— dan dental clinic.

@✽ seulgi k. Seungwan pulled a nearby stool and took a seat in front of the other, smiling as she ushered Seulgi to have her way with the cookies. If there were anything that she’d proudly share with others, it would be the cookies — not that she was the one that baked them, but a friend’s achievement is another friend’s proudest moment. Gently pulling the cup away from her lips, she shook her head. “It’s okay. You can call me Seungwan. Actually, I’d prefer that than being addressed as Doc. And to answer your question, yes, unfortunately, I’m still not satisfied with the outcome.”

Seungwan kicked the floor and pushed herself closer to her desk. When she grabbed her phone, she wheeled herself back to Seulgi. “I wanted warmth and calmness for the clinic’s interior, but the current interior doesn’t scream that. I want it to be a clinic befitting families and elders. I could show some designs that I’m interested in.

Unlocking her phone, she located the Pinterest app on her phone and scrolled through the numerous pinboards she had since the first time she had learned of its existence.

@✽ seungwan s. Of course, Gahyeon managed to remain calm, but as soon as her name was called, her legs became heavy. Moving into the examination room proved difficult as her legs suddenly became like lead, of course, she trusted Seungwan usually , but today was truely ..something else.

Lying on the chair and looking up at the ceiling , she became startled at the glove snapping , that made her go wide eyed , but was also somewhat curious ,so she turned her head and watched on , only to grin at Seungwan's words about getting comfortable, good lord, she would rather be anywhere else but here. "Oh yeah sure, ok I will get comfortable, you get comfortable as well." She mumbled.

Nodding along to Seungwans words , in agreement, she tried to think of anything to delay Seungwan. "You better not hurt me miss Seungwan, but why am I here instead of you, is any of this necessary? The day is nice, but you have no window why is this? Also when will we go out and eat and and when can I visit. " there, truthfully she wanted to know , because she really did want to have a day with Seungwan, but suppose work was in both their way.

(Shh its fine wen bb , it is perfectly fine , I promise, and enjoy the panic >:) )

@✽ gahyeon l. Raising her hand as she tucked her fingers into the sleeve of her glove, the sound of latex slapping against her skin rang clearly through the quiet examination room. Then, she did the same for the other hand before settling down on the stool and wheeling herself close to her tools. The sound of a whirring pool of water filled the room once she the machine using her foot. Despite having her full attention trained on the stainless steel tools on her right, she still remembered the young woman sitting on the chair next to her.

“Try to make yourself as comfortable as you can,” Seungwan finally looked up at the patient, smiling before she had the mask back on her face.

There was a clear stifle in her voice as she explained to the girl about today’s preparation and what she would have to undergo during the inspection. “It’ll be a normal checkup routine. I’ll start by looking at the condition of your teeth, and I’ll also check on your dental hygiene. Then, if there is anything else, I’ll let you know during the examination. If you think that you require any further checkups and treatment, we can also discuss it after. The tools that I’ll be using have been sanitized as per the guidelines. If there’s any question, you can ask away but if not, we can start with the checkup, hm?”

[ i'm so sorry for the late starter! i hope this is okay with you and please take as much time as you need, gahy ]

@✽ nayeon i. [ it's okay! and apologies from my side as well for the late reply இ௰இ i hope it's alright for me to move the thread here ]

The look on the other’s face — the slight tension around her brows, the falling of her lower jaw — and the name that left her lips all brought a huge smile to Seungwan’s face. She almost let out a sigh of relief. Who would have thought Nayeon would still remember her? Her chest felt lighter than before. But the smile disappeared instantly as Nayeon’s expression contorted in pain. Nayeon’s comfort should come first.

Seungwan opened the door wider, letting her patient slash college friend in. “Come in first and let’s see what I can do to help you with that pain.”

She patted the headrest of the lounge chair, instructing Nayeon to get comfortable while Seungwan sanitized her hand and put on a surgical mask. Grabbing onto a stool, she hopped onto it and wheeled herself to her patient. “You can just use your fingers to answer my question, but how long have you been experiencing pain? A few days?”

Putting on a glove in her right hand, she turned the surgical lights toward the lower half of Nayeon’s face. Then, she put on the second glove and stood up, hovering above the woman with a mirror and a probing tool. “Can you please open your mouth?”

@✽ seungwan s. Watching the dentist disappeared from Seulgi's vision, the female stood up and lingered at the wall to get a better perspective of the whole room instead of sitting quietly on the chair in front of the dentist's desk. Seulgi continued her scrutiny of the room, from the ceiling till the floor itself. Quite odd habit Seulgi had here but she started to have it during her university days where she majored in interior design and still use it till now — she just couldn't help it although it was quite rude from some people.

Ears perked up at the incoming steps, Seulgi quickly made her way to the nearest seat and greeted the dentist with a bashful grin and slight bow, "Ah, Thank you. Thank you for tea and cookies. They look very appetizing, I must say." Seulgi sat down on the chair, looking a tad awkward. Ticking sounds from the clock made her feel somewhat restless, Seulgi didn't want to be perceived as an unfriendly one so she decided to come up with a small talk. "Uhm, Seung- I mean Doc, about earlier. I heard you are not that satisfied with the outcome of the interior design. If I may ask, what kind of message would you like the dentist clinic, well at least your office, to communicate?"

@✽ seulgi k. “Great!” Seungwan cheered and disappeared into the backroom slash-pantry to prepare them some tea, and mayhaps she could also offer the other some macarons she bought just a day prior. Once she had put some tea leaves into the infuser, Seungwan poured hot water into the pot and let the leaves steep inside it while she made haste to serve the sweets on a small platter.

Despite the increasing number of young adults coming to live in Dandelion just like her, she was barely making any new friends. But here she was, bringing warm tea and cookies to share with another girl who seemed to be just around her age. This could have been well said, an attempt — a successful one, for her to make a new friend. “Sorry for the wait. I hope you enjoy a bit of sweets because I got these from the bakery. They’re still fresh too.”

@✽ seungwan s. New clinic, no wonder Seulgi never saw this before back then. Nodding her head in response, Seulgi totally agreed to the latter’s statement regarding the interior decorations of this very clinic. It was not that plain but it screamed ‘the scary dentist’ that every children was afraid of, though the dentist herself was not scary at all. She was amicable, at least that was what Seulgi thought.

Seulgi instinctively let her fingers run over the bandaged area, it was uncomfortable to have a bandage stick to your chin but better get treated than getting infected with the germs and all. “Got it. I will do that according to your instructions once I get home,” She was so ready to get up from this comfortable orthodontic chair and bolt out of this dental clinic as soon as possible but the plan was indeed failed when the dentist offered Seulgi a warm drink. Her introverted self said a big no, but her heart begged to differ — lying for the second time was a no-no, she was taught not to lie so Seulgi agreed, “I’m sure I still have time. It’s still early, after all.”

@✽ seungwan s. ( ) i totally forgot i had this going im so sorry!!

"Eh?" Nayeon was surprised, honestly surprised at the face peeking out through the creak, someone whom she hadn't met for years ever since she started dabbling in the family business after graduation, face still glowing, still beautiful as how she remembered her to be, name immediately escaping her lips. "Son Seungwan!?" It was a bad time for an exclaimation though, as the pain in her gum immediately hit her like a kick to the ribs, a single hand clutching onto her masked cheek, giving a tearful nod afterwards. "Yes please... I hope that's alright with you." Catching up can wait, Nayeon desperately needed this problem to be settled right there and then, feet already making a beeline towards the treatment room where Seungwan was in.

@✽ seulgi k. “I see,” Seungwan replied before getting up from her stool. Bringing her hands to her side, she gave Seulgi a warm smile. She turned around, following the woman’s gaze that trailed across the room. “It’s a new clinic, so I guess, it’s nice, but I’m not all that happy with the outcome yet. I think the interior decors could be done better. Although, I’m not one to know about designs.”

“Anyways, you’re all done. Make sure to clean it again after you head into the shower. Then, make sure to apply a clean bandage over it before you head to bed. You wouldn’t need any sort of medication but if you want to make sure it doesn’t leave a scar, you can grab some ointment at the pharmacy.”

A click sound in the backroom caught Seungwan’s attention immediately, but she turned back to Seulgi with a smile instead. “Are you in a rush right now? To meet your client? If you have a few minutes, do you want to have something warm to drink? Tea or maybe coffee?”

@✽ seungwan s. 'To avoid you and your bright looking clothes, Doctor.' Seulgi thought to herself as she remembered what the dentist wore earlier before she was donned in her white coat, but of course, she held that remark back. "Ah, I forgot to bring my phone when I was about to meet a client around here," She glanced at the working hands as the dentist helped to tend her wound.

Be civil and don't frown, Kang Seulgi. That was what Seulgi was trying to do at the moment, and it was quite hard to do so. It has been a while since she interacted with others aside from her friends. But after all, she came back to this very town to have a new start. Just let it go, she thought to herself and replied the warm welcoming, "Seungwan-ssi, You have a nice clinic," she trailed her words and let her eyes scanning her surroundings briefly before she looked even more suspicious. The monolid-eyed girl held out a hand for a handshake, "I'm Seulgi. Kang Seulgi. It’s very nice to meet you. Thank you for helping me earlier, I'm not usually clumsy, actually."

@✽ seulgi k. “It would hurt,” Seungwan replied, her hand reaching out to hold the skin around the wounded area and dabbing at the skin. “But let’s be hopeful that it doesn’t hurt anymore. We need to wait for a few seconds to let the wound dry and then, I’ll patch you up with the bandage.”

And with that, she rolled her chair back to her workstation, grabbing a square padded bandage and ripping it open. “So, if it’s not troubling for you to answer, where were you heading in such a rush? I doubt that there’s a shop doing any sales at this time of the day.”

Seungwan carefully placed the bandage around the area, sealing the opened wound and gave the other woman a warm smile. “I don’t think I have introduced myself. I’m Seungwan, by the way. I’m the local dentist and I owned this business. And you are?”

