#or the exact way their digestive system works

[ohno-the-sun]

Ya know sometimes it’s funny to me

I’m like why do I always write the boys as humans and specifically recently mermaids, why not write them as robots?

And then I look at my backlog of human bio and fish anatomy stuff and I’m like-

Yeah okay I could world-build for hours using this

And on the other hand I am completely in the dark about most programming and robotics things

#this is specific to Luca au #like it’s so funny I have soooooo much random worldbuilding for Luca au #but only like 10% will make it into the fic #like y’all don’t need to know the boys dna is all sorts of fucked up #or how the disguise magic works through a mechanism of heterochromatin formation on specific points #or that the way the transformation works is by a change in shh and wnt signaling along the spinal chord #along with differential expression of hox genes #which btw is total sci-fi #could never happen #or the exact way their digestive system works #or how the cartilage in the jaw breaks down into two main bones allowing for larger bite #or how their reproductive system works #or their entire family lineage from 500 years back #or how their writing system works #well actually that last one might come back #Luca au #I’ve put toooooo much thought into this #lol

[blackbat05]

The Path to Healing

Miguel O’Hara x Reader

Plot: Miguel gets accidentally sent to another dimension, one without super powered beings. There, he meets a familiar face - one that could help him to heal and find the strength to finally move forward.

Genre: PG-13 (comfort fic)

A/N: I really had a great trip in Korea, so here’s to another self-indulgent fic! Also this fits really well with the multiverse concept heh. Reblogs and comments appreciated!💜

Italics - Internal Monologue/Past Memories

He blinks once, then twice.

Miguel O’Hara finds himself staring into the endless blue skies.

Just where the heck am I?

He slowly eases himself up, fingers flying at his communicator in hopes of reaching Lyla.

“Damn it! For once I actually need her and this stupid thing doesn’t work.” He’s about to rip the device from his wrist but last minute logic creeps in.

When I get back, I’m going to kill all of them. Forget the spider society, I can do this on my own.

Miguel kicks the snow at the thought of the Go Home machine malfunctioning right when he entered.

This is why you should have never put Peter in charge. This is why you should have never let Miles in. This is why-

Miguel is too busy in his internal self-monologue that he crashes into someone.

“Ouch!”

Recovering from the sudden accident, Miguel extends a hand for the stranger. He’s about to apologize for the lack of awareness in his surroundings when he finally gets a clear view of the stranger under the yellow beanie.

“Thank you. I’m so sorry about that.”

Miguel could have walked away with his usual grunt and continue to figure out where the heck Peter and Miles had sent him to. No, he should have walked away. But he couldn’t.

Because the stranger was an exact replica of her.

If this was someone’s idea of a joke, Miguel would have had that person torn to shreds. Hands balling into fists, he forces himself back to Earth.

The question was, which universe was this?

“No, it was my fault. I should have watched where I was going.” Miguel sees your easygoing smile and his feet are rooted to the ground.

It wouldn’t hurt to ask. After all, despite Miguel being clad in spandex, you didn’t run the other direction when you had the chance.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t really know where I am? I was hoping to ask someone.” Miguel starts slowly.

“Figures.” You respond cheerfully. “You’re in Hongdae.” You see the poor man attempting to digest what you just told him so you try again.

“Hongdae. Seoul. The place that never sleeps?” There was still no visible reaction from the man and you were starting to get worried. “You’re in Seoul, South Korea. Hey, are you sure you’re okay? I know there’s a hospital nearby.”

That seemed to have done the trick as Miguel shakes his head. “I’m fine. But could you excuse me for a minute?”

You nod as he ducks into one of the many alleyways. You suddenly remember your mother’s words about running for safety but you push it out of your mind for now.

Looking around, you see a pushcart and make your way to it.

***

“Lyla! Where the hell have you been?” Miguel almost yells.

“Sorry, boss. Margo only managed to get the systems up and running. We’re working on bringing you back asap.”

“Tell me you know where the hell that idiot and the kid sent me.” His voice was almost pleading.

“Earth 1218. If you’re worried about any anomalies there, you can save them for another day.” Lyla tells him as she works away. “That universe is devoid of any super powered beings.” She looks at him through her pink frames. “But they have many problems of their own.”

Miguel was almost curious as to what these problems were but that was not the issue. He peeks out from the alley he was hiding behind, actually relieved to see that you were still there. Miguel holds his communicator towards your direction, zooming into your face.

“Can you do a scan?”

“Is that a challenge?” Lyla clicks away and within seconds she’s able to confirm your identity.

“Well… she’s not from here. Korea, I mean. But she’s here for six months and is apparently here on her first solo trip.”

So, you were doing well. You weren’t constantly looking over your back, worried about superhuman threats because of him. As much as Miguel hoped to see some form of recognition on your face, it was better that things stayed this way. It only confirmed his suspicions.

You were safe without him.

“Tell me when you fixed the machine. I got to go.” Miguel switches off his communicator, walking back to you.

“There you are! I was worried you ran off in this cold!” You grin. “I got a couple of things for you.” You hold up a shopping bag and a cup with what looks like a pancake to Miguel.

“This is Hotteok. Or a honey pancake.” You thrust the warm cup into his hands. “It’s probably one of the best things I’ve ever tasted in my entire life.” You happily bit into it, oblivious of Miguel’s stare.

You were just like her.

“Miguel! Have you tried this paella? Oh it’s so good!”

The memory punches him in the gut and Miguel has to sit down. He decides that the best way was to distract himself with the delicacy in front of him and almost burns his lips while doing so.

“Careful!” You whip out a wet wipe, gently pressing it onto his lips. “You don’t want to walk around with a sore lip do you?”

Finishing up the last bit of food, you give him the shopping bag. “An extra set of clothes because no matter how good you are with the cold, I don’t think walking around like you just came out of comic con would do the both of us any good.”

Miguel slips on the grey hoodie and black track pants, grateful that the muted colors had blended him together with the bustling crowd.

“Now, that’s all settled. Maybe you want to tell me what you’re really doing here?” You patiently wait for his response as Miguel’s mind races at the speed of light.

What does she mean? Did she find out? But how?

“I mean, I kind of heard a loud crash and minutes later I come crashing into you and forgive me… but you look like someone was chasing after you.”

Miguel wants to scream. How is he going to get out of this without repeating the same mistake and not looking like a complete psycho?

“You’re safe. You can tell me anything.”

I know I am. But the last time I told you, you got killed by The Green Goblin.

How could he deny your request? Not when you were waiting patiently for him to speak. Miguel feels like a cornered animal, with no way out.

Maybe, if you were just a little more honest with her.

He takes a deep breath, hoping that he would not regret this.

***

“You’re from another dimension?”

“Yes.”

“And you were accidentally sent here.”

“Yes.” Miguel hesitates to continue further, looking at you apprehensively. “I know you think I must be some madman but let me show you something.” He presses a few commands on his communicator, knowing that this was the only way for you to believe him.

A hologram pops up and Miguel can feel a part of his battered heart shattering once more. A picture of him and a woman who could be your twin appears. The carefree laughter that she was emitting after having her strawberry ice cream stolen from a playful Miguel was a thing of the past.

“She’s you but from my dimension. We were together but…” Miguel trails off, unsure of how to complete the sentence.

“But what?” You prodded gently, sensing that there was more to the man in front of you. “It’s okay. I don’t think you’re crazy. In fact, there are plenty of crazy people in my world- more like idiotic.” You snort.

Miguel grips his thigh. “She died because she got too close to me. My enemies knew and they used it as leverage.”

What am I doing? Spilling my guts to a stranger just because she looks like her?

But there was no turning back for Miguel. Perhaps, there was a reason why he was sent here. Maybe, he had to right his wrongs.

You suddenly rummage through your bag and Miguel is positive that you’re about to call the cops on him. Instead, you take out your phone. “There’s something I want to show you.” You pass him the phone and Miguel finds himself staring at…

Himself.

“That’s why I believed you.” Your soft voice breaks his train of thoughts. “He used to be a researcher studying astrophysics and quantum physics.” You explained. “He always told me of the possibilities of another dimension. I thought it was a little whack to be honest but after everything that has happened, it doesn’t hurt to believe.” You smile sadly and this time Miguel can’t help but to be curious.

“Was? What happened?”

“He died. Gunshot wound.”

Miguel blinks, the news taking him aback. So he was dead in this world.

“I used to work as a police officer. We used to meet each other every Friday after work. But one day, he didn’t show up as per our agreed timing and I knew something was up.” You breathed heavily. “A crime boss that I was working so hard to catch caught up to me. He took the one thing that I loved the most.”

“I’m- I’m sorry I asked.”

“No. I needed this. I should be sorry. Spilling my guts out to a stranger all because he looks like my boyfriend.”

Miguel can’t help but to laugh at how his internal thoughts were just vocalized and you burst out into laughter as well.

“The point is,” you recover from your high. “I don’t think she would have blamed you. She would have been proud. Of all the people that you’ve managed to save.”

That’s all I’ve been doing. Saving worlds one after another to fill the void in my heart.

“She wouldn’t want you to blame yourself. You did all you could. She would have wanted you to live on.”

“And you?”

You stare up into the skies. “That’s what he would have wanted me to do. That’s what I’m doing now. This is why I came to Korea. I want to remember him in the best way possible. Only positive memories.”

Miguel pauses. He had never thought of it that way. All this while, he was burying himself in his grief, praying that one day it would bury him alive.

Positive… your positive energy was boundless even across dimensions. No one could put it out. Not even Miguel himself who attempted to ignore it in hopes of numbing his pain. The only thing that did was to leave a gaping hole.

“It’s too painful.” He gasps, as if coming to the surface from being nearly drowned by the relentless waves.

“It always is at first.” You hold his curled fist, as if silently telling him to release. “But you need to give yourself a chance. Let the people around you in.”

At this moment, a burst of light could be seen from the alley that Miguel was at earlier. The two of you look at each other before making way to the source. That could only mean one thing.

“Boss!” A young girl steps out with her comrade donning golden bangles at his wrists. “We’re ready to take you home.”

It was as if the appearance of the two members had bought Miguel’s usual personality back. “Where’s Peter and Morales?”

“Oh, they were too scared to come.” The boy chirps at this Peter and Morales misfortune. “But I think they actually did some good by sending you here boss!” He takes a glance at your amused expression at the scene in front of you.

Pavitr, so straightforward and always so accurate. Miguel controls his urge to tell him to shut up. Though, strangely the boy had a point. If it wasn’t for the antics of Peter and Miles, he wouldn’t have met you.

He wouldn’t have come to terms with the raw wound in his heart. He wouldn’t have the closure that he needed and would have just continued running away until exhaustion caught up with him.

“Wait!”

Miguel turns back to see you scribbling something on a piece of paper before giving it to him.

“I don’t know how you guys work over there but if it’s possible to travel here by accident, I’m sure you can come and see me again. This is my address in Korea and my number.”

Miguel wants to tell you that it is impossible, that the two of you should never meet.

Just give it a chance.

The voice in his head was loud and clear. There was no room for discussion.

“Thank you. For today.” He holds the piece of paper tight like a lifeline, preparing to step into the portal.

“I’ll see you soon.” You waved goodbye.

The portal closes behind Miguel, and the three of them are back at headquarters.

“So boss…” Pavitr begins.

“Not a word. Find Peter and Morales.”

***

Afterword

You step out from the apartment, taking in the fresh air. It’s been three months since you met Miguel. The cherry blossoms told you that much.

Walking along the Han River, you can’t help but to feel a little lonely amongst the crowd who were with their loved ones.

No, he was with you in spirit.

Grabbing a iced tea, you snap a photo with your camera, planning to develop the picture for your photo book.

As you continued on your journey, you were too engrossed with the beauty of the pink petals that you bump into another person admiring the scenery of the Han River.

“Sorry!” You apologized with the minimal Korean that you picked up from your time here.

“If you’re really sorry, maybe you could spend some time with me?” The man responds in perfect English.

You’re about to tell the potential creep off when he turns around, causing a huge smile to form on your face.

“Miguel! You came.”

#miguel o'hara #miguel o’hara x reader #spiderman 2099 #spiderman: across the spiderverse

[luwathegreat]

While I do enjoy the theory/headcanon of Crowley not eating because he was cursed for his food to turn to dust/taste like dust (that's a theory people have right- I'm not imagining it?) I feel like it's a bit simpler.

I feel like for Crowley it's just too much of a hassle really. Like he doesn't hate it and he'll try food if it looks interesting. But I feel like for him it's as interesting or satisfying as waiting for your dentist with that thingy holding your mouth open. It just isn't all that fun for him. For various reasons.

(Aka: My Headcanon as to why Crowley doesn't like food + foods I feel like he enioys)

1. Tongues and Teeth

- I feel like Crowley probably ended up constantly biting his tongue whenever he did eat. Not even little bites either. Those deep bites you can feel in your ear.

