New Fic: Tar'airah

[Artemis]

Buffy and Faith make a good slapstick pair; who'd ha' thought? Poor Tara, trying to put the brakes on feelings which, to judge by the way they keep barging into her thoughts, aren't really willing to be put off



In answer to your earlier question, no, I haven't seen through the plan - I'm still puzzling over what Willow and Tara have planned, come to that, but I just figure it's the nature of plans to go awry and force our lovely heroines to improvise at crucial moments. That's practically what plans are *for*



Glad you like the Tar'airah picture.



Chris Cook

alia.customer.netspace.net.au/glass.htm

Through the Looking-glass: A Willow and Tara for every world.

[mollyig]

Having been away sick and internetless for two weeks, I was glad I got the time to catch up on this fine story. Love the natural trust that has occurred between Willow and Tara, and the cuckoo couple Buffy and Faith.



Sorry the response is so short, but I'm actually meant to be working!

---

Sheacht mh'anam déag do bhéal, do mhalaí's do ghrua

[tarawhipped]

I've been meaning to leave a quick note just to say how much I'm enjoying this fic. Every update has me loving it more. Tara's thoughts throughout had me , especially the "how stupid do they think I am/how stupid are they" sequence. Buffy and Faith seem to be the Rosencrantz and Guildenstern of Amazonia, which is just brilliant. Interesting that Tara didn't correct their belief that Willow's a boy. I wonder if that's part of the escape plan, or if she's just afraid of revealing her feelings?



Can't wait for more!

-Cameron

[amazonaa]

I can't wait to see what's going to happen.





great job. More soon, please.







brittney









~Kiss this axe, bitch!---Tara "Bargaining part 2"~

[BurningWhiteRose]

The idea of a society where being straight is odd...That got me...GOOD



That and Buffy/Faith banter...



You had me with the Willow/Tara wrestling but geeze...



Ya really know how to get a gal ADDICTED!



Sincerely,

BWR

***

If homosexuals dont reproduce, why are there so many of them?-Jim David

[shuyaku]

You know for someone who is like the scourge of her tribe, Tar'airah certainly has a lot of um... *clears throat* admirers. Parhamia gives me the creepy old man creeps (even though she is a female). Don't like her at all



-shuyaku

Oh God, Willow—you’re giving me the gift of Karen Carpenter. Just when I think I grasp the full extent of your love." - Tara

"Why do birds suddenly appear? It’s because, you are queer…" - Willow (Gods Served and Abandoned by AntigoneUnbound)

[Spikeizmine87]

Grr Im late again! This is not my fault though! Forgive me for being late with the feedback! Please? Ok. And yes! Thanks to me no one would even be reading this update! hahaha...Im so proud of myself! "sniff" Well im always here to give someone a nice shove in the right direction! So, there will be no more of the writers block! I mean, I dont want you to quit writting this unlike other people who were considered goddesses...on to my feedback!!



Loved this update!! "spins around in circles" YAY! Love the way Buffy and Faith act, they play off eachother so well! And willow...where willow!! Fun update, and you better write more missy! I dont want to have to beat you! That would just be no good at all!!

-Rose

How can I tell you I love you without the fear of your rejection?



Im so in love and its hurting.

[Tempest Duer]

Okay, I'm purring. The update was hilarious... Tara afraid that Buffy would think she was straight... That's just too funny. But, well... Tara cannot marry an old lady, because she belongs with Willow.

It's insulting to the whole gender[sic] of rap.



~Eminem

[everbreeze]

I thought Tara meant the mountains where the bards would gather and sing of great deeds of kings and worriors....??? But I could be wrong......

[visual fallacy]

Argh! There I was sat at work thinking I'd not been on the kitten board in ages, and in my lunch hour I stumble across this, was addicted within two minutes and now spend every minute of the day checking for updates (which sometimes is very difficult with the boss hanging over my shoulder!)



Fantastic story... my imaginations in overdrive...aided by your kick ass pictures! Keep it up

[Kajun]

Hey.. you tell that Piranha.. I mean Perhamia to back off!! Tara belongs to Willow. I’m not seeing why the heck Tar’ would want to belong to this group of Amazons anyway. That whole ‘come out of the hut’ deal had me laughing my arse off! Now.. let’s get with the escaping.. soon please? You did say.. “actually continued..”

[thebardgirl]

HELLO kittens! I'm oh-so-happy with the responses, and must say I just LOVE having fine, fantastic readers. I'm sorry for the delay, but ironically it's because I've been writing alot, thinking alot about this story and umm...well, finally getting a huge-fantastic-grip on the story's final plot and ending. So, yay. Here are the replies, and soon, and right after, an update.



WickedReds- thanks, Ah, see the moment of Buffy thinking Tara's sexuality was different is a great example of my sense of humor. I've always tried to put the world in that perspective where, "what if (and why gosh darnit not?!) being STRAIGHT was wierd? Hmm...act on their feelings? Good idea...well, at least you'll get some action now, i mean. Wait, that didn't come out right. I meant there's an update...yeah, that's what i meant. Hey, go you and your Bannana. Does it like the Beegees as well?



LunaMuses- Go you, and your swift feedbacking! *Hugs* thanks, i appreciate it. But, he's doing so much better than had he not gone in earlier, so all's okay, for now. Yes, Buffy and Faith are my fav. characters to mess with at this point in time--I don't know why.



taramagic- Yes! Faith and Buffy are oh-so-much-fun to write as of now. Course, *grumble grumble* I'll have to take a detour from humor in this update, hope you don't mind. Hmm and tara-feelings...*sweet*



Artemis- Yup, that they do. But only when they're around each other, oh wait, that's how i'm always going to write them. Hmm. Well, then, I guess they are the slapstick duo for the story. Yay! True, feeling-breakage hurts; you're always bound to break something. Oh good, cause I was wondering if you had figured it all out, even when I hadn't even figured it all out and then started wondering if I should make the kittens of the board write the rest--they might do it faster *snicker* so, yeah... and yes! the picture is fabulous. Thanks again, Chris.



mollyig- Oh dear, sick? I'm sorry to hear that. Glad you're feeling better, and you're using my fic as your proverbial medicine. Yay. Uh oh, you're not working when you're supposed to be? Bad, mollyig, bad. Watch out, or I'll have to thwack you for your insubordination.



tarawhipped- Oh, thanks, dude! I love quick notes about love, especially concerning my fiction. Yay. OH cool, I'm glad you like the Tara-thoughts, it's fun to play with humorous timing and whatnot. Ah, you like Rozencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead? Good movie. Quite comical, and I'm glad my Faith and Buffy remind you of them. Ooo yes, Willow' hidden identity will play a big part in this story--not necessarily for their escape, but for now we shall see them hiding it for their advantage. Thanks again, Cameron.



amazonaa- Cool. I hope you like update, then, and enjoy it's insanity as I know it.



BurningWhiteRose- AHAH! See? That's what I always think before a stereotype or jive is thrown my way. "What if being STRAIGHT was odd?" I always think that...and I'm oh-so-glad I finally got to use it. Never occured to me before to use it...oh cool, I've hooked you. Yay. Addiction can be good, concerning fanfiction, although updates are slower than I normally want them to be.



shuyaku- Alot of admirers? I can only remember the one at the moment....who else is breathing down her neck nastily? Ahah, good, you get the creepy vibes I was getting writing her. Yayers. I don't like her much, either to tell you the truth. But ah, well. She's fun to annoy others with.



Spikeizmine- Hey, no worries. I'm always late with feedback and updating now. so, eh. No writers block? Well, it's true. I don't have anymore of that. Only now, with the overload of non-writer's block, I have my ideas bubbling and making it impossible to update quickly--I'm always typing it seems. Thanks, Buffy and Faith are definitely my new 'comic relief'; Buffy alone was that in my last story. You're going to beat me? I hope in the fun way--if there is one. *is frightened and scampers away*



Tempest Duer- Good kitty, *strokes back* Ah, yes...in my world being straight IS wierd--but I have to keep that to myself else the heteros would attack me. True, Tara belongs to Willow...alas, others don't seem to see that, and also, try to stop that whole "yours/mine" thing from happening.



everbreeze- Hmm....you know, you're probably right. But Tar'airah, well that's something COMPLETELY different. *Snicker* You gotta love my translations...they are so bad, it's funny.



visual fallacy- Thankyou, I'm so glad to have snagged you into my insane, crazy world. I'm also glad that you're back at the kitten board--there's no reason for me to stay away from it for ages, unfortunately I am obsessed. Ahah! You'r addicted, *does happy evil dance of addiction* Another one reading at work *tisk tisk* Thankyou, I hope you enjoy this story to the max--I'm writing like an insane crazy fiend, and oh cool you liked the sketches too. Yay! *does victory dance* Hope you enjoy the awaited update.



Kajun- Personally, I'm afraid to tell that woman anything. I know I wrote her, but...she scares me. Hmm...well, Tara is certainly apart of the tribe whether or not she wants to be at this point. Ahah! You like the coming out joke as well....I'm glad to have hit the funny bone of this board; I've been aiming for so long...escape? Oh right, update! Right, here I go with the "continued" part....enjoy!









p.s. oh and by the way, if an author makes a reference to another piece of literature possibly not in the time-frame the author is writing in....that wouldn't be bad? Would it? *gulp*

Last night in sweet slumber I dreamed I did see my own precious jewel sat smiling by me.

And when I awakened I found it not so; my eyes like some fountain with tears overflowed.

[thebardgirl]

Please enjoy, it's a bit of a ride, and kind of umm...serious. dun, dun, dun but good-serious. I think, well, I'm not sure, you'll see.











Chapter 10





The blond amazon, upon entering the small hut, was immediately embraced by the smaller body of a panicked redhead.



“TARA! Oh, god. I thought I’d lost you!” She clamped onto the amazon’s bare shoulders and apparently wouldn’t let go.



A breath that Willow had been holding seemed to escape from her nervous mouth, along with a few words as well, “I couldn’t get to sleep for the rest of the night, and I know you said you’d be back later, but after I waited all morning, a-and you didn’t show, I figured it had all been a dream and that in fact, I hadn’t been abducted by bloodthirsty amazons. But then, when the guards came ‘round, they very quickly disproved that theory with sharp, pointy staffs and several jabs at my ribcage. And by the way, in any language, and in any culture I’m sure the universal “ow!” is understood. I finally scared them off, though, by grumbling with a deep growl—apparently you’re not the only one to have fallen for the ‘drag’ trick…” Tara just stood there, soaking in the elongated babble, with the gorgeous girl wrapped around her own ribcage.



I’m not supposed to let her get close. I’m not supposed to allow my attraction get the better of me. I’m not supposed to enjoy this…but…



“…But the whole experience was highly rude, if you ask me. I can’t tell you how happy I am you’re here!” came the final words and a strong squeeze for emphasis.



She missed me.



All previous “final decisions” floated out of her brain along with her logic, sense of surroundings and the feeling in her knees. It took Tara a few moments to realize they were in silence once more. The only thought that registered in her brain was the fact that Willow had been waiting for her return, wanted her to come back—even after…everything. The silence could not survive, though, with that darned impending awkwardness. So Tara squeaked out under the arms of the redhead a response.



“Wow.”



Willow finally broke away from her death-grip of a hug and questioned, “huh?”



“You’re uh, ability to talk,” Tara stated smiling,” and talk, and talk…”



“I see where you’re going with this, Miss amazonia,” Willow said mock-miffed, “but if we’re to be friends, you must know that in no way am I a pithy-person.”



“I can see.”



“Then again, if you don’t want to be friends, I-I understand, I just assu—“



“Willow,” Tara interjected softly, “I already know you’re a friend. Don’t ask me why, or how, but I trust you.”



The safari-traveler could only smile a mile-wide grin in response.



“I’m sorry about this morning,” Tara said casting her eyes down sadly, “I-I didn’t want to leave you alone, and if I had known I’d have told the guards you were diseased and not to touch you or something…”



“Thanks...” came the wry voice.



“I should have warned you.”



“Warned me?”



“During the Seven Days the overseer of the ceremony p-prepares f-for the night rituals, the parts where you and I are stuck together—alone,” the amazon said, shakily the last word escaped.



“Is that why some weird lady came in early today and dumped those bowls of pudding next to the bed?” Willow asked.



“Yes, a-and it isn’t pudding—it’s paint.”



“Paint?”



“Dye, really. You’ll see, I’ll take you th-through every ritual step by step,” Tara said soothingly. She then began to worry over how much she was asking of the redhead, “b-but if you want out, if you don’t want to go through wit—“



“I trust you,” Willow said evenly. The blond smiled back, upon which the redhead added, “like you for me.”



Tara smiled back again, gratefully, “none of the Days involve any violence, or pain before the final one, I swear.”



“Okay, as long as there aren’t any kinky-bondage rituals, I’ll be fine,” Willow deadpanned.



Tara stared for a moment, wondering if the traveler was serious.



“Um…n-no not to my knowledge.”



“Remember the whole ‘get a sense of humor’ thing I told you about?” The redhead admonished wagging her finger at the girl. The blond smirked and grabbed the offending wrist, bending it back with a swift movement. Willow looked up fearfully, there wasn’t any pain—yet.



“Yes. I also remember enjoying the substitute of flipping you much more than the average joke.”



“Touché,” she gulped.



Silence enfolded the two again. It seemed to stalk their conversations whenever it rounded onto the touchy subject of their touching. Tara cleared her throat and released the soft skin.



“Well, should we get down to this ritual, then?”



“Sure, if it helps the allusion of you killing me, I’m in. What do we have to do?” Willow asked eyeing the dye uncertainly. She moved towards it and sat down on the ground as Tara did, picking the bowl up carefully.



“Well, normally we paint the ceremonial markings of the tribe, on our f-faces and umm…other parts,” Tara said uncertainly, “It’s called the ‘cleansing process’ or ‘lithiahu’iliah’ which basically allows our bodies to be sacrificed to the will of the goddess in the end. B-but seeing as you don’t know the ritualistic markings or how to—“



“You do it,” Willow said and then realizing the demand for what it was added, in compromise, “a-a-and in recompense I could do yours, I’ll just repeat whatever you do and everything will be just peachy.”



“O-okay,” she said, “I’ll translate the chants to English for you.” Tara inwardly groaned.



Willow doesn’t know what she’s asking me for, though.



“Fine,” Willow said grinning. She knew exactly what she was asking Tara to do.



Tara’s going to touch my face, Tara’s going to touch my face, Tara’s going to touch my face, so what if it’s to prepare me to be sacrificed? Tara’s going to touch my face! Willow’s thoughts bubbled happily.



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





Who knew amazon rituals were so time consuming? Willow certainly didn’t. It took a while for her to register just how long she’d be sitting cross-legged before her foot had fallen asleep, in protest of the uncomfortable position. However, there was nothing short of boredom in the small hut; both girls were completely absorbed in one another, regardless of the ritual.



What started out as simple face painting began to turn into an intense period of silence. It sliced through all conversation when the blond amazon began speaking the ancient words of her people.



“Lithiahu’iliah, beagia uhujai juii,” she said softly, whilst tenderly smearing the sticky liquid in a line from the redhead’s widow’s peak down to her lips. When Tara had reached the final destination, it took most of Willow’s will power not to kiss the tempting finger. But before she knew it, Tara’s hand was gone. The girl translated the words for Willow, “Let the lithiahu’iliah begin.”



Willow repeated the whole process; causing Tara’s primal instincts to get the better of her when the redhead’s fingers brushed against her own rosy lips. The sensation alone of Willow-skin on her mouth caused the blond to slowly heat up—inside out.



“Lithiahu’iliah, beagia uhujai juii,” she whispered.



“Y-you don’t h-have to s-say it in a-amazonian,” Tara whispered, drugged by the feel of the girl’s hand. Yet, she was amazed that the girl could memorize—and pronounce—her native tongue so well, so quickly.



“I’m a fast learner,” Willow said staring intently at the girl in front of her.



The blond merely nodded, then looked down at her friend’s jacket questioningly. She mutely tugged at the unwanted garment in signal to the redhead. Willow instinctively tore the garment off revealing a button-up white shirt. The blond patted her own skin below the collarbone and without further encouragement the redhead began to undo each button, revealing more skin, causing the blond to question when and if it would end. Lower. Lower. Just a little lower…



Tara wondered why the redhead had been so trusting as to comply with her silent request. For all she knew, it was practical joke. And yet, Willow said she trusted her.



She trusts me.



So she reached out—a little too fast for her liking at first—to stop the redhead, who numbly ceased in her undressing.



It’s okay, her eyes seemed to say.



Willow took the smile and beautiful eyes staring at her kindly to be a good sign, and forgot the momentary embarrassment at her eagerness to strip for the girl.



Perve. Total, utter perve.



Tara shook her head of all thoughts—naughty or normal—and went back to staring at the bowl questioning inwardly what she had meant with the semi-strip in the first place.



Upon remembrance, she dipped her right hand facedown into the bowl, while holding it with the other. She held her palm forward to Willow and breathed heavily, “Muheia carazonia, courpaina, iah poliah ‘ah ju,” with the last word she pressed her open palm onto the girl’s upper chest.



Willow’s breath hitched.



Hand. Hand. HAND.



“My heart, my body, my soul,” Tara said trembling with her hand still placed on the girl’s bare skin, “to you,” she gulped.



Willow never once blinked. She kept her eyes directly boring into Tara’s. If she had tried to look down and see what she felt, fainting might’ve become an issue.



Keep your eyes up. Don’t look down. Keep your eyes up. Pay no attention to that hand behind the curtain. Wait, the problem is the lack there of a curtain. There is no curtain! I want a curtain! Why did I strip away the curtain?



Tara slowly removed her hand and offered the bowl numbly to Willow. Lucky for the redhead the blonde’s upper chest was already open to the air due to her peoples’ version of a shirt.



Willow placed her hand down into the liquid substance, slowly withdrawing it and saying the words again. She lifted her hand to the girl’s upper chest, almost fearfully.



“Muheia, carazonia, courpaina, iah poliah ‘ah ju,” with the last word the redhead touched the blonde’s skin and electricity shot from the girl’s hand, into her heart.



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



A flash outside the hut shot through the night air. Buf’aneah and Fa’aithlia looked up questioningly.



It was normal for rain in this country, encouraged among the crop growers. But this air-fire, this instantaneous and untamed flash of light and power, feared among those that had last witnessed it cross their borders, wasn’t. Those that had those memories were rare among the sisters. It had been ages since a light-producing storm. They had ended, hadn’t they? With the placement of the trees, and the protection spirits adorned on the borders of their community, the fire-air had ended.



The blond and brunette looked back at each other. A mutual thought was written on each girl’s face.



What the hell?



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



“Alakia, alarespira, uh veradija ,” Tara said slowly holding her hand up, face forward, no longer needing translation, as Willow mimicked word for word, holding up her palm to Tara’s.



“Alakia, alarespira uhi veradija.”



So stand, so breathe, so be true.



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



“Buf’aneah!” came a shout from the dark. A young girl, raced up to the guards, who, at the moment were looking up at the now-dark sky.



“Akhia, what’s the matter?” Buf’ said questioningly. This girl was an apprentice of hers, a warrior-to-be that Buf’aneah had personally started training no less than a few months ago. She had only just reached her 13th year.



“The Trees!”



“What, what’s wrong with the trees?” the blond said, trying to calm the young girl down.



“I don’t know, I-I-I was just standing there, gathering wood, because Thea told me to, and then I heard a loud crack and I didn’t know what was happening so I screamed out, and then started running…and, the sky! The sky was on fire! I saw the flames! I saw them, reaching out to my skin, so I ran and kept running and…” she was breathing herself ragged from the force of her words.



Fa’aithlia knelt down slowly next to the frightened child, “breathe,” the girl did as she was told, “Now, go slow, you say you saw the sky on fire?”



The little girl nodded vehemently at the question, and croaked out, “The tree’s were burning under the light. The largest was struck under the force, and a limb came down almost on me. It was burning, Buf’aneah. It was burning,” she said going pale looking at the blond.



“Go to Thea, Akhia, tell her what you saw. NOW,” Buf’aneah said urgently. The little girl scampered off into the semi-dark towards Thea’s hut. The sun was already below the earth’s horizon and a light blue was fading into the deep black of the east.



“Burning?” Fa’aithlia questioned, worriedly, “that can’t be right, the Trees are protected against wind, water and fire. Do you think she was telling the truth?”



“I don’t know. I’ve never seen her this scared,” she replied, “The air-flames haven’t been…”



“It can’t be them! They were banished with the evils of the world…it just can’t…” Fa’aithlia said disbelieving.



“We did see the light, Fa’aithlia,” Buf’aneah reasoned.



“Well, why didn't we hear it?”



CRACK!



The guards looked up again at the sky, now fuming with clouds and thunder. With a short glance at each other they decided to move—quickly.



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



Slowly, women, children and elders alike emerged from their huts, questioningly looking up to the sky. A universal fear rose among the women, and several questioning glances, fearful looks formed into one final thought.



The moved, almost as one towards their last resort for protection and safety. The stronghold of Thea’s guidance would prove to be useful, perhaps explanatory of the sky’s sudden ferocity.



Nothing but the sound of feet padding against ground could be heard as the walked, jogged and ran to her.



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





The two girls inside were sweating profusely from the overwhelming heat that was being produced in the small hut. Why, neither could answer. It was slightly confusing to say the least; Tara could hear a strong wind right outside the hut, and night was falling fast.



CRACK!



Suddenly, the sky seemed to erupt outside in several elongated booms, and both girls’ attentions snapped to the curtain’s being pulled back. Willow instinctively dived for her helmet, and jacket, shielding the intruders’ sight. The redhead barely made it to the slim shadows the hut allowed with the small torch burning on the inside.



She kept her head tilted down with a small view of two women walking in and stayed silent as Tara looked on questioningly. When a voice sounded from behind her, though, she understood the urgency in Willow’s actions.



“Tar’airah, eh celesatia, eh infeireania…ehes acki” a small blond said coming towards Tara. She sounded vulnerable and frightened to Willow—a child lost to its home.



The blond amazon Willow had readily stripped for began to stand, with a worried expression on her face. She exchanged a few words with the small blond when a brunette that Willow hadn’t seen before stepped forward into the torchlight nearby, confirming whatever the other had said before.



Something was wrong. Willow could feel it. And she could make it out on the face of the blond.



Tara seemed torn, forced to leave the very thing she was protecting. She slowly walked back to Willow’s slumped form, touching her arm slightly, and whispered as carefully as possible, “I must go. The others say they need me at the tribe’s Order. The weather…” Tara looked down, as if trying to explain to a very quiet, very still Willow, “the weather frightens them so…”



A few more words escaped the smaller blonde’s mouth pulling Tara—her Tara—away. The amazon began to stand once more when Willow’s hand shot out grasping the young woman’s arm, alarming the guards to step forward, staffs at ready.



Tara glanced over consolingly to quell the violent intentions of her companions. Once they’re staffs seemed suppressed, Tara looked down questioningly at the figure of her friend, and saw the glow of green beckoning to her from the dark of the hut’s shadows.



“Be…” Willow croaked, “Be…careful.” And with that she let go. Tara smiled, too subtle for any real effect, yet enough for Willow—it was always enough—and turned towards her colleagues.



“Umbraihia,” she whispered. And slowly the girl’s walked out, one by one. With one last look, Tara pulled back the curtain in pursuit of her friends.



And Willow was alone.



Please, let her be safe.



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





Buf’aneah had raced into the hut, so as to notify Tar’airah as quickly as possible. Surely, she had heard the calamity outside? But as she came into view it took the capture’s reaction to raise attention to their entry.



“Tar’airah, the sky, the air-flames…they’re here,” Buf’aneah said breathlessly.



“Here?” Tar’airah said standing.



“Yes, it’s true, tell her, Fa’aith!”



“Buf’aneah and I were standing, waiting as usual and we saw it for our very own eyes.”



“Then they are here…” Tar’airah said slowly, her mind seemed to churn as what to do next. She walked towards the figure of the small boy and knelt down to him, touching his upper arm softly—a gesture of kindness and familiarity if Buf’aneah ever saw one, but that was another fault waiting to be dealt with later—and spoke to him in a language foreign to her ears. The one-sided conversation seemed over as Tar’airah pulled away when the small figure went for her arm, frantically—it didn’t want to let go. Buf’aneah and Fa’aithlia instinctively went to protect their friend when it seemed Tar’airah wanted nothing to do with their help, and showed them so, with a glare.



Fa’aithlia and Buf’aneah backed off respectively, as the small figure said something barely audible to their ears. Fa’aithlia couldn’t help but think something else had just passed before their eyes—something quiet, and powerful.



The thought would have to be sedated for the moment, though; her tribe was in danger, and that was all that could be processed at the moment.



“Come on, Tar’airah, let’s go,” Buf’aneah whined slightly.



Tar’airah stood up slowly, and turned towards her friends once more, “I’ll follow.”



Buf’aneah and Fa’aithlia stepped out, with Tar’airah slowly after them. Other amazons were racing towards the home of their elders, and mistress, Thea. Fearful glances were shot every which way as each woman, and girl made their way to the sanctuary of Thea’s care. One amazon was standing still though, Fa’aithlia realized. Tar’airah would not move from the front of the hut.



What is wrong with her?



Fa’aithlia approached her and tugged at her arm, once more. Unshed tears shone in the blonde’s eyes, Fa’aithlia could see.



“It’ll be alright, Tar’airah, you’ll see,” Fa’aith said comfortingly, “Thea will tell us what’s wrong, help us understand. Come on, we must go to her, we’ll be safe there,” she said encouraging the blonde’s movement.



Tara was numb from the feel of rain dripping on her bare skin, watching her family run towards their shelter, their solace, their peace, while she was walking away from hers.



Please, let her be safe.







tbc...















-elizabeth

Last night in sweet slumber I dreamed I did see my own precious jewel sat smiling by me.

And when I awakened I found it not so; my eyes like some fountain with tears overflowed.

[BurningWhiteRose]

OOOOOOOH!!



Is it...



Is it just...



Lightning?



I mean...



SCARY?



Poor Tara...she doesnt want to leave Willow.



And Poor Willow...she's so lost...



Sincerely,

BWR

***

If homosexuals dont reproduce, why are there so many of them?-Jim David

Edited by: BurningWhiteRose  at: 8/10/04 8:33 pm

[LunaMuses]

hey Elizabeth,



I'm glad he's doing ok ^^



this update was well worth the wait! awesome heh much as I enjoyed the Buffy/Faith slapstick, it's not as much fun as plain ol' fashioned W/T-goodness ;P



and what's all this about the fires and lightning? doesn't sound good, but I'm on the edge of my seat!



keep up the great work!!

[WickedReds]

Mmm kinda creepy... is was just lighting... right???

i got a good on the whole kinky-bondage ritual... to funny.. and yes my banana loves the Beegees...



-reds



Ah,hahaha, stayin alive

[thebardgirl]

BurningWhiteRose-Is it just lightning? Why, yes. Unfortunately, my amazons have had bad (and I mean BAD) times with it. The story shall unfold muwhahahaha....and I know, it sounds silly for them, but if you've ever been in the middle of a huge storm--it isn't so non-scary. I swear. Mmmhmm....Willow and tara separated unwillingly! How tragic, how painful...how grand for fiction. Thanks for reading, again.



LunaMuses- hey dude, Thanks. I'm glad that you're liking the story--I'm turning...serious now. But, no fretting! Because the Lightning will get things going quicker, I believe. I hope. I'm glad you're on the edge of your seat, but please! Don't fall off! *places pillow under you* Thanks, I hope to update again, some time....possibly towards the end of this week...who knows?



WickedReds- Just a little creepy, i know. And yes, IT WAS JUST LIGHTNING. But, man....am I the only one that's been in the middle of a storm? Ahah, you like kinky bondage? I'll be sure to write that in somewhere... "Willow and Tara suddenly caught up in the moment---REDS LIKES KINKY BONDAGE!" how'zat? And whether you're a kinky, and whether you're had a drinky, you're playin' tonight, playin' tonight, oh yeah.





-elizabeth

Last night in sweet slumber I dreamed I did see my own precious jewel sat smiling by me.

And when I awakened I found it not so; my eyes like some fountain with tears overflowed.

[Disastered]

That whole ritual thing was very sexy. It kind of reminded me of the flaming o spell without the actual flaming o part. Just the whole atmosphere of it.

Is it weird that I think it's cute they're scared of lighting? Like a little kid. Although the thunder is what always got me.

Oh and the hug and the babble at the beginning was too adorable.

I love this story so keep it up!

"I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints." -Billy Joel

[mollyig]

Quote:

---

both girls were completely absorbed in one another, regardless of the ritual.

---

The ritual giving them the perfect excuse to touch the other. Willow's excitement that Tara was going to touch her face was adorable.



I'm interested in finding out the reason the weather has turned so inclement; is it just coincidence that it started just as the ritual was begun?



Thanks for the update.

---

Sheacht mh'anam déag do bhéal, do mhalaí's do ghrua

[Artemis]

Let's hear it for rituals! Perfect excuse to touch each other, as has been noted. I'm wondering though, does it mean something different if they put the ceremonial paint on each other, as opposed to applying it to themselves? Just curious. I like the device you've used several times now, of running through a portion of a scene as Willow sees it, then going through the same events from an Amazon point of view, or vice versa. Interesting technique.



Chris Cook

alia.customer.netspace.net.au/glass.htm

Through the Looking-glass: A Willow and Tara for every world.

[LunaMuses]

oh, serious is more than okay! I love the angsty, drama-y stuff



hehe, I have a pillow booster seat now! Maybe I can pass for tall? (haha yeah right...)



end of the week update, sweet ^^



till then!

"I was disappointed. I had thought I would have some revelation of specific evil. I wondered if all women did with other women was lie and hug."
The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

[Arwen276]

her family?? she considers Willow as hers?? BEAUTIFUL!



I love the way you're writing the ritual the whole build up...it's like the nether realms spell, but more tribal, and sexy and well ! I CAN'T WAIT FOR MORE!



And what's the deal with the fire-air thingie whatever? maybe Tara and Willow caused it? Nah, it's more apocalyptic than that!



anyway, loved it! more!





~The Queen

Hear That Baby? You're My Always... Willow

[amazonaa]

Ya!!! Willow is hers.



But now Willow is all alone and Tara has to leave her there. What if something happens.





Can't wait for more.





brittney







~Kiss this axe, bitch!---Tara "Bargaining part 2"~

[taramagic]

oh willow is so lost now!! hope tara is coming back!!

but they are so cute!!! with the ritual..liked it

[veiled isis moon]

Hey you crazy person! Hows you? Sorry i havn't been around but i've been on holiday and i get back and whatdoyaknow-you've updated-twice! I'm so happy And erm.........hello?..........where's my straddling???? I did not see no straddling what so ever in any of those updates. Soon..........please???



Great writing as usual. You deserve a medal......lots of them!



Michelle.x

[Spikeizmine87]

Im breakin my posting rule here, only for you elizabeth!





Yay for the update! This long, great, amazing, freaking AWESOME update! I loved the ritual!! <3 HANDS HANDS HANDS! hahaha...loves it!! What the frilly heck, is that lighting? Im thinkin its lighting...cause if it is...well then the amazons are wimps! haha....ok you need more with the updatey goodness! Cause even though im gone, im still checkin! If theres a lull in updates i will have to assume writers block and slap you around for a while and we dont want that! Anyhoo, more soonish cause I LOVES THIS FIC!

-rose

So I found out some things about you. You're not the girl I thought i knew. I found out I wasnt perfect enough for you. I found out that my love will never be good enough.

[visual fallacy]

That was a brilliant update! I hate that Im so addicted to this (but you know I love it really!) Had to make sure I got a desk in the corner today at work, so I could read the board to my hearts content and no one can see my monitor! *evil laughter!*



Though I must say I am very worried about whats around the corner... sat on the edge of my office swivel chair!

[RaVeN]

coming from someone that has never watched am episode od xena I must say this is wonderful. Thanks

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

To see her was to love her, and love no one but her.. and to love forever...

[Tempest Duer]

I like lightning. It's shiny.

It's insulting to the whole gender[sic] of rap.



~Eminem

[thebardgirl]

Hello kittens! I've been writing for over an hour now, sitting down at my computer, and low and behold an update was created. (Hopefully not too late for the "end of the week" as I had a promised one kitten.) And so, I give you replies....and soonish an update.







Disastered- Sexy? I can write sexy? *does victory dance* Thanks! I've been striving to get over my own discomfort with writing "sexy" stuff. If you think I'm getting somewhere with that, them I'm doing my job as a writer with expanding my horizons. And yes, I wanted the painting ritual to imitate the same sexual tension of the flaming O spell. No, not wierd. Funny, actually that you think they're cute little scared amazons. I'll introduce you to one, some time. Then tell me how cute you think they are. 'Kay? Thankyou, so much for reading.



mollyig- I got quoted! *does big silly happy dance* Yup. perfect excuse to touch. Ingenius, no? Or perhaps I'm just a perve that wants them to touch inappropriately...hmm...well, I don't care if I am. Do you? Cause I'll stop with the sexual tension, just say the word...Oooo just coincidence, you ask? Well, this update will explain a leetle, perhaps, perhaps. Thanks for reading!



Artemis- Whoo! Yup, I believe "rituals" should be mandatory when moving into college dorms. I mean...*ahem*...with specific cute girls, of course. OOoo did the painting-job do it? Hmm....good question. Well, I guess you'll just have to wait and find out, cause the plot has been put into motion; nothing can stop it now! *cackles* Thankyou, the "device" as you put it, is something that I use generally for clarification purposes intended for those that don't speak fluent amazonian. And seeing as I'm included in that majority, I felt it was necessary to write scenes from our ignorant view (Willow's perspective) and the amazonian one. Thankyou for noticing my efforts at creativity.



LunaMuses-you love angst? Hmm....*jots this down with glasses on tip of nose*...intoresting....Oooo you're short too? I am the shortest gal I know, personally, but if you're under 5 feet, then you beat me. And I'm sorry for not getting this update in sooner. But it IS saturday night, and I figured that could pass for the "end of the week" seeing as it is part of the "weekend." I don't know, did I convince you at all? Nah...didn't think so...thanks for reading!



Arwen276-Thankyou, the rituals shall prove to be a ventilation for the sexual tension between the two. Only problem is, I don't know how long our girls will last with the pressure...hee...I can't wait to see...and yes, the ritual was based off of the flaming O spell...you're the second to say it had a "sexy" quality, and I thank you for it. I was really trying to emit that feeling for that portion of the chapter--it's hard to write what you don't know, so I was worried I'd come off sounding ignorant. You think Tara and Willow caused the fire-air thingie? Oh, wait, you don't think that. Too apocalyptic? Hmm..well, then, I guess this story really is like Buffy. Wierd...and thankyou, oh Queen of the amazons! *bows and retreats wielding update*



amazonaa-Hey, you're bouncin'! I can see it! Willow is hers, eh? I thought we already knew that...damn, oh, wait, you meant in this story! Yet again, I say, I thought we already knew that. Meh, guess it's because I didn't write that. Ah, well, glad you're liking it. It's true the gals are alone, but hey, they'll be back together again, soon! I swear. I just not....now. Thanks for reading!



taramagic-Yay! I'm glad you liked it. Have no fear, Willow isn't lost...she's just misplaced in confusion and delusion. In what crazy dictionary is that lost? Hope you like the update.



veiled isis moon-crazy person? I no crazy. Insane, perhaps. But not crazy. Holiday? Brilliant! Where to? Oh, erp....you wanted straddling now? Meh...shouldah told me. Because now I've gone into "serious" mode....and for some reason straddling doesn't ring "serious" to me...I can't promise anything as of now...but in the future, there will be fun-fun-fun of all sorts between our gals. Oooo a medal? I want a medal! Like in the olympics! I could run a fanfic marathon! Thanks for reading...



Spikeizmine87-you have posting rules? Didn't know that....pray tell, which one are you breaking now? Thankyou, I'm glad that you liked the update, it was a hard one to crack out. The amazons are wimps, you say? Well, I'll introduce you to one along with Disastered. You two can tell me how wimpy they are after showing you their multi-colored weaponry and infinite knowledge of flipping-techniques. Have fun, rose! Oh, and enjoy the update.



visual fallacy-Thanks, and yay! You're addicted! I mean, addiction=bad, but my for my fanfic=good, so yay! *snicker* you have to hide the monitor from prying eyes too? I found myself doing that alot with unwanted visitors in the room that had the family computer at home. Oh dear, you're worried, as well? Hmm....well, that makes two of us. Personally, I'm frightened for my favorite redhead, (again) but, eh, it'll pass. I just have to keep reminding myself that I'm the one in control of the story...and any harm that comes her or her better half's way is all due to me. Ha. Get it? M.E. Sorry...bad joke. *leaves wondering why she attempts conversation*



RaVeN-Cool! I love it when I've captured a non-xena-fan. That means you like the story purely for my sick, sick, twisted mind! I mean....Thanks!! Hope you enjoy the update.

Last night in sweet slumber I dreamed I did see my own precious jewel sat smiling by me.

And when I awakened I found it not so; my eyes like some fountain with tears overflowed.