and probably never will; however, your laughter was something he always found rather endearing and admittedly… cute.

“Really? That’d be great. Do you want to do it now since the others aren’t here?”

“That is fine with me, let me get prepared and I’ll come find you.” Tech confirms, reaching for his device to do a quick research on techniques to massages.

After doing his frantic search, Tech set up a fold-away table that was typically used for emergency medical purposes and called you over. You emerge, now having changed into some shorts and tank top and look at the table in surprise.

“Please, lie down,” he instructed.

“Gettin’ the full treatment, am I? I feel special.” You tease, hopping onto the table as you watch Tech move about.

“If you require a calming and thorough massage it is only right that I do it properly.” He says simply but hopes the slight waver of nerves in his tone didn’t show as he turns to face you, holding a bottle of what looked to be body oil. “I found this among Echo’s things. I thought it might enhance the experience.”

You raised an eyebrow, amused and quite excited. “Echo’s, huh? Do you think he will mind?”

“I was not going to plan on telling him.” Tech announced as he poured some of the oil into his bare hands, warming it before you lay down, head on a small pillow made out of the boy's spare tops.

You positioned yourself comfortably, lying face up and watch as Tech’s hands hovered over your body, as if he was unsure where to start.

“You can start with my shoulders,” you suggested gently, easing him into it.

Tech nodded, placing his hands on your shoulders and beginning to knead the tension of both this situation and your ache away. His touch was non-surprisingly gentle yet firm, and you couldn’t help but let out a soft moan as he worked on a particularly tight knot.

“You do appear very tense,” Tech observed, his voice tinged with modest concern.

The sensation of his hands on your skin was both soothing and electrifying. The oil, scented of lavender, made your skin glisten under the dim lighting of the ship. Each stroke, knead, sent waves of relaxation through your body, yet you couldn’t help but wonder if there was an underlying current of something more intimate and exciting afoot. You try to push the lewd thoughts away and focus back on Tech.

“Yeah, missions for Cid usually do that to a person,” you replied, your voice slightly breathless.

As the massage continued, you felt your muscles relaxing under Tech’s skilled hands. He moved down to your arms, taking his time to work out every knot and kink and even took his time on each of your hands, adding more oil to your skin which feels dry.

“You’ve done this before, I refuse to believe otherwise.” You sigh, eyes still closed and occasionally, you let out soft sounds of pleasure, unable to help yourself.

You don’t hear or see it but Tech’s breath hitched slightly each time you made a sound, and he could sense his growing arousal pressing against his pants.

After a few minutes or so, his mind doesn’t process like it usually does because out of nowhere he says, “If you are comfortable, you can remove your clothes.”

Your eyes open quickly, looking directly up into his, squinting to see his reaction behind his goggles. “Remove my clothes?”

“I…I only meant…” you watch him as he struggles to force out an answer but you take pity on him because you couldn’t deny, the idea did slightly turn you on.

Tech was adorably sweet in your eyes and you knew - also thanks to the other boys teasing - he felt something for you. You didn’t believe it at first because he was always the same around you. Though the more you paid attention, the more it clicked together like a puzzle piece. When does Tech ever stumble over his words? When is he ever usually wrong? When has he ever offered to give someone a nude, oily massage?

Naturally, you felt something for him too. You were just a bit better at hiding it than he was.

“Will you place a towel over my, you know?”

“Yes, of course. It is just for a more in-depth massage.” He clears his throat, finding his voice again and genuinely surprised you were going to go ahead with this.

You flushed but nodded, trusting him. You wait until he turns around before you remove your clothes, lying back down as Tech passed you a towel which you draped over yourself. “May I proceed?”

“Sure,” you nod as you close your eyes, allowing his hands to resume their work and starting with your legs. He is certainly a quick learner because his fingers knead the muscles with precision and as he glides higher towards your thighs, you feel his touch become more deliberate.

You take a peek at him with one eye, watching him secretly and you were certain he was looking at you with a look you had never witnessed before.

He looked starved. Tempted. Lustful.

Ever so discreetly, you part your legs just an inch, allowing his hands to work on the inner sides of your thighs. You try to control your breathing but the slight rush of wind that hits your core as his hands zoom past was hard to ignore.

He climbed higher and higher until you comfortably moved your legs further open, the towel still giving you your dignity yet you were sure it was about to roll off the table and down the gangplank.

The side of his hands were just inches away from touching your pussy and you waited with bated breath, wondering if he dared to cross the line… but he never did.

You peek at him again, watching him shake his head at himself as if he was scolding himself for thinking of doing something.

“Tech,” you breathed out, closing your eyes fully so he didn’t catch you looking at him, “you can massage my br- torso. You can massage my torso if you want.”

He moves round the table, standing at your side. Looking at the towel that covered your nude body, he feels a burn in his own as his mouth starts to salivate. “Will you be comfortable with me removing your towel in that case?”

With a mumble of clarification, Tech’s hands trembled slightly as he moved the towel aside. His gaze looked at your face first, analysing your reaction and was relieved to see that you didn’t seem to mind what was happening.

He looks away from you for a moment, grabbing the bottle of oil again and then gazes upon your chest, most notably your breasts.

He bites on his tongue to stop from making a noise as he slowly pours the oil over your hardening nipples before his fingers begin tracing the curves of your breasts, rubbing the oil in.

His touch was gentle this time, yet it sent waves of pleasure through your body. He stands behind your head, leaning over you as his hands caress and respectfully fondle your tits but his eyes? They were on your face, watching your reactions intently.

You couldn’t help it but your breathing gets heavier, your fingers gripping onto the edge of the either side of the table as his thumbs briefly kiss your nipples, the heat between your legs throbbing with an intensity that you wanted to whimper his name.

“Your skin is incredibly soft,” Tech murmured, his voice husky with arousal as he cups your breasts together, kneading gently into them.

You arched into his touch, your breathing ragged. “Tech… please, don’t stop.”

Your reaction nearly makes his knees buckle, he recognised this behaviour from many porn holovids he watched in secret. You were turned on and he was the reason for it.

He continued just like you wanted, not letting his ego explode, his hands exploring your body further with growing confidence. The massage was easily becoming increasingly steamy, your soft moans of enjoyment encouraging him further that the tent in his pants was starting to hurt.

Skillfully, his hands moved lower, exploring the expanse of your stomach, then to your hips, and finally to your inner soft and pillowy thighs. “You’re so good at this.” You whisper, biting your lip.

“Turn over, please,” Tech instructed, his voice a low and husky command.

You complied, turning onto your stomach. Tech again has to suppress his wanton noises as his eyes land on your arse. You could feel his gaze linger which silently makes you smirk. There’s a mix of admiration and professionalism in his eyes and he doesn’t know how to function for a moment. “Any pain in your back I should be aware of?” He asks, oiling his hands up once again.

“I get a small ache in my lower back sometimes.” You reply, speech slightly muffled as you lay your head flat on its side.

“Hopefully I can help with that.” He whispers, his hands landing on the area you said and gives you slow and purposeful strokes.

The sensation of his hands on your bare skin was incredibly intimate, and you felt yourself growing damp with arousal. Tech's touch was almost reverent, as if he was in awe of your body. It’s not long until his hands move to your arse, massaging you perfectly.

Your lip almost bleeds with how many times you bite down onto it but you couldn’t help the shivers that tingles your body. His professionalism was evident, but the effect he was having on you was undeniable. “Do you like this?”

“I’m definitely not going to say no,” you utter with a soft laugh, soon groaning as both of his hands knead at your left cheek.

As Tech moved around the table to work at your body at a different angle, you caught a glimpse of the clear arousal pitched in his pants.

The sight sent a thrill through you, knowing that your reactions and your body were affecting him just as much. Despite his aching erection, he maintained his composure, focusing on giving you the best massage possible and for that you were immensely grateful for. Though, you wouldn’t mind the latter.

His hands moved to your thighs one more, working their magic as he massages up and down each leg with a slow, intricate touch that makes you breathe out soft moans of delight. “Those are some rather seductive sounds you’re making, I have to say.”

Did he just flirt with you? Or was he just stating the obvious as usual? Perhaps it was both.

“Sorry, I can’t help it,” you say softly, propping yourself up on your elbows and look back at him, “you’re good with your hands.”

He stills, meeting your flirtatious gaze and has to fight every willpower he has not to palm himself infront of you, the ache in his pants throbbing and begging for release. “There is no need to apologise,” he says slowly. His hands are inching their way up your legs and ever so gently begins to spread your cheeks.

Your lips part, watching him as he locks eyes with your glistening pussy and you felt a surge of arousal as he uses two fingers to brush up between them, his touch feather-light and teasing.

“T-Tech,” you rasp, fingers gripping onto the table as he runs his fingers up and down your slicked entrance.

“Can I massage you here? I am positive there is quite a lot of tension that needs to be released.”

You nod fervently, biting your lip before you let out the most sinful cry of pleasure.

He paused for a moment to get your answer, then slowly, deliberately, he hooked a finger inside you.

The wet sounds of his fingers moving inside you filled the room, a mix of slick and rhythmic. His movements were slow at first, teasing, then gradually quickened, each thrust making your body shiver. Your arse jiggled slightly with each movement, adding to the allure of him finger-fucking you.

“You’re incredibly wet,” Tech remarked, his voice a mix of awe and satisfaction. “It’s pleasing to know you’re enjoying this.”

You could barely form a coherent response, your body trembling with desire as you buried your head into the table. “Tech… please, more.”

His fingers began to explore you more deeply, each movement, twisting, curling and pumping inside you. You moaned louder, your hands gripping the edges of the table as he brought you to the brink of ecstasy of one of many orgasms.

Tech moved to your side, and you seized the opportunity, reaching out to grab his cock through his pants. “Maker you feel so big,” you gasp in pleasant surprise, massaging it through the fabric, feeling its hardness and the heat radiating from it. His breath hitched, and he groaned softly.

“You may have the pleasure of having a look and a taste if that would satisfy you.”

With a swift motion, you pulled down his pants, freeing his cock without a second thought. You had to move your head back slightly so it didn’t slap you in your face and gaze at his member in awe.

“Looks so good…” you moan to yourself as you bring his tip to your mouth, teasing it with your tongue before taking him in. Tech’s fingers never stopped their rhythm inside you, and he began to thrust gently into your mouth, his cock moving in and out with a steady pace.

You slurp and suck on his cock like a woman starved, your hand gripping the shaft as you pump it back and forth while he rocks into your mouth.

“You look so cock-hungry. Has your pretty mouth and pussy been neglected for so long?” You never thought you’d hear these words pour out of his mouth but here you both were, you with his aching cock between your lips and his fingers deep and wet inside you. “Have your needs been met?”

The sensation was intoxicating, his fingers moving inside you while his cock filled your mouth, your reply a muffled and spit covered ‘yes’. You could feel him trembling, his control slipping as he thrust deeper, the corner of your lips stretching with a pleasurable pull.

You moved back onto your back, positioning yourself with your head tilted to the side so you could continue sucking his cock. Tech’s hands were everywhere, one playing with your oiled nipples, rolling and pinching them lightly, while the other massaged your clit. The dual sensation was overwhelming, and you felt yourself building to another climax as stars blur your vision.

Tech’s pace quickened, his thrusts becoming more urgent. He groaned your name, panting like a whore, his voice filled with desire. “I can’t… I’m going to…”

Before he could finish, he pulled out of your mouth with urgency, his eyes dark with lust. “I have to have you,” he murmured, his voice dripping with need.

You watched with wide and lusting eyes as he moved to the bottom of the table, his hands gripping your thighs firmly. In one swift motion, he pulled you close to him, your legs dangling off the edge. His cock, hard and throbbing, pressed against your exposed entrance. The anticipation was electric, your body quivering with need.

“Tech, please,” you whispered, your voice burning with desperation.

He needed no further encouragement. He grabs his cock, slipping it up and down between your folds, tapping it against your clit to watch your desperate whimpers of want before he pushes into you, filling you completely.

“Oh fuck! Tech!” You cried out in pleasure, your body arching against him as your head fell back. The sensation of his cock stretching you was overwhelming, and you gripped his arms, your fingers digging into the fabric of his sleeves because after all, he wasn’t even naked himself.

“Maker, your cunt is so tight,” Tech groaned, his voice strained with pleasure, “do not worry darling, you will adjust.”

He began to move, each thrust deep and powerful, slamming into you with an urgency that left you panting with breath. He pushes his goggles up to rest against his forehead, having steamed up from the erotic heat and then watched intently, eyes glued to the sight of his cock disappearing into you with each thrust.

“I do not think I will fit inside you completely,” he chuckles, “but I’ll make do.” his voice was husky and he looked you in the eyes.”

“You are mine,” he groans, his hands running up and down your thighs as he stills inside you, keeping his cock warm. “Stars, I have been wanting to see how you look whilst getting wonderfully fucked by my cock.”

Your eyes locked onto his, the intensity of the moment binding you together. “Tech… it’s so big,” you moaned, your voice barely more than a whisper.

“I know. But you are doing exceptionally well my dear… tell me how good it feels,” he demanded, his pace quickening. “I want to hear you say it.”

“Fuck, it’s so deep,” you cried out, your voice breaking as he begins to move his hips again. “It feels so good baby,”

Tech let out a loud groan at the pet name, legs like jelly. “I could get used to you calling me that.”

“Your body is incredible,” Tech groaned, his hands gripping your fleshy thighs tighter. “It should be cherished. Your pussy is perfect. I’ve imagined you wedged on my cock for a long time. And now you’re mine. My brothers will never get the chance to fuck you as good as I do.”

“I’ll only want you, Tech,” you gasped, your body trembling with pleasure. “I’ve always wanted you.”

Tech’s hands move to your waist, his grip almost bruising as he pounded into you. “I am going to fill you up,” he moaned, his voice low and feral as his deep-rooted kink for breeding you surfaces. “I’m going to spill my seed inside you, and you’re going to take it all.”

The thought sent a shiver of pure pleasure through your body, and you felt your orgasm building, the tension coiling tighter and tighter as your pussy gets pounded. “Yes, Tech! please, I need your hot cum so badly.” you begged, voice a desperate plea as sweat drips down your body.

Tech’s thrusts became erratic, his control slipping as he neared his own high. His fingers moved to your clit, pinching and flicking it in time with his thrusts. The added sensation made you sob with pleasure, your body trembling uncontrollably. “Shit oh - holy - fuck,” you’re mewling pathetically, watching half of his cock disappear inside of you.

He leaned over you, pinning you to the table, his face inches from yours. “Kiss me,” he ordered, his voice rough with need. You comply without a second thought, your lips crashing together in a desperate, hot kiss. He lets go of you, hands holding on the table as it rocked back and forth as he buries himself in and out of you.

Just as you were about to fall over into blissful release, Tech pulled out, making you whimper at the loss. “N-no, no why?”

You watch with hazy eyes as he starts to stroke himself, trying to stave off his orgasm. “Beg for my cock,” he commanded, his eyes heavy with hunger. “Tell me how much you need it.”

“Please, baby, Tech, I need you,” you pleaded, your voice desperate. “I need your cock inside me. Fuck me again, please.”

Satisfied, Tech pulled you off the table and turned you around, bending you over. He lifted one of your legs to rest on the table, angling your body perfectly. “This position will allow for deeper penetration,” he explained, his voice tinged with anticipation. “I shall be able to hit that sweet spot inside you perfectly.”

With that, he thrust back into you, his cock driving deep and hitting just the right spot. You gasp out in pleasure, your hands gripping the edge of the table for support. “Yes, Tech, right there,” you moaned. “It feels so good.”

“Good girl,” Tech groaned, his pace relentless. “Take it all my darling.”

His large, veiny cock buried deep inside you, hitting every sensitive spot. He reached forward to spank your arse, making it bounce with every thrust. “So receptive.”

Just as you thought you couldn’t take any more, Tech flipped you onto your back again, lifting your legs to dangle off his shoulders. He pounded into you with renewed vigor, his pace becoming erratic as he felt himself ready to give you everything.

“I’m going to cum,” he growled, his voice low and feral. “You will be so full.”

“Yes, Tech, do it,” you urged, your voice breathless as you move your hand between your legs, rubbing your clit to match him. “I need it so much.”

With a final, loud thrust, Tech buried himself deep inside you, his cock pulsing as he came. The sensation pushed you into another orgasm, your body trembling with pleasure.

For a moment, the galaxy seemed to stand still, the only sounds were the heavy breathing and soft moans of pleasure. As Tech slowly pulled out, you felt his warm cum slip out of you and you watch in awe as he collected it on his fingers and, with a possessive look, pushed it back inside you.

“I want every drop to stay inside you,” he murmured, his voice filled with satisfaction. “I want you to remember this.”

The sensation of his fingers inside you, combined with the aftershocks of your orgasm, made you shiver. “I won’t forget,” you whispered.

Tech leaned down, capturing your lips in a soft, tender kiss. “You are incredible,” he murmured against your lips. “I never imagined…”

“Me neither,” you replied, a smile tugging at your lips. “But I’m glad it happened.”

Tech pulled you into a gentle embrace, the intimacy of the moment leaving you both feeling connected in a way you hadn’t before. “I… I hope I did not hurt you.”

“No, not at all.” You reply with a comforting smile, “I’m just dazed.”

He smiles, pulling his goggles back down after wiping them clear. “As you could probably tell, I always had feelings for you,” he admitted softly, his voice barely more than a whisper. “I just didn’t know how to express them.”

You looked up at him, your heart swelling with affection. “I feel the same way, Tech. And not going to lie, I think I’ve always known.”

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[dreamwavesexploringreality]

MISTAKES

Chishiya x reader

TW: Angst, mentions of death.

Based on a request: Chishiya pushes the reader away and regrets it

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Another night, another game, another massacre. Chishiya emerged from the building where the game had taken place with an impassive face and a strange feeling of heaviness inside. He had been the only survivor, doing whatever was necessary to leave that place alive, as always. But for some reason, something felt different this time.

Chishiya took a brief breath, feeling the cold night air filling his lungs painfully, temporarily soothing the ache that had settled in his heart.

Everything had seemed straightforward at first: Seven of diamonds with clear rules and a single objective: to reach the final level alone. The game was based on a vertical, structured system—a tower of choice. Seven players, seven floors, and seven levels, all starting from the first. Each level required solving an intellectual challenge to progress, but the difficulty increased as fewer people could continue with each level: only six could pass the first, only five the second, and so on until only one reached the top of the tower and survived the game. Although it was possible to intervene to help others, this only put oneself at a disadvantage. Sharing answers reduced resources, making it more challenging to solve the subsequent exercises. In reality, it was all about leaving people behind; being selfish was the most sensible strategy to reach the top of the tower alone, ensuring no one else did. But then, why couldn’t he look into the eyes of those he left behind? Why did he question, for a millisecond, helping that young man struggling with a simple task? Chishiya knew the answers to those questions, though it pained him to admit it. But… What if she had been there that night? Would she have died like all the others? Would he have survived? These unanswered questions haunted his mind, awakening ruthless fears he had locked away during his time in Borderlands.

The walk back to The Beach seemed shorter than expected when he lifted his head and saw the huge, neglected entrance of the hotel. It exuded a sepulchral silence, contrasting with the clamor and scandal that usually emanated from the building during daylight or party nights. In the stillness of the night, Chishiya could hear, like silent echoes, the voices of those who had lost their lives in the game, and the ghostly scent of blood that painted each floor of the tower reached his nose, carried by a gentle breeze.

“Chishiya!” A voice jolted him from his introspection. “Chishiya! You’re back early; I knew you would be!” The man felt a pair of arms encircle him, nearly cutting off his breath. The familiarity of the embrace, instead of comforting or offering refuge, immediately produced a feeling of rejection, and he freed himself with a swift motion, pushing the surprised girl a few steps back.

“Not now, Y/N,” he said abruptly, with a coldness he didn’t usually use with her, and moved towards the hotel’s interior. Y/N followed him, running in a way that Chishiya interpreted as that of a lost puppy. The idea almost made him vomit. What if one day he didn’t come back? What if she died? What if she died… because of him?

“What happened? Are you okay? Are you hurt?” Y/N bombarded him with questions, trying to keep up with his pace to his room.

Chishiya remained cold, walking firmly as if he didn’t hear her, and when he opened the door to his room and stepped inside, he turned to look at her. “Definitely a lost puppy,” he thought to himself as he observed the girl’s face twisted in a grimace of doubt and insecurity.

“Go to bed, Y/N,” he said briefly, and she felt as if he had just shot her heart.

“But… but what about the goodnight hug? We can… we can lie in bed and just hold each other! You don’t have to talk!” The woman’s tone sounded desperate, pathetic from her perspective, but she couldn’t help it. She needed it, needed to know he was there, that he had returned alive from the game and that… he cared.

But Chishiya closed the door without answering her pleas or looking at her a second time. Maybe he didn’t care for her as much as she thought… or maybe he didn’t care for her as much as she cared for him.

Y/N stood for a few seconds in front of the closed wooden door, hearing the man moving around inside the room. She heard the shower start running and Chishiya moving around the room, probably looking for a new swimsuit, completely ignoring the woman he had left with tear-streaked face and a broken heart on the other side of the door.

