Sunday Snippet: It's Academic

Ugh. A long week again. At least it was more about recovery than ongoing crises. Had a flurry of work projects come in and I'm glad to have some new stuff to dive into.

Had a short week of television viewing. I started with The Brokenwood Mysteries and quite enjoyed the episode, which featured sharks and spiders and I'm not a huge fans of either so there's that.

Finished up an episode of Blue Heelers and started another one. I'm kind of amazed how themes from almost twenty years ago are even more prevalent today. The episode focuses on colonization and theft of indigenous artifacts. Very interesting.

Started a new two-part Silent Witness. I remembered bits of this one but not all of it. Should finish up the second part this week.

Caught the second to last arc of season 18 of Classic Who. The Master has returned and I'm pretty sure he'll be then end of Four. Sometimes I like not remembering how and when the regenerations occur.

Finished up UFO Witness and enjoyed the series overall. I'll be starting a new series this week but haven't decided what it'll be yet.

Watched two more episodes of The Muppet Show. Helen Reddy and Harry Belefonte were the guest stars. I really enjoyed Harry's episode.

Started a rewatch of Prime Suspect. I'd forgotten how thoroughly asshattish the men were toward Jane in the early seasons. I wanted to kick all of them in the balls.

Finished out the week with Peak Practice. Can't say I'm a big fan of Will's lady friend but I can't quite put a finger on why I'm not fond of her. Overall a good episode.

That's pretty much it for this week. Tonight's post is from It's Academic, a novella where the characters clash on the regular but eventually figure out how to coexist.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Chaos and control don't mix, but Kari Pride and Thorn Summers must find a way to balance the two or drive each other mad when they become roommates. By the end of the semester, Thorn tempers Kari's sloppy habits and she makes him yield his ruthless organization for some much needed spontaneity. When their relationship gets personal, they have to figure out how to navigate new territory.

And a preview snippet…

The elder precept, Arnold Markum, led Thorn to his dorm, rambling on about familial tradition.

The older gentlemen all but quivered with giddiness. "And it's my fortunate luck having a former legacy member in good standing with the mage society stop in with you."

Thorn's grandfather couldn't stay, but at least he'd dropped Thorn off and helped unload his stuff. His mother couldn't be bothered, the rift with her father too deep to set aside. Thorn loathed being in the middle of their tug-of-war.

The man rattled on again but finally said something that interested Thorn. "You'll be sharing your room with someone." They entered the building and started for the stairs.

Thorn welcomed having a roommate. He needed to interact with people and stop going it alone all the time. His brother Thrace relished the social scene and group gatherings. Thorn wanted to break out in hives thinking about it, but having one other person would be a good start.

He hoped he got along with whoever he shared space with.

Markum slid his finger down the check-in sheet. "Ah, yes. Kari Pride. She's just arrived and should be joining you shortly if she's not already in your room."

Kari. Female. Thorn blinked. He didn't realize the academy had coed rooms.

The elder clucked. "Hope you don't mind. We've gone mixed gender in the last three years, but only when necessary. We're full up this semester, so you're in the coed dorm." He nodded down the hall.

Thorn shrugged. "I'm thankful to be here. I don't care who I room with."

Pride. Not a legacy name. His grandfather made him memorize all the first families. Thorn looked forward to expanding his horizons with someone other than a supposedly approved name.

Markum handed Thorn the key then knocked twice on the door. "Thorn Summers arriving. Okay to come in?"

A muffled response came back. "Sure."

Thorn unlocked the door and cracked it open to find his new roommate Kari riffling through a box. She angled around and lifted her chin in a greeting. Her amazing green eyes spared a glance before turning back to finding whatever she searched for.

Wow. This could be an interesting semester.

Thorn and Kari will have some bridges to build and it's so much fun writing them while they figure it out.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye