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 really shouldn’t let go at the moment.
110
Gentleman’s Agreement
“How does this work?” asked Jacques. Continue reading
Jacques Smythe of the Uppington Smythes. Maybe he wasn’t your favorite character in Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox, but Uncle Jackie is here to stay. Lord Mettlebright’s Man will probably hang around for several hundred (admittedly short) chapters, skimming through the backdrop of the series, giving you glimpses of life at Stately House from the point of view of an ordinary, unendowed, freeloading gentleman’s gentleman.
Connoisseur | art by FoxOfTwilight
• • •
He was still sulking in his linen cupboard when the younger Starmark tapped lightly and proffered a dainty crystal goblet. “My father sends his compliments and would like your opinion of his gift.”
“Why?”
“Argent spoke highly of your palate.”
“Naturellement.” Jacques lifted, tilted, swirled, and sniffed with patent hauteur. Thick amber, bedizened by tiny galaxies. Holding the first sip in his mouth, he closed his eyes and knew bliss. “What is this?” he sighed.
“Star wine.”
—Lord Mettlebright’s Man, Chapter 59: “Discerning Palate”
• • •
Who else has high hopes for Jacques? ::twinkle::
Lord Mettlebright’s Man begins 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 ready one.
109
Life Choices
Jacques wasn’t a respected kind of chap. Continue reading
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 wants to be more than friends.
108
To Each Their Own
“Do you mean to say that you respect me?” Continue reading
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 unabashedly monogamous ones.
107
Dramatic Equivalence
“My feelings for you are what define me?” Continue reading
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 cheeky one.
106
Me in a Word
“You are familiar with the dogs’ unique naming sense?” Continue reading
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 daring one.
105
Excellent References
Jacques was less concerned with Continue reading
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 likes to be clear.
104
The Catch
“You are remarkably unremarkable.” Continue reading
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 being carried “princess style.”
103
Let’s Not Quibble
Lord Mettlebright lofted them skyward Continue reading
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
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
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
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
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
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 demanding one.
97
More in Store
“You found it,” remarked Gingko. Continue reading
FORTHRIGHT 