That night, Chishiya couldn’t sleep. Each time he managed to overcome insomnia, a dreadful nightmare seized his mind, waking him with gasps and sweat. He saw himself in the game he had played that night, but instead of the other players, it was Y/N who was there. They were both on the penultimate level, knowing only one would reach the top and survive. The puzzle was easy, but for some reason, the girl couldn’t solve it, and then his mind grew dark. He saw himself giving a correct answer that he couldn’t even hear with his racing heartbeat pounding in his throat. He looked into her eyes as they turned gray, white, lifeless. He watched her body fall to the ground with a great thud and saw her head bounce against the floor until it finally lay still. Then her mouth would open, and heavy words would pour out of the building’s speakers at full volume, as thick tears streamed from her lifeless eyes, soaking her face and creating a large puddle around her. “You killed me,” “It’s your fault,” “I hate you,” “I wish I’d never met you”… And he cried. He cried in his dreams because he was losing her and woke up with a damp trace on his cheek. Only the moon witnessed his own heartbreak in that cold and lonely hotel room, and when dawn came, with the first rays of light filtering through the room’s curtains, he realized how wrong he had been all along.

© 2024 [@dreamwavesexploringreality]

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Hey everyone!✨

I just finished writing a new piece based on a request I received. I might have taken a few creative liberties... but I got really into the story and let it flow in its own direction😅.

If you enjoy it and want to see where the story goes next, let me know! Your feedback could lead to a second part, so if you're interested let me know 🌟👀!

Thanks for reading and for all your support!

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Weltschmerz is a German word that describes a feeling of sadness, weariness, or hopelessness about the world. It's made up of the words Welt, meaning "world", and Schmerz, meaning "pain".

[Thanks Ellen Geller]

* * * *

Put one foot in front of the other. Repeat.

November 16, 2024

Robert B. Hubbell

It was a tough week—on the heels of an even tougher week. A few Democrats are revved up and ready to jump back in the fight. But if my inbox is a reliable indicator, many (most?) people are still reeling from the losses on Election Day. They are bewildered, exhausted, tapped out emotionally and financially, and angry. You wouldn’t be human if you did not feel those emotions in some measure. Hopes were high, and the loss was unexpected. The disappointment was exacerbated by PTSD.

The president-elect has a feral sense that many Democrats are emotionally vulnerable. His cabinet picks are designed to rub salt in our wounds and deepen our sense of bewilderment. We must recognize that the ludicrous nominations over the past week are part of a strategy to dispirit and weaken Democrats—in hopes of reducing their resolve to resist his dark plans.

We cannot give in to the president-elect’s transparent ploy. Although I am not a fan of the Godfather movie franchise (no hate mail, please!), every American knows the line, “‘It’s not personal, Sonny. It’s strictly business.”

Trump’s bizarre, anti-government nominations are not personal. They are strictly business—to Trump and to us. He is using them as an emotional cudgel against Democrats and a test of loyalty for incredulous Republicans. Our job is to defeat as many of the nominations as possible—thereby demonstrating that Trump is vulnerable and weak after his narrow win.

It is possible that Trump will resort to unilateral recess appointments by forcing an adjournment of Congress for ten days so that he can cram his unqualified, anti-establishment choices on the American people.

Doing so would be a mistake and would overplay Trump's hand. The officers would be branded as illegitimate leaders who could not make it through a Senate confirmation. More importantly, such a move would instantly convert Trump into America’s first (and last) dictator.

No other president has forced an adjournment of Congress, much less for the anti-democratic purpose of evading the Senate’s “advice and consent” role under the Constitution. Although lawsuits would challenge the recess appointments unilaterally engineered by Trump, the bigger point is that the move would drop all pretense of a president bound by the rule of law.

Whatever the Framers thought they were doing with the recess appointments and the adjournment clause, none of them believed those clauses could be manipulated to strip the Senate of its constitutional obligation to review presidential nominations.

If Trump manages to remove the Senate’s advice and consent role from the Constitution, he will sow the seeds of his quick undoing.

As I write, it appears that the nominations of Matt Gaetz, Pete Hegseth, and Robert Kennedy are in trouble—at least if they go through the Senate confirmation process.

We can help keep up the pressure by notifying our Senators and Representatives that we oppose the nominations of Gaetz, Hegseth, Kennedy, and Gabbard. See Jessica Craven’s Chop Wood Carry Water for a word script and link to phone numbers. Chop Wood, Carry Water 11/14.

There are two other themes that deserve mention as we head into the weekend.

The first is the stand-alone injury to women across America who hoped that the 2024 election would be a major step to re-establishing their status as equal citizens under the Constitution. Few opinion writers or journalists have mentioned that the re-election of Trump has dashed those hopes—at least for another four years.

Mother Jones has addressed the issue of the election’s impact on women in its article, Of Misogyny, Musk, and Men by Clara Jeffrey. The article runs under the sub-header “Women are not okay. We’re furious.”  

For all of the punditry analyzing the reason for Democrats’ loss on November 5, almost none of them mention the Trump campaign’s explicit appeal to sexism among young men. Any pundit who purports to analyze the reasons for Kamala Harris’s loss and does not list misogyny among the top three reasons is running cover for Trump—whether they intend to or not.

The second issue is the unrelenting tidal wave of pundit analyses that seek to assign blame for the Democratic loss. Spoiler alert: The reason is (allegedly) that Democrats are “liberal elitists” who ignored the working class.

The above analysis is both wrong and lazy. But even if it were accurate, it beggars belief that journalists and pundits are wasting their time assigning blame at the very moment that Trump “is slouching toward Bethlehem” in the manner of the “rough beast” in The Second Coming.1

If the above metaphor is too obscure for a Saturday morning, here is another: Imagine that we are on an oil drilling platform in the North Sea. A fire has started in the galley and threatens to engulf the entire platform. What is the better course of action? To argue over who is responsible for starting the fire in the galley or to work on extinguishing the fire?

It is appropriate and necessary to understand how and why Democrats fell short in 2024. But to do so at a time when we are stranded on a burning platform is suicidal. Assigning blame may fill column inches but it corrodes unity. The legacy media is failing us.

And yet, readers cannot resist the temptation to forward articles to me with the thesis, “Democrats are liberal elitists who got what they deserved.” I get a dozen such emails a day (often multiple duplicates of the latest from NYT or WaPo). I have received hundreds since November 5.

Amplifying such articles merely compounds the journalistic malpractice of the legacy media. We should not give them oxygen. They invite disputation and discord. They are inimical to our prime objective: Resist the efforts of the Trump administration to erode the rule of law.

Robert B. Hubbell Newsletter

[handoneohone]

Yandere Valentino X Trans Masc Reader who's hiding that he's trans

omg i actually am obsessed with this. Amazing first request. im honoured

Yandere!Valentino X TransMasc reader who is hiding the fact he's trans 

THIS IS REALLY LONG. IM SO SORRY IF YOU were expecting IT TO BE SHORTER OR LONGER AND I DIDNT KNOW IF YOU WANTED NSFW SO I ADDED THAT AT THE END WHERE THERES WARNING. I'M JUST SORRY IF THIS ISNT EVEN CLOSE TO WHAT YOU WANTED

I wrote this pretty fast in two sittings so some of the scene transitions might not be errm smooth💀

WORDCOUNT:3576

TW  SA NONCON AT THE VERY END, DRUGGING, SHIT WRITING, VALENTINO, ABUSE, THERES A NOTE AT THE NONCON SO YOU CAN STOP AT IT IF YOU WANT.very anticlimactic ending im sorry

Valentino's initial interest in Y/N takes a darker turn as he begins to control every aspect of Y/N's life in Hell. His interest is aroused even more by Y/N's resistance and desperation to keep his freedom.

Y/N feels the pressure of Valentino's attention, with each encounter leaving them more mentally and emotionally exhausted, striving to balance his need for safety with the loss of his freedom.

When Valentino's usual strategies fail in controlling Y/N, he becomes more forceful. To destroy Y/N's resistance and sense of self-worth, he uses threats and derogatory remarks.

Y/N finds himself isolated, as Valentino's influence makes it nearly impossible for him to seek help or run away.

whenever they are together which is most of the time he ends up crying or silently begging for praise from Valentino.  Valentino pushes his attempts as he senses Y/N's growing pain. To establish his power and authority, he becomes physical and uses his strength to make Y/N feel powerless.

Y/N ingrains Valentino's harsh remarks, and as a result of the constant assault, his sense of worth declines. He is unwilling to fight back out of fear of punishment or worse, which makes them look helpless and lost.

Valentino sometimes displays kindness to Y/N in a display of affection, misleading and manipulating his emotions. This measured kindness is intended to cause Y/N to rethink his opinions and deepen his bond with Valentino.

Y/N is torn between contradictory emotions, with Valentino's sporadic generosity making it difficult for him to completely dislike him.  

Valentino's constant manipulation causes Y/N to withdraw progressively, destroying his spirit. early anger is replaced by a silent acceptance of Valentino's treatment, and he begins to feel that he doesn't deserve any better.

Valentino relishes his seeming triumph, viewing Y/N's ravaged state as the peak of his dominance and control. He sees Y/N as his most prized possession and confirmation that he can do anything he desires.

Y/N is reduced to a shell of his former self, attached to Valentino's manipulation and control. His path becomes dark with the little to no hope that he can escape this literal hell and break away from Valentino's smothering shadow.

With anxiety coiling in his tummy, Y/N stood stiff in the dimly illuminated confines of Valentino's office, bathed in the neon glare that seemed to follow the overlord like a shadow. Valentino moved in a circle around Y/N, a predator stalking its prey, his voice a deep, menacing drawl that built tension in the space between them.

"You know, baby, it's weird... that you've been with me for a little while, but there's so much I don't know about you." He positioned himself in front of Y/N and made him gaze up into his eyes by tilting his chin up with a thin finger.

"Take your past, for one. You guard it tightly~ what could be so sinful that you have concealed it from me?" Y/N lowered his gaze and muttered with a guarded tone.

"My past doesn't matter... Really it doesn't-" Valentino chuckled, his tone devoid of true amusement.

"Oh, but it does matter, my dear one. I'm interested in everything about you. Especially those elements you are desperately trying to hide." His grip tightened slightly, a reminder of the control he carried over him.

Y/N felt a chill run down their spine, the intrusiveness of Valentino's interest making them feel exposed. "There's nothing to say. I was no one before this... I'm still nobody."      

"But that's where you're wrong," Valentino said quietly, his breath hot on Y/N's ear, causing him to tremble instinctively. "You are an important little thing to me my dear~," he says it like you're a toy

"A truly unique someone. And I plan to know every tiny detail, every secret... even the ones you keep locked deep inside."

