#but in the meantime here's more frames. doing these posts has been quite...relaxing?

[vagueeyes]

As someday it may happen that a victim must be found  I've got a little list - I've got a little list   Of society offenders who might well be underground    And who never would be missed - who never would be missed!

INSIDE NO. 9 | S9E1 "Boo to a Goose"

[lynne-monstr]

hi, it's the anon who's stopping by, how have you been? it's been a little while, but I'm still hanging on. we finally made it to the winter solstice!! 🥳 I can't wait for the days to get longer, finally

things over here are the same as always, I'm still waiting for the thing I want and it's painful, however there has been some progress lately so things are looking more hopeful. it still looks like it will take a long time, but it seems like the scales are tipped more in my favour. we'll see. in the meantime I've realised that my true problem is that I've clung to this thing and idealised it as the solution to all my problems and that's also a big reason why I'm so affected. my resolution for 2025 is to detach myself a bit and build myself a life (independently of this thing) in this new country in the meantime, so that, if the thing does work out, it'll be a nice addition, and if it doesn't, then I still have a fulfilling life (or at least the makings of one)

which is easier said than done lol, but I'll try my best. by the way I saw your post about juicy pears and I have to ask: do you know any other pear types that are soft and juicy? all the ones I find are hard and crunchy and I hate them, pears should be soft in my opinion. 3 countries ago I could find some Argentinian pears at the supermarket that were really good (I believe their name is Williams pears), but unfortunately they don't sell them where I am now. but hey if you also like soft, juicy pears, I recommend Williams! 👍

I'll close this by wishing you a lovely holiday season, I hope you enjoy the break and have a relaxing couple of weeks! 💕

hi there anon!! glad to see you around again! and omg yay for the solstice, we made it! i am ready for more daylight so i don't feel like my days ends everyday at 4pm.

i'm so happy to hear that things might be shifting slightly in your direction! and i think the bit about trying to think of it as a bonus is a great idea! and yeah, definitely not easy! it reminds me a bit of what my therapist said to me once. that I shouldn't go down a misery rabbit hole of "what if this terrible thing happens" if there isn't any proof that the thing is going to happen. not quite the same, but similar in the way that changing the way you mentally frame things is challenging. i am sending all the good thoughts your way, both that the thing you want happens and that you manage to building yourself something good in the meantime! and congrats on figuring out the root issue that was making you feel upset 💙

things are good over here. the things that were shitty for me early are under control and with any luck, they will stay that way. (cue me trying not to think of all the worst-case scenarios because there's no point in stressing about something that may not ever happen). i'm visiting family for the holiday time and looking forward to seeing all my nephews! and in the spirit of the 90's apparently being trendy again, i have decided that for my family's annual christmas party, I will be mixing up appletinis as the signature cocktail.

juicy pears my beloved! i 100% agree that pears should be juicy and wonderful! juicy pears become my entire personality during the winter and I regret nothing. not a big pan of crunchy crispy pears tbh. i haven't heard of williams pears, but i will keep an eye out for them, thanks for the info! the ones i usually buy are called comice pears. I think whole foods carries them but i'm not sure where to get them outside the US. good luck finding some, a winter without juicy pears is a shame haha.

i'm going to try and chill for the next week or so and enjoy the holiday time off. I hope you have a lovely and relaxing holiday! and an early happy new year 💙

[keanureevesisbae]

eunoia - prologue

Summary: Sam is trying to adjust to a life post-Steve Rogers.

Sam Wilson x Quinn (Asian ofc)

Warnings: Some spoilers for Civil War, Inifinity War, Endgame and TFATWS

Wordcount: 2.2k

A/N: Did I just abandon my other wips to work on this one? Maybe. This story follows around 50% of TFATWS storyline, but it’s not identical. I honestly don’t know whether or not people are gonna like it, but if you do, please let me know 🥺Our boy Sam deserves all the fics 🥰

Masterlist // eunoia masterlist // 

Not a day goes by that Sam doesn’t think about Quinn. It was at the Joint Terrorist Centre’s headquarters in Berlin when he first saw her on security camera’s. While Bucky was being interviewed, a different set of cameras showed another interrogation room. It was nearly identical to Bucky’s room, though the difference was that there a woman was strapped in a similar containment cell. They had found her earlier that day and according to some intel she was part of another Hydra program, though there was not much known about her yet.

With the reactivated Winter Soldier Program, Sam tried to capture Zemo, before the fugitive disappeared into the crowd. Together with Steve, they took Bucky into an abandoned building. While Bucky slowly regained consciousness and both Steve and Sam being distracted, no one noticed someone sneaking up behind them.

In a twinkling of an eye, both Steve and Sam were tied up with one rope, despite the two of them being on opposite sides of the room. With a certain focus, the petite woman marched up to Bucky, ready to do whatever was her task. As her fingers wrapped around his neck, tips digging in his neck, Bucky seemed to recognize her. A soft ‘hey’ from the Winter Soldier was enough to snap her out of it.

The rope stopped cutting into Sam’s skin, as the woman looked around her. She dropped the rope and she ran her hands through her long black locks. There was something about her that intrigued him. Her eyes darted from one side to the other, before they landed on him.

Sam didn’t know her that long, but he could see that there were a lot of undisclosed feelings. She was confused, maybe even a bit scared.

She introduced herself as Quinn, though adding the fact that she had no idea what her  real name was and Quinn seemed fitting.

Just like Bucky, Quinn was also a target of Zero’s spree. She remembers Zemo breaking her out of the secret and deserted Hydra facility back in Munich, where she was put into cryogenic stasis. Zemo released her into the world, only for her to be caught within a few hours. She had no idea if that was Zemo’s intention, her getting caught that soon.

‘Just a few hours ago,’ Quinn explained, ‘there was this guy with black hair, questionable facial hair, who told me to catch a guy. It was a picture of you.’ She gestured towards Bucky, who tilted his head as his gaze softened.

‘You remember me?’ Bucky asked her.

She shrugs. ‘I don’t know,’ she whimpers. ‘I didn’t when he showed me the picture, but… There is something I sort of remember of you. You walked into the room, dressed in all black, looking visibly exhausted. You were in this other cell and looked at me and told me that it was all gonna be okay.’ Quinn let out a soft—yet meaningless—chuckle. ‘That’s not quite working out.’

Without any more painful questions, Steve suggested she came along and Sam and her actually fought alongside the rest on the airport, making sure Bucky and Steve were on that flight and just like the rest who stayed behind, they were imprisoned in the Raft.

Sam watched her, day in, day out. She was yet again strapped inside a containment cell within her cell, another counter measurement to make sure she was unable to escape. Sam saw how she kicked an entire van to the side on the airport, without breaking a sweat. It made him question whether or not she was just cooperating or if the restraints were really working.

Her petite frame was perfect for her to blend in the crowd, in contrast to Bucky, however strength wise, they were around the same level.

Speed wise, it was Quinn who had the upper hand there.

She simply sat in the cell, staring ahead of her. Sam wondered what happened inside her head, but when they made eye contact, all he could see was sadness and hopelessness.

At night, when the lights were dim and everyone was asleep, he told her that it was all gonna be okay.

‘How do you know?’

‘I just do,’ he said.

For the first time, she smiled at him. ‘And I just have to trust you on that one?’

‘It’s the wisest thing to do. Besides, what have you got to lose?’

After Steve freed them from the Raft, he did not know what to expect from her. Deep down, Sam kinda hoped she would join him. On the airport, it was obvious how well they worked together, but just like Clint, Scott and Wanda, she decided to live her own life.

And just like that, she disappeared.

Sam never thought he’d see her again, but when they all met in the New Avengers Facility, when they learned about Thanos’ plan to capture all the Infinity Stones, she walked in as if she never left. She stayed close to either him or Steve, not once speaking up about what she did in the meantime and Sam never felt like he could ask.

When they landed in Wakanda, Quinn took him aside and asked: ‘You got my back?’

He smiled at her, realizing that his efforts in gaining her trust back at the Raft and the Facility had helped. ‘Always,’ he promised.

But he didn’t keep his promise. He didn’t have her back like he promised.

Quinn was the last person Sam saw, before he disintegrated into ashes, together with half of the world population. Her hand on his cheek, as her eyes darted from side to side, slightly confused of what was happening, but also realizing that he couldn’t have her back anymore.

While Sam was aware that she was right there on the battlefield after they were all brought back, the first time he saw her was on Tony’s funeral. After Steve told him, Banner, Bucky and Quinn he was going to return the Infinity Stones and Mjølnir—looking back on it—it was obvious she knew what Steve decided to do. Sam can still hear the words that left her lips then: ‘Are you sure you want that to be your future?’

Sam did not know what it meant then, but he sure does now. After he received the shield minutes later of a much older Steve, Quinn did what she always does: disappear.

He never knew where she went, what she was doing and while he respects her decision, he still thinks about her. Every single day. His hope of seeing her again, hasn’t faded away and sometimes it frustrates him. He barely knew her, why is he so hung up on her then?

Sam lets out a sigh, as he drives his truck over the roads to his destination. It has been a rough couple of weeks. He is working closely together with the United States Air Force and after a few missions, he made his decision whether or not to give up the shield.

Without Steve, the shield is nothing.

He desperately needs a break from all of this and there is no place like Delacroix Louisiana to wind down from the hectic of an after Blip world. He had been there two times, but both times ended abruptly as the Air Force needed him.

Now, he has the time. All the time in the world to relax and forget about an Avenger like life.

Sam parks his car on the dock and his nephews AJ and Cass are the first to notice him. ‘Uncle Sam, uncle Sam,’ they exclaim.

‘Ah, there you two are,’ he says, hugging the two boys tightly.

‘How long are you gonna stay this time?’ Cass asks.

‘Awhile,’ is the answer he is giving his nephews, but that is mostly because he wants to keep them in suspense a little.

AJ scoffs. ‘That’s not an answer.’

‘Okay, okay, gotta give you that,’ he chuckles. ‘How about: at least two weeks?’

The two boys high five each other. His sister Sarah loudly places a crate on the ground. ‘Finally,’ she says, ‘took you long enough.’

‘Nice to see you too,’ he retorts with a smile, before giving her a hug. ‘Missed you.’

‘Of course you did,’ she says. ‘We missed you too, just like almost everyone here. Almost got me thinking that you’re the favorite Wilson sibling.’

‘That’s because I am.’ He carries the crate to where Sarah wants it and he smiles when his eyes land on the family boat. ‘She sure is a beauty.’

‘A broken beauty,’ Sarah says, ‘that is costing me a fortune.’ She places her hands on her hips as she says: ‘With both the house and the boat needing some fixing up, every penny I got to spare is going to the house.’

‘Is this about you wanting to sell it again?’

‘Yes, since I’m not willing to sell a working organ on the black market in order to afford its repairs.’

‘I told you I would fix it,’ Sam says.

Sarah rolls her eyes. ‘Yeah, you told me that months ago, but the boat still isn’t working. You know the situation, Sam, the thing’s gotta go.’

‘Sarah, you’re kidding. We grew up on this thing.’

She scoffs. ‘Yeah, I know, I was there. It’s just that I cannot afford it anymore.’

Sam sure loves his sister, but there are moments where he—just like back in the days—he’d want to put her behind the wallpaper, making her shut up. It’s always this doom thinking. Everything or nothing at all, there is no in between. ‘You know I can help with this.’

‘Yeah, big help you’ve been.’

Sam clenches his jaw. ‘Well, I’m sorry I was taken away by the blip.’

‘It’s not about you being gone for the blip,’ Sarah says. ‘It’s about the fact that there is too much for me to do here. I need to keep the house, so it’s either keeping the boat or the business and since the business is my income, it’s only logical that the boat has got to go.’

Great, he has been back for a few minutes and he is already having this conversation with his sister. ‘I’ve got this, Sarah, I promise.’

She doesn’t believe him, he can see it in her eyes, but decides to drop the matter. Maybe she realizes too that this is no conversation for them to have after he got back for only a few minutes.

The two of them step back on the dock, where his nephews are stretching out their necks, almost like they are searching for something. ‘Whatcha looking at?’ Sam asks. ‘See a pretty lady?’

‘Is that,’ Cass starts, only for AJ to exclaim: ‘Auntie Quinn!’

The two boys drop their stuff and rush over the dock to the woman Sam never thought he’d see again, let alone right here. Quinn holds out her arms and despite the boys being nearly the same height as her, she still manages to catch them both as they jump in her arms. They must’ve known about her enhanced strength, Sam thinks to himself, otherwise they wouldn’t have jumped right in her arms.

But that raises another question: how could they’ve known?

‘Auntie Quinn?’ he asks Sarah.

Sarah nods. ‘Auntie Quinn,’ she confirms.

She’s gonna leave it at that? ‘Care to explain?’

‘I think it was two weeks after you were blipped away. It was chaos here, like literal chaos. People were missing, I hadn’t heard anything from you. She walked up the dock and offered her help. I thought for at least a month she was an angel send from the heavens. She told me she saw you right before you were blipped away and that she went to your place back in DC. She found out about us and decided to see how it all went down here. Thankfully she did, because I desperately needed her help. She assisted with the business, helped raising the boys.’

To say he is confused, would be an understatement. ‘She stayed here?’ he asks. ‘During the entire blip?’

‘Oh yeah,’ Sarah says, holding up her hand to Quinn. ‘I think all in all, she stayed here for four years. Sometimes she went away for a few weeks, but she always returned. Near the end, she called me and told me that Steve needed her. It’s actually the first time I’ve seen her in a while.’

Sam can’t stop looking at the big smiles and chuckles being exchanged between AJ, Cass and Quinn. She hugs his nephews tightly and even from a distance he can tell she is scolding them for growing taller.

‘I think that without her,’ Sarah continues, ‘I barely would’ve made it. She was slightly clueless though. Had issues with the simplest tasks, like cooking and day to day stuff, but she’s a fast learner.’

It shouldn’t warm his heart like it does, but Sam can’t help but smile as he realizes that Quinn went on the look out to care for his family.

‘She told me she had no memories of growing up. Poor thing,’ Sarah says, shaking her head as she as well looks at the trio. ‘She tried so hard to remember, but in all those years she spend here, no luck. I wonder if she does now.’

She doesn’t. Sam doesn’t need to ask her, because he simply knows.

Quinn still doesn’t remember her past.

[pinkesthoney]

Howling at the Full Moon (pt 1)

Summary: Basically I’m hopped up on pre-full-moon-month energy and had to write something. You are Commodus’ date to a party wearing this dress posted by @it-vexes-me​. He drives himself crazy giving you wine to try and food to eat. 

Warnings: Dirty talk, suggestive themes but no smut yet!! 

Pairing: Commodus x F!Reader

Commodus almost couldn't bear the sight before him: you were (barely) wrapped in a gown made of fine black silk and a smooth gold ring. He had half a mind to demand you go and change until he saw how your eyes were absolutely glowing with pleasure.

He couldn't take away anything that made you this happy, even if it means he'll be snarling and glaring at any man who dares come within ten feet of you all evening–not that he wasn't usually possessive anyway.

30 minutes earlier. . .

"...Mistress, your dress has just arrived." the ancilla was very sweet, and very considerate about interrupting you while you were engulfed in painting. You glanced over, giving her a warm smile and waving her in along with the servus carrying the new package.

"Ah at last!! Ooh I am so excited for this one! Oh dear, will I have time to clean this mess off do you think?" you asked, looking down at the paint smudged all over your hands and arms.

"Certainly Miss, I'll fetch some hot water;." She reassured you, taking the dress from the servus and sending him off to go bring some boiled water. In the meantime she filled your bronze clawfoot tub partway with the water from the aqueduct. She helped you out of your paint stola and into a dressing robe. Quickly, the servi returned with the hot water and you were submerged in blissfully warm water, washing away the marks of your work.

After bathing, your ancilla helped anoint your skin with some crocus-infused olive oil. When you'd made sure your skin was glowing and soft as could be, you gleefully unwrapped your new dress, your ancilla giddily watching over your shoulder.

"Oh isn't it just magnificent?" you purred, letting it hang before you. "Do you think my Emperor will like it too? Not that it would change my opinion–but it would be a perk." you mused.

"Yes, Empress, I think he will be most...captivated." she giggled. With her help, you maneuvered into the luxurious silk.

"Ooh it's cold! thank gods it’s a warm night. mmm I can just hear the cicadas now." You felt goosebumps jump up on your skin both at the breeziness of the garment itself and the cold metal that kissed your skin from rib to hip.

You and your ancilla giggled together as she finalized your hair. You had her make it appear purposefully relaxed, framing your face gently without appearing over-styled.

Yes, you looked divine and you couldn't wait to steal the attention of every guest tonight. You had a knack for simultaneously being the center of attention without ever acknowledging it.

You dismissed your ancilla with a warm smile. You let yourself luxuriate it the power you felt. Your skin tingled with the cool metal, slick silk, and smooth as butter feeling of your oiled skin. It was divine.

This is how your emperor found you–stroking your hands gently along your exposed rib and across your collarbone. You glowed in the candle light, offset by the rich black silk and shining gold. He fell even more in love with you, just seeing you enjoy yourself so freely.

Commodus loved how innocently joyous you were. Like you'd never been hurt by the world–though he knew otherwise. You shone with some internal light, only accentuated by the candles.

"My Princess, you outshine the stars. Do you not think they will be jealous?" Commodus purred in his low timber, coming up behind you and wrapping his arms firmly around your waist, pulling you into his warm, sturdy body. He protected you in all ways, even when there was no threat present. That's why you could be so open and giddy.

"Well then, my King, kiss me for luck and I'll not fear their ire." You purr, leaning your head back, exposing your neck to him and letting Commodus swoop down and claim your lips. You let yourself melt into his hold.

"I can do you one better, my dear. See what I've brought for you here from Greece" as he said this he produced a delicate gold-link necklace with a blue eye pendant. Commodus knew you were firm in the spiritual realm and were always conscious of protecting yourself, so he'd found the most trusted mystics of his time, who had all recommended you wear a Nazar. The blue eye was found in many cultures and thought to ward off jealous thoughts and curses.

"It's perfect, thank you." You were smiling brightly as he draped the necklace around your neck. His hand lingered for a moment, not choking you, just holding you against himself. You could feel exactly how he felt about your dress and it delighted you.

"My King, I'm quite excited to make our appearance tonight." You giggled, gently prodding him to restrain himself... for now.

"I can't say I'm not dreading it in part. Those men will have eyes like wolves. But that will just give me all the more liberty to show them exactly who holds your heart."  He huffs against the nape of your neck. He's tempted to make a mark of some kind but thinks better of it. That would be a bit juvenile...maybe. He forces his mind elsewhere before he can consider it further.

"Ah, should we go, my moon?" He asks, voice just a bit strained.

"If it pleases my Emperor" You respond, feigning over-sweetness, knowing it would make him laugh. You loved his laugh–and it also took some of the tension out of his shoulders.

Together you made your way to the large peristyle, your hand linked in the crook of his arm. You entered the garden and was taken away yet again by the way the plants danced in the warm lantern light. Tonight the garden was filled with members of the patrician and equite classes along with artists whose patrons invited them to show off their work.

You loved nights like this that showed off the side of Rome you loved. The art and those who supported it in full bloom. Like your Emperor had predicted, glances rippled through the crowd as your appearance become known.

You felt Commodus' hand on your side tighten. You were sure by the time the night was through you'd have his handprint tattooed on your skin.

You loved Commodus for many reasons, one of which is how he doesn't try to pull you away from your thoughts and into the relatively dull conversations he has to politely endure thanks to his role as Emperor. Instead he just glances at you adoringly and supplements your responses whenever absolutely necessary. If there’s a conversation he knows would interest you, he knows how to gain your attention. Meanwhile you let yourself be swept from conversation to conversation by Commodus' guiding arm as you marvel at the colors, smells, tastes, and art of the evening.

You get lost often in the feeling of the night air on your skin and Commodus' warm palm pressing into you. Every now and then, Commodus will press a glass of sweet wine to your lips for you to taste. More often, he will press a morsel of meat, cheese, or fruit to your lips. When he does, you're sure to lick and suck the pads of his fingers. This always causes him to close his eyes in bliss, but the noises he makes have become progressively more needy.

First he barely even let out a sigh but that was hours ago. By now he's practically moaning at every occasion. He's torn between not feeding you anymore, so as to save himself this torture. But he's an addict. Not just for the feel of your lips, but the delightful noises of pleasure you make, the way your eyes shine just for him. So he continues, and he thanks the gods his armored waist hides how you are making him feel–not that his moans are that cryptic.

You could feel the tension in him building as the night went on and were eager to reach the end of it too, knowing Commodus was the best lover after a long period of denial. The longer the better as something inside Commodus snapped and his primal nature was given full reign.

You could see the lanterns dimming and guests making their goodbyes. With each one Commodus grew more and more tense. As Emperor, he could do as he liked, but you'd persuaded him that it might be a nice gesture to see each guest out. He was now regretting his agreement to do so.

Commodus was a live wire and you absorbed all that energy, which manifested in you giggled brightly and running your nails up his neck into his hair. When the last guest has said their goodbye, Commodus practically carried you back to your shared bedchamber.

He growled a terse order at your guards that no one was to enter. He would never leave you unprotected. The guards would remain outside your doors. As a couple, you were far from shy and your safety was priority anyway.

Entering the chamber, he dropped you heavily on the bed. He stood at the foot of the four-poster looking down at you like a wild animal that had been denied his prey one too many times. "Now. Since you've seen fit to taunt me endlessly with that divine mouth of yours, I think it's only fit to return the favour–wouldn't you agree?"

Stay tuned for part two ;)

[notyetneedcoffee]

Soul Seer, Pt. 3

Pairing: Loki x Reader

Warnings: None this Chapter, but later

Author’s Note: Takes place right after Avengers 1, with time travel elements and hints of Infinity Wars. Does NOT follow cannon after Avengers.

* * *

Banner and Stark popped up from behind the server banks like a pair of meerkats when the door opened. Steve Rogers entered the room, a stern expression already locked on his face. Stark leaned casually on the wall, cleaning his immaculate nails with the screwdriver in his hand. “Hey Cap, you come to let us know that it’s dinner time, ‘cause you didn’t need to bother. My stomach is getting louder than when big green wants to redecorate.”

“No.” Steve fought to not roll his eyes. “Tell me you’re not doing what I’ve been told you’re doing.”

“Okay.” Tony shrugged. “We’re not.”

“Tony.”

“What?”

“Are you hijacking the SHIELD surveillance on Loki?” Steve frowned.

“Hacking.” Stark corrected. “It’s hacking. And it’s not about Loki, it’s about (Y/N). Having Reindeer Games rattling around in her head has got to be tough enough, I’m not going to hand her over to SHIELD on a silver platter, too.”

“What do you mean?” Steve took in the concerned look on both their faces.

“Now that they know she has this ability, and that she’s got all that knowledge from Loki in her mind,” Banner interjected. “You don’t think SHIELD would use any means necessary to assure her participation.”

“Like, say using footage of her crying and breaking down – a totally normal reaction when you’ve had a GOD shoved in your brain – to prove that you’re unstable and should be committed against your will.” Tony spat.

“You know it’s not beyond them.” Bruce sighed.

“So, you’re just going to turn the camera’s off?” Cap crossed his arms. Not liking the idea, but understanding the dilemma.  

“We’re going to fake it.” Stark shrugged. “Jarvis has been recording them for the last several hours. He’s created innocuous scenarios of them in discussions, reading, so on, to replace anything that needs to be replaced.”

“Currently, we have created a time delay of three minutes by stretching out the records by a few seconds at a time. That way we can still monitor what’s going on, but what goes on to the SHIELD monitors is controlled.” Bruce finished.

“And you’re confident this will work.” Steve asked, leaning against the desk. “They won’t be able to tell?”

“They’d have to beat Jarvis’ programming and they can’t.” Stark confirmed. “So, you going to rat on us, Cap?”

“No.” He sighed. “I’ll take a turn monitoring. This needs to stay as quite as possible. How are you going to let (Y/N) know?”

“That’s where Thor comes in.”

* * * * * 

Loki sat across the room, sipping on a cup of tea and holding yet another book. He spent more time watching your sleeping form out of the corner of his eye than reading, but those who watched would never know. Even though he placed you in the Dreamless Sleep, the urge to guard over you possessed him.

It took conscious effort to maintain the mask of passive indifference. How was he to mitigate the risk of someone, a mortal no less, knowing his inner most thoughts and memories? He looked at you, internally smirking at the irony that the very reason he felt the urge to protect you was the same reason he would normally kill you.  

A Midgardian mortal.  The Norns must be laughing their asses off.

Still, Loki admitted to himself, your ability to adapt impressed him. Your grasp of the situation, and the danger, impressed him as well. When you asked to be put back to sleep, he knew it was not physical fatigue you sought to remedy. Your walls were crumbling.  

The door opened. Loki did not hide the deep frown.

Thor’s bulk filled the doorway. He approached his brother cautiously, noting your sleeping figure on the bed, as he held out a book. “Brother. I’ve brought you something from home.”

“Your home, not mine.” Loki sneered, yet he snatched the book out of his hand.  

“I have spoken with Father about the information you shared here.” Thor sat across from Loki.  

“And?” Loki outwardly looked disinterested, but he knew the information would greatly impact his fate. Thor did not immediately answer. When Loki flipped open the book to avoid looking at his brother, he understood why. A new inscription had been written on the inside of his favorite tome.  

Written in Thor’s sloppy Vanir. “The iron one has diverted the eyes of the shield so the little one may cry without fear. Your secrets and hers will remain safe from now till two days hence.”

Loki looked up. “What does Odin say?”

“He was,” Thor sighed, “unmoved. However, Mother convinced him to reflect for a night before making any decision.”  

“She wishes to make her opinion known.”

“Mother is...” Thor shrugged.

“A force.” Loki grinned.  

Thor returned his grin, but it fell away quickly. “I will return as soon as I have news from Odin. We have convinced the powers here not to make a decision until we have a declaration from Asgard. It could be a few days. In the meantime, stay well, brother.”

Loki nodded. “Thank you for the book.”

As soon as the door closed he moved silently to it. Tracing the frame with a touch of his magic to seal the room from any sound escaping, he stood back and waited for someone to rush in. Nothing happened. Magically he rid himself of the clothes he wore, replacing them with soft silk pants and a tunic. Again, no one rushed in. He moved to you, waving a hand over your body clothing you in much the same way. He waited. No one intruded.  

Stark was true to his word.  

Loki sat beside you, smoothing back your hair and waking your from the Dreamless Sleep. Your eyes opened slowly. The feeling of rich silk on your skin made you smile. Then you realized it was not how you fell asleep.

“Did you change my clothes?” You asked quietly, a little shocked.

Loki smiled. “Yes, pet. With magic. I assure you, nothing inappropriate took place.”

“Magic?” You sat up. “And I missed it?”

“You will have plenty opportunity.” Loki’s long delicate fingers cupped your face. “Stark has managed to blind SHIELD from seeing us for a short time. Your words appeared to have an impact.”

“Oh.” You breathed, just staring at his strong angular features. The wick sharp eyes looked back, turning soft and sorrowful. “Oh. So we’re...” Your chest felt tight. The tension behind your eyes made them burn. “We’re actually alone.”

“I have cast a silence spell on the room.” Loki stroked your cheek. “Even the men posted outside would not hear the loudest scream.”

“What if I can’t stop?” You whispered, feeling as if a storm surge continued to grow over you like a tidal wave from a disaster movie.  

“I will be here.” Loki pressed his lips to the skin of your temple.  

It began with silent tears, a trickle of wetness trailing down your cheeks. Soon your lungs would not expand to allow you to breathe. Panic sunk its talons into your chest. Fire burned in your throat. Too many pains, too many aches, tried to claw from your heart at once.  

Loki held you to his chest, whispering quiet assurances to you. “Breathe, my pet. Let it come. You are strong. It will not break you.”

Pain, fear, anger, betrayal boiled up and ate at your throat like acid. Your fingers wound in Loki’s strong grip. “Fuck!”

A sad, rueful chuckle escaped his chest. “Most apt.”

“How? Fuck, Loki! How do you live with this?” You cried. It wouldn’t stop. Wave after wave crashed into you, stealing your breath and wracking your body. Time lost meaning.  

Somehow the room turned dark and you found yourself laying on the bed, curled against Loki’s chest. You held a damp linen handkerchief. The horrid, overwhelming emotions settled. It left you exhausted, raw. Tears still escaped from your tired eyes.  

You tipped your head up, seeing Loki’s face calm and passive. Except his eyes held the evidence his own tears. Dropping your head back to his chest, too tired to wonder how you ended up in the position or to question why it felt so comfortable, you buried your face against his chest.  He wrapped himself tighter around you.

“Why?” Your voice was hoarse. “Why do you do it?”

“Do what?”

“Hold on to it all.” Taking a deep breath, it shuddered upon release. “For so long.”

Loki lay silently for a long time. You could imagine he was arguing with himself about whether or not you deserved an answer. So, you decided make the argument for him.

“Loki,” You began slowly. “I know you would never, ever, entertain the idea discussing such a thing with anyone, especially a mortal.” You felt him tense slightly. “But for whatever reason, I was able to help you. It came with a cost, though. I’ve been in your head, and survived. Now, knowing what I know of you, it puts us in a difficult situation.” You took a deep breath. “You can either trust me and have someone, for the first time ever, that really understands. Or you can doubt me and kill me for what I know.”

He lifted your face, to stare into your eyes. Something unidentifiable burned there. The feelings radiating off him were deep and too complex to pin down. Finally, Loki pressed his lips to your forehead and spoke, his voice thick and deep. “I vow that you shall not die by my hand, though what you ask is not something I can answer yet.”

“Fair enough.” You sighed, relaxing back against him. “What time is it?”

“Your breakdown lasted approximately four hours.”  

The absurdity of the way he answered made you giggle.  

“Are you alright?”  

“Yes.” You wiped the last of your tears away. The giggle felt good. “I need to laugh.”

“You need to sleep.” Loki tried to hold you against him.

“No. Tell me a story, something funny, something embarrassing about Thor.”

He sighed, but you could hear the smile in his voice. “Very well. When we were young, Thor took a liking to this particular daughter of one of our father’s generals...”

You weren’t sure when you fell asleep, but Loki brought tears of laughter to your eyes and recited tales told to him by Frigga until you drifted to sleep.  

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[kilyra]

Missed That

Shades Alvarez (Luke Cage) One-Shot from prompt list

A/N: I received a request from the darling @natsukitakama from  List B: Angst/fluff Prompt List 1 - “I love you, please don’t go”, 5 - “Don’t you love me?”, 9 - “You mean too much to me”, and 10 - "I won’t let you” along with some scenario ideas we’ve chatted about.

This takes place after “Part of This”,“Still Won’t Answer”, and “Your Choice”. It’s not quite as directly tied into that arc though, it’s more like all the other Shades One-shots where it’s the same reader insert, but this is after the big blow-up. (Links to these are in the Masterlist posted in my bio, I can’t post with links or this won’t show up in search)

Warning: A PG13 heated moment. Otherwise, some S2 spoilers but this is all spring boarding off my own ideas after the end of S2.

The meeting had been going well. So well, in fact, it was already wrapping up before your dinner arrived. Not that you minded, Rosalie seemed to be nice enough company and moving onto casual small talk would probably give you the most relaxed evening you’ve had in a good, long while.

As you shifted in the booth, a piercing laugh drew your attention. Your eyes darted to the table of a cozy-looking couple just in time to see the laughing lady lightly batting at the man’s hand. His beaming grin was so infectious, you could almost feel yourself smiling. They seemed so happy. So carefree. Soon, they were leaning in towards each other, carrying on with their quiet conversation, both looking utterly enthralled. The light feeling faded, replaced by an aching void in your chest.

You missed that. Not that you and Hernan had ever been quite so bubbly, but you missed being carefree with him and just enjoying each other. It was something you didn’t see getting back. Softly, you sighed.

Following your gaze, Rosalie hummed. “Ah yeah, the Agnelli’s. They can get a bit annoying, but they always seem happy. It’s sweet.”

Smiling, you turned back to your potential client but before you could reply, there was a flurry of motion by the door.

“Hel-lo?” Rosalie’s eyebrows furrowed as she turned towards the group of men standing near the entrance. Raising her hand, she flicked her fingers, motioning for them to come forward.

They approached the table and it took no time to spot Hernan standing behind two of the men. Wearing his shades, he looked polished in his three-piece suit as he tugged at the cuffs to smooth his jacket back into place. Had there already been some shoving? It wouldn’t be a surprise.

The man in front nodded apologetically. “We’re sorry, Ms. Carbone he-”

“I wouldn’t have called you over if it was a problem,” she briskly cut him off.

The shock of seeing Hernan quickly turned to ice as a sick feeling formed in your stomach. Was he seriously going to ruin this for you? You were so stunned, you couldn’t even find the words.

Standing up, Rosalie firmly pushed on the shoulders of the two men blocking Hernan until they stepped to the side. “Shades. Did you come here to shoot me or something?”

Above his frames, his eyebrows creased as he tilted his head. “Did I…what? No, definitely not.”

With a slight eye roll, she looked over at her bodyguards. “In that case, you can go, boys. We’ll be fine.”

There was hesitation with each step her men took, but soon they afforded them some breathing room. Your heart was pounding so hard it was tough to hear anything over the rushing in your ears.

Leading with a slight sway to her hips, Rosalie stepped up to Hernan, running her hand down his tie and catching it between her fingers. There was a slight purr to her tone when she spoke. “And to what do we owe the pleasure?”

Swallowing back the secondary rush of emotion, you clenched your jaw. Jealousy didn’t quell your initial anger, and you didn’t want to mess anything up with Rosalie.

Glancing down at his tie, Hernan ran his hand over it, dragging it from her grip and smoothing it against his chest. “No disrespect Ms. Carbone, but I’m actually here for Ms. L/n.”

With her eyebrow arching high, Rosalie turned to give you an appraising look. “Is that so? Tell me, are you one of Cage’s people, Ms. L/n?”

Still trying to come back from being floored, you blinked, struggling to focus. “No, I’m not.”

Stepping past her, Hernan stood beside you with his hands clasped in front of him. “But she is under his protection.”

“I’m n-” You stuttered to a stop when Hernan, still looking at Rosalie, stuck his hand in front of you, protectively resting it against the front of your shoulder. Her eyes narrowed, gauging your reaction.

As much as him silencing you was irritating, he was right. Why would you argue that?

Chewing the inside of her cheek, Rosalie looked between you and Hernan. When she spoke, her tone was flat. “And Cage thinks she needs protecting from me? Do we have some kind of problem here?”

Not moving his hand, Hernan’s throat worked as he swallowed. It was the only hint at nervousness as he gave a relaxed shake of his head. “No. I’m not here on behalf of Cage.”

“Then what…” Rosalie’s voice drifted as she followed his arm down to his hand still protectively blocking you. Your pulse continued to race, but you had no idea what you were feeling – it was a rush with a little bit of everything.

Her eyes darted up to meet yours before a slow smile spread over her face like a cat who finally caught the canary. “I see. Well, you can relax, champ. Not only do I have no interest in crossing Cage, but she’s safe here on her own merit.”

Shifting his weight, Hernan stayed quiet. The scent of warm spice drifted over to you and you realized it had been weeks since you’d been close enough to him to catch a hint of that smell. You missed it.

Just then, one of her men appeared behind her, leaning forward to speak quietly in her ear and she replied with a subtle nod. While she effortlessly slid into the long fur coat he held out, her focus was entirely on you. Her team knew her so well, they could step in with no direction at all. It was interesting and a little intimidating.

Without missing a beat, she turned towards Hernan and shrugged. “It actually works out well that you came when you did, Shades. As it turns out, I’ve double booked myself and have to take my leave now. But I promised this esteemed professional the best Italian food of her life, so now you can step in and…entertain her for me.”

Hernan’s grip tightened as Rosalie stepped closer to your side of the booth. Pulling a card from her coat pocket, she held it between her two fingers before setting it on the table with a snap. “In the meantime, once you have an update leave a message at this number and I’ll be in touch.”

“Yes, of course,” you said, returning her smile.

When you tried to stand, Hernan kept a firm grip on your shoulder, essentially keeping you in your chair. You glanced up at him, but he continued to look ahead at Rosalie as he let go. After you got to your feet, he shifted his weight just enough to give you room to say goodbye.

Despite her assurances, he was nervous.

Leaning forward, she lightly held your arm and moved in to kiss your cheek. “He’s not bad, but if you ever decide you want to upgrade, come talk to me.”

She said it so quietly that you weren’t entirely sure if Hernan heard. As she straightened, she tried to subdue a grin before she nodded and turned on her heels. In a practised formation, her men followed her as she left.

Turning on Hernan, you jabbed your finger against his chest. “What the hell was that?”

Tilting his head down, he looked at your hand before suddenly covering it with his. His cool fingers wrapped around yours as he held your hand against him. Smoothly, he pulled off his shades and set them on the table behind you, while keeping his eyes trained on you.

It took effort, but you kept your breath steady, not letting it match your racing heart. That look always got to you. His fingers tightened and absently, you squeezed back.

Moving in, his eyes skimmed over your face, pausing on your lips before looking back into your eyes. “You should have called me to come with you tonight.”

“Why? We’re not exactly good right now and I was just meeting a client. Letting you know where I was meeting her was a courtesy.”

“You know this place is a front right? And a lot of these people are hers?  Even if you’re in Carbone’s good books, and it looks like you are, it’s still not safe to be in a crime family’s restaurant.”

As he spoke, he brought his free hand up to brush your hair out of your face. His fingers lightly danced over your skin and goosebumps rose all down your arm.

“I-I’m leaving.” You tried not to stammer, but it was hard to pull yourself together.

“I was worried because I love you, please don’t go,” he said as his fingers trailed along the back of your neck.

You could feel his heartbeat under your hand. It was starting to beat faster. “Didn’t you just say this place was dangerous? And now you want me to stay?”

“You don’t want to insult her, and leaving without eating will definitely do that.”

“And what does that matter to you?”

His flinch was faint, but you still caught it. And your stomach knotted. As angry as you were that he had put you in Cage’s orbit without your knowledge, you knew on some level he was trying to help. The situation forced many readjustments for both of you, and it wasn’t easy. But that flinch cut you deep.

“Because it matters to you. I don’t get what she’s playing at since she’s already in with Cage, but-”

“It’s not for…“ You sighed as you cut him off. "Her nephew has a serious condition that her local hospital is helping him manage. They’re shockingly underfunded and she just wants to help. My name has gotten around so she was asking for a starting point. As far as I know, it has nothing to do with Cage.”

And with how uncomfortable Hernan was over the whole arrangement, you felt fairly confident he wasn’t hiding anything from you. This time.

His heart was racing as he sharply nodded. “Good. Look, you and I, we’re on the same side. I…mishandled a lot of things, and I’m sorry. But I’ll never forget whose side I’m on. And I won’t let you forget that either, you mean too much to me.”

Leaning forward, he rested his forehead on yours and your flare of irritation eased away. He rubbed his thumb across the back of your hand and when he continued, his raspy voice was low and husky. “Don’t you love me? Or at least trust me still?”

Your heart was racing as fast as his. It had been weeks since you’d been in his embrace. Weeks since you felt him against you, since you felt his lips on yours. Finally, you nodded against his forehead. “Yes. To both.”

A smile flashed across his face before his hand slid up your neck to cup your cheek. Lifting his forehead, his mouth found its way to yours. The soft flesh of his lips moved gently as he let go of your hand to slide his around your waist and pull you in closer. As his kiss grew more insistent, his tongue dipped into your mouth, eagerly met by your own. With your freed hand, you clutched the fabric of his jacket to steady yourself as you pressed against him. Sliding his hand further from your cheek, he gently twisted his fingers with your hair and a soft moan escaped your throat.

