New Fic: Darkness Falls

[mollyig]

Our poor Willow, feeling that she's failing her girl by not using magic. I'm glad Buffy is trying to understand how she's feeling, and not just offering platitudes.

Adding up the total of a love that's true, multiply life by the power of two
Indigo Girls

[tommo]

Well, I'm continually impressed with the quality and depth of the writing in this fic. And I think I'm more impressed that you managed to update what with everything else going on in your life right now; that in itself is pretty amazing.



What I love about this chapter, and it's a theme I've seen explored in some other fantastic fics as well, is the friendship between Buffy and Willow. Always at the heart of the show from the beginning, I feel so very much that the Powers That Be really lost their way on that one. It always touched me so much that Buffy and Willow cared so genuinely about one another, and that's what you've emphasised here.



Willow losing her temper (and that doesn't happen often, so it stands out and your once sentence reactions were perfectly paced) and Buffy's subsequent reminder of how well she's done serves to underline this connection that they have as friends. I loved how Buffy was consolidating Willow's sense of achievement, not undermining it. It seemed right and natural for her to do that, especially in these circumstances.



And god...Willow's sense of frustration and helplessness in the sight of Tara's absence; and that feeling that she could so easily save her, but she can't, only served to show how carefully you're picking over the character here. And it's great to see. Always wonderful. Thanks so much for this.

----------
"The only thing going for me -
were those moments - just
moments - when Tara would look at
me and I was wonderful."

[xita]

Oh kris Lovely to have you writing again



Man what a tough chapter, Willow's angsting about the magic, and chosing it over Tara but this is what had to happen. Proving she will not use it. Down that path is destruction and pain and death and death.. . and she just can't, not even for Tara, but she needs to understand that this what Tara wants. sigh..

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Childie -"Not all girls are raving bloody lesbians, you know!"

George - "That's a misfortune of which I am perfectly well aware."

The Killing of Sister George

[Tulipp]

Kris, if this is what a short update can be like, I'll take short any day. This was wonderful, both with the interaction between Willow and Buffy, and with the contrast/tension between magick and Tara. I loved the way you showed the Scoobies' reactions to Willow's initial anger outburst--you showed so well the way that Buffy's reaction was similar to those of the others and different at the same time.



Willow having to choose again, to show Tara something and to show herself something...and the irony of the fact that it meant choosing magick again, so to speak....well, that was brilliant and so, so true. I can really feel Willow here, her rage and her pain and her desperation. Thanks for writing this, really.

[Puff]

Wow that was powerful stuff. Willlow's guilt about choosing magic over Tara was heartbreaking. The fact that none of the scoobies even understand what it took/still takes for Willow to give up the magic was used nicely in this part as well.



Thank you Kris for writing, I am glad it is getting better for you day by day. My thoughts are still with you {hugs}.

-----------------------
You know, it's a real deal relationship and that's why people can relate to it
Amber Benson

[The Big I T]

Kris:



So good to see you back. You "sound" a bit better, and the fact that you feel up to writing again makes me feel better -- in a hopeful sort of way -- about how you're handling everything that's been going on in your life. I know how hard it is to regain your "balance" going through something like this. Really I do. And that's why you've been in so many of my thoughts and prayers over these past few weeks. In fact, you continue to be. Just wanted you to know that.



As for the update, you continue to outdo yourself with the range and intensity of emotions you draw out of the characters. It's their complexity as individuals and as a group dynamic that just keeps shining through. It all feels so *real*. And so true to who they are and who they are so desperately trying to be in the face of all the dire situations and life-or-death tests and challenges that make the Hellmouth an extreme crucible for life, love and friendship. So much depth here. This is terrific old-fashioned BtVS -- and you're Big Bad in the form of Madrine and her minions, particularly that Fonce guy, ranks right up there with the creepiest and most threatening that have ever been seen in Sunnydale. Honestly, when I'm not completely stressed out (in a good way) and teetering on the edge of my seat with this fic I'm pining and muttering to myself over not having the opportunity to see it played out on the small screen. This is really just...brilliant.

[Tiggrscorpio]

Kris, just catching up on the last few updates. What a massive ordeal for our girls. Tara sacrificing herself because she thinks Willow is dead. Now, Willow choosing not to do magick when she thinks it could help Tara. Incredible conflict. I hope they find Tara soon.



This remains a wonderful story. I was sad to read of your loss. My prayers are with you through this difficult time. Thank you for continuing to share your story.

*****

She's my everything!

[darkmagicwillow]

If that's what a short update is like, I'll take one any day. I really liked Willow's thoughts about how not using magic was choosing magic over Tara again. What a dilemma for her. The Buffy/Willow friendship works very well here as it should've on the show.

--
"Omnia mutantur, nihil interit. "   "Everything changes, but nothing is truly lost."

[SlayerTazz]

Kris - great update - thank you!! Poor Willow....

A dream is a wish the heart makes.

Willow: "You had two eggs, sunny-side-up. I remember because they were wiggling at me like little boobs."

Tara: "Sassy Eggs."

[AutumnT]

Kris,



First of all thank you for continuing this when we know you're hurting.



And I have to agree that I really appreciate the way you are writing the friendship between Buffy & Willow - it is just sad how lost that got in season 6 when it was always so obvious how much they love each other.

Autumn

-----------

Buffy Season 6: It grated, like something forced in where it doesn't belong.

[VampNo12]

First Kris hugs, and my thoughts are with you. As for the update I loved it! I liked how Willow was in constant motion, being agitated while surrounded by the scoobies doing research. Also loved how you continue to emphasize the bond/friendship between Willow/Buffy (and I liked how this friendship shines not just in the good times, but Buffy is there for Willow to lean on in moments of need, such as this).



The pain of Willow's dilemma really resonated with me, and I was glad Buffy was there to help Willow see the choice she is making is the right one. Or in other words, Buffy is finally seeing how/what she had to suffer through to be at the stage where "she doesn't want to do magick anymore." Willow knows she lost Tara (in the first place) for "choosing the magick over her", which conveys she was being selfish (ie her addiction made Willow serve her needs, and overlook Tara's ). And now Willow is being responsible (in a way being selfless, acting the way Tara would be proud of, by not succumbing to the pull of what the magick could do in aiding the gang), but at the same time feel guilty/letting Tara down again. With this in mind, I love how you weave complexity into a simple choice/action (ie Willow opting to not use magick, but fearing the "cost/price" of such a decision). Giles on the phone intrigues me, and I can't wait to see what happens next!

Edited by: VampNo12  at: 8/30/02 3:37:35 pm

[MadeinNZ]

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. Life sucks big sometimes.



I loved the chapter. I love any story that re-emphasises the Buffy and Willow friendship. Its so important. And I really liked the concept that, by choosing not to use it, Willow thought she was still choosing magic over Tara.



Don't rush yourself to update until you're ready. We'll still be here.

------------------------------


Buffy: I'd like to find Willow and Xander
Joyce: Will you be slaying?
Buffy: Only if they give me lip

[singgirl]

Kris! You are back!! *yumps in Kris's lap* mmmmmmmmmwah! I missed you!! I haven't read the update yet, been really busy and such, but i prolly will later tonight.



C, I am still here, I am sorry about the neglect. My roomie does bot like to share the computer and when I do get on it I have to use it for homework, then I go to bed....forgive me?

[MissQuirky]

Aww Lovely update, Kris!! I'm glad Will didn't use the magicks, she's worked so hard and came so far! Its wut is best, she should understand that Tara wouldn't want her to use it! I hope they find her and get to her soon!

Willow: We can come by between classes. Usually I use that time to copy over my class notes with a system of different colored pens. But it's been pointed out to me that that's, you know... insane.
Tara: I said quirky.

[KrisBo5]

Been so busy today, that I just sat down to write these responses! Thanks to all of you, seeing your posts made me smile so big! I love you Kittens!!! Well, let me start. . . .



mollyig: Yes, in my world, Buffy is very supportive… as she should be.



tommo: Ruth, thank you. It means so much that I can continually impress you— I do try. And, you know, as it turned out, writing was very therapeutic for everything I was feeling about what happened.



I love the Willow/Buffy relationship; always have, and it was something that I’ve been missing on the show. It was important to me to show how much they love each other and need each other.



One thing I really liked was how fluttery & stammery Aly played Willow whenever she got angry or flustered. She always seemed to deliver her lines very short and singularly, and I thought that was very fitting; so, of course I borrowed it and tried to keep that mannerism in my Willow. I thought it was important, really important, for Buffy to tell Willow how much she had achieved and to support her “being clean.” It seems that it has gone over well.



Willow’s struggles with her magic aren’t over(as addiction is really never over) so I wanted to show how the allure of it hurt her just as much as actually doing it. And her not doing it, could hurt Tara.



