27 Comments

I vote we bring 'mawkish twaddle' in common jargon. Great dialogue/insults in this piece.

Expand full comment

Haha, thanks, man! I used to dread writing dialogue, but now I really enjoy it! And I love combing through the synonyms of common words to find their less common cousins.

Expand full comment

The cheese thing is so true. My wedding cake was a stack of cheese wheels. That's love.

The ending made me laugh. Great job.

Expand full comment

Thanks very much! I really enjoyed writing this one.

Expand full comment

A delightful tale of love, hate and cheese, I love how Francais it is. You sir owe us another tale such as this down the road, and of course dedicated to your beloved Kate also.

I loved this story, you ever considered writing murder-mystery musketeer tales like this or something?

Expand full comment

Man, I was really hoping you of all people would enjoy this story, and I'm so thrilled that you did! I'm almost as obsessed with Musketeers as I am with Spartans (😉), so you can definitely expect more Musketeer tales in the future.

Expand full comment

'Course I did, hahaha, I just hope we do get more Spartan stories also. I'm glad you're obsessed wtih the Mousquetaires, I'm currently reading Dumas's novel and am loving it (en francais).

Expand full comment

It may (or may not) surprise you to learn that the Elven Rangers in my fantasy universe are inspired by the Musketeers.

Expand full comment

It shouldn't have, but it did. I like it, it differentiates them, well since the Mousquetaires are French, and Elves ought to be Celtic, I support it. (I know Elves come from Norse Myths but I like 'em better when Celtic jk)

Expand full comment

I know one woman that would definitely work on.

Expand full comment

This lady seems destined for disappointment. Love the use of cheese!

Expand full comment

“You may fascinate a woman by giving her a piece of cheese.”

Now that’s a euphemism I haven’t seen before.

Expand full comment

I was so preoccupied with other things yesterday that even though I opened the story and gave it a preemptive like, I hadn't had the chance to read it yet.

I'm happy to see my instincts were rewarded. The twist here isn't unexpected, but the way it's handled has a darkly comedic tone to it that's just wonderful. I literally burst out laughing at work! Good thing no one was around so I wouldn't have to explain it to them haha!

Expand full comment

Killing off Arno was a last minute audible, but I always knew I wanted it to end with like the ONE cheese that she really loves missing from the basket. I can't tell you how gratified I am to hear that you appreciated that as much as I did.

Expand full comment

The punchline is only made better by the fact that you came with the receipts to prove that excerpt is 100% real.

Expand full comment

A great tale! I hoped Rosalind managed to enjoy the cheese even if there wasn’t her favourite... and the image looks like a great collection of prompts! I’m tempted to give the pin one a try.

Expand full comment

Brilliant! Loved the lavish dialoge and the end, didn't expect both to die in the duel. Shame about the reblochon.

Expand full comment

I had a hard time figuring out the end of the story, and then I thought, "This guy's kind of a silly hopeless romantic. He should die."

Expand full comment

😂 Brutal.

You're right though.

Expand full comment

This was so fun! And yes, cheese is the best pick up line. 🧀

Expand full comment

Yes, you do fascinate me with cheeses... and in other ways, too.

Expand full comment

Cheese and chai: the secret ingredients to a good marriage.

Expand full comment

Indubitably.

Expand full comment

gigglesnort! Clever Rosaline!

Expand full comment

A most duplicitous story! Loved it!

Expand full comment

Thanks so much! I've been wanting to write something silly about fascinating a woman with cheese for awhile now, and this story just struck me like a bolt of lightning.

Expand full comment

Hahaha! I'm sure. I think there is some truth to it too…you can't beat a good cheese 🧀

Expand full comment