You wanted to leave. Now.

Pulling away, you both took shallow, shaky breaths as his eyes bore into yours. Lovingly, his thumb traced along your jawline as he regained his composure. Slowly, you remembered you were in the middle of a rather busy restaurant. The restaurant of the potential donor that you didn’t want to insult.

As if reading your thoughts, a slow smirk grew on Hernan’s lips. “We’ll eat quickly.”

[theangriestpea]

Mercy Killing

TW/CW: sexual assault mention, violence, trauma

Summary: After a vicious run-in with a group of Ghoulies, Lavender Rhodes is forced down a bumpy road to recovery. In order to protect her from another attack, the Serpent king assigns Fangs and sweet Pea to stay by her side. Too bad Lav and Sweet Pea can't stand each other.

Cross posted on AO3

Chapter One: Road Kill

Two weeks. Fourteen days, three hours, and nineteen minutes to be exact. That’s how long she’d been a full-fledged Serpent. And that’s how long it took for her to be attacked by a group of rabid Ghoulies. Lavender left the Whyte Wyrm, swaying to a beat set on repeat inside her drunk head. Her purple waves of hair bouncing around her as her hips moved on par with the imaginary rhythm. She was too inebriated to drive so she did was she usually did when she had a few too many – she walked. Sunnyside Trailer Park wasn’t that far, about a thirty minute walk. The weather was nice and the cool air felt great against her scorching skin. 

She didn’t even notice the car pull up beside her. She waved off the cat calls and whistles she got. She didn’t stop until someone made her stop. Her eyes opened fully and tried to focus in the darkness. A man with a painted face obscured her vision as another man grabbed her by the wrist. “Time for some fun, boys.” The ghoul in front of her said with a deadly grin. Before she could realize what was happening, it was already too late.

“What is the fuck is that?” Sweet Pea asked, rolling down the window to Fangs’ truck. His eyes had caught sight of a heap on the side of the road. Fangs slowed down, pulling off to the side so that the headlights of his truck shown onto the mass. The sight of signature purple converse immediately caught his eye, “fuck!” Both boys scrambled out to confirm that it was who they thought. A fellow Serpent and a fairly good friend of Fangs’: Lavender Rhodes. She was laying on her side, vomit on the ground beside her. “Jesus fucking Christ.” Sweet Pea breathed out as he noticed the state of her ripped clothes and the blood pooling on the ground and in her clothes, most notably her light blue underwear. Fangs and Sweet Pea shared a look and a nod. Fangs lifted up her small body so Sweet Pea could shimmy her pants back onto his hips. He slid off his jacket and wrapped it around her torso, the large expanse of leather covering her almost down to the middle of her thighs. Sweet Pea picked her up with one hand under her shoulders and the other under her knees. A small whine escaped her lips as her head lulled to the side against his chest. He felt like he was holding a porcelain doll that was cracking, threatening to fall to pieces if he moved too quickly or too forcefully. “Who the fuck did this, Lavie?” Fangs asked, brushing her hair out of her swollen face. “I’m taking you to the hospital but you have to tell me who.” “Ghoulies.” She breathed out, as if just saying it would bring them back. A painful shudder passed through her at the thought, Sweet Pea’s grip tightened as a response. She lost consciousness as they got her into the truck.

*~~~~~~~~~~~*

Lavender thought nothing could be worse than what the Ghoulies did to her, but that was before she went through the rigorous examination for her rape kit. She thought it was pointless. Their faces were painted, it was dark, she was (and still is) drunk, and the only evidence she had was a bit of their flesh under her fingernails that she managed to get as a souvenir. The nurse performing it was very kind and patient. She didn’t judge her, even after she saw the double headed snake tattoo on her right breast. Once it was over she gave the teen a mild sedative to help her relax so the doctor could look over her other injuries. FP was outside along with Jughead, Sweet Pea, and Fangs. His arms were crossed and his teeth were clenched. He’d watch this girl grow up. He cheered her on through her initiation. Now he wondered the extent of what the rival gang members had done to her. And he asked repeatedly what the hell she was doing by herself at night. Fangs informed him that he offered to drive her home but she insisted that she didn’t need a man to take care of her. Insisted that she would be fine. Insisted that she’d done this dozens of times and nothing had ever happened. Insisted she was brave enough, strong enough, and smart enough to take care of herself. All four boys stopped breathing when the nurse exited the room once she thought Lav was settled enough to be on her own. She looked up at FP and shook her head. “This is bad FP.” “How is she?” FP asked, keeping his voice level and calm though he was everything but. “Resting.” The nurse said. “She’s been through a lot. Collecting the evidence is always the worst part for the victim.” There were a collection of bags in her hands along with notes detailing everything Lavender was able to tell her. “I’ll ask her more questions when she’s sober. The doctor still needs to take a look at her, but I would guess she has a concussion, cracked ribs, and I suspect that her wrist is broken but she wouldn’t let us do x-rays earlier. We stitched everything that required it, put bandages on everything else. They worked her over good, FP, but she fought. She fought like hell. Not that it did much against four grown men.” His frown deepened, an expression mirrored by the younger boys. “Be honest, are we going to find who did this?” “I collected some blood and skin under her fingernails. She made sure to grab a fistful of hair too. If there’s any other evidence on her clothes or from what I combed from her hair then forensics will find it.” She told him. “No semen?” FP asked, not wanting to say it but knowing he had to. She let out a sad sigh, “they used a foreign object. She wouldn’t tell me what, but I’ll ask again once she’s had a chance to rest. This wasn’t about sex. This was about power. The doctor is going to do a more thorough physical examination now that I’ve done what I need to. It’s going to be a while, we’re busy as hell tonight.” “Thanks Lorraine.” FP said with nothing less than sincerity. She nodded at him before taking the evidence to where it needed to be stored for the deputy who was coming to pick it up. “Those mother fuckers.” Fangs hissed out, “they’re going to pay for this.” Sweet Pea was just as angry, even if he didn’t really like Lavender. To him she had just been some Northsider with serpent blood, much like Jughead. She hadn’t proven herself. Sure she did the serpent dance and went through initiation but it wasn’t like she’d ever actually done anything for them. He didn’t care about her but the thought that the Ghoulies had done this to one of their own? That he did care about and he thirsted for revenge just as much as his best friend did. “Do we know for sure it was the Ghoulies?” Jughead dared to ask. “If we retaliate and it wasn’t them, then it’ll start a war.” FP was almost too lost in thought to hear him. Before he could answer Sweet Pea growled a response, “who the fuck else would do this?” “Someone wanting to frame the Ghoulies.” Jughead said flatly. It wasn’t that he didn’t think they were guilty. He just wanted all bases covered. FP understood this, but still didn’t quite like what he son was getting at. 

“There’s a tell in how they do things.” FP said. “A signature.” Lav wasn’t the first Serpent to be raped by the Ghoulies and he doubt she’d be the last. There had been two other victims in the past ten years who had been assaulted by the Ghoulies in a similar fashion. There was one blinding similarity: the object they used to violate the women. Jughead seemed to figure it out while the other two boys were left in the dark. “So? What is it?” Fangs pressed, his voice desperate for answers that FP just didn’t have. FP let out an aggravated sigh, “we need to find out what they used, but if she’s not ready to say then I don’t want to push her. Sweet Pea, Fangs, I’m assigning you to protection detail in case they decide to go for another round. Just until she’s healed up. Take shifts, do whatever, just don’t leave her side. In the meantime, Jughead and I will get to the bottom of this.” There was another tense, quiet moment. “I need to get this figured out, come with me Jug. You two stay here. I don’t reckon she’s going to be up for visitors for some time. I’ll be back in a few hours to check in.” FP said before leaving with his son to look into the other two cases that happened years ago. Fangs and Sweet Pea sat for a while without speaking, fists clenched so hard that their knuckles were white. “I know you don’t like her, Sweets. I can watch her myself.” Fangs said after a while of agitated silence. The doctor had swept past them and was inside now examining her with the help of Lorraine. “No, it’s my job too.” Sweet Pea stated hotly, not disagreeing with the fact that he didn’t like Lavender but also not liking that this had happened to her. “She didn’t deserve this.” “I know…I should have just taken her drunk ass home.” Fangs said with a sigh, his voice cracking near the end. Sweet Pea glanced at him, “it’s not your fault. She’s stubborn as fuck. Everyone knows it. No one’s going to blame you, Fangs.”

*~~~~~~~~~~~*

Lavender woke up the next day even sorer than she had been the night before. She didn’t remember much other than the pain. Her right eye was still swollen shut. There were stitches along the four evenly placed gashes across her face where the pointed brass knuckles had caught her skin. Her lip was busted. She looked down with her good eye to see a cacophony of bandages and a cast on her left wrist. She could feel think bandaging around her ribcage which hurt like hell. At first she couldn’t remember how she got there. It all came back in an achingly slow pace. The drinking, the attack, someone picking her up, the nurse…She remembered the exam more than anything else for some reason. Her dreams were all haunted memories of painted up ghouls and it was hard to ignore the pain between her legs. A soft snore caused her to turn her head to see Fangs sleeping quietly in the chair next to her bed. “Fangs,” She rasped out, not recognizing her voice. He didn’t stir, “Fogarty, wake up.” She said, a little louder. His snoring promptly stopped and his eyes fluttered open, “Lav? Hey baby, you’re awake.” He smiled at her, trying not to look distraught by her appearance. The bruising was so much worse now than it had been last night. “How you feel?” She stared at him for a moment, tears welling up into her eyes making Fangs instantly regret his question. “Hey, hey it’s okay.” He said, getting up to grab her good hand. “It’s okay to not feel okay.” Lav forced a small laugh “That doesn’t make sense…” She muttered, squeezing his hand weakly. “Did you bring me here?” He nodded, “Sweat Pea carried you while I drove. Do you not remember?” “It’s a blur.” She mumbled. “Sweet Pea? But he hates me.” Fangs’ thumb rubbed against her skin to try and sooth her. “He doesn’t hate you. In fact, we’ve been assigned to watch over you while you get better.” She let out a groan, “I don’t need babysitters.” “Yea, you do.” FP said firmly as he entered the room. “That’s not up for negotiation.” Lavender frowned as she looked at her king. He was holding a cup of coffee in one hand and a duffel bag in the other. She quickly looked away, feeling too ashamed to meet his eyes. “How do you-“ FP started but Fangs quickly did a throat cutting motion to get him to stop before he upset her again. He cleared his throat, “The doctor says you can come home today but you’ll still need your rest. He’s giving you a few prescriptions. Something for pain, nausea, and some antibiotics to make sure none of your cuts become infected. I’ve already picked up some gauze and bandages to keep you wrapped up tighter than a mummy.” She chanced a glance up at him, “thanks, dad.” She joked lightly. Her father had died a year before of a bad motorcycle accident. Her mother left only months prior to that. She was alone now and the Serpents were all she had. Her dad and FP had been best friends, he was his right hand man. When she visited her father every other weekend, half the time she would spend it at the Jones’ trailer. “So…what was the damage?” Lavender asked, genuinely curious despite the sickening churn of anxiety in her stomach. FP sighed softly, “Concussion, fractured orbital bone, broken nose, broken wrist, three broken ribs, dozens of stitches. You really ran the gamut.” He paused for a moment, “Fangs and Sweet Pea are going to stay with you in your trailer, okay? They’ll have you feeling right as rain in no time.” FP said, setting the coffee down on the bedside table for her. “I got it just the way you like it. Three creams, no sugar.”

She gave him a sheepish smile before taking a sip of the bean juice. “It’s perfect, thanks…but, Sweet Pea? Are you sure?” “What? Not good enough for you, Northsider?” Sweet Pea asked, having been right outside the door. He was in the doorframe now, staring her down as he filled it completely. She was able to hold his gaze much longer than she held FP’s, “no, that’s not it.” She said flatly. “I guess your giant self will scare away any Ghoulie.” Sweet Pea continued to frown. Fangs chuckled, “damn straight, baby. When can she get out of here, FP?” “Hold your horses, it’ll be at least another hour.” FP said. “They have to get the discharge paperwork ready, Lorraine needs to ask a few follow up questions, and I’ll need to pick up the prescriptions. I brought some clothes for you from your trailer since yours are locked up with evidence.” “My shoes…” Lav mumbled, suddenly feeling like her whole identity had been ripped from her. Her nickname, her persona, everything came from those light purple ratty low tops she wore every day. They were in that good broken in stage where they were molded to her feet perfectly, and she could wear them without socks and not get blisters if she was in a hurry. She never had to untie them because they were stretched enough to where she could slip her feet in and out with no fuss. Sure the whites were no longer white and the purple was now muted with dirt but still…they were a part of her soul. Fangs was quiet, not knowing how to console her on that. He just held her hand tighter. FP dug through the duffel and pulled out a pair of shoes, setting them on her legs delicately. They looked identical to the ones she had lost…well, when they were new at least. Sure they weren’t broken in and she’d have blisters the first week or so wearing them but…the mere sentiment had tears in her eyes. “Thanks, FP...For everything.” “You just have to promise me to get better as soon as possible.” FP told her softly, as if he were a father speaking to his daughter. “Okay? We’re going to find who did this and we’re going to make them pay.” Lav just nodded meekly. They were going to fucking pay.

[takingcourage]

A Game of Make Believe

Pairing: Luke Harper x MC (Helena)

Word Count: 1,450

Summary: This is just a little bit of fluff set between Chapters 4 and 5 of Book 2. If you’re romancing Harper, you cannot persuade me that Briar didn’t contrive to allow MC and Harper some time together during the “several” days they spent in Grovershire. What might they find to do in such a situation?

Note: This is my first time writing Helena and Harper outside of my Gothic AU; however, it almost certainly won’t be my last. This piece has been sitting unfinished in my Works in Progress folder for an embarrassing number of weeks, but the upcoming duel has me wanting something a little simpler for these two. I hope you enjoy!  

“I’m going to post a letter to Mr. Woods, Helena. You and Mr. Harper will have the whole house to yourselves in the meantime.” Briar’s dark brows bobbed encouragingly, fingers deft in their efforts to secure the bonnet ties under her chin. “And I’ll take the long way into town, so I shall be gone at least an hour.”

Briar never has been one for subtlety, Helena reflected, trying to disguise her interest by picking up speed with her needles. The wooden sticks clicked furiously, but she couldn’t stop the flaming blush that was creeping over her cheeks.

“Relax, Helena,” Briar patted her shoulder in reassurance. “I know you’re much too wise to do anything scandalous. But you’ve had no time together since that detour through the woods. I thought you might like some time alone.” Without another word, Briar tugged open the door, the hastily scrawled letter clutched between her fingers.

Helena had to bite her lip to keep from giggling at the wink Briar threw over her shoulder as she crossed the threshold. Keeping her fingers steady, she reached the end of the row and placed her knitting on the couch cushion. It was foolish to spend her time in such employment when she had the prospect of time with Mr. Harper.

Rising, she tucked a stray curl behind her ear and straightened out the wrinkles that had settled into the layers of her skirt. Although the heat had left her cheeks, the speedy rhythm of her heart told her that all had not returned to normal. 

She found him precisely where she expected: behind the cottage with the horses. Taking advantage of his distracted state, she stood for a moment, admiring. Mr. Harper leant down, Clover’s hoof balanced on his knee while he removed debris with a small pick. His hands, well accustomed to the task, worked with a competence that Helena found mesmerizing. Not for the first time, she marveled at the gentleness in those large hands. 

There was great power in his form, but it was tempered by the kindest heart she’d ever known. It was one of the things she loved best about him. Without doubt, it was one of the reasons she felt so confident that her father would have approved of their love for one another. Even without the social station to protect her, she never had cause to fear when he was at her side. Their encounter with the highwaymen had more than proven that. 

His job complete, he rose to his feet and patted the horse’s flank. “That’s much better, isn’t it?” Clover nickered happily, and Helena could no longer hide her presence. 

“It’s a lovely morning, you know.” The words startled him, but the warmth in her smile made up for any unease she may have caused. “I’m certain the horses can manage quite well on their own for a while.”

“They seem to like it here,” he agreed, smoothing Clover’s shining coat one final time before leaving her to graze on the long grass. Recent days had been a bit cooler than was usual for May, but Grovershire was home to hardy stock. There was ample green for both horses to take their fill.

“Briar has left for town and won’t be back for some time. I think she worries that we’ve had no time together.”

“You know that I can never refuse such an opportunity.”  

“In that case, I thought that we might engage in one of your games of pretend, Mr. Harper. But with our eyes open this time,” she beamed at him, joy spreading through her as he returned a wide smile.

“What are we pretending today?”

“First we will imagine that there is no duke. And that I am not a lady of Edgewater. That this cottage exists just for the two of us. You’ll be…” she thought for the space of several moments before taking the scenario further. “You can be a farmer, and I, your wife. I spend my days knitting socks and tending to all of the animals that we keep.”

“Animals?” he inquired lightly.

She turned back to him, eyes wide. “Of course! How can you forget all of our chickens? The old milk cow? And the drove of pigs we bought last season?” she clicked her tongue in disgust.

He assumed a look of mock horror, but Helena caught the twitch at the corner of his mouth. “I don’t know what I was thinking. But you mustn’t forget our horses either.” Noting her omission, he inclined his head toward Clover. The horse paid him little mind, losing herself again in the undergrowth.

Helena ventured toward him, offering her hand as they walked toward the cottage. The green of his eyes was especially evident under the stippled light that shone through a canopy of trees. Her words caught in her throat as she noted the sparks of emerald. “I could never forget our horses. How else would we go for our evening rides through the forest?”

“An excellent question.” They made their way around the side of the cottage, stepping carefully to avoid trampling Mrs. Daly’s flowers. He lightly squeezed the bare fingers resting on his forearm. Helena’s pulse quickened again at the contact, skin tingling with a sudden rush of heat. 

“And this garden is your handiwork as well?”

Her wandering mind censured, Helena glanced at the flowering bushes by their feet. “Indeed, it is.” She stretched out the hand at her side, skimming the pad of her finger along the fragile blossoms. “Come to think of it, I really ought to grow more vegetables,” she pondered, eyes on the empty plot of ground before her. “What would I need to grow to make your mother’s soupikandia?”

Her quick glance at his face sent a thrill of giddy delight through her frame, for she saw surprise mingled alongside the fondness she had come to expect in these moments together.

“I’m not sure that they would grow in England.”

“But this is pretend. We may grow anything we like.”

“Forgive me, I’d forgotten.”

Helena’s mouth opened slightly, but snapped shut again in her uncertainty.

“We would need okra,” he resumed after a pause. 

“I’ve never heard of it!” Helena burst, unable to contain her curiosity. 

He laughed for a moment. “I’m not sure anyone grows it in England. It’s quite different to any of the vegetables you’re used to, but it’s one of the ingredients that makes soupikandia delicious.”

“Then we must have it. I will ask after seeds the next time I’m at market.” The words, though uttered under the guise of make believe, still held all the earnestness of a promise that bore no pretense.  

“You’re quite accommodating, my lady.”

“You seem to forget how well we are acquainted, my lord,” she jested mildly. “I should hardly expect my husband to use such titles.” 

And if you were my husband, she considered, I would do anything I could to make you smile. I would do it anyway, she realized suddenly. Overwhelmed by a depth of feeling, she masked her blush by hurriedly sweeping the hair from her eyes.

“I seem to have lost my skill at pretending, Helena,” he murmured quietly, stroking her cheek with a broad thumb. She leaned into his touch, relishing the solid warmth of his flesh as her eyes closed involuntarily. The breath of his sigh tickled the hair on her cheek, and she sensed his closeness even before her eyelids fluttered open.

“So have I.” Pushing up to the balls of her feet, Helena closed the slight distance between them, pressing her lips to his own. It had been only a matter of days since the last time they had last kissed, yet it felt an eternity to Helena.

“My love for you is more real than anything I’ve ever known,” he told her softly.

“I look forward to the day when we no longer have to pass our time with such games. I’m ready for reality with you.”

“Our time will come. I promise that.”

“Do you really think so? It is easy to believe such things here,” she gestured to the countryside that surrounded them. “But in Edgewater there is still much that stands between us.”

“Helena, if I thought all was lost, I would have asked after a minster on our first morning here. Knowing that you feel as deeply toward me as I feel toward you, I will not cease fighting until our future is secured.” 

Contented, she drew him to her for the first of many subsequent kisses. No matter how many days of pretending might lie before them, she knew without a doubt that real life together would follow. 

[sussex-nature-lover]

Thursday 18th February 2021

Robins, Robins and yet more Robins. Part 1

This photograph was taken late afternoon last week, when the light level was low both inside and out and was captured on my mobile phone - wouldn’t you know it, the camera battery was on charge, but hey, it’s better than nothing and I have enhanced it on the laptop to check that my eyes weren’t deceiving me.

Second pane down on the left, one Robin on the Tower ‘Italy’

Third pane down on the left, four Robins

Third pane down/second pane in three Robins - one is at the LHS rear of the  hanging feeder set on the ground behind the seed tray

Third full pane down on our right, one Robin on the brow of the bank.

A total of nine Robins

Now, you might wonder why I’m highlighting this poor quality photo? but it’s only in the last couple of weeks that my nature Guru challenged me to capture three Robins within the same frame. I kept talking about how many Robins we were seeing and I was quite conscious that I probably sounded like rather a windup merchant, but as you can see, even if you discount the less visible bird by the hanging feeder on the ground, a count of eight in one shot is beyond amazing really.

I’ve also reported to Guru that there is very little evidence of any aggression, the House Sparrows are far and away more aggressive at the feeders and they’re well known to be sociable and tolerant of each other, even nesting very close together. You can buy Sparrow Terraces for nesting: now that IS close.

Example design

Sociable Sparrows feeding together

By contrast, Robins, known to be the ‘Gardener’s Friend’ who will even come and take mealworms or suet from your hand, are not so friendly with other Robins. Their pretty and distinctive red breast is actually, in the males at least, a tool for their breeding capability - in terms of desirability and attractiveness -  and dominance. Males can be so aggressive that they have been known to fight to the death and the reason juvenile Robins mature without the customary red plumage, is to protect them from attack by older and stronger birds. 

Juvenile Robins seen in August, note the speckled head and neck and the merest flush of red breast

Here’s one that was made earlier

Dominant birds, take the highest perches, sing the loudest and have the biggest and brightest breasts. It would seem they have all the tricks.

This tail bobbing is also a territorial gesture

Because we know all these things about Britain’s (probably) most loved garden bird, then it’s all the more curious why so many would tolerate each other within one garden. I have a vague theory that the garden is extensive, both front, sides and back, with lots of hospitable habitat and of course, we have the whole of the woods beyond. I reckoned that given we provide a generous amount of food, drinking water, bathing options and potential nest sites which aren’t in close proximity, then perhaps the Robins have relaxed somewhat and adopted a ‘room for everyone’ approach. Highly unusual obviously, but perhaps not impossible. Just for reference, the width of the patch at the beginning of this piece is approx 7′6″.

The other thing I noticed is that there appear to be two distinct types of Robin, with some overlapping between them.

Here’s an example of the type of bird we’re most familiar with

What I note is a slender and sleek profile, it’s a very recognisable silhouette; the extensive deep coloured face and breast travelling down to the belly, which is a light grey colour, just paler than the grey S shape from eye level between the breast and the wing.

There are three subspecies of Robin that concern us: the British Robin (ssp. melophilus), the Continental Robin (nominate subspecies rubecula) and the Russian Robin (ssp. tataricus). It is always vital in developing skill in identifying races to get to know the plumages and movement of the local form first.

Now quite obviously in severe weather birds can fluff out their feathers to trap air as a layer of insulation and puff out their body shape quite considerably, but during the past week when it was so cold here, there was still a distinction best evidenced by these birds below and that’s even giving leeway for the difference in angles and poses.

What you can see here is a smaller but much rounder, more compact bird and whether it’s here or there, I think this shape often has a shorter tail.  It’s very evident from the side profile and behind. The breast is a lighter and brighter orangey colour and much less extensive and the underbelly is a snowy white. You can see far less and lighter grey and more soft brown plumage.

A selection of different Robins last week

I needed to do some reading up around the topic and found excellent notes from the late Martin Garner.

We must consider the time of year and the tones of the plumage:

Adult Robins have one complete post-breeding moult per year, so in Autumn birds are in fresh and darker fully saturated plumage. 

Spring birds will have older, paler and more worn plumage. 

Females average very slightly paler on the breast than males. 

First-winters average a little paler on the breast and upperparts than adults. 

Thus, while the differences are subtle, adult males in Autumn are the darkest, and second-calendar-year females in Spring are the palest.

Because of high mortality in the first year of life, a robin has an average life expectancy of 1.1 years; however, once past its first year it can expect to live longer and one robin has been recorded as reaching 19 years of age - Wikipedia

NB The Woodland Trust has a slightly more optimistic c2 years estimate

We also need to consider the age and maturity of the bird. It’s not always possible to tell, although again, Autumn with fresh plumage is the best time to try. I often fall to my own flight of fancy in saying a bird or animal has ‘a young look about it’ 

All ages can have pale thorn-shaped tips to the greater coverts - these are the contouring feathers which cover the base of the flight feathers. Tips on adults are smaller, slightly darker orange and less obvious. 

On first-winters, the buff tips tend to be large and pale, almost a round-bottomed triangle on the middle and outer greater covets. 

Adults also have more rounded tips to the tail feathers, which come to a tapered point on first-winters.

Of particular note is that first-winter females often have no blue-grey in the forecrown, which is usually present in other plumages.

I’m never going to remember all that and will find myself constantly referring back.

First Winter male bird judging by the buff tips and crown?

All of these Robins, except for the juveniles of course, have been photographed in my garden within the past two weeks and believe me, I have hundreds more photographs.

It’s lunch time now and this has rather gone on a bit, I haven’t even come to the Nature Watch second theory part either, so I will eat and reflect and make a part two to the big Robin mystery entry and post other photos that I haven’t used here. Look out for it tomorrow as it needs some thought to try and ensure I don’t tie myself up in knots.

In the meantime here is my current favourite Robin, purely because it’s exceptionally easy to identify. I’ve called it The Joker.

Others in the series are Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs and Spades.

You can’t mistake the pattern on that breast can you!

Conservation of the Robin

The biggest threat to Robins is prolonged, severe winter weather. During cold nights robins use up to 10% of their body weight to stay warm. If they are unable to replenish these fat reserves, it can be fatal. Providing food on bird tables during cold weather can make a big difference to their survival.

