Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Bakuchiku

@bakuchikuwhimsy.bsky.social

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity Jumping back and forth between stories this weekend- When the psychic is right . . . just not about you. #Inbetween

“Ah ha! I knew a psychic was a waste of time,” Eric muttered as he turned onto the main road.
Peijin frowned. “So, it wasn’t helpful at all.”
“Well, he didn’t get much right about me, but everything he said was one hundred percent correct about Telina.” Goosebumps rose on my skin much to my irritation. My life had been one long weird existence. There was no reason to start getting bothered by it now.
“What?” Eric said, his eyes wide. He braked at the last minute, barely avoiding a fender bender. That earned him a smack on the shoulder from Peijin.
“Watch the road,” she scolded. Then she turned back to me, “What do you mean?”
I held my hands out in bemusement. “Just that. He read my past, present, and future, but the past and present he described were Telina’s, not mine. And he said that Telina had a decision to make in the future. One that would affect the rest of her life.”
“Aiyo,” Peijin breathed. “If only we could warn her.”

May 25, 2025 at 4:01 AM

Bakuchiku

@bakuchikuwhimsy.bsky.social

#Caturday Do you not see my ribbon stick on the ground NOT being waved around, human? ::glares in cat::
Sigh, so bossy.

Grey cat with yellow eyes looking up at the camera with pink and blue ribbon stick next to her on the ground.

May 25, 2025 at 3:32 AM

Bakuchiku

@bakuchikuwhimsy.bsky.social

#WIPSnips #WritingPrompts #WritingCommunity Siblings being siblings. Though I must say, I'm almost positive moving your whole body while playing Mario Kart does indeed make your character go faster. ::nods uncertainly:: #SelkiePrinces

“Dude, this is why you always lose at games,” Zack said. He shook his head at Beathan. “And are you talking about runs or pairs?”
“I don’t always lose at games. You have yet to win one chess game against me,” Beathan pointed out. They heard Tom snort from the sofa where he was watching the soccer game on the big screen TV.
“That’s because chess is super boring and you take for-ev-er to make a move,” Zack retorted. “Why don’t you try actually winning a video game for once?” This time Zack shot Beathan a superior grin. His eyes widened comically, and he pretended to hold up a controller as he jerked around like Beathan did whenever he played video games. “You know you don’t have to move your whole body, right? Just the joystick and buttons.”
Beathan saw Jared cover his mouth with his hand, but he just narrowed his eyes at Zack. “It doesn’t help that you are constantly throwing advice at me the whole time that makes no sense.” Beathan slouched back in his chair and held his invisible controller in the same lazy way Zack did. “Dude,” he said, affecting Zack’s West Coast accent, “Try not mashing the buttons. It’s A-B combo for that. Try to be, like, super OP, bruh.”
“I do not sound like that,” Zack started in an irritated voice. His argument was derailed as his parents burst out laughing, his dad almost falling off the sofa, and Elise laughed so hard she snorted.
“You totally do, dude,” Beathan replied.

May 23, 2025 at 5:51 PM

Bakuchiku

@bakuchikuwhimsy.bsky.social

#WIPSnips #WritingSky #WritingCommunity It's never wise to prank the person at home who likes to cook. #SelkiePrinces

Jared cautiously opened the door when he returned home that night. There’d been no texts from Ben to his phone during the day, even when Jared had sent one just to say he loved him. The silence felt ominous. The house was also dark. Although when Jared flipped on the lights in the dining room, it was to find a kid’s happy meal sitting at his spot at the table. He frowned and opened the box. Four chicken nuggets and apple slices instead of fries. No toy inside either. Ben was definitely pissed.

May 23, 2025 at 3:01 AM

Bakuchiku

@bakuchikuwhimsy.bsky.social

#LoreOutLoud Here is a moment from Selkie Princes that always makes me chuckle, but I'm biased cause I love arcades. And I also feel you can learn a lot about a person by playing air hockey with them.

There had been an arcade next to the mini-golf course, and while Beathan had been reluctant to touch any of the electronic games for fear of inadvertently blowing them up, Jared had insisted they play a game called air hockey. When Jared had managed to score for the fifth time in a row, out of frustration, Beathan had hit the puck as hard as he could to send it to the other side. Instead, he managed to knock it off the table, sending it flying into a game where people danced on lit-up tiles. The people had dived off the dance platform with shrieks of surprise, and Jared had done his best to apologize while laughing and offering them a free round of the game.

May 20, 2025 at 6:48 PM

Bakuchiku

@bakuchikuwhimsy.bsky.social

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingPrompts This is from an older story about two girls from different worlds who dream of the other, but aren't sure who is the real one and who is the dream. It is called #Inbetween

By the time we arrived at the carnival it was dusk, and everything was in full swing. It was more than just those little parking lot carnivals. This one had tall rides and small rollercoasters. There were carnival games and booths lit up by neon lights with stuffed toys hanging from the wooden rafters. The smell of corn dogs, popcorn, and candy melded together, reminding me of when I was a kid and my dad would take me to these things, although I’d always been to afraid to ride the rollercoasters then.
Next to me, Peijin squealed, her eyes opened wide as she yanked on Navya’s arm in excitement. Eric covered his ears like she’d deafened him, even though we could barely hear anything over mechanical sound of the rides and games and cacophony of voices that surrounded us.
“Aisling, can we go on that one?” Peijin asked, pointing at a ride that looked like it did a sudden plummet down. Just watching as it slowly climbed its way to the top made my stomach twist in knots.
“Oh . . . um . . . what about . . .” I looked around for a calmer ride. Or even a carnival game would do.
“Good luck, PJ. If you can get Aisling to go on that, I’d be amazed. She’s a big chicken when it comes to roller coasters.”
I frowned at him, but didn’t argue. Unfortunately, he had a point. “How about I’ll do any of the non-roller coaster stuff you want.”
Peijin put her hands on her hips, but finally said, “Cheh.” For the longest time, I’d thought that it was a rude word in Mandarin, but I’d finally realized that was just Peijin’s way of expressing disapproval.

May 20, 2025 at 6:36 PM

Bakuchiku

@bakuchikuwhimsy.bsky.social

#LoreOutLoud So this is a snippet from a story I wrote about two girls each from different worlds who dream about the other, but don't know why. They set out to find out why & to find out who's the dream & who's the real one. It's one of my favorites & means so much to me. #Inbetween

Still my steps took me closer to the large oval mirror that my eyes refused to look at. After a deep breath, I looked up. Telina's visage startled me. It was the first time I'd seen her outside my dreams. She looked startled too, her face pale with the dark blue scarf tied around her curls.
For once I wasn't afraid though, more fascinated than anything else. Behind her I could see what looked like furniture. It was Telina's face that held my gaze though. She stared at me as well, wonder replacing the fear she'd worn earlier. She lifted a hand to the mirror and pressed her palm against it. That strange feeling of homesickness returned, and almost of its own will, my hand rose up. I drew back in surprise. The spot on the mirror where her hand touched was warm. She pulled her hand away too. Then our eyes met and we gave each other helpless smiles.
She put her palm back against the mirror and I placed mine over it. A sudden need to . . . to . . . find her surged through me, and my knees would have buckled if I hadn't been holding onto the sink. Her eyes widened, mirroring mine. She'd felt it too.
I saw her mouth my name, and for some reason tears sprang to my eyes. What was happening to me? To us? A tear dripped down my cheek.
“I understand,” she said in Senoran, although I saw the words instead of hearing them. Then her own eyes started to gleam.

