New Fic - Neverland

[frau rosenclay]

Hello,



Wonderful update. I love how they are getting into a comfortable zone, even if they are still somewhat uncomfortable.



Lovely detail, very sexy, with the eyes. All the details, the songs, the notes Tara took, et cetera.



I hope your father is well on the road to good health. That is very important.



I am just loving this story, makes my night to find an update. Your fans crack me up too, its great! Leaving feedback before reading! Kittens are so sweet.... You inspire such dedication through your craft.



Thank you for sharing.

Edited by: frau rosenclay at: 12/13/04 1:31 am

[DreamLover]

Hello EasierSaid,



First of all I'm sorry to hear about your dad. I wish you and your family all the strength in the world.



I just read your story from A too Y in a record time. I'm not that fast of a reader normally but this was soooooooo Woohoo I couldn't stop reading it.



Maybe that's why I'm seeing little yellow stars at the moment or it's because of reading all those HOT dreams. I must say I loved reading those even if it made concentrating on reading the whole story a little no not a little a LOT harder then I thought it would be LOL.



You are a great amazing writer you probably heard that like 10000000 times but I will say it again YOUR AN AMAZING WRITER



It's a great story all true I was really angry with Willow at the beginning because of her hurting Tara. I love the way your taking your time with every little step even if it's killing me softly.



I didn't understand the Dutch joke maybe because I'm Dutch Just teasing you I got it



Anyway I can give you a reallllllllllllllllly long feedback like 5 pages long especially about the dreams but I will just leave it like this for now. If you don't mind?



Henny

Edited by: DreamLover at: 12/13/04 2:02 am

[shadowygirl]

oh man this was an awesome update and I think like most of the others who read this fic so far this is my fav one , its just simple and amazing yet shows so much emotion I've read alot of fics on this site and many other sites and I haven't read to many that read with such emotion ... it was lovely







Love April



more soon right ?

[Rhiannon9891]

Heather,

I,ve always believed that to get to know someone is to listen to the art that they love, be it music ,poetry or literature.

When I met my GF/Wife she was a total classical music hound,and a lover of the great poets(you know, the stuffy library type,which I'm so not).suffice to say,within six months she was baffled at how much I knew about music,the poets(Poe,Frost,Dickinson, just some of my favorite poets/lyricists) and finer literature and art.She thought I learned about them to impress her,well in fact they were all some of my favorites all along.I subsequently showed her the role that classical and blues plays in modern R & R.At the time of her death Bob Seger,The Eagles,George Thorogood,Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin were among some of her favorites,and with each band,poet,author and artist, I learned a little bit more about the woman I loved.



These past updates were extremely touching to me as you can see,you have really hit the core of a relationship when describing the moments between Willow and Tara interacting as it portrays to art, music and literature within their lives.



OK, so that might have been a little to deep for everyone, but deal with it....



keep up the great writing

Rhiannon

I think this icon is going to be my sig.,Now only if I knew how to do that????

[serendipitous]

Okay. Hands down, this has become my favorite fic. The storyline is phenomenal, the writing superb and now that you mentioned my favorite poem, I about fell off my chair from excitment. When you quoted "Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening" I was happy because you had mentioned Robert Frost. I really enjoy his poetry. Then, you went on to mention "The Road Less Travelled" and I squealed in delight (maybe not so much a squeal, more like a yelp). I love that poem. It really is a great way to look at life and I even use part of it as my signature on my e-mail. I have the poem on my nightstand to help me remember why I'm doing what I'm doing and to keep me motivated on those difficult days. What a great update. Willow and Tara are firmly becoming friends and they're comfortable enough to interact and touch without fear of catching on fire. I can not wait for the next update to see where this fic goes. Cheers!

[little miss 666]

*walks in ashamedly carrying a paddle* ....okay...go ahead...spank me....i've been soooo bad!



This is hands down my most favourite story on here right now and probably EVER and yet i don't think i have EVER left feedback. I mean, wtf is wrong with me??!?!



Okay, first, this is just such an amazing story! I wish that it was a published book so i could carry it around with me and read it like, on buses and stuff hahaa.



Second, the suspense and the awkwardness and the love and the fear and the hope and the misunderstandings ARE. ALL. KILLING. ME! lol, every update just draws me further in and makes me love this even more lol, which i guess is kinda your purpose, so, just letting you know, it's worked! lol



Finally, good wishes and happy feelings from me 2 you concerning your dad. Hope everything goes well with that.



Update! Update! Update! Spank! woah!....i uh...i mean update.. ofcourse...*clears throat* uh..goodbye..





- Bell

The shape of you

Is etched inside

My bruised and somewhat sculptured mind

[ker shmuckit]

Great update. Finaly! The girls friendship begins too progress into new terrortory, ohhh, i love this part of the story!



One thing that i really, REALLY appreciate in storys, is a slow build up. Some storys get willow and tara together to fast, it's just not as good. First the friendship needs to develop. Then it needs to slowly transcend into a boarderline friendship/realtionship, then it sort of seeps over the line.., and there's a whole process which is very enjoyible to read! And my favorite part too. Espcialy with the charicters of Willow and Tara, they're both the shy type, with little self confidence, so these things are bound to take time. So bravo for that, you've developed this story well

[hermitfish]

Wonderful update Heather...I think us fans in the rafters are finally starting to believe (feel free to throw in a monkey wrench). First off...yay music...writing feedback to Ted Leo and the Shins to keep in the spirit. Secondly, buy a clue ladies...you're flirting. I mean I may be socially inept and have to travel in the way back machine to remember a relationship, but when you're quoting poetry due to the green of someone's eyes, you should file that under 'F' for flirt. Maybe Willow can analyze that and have a 'oh, wow' moment...nah that would be too easy (and where's the fun in that).



I sigh...I laugh...I thoroughly enjoy. Accolades.



~Cyd

---

All you need to start an asylum is an empty room and the right kind of people.

~Eugene Pallette in My Man Godfrey (1936)

[starcat73]

Yipeeeee!!!!!!!! An Update!!! I am really starting to love Mondays. Even though it is 40 degrees outside today, I feel all warm. That was the sweetest, cutest, adorable, most romantic thing I have ever read.



Wow. Willow's brain will have alot to process when she starts thinking about everything that happened during the day.

They are finally getting a little braver. I couldn't believe it when they complimented each other's eye color. I didn't think Willow could be so brave. Yay for brave Willow!!!



Yay for brave Tara too!! She is finally letting herself love Willow without any doubts clouding her thoughts. Is it because she was in her studio? Or maybe the dream she had? But she seemed alot more relaxed now around Willow. She didn't even think twice when she approched her so close and told Willow that her eyes were amazing. She seemed like she was getting lost in Willow's eyes and she didn't care if she noticed. I am sure they both will rethink everything to death now that they are in separate rooms. I could go on and on. There is so much I loved about this update. But I am not as good with the words as you so I will end with this.



My laugh of the day:



Quote:

"I'm working wet--" Tara bit her lip at the word choice and sighed quietly, missing in her own fog of embarrassment Willow's quick look to her feet and blush



I also had to add the part when Willow said " I didn't do it!"

That was awesome. Yes definately my laugh of the day.



This update is beyond words.

Even with the little bit about Xander . But I am not going to think about that now. Anyway, I feel all warm and fuzzy from this beautiful update to let that bother me.



Thank you for giving Mondays a new meaning. Not that I expect updates every Monday. Just happy when they come. no pun intended.



StarCat

Edited by: starcat73 at: 12/13/04 8:03 am

[Willow18]

Heather,



You have bereft me of most of my vocabulary so you have been warned. What ensues is a copy/paste marathon with comments added while I try to gather what is left of my brain from the puddle that you have left on the floor with all the W/T sweetness. *sighs contentedly*



~Tara stood before the canvas and concentrated on the movement of her hand. Sharp strokes with a fine brush, whisps of thin white paint dragging through the light base layer of frosty blue below. She periodically dropped the thin brush down into a small jar of turpentine on the easel's tray, then dried the bristles on a stained towel that hung from her waist. Then it was back into the white blob on her palette and across the canvas. Half of the canvas was covered in blue, the other half bare, untouched and white. The haunting lull of the music she was listening to blended in with the heavy rain beating against the large windows behind her and she worked without conscious thought.~

       

*sigh* Be still, my artist's heart.



~Sort of sullen, but soothing, in an uplifting, creepy, haunting sort of way... the redhead thought, noticing how well it matched the gray skies outside, the water running down the window's glass.~       

       

That thought intermixed is so, so... Willow. I can hear her saying it.



~Tara nodded. "I was going to be an English major. The whole idea of, majoring in painting seemed sort of silly."~



I was going to major in English before I decided on my Visual Communication Design degree. I thought that it sounded strange for me to be an Art Major when I had very high grades. I am so glad that I decided to choose what made me happy over what, at the time, sounded better to me.       

       

~"Yeah," Willow replied, her eyes following the line again. "It's different. Special, you know? Like, the red is unique. It sparkles... it doesn't need a bunch of fancy accents to be beautiful. It just is."



Tara thought about the words and her heart skipped a bit. She couldn't have described Willow any better if she had had all the time in the world and an unabridged dictionary. "Yeah..." she said, distracted by the redhead's words. ~       



Wow. Just wow. I was wondering if Willow would find the painting that Tara did of Willow. I kind of screeched when she found it... lol.



~"Sorry..." Tara said quietly with a warm smile. "It's just, your eyes... they're an amazing color green under this light. I thought I'd try and capture it..." She pulled back slightly, the proximity to Willow causing her to tingle, causing her to be brave. "I mean, they're always amazing, but right now..." she said, leaning back in and fixating on the green. "Amazing."~



Aww. She was struck by Willow's eyes. I was always (and still am) mesmerized by Aly's eyes. It's one thing that I tend to notice about people: eyes. Good for Willow telling Tara that she liked her eyes. ( Progress, people! ) I keep thinking of the one picture of Amber in the blue/green skirt and blue sweater- the colors of her clothing really make the color of her eyes pop.



Now I feel like painting. I was contemplating doing a Willow inspired one for some time now and I think that you have inspired me... yay! I will probably come back and read this post again as I loved it that much. You really have bereft me of words with this update. Excellent job.



ETA: I just read this again and I am still entranced by this update. I had a few more thoughts to add, so I will.



I was listening to a Michelle Branch cd the other day and part of this update reminds me of a song on it. It's called "Drop in the Ocean." It kinda fits your story.



I wonder what Willow will do with the canvas? I can see her running around her room like a chicken with her head cut off trying to find a spot of the highest honor for it. It's probably what I would do... lol.



You work did inspire me to paint yesterday. I now am working on an acrylic painting of Vampire Willow... So my humble thanks for the inspiration to paint.

Edited by: Willow18 at: 12/14/04 11:52 am

[behindhereyes]

Heather



Fantastic update ! Willow sneaking down to find out what Tara was listening to, made me smile...it's perfect for her. The interaction in the studio between them felt very intimate... and for me, it changed my view of where they're at with one another. The word wet, well I believe it played a crucial part in moving this update along ... it moved me!

I know I'm not very original in the fb dept., but I would give anything if one day the words came to me so that I could express accurately what I think about this story and the woman who writes it, and the depth and range it makes me feel.



To you always to you !



behindhereyes

Kim

"To the world, you may be one person; but to one person, you may be the world"

Edited by: behindhereyes at: 12/16/04 4:34 pm

[snuggle79]

Hey there,



some more bonding going on here, and i love every bit of it. Tara's stressing out of the word "wet" was funny.

And woo hoo on Tara and painting Willow's eye and thanking her with the words "thanks for letting me stare at your eye".

I loved the whole flirting in this update. Really sweet.

As always, each and every one of your updates never fail to blow me away.



s79

The greatest thing you'll learn, is just to love and be loved in return.

Edited by: snuggle79 at: 12/13/04 9:10 am

[Willster]

Yay an update. Made this depressing Monday a lot better, believe me! (what.. I hate mondays)



Our girls are so cute together.. And it's nice not ot have anyone interfer for once. No Xander call or stuff like that.



My favorite part was when Willow was looking at the painting called Confusing, so wonderful the words she used to describe it, not even realizing she was talking about herself. Awesome really. And the eye staring.. lovely!



I always take my time to read the update cuz I want it to last longer.. I can't help that it's my favorite fic.. I gues sI'm not the only one who think so..!

[Kajun]

OMG.. Twice read, so far, with equal results. I’m sorta speechless. So sorry. But since you love tunes so much.. I will express my feelings with part of a (slightly altered) song.



“Killing me softly” by Aretha Franklin



strumming my pain with your updates

singing my life with your words

killing me softy with your fic

killing me softly with your fic

telling my whole life

with “just” words

killing me softly with your fic..



Okay.. not *my life* but this fic makes me feel the way this song does. Do you get that at all? I absolutely LOVE this story. I really do. You have an incredible gift. Thank you for sharing it with us. Whew. I mean.. Whew.



edited to add: ARG! I just read the previous feedback given and hey DreamLover total accident with the 'killing me softly' thing. I promise. Geez. I didn't read anyone's feedback before writing my own to avoid stuff getting stuck in my head (like a song does) and inadvertently repeating something but it happens anyway. Anyway.. my apologies..

Edited by: Kajun at: 12/13/04 12:10 pm

[willlovestara]

Aww! That update gave me butterflies in my tummy! Loved the way they are comfortable with each other. The interaction was adorable! A clever mention of 'the big pineapple'! *silly grin* I can't wait to read more, especially if they are all cute like this one! *big hugs* Hannah.

Edited by: willlovestara at: 12/13/04 11:37 am

[UnveilTheSoulbound]

Heather,

first things first... i'm sorry again for not leaving feedback to the previous update... i really really really am SORRY...

i'll try to leave feedbacks as often as possible from now on...



now, what i really want to say is.. How amazing you are as a writer... I know that you hear that from people often but i wouldn't hesitate to reiterate it... your writing style is remarkable... the way you depict the emotions and thoughts of Willow and Tara are magickal... each interaction between the two sends all of us readers spiraling into this wonderful world you have created and we find ourselves sharing and even feeling for Willow and Tara...



we smile with them... we frown with their disappointments... we feel their apprehensions... and i have just got to say...



You are such a tease...



But that's what we all love about you, right?



now on to the real feedback...



I loved the way Willow kept checking what kind of music Tara was listening to in her studio... It's so Willow to do such an action...



and when Willow recognized the 'sex song' from Tara's studio...

Quote:

---

What is she thinking? Does she think I'm a total perv, or weirdo. Is, is she... maybe, possibly, a little, you know, turned on, by it...?

---

If only Willow knew...



and the 'wet' talk was hilarious... well, at least on Tara's part it was... what with the whole chastising herself and using 'wet' in the conversation, knowing that there was an alternate meaning hidden to the word...



and then there was this...

Quote:

---

"The lyrics?" The blonde began. "The imagery was so... vivid, it was kind of, flooding my brain," and other parts

---

haha... very very Tara...



The conversation during lunch was sssssoooooooo cute!!! The way they tease each other is sssssssoooooo adorable!!!



However, the best part of the whole update is, i have to say...

Quote:

---

Tara's entire body sparked, standing this close to Willow, feeling her gentle, even breath on her cheek, her lips, staring into her deep green eyes... it was heaven. She pushed aside any questions she might have, any lingering doubt or frustration and just enjoyed how close she was. How happy she felt. How fast her heart raced.

---

the whole update was incredible... but the part when Tara painted Willow's green eyes was just... heavenly...



i can think of a thousand ways my heart fluttered as i read the interaction between them... and you know what's more?... i can also think of a thousand ways their hearts fluttered too with the closeness they had with each other at that instance...



and now, i leave my feedback with this...

Quote:

---

The redhead was speechless as she looked from her eyes to the color on the canvas. She dropped the mirror to her side and looked at Tara with amazement. "How did you do that?"



Tara smiled brightly. "Magic."

---

and i couldn't think of anything less...

***Cail***

To Love is to receive a glimpse of Heaven-- Karen Sunde

Love isn't a decision. It's a feeling. If we could decide who we loved, it would be much simpler...But much less magical... -- Trey Parker and Matt Stone

[NicTacToe]

Wow wow wow wow wow wow. That's what I have to say about that!!



So, question for you...are you...

1) An artist?

2) A science geek?

3) Both?

4) Neither, but just such a damn good writer you can make anything seem real?



It's amazing how you can get so indepth into the both the process that Tara goes through to paint, and also all of "Ye Old Willowe's" (LOL btw) techie stuff. I mean, you seem to have such a visceral feel for painting/music/art, and also can talk nerd (a.k.a. my language) with the best of them, like when describing Willow's Color Match for Dense Tissue Display. Are you really one of those rare people can call themselves a "whole brainer" instead of many of us who, though we may be able to pay short visits to the other hemisphere, seem destined to be only right- or left- brainers?



Regardless, kudos to another amazing update. I'm still seeing flashes of the most amazing blues and greens in my mind right now...I think I'll have to get a canvas and paint my own version of "eyeballs"!



Thanks for making my monday :)



Nik

[feyndem]

Great update, plenty of emotion in the good way but now I can see a “slow down” update in the near future, there’s too much material for overthinking on both sides this time, with all that flirting (it was flirting, wasn’t it? ) at the studio. If you put one light in the house for every signal they are letting go maybe they would have free Christmas decoration this year.

They are getting to know each other so well that Willow will have to come out quickly if she doesn’t want Tara to go crazy with the “straight girl thing” but now they’re friends and that’s time to take the next step so: Buffy, come back soon, please!

[Grimlock72]

Heh.. I liked Willow scampering up and down the stairs to check on what Tara was listening to. Typical that Tara linked the more painfull songs to Xander, kinda bad for her bloodpressure indeed . The amount of Willow-pain Tara will blame herself for (after Xander's secret is out) does keep piling up that way, bit worrying that.



Willow is sort of revealed to Tara using music, the other way around is done using paintings. Nice. So Willow is a straight red line and confusing at the same time.. . Let's not forget that Tara does want to do more 'work' on it, heh... I can image....



The reasoning behind the title 'confusing' wasn't explained. I wonder if Willow will ever pick up on that. All the other titles were explained after all. Nifty that Willow pretty much described herself without realising it.



Cutest line this week:

Quote:

---

"Thanks for letting me stare at your eyes."

---

Grimmy

--
"You hurt Tara," Willow said too calmly. "The last one who tried that was a god. I made her regret it." -- Unexpected Consequences by Lisa of Nine

[littlecrazy80]

WOW

I love that they finally start the bonding. Tara staring into Willow´s eyes was so intense.



*lil´c*

"I am S-E-X-Y" Amber at the FedCon



SweetAmber ~~~ AmberBoard ~~~ Sam´s melody

[sam darls]

That was so amazingly beautiful . Love sam xx

"Sometimes things happen between people that you don't really expect. And sometimes the things that are important are the ones that seem the weirdest or the most wrong. And those are the ones that change your life." - Jessie Sammler (Evan Rachel Wood)

[wilgen]

Hey Heather,



Every time I read an update I think this is the best so far but then you post a new one and it completely resets the whole scale. Amazing update.



Take care, wilgen.

[WillowPowered]

aww that was so cute. All with the flirting hee hee.