Did you know?

The Robin became the iconic bird of Christmas in the Victorian era, when postmen were nicknamed robins due to their red waistcoats. Robins began to appear on Christmas cards to represent the postmen who delivered them.

What Did I Learn Today?

The UK Robin population has increased by 45% since the 1970s and continues to rise. Hoorah! (Probably mostly in our back garden 😊)

NOTE FROM THE KITCHEN:

Lunch is actually brunch. A bake at home baguette warm from the oven, with grilled back bacon and fresh tomato slices. The tomatoes have been cooked with a little thyme and a spot of Balsamic vinegar for extra flavour.

[bhandalsmilestudio]

5 Star Rated Pricing for Dental Implants

Table of Contents7 methods for Dental Implants Near MeDental Implant Cost Near MeA Guarantee for Dental Implants Cost Per ToothThe unknown truths about Price Of Dental ImplantsThe secret truths about Dental Implants Before And AfterTrusted Dental Implants Cost Per ToothPrinciples Uncovered regarding Dental Implants Near MeQuestions about Full Dental Implants

You should also commit to keeping these structures healthy. Precise oral hygiene and routine dental visits are important to the long-lasting success of dental implants. Implants are usually more expensive than other approaches of tooth replacement. There are two kinds of implants that have actually been extensively evaluated: these are surgically implanted directly into the jawbone.

Finally, a synthetic tooth (or teeth) is connected to the post-individually, or grouped on a bridge or denture. these consist of a metal frame that is fitted onto the jawbone simply below the gum tissue. As the gums heal, the frame becomes fixed to the jawbone. Posts, which are connected to the frame, protrude through the gums.

Dental Implants Cost Uk Near Me

Implants normally last 10-20 years, depending on the place of the implant and patient compliance with oral health and dental check outs. Due to the fact that molars get more stress and wear and tear, these implants usually do not last as long as implants found at the front of your mouth.

Unknown but effective Dental Implant Cost

A dental implant is used to support several false teeth. It is a titanium screw that can replace the root of a tooth when it stops working. Just like a tooth root, it is positioned into the jawbone. Implants are a safe, well-established treatment. It’s most likely true to say that implants, much like natural teeth, will last for as long as you care for them.

If you do not take care of your implants they will develop a covering similar to what you get on disregarded natural teeth. Left without treatment, this can result in gum infection, bleeding, discomfort and basic pain. For professional advice get in touch with Bhandal Dental Practice (Coventry), 298A-C, Foleshill Rd, Coventry CV6 5AH. Phone: 0247 668 6690. You could get all these problems with natural teeth. If your implants are well cared for, and if the bone they are fitted to is strong and healthy, you can anticipate them to last for many years.

Yes. You can have any number of teeth changed with implants – from one single tooth to a complete set. It depends upon the condition of the bone in your jaw. Your dentist will arrange for a variety of unique tests to discover the amount of bone still there. full mouth dental implants.

Dental Practices and Full Dental Implants

Putting an implant is typically simpler than taking a tooth out and is usually done utilizing an easy local anaesthetic. You will not feel any pain at the time however, simply like after an extraction, you may feel some discomfort throughout the week after the surgery. Often your dentist may provide you a sedative if you are extremely anxious or if the case is a complicated one.

Your dental team will have the ability to offer you a rough timetable prior to the treatment begins. Some incorrect teeth can now even be fitted at the very same time as the implants (these are called ‘instant implants’). Consult your dental team to see whether these appropriate for you. Typically the false teeth are fitted 3 to 4 months after the implants are put in.

Your dental group will offer you instructions on how to take care of your implant. They might offer you some pain relievers after the surgery – or ensure you have some in the house – to take over the next few days if you require them. After your implants have actually been put, the bone in your jaw needs to grow onto them and fuse to them.

Dental Services and Dental Implants Cost Uk

Sometimes the implants may be steady enough when they are placed for the false teeth to be fitted sooner than this. If you are having one, two or three teeth replaced, you may have a short-lived in the meantime. If you already have full dentures, you can keep wearing these while your implants are healing.

No. However aftercare is essential if you are going to have a long-lasting, successful implant. Your dental team needs to give you comprehensive recommendations on how to take care of your implants. Cleaning around the teeth connected to the implants disappears tough than cleaning up natural teeth. However, there may be areas that are tough to reach and you’ll be revealed how to clean them.

Yes, if you don’t care for them all right. If you keep them tidy and have them frequently examined by your dental team you ought to not have any problems. Smoking cigarettes also affects the health of implants. So, if you smoke, you might require to take care of your implants more carefully.

Approved Dentist Full Dental Implants

A lot of teeth connected to implants can only be fitted and gotten rid of by the dentist. However, if you have detachable dentures connected to the implants, you’ll be able to take them out for cleaning. A lot of implants look exactly like natural teeth. If you have a single tooth missing, you will require an implant to support it.

Or you might discover that, if you have 2 or more implants, they might be able to support more than one tooth each. Your dentist will talk with you about the finest alternative for you. Implants and the teeth they support can be damaged by a mishap in the exact same way that natural teeth can.

You may our details about mouthguards helpful. If simply the teeth are harmed, they can generally be removed from the implant and replaced. However, if the titanium implant itself is damaged beyond repair, it can be securely left in the jaw if it is too tough to eliminate. Another implant might be fitted along with it to replace the damaged one. dental implants near me.

True insights into Dental Implant Cost

If the implant becomes loose throughout the healing period, or just after, it is quickly removed and your jaw will recover in the normal way. When your jaw has recovered, another implant can be placed there. Or the dentist can make a bridge, fitting it to the implanted false teeth that have achieved success.

Implants are readily available privately. Nevertheless, in lots of situations, the cost of the treatment is only a bit more than the cost of more conventional private dental treatment with crowns and bridges. Over the longer term, implants are generally a more affordable and acceptable option. There are other advantages to implants, too.

If you had a bridge, your dentist would require to do this and fit crowns to these teeth to support the bridge. Normal dentures frequently suggest that your eating and drinking are impacted due to the fact that the dentures may move about. However teeth attached to an implant do not trigger this issue, since they are anchored to the bone more strongly than natural teeth.

The unknown facts about Dental Implants Cost Uk

They may currently perform some or all of this type of treatment, and will provide you the advice you require. Or they might refer you to a skilled ‘implantologist’ for evaluation and treatment. Remember to ask:.

As one of the leading providers of, you will be glad we have the expertise to treat lots of cases within our center in Coventry. We are a dental practice in Coventry that has their own Cone Beam CT 3D scanner. This cutting edge innovation will enable us to carry out all necessary medical diagnosis on-site.

He is experienced in sophisticated implant strategies such as bone grafting and complete mouth rehabilitation. Dr Gary Wu and his team have the experience and expertise to make sure even the most difficult cases can be treated here with dental implants. We therefore receive numerous referrals from other dental professionals around Coventry and Warwickshire to treat some of the more complex cases using dental implants.

Secret facts about Full Dental Implants

7 methods for Dental Implants Before And After

It might seem a difficult dream however advances in dentistry mean that missing teeth can now be changed. Anyone with an unsteady, unsteady denture will tell you how insecure they feel about consuming in public or how they have needed to quit specific foods. Dental implants are a long-lasting option to missing teeth, and our clients state they feel similar to their natural teeth.

Peace of Mind for Bone Graft For Dental Implants

As soon as you enter our clinic, anticipate to be welcomed with a warm welcome. Here at Sardinia House Dental Practice, we do our finest to help our clients relax and feel at ease. Before you get your dental implants, we will do a full evaluation to determine if they are best for you.

Implants begin at 2000. After you go through with the surgery, we will have several follow-up visits to guarantee that your brand-new implants are healing perfectly. Set a visit with us today and we will more than happy to accommodate you.

The post 5 Star Rated Pricing for Dental Implants first appeared on Dental Treatment Central.

https://www.dentaltreatment.org.uk/5-star-rated-pricing-for-dental-implants/

[birminghamdentalreferrals]

5 Star Rated Pricing for Dental Implants

Table of Contents7 methods for Dental Implants Near MeDental Implant Cost Near MeA Guarantee for Dental Implants Cost Per ToothThe unknown truths about Price Of Dental ImplantsThe secret truths about Dental Implants Before And AfterTrusted Dental Implants Cost Per ToothPrinciples Uncovered regarding Dental Implants Near MeQuestions about Full Dental Implants

You should also commit to keeping these structures healthy. Precise oral hygiene and routine dental visits are important to the long-lasting success of dental implants. Implants are usually more expensive than other approaches of tooth replacement. There are two kinds of implants that have actually been extensively evaluated: these are surgically implanted directly into the jawbone.

Finally, a synthetic tooth (or teeth) is connected to the post-individually, or grouped on a bridge or denture. these consist of a metal frame that is fitted onto the jawbone simply below the gum tissue. As the gums heal, the frame becomes fixed to the jawbone. Posts, which are connected to the frame, protrude through the gums.

Dental Implants Cost Uk Near Me

Implants normally last 10-20 years, depending on the place of the implant and patient compliance with oral health and dental check outs. Due to the fact that molars get more stress and wear and tear, these implants usually do not last as long as implants found at the front of your mouth.

Unknown but effective Dental Implant Cost

A dental implant is used to support several false teeth. It is a titanium screw that can replace the root of a tooth when it stops working. Just like a tooth root, it is positioned into the jawbone. Implants are a safe, well-established treatment. It’s most likely true to say that implants, much like natural teeth, will last for as long as you care for them.

If you do not take care of your implants they will develop a covering similar to what you get on disregarded natural teeth. Left without treatment, this can result in gum infection, bleeding, discomfort and basic pain. For professional advice get in touch with Bhandal Dental Practice (Coventry), 298A-C, Foleshill Rd, Coventry CV6 5AH. Phone: 0247 668 6690. You could get all these problems with natural teeth. If your implants are well cared for, and if the bone they are fitted to is strong and healthy, you can anticipate them to last for many years.

Yes. You can have any number of teeth changed with implants – from one single tooth to a complete set. It depends upon the condition of the bone in your jaw. Your dentist will arrange for a variety of unique tests to discover the amount of bone still there. full mouth dental implants.

Dental Practices and Full Dental Implants

Putting an implant is typically simpler than taking a tooth out and is usually done utilizing an easy local anaesthetic. You will not feel any pain at the time however, simply like after an extraction, you may feel some discomfort throughout the week after the surgery. Often your dentist may provide you a sedative if you are extremely anxious or if the case is a complicated one.

Your dental team will have the ability to offer you a rough timetable prior to the treatment begins. Some incorrect teeth can now even be fitted at the very same time as the implants (these are called ‘instant implants’). Consult your dental team to see whether these appropriate for you. Typically the false teeth are fitted 3 to 4 months after the implants are put in.

Your dental group will offer you instructions on how to take care of your implant. They might offer you some pain relievers after the surgery – or ensure you have some in the house – to take over the next few days if you require them. After your implants have actually been put, the bone in your jaw needs to grow onto them and fuse to them.

Dental Services and Dental Implants Cost Uk

Sometimes the implants may be steady enough when they are placed for the false teeth to be fitted sooner than this. If you are having one, two or three teeth replaced, you may have a short-lived in the meantime. If you already have full dentures, you can keep wearing these while your implants are healing.

No. However aftercare is essential if you are going to have a long-lasting, successful implant. Your dental team needs to give you comprehensive recommendations on how to take care of your implants. Cleaning around the teeth connected to the implants disappears tough than cleaning up natural teeth. However, there may be areas that are tough to reach and you’ll be revealed how to clean them.

Yes, if you don’t care for them all right. If you keep them tidy and have them frequently examined by your dental team you ought to not have any problems. Smoking cigarettes also affects the health of implants. So, if you smoke, you might require to take care of your implants more carefully.

Approved Dentist Full Dental Implants

A lot of teeth connected to implants can only be fitted and gotten rid of by the dentist. However, if you have detachable dentures connected to the implants, you’ll be able to take them out for cleaning. A lot of implants look exactly like natural teeth. If you have a single tooth missing, you will require an implant to support it.

Or you might discover that, if you have 2 or more implants, they might be able to support more than one tooth each. Your dentist will talk with you about the finest alternative for you. Implants and the teeth they support can be damaged by a mishap in the exact same way that natural teeth can.

You may our details about mouthguards helpful. If simply the teeth are harmed, they can generally be removed from the implant and replaced. However, if the titanium implant itself is damaged beyond repair, it can be securely left in the jaw if it is too tough to eliminate. Another implant might be fitted along with it to replace the damaged one. dental implants near me.

True insights into Dental Implant Cost

If the implant becomes loose throughout the healing period, or just after, it is quickly removed and your jaw will recover in the normal way. When your jaw has recovered, another implant can be placed there. Or the dentist can make a bridge, fitting it to the implanted false teeth that have achieved success.

Implants are readily available privately. Nevertheless, in lots of situations, the cost of the treatment is only a bit more than the cost of more conventional private dental treatment with crowns and bridges. Over the longer term, implants are generally a more affordable and acceptable option. There are other advantages to implants, too.

If you had a bridge, your dentist would require to do this and fit crowns to these teeth to support the bridge. Normal dentures frequently suggest that your eating and drinking are impacted due to the fact that the dentures may move about. However teeth attached to an implant do not trigger this issue, since they are anchored to the bone more strongly than natural teeth.