And she did. She was the only one who could understand. And all of a sudden I didn't feel nearly as alone as I had my whole life. A knot of pain I hadn't even known had been tied around my heart had loosened.
“I know,” I whispered back, though I couldn't remember if I'd said it in English or Senoran. “Thank you.”
She wiped her face with a sleeve just as I did and we both laughed at the absurdity of the situation.
“Of course,” she said with a quick, decisive nod, which was so like her. And then slowly her image and that of the room behind her faded away.
“Telina!” I called, dropping my voice at the last minute. The warmth beneath my hand disappeared and my own pained face stared back at me. I took my hand from the mirror, and the urge, the need to find . . . something, overwhelmed me like a wave crashing over my head and stealing my breath. I put a hand to my chest. My heart raced as if a timer had started ticking down. Something had changed inside me, even if I wasn’t exactly sure what it was yet. Seeing Telina and interacting with her in the mirror had made everything . . . different. I would never be the same. And although that terrified me, that feeling was swamped by the overpowering desire to figure out what was going on.

May 19, 2025 at 8:31 PM

Bakuchiku

@bakuchikuwhimsy.bsky.social

Monday #LegoElvesAdventures On the Road (with lots of food) #LegoElves

Sira: Would you like some- Yup, he's in the fry basket. (shakes her head)
Tidus: *nom, nom*

(same, Tidus, same)

two lego elves on a diner table, the green haired elf reaches for a sweet potato fry and the blue haired elf holds onto the side of the fry basket, there are sweet potato fries and a hamburger in a white pattered paper basket

May 19, 2025 at 8:00 PM

Bakuchiku

@bakuchikuwhimsy.bsky.social

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity To all the parents who drive their kids crazy because they care. Sincerely, from a child driven crazy and also a parent who drives their child crazy. #Selkieprinces

“Okay, just, um, don’t call my dad, alright?” Ben said as he turned on the TV.
Jared blinked innocently and Ben looked up at him.
“You didn’t call my dad, right?” Ben asked. The silence lingered, and Ben’s face scrunched in dismay. “Jared!” he protested. “He’s on his way here now, isn’t he?”
“I’m sorry, babe, I meant to just ask him about Fey magic and getting sick, and the next thing I know he’s saying he’ll be here in thirty minutes to an hour.”
Ben growled in frustration and Amelia butted her head against his arm and meowed in sympathy.
“I really do think he’s just worried about you,” Jared offered.
“I know,” Ben said in exasperation, “I get he wants to be a dad, but I’m twenty-four, not fifteen.”
The lid on the pot clinked in the kitchen and Jared hurried to check on the rice. He stirred the rice and put the lid back on, feeling a little guilty. He’d just try to make sure Tiernan’s visit was as short as possible.
Ben had eaten his congee and was part way through his favorite movie about a librarian that went on missions to gather magical artifacts when the doorbell rang. Jared heard Ben groan, but ignored him and opened the door.

May 19, 2025 at 7:15 PM

Bakuchiku

@bakuchikuwhimsy.bsky.social

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity Well, that pooka won't be bothering him anymore #Selkieprinces

In a swift movement, he cupped her face and turned her head so her ear was in front of his mouth and then unleashed his Storytelling power. “Listen up, pooka. Or I will tell you a story of a pooka that didn’t know when to leave well enough alone.”
With each word of his sentence he imbued the undertones of all the stories he knew about pookas that came to terrifying ends.
Kelly’s mouth dropped open as her face paled and he saw her pooka shape shimmer into sight, hinting at equestrian features. Then in the next instant she was back in control, although she released Beathan like he was an electric eel that had shocked her.
The music mercifully paused, and he could hear her stammer, “S-selkie men d-don’t have m-magic.”
“No, not most of them.” Beathan fixed her with a look, infusing his power once again into his words. “But I’m not like most of them.”

May 16, 2025 at 6:40 PM

Bakuchiku

@bakuchikuwhimsy.bsky.social

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity So this kind of feels like cheating since it's honeymoon. But close enough, right? Though I wish I was as organized as Beathan. #Selkieprinces

“This second honeymoon won’t last forever and I-” Jared started.
“It’s not a second honeymoon!” Beathan argued, exasperation underlining the words. “This is a chance to rest, re-group, learn about my powers-”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Jared said, interrupting him as he reached out to caress Beathan's shoulder. “All I hear is second honeymoon, which means I’ve got one thing on my mind-”
Beathan tried not to give into the soft touch. He'd learned Jared was a master of distraction. “Well, I hope it’s planning our schedules because I want to get a big calendar and write everything down. Oh, and finishing up organizing our home.”
Jared only grinned at him. “Oh, yeah,” he nodded, his voice just this side of patronizing, “planning and organizing, that’s exactly what I was thinking.”

May 16, 2025 at 2:40 AM

Bakuchiku

@bakuchikuwhimsy.bsky.social

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity A definitely chaotic moment #Selkieprinces

“Beathan!” he heard Hisakawa sensei call after him.
He didn’t stop though. He had to get back to Jared. He’d become Beathan’s safe place. The place where all the chaos was quiet. Panic threatened tears, but Beathan pushed down the growing anxiety. Would Jared still love him if he knew Beathan was half Fey? Fey were tricky, and they only looked out for themselves. That’s what all the Selkies said. But Jared himself was part Siren. He’d understand.
After stumbling through dark and light hallways, he found the familiar door and shoved it open. “Jared,” Beathan called in a desperate voice, tears gathering in his eyes.
Jared was instantly on his feet and so were the guards. “What’s wrong? What happened?” he asked, coming over to Beathan and putting his hands on his shoulders.

May 15, 2025 at 6:38 AM

Bakuchiku

@bakuchikuwhimsy.bsky.social

#LoreOutLoud This one was really hard. Especially cause I feel most myself writing poetry, but I feel my poetry skills are meh. So here's a snippet of the poem. It's cheesy, but heartfelt and embodies how I get overwhelmed kinda easily but still want to do things to help.

I can’t save the world
But I will do my best
To give hope to my corner of it

May 14, 2025 at 2:18 AM

Bakuchiku

@bakuchikuwhimsy.bsky.social

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity I'm afraid I agree with Jared this time. #Selkieprinces

“Ben,” Jared growled, sounding at the limit of his patience. He stopped in the middle of the jungle path and stared down at Beathan. “Tell me.”
Sighing inwardly, Beathan held out his hands, palms up. “Well, while Svana was dragging me back to Bryn, I managed to escape once, but . . .” he shrugged, “these pookas mistook me as a Siren because I tried to charm them with my Storyteller voice. They took me to Cherie thinking I was her missing relative. And well . . .” he grimaced, already dreading the next part, “Cherie, um, enchanted me-”
“Enchanted you?” Jared barked out. “Like with your full name and a Siren’s kiss enchanted? Like you were falling all over her enchanted?”
“Yes . . .” Beathan admitted slowly. “She found out that I was Bryn’s missing fiance and did a deal with, um, Svana.”
“She enchanted you then turned you over to Queen Bryn and,” Jared adding the next part in a voice that implied he sincerely doubted Beathan’s mental abilities, “you are friends with her?”
“She was really good to me while I was, um, enchanted. And I could tell she didn’t want to hand me over, but she’d already made the deal before she’d gotten to know me and-”
Jared grabbed his hair and pulled like he’d rather have his hands shaking Beathan. “And what, Ben? Do you know how crazy you sound right now?”

May 14, 2025 at 1:38 AM

Bakuchiku

@bakuchikuwhimsy.bsky.social

Monday #LegoElvesAdventures! Up in the Air #LegoElves

Tidus (whispering): Hey, Sira, whacha reading?
Sira: Shh, there's only 20 minutes left in this flight to finish this chapter!

Two lego elves, a blue-haired one and green-haired one, sit leaning against a blue cup on a fold out tray on an airplane reading little lego books.

May 12, 2025 at 3:46 PM

Bakuchiku

@bakuchikuwhimsy.bsky.social

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity This one is from a silly side story where Jared and Ben get a cat #SelkiePrinces

Jared put a hand over his eyes. “You know we are going to have to get all the stuff AND take this cat to the vet in the next few days.”
“Um,” Ben started, dragging the syllable out.
Jared dropped his hand and narrowed his eyes at his husband. “Yes?”
“Well, actually, Dylan and I picked up some stuff already. It’s in the hall, I just didn’t want to pressure you-”
“Oh, you didn’t, did you?” Jared got up from the sofa and walked over to Ben, looking down at the cat. She blinked up at him with contented, sleepy eyes. She was kind of cute. He just knew she was going to adore Ben and only tolerate him. However, when he reached out to scratch her head, she just closed her eyes and purred. “Oh, fine,” Jared said, giving in. He walked over to the door so he could look out in the hall. “Ben! This isn’t some stuff! A cardboard house? Really? I’m so gonna get that Dylan next time I see him.” With another put-upon sigh, he picked up the litterbox, the bags of cat food, and other things.
“Would you like to take a warm bath, Amelia?” Ben said in a soft voice. He carefully freed one hand so he could boop her on the nose. She closed her eyes and purred more loudly. “Jared, would you mind putting that stuff in the guest bathroom?” Ben asked, still staring down at that cat.
Jared stopped and kicked the door closed before pausing next to Ben to look down at him pointedly. Ben managed to tear his gaze away from the cat to glance up at Jared.
“Um, please, my love?”
Jared shook his head. “You look at that cat the way you used to look at me,” he said in a sorrowful voice.
“Oh, knock it off. I think she just needs some extra love after what she’s been through. Can she sleep in the bed with-”
“No,” Jared said quickly.

May 12, 2025 at 3:37 PM

Bakuchiku

@bakuchikuwhimsy.bsky.social

#LoreOutLoud So this is the very random playlist for the story I'm working on about my #Selkieprinces Mostly soft, sweet or bittersweet songs.

List of songs: I Choose You by Forest Blakk
Are You Waiting? by Emily Burns
Starlight by Sofia Camara
Like We Just Met by NCT Dream
Fire on Fire by Sam Smith
Make it to Me by Sam Smith
Gesture of the Waves by Yojiro Noda
You Don’t Belong to Me by Eric Zhou
Nontsikelelo by Lloyiso

May 12, 2025 at 3:15 PM

Bakuchiku

@bakuchikuwhimsy.bsky.social

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity That's the worst- when you finally get a hit, then your opponent takes you out. #Selkieprinces

Beathan nodded, a resolute expression on his face. Today he was going to at least tap his dad with his blades, and then he was going to ask him a ton of questions for that one minute. He raised his daggers to a defensive position.
“Remember, all you need is a tap.” Tiernan also raised his daggers. “Go!” Then his dad flew into action.
Beathan’s eyes widened but his mouth firmed and he dodged the attack, narrowly missing the blade of the dagger tapping his arm. All he could do was dodge for several moments before surprising his dad with a roundhouse kick that Jared had been teaching him. It knocked both of the daggers from his dad’s hands, and Beathan was momentarily stunned. He’d never managed to get his dad’s daggers out of his hands before. While he gaped like an idiot, Tiernan only grinned.
“Don’t hesitate, Benny boy,” his dad said, before throwing himself at Beathan and tackling him to the floor. He managed to wrestle one dagger away from Beathan and then patronizingly tapped him on the nose with the blade.
Beathan panted in frustration, collapsing back on the mat in defeat.
“So, do you like watching sports?” Tiernan asked with a grin, one hand still holding Beathan down.
Beathan immediately clapped a hand over his mouth, muffling his answer.
“Oh, stop, I already know the answer to that,” Tiernan teased. “Come on, let’s go eat at your uncle’s. You want to go over there, right?” He got to his feet and held down his hand.
Beathan glared up at him, his hand still firmly pressed over his mouth.
“You don’t want to go to your uncle’s?” Tiernan asked, looking slightly hurt.

May 11, 2025 at 9:34 PM

Bakuchiku

@bakuchikuwhimsy.bsky.social

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity Truth spells are sooo inconvenient, even the temporary ones. Especially when Beathan's husband is a troublemaker. #Selkieprinces

His dad waved away his complaints. “That’s just because she thinks you’re the best thing since sliced bread. C’mon, your uncle is so excited about you coming over. And don’t you worry about Kenny. He’s just jealous about not being the baby of the family anymore, and how much your grandma dotes on you. Now, get up and hit the showers. You brought a change of clothes?”
“Yes,” Beathan answered reluctantly.
Jared came up to stand next to them, looking down at Beathan. “Is he being whiny?” he asked, smiling down at him.
“Mostly because he’s been tapped with a truth spell,” Tiernan replied. He curled his fingers, urging Beathan to get up.
Giving a groan of resignation, Beathan took his hand and let his dad pull him to his feet.
“A truth spell?” Jared asked, looking far too excited about the idea. He fixed Beathan with a look, “Did you hide my lucky pair of jeans?”
“Yes,” Beathan answered immediately before once again slamming his hand over his mouth.
Jared narrowed his eyes and pointed an accusatory finger at him. “I knew it. You never liked those jeans. Where are they?”
“Your Highness, who’s your favorite guard?” Tamara asked with a sly smile.
Beathan hurried to the door, grabbing up his duffel bag. “I’m taking a shower!” The door swung closed on the laughter behind him.

May 10, 2025 at 5:19 PM

Bakuchiku

@bakuchikuwhimsy.bsky.social

I know it's early and with a slightly different vibe but in the spirit of whatever your family looks like, this is a Happy Person who Took you Under their Wing and Thinks You're Awesome Day! #ducks

May 9, 2025 at 5:11 PM

Bakuchiku

@bakuchikuwhimsy.bsky.social

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity Found family moment with siblings where Beathan admits his secret dream. #Selkieprinces

“You are,” Zack assured him. “You should see your face right now. Well, you know I’ll support you in whatever, man. And have you decided what you’re gonna do? I mean after all the chaos is over?”
Beathan leaned closer to him and dropped his voice. “Actually, if things calm down and I can live among humans eventually,” excitement filled Beathan, “I want to go to junior college.”
Zack’s mouth twitched and Beathan frowned as he realized Zack was trying to hold back laughter. It was hard to keep the hurt look off his face.
“Dude, I’m not laughing at you. I just think it’s sweet, is all. I mean, the world is your oyster. You can do magic, you might marry a prince, and your dream is junior college. It’s just so . . . you,” Zack chuckled. “You’ll probably ending up studying history too and being such a nerd.” Zack rolled his eyes. “Stop looking like that, you know I’ll support you in that too.” He reached over and ruffled Beathan’s hair roughly.

May 9, 2025 at 4:53 PM

Bakuchiku

@bakuchikuwhimsy.bsky.social

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity This is a favorite moment. I love the part when Beathan realizes he was never truly a misfit, he was just trying to fit the pieces of himself in the wrong puzzle. #Selkieprinces

Beathan held back just a moment. Nothing in his growing up had prepared him for a loud, boisterous family that was constantly in each other’s business. He knew his cousins would ask him a million questions while his grandma sat and patted his hand and his dad would brag about how good Beathan’s progress was with his magic. A smile started to sneak onto his face. It was worlds apart from the nearly silent dinners he’d spent in his childhood with his mother, stepfather, and sisters. Instead of orders, the family he had now would ask him questions. Instead of reprimands, his dad would brag about him. And instead of nights spent lonely in his room with only books for company, he had Jared. And his nights certainly weren’t lonely anymore.
“What’s with that cute little grin on your face?” Jared asked. He took Beathan’s chin in his fingers, tilting his face up so he could steal a quick kiss from his lips.
“Eeeww, Uncle Jawed! That’s my Uncle Benny!” Bryanna wailed, apparently having escaped from her mom. She ran crying to Beathan, pushing Jared away with one hand as she wrapped the other arm around Beathan’s leg.
“If you stand on my foot, I’ll give you a ride to the table,” Beathan offered.
Immediately, Bryanna stopped crying and hopped on his foot, getting a better grip on Beathan’s leg.
“Ooo, Uncle Benny, I wanna ride!” Jared said in a kid voice.
Beathan shot him a scowl over his shoulder as he walked awkwardly with Bryanna giggling as she held onto his leg. “Behave yourself, Uncle Jared,” he hissed.
“You wisten to my Uncle Benny,” Bryanna said, wagging her finger up at Jared.
Jared nodded with an innocent look on his face. “Yes, ma’am.”

May 8, 2025 at 2:11 PM

Bakuchiku

@bakuchikuwhimsy.bsky.social

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity One of the scenes where I kept saying, "Wait, what's going on? This isn't what I planned at all! Cherie, what happened to the nice farewell we agreed on? Don't make me re-write this! I will throw this notebook in a drawer, don't test me." #Selkieprinces

“Jared,” Beathan started in a scolding tone.
“It’s alright, Beathan,” Cherie said, her words held the lightest edge of frost as she wore her own angry smile. “Sirens can be quite territorial over what they feel is theirs. Even the tiny amount of Siren blood the prince has surely doesn’t help with that. Does it, little prince?”
The tension ratcheted up a few knots as Cherie and Jared locked gazes.
Beathan stepped hastily in front of Jared, which was awkward to do with the tight grip Jared had on his hand. “Well, I just wanted to say thank you, Cherie, for all you’ve done for me and for all my friends and family. It was such a helpful and kind gesture.”
Her eyes shifted to Beathan and her smile warmed. “Anything for you, my Storyteller. Remember, you’re always welcome on Cherie’s boat. And if this prince proves to be less than . . . princely, you can always sail the seas with me,” she teased, reaching out to tug on Beathan’s shirt.
Jared pulled him suddenly backwards out of reach. Cherie stiffened, the menace back in her eyes.
“I’m going to let this slide, Prince Jie-rui,” Cherie bit out. Her eyes narrowed before widening as if she’d suddenly solved a puzzle, “Oh, I think I know whose grandson you are. Tell your grandfather I say hello.” This time her smile was gloating. “Well, Beathan, I guess this will be the only goodbye kiss I can give you,” she said with a sad sigh. She kissed the tips of her fingers and blew the kiss in his direction.
Beathan almost burst out laughing when Jared held up his hand to block it. Jared glared in Cherie’s direction, “That’s alright, I’ll handle the kisses from here on out. Have a safe trip. Ready, Ben?”

May 7, 2025 at 10:07 PM

Bakuchiku

@bakuchikuwhimsy.bsky.social

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity I'm afraid I gotta side with Beathan on this one. I'm definitely judging you, Jared. #Selkieprinces

“Here, let me up. I don’t want to hurt your hand,” Beathan said, turning to examine the bandage around Jared’s hand. His eyes fixed on a red Starburst wrapper in the bed, and he grimaced when he looked up at Jared.
“Eating candy in bed? Really?” Beathan said, his look saying exactly how he felt about that.
Jared laughed. “Don’t judge me. You’ve never eaten in your bed?”
“Only when I was grounded to my room,” Beathan said, eyeing the wrapper with disdain. “And it was done more as a silent protest than anything else. You aren’t worried about insects?” Beathan gave Jared a reprimanding look. “The climate is pretty humid here.”
Jared shrugged. “Don’t worry, I swept all the ants out of my bed earlier.”
Beathan redoubled his efforts to escape, and almost managed when Jared started laughing.
“I’m joking! Ben!” Jared said, barely keeping Beathan on the bed. “There are no insects in this room! And I rarely eat in bed, okay? So stop panicking. Quick kiss?”
Beathan shook his head. “Not in this bed.”

May 6, 2025 at 5:41 PM

Bakuchiku

@bakuchikuwhimsy.bsky.social

Airports - Part 3: Admiring the View #LegoElves #LegoElvesAdventures

Sira: Are those the Rocky Mountains in the distance?
Tidus: Um . . . I don't know, but I guarantee there are rocks in those mountains!
Sira: Sighs

(Dedicated to those who always have an answer for every question 🤣)

two lego elves on a window sill looking out at the mountains in the distance and trucks at the airport

May 5, 2025 at 6:33 PM

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