Fic: Terra Firma

[darkmagicwillow]

I anticipated that Glory was in both of them, but somehow I hadn't figured out that Doc was the Professor though that connection makes him fit into the story so much deeper than he did before. I really liked both sides of the confrontation between Doc and W/T, especially them casting together again with Tara taking the lead to avoid any dark magic.



I'm not sure what I can do for you once you take over ME, but on your way there you might need hacker Willow and that's much more me than witchy Willow despite the pseudonym.

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

Edited by: darkmagicwillow at: 8/7/02 9:36:27 pm

[MadeinNZ]

Great update. Very tangly web. Loved the ending.

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

[singgirl]

Well I'll be dammed...

[SlayerTazz]

Awesome update Tulipp!! I love them doing the magic together its perfect. I can't wait for the next update.

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."

[xita]

Oh I have to tell you your earlier references to cabaret had me with an itch to watch since I hadn't. So now I did. Today in fact. So the references here were not lost on me .



I love the implications, how much of Willow's darkness had to do with Glory. What does it mean for them in the future and did Dawn do it ... bring Tara back. So interesting. As always your writing sigh. A cloud of Glory... indeed.

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

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

[mollyig]

by the time he’d come to Sunnydale, Rupert had already taken it over Hmm, Doc addressing Giles by his first name - that seemed awfully familiar, and I was happy my guess was right.



I was also happy that our girls worked together to stop Doc, that was a beautiful scene - no words needed between them, they just understood.



"We forgot the key." Interesting!

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

[VampNo12]

A very intriguing update Tulipp! Willow understands Xander's anger/fear (ie his outburst and then just walking out of the Magic Box), but what I found significant was Willow saying ("She would do whatever it took to keep Tara alive, and if that meant someone got destroyed in the process, well, she'd just make sure she was first in line."). With this in mind, Willow knows there always seems to be a "price to be paid"/consequences for bringing/getting some one back, but will do her best to put the burden/punishment on her self, not on the gang (or other "innocents").



I must say it was clever (and a great twist) for Doc to turn out to be the Professor in Gile's "dark past". And I loved how Tara instinctively took control of the situation before Willow's need to protect Tara led her back down the wrong path with dark magick, by wordlessly reaching for Willow's hand. This just conveys so well how connected W&T are, that by just looking into each others eyes they can convey what needs to be done (ie by working as a team W&T are a great force, and can use magick positively to bind Doc).



Lastly, I love the idea that Willow's "change" was facilitated (in regards to her magick) by Willow doing the reversal spell, which resulted in a part/"thumbprint" of Glory being in both W&T. Or in other words, the image the line "Cloud of Glory" conveys so well literally (Glory's presence affecting Willow's actions), as well as figuratively (the confusion Willow must feel in what this new information implies). And of course, the way this part ended with Dawn, and her saying ("We forgot the key".), was quite intriguing, and I can't wait to see what implications this has on Tara resurrection.

Edited by: VampNo12  at: 8/8/02 2:44:37 am

[tommo]

How gloriously you weave these strands together. It's something I really admire about your fic; especially the careful way that you write. And you show such respect for the characters. I adored the parts about Tara touching Willow so much, because that, for me anyway, is such a focal part of their relationship. You explore that, and resurrect that tangible show of emotion so perfectly in the opening to this chapter.



What I liked best was the integration of Glory into Willow, as well as Tara. What a fantastic and ingenuous explanation for the way that things went in Season 6. It excuses the whole self-important and overly confident Willow, the whole thing. I am amazed again, at how effortlessly you seem to include that as part of the story. I'm so jealous of your ideas, heh heh. Can I have some, please?



Oh and uh...

Quote:

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Not smut, just writing.

---

Tell me again, what's the difference? I'm not sure I know...

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

[wizpup]

Fantastic - Tulipp, you have me totally sucked in to your story.



I realise that it is kind of hard to tell, on account of the subtle "lurky, lurky, never tell anyone what you think" approach that I have traditionally employed; but it's true - honest!!



When I started reading 'Terra Firma' the first thing that struck me was the care with which you had prepared for posting. I know you have opened a thread elsewhere in which you have been discussing the role of the beta reader - to which I have failed to contribute, although I shall at some point, I promise. When I am reading I find that errors in the writing, usually spelling or grammar, grate a little, like going over a bump in the road. One of the roles of the beta reader, in my opinion, is to ensure that any grating moments are few enough and far enough apart not to affect the overall experience of the journey. So that if there is a bump, it happens long after you have already forgotten any previous bump. Does that make sense?



My point, and I do have one, is that I have found your writing to be one of the smoothest journeys offered in this forum. Which, I assure you, is a rather strange way of expressing my admiration for your writing *S*.



Enough of my prattle - quite apart from my fawning praise for your writing, I am also very much enjoying the story itself. I am continually amazed at the ability of my fellow kittens to come up with original storylines and plots. It is something I myself struggle with enormously, which is why I beta more than I write.



All of which is simply a very long-winded of saying "Thank you for posting your wonderful story".



jo x

[oneinten]

Oooohhhh!!! That was a wonderful update! Now we're humming along baby!



This is quite the interesting switch with Glory leaving a trace in Willow too, with Tara it is immediately logical but Willow...awesome!



Love Dawn saying they didn't have the "key"...too.



Wahoo, please send some more!



kath

[funkyasian]

excellent update...a little relieved that there's not enough of glory to bring back...but a little confused as to how tara came back now...



steph

Nothing can cure the soul but the senses, just as nothing can cure the senses but the soul. ~ Oscar Wilde

[Tulipp]

Thank you, Kittens. This has to be the most generous group of readers around. Hugs and kisses all around.



WiccansIllusion: I’m glad you liked Dawn’s entrance; I couldn’t resist it!



Ghostwriter: I’m so glad you agree with me about those boots! Every time I’ve watched those last four episodes of S5, I look at Willow’s turtleneck and flannel shirt, which she obviously changed into to be *comfortable,* and then I look at those boots. Sigh. And thanks, I’m so glad you liked the imagery. And wanting more, in my book, is always nice.



AutumnT: Willow’s change…yes, this is a factor, although if I were more of a tease, I might ask exactly how much of a factor it is? But I’m not, so I won’t.



LeatherQueen: I love how you say you love this story. Love, love it. Not just that you say it, but how. So thanks. Digest away.



Latsric: Ah yes, plot twists. There are a few more coming, too…um, I think they’ve all been foreshadowed in some way. And—again with the teasing—some of the most important foreshadowing happened chapters and chapters ago. As for stunts, you’re hired.



Darkmagicwillow: For me, Doc had to be more than just a throwaway villain. I don’t know what people have been thinking about when they read his sections, but I have been *trying* to use his sections to introduce or highlight themes that matter to the Scoobies: rebuilding, family connections, the benefits of research, etc. Really, this is all back to Cabaret and the way the musical numbers heighten the story. At least, that’s the idea; I don’t know if it really works. And, ooh, if you’re hacker Willow, then you’ll get to write those tech descriptions, right?



MadeinNZ: Thanks. I love a tangly web myself. Hope it gets even tanglier.



Singgirl: I’ll take that as a good sign, yes?



SlayerTazz: Thanks. I love it when they…do magick.



Xita: Had you watched Cabaret before? I love that movie. And you see, the book it was based on is called “The Berlin Stories,” so I couldn’t resist with the Professor. I just amuse myself by throwing in whatever I can think of. And yes, although Glory may not really be on the scene, she is our little black rain cloud at the moment.



Mollyig: The tag lines were tricky in this one; I had to make sure that nobody called Doc “Doc” who hadn’t met him before, etc. But yes…that last line…just one of the many things that I think were forgotten in S6. Oh Dawn.



VampNo12: You’re so right; I think Willow thinks about prices both in terms of magical consequences and in terms of her own self-esteem. But maybe the fact that she’s even thinking about protecting Tara at all costs shows that Xander is right to be worried.



I’m SO glad that people buy Doc as the Professor. And I am happy to get some magic back between Tara and Willow; this way, it could just happen instinctively, without a big lead-up. And yes, there are “clouds of Glory” for Willow and Tara…and others. Thanks for the response!



Ruth: Well, thank Ruby for there being more touching in the final draft than originally; she really gets Tara. I wanted to show the magic, and the connection between them, as a very intuitive and sexual thing, which it always has been. Willow’s connection to Glory and to dark magic has a different kind of connection, but one that is also sensual and even sexual, or at least that’s how I see her having experienced it.



BUT, the question of whether “it excuses the whole self-important and overly confident Willow,” well…does it? More on that in Chapter 12. But what I can’t forget is that Glory may have changed Willow in some way, but she also changed Tara. And that’s important.



As for ideas, puh-leese. And are we going to get into the smut v. writing thing here? I’m all for that discussion.



Jo, thanks so much for responding; it means a lot. As for care with posting, well, I can tell you that I have more than once lost sleep over typo fear, and in fact, I have gone back and found errors later and kicked myself because I knew that somebody might have read the pre-edited version. But thank you so much for saying that this is a smooth journey. I also like your description of the beta reader role very much. As for original plots, you know, I never knew how all the Kittens who have been writing this stuff for years kept coming up with fresh new ideas, but they do. It continues to amaze and impress me.



Oneinten: Yes, I had to pull a little switcheroo. Couldn’t resist. Dawn and the key….well, see the next chapter for more on that! Thanks.



Thanks, everyone.

--Tulipp

Edited by: Tulipp at: 8/8/02 6:29:46 am

[little wicca dude]

hey dude

great update, i loved dawns entrance, and the doc thing, the story is all coming 2 gether now, cant wait for more



luv jill

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

My Scooby Page

[Tulipp]

Hey Steph (funkyasian), I didn't mean to miss your reponse; we must have cross-posted. Sorry! Well, just note that Doc said his spell didn't work the way he *thought* it did. And all will be revealed soon, and I sincerely hope it will feel right. Thanks for reading!



Jill, Thanks! Dawn's entrance...so simple and yet so important....



Thanks for reading!

[Puff]

I missed this update, I'm not sure how I managed that. Anyway I am here now and I have too say that it was brilliant. All of the coonections between Willow/Tara and Glory were brilliant and I loved the re-telling of the scene from The Gift. Dawn's entrance was brilliant. Now who really did bring back Tara?



You answer questions but you leave a whole heap more, I love it

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

[Lusciousbr]

Oh. My. God. I can't believe I spent this long not reading this last uptade. No words could express right now how much I'd like to praise you for what you've been doing. And here I am, pretending to my boss I'm working on something in the Internet but actually reading your fic, which is the most important reason why I'm not getting pissed of with him, I mean, my boss. I'm speechless really. Dawn's quote, the key...double WOW, triple WOW! Why on earth ME don't have you inside there? Glory in Willow and Tara, that's simply genius. Ok, I have to stop now before I write any other senseless thing and before my boss comes closer to my computer.

[singgirl]

Well, the "I'll be dammed" thing, it's a compliment, that's me realizing some stuff and being totally confused at the same time....

[MissQuirky]

Great update! All these connections between W/T w/ Glory r interestin! I so can't wait to find out who brought Tara back! Lookin 4ward to more!

"W-well, I-I was wondering, maybe, you would wanna go out sometime? For coffee ... food ... kisses and gay love?" - Willow (Normal Again)

[Tulipp]

Puff, I'm having too much fun with all the flashbacks; that one was one of my favorites so far.



Lusciousbr, I'm responding to you at work, too. Thanks for your very kind words.



singgirl, confusion can be bad. I hope it gets less confusing in the next part, but maybe some of the things that are confusing are things I should know about so I can make it less confusing. Unless it's confusing in a good way. Was that confusing?