The unknown facts about Dental Implants Cost Uk

They may currently perform some or all of this type of treatment, and will provide you the advice you require. Or they might refer you to a skilled ‘implantologist’ for evaluation and treatment. Remember to ask:.

As one of the leading providers of, you will be glad we have the expertise to treat lots of cases within our center in Coventry. We are a dental practice in Coventry that has their own Cone Beam CT 3D scanner. This cutting edge innovation will enable us to carry out all necessary medical diagnosis on-site.

He is experienced in sophisticated implant strategies such as bone grafting and complete mouth rehabilitation. Dr Gary Wu and his team have the experience and expertise to make sure even the most difficult cases can be treated here with dental implants. We therefore receive numerous referrals from other dental professionals around Coventry and Warwickshire to treat some of the more complex cases using dental implants.

Secret facts about Full Dental Implants

7 methods for Dental Implants Before And After

It might seem a difficult dream however advances in dentistry mean that missing teeth can now be changed. Anyone with an unsteady, unsteady denture will tell you how insecure they feel about consuming in public or how they have needed to quit specific foods. Dental implants are a long-lasting option to missing teeth, and our clients state they feel similar to their natural teeth.

Peace of Mind for Bone Graft For Dental Implants

As soon as you enter our clinic, anticipate to be welcomed with a warm welcome. Here at Sardinia House Dental Practice, we do our finest to help our clients relax and feel at ease. Before you get your dental implants, we will do a full evaluation to determine if they are best for you.

Implants begin at 2000. After you go through with the surgery, we will have several follow-up visits to guarantee that your brand-new implants are healing perfectly. Set a visit with us today and we will more than happy to accommodate you.

The post 5 Star Rated Pricing for Dental Implants first appeared on Dental Treatment Central.

https://www.dentaltreatment.org.uk/5-star-rated-pricing-for-dental-implants/

[lxiewrites]

Looking For You

HAPPY BIRTHDAY @ciuucalata!!! I LOVE YOU~~

This is seriously sappy. Like. Sappy sappy. I took a bath in tree sap sappy. I hope you like it!

If you asked Lance what he believed in he would say anything. There were no cuts, not what ifs, just the inborn belief that anything is possible. You can fly? Great, have a parachute handy. You believe in a higher power? Good for you bud, keep doing what you do. People have past lives? You bet that is something he believes in.

In fact, that is something that he is certain in. From his past lives he knows that’s where he gets his love of pizza, space, mermaids, and—his one true love—

The desert.

For years he has loved the desert. The vastness, the stark beauty, and the complete and utter possibility of it. There is something about that endless terrain that calls to him. The cold, starry nights that allow for clear stargazing. The peaceful quiet punctuated by the subtle noise of the wildlife.

There was something out there that he needed to see.

Which is why he’s out in the middle of the desert, tent pitched behind him, fire out, staring out at the endless sky through a telescope. As he focuses on the distant stars and glowing bodies of faraway planets he doesn’t notice the slight rumble of a hoverbike steadily getting closer.

He gazes into the vast darkness, wondering about the possibilities of outside life, ancient civilizations that are too shy to come visit, or advanced empires ready to share their cultures with them. A streak of light darts across the sky, a fading light that disappeared as fast as it came.

Lance smiles and closes his eyes, wishing for something he never thought he needed before.

The loud buzzing of a hoverbike was loud enough to capture his attention. Turning from his telescope he watches the biker, helmet encompassing his head, lean forward and rev the engine. The machine jumped before going even faster, aiming for a rock outcropping.

His heart jumps in his chest as he anticipates what the rider will do, either to jump it or some fancy maneuver to avoid it. His eyes wide and heart thumping in secondary adrenaline, but a feeling of calm settles on his shoulders. Some unknown force assuring him that the motorist would be fine.

He watches as the rider hoists on the handlebars easily making the jump over the rock formation; hand high in the air. He lands with practiced ease, making a wide turn to do it again when he notices his audience of one. Head bobbing back in surprise as he sees the witness to his stunt, hands fumbling with the controls as the machine stutters and bucks under him, throwing him off. The bike itself flips backward with too much momentum and no weight to balance it, landing upended almost on top of the rider.

Lance abandons his post, rushing over to the fallen rider, whose groaning was audible as he struggles to push himself off his back.

“Hey, man,” Lance starts as he ran to the guy’s side. “Are you okay?” He holds out a hand for the motorcyclist to grab onto. He does, pulling until he was on his feet and brushing off the red dust that clung to his black leather jacket.

“’M fine. Just startled me. I didn’t realize anyone was out here.” He grasps either side of his helmet and pulls it off.

Lance’s heart stutters in his chest and he swallows the sudden lump in his throat. The man before him is breathtaking. The cosmos are inky dark but shining with celestial bodies, illuminating the man before him with gentle blue light. His ruffled black hair is askew from his helmet, dark indigo eyes that matched the desert sky at sunset, pink lips that twist into a sheepish smile as he extends his hand to Lance. Who really should stop gawking and shake the hand in front of him.

He clasps the gloved hand in front of him with a still-awestruck smile. “The name’s Lance. Didn’t mean to startle you but that was a pretty sick move there.”

Those lips grew until it was a small, but genuine, smile. “Keith. Thanks, I don’t normally crash like that but people aren’t usually out here.”

It occurs to him he’s still holding Keith’s hand. He snatches it back and runs it through his hair before returning it to his jacket pocket. He answers the unasked question. “Yeah, I really wanted to come to the desert, always wanted to. Without the light pollution you can see pretty much everything.”

Keith nodded. “I get it. It’s why I’m out here so often. You go fast enough or jump high enough you feel like you can touch the stars.” His eyes shine like the stars he wants to touch. He stuffs his hands into his leather jacket and turns to the side, seeing something that Lance couldn’t. “I really want to see the ocean though. I feel like something’s waiting for me there.”

“You should go then! I felt the same with the desert and here I am.” Lance looks around him, the endlessness of it, like everything went on forever. “It’s beautiful. The ocean is pretty too, and the beaches. To be honest though, in my most humble opinion, the most beautiful one is—“

“Varadero.” They both finish.

Lance blinks at him and points at him. “Ho-how did you know what I was going to say?”

Keith looks at him with widened eyes, surprised at himself. His brow furrows a little bit, just enough for a small line to form. “I’m, I’m not sure. I just felt that that was the answer.”

Lance coughs into his fist; face hot for no reason. “Well, it was a pretty good guess.”

Keith chuckles, “I guess. Well,” He gestured with his thumb to the overturned bike behind him. “I should probably get going. But it was nice meeting you, Lance.”

“Yeah, yeah, man. It was nice meeting you too.” For some reason, he clasps the hand in front of him and instead of shaking it he pulled the unsuspecting man into one of those manly bro hugs. Hands snug between their bodies and an instinctive reaction has him patting Keith on the back.

Letting him go Keith smiles and walks over to his bike. Righting it he gets on to drive away, but not before waving goodbye before he was too small to see.

-

Lance walks down a familiar boardwalk, smiling and waving at people who remember him from when he was just this tall.

To him, visiting home was always a warm welcome. People who missed him making sure to ask about his life, how was his mother, what he’s doing with that fancy degree of his, and playing him with free food. He laughs it all off and heads to the beach. The one that isn’t crowded by tourists. The one with cerulean water, clear and warm. The sun-bleached sand so fine it feels like silk in-between his toes. The harsh sun beating overhead in the clear blue sky only dissuaded by a few cumulus clouds.

He picks up the few pieces of trash that made their way on shore, reminding himself to bring a bag to pick up the pile in the next few hours. Soaking in the warmth of the sun and breathing in the salty air into his lungs he just lets himself be. Let himself live in the moment, to appreciate this life that the universe has given him.

He fulfilled his dream of going to the desert, and while it felt that piece in him feels a little less empty, he knows that there’s more waiting for him somewhere. Something more he knows can be added to his life. He knows that he can’t force fate but that doesn’t mean he can’t be a little impatient in the meantime.

He looks up to see someone down the beach. Not a local, taken from that he doesn’t recognize them. Red swim trunks low on his hips, hands in the pockets, staring at the ocean. The ocean breeze whipping the man’s little black ponytail around. Walking closer Lance realizes that he does recognize him. Looking slightly different than head to toe in black leather during a chilly desert night.

He waves as he approaches. “Hey! What are you doing here?”

Keith turned around, eyes wide before relaxing and smiling wide. He waves back, less dramatic but nonetheless enthusiastic. “Well, I thought I would visit the most beautiful beach. What are you doing here?”

Lance shrugs. “Hometown. Visiting the family. Did you find what you were looking for?”

Keith looks around him, eyes softening at the distant line where the sky meets the ocean. He looks back over at Lance and tilts his head. “Maybe…” He moves deeper so the saltwater lapped at his knees. “Did you?”

Lance closes his eyes and turns his face to the sun, the rays soaking into his bones. He takes a deep breath the salty air and a hint of dry desert filling his lungs. He looks over back at Keith. “Yeah, I think so.”

They fall into a companionable silence, wading through the clear sea before drying off on the warm sand and doing it all over again until the sky pinkened and purpled. The shade so close to Keith’s eyes but not quite the same hue as the desert sunsets.

A few stars dotted the pink and purple, the colors giving away to indigo and midnight. Lance looks over at Keith who was rolling up his towel, compelled to say something. Something that would make the other man stay for even a few more minutes.

Lance worries his bottom lip, a little fidgety as he tries to think of something. When Keith was done he looks at him, mouth opened before closing again and shaking his head. He smiles at Lance. “It was nice seeing you, Lance. If you’re ever in the desert again hit me up.”

“Wait, Keith,” Next thing he knew he had Keith’s wrist in a loose hold. “Would you…” He swallows and tries again. “Do you like Cuban food?”

Keith’s mouth quirks up. “As much as I like other foods.”

“Cool, cool, uh, would you like to have dinner with me and my family? No pressure or anything but it’s been a while since they fed someone and I think they’d really like you. And hey, it’s free food?”

Keith threw his head back and laughed. Again, breathtaking. Framed by stars and a pink-purple-blue sky, the symphony of the ocean serenading them in that moment, laughing, eyes scrunched up in mirth, his neck displayed calling for someone to kiss it. Lance could feel his breath get caught in his chest, making his heart ache.

“…Is that a yes?”

Keith laughed again and nodded through his giggles. “That’s a yes.”

Lance felt something slot into that empty sliver in him, something in there locked into place as Keith twined their fingers together; letting the Cuban man lead him to his family.

Looking back on these moments and you asked what Lance believed him he would respond with anything. He believes in the impossible. In life outside of Earth, in giant flying robots, in quiet moments with his loved ones. He believed in the serene desert night, the warmth of the Cuban sun. He believed in the stars, he believed in sunsets. He believed that in his past life he loved pizza, mermaids, space, the desert, the ocean, and—his one true love—

Keith Kogane.

Ao3

[thesimplyluxuriouslife]

172: How to Refine Your Style: In Your Wardrobe & Life

~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #172

~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate: iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio

"For me, style is zee whole package: how you dress, talk, move and behave. It all goes together into that first-impression equation. It shouldn't be confused with chic; an extremely chic or well-dressed woman may have zero sense of style. Style is definitely more about who the person is inside. Confidence and individuality are two strong assets for developing your personal style. Can it be taught? To a certain extent, yes, but at the end of the day it has to do a lot with being bien dans sa peau, knowing thyself and having balance in one's life." —Mireille Guiliano, Women, Work & the Art of Savoir Faire

With a new season of clothing and a new season at work as we all return from rest and relaxation, some of us from travels, some of us simply from a lighter schedule or at least different one as we work with everyone else's change of schedules during the summer months. As is the case, the shift provides an opportunity to reassess, restructure, edit and start fresh or press restart. Mireille Guiliano is often a woman I look to for inspiration when it comes to living well and finding success in a career in equal proportion. In her book Women, Work & The Art of Savoir Faire, she speaks to the goal of attaining one's unique style and therefore presence as we go about our work days, meeting potential clients, customers or fellow colleagues. Inspired by the quote above, I created my own list of prepping for September as I too will be heading back into my teaching schedule and always am I re-examining how to refine my way of living to elevate the quality as summer ends and fall begins. So often summer provides an opportune time to reflect, recharge, reassess what is and isn't working and come to the end of August with ideas. Let's take a look at six ways to refine your Style:

1. Select and keep quality

As was discussed last Thursday with Helen Raptis on AM Northwest regarding curating a Capsule Wardrobe, when we welcome quality we save ourselves time and money in the long run as well as elevate our confidence as we have selected items that work best with our bodies and lifestyle. As well, selecting quality comes into play when we select our words, select the food we enjoy, select the people we welcome into our inner circle, select how we spend our free time. I will admit I need my television show GGTD on Bravo from time to time to unwind and just tune out, but I also have a news magazine to read, PBS saved as one of my favorite channels and a book offering knowledge I hadn't yet absorbed. Today, examine your life. Where is the quality and what is standing in its way? What feeds you in a way that lifts you up, reinvigorates you and cultivates enthusiasm to live and live well? Sometimes things, people, ways of thinking enter our mind over a period of time, months, etc. that as we contemplate them, do not serve us well. It's hard to notice at first because it's gradual, but over time, we can compare the before and after and recognize a decline in the quality of our energy, excitement, hope, health or anything that we wish to strengthen. Look where you feel depleted and ask why. Often the answer is to eliminate something that is no longer acting in a way that is elevating the quality of your life and unfortunately minimizing it.

