The Immortal Gazette Studio was—somehow—still standing. Despite Loki’s relentless chaos, Alice’s questionable tea experiments, and Rumple’s ever-growing exasperation, the studio remained intact.
For now.
Rumple set down a massive book with a thud, rubbing his temples. “Alright. Today’s story is about selkies.”
Alice clapped her hands together, her eyes sparkling. “Oh, I love selkies! Beautiful, mystical beings who transform from seals into humans. It’s so romantic.”
Loki slouched in his chair, lazily twirling a quill between his fingers. “Romantic. Right. Because nothing says romance like someone stealing your skin and trapping you on land.”
Alice shot him a look. “You are such a cynic.”
Rumple sighed. “Can we get through one story without arguing?”
“No,” Loki and Alice said at the same time.
Rumple groaned but continued. “The legend says selkies live in the sea, but they can shed their seal skins and become human. If a human finds a selkie’s skin and hides it, the selkie has no choice but to stay on land.”
Loki smirked. “So, basically, magical kidnapping.”
Alice rolled her eyes. “It’s more than that. Some of them fall in love with humans. They have families. And when they find their skins again, they have to make a heart-wrenching choice—stay on land with the ones they love or return to the sea, where they truly belong.”
Loki leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. “And let me guess. You’re going to say that’s romantic.”
Alice huffed. “It is romantic! It’s about longing, about the call of the sea, about—”
Loki grinned. “About abandoning your entire family the second you find your coat?”
Alice’s jaw dropped. “That is not—”
Rumple closed the book loudly, making them both jump. “Moving on before Alice throws her tea at Loki.”
Loki smirked. “You’d miss me if I was gone, darling.”
Alice took a slow sip of her tea. “I’d celebrate.”
Rumple pressed his fingers to his temples. “I hate this job.”
Loki grinned, throwing an arm over the back of his chair. “Admit it, Rumple. You love our little debates.”
Rumple scowled. “I love silence. Which I never get.”
Alice ignored them both, already scribbling something down in her notebook.
Rumple squinted at her. “What now?”
“Oh, nothing,” she said innocently. “Just thinking of a new tea blend. Something with sea salt, honey, and a hint of kelp.”
Rumple groaned. “That sounds disgusting.”
Loki grinned. “I’d try it.”
Alice smiled sweetly. “I’ll name it after you, then. Loki’s Selkie Kiss.”
Rumple threw up his hands and left the room.
🖋️✨📜🖤
