Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this audacious adventure… especially for the forward-thinking one. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 281: Dainty
::twinkle::Amaranthine Saga. From the very beginning (in Book 1, in fact), I refer to the Saga & Songs. They’re both a part of Amaranthine lore and a clan tradition, since the sharing of stories (much like the sharing of names) is a way of life for those who have the luxury of time. Stories connect them. “Saga” recurs in the name of Keishi’s integrated high school, in Hisoka Twineshaft’s educational initiative in America, and as the name of the current era in the new calendar system (post-Emergence years are noted as N.S. for New Saga).
Glint had never given much credence to the sagas of storytellers, but lore seemed to be springing to life all around him.
Marked by Stars (Songs of the Amaranthine, #1)
I’ll show them,” Stewart offered. “This news may make our … situation easier to explain.”
Cedric muttered darkly.
“This way, please.” The younger man hurried to a nearby study and pressed a button. As a large screen slid into view, he addressed Tsumiko. “The Spokesperson’s announcement has captured the world’s attention … and imagination. He cherishes a human woman. From two species springs a third. He has transformed the Emergence into a love story.”
“Dogs do love their sagas and songs,” said Argent.
Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox (Amaranthine Saga, #1)
Hisoka Twineshaft himself had delivered the opening address, reason enough for the news crews and paparazzi cordoned off in a sizeable section to one side of the auditorium. Spokesperson Twineshaft extolled New Saga students as the world’s future, a generation committed to living in harmony. And he’d pressed home one surprising point: they weren’t the same. And they didn’t need to be. New Saga’s students would be an example to the world—exploring their differences, finding their balance, forging the bonds of trust.
Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal (Amaranthine Saga, #2)
Miss Tamiko Reaverson, age twenty-nine, attended the recent New Saga conference for educators as an applicant for Hisoka Twineshaft’s school revitalization project. While there, she caught the attention of one of the organizers, who flagged her name in the system.”
Tamiko and the Two Janitors (Amaranthine Saga, #3)
“Isla, what can you tell us about Impressions?”
“Yes. Right. Quite.” He could hear the relief in Isla’s acceptance of the change in subject. “As it happens, I’ve had access to most of the old sagas. The collection at Kikusawa Shrine remains the most extensive, and thanks to the Miyabe family’s efforts, completely uncensored.”
“Sorry, sorry,” interrupted Tenma. “By sagas, do you mean stories like the one Kimiko borrowed for her courtship?”
“The Wolf and the Moon Maiden,” Isla supplied. “And yes. The sagas refer to the oldest heroic tales. Some belong to individual clans. Some are shared freely, usually by storytellers during a Song Circle. Oral tradition is more common, but many clans—like the Dimityblest—are compulsive about written records.”
Mikoto and the Reaver Village (Amaranthine Sage, #4)
Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this audacious adventure… especially for the one who’s keeping promises. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 280: Forward
::twinkle::
Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this audacious adventure… especially for the worried one. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 279: Deep
::twinkle::
Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this audacious adventure… especially for the one who’s hitching a ride. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 278: Casual
::twinkle::
Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this audacious adventure… especially for the emotional one. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 277: Wavering
::twinkle::
Mood Stripes. Here’s a fun fact for y’all. If I post a chapter a day for the rest of the month, Mood Stripes will wrap up before we kick off the new year. So that’s the plan. :: confetti toss :: Here’s another fun fact. I began posting Mood Stripes on release day for Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox back in 2018. I’m celebrating the oncoming finish of this fic by unveiling cover art & adding the pattern to the Twinkle Press shopfronts.
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 who’s had a good mentor.
334
Avenue of Escape
Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this audacious adventure… especially for the one who’s listening. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 276: Clear
::twinkle::
Twinkle Press Presents | art by FoxOfTwilight
Narrated Edition. Bard and Barbarian has been posting slow and steady over on my Patreon account. Reading along is great, but supporters on some tiers can now listen along. Ch21, “Precocial” just went live for those in qualifying tiers. AND Ch17, “Tell Me a Secret” just unlocked for the Twinkle and Sparkle tiers.
New narrated chapters will arrive every other Wednesday, which means … there’s always something more to look forward to! Learn more about my Patreon here >>
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 who’s always where he’s needed.
333
Good Advice
Colt and Hallow. More art for Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate, which rounds out the six who make up “Hisoka’s finest.” Boon & Moon are partners. Juuyu and Sinder are partners. And here are Colt and Hallow.
Roommates | art by FoxOfTwilight
Since When? Hallow was first introduced back in Governed by Whimsy. At the time, he was still an adolescent.
“You need to meet my friend. Hallow and I share a compartment. We’ve been friends since he was just a little guy.” Turning expectantly toward the door, Colt said, “Come along, Hallow. She’s warded.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Hallow stepped into the open. He was slim and pale, a youth with sharp features and a stiff manner. Straight black hair hung loose around his shoulders, and he glanced around the room with deep red eyes.
“Come along, Hallow,” Colt repeated. “Don’t be such a grump.”
Flashing a look of injury, Hallow flowed across the room with a swooping gait that caused the leathery folds that webbed under his arms to billow slightly. He presented himself to Greta with a silent bow.
Governed by Whimsy (Songs 04)
In Governed by Whimsy, Colt is the theater company’s healer. If you piece together the pertinent details, you’ll figure out that both Colt and Hallow are from the Glintrubble cooperative. “Glintrubble is a cooperative that specializes in mining and shaping the stones that amplify a reaver’s abilities. Their community includes horses, rabbits, and bats. And reavers, of course” (Michael Ward, Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox). Yes, Hallow is a grandson of Trisk & Glinna Brunwinger.
His regional accent was a match for Colt’s, lending credence to their long association. “How do you do?
My name is Hallow Brunwinger. I apologize for withholding myself from association. Especially if my presence can bring some comfort.”
“You’re … half?”
“Yes.” He lifted an arm, giving her a clearer look at a misfit wing. “Bat clan.”
Greta asked, “Your mother?”
“She is well enough. My father was human.” Hallow’s gaze turned apologetic. “I’m not sure what any of you expect from me. It’s not as if I was much use during my own birthing.”
Colt slung his arm around Hallow’s shoulders. “You’re here. Isn’t that enough?”
Governed by Whimsy (Songs 04)
More than two centuries later, readers caught another glimpse of this duo in Mikoto and the Reaver Village. Sinder mentions them in passing, because he’s close to them. (Two words: elite taskforce.)
Mikoto and the Reaver Village
Which brings us to Book 5 in the Amaranthine Saga, when Fumiko meets the oft-mentioned “elite taskforce.” Hallow’s all grown up now.
**NOTE** If you haven’t yet read Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate, the remainder of this post contains excerpts which might be considered spoilers. Comments are also suspect. You have been warned.
::twinkle::
Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this audacious adventure… especially for the one who’s listening. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 275: Needed
::twinkle::
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 who favors forget-me-nots.
332
Just the Thing
Updated! Bard & Barbarian has updated over on my Patreon with Ch33, “Finest of the Fine.” As they near the destination of their side quest, Imber tries to coax information out of local fey. The little gossips.
FORTHRIGHT 