Sunday Snippet: Red Cap

Had a bit of a rough week and felt under the weather for most of it. I did make progress on two of my work projects so not a total loss.

I didn't quite get all the way through my full streaming schedule, but I got a decent amount of viewing completed.

I started the second season of Ted Lasso and quite enjoyed the first episode. I'm interested to see where things go with the psychologist.

Caught another Agatha Christie Hour and loved the cloak and dagger aspect of the episode. Very twisty and turny and an excellent resolution.

Started season six of Endeavor and enjoyed the first episode. Not sure I like the new DCI but I'll see where things go. I don't like not having all the guys together but a shake up now and then is probably good for the show.

Watched another episode of Silent Witness and had no idea Clarissa had a husband. Good to see how they interacted. Interesting premise and I can't wait to see how it plays out.

Started a new arc of Classic Who. It's a bit spooky and I liked the first episode. Looking forward to seeing where this one goes.

Sci Fi Science had a fun topic of traveling to a parallel universe. I like to see how a theoretical physicist puts ideas together that could one day possibly happen.

Enjoyed another episode of Ms. Marvel. This group of characters is a joy to watch. I love the way Kamala interacts with everyone and the show nails the entire awkwardness of being a teenager pretty well.

The finale of Only Murders in the Building did not disappoint! I'm so excited to start season two because I have to know what happens next for our trio of characters.

Started season four of Blue Heelers. Nice to see Roz again even if the circumstances were sad. I'm a little disappointed I won't have new episodes to watch after this season unless I want to jump to eleven.

I'm in the middle of an Umbrella Academy episode and should have it finished up later today. Things are really spiraling and that's not a bad thing.

That's pretty much it for this week's life update. Tonight's post is from Red Cap, a novella that loosely retells Red Riding Hood with a bit of a gender swap.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Magan Drone, a red-capped tree nymph, is ordered to protect Cass Warrison, an earth sprite tasked with guarding the land from the wolf-shifter clan. Magan isn't thrilled with the duty—she and Cass share a complicated past—but her handy skill with a crossbow can stop an evil prophecy from coming to light. She'll do her job and save the day, but no way will she let Cass back into her life.

And a preview snippet…

Cass headed back after completing a circuit of the western edge of the enchanted woods. Not much activity tonight, but he had an uneasy vibe he couldn't quite shake. And he had a shadow. One wearing a red cap and keeping to the trees.

A faint sound caught his attention. He cocked his head and listened. Rustling leaves and a pained cry for help had him changing direction and backtracking several meters.

"Please, is there someone there? I've twisted my ankle and need help."

Cass came upon a lovely blonde sprawled on the ground, her pant leg tangled up in some underbrush. "What happened?" He crouched low and winced when he got a look at the swollen foot joint. "Ack, that looks painful." Untangling the fabric of her pants, he freed her leg from the brambles.

She nodded. "It is. I heard something rustling around, got spooked, and started running." She carefully tried to move and grimaced. "Don't think I can put weight on this."

Cass helped her stand and tucked his shoulder under her arm. "Did you see what made the noise?" He hadn't heard anything, but with another person—who would remain nameless—loitering around that might explain things.

She shook her head. "No, but I caught a scent, like damp fur. Thought maybe a shifter crossed into the enchanted woods."

Cass shot her a quick glance. "What makes you think that?"

She nodded toward a lane leading to one of the cottages. "My great aunt mentioned seeing some movement and warned me to be careful. When I started running, I could hear someone following me."

Cass lifted his chin. "I haven't seen you around. I would've remembered you. You're staying with your aunt?" He walked toward the lane, helping the blonde hobble along.

She gave a quick nod. "I arrived yesterday to visit for a bit. Auntie doesn't have any relatives here. I'm from a different enchanted area where she grew up." She paused a moment then held her free palm out. "Siera Gilmore."

Cass clasped her hand. "Cass Warrison. Nice to meet you, even if it's under less than optimal circumstances." He escorted to the cottage door. "Do you need help wrapping your ankle?"

She shook her head. "I'll be fine. Auntie can help." Her hand twisted the knob but she angled her head around. "If you'd like to drop by in a day or so, I'd love to see you again. Maybe make some lunch for you as a thank-you."

Cass grinned. "I'd like that." He waited for her to enter the cottage before turning to head home.

A brief flash of red above him spiked his irritation. "Why are you following me?" His gaze went to the trees and Magan dropped down from the lower limbs.

She rolled her eyes. "As if. I happened to be out here first and then you came stumbling along." Her crossbow had an arrow notched and her cap faced backward, a sure sign she'd come prepared to hunt.

Cass frowned. "Fine. Let's assume you're out here for the same reason I am. Doesn't explain why you followed me to the cottage?" She could've continued with her patrol.

Magan shrugged. "Maybe I wanted to see how you handled blonde, breathy, and brainless, especially since intelligent brunettes don't interest you."

Dammit, she needed to stop throwing that incident in his face. He'd been drunk and stupid and he'd inadvertently used her. His unintentional terrible timing and the way he'd hurt her notwithstanding, he didn't warrant the scathing treatment she threw at him all. The. Time.

"Look, Magan—"

She casually leveled her crossbow at his groin. "Don't insult me by apologizing. Again." She tilted her chin upward. "Your personal shortcomings do not interest me. And my curiosity is appeased. Blonde Ambition back there is welcome to your brand of lame romance." She swung the crossbow up and hoisted it on to her shoulder. "Have a lovely evening, Cass. Try not to get ensnared in any traps." She made a jump and grabbed a low-hanging limb, swung up into the trees then poked her head out from under the leaves. "And maybe ask yourself why neither of us heard a thing yet your new girlfriend claims she got chased by a nonexistent shifter … after being warned to stay out of the woods." She didn't wait for a comeback, nimbly moving through the branches and out of sight.

Cass balled his hands into fists. "Damn her. She's nothing but a sharp-tongued viper with a stupid red cap." He discounted her parting salvo.

If Siera didn't know the area, she wouldn't know which paths to stick to or what to look for as telltale signs the shifter were trying to encroach on the woods.

And maybe you're thinking with your dick again.

Cass really hated it when his internal voice sounded like Magan Drone.

I'm having a lot of fun writing this story. Cass did Magan wrong—not purposefully, but he did—and she takes every opportunity to poke him with a sharp, pointy stick.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye