An old Beast

“Tenebris! It’s good to see you again!”

Stax smiled joyfully as she gave him a welcoming hug.

“I know a certain maid sure missed you~”

She teased the doctor, only for the sound of tea cups jitter on a tray, threatening to fall. Followed by a sudden sputter. She turned to see Lily rebalancing herself with a tray of tea, face flushed.

“Ma'dam Stax!”

Lily gave a nervous smile but she nodded and followed the doctor. She wasn’t nervous about him giving her a check up, if anything, she was rather flattered that he wanted to give her a check up. She briefly wondered how he knew she had wanted to talk to him about something important.

As they entered the office, it was just the way he had left it. Everything sparking clean, sanitised and fresh. She had made sure to clean and towels or clothes weekly to keep them dust free. Though she would admit that his lingering scent had faded due to her cleaning and she missed his familiar and comforting aroma.

“It is good to see you again Monsieur Tenebris.”

She couldn’t help but add before they got onto any other business.

“And to see you again brings me great joy, Lily.” His hand released her own to rest on her shoulder as he looked around the office before he began purring loudly in content. 

“Was I that obvious?”

She was asking both herself and Tenebris, letting out a small sigh. Lily suddenly felt nervous again. More about what the outcome would be of her question.

“Monsieur Tenebris… Do you remember my situation last time we were in the office?”

Of course he did… How could he forget… She came to him in a time of great weakness and he had taken to his heart a great secret that to this day he’s revealed to no one.

He still remembered her name, after all…

Lily hesitated before continuing, wringing her hands in her dress. She quickly smoothened her outfit back out, letting out her breath.

“After… the incident, I was scheduled to go back for a check up. But I was so scared of what they would tell me… I never went back.”

Lily had to look away for a moment, feeling her eyes well up. She cleared her through before she continued.

“I… I don’t know if everything is… OK. Would you, be able to check?”

Her fear was understandable… But it didn’t stop it from making his heart hurt by thinking about how she felt… His hands slowed to a stop from their prep, folding at his front, before he vented quietly through his sharp teeth.

His gentle warm touched calmed her almost immediately, looking up at him. A weak smile spread across her face. She almost leaned into his touch. Upon hearing that maybe there is a chance of her getting to be a mother again was both frightening and exciting. Her stomach was doing flips.

“I know…”

Lily raised her hand to touch his own, caressing his with her own. She was incredibly glad that Tenebris was her doctor. She smiled and nodded.

“I promise Tenebris. I am worried but I trust you. ”

Taking a deep breath, she can feel herself relax. She even felt a jolt of excitement that she never thought she would feel ever again.

“Then let’s not waste any time.” He gave her a kiss to her forehead, then stood up, shedding his coat and rolling up his sleeves, “Home, darling? Would you be so kind as to put a ‘Do not Disturb’ sign up on my door and lock it?” he spoke to the air, “This is to be a very important series of tests that I would rather keep of utmost confidentiality, as I’m sure that is how Lily Darling would have it.”

The distant sound of a lock latching was heard and Tenebris nodded in satisfaction before he gave Lily another of his warm smiles.

“First... Would you be so kind as to change into one of my spare turtlenecks?”

“Tenebris! It’s good to see you again!”

Stax smiled joyfully as she gave him a welcoming hug.

“I know a certain maid sure missed you~”

She teased the doctor, only for the sound of tea cups jitter on a tray, threatening to fall. Followed by a sudden sputter. She turned to see Lily rebalancing herself with a tray of tea, face flushed.

“Ma'dam Stax!”

Lily gave a nervous smile but she nodded and followed the doctor. She wasn’t nervous about him giving her a check up, if anything, she was rather flattered that he wanted to give her a check up. She briefly wondered how he knew she had wanted to talk to him about something important.

As they entered the office, it was just the way he had left it. Everything sparking clean, sanitised and fresh. She had made sure to clean and towels or clothes weekly to keep them dust free. Though she would admit that his lingering scent had faded due to her cleaning and she missed his familiar and comforting aroma.

“It is good to see you again Monsieur Tenebris.”

She couldn’t help but add before they got onto any other business.

“And to see you again brings me great joy, Lily.” His hand released her own to rest on her shoulder as he looked around the office before he began purring loudly in content. 

“Was I that obvious?”

She was asking both herself and Tenebris, letting out a small sigh. Lily suddenly felt nervous again. More about what the outcome would be of her question.

“Monsieur Tenebris… Do you remember my situation last time we were in the office?”

Of course he did… How could he forget… She came to him in a time of great weakness and he had taken to his heart a great secret that to this day he’s revealed to no one.

He still remembered her name, after all…

Lily hesitated before continuing, wringing her hands in her dress. She quickly smoothened her outfit back out, letting out her breath.

“After… the incident, I was scheduled to go back for a check up. But I was so scared of what they would tell me… I never went back.”

Lily had to look away for a moment, feeling her eyes well up. She cleared her through before she continued.

“I… I don’t know if everything is… OK. Would you, be able to check?”

Her fear was understandable… But it didn’t stop it from making his heart hurt by thinking about how she felt… His hands slowed to a stop from their prep, folding at his front, before he vented quietly through his sharp teeth.

His gentle warm touched calmed her almost immediately, looking up at him. A weak smile spread across her face. She almost leaned into his touch. Upon hearing that maybe there is a chance of her getting to be a mother again was both frightening and exciting. Her stomach was doing flips.

“I know…”

herding cows in a mall

a fusion of summer and winter

a brick

bigfoot

a guy not having rhythm

puppies and rainbows and flowers and holding hands etc. etc.

squirrels invading pants

a disco miniature golfing queen

a man with a head the size and shape of a pear

a bollywood song about not being able to finish a school project

aglets

shooting a gelatin monster with water guns

literally sitting and doing nothing

being unable to live up to your mother’s expectations because you’re not good at kickball

a heavy metal song about not being graded in a class

dr. coconut. doesn’t make any sense in context, either

obeying someone through the power of yodeling

a mexican-jewish cultural festival

reverse engineering

a platypus driving a semi truck

a robot rodeo

another bollywood song about producing rubber bands and rubber balls in a factory

a platypus controlling your every movement

completely giving up

a dairy farm on the moon that makes ice cream

meatloaf

snacks

a language they made up named ferb latin

a completely gibberish version of the smash hit gitchee gitchee goo, which was originally half gibberish anyway

a heartfelt ballad sung by a bully and his nerd after they broke up

a waltz set to a driving test

a horse in a bookcase. hes just stuck in the bookcase

weapons of mass destruction and using said weapons to impress your father/creator/inventor

abandoning society to live with monkeys because you thought your boyfriend broke up with you

a fusion of a whale and a flamingo

a gordian knot

the battle of troy

a super creepy giant marionette doll

theres one that’s self explanatory: the title is “all the convoluted reasons we pretend to be divorced”

They had a whole song dedicated to educating folks that the ends of the shoelaces are called Aglets

The whole point is to not forget it.

“Tenebris! It’s good to see you again!”

Stax smiled joyfully as she gave him a welcoming hug.

“I know a certain maid sure missed you~”

She teased the doctor, only for the sound of tea cups jitter on a tray, threatening to fall. Followed by a sudden sputter. She turned to see Lily rebalancing herself with a tray of tea, face flushed.

“Ma'dam Stax!”

Lily gave a nervous smile but she nodded and followed the doctor. She wasn’t nervous about him giving her a check up, if anything, she was rather flattered that he wanted to give her a check up. She briefly wondered how he knew she had wanted to talk to him about something important.

As they entered the office, it was just the way he had left it. Everything sparking clean, sanitised and fresh. She had made sure to clean and towels or clothes weekly to keep them dust free. Though she would admit that his lingering scent had faded due to her cleaning and she missed his familiar and comforting aroma.

“It is good to see you again Monsieur Tenebris.”

She couldn’t help but add before they got onto any other business.

“And to see you again brings me great joy, Lily.” His hand released her own to rest on her shoulder as he looked around the office before he began purring loudly in content. 

“Was I that obvious?”

She was asking both herself and Tenebris, letting out a small sigh. Lily suddenly felt nervous again. More about what the outcome would be of her question.

“Monsieur Tenebris… Do you remember my situation last time we were in the office?”

Of course he did… How could he forget… She came to him in a time of great weakness and he had taken to his heart a great secret that to this day he’s revealed to no one.

He still remembered her name, after all…

Lily hesitated before continuing, wringing her hands in her dress. She quickly smoothened her outfit back out, letting out her breath.

“After… the incident, I was scheduled to go back for a check up. But I was so scared of what they would tell me… I never went back.”

Lily had to look away for a moment, feeling her eyes well up. She cleared her through before she continued.

“I… I don’t know if everything is… OK. Would you, be able to check?”

Her fear was understandable... But it didn’t stop it from making his heart hurt by thinking about how she felt... His hands slowed to a stop from their prep, folding at his front, before he vented quietly through his sharp teeth.

“Tenebris! It’s good to see you again!”

Stax smiled joyfully as she gave him a welcoming hug.

“I know a certain maid sure missed you~”

She teased the doctor, only for the sound of tea cups jitter on a tray, threatening to fall. Followed by a sudden sputter. She turned to see Lily rebalancing herself with a tray of tea, face flushed.

“Ma'dam Stax!”

Lily gave a nervous smile but she nodded and followed the doctor. She wasn’t nervous about him giving her a check up, if anything, she was rather flattered that he wanted to give her a check up. She briefly wondered how he knew she had wanted to talk to him about something important.

As they entered the office, it was just the way he had left it. Everything sparking clean, sanitised and fresh. She had made sure to clean and towels or clothes weekly to keep them dust free. Though she would admit that his lingering scent had faded due to her cleaning and she missed his familiar and comforting aroma.

“It is good to see you again Monsieur Tenebris.”

She couldn’t help but add before they got onto any other business.

“And to see you again brings me great joy, Lily.” His hand released her own to rest on her shoulder as he looked around the office before he began purring loudly in content. 

“Was I that obvious?”

She was asking both herself and Tenebris, letting out a small sigh. Lily suddenly felt nervous again. More about what the outcome would be of her question.

“Monsieur Tenebris… Do you remember my situation last time we were in the office?”

Of course he did... How could he forget... She came to him in a time of great weakness and he had taken to his heart a great secret that to this day he’s revealed to no one.

He still remembered her name, after all...

“Tenebris! It’s good to see you again!”

Stax smiled joyfully as she gave him a welcoming hug.

“I know a certain maid sure missed you~”

She teased the doctor, only for the sound of tea cups jitter on a tray, threatening to fall. Followed by a sudden sputter. She turned to see Lily rebalancing herself with a tray of tea, face flushed.

“Ma'dam Stax!”

Lily gave a nervous smile but she nodded and followed the doctor. She wasn’t nervous about him giving her a check up, if anything, she was rather flattered that he wanted to give her a check up. She briefly wondered how he knew she had wanted to talk to him about something important.

As they entered the office, it was just the way he had left it. Everything sparking clean, sanitised and fresh. She had made sure to clean and towels or clothes weekly to keep them dust free. Though she would admit that his lingering scent had faded due to her cleaning and she missed his familiar and comforting aroma.

“It is good to see you again Monsieur Tenebris.”

She couldn’t help but add before they got onto any other business.

“And to see you again brings me great joy, Lily.” His hand released her own to rest on her shoulder as he looked around the office before he began purring loudly in content. 

“Tenebris! It’s good to see you again!”

Stax smiled joyfully as she gave him a welcoming hug.

“I know a certain maid sure missed you~”

She teased the doctor, only for the sound of tea cups jitter on a tray, threatening to fall. Followed by a sudden sputter. She turned to see Lily rebalancing herself with a tray of tea, face flushed.

“Ma'dam Stax!”

After she took a moment to recover, a warm smile spread across her face. She nodded as he spoke reassuring him she kept his office dust free and ready for his return.

“Oui monsieur Tenebris. I kept it sanitary for any patients you may have.”

After placing down her tray, she gave him another cheery smile.

“Thriving!” He repeated jovially. He made quick work of closing the distance between himself and the maid, lowering his form once close enough to take her hands and give them a gentle. affectionate squeeze, “It’s so good to hear that, Lily. I certainly hope you have not needed me too terribly in the time i was gone,  I could never forgive myself if I let one of the most valuable assets of this house fall into poor condition.” he rumbled, “Especially after she worked so hard to keep my work station clean, you really are a miracle worker, Miss Lily~”

He then turned his head to Stax and gave a tilt of his head, “Stax, dear… Would you be willing to go and spread word that I’ve returned? If there is anyone who would like to schedule an appointment, I’d like to see to it immediately to make up for lost time.” While it was indeed the truth that he hoped to make up for lost time, there was also the concern that Lily might be one of his first clients, but he knew her better than that. 

“Of course. I’m sure you’ll be busy right away, lots of changes have happened since you have been gone.”

Stax smiled at him as she turned to go inform the house. She could tell that they needed a moment together so maybe she’ll let the two have some time before patients started knocking on his door.

Lily couldn’t hide the blush growing across her face, smiling as he took her tiny hands in his own. She had missed him, she was glad that he was back.

“Undoubtedly, given who was in charge of keeping it” He gave her a warm smile, then rose once more to his full height, “However, I have one patient I’d like to see before anything else is done.” He rumbled to her, keeping his hand wrapped comfortably around hers as he started a slow pace towards his office.

“Tenebris! It’s good to see you again!”

Stax smiled joyfully as she gave him a welcoming hug.

“I know a certain maid sure missed you~”

She teased the doctor, only for the sound of tea cups jitter on a tray, threatening to fall. Followed by a sudden sputter. She turned to see Lily rebalancing herself with a tray of tea, face flushed.

“Ma'dam Stax!”

After she took a moment to recover, a warm smile spread across her face. She nodded as he spoke reassuring him she kept his office dust free and ready for his return.

“Oui monsieur Tenebris. I kept it sanitary for any patients you may have.”

After placing down her tray, she gave him another cheery smile.

“Thriving!” He repeated jovially. He made quick work of closing the distance between himself and the maid, lowering his form once close enough to take her hands and give them a gentle. affectionate squeeze, “It’s so good to hear that, Lily. I certainly hope you have not needed me too terribly in the time i was gone,  I could never forgive myself if I let one of the most valuable assets of this house fall into poor condition.” he rumbled, “Especially after she worked so hard to keep my work station clean, you really are a miracle worker, Miss Lily~”

He then turned his head to Stax and gave a tilt of his head, “Stax, dear... Would you be willing to go and spread word that I’ve returned? If there is anyone who would like to schedule an appointment, I’d like to see to it immediately to make up for lost time.” While it was indeed the truth that he hoped to make up for lost time, there was also the concern that Lily might be one of his first clients, but he knew her better than that. 

“Tenebris! It’s good to see you again!”

Stax smiled joyfully as she gave him a welcoming hug.

“I know a certain maid sure missed you~”

She teased the doctor, only for the sound of tea cups jitter on a tray, threatening to fall. Followed by a sudden sputter. She turned to see Lily rebalancing herself with a tray of tea, face flushed.

“Ma'dam Stax!”

“W-What are you?” 

“You monster.” 

“Hideous, isn’t it?” 

“You were never supposed to find out.” 

“What sort of demon are you?!” 

“Don’t look!” 

“Why do you have horns now?” 

“Um… are you supposed to shed feathers…?” 

“Your shadow doesn’t match your body, you know?” 

“Y-You should take a look in the mirror…” 

“If you want to see a monster, take a good look at yourself.” 

“You just- jumped in and grew scales!” 

“Are you supposed to be this… cold?” 

“Ow! Your hands are scalding!” 

“What happened to your face?” 

“What’s happening to you?” 

“I… have something to show you…? “

“Please don’t be scared…” 

“Are you supposed to have a tail or is there some sort of weird shenanigans I should know about?” 

“I thought you were kidding when you kept calling yourself a __!” 

“Did… did you know your eyes glow in the dark?” 

“You have an impressive set of teeth.” 

“Oh my god you’re a __!” 

“You’ve lied to me all this time?” 

“I-it’s not what you think-!” 

“Why are there claw marks along the doorways?” 

“You want to see how I really am?” 

“Please don’t kill me!” 

“Vestibular sense provides information about where the body is in relation to its surroundings. This is the sense that helps you understand balance, and it connects with all the other senses.

When the vestibular system does not develop properly all other senses will struggle to function properly. Without a strong vestibular sense, kids will have no choice but to fidget, get frustrated, experience more falls and aggression, get too close to people when talking, and struggle with focusing and listening. Because they literally cannot help it.”

“Here are a few ways to support your child’s vestibular sense:

Spinning in circles.

Using a Merry-Go-Round.

Rolling down a hill.

Spinning on a swing.

Going upside down.

Climbing trees.

Rocking.

Jumping rope.

Summersaults or cartwheels.

Using monkey bars.

Skating.

Going backwards.

Swimming.

Dancing.

Wheel-barrel walks.”

Yeeting kids, spinning them, flipping them upside down, tossing them in the air, and otherwise disrupting their balance temporarily, is Important For Their Development, specifically for their vestibular sense.

We all seek proprioceptive input, leaning against walls, pushing against the steering wheel when driving, giving your body a squeeze to wake yourself up, the list goes on! When we ‘crash’ kids into soft things like pillows or beds, we’re waking their bodies up AND calming their bodies down! In other words, getting them into this super nice zone of “just right” regulation. 

When I see a child who is bouncing off the walls and can’t seem to stand still for more than a few seconds? I start wrestling with them, crashing them into pillows, giving their body the right amount of input they need to feel good and organised. And suddenly, this kid is able to sit and play attentively or do their handwriting practice. It’s amazing! If you want to know more about why the vestibular and proprioceptive systems are awesome at making your body feel good, google those two words (and sensory processing) and read through some occupational therapy websites! 

Side note: As adults, does your body ever feel jittering/jiggly/wiggly/like it needs to move or calm down but you just can’t figure out why? That’s your sensory system saying Hey! I need to feel differently in order to function better! Here’s what you can do:

Jump up and down (vestibular and proprioception)

Give yourself big squeezes (proprioception)

Place your hands on a wall and do push ups (proprioception)

Do cartwheels (vestibular and proprioception)

Get someone to give you the biggest bear hug for at least 10 seconds (proprioception and social connection, also proven to help regulate your sensory system into just right zone!)

Get a drink of water and drink it through a straw OR blow bubbles into the water (way more fun!) (oral motor input and respiration)

Have a shower or a bath (tactile)

Stretch and do exercise (vestibular and proprioception)

Eat something crunchy or chewy (like chips or gum) (oral motor input)

Listen to some music that suits your mood (auditory)

etc etc etc! I’m sure you already have a strategy that your body has figured out works for you. I personally like to chew gum when I feel like i need to eat something but I’m not actually hungry and just need that chewing sensation in my jaw.