------------------
"i don't get wild, wild on me equals 'spaz'"
"i worship beelzebub! i do his bidding. do you see any goats around? no! because i sacrificed them! all bow before SATAN!
by geekgod » Mon Aug 13, 2001 7:11 pm
------------------
"i don't get wild, wild on me equals 'spaz'"
"i worship beelzebub! i do his bidding. do you see any goats around? no! because i sacrificed them! all bow before SATAN!
by xita » Mon Aug 13, 2001 7:26 pm
HAHAHA that is so funny, I cracked up when I read that. Thanks zahir.
an it's nice to see w/t are finally getting cut some slack, especially from xander.
by Rane » Mon Aug 13, 2001 7:41 pm
by Zahir » Mon Aug 13, 2001 9:10 pm
quote:
Originally posted by xita:
Oh dear god, what was i thinking, I coulda.....HAHAHA that is so funny, I cracked up when I read that. Thanks zahir.
You're welcome, Xita. I've been looking forward to this moment for about three chapters, ever since I decided VampTara needed a kitty.
------------------
"O let my name be in the Book of Love.
If it be there, I care not of
That other book Above...
Strike it out! Or write it in anew.
But let it be in the Book of Love!"
--Omar Kyam
by karenk » Mon Aug 13, 2001 9:33 pm
by TwiLightJoy » Mon Aug 13, 2001 9:34 pm
~Joy
by tommo » Mon Aug 13, 2001 11:27 pm
------------------
"She looked across at Willow, whose face was filled with light. She had never felt so calm and happy, and strong..." ~ Unseen: Door To Alternity
by Wonko » Tue Aug 14, 2001 7:01 am
------------------
Words from Wonko
The MKF Appreciation Society - All Miss Kitty all the Time!
by Zahir » Thu Aug 16, 2001 3:24 pm
* * *
INTERLUDE
"I don't mean to be rude..."
"Oh, not at all! You're my guest, after all."
"Very well."
"Yes?"
"Where am I?"
"Somewhere safe."
"Really?"
"Of course. Don't you feel safe?"
"Well..."
"Oh dear. I fear my hosting duties are ending up neglected. One of the perils of bachelorhood, I fear. Can I get you anything? Some tea? Cocoa? Perhaps some homemade cookies? I have some..."
"No, that's all right."
"You're sure?"
"Positive. Later maybe."
"A rain check."
"Exactly."
"I'll hold you to that."
A very pregnant pause.
"May I ask another question?"
"Well, why not?"
"Who are you? And--I know this is a second question, but still--who am I?"
"That's alright. My name doesn't matter, really. I'm one of those people who's pretty much his job and not much else. Its been ages since anybody has called me anything else. Truth to tell, I think I've forgotten my name." Chuckling. "But you can call me Doc. Everybody does."
"Alright, Doc. And what's my name?"
"Joyce. Your name is Joyce."
END OF INTERLUDE
* * *
Willow followed Xander into the Magic Shoppe reluctantly. Despite everything, this was one place she did not want to be right this second. It was too much. Not that the universe cared, of course.
Even expecting it, seeing him was a shock. Curiously enough, the shock was cushioned by some others. He's wasn't alone.
"Hi, Oz."
"Hey." Willow's first boyfriend almost smiled as he turned and saw her. Gun and Wesley, sitting nearby, said nothing. Perhaps sensing this was something private? And what were they doing here anyway?
"Ah, Willow," said Giles, coming from the back room with Buffy and Dawn in tow. "You're here. Excellent."
"I'm here," agreed Willow, "and Xander and Buffy and--oh yeah, Oz! Along with Wesley and Gunn. Why not?"
"Faith insisted on going on a patrol," added Wesley. "In case you were wondering."
"Truthfully?" She paused for effect. "Yeah. I was."
"But what the hell are all of us doin' here, is that it?" offered Gunn. "Faith, she gets this dream she's needed back at the Hellmouth. We're her backup."
"Okay." She turned to Oz. "And how long have you been hanging out with Faith?"
"Don't," he said. "Went to this karaoke bar in LA. This psychic told me to come here."
"Green?"
"Yup."
"Horns? Red eyes?"
"That's him. Snappy dresser."
Willow sat down. She needed to sit down. Needed it real bad. "You see," continued Giles, "it seems we've been given aid at what I assume is a crucial time in our struggle against Glory."
Buffy was looking grim. "There was no sign of Mom at Doc's place."
"I'm sorry."
"Not as sorry as he's going to be." If anything, Buffy managed to look grimmer. Silence followed for a moment, then the telephone rang. Giles went to pick it up. He spoke in a low voice.
"What are we going to do now?" asked Dawn. She'd obviously been trying not to cry. "Where's Mom?" Her sister put her arm around her.
"From what Giles has been telling me," began Wesley, "the Powers That Be certainly take a dim view of Glory achieving her objective. Unfortunately, as things stand at present, someone close to Buffy is in all likelihood being held by her--or her worshippers. Quite honestly, I fear what that may portend."
"Talk English!" Dawn almost yelled. Her voice cracked, and she turned, hiding her face against Buffy's chest.
