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English => General => Topic started by: Tin_Grin8444 on 26. February 2022, 05:57:24 AM

Title: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: Tin_Grin8444 on 26. February 2022, 05:57:24 AM
Hello hello Friends! I hope you've all been well  ;D

Let's keep it loose & get a little imaginative  ;)


Chapter 1

Dear Diary,

From this day forward, no longer will I languish in filling your pages with my fruitless dreams & desires, but instead your parchment will lay branded with the triumphant firsthand account of my ascension to Godhood! Yes! As of last week (I think) I wield the power to alter reality itself to my whims! Circumstance now a slave to my will, & I intend to make it everyone's problem! To the privileged few historians who come across this memoir years from now, you will devour all this document has in an insatiable craving to scrounge an ounce of comprehension for just how my powers function!

Graciously, I will disclose its conditions & limitations: With both physical touch & direct eye contact, the person of my choosing will undergo the exact orthodontic treatment I desire for them the very next day! No matter the time frame, no matter the location, no matter the person, no matter the orthodontist, if I can see them, and I can touch them, they'll have whatever I want them to have!

I realized my possession of this gift this past Tuesday when on my way to Chemistry, Hailey stopped me with a gentle shoulder's grab to ask to borrow my phone charger, as she knows I'm the only one in her Calculous with an Android Cell phone like hers. While the word 'please' left her mouth, I, of course, stole a glance at the teeth her plea would slip past, thinking to myself, "Man, she'd look great in braces. Rubber bands too. Purple." Never once had Hailey ever spoken of any intention to undergo orthodontic work, so my thoughts were harmless, and yet! That very next day! I meet Hailey in the hallway, & she sports braces! I CAN'T STOP STARING AT HER MOUTH as her purple rubber bands stretch & flex over the hooks of her metal brackets adorned with, you guessed it, PURPLE! Now, sheer coincidence that her parents had been planning this for years to help her undergo treatment that she secretly always wanted, & purple is a relatively feminine color. But! Since that moment in the hallway Wednesday, I've been curious as to if I could make it happen again, & just how specific could I get!

Once I figured out that touch & eye contact were the prerequisites, then began the fun! For Danielle, whose parents are orthodonta-phobics, I thought of full metal bands with a herbst appliance & expanders in both jaws. Not only was she sporting that very metal mouth the next day, her parents were suddenly very supportive of Danielle's treatment & how informative the staff were! Of course, the very next subject would be dear old Dad, for whom I wait til 11:59 at night to grant a future in clear brackets & bite turbos. Since there's no way he'd be able to go in the morning without my noticing, I thought this the perfect opportunity to learn the exact mechanics of my world bending powers.

The next morning, he has them! He even has a slight lisp as he tells us Goodmorning. Since the doors weren't opened & the cars weren't run, I asked when he'd gotten his braces, as I had so conveniently forgotten.

He replies, "Last week. Your mother & I were talking about it, & our insurance had the coverage. Ya know the options still open for you too."

Will my power even work on me? After Jade I know I can't use it to get money or affect the weather, but there have GOT to be more ways I can abuse this! My local orthodontists are about to be very busy!  >:D
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: Tin_Grin8444 on 26. February 2022, 06:29:01 AM
I hope you've all been doing well! It's been a bit for sure. Happy to report I've been gleefully kept busy with some rewarding creative outlets & a whole lotta work. Figured since I had this concept cooking, I might as well use it  ;) Look forward to more!
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: Braceface2015 on 26. February 2022, 18:24:17 PM
It's nice to see that you are back to writing again. I'm looking forward to seeing what you bring us this time.
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: Tin_Grin8444 on 26. February 2022, 19:06:05 PM
Chapter 2


Diary,

For Jade I tried to give her metal brackets and a bite plated facebow wired in, with a pink headgear strap, with the condition that she would hand me $20.00 upon our next meeting, and that it would be raining. While she ended up with lovely pink straps, I was not successful in acquiring the cash or manipulating the weather. My next test would be to see how the condition of physical contact actually worked.

I would trip next to Aliana and Alex, a couple in near constant physical contact, catching myself on Aliana's shoulder, thanking her for saving my fall as I grant her future days one of a metal taste, and Alex with clear brackets and a tongue crib. The next day, Aliana sports the J-hooks I'd requested, however Alex was lacking any traces of puffed lips or a lisp. Upon cracking a joke to illicit a laugh, I can see Alex is braces free, meaning i have to make direct contact for my power to take effect.

To ensure my power isnt a one-use-per day gig, I trip again between Sarah and Katie, both well deserving of a more intense treatment. I grant Sarah a full banded treatement, with a large tongue crib and expanders, with wired in headgear with neon green and pink straps. For Katie, metal brackets and a herbst : )

Much to my chagrin, Katie spends the majority of the next day further consoling Sarah as she laments through lisps and drool the state or her head shrouded in metal and straps. Wonderful! 

If I can control the color and size of appliances, what else can I do?  >:D
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: Sparky on 26. February 2022, 20:55:13 PM
My fairies have been sitting on the side-lines, watching what is going on, but are powerless to help these poor victims, as not one of them has uttered the important magic words.....

'I wish....'

Mind you, it's looking like Elida's not too happy, her wand is getting a little twitchy, and there's a possibility she MIGHT just 'cross that line'....
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: Tin_Grin8444 on 07. March 2022, 03:35:07 AM
Chapter 3

Diary, it's been a week.

I realize my use of this gift has taken a few selfish turns.

In addition to condemning those with whom I bear ill will to more extreme treatments, I've used my ability to disrupt the schedules of people with whom I'd rather not interact with for certain events. In my bequeathing a set of tongue cages and headgear to Izzy so that I would be able to lend my voice to perform the campus-heard reading of announcements, on my way out I'd overheard the director for the campus' concert band lamenting the disruption caused by the sudden outburst of mass orthodontia. I've gathered that a musician's shape of lips that correspond to one's ability to perform an instrument using a mouthpiece, or embouchure, is horribly disrupted by the sudden presence of oral hardware & becomes impossible when headgear is involved. 2 of the 5 concerts scheduled for this year have experienced major delays because of my meddling.

What fun.  :)

In my continued efforts to find a way to monetize this Godlike power, I've begun questioning my unwilling subjects regarding from which orthodontist they acquired their hardware, & I've made a few observations. For the people who received regular braces with minimal to no extra appliances, they end up at 1 of 2 clinics on the west end of town. For the litany of well deserving miscreants granted a more aggressive treatment, so far, they've all ended up a few blocks from the main campus in the care of a Dr. Isabelle Kendra. From a quick Google search, a tall thin woman with a perpetual look of affection & amusement.

I make a plan to bring Maggie from Statistics to the ice cream shop across the street from Dr. Kendra's clinic. Before using my power, I ask what she plans to do for the night once we're finished photographing a tree for a project. She answers that she's looking forward to getting some cleaning done at her home, since her sister just moved out and she hadn't the chance to pick up after the going away party. As we take our seats with our ice cream, I trip and catch myself against Maggie, and as she comments on the strange frequency of my clumsiness these past few days, I seal her deal with a full banded treatment, topped off with two expanders, a herbst, tongue spikes in both jaws, & wired in headgear with a bright blue strap. I'm sorry Maggie, it's nothing personal. I just need something that's gonna take a while to install.

We continue regular conversation for about 10 more minutes looking at videos, before she reminds me with a resigned look that she has to make it to Pioneer Orthodontics across the street for 4:00 for her appointment!  Success! I can even derail a person's entire day! And with this! I have a chance to scout Dr. Kendra's practice!

I'm just itching to see what's it's like for the clinic I've provided so much good business for!  ;D
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: Nameless on 28. April 2022, 05:34:14 AM
I know it's been a while, but this story is fun! I'm getting a death note vibe from this one, though lighter obviously (idk if this community will know the reference)
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: Braceface2015 on 28. April 2022, 06:52:40 AM
Unfortunately, it happens with many stories. Sometimes a story will be started and then when people don't comment, the writer loses interest or doesn't feel motivated to continue. Other times, a writer will move on to someplace else and the story will be left unfinished.

The best thing that we can do is write a short comment to encourage the new writers and give our feedback to the older writers so that they know what you are enjoying and what isn't working for you. Keep it polite, even if you don't like the story.

When I write, my stories are what I want to read. Not everything I write appeals to everyone, and I don't write stories to try.
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: m1090y on 28. April 2022, 11:31:00 AM
I'm guilty, too.  I was enjoying the way this story was written as well as the premise.  I should have commented earlier.
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: giacc on 28. April 2022, 13:56:08 PM
Didn't read this story... I hope it will be continued
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: giacc on 28. April 2022, 16:26:34 PM
I always dreamed of having the power to control the mind to get the most beautiful women to wear all kinds of braces even if they don't need them
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: duncombec on 29. April 2022, 00:39:03 AM
The author said further up the thread that he has been busy, and a quick peruse of previous posts over previous stories suggests it is sometimes quite a few months between postings.

Rather than declaring a story "dead" because it hasn't been updated for a few weeks, or jumping to the (probably incorrect) conclusion that the author has got bored because of a lack of comments, why don't we just respect the author's personal situation, show some good manners, and wait patiently?
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: Sparky on 29. April 2022, 13:15:09 PM
The author said further up the thread that he has been busy, and a quick peruse of previous posts over previous stories suggests it is sometimes quite a few months between postings.

Rather than declaring a story "dead" because it hasn't been updated for a few weeks, or jumping to the (probably incorrect) conclusion that the author has got bored because of a lack of comments, why don't we just respect the author's personal situation, show some good manners, and wait patiently?

Another problem that you sometimes get as a writer is that you've come up with an idea, and you write up that idea, then you have to stop, and ask yourself "now what"?.

Or maybe you know where you want the story to go, but you're not quite sure what to do to get there..... (eg: you need your character to be in HG.... so WHY do they need headgear, as earlier in the story you almost implied they don't need it).

Sometimes you just get "writers block"... (and thats often where I go onto a forum, where there's other writers, and ask for ideas!)

And finally, you get times when "life just got busy".... you just had a baby, were made redundant, are going on holiday for 2 weeks, need to finish off that DIY project....

We writers actually ENJOY writing stories, probably as much as you guys love reading them, it's just that sometimes you get the above happening, that delays you doing the writing.....
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: ellers on 02. May 2022, 22:21:33 PM
I know it's been a while, but this story is fun! I'm getting a death note vibe from this one, though lighter obviously (idk if this community will know the reference)

I got that reference! And yeah, definitely seems like it...
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: Tin_Grin8444 on 16. May 2022, 06:08:00 AM
Chapter 4

So, Diary

Pioneer Orthodontics seems to be living up to its namesake in terms of obscure extra-oral appliances locked into the mouths of its patients. As Maggie checks in, I notice a strange feeling come over me as the entrance door closes itself behind me. It's a nervous excitement like I've just escaped something. Not wanting to draw attention to myself, I wrestle the urge to turn around dramatically like a child running from a darkened hallway to their lit bedroom in the dead of night. I steel myself to meet Maggie's side at the counter before looking back to see nothing outside. Not even any people. It's only late afternoon, where did everyone go?

Maggie finishes signing her paperwork, and we take our seats by an indoor plant in the center of the room. Maggie looks nervously into her phone's camera, no doubt anxious for the treatment I've subjected her to. My gaze wanders toward the windows. The clinic overlooks a pristine shopping center, almost an outdoor mall. I'd expect more people to be walking around. Instead, my eyes are drawn to the shadows cast by trees and the corners of buildings, compounded by the distance to create spaces I can't make out, but keep pulling my eyes towards them. What am I expecting to see?

Pushing back the closest thing to "Spidey-sense" I'll ever feel, I reorient my focus back on my current mission; to meet this Dr. Kendra.
Maggie is startled as her name is called by a playful voice. I can't help but shudder. I trail behind a nervous Maggie to meet who can only be the good Dr. Her eyes are bigger in person. She somehow seems to tower over the both of us, yet still put us at ease. She looks at me intrigued as to why her next patient has brought a spectator. Upon agreeing to my accompanying her, her eyes are on me a little longer after she turns towards the chair Maggie will be in for the next few hours.

Maggie is prepped and the installations begin, she clutches her phone above her stomach. I try to take in as much as I can from the clinic, but I'm unable to tear my gaze away from Maggie's small mouth held intimately open as more and more metal is cemented into it.

Dr. Kendra must've noticed my staring and begins talking with me.
"Have you thought about treatment?"

The question startles me
"Maybe someday. Have you guys been busy lately?"

"Actually, yes. A lot more than usual these past few weeks."
She chuckles
"You know, you'd look very nice with braces. Maybe think about it? We do take all kinds of insurance."

I rip my gaze away to look around at the other patients in chairs, each with their own aggressive treatments.
"Maybe. My teeth aren't really that bad."


"Well, there's more to braces than just the end result."


What does she mean by that?

After Maggie's poor little mouth has been awkwardly crowded with a copious amount of lisp-inducing metal, we start towards the entrance after she sets up her next appointment, a whole 3 months later, we're stopped by Dr. Kendra. She praises Maggie for her bravery, and once again encourages me to consider undergoing treatment with her. As we start towards Maggie's house, she thanks me for accompanying her through this ordeal. I almost feel bad for her. Almost.

I'm frustrated with myself for not asking more questions or taking in more of the clinic. I didn't even get to take any pictures!
Both suns have already set by the time we make it to Maggie's house. She and her parents thank me for walking her home, and I start towards my house just another 8 blocks away. The closer I get to the corner I have to round a quarter of the way home, the more I notice there are barely any people out. It's not that late in the evening, where is everyone?

I'm taken back to that moment walking into the clinic. Determined to keep my composure, I only quicken my pace a little. I'm just excited to be home after a long day, nothing more. There's literally NO ONE out here. Just me and the shops & businesses that have all closed this time of the day. I approach the pharmacy closer to the corner and see lights. Just to make sure, I poke my head by the window and see a lone woman manning a register on her phone. Okay I'm not completely alone. This is fine. I'm okay.

I round the corner.

It's completely dark.

I can make out the entrance to my neighborhood at the end of the road. It'll be 4 houses in. I pass a few trees by the parks edge. There's another wooded area I pass on my right that goes on for a little longer on that side of the road. The wind picks up. I'm glad I wore a jacket.



As I pass the edge of the woods I start to hear a metallic rattle. It starts getting faster.
It turns into a scream.



F@%& THIS



There's something behind me I'm running I'm not looking behind me it's still screaming it's f@%&ing chasing me I can't breath I'm running I can't see my house I can hear it behind me Why is it still screaming I feel my phone fly out of my jacket pocket I hear it crackle against the pavement It's still chasing me Mom please I see my house I run by the fence to the back yard the back door will be unlocked I don't hear it screaming I jump the fence I'm inside I lock the door I run upstairs I'm crying







I'm crying














I open the door to my room and make my way downstairs. I turn on every light switch I pass on the way to the living room. I hear the TV. Dad turns around in his chair, concern on his face from me bolting into the house from the back. Mom mirrors his concern from the couch. I poorly feign some sense of composure.

They press me. I relent, admitting something spooked me outside. Satisfied with the answer but still with a look of concern, Dad hands me a letter that arrived that morning. It's a treatment plan offer at Pioneer orthodontics from Dr. Kendra herself.

What the actual f@%&.
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: firesonga on 16. May 2022, 16:16:58 PM
This has taken a weirdly dark turn, and I love it.
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: Sparky on 16. May 2022, 18:19:03 PM
.... and dark turns are always good in a story (not that I would ever put a dark turn in any of my stories ????)
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: firesonga on 16. May 2022, 19:58:24 PM
I mean you titled that part of the story the Dark Fairy didn't you, so obviously there'd be a dark turn. But yes, I love the dark turns.
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: ellers on 17. May 2022, 01:20:11 AM
Seriously spooky... I like it!
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: blueblur1997 on 17. May 2022, 05:17:31 AM
I'm curious to see if the main character gets braces and what her treatment plan is going to look like. I'm digging the suspense. Good stuff.
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: Tin_Grin8444 on 21. May 2022, 07:53:19 AM
Chapter 5

Goodmorning Diary!

Last night's nightmare was one to be remembered. Like that one really messed up dream you could've gone your whole life without having, but now you have to live with it in your head forever. Stellar!

My arm instinctively swings over my body to my right to reach for my phone on the nightstand. After slapping my hand against its bright plastic surface for a few too many times, the suspicious lack of "phone-y" sensation warrants one of my eyes to open from squinting against the natural light flooding my window.

No phone.

No biggie!

I check the top drawer. Still no phone.

Still no biggie!

Cheerfully making my way downstairs to greet my beloved dad and his charming hint of a lisp, I request he use his phone to call mine! I watch him press my contact, and after searching my room, then the living room, then the kitchen, and every corner of the house, I hear nothing, no ringtone, no buzzing, no vibrating, nothing.

STILL NO BIGGIE!  :D

I use Dad's "find my phone" feature to track where on a local map the device is located, since we'll at least be able to confirm its somewhere in the house. After all, I am very bad at looking for things! Better to take the lazy route.

It's outside.





By the woods.











Dad offers to accompany me outside and down the street to retrieve my precious cellular device, only because of the lovely weather and the chance to spend time with his family, and not because all the color had drained from my face and the life from my eyes!

After a short skip to the midway point of the small section of forest that stops at the road, I begin to hear that familiar ring as Dad dials my number once more. Finally, back in my hands, I see my phone's case hasn't spared it a singular diagonal crack across the large touchscreen surface.



It wasn't a f@%&ing dream.








Once back at the house, I realize not once had that feeling come over me. Thinking it over, there are 2 factors involved with whatever on God's Earth chased me within an inch of my life:

1! The time of day! and
2! Whether or not I'm alone!


Not wanting to ever experience anything remotely similar to last night ever again for as long as I live, I devise a plan. It's simple.

I get a big a$$ dog.

I'm talking the meanest, toughest, most aggressive dog I can get my hands on in the great state of Wisconsin. I spring the question on my family, interrupting their peaceful morning routines with what would dissolve into heated debate. It's a matter of life and death! Conveniently I leave out the parts of me being chased home to the point of tears, but let's face facts! The world is not as safe a place as it once was! There's crime! Pollution! and LAW OFFICES! Adopting a guard dog is a surefire way to ensure the safety of this household, no two ways about it!

Between Mom's visible amusement at my desperate plea for a chance at surviving into my 30's, and Dad's increasingly confused expression, the both of them cave, and relinquish to me the task of choosing a worthy beast to guard this honorable home.

With the kind, enthusiastic blessing of my beloved parents, I stride boldly to the local pet shelter at a reasonable pace on the other side of the road to the woods. No rush!

Once at the shelter, I meet a short dark-haired woman at the counter. She smiles to greet me, flashing a familiar metallic smile with springs littering the inside of her mouth. I explain my quest to return home with the most aggressive dog they have! A grand beast, to intimidate any and all potential threat! She gleefully obliges to aid me! I'm lead to rows of kennels through spacious, well kept areas.
I'm impressed with the cleanliness.
As the first few candidates are shown to me, I face a problem.
The doggies are all way too sweet. They jump excitedly and wag their tails and they are all very small and cute. Dammit!
After spending time playing with all of them in the yard and signing up to volunteer in the coming months, we revisit my reason for coming.

The girl has a thought! She leads me into a section where they keep cats. I'm brought to a larger room at the end of the hallway. Once inside, I feel a commanding presence, one of stern posture and stoicism. My eyes dart to a large kennel in the corner, from which emerges an abnormally muscular cat.