- I also think he must've been annoyed with food stuck in his teeth

- I feel as though he also just doesn't like the way certain foods leave a film over your tongue and/or teeth

2. Temperatures and Food Safety

- Many foods that are only safe to eat hot, Crowley like best cold or/raw

- Many foods that would be ruined if heated up, he likes them best hot

- And I'm sure there's at least two inedible (to humans) things that he'd love to have cooked in with an edible good item

- None of these things would kill Crowley. But Crowley doesn't cook. And there are very few chefs in the world who'll make you "Boiled ice cream" or "Egg yolk cereal" or "Lomein Noodles with General Tso Erasers"

3. Textures

- Textures are too unexpected for him cause he has a hard time guessing what they could be just by looking at them

- He doesn't like one texture randomly interrupting the one he's already gotten used to- especially when it's not meant to be there. So say he's eating chicken and there's suddenly a crunch

4. Chewing

- He finds chewing boring

- He feels like it makes eating a task

- I feel like once he decided to just swallow foods instead of chewing them. And food certain things it worked

- He would take the food, let it rest on his tongue. Maybe swish it around his mouth, and then swallow

- But I feel like he did in fact choke and it was the most embarrassing discorporation hell had seen for YEARS

- "What's the point of the stupid digestive system if you've gotta chew whatever goes through it first?!" He had grumbled "The esoph..sofo...sif...FOOD TUBE THING shouldn't be subjected to the sloppy seconds of bloody mouth bones!"

For foods Crowley likes, I believe they've got to be prepared by the same chef the exact same way it was when he first had it and he always uses minor miracles to ensure it happens. It was always a shame when a good chef passed away. And if that chefs family ended up inheriting a large sum of money from a mysterious person with red hair and dark glasses at the funeral- don't look at Crowley. Why would he know anything about that.

Foods I think Crowley might enjoy:

- Smoothies! I feel he had a smoothie phase at one point

- Cut up fruits

- Soups

- Deboned Raw Fish

- Spicy Noodles

- Rice

- Boiled Ice Cream

- Seaweed

- Whatever foods Aziraphale cooks (whenever Aziraphale remembers he can cook that is). He often wonders if Aziraphale puts miracles on his food or if the angel is really just that good at knowing what Crowley might like.

On the topic of Aziraphale: He LOVES watching Aziraphale eat. Well not LOVES...more like...it fascinates him. For three reasons

1) Eating is one of the few times Aziraphale is properly at ease and allows himself to selfishly enjoy something without worrying about what heaven might say. Seeing the Angel indulge (so much so that he makes sounds and does little wiggles) puts Crowley at ease. Knowing it was him that introduced him to it makes his heart swell.

2) He's a little self conscious as to how he's so particular about foods (there's no need to be Crowley! You're not alone). So he kind of watches and waits to see if there's anything special Aziraphale is doing that makes him enjoy food so much. Or maybe there's at least one food out there the Angel doesn't like

3) Wouldn't you like to know? (Iykyk)

I didn't mean to type this much...

...Whoops

#my ineffable chattering #Good Omens #Crowley #anthony j crowley #gomens #good omens headcanons #I promise you he ate a bunch of raw egg yolks like cereal once in front of Aziraphale once #He was banned from the bookshop for an excruciating two weeks

[labyrinthofsphinx]

Statistical Outliers

Part 6 and 6.5 of drabble. Another long one, but chopping it up would've been weird.

“I don’t even like you right now.”

Vox had been laughing for far too long. This might be the most he’s laughed since Alastor had his ass handed to him by the angel prick. He finally found something that scares the kid, and all that was required was a little body mutilation.

The kid was currently rewiring the circuits into his new head, but he kept his gaze down the whole time. A deep scarlet of embarrassment was seeable even under his fluff.

“You, hahaha, you sound like a broken dog toy! Hahaha!” He hadn’t so much as screamed as he had made this high-pitched squeak of distress. Everything else was perfect, the horrified look, the freaking out, but that squeak ruined any of drama that Vox might’ve wanted to see. Now, he couldn’t help but think of the tossing the kid across the floor just to hear that stupid noise plink like a bouncy ball.

“I can’t help it! It’s a fox thing, I think.”

Oh, Vox knew that. Val squeaks too. His were subtler though, like a wet sneaker on a tile floor sound. Go figure, he had to go hell before he ever found out that moths and foxes apparently squeak. More news at eleven.

“God, that’s, hahaha, so pathetic. Haha!”

The kid rolled his eyes and went back to his work. Off to the side, Vox was making sure to record everything. While his body was still sitting down and hugging its sides, his face appeared across every screen that wasn’t currently being ripped open for repairs. He was keeping a close eye on the situation, I mean, it was his head after all. That and, if he saw how to do it, maybe he could attempt it by himself. Write some code for his body to follow, a series of pathways meant for this exact action. At least that way he wouldn’t have to rely on anyone to do this again.

Oh, the things he was going to do to his engineer later.

“Hey, um, do you know why there’s limiters on it?” He asked, bringing up a string of small black boxes he pulled from the backside.

Limiters? What hell was a limiter?

“Why? Something odd about it?”

“I mean, wasn’t the point of all these upgrades to give you more options? The limiters make it so there’s a cap on everything. The sound can’t get to max. The brightness can’t go above a certain degree. That sort of thing. Sometimes people use them when the system can’t take it, and it prevents burnout but…I mean this is as state of the art as possible. There’s no reason to have them here.”

Double dead, his engineer was double dead.

“If it doesn’t have to be there, no need to take up the space then.” He said, trying to be casual. The kid seemed to notice the twitching of his eyes though, so it’s not as if he couldn’t tell that he wasn’t…miffed by that.

The kid nodded in agreement and started unplugging them from the rest. About, the sharks had finished with their meal and were now lazily floating around. They always get like that after a large meal. One second, they were vicious man eaters, then next they were oversized house cats. For Vox, anyways. They hated just about everyone else.

“I like your sharks, by the way. Do they have names?”

“Anchor and Barge.” He said, his headless body pointing at the hammerhead and the tiger respectively. “They’d both eat you alive, you know.”

“After that meal? I don’t know. Sharks are pretty slow to digest things.”

True. Very true. He didn’t jump in there with them for obvious reasons, but he does find it easier for his aquarium workers to clean it up if they work right after breakfast or dinner…or one of them falls in around lunchtime and the rest wait until after the sharks were finished.

“So, you know about TVs and sharks. You’re a weird kid.”

“Yup.” He scanned his work, then stood up. “Okay, all done.”

What?

“All done?”

“Yup.”

“It’s been fifteen minutes.”

“I know.” He sighed. “Had to get all the limiters out. Sorry it took so long.”

It used to take all fucking day. He had to plan for months when he was going to do a big upgrade. He had to reschedule appointments, hold off on any later announcements, and god forbid Vel or Val have any minor inconvenience that day. It was a nightmare to deal with. The only reason he was fine with doing it today was because he literally hadn’t had a choice. He couldn’t exactly attend business meetings with half of a face. That said, he fully expected to be in cyberspace even longer since, you know, it wasn’t his technician doing it but a literal child. A smart child, granted, but still.

“So…how do I put it back on?” He threw his hands up. “And please try not to scare the hell outta me. A little warning first, maybe?”

He didn’t get it. His body stood up like the headless horseman and lifted his new head up over his shoulders. Cables, wires, and what amounts to veins and arteries in him now, climbed up through his neck and into the new set. Like a horde of sentient worms, they twisted and slid where they needed to. From the outside, it might look like he was being possessed. Or that Vox was secretly a bunch of leeches all working together to form some form of being. As the last wires connected, he jolted into the electrical stream. In the span of milliseconds, he crossed every pathway, checked every system, and detailed every change.

The kid did a good job. A great job, actually. Huh.

The so-called limiters being gone was interesting. He really hadn’t noticed them at all, but now, it was as if he’d had a cold all this time and only just got over it. Turns out, his speakers could get even louder, and the frequency can get to spectrums even dogs couldn’t hear. The brightness was also absurd. He often liked to see Val’s face turn to mush when he turns it up in the dead of night, a part of being a moth he’s never really gotten over. Now, he feels like he could probably blind someone like that, if he wanted to. Power output was also insane. He could kill with it before, sure, but he’s not sure he’s had the ability to bypass other functions, essentially just letting specific parts of himself be almost exclusively energy if need be. If he had, he’s surely never used it before, probably because he would’ve been running the risk of having everything that wasn’t energy accidentally fried from the overload.

“Okay, I know it’s all wires and stuff, but that was pretty gross.”

“You still own your soul, right?”

The kid paused.

“Um, yes?” He said, then quickly added. “It’s not for sale.”

Vox laughed, a little more sardonic this time.

“Everything is for sale. The question is just the price.”

With the snap of his fingers, the whole room lit up with possibility. He could have fame and fortune, the applause of all, his own show, his name reaching the farthest corners of hell. He could have comfort and a place of his own, something he wouldn’t have to share and somewhere to feel like home. He could have security and safety, never again having to worry about the frivolous battles and vicious monsters they live with down here. He could give him any toy he wanted. He could track down any family he might have down here. He could pull some strings and send him upstairs for a time.

All these things and more played across the room like collage of different endings, each sweet and inviting. He could be walking the red carpet. He could be playing video games in his own penthouse. He could be safe in the arms of his mother or his father or whoever else might be out there looking for him. And he could stay here, in Vee tower. He’d even let him sleep on the couch.

“See? I could give you everything. Anything. And what would it really cost you? You’d work for me. Not a bad deal, huh?”

He looked tempted, especially by the idea of family. His eyes lingered there longer than any other. Still, he sighed and offered Vox a somber look.

“That’s a very generous offer, but I’ll have to pass.”

“You sure that’s wise, kid?” Vox teased, slowly working his way around to his side. He skimmed a hand on his shoulder. “Think of what you’re missing out on! Take some advice from me, when opportunity knocks, seize it!”

He wasn’t paying attention to the kid’s hands. All his focus was on his face, that’s where weakness shows. He didn’t account for the strength of a hand. His little paw reached up and grabbed Vox’s claw. He pulled it down slightly, now just holding it. He almost swayed with it.

“You don’t owe me anything, you know. I don’t mind helping out my friends.”

The screens all blinked out at the same time.

“We are not friends.” He said, pointedly. “I don’t have friends.”

He can remember hearing that, seemingly ages ago, from someone he really thought was one. The kid held on just a tad tighter.

“What about Velvette and Valentino?”

“That’s entirely different.”

“Well, I’m might not be your friend, but you’re my friend.”

“I…I was literally going to kill you not, like, an hour ago!”

“Yeah, so? Husk stole all my money last week playing poker. Nifty stabbed me in hand, like, three times the week before.” He mentioned offhand, like any of that was normal. “I mean, Alastor tried to eat me the day before you grabbed me, I’m kind of used to-”

“He is not your friend!”

He’s not sure who was more surprised by the outburst, the kid or himself. His face glitched at the idea of Alastor and any concept of friendship. Really? Manipulating children? Is that what the great radio demon has been reduced to? Yeah, sure, Vox was offering to buy his soul off of him, but at least he intended on fulfilling his end of the bargain.

His hand gripped tighter, and his claw unintentionally dug into the kid’s palm.

“Kid, if you learn nothing else from any of this, I want you burn this into your skull: Alastor will always look out for himself first. He will lie, cheat, murder, or be the most charming person you’ve ever met, as long as it benefits him. Nothing he says is the truth. And he will play anyone against anything if he gets something out of it. If hell was burning down to the ground, he’d step over everyone to be king of the ashes.”

“I…I mean he is…creepy sometimes. I know he lies a lot.” He stuttered.

He grabbed him by his shoulders, forcing him to look him in the face.

“Trust your instincts.” The swirls of his hypnotic eye danced with focus. He hadn’t even done it on purpose. Any time the radio freak pops up, he tends to drown out other thoughts. Oddly, the kid’s attitude didn’t change. His smile was gone now, but he was still giving him that stupidly soft look.

“Where you two friends?”

The bitter truth tasted like bile on his tongue.

“Alastor doesn’t have friends, kid.”

He only had pawns. Allies, maybe. And ladders to higher power. Everyone else was a waste of time.

“Well, you’ve got one thing now that he doesn’t then.”

I…he…ugh.

“Oh, shut up, kid.”

…

It was little surprise to him that Velvette and Valentino were waiting in their lounge, not so subtly sitting around as if they had nothing else better to do. He knew they were lying around, hoping he’d come out. Val might want to continue their fight, or at least marvel in his small victory with Vox’s broken screen. Vel, he can only imagine, wants to see Vox’s reaction to her stupid little prank. The better the reaction, the better the video it would make.

Surprise to all! Voxtek now presenting ‘You fucked up!’: the show! Watch as two of hell’s strongest overlords sit there gaping like fish as Vox walked in, nothing but smiles and a clean screen!

The kid was quick on his heels, though he stopped a little short the minute he saw Val.

“Um, hey, Vee.” Velvette started. Her video was already rolling so she needed something for content. “You look good. Anything happen today?”

“Oh, worked on a few projects. Got some exciting things coming up for sure!” He offered a hand out towards Valentino. “Like Valentino’s new film. I’m sure he’s just about done shooting it. We’re all very excited by all the big promises you’ve made about the star quality.”

In truth, Val’s recent work was nowhere near done. He was always more interested in the actions on the screen than anything involved in actual screenplay. That’s part of the reason the scripts were always for shit. This particular project started off as more of a fever dream, and just started escalating from there. Vox knew, because of course he did, that Val was nearly out of time and also out of budget.

And he also knew who Val would go running to, to fix everything right before it gets released.

He took a big drag of smoke, and nearly choked on it.

“Uh…” Velvette almost looked apologetically at Val for turning the gun on him by accident. “I meant, did anything else happen today?”

Oh, he didn’t realize they were lining up for an execution today!

“Actually, yes! The strangest thing happened before!” He gently guided the kid forward. “I found this little guy all by himself, unattended! Who knows what could’ve happened to him if I’d not found him! Obviously, his owner was very negligent in his care. Now, I understand that she was very busy with so many important things to do today. Therefore, until she’s done with her little projects, I’ll take it upon myself to make sure he’s safe!”

Vel’s mouth dropped in silent agony. Careful dear, still being recorded.

Vox popped his bowtie, his collar flaring open and exposing his neckline. He slowly dragged his jacket off and tossed it over his arm. Val’s eyes dragged across his chest the whole time. He’s pretty sure he actually ate some of the cigarette.

“Well, I don’t know about you two, but I’ve had a very exciting day. I think I’ll turn in for the night.”

“W-what about food?” Vel said suddenly, grasping for a reason for him to stay.

“Tell my secretary that I’ll be ordering in tonight. I’m thinking Chinese.” He started to walk towards his room. The kid had enough sense to follow without argument, though he seemed less confident with Vox’s co-workers burning their gazes into their backs.

Val didn’t get his argument, his trophy shot, or his makeup sex. He was going to be angry and alone tonight. Vel didn’t get her candid shot of Vox’s embarrassment, instead making her come across like a joke. He didn’t expect her to post that video, if only to save face.

When the door to his room closed, he only just kept from laughing.

“Aren’t they going to be mad tomorrow?” The kid asked. He stepped into the room with uncertainty, like he was afraid to disturb the space.

Vox’s room, like his workspace, was pretty sterile looking, almost futuristically modern in design. He tossed the jacket into a side pocket on the wall. From there, his machines would wash it, press it, and hang it back up in his closet. A flick of the wrist, and the suite came to life with lights, stripes of neon blue that pulsed about. The hidden fireplace rose up from the floor, turning on with a hiss of gas. Off to the side, he could hear his bathtub prepping itself, turning on the warm water after an appropriate amount of fragrances were added to the mix.

He always thought it was a little silly of Val, constantly having his personal servants running around and doing everything for him like that. In the age of the electronic servant, why would you ever leave anything up to a human unless you had to? It was so much more trouble.

“They’ll be mad.” Vox confirmed with a nod.

“Isn’t that bad?”

He gave a quick turn, just so the kid could see the utter delight on his face.

“It’s only bad if you don’t know how to use it. And, trust me, I’ve lived with these two for more than long enough to navigate just about any thought in their heads. You’ll come to find that they’re dreadfully predictable when they’re angry.”

“Oh. Okay. I guess.” He muttered. “Are…are we still getting Chinese?”

Vox brought up the menu on his phone and let him shift through it. He already knew what he wanted anyway. He gave a quick point over to another setup of monitors, all of them hooked up for voice commands.

“Tell the computer what you want. It already has my order pre-programed. It’ll send a text to my secretary, and she’ll handle the rest. Just answer the door when she knocks. I’m taking a bath.”

With that, he left him to his own devices.

His bathroom smelled of sea salt and ocean breeze. Just opening the door made him almost nostalgic about his mortal days of summer, out on the end of the island. The tub was less of a tub and almost like a small swimming pool. Up above it, the ceiling was fitted to allow it to become a shower at any time. He didn’t often take showers, on account of his head being, you know, a TV, but he did like the kinetic energy it gave the room anyways. It felt a bit like he controlled the weather too.

He stepped down into the water and turned on the jets.

Oh, he needed this. Today might’ve started off like shit, but it was ending out on a high note.

Now then, the plan for tomorrow. Though he’s rested his body, letting the whirling water pull the knots from his muscles and batter down sore spots to the point of pleasure, his mind kept running. It was kinda a curse really. He never fully relaxed ever.

The miniature aquarium he had there, a circulating one of moon jellies, caught his eyes’ attention while his brain rambled on and his body unwound.

Aside from Vel and Val issues, he had one other major concern. The kid still wasn’t under contract. He tried tempting with sugar. That hadn’t worked. Close, but no cigar. That meant that, tomorrow, he was going to have to try the other way. Weirdly enough, he was actually, truly dreading it.

Not only was the kid hard to scare in general, apparently, but Vox kept feeling a little sick thinking about that broken cry, asking him if he was okay.

He seemed to care significantly less about his own, personal safety than he did for…his friends. And, unfortunately, Vox currently only had one of those on hand for use…aside from himself, he’d suppose. How would one threaten themselves anyways? Note to self, look into that. For now though, Angel was going to have to do, wasn’t he?

Ugh. This was going to suck. Buck up, Vox. You do what you have to do, nothing less.

His cameras informed him that his secretary just dropped off the food. She was a little gob smacked to be opening the door to the kid. Her shirt was opened three buttons more than appropriate, and her skirt about six inches too short. When the kid showed up in his place, she looked like she wanted to melt into the floor.

Food was calling. Time to get out.

Thankfully, his machines had a new warm robe ready for him. Val keeps stealing them and not giving them back. It’s probably because he makes sure they’re pre-heated before tossing them on, like fresh clothing from the drier.

He stepped out to find that his food was already put together for him, plate, silverware, and fortune cookie to boot. He wasn’t about to bet on who set that up, his secretary or the kid.

To his surprise, instead of finding him where he expected, over by the TV, he found him sitting and admiring the view from the broad, curved windows.

“Wow, you can see everything from up here.”

Vox grabbed his food and joined him, more out of curiosity than anything else.

“Well, I designed it like that.” He mentioned. “To be fair, I designed most of these buildings on this side of the pentagram.”

The skyrises made it feel more like home, if he were honest, which he never was.

“That’s…actually really cool. I’m lucky if I can get a card tower up.” Then, he spotted something familiar. “Hey! You can see the hotel from here!”

Sure, he supposed. He gets a better view from his drones. Speaking of, it seemed like they hadn’t had any more luck today than they had the last couple of days. The princess was in literal tears, both her girlfriend and her father trading off between comforting her. Angel Dust only just got back, his driver dropping him off not a moment ago. Vox didn’t need to turn up the audio to know that they were asking if he’d gotten anything useful today. The answer was no, obviously.

These people cared about him. They were distraught and desperate and thinking the absolute worst must’ve happened. There was a very, very small part of him that almost pitied that.

Then, a little anger bubbled up from nowhere. Why the fuck did you let him go alone? Not fucking one of you could’ve gone with him? Like, yeah, the worst did happen, but could you imagine if it was worse than that? Vox was bad news, obviously. But…so there so many worse things that could’ve happened.

That made feel gross, like the bath didn’t matter. Then he got mad because why did he feel gross? Then, he felt worse because why did even question why he felt gross? Then-!

“My fortune cookie insulted me.”

Oh, thank god. That rabbit hole was one he wasn’t going to crawl out of otherwise.

“What?”

“It says ‘Your life is a blockbuster of bad luck. Enjoy the Oscar’.”

“That is the best fortune cookie I’ve ever heard.” He might’ve wheezed, probably swallowed a chicken bone while he was at it.

“What does yours say?”

He didn’t actually eat the cookie. Most of the time he threw them away. He made his own luck but, well, when in Rome.

He unfurled the sheet of paper and began to recite it.

“‘Everyone you’ve ever stalked online had just been notified’.”

There was good pause, before they both started rolling. The kid coughed on his water, spewing out like a vaporizer. Vox tickled himself enough to accidentally pop a laugh track from his mix.

“Who makes these?” Vox rasped. “I need to get some for those two outside, hahaha!”

Memo from Vox to Vox, always order from that Chinese food place whenever he needs to lighten the mood.

They polished off the rest of their meal shortly, but they still caught themselves looking out the window. The embassy tower seemed so out of place now, sand dripping down to nothing, and a clock that didn’t keep time.

“It still feels weird that its over.” The kid said.

“Yeah.” He pointed at the building. “We should melt it down and turn it into a giant sign that says ‘Fuck you’ so they can read it from up there.”

“You know, I think Lucifer said something similar.”

Well, he now knew more about the king of hell than he thought he would. Great minds think alike and all that.

“Did you guys just hang out up here when it happened?” He asked.

“You mean extermination day? Yeah, of course. I’ve got every security feature in the world in this building. The place is basically a bunker when it has to be. It was just easier for those feathered freaks to go hunting for the easier prey on the streets.”

He shrunk, disheartened by something or another.

“Yeah, it was pretty scary out there.”

…hold on.

“Wait, you were out there? Like, on the streets? On extermination day? Are you stupid?”

“I didn’t really have a choice.” He argued back, ears flicked against his head. “I didn’t have anywhere to live back then so-”

“You…you lived on the street?” In Hell? That was-! I mean-! Oh, you’ve gotta be kidding!

He pointed down at a line of buildings you could just barely see. That part of town was all very old stores, secondhand electronics, and pawnshops. It was barely lit, and almost dilapidated. Last time there was a hellquake, two of the buildings collapsed in on themselves.

“Over there, next to that pawnshop with the ring on it, is a store that resells electronics. Most of the TVs are really old and not hooked up to the new system. The owner plays a lot of re-runs on them though, so people know they work. I used to live in the alleyway right next to it. The TV boxes were a lot thicker than the other boxes, you know?”

He didn’t know. He didn’t want to know.

“What did you do when they came in to slaughter everyone? Hide and hope they don’t find you?” His voice jumped up an octave.

“Yeah, basically. Or run. Also, I’m kinda of small, much smaller than they are so I could sneak into the pipes if I climbed down into the sewer. ‘Course then you gotta worry about gators, but at least when they get you, you’re not dead dead. Just the usual dead.”

“…why did you say it like that?”

“I mean, unless it’s cause of an angel, we don’t really die down here. It just…hurts, and you show up again sometime later…which also kinda hurts.”

It’s not ‘kinda hurts’. It’s excruciating. It’s akin to torture. That’s why it’s still a big freaking deal, and why people still don’t want to die down here.

“Did you-! Holy shit, do you die a lot?”

“Uh, I used to. Not so much anymore. When I first got dropped down here, there were guys who found me and made a game of hunting me down with their hellhound friends. I think they were British, but I’m not sure. They used to get me a lot. Then there were the usual crazies running around, that sort of thing. But I’ve been doing pretty good these past couple of years. I think years. Man, my idea of time is gonna get so bad without extermination day keeping me straight.”

“You’re twelve right?”

“Yup, or thirteen. I forget.”

“How long have you been down here?”

He thought for a second.

“Since the 90s, but I forget the year…Vox? You okay? Your screen’s bugging out. Everything feel okay with the circuits?”

30 years! A twelve year old in Hell for 30 years!

“Um, Vox. I-I don’t think your face should be doing that-”

Are they deranged? What the fuck!

“Are they crazy? What manic torments a fucking kid for 30 years?” It’s too bad he just replaced his face. He felt like he might need a new one in short order. “And you! You just let it happen? Put up a fucking fight!”

He just stared.

“I…I am four foot nothing. I am fuzzy, with very tiny teeth and paws. I don’t have electricity powers or evil shadows or extra arms or anything. I just fix things. I’m good with cars. That’s…that’s all I have. I don’t think someone like me was meant to thrive down here.”

“How do you still have your soul? Why do you still have your soul? You could’ve soul it! Gotten something for yourself, anything!”

“What good would that have done?”

“A job. A place to sleep. I don’t know, kid. I offered a lot.”

“Yeah but…most of Hell owes their soul to somebody. They didn’t seem any happier than me.”

God, this kid.

“You know, part of being down here is indulging in the worst parts of yourself.” He explained like he would explain to someone who was braindead. “That includes getting mean, and even selling your soul.”

“So…what? I’m already down here so it’s not worth it trying to be nice or better?”

“Exactly!”

“That’s silly.”

Holy shit, he was just as bad as Lucifer’s brat.

“Don’t tell me you actually believe in this redemption bullshit. Please don’t tell me you let all this crap happen to you because you think you had a shot at getting into that fuzzy place.”

Blood trickled down from his mouth. Vox hadn’t even realized he’d stressed the kid out enough to bite down on his lip.

“Don’t tell Charlie.” He pleaded. “Please?”

“…Don’t tell Charlie what?”