Thanks so much for reading. I love hearing from you and I always look forward to what you think. Hope you will continue to do so!



xita: Thank you; I feel pretty good about writing again, so. . . Yes, lots of angst and struggle.



Tulipp: Short updates seem to go over well. Hmm. The Buffy/Willow interactions have been very fun to write and I am one for the contrast as you are learning. Thanks for reading!



Puff: Thanks for your continued hugs and thoughts.



The Big I T: Thank you so much for your kind words, and for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers. It just amazes me how wonderful all of you Kittens are!



I do try very hard to make the characters complex. I think if I can write them three-dimensionally, then they will seem very real and true; I appreciate that you can see that. I am a fan of true horror(without all the gore) so Madrine and hers, I am trying to make them as scary as possible. And, as you may have read, this story was a script—but it was passed on, so no television episode I’m afraid. . . you’ll just have to keep reading. I hope you do! Thanks so much.



Tiggrscorpio: Thank you for your thoughts. I am doing okay. As for our girls, yes lots of conflict and angst, I’m afraid. . . .



darkmagicwillow: Hmm, again with the liking of the short updates. . . . Glad you liked it.



SlayerTazz: Thank you!



Autumn T: You are quite welcome; I am feeling good about writing, so I will keep going. Buffy-Willow. . . very important. . . you’ll see.



VampNO12: Thank you for your kindness and thoughts. They are appreciated. Willow is always in motion in my mind’s eye, and I think different types of stress make it come out in different ways: anger, agitation, nervousness, etc. I think that I love “choices.” Our lives are our choices and the consequences they bring; I wanted to explore that with Willow and her magic, as well as with Buffy and evil and all that goes with it. I have tried to emphasize W/B’s friendship, cause I think it is tantamount to their characters. We’ll see. . . . As for Giles, hmm. . . .



MadeinNZ: Yes, I must agree. . . life can suck. Thank you for your support, it means a lot.



MissQuirky: Thank you. Good for Willow, I agree, but. . . .



B & C, Yes, I am back. And writing. Now just waiting for you to read it! Love to you both!



Kris

“Frell that!”

[IsayAmberBensonsgorgeous]

Kris, it's good you're back.

and i want more, it was a short update i like that your Buffy actually has a clue when it comes to Willow.

B,

excuses, excuses and who's that roomie of yours: how old is she, is she attractive? ... i want all the details

C

"Es ist fuer einen Menschen unertraeglich, ertragen zu werden." (Jean Cocteau)
"Ain't never gonna love you any better babe - And they'll never gonna love you right" (Kozmic Blues - Janis Joplin)

[KrisBo5]

C,

Working on something, but who knows. It goes as it goes, this time particularly slow. Maybe Monday. . . yeah, I'll aim for Monday.



And that elusive fiance of yours? Hmm, sounds like she's a bit bogged down by the whole school thing. You should probably teleport over there and *surprise* her. . . if you know what I mean.



Kris

"Frell that!"

[IsayAmberBensonsgorgeous]

yep, i know what you mean. you know, i might just do it.

and again, take your time, i was just trying to be a little harassey as you asked for it.

C

"Es ist fuer einen Menschen unertraeglich, ertragen zu werden." (Jean Cocteau)
"Ain't never gonna love you any better babe - And they'll never gonna love you right" (Kozmic Blues - Janis Joplin)

[KrisBo5]

C,

I did ask for it, so woo-hoo, you did it! You know I love it, I just play hard to get. . . .



I have some advice. . . go get your girl. I don't like this whole "roommate" thing. Sounds fishy. Go, go, go! "Fly, my pretty."



Kris

"Frell that!"

[IsayAmberBensonsgorgeous]

Kris,

thank you for your valuable advice, but we shouldn't start this again. you remember last time we did it B was pissed off cose we didn't give her enough credit. and it's kind of in my job description to love and TRUST her no matter what things seem to be. (did that sound good? ) and thus i will not go and check on her *C grabs the teleporting device and ...* - what? i'm just gonna check out the rommie ...

C

"Es ist fuer einen Menschen unertraeglich, ertragen zu werden." (Jean Cocteau)
"Ain't never gonna love you any better babe - And they'll never gonna love you right" (Kozmic Blues - Janis Joplin)

Edited by: IsayAmberBensonsgorgeous at: 9/1/02 2:32:31 pm

[KrisBo5]

C, not starting anything. When I say fishy, I mean this: you can trust B, of course you can. But who is this "roommate," huh? I mean, do you know one thing about her? No. And, hey, this is B we're talking about here, you of all people should know how wonderful she is. What's to stop some said "roommate" from making a play!? I say, drop in, check out the roomy, tell her what's what, have some "quality time" with your girl &, yeah, well, all that good stuff. I'm on board with the trust and all that, but a little jealousy and layin' down of the law never really hurt anyone. . . .

Kris

"Frell that!"

[singgirl]

Kris, what are you? the devil on C's shoulder? Grrr....And maybe you dhould be working on that update rather than making C paranoid, hmmm....what a thought that is. Seriously, work on the update. NOW!! I need updates!!



C, baby, yes, my roomie is attractive, but she is also engaged. I am her maid of honor at the wedding. She is cool as hell, but very trust worthy, I swear, she was my roomy last year too. I love you, I am yours, I am not tempted even while intoxicated, to do anything with anybody but you, well unless you count dancing with my friend CJ when we had no music to dance to, but he is a big teddy bear of a gay guy, and eeeeeew!!

[IsayAmberBensonsgorgeous]

Kris,

my voice of reason! you made some valid points there. i owe you and update!

B,

good explanation, i love it when you squirm *beneath me, in the throws of passion while ....* - ok, i'm dislosing too much i'll show you, and besides you definitely need a reward for your loyalty and undying love for me. you should skip classes today and maybe, no surely i'll help make you go ...

"Es ist fuer einen Menschen unertraeglich, ertragen zu werden." (Jean Cocteau)
"Ain't never gonna love you any better babe - And they'll never gonna love you right" (Kozmic Blues - Janis Joplin)

[singgirl]

Oooh, baby, I love it when you talk dirty. When, where, and how many times?

[KrisBo5]

B. . .B. . .B. . .B, you are here again! Woo-hoo! And, I mean to say, who me? The devil? "Officially I have to say I have no idea what you're talking about." But, "Unofficially," I have to say, ha-ha, I got you into my thread again, and all with the lovin' and stuff with your honey. C's missed you very much. And so have I. Just not in the same, um, well, you know, "squirming beneath me" kinda way. Uh, yeah. . . . Good then, you two can get back to it. . . . I'll just be over here, working on said update. Don't mind me.

Kris

"Frell that!"

[IsayAmberBensonsgorgeous]

B,

anytime, anywhere, as often as often as you can take it maybe you'd better get rid of your roomie tonight, you know, send her to a dance or movie ... and then much and will happen.

Kris,

no, we don't mind you, do we B? btw have you fixed that camera B, we promised Kris some images you can stay Kris, whatever you need and whatever gets your creative juices flowing *that wasn't too naughty, was it?* for we want and DEMAND updates and we're always happy to do our share if it helps you!

C

"Es ist fuer einen Menschen unertraeglich, ertragen zu werden." (Jean Cocteau)
"Ain't never gonna love you any better babe - And they'll never gonna love you right" (Kozmic Blues - Janis Joplin)

[KrisBo5]

C,

*Too naughty?* Hmm, is there such a thing? *images?* Hmm, now there's a. . . um, well, I mean, er, ah, boy is it hot today or what?

Kris

"Frell that!"

[IsayAmberBensonsgorgeous]

Kris,

love your various sounds of hesitation.

but no word about a possible update soon, now - ok, you were rendered rather speachless, you're off the hook for now, but i want you to give forth information regarding your next installment in your next reply

C

"Es ist fuer einen Menschen unertraeglich, ertragen zu werden." (Jean Cocteau)
"Ain't never gonna love you any better babe - And they'll never gonna love you right" (Kozmic Blues - Janis Joplin)

[KrisBo5]

C, um, yes, well, er, uh. . . yeah. Update. Well, it's all handwritten, just not typed-written. Is that a word? I'll have to ask Ruth(she reads a Thesaurus, you know). It's only about 105 degrees today, so I'm all big with the sitting in my hot office melting in front of the computer. Woo-hoo! Uh, yeah, right! So, all I can say is tick, tick, tick, tick, tick. . . .

Kris

"Frell that!"

[singgirl]

C, What roomie? *shoves my roomie out the door and smiles sheepishly* I am at your beck and call...beck beck...



Kris, all I have to say to your tick tick tick is: nag nag nag!