by Scout » Mon Mar 25, 2002 3:28 pm
And I am also doing the survey rather than tending to my work. Then again, the work only brings me money, this fic brings me joy!
By the way, I can't tell you how excited I was that the survey mentioned a sequel. Yeah baby! (Scout crosses her fingers)
Glad you're feeling better Sass. Hope you enjoyed your family time.
by jomarch » Mon Mar 25, 2002 4:58 pm
But I am back. *Puts on newly acquired choir robe from kitten emporium, courtesy of Owl, all the way from Delaware. Raises cool looking baton*
Here is a verse to be sung in honour of Sassette. (Gather round smittens, gather round)
Sassette is hanging out with her family.
And we do hope she's feeling really happy.
We need her to be hearty and Hale.
So she can finish her beautiful tale.
We definitely want a sequel
(hold note for a bit)
From your smittens (everyone sing out your name), Pixie, Wiccanillusion, Jomarch and Owl.
Does that get us an update soon???
by Grimaldi » Mon Mar 25, 2002 6:24 pm
To everyone who did the fake updates, good job, was glad I wasn't drinking anything as I read them since I was laughing so hard.
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"I don't care if it is an orgy of death, there's still such a thing as a napkin." Willow, Superstar
"I want my room to be Willow-friendly." Tara, New Moon Rising
"I present to you, the 5 assed monkey"
Vampire is not a career choice
by Owl » Mon Mar 25, 2002 7:22 pm
*snapping out of trance*
Right. Will just go answer survey so as to resist horrible temptation. My god, she even suggested I write a Smitten Squad crossword puzzle. crazy demon.
Nika- you are more than welcome to join the squad. *hands Nika Smitten uniform* Now, let's do something about those pesky panties, shall we? Smittens! some help over here!
Jomarch- Hi! I'm glad you like the choir robe. you look spiffy. Nice song. You rock.... In a very sort of choir-y way.
(I sent her a robe? oookay... so laying off the bourbon slushies now.)
Good luck, Puff and wiccachica!
[This message has been edited by Owl (edited March 25, 2002).]
by YuriPup » Mon Mar 25, 2002 9:37 pm
. Buffy took Angel to the Prom no reason Dawn can't take Spike..when she is a Sr.by Pixie » Mon Mar 25, 2002 9:59 pm
quote:
Originally posted by Sassette:
**W.I.: Sorry to have to tell you this, but I already claimed Tara's panties as my own. And, ummm ... in any other context that would sound incredibly crazy-freaky-insane. Here, it just kinda' sounds weird.**Pixie: Nope - it was me. BWAHAHAHHAHAAAAA!
You took Tara's panties? YOU TOOK TARA'S PANTIES? You goniff, you swiped them right out of my fake update...to your story...*Pixie backpedals furiously* your wonderful, emotional, roller coaster ride of an epic, which helped me get in touch with my inner pantiless cheerleader. How can I ever show my gratitude? I know! I bequeath to you Tara's panties from my fake update.
I'm glad you're feeling better. I'm off to fill out my survey.
Uh, btw, does this mean we should all exchange our cheerleading uniforms for catholic school outfits? Or do we wear them on alternate days? Being a nice Jewish girl, I don't really know the etiquette. And what's with the knee socks, anyway? They keep slipping down and bunching in my shoes.
quote:by Sassette » Mon Mar 25, 2002 11:54 pm
**wiccachica: Right. Because neglecting children and puppies as Always Wrong, Yet Curiously Effective. Don't try this at home, kids. And I'm glad you liked the quiz - and let me tell you, The Late Shift is my escape from the Evils of the Office, so - I'm glad I can return the favor. Sorry about the lack of update.
**W.I.: Well, Willow's panties will have to actually show up in this fic or one of the fake updates before they can be claimed. So, we'll see *G*
**Scout: The sequel will only happen if I don't tie up all the loose ends. It's extremely likely that I >will< tie up all the loose ends though. Then again, maybe I'll come up with something. We'll see.
**jomarch: By all means ... work on your fic ... haven't had a chance to run over and read it yet - to be honest, I'm trying to avoid starting any new stories until I finish this one up ... fanfic is WAY too distracting to the writing process - have you noticed that? *G*
**Grimaldi: I'm glad you liked it ... and I find the peculiar blend of angst and humor to be the highlight of the show, so I'm trying my best to work with that here.
**Owl: You gotta' do what you gotta' do ... and if a fake update involving Willow's panties shows up on this thread, I certainly won't be complaining.
**YuriPup: I'm sure you're the only one, my friend - though the main squicky point is the age, and Buffy and Angel DID get together when she was 16 ... and Angel IS older than Spike ... Oh, but wait - then there's the whole 'soulless killer' angel. I keep forgetting about that
**Pixie: Thank you for the panties ... I'll cherish them always *G* Have fun with the survey ... and the catholic school girl outfits are optional ... they're interchangeable with the cheerleader thing - I leave that up to each Smitten's personal preference. As for the socks ... well, best not to get me started on socks.
-Sass
by NewRuthRising » Tue Mar 26, 2002 9:28 am
by WiccansIllusion » Tue Mar 26, 2002 9:46 am
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Summary: Smut is involved, a heavy, heavy "R"
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Dinner had gone rather well, or so Tara thought. She hadn't gotten to know Ira, due to the fact that he had spent most of the evening in the den watching t.v. But right now, Dinner was the last thing on Tara's mind as she felt a stray hand move up underneath her shirt.
" I want snugglies.." It was whispered in her ear as Willow vainly attempted to ravish her lover, and remove her keys to the Summers house at the same time. "W-willow, everyone's home-" Tara replied, as she eased her lovers hand out from underneath her blouse. "But I want snugglies." Willow really could get demanding at times when it came to Tara. "Soon, I promise." It was whispered as she sealed that promise with a kiss.
Xander, in the mean time had been busy starring out the window by the door, watching his best friend and the blonde fornicate on the front porch. "Xander, I'm telling you, I don't care what the public wants, I don't want rabbitts feet in my shop! " He flinched as Anya yelled at him. So many people had come in to the Magick Box lately asking for the dreaded things. "Xander are you even listening to me?" He blinked as he felt the smack to the head. "Listening, me Xander." He practicly drooled out the words and turned away from the window.
Tara in the meantime had given up on reason, and was pressing her lover back against the railing, her kisses insistent as she eased her hand up Willows skirt, and skillfully removed her panties, tossing them into the bushes somewhere, while Willow was to busy enjoying 'Tara-hand' to notice.
It was then, that one of the skillfull Smittens, in a harness, cheerleading outfit and toting a mocha in a carabeener mug from the Espresso pump happened by, and noticed the panties as belonging to one of the Witches, gathered up the item and scampered off, leaving the two lovers to further adventures in smut.
by wiccachica » Tue Mar 26, 2002 9:48 am
Okay...wonky board says I'm not...so here's something else to Whoo-the-hoo about...
The Why does Fanfic Rock? Thread.... I am VERY impressed with your take on fic and why we love it so....
Very educated...very right on the money..
You go, Sass!!!
Go Sassette...it's yer fic-day...go Sassette.... it's yer fic-day!
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"You're *NOT* the source of me." - Buffy
" I mock you with my monkey pants!" -Oz
" Tremble!" Gachnar (Fear Itself)
[This message has been edited by wiccachica (edited March 26, 2002).]
by GreenNeutron » Tue Mar 26, 2002 8:16 pm
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~Mel
[This message has been edited by GreenNeutron (edited March 26, 2002).]
IP: Logged
It's the "oh, I'll just lie down for a minute ... ZZzzzZZZzzz ... Huh? What? Why is it 10pm already?"
**NewRuthRising: Well, I appreciate your ATTEMPT at patience. Glad you like the fic, and I'll try to post soon. Just for you
**W.I.: Well, yeah - of course it was a challenge *G* I'm just that kind of girl. Hmmm ... on the porch, huh? Against the railing? I wonder how sturdy that thing is ...
**wiccachica: Dearest of Wiccachica's ... you will always be number 700 in my heart. Umm... wait - that didn't quite come out right, did it? And thank you - I spend far too much time thinking about that sort of thing ... and I really liked your response as well ... I know I certainly let my imagination run around a lot more when I was a kid than I do today, and it's really nice to get some of that back writing.
**Pixie: Heh ... okay, YOU'RE post number 700. Congratulations. Here's some more panties. Don't ask whose they are, though, 'cuz I, uhh ... I don't actually know. *sheepish look* Women just fling them at me.
**GreenNeutron: Withdrawals!? But then, if I post an update, I'll be an enabler! A dirty FILTHY >>>ENABLER!!!!<<< *SOBS*
"Pssst ... Sass ..."
Yeah?
"Technically, you're the dealer."
I am?
"That's right."
Oh, okay. I'll get an update asap, then, provided I don't get home tonight and immediately lose consciousness.
-Sass
IP: Logged
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TARA: Willow and I always know how to find each other!
ANYA: With yoga?
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BUFFYBOT: That'll put marzipan in your pie plate, bingo!
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Wait a minute....
PIXIE got panties? I'M # 700 in your heart, and PIXIE got panties?
*crickets chirp*
That's it...I'm going on strike....
UNION NOW!
STRIKE! STRIKE! I'M ON STRIKE! PANTIES FOR ONE...PANTIES FOR EVERYONE! PANTIES FOR ONE....PANTIES FOR ALL!!!!
( I hope you come out of your slump too...I'm sorta slumping myself today....but no Sass fic = no joy in my otherwise mundane day....)
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"You're *NOT* the source of me." - Buffy
" I mock you with my monkey pants!" -Oz
" Tremble!" Gachnar (Fear Itself)
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**wiccachica: I'm sorry to have both stolen your joy and deprived you of well-deserved panties. Here ... you can have this special pair with the little hearts on them and the number '700' written on the little hearts. Please come back from your strike, for a day without wiccachica is like a day without caffeine ... you can puzzle that one out yourself *G* And I hope your troll is back in the swing of things soon ... 'cuz 'The Late Shift' rocks.
-Sass
IP: Logged
The apocalypse is at hand. I will of course deal with this in a quiet and dignified manner. Which is to say I will grab the six pack of Heineken from the fridge, crawl under my desk and try to keep the whimpering to a minimum as I rock back and forth.
CK
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"Do you wanna go out some time, for coffee, food, kisses and gay love?" Willow - Normal Again.
IP: Logged
so anymore of these long delays between updates could potentially kill and innocent high school senior. and you would not want my death on your conscience, would you?
sorry about the whole quilt trip but it had to be done. if this is not enough to convince you then i could throw in a pair of panties, too :-)
-bag
[This message has been edited by Bag O'Bones (edited March 27, 2002).]
IP: Logged
quote:
Originally posted by wiccachica:
PIXIE got panties? I'M # 700 in your heart, and PIXIE got panties?UNION NOW!
STRIKE! STRIKE! I'M ON STRIKE! PANTIES FOR ONE...PANTIES FOR EVERYONE! PANTIES FOR ONE....PANTIES FOR ALL!!!!
ROTFLMAO!! Please, wiccachica, no! A day without updates from you and Sass - Oh the humanity!! Uh, maybe I have a solution. *Pixie pulls out her stash of panties that she has collected throughout the thread, and hands out panties to all members of the Smitten Squad, making sure that no one gets their original pair.* Is that better? Have we achieved an equitable resolution? Whew! It's a good idea I threw that bag o' panties into my suitcase when I came down to visit my parents for Passover. BTW, Sass, your panties are still framed and kept in the a place of honor on the Smitten Squad practice field. No one is gettin' those!
Sass, I hope you feel better soon! Still smitten!
[This message has been edited by Pixie (edited March 27, 2002).]
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Now what to wear today? cheerleading gear or catholic school girl outfit? *gets misty eyed and smiley at catholic school memories*
I think I'll go for the plaid skirt, he-he if sister mary margaret ever found out what angela and I did in the utility closet the beads of her rosary would surely pop.
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"The word 'GULP!'comes to mind." Tara
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". . . if I had just been faster, or smarter, or if I’d had more magic, I could’ve stopped … oh God, I could’ve stopped Glory," Willow said desperately, stopping in her tracks, her body shaking.
"Glory’s gone, Willow - and I doubt we’ll ever have to deal with another Hell God," Xander said.
Sass - yer bloody brilliant!
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"I could paint you in the dark cause I've studied you with hunger as a work of art"
Collecting You - Indigo Girls
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quote:
". . . if I had just been faster, or smarter, or if I’d had more magic, I could’ve stopped … oh God, I could’ve stopped Glory," Willow said desperately, stopping in her tracks, her body shaking."Glory’s gone, Willow - and I doubt we’ll ever have to deal with another Hell God," Xander said.
[/B]
Oh no! Xander jinxed them!
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~Mel
IP: Logged
Anyway ... this isn't even HALF an update ... it's like, ONE-THIRD of an update. But still, it's what I have done, and I don't want to bum anyone out by not updating today.
HOWEVER ... There is NO Willow/Tara in this update. Sorry. There WILL be LOTS of Willow/Tara in the last parts of the update, but none right now. I just haven't gotten to that part yet.
Title: Answering Darkness Part 41a - Resonance
Author: Sassette
Feedback: Can be sent to pink_overalls@yahoo.com
Summary: The Scoobies figure out a few things. Buffy figures out a few things. Willow and Tara figure out a few things.
Spoiler Warning: Up to and including "Tabula Rasa" in Season 6.
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. I'm just borrowing them because Season 6 angst is running high, and I want my happy ending now, dammit! So I'm writing it … but it'll be awhile until I get to that part, so bear with me (or "bare" with me if you're naughty).
Rating: PG-13
Notes: For the purpose of this story, all events of Tabula Rasa took place exactly as shown in the series; however, no subsequent episodes will affect this piece. We're splitting from canon here - this was MEANT to be a quick and easy reconciliation fic … but it just didn't turn out that way. Stupid Hell God … Stupid Plot … getting in the way of my snugglies, damnit. Freakin' Angst. Grrrr.
Answering Darkness Part 41a
Resonance
By Sassette
"Well, that's really quite … beautiful," Giles murmured, tracing the line of text with his fingers. He held the book reverently, honored by the trust Tara had placed in him when he had placed it into his hands. It was a book she had been keeping in its place in its trunk, intending to read it herself. There were three such books, each one handwritten by one of the MaClay women - the summation of their endless search to rid themselves of a Demon that had never existed.
Tara had emerged from her room briefly, carrying three books with her and explaining that she and Willow had just shared a dream. At first he had been shocked, then angry at the gross irresponsibility inherent in casting spells together, only to be calmed and chagrined when Tara had explained that their dream-sharing had been an accident.
Still, she needed to know how they had done it, and she hoped the answers would lie within this text, or one of the two others sitting on the table waiting for him.
She had insisted on staying to help with the research, only to be voted down unanimously by the rest of the Scoobies who told her that her place was upstairs. Buffy had reaffirmed her promise to wake them later and bring them food, but for now, Tara's place was with Willow, she had said. After a few token arguments, Tara had acquiesced, and now Giles was reading the gentle flowing script of Tara's mother.
It seemed to be a large assortment of things. Spells, passages from other texts, rituals and prayers, all put together in one place. All spoke of light defeating the darkness, filled with hope and longing and warnings against folly. Each was beautiful in its own way, but the passage he was currently on struck a chord within him, for he recognized its truth in the two young women who were resting together upstairs.
"Woe to the Child who embraces the Darkness in the name of Love, for Love will be smothered by that Darkness," he murmured, reading the words aloud. "And the Darkness will grow and fester, cursing her existence and her Love until it is faced with Love's Light. For the Two shall become as One, and the Song of the Heart will be heard, Resonating through the fabric of all Creation. No Darkness can face this Light. No Darkness can face this Love. Its Beauty will make the Good-hearted weep, and the Evil cower. The Darkness may swallow the Light, but the Light will dispel the Dark, drive it from the soul, for where Love is given and accepted freely, no Evil may flourish."
"That's … kinda' nice," Buffy said softly, having stopped her own reading to listen to Giles' words. "I mean, the whole bit with the growing and the festering isn't of the good, but the rest of it is … I like it."
"Me too," Dawn said with a smile. "Does that mean Willow's gonna' be okay?" she asked hopefully.
"I'm not sure," Giles said, gingerly turning the page, being extremely careful with what was both an heirloom and a rather impressive text. "There's an accompanying spell …" he said, trailing off as he read the words.
He snapped the book shut and removed his glasses, pulling out a handkerchief and cleaning them industriously.
"Well? Will it help?" Dawn asked, confused by Giles' actions. Didn't he want to read the spell and figure out if it would help Willow?
"The spell seems to be … of a somewhat … personal nature," Giles hedged, coughing lightly. "I think it's best that Tara read it for herself."
"It doesn't matter," Spike said with a frown, looking up from his book briefly, then going back to reading. That Hell God may be a blighter who was picking on the wrong group of people, but Spike had to admit - he had style. Sure, he preferred the whole 'maiming and killing' angle himself, but that didn't mean he couldn't appreciate a well-thought-out plan. Especially one that got results like this. He chuckled softly, then turned the page.
"And what do you mean by that, ol' Spikey-boy?" Xander asked in a deceptively mild tone, his features hard and cold as he regarded the vampire.
Spike looked up and stared back at Xander. "All I'm saying is, you got two witches, one who is off the mojo. They can't cast a spell together. Willow casts, the dark magick takes over, ruins the effect of the spell anyway because it can't be cast with dark magicks, and then Boom! Evil Willow runs off and opens the Hellmouth."
"Spike," Giles said, returning his glasses to his face and leveling a glare at the vampire. "I'm not going to pretend to have any idea why you're here and ostensibly helping. However, let me make one thing perfectly clear. I would as soon drive a stake through your heart as look at you. If you have something constructive to add, do so. Otherwise, do shut up."
"You think it isn't constructive to point out why Willow casting magick is a bad idea?" Spike asked incredulously. "Am I the only one in this room who realizes that magick has a price? That when you send that stuff out to the universe, it comes back for you?"
"And what I'm saying," Giles said carefully, "is that this will be Tara and Willow's decision, not ours."
"So you're going to just let them do something to destroy the world as you know it?" Spike shot back.
"I trust them, Spike," Giles said, stressing the 'them' in his statement. "They'll do the right thing, and as far as we've been able to tell, they're the only two who can do anything."
"And can I just point out how much that sucks?" Buffy said, a full-fledged Slayer-frown crossing her face. "Who made it 'Pick on the Wiccans' month, anyway?" she demanded to no one in particular. "Hello? I'm the Slayer. I get to be in danger. It's my job. Would the Universe please stop messing with my friends?"
"I'm not even sure which part of that statement to start disagreeing with first," Giles said, a look of ultimate annoyance crossing his face. Buffy had to smile a little at that look. Was it weird that she missed that look? "But all signs seem to indicate that Willow and Tara's involvement in this issue would have happened no matter what other outside influences arose," Giles continued. "Perhaps they would have met earlier, or later, but they would have met. And together, they might be able to stop him."
"I'm back," Anya announced, a wide grin on her face as she entered the room. "I grabbed everything I could find on reincarnation and the human soul," she said proudly, moving to go sit next to Xander. "Though I could probably tell you most of what's in there," she tacked on, frowning at Giles.
"Oh, yes, thank you, Anya," Giles said, looking up at the ex-demon before turning back to his books.
"So anything new?" Anya asked. "Do we know why Willow could cast a spell without casting a spell yet?"
"No, we don't," Xander said, patting her knee and kissing her lightly in greeting.
"How about how she was able to get past the dark magick?" she pressed on.
"What?" Giles asked, the question catching his attention.
"How she got past the dark magick," Anya repeated as if speaking to a small child. She sighed when she saw the blank look on Giles' face. "Dark magick and light magick don't mix. They're like oil and water," Anya explained. "That's in its pure form. When it's mixed in something, they react badly, each on destroying the other. Like the crackly yuck stuff and the baking soda. Someone like Willow is naturally light with a little bit of darkness. When more darkness gets piled on top of that, it covers up the light magick, like a shell. Light magick has to punch through that shell to be cast. The dark magick basically won't let her cast any light magick without some serious power output on her part," Anya explained.
"How about involuntary casting?" Giles questioned, his sharp gaze fixed on Anya, making her fidget in her seat like she had when she got stuck in high school and hadn't done her homework. What kind of idiot tried to assign geometry to an ex-vengeance demon?
"That's even harder to do. Involuntary casting is all about emotion - it's pretty much nature drawing on your energy instead of the other way around. So things happen that you don't really mean to have happen, but there's no way light stuff would get through a dark magick shell," she said.
"But why not?" Giles pressed further. "If it's based on emotion, and the person is experiencing positive emotions … ?"
"Doesn't matter. The negative energy in the dark magick stuff counteracts it. It's like … involuntary magick is extraordinarily powerful," Anya said slowly, her eyes narrowing as she tried to order her thoughts in her mind. "It's … it isn't cast. It just IS. Someone who is free of all opposite influences, like free from light magick if you're a dark practitioner, or vice versa if you're the opposite - they don't say some words and toss some ingredients - the underlying forces of magick just kind of … move themselves through these pure conduits and do things."
"' For the Two shall become as One, and the Song of the Heart will be heard, Resonating through the fabric of all Creation. No Darkness can face this Light,'" Giles quoted softly, a thoughtful look on his face. "Tell me, Anya," Giles requested. "Can the dark magick shell be temporarily dispelled? Through light magick?" he asked.
"Well, yeah," Anya said. "In fact, it can be destroyed altogether if its not being rebuilt. That's basically what Mary Ellen's baking soda is doing. It's breaking up the dark magick barrier, but the Trickster keeps sending more, so it replaces itself."
"Then that still brings us back to stopping the Trickster outright," Giles said with a sigh.
"But that's my job," Buffy piped in. "I fight Evil. I go out, I hit it really hard, it goes away. That's how it's done," she insisted.
"Yes, well, not in this case," Giles said, pulling another of Tara's family books towards him and opening the cover. He frowned, recognizing the first passage immediately. "Though I'm loathe to think it, it's likely that only Willow and Tara can stop him."
"But - I'm Action Buffy. Well, I >should< be Action Buffy. Now I'm Sit Here And Wait Buffy. I hate that," she groused.
"By all means, go out and patrol," Giles said absently, grabbing another text and opening it to cross-reference the passage. "The Evil Dead certainly aren't going to sit around while we do our research."
"Patrol?" Buffy asked, perking up and looking longingly at the door. Her gaze fell back on the books. She looked back at the door. Willow needed her. Willow needed this research to get done so that she'd be all right. But hadn't she done a lot already?
"You could maybe check out Willie's," Xander offered slowly, seeing how antsy his friend was. "You know, see if you can get the skinny on this Trickster guy from the local demons. Maybe find out where the Construct is, or if there's anybody else working for him we need to worry about it."
"Great idea, Xander," Buffy said, her eyes lighting up. "Dawn, don't stay up too late," she said, standing and kissing her sister briefly on the forehead. Dawn got the long-suffering look on her face only a teenager could pull off, but leaned towards the contact, rolling her eyes even as she stifled a smile. "I'll be back after a few sweeps and a run by Willie's. You guys gonna' handle dinner?"
"I'm on it," Xander assured her.
"I'll go, too," Spike said, rising to his feet. "Watch your back and all."
"I'll be fine, Spike," Buffy said absently, missing the look of hurt that crossed his face as she grabbed a coat and some weapons.
"Yes, I dare say you should remain here," Giles said with a frown. He certainly didn't like having Spike around, but he liked the idea of Spike tagging after Buffy even less. "We're already losing one pair of eyes. If you're going to be useful, get back to reading."
"Fine," Spike said stiffly, sitting down and picking his book up as Buffy left the house.
Buffy jogged lightly to the street, warming up her stiff limbs, then kicking up to a faster pace. She felt all weird after sitting still for so long, pouring over books and attempting to get some meaning out of cryptic words that hadn't even made sense when they had been written down hundreds of years ago.
Research really wasn't her thing.
But this was. She took a deep breath, feeling the cool night air enter her lungs, crisp and clean. She dodged the glow of the streetlamps, instinctually keeping to the shadows. It had been something of a revelation when she had first noticed doing that. After returning from … heaven? … she had stayed away from bright lights, keeping to the darkness as much as possible.
It had been disturbing at first, when she had noticed it, but now it was just kind of … comforting. Like a security blanket, in a way. She hated the violence and the pain that fighting brought, but there was this strange quality to the darkness that made her feel safe. It struck a chord in her being that vibrated through her and told her that this was where she was needed, where she was in control, and where she belonged. The night was her time.
The day was filled with bills and chores and responsibilities she had never been adequately prepared for. The night, however, was something she had lived in for the past six years, and it was an old friend in comparison. A friend with violent tendencies, sure, but a friend nonetheless.
Had she felt this way Before? She couldn't remember. She knew that she had felt very differently about a lot of things Before, and since coming back, she wasn't always clear on where the lines were drawn. Or maybe there were no lines. Maybe there were squiggly dashes in random patterns that only made sense from way up high, and if you tilted your head to one side and kind of squinted.
Still, she felt at peace here, in the graveyard. She walked along the pathway between the stones that jutted from the earth, some new and clean, standing straight, the others old and worn and askew. There were many graveyards in Sunnydale, of course. Between the high daily body count and the walking dead, there was a pretty big demand for them. But since she had been back, this one called to her. Like she belonged here, walking among the dead.
In a way, she herself was the walking dead. Buffy shivered, then felt a strange but familiar tightening in her stomach. She found a stake in her hand before she had time to even process the signals her senses were sending to her, and then she was rolling away as a dark form went sailing over her head.
She came to her feet in a flash, the sharp piece of wood in her hand finding the heart of her victim and dispersing it in a shower of ash. The tingling, however, didn't stop.
Before she could puzzle out the full ramifications of that, an orderly group of vampires stood before her, lined up three by two and standing at attention.
"You see the price of disorder?" a vampire said, stepping from the shadows. "The rash one is naught but dust, and even the Slayer is given pause as she looks upon us."
"Oh, I'm just deciding which one of you to introduce to Mr. Pointy first," Buffy said, getting into a fighting stance and eyeing them speculatively.
"Attack," the lead vampire said, and the vampires advanced.
Six to one. This, Buffy mused, was likely to get interesting.
The front three reached her as she held her ground, swiveling to and fro to keep each in her sights. A well-coordinated attack followed, each moving in simultaneously instead of watching like idiots, only to find an empty space where Buffy had been as she rolled backwards out of the way.
They continued advancing slowly, gauging their opponent. They had heard of the Slayer. Who hadn't? But they had also heard that she had been gone that summer, and had been different upon her return. And their newfound tactics gave them an air of cool confidence as their stolen blood sang in their veins, calling for the kill. And for the blood of the Slayer.
"Y'know, as fascinating as this is," Buffy said casually, backing up a step for each step they advanced. "I have a bartender to interrogate," she finished, hopping onto the gravestone she knew was behind her. A quick underhanded stab slipped right by one vamps defenses as the other two tackled her off her perch. She fell heavily to the ground, but her arm was free, having been swung away from her body when the two vamps had connected.
She brought her arm back around swiftly, finding one vamps heart through his back and blinking and grimacing in the subsequent shower of dust. The third vamp pinned her arm, moving his head to her neck. Buffy struggled, trying to flip the vamp over, but found herself unable to move her arms. In a last ditch effort, she partially sat up, effectively pressing her neck into the vampire's face.
He tried to latch on, just barely breaking the skin when Buffy rocked back suddenly, using her knees to send the vampire flying over her head. She rolled to her feet once again and saw the other three vampires moving carefully around the gravestone.
"Okay, four to one," she muttered, pulling another stake from her jacket, twirling them in her hands and turning her body and backing away so that all four vampires were in her line of sight.
[This message has been edited by Sassette (edited March 28, 2002).]
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And Panties from Pixie!
You make a Union girl proud!
Having a tough time writing? Much wishes for you that your muse returns in full force with She-ra battle armour on, Sass!
n
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"You're *NOT* the source of me." - Buffy
" I mock you with my monkey pants!" -Oz
" Tremble!" Gachnar (Fear Itself)
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**Bag O'Bones: Oh, geeeze ... that doesn't sound like fun at all. I'll be sending you shiny happy good-health vibes, and I really hope you feel better soon.
**Pixie: I truly appreciate your graciousness in the equitable distribution of panties. I hadn't realized how important it was to make sure everyone HAD them ... what with everyone being 'pantiless'. Something to ponder as the day goes by ...
**Mufin: Damn, you're smart. I got your email with your new e-dress, btw ... and yes, I'm laughing *G*
**nika: Omigod! Plaid! You said 'plaid'!!! I >love< plaid. Plaid makes my little heart sing with the Joy of Creation, and my mind do a little Happy Polka of Strange Color Combinations in Eye Searing Patterns ... my favorite is the Buchanan plaid. Good LORD that's a plaid!
**mollyig: Heh ... yeah, I do that once in awhile. Glad you liked it *G*
**GreenNeutron: No, Xander didn't JINX them ... he just ... okay, okay, he jinxed them Seriously, though, this Hell God has been around for a VERY long time, messing with them, so ... it's difficult to pin this one on Xander. Though I expect people will keep trying.
**Sassette: What is this CRAP? Have you forgotten how to write? Seriously -- it's trite, it's boring, and it's not up to your usual standard. You should seriously give this up now.
**wiccachica: You know, it's been MANY years since She-Ra has crossed my mind. I'm going to go get some coffee and hope that my coworkers don't notice me giggling madly. She-Ra, Princess of Power, indeed.
-Sass
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"I don't care if it is an orgy of death, there's still such a thing as a napkin." Willow, Superstar
"I want my room to be Willow-friendly." Tara, New Moon Rising
"I present to you, the 5 assed monkey"
"Now who put his who-who-dilly in your cha-cha?"
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The Trickster is getting stronger. Interesting.
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Beep, beep
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quote:
Originally posted by Sassette:
**NewRuthRising: Well, I appreciate your ATTEMPT at patience. Glad you like the fic, and I'll try to post soon. Just for you
-Sass
WOOHOO! Anything else you'll do 'just for me'?
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**YuriPup: Yeah, I know, but I'm looking forward to the W/T stuff I have planned. In fact, I'm thinking of changing the ending a little (in case anyone is wondering, Yuri is currently the only one who knows EVERYTHING that I have planned *G* He's a great sounding-board, even if I disagree with him a lot ) And I knew I could count on you to notice, and comment upon, The Trickster's growing strength.
**Puff: *joins in the dance of joy because, y'know, it's fun and stuff* You're very welcome, Puff *G*
**NewRuthRising: Well, there's ... no ... or I could ... nope, not that either ... hmmm... how about it I ... ? Schnikeys. Nope. Can't think of a darn thing I wouldn't just hand out to anyone who asked nicely.
*blink blink* Okay, now that sounds just wrong.
-Sass
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~Mel
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Take your time (read please hurry, suspense is killing me). I truly understand that wrting, good writing takes time (read - you're frigging great at it, wow). Thanks for this great installment (read - where's the othert parts, damn it )
Thanks Sass for the update, will gather smittens and practice with new panties (not wearing them, just flinging them)
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THANK YOU!!!!!
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It's the "oh, I'll just lie down for a minute ... ZZzzzZZZzzz ... Huh? What? Why is it 10pm already?"
**NewRuthRising: Well, I appreciate your ATTEMPT at patience. Glad you like the fic, and I'll try to post soon. Just for you
**W.I.: Well, yeah - of course it was a challenge *G* I'm just that kind of girl. Hmmm ... on the porch, huh? Against the railing? I wonder how sturdy that thing is ...
**wiccachica: Dearest of Wiccachica's ... you will always be number 700 in my heart. Umm... wait - that didn't quite come out right, did it? And thank you - I spend far too much time thinking about that sort of thing ... and I really liked your response as well ... I know I certainly let my imagination run around a lot more when I was a kid than I do today, and it's really nice to get some of that back writing.
**Pixie: Heh ... okay, YOU'RE post number 700. Congratulations. Here's some more panties. Don't ask whose they are, though, 'cuz I, uhh ... I don't actually know. *sheepish look* Women just fling them at me.
**GreenNeutron: Withdrawals!? But then, if I post an update, I'll be an enabler! A dirty FILTHY >>>ENABLER!!!!<<< *SOBS*
"Pssst ... Sass ..."
Yeah?
"Technically, you're the dealer."
I am?
"That's right."
Oh, okay. I'll get an update asap, then, provided I don't get home tonight and immediately lose consciousness.
-Sass
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posted March 27, 2002 13:09 Sorry ... not an update. I've been having this bizarre lingering tiredness that's pretty much knocking my sorry self out when I get home.It's the "oh, I'll just lie down for a minute ... ZZzzzZZZzzz ... Huh? What? Why is it 10pm already?"
**NewRuthRising: Well, I appreciate your ATTEMPT at patience. Glad you like the fic, and I'll try to post soon. Just for you
**W.I.: Well, yeah - of course it was a challenge *G* I'm just that kind of girl. Hmmm ... on the porch, huh? Against the railing? I wonder how sturdy that thing is ...
**wiccachica: Dearest of Wiccachica's ... you will always be number 700 in my heart. Umm... wait - that didn't quite come out right, did it? And thank you - I spend far too much time thinking about that sort of thing ... and I really liked your response as well ... I know I certainly let my imagination run around a lot more when I was a kid than I do today, and it's really nice to get some of that back writing.
**Pixie: Heh ... okay, YOU'RE post number 700. Congratulations. Here's some more panties. Don't ask whose they are, though, 'cuz I, uhh ... I don't actually know. *sheepish look* Women just fling them at me.
**GreenNeutron: Withdrawals!? But then, if I post an update, I'll be an enabler! A dirty FILTHY >>>ENABLER!!!!<<< *SOBS*
"Pssst ... Sass ..."
Yeah?
"Technically, you're the dealer."
I am?
"That's right."
Oh, okay. I'll get an update asap, then, provided I don't get home tonight and immediately lose consciousness.
-Sass
IP: LoggedBobo's MomCool Monster Fighter ------------------
TARA: Willow and I always know how to find each other!
ANYA: With yoga?
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BUFFYBOT: That'll put marzipan in your pie plate, bingo!
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posted March 27, 2002 13:24 Sass,------------------
TARA: Willow and I always know how to find each other!
ANYA: With yoga?
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BUFFYBOT: That'll put marzipan in your pie plate, bingo!
Wait a minute....
PIXIE got panties? I'M # 700 in your heart, and PIXIE got panties?
*crickets chirp*
That's it...I'm going on strike....
UNION NOW!
STRIKE! STRIKE! I'M ON STRIKE! PANTIES FOR ONE...PANTIES FOR EVERYONE! PANTIES FOR ONE....PANTIES FOR ALL!!!!
( I hope you come out of your slump too...I'm sorta slumping myself today....but no Sass fic = no joy in my otherwise mundane day....)
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"You're *NOT* the source of me." - Buffy
" I mock you with my monkey pants!" -Oz
" Tremble!" Gachnar (Fear Itself)
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posted March 27, 2002 13:31 Wait a minute....Wait a minute....
PIXIE got panties? I'M # 700 in your heart, and PIXIE got panties?
*crickets chirp*
That's it...I'm going on strike....
UNION NOW!
STRIKE! STRIKE! I'M ON STRIKE! PANTIES FOR ONE...PANTIES FOR EVERYONE! PANTIES FOR ONE....PANTIES FOR ALL!!!!
( I hope you come out of your slump too...I'm sorta slumping myself today....but no Sass fic = no joy in my otherwise mundane day....)
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"You're *NOT* the source of me." - Buffy
" I mock you with my monkey pants!" -Oz
" Tremble!" Gachnar (Fear Itself)
IP: LoggedSassetteCool Monster Fighter **wiccachica: I'm sorry to have both stolen your joy and deprived you of well-deserved panties. Here ... you can have this special pair with the little hearts on them and the number '700' written on the little hearts. Please come back from your strike, for a day without wiccachica is like a day without caffeine ... you can puzzle that one out yourself *G* And I hope your troll is back in the swing of things soon ... 'cuz 'The Late Shift' rocks.
-Sass
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posted March 27, 2002 17:28 **Bobo's Mom: Heh ... sorry about the Is-It-An-Update!? letdown. Didn't mean to fake you out. And I'll try to pay attention to my physical well-being, but ... y'know, I don't have much practice at that *G***wiccachica: I'm sorry to have both stolen your joy and deprived you of well-deserved panties. Here ... you can have this special pair with the little hearts on them and the number '700' written on the little hearts. Please come back from your strike, for a day without wiccachica is like a day without caffeine ... you can puzzle that one out yourself *G* And I hope your troll is back in the swing of things soon ... 'cuz 'The Late Shift' rocks.
-Sass
IP: Loggedcanadian kittyDoll's Eye Crystal The apocalypse is at hand. I will of course deal with this in a quiet and dignified manner. Which is to say I will grab the six pack of Heineken from the fridge, crawl under my desk and try to keep the whimpering to a minimum as I rock back and forth.
CK
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"Do you wanna go out some time, for coffee, food, kisses and gay love?" Willow - Normal Again.
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posted March 27, 2002 21:47 Dear gods, a day without an update from Wiccachica and Sassette.The apocalypse is at hand. I will of course deal with this in a quiet and dignified manner. Which is to say I will grab the six pack of Heineken from the fridge, crawl under my desk and try to keep the whimpering to a minimum as I rock back and forth.
CK
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"Do you wanna go out some time, for coffee, food, kisses and gay love?" Willow - Normal Again.
so anymore of these long delays between updates could potentially kill and innocent high school senior. and you would not want my death on your conscience, would you?
sorry about the whole quilt trip but it had to be done. if this is not enough to convince you then i could throw in a pair of panties, too :-)
-bag
[This message has been edited by Bag O'Bones (edited March 27, 2002).]
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posted March 27, 2002 22:53 i must warn you that i have been home for a week and a half with some unknown disease (two doctor visits, a chest x-ray, and blood work have not given me any answers). this illness is not being nice to me at all. but your fic is the one medication that works *and* does not involve negative side effects. so i am telling you now that my health and possibly my whole life rest in your ability to provide me with updates to your fic. no pressure at all there, right?so anymore of these long delays between updates could potentially kill and innocent high school senior. and you would not want my death on your conscience, would you?
sorry about the whole quilt trip but it had to be done. if this is not enough to convince you then i could throw in a pair of panties, too :-)
-bag
[This message has been edited by Bag O'Bones (edited March 27, 2002).]
IP: LoggedPixieSassy Eggs quote:
Originally posted by wiccachica:
PIXIE got panties? I'M # 700 in your heart, and PIXIE got panties?UNION NOW!
STRIKE! STRIKE! I'M ON STRIKE! PANTIES FOR ONE...PANTIES FOR EVERYONE! PANTIES FOR ONE....PANTIES FOR ALL!!!!
ROTFLMAO!! Please, wiccachica, no! A day without updates from you and Sass - Oh the humanity!! Uh, maybe I have a solution. *Pixie pulls out her stash of panties that she has collected throughout the thread, and hands out panties to all members of the Smitten Squad, making sure that no one gets their original pair.* Is that better? Have we achieved an equitable resolution? Whew! It's a good idea I threw that bag o' panties into my suitcase when I came down to visit my parents for Passover. BTW, Sass, your panties are still framed and kept in the a place of honor on the Smitten Squad practice field. No one is gettin' those!
Sass, I hope you feel better soon! Still smitten!
[This message has been edited by Pixie (edited March 27, 2002).]
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posted March 27, 2002 23:04quote:
Originally posted by wiccachica:
PIXIE got panties? I'M # 700 in your heart, and PIXIE got panties?UNION NOW!
STRIKE! STRIKE! I'M ON STRIKE! PANTIES FOR ONE...PANTIES FOR EVERYONE! PANTIES FOR ONE....PANTIES FOR ALL!!!!
ROTFLMAO!! Please, wiccachica, no! A day without updates from you and Sass - Oh the humanity!! Uh, maybe I have a solution. *Pixie pulls out her stash of panties that she has collected throughout the thread, and hands out panties to all members of the Smitten Squad, making sure that no one gets their original pair.* Is that better? Have we achieved an equitable resolution? Whew! It's a good idea I threw that bag o' panties into my suitcase when I came down to visit my parents for Passover. BTW, Sass, your panties are still framed and kept in the a place of honor on the Smitten Squad practice field. No one is gettin' those!
Sass, I hope you feel better soon! Still smitten!
[This message has been edited by Pixie (edited March 27, 2002).]
quote:IP: LoggedMufinBlessed Wannabe IP: Logged
posted March 28, 2002 08:29 Pixie, the catholic schoolgirl uniforms are for praying for Sassette's health, happiness, wellbeing, and UPDATES! Now what to wear today? cheerleading gear or catholic school girl outfit? *gets misty eyed and smiley at catholic school memories*
I think I'll go for the plaid skirt, he-he if sister mary margaret ever found out what angela and I did in the utility closet the beads of her rosary would surely pop.
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"The word 'GULP!'comes to mind." Tara
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posted March 28, 2002 09:54 Owl thank you for the smitten uniform I shall wear it with pantiless pride *sniff*Now what to wear today? cheerleading gear or catholic school girl outfit? *gets misty eyed and smiley at catholic school memories*
I think I'll go for the plaid skirt, he-he if sister mary margaret ever found out what angela and I did in the utility closet the beads of her rosary would surely pop.
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"The word 'GULP!'comes to mind." Tara
". . . if I had just been faster, or smarter, or if I’d had more magic, I could’ve stopped … oh God, I could’ve stopped Glory," Willow said desperately, stopping in her tracks, her body shaking.
"Glory’s gone, Willow - and I doubt we’ll ever have to deal with another Hell God," Xander said.
Sass - yer bloody brilliant!
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"I could paint you in the dark cause I've studied you with hunger as a work of art"
Collecting You - Indigo Girls
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posted March 28, 2002 10:48 I was re-reading this again, and noticed a wee bit of fore-shadowing that I missed the first (second and third) time 'round.". . . if I had just been faster, or smarter, or if I’d had more magic, I could’ve stopped … oh God, I could’ve stopped Glory," Willow said desperately, stopping in her tracks, her body shaking.
"Glory’s gone, Willow - and I doubt we’ll ever have to deal with another Hell God," Xander said.
Sass - yer bloody brilliant!
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"I could paint you in the dark cause I've studied you with hunger as a work of art"
Collecting You - Indigo Girls
quote:
". . . if I had just been faster, or smarter, or if I’d had more magic, I could’ve stopped … oh God, I could’ve stopped Glory," Willow said desperately, stopping in her tracks, her body shaking."Glory’s gone, Willow - and I doubt we’ll ever have to deal with another Hell God," Xander said.
[/B]
Oh no! Xander jinxed them!
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~Mel
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posted March 28, 2002 10:56quote:
". . . if I had just been faster, or smarter, or if I’d had more magic, I could’ve stopped … oh God, I could’ve stopped Glory," Willow said desperately, stopping in her tracks, her body shaking."Glory’s gone, Willow - and I doubt we’ll ever have to deal with another Hell God," Xander said.
[/B]
Oh no! Xander jinxed them!
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~Mel
Anyway ... this isn't even HALF an update ... it's like, ONE-THIRD of an update. But still, it's what I have done, and I don't want to bum anyone out by not updating today.
HOWEVER ... There is NO Willow/Tara in this update. Sorry. There WILL be LOTS of Willow/Tara in the last parts of the update, but none right now. I just haven't gotten to that part yet.
Title: Answering Darkness Part 41a - Resonance
Author: Sassette
Feedback: Can be sent to pink_overalls@yahoo.com
Summary: The Scoobies figure out a few things. Buffy figures out a few things. Willow and Tara figure out a few things.
Spoiler Warning: Up to and including "Tabula Rasa" in Season 6.
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. I'm just borrowing them because Season 6 angst is running high, and I want my happy ending now, dammit! So I'm writing it … but it'll be awhile until I get to that part, so bear with me (or "bare" with me if you're naughty).
Rating: PG-13
Notes: For the purpose of this story, all events of Tabula Rasa took place exactly as shown in the series; however, no subsequent episodes will affect this piece. We're splitting from canon here - this was MEANT to be a quick and easy reconciliation fic … but it just didn't turn out that way. Stupid Hell God … Stupid Plot … getting in the way of my snugglies, damnit. Freakin' Angst. Grrrr.
Answering Darkness Part 41a
Resonance
By Sassette
"Well, that's really quite … beautiful," Giles murmured, tracing the line of text with his fingers. He held the book reverently, honored by the trust Tara had placed in him when he had placed it into his hands. It was a book she had been keeping in its place in its trunk, intending to read it herself. There were three such books, each one handwritten by one of the MaClay women - the summation of their endless search to rid themselves of a Demon that had never existed.
Tara had emerged from her room briefly, carrying three books with her and explaining that she and Willow had just shared a dream. At first he had been shocked, then angry at the gross irresponsibility inherent in casting spells together, only to be calmed and chagrined when Tara had explained that their dream-sharing had been an accident.
Still, she needed to know how they had done it, and she hoped the answers would lie within this text, or one of the two others sitting on the table waiting for him.
She had insisted on staying to help with the research, only to be voted down unanimously by the rest of the Scoobies who told her that her place was upstairs. Buffy had reaffirmed her promise to wake them later and bring them food, but for now, Tara's place was with Willow, she had said. After a few token arguments, Tara had acquiesced, and now Giles was reading the gentle flowing script of Tara's mother.
It seemed to be a large assortment of things. Spells, passages from other texts, rituals and prayers, all put together in one place. All spoke of light defeating the darkness, filled with hope and longing and warnings against folly. Each was beautiful in its own way, but the passage he was currently on struck a chord within him, for he recognized its truth in the two young women who were resting together upstairs.
"Woe to the Child who embraces the Darkness in the name of Love, for Love will be smothered by that Darkness," he murmured, reading the words aloud. "And the Darkness will grow and fester, cursing her existence and her Love until it is faced with Love's Light. For the Two shall become as One, and the Song of the Heart will be heard, Resonating through the fabric of all Creation. No Darkness can face this Light. No Darkness can face this Love. Its Beauty will make the Good-hearted weep, and the Evil cower. The Darkness may swallow the Light, but the Light will dispel the Dark, drive it from the soul, for where Love is given and accepted freely, no Evil may flourish."
"That's … kinda' nice," Buffy said softly, having stopped her own reading to listen to Giles' words. "I mean, the whole bit with the growing and the festering isn't of the good, but the rest of it is … I like it."
"Me too," Dawn said with a smile. "Does that mean Willow's gonna' be okay?" she asked hopefully.
"I'm not sure," Giles said, gingerly turning the page, being extremely careful with what was both an heirloom and a rather impressive text. "There's an accompanying spell …" he said, trailing off as he read the words.
He snapped the book shut and removed his glasses, pulling out a handkerchief and cleaning them industriously.
"Well? Will it help?" Dawn asked, confused by Giles' actions. Didn't he want to read the spell and figure out if it would help Willow?
"The spell seems to be … of a somewhat … personal nature," Giles hedged, coughing lightly. "I think it's best that Tara read it for herself."
"It doesn't matter," Spike said with a frown, looking up from his book briefly, then going back to reading. That Hell God may be a blighter who was picking on the wrong group of people, but Spike had to admit - he had style. Sure, he preferred the whole 'maiming and killing' angle himself, but that didn't mean he couldn't appreciate a well-thought-out plan. Especially one that got results like this. He chuckled softly, then turned the page.
"And what do you mean by that, ol' Spikey-boy?" Xander asked in a deceptively mild tone, his features hard and cold as he regarded the vampire.
Spike looked up and stared back at Xander. "All I'm saying is, you got two witches, one who is off the mojo. They can't cast a spell together. Willow casts, the dark magick takes over, ruins the effect of the spell anyway because it can't be cast with dark magicks, and then Boom! Evil Willow runs off and opens the Hellmouth."
"Spike," Giles said, returning his glasses to his face and leveling a glare at the vampire. "I'm not going to pretend to have any idea why you're here and ostensibly helping. However, let me make one thing perfectly clear. I would as soon drive a stake through your heart as look at you. If you have something constructive to add, do so. Otherwise, do shut up."
"You think it isn't constructive to point out why Willow casting magick is a bad idea?" Spike asked incredulously. "Am I the only one in this room who realizes that magick has a price? That when you send that stuff out to the universe, it comes back for you?"
"And what I'm saying," Giles said carefully, "is that this will be Tara and Willow's decision, not ours."
"So you're going to just let them do something to destroy the world as you know it?" Spike shot back.
"I trust them, Spike," Giles said, stressing the 'them' in his statement. "They'll do the right thing, and as far as we've been able to tell, they're the only two who can do anything."
"And can I just point out how much that sucks?" Buffy said, a full-fledged Slayer-frown crossing her face. "Who made it 'Pick on the Wiccans' month, anyway?" she demanded to no one in particular. "Hello? I'm the Slayer. I get to be in danger. It's my job. Would the Universe please stop messing with my friends?"
"I'm not even sure which part of that statement to start disagreeing with first," Giles said, a look of ultimate annoyance crossing his face. Buffy had to smile a little at that look. Was it weird that she missed that look? "But all signs seem to indicate that Willow and Tara's involvement in this issue would have happened no matter what other outside influences arose," Giles continued. "Perhaps they would have met earlier, or later, but they would have met. And together, they might be able to stop him."
"I'm back," Anya announced, a wide grin on her face as she entered the room. "I grabbed everything I could find on reincarnation and the human soul," she said proudly, moving to go sit next to Xander. "Though I could probably tell you most of what's in there," she tacked on, frowning at Giles.
"Oh, yes, thank you, Anya," Giles said, looking up at the ex-demon before turning back to his books.
"So anything new?" Anya asked. "Do we know why Willow could cast a spell without casting a spell yet?"
"No, we don't," Xander said, patting her knee and kissing her lightly in greeting.
"How about how she was able to get past the dark magick?" she pressed on.
"What?" Giles asked, the question catching his attention.
"How she got past the dark magick," Anya repeated as if speaking to a small child. She sighed when she saw the blank look on Giles' face. "Dark magick and light magick don't mix. They're like oil and water," Anya explained. "That's in its pure form. When it's mixed in something, they react badly, each on destroying the other. Like the crackly yuck stuff and the baking soda. Someone like Willow is naturally light with a little bit of darkness. When more darkness gets piled on top of that, it covers up the light magick, like a shell. Light magick has to punch through that shell to be cast. The dark magick basically won't let her cast any light magick without some serious power output on her part," Anya explained.
"How about involuntary casting?" Giles questioned, his sharp gaze fixed on Anya, making her fidget in her seat like she had when she got stuck in high school and hadn't done her homework. What kind of idiot tried to assign geometry to an ex-vengeance demon?
"That's even harder to do. Involuntary casting is all about emotion - it's pretty much nature drawing on your energy instead of the other way around. So things happen that you don't really mean to have happen, but there's no way light stuff would get through a dark magick shell," she said.
"But why not?" Giles pressed further. "If it's based on emotion, and the person is experiencing positive emotions … ?"
"Doesn't matter. The negative energy in the dark magick stuff counteracts it. It's like … involuntary magick is extraordinarily powerful," Anya said slowly, her eyes narrowing as she tried to order her thoughts in her mind. "It's … it isn't cast. It just IS. Someone who is free of all opposite influences, like free from light magick if you're a dark practitioner, or vice versa if you're the opposite - they don't say some words and toss some ingredients - the underlying forces of magick just kind of … move themselves through these pure conduits and do things."
"' For the Two shall become as One, and the Song of the Heart will be heard, Resonating through the fabric of all Creation. No Darkness can face this Light,'" Giles quoted softly, a thoughtful look on his face. "Tell me, Anya," Giles requested. "Can the dark magick shell be temporarily dispelled? Through light magick?" he asked.
"Well, yeah," Anya said. "In fact, it can be destroyed altogether if its not being rebuilt. That's basically what Mary Ellen's baking soda is doing. It's breaking up the dark magick barrier, but the Trickster keeps sending more, so it replaces itself."
"Then that still brings us back to stopping the Trickster outright," Giles said with a sigh.
"But that's my job," Buffy piped in. "I fight Evil. I go out, I hit it really hard, it goes away. That's how it's done," she insisted.
"Yes, well, not in this case," Giles said, pulling another of Tara's family books towards him and opening the cover. He frowned, recognizing the first passage immediately. "Though I'm loathe to think it, it's likely that only Willow and Tara can stop him."
"But - I'm Action Buffy. Well, I >should< be Action Buffy. Now I'm Sit Here And Wait Buffy. I hate that," she groused.
"By all means, go out and patrol," Giles said absently, grabbing another text and opening it to cross-reference the passage. "The Evil Dead certainly aren't going to sit around while we do our research."
"Patrol?" Buffy asked, perking up and looking longingly at the door. Her gaze fell back on the books. She looked back at the door. Willow needed her. Willow needed this research to get done so that she'd be all right. But hadn't she done a lot already?