Jill

~~~~~~~~

Willow - Say, you all didn't happen to do a bunch of drugs did ya?



Willow Powered | Amber Powered | Alyson Powered



My lack of talent is more than made up for by my enthusiasm.

[anyone somewhere]

I love the way Willow and Tara's flirting has gotten so bold and yet no one's made so bold a move. The sexual tension is just so amazingly written it's like you're there feeling it.



It may be early to ask but do you think you'll write another fic after this one? Your writing is really incredible and I'd love to read another fic written by you.



~Rachel

Edited by: Warduke at: 12/15/04 8:44 pm

[illusivekae]

Heather,



With everyone interested in the story's music, Neverland: The Soundtrack should be in order. And you could make Neverland mousepads and Neverland keychains. And little Neverland bobbleheads. I loved this update, Heather. It probably sounds incredibly cliche, but you continue to amaze me. Take care. -Erin

[terra21]

I'm on sinus meds so this may not make any sense. Heart=palette, emotions=colors, your mind=brush, canvass=this story. If my brain were attached I'd try to make it into a nice little analogy in the form of a sentence.



I hope I am lucky enough to find the person that makes me feel the feelings these two characters emote and share.



P.S. I hope your Daddy is doing okay.

"You two are the two who are the two. Im the other one." - Willow

[JustSkipIt]

Hey Heather,

What a masterful update (no surprise there). I like pretty much every single part. One thing I must compliment you on is the use of show references in this part. There are times on this board when I can tell that writers are Buffy fanatics (like me: yes my friends and I break into Buffy quotes and inside jokes constantly) and others when it appears that the writers have only a passing familiarity with the concept of the show. Maybe they saw 2-3 season 5 episodes and thought Tara and Willow were cute. But you obviously have a cannonical knowledge of W/T references and important moments.



The way that Tara shares herself with Willow in this update is wonderful. So intimate. And I have to wonder if she consciously sees that her opening up is related to the intimacy she is getting to share from Willow's music. Or for that matter, if Willow sees the reciprocity there. Which I guess makes me completely change to focus on Willow. Her initial panic over Tara listening to her music is replaced by her thinking it through. What I like about that so much is that by allowing Tara that glimpse, she is doing exactly what Xander said was necessary: letting Tara know her. And of course Tara is falling harder and deeper in love with her as she does.



The discussion, and names, of Tara's painting is lovely as is the entire, "you have beautiful eyes..." "not as beautiful as yours..." interchange. Although I now propose that they are both now officially thick! I mean, come on, "you have beautiful eyes..." and neither goes, "maybe she likes me too?" Thick!



Then the conversation re: computers. Have to say, I agree with Willow on this one. Tara writes checks? Does she then ride her horse and carriage to the depot to post them? Enter the 21st century, blondie. Willow's consternation is adorable as is her mis-spelling. How cute.



I'm guessing that you are as much of a music-phile as Willow because I've never even heard of most of the music you reference. I'm more of a KGSR Broadcasts album girl myself. For sexy: I'm kind of retro I guess: Joni Mitchell, Sarah M, Madonna, Enigma, Pink Floyd.



Re: the book recommendation. I liked Lincoln's Dreams but recommend it mostly forthe battleground stuff. If I was just recommending one of her books, it would definitely be Passage (the best book I read this year) and 2 would be Passage and Bellwether. So get all three when you pick up Lincolns Dreams.



Ok, hope your dad is doing well and that you have a great holiday if you don't post again before then. Debra

Sign the ACLU Refuse to Surrender Pledge

"The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” - Martin Luther King

[tarawhipped]

Wonderful update, Heather. Willow's paranoia/giddiness over the cd was hilariously HER, and I especially thought her concern that if Tara thought the songs were dumb, then she must also consider Willow dumb for liking them. It was reminiscent of Tara's doubt over the "it's just paint" remark. I love that they are seemingly so different, Tara:left brain, Willow:right (or is it the other way around?), but they really have much more in common than they realize. Apart from the self-doubt, that is. The way each becomes more confident when in their own element (Tara only hesitating a little when she invaded Willow's personal space to paint her; Willow discussing her work now that she knows it's ok) is really nice. And now that they've gotten over the tip-toeing around each other's presence (Tara's studio was the final frontier, I believe? , they're starting to connect on a way they should have when they first became roommates (finding common movie/music interests, etc.).



Of course, there's still the looming matter of Buffy coming back, which is a huge question mark as far as I can tell. That remark she didn't quite make to Tara is gonna be an issue, isn't it? That's okay, I can take it. And in closing...

Quote:

---

"Hungry?"

---

Now THERE'S a loaded question.



(me today)-Cameron

---

What should I be but just what I am? - Edna St.Vincent Millay

[pookie ray]

This is such an amazing story, it justs get better and yet more torturous with every chapter. I promised myself 35 chapters ago I wouldn't post a reply until Willow & Tara got together but I just couldn't help it, I love this story too much. It's torturous, every time you post a new chapter I think, "this might be the one" and instead it just gets more agonizing and better. I can't wait to read the next update, thank you so much for this story.



ps- For the past few years my dad's had some medical issues and I know it's not easy for you as well so I send both of you good wishes. Take care and happy holidays.

I won't always love what I'll never have - Jimmy Eat World

[WillowWise]

Ok I havent been on the kitten board for very long, but I just recently found your fic and I have been reading it, I really like your style and how you get the reader going and just at the moment when it seems to good to be true its a dream. I think I got to November and I was all, NOOOOOOOOO there has to be more. But now there is and Im glad to see that Im really sorry to hear about the bad stuff that happened to you, I hope all things get better soon...



Impatiently waits for your next update



Aly