[singgirl]

Don't worry about me...I claim to live in the state of West Virginia, but in reality, I live on the border of the state of Confusion and the state of Insanity....mwahahahahahhhaaaa!

[Grimaldi]

wow, great update Both Willow and Tara instinctively grasping hands and flinging Doc across the room was cool. Doc being Giles old professor and Glory's essence being a part of both Willow and Tara was cool also.

Dude, we're surrounded by perverts!

Fucking Windows 98, get Bill Gates in here!

[Tulipp]

MissQuirky: Thanks for reading; glad you're liking it.



singgirl: Sorry, but West Virginia / Confusion-Insanity. Isn't that kind of a tomato/tomahto thing? (hee hee)



Grimaldi: I seem to be tying all loose ends together. Everything is connected. Or is it? Mwahahaha. Hey, that was my first ever typed evil laugh. It might be addictive.



Thanks for reading!

[TromDeGrey]

Forgive the bump everyone, but I have been lurking for a while and this was just the first fic I had to post at. After all the nastiness of S6, I have just been completely floored by this fic. Tulipp, this may be the strangest sounding compliment you have ever heard, but it is the highest one I personally can give - NECESSARY. Thank you for this amazing cathartic piece!

Confusion is a definite direction.

[Tiggrscorpio]

Another incredible update, Tulipp. Cabaret is one of my all-time favorite movies and play, so I really loved the lines mixed in throughout.



Dawn's last line is simplly brilliant. Can't wait for more!

*****

She's my everything!

[Tulipp]

TromDeGrey: First, thank you so much, welcome, and what a compliment. I de-lurked in Katharyn’s Sidestep Chronicle thread, so I know what you mean about having to post. But you know, “necessary” is probably the nicest thing you could say to me. Because writing this has been necessary to me, really necessary, after the devastation of season 6. So, truly, thank you.



Also (and this isn’t as self-serving as it sounds, I swear) it’s never a bump if you have something you want to say. I haven’t been on the board very long compared to some, but I think that’s true.



Tiggr: Mine too! And book. Have you read it? Christopher Isherwood, The Berlin Stories.. Not the same at all but wonderful. I am actually really looking forward to what’s going to happen (and has happened) with Dawn.



Good night, kittens!

[singgirl]

Yeah, you are right, basically living in West Virginia required either confusion or insanity from the resident, sometimes both. that's why we can't remember to wear shoes and have no teeth, comes from dating cousins and taking orders from uncle dad....it's inbreeding...

[Tulipp]

Oh, but singgirl, I had to say that because I live in Pittsburgh, and it's like a requirement that I make fun. It's on the citizenship test, I swear. Nothing personal. *s*

[eccentrictulip]

oh wow.....oh WOW. she's in both of them....and doc is the professor.....well slap me silly and call me billy!!! that was a fantastic update.....i loved how you brought back their first spell together from "hush." very nicely done. willow protecting tara and tara as an anchor for willow was great--very sweet, despite the angst of the scenes!! and i must say, i loved the cabaret references i did that show a little over a year ago....i was a kit kat girl, so i got to prance around in my underwear for a while.....it was fun thank you!! fantastic as always....

*please use both hands....*

[singgirl]

I thought NY gave that test. Oh well, I could easily make fun of your "belt system" which is a bitch, or those lovely detours all over cuz they closed out half the exits from the city....and I won't even touch the subject of the drivers in that area....

[Tulipp]

eccentrictulip: I am honored by the double "wow." That's not the last of "Hush" in this story, though. Your response had me laughing. And, you know, what's wrong with those ME people that they never went back and dealt with this stuff?



singgirl: I love West Virginia. I really do. It's a beautiful place, and Pittsburgh has horrible drivers who make unprotected left turns right when the light changes. I suck for making fun of WV. Sorry!

Edited by: Tulipp at: 8/9/02 6:58:04 am