@✽ seungwan s. Being observant was one of the traits that an interior designer must have and good thing, Seulgi was good at being one in the first place, always has been. Ever since she stepped inside the dental clinic, her eyes subtly ran around the surroundings as she waited for the dentist to sanitize her hands and all. Seulgi also found the atmosphere was warm and welcoming but something was a bit off to the point she could not put a finger on it.

Dental Clinic, where she never knew that she would enter in this very day. Seulgi never bragged about it openly but she really loved how straight her teeth were. One thing that she was proud of from the beginning. She never wore dental braces throughout her youth and even won a competition of having the most healthy teeth ever when she was only six years old. And once she cried because a tooth fell out. That accident has happened again today as if it was déjà vu.

Nodding her head as a response when she saw the dentist came close to Seulgi with a cotton ball in her hand. Seulgi silently took a deep breath and closed her eyes shut. Already anticipating the incoming sting and coldness came into a touch to her skin. "Ouch.. it hurts," She hissed in pain, that would be the most normal reaction when people got scraped by a hard surface. A pain, a temporary or permanent suffering. That's what you get when you avoid something. Seulgi still remembered what her therapist said to her, 'You must face the problem, not avoid it with all your might' and here she was, at the Dental Clinic, where her wound got treated just because she tripped over a harmless pebble and fell on her chin. That freaking pebble just had to sit down in front of this clinic. And why did Seulgi not see that? It was because she was busy avoiding this very dentist almost everyday just because of this one simple reason, the dentist wore too bright clothes and she just had to greet Seulgi in the morning.

@✽ nayeon i. Seungwan was slightly occupied with things that morning. Yes, especially with preparing the tools for the first scheduled patient and recalling whether she had turned off the clothes iron before dashing out of the house to clock in for work. The sound of the bell strung to the door woke her from the short mirth of her thoughts, and Seungwan wheeled her stool to the door, peeking through the creak to check.

The door burst wide open. Seungwan knew who had just walked into her small clinic, and it was a face like no other, beautiful and ethereal as she had remembered. She could only hope that she wasn’t the only that still had the memory. “Are you here for an emergency? Would you like to come in now so I can take a look and see what I can do?”

[ apologies for the late reply! but thank you for waiting (●'◡'●) ]

@✽ seulgi k. Tap water poured out of the tap when Seungwan pushed it open with the back of her hand. She didn’t waste time and quickly ran her hands through the water before she reached for the handwash. The clinic was quiet, void of any other presence except for the dentist and a young lady sitting at the reclined chair that most of her patients would find themselves on.

Seungwan turned to face the woman, smiling from ear to ear as she wiped her hands dry. She didn’t wait to hear a reply from the other when she asked, “Does it still sting?”. Seungwan quickly headed to the cabinets, grabbing the tools she needed to dress the wound. She grabbed a wheeled stool in the corner of the room and sat down. Seungwan wheeled herself to the woman’s side with all the stuff she needed to patch up the wound.

Their first face-to-face meeting had been uncanny. Seungwan had seen her before, actually numerous times, that is, but she doubted the other remembered her. When Seungwan was back in this small town, she sought friendly companions, and the woman in front of her seemed like a person who could be a friend. Yet, after multiple dismissals to her greetings, Seungwan understood that the woman might not have wanted the same, and she deemed it perfectly understandable. Not everyone wanted a friend, and she wished to respect that.

“Try not to move too much. The alcohol will sting at first, but once we get it wrapped, you’ll not feel the pain anymore,” Seungwan pressed her lips into a firm line before dabbing the liquid into a clean cotton ball. “Ready?”

@✽ seungwan s. Damn that toothache. Nayeon wasn't expecting it to hurt this bad, delaying her appointment to her usual dentist in the city till next week because of work and other necessary things, but no way in hell was she able to get through today when it suddenly hurt so bad, gum painful and tender to the touch. It kept her up at night and she looked like a whole mess this morning, one side of her cheek flushed red, lightly swollen, and any activity that required the use of hurt so bad, and she wasn't sure what was going on. Maybe she shouldn't have that many sweets. Maybe she should have removed her wisdom teeth. But now she needed immediate remedy, and barely managed to drag herself to the town-only dental clinic, a mask over her face and greeting the receptionist with a pained look in her eyes. "Please, tell me that the dentist on duty is free, it hurts so bad."

@✽ nayeon i. Dandelion’s town-only dental clinic had a humble approach to its interior decor. Void of the thick couches and monthly entertainment magazines, it had a small waiting area with chairs not as plush but still as comfortable and a small children’s area in the middle with storybooks about ‘brushing your teeth,’ and ‘friendly food for the teeth.’ Seungwan had never felt that it was depressing. The windows always remained wide open, and the flooring was light wood and clean. It was perfect for families and elders to come by for checkups and dental care. But well, it just never occurred to Seungwan that she would have a different level of clientele, one that held such a strong position in Dandelion.

[ apologies for the short starter > _ < ]