Wesley looked abashed. He spoke again only after several seconds of uncomfortable silence. "Glory or her people have your mother. They can force her to them things. Or threaten her to get Buffy to do the same." Nobody wanted say anything after that. Willow could see why. She couldn't imagine one word to make things better. But worse--that was easy. One thing in particular came to mind. A horrible, maybe supremely needful thing if they were to save Dawn. But Willow couldn't bring it up. Not now.
Giles came back from the phone. "Willow," he said. "Anya is at the hospital with your friend April. She said to tell you that Warren Is Himself Again. I trust you understand what that means?"
"Yeah, Giles, I do. Thanks."
Just then, Riley entered through the front door. "Hi everybody," he said before stopping short. "And I do mean everybody," he finished, taking everyone in at a glance. "Or nearly. Where's Faith and Tara?"
"On patrol," offered Gunn.
"Tara said she was going to try and get information from one of Glory's minions. She knows roughly where in town she might find one."
Willow felt rather than saw Oz's eyes on her. "She said that?"
"Yeah." She felt just self-concious enough to let her hand stray to her collar. Good. That'll keep him from looking at your throat. Just wave your hand in that vicinity and Oz'll be sure to ignore that.
"Not to be too much of a downer," said Riley, "I've got some bad news. But there's some good news on top of that."
"Go ahead," said Buffy. "We could use some."
"I checked with some guys I know in the SPD. Seems over a dozen citizens have spotted bands of men wearing chain mail wandering in alleys, parks, cemeteries over the last forty eight hours."
"The Knights of Byzantium," breathed Giles.
"Who're they?" asked Oz.
"Religious fanatics," answered Wesley, "among other things devoted to defeating Glorificus and all her minions."
"This is bad?" said Gunn. Wesley, in an eerie echo of Giles, took of his glasses before replying.
"Unfortunately, yes. You see, as far as they're concerned, the Knights alone have the purity and even the right to combat evil. Everyone else is either a dupe, a victim, or evil themselves."
"Gotta love those wacky conservatives," muttered Xander. "Especially the ones still trying to stomp out this printing press fad."
Almost despite himself, Giles nodded. "Quite."
"Plus the fact they want to destroy the Key," added Buffy between her teeth. She looked at Riley. "You said you had good news?"
"Kinda," he replied. "I called in a favor. Within one week an X-Ops Team will be here for the express purpose of dealing with Glory and her followers."
"Wow. How did you manage that?"
Riley shrugged. "The government knows demons and things like them exist. And that Sunnydale is a hotbed. Glory's been preying on ordinary citizens plus she's been amassing what looks like a small army right on the hellmouth. It wasn't too hard a sell."
"Unfortunately," noted Giles, "her power is enough to take on a small army."
"Well, a small army is what's on the way. I figure with all of us as backup that should increase our odds at least some."
Dawn was looking at everyone again. "What about Mom?"
* * *
Tara hurt. She hurt more than she had since dying, and that had hurt plenty. Of course this time she wasn't going to die, but in some ways that didn't help. What did help was the knowledge that she'd heal faster now that she was a vampire.
And towards that end she did what she had to. Sunnydale wasn't a large city. The alleys and back streets she travelled by were not rat-infested. In nearly half a mile she'd only caught five, draining each one dry. Disturbingly, three had gotten away. At last she'd done something that bordered on treacherous. Next to a dumpster near campus she found another vampire feeding. He looked like he might have been an athlete in life--built like a barrel, broad shoulders, the like. The woman in his arms was already dead, but he was still drinking, sucking the blood from her neck with slurping sounds.
Slowly, carefully (in part because of her still-healing broken hand) Tara drew her sword. Its tip was snapped off. A pity. Not that it mattered for her purposes. With skill, she approached the other vampire from behind. Deliberately, she made a noise.
He looked up. Faster than any human (although slower than usual) she swung and took his head. Dust sprayed in every direction as he died.
Wasting no time, Tara fastened her own mouth onto the dead woman's gaping throat wound. And drank. It took her a surprising amount of time before she was full. By then, she found her hunger no longer pounding in her ears or tempting her to bite into her own arms to drink.
Limping, she made fairly good time to the Magic Shoppe. The front door seemed heavier now, or at least turning it required more effort. Lights inside disoriented her for a moment, but she heard the sounds of people. Gasps, chairs moving, a smothered curse. Hopefully, those weren't customers.
Then...Willow.
"Tara!" Like some kind of guardian spirit she was there, eyes full of worry. And love. Enough to rekindle anyone's will to live. Or so it seemed to Tara.
"Willow..." Was that her voice? It sounded like a raspy frog. "Danger," she managed to get out. After that, she was dizzy. Falling, or did it just feel like falling? No, it was indeed falling--or would have been but for Willow catching her.
She didn't even mind feeling her broken bones grind together, if that was the price of being in Willow's arms. I must be delerious, thought Tara to herself. Otherwise, I really should try writing romance novels...
* * *
INTERLUDE
"So I'm a mother, you say?"
"Precisely. You have two fine daughters. Lovely girls, really."
"Can I see them?"
"Eventually, of course. The only reason you can't right this moment is because we're trying to get your memory back. Not having them here helps."
"How can that be?"
"They would be a distraction."
"I'd've thought they'd be a kind of support."
