Fic: Terra Firma

[darkmagicwillow]

Wow, that was an incredibly beautiful reunion. I loved your words in this part from the chapter title to Dawn's happy reaction in the end, but most of all in how they finally touched, physically and emotionally.

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

[LeatherQueen]

As everyone already said, that was beautiful, it was spirtual and it was breath-takingly perfect. Their reunion was so wonderful. Thank you, thank you for that.

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"But when they're playing your song on the jukebox in Hell, you might as well dance." - K. Simpson


"Futile... like a FOX, baby!" - Tara in The Late Shift by wiccachica

[SlayerTazz]

Tulipp - that was an amazing update. Every so sweet and gentle. I can't wait for the next one!!!

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."

[Latsric]

That was great. Willow waiting to be alone with Tara before she could allow herself to believe that she was really there was very beautiful, it all seems so real. Your writing style is very elegant, it reads wonderfully and I can't wait for the next part.





-lat-

- I need my obsessions, they keep me sane -

[JennY]

What an amazing update. I can't even explain how wonderful that bit was. Thank you, Tulipp.

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If we don't understand

What this life is made of

We learn the truth

When we find that kind of love

-"That Kind of Love" by Alison Krauss

[willntlover]

damn, they are no words for your update. ( You used them all describing willow and tara so eloquently)



-Will

"Hear that baby? You're my always."

"well, you know, when you play a lesbian witch you've gotta get killed in this fun kind of exciting way, so the heart was the way to go..."

"we have the most amazing fans though they LOVE us."

[Thanatopsis]

Wow, truly amazing.

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Too many of us live desert lives. ~Charles de Lint

[little wicca dude]

dude!!!!



that was cool, it was great how u had their thoughts in such a detailed way, it makes it very realistic coz u can picture the scene



cant wait for more



u rock hun!!

luv jill xx

"did i just say that? did i just say that too?"

My Scooby Page

[Tulipp]

More responses to more responses.....



Darkmagicwillow: Thank you; there will of course be more reunions to come as W and T figure out what it means that T is back….



LeatherQueen: Thanks. Eek, perfect. I have to knock wood now and cross my fingers like crazy that the next chapter will live up to that!



SlayerTazz: Thanks so much. More on the way (not right away, of course, but v. soon).



Lastric: Thanks for the comment on style. And yes, I saw Willow as being in something like shock…it would take a little while for her to really understand that Tara had returned.



JennY: Thank you so much!



Willntlover: There better be some words left because I’m going to need them for the next chapters!



Thanatopsis: Thank you. And hey, I love Charles DeLint. Someplace to be Flying was an amazing, amazing book.



Little wicca dude: Thanks, Jill. Hope you like the next chapter!



Thanks, y'all! (I think I just had a brief Amy Ray moment.) Because I'm not Southern.

[mariacomet]

Okay, getting here very late but just had to say...WOW.



I caught the line about Doc and 'cabaret.' Very clever.



I love how warm all the Scoobies are to one another here. I like the extension of Buffy and Tara's scene. This story so far has been heartwretching, but it's so wonderful to see our girls reunited.



Really hoping to see more soon.

MC

[eccentrictulip]

absolutely beautiful, Tulipp. i think you've just invented a new religion....btw, i love how you show this story from everyone's different viewpoints.....that makes it very much a continuation of the show itself....and i'm sure very healing for some, myself included. thank you.

*please use both hands....*

[tommo]

Painful and bittersweet. But also very touching. The thing I love most about your writing is that you're not afraid to slow things right down and focus on a single second, or moment, or touch. And you do so with style and an assurity in your subject matter.



This chapter, whilst at once filling me with happiness and making me really feel for Willow also made me sad. I keep thinking about how perfect they are together and how much they truly need one another. Tara is so amazingly calm in this fic...she's almost potent. Willow's cry of release was shattering and it hurt me to read it. But it also made me thankful that you're writing this at all.



Just wonderful. Thank you.

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This...won't hold me...forever...

[Tulipp]

Hmmm, I seem to have gone on at length here....



Mariacomet, thanks for reading this; I am always thrilled when people whose stuff I really like come read mine. As for the warm Scoobies, I really think that we’ve seen enough of anything other than warmth; I am busily writing them all to a happy, safe, loving, and together place. As far as I’m concerned, Willow and Tara’s reunion in chapter 6 is just the first step in a long process that will conclude with happy endings for all. There will be more pretty soon…I’m trying to keep to twice a week schedule. Thanks!



Oh yeah, and look for more cabaret refs in upcoming pieces. I've gotten carried away....



Eccentrictulip: A new religion, hmm? I guess that makes W and T its first priestesses. I’m glad you like the different viewpoints. For one thing, I do see that as something that the show does. For me, it’s also a way to see certain difficult things through a filter, or at a distance. And at other times, it’s a way to show how central the W/T relationship is to all the characters. Staying in Willow’s or Tara’s perspective all the time wouldn’t let me show how they appear to others, how much others value them. Thanks.



Ruth: I think you’re the first person to say that this chapter was painful and bittersweet, but I do see what you mean. Are you, partly, saying it’s bittersweet because of events on TV? I struggle with that myself, with the knowledge that I can write however many chapters I want, and reunite Willow and Tara and all the Scoobies in as many ways as possible, and come October, something else will happen on the show….that still gets me upset and sad. But I am trying so hard not to think about that, but to think instead about the happy ending that I am writing toward.



And even within the confines of this fic, W/T’s first time alone together would be bittersweet, it would be said and painful. Emotions don’t always disappear just when their causes have been removed. This is really just the first step for W and T in a long process of reunion which I intend to write more about. Anyway, thanks for reading this. It’s still hard for me to read other people’s post-season-six stuff, so I’m thankful that people can get past those feelings to read this one.



--Tulipp

Edited by: Tulipp at: 7/13/02 9:04:56 am

[blameburner]

I have loved this fic for a long time. It's simply beautiful. But this last part was absolutely inspired.



I can't even express how much it moved me. When Tara told Willow to breathe, I realized I'd been holding my breath as well. It was like Tara was telling me to breathe as well, along with every reader and every character in the story - everyone who's been in mourning since Tara died.



This finally set it right for me. Thank you.

[Tulipp]

Blameburner, I was holding my breath, too. And I was holding my breath still after posting to see whether people would think that this did justice to W/T.



So thank you so much for your response, but don't go away...this is only the first step in W/T's reunion. I have a lot more planned....and it will be relatively small with the W/T angst.

[tommo]

Right, I think that's where the bittersweet feeling comes from. I feel that you've captured so well the sorrow of Willow, and her inherent guilt at what she did, that any time after that would be bittersweet. There's always the darkness within the bright light of Tara's love for her, and that's something she will have to deal with, I suppose. Of course, now that Tara is back, it will be a whole lot easier for her to actually do that, rather than having her soul ripped from her body as well.



I suppose I just like the way you're taking this slowly and you're not apologetic about how much pain Willow is in. It's a very honest portrayal.

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TARA: ...didn't think she liked my fucking until I realized that that was her yummy face

[vmpIrslAr]

need more.

VmpIrslAr out.



"she's my everything."

[Tulipp]

Ruth, I think that yes, Willow will have to deal with that--you put it so well. But one benefit of slowing things down is that a little can then go a long way (ideally). I don't want to rip Willow up any more than she already has been.



vmpIrslAr:



Four words:

you will get it





p.s. Hey, I'm finally extra-flamey!

[tommo]

Oh Tulipp, I trust you. I think right now we're all very over-protective of our Willow, and it's making for some interesting fic on the board as a whole.

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TARA: ...didn't think she liked my fucking until I realized that that was her yummy face

[frenchrose888]

I'm extremely late in answering to this, I'm sorry.



This was so powerful, sad, beautiful and everything everyone already pointed out. This fic as a whole, is really special. I don't know exactly what it is, but it really does move me. I've cried quite a bit reading it, actually, and I can feel the weight of Willow's pain with each line. And the path you've set them all on is a brave choice, because we all want them to stop hurting, but naturally, just because Tara's back now, well it doesn't erase all of Willow's sorrow. And I'm babbling.*g*



I have to say that this is the only post season 6 fic I've read so far. I just couldn't bring myself to read the others, because I just don't wanna deal. I don't know why I actually opened your thread, but I was immediately won over, and I have to say I think this is helping me cope a bit.



So, thanks for this, and I can't wait for chapter 7.



Rose

'Magic, thy name is Tara.' - Mariacomet, The Stone Circle.

[AutumnT]

I just wanted to add my thanks again because I think this is just a lovely story. It just resonates. It's so obvious you've taken great care in writing this. It has such texture to it. Thanks for sharing this with us.

Autumn

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It grated, like something forced in where it doesn't belong.