“I…I’m not sure I believe it. On one hand, I kinda hope you can, but on the other hand…then…me being here isn’t a mistake. And I don’t know what else I’m doing wrong.” He gulped some air. “I joined the hotel because…even if we can’t get into heaven that doesn’t hell has to be that bad. If Hell really was a hell, it’d so much worse than this, right?”

For once, Vox heard something he could agree with. Hell sucked. No denying that. But…he’s lived through so much worse than this. As Alastor had once said, hell was what you made of it. And Vox chose to be on top.

This kid though? He shouldn’t have any hope left. He would call him delusional except…he was a kid. He was always going to be a kid. He’s never going to understand. He can’t.

He was robbed of his life. Thrown to wolves in his afterlife. And all he thought about was learning to be nicer to people. Because that might change something.

“That,” He said finally. “is a great way to get yourself killed. Try to be kind to the literal worst of humankind.”

“I’ve survived so far.” He smiled again, through a bloody grin. “I’m a kid, but I’m not stupid. I’m not about to go hug Jeffrey Dahmer.”

“You’ve all but hugged me.”

To that, the kid just beamed.

Well, he’s not Dahmer. That’s for sure.

You know, that’s more than enough emotional damage for today.

“Okay, time for bed.” He stood up. Over by his dresser, he tossed on his comfier set of pajamas. He grabbed a big shirt of his and tossed it over. The kid leapt up pretty high, catching and tossing it on before he even hit the ground. Agile little thing.

He all but collapsed into bed. The silk sheets felt so nice and smooth. He never loved his mattress more than when he’s been away from it too long. But, the second he settled in, he caught sight of the kid curled up on the floor by the window. Vox didn’t have much in the way of rugs or carpeting. He knew the floor was cold and…well…now with the mental image of the street…

“God fucking damnit.”

Reluctantly, he got back up. He walked over, picked the kid up like you would a cat, then brought him back to the bed. He sat him at the foot of it, where Vox’s feet would be in a second, and he tossed him a spare blanket.

“You stay there. Don’t even think of crawling in next to me because that’s Val’s side of the bed and lord knows what you’ll catch from being there.”

With that, Vox called it a day. He dragged his wayward mind back to the items on the list for tomorrow: Velvette’s punishment, Valentino’s anger management, and the Val and Angel deal to name a few things. Also, track down that technician of his because he’s going to need to fry something after today.

His dreams got the better of him about halfway through the night, thinking of things that never wanted to crawl out of his head. Alastor’s mocking smile bearing down on him. Oh, stupid Vox. Don’t get attached now. Remember what I said about weakness?

His eye flicked open, only for a moment, when a wet nose touched his hand. The kid was still on top of his blanket, but he’d crawled up enough to let Vox’s fingers thread through the top of his head. He probably saw something on the screen that bothered him.

Whatever. He wasn’t awake enough to yell.

So, he went back to sleep. And when Alastor tried to tease him again, he told him to fuck off. You’re just jealous because you don’t have one. Go die alone, you crazy shadow freak.

And he did, because dreams could be really sweet sometimes.

Part 1/ Part 2/ Part 3/ Part 4/ Part 5/ Part 6/ Part 7/ Part 8/ Part 9/ Part 10

#hazbin hotel #hazbin hotel vox #hazbin vox #vox #hazbin hotel oc #hazbin hotel fic #hazbin hotel fanfic #hazbin hotel valentino #hazbin hotel velvette #hazbin hotel vees #the vees #drabble

[random-iz-stuff]

I genuinely don't know if you already did this but i had a thought. Pak's are like a second brain for irkens, and if they take it off they'll die. So what happens if a dead, pakless irken was reattached with a different pak.

For example:

Irken A's pak has been removed and they died, then the body is reattached by a pak belong to irken B. What will happen?

Nothing. The Irken is dead. Once that Irken has spent 10 Minutes without a PAK, they die and a new PAK won’t undo it. Their organic brain has ceased functioning permanently, so the second brain (PAK) won’t work on the body either.

I imagine PAKs like two halves of a whole brain. One cannot work without the other. If the organic half fully dies, the mechanical half just isn’t enough to keep it the body going, and vice versa.

I also headcanon that PAKs pull their initial information and Second Brain Functions FROM the organic brain, basically taking the organic brain and then scanning, recording and optimizing the information on it. Without a living organic brain, the PAK is stuck with the brain data it most recently acquired from the Irken and can’t do much else with the Irken’s dead body besides a couple safety features, some attempts at self-repair (which usually aren’t successful because the PAK can’t restore life to a dead Irken) and more minor things like that. The PAK will do what it can until it runs out of power after anywhere from 24 hours to a week, as they also charge themselves using the Irken’s organic body, generating electricity from their digestive system, bioelectricity, body heat and just about anything it can use, and none of those things work without a living body.

However, a PAK CAN recognize things like Brain Death and repair that using a reactivation protocol like we see in Plague of Babies. Zim went brain dead due to Gir messing with the amplifier, and his PAK noticed this, copied the most recent scan of Zim’s brain that it had access to from itself directly to Zim’s organic brain, and then woke him up and got any organs that stopped while Zim was out working again with a controlled electric shock. It’s just that after 10 minutes, the brain becomes completely nonfunctional and all organs follow soon after, rendering the PAK useless.

Switching the PAKs on two living Irkens also won’t end well, as PAKs very quickly become used to and dependent on the very specific, unique brain structure of their first host and suddenly connecting it to a new Irken Brain with a different structure almost always ends in the PAK accidentally seriously damaging the new brain, usually resulting in either death or severe brain damage (usually followed by death as the brain damage causes more problems down the line).

Even moving a PAK from an Irken to an exact clone of the Irken is dangerous because brains are constantly growing and changing with age in their own semi-unique ways, so the clone usually has an ever so slightly different brain structure. This is why Irkens, despite mastering cloning technology and reproducing exclusively through clones with machine-randomized genetics, don’t attempt to make clones of important Irkens like the Tallest and just stick their PAKs onto the clone in the event of death. The PAK wouldn’t be able to handle it.

#invader zim #headcanons #asks #PAKs #irken biology

[acupuncturefrome]

How Does Acupuncture Work? An In-Depth Look at This Ancient Healing Practice

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese healing art that has fascinated and mystified people for over 2,500 years. It involves inserting ultra-thin needles into specific points on the body to treat a variety of health conditions and stimulate the body's self-healing abilities.

But how exactly does acupuncture work? In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore both the traditional Chinese medicine theories and modern scientific perspectives on the mechanisms behind acupuncture. We'll also cover what conditions it may help, what to expect during treatment, its safety profile, and tips on finding a qualified acupuncture practitioner.

A Brief History of Acupuncture

Acupuncture has roots in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for over 2,500 years. The general theory is that health depends on the proper flow and balance of qi (vital energy) through pathways or meridians in the body.

Illness or dysfunction occurs when there's an imbalance or blockage of qi flow. Inserting ultra-thin needles into strategic points along the meridians is believed to restore proper energy balance and flow, thus treating disease.

While the concepts of qi and meridians seem mystical, modern researchers have worked to explore the science behind acupuncture's effects. Let's take a closer look at some of the ways acupuncture may work and the evidence behind its use.

Proposed Mechanisms: How May Acupuncture Work?

Over 20,000 studies have explored acupuncture, and several mechanisms have been proposed to explain its therapeutic effects. However, the exact processes behind acupuncture remain only partially understood.

Here, we'll cover some of the leading theories on the complex ways acupuncture stimulation interfaces with the body on a physical and neurological level:

Central Nervous System Effects

One of the most well-researched mechanisms is acupuncture's ability to trigger activity in the central nervous system. Inserting needles at specific points activates sensory nerve fibres, which relay signals to the spinal cord and brain.

This nerve stimulation prompts the central nervous system to release natural chemicals and hormones like endorphins, serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin. These compounds can block pain, regulate mood and emotions, reduce inflammation, and more based on what areas of the brain or body are activated.

So, in simple terms, acupuncture leverages the communication network of the nerves to promote physical and mental wellbeing via chemical responses.

Local Tissue Effects

On a local level, acupuncture needle stimulation causes various tissue-level effects near the site of insertion. Research shows it can increase blood flow and oxygenation, activate connective tissue through mechanical coupling, and regulate local inflammation or swelling.

This helps explain why acupuncture applied in one specific body region can alleviate pain or problems at that body part. For example, needles are inserted into the lower back to treat chronic back pain.

Autonomic Nervous System Regulation

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls key involuntary functions like heart rate, breathing, digestion, and metabolism. Acupuncture has been shown to balance the ANS by modulating the activity of the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches.

This effect on ANS function may clarify why acupuncture can benefit conditions tied to the cardiovascular, digestive, reproductive and other systems.

Changes in Brain Chemistry and Function

Emerging research shows acupuncture can prompt wider changes in brain activity and chemistry by promoting neuroplasticity - the brain's ability to structurally adapt and rewire itself. Acupuncture may support beneficial neuroplastic changes that bolster overall brain health.

Placebo Effects

Lastly, the placebo effect likely plays some role as well. The simple belief that acupuncture will provide relief can activate self-healing processes tied to the mind-body connection. However, many studies indicate acupuncture has more substantial effects beyond just placebo.

Now that we've covered some potential mechanisms behind acupuncture, next we'll look at the wide range of health conditions it may benefit.

Health Conditions Acupuncture May Help

Acupuncture has been studied for over 50 different health problems, making it one of the most versatile complementary medicine approaches available today. Here we cover some of the main conditions it may help:

Chronic and acute pain - One of acupuncture's most well-proven uses, backed by abundant research, is alleviating numerous types of pain, including low back pain, neck pain, osteoarthritis, surgery-related pain, and headaches. It's widely embraced as a non-drug option for pain management.

Nausea and vomiting - Multiple studies confirm the ability of acupuncture to control nausea and vomiting tied to surgery, chemotherapy, or morning sickness during pregnancy. Specific wrist acupoints are routinely used.

Reproductive issues - Fertility challenges, menstrual disorders, and symptoms tied to menopause or PCOS are common applications for acupuncture. It may support better reproductive outcomes when done alongside fertility treatments.

Mood disorders - Via effects on brain chemistry, acupuncture can help relieve anxiety and depression, regulating emotional health by lifting mood and outlook.

Digestive problems - Issues like IBS, constipation, nausea and bowel irregularities may improve with acupuncture sessions targeting digestion-related acupoints.

Inflammatory conditions - The regulating effects acupuncture has on inflammation makes it useful for arthritis, asthma, skin conditions and autoimmune issues, according to emerging research.

Insomnia and fatigue - Studies indicate acupuncture can regulate sleep, energy and stamina when these are impaired, helping to treat exhaustion.

Addictions - Early research has explored acupuncture for quitting smoking, alcoholism, and drugs. The calming effects it has may curb cravings and anxiety.

This list just skims the surface of what health problems acupuncture may address either directly or as an adjunct therapy. Our understanding of its therapeutic potential and range of applications continues expanding as research continues.

What to Expect During Acupuncture Treatment

If you decide to try acupuncture for pain relief or other issues, here's a quick overview of what typically takes place during a session:

Initial consultation - You'll discuss your health concerns and symptoms, and your acupuncturist will conduct an exam checking your pulse, tongue, medical history and any problematic areas. This guides your customized treatment plan.

Needle insertion - You'll lie down, sit or sometimes even stand as your provider inserts sterile, single-use, ultra-thin needles. Depth varies from just touching the skin to a couple of inches deep into the muscle. Most feel no or minimal pain.

Needles left in place - Needles remain in strategic points anywhere from a few minutes to 30 minutes, with most people feeling minor sensations like tingling or dull pressure around the sites.

Number of treatments - A health issue you've had for a long time, like chronic lower back pain, may need 1-2 sessions per week for two months. More acute conditions resolve faster - for example, 8-12 sessions helping postoperative pain.

Follow-up and lifestyle advice - Discuss progress with your acupuncturist during and after finishing treatments. They can suggest diet, exercise, and stress relief tips.

So, in a nutshell, a typical acupuncture session involves targeted insertion of tiny needles just under the skin's surface at specific anatomical locations indicated for the health problems you want to address.

Is Acupuncture Safe? What Are the Risks?

When practised by a professionally trained and registered acupuncturist, this needling technique is widely regarded as extremely low-risk and safe for most people. However, some risks include:

Infection (rare with the use of sterile disposable needles)

Nerve injury or organ puncture with very deep needling

Increased bleeding risk if you have a bleeding disorder or take blood thinners

Mild side effects like bruising, soreness, or tiredness for a day after treatment are relatively common.

To reduce risks, always confirm your acupuncturist has proper credentials and training and uses single-use disposable needles. Alert them to any medical conditions you have or medications you take, as certain issues require extra precautions.

While largely safe compared to drug therapies, acupuncture isn't risk-free - but adverse events occur very rarely with competent practitioners.