"Well, that too. But there is another possibility. We can use your understandable desire to see them as a tool, a device for helping recover your memories. Do you understand?"
"Maybe."
"How about a demonstration?"
"Alright."
"Here are a series of photographs. As you can see, they are all the identical size. Roughly half of them show things which are important to your past and to your memories. The others have nothing to do with you at all. What we need is for you to choose the ones who do have meaning for you."
"But...I don't remember."
"Ah, your conscious mind doesn't remember, that's true. But your unconscious most certainly does. This exercise is to help you access those memories. Are you ready?"
"I suppose so."
"Then choose."
Five minutes later...
"Let me see."
"I'm not finished yet. Almost, though."
"Well, let's see what you've done so far."
"Very well. I can't say why but these pictures of an axe, a sunrise and a crucifix just drew me somehow."
"That's very good. It means the process is working. And I can tell you this much--all these choices do indeed reflect things from your past?"
"Really? The one that puzzled me was the axe. Was I a lumberjack?"
"Now, now--no hints. That would be counterproductive. You've one more choice to make. Which picture?"
Another half-minute.
"I think...this one."
"You're sure?"
"Is that right? No--I know. No hints."
"But this is your choice, then?"
"Maybe...yes. For some reason, I'm sure. But what would be so special about a picture of a key?"
"Well, we'll just have to find out, won't we?"
END OF INTERLUDE
TO BE CONTINUED
------------------
"O let my name be in the Book of Love.
If it be there, I care not of
That other book Above...
Strike it out! Or write it in anew.
But let it be in the Book of Love!"
--Omar Kyam
by tommo » Thu Aug 16, 2001 3:48 pm
------------------
"She looked across at Willow, whose face was filled with light. She had never felt so calm and happy, and strong..." ~ Unseen: Door To Alternity
by xita » Thu Aug 16, 2001 7:49 pm
Oh and very curious about what is going on with Joyce and Doc.
by Wonko » Fri Aug 17, 2001 10:36 am
Pfft. Like she'll listen to me anyway. Of course now that Tara isn't going to be brainsucked they have to figure out Dawn's the Key somehow. I hadn't really thought about it though. Poor Joyce. I spy angst in the future. Why am I kinda happy about that? I love angst, even though I know it's bad for me.
Thanks again Zahir
------------------
Words from Wonko
The MKF Appreciation Society - All Miss Kitty all the Time!
by nika » Fri Aug 17, 2001 10:43 am
by Zahir » Mon Aug 20, 2001 1:09 pm
* * *
Willow paced. It wasn't something she usually did, but she'd found a hidden talent at it now. And so she paced.
She also listened. Riley was speaking. "Okay, I gave her a transfusion of blood."
"Thanks, everyone," said Willow. A small chorus of 'you're welcomes' echoed her words.
"Fortunately, my basic first aid training was sufficient. I couldn't really kill her with an air bubble or anything, Tara being a vampire and all. Plus that eliminated the need to do any type-matching." Riley took a deep breath. "I'm kinda amazed at her condition, though. What could have done that to her?"
"I think we already know the answer to that question," ventured Wesley.
Buffy nodded. "Glory. Had to be." Which made sense. Anyone who could wipe the floor with a Slayer would have no trouble pounding a relatively young vampire into a pulp. The image made Willow's stomach ache.
"Yeah, but why?" asked Riley.
"Willow said she was going to try and gain information from some of Glory's minions." Giles looked at Willow. So did everybody else. Willow nodded.
"Uh-huh," added Gunn, "then why'd she not kill the girl while she was at it?"
"Sending us a message, I fear," replied Giles.
"You are helpless," agreed Buffy. "Give me what I want. Or else."
"Exactly," said Giles.
"Not to go all obvious or nothing," asked Gunn, "but what does this hellgod want?"
* * *
Tara opened her bruised eyes and saw Dawn. She was out of focus. But definitely Dawn.
"Hi," she managed to croak.
Dawn inched a little closer to the prone vampire. She was clearer now--her young face slack with worry and guilt. Her eyes red from tears.
"Are you alright?" she whispered to Tara.
"Not...really," Tara answered. "But...I will be." She looked at Dawn, who clearly wanted to tear her gaze away from Tara's but couldn't bring herself to. Oh dear. Didn't know it was that bad. "Probably looks worse than it feels."
"Then you must feel unbelievably awful."
"Well...yeah." Tara smiled. It hurt. "But remember? I'm immortal. Give me time and I'll be dancing." Dawn didn't actually smile in response, but she did seem to relax a little. Good.
"Can you remember who did this to you?"
"Yep."
"And...?"
"Glory."
"I knew it." The bitterness in her voice was tangible. By an effort of will, Tara made her eyes stay open and focus on Dawn. "Because of me. She did this to you to find out about me, didn't she?"
No point in lying. "Yeah." Dawn turned away. The shudder in her frame was very, very slight. But Tara caught it. Just as she knew what kind of savagely stiffled sobs caused it. "Not your fault, you know."
"Yes it is," Dawn both whispered and wailed.
"Bull!" Something in the delivery made Dawn turn back to Tara. "What, didn't you hear me?"
"You got hurt for my sake."
"Hey--word to the wise." Tara wet her lips. "No, from the wise. Right now you're being silly. If somebody kidnapped you to get at your sister--would you blame Buffy?"
Dawn was smart enough not to fall into that kind of verbal trap, of course. "No. I guess not." Unless she wanted to, of course. Evidently she did.
"So don't blame yourself."
"But if people get hurt because of me..."
"Dawn. I know exactly whose fists did this." She made a gesture towards the bruises she was sure decorated her face. "And it wasn't you. So...stop it with the delusions of grandeur, okay? You didn't hurt me. Not to be crude--you can't. Okay?"
The teenager didn't say anything. Hopefully, that meant she couldn't find any way to argue.
Buffy and Willow stepped inside the workout room. The concern in the latter's eyes, and how she rushed to Tara's side on the stacked floormats, stirred weird thoughts of gratitude for the beating if she got this response. Very, very weird thoughts. Still, it was pleasant to feel the redhead's hand in hers.
"Honey," breathed Willow, "how do you feel? Are you better?"
"Not really," answered Dawn for her, "but she will be."
Tara smiled at little at this. Gently, she squeezed Willow's hand. "Smart kid."
"Dawn," said Buffy, "go into the next room."
"But Tara and I were having a good talk..." began Dawn.
"True enough," offered the vampire.
"Now," insisted Buffy. Dawn did so with only a little pouting. Buffy didn't say anything more until the door closed behind her sister. "What happened?" She knelt beside Tara.
"Knights of Byzantium interrupted me. I was questioning a minion. Then Faith interrupted them."
"Faith! Did she do this?"
Tara shook her head, which made her a little dizzy. "She and I were interrupted again."
"By Glory?"
"Yes. She beat us both. Didn't even work up a sweat. Faith ended up wrapped in chains and carted off. Me, she let go with a message."
Buffy's face had never looked more frightened, at least not to Tara. The fact her features weren't moving was worrying enough. That she wasn't blinking was, frankly, worse. "What shape was Faith in?"
"Not too bad. Knocked out. So was I, for that matter. Glory woke me up to finish...well, this."
"Punctuating her message."
"I think so, yeah."
Buffy took a deep breath before her next question. And another. This was so not going to be pretty. "What's the message?"
"Pretty much what you expect. Give her the key or else."
"Details. They could be important."
"You sure?"
"No. Give'em anyway."
"Glory said: You can't take her. None of us can. She knows the key is someone you know. If you don't hand it over, Glory will go to everyone you know and make what she did to me look like a peticure. Right now, she's got Faith. Tomorrow, Faith gets her heart ripped out."
Silence. And again, not a flicker of an expression on Buffy's face. Fury, even weeping, would be better somehow. But...nothing. Instead, Buffy just stood up. "Thanks," she said. Then she headed out the door.
Willow watched her go, then turned all her attention to Tara. Gently, she pressed her lips against Tara's own. "What do you need?" she whispered.
"Time, mostly."
"And blood?"
"Riley gave me a transfusion..."
"I know. And I know you still need to heal. We need you." Her eyes seemed to shine. No, not really. There were tears there, ready to flow. "I need you." Deliberately, Willow undid the first few buttons to her blouse. She pulled back the collar, revealing the mostly-healed scar there.
"Not now..." Tara was tempted, achingly so. But here?
"Yes," was Willow's answer. "Because more than you need blood, I need something." A beat. Her voice sank lower, but fiercer. "I need to know it is me who helps you heal. To feel my strength go into you. I need this, Tara. My love." Willow cupped the back of Tara's head with one hand, bringing her throat to Tara's mouth. Unplanned, Tara felt her face alter, brow becoming furrowed, teeth stretching into fangs.
Please. Did Willow actually say this? Or did she think it?
"Please," said someone. Willow? Tara? Did it really matter?
Fangs pierced. Blood flowed. Tara placed her mouth over a wound as small as she could manage, then began to suckle like a child. Willow moaned, holding her tight.
* * *
INTERLUDE
"Your Magnificance?"
"Hey! I don't like interruptions!"
"A thousand thousand pardons, Most Worshipful One."
"Never mind. This one's a little too fragile, anyway. And what good is she if she's broken?"
"Wisdom incarnate, Vast Exellency."
"Vast? Whadda'ya'mean vast? Are. You. Saying. Something. About. My. HIPS?"
"Hips such as yours deserve nothing save praise, O Reason For My Every Breath. By 'vast' I referred only to your excellence, which eclipses all others that ever have been or ever might be. This unworthy servant begs forgiveness."
"Okay. Yo! Minions! Take this down and let it rest. Guess I'll have to wait till it heals before asking anything else, the rude bitch. What is it you wanted again?"
"I bring news, Your Sublime Awesomeness."
"Spit it out."
"The Summers woman certainly knew the location of the Key. Her memories are returning, and at a good rate. Within one day, no later, I should be able to identify the Key."
"About bloody time!"
"One detail, Most Delightful To Behold, has emerged. The Key is in human form."
"Doc! Doc, you withered little wizard you! If I gave christmas bonuses you just earned yours!"
"Praise from you is better than life, Supreme Wonderousness."
"Up till now, the Key could've been anything! A cup, a shovel, the shoebox some kid keeps his baseball cars in! Now we can narrow it down!"
"The name, as I promised Your Splendidness, shall be revealed soon as well."
"Whatever, go ahead. Don't think I'll wait all that long, though."
"I don't...please enlighten your unworthy servant, Most Supremely Awe-worthy?"
"Gonna do some checking on my own. That doesn't let you off the hook."
"Of course not, Highest of the Most High."
"Scoot! Back to the zombie!"
"Without delay, She-Who-Makes-All-Tremble."
END OF INTERLUDE
* * *
When Willow came back into the main shop, she noted Anya had arrived. Xander's girlfriend sat beside him, clutching his arm in relieved and possessive style. They were part of what could be called a council of war. Right now, Wesley was speaking. Or maybe droning was a better word. No one seemed to like what he was saying.
"True, we don't know precisely what Glory's ultimate intentions are, yet presuming them to be anything other than melevolant in the extreme would be the depth of folly."
Xander raised his hand. "Wouldn't that be the height of folly?"
"That's what I usually hear," offered Willow, sitting down.
"My preference in metaphors is hardly the issue," said Wesley in an icy tone.
"Quite right," said Giles. Nearly everyone looked at him in surprise. After all, the two Watchers didn't exactly get along. "We need to face the consequences of our actions. The fact is, we dabbled in extremely dark magicks and as a result Dawn is in far greater danger than she was before. Faith is missing. Tara has been badly wounded. And Joyce," he faltered for a moment. Then he looked directly in at Buffy and Dawn. "And Joyce is almost certainly resurrected, but in the clutches of Glory. I shudder to think of the implications."
No one said anything after that. Although each managed to etch their own version of misery into their faces. Poor Dawn looked cried out, while Buffy had that utter stillness that meant she was trying not to feel anything. Riley was watching her, of course, but sensed she didn't want any contact. Xander was frowning, he and Anya clearly taking some comfort in each other. Giles looked devastated, at least to Willow's eyes. Gunn and Wesley seemed about as uncomfortable as humanly possible without bleeding.
"I..." Wesley began. Then coughed. Clearly, he didn't need to. "I take it we are all agreed on our objectives?"
Buffy nodded. "Get back Faith and Mom."
"What about Dawn?" asked Wesley pointedly.
"Protecting her is a given."
"Good. I agree. However, those are no less than three goals. Am I right in believing that the protection of Dawn has first priority?"
"No!" said Dawn. "Mom comes first!"
Giles spoke before Buffy could open her mouth. "Dawn," he said, "that isn't the decision your mother would have made. And besides, we don't know what...condition...your mother is in at the moment. Whether she even is your mother." H went on inexorably, despite the near-total lack of color in the girl's face. She was listening. In horror. "The ultimate test of such is this--what would your mother want?"
"You don't know," Dawn said, a little desperately.
"Perhaps. But you do." Giles spoke quietly. Intensely. "The only question is whether you'll admit it."
At this, Buffy slowly stood up. She made her way over to a knapsack she'd dropped earlier. It was in the corner, next to Anya's purse as well as Dawn's backpack and Willow's own canvas bag full of homework. Buffy took something out of the bag. An envelope. One that Willow recognized, so she wasn't surprised in one way when Buffy took out the photograph of her mother. In another way Willow was shocked.
"No, Buffy," she said.
"There's no other way." Buffy wasn't looking at anything really.
"Maybe," said a voice from the back of the store, "but you shouldn't have to do it." Tara, still limping and bruised but much better than she had been, took a few steps into the room. "You know where Glory is now. Go. All of you. Rescue Faith while you still can. I can hide Dawn. Willow knows where."
"What about Mrs. Summers?" asked Gunn.
"Maybe you can rescue her, too." Tara shrugged. And winced. "But if you can't..." She reached over and took the photo from Buffy's hands.
TO BE CONTINUED
------------------
"O let my name be in the Book of Love.
If it be there, I care not of
That other book Above...
Strike it out! Or write it in anew.
But let it be in the Book of Love!"
--Omar Kyam
by christa monsta » Mon Aug 20, 2001 1:36 pm
Thanks once again for a super great installment!
------------------
"You can sleep with me!
Well now, that came out a lot more lesbian than it sounded in my head."
by xita » Mon Aug 20, 2001 2:32 pm
by Shaniezak » Mon Aug 20, 2001 4:57 pm
I agree, this whole dynamic is way sexy, and has a poignance all its own. I'm terrified for Faith and Dawn right now, though! Love the bonding moment between Dawn and Tara, and I adore Willow's reasons for insisting that Tara feed on her in the shop.
*sigh*
[This message has been edited by Shaniezak (edited August 20, 2001).]
by Scout » Mon Aug 20, 2001 5:29 pm
Can't wait for the next installment!
[This message has been edited by Scout (edited August 20, 2001).]
by TwiLightJoy » Mon Aug 20, 2001 9:27 pm
Is the next part finished yet??
~Joy
by nika » Tue Aug 21, 2001 1:10 am
by Wonko » Tue Aug 21, 2001 9:18 am
quote:
Originally posted by Shaniezak:
Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou, Zahir!!!
Ditto
It's all coming to a head now ain't it? And my god, I wish I was a vampire. If I knew drinking blood was so sexy I'd have flaunted my neck cleavage on cripts years ago [g]
Please hurry with the next part Zahir flutters eyelashes.
------------------
Words from Wonko
The MKF Appreciation Society - All Miss Kitty all the Time!
by sparrow » Tue Aug 21, 2001 12:23 pm
Need more, need more, living vicariously through this story.
(you know your obsessed when reading sexy fanfic just makes you whole day and then watch UPN just hoping to see a Buffy promo-is there a support group or I am I the only obsessed one)
**flies out all worked up after reading that Willow and Tara scene**
"Buffy has found a new place to slay"
by Zahir » Tue Aug 21, 2001 5:45 pm
I was just now writing the next installment of Never The Twain?...and my computer crashed!
Half of what I wrote is gone forever. Grrrrrrrrrrr!
------------------
"O let my name be in the Book of Love.
If it be there, I care not of
That other book Above...
Strike it out! Or write it in anew.
But let it be in the Book of Love!"
--Omar Kyam
by TwiLightJoy » Tue Aug 21, 2001 11:20 pm
Take as long as you need to get it back out. We're really patient. ...No, we really are.
~Joy
by sparrow » Wed Aug 22, 2001 10:51 am
D'OH
"Buffy has found a new place to slay"
by Rancour » Thu Aug 23, 2001 1:38 am
Rancour
------------------
Andrea: "End-of-the-world" portents, the living dead, evil arisen?
Jane: Yep. You drive?
-- Lew, "Hellmouth in Lawndale"
by WillowLikeWhoa » Thu Aug 23, 2001 11:15 pm
~Michelle~
------------------
And who could've foreseen
In you I'd find the place
I've belonged forever
And if I move closer
Then love will take over
And lead the way -- Mariah Carey "Lead the Way"
by CaptMurdock » Fri Aug 24, 2001 11:31 am
This is the best "A/U" story I think that I have ever read. Everything fits it so perfectly; by the time I think "But what about..." you're ready with the Technical Manual on What Happened to Warren & April. You mad genius, you.
Courage!
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"I will say, I've been in some weird places, but this is…another weird place."
by Zahir » Thu Aug 30, 2001 9:34 am
* * *
Tara had trouble getting down the ladder, but not too much. Oz preceded her, and was ready if catching a falling vampire proved necessary. But it didn't. Both of them were ready as Dawn came down as well. But it was Tara who could turn on the lights. For one thing, she could still see in the dark. And for another, she knew where the switch was.
Hundreds of tiny candleabra lights flickered. Dawn's eyes blinked, hopefully not just from the sudden light. A faint smile seemed to promise this was the case. Oz...took it all in quietly enough. So far that's how he seemed to take everything.
So far.
"Wow," Dawn was saying. "This might be the nicest vampire's lair I've ever been in. And I've been in a bunch." She stopped. "Proof, if anyone's listening, that I don't have a life." Scowling, she parked herself on a sofa and took another look around. "No t.v.?"
Easing into another chair, Tara answered. "Sorry. Lots of books, though."
"Just what I need. More homework."
Although she felt sympathy for Dawn, Tara's attention was on Oz. He sank to the floor, taking a seat there with no fanfare. Nor words. He took in the room with a simple glance of the area--exactly as she would, Tara realized. As a predator. Nearly a year ago he'd returned to Sunnydale, borderline ecstatic upon having found a way to control the wolf. Everyone had welcomed him home, forgiven him his trespasses and celebrated the success of his quest. Tara had watched from afar. She'd noticed how things remained tense between Oz and his former paramour Willow. Understandable. Maybe even inevitable. And she'd been there when it all came to an explosive collapse--Oz losing his temper, his own shocked terror as what was happening became obvious. His voice screaming to Willow "Run!" had quickly descended into a growl. Then the calm, almost zenlike musician had changed, morphed into a beast, while loathing twisted his face even more. Tara was honest enough with herself to thing at the time she had killed a werewolf once before. Not that it had been necessary. Following him, she'd seen the Initiative soldiers capture the creature. Later, she'd been the one to tell Willow what had happened, although the rescure operation that followed had happened without her aid. The Apostate had wondered why she'd gone even that far. Her motive, so she'd claimed, was to win the Slayer's trust.
At the time, she'd even believed it herself. Had her Sire? She'd never know.
Now, Oz crouched in her lair, hidden behind dark eyes and a kind of rigid self-control she recognized. What to say? Or, was there anything to say? Did he know? Given his own powers, the answer to that was almost certainly positive. More importantly, what would he do?
"Oh!" exclaimed Dawn, suddenly. "A kitty!"
Sure enough, Xita had made an entrance. Black and tan, she approached the fascinated teenage girl on the sofa that was usually hers. Dawn did nothing but wait, and watch the sleek kitten. She sniffed at Dawn's shoes, before uttering a trilling sound halfway between a growl and a plea. Then she made the same sound again, insistently.
"Her name is Xita."
"Maybe she's hungry?"
"There're some treats in the drawer next to you."
Dawn reached for said drawer, under an attentive feline's gaze. Xita's tail began to twitch. As the box of kitty treats came out, she began to pace, her eyes never leaving the box and uttering several more trills.
"You want this?" cooed Dawn. "Here ya'go." She held out her hand with three or four of the morsels in it. Xita stared at her. Then trilled. Dawn looked at Tara.
"Put them on the floor. She's not used to you yet."
Obediantly, Dawn did so. The kitten inched closer, quickly snagging one piece with her teeth then retreating a full five inches to munch down. Dawn, along with Tara and Oz, watched. Soon, Xita swallowed and began inching back for another treat.
"So. Why a cat?" Oz finally spoke.
Tara shrugged. "I like cats."
Oz nodded. "Huh." Whatever that meant. Or didn't.
* * *
Willow braced herself. After all, she was probably as safe as possible. Riley and Xander were both strong and muscly. Buffy was here in all her slayer-ness. Plus Giles, who really understood all kind of weapons when you came right down to it. Anya was no slouch either. Not terribly skilled but enthusiastic and anything but clumsy. So it followed logically that Willow was as safe as she could probably be--under the assaulting-the-stronghold-of-a-god circumstances.
So they made their way into the lobby of what looked like a rather nice condo. Buffy was in the lead, battleaxe in hand. Willow herself almost nervously repeated to herself the spell she'd been practicing. Not really practicing, really. Not in a real way. As in really casting the spell. But she'd gone over it in so many ways and she was pretty sure it would work. Probably.
"The stairs," said Buffy. "Let's not get trapped in the elevator."
Everyone nodded. They headed to the stairwell. Just in time, it turned out, as the elevator doors began to open. Everybody managed to get around the corner with relatively little noise. Willow herself was one of those peaking around the corner.
A man emerged from the elevator. Short, a bit wizened, in a nice black suit. From Buffy's description she thought this must be Doc, and glancing at Buffy's face as she looked at him pretty much confirmed it. The two robed minions flanking him made for pretty good clues as well.
"Her Worshipfulness," a minion was saying, "shall no doubt reward those most loyal to her."
"No doubt at all" the other minion piped in. Doc stopped to listen.
"Few could doubt, of course, and those who did would be fools indeed, your own great loyalty to the wonder that is Glory."
"Go on," Doc urged. His face had a kindly, patient expression. The minions cowered at it.
"W-w-w--we h-h-h-hoped you m-m-might..." the first minion's words trailed off.
"Put in a good word for us?" blerted out his compatriot. Before wilting as Doc fixed his gaze on the creature. Then, smiled.
"Her Glory will do as pleases her," he said mildly.
"YES!" cried out one of minions.
"OF COURSE!" echoed the other.
"I suggest," said the old man in a low voice, causing the others to go utterly silent, "you prepare for the rescue mission the Slayer and her friends are undoubtably planning. Secure the brunette. Guard her."
"Even now, she awaits the Splendid Curvy One's return!" offered one minion in a rush.
"You interrupted me," Doc pointed out gently. The minion sank to his knees, weeping. "Never mind. Just get upstairs while I continue working with the woman. Go now." The two of them nearly tripped over each other heading back into the elevator. Doc, almost serenely, headed outdoors into the night.
Fully six seconds after he'd left the lobby, Buffy turned to everyone else. "Anya, Willow--you're the ones Doc hasn't seen. Follow him to where ever he's got my mom. We'll go up and rescue Faith."
"But...you'll need us..."
"You heard what he said. Glory's not here. If we hurry, we can get Faith out before she gets back. Willow," Buffy said intensely, "I'm counting on you." And with that she headed up the stairs. Riley and Giles followed. Xander was the last, sharing a quick kiss with Anya then a thumbs-up sign to Willow.
Anya looked at Willow. "C'mon. We'd better hurry." Business like as ever.
"Okay." Willow made a quick pace out of the lobby and onto the street. Doc, it turned out, wasn't far. They followed him. "I just wish Tara was here."
"I'm sure she's healing. Be out stalking the night again in no time."
Doc picked up speed. Anya and Willow did as well.
* * *
"Thanks for the ride," said Tara at last. She'd been thinking what to say to Oz for what seemed like forever. Probably two whole minutes.
"Don't mention it."
Which effectively cut off the next thing she was going to say. Not an easy thing, this talking with Oz. A year and a half ago, when he'd driven her and Faith to Los Angeles, it had been easier. Or had it? Yes, it had. They'd all had a goal, and had understood enough that silence came easily, comfortably. None of them had really wanted to talk.
Actually, Tara didn't really want to talk now. Just felt she should.
"Your kitty," Dawn suddenly spoke up. "She really is just a pet, right? Not some kind of snack?" The girl looked worried.
"Just a pet," Tara nodded.
"Good," proclaimed Dawn and went back to petting Xita. The kitten, meanwhile, realized she'd found a soft touch and was milking the situation for all the scratching and tasty treats she could get. Clever creature. "Has she ever brought you a mouse or a bird or anything?"
"A couple of rats."
"You didn't...feed on them, did you?"
"No." Why bother the girl with the truth after all? Blood is blood. Dawn's little sigh of relief told Tara she'd done the right thing.
Several more minutes of playing with the kitten were followed by an offhand remark. "Don't suppose kitty wants to get too close to you," Dawn said to Oz. "Dogs and cats, you know."
Oz just nodded. "You got a point."
"Doesn't know what she's missing," Dawn pronounced. Oz slightly (very slightly) smiled in response.
Tara suddenly had a thought. She'd grown up, learning from childhood the women of her family were demons in desperate need of control. Not as far back as she could remember had she once doubted this. Her sojourn to Sunnydale had only been a temporary respite before her destiny. Or so she'd believed. In fact, soon after arriving Tara had met a demon--The Apostate--who'd made her into what he was, a vampire. And then she'd discovered something. Until awakening the next night, Tara had believed herself part demon. Once she actually became part demon, the truth was viciously obvious. She'd been human. Completely. Obviously. Without doubt. The temptation to go home and have her entire family for dinner had been considerable.
Now, another lie clarified in her mind. Here she was, a demon. And she was in love. More, she was loved. In the room with her was a werewolf. Together they were protecting a little girl--not for hope of using her themselves but out of a genuine desire to protect. Not the behavior she'd learned to expect from demons. Her father had been wrong. No, both of them. For the Apostate had been just as blindly certain of his "truth" as Ezekiel MacClay.
"Tara?"
"Hmmm? What is it, Dawn?"
"Are you alright? You look...kinda intense."
Less than two yards from Tara, Oz was staring at her also. Both he and Dawn seemed very alert. Worried. Xita Kitty hissed, jumping off of Dawn's lap and scurrying under the desk. Not for another few moments did Tara realize why. Reaching up, she touched her now-furrowed brows. Running her tongue along her lips, she felt fangs. With an effort of will, she returned her face to its human visage.
"Sorry." Her voice was quiet. "I was...thinking about something. Remembering, actually."
"It wasn't anything I did, was it?" Dawn tried to smile as she made the joke. She almost made it. The grin wasn't quite right, and her eyes tried to laugh but failed.
"No. Not you." Tara leaned back, closing her eyes. "Somebody...else."
"Wanna talk about it?" An interesting question, especially coming from Oz.
"Not right now," replied the vampire. "But later. Yes."
"If there is a later," muttered Dawn.
* * *
Willow and Anya followed Doc for nearly an hour. He made his way through downtown Sunnydale, eventually ending up outside a half-empty office building. Doc went inside, forcing both young women to be more careful. Fortunately, he made his way to the second floor with little enough trouble. They watched him, first from the street, then the stairwell. Upstairs, a long hallway was empty.
"Now what do we do?" whispered Anya.
"Listen to the doors," said Willow.
Nodding, Anya did so. Willow herself followed suit. The first had no sounds behind it. For that matter, neither did the second or third or fourth. She stole a glance at Anya, whose disgusted look on her face showed the same results. Both put their ears to the next doors.
"Hey!" suddenly said Anya, "hey hey hey...!"
"Shhhhhhh..." hissed Willow. "Not so loud!"
Anya motioned for Willow to approach. She did so. They each pressed their ears to the door, listening with all their might.
"...which ones?" Doc's muffled voice was difficult to hear. And harder to make out.
But the voice that answered was female. Worse (or better) it was also achingly familiar, even if neither could make out a single word. She seemed to be explaining something at length though. Whatever it was, she ended it with a question.
"Excellent," murmered Doc from behind the door. Steps. Not many. The woman's voice asking something. And asking again. He didn't reply. Instead, he spoke to someone else. With a little shock, both Willow and Anya recognized the quality of his voice with the first words he spoke. He was on the phone.
"Hello?" he was saying. "Has Glory returned?"
As one, Willow and Anya stared at each other in horror. In sync, they tried the door. Locked. Then they began pushing at it, kicking. It held. Behind the door, they heard Doc raising his voice. "Tell her Magnificance that the Key is in the form..."
"CONFIGRERE!" Willow shouted, focussing her will. The door shattered inward! Both women rushed inside!
"...of the Slayer's sister Dawn!"
Doc was at an old, battered desk, a phone receiver in one hand. He looked up, his face clearly visible in the light from the streetlamp outside. Other than this, only a reading lamp on the desk provided any illumination. As Doc looked at them, both eyes went pitch black. With what was probably supposed to be a battle cry, Anya rushed at him, raising her mace as if to strike.
A tongue shot out of Doc's mouth--six feet worth. It struck Anya, sending her flying across the room into the wall. Then Doc turned to Willow.
Willow had taken out a handful of herbs and some consecrated dust. Her actions seemed in slow motion, at least to her. So do did those of the creature before her. Slowly, he braced himself in the direction of the red haired witch. Willow drew her arm back. Doc lowered his lower jaw, exactly as he had moments before when striking out at Anya. And Willow threw her arm forward, releasing the herbs and dust, which flew across the room in Doc's direction. Inside Doc's mouth, a tongue seemed to undulate and coil as the the herbs and dust made their way in a scattered arc in the air. Then, the tongue began to emerge--even as the dust and herbs struck its owner.
"APAGE TE! RELEGARE!"
Doc vanished. Willow had just enough time to realize blood was gushing from her nose before a thousand migraines pounded her into unconciousness.
TO BE CONTINUED
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"O let my name be in the Book of Love.
If it be there, I care not of
That other book Above...
Strike it out! Or write it in anew.
But let it be in the Book of Love!"
--Omar Kyam
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