Y/N's heart pounded, and a mix of fear and protest flared within him. "You won't find anything, I won't let you..." he whispered carefully yet the tremor in his voice revealed his anxiety. he feels embarrassed knowing there's jack shit he could do against Valentino...

Valentino took a step back, his gaze sharp. "We'll see. Everyone has a breaking point, darling, Even you~" he stepped forwards threateningly

"so when I break you down, and oh yes baby I will~ nobody will be there to pick up the pieces. nobody but me~"

As Valentino moved away, leaving Y/N to digest the disguised warnings and promises. he feels sick... knowing about Valentino's fixation with his past, with finding every secret he hid, was just another kind of cruel power play...

----

The evening passed into the early hours of the new day with the neon lights of Hell casting long shadows across Valentino's extravagant chambers. He arrived back from his various underground operations, a mix of eagerness and desire running through his mind as he contemplated seeking adoration and devotion from Y/N.

Valentino spotted Y/N in the dimly lit lounge, a book in hand and appearing lost in concentration. The overlord's presence enveloped the room, demanding attention.

"Here you are, my beloved. I've been looking forward to this... to us~" he murmured, advancing with predatory ease. "I've had such a long day, and I was hoping for a little... passion, baby~" Valentino lens over the sofa, his hands on Y/N's shoulders rubbing down his chest. Y/N stiffened, their previous encounters with Valentino's erratic moods making him afraid. he quickly stood up pushing Valentino's hands off...

"Val, I am... not really in the mood for anything tonight. So Maybe—"

"You're not in the mood?" he asked, his voice dripping with threat. Valentino's demeanour shifted suddenly, and the air surrounding him crackled with barely controlled rage. "After everything I have done for you, this is your way of repaying me? By denying me what you OWE me?"

Y/N flinched, setting the book aside, and cautiously eyeing Valentino. "It is not like that. I just... don't... want to do anything right now-"  Valentino's composed demeanour slipped for a brief moment, revealing a glimpse of the cruelty beneath. His hand shot out, gripping Y/N's arm with unwavering determination. "What you want?" he sneered as his grip clenched. "My darling, that is meaningless. Remember that you are mine. And if I want something, I expect to get it"

Y/N's breathing increased, both fear and pain mixing in their eyes. "Valentino, please... you're hurting me" You looked up at him begging.

Valentino glared at you for a moment before throwing you to the floor. With that, Valentino turned on his heel and left the room, leaving Y/N trembling in the wake of his wrath.

----

Valentino, who always served as the master of perversion and dominance in his sphere of influence, never showed enough concern for a demon to find out about anything beyond their name��and frequently not even that. Y/N was one of the first exceptions.

Valentino recognized potential in Y/N the moment he entered his orbit. there was something special about his appeal and mystery that made him irresistible. Using his extensive network of subjects and followers, Valentino avoided probing Y/N's directly. Valentino was a wealthy lord, and in the hierarchy of Hell, information was sometimes as good as cash.

With eyes and ears everywhere across his realm, he wasn't long before rumours found their way to him. They didn't come from a direct infraction of Y/N's privacy, more like the inevitable rumours that surrounded anyone trying to keep a secret in a place as gossip-filled as Hell.

The days blurred together and a dense tension grew in the area surrounding Valentino's land. The normal commotion of Hell's never-ending partying subsided to a murmur in the background as Y/N's anxiety grew. he sensed eyes watching him, unseen but penetrating, removing the barriers to seclusion that Y/N had worked so hard to uphold.

When the moment finally came to confront Y/N, it was under the guise of a casual invitation. Y/N was summoned to Valentino's private quarters, a place where the glittering shiny lights of Hell's nightlife dimmed to the intimate glow of sexy ass lava lamps. Valentino's fierce, Predatory, and mesmerizing gaze blazed through the dark light as Y/N stood in front of him, clearly tense.

Valentino spoke in a tone as soft as silk, his words flowing with an almost unnatural gentleness. "You know that I've always had a special interest in you, Y/N, my dear. Your uniqueness, your... resistance. Your everything is quite... adorable~"

Y/N shifted uneasily, cautious of this unexpected compassion. He knew from experience that Valentino's sweetness was often used as a set-up for something worse.

Valentino's attitude abruptly switched, going from being sweet and soothing to dark and threatening, seemingly without warning. "However, I've recently come across some... information," he said, the word hanging there like a threat. "details that you have been unwilling to reveal to Moi."

The change in tone validated Y/N's fears and sent a shudder down their spines. Uncertain of how to react or protect themselves from the impending threat, they stayed silent.

Valentino leaned forward, his features briefly looking like a monster due to the way the light was catching him. "It's truly very fascinating. How far you've gone to conceal your true identity. However, as you can see, you can't hide things from me baby~" he spits the last part out harshly, you feel stupid for even thinking you could hide it from him...

Fear took hold and Y/N's heart began to race. It was infuriating to consider that Valentino would turn this knowledge against them, wielding it like a mallet.

But almost as suddenly as it had disappeared, Valentino's voice took on its previous sweetness again, but this time it felt hollow and tarnished.

The sweetness in Valentino's voice reappeared as swiftly as it had disappeared, but it now felt hollow, tainted by the bitterness that had come before.

"But do not worry, my dear. I will protect your secret~" The shock and relief you felt only lasted seconds before he opened his mouth again. 

"But I do wonder... why the secrecy? Why hide who you truly are, unless... Do you fear how others might react? How they might treat you differently?"  he says it as if he was only just realising why, taunting you...

Y/N remained silent, their jaw set, a clear struggle between wanting to respond and knowing the wisdom in restraint.  Valentino's smile widened, but there was no warmth in it.

"Ah, there it is. That fear. It's powerful, isn't it? The fear of being exposed, of being vulnerable. But you have nothing to fear from me, Y/N. Your secret's safe... as long as you remember where your loyalties lie.~"

The implicit threat in Valentino's words was clear, and Y/N understood the precarious position they were in. Valentino had no interest in their well-being; this was about control, about power. 

"See, I don't care about what you were or what you've become. To me, you're valuable as you are, my dear~” he pauses to sit up and tilt his bastard head at you as if giving you pity 

“But we both know that not everyone in Hell shares my... open-mindedness. It would be fucking shame if your secret were to slip out because you weren't... cooperative~" 

Y/N clenched their fists, a silent rage building within them at the manipulation, the exploitation of their deepest fears. Yet, they knew that confronting Valentino outright would be futile.  

"So, let's not worry about the 'what ifs,' shall we? As long as you're with me, as long as you're mine, you have nothing to fear. I'll protect your little secret... and you'll continue to be the perfect lover. It's a simple exchange, really”

It was obvious what was meant to happen, and it struck Y/N like a punch. Valentino was asserting authority and utilising his knowledge of leverage to bind Y/N closer to him. to weaken his final barriers, rather than providing support or understanding

Y/N felt helpless, torn between wanting to respond with anger and realising that Valentino had the upper hand. "Valentino, I..." they began, but his voice trailed off. What could they say to that?

Valentino's face relaxed, a predator content with his ability to make his victim scared.

"Words are not necessary, baby~. Your behaviour will speak for you~" he leant forward even closer.  you didn't dare move. his face in yours "Just keep in mind that I am either your sweet doting master... Or the man that will ruin your afterlife~. It is up to you to decide." he grinned at your scared little expression. He pulled away only slightly. As if thinking something over.

Y/N realised how serious the situation was as he stood there, the weight of Valentino's words bearing down on him. His confusion stemmed from Valentino's unpredictable mood swings, which could turn him from charming to terrifying in an instant. He wasn't sure what to do.

The tension in Valentino's office was obvious, the exchange leaving a dreadful feeling that Y/N found difficult to proceed through. His mind raced with ideas of escape and disobedience, but the mere presence of Valentino, powerful and cruel, did what it was intended to do. keep his little bitches afraid.

Valentino, feeling Y/N's inner struggle, saw an opportunity to strengthen his power and make sure his little Y/N stayed compliant for a while longer~

He reached into his cigarette case, extracted one with ease, and lighted it. The smoke that curled from the end was not the normal grey but had a delicate, hypnotic pink.

(sa here. NC is further down)

"Y/N," Valentino said, his voice unexpectedly softer and filled with an exaggerated warmth that contrasted strongly with the perverse glimmer in his gaze. "I know this is difficult for you... So Allow me to soothe your worries!~" 

He took a long drag, the shimmering smoke whirling about him, and then slowly exhaled, directing the enchanted mist towards Y/N. The air between them was filled with a mesmerising aroma, sweet and overpowering, intended to numb the senses and influence one's willpower.

As the smoke reached Y/N, he inhaled almost unintentionally, and the immediate effect was confusing. his head felt light, and his thoughts were hazy as if he were in a dream. The space softened at the edges, Valentino's presence becoming less intimidating and more attractive

Valentino observed with predatory patience as Y/N's defences weakened under the potion's influence. "There, there," he said softly, standing to approach them, the air around him thick with charmed smoke. "Isn't this better? There's no need for panic or disobedience... oh you look so loopy already~"

Y/N's gaze met Valentino's, and for a brief moment, they saw him through the haze, not as the manipulator he was, but as a beacon, a source of refuge amid all the confusion that clouded his mind. he felt himself dozing, their natural resistance softened by the potion's influence.

Valentino smiled, a predator enjoying the success of his trap. "That's all, baby. Just let go. You are safe here, with me. All I want is what is best for you."

However, even as the elixir worked its charm, a portion of Y/N stayed detached, a whisper of self that watched in horror as they fell to Valentino's power. It was a little, rebellious flame that struggled against the seductive cloud, a reminder of the reality beneath the illusion. 

Valentino leaned in, his lips forced against Y/N's in a kiss intended to seal the false promises, tying Y/N to him via force and fake devotion. "You belong to me, bitch. "Don't ever forget that,” 

As Y/N's eyes met Valentino's he leant in quickly once again capturing his partner's lips in a rough, passionate kiss. It was a stark contrast to the gentle, tender atmosphere that Y/N under the drugs was experiencing. Their lips met with a hunger that belied the situation, and Y/N's drugged state only seemed to fuel the fire.

 He felt the warmth of Y/N's skin beneath his touch, and it sent shivers of pleasure coursing through him. As their kiss deepened, their tongues danced together, exploring the hidden depths of each other's mouths with a fervour that bordered on desperation.

 Y/N moaned softly into the kiss, his body arching into Valentino's as he returned the passion with equal intensity. 

Y/N, still under the love-smoke's spell, Y/N gazed at Valentino with a mixture of what felt like true love. Valentino loved the look in his eyes. Craving it even more than he did before. He looked at Dave and then the cigarette that had brought him here. It almost made Valentino mad that he had to resort to drugging him. But that wasn't his fault, this was Y/Ns fault. well, now would be the best time to punish fuck him.

“You're never leaving me. Im gonna make sure you truly know who you belong to~” 

NON CON VERBAL ABUSE AND AFAB GENITALIA.

Valentino loomed over Y/N who had all the adoration and love in the world in his eyes for him and him only. Valentino shoves him out of the cuddle grabs his hair and yanks him up, his eyes wide with fear and confusion, unable to escape the inescapable grip of Valentino when he is mad.

Valentino's eyes glowed with an evil tinge like something had made him snap, casting shadows across the room as he stared intently at Y/N, his eyes seemed to hold an insatiable hunger.

With a swift and forceful movement, Valentino pinned Y/N to the bed, his stronger body pressing down on the small sinner. Y/N's struggles were futile against the overlord's unyielding strength, and he knew that resistance was pointless.

As Valentino's lips met Y/N's, the kiss was anything but gentle. His tongue forced its way into Y/N's mouth, tasting and exploring with a roughness that bordered on cruelty. Y/N's moans of fear and pain were muffled by Val's relentless advances.

Valentino's hands moved with a sinister grace, tearing a Y/N's clothing as he continued his assault. Y/N's bitching was silenced by his face being shoved into the mattress. And soon, he was completely exposed to Valentino. and after denying him so long, he had a lot of pent-up fucking ready for you~

"I hope you ready for this baby cause I am not holding back~"

Ignoring Y/N's pleas for mercy, Valentino positioned himself over the trembling man, his large cock poised at the entrance to his bratty lover's body. With a growl that resonated through the room, he thrust himself inside, eliciting a sharp cry of pain from Y/N.

"shut the hell up you fucking bitch" he would growl in your ear and slap you around the face many times before you could even attempt to be quiet.

Despite the agony, Y/N's body responded to Valentino's invasion, a strange mixture of fear and arousal coursing through his veins. Valentino began to move, his hips pumping in a rhythm that was both brutal and erotic. Each thrust drove deeper into Y/N, his face was red and he wanted to be sick but the smoke stood strong in his mind, keeping him from fighting back too hard~

"you love me- I know you do~ see how nicely your pussy is taking me, boy??" Valentino said in between long, slow thrusts, as tears slid down your face. "You were meant to be my little fuck baby right? answer me you fucking whore-!!!"

As he continued his relentless assault, Y/N's cries of pain and pleasure melded into a single, tortured sound. His body writhed beneath Valentino, unable to escape the assault.

In the end, it was Valentino who found release first, his cum filling Y/N up and making him feel sick knowing what just happened. Y/N's body shook beneath him, and for a moment, their gazes locked. That's when he knew. He fucked up.

Srry im shit at endings hope this was good for your request im so sorry if it was shite iive never done a request before  eeeeeeeeeeee THANKS FOR REQUESTING EVEN IF YOU HATED THIS I LOVE YOU <3,<;£<£,3,3,3,3,,3 i take criticism but i might not respond cause ill be hating myself for not being perfect <3 eeee

[rthritis]

TIPS FOR PROTECTING YOUR JOINTS

The LESS Model

Listen to your body - Stop an activity if you experience a new or more intense pain than usual - Limit or change activities that increase your pain. You may need to modify your typical routine. Energy conservation - Build breaks into your routine to allow your joints to rest and reduce times of irritation. Taking breaks can also give you more energy for the task overall. - Avoid activities that can't be stopped. - Plan your day to alternate high-energy tasks with ones that don't require as much energy. Plan difficult tasks for peak energy times. Strong joints take the lead - Use larger and stronger joints for activities to reduce the strain on smaller and/or weaker joints. i) Carry heavy items close to your body ii) Carry bags over your shoulder iii) Lift items with your forearms or the palms of your hands rather than your fingers iv) Open jars with your palm instead of your fingers v) Slide or push objects rather than lift them vi) Use a shopping cart or laundry cart instead of carrying a basket vii) Ask your health care provider if wearing an orthosis or brace would help support your affected joints Strategize - Your health care provider may recommend making changes around your home or using adaptive equipment to help make daily tasks easier. - Review your daily routine and activities with your provider to identify times when your joints may be at risk. Create strategies around those tasks to prevent going back to bad habits. - If the strategies are too difficult or not realistic for you, develop a new plan with your provider. It may take a few tries to find the strategies that work best for you!

[generalsolae]

Hi! This is just another small thing where my OC starts to form her clone battalion. Hope you enjoy!!

(She is so beatiful)

Word count: 919 Wornings: none

The 777th

She didi it, Kayra finally passed the trials, making her master really proud. She was only eighteen years old, it was rare for someone so young to become Jedi Knight, but the council did recognized her skills. In addition, they did needed more knight, that is probably why both her and Anakin were knighted so early, even if she was a couple of years older than he was. The war was becoming harder and harder every day, more and more clones were dying on the front lines and Kayra hated it. She wanted to choose her own unit, she knew no Jedi did that but she figured that giving it a shot and going to ask the chancellor the permission to do that couldn’t hurt anybody and, with her surprise, he granted her that permission. She did not exactly liked the emperor, she felt something strange about him, even if she could not figure what it was. He surely did gave her chills of uneasiness.

“Oh, general Solae. Welcome.” Jedi master Shaak-Ti greeted her, leading her inside Tipoca City as she crossed her arms behind her back. Kayra smiled at her, bowing her head as a sign of respect “Master.” “I heard you insisted much on choosing your troops.” She said as she led her to the observation room of the training room, “I can’t help but wonder why?” Kayra followed her, crossing her arms behind her back too as she look at Shaak Ti “I don’t want the responsibility to lead an entire legion as the chancellor wanted me to. I prefer to know the abilities of the troopers to reduce the losses to a minimum rate; I value the lives of the clones, even if most don’t.” Shaak Ti nodded, moving her gaze to the window to inspect the training clones “On that we agree, general Solae.” Kayra smiled “Call me Kayra, I hate unnecessary formalities.” She said, making Shaak Ti make a small smile. The room was small, its metallic colors and its bright white light were almost hurting Kayra’s eyes, which ere used to the warm lights of the Jedi temple.

When Kayra turned to look out of the window, at the clones training, she had to take a second look. There were three clone troopers and what appeared to be… four female clone trooper “Are those… female troopers?” Shaak Ti nodded “This is a squad of defective clones, coming from a different line of clones. The kaminoans used a second donor, a volunteer, to experiment cloning theories so they could use them on the first line to make new clone commando and more efficient troops.” Kayra was mostly impressed “who is the donor?” “A human male named Rhea Cordua. We don’t know why he volunteer to do this, he passed a year ago.” Kayra nodded “Tell me more about this clones.” The girl was curious about these clones, to say at least. She had always find clones fascinating: they were all physically the same and yet so different from one another. “Well, they are CT/2-99s and CT/F2-99s. Each of their mutations brought a defective trait in them. Cadet CT/F2-9904, for example” She said pointing at the clone “has exceptional stealth and strategy skills, she always find a solution to what could seems desperate solutions, but she also is too emotional, she attaches too easily and has some problems on following orders. In addition, her growing chamber had a leak, making her… very hyperactive.” Kayra scoffed a little chuckle “I’m already starting to like her,” She said watching as she took out many droids with her sisters and brothers with her two blasters “and she is skilled indeed, what’s her name?” “They call her Joy, and I must say that name quite fit her.”

The girl kept inspecting the clones, each one of them was essential for the other; they worked perfectly together, combining all of their attacks. But suddenly one of them rushed into battle, getting himself knocked out by one droid, his brother quickly bringing him safe, making the girl hiss, imagining the clone’s pain after that smack “Ouch, who’s that?” “They call him Scar, CT/2-9901” Shaak Ti answered, “He’s the first experimental clone of this line. He is very agile and good with almost any kind of combat styles and weapon and has heightened senses, but is also reckless and very impatient. That caused him to perish in many battles, that’s why they call him Scar.” Kayra nodded, seeing one of his brother taking off his helmet, exposing his scarred face. “How many of this second line there are?” “Thirteen CT/2-99s and eight CT/F2-99s.” Shaak Ti answered, “They haven’t been assigned to any legion since they are considered defective” Kayra turned her full body to look at her “I’ll take them. I guess Clone Force 99 is to stay a special force.” Shaak-Ti nodded “Yes, they do. The chancellor insisted that you took at least a full battalion.” “Then I’ll take them and six hundred regular CTs” Kayra said, starting to leave the room and walking through the halls of the kaminoan facility. Shaak Ti nodded “Very well then. Come, we have many other squads to examine.” She said, leading her to another training room. “What will my battalion be called?” She asked, looking out of the window, inspecting a new squad of clones. Shaak Ti turned to look at her with a small smile “It will be the 777th attack battalion.” “Oh, I like the sound of that.”

[creepling]

SYDNEY O'HARA - TCM GAME ORIGINAL CHARACTER

"I'm gonna kill that motherfucker for what he did to me, along with the rest of his nutjob family."

Here I present an oc I will probably never use but I wanted to share the character card I made for her because she is pretty neat. Tough as nails, Sydney has seen the world, but nothing prepares her for the nightmare in the Slaughter household. After a one night stand-gone sour with Johnny, she becomes a victim to the family. Two weeks before the capture and death of Maria, Sydney powers through the survivours guilt to strategise an escape. When the chaos of the new-found victims erupts, Sydney takes her chance and does everything in her power to clear the path to survival -- seeking revenge while doing so.

ATTRIBUTES

-- TOUGHNESS 30. surviving as long as she should have, sydney is tough as nails. battling through her pain and scars, she can take a few hits while in the heat of battle.

-- ENDURANCE 15. unfortunately smoking since the age of twelve doesn't have a good affect on the lungs. sydney works best in short outbursts, but doesn't have the stamina to go long distance.

-- STRENGTH 25. fuelled by pure adrenaline and rage, sydney's strength is surprising considering her tortured condition. but when you mess with the bull, you get the horns.

-- PROFICIENCY 15. sydney is use to bulldozing her way through situations and doesn't have the patience to unlock objectives. protecting the victims who have the smarts for these things will help her in the long run.

-- STEALTH 45. she is known to be sneaky when she needs to be. with her experience sneaking backstage at concerts, onto tour buses, squatting when sleeping gets tough; sydney knows how to slip by unnoticed.

ABILITY - VENGENCE

sydney's ability makes her great for defense against the family. depending on how you go up the tree, you can use sydney's ability as a grapple without the worry of losing and being killed (health deducted from attacks by other family members is halfed while using ability). you can also use it to drain the family's stamina, reduce the cooldown period to use the ability as much as you can, or keep the family in a stand off for a longer period to buy others more time to complete objectives.

EDIT NOTE: i forgot to clarify that there is unique animations sydney has with the family members when using her ability. she wrestles, scratches, headbutts, bites, and specifically for bubba she jumps on his back and tries to gouge his eyes out which puts him in a panic (in case you were wondering how she can grapple him). yeah she crazy. don't mess with bitches from staten island!!

lvl one. cooldown period is reduced by 20% OR duration of ability lasts three seconds OR ability drains family's stamina by 20%

lvl two. cooldown period is reduced by 35% OR duration of ability lasts five seconds OR ability drains family's stamina by 45%

lvl three. cooldown period is reduced by 50% OR duration of ability last seven seconds OR ability drains family's stamina by 75%

UNIQUE PERKS

POULTRY BUTCHER. sydney can silence chickens without the use of a bone scrap (has 4 charges at lvl three)

COME AND GET ME. if sydney makes noise, any attack within 15 seconds by a family member will result in 80% less damage (at max lvl)

DEATH CROAK. incapitating grandpa reduces the family bond by 2.5 levels and delays his next feed by 30 seconds (at max lvl)

VICTIM PERKS

syndey can attain the following perks . . .

bounce back better, choose flight, conditioned, deadbolt, efficient backstabber, exit strategy, fuse lights, grappler, high tolerence, highly skilled, hush or die, immunity, jack in the box, overlooked, radar detector, ran track, tae kwon door.

VOICELINES

"these scheeves picked on the wrong girl."

"hey! how the hell you get outta here?"

"you dead-ass right now? they're gonna hear us if you keep running around like that!"

"jeez, try being a little more quiet next time."

"sick, this might open that door."

"i don't care if those fuckers find me, i'm ready for them."

"get out of here, i'll handle this."

[progged when seeing johnny] "shit, it's him. he don't look so handsome no more..."

[prompted when fighting johnny] "this is what you get, you fuckhead! don't mess with me!"

"they're crazy, they're all goddamn crazy."

"hey, asshole! come and get some."

[when seeing other victims] "if you figure out a way to get us outta here, i can district them."

"wanna kill me? you ain't got the guts."

[old-school-butch]

Let me explain how i think so you can answer the question better: Personally i don't think being trans makes you perfectly that sex, like I've seen post surgical images, it's a rough approximation, also i don't think minors should get hormones or surgery. I think some people unfortunately transition when they had other issues like female shame to sort out. It seems like other people feel a gross discomfort towards their bodies and transitioning cured it or at least helped it. I just, with all the back and forth, I really want to support something that will help my friends who are suffering. ------ So if there's research into alternate cures, that's something I would be interested in learning more about. Because I just don't want my friends to suffer. I have a close friend who was born a woman and is mostly attracted to men, but sees transitioning as a way to fix the crippling incongruency he's felt since childhood, he sort of sees it like disease and cure. He helped me thru a lot of stuff like when i first came out. So i really just want to support what will help people.

That’s very admirable anon. There’s not enough kindness in the world so being good to people who’ve been good to you is a wonderful thing.

Having a body is a difficult thing, it seems, for many people. So approach this problem with this frame-setting: they aren’t alone with this problem. Age, ability, size, race, and any number of smaller physical attributes have bedeviled many people over space and time to varying degrees. This is not a special or unique issue, it's a human issue and thus you can learn from other people and their strategies. Much of my critique of the modern medical approach is its ineffectiveness in reducing suffering, and causing harm by trying to treat the wrong thing. Even the more difficult mental illnesses like dysmorphia and dysphoria have been difficult to medically resolve. The most effective strategies have been time, and the acceptance that comes with maturation over time.

Older research, led by scientists and not activists, who study actual outcomes instead of self-reported feelings over longer periods of time find little support for long term improvement in mental health with medical transition. I’ve knew a trans man who passed effectively, had supportive friends and family, jobs that were basically talking about being trans… who still committed suicide. It was my first eye opening realization that maybe this wasn’t the cure-all it was advertised to be. Further research has confirmed this for me - the benefits don't last because the promises are not fulfilled. You can't ever, in the end, be anyone you're not.

Friends with eating disorders who struggled to 'fix' their bodies to conform to their ideas only stabilized their health when they learned to accept their bodies as imperfect, or even unimportant, and focus on other aspects of their existence. With aging, I have found that I'm happier when I stop the search for new wrinkles and accept, with difficulty I'll admit, the loss of strength and poise that comes with age. Acceptance isn't easy - because underneath our fear of looking old is the fear of actually being old, the deeper fears - and truths - of being less desirable, less socially important and ultimately closer to dying. Fussing about grey hairs is just a distraction from these deeper unpleasant truths, but endless rounds of plastic surgery and skin peeling is a self-inflicted torment that pushes the pain down the road, but never resolves it.

Acceptance is not a passive process, it's a long and difficult journey, but still the best odds of success and far less torturous that standing still and feeling helpless in the torrent of unhappiness.

Acceptance is not about feeling suddenly happy about something that's unpleasant. It's still unpleasant, still frightening, but you take courage and face the fear rather than turn your back on it or try to bargain your way around it. It's a curious experience, but real joy can only come after you've tasted grief because grief teaches us that everything is fleeting. True calm follows the moment when you swallow fear and start digesting it, because fear guides us to where we can find purpose.

Acceptance is not a meek process, it's a radical and bold questioning of your thinking. Changing how you think can change the way you feel. This is the miracle of life, to keep changing.

So, how then do the thoughts about her body lead to 'incongruity' exactly? Why does she believe congruity is possible or even necessary? Is she imagining her 50 year old self when she contemplates her path into the future? What freedoms, what futures, what responsibilities change for her when she changes the evidence of her womanhood? How will people treat her differently? How will she treat herself differently? There are far more straight men than gay ones, how does 'being a man' serve her in her quest to find a male partner? And most important, what lies underneath? This is less about looking like a woman than a rejection of physical evidence that she is a woman. How is that going for her? Where could she take her life, if she lived as a woman on her own terms? She changes everything she touches. And everything she touches, changes.

[urgentcareoftx]

Expert Physical Therapy Services at the Best Urgent Care in Arlington

When it comes to managing pain, improving mobility, and recovering from injuries, Urgent Care of Texas in Arlington provides top-notch physical therapy services tailored to meet your needs. As the best urgent care in Arlington, we offer a comprehensive approach to physical therapy that combines expert evaluation, state-of-the-art techniques, and personalized care plans. Whether you’re dealing with sports injuries, post-surgical recovery, chronic pain, or mobility issues, our highly trained therapists are here to help you get back to your best self.

At Urgent Care of Texas Arlington, we understand that convenience is as important as quality care. That’s why we proudly serve as the best walk-in clinic in Arlington, offering same-day appointments for physical therapy and other urgent care services. With flexible scheduling and no referral requirements, we make it easy to prioritize your health without the hassle of long wait times or complicated insurance processes.

Why Choose Urgent Care of Texas for Physical Therapy?

1. Comprehensive Care at Texas Urgent Care Centers: As a leader in Texas urgent care, we provide more than just emergency medical assistance. Our physical therapy services are designed to cater to a wide range of conditions, including joint pain, back pain, muscle strains, and work-related injuries. Our clinic in Arlington, TX, is equipped with advanced therapeutic tools and staffed by licensed professionals who use evidence-based methods to promote healing and prevent future injuries.

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What to Expect from Physical Therapy at Urgent Care Arlington TX

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The Advantages of Choosing Urgent Care Texas

As the best urgent care in Texas, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional physical therapy services alongside our full spectrum of urgent care offerings. Here’s why patients trust us:

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Finding a reliable “walk-in clinic in Arlington” that provides high-quality physical therapy can be challenging, but Urgent Care of Texas Arlington stands out for its commitment to excellence. Our team understands the urgency of your needs, ensuring that you receive timely, effective treatment without the long waits often associated with traditional medical facilities.

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As a proud member of the Arlington community, Urgent Care of Texas is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of our neighbors. We’ve earned a reputation as the best urgent care in Arlington by consistently providing compassionate, patient-centered care. Whether you’re dealing with a sudden injury or require ongoing therapy for a chronic condition, our physical therapy services are here to help you regain your strength and confidence.

Visit the Best Urgent Care in Arlington for Physical Therapy Today

If you’re ready to experience the benefits of expert physical therapy at the best urgent care in Texas, visit Urgent Care of Texas Arlington today. Our clinic is conveniently located to serve patients across Arlington and nearby areas, making it easy to find “urgent cares near me” that prioritize your health and recovery.

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6407 S Cooper St # 117

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arlington@wiuctx.us

📞+1 (817) 472-7601

📞+1 (817) 472-7213

633 SW Johnson Ave

Burleson, TX 76028, USA

burleson@wiuctx.us

📞+1 (817) 295-5520

📞+1 (817) 295-5572

3909 W Parker Rd

Plano, TX 75023, USA

plano@wiuctx.us

📞+1 (469) 609-3062

📞+1 (972) 867-9400

[donnerpartyofone]

Ranting, complaining.

In my admittedly limited experience something that makes for bad therapy is the reductive impulse--the approach of reducing all psychological ailment to some general, universal experience. This is supposed to make you feel like you're in good company and not beyond help, but it can also be anonymizing and condescending. For instance suicide prevention rhetoric that focuses on the idea that it's all about loneliness makes me sort of crazy; I mean certainly there are instances where alienation is the main thing, especially with younger people I'd bet, but it's infantilizing to suggest that an adult couldn't have bigger, deeper problems than the need for more phone calls and hugs. And I think this misunderstanding enables the argument that suicide is a cruel thing to do to the people in your life, which is this awful mind trick people play to convince themselves that the pain of loss is serious but whatever pain it is that compels you to actually end your own life is somehow inconsequential and bearable. Apparently you should have just made more phone calls and asked for more hugs, no problem can't be solved by that, and if you didn't do this then other people get to hate you. I've seen people get so angry at their dear friends who committed suicide, and I've been in very bad places just to be told something like "you are not alone." Like no offense but I fucking know that, you're standing right there saying it to me aren't you? Please don't treat me like some lonely teenager, I have other things going on.

Another reductive thing is the strategy of trying to convince the patient that they are "normal". There's a post I once saw here about how someone's therapist blithely tells them "I mean what even IS 'normal' anyway!" like it's this amazing revelation, and the person lists three or four patently aberrant and damaging experiences that most people would never understand in order to say "Can you just try to get on my fucking level with this please?" Maybe that person WAS tormented by feeling abnormal but it's obviously unfair of their therapist to treat them like they can't tell their circumstances are unusual. Besides which you can accept the enlightened cosmic view that there's no such thing as "normal" or that there are more people like yourself than you'll ever know, and you can still be tortured by the effects of your experiences. Universality is not much comfort if something really hurts you.

A big part of my mental health struggles have to do with what I now understand are ADHD-related problems (and I believe ASD is also involved but I don't have that diagnosis yet). Like let's say half my problem is really deep complex depression and fear, and half of it is just the fact that every day is way harder than it needs to be because I can't get a grip on basic tasks. It's the Sisyphus thing, you might think you're a pretty decent guy and that many people share your problems, but eventually you may start wishing that boulder would just squash you the next time it rolls back down because the situation is unmanageable. My first therapist treated me like I was exaggerating or making up all my practical hangups due to low self-esteem. My third therapist accepted that I was being truthful but she would say to me, "Well what if YOU'RE not wrong, what if the rest of the WORLD is wrong!" Like yes I agree the world should be more accommodating to people with different neurological conditions or whatever but whether or not I blame myself for everything, the "everything" is still wrecking my life. Doing mental gymnastics to put a positive spin on it has zero effect on what a hard time I'm having. Please don't talk to me like I'm some child who has never heard that it's OK to be different. If you do I will go insane and I will roam the streets doing Victorian madwoman behaviors and I will not get over it for a long time.

Another thing therapist #3 did that seems to be popular was to take away the words "insane" and "crazy"--and like I do understand what that's about, a generalized diagnosis of just being "fucked up" doesn't help you get to the bottom of things. But if you prevent me from saying those words that will not stop me from feeling crazy and insane. You're just arguing semantics with me when we could be talking productively about my issues and this may actually make me feel crazier.

[riseuplifestyle]

The Modern Working Lifestyle: How to Thrive in a Changing World

In today’s rapidly evolving work environment, the traditional 9-to-5 schedule has shifted, and the working lifestyle now takes many forms. From remote work to hybrid models and flexible hours, modern professionals are exploring new ways to balance career and personal life. In this article, we’ll dive into the essential aspects of a healthy and productive working lifestyle and offer tips to help you thrive in the ever-changing world of work.

Setting Up Your Ideal Workspace

Whether you’re working from home or in an office, your workspace plays a significant role in your overall productivity. A well-designed space can help you stay focused and motivated throughout the day. Here’s how to create an ideal workspace that enhances your working lifestyle:

Ergonomics matter: Invest in ergonomic furniture to prevent discomfort and health issues like back pain. An adjustable chair and desk are great places to start.

Declutter your desk: A clean and organized desk helps clear your mind and reduce distractions.

Personalize the space: Add a few personal items such as photos, plants, or artwork to make your space feel comfortable and inspiring.

Mastering Work-Life Balance

One of the biggest challenges of the modern working lifestyle is achieving a healthy work-life balance. With remote work and digital devices making it easier to be connected 24/7, it's important to set clear boundaries between your personal and professional life:

Define work hours: Set specific times when you’re “on the clock,” and stick to them. This helps you maintain structure and avoid burnout.

Take regular breaks: Schedule breaks to step away from your desk, stretch, and recharge. Short breaks improve focus and prevent mental fatigue.

Unplug after work: Avoid checking emails or work-related messages outside of work hours. Prioritize downtime to unwind and recharge.

Incorporating Physical Activity Into Your Day

Sitting for long hours is part of most working lifestyles, but staying active is essential for your physical and mental well-being. Integrating movement into your workday can enhance your energy levels and overall health:

Take walking breaks: Get up and move every 30 minutes to counteract the effects of prolonged sitting. Short walks can boost creativity and focus.

Use a standing desk: Alternating between sitting and standing while working can improve posture and reduce back pain.

Exercise regularly: Whether it’s a quick home workout or a gym session, make time for exercise before or after work to stay fit and reduce stress.

Maintaining Mental Well-being

Your mental health is a key component of your working lifestyle. Work stress, deadlines, and high expectations can take a toll on your mental well-being, so it’s important to prioritize practices that help you stay balanced and resilient:

Practice mindfulness: Techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga can help you manage stress and stay centered.

Manage workload effectively: Break tasks into smaller steps and use tools like calendars and to-do lists to stay organized.

Seek support when needed: Don’t hesitate to reach out to colleagues, mentors, or professionals if you’re feeling overwhelmed by work.

Prioritizing Time Management

Effective time management is crucial to maintaining a productive working lifestyle. Being in control of your schedule helps reduce stress, increases efficiency, and allows for more flexibility. Here are some time management strategies to implement:

Plan your day: Create a daily or weekly plan that outlines your tasks and priorities. This helps keep you focused on what’s important.

Use productivity tools: Tools like project management software, calendars, and time-tracking apps can help you stay organized and accountable.

Prioritize tasks: Focus on high-priority tasks first, and tackle smaller tasks during lower-energy periods of your day.

Building Strong Professional Relationships

Even in a remote or hybrid working lifestyle, nurturing strong professional relationships is key to a positive work experience. Building connections with your team and industry peers can foster collaboration and career growth:

Communicate openly: Regular, clear communication helps build trust and avoids misunderstandings in both in-person and virtual settings.

Show appreciation: Acknowledge the efforts of your colleagues and express gratitude when others contribute to your success.

Network actively: Attend virtual events, conferences, or industry meetups to expand your professional circle and discover new opportunities.

Adapting to Change

A successful working lifestyle in today’s world requires flexibility and adaptability. With technology constantly evolving and work environments shifting, being open to change helps you stay relevant and resilient:

Embrace new tools: Stay up-to-date with the latest tools and software that can make your work more efficient.

Learn continuously: Invest in professional development by taking courses, attending workshops, or seeking mentorship.

Be open to feedback: Constructive feedback helps you grow and adjust your approach, especially in changing work environments.

Leveraging Technology

Technology plays a crucial role in shaping today’s working lifestyle. From communication tools to project management software, leveraging the right technologies can make work more efficient and less stressful:

Collaboration tools: Platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom enable seamless communication with colleagues, whether in-office or remote.

Project management software: Tools like Asana, Trello, or Monday help organize tasks, set deadlines, and track progress.

Automation: Automate repetitive tasks using tools like Zapier to save time and focus on more important work.

Conclusion

The modern working lifestyle offers flexibility and new opportunities for professionals to redefine how they approach their careers. By setting up a productive workspace, managing time effectively, staying active, and focusing on mental well-being, you can create a working lifestyle that supports both your personal and professional success. Embrace adaptability, leverage technology, and build strong relationships to thrive in today’s dynamic work environment.

[jointxlplus]

How Stress Affects Joint Pain: Practical Tips for Emotional Well-being

Nowadays stress has become an almost unavoidable aspect of our daily routines. It is a common sentiment for many individuals - managing work obligations, family duties, and individual challenges can lead to a sense of being overburdened and apprehensive. However, stress is not solely a mental or emotional challenge;It can also have tangible effects on our physical well-being.

The Connection Between Stress and Joint Pain

Stress and joint pain might seem like unrelated issues, but research and clinical observations reveal a deeper connection between the two. When we experience stress, our bodies enter a heightened state of alertness, releasing a cascade of stress hormones like cortisol. While this physiological response is useful in short bursts, chronic stress can have detrimental effects on our health, including exacerbating joint pain.

1. Inflammation: A Key Player

One of the primary ways stress affects joint pain is through inflammation. Stress hormones can trigger inflammatory responses in the body, which may worsen conditions such as arthritis. Chronic inflammation can lead to increased pain and stiffness in the joints, making everyday activities more challenging.

2. Muscle Tension and Posture

Stress often manifests physically as muscle tension. When you’re stressed, you may unconsciously tighten your muscles, especially around the neck, shoulders, and back. This muscle tension can strain the joints and exacerbate existing joint pain. Poor posture resulting from muscle tension can also contribute to discomfort and joint issues.

3. Immune System Impact

Chronic stress can compromise the immune system, making the body less effective at repairing and maintaining healthy tissues. This can lead to worsening joint conditions, as the body’s ability to fight off inflammation and repair damaged tissues is diminished.

Practical Tips for Managing Stress to Relieve Joint Pain

While it may not be possible to eliminate stress entirely, there are effective strategies you can employ to manage it better and alleviate its impact on joint pain. Here are some practical tips to help you maintain emotional well-being and support joint health:

1. Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques

Incorporating mindfulness practices such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or progressive muscle relaxation can significantly reduce stress levels. These techniques help calm the mind and body, reducing the overall impact of stress on your joints.

2. Regular Physical Activity

Engaging in regular, low-impact exercise can be beneficial for both stress management and joint health. Activities such as swimming, walking, or yoga can help reduce stress and improve flexibility and strength in the joints. Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters, and helps alleviate muscle tension.

3. Healthy Diet

A balanced diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods can support joint health and manage stress. Incorporate foods like leafy greens, fatty fish, nuts, and berries into your meals. Additionally, staying hydrated is crucial for maintaining joint lubrication and overall health.

4. Adequate Sleep

Quality sleep is essential for managing stress and allowing your body to recover. Aim for 7-9 hours of restful sleep each night to help reduce stress levels and support overall joint health. Establishing a regular sleep routine and creating a relaxing bedtime environment can improve sleep quality.

5. Seek Support

Talking to a therapist or counselor can provide valuable support in managing stress. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other therapeutic approaches can help you develop coping strategies and address underlying issues contributing to stress.

6. Joint Health Supplements

In addition to lifestyle changes, certain supplements can support joint health and alleviate discomfort. JointXL Plus, available at JointXL Plus, is a supplement designed to promote joint comfort and mobility. It combines a blend of natural ingredients known for their anti-inflammatory and joint-supportive properties.

Spotlight on JointXL Plus

JointXL Plus is formulated with a powerful blend of ingredients aimed at supporting joint health and relieving discomfort. 

Here’s a closer look at what makes JointXL Plus a noteworthy option for those struggling with joint pain:

Key Ingredients:

Turmeric Extract: Known for its potent anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric helps reduce inflammation and support overall joint health.

Boswellia Serrata: This herbal extract is celebrated for its ability to improve joint function and reduce pain.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin: These compounds are essential for maintaining cartilage health and promoting joint lubrication.

MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane): MSM supports joint flexibility and helps reduce pain and stiffness.

Benefits:

Reduces Inflammation: The combination of turmeric and Boswellia Serrata helps address inflammation, which can alleviate joint pain.

Supports Joint Health: Glucosamine and chondroitin work together to maintain cartilage and improve joint mobility.

Enhances Flexibility: MSM contributes to joint flexibility and reduces stiffness, making movement more comfortable.

Safety and Usage:

JointXL Plus is generally considered safe for most individuals. However, it’s always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking other medications.

Conclusion

The relationship between stress and joint pain is complex but crucial to understand. By managing stress effectively through lifestyle changes, mindfulness practices, 

and supportive supplements like JointXL Plus, you can alleviate joint discomfort and improve your overall well-being. 

Remember, taking proactive steps to manage both stress and joint health can lead to a more comfortable and fulfilling life.

[babynewwiee]

Understanding Heartburn: Causes, Symptoms, and Therapy Choices

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Indigestion is an usual condition that takes place when the stomach acid moves back up into the esophagus, triggering signs such as heartburn, regurgitation, and upper body pain. This problem, likewise called gastroesophageal reflux illness (GERD), can be set off by various factors, including certain foods, excessive weight, smoking, and maternity. It is important to recognize the signs of indigestion early on to prevent issues such as esophagitis, ulcers, and even esophageal cancer. Seeking clinical guidance and making lifestyle changes, such as staying clear of trigger foods, maintaining a healthy weight, and raising the head of the bed, can aid handle acid reflux effectively.Treatment alternatives for heartburn array from over-the-counter medicines like antacids and H2 blockers to prescription medicines such as proton pump preventions(PPIs )and surgery in serious cases. Way of living alterations play a crucial role in handling indigestion, consisting of eating smaller dishes, avoiding trigger foods like citrus fruits, tomatoes, and spicy foods, and not existing down right away after eating. Furthermore, exercising stress-reducing methods like yoga, meditation, and normal exercise can likewise help relieve signs of indigestion. By comprehending the reasons, signs, and treatment choices for indigestion, people can take aggressive actions to enhance their lifestyle and prevent difficulties connected with this condition.

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[constantblood]

I feel like a lot of the main message of the last of us is lost in the discussion of whether Joel's decision to save ellie was ethical.

It doesn't matter. It's a hypothetical. Never ever will a 14 year old be asked to sacrafice her life for the sake of surviving human extinction. Why would the take away essentially be the trolley problem with more steps. No, what is really important about the last of us is what it teaches us. What about it that's real?

Survivors guilt is real. Ellie would jump at the chance to stop being a survivor. She struggles to see her life as inherently valuable. She only sees its absence as a sort of relief. The really tragic thing about this is that if Ellie died no one would remember Riley. Not the beautiful intimate way she did. No one would remember Sam and his interests and his charisma. No one else was complimented by Tess ever.

No one else saw Marlene's kindness ever. Every soul that died in the pursuit of her living showed a vulnerable piece of themselves to her that no one else saw and to kill Ellie would rob them of that sliver of a legacy. A rare and precious thing it is to be remembered in a violent forgetful world. To leave the world as if you had never been there is a horrifying thought, a fate worse than death. A truer death.

The cure wouldn't bring those souls justice it would silence the only mind capable of remembering them. Truly robbed of existence. Riley, Sam, Tess all lost in the violence.

The cure isn't about them its about Ellie's need to punish herself for losing people she loved. Because maybe if she suffers she will be worthy of their forgiveness. She won't be haunted by them anymore. Her death wouldn't bring any peace. It couldn't. It's too far of a stretch to truly save the tattered remains of the world. The human race must be reduced to thousands by now and a cure doesnt change the violent cannibalistic nature of the cordecepts. Humans would still be outnumbered 10 to 1 by their violent and hungry predators. It's just a sad metaphor for the lengths we will go to appease our past sins in spite of how harmful they are to us. It is a survivors ideal exit strategy. The fantasy of a person with survivors guilt come to life. No one ever really gets it that's part of healing, recognizing that no amount of punishment and atonement can change the past. But what if someone could anyway? Ellie gets the perfect chance to kill herself in the name of helping others. She doesn't have to heal, she makes a change, she just has to suffer the way she's always wanted to. It's selfish. It's just as selfish as Joel's choice to save her. The cure won't change anything it just fulfills Ellie's masochist needs.

Joel is proof of this. Ellie is Joel's cure. He rights his past wrongs by saving her. Forsaking his own humanity to keep her alive for even a few years longer. He does what she does. He doesn't heal past his distrust of others. He picks violence again. He let's go of all the last strands of empathy because he can't risk Ellie's life. He could have snuck back in. He could have charmed and snaked his way back in. Men offered him the chance to move forward without taking another life and he chose violence again and again. Allowing himself to be the immoral monster in order to protect the innocence of others. Like the lost innocence of his daughter.

She will die anyway. She will live a hard and tragic life. Joel saving her doesn't change anything (just how the cure wouldnt really fix anything). It prolongs the grief and pain she feels. Logistically it's not any easier on either of them.

Both Ellie and Joel believe that somehow by changing circumstances of events that harmed them in the past now that it will earn them forgiveness.

That's the real beauty of the last of us. Because they find the strength to forgive themselves in each other. In the pursuit of finding a way to be worthy of the rare life they have, they find proof of its inherent benefit in each other. Joel is proof of a person that benefits from Ellie's existence. From the day that she met him and every day since Ellie Williams mattered. That every moment she breathed air he felt a little bit better. He stayed. He chose to stay no matter the cost until it cost him his life. He goes against everything she believes about herself.

"My life would have fucking mattered" but it did. It did to Joel. The love of a parent is unconditional and Unrelenting. It is everything Ellie convinced herself she didnt deserve and he never stopped loving her. That should have been enough but she realized it too late.

That's what the Last of Us is really about. The human quality of leaving the knife in the wound too long. Punishing ourselves for trauma we faced. Becoming the perpetrators of the same crime in someone else's story because we didn't stop to be human. Didn't grow strawberries and indulge in pursuits to make bacon. Didn't take the time to care about things small enough to forget until it's the only thing that stands out from the violence and tragedy.

It doesn't matter if the fireflies would have cured the world. It doesn't matter if the love of a father doomed all of humanity to extinction. What matters is that in the quiet of it all, sometimes when Ellie and Joel would laugh together, they could forget the pain of the past. That's all it takes. Human love, the very human desire to love, and the selfish desire to keep that love.

[attheendofsummer]

Understanding Acid Reflux: Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Home Remedies

Indigestion, also known as gastroesophageal reflux condition (GERD), is an usual gastrointestinal problem that influences countless individuals worldwide. It occurs when tummy acid flows back into the esophagus, causing a variety of uncomfortable signs and symptoms. Recognizing the causes and symptoms of heartburn is critical for efficient management and avoidance of this condition.There are a number of

factors that can add to the development of acid reflux. One of the major reasons is a compromised reduced esophageal sphincter (LES), which is in charge of preventing stomach acid from streaming back up right into the esophagus. Particular lifestyle choices such as consuming fatty or zesty foods, smoking cigarettes, and excessive alcohol consumption can likewise enhance the danger of developing heartburn. In addition, obesity, maternity, and specific clinical problems like hiatal ruptures can add to the event of indigestion. It is necessary to recognize and attend to these underlying creates to effectively manage the condition.Acid reflux can create

a selection of signs and symptoms, varying from light to extreme. One of the most typical sign is heartburn, a burning experience in the chest that frequently happens after consuming or when relaxing. Various other signs and symptoms may consist of regurgitation of acid right into the mouth, difficulty ingesting, consistent cough, hoarseness, and throat inflammation. These signs and symptoms can substantially influence one's lifestyle, resulting in pain and interruption of daily activities.While medical intervention might be needed for serious cases of indigestion, there are several natural home remedy that can help minimize milder signs. Way of life modifications such as preserving a healthy and balanced weight, avoiding trigger foods, and consuming smaller sized, more constant meals can help in reducing the event of indigestion. Raising the head of the bed while sleeping and staying clear of existing down quickly after meals can additionally aid in preventing heartburn episodes. All-natural solutions like ginger, chamomile tea, and apple cider vinegar may provide relief for some individuals.In verdict, understanding heartburn is key to handling and avoiding this common digestive problem. By identifying the reasons and recognizing the signs, people can embrace way of life alterations and attempt natural remedy to ease the pain related to indigestion. Nevertheless, it is very important to get in touch with a health care professional for proper medical diagnosis and guidance on the most appropriate therapy approach.

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[cats-crows-and-cryptids]

Understanding Indigestion: Reasons, Signs And Symptoms, and Effective Home Remedies

Indigestion, additionally referred to as gastroesophageal reflux condition (GERD), is a common digestive system problem that impacts countless people worldwide. It occurs when tummy acid flows back right into the esophagus, triggering a series of uncomfortable symptoms. Understanding the causes and symptoms of heartburn is important for reliable monitoring and avoidance of this condition.There are several

aspects that can contribute to the development of indigestion. One of the primary reasons is a weakened reduced esophageal sphincter (LES), which is accountable for stopping belly acid from flowing back up into the esophagus. Particular way of life options such as consuming fatty or zesty foods, smoking, and extreme alcohol intake can additionally increase the risk of developing indigestion. Furthermore, weight problems, pregnancy, and specific medical conditions like hiatal hernias can add to the occurrence of acid reflux. It is necessary to determine and deal with these underlying triggers to properly take care of the condition.Acid reflux can cause

a variety of symptoms, varying from mild to severe. The most typical sign is heartburn, a burning experience in the breast that often happens after consuming or when relaxing. Various other symptoms may include regurgitation of acid right into the mouth, trouble ingesting, consistent cough, hoarseness, and throat irritation. These signs and symptoms can substantially affect one's lifestyle, bring about discomfort and disruption of daily activities.While medical treatment might be required for serious instances of acid reflux, there are several natural remedy that can help reduce milder signs. Lifestyle modifications such as keeping a healthy weight, avoiding trigger foods, and consuming smaller sized, extra regular dishes can aid decrease the event of acid reflux. Raising the head of the bed while sleeping and staying clear of lying down right away after meals can also help in protecting against acid reflux episodes. All-natural remedies like ginger, chamomile tea, and apple cider vinegar might offer alleviation for some individuals.In verdict, understanding heartburn is vital to handling and preventing this usual gastrointestinal condition. By identifying the causes and identifying the signs, people can embrace lifestyle modifications and try natural home remedy to alleviate the pain related to indigestion. Nevertheless, it is necessary to seek advice from a healthcare specialist for correct diagnosis and support on one of the most appropriate treatment method.

Read more here Boost profits with affordable digital marketing strategies, Unlock growth with transparent digital marketing pricing.,Investing in effective digital marketing: Price breakdown., Get a clear picture of our digital marketing services costs., No surprises, just results: Transparent digital marketing pricing.,Talk to our experts: Personalized digital marketing pricing plan.