2. Be honest about your body

As Mireille reminds in her book, nobody's body is perfect. Nobody's. But often we berate ourselves for not being what we hope we might look like. Find what you love about your physique. If you notice something you can improve that would enhance your health, create a plan and approach to make the changes you seek; otherwise and/or in the meantime, adorn your body so that you love what you wear and therefore you radiate a self-confidence that is inviting and engaging. Tweaking your capsule wardrobe closet will take time, but add one quality blouse that works with at least two other items you already have will give you two more outfits that make you look and feel your best. ~On Friday September 1st, TSLL Fall 2017 Shopping Guide will go live here on the blog.

3. Own your style and celebrate the uniqueness of others

As I shared in this post a few months ago, our signature style will continue to evolve. However, upon knowing and feeling confident in the style you have chosen for your body, lifestyle and personality, you can step into each morning with confidence and celebrate, rather than mimic or feel envious of others'. I admire Meghan Markle's style on USA's Suits. Her slim frame, just-below-the-knee pencil skirts and neatly tucked cashmere sweaters. And while I draw inspiration for ideas on what to pair with my signature style, I celebrate her physique and recognize I have a more muscular frame. The beauty of loving your own style is that you are more open and celebratory of others not only in what they wear, but what they do. We liberate ourselves from unnecessary loss of energy when we do not dwell on what we aren't but rather embrace what we are and what we know we can be as we look for inspiration.

4. Find time to be well

Your life requires healthy fuel in order for you to reach your optimal potential. Such healthy fuel comes in the form of a restful, deep night's sleep in a bed that beckons, cuddles and restores you; a mind that is given the tools to understand how to let go of what is not helpful; a day, each day, that is given time to breathe, moments to step away from expectations and catch your breathe, gather the proper perspective and return anew; exercise that excites, reduces stress and strengthens and cares for your body; ideas, art, information that broadens your mind and deepens your understanding of your role in it; and moments to engage with others in a way that is healthy, loving, playful and kind. As well, knowing what activities you can engage in that will reduce your stress when you find yourself overwhelmed is a tool to learn as there will be days when the unexpected happens.

5. Clarify your journey

Why are you doing what you are doing? Why are you living the way you are living? What do you hope to cultivate in your everydays and in your future by going about your precious 24 hours the way you do? Are you spending your money in a way that supports your goals? Are you spending time working on projects that are meaningful to you and align with the person you know you are? Even if you already have your goals set, take a moment and check in. Sometimes simply by seeing how we are progressing, we can be jumpstarted as we see how close we are to our goals.

6. Believe in a better tomorrow, savor today

No matter how wonderful or perhaps frustrating life may be right now, tomorrow has the potential to be beautifully bright. The key is how we approach our everydays. Have we cleared out the clutter and the weight that is holding us down, draining our energy and preventing us from being energized? If so, toss it and welcome the quality. What is our attitude? Do we need a mindset reboot? If so, seek out experts and books to help give you tools to reframe how you gaze at life.

“We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts we make the world.” —Dhammapada, by Thomas Byrom

Most importantly, is to recognize the beauty in the day you have right now. What is going well? Are you healthy? Are your loved ones healthy? As I type, Norman snores rhythmically and Oscar is snuggle by my side, the beautiful sky is calm with a hint of a breeze and there is food in the refrigerator. Maybe my heart is broken and maybe yours is too at this very moment, but there is so much to find goodness within if only we take time to look. Tomorrow will be better, but today can be quite sweet if we shift our perspective.   How we approach our days is the determining factor in the quality of our everydays. I consider those who have figured out how go about their days in such a way, style masters. It doesn't mean life won't throw them a curveball, it doesn't mean their clothing choices won't change as they move through the decades, but it does mean they adapt, stay centered, remain positive and resilient understanding the tools that are needed to be honed and strengthened always at the ready to be used to enhance the quality of their lives. My wish for you is that September begins on a most solid and sound footing. A beginning that offers hope, excitement and a beautiful fresh breath of goodness to savor and multiple as you appreciate what you have and radiate that goodness to those around you. ~SIMILAR POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

~Why Not . . . Gradually Prep for La Rentrée?

~September Back-to-School/Work Checklist

~Why Not . . . Savor the Last Days of Summer?

  Petit Plaisir:

Chamomile Flowers

Recently while stopping into my local Trader Joe's, I picked up a bundle of Chamomile flowers (see below - bottom left of the image). I was delighted as I hadn't seen such a flower in the store before and found the subtle scent ideal for the summer home decor. For fewer than five dollars, I picked it up and have been enjoying the bouquet in my house for over 10 days now. And the goodness of the Chamomile just gets better. As many of you know, I enjoy a cup of black tea at the end of the day, and if I haven't enjoyed dessert, a dark chocolate truffle. However, I know that not everyone can tolerate caffeinated tea before bed, so I wanted to suggest Chamomile tea and the recipe to make your own at home. With either dried (2 tablespoons) or fresh (4 tablespoons), make tea as you normally would. As you will read in the article linked below for the recipe, while not all health benefits have been scientifically proven or confirmed in recent decades, these health benefits include aid in reducing an upset stomach, anxiety, and even a way of promoting sleep. ~recipe for Chamomile Tea (fresh or dried flowers) ~TSLL Audio Book is Now Available ~View and Listen to more episodes of The Simple Sophisticate podcast here.

Tune in to the latest episode of The Simple Sophisticate podcast

[zillowcondo]

172: How to Refine Your Style: In Your Wardrobe & Life

~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #172

~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate: iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio

“For me, style is zee whole package: how you dress, talk, move and behave. It all goes together into that first-impression equation. It shouldn’t be confused with chic; an extremely chic or well-dressed woman may have zero sense of style. Style is definitely more about who the person is inside. Confidence and individuality are two strong assets for developing your personal style. Can it be taught? To a certain extent, yes, but at the end of the day it has to do a lot with being bien dans sa peau, knowing thyself and having balance in one’s life.” —Mireille Guiliano, Women, Work & the Art of Savoir Faire

With a new season of clothing and a new season at work as we all return from rest and relaxation, some of us from travels, some of us simply from a lighter schedule or at least different one as we work with everyone else’s change of schedules during the summer months.

As is the case, the shift provides an opportunity to reassess, restructure, edit and start fresh or press restart.

Mireille Guiliano is often a woman I look to for inspiration when it comes to living well and finding success in a career in equal proportion. In her book Women, Work & The Art of Savoir Faire, she speaks to the goal of attaining one’s unique style and therefore presence as we go about our work days, meeting potential clients, customers or fellow colleagues.

Inspired by the quote above, I created my own list of prepping for September as I too will be heading back into my teaching schedule and always am I re-examining how to refine my way of living to elevate the quality as summer ends and fall begins. So often summer provides an opportune time to reflect, recharge, reassess what is and isn’t working and come to the end of August with ideas.

Let’s take a look at six ways to refine your Style:

1. Select and keep quality

As was discussed last Thursday with Helen Raptis on AM Northwest regarding curating a Capsule Wardrobe, when we welcome quality we save ourselves time and money in the long run as well as elevate our confidence as we have selected items that work best with our bodies and lifestyle.

As well, selecting quality comes into play when we select our words, select the food we enjoy, select the people we welcome into our inner circle, select how we spend our free time. I will admit I need my television show GGTD on Bravo from time to time to unwind and just tune out, but I also have a news magazine to read, PBS saved as one of my favorite channels and a book offering knowledge I hadn’t yet absorbed.

Today, examine your life. Where is the quality and what is standing in its way? What feeds you in a way that lifts you up, reinvigorates you and cultivates enthusiasm to live and live well? Sometimes things, people, ways of thinking enter our mind over a period of time, months, etc. that as we contemplate them, do not serve us well. It’s hard to notice at first because it’s gradual, but over time, we can compare the before and after and recognize a decline in the quality of our energy, excitement, hope, health or anything that we wish to strengthen. Look where you feel depleted and ask why. Often the answer is to eliminate something that is no longer acting in a way that is elevating the quality of your life and unfortunately minimizing it.

2. Be honest about your body

As Mireille reminds in her book, nobody’s body is perfect. Nobody’s. But often we berate ourselves for not being what we hope we might look like. Find what you love about your physique. If you notice something you can improve that would enhance your health, create a plan and approach to make the changes you seek; otherwise and/or in the meantime, adorn your body so that you love what you wear and therefore you radiate a self-confidence that is inviting and engaging. Tweaking your capsule wardrobe closet will take time, but add one quality blouse that works with at least two other items you already have will give you two more outfits that make you look and feel your best.

~On Friday September 1st, TSLL Fall 2017 Shopping Guide will go live here on the blog.

3. Own your style and celebrate the uniqueness of others

As I shared in this post a few months ago, our signature style will continue to evolve. However, upon knowing and feeling confident in the style you have chosen for your body, lifestyle and personality, you can step into each morning with confidence and celebrate, rather than mimic or feel envious of others’.

I admire Meghan Markle’s style on USA’s Suits. Her slim frame, just-below-the-knee pencil skirts and neatly tucked cashmere sweaters. And while I draw inspiration for ideas on what to pair with my signature style, I celebrate her physique and recognize I have a more muscular frame.

The beauty of loving your own style is that you are more open and celebratory of others not only in what they wear, but what they do. We liberate ourselves from unnecessary loss of energy when we do not dwell on what we aren’t but rather embrace what we are and what we know we can be as we look for inspiration.

4. Find time to be well

Your life requires healthy fuel in order for you to reach your optimal potential. Such healthy fuel comes in the form of a restful, deep night’s sleep in a bed that beckons, cuddles and restores you; a mind that is given the tools to understand how to let go of what is not helpful; a day, each day, that is given time to breathe, moments to step away from expectations and catch your breathe, gather the proper perspective and return anew; exercise that excites, reduces stress and strengthens and cares for your body; ideas, art, information that broadens your mind and deepens your understanding of your role in it; and moments to engage with others in a way that is healthy, loving, playful and kind.

As well, knowing what activities you can engage in that will reduce your stress when you find yourself overwhelmed is a tool to learn as there will be days when the unexpected happens.

5. Clarify your journey

Why are you doing what you are doing? Why are you living the way you are living? What do you hope to cultivate in your everydays and in your future by going about your precious 24 hours the way you do? Are you spending your money in a way that supports your goals? Are you spending time working on projects that are meaningful to you and align with the person you know you are?

Even if you already have your goals set, take a moment and check in. Sometimes simply by seeing how we are progressing, we can be jumpstarted as we see how close we are to our goals.

6. Believe in a better tomorrow, savor today

No matter how wonderful or perhaps frustrating life may be right now, tomorrow has the potential to be beautifully bright. The key is how we approach our everydays. Have we cleared out the clutter and the weight that is holding us down, draining our energy and preventing us from being energized? If so, toss it and welcome the quality. What is our attitude? Do we need a mindset reboot? If so, seek out experts and books to help give you tools to reframe how you gaze at life.

“We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts we make the world.” —Dhammapada, by Thomas Byrom

Most importantly, is to recognize the beauty in the day you have right now. What is going well? Are you healthy? Are your loved ones healthy? As I type, Norman snores rhythmically and Oscar is snuggle by my side, the beautiful sky is calm with a hint of a breeze and there is food in the refrigerator. Maybe my heart is broken and maybe yours is too at this very moment, but there is so much to find goodness within if only we take time to look. Tomorrow will be better, but today can be quite sweet if we shift our perspective.

  How we approach our days is the determining factor in the quality of our everydays. I consider those who have figured out how go about their days in such a way, style masters. It doesn’t mean life won’t throw them a curveball, it doesn’t mean their clothing choices won’t change as they move through the decades, but it does mean they adapt, stay centered, remain positive and resilient understanding the tools that are needed to be honed and strengthened always at the ready to be used to enhance the quality of their lives.

My wish for you is that September begins on a most solid and sound footing. A beginning that offers hope, excitement and a beautiful fresh breath of goodness to savor and multiple as you appreciate what you have and radiate that goodness to those around you.

~SIMILAR POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

~Why Not . . . Gradually Prep for La Rentrée?

~September Back-to-School/Work Checklist

~Why Not . . . Savor the Last Days of Summer?

  Petit Plaisir:

Chamomile Flowers

Recently while stopping into my local Trader Joe’s, I picked up a bundle of Chamomile flowers (see below – bottom left of the image). I was delighted as I hadn’t seen such a flower in the store before and found the subtle scent ideal for the summer home decor. For fewer than five dollars, I picked it up and have been enjoying the bouquet in my house for over 10 days now.

And the goodness of the Chamomile just gets better. As many of you know, I enjoy a cup of black tea at the end of the day, and if I haven’t enjoyed dessert, a dark chocolate truffle. However, I know that not everyone can tolerate caffeinated tea before bed, so I wanted to suggest Chamomile tea and the recipe to make your own at home.

With either dried (2 tablespoons) or fresh (4 tablespoons), make tea as you normally would. As you will read in the article linked below for the recipe, while not all health benefits have been scientifically proven or confirmed in recent decades, these health benefits include aid in reducing an upset stomach, anxiety, and even a way of promoting sleep.

~recipe for Chamomile Tea (fresh or dried flowers)

~TSLL Audio Book is Now Available

~View and Listen to more episodes of The Simple Sophisticate podcast here.

Download the Episode

172: How to Refine Your Style: In Your Wardrobe & Life published first on http://ift.tt/2pewpEF