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Lyst

@lonelyste.bsky.social
142 followers 21 following 118 posts

🐈 Artist, writer, photographer, gamer Posting whatever whenever

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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
i miss him :( #cat #photography #catphotography #orangecat #caturday #catsky #catsofbluesky #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
old writing server i was managing will be deleted due to internal issues, but i’ve got a new writing server for Malaysian writers who want to improve themselves. feel free to join! :D discord.gg/nyRWcZdu4d #writing #writers #writingcommunity #discord #malaysia #authorsky #writersky #booksky
discord.gg
Join the Writers' Sanctuary 🇲🇾 Discord Server!
A community for all Malaysian writers who want to improve their writing skills and bring their ideas to life! | 26 members
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
the r/Malaysia Writer’s Server on Discord is running a new writing event around the theme “Revenge” until 31 July, feel free to check it out below if interested :D discord.gg/jmsT9577TW #writing #writers #writingcommunity #discord #malaysia #authorsky #writersky #booksky
discord.gg
Join the r/Malaysia Writer's Server Discord Server!
A community for *all* Malaysians passionate about the craft of writing, both its product and process. | 471 members
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
“Pineapple Tarts” written by Alps for the writing event hosted by the r/Malaysia Writer’s Server on Discord! 1/2 The June-July writing event will begin soon, so join the server! discord.gg/jmsT9577TW #writing #writers #writingcommunity #discord #malaysia #authorsky #writersky #booksky
r/Malaysia Writer’s Server

Pineapple Tarts by Alps

The jar of sweets sitting on my desk is almost out.

I remember how stuffed it was when I first moved into my new dorm. That plastic jar had pretty much every single little snack to remind me of home. Kuih bangkit as the first layer, then muruku and dodol beneath that. All gone within the first few weeks.

But the last layer made me feel uncomfortable.

Tart nanas.

The other three were store-bought. This was the only one homemade.

That old hag made this.

We always make them for special events. You know, those family gatherings and year-end holidays? It's alright, I think. Probably the usual for most families out there.

But that old hag was always there. No, she had to be there as the matriach. It's not clear at first but if you stop for a moment, then you'll feel that invisible hold she has on us. As if her words and age weighed more than anyone else’s.

I hated it.

The jar opens with a soft click and I peer inside. Three more left.I pick one out and place it in my mouth. Crumbs fall all over my desk. I try to just enjoy the taste. Not good enough, so I try harder to concentrate.

Concentrate. Concentrate.

Still, the bad memories come flooding back.

"One cup butter only! Why you use two?! Aiyoh, now the mixture mess up already!!" She knocks my hands with the ladle. I yelp and start to tear up.

"Mommy, Ah Ma hit me…" It hurts. It really, really hurts!

"Ah Ma knows how to make tarts better than you, Ling. Listen to Ah Ma. If she says to do it, just do it, okay?"

"But Ah Ma is so-"

"Daughter, enough! I teach Ling again. Will be correct this time.” 

Mommy looks at me with this sad look in her eyes. Mommy, why are you walking out? Did I do something wrong?

"Ah Ma still loves you alright? She just likes being strict on baking.“

But Ah Ma is really scary now. Ah Ma doesn’t like me.

"You listen here. One and half cup flour and one cup butter, okay? You put too much butter then the
tart not nice. Tart becomes like mud.“

She frowns at me."Go throw this mixture out.”

I don’t like Ah Ma.

The pastry is good.

It's rich but doesn't pollute the tongue. Too much butter and the creaminess drowns the palate. Too little renders it tasteless.

Yet my heart feels off. It's warm and cold at the same time. Nostalgia and grief. How many years has it been since then?

I don't want to remember it. I shouldn't remember it. But that old hag is everywhere. Her presence in these tarts…

Just two more of them. Then, I'm going to throw this jar away.

"More effort! How the pineapples going to break if you grind so soft?"

I'm grinding with as much force I can muster. How much more does Ah Ma want from me? I'm trying my best here!

"Ah Ma, I can't press harder! And the pineapples are already mashing up. See?!" I'm exasperated. If this isn't enough for her, then that's it. 

She peers into the mortar. There‘s that ugly frown again. Does she ever smile at anything I do?

No. No she doesn‘t."Fine, this one can accept. You bring this to pot. Go add the sugar.”

Finally!

I pour the contents of the mortar into the pot and put the sugar in, measured to exactly two cups. The
fire starts and I grab the metal-

"No, no! How many times I say, hah? Wooden spoon! Metal contaminate the taste!!" She grabs the
spoon from me and…

"OW! Ah Ma, that's painful! I just took it by accident!"

"Every time also accident. Careless child, later when you adult how? You clumsy now not enough is it?" God, back to that rant again!

"You so clumsy, if anyone can put up with you then I very happy already. How to be successful in
future?"

I clutch my hand in pain. She’s merciless. It's just pineapple tarts…

Mom, I don’t get it. Why does you keep saying that the tarts are her way of loving me? What's the point of this if I don’t feel happy helping her?

Does Ah Ma even care about me? I try and follow what she says but I still get this.

Damn it. What a horrid day.

I don't trust that old hag to look out for me anytime soon.
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
dusty raw chicken screams at me because she wants food from my neighbour at 6 am #cat #photography #catphotography #caturday #catsky #catsofbluesky #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
kitties at the vet clinic again #cat #photography #catphotography #caturday #catsky #catsofbluesky #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
cats from a distance #cat #photography #catphotography #caturday #catsky #catsofbluesky #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
the r/Malaysia Writer’s Server on Discord is now running a new writing event around the theme “Love” until 29 May, feel free to check it out at the link below if interested :D discord.gg/jmsT9577TW #writing #writers #writingcommunity #discord #malaysia #authorsky #writersky #booksky
discord.gg
Join the r/Malaysia Writer's Server Discord Server!
A community for *all* Malaysians passionate about the craft of writing, both its product and process. | 597 members
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
“Unseen Debts” written by Tweetug for the writing event hosted by the r/Malaysia Writer’s Server on Discord! 1/3 The April-May writing event will begin soon, so join the server! discord.gg/jmsT9577TW #writing #writers #writingcommunity #discord #malaysia #authorsky #writersky #booksky
r/Malaysia Writer’s Server
Unseen Debts by Tweetug

"It was you who bound me to this place, took away my freedom."
"I can never look at you without hatred in my heart."
"Don't you dare cry, it was a light tap on your leg. If I've endured worse, then so can you."
"You will understand all of this when you're an adult, when you've realized how I made you stronger."
"Leave this house? Hah. You can never leave, not even when you've paid your debt."
"All children have debts to their parents, this is an undisputed fact. Sooner or later, you will come back."

The walk up this hill was the same as I remembered. Sounds of insects, the one branch that no one bothered to remove from the trail, and even... the unpleasant wooden smell that permeates the path.
It's as if the mansion itself was repelling people from ever visiting it, yet that very smell was nostalgic to me.

Her words kept playing in my head, rewinding to that exact moment when I left the house.
After years out in the world, here I am, exactly as she said.
The debt will be paid soon."Mommy, are we still far? My legs are tired from all these hills."

I had almost forgotten about the little hand that was holding mine, such a soft and gentle hand. Perhaps the scent of the trail was affecting me much more than I expected.

"Hmmm... When you start to smell tea, then you will see the house."

I can see the puzzled look on her face, the same kind of face she does whenever she does not understand what I taught her in our lesson. However, that same face turned to wonder when her nose picked up the scent of tea.

The mansion soon came into view. Despite how many years it had been, the mansion still looked the same to me. White walls, the blue pointy roofs, and the most defining feature, the rows of yellow chrysanthemums that adorned the front garden. Once you smelt it, that was how you knew you had arrived at 'Demeure de Chrysanthème'.

"The signature of our family, Chrysanthème. Based on the records left by our ancestor, it was a flower from the Far East brought into this land, and adopted by this family. The yellow variant seemed to be the most popular, but I loathe such a thing."

"I do not need flowers that mock my life. Keep it out of my sight, child."

"Mommy? Hellooo, are you going to just stand there?""Sorry, there's a lot on mommy's mind right now."

"You never told me we have a mansion this big!"

I smiled at her, "It's not our mansion."

Right as we approached the gate, a single man stood guard. His posture was still the same, even the spot he stood at remained unchanged after all these years. Is it a man or a statue?

"Martin. Still serving this family?"

"Miss Catherine, how long has it been? Have you been taking care of yourself?"

The only good memories I have of this mansion was the kind guard at the gate. All know was that the Chrysanthème family saved his life, and he decided to serve them as a guardsman to repay that debt.

He's an old man now, but that disciplined posture he held was still the same as I remembered.

"Miss Catherine, hiding away from Madam again? You can stay at my post for as long as you like, at least, until her temper subsides."

He might be the only comfort I found while living here.

"Mother is waiting for me, yes?"

He hesitated to answer me, is that guilt he's feeling?

"Madam... is waiting, yes. However, you can visit the altar first if you wish. Do you still remember the way to your father's room?""I never even stepped foot into my father's room," I gave him a small smirk.

"Ah... Sorry, my memory is failing me again."

"But I do remember the way, thank you for your concern."

The old man then turned his eye to the little girl beside me, but he did not say anything.

"My deepest condolences for your loss, Miss Catherine."

I responded with a slight bow, and then made my way through the gate. The smell of the chrysanthemums became stronger as we walked through the garden.

"That old man looked nice."

"He is."

"So... are we going to go and see grandfather first?"

"No."

The reason I returned was not for this funeral, for a father that I barely remembered. In all of my memories, he was not there. I no longer cared to learn what happened to him, nor do I have any debt to a dead man. My main objective lies at the center of the house.

"When mommy goes to meet grandmother, I want you to stay outside the room while clutching that pouch I gave you, alright?"
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
it got really into eating that chicken #cat #photography #catphotography #caturday #catsky #catsofbluesky #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
the overlord is not happy that i had no treats to offer #cat #photography #catphotography #caturday #catsky #catsofbluesky #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
perchmates #bird #birds #crow #corvid #photography #birdphotography #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 07/02/2026
twins #cat #photography #catphotography #caturday #catsky #catsofbluesky #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
the r/Malaysia Writer’s Server on Discord is currently running a themed writing event until 28 March, feel free to check it out if interested :D discord.gg/rkzxJyHNVQ #writing #writers #writingcommunity #discord #malaysia #authorsky #writersky #booksky
discord.gg
Join the r/Malaysia Writer's Server Discord Server!
A community for *all* Malaysians passionate about the craft of writing, both its product and process. | 492 members
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
strutting #bird #birds #crow #corvid #photography #birdphotography #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
beloved orange #cat #photography #catphotography #orangecat #caturday #catsky #catsofbluesky #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 27/12/2025
compilation of this mogger who’s now disappeared somewhere, hope he’s doing alright #cat #photography #catphotography #caturday #catsky #catsofbluesky #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
went to Comic Fiesta yesterday! my humble haul 🫶🏻
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
prettiest kitty i’ve seen this year #cat #photography #catphotography #caturday #catsky #catsofbluesky #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 13/12/2025
afternoon nap #cat #photography #catphotography #orangecat #caturday #catsky #catsofbluesky #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 06/12/2025
stretchy #cat #photography #catphotography #orangecat #caturday #catsky #catsofbluesky #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 22/11/2025
this little one has such interesting facial expressions #cat #photography #catphotography #caturday #catsky #catsofbluesky #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 15/11/2025
another orange compilation #cat #photography #catphotography #orangecat #caturday #catsky #catsofbluesky #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
the doppelgangers #cat #photography #catphotography #catsky #catsofbluesky #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
my friends and i wish you a happy halloween! #art #digitalart #halloween #witch #vampire #headlesshorseman #artsky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 25/10/2025
shrimp #cat #photography #catphotography #orangecat #caturday #catsky #catsofbluesky #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
hanging out #bird #birds #crow #corvid #photography #birdphotography #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 18/10/2025
corporate needs you to find the difference between these two pictures #cat #photography #catphotography #orangecat #caturday #catsky #catsofbluesky #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
lil dude’s just screaming #bird #birds #crow #corvid #photography #birdphotography #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
weather’s been cold here so i felt like drawing one of my favourite eeveelutions :D #art #digitalart #fanart #pokemon #pokemonart #glaceon #artsky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 11/10/2025
accidentally woke him up #cat #photography #catphotography #orangecat #caturday #catsky #catsofbluesky #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
different type of post today but i bought a blind box i’ve been wanting for a while, i like all of the choices from Garden Dating but i wanted bramble or flower fairy, still happy with what i got though cause all emmas are gorgeous #blindbox #figure #collectibles #emmasecretforest
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Reposted by Lyst
Sebas @ohlookbirdies.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
"but it's everywhere now so we just have to accept it's the new reality" motherfucker we can just stop putting it everywhere! we did it with asbestos and CFCs and lead-based paint or petrol and make-up with arsenic in it! if everyone is using something and it's bad, we can choose to stop!
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
lil family of three having breakfast by the river (below them) #bird #birds #stork #paintedstork #photography #birdphotography #blueskymonday #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 04/10/2025
perfectly baked loaf of bread #cat #photography #catphotography #orangecat #caturday #catsky #catsofbluesky #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
guys there’s a bulkier tree right across from you that you can perch on please #bird #birds #crow #corvid #photography #birdphotography #blueskymonday #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 27/09/2025
sphinx #cat #photography #catphotography #orangecat #caturday #catsky #catsofbluesky #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 21/09/2025
it’s already sunday here but i’m absolutely baffled, i thought these two were the same cat since January this year, i’ve been bamboozled #cat #photography #catphotography #caturday #catsky #catsofbluesky #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
they stole a bag of chips #bird #birds #crow #corvid #photography #birdphotography #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
haven’t seen the sun rise in a hot minute #skyphotography #photography #sky #clouds #sunrise #blueskymonday #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 13/09/2025
both cats at the window, didn’t see neighbour’s third cat 😔 #cat #photography #catphotography #caturday #catsky #catsofbluesky #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
submitted this pic of Stadium Merdeka for my uni’s independence day photography contest, not expecting anything out of it but i did enjoy editing this and i’m especially satisfied with how the colours turned out #photography #blueskymonday #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 06/09/2025
neighbour’s cat again, it pawed the window as if trying to open it #cat #photography #catphotography #caturday #catsky #catsofbluesky #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
new cats on the block #cat #photography #catphotography #catsky #catsofbluesky #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 30/08/2025
he really likes sitting against walls #cat #photography #catphotography #orangecat #caturday #catsky #catsofbluesky #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
went to an art exhibition for the first time last month, it’s an interesting way to learn and experience different lives and perspectives #artexhibition #artphotography #photography #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 25/08/2025
flew away so fast #bird #birds #crow #corvid #photography #birdphotography #blueskymonday #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 23/08/2025
no clue what he’s looking at, average orange activities #cat #photography #catphotography #orangecat #caturday #catsky #catsofbluesky #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
they’re pretty chill with humans now #bird #birds #crow #corvid #photography #birdphotography #photographersofbluesky
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Lyst @lonelyste.bsky.social · 16/08/2025
starting to wonder how many cats this neighbour of mine has, i think i’ve seen a third around #cat #photography #catphotography #caturday #catsky #catsofbluesky #photographersofbluesky
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