Sunday Snippet: A Haunting Yule (a Holiday Spirit short)

It's been a busy week with medical emergencies—not mine, thankfully—and vacationer pickups. Also had a few work projects to get worked in.

Had a great week for television. Started out by finishing up the sixteenth season of Classic Who and I got a start on season seventeen. Interesting choice to have Romana regenerate as the princess of the final arc. We'll see how that plays out.

Watched another episode of UFOs: The Lost Evidence. The focus was on the Royal Air Force and I enjoyed the episode. I also started the next one which feature sacred sites and UFOs.

Caught two more episodes of The Muppet Show. Lou Rawls and Cleo Laine were the guest stars. Had a great conversation with my brother about watching this show while we were growing up.

Enjoyed another episode of The Hardy Boys. The jury is still out on whether the grandma is a good force or a not-so-good one. I'm really excited to watch the next episode with the secret room.

Watched another episode of Peak Practice and, yep, a tragedy occurred. I'm pretty sure we'll be seeing the last of Beth and Jack, which is actually what I expected. I'll look forward to their sendoff.

Caught another Master Class with David Carson. This one talked about working with clients and I got some solid information from the session. I might not work full-time with graphic design, but I do work with clients on a regular basis and the lesson had some good strategies for meeting expectations that can apply universally.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina had an interesting episode. I'm still not a Wardwell fan and even less so after this episode. I'm kind of excited to see what Cerebus is going to bring to the story and Zelda made a bold choice I didn't quite expect.

Watched the penultimate episode of Street Legal. I have to give Steven Lund kudos. I loved his journey in this episode. Olivia overstepped in a way I didn't quite believe. I hope there's a bit of an explanation in the final episode of season one.

Enjoyed another Ready Room recap. I'm having a lot of fun with guest stars who were previous cast members. I might not be able to say the same with season two. I'm not a Q fan in the slightest. Here's hoping the writing makes me change my mind.

Finished up another episode of Blue Heelers and enjoyed it. I also caught another episode and started a new one. I'm creeping up on the halfway point of season three.

Caught an episode of Chicago Med. Again, I really enjoyed the multiple threads. Will's arc impressed me. I loved the opening scene with Rhodes and Will working together and getting along, mainly because of the reactions of the rest of the team.

Watched another episode of Ms. Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries. Bertie cracks me up. I love Samuel and Violetta. I'm hurting for Peregrine and James but I can't wait to see more and how they work things out. I miss Fleur and I'm kind of hoping we'll see more characters of the Adventuress Club. So far, season two is making me very happy.

Enjoyed the first part of Silent Witness's two-parter. Nikki's dad is a piece of work. I'm kind of glad I can't remember how things play out with him. Looking forward to seeing the second part this week.

That's pretty much it for television this week. Tonight's post is from A Haunting Yule, a holiday spirit sexy short featuring a banshee and a goblin.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Holiday spirit Thom Tinsel brings an unlikely duo together for Yule. Urika Uhl is a banshee holding on to a past she needs to let go. Ingo Ingalls is a goblin searching for his place in the netherworld. Thom's magick shows the couple their differences can help them build a strong future together.

And a preview snippet…

Urika swept through the halls of the community building. I'm not going to use my cry to help goblins. I won't do it.

"Urika!" The head crier, Bancroft Harlow charged toward her. "You can't refuse to use your gift. It's unlawful." He paused, a little out of breath.

Urika waved her hand. "I don't care. If you won't sanction those horrible trolls and refuse them our aid, then I'm done." She spun back around and stalked toward the exit.

Bancroft trotted after her. "You have an obligation to fulfill and you're our top seer. You won't be allowed to walk away." His tone turned hard and unyielding.

Urika closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. "You can’t ask or expect me to help goblins." Her stomach churned. "Especially around Yule."

Bancroft's face softened. "This season is hard for you. I do understand that. But you can't pick and choose. Not anymore." He sighed. "The others are tired of the preferential treatment you're shown."

Urika sneered. "Then maybe they should knock me from the top spot. Better yet, I'll climb down from the lofty perch and let them fight over it."

Bancroft shook his head. "No, that's not the answer. You'd open yourself up to having more goblins to work with. The lessers are usually available to do readings. Right now, we have a backlog of people making requests. You know this."

Urika swallowed hard. "I can't, Bancroft. I can't. I'll take leave. I'm due for some." She rarely left the glade and had plenty of time saved up. "It'll let you save face and give me time to work through my issues." Not that she'd try all that hard.

Bancroft frowned. "You get to use this trump one time, Urika. Next year, you'll not be allowed to shirk your responsibility." He turned to head back to the grotto area. "And don't be surprised if you don't get bombarded with angry banshees who have to pick up your slack."

Urika fought down a wave of sadness. "Why can't people understand?" Goblins savaged her parents … why should the brutish thugs have any opportunity to see their futures?

She made the short walk home and entered her small cottage, hoping to have a mug of hot tea and maybe a long nap.

No such luck. The moment she crossed her threshold, a faint buzz coursed through her veins. She cast a careful eye around her living room and found an ivory envelope hovering over her mantel.

Crossing the floor, she retrieved the missive. "What now?" Removing the seal, she briefly scanned the contents.

 

Hail and welcome.

To Goodacre you must go.

Find peace, solitude, and answers

To what you must know.

Remember the joyful season

And let it be a balm

Discover the quiet strength

And reestablish your calm.

 

A set of instructions and a time to cross the veil into the nether realm followed the rhyming verse.

Urika tucked the invitation under her arm and headed to pack some clothes.

"I'll most definitely take advantage of some downtime away from the glade."

Whew. Urika has some issues she definitely needs to work through. Goodacre is going to be full of surprises for her.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye