Sunday Snippet: Victory Is Hollow

April is off to aweird start. We had a tornado warning in the wee hours of Thursday morning. Thatwas fun. The temperature warmed up then dropped back down with a chance of snowtomorrow or Tuesday. But, sure, we aren't having any climate issues.

Still pluggingalong on multiple work projects. I did finish up two and added another new oneto my pile. I'm very happy to be busy!

Had a decent viewingweek. Ended up making it through my full slate of shows and I think I knowwhich new program I'm adding to the lot. I'll give it a view and report back.

Actually realized Idid finish up London Kills last week, so I ended up watching anotherfull episode. Things are headed for a showdown with David and Vivienne and I'mhere for that.

Watched Death inParadise and enjoyed the episode. Discovered Izzy is still around and,well, still not a fan. If she returns, maybe she'll grow on me.

Caught BeyondParadise and thoroughly enjoyed it. So nice to have a little backstory forEsther. And, if rumors prove true, a potential love interest in season three.That'll be fun.

Enjoyed an episodeof Elementary. I'm definitely interested in how things will play outwith Kitty's attacker. I can't wait to see if it gets resolved in the nextinstallment.

Watched an episodeof Batman Beyond. This is one I remembered from my original run through.Quite liked seeing it again.

Caught anotherepisode of Classic Rugrats and it's one I don't remember so a new-to-me episode.Thoroughly enjoyed it. Only a few more left before I move on to the rebootagain.

That's pretty muchit for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Victory is Hollow,a novella that brings a couple together after a huge mistake.

Here's theminiblurb:

Patience Clew and Del Mindhapel are elite armsinstructors for their training academy and have a lot of tension bouncing backand forth. When two of their cadets go head to head in an illegal duel and oneends up with an almost mortal wound, the top teachers are confined to quartersand that's when the tension really goes out of control.

And a sneaky peek…

I'm not looking for compromise.Del gnashed his teeth. "Soit's your way or no way?" She'd never accomplish what she wanted that way.Patience shrugged. "Prettymuch." She went back to reading her book.Del shook his head. "Then yourvictory is hollow. Because if cadets lose their lives to prove your point, itmeans nothing. The price is too high." Then again, maybe it wouldn'tmatter.If they couldn't come to anunderstanding, this discussion would be moot.She frowned and met his gaze."What are you talking about? Our cadets didn't die." She went back toher book.He snorted. "This time."He paced back and forth. "What happens when one does?" He stopped andglared at her.She rolled her eyes. "You'remaking more of this than you need to." Her focus went back to the page,but her knee bobbed up and down.Del resisted the urge to punchsomething. "Live ammo, Patience. The duel aside, we train with live ammo. You'reinsane if you don't think it can happen. Because it could." And definitelywould if she refused to consider any kind of compromise. "Especially ifyou're not willing to bend a little and come at this topic from a differentangle." He bit back a sigh. "All I'm saying is you better be preparedto face a tribunal when the worst finally happens." Out of steam, he satat the table and pulled out his paintbrushes. "Do you really wantthat?" Uncapping the paint, he dipped the tip into the vibrant red.She stayed silent, but her legbobbed nonstop.But … he didn't push for an answer.Because, honestly, he didn't have the desire to argue about something thatshould be simple to understand. Working on the model ship, he hoped like hell he'dgiven her an idea to chew on.

This story isbouncing all over the place, but I think I've finally got the main beats down.

 

That's it for thisweek. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye