Initially I thought I had to don bullet-proof vests with kittens shooting hate arrows my way. I guess it just shows how smart regulars and non-regulars are on this board, a lot of you guessed in the right direction. Or may be it's because I wrote an awfully cliché story, I dunno. Anyway, sincere thanks to everyone who left feedback. Replies then it's onto Part 15.
Viximon - please don't die! I'm a meanie, I know. But I will have better news soon, I promise.
russ - yikes, sorry for wearing down the fingers
. I think that up to this point, Willow is aware of her feelings for Tara, but she's not entirely sure how much. As for why the news hadn't turned up in Willow's research, that's kind of my fault, it should have been the first thing she came across, I guess I'll have to put it down to bad karma. More will be revealed in the next part.
Willow18 - I love your reaction to lawyers, that's so funny
. Glad you liked Willow in the gallery and yeah, I'll make it right soon.
Missocki - I'm not trying to kill the kittens, really! Please believe me! Don't hate me! And unlike some asshat I will make it right at the end, I don't want to be hated by the kittens ...
Traveler4069 - I knew it was half expected but I hope the way Willow found out was through an offhanded remark, like the gallery owner thought she knew.
behindhereyes - hi Kim, sorry it was a jolt for you, but I was hoping for the unexpectedness to come through. The world will stop askewing soon.
thebardgirl - *hugs elizabeth* poor sweetie, didn't mean to make you cry ... well, with a storyline like that of course I'm a meanie, you can hit me as much as you want
. But, it'll be alright with the world soon.
the hero factor - that's what I was trying to go for, how the shock of your life can happen just like that, with one remark out of nowhere.
wimpy0729 - that does explain Tara's non-appearance at the Espresso Pump. But we're gonna have to fix it soonest.
bluemote - oooh, a bottle of Laphroig. For that, yeah, happy ending is a big possibility.
WillowNTara4ever -
surprise! it's an update!
Under Their Spell - oh my, I made you leave the comfy zone of lurkdom! Thank you! To be honest, I myself only have a tenuous grasp of the time crinkle concept here, been caught out by smart astute ones like Grimmy and russ already. But I try. And don't worry, I plan to finish this fic, I won't leave anyone hanging. We're getting towards the climatic end already ...
Emms - it's just a story but we all know how caught up we can all be, like the many ones you have on the board, they're as real to me as my RL, to be honest. Quite a few kittens figured out about Tara's death, Debra being the first, after only a couple of parts. The great thing about fics on the kittenboard is, we're guaranteed a happy ending, so there is a comfort zone there. I'm glad you liked Willow's take on the sketches, as a non artistic person it was a challenge for me to describe them in a way that vaguely made sense.
Debra - well, you were right about Tara's death. Very well spotted and great call
! I must admit, after I read the gallery scene again, and (after Mary's comment) reading
your gallery scene in Paths, it's similar. Ooopsie. I must have been subconsciously channeling your fic! Never meant to copy, trust me. Yours has more impact, and is so integral to the story, as it was when Tara realized the images she's been dreaming were actually real. Mine pales into insignificance.
Anyway Tara's sketches were from course at Houston. My belief is that she left them unfinished because they were painted under certain circumstances and has special atmosphere and meaning. To go back and touch them up will take away the spontaneity -- some of them were painted within only 30 seconds. It's like writing a story or a poem on pure instinct, the more you go back and edit, even though it may make it more polished, the rawness is gone. Does that make sense?
Cyd - I'm the one guilty of overlooking that Willow should have found out about Tara's death very easily, with her experience and ability. I'm just gonna have to claim writer's privilege and say it was bad luck. Glad you're enjoying the story though.
Michelle - thank you! I suck at art, so it was a challenge to write about the sketches. Glad I did okay. The plot does thicken, but better things are on the horizon.
terra21 - I love the certainty and finality of your statement. Love it
! May be you'll be proven right? May be not?
Anna - Willow and research seems not to have delivered the goods in this fic. I'm not sure of her state of mind right now, but when/if she calms down. More to come.
Mary - I totally didn't know I was channeling Debra's gallery scene in Paths, you're so right!
I love the Back to the Future reference, I liked the first one but not too keen on the sequels. Willow will have to do something about the news, what it is, wait and see ...
Grimmy - the 'early' reference is probably just relative, cos there aren't that many Tara Maclay works out there. Tara's sketches are unfinished, like I commented to Debra, because they were created quickly and are fresh and raw. I could totally see her deciding not to go back to mess around with them cos it'll take the energy away.
bullko - your wish is my command, update coming up right away.
Michaela - like your mental image, all I can say is, the alternate happy future together
will happen, as for whether it's younger Willow who is responsible, I'm not saying, just yet.
veiled isis moon - thank you for coming for the ride. Update is just below.
Emms returned - yes ma'am! Your work ethic is an inspiration to us writers and I promise to work harder at posting updates. In fact, it's time.
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quiet thoughts