Forthright .'s Blog, page 133
August 1, 2020
Art Card
September’s Mailing. It’s August 1, so I’m revealing the Quarterly Art Card, which is one of the main perks I offer to supporters on Patreon. “The Dance” features Ricker & Fira from Followed by Thunder (Songs of the Amaranthine, #2).
“The Dance” | art by Lara Pickle
If you want to be included in this art card mailing, become a patron. You’ll get in on snapshots, story snippets, first looks, interesting mail, etc. Look over the tiers (just $1 for Glimmers, up to $44 for Reliquaries) and choose a...
Bard & Barbarian
New Installment. One of the perks my patrons receive is access to an original story about two characters I play(ed) in a longstanding weekly DnD campaign. Bard & Barbarian updates at least once a month, and for July, I scraped in at 10 minutes to midnight on July 31. (Deadlines are miraculous. They have a way of making things happen!)
In related news, our group is gearing up for a new campaign, and I’ll be first-timing as DM. Although it’s less of a dungeon & more of a ...
Mood Stripes 178: Lasting
Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this audacious adventure… especially for the deep thinker. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 178: Lasting
Sesshoumaru appreciated the miko’s compliance. It was easier to study their predicament when she was close and quiet. If theirs was truly a predicament.
Kohaku’s contentment pleased him.
Shishi’s freedom brought satisfaction.
Yet he was suspicious of th...
July 29, 2020
Photo Challenge
Bright as Pennies. Entries have started rolling in! Therefore, we’re due for a quick reminder that there’s a new Photo Challenge underway. This time, I’m prepared with a quick snapshot of the oft-mentioned “fabulous prizes.” This round, I have 5 of these pretty blank books with Starmark-esque copper accents. They’ll come inscribed to winners in the drawing.
Fun Fact: Merit Starmark (that’d be Harmonious’ eldest son) was nicknamed “Penny” by Boonmar-fen Elderbough, his childhood friend. Obviousl...
July 28, 2020
Mood Stripes 177: Both
Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this audacious adventure… especially for the one without excuse. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 177: Both
Kagome peered up through her lashes at the gently ebbing colors, hoping they’d help her decode Sesshoumaru’s mood. He seemed focused on each deep inhalation, as if trying to figure her out by scent.
The very idea made her smile.
Sesshoumaru’s nostril...
July 27, 2020
Post Fest Post
#PokemonGOFest2020 took up most of my weekend, and in the nicest way. I had fun, which was my only real goal. I’ve never experienced the like, and I’m glad I decided to splurge on a ticket.
I finished 3 audio books while I played. ::twinkle::
Although it was a bit of a scramble, it was nice, nice, nice to be able to invite reader friends (or be invited by them) to participate in raids. I now have So Much rare candy. Must distribute strategically. ::plots::
My longtime Pokemon buddy (Lucario) ea...
July 24, 2020
Mood Stripes 176: Staggered
Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this audacious adventure… especially for the one who’s subject to moods. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 176: Staggered
Although she couldn’t possibly go back to sleep, Kagome stayed where she was, tucked up against Sesshoumaru, trying to make sense of her own moods.
She wished she could check her colors. That might make them easier to chart.
Was she mint...
July 23, 2020
Pokemon GO Fest 2020
Play from Home. Thanks to the quarantine, I’ll be participating in Pokemon GO Fest for the first time ever. I have secured my ticket, stockpiled pokeballs, and blocked off my weekend for some guilt-free playtime. Looks like events run from 10am – 8pm local time (I’m in the Pacific time zone) on July 25 & 26. No idea what to expect, but … I’m sure it’ll be fun. ::twinkle::
If you need a friend, I like connecting with my readers. Send me your friend code at always.forthright at gmail dot com. I’ll...
July 22, 2020
Too True
Whisper of the Heart. I’ve been rewatching (for the gazillionth time) Whisper of the Heart, one of Hayao Miyazaki’s films from Studio Ghibli. If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s lovely. Libraries and antiques and musicians and artisans. The young lady in the lead (a bookworm after my own heart) has a way with words and decides to try her hand at writing.
Just hit this scene, which describes my summer in a single line of dialogue:
I can’t decide if I feel called out … or seen. ::twinkle::
July 21, 2020
Mood Stripes 175: Normal
Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this audacious adventure… especially for the pretender. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 175: Normal
Kagome woke much earlier than usual, while the dawn was gray with fog. Normally, she’d have snuggled down and begged for another hour. But that was impossible.
“Sesshoumaru-sama?” she whispered.
“Hnn?”
But she couldn’t think what else to say. Not when Sessh...