Oh my God.

Its calico muscles shift and pulse like a body building tiger as it sits and gazes into my soul with a wise look. A great warrior died and was reincarnated as this cat.

The girl informs me her name is Mandolin.

After signing the last form of paperwork and saddling up with a list of recommended foods for my "Kit-bull", all protein-rich brands, I lead Mandolin by a leash, and we start our journey home.
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: Tin_Grin8444 on 31. May 2022, 07:17:20 AM
Chapter 6

Alright Diary,

I know how this looks. My wise parents request I venture to the local pet store to recruit the aid of a vicious guard dog, & I walk away with a cat. Considering the selection of dogs available were simply far too friendly & cute, there's no doubt this cat was the only choice in bettering my chances at avoiding future encounters with whatever chased me. The sooner I can address this issue, the sooner I'll be able to get back to focusing on my orthodontic conquest of the city. Since the scope of my power isn't limited to Dr. Kendra's practice, I can at least be certain overworking them won't be an option. To avoid suspicions arising I think it best from now on to reserve Dr. Kendra's aggressive treatments for only the most deserving of the common vulgar weak licentious crowd. That, and those who are subjected to Dr. Kendra will stand out more from the larger population with their tamer treatments. It doesn't matter if the whole town has braces! Having headgear wired into your mouth is sure to stand out and hamper the confidence of the well-deserving. As Dr. Kendra herself said, there's more to braces than the end result!  >:D

As we pass the dreaded tree line on our way home, I get no odd, panicky feelings, but Mandolin does lightly growl, attempting to linger to stare off into the woods. Not wanting to stick around, I rush her along the rest of the way home, at the very least a little happy she'd shown an inclination to scrap.

Upon reaching home, I receive the expected reaction from my family. After explaining the thin selection that led to my decision, they accept Mandolin as the latest addition to our family. Dad unbolts the doggy door to the back yard that's gone unused all the years as I establish the eating and bathroom zones for our new guard cat. As Mom and I begin discovering Mandolin's preferred spots to be pet, Dad informs me Dr. Kendra's office called while I was out to approve the installation date I had requested that morning. He's proud of my maturity in taking an active role in my treatment, and pleased our insurance coverages will get more usage.

BUT I DIDN'T CALL THEM? WHAT ABOUT A CONSULTATION? X-RAYS? TREATMENT OPTIONS? WHAT HAPPENED?

Dad lets me know they're excited to get started sooner than later, since the condition of my teeth are as bad as they are.

WHAT?

But my teeth are fine! I know my victims don't have to need braces for my powers to work, but my teeth?

I find the bathroom mirror.

WHAT HAPPENED TO MY TEETH?!!? THEY SEEM TO JET FORWARD, CROOKED AS CAN BE YET WITH GAPS BETWEEN ALL OF THEM! AM I DREAMING?

Okay, breath. Think this through.

This can't be the result of my power, otherwise the installation would be today instead of the end of the week. There's too much time left in the day for me to wake up with them tomorrow, and as far as I'm aware, my power can't make teeth crooked. Braces on their own aren't that bad, and I wouldn't object to a normal treatment. Afterall, I do REALLY like braces, but there's one big issue. What if I can't use my power once I've gotten braces? I don't see a lot of reason for this to be a possibility, but these are reality altering powers we're talking about! Completely uncharted territory! I need time. I need to see Dr. Kedra. She has to be the one responsible for this.

I bring Mandolin with me to walk to the clinic. She calmly trots along behind me, not hissing or growling into the woods this trip. Once into the shopping center, I'm shoved by the shoulder out of the way of a familiar miscreant. Sophia looms over me with her black platforms and giggles that she didn't see me. I'm not the tallest person, and I may be pretty skinny, but I am very hard to miss, especially with the hulking beast of a cat trailing behind me. Now here's someone worthy of Dr. Kendra's talents. She's finally back in town and on campus from attending a performance conference for her theatre major, with her perfect grades, and her put together goth outfit, with a flawless balance of theme-consistent accessories, her thick wavy black hair, and her green eyes, insufferable! Not even that halfhearted borderline passive aggressive compliment towards Mandolin will save you! That shoulder shove was all I need! Locking eyes, you're about to have a lot of fun with your lead role in this semester's musical performance of Hairspray  >:D

Moving on from another soon to be job well done, I'm practically itching with anticipation to see Sophia tomorrow with her new hardware! I reach the clinic as the sun continues closing distance to the horizon. Dr. Kendra sees a patient off from the treatment theatre doors, a young man with J-hooks facilitating drool, hiding his face as he briskly exits. She then spots me, and a smile lights up her face. She welcomes me, assuming I have questions about my upcoming installation. She somehow has x-rays, and my signature on a treatment plan! Attempting to read it, she instead requests we talk further in her office. Mandolin follows me inside, and as the door closes, Dr. Kendra expresses a gratitude that I've been so cooperative and helpful in undergoing this treatment. I just know she's playing coy! She expresses an understanding of Mandolin's presence, before turning to me with a direct expression.

"I think it's very important you feel safe, and you should believe me, that undergoing a treatment with my clinic will do wonders for that."

What. The. Hell.

I try to ask if she knows about the screaming thing that chased me, but she hushes me before I can say it.

THAT FEELING THERE IT IS I CAN FEEL IT I CAN'T HEAR THE RATTLING BUT I CAN FEEL IT

Dr. Kendra's expression softens

"Let's not talk about that."

WHAT THE ACTUAL F@%&

"I'll see you end of this week, okay? Okay. Better hurry home now. It'll be getting dark soon."
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: ellers on 12. June 2022, 04:39:51 AM
Can't wait to see what our MC gets! Hope it's a mouthful...
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: Tin_Grin8444 on 21. June 2022, 06:39:39 AM
Chapter 7

Diary, this is bad.

The moment I step out the clinic's doors, I find myself sitting in its waiting area in different clothes, with Mandolin in my lap, and Dr. Kendra calls my name to the installation theatre! WHAT?

Noticing it's now light outside, I check my phone to see it's now Friday just before noon! I MISSED THE REST OF THE WEEK???

Mandolin perks up and chirps at me, signaling she's now awake as Dr. Kendra walks to my chair and begins to lead me by the hand to one of her installation chairs. Thinking quickly, My shirt and undergarments have been swapped, my hair is washed, and I check my university app to see the grade for the test I was going to take Wednesday has already been posted! I flick past the daily news, check every clock I can see, IT'S FRIDAY.

She must've done this. The good Dr. must've been too impatient to give me any chances to weasel out of this. I already need braces anyways thanks to her, maybe I can get away with some brackets and light elastics, hell I won't even gripe about an appliance or two, as long as I can still use my power. She calmly and sternly pulls me toward her own chair in the center of her installation theatre, so every patient walking in or out will be a surprise spectator to my ordeal. It can't get much worse.

Dr. Kendra practically shoves me into the chair, immediately reclining it to that helpless position. She calls over an assistant, and I begin to hear platforms.

Oh God it just got worse.

Sophia arches to loom over me with a metal bound smile, her baby pink lips stretched back across her facebow, the dark makeup around her eyes stretch with them as she sucks back drool through her smile still above me. I spot a blue volunteer tag swaying from the lapel of her uniform.

Dammit. Now she gets to have her hands in my mouth.

As Sophia roughly pulls my cheeks across a plastic appliance to pull my lips away from my soon to be imprisoned teeth, Dr. Kendra wheels over multiple trays of flashing metal I can't make out. Sophia is all too eager to remind Dr. Kendra that I'm her 4th compliance case for the day.

Compliance case? Me? I'd think under most circumstances I'd have no issue wearing my appliances as directed, but when I try to raise my voice to correct her I... can't...

I can't tell if this is part of her power or if I genuinely want to stay a compliance case. At this point would she even change my status? It's my signature on the paper and my check on the waiver. Apparently I CHOSE this, no doubt the result of her power, but I find myself... curious. Let's at least see what they'll install.

Sophia holds my forehead steady, placing a hand beneath my chin with an expectant look. The eye contact feels invasive. How does she look so good with her braces? The headgear clearly phases her, but the tongue crib is barely affecting her speech in the slightest! Maybe she just has that much experience as a speaker, at least I can revel in the joy that she won't be leading the theatre department's performance this go round, since we all know Tracy never had headgear.  >:D

Dr. Kendra finally brings the first bits of metal to my mouth, the first molar bands. Suddenly, Sophia's hand beneath my chin makes sense, as when Dr. Kendra instructs me to "bite down" she wastes no time helping my jaw to push the band into place. It's an oddly submissive feeling, especially with the intense eye contact. after the first bands are in place she brings up a facebow, WITH BANDS ATTACHED? WAIT WAIT THAT MEANS ONCE THESE BANDS ARE CEMENTED THE FACEBOW WILL BE CEMENTED WITH THEM, SINCE THEY'RE ALREADY WELDED TO THE BANDS! I WON'T BE ABLE TO TAKE THIS HEADGEAR OUT AT ALL!

Still unable to resist her, I obediently bite down onto each of the bands at once, feeling the resin in place slink past my teeth. Sophia carefully removes the excess as Dr. Kendra praises me for my compulsory compliance. As I wait to see brackets brought to my teeth, I can only see her picking different shapes of more bands. Is she not going to use any brackets? AM I GOING TO HAVE FULL BANDS? YOU'RE JOKING! I'M GONNA BE A COMPLETE METAL MOUTH!

I count each band sliding onto my teeth, one by one, realizing she's missed two. I don't like this. In the latter half of my lower banding, she presents YET ANOTHER FACEBOW, you guessed it, ALSO WITH WELDED MOLAR BANDS.

TWO FACEBOWS? BOTH WIRED IN?!?!

She pulls out a messy set of thick leather headgear straps, hot pink and neon green, and tightly locks them to the ends of my facebows! Great! They'll be twice as noticeable from the back now too! Can't have me trying to hide the fact I've got HEADGEAR!!!!!  >:(

By now Sophia is grinning ear to ear even without the help of her headgear. I can see her glancing over to the table, itching to see Dr. Kendra pull out the last appliance.

"It is odd, since I normally use this kind of appliance for my younger, more disobedient patients, but I find it necessary all the same. Don't worry, it's been properly sized for your mouth, though small for an adult's, the spaces between your teeth will make the installation a synch!"

Gee, I wonder who's fault that is...

Wait what appliance does she have? I'm getting something else? She's left 4 teeth empty, two on each jaw. My mind races to figure out what could potentially fit in the gap she's left. My tongue is held back by the lip spreader, so I have to guess, but I can't think of anything! I thought the 2 headgear appliances were bad enough! WHAT MORE CAN SHE FIT IN MY MOUTH?!

Sophia coyly smiles as she covers my eyes with the hand holding my forehead! DAMN YOU!

I feel hands gently pull my facebows and lips apart as SOMETHING taps against the edges of my mouth as it enters to be cemented in place. I hear soft metallic clicks as bands are brought to my remaining four teeth, all to be slid on at the same time. A bite stick is shoved past my cheeks as Sophia once again forces my jaws to accept this new appliance. My legs are almost trembling from the anticipation... I wanna know what this thing is!  :-[ I feel the resin slink past my teeth for the last tooth, and Sophia's hand uncovers my eyes as she clears the last of the excess. Dr. Kendra finally finishes curing the cement with her blue light wand, and Sophia lets out a giggle.

It's done. There's no going back now, I have braces...

Sophia studies my expression as she wrestles the lip spreader and tongue blocker from my mouth, no doubt awaiting my reaction to the sensation of the hardware store's worth of metal just locked into my mouth. The plastic leaves, carrying with it a few snakes of drool attached to them, my tongue flies off to feel what's been installed, and...

It's stuck behind something. I try to move my tongue around, I hear clicks and metal clanging, but I can't get my tongue to my teeth. It's like something's following it... WAIT

OH NO! NO!

"Yes, the tongue cage can be an alarming appliance. I want you to know we think you're very brave for readily accepting such an aggressive gadget we agree to be necessary for your treatment. Sophia here is going to teach you all about cleaning your appliances! Sophia, use the private office on the left.  :) "
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: Tin_Grin8444 on 21. June 2022, 16:38:47 PM
Thanks very much for the kind words and encouragement. I do enjoy making time to add to these when I can manage, and it makes it all the more fun to see feedback. Hope you're all doing well!  ;D
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: foobar on 26. June 2022, 01:14:29 AM
I really enjoy reading all your stories. The appliances of the characters are super creative, yet their descriptions perfectly understandable. Can't wait for the next chapter!
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: Tin_Grin8444 on 02. July 2022, 05:48:08 AM
Chapter 8

Diary, I'm almost tempted to leave what occurred directly after the installation out of your pages. Future historians, I am tempted to keep these secrets with me to the grave, to leave you wondering, guessing, wracking your brains about what might have occurred in those crucial minutes between Dr. Kendra's instructions to Sophia and my exiting the clinic. Almighty above knows I would never allow for these pages to see the light of day while I still draw breath on this mortal earth. Maybe, just maybe, the comfort of that knowledge is what would allow for my disclosure of such mortifying information.

Still attempting to maneuver my tongue around its cage, the seat's back is lifted, and I feel Mandolin affectionately brushing my legs as my feet hit the floor. She'd been patiently waiting for me. Dr. Kendra sends for a receptionist to set my next appointment while Sophia begins to drag me by the hand from the chair to an office off to the left of the hallway. Mandolin follows behind, and I can't quite shake myself from what's just been done to me.

Sophia practically shoves me into the small office, closing the door behind her, first allowing Mandolin to enter behind us. She pushes my shoulders down to a chair facing a half-sized mirror with pictured instructions and little notes for headgear and cleaning appliances, a small sink in front of it.
Sophia starts by unhooking the tabs to her own headgear, before taking the facebow out of her mouth and placing it on a small stand off to the side.

I may still be a little out of it from my orthodontic ordeal, but
HOW DID SHE JUST TAKE HER FACEBOW OUT? WHEN I USED MY POWER ON HER, HER HEADGEAR WAS SUPPOSED TO BE WIRED IN!

Probably noticing my surprise, Sophia giggles that Dr. Kendra agreed to unwire her facebow as a perk for her volunteering at the clinic.

DAMN YOU!

"Issn't Dr. Kendra the sweetesst? Now, let'ss see yourss!"

She tightly grips the straps of my headgear and steadies my jaw facing the mirror. She's so close.

"Open pleasse."

My two facebows part to show my each of my teeth completely encased in metal, the metal arms holding the tongue cage making small clicks as they flex with my parting jaws, thin wires running between each bracket on each band. I haven't had them for 5 minutes, and my orthodontic hardware is already covered in saliva, the drool clumping around the spaces between the bars of the tongue cage. Sophia continues her grip on my headgear straps behind the back of my head with her right hand and begins poking around my poor crowded mouth with the left. She starts by grabbing my bottom facebow.

"First off, these here are your facebows! Unlike my headgear, yourth are welded directly to the metal bands on your molars in each jaw! That means there's no way for you to take them out at all!  :D "

Yea, I kinda gathered that already. I can make out a slight lisp in her speech. I feel a little better knowing she isn't completely unaffected by her tongue crib. She then reaches her hand a little further into my mouth, now gripping the tongue cage.

"Oh! This is kind of like what I have! I just have a tongue crib, but she dethided to give you a tongue cage!"

She lightly wiggles it around my mouth, dragging my tongue with it. I feel my toes curling in my shoes.

"See the little metal poles attaching it to inside of your molars? These are scopes, and they hold the tongue cage in the back of your mouth, but let it move around with your cute little tongue, so there's no way you're gonna get around it! You're also gonna have a lithp, and sthince all your applianches are welded in, that lithp iss gonna be permanent.  ;D "

I don't even wanna try talking right now.

She grabs a disposable toothbrush from a drawer and begins instructing me on how to properly clean my braces, aggressively brushing the neon green and hot pink covered metal bands, paying extra attention to my tongue cage. She holds her grip of my headgear straps the entire time, clearly enjoying herself, occasionally pushing my head forward to spit into the sink as she lists off basic orthodontic facts I already know.

Towards the end, she "accidentally" splashes water onto the chest of my shirt, leaving a considerable wet spot making it appear to be the result of drool. Great.

After putting her headgear back on, she opens the door and pushes me out into the clinic's waiting area as she gathers the remaining items to be placed into my goody bag. The chairs are inhabited by a few poor souls, a single boy with lips poking out a little further than normal, and two girls with little more, all gawking at my awkward metal bound face as I stand humiliated, waiting for Sophia to release me. Dr. Kendra arrives back from the installation theatre, handing me my bag and leaving me with a few parting words.

"I'm willing to bet that must've been quite a time for you, getting so much put on in a single sitting. What makes your treatment so ideal is that, as a compliance case, there's no room for error on your part! From here on out, all appliances, including ones we'll introduce a little further down the road, will be wired in for the full duration of your treatment! So, all you have to do is just smile and own it!  ;) Have a safe trip home!"

I clip the handles of the goody bag to my belt loop, pick up Mandolin, and exit the clinic's door into the shopping center. Taking in the afternoon air, I don't see myself being teleported back into the clinic anytime soon. It looks like I'm finally free to go now that the damage has been done. I'm all too eager to find someone, ANYONE to use my power on, needing to make sure I can still use it, but there's no one. Not a single soul. Disheartened, defeated, and embarrassed, I start my walk home, carrying Manolin the whole way.
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: Tin_Grin8444 on 03. July 2022, 05:45:34 AM
Chapter 9

Berserker Cat's Log: Number 341

Since my liberation from the cold captivity at the hands of the dreaded "Pet Shelter", I am still unable to recall more than brief flashes of my previous life. Many of them, flashes of battles fought and won. A handful of them, flashes of a battle lost. While I cannot recall the faces and names of those whom I proudly fought alongside, I can see their cunning and compassion mirrored in the person that saved me from that cold, barred box in the corner of the room. I was certain to flex my figure and form, to properly exhibit the godly muscles that adorned my divinely crafted body. At last, this person had seen the value of all that the Fates had gifted me for this life.

I would've thought this life a reward for what must've been a warrior's death, a new life in the lap of modest luxury, love and care. I was pleased this advanced dwelling my new master called home had a unique device attached to the bottom of their door, an opening meant just for myself to enter an enclosed paradise filled with soft grass.

I watch the grass. Roll in the grass. Defecate onto the grass. Mercilessly torment the small insects that hopelessly meander about the grass. Lay in the grass. Eat the grass.

Though this place bears a strong resemblance to the paradise once promised to my previous form, the Fates have not birthed me to this mortal fold once more without purpose. In addition to an unfailing kindness, my new master appears to possess a calculating mind they are often lost in. They mumble to themselves about a divine power bestowed to them, and how they might access its fullest potential. This very power appears to bring with it a unique challenge, as on one of our first journeys back to my master's dwelling, I came to the realization that my master was being hunted. When crossing the boundary of a strange woodland, I could smell a malevolent creature stalking my beloved master. It smelled very old. While it's clear that my new master will without a doubt require assistance with their vision, likely in the form of glasses, even my ambush-predator eyes could only make out a large silhouette, a dark quadruped mass with elongated face, its aura threatening, hateful, and angry. I could only growl to intimidate it from a distance, as my compassionate master would not allow me to venture deeper to confront this dangerous abomination that draws breath against divine will. My master fears for my safety, even though they can clearly sense its presence.

Our latest escapade resulted in a strange force trapping us within a strange building that seemed to affect my master. While I feel we are safe from the beast within these walls, some other power surpassing my master's seems to permeate the air, flowing from the form of a taller woman with plans for my frightened master. However, I sense no hostile intention from this tall woman, so I will choose to not spill her blood at my master's feet.

Today, I awoke in my master's comfortable lap to the words of the tall woman, her power seeming to have shaken my master's sense of orientation. As my master was brought to a strange chair to have what appeared to be weapons placed into their mouth, I could only sit patiently at the base of the chair as the tall spell-speaker and an eager woman with strange shoes had their way with my master's mouth. While the intentions of the woman with the strange, tall black shoes were conflicted between coy amusement and a desire for my master, I allowed them to proceed. The tall spell-speaker believes that what was done will greatly help my master's safety. Once the ordeal was completed, and the strange woman with the tall shoes was done playfully tormenting my master, we were permitted to begin our trek home. Awaiting the sensation of a lease to my collar, I am instead surprised to be lifted into the arms of my master. This stuns me, for while my master is truly gifted in their cunning and wily tactics, physical strength eludes them, and their small stature only furthers this. Yet still, after the trying ordeal they've undergone, the exhaustion, the humiliation, my master decides to carry me, to hold me, in their careful arms as we exit the strange building.

I have only known my new master for a short time in the grand expanse of this mortal world, but so long as I continue to draw breath to this flawless form crafted by the Fates, I swear that no harm will befall my beloved master.
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: Braceface2015 on 03. July 2022, 06:08:32 AM
It should be chapter 9.
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: Tin_Grin8444 on 03. July 2022, 06:41:19 AM
It should be chapter 9.

Nice catch! Thanks for letting me know  :)
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: silver-moon-2000 on 03. July 2022, 09:43:55 AM
However, I sense no hostile intention from this tall woman, so I will choose to not spill her blood at my master's feet.

Well now I'm stumped. I thought I knew where this story is heading, but if there's no ill intent then either this beast's sixth sense isn't working properly or this story has another few twists and turns to be unveiled. >:D
Either way, more than ever, please do continue   :)
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: Tin_Grin8444 on 28. July 2022, 00:57:05 AM
Chapter 10

Diary, it all makes sense.

I continued through the shopping center, carrying Mandolin in my arms, still in a daze attempting to process the drastic change in my appearance. The novel presence of metal, spring, cages, wires and bands cemented into my mouth hold my thoughts and attention hostage. I should be happy... This is a wonderful assortment of orthodontics to be locked into someone's mouth! I wish I'd known that the tongue cage was an appliance available to me! I would've happily given it to the likes of Sophia and Sarah. The thought of either of them struggling with such an aggressive appliance would have given me so much life if not for having a more extreme treatment magically forced upon myself. Yes, I should be happy. This is a wonderfully aggressive treatment reserved for the rare disagreeable compliance case. But it's in my mouth. I have... braces. These are MY braces... I wonder if Maggie had felt the same when I subjected her to a similar treatment. Using my cracked phone as a mirror while I walk holding Mandolin, I can see Dr. Kedra used thin wires for the bands and soft traction on both of my facebows. It appears that she intends to take her time with my treatment. No doubt I'll be looking at at least 4 to 5 years of my braces, headgears, tongue cage, and whatever else she decides to subject me to down the line.

Resigned, I put my phone away into my back pocket and continue homeward bound with my beloved cat. Noticing the lights of buildings beginning to flick off for the night, once again, for a busy part of town, it's suspiciously empty, especially for a Friday. Even with my focus hijacked by my recent introduction to the braceface hall of fame, I keep an eye out for that feeling, that sensation from the other night. So far Mandolin isn't growling, so I try to enjoy that at least no one can see me skulk home with my new look.

Braces. I've had such a blast giving them to other people. Why is it so different on myself? Dr. Kendra said I should just "smile and wear it". Seems pretty tone-deaf for an orthodontist, but maybe there's some merit to the phrase. Who knows. She was certainly kind enough to allow Sophia the time of her life subjecting me to loads of embarrassment, granted, to the three people in the waiting room, but the wounds are still fresh.

I round that dreaded corner to face the road home, and the woods on the side. Just like that night, completely dark.

Not a single person, on a Friday night no less. I don't have that feeling, but something is definitely off.

I walk cautiously along the other side of the road to the woods. I hold Mandolin as tightly as I can without hurting her, worried she may jet off into the woods if provoked, leaving me alone. I can feel her purring as she looks up at me. Can she tell I'm scared? What am I saying? She's a cat. Of course she can tell I'm scared. A sudden slash of wind rakes through the leaves higher up in the trees startling me. I can feel my saliva beginning to pool towards the edge of my lips. I have to suck back the drool audibly to prevent it from spilling out. I suck back once more to clear my braces of the spit and swallow it. Embarrassing.

The gust finally makes from the tree tops to blow past my height. I feel the early night air brush past my legs. I try to push forward. Almost halfway through.

Sh$t! SH$T! OH SH$T! I FEEL IT! THAT FEELING IT'S BACK.

Manolin hasn't noticed. She only chirps and meows at me, sensing my reaction. I try to continue, keeping my eyes on the woods, trying to listen. I've had it with this thing. I wanna see it! I WANNA SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE!

Shimmying along, eyes glued to the tree line, Mandolin's legs dangling with each step, I hear brush snapping into the woods. Mandolin's ears perk up at the noise. I see her head facing a different direction, so I shift my focus to where she's looking and try to shimmy a little faster. Maybe I can make it past the tree line? Maybe then it won't chase me?

SH$T I CAN HEAR IT! IT'S JUST A METALIC CLICKING AT THIS POINT.

Mandolin growls deeply. I can feel her body tensing up, her eyes still glued to the same spot in the wood. HELL YEA! SHE KNOWS IT'S THERE! I'M NOT IMAGINING THIS!

Then it hits me. This thing is real. OH CRAP THIS THING IS REAL. I'M ACTUALLY IN DANGER HERE.

I try to break into a walk towards the entrance to my neighborhood, we're halfway there. The metalic clicking sounds closer, but it hasn't started to speed up yet.

Mandolin hisses sharply and breaks free from my arms and rushes to stand firm at the edge of the tree line! NO NO PLEASE COME BACK NO! The metalic clicking finally speeds up and approaches the speed of a scream. Mandolin is right in front of it. She's gonna get hurt. It's right there.

In a blur I rush to grab Mandolin, attempting to scoop her up and leap out of the way, but she's too heavy. I'm gonna get hit. It's right in front of me!

I hear a large mass stumble back, breaking branches across the ground, a tree further in is felled.

What the hell? Did it just back away?

Mandolin shakes herself from my hold again and begins to chase it into the woods! SH$T!

"What the sthhih Mandolin?! Shhhtoop! Pleathh come baah!"

Dammit, I already just put myself in harm's way for her! Thinking back that was a really stupid thing to do. Quickly I bring out my phone as a flashlight (albeit a crappy one) and ready Mandolin's leash in the other hand. As soon as I can get it hooked to her collar, we're out of here.

I step past the edge of the woods and follow the path of broken branches and... footprints? I try to look for Mandolin, but I can only hear her growls ahead of me, the larger mass in front of her only moving when I do. Sh$t we're getting pretty deep into these woods, I don't like this at all. What if there're multiples of these things? I break into a sprint towards Mandolin's growls, and finally reach her at a clearing. I catch her mid lunge and tether the leash to her. She continues her attempted assault; I raise my light in front of me.

"Holy sthhiih..."

My phone's poor-quality light is just enough to make out details and burn its image into my mind for the rest of my life.

The mass of wet black fur, long and dingy, coating its frame and long arms, almost all of this thing is covered in it. It's back looks hunched and bulging, it's limbs thin but long. Its arms stretch to the ground, the ends of them 3 black claws, somehow darker than its fur, the center claw longer than the rest. The only thing that stands out more than its size is its "head". A long, pale white snout, like a rat and a horse had a baby raised by the devil. The face barely has any features. No whiskers, no eyebrows, just a long snout, what look like veins just beneath its skin, and small black eyes on either side, no pupils or irises to speak of. It sees me. Its mouth opens. Teeth. it shifts weight off of one of its arms, raising a claw into the air, towering above me.

I return to my senses. I'm in the woods, alone with my cat, late into the night, in a clearing with this thing. This thing wants to kill me.

Mandolin lurches against the leash to swipe at the monster. It doesn't flinch. Its open mouth starts to ring that sharp metalic click. SH$T MANDOLIN'S IN THE WAY. I tug on the leash to pull her back, but she won't budge! She's going to get hit! Caution to the wind, I lunge to grab her-

It backs away.

What?

I scoop Mandolin and hold her firm in my arms, the leash now clipped to my belt loop.

The monster rattles its open mouth at me. My shaking hand keeps the light on it. I'm not letting it out of my sight. I step forward.

The rattling speeds up.

Another step towards it.

It shifts back.

What the actual hell.

I feel drool beginning to pool again. Dammit not now! To protect Madolin in my arms from getting drooled on, I'm forced to suck back, my lips pulling back to show my braces.

The monster flinches?

Wait.

I purse my lips and flex them back to show my braces and take two steps towards the monster.

It screeches and jumps back.

ARE YOU F%$&ING KIDDING ME?!?!?  >:(

I continue towards it.

"ARE YOU STHIIHING ME? BRATHETH? YOU'RE THCARED OF BRATHETH? ALL THITH TIME, THITH ENTIRE TIME, AND ALL I HAD TO DO TO GET YOU TO PITH OFF, WATH GET BRATHETH?!?!"

The little sh$t cowers away from me whenever I show my teeth. It's actually scared of braces. I start to step back from it, wanting to get out of these woods and go home. Mandolin continues to hiss and growl at it, her tail bushy. I can see the monster try to shuffle towards us, claw raised. What the hell? It's still trying to swipe me with that?

I grin aggressively and step towards it. It backs off, clawing at the ground in front of it angrily. Dammit. It's not just gonna let us go. I need to be careful about this.

I proceeded to almost walk backwards through the entire woods with Mandolin in my arms, shifting the flashlight between lighting my path out of the woods, and shining it to keep the monster in sight. It's still trying to follow us. It occasionally steps forward quickly when the light isn't on it, forcing me to grin at it to show my braces and take my eyes away from my path out. The entire time we've been in here, that feeling has been wracking the inside of my brain. I've been suppressing the urge to break into a sprint because I don't think Mandolin could keep up, and I know this thing wouldn't hesitate to hurt her. We must've gotten really far into these woods. After what feels like forever, I can see the road. It's still there. I can hear the metalic clicking slowly rattle whenever it gets ready to try and make a move. Once my shoes touch the pavement I move to the other side of the road. The light no longer reaches the woods, so I can't see it. I start briskly walking home, my eyes on the woods. Almost to the neighborhood. When this is over, I'm getting something to shoot this thing. I think I'm far enough away. I glance at the entrance to the neighborhood; I see the lights on in my house. Mom and Dad are probably worried sick! I don't know how long I've been out here.

The entrance gate is right there.

The scream.

Something touches my arm, I almost drop Mandolin, but she catches herself on the ground without issue. She then jets to maul the monster behind me. I hear it screaming, but it's different. It sounds like it's in pain. I turn around to see Mandolin has ripped out a piece of it, carrying a hairy chunk of its flesh in her mouth proudly. the meat drips with what appears to be black goo. Gross. My left upper arm feels warm. I glance at it to see it's been slashed. My purple sweater now has clear cut in the fabric. GOD DAMMIT I LIKE THIS SWEATER!

I turn to face it. It's backing away gripping its shoulder.

"YOU BITTH! I LIKE THITH THWEATHER! THATH WAH YOU GEH!"

Mandolin hisses at it, and with one more flash of my braces and can see it hobble back into the wood. Little sh$t. The feeling is finally gone.

I make it home to Mom and Dad concerned about my wounded arm. It's cleaned and bandaged, and Dad is able to console me about my ruined sweater. They grill me about what happened. I tell them Mandolin had chased something into the woods.

I'm beginning to think talking about the thing attracts it. That may be why Dr. Kendra wouldn't let me ask about it. I'm still furious. She couldn't tell me "Oh hey, let me give you braces, it'll solve your monster problem". Either way I'm stuck like this now. I'm gonna find a way to kill that thing, and I think Dr. Kendra could use a treatment of her own.  :)
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: bsma189 on 28. July 2022, 01:32:21 AM
Excellent twist!
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: Tin_Grin8444 on 28. July 2022, 23:24:10 PM
Thank you!
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: zrs2017 on 28. July 2022, 23:32:27 PM
always love to see a new chapter in this story!
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: Cassandra on 28. July 2022, 23:48:29 PM
This is fantastic!
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: Braceface2015 on 29. July 2022, 03:12:46 AM
I added the latest chapter to TheArchive.
Title: Re: Story: That Magic Touch
Post by: paolo on 09. August 2022, 01:08:50 AM
Thanks for the story, I liked how you made Mandolin part of the story and the welded facebows was definitely not something I'd thought of.