[Tulipp]

Rose: I am always thrilled to hear from anyone who is reading this, so “late” isn’t even in my vocabulary. Please, babble some more! I was reading some of the other post-season 6 fics before I started writing this, and I found it to be hard, but they are good, and I keep reading them.



For awhile there was a time there when I was really only reading AU stuff, and even that was difficult. I’ve always been content just to read all the great fanfic out there, but after season 6, I just felt compelled to write this. Anyway, chapter 7 will be coming soon, and then many more. I don’t know exactly how many chapters there will be, but I know where I’m heading. So thank you so much.



Autumn, thanks. I’ve been eating and breathing this story for awhile; it just stays in my head. And I have Ruby’s great care in beta-ing and J’s great care in helping me develop a plot that makes sense and creates believable season 7-ish story arcs without endangering anyone too much. And I will be sharing a lot more; I hope you’ll tell me what you think. Writing this stuff is addictive, as I know a famous limerick-writer such as yourself knows.



--Tulipp

[Mike of the Nancy Tribe]

Ahh, finally caught up with the whole of this amazing story. Two words (and sorry for the language) - bloody brilliant.



You mentioned Katharyn, Tommo and Sassette's work earlier as being particular favourites of yours. Well, they're mine too, but now I'd like to add your name to the list for me. Whenever I want to read any truly great writing, I'll come to the four of you first.



I can hardly describe how much you've moved me with the story so far. I think everyone else has said it for me. I'm totally hooked- by your phrasing, your style, your wonderful eye for detail that occurs within a single moment - and of course by the story itself. I would rather read this than watch any future BtVS, any day. I can't wait to see where's it's going. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.



Tulipp, I kneel at the feet of greatness. I am yours, always.

[Tulipp]

Mike, you are too, too, too, too kind. I don't even know what to do with praise like that. I am blushing as I type. I have a long, long way to go before I even get into the nosebleed seats in the top row of bleachers in the ballpark of those great fanfic writers. I'm still learning how to play ball, and I've never been very good at sports. *s*



Mostly, I just think we're so lucky to have a forum like this where we can share our efforts.



Thank you so much for your encouragement; I really appreciate it, and I will be keeping my fingers crossed as I write many more chapters of this story that I will see a new thread with your name on it pop up very soon.



--Juli

[Scailey]

Just read chapter 6 for the second time. It is really beautiful.

K.

[wolliw]

Tulipp,



It's not at all easy to write emotion well, particularly the soul-deep grief that Willow has been overwhelmed with, and to be able to take her like you have from there to what a reunion with Tara would feel like is just a splendid, breathtaking accomplishment.



But not only that, you're also capturing Tara's state of mind-heart-soul beautifully, as well as texturing your telling with the finely drawn characters around them.



I remain





one of your many fortunate readers .

[CaptMurdock]

Only two words come to me now, after reading what you've done so far.





My God.

______________________

"I love you all. I love you more than life itself. You're all f***ing mad." -- Ozzy as "The Dad," THE OSBOURNES.

[Tulipp]

Thank you Scailey.



Wolliw, it's a tough thing because on the one hand, Willow can't just bounce back; long-held emotions don't just go away, and even the deep resilience that I think Willow has will not make things better instantly. At the same time, though, I don't want to see too much more torment, at least not THAT kind of torment (yes, if you read between the lines, you will see angst of a different sort ahead). But there's a fine line between believable recovery and overly happy, you know? Anyway, thanks.



And CaptMurdock, I hope that's the good kind of MG. *s*



Chapter 7 will be posted later today!

[tommo]

I don't normally do this, because you know, I'm a bitch. Ahem.



But I really do love this story. I keep thinking about the last chapter you posted and it hurts to remember it, but at the same time, it's just so true and deep and intense. And I think that's the way I like to remember Willow and Tara. As more than just two women. And you write them as so much more than that.



So yeah, I'm waiting eagerly for your next chapter and loving every word of it.



Woo, I gushed. That's so unpleasant of me. Apologies.

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It's dirty. It's all dirty. And all
over me. Dirty, dirty, bad. Bad!

[MadeinNZ]

Quote:

---

Ruth said:



Woo, I gushed. That's so unpleasant of me. Apologies.

---

But I thought gushing was mandatory for fanfic feedback. Ruth - come on over to the dark side. Embrace the gush (OK - that sounded a lot less lesbian in my head).

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"When someone falls for Willow, they stay fallen" - Normal Again

Edited by: MadeinNZ at: 7/17/02 4:15:07 pm