"You could maybe check out Willie's," Xander offered slowly, seeing how antsy his friend was. "You know, see if you can get the skinny on this Trickster guy from the local demons. Maybe find out where the Construct is, or if there's anybody else working for him we need to worry about it."
"Great idea, Xander," Buffy said, her eyes lighting up. "Dawn, don't stay up too late," she said, standing and kissing her sister briefly on the forehead. Dawn got the long-suffering look on her face only a teenager could pull off, but leaned towards the contact, rolling her eyes even as she stifled a smile. "I'll be back after a few sweeps and a run by Willie's. You guys gonna' handle dinner?"
"I'm on it," Xander assured her.
"I'll go, too," Spike said, rising to his feet. "Watch your back and all."
"I'll be fine, Spike," Buffy said absently, missing the look of hurt that crossed his face as she grabbed a coat and some weapons.
"Yes, I dare say you should remain here," Giles said with a frown. He certainly didn't like having Spike around, but he liked the idea of Spike tagging after Buffy even less. "We're already losing one pair of eyes. If you're going to be useful, get back to reading."
"Fine," Spike said stiffly, sitting down and picking his book up as Buffy left the house.
Buffy jogged lightly to the street, warming up her stiff limbs, then kicking up to a faster pace. She felt all weird after sitting still for so long, pouring over books and attempting to get some meaning out of cryptic words that hadn't even made sense when they had been written down hundreds of years ago.
Research really wasn't her thing.
But this was. She took a deep breath, feeling the cool night air enter her lungs, crisp and clean. She dodged the glow of the streetlamps, instinctually keeping to the shadows. It had been something of a revelation when she had first noticed doing that. After returning from … heaven? … she had stayed away from bright lights, keeping to the darkness as much as possible.
It had been disturbing at first, when she had noticed it, but now it was just kind of … comforting. Like a security blanket, in a way. She hated the violence and the pain that fighting brought, but there was this strange quality to the darkness that made her feel safe. It struck a chord in her being that vibrated through her and told her that this was where she was needed, where she was in control, and where she belonged. The night was her time.
The day was filled with bills and chores and responsibilities she had never been adequately prepared for. The night, however, was something she had lived in for the past six years, and it was an old friend in comparison. A friend with violent tendencies, sure, but a friend nonetheless.
Had she felt this way Before? She couldn't remember. She knew that she had felt very differently about a lot of things Before, and since coming back, she wasn't always clear on where the lines were drawn. Or maybe there were no lines. Maybe there were squiggly dashes in random patterns that only made sense from way up high, and if you tilted your head to one side and kind of squinted.
Still, she felt at peace here, in the graveyard. She walked along the pathway between the stones that jutted from the earth, some new and clean, standing straight, the others old and worn and askew. There were many graveyards in Sunnydale, of course. Between the high daily body count and the walking dead, there was a pretty big demand for them. But since she had been back, this one called to her. Like she belonged here, walking among the dead.
In a way, she herself was the walking dead. Buffy shivered, then felt a strange but familiar tightening in her stomach. She found a stake in her hand before she had time to even process the signals her senses were sending to her, and then she was rolling away as a dark form went sailing over her head.
She came to her feet in a flash, the sharp piece of wood in her hand finding the heart of her victim and dispersing it in a shower of ash. The tingling, however, didn't stop.
Before she could puzzle out the full ramifications of that, an orderly group of vampires stood before her, lined up three by two and standing at attention.
"You see the price of disorder?" a vampire said, stepping from the shadows. "The rash one is naught but dust, and even the Slayer is given pause as she looks upon us."
"Oh, I'm just deciding which one of you to introduce to Mr. Pointy first," Buffy said, getting into a fighting stance and eyeing them speculatively.
"Attack," the lead vampire said, and the vampires advanced.
Six to one. This, Buffy mused, was likely to get interesting.
The front three reached her as she held her ground, swiveling to and fro to keep each in her sights. A well-coordinated attack followed, each moving in simultaneously instead of watching like idiots, only to find an empty space where Buffy had been as she rolled backwards out of the way.
They continued advancing slowly, gauging their opponent. They had heard of the Slayer. Who hadn't? But they had also heard that she had been gone that summer, and had been different upon her return. And their newfound tactics gave them an air of cool confidence as their stolen blood sang in their veins, calling for the kill. And for the blood of the Slayer.
"Y'know, as fascinating as this is," Buffy said casually, backing up a step for each step they advanced. "I have a bartender to interrogate," she finished, hopping onto the gravestone she knew was behind her. A quick underhanded stab slipped right by one vamps defenses as the other two tackled her off her perch. She fell heavily to the ground, but her arm was free, having been swung away from her body when the two vamps had connected.
She brought her arm back around swiftly, finding one vamps heart through his back and blinking and grimacing in the subsequent shower of dust. The third vamp pinned her arm, moving his head to her neck. Buffy struggled, trying to flip the vamp over, but found herself unable to move her arms. In a last ditch effort, she partially sat up, effectively pressing her neck into the vampire's face.
He tried to latch on, just barely breaking the skin when Buffy rocked back suddenly, using her knees to send the vampire flying over her head. She rolled to her feet once again and saw the other three vampires moving carefully around the gravestone.
"Okay, four to one," she muttered, pulling another stake from her jacket, twirling them in her hands and turning her body and backing away so that all four vampires were in her line of sight.
[This message has been edited by Sassette (edited March 28, 2002).]
IP: Logged
posted March 28, 2002 11:18 Writing is going Very Slowly, because I once again managed to just crash right after work. I think I managed to stay up long enough to take off my shoes, then just kinda' ... fell over *G*Anyway ... this isn't even HALF an update ... it's like, ONE-THIRD of an update. But still, it's what I have done, and I don't want to bum anyone out by not updating today.
HOWEVER ... There is NO Willow/Tara in this update. Sorry. There WILL be LOTS of Willow/Tara in the last parts of the update, but none right now. I just haven't gotten to that part yet.
Title: Answering Darkness Part 41a - Resonance
Author: Sassette
Feedback: Can be sent to pink_overalls@yahoo.com
Summary: The Scoobies figure out a few things. Buffy figures out a few things. Willow and Tara figure out a few things.
Spoiler Warning: Up to and including "Tabula Rasa" in Season 6.
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. I'm just borrowing them because Season 6 angst is running high, and I want my happy ending now, dammit! So I'm writing it … but it'll be awhile until I get to that part, so bear with me (or "bare" with me if you're naughty).
Rating: PG-13
Notes: For the purpose of this story, all events of Tabula Rasa took place exactly as shown in the series; however, no subsequent episodes will affect this piece. We're splitting from canon here - this was MEANT to be a quick and easy reconciliation fic … but it just didn't turn out that way. Stupid Hell God … Stupid Plot … getting in the way of my snugglies, damnit. Freakin' Angst. Grrrr.
Answering Darkness Part 41a
Resonance
By Sassette
"Well, that's really quite … beautiful," Giles murmured, tracing the line of text with his fingers. He held the book reverently, honored by the trust Tara had placed in him when he had placed it into his hands. It was a book she had been keeping in its place in its trunk, intending to read it herself. There were three such books, each one handwritten by one of the MaClay women - the summation of their endless search to rid themselves of a Demon that had never existed.
Tara had emerged from her room briefly, carrying three books with her and explaining that she and Willow had just shared a dream. At first he had been shocked, then angry at the gross irresponsibility inherent in casting spells together, only to be calmed and chagrined when Tara had explained that their dream-sharing had been an accident.
Still, she needed to know how they had done it, and she hoped the answers would lie within this text, or one of the two others sitting on the table waiting for him.
She had insisted on staying to help with the research, only to be voted down unanimously by the rest of the Scoobies who told her that her place was upstairs. Buffy had reaffirmed her promise to wake them later and bring them food, but for now, Tara's place was with Willow, she had said. After a few token arguments, Tara had acquiesced, and now Giles was reading the gentle flowing script of Tara's mother.
It seemed to be a large assortment of things. Spells, passages from other texts, rituals and prayers, all put together in one place. All spoke of light defeating the darkness, filled with hope and longing and warnings against folly. Each was beautiful in its own way, but the passage he was currently on struck a chord within him, for he recognized its truth in the two young women who were resting together upstairs.
"Woe to the Child who embraces the Darkness in the name of Love, for Love will be smothered by that Darkness," he murmured, reading the words aloud. "And the Darkness will grow and fester, cursing her existence and her Love until it is faced with Love's Light. For the Two shall become as One, and the Song of the Heart will be heard, Resonating through the fabric of all Creation. No Darkness can face this Light. No Darkness can face this Love. Its Beauty will make the Good-hearted weep, and the Evil cower. The Darkness may swallow the Light, but the Light will dispel the Dark, drive it from the soul, for where Love is given and accepted freely, no Evil may flourish."
"That's … kinda' nice," Buffy said softly, having stopped her own reading to listen to Giles' words. "I mean, the whole bit with the growing and the festering isn't of the good, but the rest of it is … I like it."
"Me too," Dawn said with a smile. "Does that mean Willow's gonna' be okay?" she asked hopefully.
"I'm not sure," Giles said, gingerly turning the page, being extremely careful with what was both an heirloom and a rather impressive text. "There's an accompanying spell …" he said, trailing off as he read the words.
He snapped the book shut and removed his glasses, pulling out a handkerchief and cleaning them industriously.
"Well? Will it help?" Dawn asked, confused by Giles' actions. Didn't he want to read the spell and figure out if it would help Willow?
"The spell seems to be … of a somewhat … personal nature," Giles hedged, coughing lightly. "I think it's best that Tara read it for herself."
"It doesn't matter," Spike said with a frown, looking up from his book briefly, then going back to reading. That Hell God may be a blighter who was picking on the wrong group of people, but Spike had to admit - he had style. Sure, he preferred the whole 'maiming and killing' angle himself, but that didn't mean he couldn't appreciate a well-thought-out plan. Especially one that got results like this. He chuckled softly, then turned the page.
"And what do you mean by that, ol' Spikey-boy?" Xander asked in a deceptively mild tone, his features hard and cold as he regarded the vampire.
Spike looked up and stared back at Xander. "All I'm saying is, you got two witches, one who is off the mojo. They can't cast a spell together. Willow casts, the dark magick takes over, ruins the effect of the spell anyway because it can't be cast with dark magicks, and then Boom! Evil Willow runs off and opens the Hellmouth."
"Spike," Giles said, returning his glasses to his face and leveling a glare at the vampire. "I'm not going to pretend to have any idea why you're here and ostensibly helping. However, let me make one thing perfectly clear. I would as soon drive a stake through your heart as look at you. If you have something constructive to add, do so. Otherwise, do shut up."
"You think it isn't constructive to point out why Willow casting magick is a bad idea?" Spike asked incredulously. "Am I the only one in this room who realizes that magick has a price? That when you send that stuff out to the universe, it comes back for you?"
"And what I'm saying," Giles said carefully, "is that this will be Tara and Willow's decision, not ours."
"So you're going to just let them do something to destroy the world as you know it?" Spike shot back.
"I trust them, Spike," Giles said, stressing the 'them' in his statement. "They'll do the right thing, and as far as we've been able to tell, they're the only two who can do anything."
"And can I just point out how much that sucks?" Buffy said, a full-fledged Slayer-frown crossing her face. "Who made it 'Pick on the Wiccans' month, anyway?" she demanded to no one in particular. "Hello? I'm the Slayer. I get to be in danger. It's my job. Would the Universe please stop messing with my friends?"
"I'm not even sure which part of that statement to start disagreeing with first," Giles said, a look of ultimate annoyance crossing his face. Buffy had to smile a little at that look. Was it weird that she missed that look? "But all signs seem to indicate that Willow and Tara's involvement in this issue would have happened no matter what other outside influences arose," Giles continued. "Perhaps they would have met earlier, or later, but they would have met. And together, they might be able to stop him."
"I'm back," Anya announced, a wide grin on her face as she entered the room. "I grabbed everything I could find on reincarnation and the human soul," she said proudly, moving to go sit next to Xander. "Though I could probably tell you most of what's in there," she tacked on, frowning at Giles.
"Oh, yes, thank you, Anya," Giles said, looking up at the ex-demon before turning back to his books.
"So anything new?" Anya asked. "Do we know why Willow could cast a spell without casting a spell yet?"
"No, we don't," Xander said, patting her knee and kissing her lightly in greeting.
"How about how she was able to get past the dark magick?" she pressed on.
"What?" Giles asked, the question catching his attention.
"How she got past the dark magick," Anya repeated as if speaking to a small child. She sighed when she saw the blank look on Giles' face. "Dark magick and light magick don't mix. They're like oil and water," Anya explained. "That's in its pure form. When it's mixed in something, they react badly, each on destroying the other. Like the crackly yuck stuff and the baking soda. Someone like Willow is naturally light with a little bit of darkness. When more darkness gets piled on top of that, it covers up the light magick, like a shell. Light magick has to punch through that shell to be cast. The dark magick basically won't let her cast any light magick without some serious power output on her part," Anya explained.
"How about involuntary casting?" Giles questioned, his sharp gaze fixed on Anya, making her fidget in her seat like she had when she got stuck in high school and hadn't done her homework. What kind of idiot tried to assign geometry to an ex-vengeance demon?
"That's even harder to do. Involuntary casting is all about emotion - it's pretty much nature drawing on your energy instead of the other way around. So things happen that you don't really mean to have happen, but there's no way light stuff would get through a dark magick shell," she said.
"But why not?" Giles pressed further. "If it's based on emotion, and the person is experiencing positive emotions … ?"
"Doesn't matter. The negative energy in the dark magick stuff counteracts it. It's like … involuntary magick is extraordinarily powerful," Anya said slowly, her eyes narrowing as she tried to order her thoughts in her mind. "It's … it isn't cast. It just IS. Someone who is free of all opposite influences, like free from light magick if you're a dark practitioner, or vice versa if you're the opposite - they don't say some words and toss some ingredients - the underlying forces of magick just kind of … move themselves through these pure conduits and do things."
"' For the Two shall become as One, and the Song of the Heart will be heard, Resonating through the fabric of all Creation. No Darkness can face this Light,'" Giles quoted softly, a thoughtful look on his face. "Tell me, Anya," Giles requested. "Can the dark magick shell be temporarily dispelled? Through light magick?" he asked.
"Well, yeah," Anya said. "In fact, it can be destroyed altogether if its not being rebuilt. That's basically what Mary Ellen's baking soda is doing. It's breaking up the dark magick barrier, but the Trickster keeps sending more, so it replaces itself."
"Then that still brings us back to stopping the Trickster outright," Giles said with a sigh.
"But that's my job," Buffy piped in. "I fight Evil. I go out, I hit it really hard, it goes away. That's how it's done," she insisted.
"Yes, well, not in this case," Giles said, pulling another of Tara's family books towards him and opening the cover. He frowned, recognizing the first passage immediately. "Though I'm loathe to think it, it's likely that only Willow and Tara can stop him."
"But - I'm Action Buffy. Well, I >should< be Action Buffy. Now I'm Sit Here And Wait Buffy. I hate that," she groused.
"By all means, go out and patrol," Giles said absently, grabbing another text and opening it to cross-reference the passage. "The Evil Dead certainly aren't going to sit around while we do our research."
"Patrol?" Buffy asked, perking up and looking longingly at the door. Her gaze fell back on the books. She looked back at the door. Willow needed her. Willow needed this research to get done so that she'd be all right. But hadn't she done a lot already?
"You could maybe check out Willie's," Xander offered slowly, seeing how antsy his friend was. "You know, see if you can get the skinny on this Trickster guy from the local demons. Maybe find out where the Construct is, or if there's anybody else working for him we need to worry about it."
"Great idea, Xander," Buffy said, her eyes lighting up. "Dawn, don't stay up too late," she said, standing and kissing her sister briefly on the forehead. Dawn got the long-suffering look on her face only a teenager could pull off, but leaned towards the contact, rolling her eyes even as she stifled a smile. "I'll be back after a few sweeps and a run by Willie's. You guys gonna' handle dinner?"
"I'm on it," Xander assured her.
"I'll go, too," Spike said, rising to his feet. "Watch your back and all."
"I'll be fine, Spike," Buffy said absently, missing the look of hurt that crossed his face as she grabbed a coat and some weapons.
"Yes, I dare say you should remain here," Giles said with a frown. He certainly didn't like having Spike around, but he liked the idea of Spike tagging after Buffy even less. "We're already losing one pair of eyes. If you're going to be useful, get back to reading."
"Fine," Spike said stiffly, sitting down and picking his book up as Buffy left the house.
Buffy jogged lightly to the street, warming up her stiff limbs, then kicking up to a faster pace. She felt all weird after sitting still for so long, pouring over books and attempting to get some meaning out of cryptic words that hadn't even made sense when they had been written down hundreds of years ago.
Research really wasn't her thing.
But this was. She took a deep breath, feeling the cool night air enter her lungs, crisp and clean. She dodged the glow of the streetlamps, instinctually keeping to the shadows. It had been something of a revelation when she had first noticed doing that. After returning from … heaven? … she had stayed away from bright lights, keeping to the darkness as much as possible.
It had been disturbing at first, when she had noticed it, but now it was just kind of … comforting. Like a security blanket, in a way. She hated the violence and the pain that fighting brought, but there was this strange quality to the darkness that made her feel safe. It struck a chord in her being that vibrated through her and told her that this was where she was needed, where she was in control, and where she belonged. The night was her time.
The day was filled with bills and chores and responsibilities she had never been adequately prepared for. The night, however, was something she had lived in for the past six years, and it was an old friend in comparison. A friend with violent tendencies, sure, but a friend nonetheless.
Had she felt this way Before? She couldn't remember. She knew that she had felt very differently about a lot of things Before, and since coming back, she wasn't always clear on where the lines were drawn. Or maybe there were no lines. Maybe there were squiggly dashes in random patterns that only made sense from way up high, and if you tilted your head to one side and kind of squinted.
Still, she felt at peace here, in the graveyard. She walked along the pathway between the stones that jutted from the earth, some new and clean, standing straight, the others old and worn and askew. There were many graveyards in Sunnydale, of course. Between the high daily body count and the walking dead, there was a pretty big demand for them. But since she had been back, this one called to her. Like she belonged here, walking among the dead.
In a way, she herself was the walking dead. Buffy shivered, then felt a strange but familiar tightening in her stomach. She found a stake in her hand before she had time to even process the signals her senses were sending to her, and then she was rolling away as a dark form went sailing over her head.
She came to her feet in a flash, the sharp piece of wood in her hand finding the heart of her victim and dispersing it in a shower of ash. The tingling, however, didn't stop.
Before she could puzzle out the full ramifications of that, an orderly group of vampires stood before her, lined up three by two and standing at attention.
"You see the price of disorder?" a vampire said, stepping from the shadows. "The rash one is naught but dust, and even the Slayer is given pause as she looks upon us."
"Oh, I'm just deciding which one of you to introduce to Mr. Pointy first," Buffy said, getting into a fighting stance and eyeing them speculatively.
"Attack," the lead vampire said, and the vampires advanced.
Six to one. This, Buffy mused, was likely to get interesting.
The front three reached her as she held her ground, swiveling to and fro to keep each in her sights. A well-coordinated attack followed, each moving in simultaneously instead of watching like idiots, only to find an empty space where Buffy had been as she rolled backwards out of the way.
They continued advancing slowly, gauging their opponent. They had heard of the Slayer. Who hadn't? But they had also heard that she had been gone that summer, and had been different upon her return. And their newfound tactics gave them an air of cool confidence as their stolen blood sang in their veins, calling for the kill. And for the blood of the Slayer.
"Y'know, as fascinating as this is," Buffy said casually, backing up a step for each step they advanced. "I have a bartender to interrogate," she finished, hopping onto the gravestone she knew was behind her. A quick underhanded stab slipped right by one vamps defenses as the other two tackled her off her perch. She fell heavily to the ground, but her arm was free, having been swung away from her body when the two vamps had connected.
She brought her arm back around swiftly, finding one vamps heart through his back and blinking and grimacing in the subsequent shower of dust. The third vamp pinned her arm, moving his head to her neck. Buffy struggled, trying to flip the vamp over, but found herself unable to move her arms. In a last ditch effort, she partially sat up, effectively pressing her neck into the vampire's face.
He tried to latch on, just barely breaking the skin when Buffy rocked back suddenly, using her knees to send the vampire flying over her head. She rolled to her feet once again and saw the other three vampires moving carefully around the gravestone.
"Okay, four to one," she muttered, pulling another stake from her jacket, twirling them in her hands and turning her body and backing away so that all four vampires were in her line of sight.
[This message has been edited by Sassette (edited March 28, 2002).]
IP: LoggedwiccachicaCool Monster Fighter And Panties from Pixie!
You make a Union girl proud!
Having a tough time writing? Much wishes for you that your muse returns in full force with She-ra battle armour on, Sass!
n
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"You're *NOT* the source of me." - Buffy
" I mock you with my monkey pants!" -Oz
" Tremble!" Gachnar (Fear Itself)
IP: Logged
posted March 28, 2002 11:29 Yeah! A post from Sass!And Panties from Pixie!
You make a Union girl proud!
Having a tough time writing? Much wishes for you that your muse returns in full force with She-ra battle armour on, Sass!
n
------------------
"You're *NOT* the source of me." - Buffy
" I mock you with my monkey pants!" -Oz
" Tremble!" Gachnar (Fear Itself)
IP: LoggedSassetteCool Monster Fighter **Bag O'Bones: Oh, geeeze ... that doesn't sound like fun at all. I'll be sending you shiny happy good-health vibes, and I really hope you feel better soon.
**Pixie: I truly appreciate your graciousness in the equitable distribution of panties. I hadn't realized how important it was to make sure everyone HAD them ... what with everyone being 'pantiless'. Something to ponder as the day goes by ...
**Mufin: Damn, you're smart. I got your email with your new e-dress, btw ... and yes, I'm laughing *G*
**nika: Omigod! Plaid! You said 'plaid'!!! I >love< plaid. Plaid makes my little heart sing with the Joy of Creation, and my mind do a little Happy Polka of Strange Color Combinations in Eye Searing Patterns ... my favorite is the Buchanan plaid. Good LORD that's a plaid!
**mollyig: Heh ... yeah, I do that once in awhile. Glad you liked it *G*
**GreenNeutron: No, Xander didn't JINX them ... he just ... okay, okay, he jinxed them Seriously, though, this Hell God has been around for a VERY long time, messing with them, so ... it's difficult to pin this one on Xander. Though I expect people will keep trying.
**Sassette: What is this CRAP? Have you forgotten how to write? Seriously -- it's trite, it's boring, and it's not up to your usual standard. You should seriously give this up now.
**wiccachica: You know, it's been MANY years since She-Ra has crossed my mind. I'm going to go get some coffee and hope that my coworkers don't notice me giggling madly. She-Ra, Princess of Power, indeed.
-Sass
IP: Logged
posted March 28, 2002 12:43 **canadian kitty: Heh, sorry about that. Didn't mean to stress you ... hope you enjoyed the beer.**Bag O'Bones: Oh, geeeze ... that doesn't sound like fun at all. I'll be sending you shiny happy good-health vibes, and I really hope you feel better soon.
**Pixie: I truly appreciate your graciousness in the equitable distribution of panties. I hadn't realized how important it was to make sure everyone HAD them ... what with everyone being 'pantiless'. Something to ponder as the day goes by ...
**Mufin: Damn, you're smart. I got your email with your new e-dress, btw ... and yes, I'm laughing *G*
**nika: Omigod! Plaid! You said 'plaid'!!! I >love< plaid. Plaid makes my little heart sing with the Joy of Creation, and my mind do a little Happy Polka of Strange Color Combinations in Eye Searing Patterns ... my favorite is the Buchanan plaid. Good LORD that's a plaid!
**mollyig: Heh ... yeah, I do that once in awhile. Glad you liked it *G*
**GreenNeutron: No, Xander didn't JINX them ... he just ... okay, okay, he jinxed them Seriously, though, this Hell God has been around for a VERY long time, messing with them, so ... it's difficult to pin this one on Xander. Though I expect people will keep trying.
**Sassette: What is this CRAP? Have you forgotten how to write? Seriously -- it's trite, it's boring, and it's not up to your usual standard. You should seriously give this up now.
**wiccachica: You know, it's been MANY years since She-Ra has crossed my mind. I'm going to go get some coffee and hope that my coworkers don't notice me giggling madly. She-Ra, Princess of Power, indeed.
-Sass
IP: LoggedGrimaldiFloating Rose ------------------
"I don't care if it is an orgy of death, there's still such a thing as a napkin." Willow, Superstar
"I want my room to be Willow-friendly." Tara, New Moon Rising
"I present to you, the 5 assed monkey"
"Now who put his who-who-dilly in your cha-cha?"
IP: Logged
posted March 28, 2002 13:05 thanks for the update, patiently waiting for more------------------
"I don't care if it is an orgy of death, there's still such a thing as a napkin." Willow, Superstar
"I want my room to be Willow-friendly." Tara, New Moon Rising
"I present to you, the 5 assed monkey"
"Now who put his who-who-dilly in your cha-cha?"
The Trickster is getting stronger. Interesting.
IP: Logged
posted March 28, 2002 13:25 Nice update and don't you DARE feel guilty about not have W/T in every update. You are correctly writing this as if it were the show...where all the charicters are important, and in your care, 3 dimentional too. Nice update, looking forward to seeing the rest.The Trickster is getting stronger. Interesting.
IP: LoggedPuffGay Now! ------------------
Beep, beep
IP: Logged
posted March 28, 2002 13:47 Oh an update *does dance of joy* thanks Sass------------------
Beep, beep
quote:
Originally posted by Sassette:
**NewRuthRising: Well, I appreciate your ATTEMPT at patience. Glad you like the fic, and I'll try to post soon. Just for you
-Sass
WOOHOO! Anything else you'll do 'just for me'?
IP: Logged
posted March 28, 2002 14:11quote:
Originally posted by Sassette:
**NewRuthRising: Well, I appreciate your ATTEMPT at patience. Glad you like the fic, and I'll try to post soon. Just for you
-Sass
WOOHOO! Anything else you'll do 'just for me'?
quote:IP: LoggedSassetteCool Monster Fighter **YuriPup: Yeah, I know, but I'm looking forward to the W/T stuff I have planned. In fact, I'm thinking of changing the ending a little (in case anyone is wondering, Yuri is currently the only one who knows EVERYTHING that I have planned *G* He's a great sounding-board, even if I disagree with him a lot ) And I knew I could count on you to notice, and comment upon, The Trickster's growing strength.