How to Choose an Acupuncturist: Certification and Costs

With acupuncture growing more mainstream, an explosion of practitioners now offer it. However, credentials, competency levels, costs, and accepted insurance coverage vary greatly.

Here are a few quick tips on finding a skilled, certified acupuncturist in your region:

Confirm proper registration - Look for practitioners on a professional register, such as the Association of Acupuncture Clinicians.

Check ranges costs - Sessions average £45-£95+ throughout the UK, with coverage through many major insurance plans but also many exclusions. Confirm before your visit.

Look into practitioner's experience - Search online reviews and profiles. Don't hesitate to ask pointed questions before committing to more extended treatment. Finding the right acupuncturist for your needs is key.

 

The Takeaway: A Versatile Complementary Therapy Backed by Science

In summary, acupuncture leverages very fine needles inserted into specific anatomical points to stimulate nerve pathways and trigger healing responses - reducing pain, regulating organ function, curbing nausea, lifting mood and more based on which points get activated.

While some scepticism and mystery still surround this ancient needling practice, an increasing body of research points to its usefulness as an adjunct treatment modality for all kinds of health problems.

So, if you're dealing with chronic back or neck discomfort, wrestling with anxiety/depression, or battling fatigue related to autoimmune issues or cancer care, acupuncture is worth considering.

Finding an experienced licensed acupuncturist to tailor sessions to your needs makes all the difference in this complementary therapy, delivering symptom relief and restoring wellbeing.

FAQs About Acupuncture

1. What is acupuncture, and how does it work?

Acupuncture is an ancient practice involving the insertion of thin needles into strategic points on the body. It operates on various mechanisms, including traditional Chinese medicine concepts like qi, as well as modern understandings of neurophysiology, triggering nerves and muscles, and releasing chemicals like endorphins.

2. What are the traditional Chinese medicine explanations for acupuncture?

Traditional Chinese medicine views acupuncture as rebalancing the flow of qi (vital energy) through meridians. It suggests that illnesses arise from blocked or unbalanced qi, which acupuncture aims to rectify.

3. What are the neurological effects of acupuncture?

Acupuncture stimulates central nervous system pathways, triggering the release of chemicals such as endorphins and neurotransmitters. It also influences autonomic nervous system function.

4. How does acupuncture affect local tissues?

Acupuncture can increase blood flow and oxygenation to tissues and has effects on connective tissue, contributing to its therapeutic benefits.

5. Is there a placebo effect associated with acupuncture?

Yes, belief in the effectiveness of acupuncture may contribute to some of its therapeutic benefits, known as the placebo effect.

6. What are some health conditions that acupuncture may benefit?

Acupuncture has been shown to provide relief for various conditions such as chronic pain, back pain, arthritis, headaches, nausea/vomiting, fertility issues, mood disorders, inflammatory conditions, and overall wellness enhancement.

7. What does an acupuncture session involve?

An acupuncture session typically begins with an initial consultation and assessment of the health issue. Hair-thin sterile needles are then inserted into specific points on the body and left for a period of time. The number of treatments required depends on the condition being treated.

8. Is acupuncture safe?

When performed by a qualified practitioner, acupuncture is generally considered safe with minimal side effects. However, there is a risk of infection if proper hygiene and technique are not followed. Special considerations for individuals with certain medical conditions, such as pacemakers, may apply.

9. How can I find a qualified acupuncture practitioner?

Look for practitioners who have received adequate training and are registered with a professional acupuncture register. When choosing a practitioner, consider asking about their experience, expertise, and any additional certifications. It's also important to inquire about costs and whether acupuncture services are covered by insurance.

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#Youtube

[glitternightingale]

Your last ask got me thinking; Julieta heals with food, she sees love as food, what if there's certain illnesess that you can't cure with food (as in, the patient can't eat/consume anything due to the illness.) GERD is one, I've had it and you have to be very careful on what you eat/drink during an attack and it becames a chore. And a pain.

Thoughts on how Julieta will handle this? Sorry if this seems random >< 💕

Well, since we don't have an exact manual of how the Madrigals' powers work, we can only make assumptions. I immediately wanted to write a reply because I had an idea for a solution to your problem but I had to do a great deal of thinking and exploring first. (My exact answer is at the bottom if you want to skip the messy meta I made.)

"Julieta heals with food"

"She can heal you with a meal."

This seems obvious at first but we can get way into what even counts as "healing".

Here are some broad 'ailments' I can think of:

Tissue damage and broken bones

Julieta mends a cut on Mirabel's hand with an arepa. She gives a buñuelo to a man with a black eye. She stuffs another one into a guy's mouth and heals his broken arm ("I can't heal what's broken.").

But there's also a dude waiting in line who looks like a grim survivor of a cactus pit. We can assume that he got some moderate tissue damage from it. The pricks have to be manually removed if the skin is to be healed, otherwise, the wounds would close up around them and he'd risk infection.

Infections

Now, I'm no doctor, but we can speculate that Julieta's magic can also heal viral infections, if indirect. Going by the first point, damaged cells can be repaired and, as such, boost one's immune system because the body can redirect its energy towards it.

Headaches

Headaches are often only symptoms of an underlying cause and that's why I think it's not guaranteed that Julieta's abilities can get rid of them. For example, I live by the headcanon that Julieta's magic doesn't work against Bruno's vision-induced suffering because it isn't something that's explicitly "breaking" him (or is it?).

Now we get into what even counts as "food".

Here's a definition: "Any nutritious substance that people or animals eat or drink or that plants absorb in order to maintain life and growth."

This also includes soups, of course. But what about tea? How watered-down does food have to be to stop being food? Or does water in itself also count somehow, depending on its nutritional value?

We can see that Julieta knows how to handle different types of herbs and oils. It doesn't seem far off that she mixes her own tinctures, considering that she immediately makes a grab for them when she thought Mirabel got hurt during the collapse of their home (featured in the very dark picture on the left).

What also stands out to me is the mortar on her apron. To me, it implies that Julieta has to process the food first before it gains magical abilities.

But to what degree does it have to be processed? Would a raw potato suddenly mend broken fingers as long as it was cut by Julieta?

I have a theory:

Her love and the effort she puts into making food depend on each other.

The greater her love for the person the less processed the food has to be to heal them.

Maybe that's why she cooks so many different meals for the villagers who are basically strangers to her. (Besides the fact that she wants to indulge everyone with the variety of foods she has to offer.)

Making food is also a more common chore to hone her expertise, and that's why she relies more on that than on elevating her tea-making skills, for example. It also seems like the effectiveness of the food is raised if she feeds it directly to the "injured" person.

But no matter if the "processed food" thing is true or not, one fact remains:

The food has to be ingested to work.

And I finally get to your ask!

The human body can absorb nutrients through its skin so I'd say that for GERD specifically, Julieta would put some homemade oils on your arms and legs to bypass your digestive system. If the case isn't as severe, however, I can imagine that she would rely on herbal teas like chamomile tea (she even stores chamomile plants in her apron pockets!)

#asks #sorry for the mess ahaha #made this on a whim ^^' #encanto #encanto meta #my meta #julieta madrigal #madrigal family #encanto julieta #bruno madrigal #encanto bruno #mirabel madrigal #encanto mirabel #encanto headcanons

[h8r-grl]

So I’ve been thinking a lot about the word “Use”.

It’s a very… big word, really— despite only being three letters long. Of course you have the standard definition, the verb: utilizing something as the means to some end (whatever that may be). Like “I USED my car to go get groceries”, stuff like that. That’s not the definition I’ve been thinking about.

Rather— Well, I guess it is, in a sense. I more so mean the societal use-case. The idea of “Use” being what you can PROVIDE. What USE do you have to, say, your friends, or your family, or, most notably, your JOB?

At the end of the day, the quality of the rewards you reap for working is directly proportional to how much (and of what quality) can you provide FOR the sake of the company’s growth— and to this it’s not too unlike a living organism. After all, we’ve evolved to take on protobacteria to help digest our food: they serve a USE to the system. But that’s an empirical definition of the term. In terms of lifestyle (in regards to work), it’s both social AND physical expectation.

Like, not only are you expected to do your job, you’re expected to SMILE doing it. You’re expected to always, somewhere, at some point, be doing SOMETHING to widen the profit margin of the company, even when its not quite apparent what all there even is TO do. It’s why most associates in retail that work behind a counter (i’m talking stuff like paint or tool rental, not cashiers, since they have to stay in place— though this counts for them to a lesser extent), You’re EXPECTED to either stay there, standing on concrete, hands steepled and smiling at the wall for eight hours— or find something else to do, like sweeping, or…

… No, seriously, what ELSE is there?

Well, you need to figure it out some way or another, or that “use” you provide… becomes use… LESS.

Useless. Frivolous. Unneeded. Pointless. You serve no USE, no gain to the system, and your value is appraised as such by everyone else.

You have NO use. Your negatives outweigh the positives. A leech mooching revenue, however small you my be.

You know, I was really dedicated to this job when I started. But now, with each new career, it’s been getting harder and harder to keep myself feeling… useful. I get comfortable. Too comfortable. I start slacking— but not even! I still do all my work— i just get… Comfortable. And then i fuck SOMETHING up that makes me, well, useless. Rinse and repeat.

Why couldn’t I even make it two months this time before I fucked up?

My job skipped all warnings and went straight to final warning for my first offense because I accidentally skipped a crucial step in the process for ONE transaction. To say I’m scared is… an understatement. I’ve hardly ever lasted six months in a job, and that’s how long I’ll have to wait for that final warning to fall off. At any moment, management can kick me out. They already scheduled a new guy full time the exact hours I was supposed to get full time— instead I’m “part time” (read: 39 hours 30 minutes a week).

I feel… Useless. Why does everyone make this look so easy?

These are supposed to be the simplest tasks, and yet I’m only good at them for a couple months at best before i just break under pressure. And I can’t NOT work, I need money, and I can’t get disability because my myriad of issues hasn’t been diagnosed yet.

Going to work today there was a stifling fog over my head. Like I knew that today could very well be my last day here. I know it probably isn’t, but… Well, right before I clocked out, my other coworkers were talking about how something hadn’t gotten checked in and charged some poor bloke for a week. I certainly hope I don’t take the fall for that.

#work #anxiety #mental health

[tgtbtueso]

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

How to identify: Dandelions are very common in North America from my experience and I imagine they’re common in the rest of the world too, how you can identify them is by their name! Dan (teeth) de (of) lion (lion), their name originates in French in these series of words, so you’ll recognize their leaves have pointed edges to them like a saw but no thorns or spines in any way, you’ll notice pink ish purple ish coloration in the stems or base of their leaves and you’ll notice they grow in a basal rosette structure. (For those of you who maybe don’t know some of the weird terms we use for plants, basal rosette means it grows directly from the ground with a spiral of leaves, some succulents, cabbages and mullein are all common plants that also grow in this way, so try to imagine them as a reference for what that means). It has fluffy petaled yellow flowers with purple to green, hollow stems that turn into small tufts of feathery, flying seeds after pollination.

Precautions: This herb can effect your urinary tract, while it’s widely considered safe for most people if that’s been a long time problem for you, consult your doctor before eating this herb if you can. From what I’ve seen, nobody has died from eating this plant or been hospitalized for that matter but The Herbal medic by Coffman or even simple resources like WebMD might give you an idea if this herb is going to effect you in an unfortunate way.

Medicinal properties: Dandelion is a mild diuretic and can be used as a bitter. This means that when you taste the bitter flavor of its leaves or roots, your body has the reaction to expedite your digestive and urinary systems. Some have used it for “detox” treatments, personally I don’t feel those are the most accurate or informative descriptions of this herb, if you had swallowed a significant amount of an intense poison, the help dandelions could do is pretty minimal. But it works great if you need caffeine taken out of your system, if you need a digestive for the end of a large meal or perhaps if you’ve been struggling with some short term blockage.

Culinary uses: The leaves can be prepared like collard greens or arugula but go heavier on sweet and sour flavors when working with this vegetable, it is quite bitter. Its flowers can be batter fried or I’ve also heard of recipes of them brewed into wine (kids look away). It’s roots can be roasted and used as a coffee substitute, personally I spent a decent amount of time in the winter one year drinking “hot coco” made of roasted dandelion, fennel seed, clove and cinnamon (I have an unusual palate, I am at peace with that).

Magickal uses (Which are all the way down here so you understand everything above before you use this plant!): This plant grows in sunny areas and has bright yellow flowers and medicinally has the effect of clearing things from one’s body, making it a definite herb for The Sun and for purification. They proliferate very heavily as well in the area they live, tying strongly into the aspects of the sun that lie into fertility and prosperity. I remember as a child hearing about a correlation between dandelion and faeries, but never perhaps getting the exact answer as to what their connection is. Now, I feel as though the two are combined in the sense that in our industrialized world dandelions are the most readily available wild plant that sparks our interest and understanding, so perhaps if one works with the faerie folk in an urban environment this is the herb for them. I’ve heard from a couple sources on the web of Theseus eating dandelions to gain strength during his battle with the Minotaur, being given them by Hekate, however I’m disappointed to say I haven’t found any particular sources that substantiate this claim that reference anything beyond rumor (still, rumor is a powerful thing even if that’s all we’ve got, you’d be surprised what goes by word of mouth).

Planet: (Sun) Gods and Spirits: (Apollo, Baldur, Brigid, Brownies, Cernunnos, Hekate, Helios, Horned God (Wiccan), St Joseph), Uses in witchcraft: (Health, strength, protection, courage, prosperity, purification, home, kitchen and parental craft)

https://www.picturethisai.com/wiki-image/1080/153417717913747457.jpeg

#witch #Dandelions #Sun gods #Pictures courtesy of “PictureThis” #Paganism #deity work #Fae folk #Foraging #kitchen witchery #witch blog

[kerra-and-company]

☕ + Sylvari Anatomy. Do they eat and what.

Oooh, interesting interesting!!! Sylvari anatomy is something that I've seen ~5 million headcanons on as well as have my own thoughts on, and I love pretty much every single idea about it that I've seen so far :D But as far as my personal thoughts on it are concerned:

The general appearance/phenotype of all the sylvari that we've seen is humanoid, even though they're very much plant-based beings. According to canon (the limited info we get in-game, as well as some things a dev said a while back that can be found on the wiki), they do in fact eat and are omnivorous, which I think makes sense! They wouldn't have enough leaves to survive solely via photosynthesis (unless their skin/bark could also do it), and a decent amount of them don't even have leaves. And there are plenty of carnivorous plants as well, which are able to entrap and kill their prey (in that case, generally insects) via acid--that's likely the basis for sylvari digestive systems, which would be a bit different than humans' but appear similar from outside the body.

As for what they eat--canonically, they're omnivorous, which makes sense both from a plant and a they're-human-based-in-some-ways perspective. They have nectar in the Grove (which is...more of a drink, probably, but still), as well as a few different plant-based foods iirc. But based on in-game dialogue (thinking of the boat ride to Aurene's cave in EoD), plenty of people Assume that sylvari eat sunlight. I think they probably can gain nutrients from sunlight/photosynthesis, but they couldn't subsist entirely on it and need to consume food as well.

Other things on anatomy that I saw on the wiki and wanted to comment on here:

Sylvari have sap instead of blood: makes complete sense to me, though the composition might not be an exact match for typical tree sap.

Sylvari don't have hearts (as in anatomically): this one I don't really treat as canon. I feel like that if sylvari anatomy necessitates having a bloodstream (even though it uses a substance that's closer to sap), and they're actively moving around as much as they do, they'd probably need something to move the blood/sap around fast enough to reach all the extremities of the body. The anatomy could very well manage to work in the canon scenario too somehow, though; I just don't like this bit as much because it doesn't make as much sense to me xD

#gw2 #sylvari #dasozelotvonnebenan #i don't think anything i said here was groundbreaking but...ye these are my several cents about sylvari anatomy :D #thanks a bunch for the ask! :D

[madbalalaika]

Health update #4. This is a lengthy one, so bear with me :")

❗TW: food, diet, weight, female health❗

Let's start with a bang: I'M NOT ALLERGIC TO COCOA!!!

Which is like??? I'm surprised, considering how much chocolate I ate last year when my gut was as bad as it could get. But I'm not complaining at all, let it always be that way 🙏🙌✨

Been a while since I've done one of these, don't even remember that much what happened after my last health update lol

??.03.2023: But one thing I remember though and what's kind of bugging me (just a wee bit, not much at all) is that I've completely stopped my meal diary thingy, but not cause my doctor told me to, that's cause I'm a lazy piece of sh-

No, jk

But seriously, I just can't do it, it's such a burden to me. The fact that it took so much of my daily time just to focus and write down what I ate made me feel like I'm completely wasting my time instead of focusing on trying to be more productive, and, in turn, more happy

09.06.2023: I'm still not doing that cause I know it would make me miserable :")

What's also very interesting, is that apparently, these past few months (from around December 2022, to be exact), I had pretty bad malnutrition and anemia, not to the point where I would literally fall, but pretty close. I would feel dizzy and lightheaded almost all of the time, my blood pressure would consistently be 90/60 or lower, and the back of my head would hurt.

And the thing is, right? I was undereating, and not even because I wanted to do that, but because first of all, I was very confused by my GI doctor's instructions regarding my diet. I don't know if it's just me, it most likely is, but I felt like I didn't understand how my healing process was supposed to work and what I needed to look out for. It was all very vague.

Second of all, because of how vague it was, I was scared to make a single mistake, feeling like the damage from a negative reaction (like unbearable pain of the whole digestive system from the beginning of esophagus to intestines, which I got almost every single time I ate at that time) would be permanent, so I was just scared to eat. I was hungry, cold, and tired a lot of the time, which was really stressful, but for some reason also very hard to pinpoint what exactly was going on. I thought, "Well, I cut out all these bad foods, why am I getting worse?"

And I JUST realized I had malnutrition all this time, like???

Oh, and I also lost my period around December, which contributed greatly to already piled up stress, so yay to that I guess

14.07.2023:

I GOT IT BACK!!! AFTER 7 MONTHS IN A HORRIBLE LIMBO OF NOT FEELING LIKE A NORMAL HUMAN BEING, or a human being at all for that matter, more like an empty shell, I FINALLY GOT IT BACK 😭

I took pills to get it back. 3 times. After the 2nd time, my gynecologist asked me what my diet was, and I told her about my problems, and she said that the fact the the pills that were supposed to work hadn't worked, meant that most likely I just didn't have enough nutrients and needed to gain my weight back to get my hormones to work properly (as a side note, before December, it was 62 kg, then I lost 4 in a span of a couple of days, and then 3 more throughout the next few months) I did gain it back by some miracle, AND my lost muscle mass, as well as inspiration and good mood!

At the time of my 2nd visit to the gynecologist, I was researching a lot of stuff about GI health and stumbled upon some articles about this thing called leaky gut, and how it might contribute to food allergies, and that there's an amino acid called glutamine that's supposed to help with that

So I bought the supplement, took it for about 1.5 months, did get a lot better, thankfully, so I started to reintroduce foods back into my diet, like the nightshades, a lot of meat and other proteins, fruits, sweets, gluten free grains, CHOCOLATE OMG YES, etc.

While I did get better, it still wasn't enough though, so I started to research the vitamins that I could've lacked, found out I didn't get vitamin A in my diet at all, which is one of the main ones that support the health of the body's mucous membranes. Took that as well, and it helped tremendously. Now I can finally eat sour things like tomatoes, or EVEN WHOLE ORANGES, HOLY SHIT (but I won't do that again, cause I tried it, and my skin wasn't happy at all). So now I can also get vitamin C from the foods that I like, and not just salad leaves, ugh (as much as I dislike sour foods, I actually missed them lol)

The only vitamin that I lack right now is B12 which I'm not sure how to get naturally since it's mostly found in the animal products that I cannot eat, like dairy, eggs (oh yeah, right, forgot to say, I developed an egg sensitivity), some other stuff, so I'll have to supplement that, probably.

I also most likely won't be able to try to reintroduce milk/gluten into my diet anytime soon, cause I had some rice a few days ago, that I washed really really well to get rid of any traces of gluten in it, and still got poisoned, and felt absolutely sick after that. So yeah... Not in the next few years, that's for sure

But at this point I can just let out a huge sigh of relief, cause I feel like the main crisis has finally passed. I don't feel like my stomach is gonna rip every single time I eat, which is a win in my book. Yay for that 🙏✨✨✨

It's been almost half a year now since my last visit to my GI doctor, I need to check in with him to see what else there is to do. Most likely, a lot of blood tests, and I'd like to do a gastroscopy as well, because I still don't feel a 100% well, there's still something missing, some piece of a puzzle that I can only find after that. So yeah.

Thanks for reading my hopefully coherent babbling :") Love y'all

#health updates

[drawing-way-outside-the-lines]

➖ Mature content, 18+ ➖ check the trigger tags each time ➖      

Chapter 30 - Old Messages, pt. 8. Episode 2.

Congo: As they found a booth to sit down in at the bistro, he looked at George a bit wondering So why exactly are we meeting here George? I know this isn't just the 'congratulations train'… or breakfast burritos…

George: He smiled friendly and nodded Correct. I do come with quite a lot of topics, but let's order first, and then I can start filling you in. You'll need some energy to digest all of this. He smiled softly Don't worry, there is mostly good news.,… and here I mean the really good kind.

Congo: Smiled softly That all sounds really welcome, however, I do hear the word mostly, so I wont relax too much until I have heard it all. He picked up a menu and pushed the other menu in Georges direction, quickly running his eyes over the letters so when the waitress joined them, he had already put his menu down, smiling at her politely I'll take a round of the sausages, bacon and eggs with two pieces of bread on the side, 2 blueberry pancakes and a slice of apple pie…. oh, and a big mug of coffee.

George: Nodded at Congo, then turned to the waitress And for me an omelet and a slice of apple pie….. aaand make that 2 big mugs of coffee, please. As the waitress left he padded Congo's hand gently Now listen… this is all a bit on the freakshow side, so if you have questions, or I lose you somewhere, feel free to pause me or ask questions. Gabriella filled me in during the night, so it's all very new for me as well. First and foremost I have to let you know, Gabriella is at Sparkle's house, she is waiting there to greed Andy, and will fill him in on the same things I'll be filing you in on. So when we are done here, you and Andy will know the exact same things, except one matter, which I'll share with you last. Are we okay so far?

Congo: Nodded agreeing and smiled politely at the waitress as she brought their coffee, quickly sipping the coffee a few times to wash his mouth from Andy, more or less against his will, but just to be on the safer side

George: Smiled friendly at Congo and sipped his coffee I'm afraid there's no way to ease you in, so prepare yourself for another roller coaster ride. But hopefully a better one than the previous ones. He took a big breath, and smiled softly You know that old saying, 'he, or she, is my soulmate'?

Congo: He nodded softly and sipped is coffee

George: Well, it's not quite like that… That's more the romanticized, version of it, although it's not far off. I'm sure you know that in many animal species, one or both of the animals picks a mate and stays with that one mate for the rest of their life? It's like that with humans too , but since we are further evolved than many other species, our mating system is also further evolved. Our mating system works as such; Our mates are pre-destined for us, depending on a lot of factors, like genes, smell, taste, good compatibility in DNA and so on. A mate is picked for us when we reach the age of 18, and do we happen to find this person, we will be able to feel a strong connection with them, stronger than with any other person we will ever meet. We will be able to feel a love we never thought existed, and do things we never thought possible for this one person. We only get one mate, so do we miss out on this mate, we will not get assigned another mate. That doesn't mean we are destined to run around living an empty life, we are more than capable of loving other people beside our mate. But do we pick to be with our mate, it's a bond that will rarely ever break again. Picking to be with our mate, and sealing that bond, is done by a marriage ceremony, it does not matter what kind of marriage, in what culture or what religion it is performed in. When two mates are married, almost nothing will be able to break their bond. Mates are as such not made for each other, we are all individually born, and as we grow up, and our personality evolves we will be paired with our mates. These mate-pairs can be detected only by people who practice the old form of art named Witchitatu, an old Navaho art form of magic. He sipped his coffee and smiled softly at the waitress as she brought their food Thank you very much. As she nods and walks off, he continues Gabriella and her family practices this art… And through that, Gabriella can over time receive information about her own mate, or even mates of other people close to her. This info shows up in the form of visions. Two days ago, when you and Andy declared your love for each other, Gabriella had such strong vision, it woke her up from heavy sleep and gave her nosebleed. She contacted her sister, and together they were able to piece the fragments of the vision together. He smiled softly and sipped his coffee It turns out, sometimes even mother nature screws up. On your 18th birthday, your mate was picked out. But your mate was but a baby when this happened. However, this is not the screw up, since even then as he was an infant, you already shared the bond of mates, which means, your bond is even stronger than regular bonds between mates. However, where the screw up happened was, when your mate grew up, on his 18th birthday, he was assigned not only the mate he already had, but also a second mate. He sighed softly turns out, you are Andy's mate, and therefor he's also your mate… but Andy's second mate… is A.

Congo: He stared at George a bit, letting the fork drop out of his mouth, then he took his napkin, spat out the food he had in his mouth in it. He got up, walking out of the bistro, crossing the road and disappeared between a few trees in the forest across the street

George: Signaled the waiter I'll pay now honey, but please don't take our food, we will be back in 5 minutes… but if we aren't back in 10 you can clear it out, okay? As she nodded George hurried after Congo, finding him sobbing with his forehead against a tree Congo… He placed a soft hand on Congo's upper back, gently stroking him I know it seems hopeless, but you have to…

Congo: Interrupted George I can't compete with him, the creature of the night…. so it's over.

George: Shook his head softly Not necessarily. Hear me out please… this thing, double mating someone, happens rarely, very rarely. But when it does, there's always a stronger connection with one of the mates.

Congo: Sobbed and interrupted again Yes, and I have seen those two together, plus I'm just a mere human… A is all magical and shiny to Andy…. plus he has that whole vampire magnetism… Andy sucks it right up!

George: He raised his voice, but kept it warm And yet your connection with Andy is stronger.

Congo: He turned and looked at George with red, teary, confused eyes What?

George: Nodded softly and padded his shoulder

Congo: Sniffled his nose But how? Are you even sure?

George: Positive. We didn't know until this night. Gabriella and her sister performed a spell to guide them to find Andy's strongest connection, and it lead her to you. That whole process is very hush, so she can't tell us the spell itself, we will have to trust her. But she knows what she's doing, and the spell is flawless. There is no doubt, that you are in fact the strongest connected male. If you think about it… why would Andy risk everything he has been fighting for with A, including a marriage and the possibility of becoming immortal, which he so desperately wants, just for the simple reason that he just, two days ago, learned that you are in love with him? Andy's world collapsed when you told him those words, but in the ruins of that, a tiny, but very strong flower grew, and if we protect that flower, it will grow big and impossible to destroy.

Congo: He started sobbing softly again

George: Wrapped his arms around him Come here…

Congo: He spoke between the sobbing So he's really truly mine?

George: Nodded firmly Without a doubt. Andy is yours. But since he's also technically A's, we have to work together, to get him out of that whole situation, so he can be united with his strongest mate. And that's the tricky part, but we will not give up till we succeed. I have tried to make both Gaby and her sister look into the future, but everything is very very vague at the moment and constantly shifting, due to Andy being at a crossroad. The first step, is for him to finally choose which mate he wants to be with, and not only choose with his heart. His soul and brain has to be in it as well. When he makes that choice he will step out on one of the two roads, and he will be able to marry either you or A, sealing the mate bond forever. Of course we want him to choose you, for obvious reasons…

Congo: Sighed deeply George, I just want him to be happy… even if that means he will choose A…

George: Smiled softly I know, but Andy will be truly most happy with his strongest connected mate. It's destined Congo. It's meant to be. He sighed softly It wont come easy, and it will most likely be a long and at times dangerous process, and if Andy… when Andy's heart, soul and mind comes together and definitive picks you, we will have to do the marriage ceremony as quickly as possible, so your bond will be impossible to break. That doesn't mean you or any one of the people involved will be immune to whatever A or any other of his kind may want to do to you. So we have to fade Andy out of A's life. Making a clear break will cause too much suspicion, and it won't take him long to figure what is happening, and Gabriella's family, is not doubting he will raise hell. So we have to fade Andy out, make sure a break will look like it comes from A's side, and not Andy's, but still keeping Andy safe. It's tricky, its complicated, but it can be done. If you trust us, and if you stay patient.

Congo: Sighed deeply I can't George. I can't put his life in danger.

George: His life is already in danger! We will do our best to protect him, and to strategically plan everything step by step. I promise you, they are very capable people, and they believe in themselves. They have educated themselves on A's family, since they learned about Andy and A's engagement. They are not going into this blindfolded.

Congo: Shook his head and sighed deeply It's still too risky. I will risk anything for him, including my own life. But I wont risk his.

George: I can't guarantee, of course, since I can't predict the future, and the future is constantly changing anyway, depending on what happens in the now… but, I can honestly say, I don't believe it will ever come that far as long as Gabriella's clan and family is involved. If we get Andy through a marriage ceremony with you, Gabriella's family and clan will be willing to adopt you guys. It doesn't change you much, unless you want to. They do not make immortals though, but few minor powers can be passed on for protection, and they can later be taken back, if one would wish. However, in the adoption process, there will be put a code on both of you, Andy already received one when A adopted him. It's a line of numbers or letters on your skin. Us humans can't see them, but immortals can. However, this special form of code Gaby's clan will make on you guys are always kept invisible, unless one of the clan members calls on it to be shown. In a case like that, it will be shown for a minute or two, a small time period, but long enough for the viewer to read that you guys are off limit.

Congo: Frowned deep and groaned I don't like the idea of being owned… I'm not a calf… or horse…

George: Gaby's clan will of course sign a binding paper, that no one is to use you guys in any way. That you are your own persons, and that this adoption has no effect on you besides protection. But of course we understand if you need a few days to think about it, but decisions has to be made soon. Maybe it wouldn't be bad to ask Andy what he thinks? Unfortunately he can't just speak out, saying he picks you, the soul, heart and mind has to fall together in the decision, which can take a while, since he's already engaged to A and furthermore loves him deeply. Your love, and the love he has for you, has to triumph the love he shares with A. Again, it's far from impossible… and as the girls look into the future, they can sense a mortal marriage ceremony… but that's how things looked last night after your engagement, that future can already have changed due to your words here… We do understand if you need some time to catch up with everything… but in order to succeed, we need to start soon. You need to show Andy, how life with you would be, vs the chaotic life with A, he deep down inside knows its no good for him. He loves you Congo, an undeniable love even A is already detecting… if he figures out for sure, you can be sure none of us will ever see Andy again.

Congo: His eyes started flickering and his legs started shaking I know George! But don't put this on me! Don't make me put his life in danger! Don't make me risk his life, risking my own is enough! Being married to Andy, being his mate and him being mine, all of that, sounds like the most beautiful thing I could ever imagine… but the possible bad outcomes are too much to risk. I'm sorry, but I can't! He ran out from between the trees, and as he stood in the middle of the road, thinking about where to run, a big truck came roaring around a corner

George: Yelled at the top of his lungs CONGO! WATCH OUT!!

Congo: *As he turned, and in almost slow motion watches the truck roar towards him, his life flashed before his eyes, and all he saw was Andy smiling, a single tear runnng down his cheek, his eyes closing, and all sound drained from his ears, all he saw and heard was Andy smiling and laughing, telling Congo he loves him.

Andy: He padded Congo's cheek firmly Congo? Sniffled his nose Congo? Are you okay?… please open your eyes… please… I beg you…

Congo: Slowly opened his eyes, blinking a few times as he saw Andy laying on top of him, with tears streaming down his cheeks. After blinking a few times, he can see Gabriella and George standing bent over him as well… and as he started gaining back full conscience he can hear a few people talking around them. He lifted his arms from the ground and wrapped them around Andy, pulling him tight against his chest, speaking in a hoarse voice I'm okay…sssh sssh… I'm okay..

Andy: He gasped and looked at Congo, then started sobbing silently, pressing his face against Congo's chest

Congo: Gently stroked his back and hushed him a few more times, then looked a bit confused at Gabriella and George What happened?

Gabriella: Sparkle insisted I as soon as Andy showed up at her house, would throw him in my car and drive him back up here, she feared you were gonna freak out and take off. So it was better for everyone to fill Andy in on the car ride up here. And luckily we had just parked my car as that truck came roaring, if it wasn't for your crazy fiance, you would have been nothing but a pancake! He flung himself in front of that truck and pushed both of you to safety, just in the last split second before you had both been dust.

Congo: He looked down at Andy with tears in his eyes You idiot… you could have gotten killed! He kissed Andy's hair gently

Andy: He coughed a bit from the sobbing So could you! I already told you, I don't wanna lose you! I cant live without you! So don't make me!

Congo: Hugged him even tighter I'm sorry…

Andy: Sobbed loudly I don't know what's worse? -That you almost got killed or almost left me?! He got up and slapped Congo hard, crawling few meters away, and curled up on the ground, sobbing loudly as his body started shaking

Congo: He sat up straight Andy… I… I don't want to risk your life… that does not mean I don't love you… I love you more than anyone else! He quickly got on his feet and walked to Andy, squatting down next to him, softly stroking his back

Andy: Wiggled his shoulders Don't touch me!

Congo: Sighed softly Andy, please listen to me… you heard the whole story, right?… can't you see it's insane? we will never win… we will only lose! And your life is too much to gamble on an already lost game.

Andy: You don't know how I feel about you! He got up fast you don't know shit! But it's so easy always doubting me! And what we might be able to get if we were together! I'll gladly sacrifice it all, including my life, even if I have never had more will to live than I have now!… cause a life without you… is just something I can't face! And I won't! I didn't even think before throwing myself in front of that truck, I saw you, I saw the truck, and then I flew through the air! I have never felt anything so strong before… EVER! Not even with A! NEVER!

Congo: But Andy… as soon as he tries to leave you, you almost die in the process…

Andy: He shouted between his tears That's because I knew nothing about our love!!! Now I know, and it literally grows stronger and stronger for each second! How can you stand here and deny me only hours after you proposed to me?! I know a lot of things has changed, I know we just got buried under possible the biggest pile of shit we will ever be buried under… but Congo… for fuck sake… George believes I'm strong enough for this… he believes my strength lies in you! Sure I won't stop loving A today, tomorrow and maybe not even a year from now, maybe I'll always love him because of the bond… but I know I love you more… I don't know how that's possible, or how I even know… but I know… I feel it running through my whole body! I feel it right here he pressed a hand against his chest and groaned loudly, as he fell to his knees

Congo: Gasped and grabbed his shoulders What's happening?

Gabriella: Looked confused and scared I don't know… I looked worried at George

George: Andy… he placed a firm hand on his back Try to breathe, I think you are having a panic attack… try to relax….

Andy: Groaned from pain and grabbed on to Congo's shirt, grinding his teeth as he spoke You… are breaking… my heart! He gasped for air you are breaking…. my heart!

Congo: Looked at Gabriella with despair in his eyes Please do something!

Gabriella: Shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks I have never seen anything like this… I can't help! Only you can help!

Congo: Started sobbing loudly Try to calm down Andy… I'm right here… I won't leave… tell me what to do! Please!

Andy: Sobbed loudly Just love me… just love me forever… just never leave me… I want you… and only you… I don't care at what cost!!!… you are my mate… my true mate… I love you with all of me… don't ever walk away!! Please! It kills me! It kills me inside! I wanna marry you and be yours only! He sobbed loudly why can't you believe in us?

Congo: He fell to his knees, sobbingly leaning his forehead against Andy's Tell me how to fix this! I beg you! I can't stand seeing you like this!

Andy: Sobbed uncontrollably and fell to the ground as he fainted

Congo: Leaned over him and picked up his head from the ground Nononononono don't leave me! Don't leave me! I love you so much, Andy! Come back to me! Please come back! He checked Andy's pulse with shaky hands Please, I can't stand going through this again! I'll do anything if you come back! I'll do this with you! I'll marry you! Just come back and choose me! Please choose me over him! Please! I beg you! I beg you with all my heart! I beg you with my life!

Andy: His skin sorta started glowing, and for a few seconds, he levitated a few cm's over ground, making George look around nervously, but to his relief all of the bystanders had long gone left the scene when nothing seemed to be exiting enough to look at. Andy's face gained a pink glow, and as he opened his eyes they too seem to almost glow. Then he fell back into Congo's arms and sighed deeply, speaking in a calm soothing almost singing voice Congo… I choose you.

Gabriella: Nodded at Congo as he looked up at her, squealing as she wraps her arms around George's throat

Congo: Looked back down at Andy Did all of you choose me?

Andy: Nodded softly Yes… all of me. I feel so calm inside. Like every worry and tension is gone, like I'm floating on air. Kiss me…

Congo: Sobbed happily as he pressed his lips against Andy's, drawing him closer to himself

George: Looked at Gabriella as tears starts running down his cheeks, smiling softly Did he really choose?

Gabriella: Smiled bright Yes, yes he did. I feel the energy all around us.

Congo: Sobbed softly as he chuckled happily Did you pick me? Am I really so lucky? I can't even wrap my head around all of this, but I'm so fucking happy! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Andy: Chuckled happily through his own tears Don't thank me… I'm so fucking happy you are my mate! It's perfect! It's beyond perfect! I wouldn't want it any other way!

#unicornmanes #trigger warning: #drama #Andycorn #Andy Shaw-Thompson #Congo Shaw #Gabriella Lupei #George Cullman #mate #matebond #mate bond

[myydays]

starting midterm szn

hey hey hey!! :D

so midterms are coming up.

september 12th is the day they start and its almost the end of august. 

i wanted to do a little september goals post today (?)

some things i want to work on in september starting from now as well are 

1-waking up much earlier 

2-stretching in the mornings/ doing some form of exercise 

3-making my own breakfast again 

4-being able to study in a flow state.

1- early rise :)

i love love love early mornings, but i cant seem to wake up cheerfully. 

im up until 11 or 12 and i want to ease into a healthy night routine. 

after finishing my work i want to go do my skincare, change into my pajamas, and read for a little. maybe even journal if i have the time.

i miss doing this :)

even if i cant go to bed by 11 or 12 and need to stay up and study (midterm season demands maximizing the time i have!!) i will ensure i don't overexert myself too much, and be able to wind down after im done.

oh and LIMITING CAFFEINE INTAKE, because it affects my sleep skin and digestion in very harmful ways.

im not a caffeine addict. im limiting my caffeine these days.

(okay i tried something out just now.)

usually i say, im addicted to caffeine but im trying to limit myself these days- i was trying to change my behavior whilst still carrying around those same labels and beliefs i had about myself. 

by saying what i just said, i tried to get rid of that belief and start with a clean slate you could say :)

2- morning stretches

in my post about the book ikigai i mentioned a bunch of these movements to do to start your day feeling refreshed. sometimes i do a few rounds of sun salutations, (but theres hardly any sun these days ;sob)

but coming back to what i was saying, i wanted to try some of these movements every morning and experiment with how it impacts my energy levels in my day. because often i end up exhausted out of my mind after just the first day back to school after a weekend :”)

3-making my own breakfast 

i used to make my own breakfast, a fruit bowl and a sandwich, every day. yeah it was the same exact sandwich (I LIKED IT OKAY) but it was a good habit that i slowly grew apart from.

this kinda goes with waking up earlier ofc. 

i used to wake up by 6am, make my breakfast, go shower, eat, pack for school and leave.

it was very calming to just listen to music and get ready in the mornings, but these days i just wake up at 6:40 and get ready whilst my dad makes me something.

4-being able to study in a flow state

studying. alot of studying required to pass midterm season. aaaa. 

as stressful as it is, i want to look into how i can maximize the time i have and enjoy myself whilst studying through productive sessions. :)

well. goals are set. but goals are overrated.

im going to have to focus on my system now.

love,

pav.

#lifestyle blog #habits #mind #stay productive

[tethered-heartstrings]

Ghost pipe anon back

Yeah I also really wanna know why they became parasitic. What's also interesting is it rlly only grow in dark places like if it's a spot that gets a ton of light I typically won't see any. And dw I was able to understand what you were saying. And about the atp conversion that's also gonna be different bc for chloroplasts to function it needs light. Theres a second cycle in the chloroplasts tho,, I think it's called the Calvin cycle? I think it's something along those lines. But even tho that one doesn't require light it still requires adp (I think it's adp at least) from the cycle that requires light so that is an interesting thought. Kinda makes me wonder if there's any else that's modified in their cells.

And Mammalia is a very broad topic and honestly good on you for that being your more area of bio. Just generally I feel like the animalia kingdom is more complicated. There's all these different structures which I cannot remember the names of any of them except vestibular structures. Kinda makes me wonder if plants have vestibular structures

parasitism is super interesting because it often comes from a place of biological stress and desperation but also if a parasite is too effective it just kills all available hosts and then the parasite has nothing to thrive off of. its such a delicate balance and so interesting! all symbiotic relationships are so unique and specific and they have to evolve together.

yeah! I bet it still uses something very close to Calvin cycle if not the exact same because the light dependent part came before it. so maybe the chloroplast is still similar but processes beforehand is modified. as long as there are some digestive processes to breakdown glucose into carbon dioxide, then the reaction within the cycle should remain pretty similar. which if it has figured out parasitic hetereotophy, it should be able to do or it could rely on the host fungi to break it down. though I am not as familiar with fungi metabolism but its similar to animal so I imagine they don't use straight carbon dioxide but use other carbon sources, so the ghost pipe still needs to either convert it to CO2 or find another input thus modifying the cycle. hmmm this has me really thinking. the light is needed to make the CO2 for Calvin cycle but if it gets CO2 another way or modifies its cycle to use another source it'd be fine.

that is interesting! it could lack antioxidants so damage from the sun is unbearable. i took an environmental physio class in undergrad that went over adaptations based on environment and many cave animals lack pigment and eyes development! I wonder if its similar for ghost pipe because pigment development requires protein synthesis and energy it doesn't want to waste. it won't need pigment to absorb light so why put energy towards that. fascinating! also wonder if they have less efficient energy capture as well.

mammalia is super broad and I am not even that knowledgeable but it's my stronger area. tbh not sure it is any more complicated than plants. plants are hella weird and complex. I found plant bio super hard, especially reproduction. anatomy and physiology is super fun! kidneys are so so sexy when you know how they work! such neat specific organs. just fantastic. but I always had more emphasis on animal biology than plant or fungi, so I had a fair amount of repetition and solidification.

vestibular system is super neat! idk if plants have it though. I know they have some sense of direction via the sun but I don't know how much it relates to electrical signals from movement of osoliths over haircells. my instinct says it is not that at all and that is a very animal approach but maybe they have something similar? like obviously plants don't have osoliths exactly but they could have something similar to a fluid moving and producing a signal. again plants are not my strength.

#pretty sure eye development is related to sonichedgehog gene but i am not certain. sounds familiar though #it does more but i remember it with cave animals specifically #anonymous #the curious clown #btw ty for bringing this to my attention! biology is my beloved and this has been super fun! :) #also sorry i am tired hope this also makes sense habahaha

[90363462]

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Does Slippery Elm Really Do What The Girls Say?

The TikTok girlies might be on to something...

Kiarra Sylvester

Jun. 16, 2022 07:00AM EST

All the women of the land want to claim they have that ill na na, that WAP and as you can see by the timeless colloquialisms this is nothing new. The reality is that not every woman has it and I’m not saying that to shame, I’m actually saying that to normalize and minimize the shame that is seemingly around the subject matter because there are physical and mental reasons why vaginal drynessmight occur. This is not me saying that you should settle for “it is what it is” but quite the opposite. Instead, know that you’re not alone and that in some cases there is work that can be done, physicians and sex therapists who might be able to help you learn ways to increase vaginal “wetness” or lubrication, or the cause of vaginal dystrophy or dryness as it can be several factors, from stress to menopause and SO *claps* MUCH *claps* MORE *claps*. 

One thing that has piqued my cat-like curiosity is the girlies of TikTok saying that slippery elm bark, a plant that works as a demulcent, was the secret ingredient to getting macaroni-in-a-pot gushy. In fact, slippery elm bark has caused an increase in sales according to John Frigo, trainer, registered dietitian, and product specialist with Best Price Nutrition. He also adds that they can typically pinpoint TikTok as the culprit when these sorts of things begin to trend yet this time it happens to hold some truth. Frigo's exact words were, “Slippery elm bark seems to increase the mucilage tissues in our bodies which includes vaginal tissue. While no studies have been done on this anecdotally there seems to be a consensus that after about a week of use women begin to experience a noticeable difference.”

I spoke with two other experts who believe it is likely that slippery elm bark could work to increase wetness based on the product's mechanism. They also agree that it wouldn’t be their first line of defense when it comes to increasing your “sauce” as Rihanna once referred to it as. Making this the perfect segue because we want to know all the things anyways! 

Before deferring to slippery elm as your vaginal wetness hack, the two experts have some suggestions to try in order to increase vaginal lubrication.

1. Balance Your Vaginal pH

Among other factors that can create vaginal dryness, your pH balance is one of them. Your pH balance plays an important role in the overall health of your vagina. For your vaginal pH to be considered balanced, it needs to fall between the 3.8 to 4.5 range. Having a pH balance that is too high (over 4.5) is the perfect breeding ground for unhealthy bacteria to flourish and increases your risk for infections like BV. In order to correct an unbalanced pH, you can implement habits like taking probiotics, staying hydrated, and improving your diet. 

Dr. Erica Steele, board-certified naturopathic doctor and certified functional medicine practitioner explains, “The digestive system has a symbiotic relationship with the female reproductive system so cleaning up the digestive system is very important to create a healthy and balanced vaginal canal. Lowering fat in the diet, increasing protein as well as improving the microbiology of the digestive system, specifically, the liver is key to ensuring a healthy vaginal canal.”

2. Vaginal Moisturizers

Vaginal moisturizers can be a very effective way to treat vaginal dryness. The over-the-counter remedy can be found in both gel and suppository form and use hyaluronic acid to hydrate vaginal cells and therefore moisturize the vagina. This differs from lubricantsbecause vaginal moisturizers can alter vaginal tissues whereas lubricants just add a lubricated barrier to reduce tears that may stem from the friction created by intercourse. Furthermore, vaginal moisturizers are most effective when used regularly as most products suggest twice-a-week application. And like most skin care products, the more consistently you use it, the better the results. If you are looking for vaginal moisturizers to try, Healthline provided a great list of the best vaginal moisturizers of 2022 and you can find that here. 

3. Vaginal DHEA

Another non-hormonal option that can be used to treat vaginal atrophy is vaginal dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). This treatment is most often used by postmenopausal women to improve sexual function and increase vaginal wetness that naturally reduces as women get older. Kim Vopni, who is known as the Vagina Coach, says, "Vaginal DHEA is a non-hormonal cream that can help with the conversion of estrogen and testosterone. Estrogen is a big part of a healthy vagina and as we age and produce less estrogen, the walls of the vagina thin and become drier." Vopni recommends Julva Vulva Rejuvenating Cream as a personal favorite. 

4. Do Pelvic Floor Exercises

In addition to the other options listed as ways to address dryness, consider working out! No, not in the gym. Vopni suggests doing pelvic floor exercises. She adds, "Kegelsare a commonly known form of pelvic floor exercise that, when done correctly, can help increase blood flow and circulation to the vagina and can help with lubrication. An at-home device called the vFit by Joylux has also been shown to increase lubrication, among other benefits.”

While it is a relief to know that TikTokers weren’t pulling slippery elm out of their bag of tricks and deception (since it is hit or miss), it’s wonderful to know that there are other approaches than can be taken before purchasing slippery elm. And generally speaking, options! 

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Kiarra Sylvester

Motor City native, Atlanta living. Sagittarius. Writer. Sexpert. Into all things magical, mystical, and unknown. I'll try anything at least once but you knew that the moment I revealed that I was a Sag.

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https://www.evernote.com/shard/s678/res/12973a2f-89ea-44c1-1fae-7c39fc370f7e

"As someone who has tried vario toothpaste brands in the past, Prodentim stands out as a top-tier product. The consistency and texture of the toothpaste make it easy to spread and reach all areas of the teeth, ensuring a thorough clean every time. What sets Prodentim apart is its long-lasting freshness. I appreciate how the minty flavor lingers, leaving my mouth feeling clean and invigorated throughout the day. Additionally, the packaging is er-friendly, making it convenient for travel. Prodentim has become my go-to toothpaste, and I have no intention of switching to any other brand. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a superior oral care experience!"

On Every ProDentim Order Get 60-Days Money-Back Guarantee

Feel confident with ProDentim! Our 60-day money-back guarantee ensures your satisfaction. If, within the initial 60 days of purchase, you're not completely satisfied with the results, we've got you covered. No questions asked! Simply reach out to our ProDentim portal, return the product – even if the bottles are empty – and receive a full refund within 48 hours. It's a risk-free opportunity to prioritize your dental health. ProDentim is committed to your well-being, offering you the freedom to embark on this transformative journey worry-free. Your satisfaction is our top priority, making ProDentim the trted choice for a healthier, happier smile!

Prodentim Supplement's Ingredinets

ProDentim  Supplement is formulated with a thoughtfully curated selection of ingredients to support optimal dental health. This dental supplement boasts a distinctive combination of natural elements, including probiotics, minerals, and plant extracts. Below is an in-depth breakdown of the key ingredients present in ProDentim and their roles in enhancing overall oral well-being:

1.Lactobacill paracasei

Promotes healthy gums and sines by generating lactic acid. Maintains a balanced oral microbiome. Aids in preventing the growth of harmful bacteria.

2. B.lactis BL-04®

Clinically proven to restore equilibrium in the oral microbiome by balancing good bacteria. Supports oral health by preventing infections, inflammation, and maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

3. Lactobacill Reuteri

Known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Helps prevent inflammation in the gums and teeth. Stimulates the production of antimicrobial agents, controlling the growth of harmful bacteria.

4. Inulin

A prebiotic fiber derived from chicory root. Serves as food for beneficial bacteria in the oral microbiome. Promotes the growth of good bacteria, forming a protective barrier against bad breath, gum disease, and other oral health issues.

5. Malic Acid

An essential mineral for maintaining strong bones and teeth. Commonly found in natural sources like milk, cheese, and yogurt. Supports tooth health by providing a source of calcium necessary for tooth and bone structure.

6. Tricalcium Phosphate

An essential mineral for maintaining strong bones and teeth. Commonly found in natural sources like milk, cheese, and yogurt, tricalcium phosphate supports tooth health by providing a source of calcium necessary for tooth and bone structure.

7.Peppermint

Known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Helps reduce swelling and redness in the gums. Exhibits antimicrobial properties that kill harmful bacteria in the mouth, refreshing breath and soothing discomfort associated with dental issues.

ProDentim Frequently Asked Questions

What is Prodentim?

Prodentim is a dental hygiene product designed to promote oral health. It may include toothpaste, mouthwash, or other dental care products.

How does Prodentim differ from other dental products on the market?

Prodentim stands out due to its unique formulation, which may include advanced ingredients specifically chosen to address vario oral health concerns. It is designed to provide effective results in maintaining a healthy and clean mouth.