Sunday Snippet: A Rockin' Yule (a Holiday Spirit short)

What a wild week. We're back to almost winter temperatures with freeze warnings this weekend and the first part of the week. My cold is sorta kinda over, but the crazy weather probably won't help.

Had a pretty decent work week. I'm in flux on a number of projects but the work is moving steadily along. I'm happy to stay busy.

Pretty good viewing week also. I finished up a rewatch and have to pick a new show to watch on one of my streamers … and I have no idea what I want to choose.

Started off with My Life Is Murder and it was so fun to see a regular in one of the shows I watch do a guest turn in this episode. Can't wait to watch the finale this week.

Caught another behind the scenes episode of Foyle's War and enjoyed it. I have one or two more before starting the next season of the show.

Watched another episode of Poirot and loved the mystery. Hastings completely falling for the girl ended up being very interesting along with Poirot kind of lending a helping hand. Very cool.

Started the new season of Silent Witness. Jack's new look is … okay? Enjoy them being in a new city, and I'm liking the vibe of the characters.

Elementary, as usual, didn't disappoint. Such an interesting case and having Sherlock go out on a limb for Shinwell was rather cool.

Finished up my Batman Beyond rewatch and, honestly, the show holds up. Not sure what I'll pick next, but it might be DC universe adjacent.

Watched another Star Trek: Lower Decks. Kind of fun to have a one-off character come back and not end up being an actual hero. I like the risky maneuver there.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from A Rockin' Yule, a holiday spirit short featuring a hellhound and a nymph.

Here's the miniblurb:

Saffron Sapienza is in trouble with her hellhound pack for being wild and overindulgent. She's looking for an escape in the hopes of letting her latest scandal die down. Gabriel Gabor has a big decision to make—become nobleman of the nymphs or give the job to his archrival, a man who tries to take everything Gabriel has. A holiday spirit, Jolly Jingleman, brings the duo together at a secluded bed and breakfast over Yule and works his magick to help the couple find their holiday cheer along with some direction for their future.

And a preview snippet…

Gabriel Gabor rubbed at his temple. "I don't know what else you think I can do here, Mason. The holiday season is in full swing, and everyone is distracted by upcoming events." Gabriel paced back and forth in front of the roaring fire in Mason Mulgrave's living room.

Gabriel made his appeal to the nymphs—they needed to integrate into the human realm or risk growing stagnant with their dwindling numbers. The fae glade members approached Gabriel to take over after Mason retired. The group wanted Gabe as their nobleman yet didn't want his advice or to follow his recommendation for a better future.

Mason steepled his fingers. "Tyson's not helping the situation. He's got a bunch of the group frothing at the mouth about tradition and staying in our own confines. Why mess with perfection, blah-blah-blah." He blew out a long, slow breath.

Gabriel snorted. "The stupid thing is, Tyson wanted to integrate not six months ago, but when you approached me to become nobleman—and most of the group backed me as your choice—Tyson backtracked and decided to throw his hat in to muddy up the waters." Which Gabriel should have expected.

Tyson Truman wanted whatever Gabriel had.

Mason sighed. "I should've been prepared for that possibility." He got up and added on the log to the fire—even though it burned hot and steady. "Now we have to have a vote, and it could go either way." He settled back in his wingback chair.

Gabriel voiced his nagging thought. "It'll go one way if I step aside." At this point, he might as well.

Mason's gaze snapped to Gabriel. "You're not serious."

Gabriel shrugged. "I think I am. Do you really want a decade or more of strife and turmoil? You know if I win the vote, Tyson will work behind the scenes to wreak havoc. If he wins the vote, we risk dying off and ending the nymph lineage." He held Mason's stare. "I honestly don't want to be around for either eventuality." Because losing the little they had left didn't appeal at all.

Mason frowned and got to his feet. "You'll think about sticking it out though, won't you?"

Gabriel rolled a shoulder. "I'll take a few days and let you know right after the Yule holiday."

Mason clapped him on the back. "I'll wish you a happy yule then—even though you've got a lot of thinking to do." He walked Gabe to the door.

Gabriel left Mason's small cottage and started the walk to his bungalow, tucked into a copse of trees, flanked by a rolling hillside. "Right. Happy Yule is something of an oxymoron this year."

Having so much fun with the holiday spirit shorts. I love writing the pairings and adding a dash of merriment with the holiday spirits.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye