All the Colors. When I opened January’s dice box and found this big old d20, it occurred to me that it would look pretty alongside a Mood Stripes update. And it’s Tuesday. Perfect! ::twinkle::
Notice. Bard & Barbarian will be updating this Thursday.
Author: FORTHRIGHT
LMM 102: Reach Back
Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially the encouraging one.
102
Reach Back
“Safe, safe,” chanted Tsumiko, Continue reading
Good Fortune
Reminder! There’s a Fortune Cookie Challenge underway, and it’d be a shame for any of the (admittedly extensive) cast of the Songs & Saga to be left out. Have some fun, get creative, and your fortune may find its way onto one of these snazzy graphics! ::twinkle::
Personalize your fortunes in comments on the Fortune Cookie Challenge post >>
Mood Stripes 123: Heated
Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this audacious adventure… especially for the heavy one. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 123: Heated
“Why are we stopping here?” Continue reading
LMM 101: So Foxy
Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially the one with nowhere to go.
101
So Foxy
Jacques loitered long after the last crumb Continue reading
Bard & Barbarian
It begins. The first chapter of my Patreon-exclusive story is live. ::confetti toss:: Details on how to become a reader in yesterday’s post >>
A Patreon Exclusive
To Thank My Patrons. So far, I’ve used my Patreon account to let supporters sneak a little closer to my life outside of books. Which (let’s face it) is a life surrounded by books. I enjoy taking pictures, so most updates have been snapshots of things that make sense for the forthy side of my life. My manga collection. Japanese tableware and cooking. Reading and writing snacks. Fandom gear. Story-related gifts and splurges. It’s little stuff, really, but it’s mine … so it matters to me. All of these photographs are ONLY posted to Patreon. One part incentive for you to join. One part thanks for established patrons.
A New Exclusive. After a couple weeks of muddling through ideas, I’ve decided to go ahead and add an additional incentive in the form of an exclusive story. Again, it’s something personal, because I’ll be introducing patrons to the two characters I play during Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. Self-indulgent? Admittedly. But these guys are as real to me as Miroku or Argent or Lapis or Ricker or (le gasp) Sesshoumaru. And I treat them with the same care and respect. Who knows? Maybe you’ll get as attached as Michael does to those he tends. ::twinkle::
How long will these installments be?
Short. This is a story in bits and pieces. So far, chapters are averaging 500 words.
How often will you update the story?
At least once a month. Sometimes more. (I have the first four chapters written.)
Will I need a Patreon account?
Yep. And it seems that requires a credit card. That’s how the site sends out your pledges each month. I’m new to this, so it’s probably best just to check out their FAQ.
How much does it cost to become a patron?
Depends on how much you have to splurge. You choose your pledge amount. It’s like a monthly subscription. Since I don’t have any tiers set up, you can become a patron for just $1 a month and have access to all my patron-only posts.
When will you post the first installment?
Tomorrow, January 8, 2020.
Will you publish this story as a book? (I can wait.)
Eventually? It’s a little early to tell. Might happen, though.
Are you going to tell us about the story?
Yep. That’s next. Continue reading
Mood Stripes 122: Dissatisfied
Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this audacious adventure… especially for the fidgeter. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 122: Dissatisfied
Sesshoumaru came to a decision. Continue reading
The best part of making tonkatsu…
…is being able to fix katsudon for breakfast. For the uninitiated, tonkatsu = fried pork cutlets. And katsudon involves simmering slices of katsu with onions, mirin, and soy sauce in a small pan, then drizzling the lot with egg before sliding it over a bowl of hot rice. In Japan, the dish is often made to bring good luck because the word katsu means “win.” (In anime, it’s the go-to meal for students with a test/competition on the morrow.) Fangirls may recall katsudon having a prominent place in Yuri on Ice!
LMM 100: Finding the Words
Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially the middleman.
100
Finding the Words
Jacques tension ebbed away as—for once—Argent fully embraced the role of translator, Continue reading
Fortune Cookie Challenge
Confessions of a Collector. It’s becoming established I collect many things. Those who’ve begun supporting me on Patreon even have photographic evidence. My collections aren’t always big and grand. Sometimes, they’re small and simple … and ride around in my coin purse for months … and have been piling up in a small box for years. Case in point: Continue reading
LMM 99: Past Wards
Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially for the trusted one.
99
Past Wards
All the way upstairs, Jacques caught Continue reading
Mood Stripes 121: Restless
Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this audacious adventure… especially for the one with strength to spare. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 121: Restless
“Go,” Sesshoumaru ordered. Continue reading
LMM 98: Entirely Reasonable
Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially those off-scene but influential women.
98
Entirely Reasonable
“It’s not my place to make demands,” Jacques muttered. Continue reading
Mailbox Report
Token of Affection. Many thanks to KShadeslady, who surprised and delighted me by sending a package in December. The enclosed ornament is apropos to my stories (especially Tamiko and the Two Janitors) since … well … acorns mean what we’ve been told they mean. ::twinkle::
The ornament is hinged (the clasp is a twinkle!) and inside, was a slip of paper with a book quote. Here’s me grinning as bashfully as Joe … and as grateful as anyone ever was or will be. ::glomp::
FORTHRIGHT 