**Puff: *joins in the dance of joy because, y'know, it's fun and stuff* You're very welcome, Puff *G*
**NewRuthRising: Well, there's ... no ... or I could ... nope, not that either ... hmmm... how about it I ... ? Schnikeys. Nope. Can't think of a darn thing I wouldn't just hand out to anyone who asked nicely.
*blink blink* Okay, now that sounds just wrong.
-Sass
IP: Logged
posted March 28, 2002 14:39 **Grimaldi: Ahh, and that's the statement that gets me every time ... "patiently waiting" ... so, you're being patient, so there's no actual >>pressure<<, but still - you're waiting, and so I feel like I should, y'know, do some writing *G* I'll get the next part of this update up as soon as I am able.**YuriPup: Yeah, I know, but I'm looking forward to the W/T stuff I have planned. In fact, I'm thinking of changing the ending a little (in case anyone is wondering, Yuri is currently the only one who knows EVERYTHING that I have planned *G* He's a great sounding-board, even if I disagree with him a lot ) And I knew I could count on you to notice, and comment upon, The Trickster's growing strength.
**Puff: *joins in the dance of joy because, y'know, it's fun and stuff* You're very welcome, Puff *G*
**NewRuthRising: Well, there's ... no ... or I could ... nope, not that either ... hmmm... how about it I ... ? Schnikeys. Nope. Can't think of a darn thing I wouldn't just hand out to anyone who asked nicely.
*blink blink* Okay, now that sounds just wrong.
-Sass
IP: LoggedGreenNeutronFloating Rose ------------------
~Mel
IP: Logged
posted March 28, 2002 14:51 Yay for updates!------------------
~Mel
IP: Logged
posted March 28, 2002 15:45 Awesome update Sass, even if there wasn't any Tara and Willow goodness, at least their getting closer to a cure..I hope..IP: LoggedjomarchCool Monster Fighter Take your time (read please hurry, suspense is killing me). I truly understand that wrting, good writing takes time (read - you're frigging great at it, wow). Thanks for this great installment (read - where's the othert parts, damn it )
Thanks Sass for the update, will gather smittens and practice with new panties (not wearing them, just flinging them)
IP: Logged
posted March 28, 2002 16:06 YES, update from Sassette is like manna from heaven.Take your time (read please hurry, suspense is killing me). I truly understand that wrting, good writing takes time (read - you're frigging great at it, wow). Thanks for this great installment (read - where's the othert parts, damn it )
Thanks Sass for the update, will gather smittens and practice with new panties (not wearing them, just flinging them)
IP: LoggedCajjyBlessed Wannabe THANK YOU!!!!!
IP: Logged
posted March 28, 2002 17:35 What can I say Sassette, I just read the entire thing in 1 day. Unbelievable. You've made me laugh, you've made me cry. Hehe, you made me laugh and cry at the same time.THANK YOU!!!!!
by Sassette » Wed Mar 27, 2002 11:09 am
It's the "oh, I'll just lie down for a minute ... ZZzzzZZZzzz ... Huh? What? Why is it 10pm already?"
**NewRuthRising: Well, I appreciate your ATTEMPT at patience. Glad you like the fic, and I'll try to post soon. Just for you
**W.I.: Well, yeah - of course it was a challenge *G* I'm just that kind of girl. Hmmm ... on the porch, huh? Against the railing? I wonder how sturdy that thing is ...
**wiccachica: Dearest of Wiccachica's ... you will always be number 700 in my heart. Umm... wait - that didn't quite come out right, did it? And thank you - I spend far too much time thinking about that sort of thing ... and I really liked your response as well ... I know I certainly let my imagination run around a lot more when I was a kid than I do today, and it's really nice to get some of that back writing.
**Pixie: Heh ... okay, YOU'RE post number 700. Congratulations. Here's some more panties. Don't ask whose they are, though, 'cuz I, uhh ... I don't actually know. *sheepish look* Women just fling them at me.
**GreenNeutron: Withdrawals!? But then, if I post an update, I'll be an enabler! A dirty FILTHY >>>ENABLER!!!!<<< *SOBS*
"Pssst ... Sass ..."
Yeah?
"Technically, you're the dealer."
I am?
"That's right."
Oh, okay. I'll get an update asap, then, provided I don't get home tonight and immediately lose consciousness.
-Sass
by Bobo's Mom » Wed Mar 27, 2002 11:24 am
------------------
TARA: Willow and I always know how to find each other!
ANYA: With yoga?
****************
BUFFYBOT: That'll put marzipan in your pie plate, bingo!
by wiccachica » Wed Mar 27, 2002 11:31 am
Wait a minute....
PIXIE got panties? I'M # 700 in your heart, and PIXIE got panties?
*crickets chirp*
That's it...I'm going on strike....
UNION NOW!
STRIKE! STRIKE! I'M ON STRIKE! PANTIES FOR ONE...PANTIES FOR EVERYONE! PANTIES FOR ONE....PANTIES FOR ALL!!!!
( I hope you come out of your slump too...I'm sorta slumping myself today....but no Sass fic = no joy in my otherwise mundane day....)
------------------
"You're *NOT* the source of me." - Buffy
" I mock you with my monkey pants!" -Oz
" Tremble!" Gachnar (Fear Itself)
by Sassette » Wed Mar 27, 2002 3:28 pm
**wiccachica: I'm sorry to have both stolen your joy and deprived you of well-deserved panties. Here ... you can have this special pair with the little hearts on them and the number '700' written on the little hearts. Please come back from your strike, for a day without wiccachica is like a day without caffeine ... you can puzzle that one out yourself *G* And I hope your troll is back in the swing of things soon ... 'cuz 'The Late Shift' rocks.
-Sass
by canadian kitty » Wed Mar 27, 2002 7:47 pm
The apocalypse is at hand. I will of course deal with this in a quiet and dignified manner. Which is to say I will grab the six pack of Heineken from the fridge, crawl under my desk and try to keep the whimpering to a minimum as I rock back and forth.
CK
------------------
"Do you wanna go out some time, for coffee, food, kisses and gay love?" Willow - Normal Again.
by Bag O'Bones » Wed Mar 27, 2002 8:53 pm
so anymore of these long delays between updates could potentially kill and innocent high school senior. and you would not want my death on your conscience, would you?
sorry about the whole quilt trip but it had to be done. if this is not enough to convince you then i could throw in a pair of panties, too :-)
-bag
[This message has been edited by Bag O'Bones (edited March 27, 2002).]
by Pixie » Wed Mar 27, 2002 9:04 pm
quote:
Originally posted by wiccachica:
PIXIE got panties? I'M # 700 in your heart, and PIXIE got panties?UNION NOW!
STRIKE! STRIKE! I'M ON STRIKE! PANTIES FOR ONE...PANTIES FOR EVERYONE! PANTIES FOR ONE....PANTIES FOR ALL!!!!
ROTFLMAO!! Please, wiccachica, no! A day without updates from you and Sass - Oh the humanity!! Uh, maybe I have a solution. *Pixie pulls out her stash of panties that she has collected throughout the thread, and hands out panties to all members of the Smitten Squad, making sure that no one gets their original pair.* Is that better? Have we achieved an equitable resolution? Whew! It's a good idea I threw that bag o' panties into my suitcase when I came down to visit my parents for Passover. BTW, Sass, your panties are still framed and kept in the a place of honor on the Smitten Squad practice field. No one is gettin' those!
Sass, I hope you feel better soon! Still smitten!
[This message has been edited by Pixie (edited March 27, 2002).]
quote:by Mufin » Thu Mar 28, 2002 6:29 am
by nika » Thu Mar 28, 2002 7:54 am
Now what to wear today? cheerleading gear or catholic school girl outfit? *gets misty eyed and smiley at catholic school memories*
I think I'll go for the plaid skirt, he-he if sister mary margaret ever found out what angela and I did in the utility closet the beads of her rosary would surely pop.
------------------
"The word 'GULP!'comes to mind." Tara
by mollyig » Thu Mar 28, 2002 8:48 am
". . . if I had just been faster, or smarter, or if I’d had more magic, I could’ve stopped … oh God, I could’ve stopped Glory," Willow said desperately, stopping in her tracks, her body shaking.
"Glory’s gone, Willow - and I doubt we’ll ever have to deal with another Hell God," Xander said.
Sass - yer bloody brilliant!
------------------
"I could paint you in the dark cause I've studied you with hunger as a work of art"
Collecting You - Indigo Girls
by GreenNeutron » Thu Mar 28, 2002 8:56 am
quote:
". . . if I had just been faster, or smarter, or if I’d had more magic, I could’ve stopped … oh God, I could’ve stopped Glory," Willow said desperately, stopping in her tracks, her body shaking."Glory’s gone, Willow - and I doubt we’ll ever have to deal with another Hell God," Xander said.
[/B]
Oh no! Xander jinxed them!
------------------
~Mel
by Sassette » Thu Mar 28, 2002 9:18 am
Anyway ... this isn't even HALF an update ... it's like, ONE-THIRD of an update. But still, it's what I have done, and I don't want to bum anyone out by not updating today.
HOWEVER ... There is NO Willow/Tara in this update. Sorry. There WILL be LOTS of Willow/Tara in the last parts of the update, but none right now. I just haven't gotten to that part yet.
Title: Answering Darkness Part 41a - Resonance
Author: Sassette
Feedback: Can be sent to pink_overalls@yahoo.com
Summary: The Scoobies figure out a few things. Buffy figures out a few things. Willow and Tara figure out a few things.
Spoiler Warning: Up to and including "Tabula Rasa" in Season 6.
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. I'm just borrowing them because Season 6 angst is running high, and I want my happy ending now, dammit! So I'm writing it … but it'll be awhile until I get to that part, so bear with me (or "bare" with me if you're naughty).
Rating: PG-13
Notes: For the purpose of this story, all events of Tabula Rasa took place exactly as shown in the series; however, no subsequent episodes will affect this piece. We're splitting from canon here - this was MEANT to be a quick and easy reconciliation fic … but it just didn't turn out that way. Stupid Hell God … Stupid Plot … getting in the way of my snugglies, damnit. Freakin' Angst. Grrrr.
Answering Darkness Part 41a
Resonance
By Sassette
"Well, that's really quite … beautiful," Giles murmured, tracing the line of text with his fingers. He held the book reverently, honored by the trust Tara had placed in him when he had placed it into his hands. It was a book she had been keeping in its place in its trunk, intending to read it herself. There were three such books, each one handwritten by one of the MaClay women - the summation of their endless search to rid themselves of a Demon that had never existed.
Tara had emerged from her room briefly, carrying three books with her and explaining that she and Willow had just shared a dream. At first he had been shocked, then angry at the gross irresponsibility inherent in casting spells together, only to be calmed and chagrined when Tara had explained that their dream-sharing had been an accident.
Still, she needed to know how they had done it, and she hoped the answers would lie within this text, or one of the two others sitting on the table waiting for him.
She had insisted on staying to help with the research, only to be voted down unanimously by the rest of the Scoobies who told her that her place was upstairs. Buffy had reaffirmed her promise to wake them later and bring them food, but for now, Tara's place was with Willow, she had said. After a few token arguments, Tara had acquiesced, and now Giles was reading the gentle flowing script of Tara's mother.
It seemed to be a large assortment of things. Spells, passages from other texts, rituals and prayers, all put together in one place. All spoke of light defeating the darkness, filled with hope and longing and warnings against folly. Each was beautiful in its own way, but the passage he was currently on struck a chord within him, for he recognized its truth in the two young women who were resting together upstairs.
"Woe to the Child who embraces the Darkness in the name of Love, for Love will be smothered by that Darkness," he murmured, reading the words aloud. "And the Darkness will grow and fester, cursing her existence and her Love until it is faced with Love's Light. For the Two shall become as One, and the Song of the Heart will be heard, Resonating through the fabric of all Creation. No Darkness can face this Light. No Darkness can face this Love. Its Beauty will make the Good-hearted weep, and the Evil cower. The Darkness may swallow the Light, but the Light will dispel the Dark, drive it from the soul, for where Love is given and accepted freely, no Evil may flourish."
"That's … kinda' nice," Buffy said softly, having stopped her own reading to listen to Giles' words. "I mean, the whole bit with the growing and the festering isn't of the good, but the rest of it is … I like it."
"Me too," Dawn said with a smile. "Does that mean Willow's gonna' be okay?" she asked hopefully.
"I'm not sure," Giles said, gingerly turning the page, being extremely careful with what was both an heirloom and a rather impressive text. "There's an accompanying spell …" he said, trailing off as he read the words.
He snapped the book shut and removed his glasses, pulling out a handkerchief and cleaning them industriously.
"Well? Will it help?" Dawn asked, confused by Giles' actions. Didn't he want to read the spell and figure out if it would help Willow?
"The spell seems to be … of a somewhat … personal nature," Giles hedged, coughing lightly. "I think it's best that Tara read it for herself."
"It doesn't matter," Spike said with a frown, looking up from his book briefly, then going back to reading. That Hell God may be a blighter who was picking on the wrong group of people, but Spike had to admit - he had style. Sure, he preferred the whole 'maiming and killing' angle himself, but that didn't mean he couldn't appreciate a well-thought-out plan. Especially one that got results like this. He chuckled softly, then turned the page.
"And what do you mean by that, ol' Spikey-boy?" Xander asked in a deceptively mild tone, his features hard and cold as he regarded the vampire.
Spike looked up and stared back at Xander. "All I'm saying is, you got two witches, one who is off the mojo. They can't cast a spell together. Willow casts, the dark magick takes over, ruins the effect of the spell anyway because it can't be cast with dark magicks, and then Boom! Evil Willow runs off and opens the Hellmouth."
"Spike," Giles said, returning his glasses to his face and leveling a glare at the vampire. "I'm not going to pretend to have any idea why you're here and ostensibly helping. However, let me make one thing perfectly clear. I would as soon drive a stake through your heart as look at you. If you have something constructive to add, do so. Otherwise, do shut up."
"You think it isn't constructive to point out why Willow casting magick is a bad idea?" Spike asked incredulously. "Am I the only one in this room who realizes that magick has a price? That when you send that stuff out to the universe, it comes back for you?"
"And what I'm saying," Giles said carefully, "is that this will be Tara and Willow's decision, not ours."
"So you're going to just let them do something to destroy the world as you know it?" Spike shot back.
"I trust them, Spike," Giles said, stressing the 'them' in his statement. "They'll do the right thing, and as far as we've been able to tell, they're the only two who can do anything."
"And can I just point out how much that sucks?" Buffy said, a full-fledged Slayer-frown crossing her face. "Who made it 'Pick on the Wiccans' month, anyway?" she demanded to no one in particular. "Hello? I'm the Slayer. I get to be in danger. It's my job. Would the Universe please stop messing with my friends?"
"I'm not even sure which part of that statement to start disagreeing with first," Giles said, a look of ultimate annoyance crossing his face. Buffy had to smile a little at that look. Was it weird that she missed that look? "But all signs seem to indicate that Willow and Tara's involvement in this issue would have happened no matter what other outside influences arose," Giles continued. "Perhaps they would have met earlier, or later, but they would have met. And together, they might be able to stop him."
"I'm back," Anya announced, a wide grin on her face as she entered the room. "I grabbed everything I could find on reincarnation and the human soul," she said proudly, moving to go sit next to Xander. "Though I could probably tell you most of what's in there," she tacked on, frowning at Giles.
"Oh, yes, thank you, Anya," Giles said, looking up at the ex-demon before turning back to his books.
"So anything new?" Anya asked. "Do we know why Willow could cast a spell without casting a spell yet?"
"No, we don't," Xander said, patting her knee and kissing her lightly in greeting.
"How about how she was able to get past the dark magick?" she pressed on.
"What?" Giles asked, the question catching his attention.
"How she got past the dark magick," Anya repeated as if speaking to a small child. She sighed when she saw the blank look on Giles' face. "Dark magick and light magick don't mix. They're like oil and water," Anya explained. "That's in its pure form. When it's mixed in something, they react badly, each on destroying the other. Like the crackly yuck stuff and the baking soda. Someone like Willow is naturally light with a little bit of darkness. When more darkness gets piled on top of that, it covers up the light magick, like a shell. Light magick has to punch through that shell to be cast. The dark magick basically won't let her cast any light magick without some serious power output on her part," Anya explained.
"How about involuntary casting?" Giles questioned, his sharp gaze fixed on Anya, making her fidget in her seat like she had when she got stuck in high school and hadn't done her homework. What kind of idiot tried to assign geometry to an ex-vengeance demon?
"That's even harder to do. Involuntary casting is all about emotion - it's pretty much nature drawing on your energy instead of the other way around. So things happen that you don't really mean to have happen, but there's no way light stuff would get through a dark magick shell," she said.
"But why not?" Giles pressed further. "If it's based on emotion, and the person is experiencing positive emotions … ?"
"Doesn't matter. The negative energy in the dark magick stuff counteracts it. It's like … involuntary magick is extraordinarily powerful," Anya said slowly, her eyes narrowing as she tried to order her thoughts in her mind. "It's … it isn't cast. It just IS. Someone who is free of all opposite influences, like free from light magick if you're a dark practitioner, or vice versa if you're the opposite - they don't say some words and toss some ingredients - the underlying forces of magick just kind of … move themselves through these pure conduits and do things."
"' For the Two shall become as One, and the Song of the Heart will be heard, Resonating through the fabric of all Creation. No Darkness can face this Light,'" Giles quoted softly, a thoughtful look on his face. "Tell me, Anya," Giles requested. "Can the dark magick shell be temporarily dispelled? Through light magick?" he asked.
"Well, yeah," Anya said. "In fact, it can be destroyed altogether if its not being rebuilt. That's basically what Mary Ellen's baking soda is doing. It's breaking up the dark magick barrier, but the Trickster keeps sending more, so it replaces itself."
"Then that still brings us back to stopping the Trickster outright," Giles said with a sigh.
"But that's my job," Buffy piped in. "I fight Evil. I go out, I hit it really hard, it goes away. That's how it's done," she insisted.
"Yes, well, not in this case," Giles said, pulling another of Tara's family books towards him and opening the cover. He frowned, recognizing the first passage immediately. "Though I'm loathe to think it, it's likely that only Willow and Tara can stop him."
"But - I'm Action Buffy. Well, I >should< be Action Buffy. Now I'm Sit Here And Wait Buffy. I hate that," she groused.
"By all means, go out and patrol," Giles said absently, grabbing another text and opening it to cross-reference the passage. "The Evil Dead certainly aren't going to sit around while we do our research."
"Patrol?" Buffy asked, perking up and looking longingly at the door. Her gaze fell back on the books. She looked back at the door. Willow needed her. Willow needed this research to get done so that she'd be all right. But hadn't she done a lot already?
"You could maybe check out Willie's," Xander offered slowly, seeing how antsy his friend was. "You know, see if you can get the skinny on this Trickster guy from the local demons. Maybe find out where the Construct is, or if there's anybody else working for him we need to worry about it."
"Great idea, Xander," Buffy said, her eyes lighting up. "Dawn, don't stay up too late," she said, standing and kissing her sister briefly on the forehead. Dawn got the long-suffering look on her face only a teenager could pull off, but leaned towards the contact, rolling her eyes even as she stifled a smile. "I'll be back after a few sweeps and a run by Willie's. You guys gonna' handle dinner?"
"I'm on it," Xander assured her.
"I'll go, too," Spike said, rising to his feet. "Watch your back and all."
"I'll be fine, Spike," Buffy said absently, missing the look of hurt that crossed his face as she grabbed a coat and some weapons.
"Yes, I dare say you should remain here," Giles said with a frown. He certainly didn't like having Spike around, but he liked the idea of Spike tagging after Buffy even less. "We're already losing one pair of eyes. If you're going to be useful, get back to reading."
"Fine," Spike said stiffly, sitting down and picking his book up as Buffy left the house.
Buffy jogged lightly to the street, warming up her stiff limbs, then kicking up to a faster pace. She felt all weird after sitting still for so long, pouring over books and attempting to get some meaning out of cryptic words that hadn't even made sense when they had been written down hundreds of years ago.
Research really wasn't her thing.
But this was. She took a deep breath, feeling the cool night air enter her lungs, crisp and clean. She dodged the glow of the streetlamps, instinctually keeping to the shadows. It had been something of a revelation when she had first noticed doing that. After returning from … heaven? … she had stayed away from bright lights, keeping to the darkness as much as possible.
It had been disturbing at first, when she had noticed it, but now it was just kind of … comforting. Like a security blanket, in a way. She hated the violence and the pain that fighting brought, but there was this strange quality to the darkness that made her feel safe. It struck a chord in her being that vibrated through her and told her that this was where she was needed, where she was in control, and where she belonged. The night was her time.
The day was filled with bills and chores and responsibilities she had never been adequately prepared for. The night, however, was something she had lived in for the past six years, and it was an old friend in comparison. A friend with violent tendencies, sure, but a friend nonetheless.
Had she felt this way Before? She couldn't remember. She knew that she had felt very differently about a lot of things Before, and since coming back, she wasn't always clear on where the lines were drawn. Or maybe there were no lines. Maybe there were squiggly dashes in random patterns that only made sense from way up high, and if you tilted your head to one side and kind of squinted.
Still, she felt at peace here, in the graveyard. She walked along the pathway between the stones that jutted from the earth, some new and clean, standing straight, the others old and worn and askew. There were many graveyards in Sunnydale, of course. Between the high daily body count and the walking dead, there was a pretty big demand for them. But since she had been back, this one called to her. Like she belonged here, walking among the dead.
In a way, she herself was the walking dead. Buffy shivered, then felt a strange but familiar tightening in her stomach. She found a stake in her hand before she had time to even process the signals her senses were sending to her, and then she was rolling away as a dark form went sailing over her head.
She came to her feet in a flash, the sharp piece of wood in her hand finding the heart of her victim and dispersing it in a shower of ash. The tingling, however, didn't stop.
Before she could puzzle out the full ramifications of that, an orderly group of vampires stood before her, lined up three by two and standing at attention.
"You see the price of disorder?" a vampire said, stepping from the shadows. "The rash one is naught but dust, and even the Slayer is given pause as she looks upon us."
"Oh, I'm just deciding which one of you to introduce to Mr. Pointy first," Buffy said, getting into a fighting stance and eyeing them speculatively.
"Attack," the lead vampire said, and the vampires advanced.
Six to one. This, Buffy mused, was likely to get interesting.
The front three reached her as she held her ground, swiveling to and fro to keep each in her sights. A well-coordinated attack followed, each moving in simultaneously instead of watching like idiots, only to find an empty space where Buffy had been as she rolled backwards out of the way.
They continued advancing slowly, gauging their opponent. They had heard of the Slayer. Who hadn't? But they had also heard that she had been gone that summer, and had been different upon her return. And their newfound tactics gave them an air of cool confidence as their stolen blood sang in their veins, calling for the kill. And for the blood of the Slayer.
"Y'know, as fascinating as this is," Buffy said casually, backing up a step for each step they advanced. "I have a bartender to interrogate," she finished, hopping onto the gravestone she knew was behind her. A quick underhanded stab slipped right by one vamps defenses as the other two tackled her off her perch. She fell heavily to the ground, but her arm was free, having been swung away from her body when the two vamps had connected.
She brought her arm back around swiftly, finding one vamps heart through his back and blinking and grimacing in the subsequent shower of dust. The third vamp pinned her arm, moving his head to her neck. Buffy struggled, trying to flip the vamp over, but found herself unable to move her arms. In a last ditch effort, she partially sat up, effectively pressing her neck into the vampire's face.
He tried to latch on, just barely breaking the skin when Buffy rocked back suddenly, using her knees to send the vampire flying over her head. She rolled to her feet once again and saw the other three vampires moving carefully around the gravestone.
"Okay, four to one," she muttered, pulling another stake from her jacket, twirling them in her hands and turning her body and backing away so that all four vampires were in her line of sight.
[This message has been edited by Sassette (edited March 28, 2002).]
by wiccachica » Thu Mar 28, 2002 9:29 am
And Panties from Pixie!
You make a Union girl proud!
Having a tough time writing? Much wishes for you that your muse returns in full force with She-ra battle armour on, Sass!
n
------------------
"You're *NOT* the source of me." - Buffy
" I mock you with my monkey pants!" -Oz
" Tremble!" Gachnar (Fear Itself)
by Sassette » Thu Mar 28, 2002 10:43 am
**Bag O'Bones: Oh, geeeze ... that doesn't sound like fun at all. I'll be sending you shiny happy good-health vibes, and I really hope you feel better soon.
**Pixie: I truly appreciate your graciousness in the equitable distribution of panties. I hadn't realized how important it was to make sure everyone HAD them ... what with everyone being 'pantiless'. Something to ponder as the day goes by ...
**Mufin: Damn, you're smart. I got your email with your new e-dress, btw ... and yes, I'm laughing *G*
**nika: Omigod! Plaid! You said 'plaid'!!! I >love< plaid. Plaid makes my little heart sing with the Joy of Creation, and my mind do a little Happy Polka of Strange Color Combinations in Eye Searing Patterns ... my favorite is the Buchanan plaid. Good LORD that's a plaid!
**mollyig: Heh ... yeah, I do that once in awhile. Glad you liked it *G*
**GreenNeutron: No, Xander didn't JINX them ... he just ... okay, okay, he jinxed them Seriously, though, this Hell God has been around for a VERY long time, messing with them, so ... it's difficult to pin this one on Xander. Though I expect people will keep trying.
**Sassette: What is this CRAP? Have you forgotten how to write? Seriously -- it's trite, it's boring, and it's not up to your usual standard. You should seriously give this up now.
**wiccachica: You know, it's been MANY years since She-Ra has crossed my mind. I'm going to go get some coffee and hope that my coworkers don't notice me giggling madly. She-Ra, Princess of Power, indeed.
-Sass
by Grimaldi » Thu Mar 28, 2002 11:05 am
------------------
"I don't care if it is an orgy of death, there's still such a thing as a napkin." Willow, Superstar
"I want my room to be Willow-friendly." Tara, New Moon Rising
"I present to you, the 5 assed monkey"
"Now who put his who-who-dilly in your cha-cha?"
by YuriPup » Thu Mar 28, 2002 11:25 am
The Trickster is getting stronger. Interesting.
by Puff » Thu Mar 28, 2002 11:47 am
------------------
Beep, beep
by NewRuthRising » Thu Mar 28, 2002 12:11 pm
quote:
Originally posted by Sassette:
**NewRuthRising: Well, I appreciate your ATTEMPT at patience. Glad you like the fic, and I'll try to post soon. Just for you
-Sass
WOOHOO! Anything else you'll do 'just for me'?
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