A happy weekend to y'all.
Thank you to everyone for your valuable and hearwarming feedback. Replies then probably the most important chapter of them all. Really? Yep, at least I think so, up to this point.
Irishgrl3 - it's sad that they both seems to have given up. Meet, fall in love, discard Oz ... sounds good. All I can say is no harm wishing. But what happens next, well, er, it may be a little different than that ...
Viximon - I remember earlier in the thread there was a short discussion about Willow's selfishness, and I still think she's behaving like a self-centered child who's always had her wishes granted, probably cos she's never had the stablilzing influence of Tara. Tara is a little accepting of the situation and she may have jumped too earlier into the conclusion about the end of their relationship. Having said that, she knows in the future they don't have a future, so perhaps it's a self-fulfilling prophecy.
lipkandy - yes, that's another possibility (one of several hundred I know I've not considered), that Will and Oz get together again and Tara fades out of the equation. Then again, it may not take place like that. I'm not telling, er not for another few minutes till I get the next update up anyway.
JustSkipIt - Debra, I still think there's an element of selfishness to Willow's actions. I haven't gone all the way out in her letter for her to actually say she wished she could turn back the clock and have another chance with Oz, either prevent him from leaving, or enticing a commitment from him, or for her younger self to go with him. That's what happened in the film. But I thought about it, and she's halfway (or more) in love with Tara though she has no idea how to take it forward. I think somewhere at the back of her mind, she wants closure with Oz, so it doesn't hurt as much when he does betray her. Or she wants her younger self to have more contact with Tara so they forge a connection. She's at a point where she knows kind of what she wants but she's not able to fully grasp the implications.
As for Tara, it was a shock when she came back from Houston, all happy and in love and full of Willow thoughts and what does she get, something close to a putdown. But it is true testament to her strength of character that she agrees to talking to younger Willow. She may be too forward in thinking this is good-bye, but in her mind, sometime between her current time (2002) and 2004, they lose each other. So it's probably not surprising she's jumped to conclusion somewhat. I'm so flabberghasted at your analysis each time, it makes me think about this, much more than when I was writing, thank you.
And yes, Chapter 14 is next when what happens in the in-between years will be ... not fully revealed but I'm getting there. It's going to pick up in pace from now on.
hermitfish - Hi Cyd, thanks for the feedback. You're right it's part of growing up, that the mistakes you make become a part of you. The question is, with the benefit of hindsight, how much of our past would we change? What are the decisions we would have made differently if we had a second chance. I'm of the view that ultimately, there are very few. To put a personal spin on things, I sometimes wish I'd taken another major at college, one that I was interested in instead of the 'conventional' one I ended up taking. Would I have changed if I were transported back? Yes and no. I would have gone to a different college and I wouldn't have met all the friends I still have to this day, and definitely not my partner. so yeah, life's like that. It's all about the choices and the good deeds and the mistakes you make.
behindhereyes -
Quote:
beautifully sad
wow! Thank you, Kim! Will the Tara talk really change Willow's life? Willow's definitely been in a rut for years, certainly she wants to make a change. And Tara, she's so understanding, even in a situation where it may turn against her, so she loses Willow earlier. More to be revealed.
meretricious - I'm surprised they've been able to resist the temptation to do some serious changing so far, so all credit to the girls. The screw tightens even further, I hope you like angst ...
pikescoob - yes true, most, if not all, of us have wanted to change history, to make our lives better, or to correct some bad mistakes. No one gets a second chance though. Willow's request stops short of actively changing history, she's asking Tara to talk to younger her, but the decision still rests with young Willow. Tara is a saint for agree to this, cos she's basically forfeiting her claim to Willow and any possibility that they may be together. The plot thickens though ...
lil fled - oh now you've made me blush. Thanks for the kind comments.
bullko - hokayyy, what to say without incriminating myself but on the other hand reassuring you that it's not true ... Nothing
! Seriously, the next part or two should confirm (or not) your hypothesis.
Grimlock72 - thank you as ever for your insightful comments. Make me crank up the brain cells definitely
. All Willow wants is to have a few more choices, she's not asking Tara to change the mind of her younger self, only to open her mind up more. I'm not sure about how sensible this wish is though, cos there's no telling what younger Willow will end up doing. Tara is jumping the gun about the end of their relationship, but who can blame her? She knows sometime in the next 2 years she and Willow will stop corresponding, leaving the Willow who moves into the basement apartment (way back in August 2004) to 'meet' her once again. There's a Chinese saying that roughly translates as 'for long pain why not take the short pain', that's probably the kind of thought process Tara went through.
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quiet thoughts