Sunday Snippet: Inked (a Black Unicorn Comics bonus)

Geez, I can't believe we're into March. February ended up being a complete blur for me. Then again, it's such a short month, even if I think it's weird how two or three days can make such a big difference.

Ohio weather is still acting like a drunk toddler. Warm one day, cold the next. Snow. Rain. Sunny skies. I am excited that it's getting light earlier, especially when I have to leave at six thirty to play taxi service.

Work projects are still rather backlogged. Well, maybe not backlogged more like stacking one on top of the other. I love being busy, but I have to admit, I've been a little overwhelmed lately. Then again, it's a good problem to have.

My viewing stayed on course for the most part. I made it through most of my usual shows. I've been itching to start something new but haven't quite decided what I want to watch yet.

Started the week with the fifth-season premiere of My Life Is Murder and once again, this show doesn't disappoint. Such a fun episode.

Watched most of an episode of Foyle's War. It's one I remembered and I enjoyed it, but kept getting distracted so I'll finish it up this week.

Another newish show for me is Return to Paradise. I've watched most of the first season but not in order, so I started the series from episode one.

Caught another episode of Poirot and thoroughly enjoyed the mystery and seeing Poirot in his native surroundings.

Elementary ended up being a fun watch. I like it when Sherlock and Joan are on opposite sides of an issue but aren't nasty about it. And the case they solved was really interesting.

Watched another episode of Batman Beyond and remembered it after I got started on it. I enjoy seeing how far Terry has come since the beginning of the series.

Star Trek: Lower Decks had a great episode. Kendi is such a fun character and I love her. Also great to see Boimler, Mariner, and Rutherford in action together. It's been a while since they had a good adventure.

That's pretty much it for the life update. Tonight's post is from Inked, a bonus episode of the Black Unicorn Comics series.

Here's the miniblurb:

Brian and Lucy are celebrating their anniversary, and both have the same idea of getting a tattoo as a fun gift—but neither tells the other. The good news is both enjoy discovering where the other got inked.

And a snippety peek…

Brian Wells glanced up when Randy and Reg entered from the breakroom. "Thanks for meeting me here." He rolled his chair back from his desk and nodded to the two he'd brought over from the spare work spaces.

Reg held up a pack of hard cider. "Brought refreshments." He set the bottles on Brian's desk. "What are we here for, mate?" Slumping into a chair, he heaved a sigh.

Randy smirked. "Think it's past his bedtime." He bypassed the empty seat and hopped up on long, low shelving unit instead.

Reg gave Randy a side-eye. "When Ana can't sleep because the kid's moving around all night, I suffer with her." His lips quirked. "Least I can do since she's the one who's doing all the work right now."

Brian chuckled. "Have a feeling you'll both be in for it once the wee, little one arrives." Not long now either.

Reg pulled a bottle from the six-pack and twisted off the cap. "What's up, mate? We coulda met at the pub." He took a long swallow then kicked back in the chair.

Brian pulled two more ciders out and handed one to Randy. "Yeah, not for this. I needed someplace quiet and, well, private." He opened his brew and took a drink then leaned forward to rest his forearms on his legs. "You know Lucy and I are celebrating an anniversary soon, yeah?"

Randy lifted his chin. "Lemme guess, you wanna throw a surprise party?"

Reg snorted. "No. First, Lucy hates surprises." He shook his head. "Second, Brian is terrible at pulling them off."

Only his best friend could nail the truth so bluntly.

Brian shrugged. "Yeah, not my thing. And he's right about Lucy hating them." He grinned. "But I'm gonna surprise her anyway. Just not with a party." He looked from one guy to the other, letting the suspense build.

Reg broke first. "You sure this is a good idea?" He took another long pull from the cider.

Brian narrowed his gaze. "You don't know what the idea is yet."

Randy downed half his bottle. "Then get with the letting us in, so we either help, talk you out of it, or prepare for battle."

Brian laughed. "Yeah, yeah, okay." He let one more moment go by then spilled his idea. "Think I'm gonna get a tattoo, something kick-ass that has meaning for us."

Randy hopped up and slapped Brian on the shoulder. "That's a great idea!" He glanced toward Reg. "I'm team help Brian make this happen."

Reg pursed his lips for a moment then whipped out his phone. "I like this idea … but let's see what Ana thinks. She'll give us the woman's perspective." He fired off a quick text.

Brian held up a hand. "You gotta swear her to secrecy."

Reg rolled his eyes. "I will. I will. Let's see what she says first." A ping sounded and he opened the message. "She gives her approval." He typed a reply then set his device aside. "What're you thinking? For the tattoo?"

Brian rolled his shoulders. "Not sure yet." He met Randy's gaze. "Who do you recommend? And will they have something I can choose from?" He literally had no idea what he wanted.

Randy's head bobbed up and down. "I have an artist and, yeah, they've got art or you can do something custom. When are you thinking of having it done?" He finished off his cider and opened another one.

Brian huffed out a breath. "Don't know. Soonish? And we gotta keep this under wraps."

Randy hand-waved Brian's concern. "I got it. We'll schedule in my name and I'll be the go-between. Give a day or two to get some dates." He got his phone and opened his contacts.

Reg took the remaining two bottles of cider and opened them. "Here's to Brian's plan to surprise Lucy." He held clicked edges with Brian and Randy.

They finished off the drinks then cleaned up and headed for the back exit.

Unseen and unknown, Harry had been working in the darkroom and overheard the guys talking. His brain exploded with ideas for Brian's tattoo. Ducking back into his space, he sat at this table and started drawing…

I'm having so much fun with this bonus scene. I love Brian and Lucy so much.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin

Sunday Snippet: Inked (a Black Unicorn Comics bonus scene)

We had a crazy week of weather. Rain, rain, rain, followed by wind, wind, wind. Lost power for a couple of hours and returned some of the neighbor's stuff that ended up in our backyard. Something tells me we're going to pay for a fairly mild winter with a chaotic and wild spring. Can't wait.

Good week on work projects and I finally made headway with clearing out my inbox on my old PC and I'm starting the transfer of files to my new computer. I can't wait to get this project done so I can go back to having one desktop instead of two in my workspace. Up next, tackling my laptop to see if I can get the graphics card to function again. Or, the issue could be related to a Windows update. Either way, I'm hoping I won't have to invest in a new laptop. Fingers crossed.

Not a bad week of television viewing. I didn't get quite as much watched as I did last week, but I got a few shows in.

I finished up the Classic Who episode I started last weekend and I'm kind of interested in how this one plays out. Hoping to get to the next part this week.

Watched the season twenty-one opener of Silent Witness. Nice to see some fallout from Nikki's Mexico trip. Jack is a little off and I'm curious to find out why. Love to see Clarissa out in the field because she's become a favorite character and shouldn't always be relegated to the lab.

Enjoyed another episode of Strangest Things. The items they discuss are always interesting and I love the speculative aspect when they really don't know exactly what they have.

Caught another episode of The Mandalorian. Bo Katan's introduction piqued my interest. I like how a different sect of Mandalorians are out there giving a different perspective.

Watched another episode of Only Murders in the Building. Thoroughly enjoyed discovering the building has secret passageways and tunnels. Loved the introduction of Lucy. I haven't changed my theory quite yet on who the killer might be, but we'll see what happens. Also nice to see Oliver show up for his son. Much needed character growth there.

Got to return to my Battlestar Galactica rewatch this week. While the episode doesn't rank as one of my favorites from season one, it's still a solid watch. Frankly, season one doesn't have a bad episode. It's probably the best first season of television I've watched.

Enjoyed another episode of Pennyworth. A few unexpected twists turned up and I'm here for those. I'm quite enjoying the slow discovery of how Alfred became Batman's butler. There's not a wasted moment on the screen.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Inked, a sexy short bonus read set in the Black Unicorn Comics series.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Brian and Lucy are celebrating their anniversary and both have the same idea of getting a tattoo as a fun gift—but neither tells the other. The good news is both enjoy discovering where the other got inked.

And a snippety peek…

Lucy Sanderson had a mission to complete. "Gotta get this done before Brian comes to work." She entered the Black Unicorn office, poked her head into the bull pen and spotted the two people she needed to see.

Perfect.

She strolled in and stopped at Sosh's desk. "Got a minute?" Sosh would know exactly where to send Lucy.

Sosh tilted her head to one side. "You're up to no good, aren't you?" Her lips curved into a smirk.

Lucy arched her brows. "Sosh, I'm offended. Of course, I'm not." She jerked her head toward her desk then headed that way.

Sosh immediately followed because her curiosity would be piqued.

Zapf glanced up and narrowed his gaze. "What dragged you here at ugly o'clock? You're never in this early." He set his pens aside and folded his arms across his chest.

Lucy put a hand over her heart. "I'm wounded. Sosh just said I'm up to no good." She dumped her messenger bag on the floor next to her chair and waved her coworkers closer.

Zapf shot Sosh a quick side-eye before leaning in. "You're scaring me, Luce. What did that wild brain of yours think up this time?"

In all fairness, Zapf totally had her number. She routinely ran both crazy and brilliant ideas by him. But those drops always had to do with the comic book they produced. This idea … had nothing to do with work.

Sosh grabbed a chair and scooted in close. "And why do you need me?"

Lucy propped her butt on the edge of her desk. "I need to do something on the down low and can't do it alone."

Sosh widened her eyes. "Is it legal?"

Zapf laughed. "Of course, it is." He sobered, shooting Lucy a quick glance. "It is, right?"

Lucy rolled her eyes. "Yes, it's legal. Geez, you two are giving me a complex right now." She did a quick check to make sure they were still alone. "I have an anniversary coming up with Brian and I want to do something to blow his mind."

Zapf leaned back. "No way. Sosh and I aren't having a foursome with you." He amped up the drama by shaking his head back and forth. "Uh-uh. Not gonna happen, babes."

Sosh smacked his arm. "Shut up. I wanna hear what she's got planned." She turned her attention back to Lucy. "Come on, spill."

Lucy lowered her voice. "I'm going to get a tattoo, but I want to surprise Brian. Meaning Z-Man needs to keep his big yap shut." She sent a pointed look in Zapf's direction.

He made a motion of zipping his lips and throwing away the key. "Mum's the word, Luce."

She got serious. "Will you design something? Nothing too elaborate because I have to be able to get it done in one session."

He gave a nod. "You got it. End of day, I'll have something for you."

She smiled her thanks and met Sosh's gaze. "And I'm hoping you'll share your artist's name because they do excellent work."

Sosh flashed a smile. "I'll do one better. I'll set the appointment up for you." She crossed her heart. "And promise Brian won't find out from me either." She rubbed her hands together. "This is a great idea."

Lucy nodded. "Glad you think so. Thought it would be a fun way to celebrate." She got up and hugged both of her coworkers. "Knew I could count on you two."

I have so much love for Lucy and Brian and their group of coworkers. This is going to be so much fun to write!

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin