by SciFiAcid » Wed Nov 28, 2001 5:02 pm
by Mpup111 » Wed Nov 28, 2001 5:03 pm
"Cool cliffs to hang from. Good story."
Mpup- gonna wait in a neutral state
by aladdin » Wed Nov 28, 2001 6:26 pm
by Shaniezak » Wed Nov 28, 2001 6:33 pm
So, you two . . . you already know what I think of it (in excruciating detail). When do I get to be more excruciating?
by RomanceJunky » Wed Nov 28, 2001 7:13 pm
The Junky...hooked on ya'll...
Great story!!!
by YuriPup » Wed Nov 28, 2001 7:16 pm
.FUn begining. Frilly heck! hehehe. Sounds like a friend of mine.
by tommo » Thu Nov 29, 2001 12:12 pm
quote:
she felt that familiar flutter in her stomach that was totally Willow.
I was pretty much hooked when I read this sentence. That's so lovely. And so true.
I like where this is going. I've always been a firm supporter of Willow and Tara having adventures outside of Sunnydale. And this is no exception. Looking forward to more.
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"Yeah, cheers, thanks a lot." ~ Patsy Stone
by Spell Gal » Thu Nov 29, 2001 11:09 pm
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And how long have you known that your girlfriend's Tinkerbell?
IP: Logged
No pressure or anything, but I'm all sad now!
No, its okay - don't feel guilty. I'm gonna be strong. I can do this!
Please forgive the melodrama - haven't had my morning caffeine yet. But that doesn't mean I don't want this fic updated!
------------------
Anya: You think it's sensible for me to go down into that pit of
cotton-top hell, and let them hippity-hop all over my vulnerable flesh?
IP: Logged
quote:
Originally posted by mollyig:
No, its okay - don't feel guilty. I'm gonna be strong. I can do this!
Ok, we are doing the last editing and will be posted soon. Drink a cup of coffee and try back later. Ok?
Edited to put Part 4 up. Happy now?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Reflections in Raindrops (4/?)
Authors: Shadowriter (shadowriter@kc.rr.com) and TrueXena (truexena@columbus.rr.com)
Rating: R
Couples: W/T
Spoilers: Through this season
Notes: This is us trying to get beyond the W/T rift, kind of.
Archiving: Sure, but please talk to us first.
Feedback: Please. Pretty please? Public or private, either one.
Copyright: The characters in the story are the property of Joss Whedon (much bowing in his general direction) and Mutant Enemy. We are borrowing them for a short time, but will return them in perfect condition. The plot, however, is ours.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Reflections in Raindrops
Part Four
Willow scrambled to her feet and reached out for Tara. She grabbed the trapped arm and pulled, trying to free her friend. The only result was another cry from the struggling captive.
The light in the room began to fade as Tara's magic orb slowly winked out. For a few seconds they were plunged into total darkness. Then, with a word, Amy's witch light returned, filling the area with a yellow brilliance.
Once the light returned, Willow tried to figure out what was holding Tara, but all she could see was the top of the crate. Tara's arm seemed to disappear a little above the elbow. Willow reached down and watched her own hand slide through the box top as if it wasn't there.
"Tara, it's an illusion -- you have to dispell the magic." She looked up at Amy. "Don't just stand there, help us!"
Tara gritted her teeth against the pain and focused on the top of the crate. "Aperio!"
The illusion dissipated, to reveal a slimy, greyish creature in the box, its two thick limbs wrapped tightly around Tara's forearm. It was about two feet long, with two short legs curled at its side. Two mouths, side by side, were attached to Tara's arm. Blood was leaking down her wrist to drip from her fingertips. One neon green eye swiveled to stare angrily at them.
Whatever it was seemed to renew its grip, and Tara groaned, slumping to her knees. She landed next to the mace, which Willow grabbed.
"Tara, hang on! Amy -- find something to kill it!" She swung the spiked ball up and over the side of the crate, bringing it down on the creature's head.
Amy shook off her shock and grabbed a set of chains from the other box, swinging it as hard as she could. There was a high pitched whine, and after several more blows, the thing in the box let go.
Tara pulled away, cradling her bleeding arm. Willow dropped the mace and knelt beside the blonde witch.
Amy kept beating the creature, slamming her chain into it over and over until it stopped moving. Breathing hard, she looked up to find Willow trying to stop the blood that was pouring from Tara's wounds.
"Tara?" Willow slipped her vest off and wrapped it tightly around the injured forearm. "Easy, baby, I'm here. I've got you."
Leaning into Willow, Tara groaned. Her hand was numb, but her arm ached and it felt like the thing was still biting her. She felt nauseous and her mouth was dry. Closing her eyes from the pain, all she could do was trust that Willow would take care of her.
It wasn't long before blood was soaking through the vest, and Willow knew there was a real possibility a vein had been opened. The bite was just above the wrist, on the inside of the arm.
"Tara? We need a healing spell. Something..."
Tara shook her head slightly, trying to think. She knew she had no chance of healing herself, but she wasn't sure she wanted to lay the burden on Willow. Giving up the magic had been hard, and even a healing spell might restart the dangerous cycle out of which the redhead had broken.
Amy knelt beside them. "I can do it. You'll need to tell me what to do, but I can do it."
Willow nodded. Part of her wanted to do this, but another part was afraid to even test the magical waters again.
"Need --" Tara coughed, and swallowed. Her throat was dry and it hurt to talk. "Need sage. And a clean crystal."
"Sage, I have." Amy pulled over her purse, which she'd managed to hold onto during their frenzied flight down the hall. "But, a crystal -- I have one, but I've used it before. Is it still okay?"
Tara shook her head. "Not if it was dark magic. It wouldn't work."
Amy's shoulders slumped.
Willow dug into her pocket. "This one should work," she said quietly as she showed them the doll's eye crystal.
"You -- you never used it for dark --"
"I never used it." Willow lowered her head. "Not without you, anyway."
Tara tried to smile, but it was broken by a pain shooting up her arm. She gasped and arched her back a little. Her face went white.
Willow tightened her grip. "Amy, hurry."
Amy nodded and scooted closer to Tara. "I know a general heal injury spell, but -- is there a different one that I should use?"
"No, that's fine." Tara tried not to look as Willow and Amy peeled the cloth off her arm. "Oh, ouch."
Tara's arm was bloody from the midpoint of her forearm down to her fingertips. In the area above her wrist there were two semi-circular sets of bite marks. Most of them were sluggishly oozing, but there were two that were bleeding freely and heavily.
"Okay." Amy slid her own arm along the inside of Tara's, holding the blonde witch's right elbow. With her left hand she took a pinch of sage and sprinkled it around and on top of the wound. Taking the crystal, she held it over the bloody tooth marks.
"You do know this is going to hurt? And it'll knock out your powers for at least a little while."
Tara nodded. "No choice. We can stay here for another half hour without a problem, I think. And as far as the pain --" She shrugged with her good shoulder. "It's not like it doesn't hurt now."
Amy nodded; Willow held Tara's hand as Amy closed her eyes and started to chant.
"Great Mother, bringer of all life, I beseech you.
Brigit, Goddess of moon and healing, hear me.
Life and death are yours to give,
they are also yours to hold.
By Crystal's might, and magic white,
heal this wound by way of light.
Heal your daughter, of mortal birth,
this I ask by sky and earth."
The crystal began to glow, emitting a blue-white light that reached out to envelop Amy's hand and Tara's arm. A tingling began in Tara's elbow and fingertips at the same time, and she squeezed Willow's hand hard as the tingles became a wave of pain that washed through her forearm. She closed her eyes, tears leaking down her cheeks, and pressed back against Willow as hard as she could. When the pain finally ended, she slumped against her former lover, tired and spent.
Willow held on through Tara's painful grip on her hand. Whispering into her ear, she wiped away the tears that fell, and kissed her temple till she finally went limp in her arms. "I love you, Tara." Willow used her sleeve to dry the beads of sweat that had formed on Tara's brow, holding the blonde close as she rested in Willow's lap.
Amy wiped away the blood and what little remained of the sage she'd used. The puncture marks were still evident on Tara's wrist and arm, but had fully closed and were in the early stages of healing. Amy smiled up at the blonde, her own fingers still tingling from the spell.
Tara glanced at the now sealed wound and nodded. Her eyes were very heavy, and she tried to keep them open, but couldn't. "Willow? Gotta sleep." She turned her head slightly and sighed. By her next breath, she was out.
Willow watched Tara sleep for a moment as she fussed with a strand of the blonde hair matted by sweat. Her face was still white, but now calm in slumber. Her jaw had relaxed, releasing the tension that had told Willow just how much pain her love had been in. Tara's appearance was one of peace as she breathed deeply through her slightly open mouth.
But there was still fear in Willow's voice as she asked, "She'll be okay?"
"Yeah, she'll be fine. I -- I think between the pain, and the energy the spell took -- she's just tired. She'll be okay, Willow." Amy tried to sound sure of herself, knowing it was what Willow needed. She was certain of one thing -- Tara's arm would heal fine. But Amy was suddenly really unsure of everything else.
She moved away slightly, leaning against the stacked crates she and Tara had been going through. Her hands rested on her knees as she sat with her legs pulled up in front of her. Amy grimaced slightly at the grime now coating her hands and arms. The dirt had mixed with the oil from the crate and Tara's blood, to form a layer of paste that covered the backs of both hands. Along with that red-tinged grime was an occasional speck of green, the result of the creature's blood splattering over her as she killed it.
She couldn't help but wonder what the hell it was.
A low growl came up from her stomach, and she realized she was hungry. This was quickly followed by the understanding that they were trapped in a dungeon with no food or water. And she was responsible for it.
"Willow?"
"Hum?"
"I'm sorry. I really thought this would be a quick job for you and me. I'd bring you here, we'd wipe the floor with a few demons, and be home by dawn." Amy gestured at the room around them. "I never expected -- this."
Willow didn't know exactly what to say. She was upset about Tara being hurt. About Tara being dragged into this just for being with her on a date. Upset that Amy still thought she could get her to do magic after all this time, by force if need be. Willow stared at the woman in her arms for several moments before replying.
"Amy, this book that you want? It's not worth all this; you have to know that. I know you think I'm a powerful witch, and in truth I had power. But I didn't have control of it. The magic was in control of me. Instead of using the magic, it was using me." Willow looked back down at Tara's sleeping face. "She knew that. She tried to warn me, but I didn't listen." Tears began to form in her eyes. "She was the one that was strong when I was weak. She's the one that understood that you have to have respect, and understand the consequences. You could learn a lot from her. I know I have."
She paused for a moment, then turned to Amy again. "You have the same problem that I did. You've lost control, and that will only get you into trouble." She waved a hand around the room they sat in. "Take a look around you. How fast did your simple plan get out of control?" Willow just shook her head. "You're just as addicted to magic as I was. And it's only going to get worse if you don't try and stop now."
Amy looked down at the floor, and then up at Willow, whose eyes were focused on the blonde asleep in her arms.
She knew Willow was right, at least in part. It was her fault that they were all trapped there, and the plan had gone wrong awfully fast. And the magic lately -- well, she had to admit to feeling a little out of control.
But, give it up, like Willow had? She shook her head mentally.
I have to get to the book, she thought. Then I can make this whole thing up to them. I can get them safely out of here, and I can get control of my life again. I can.
There were shouts off in the distance. Guttural voices could be heard echoing down the hallways. Amy doused her witch light, and Willow huddled down with Tara, covering the injured woman as much as she could.
They stayed that way in the dark for several minutes. More sounds drifted through the air, but there were no footsteps that they could hear. It seemed that Tara's spell was still working.
Amy relit the magic light, and watched for several moments as Willow gently stroked Tara's cheek, whispering in her ear every few minutes. She knew she had to make things right. "First things first," she muttered to herself.
"Willow? Hey." Amy kept her voice down in order to not wake Tara. "Listen, I'm going to go scout around, okay? Follow this tunnel down a little further. You stay put and watch over her?"
Willow didn't even look up."I'm not going anywhere without her. I won't lose her again."
Her voice was soft, but it came across to Amy clearly and strongly. The absolute love she felt for Tara was evident, and had been all along. For a moment, Amy was jealous. Then she just felt guilty.
"Oh. Hey, what about the light?"
"I'll need to take it with me." Amy looked apologetic. "It's kind of attached to me."
"Um ... I'm not so sure I want to sit here in the dark. Any chance of finding a non-magical light source?"
"Don't know." Amy looked around the room. She noticed an odd shaped metal holder on the wall, and stared at it till she realized what it was. "Hey, wait, I think --" Creeping over to the box she and Tara had gone through earlier, she dug through the chains until she came up with a long piece of wood, one end covered in black pitch.
"Exuro." Light flared from the end of the torch, and Amy grinned over at Willow. "Saw it earlier in the box but didn't know what it was till I saw that." She pointed at the metal object on the wall, then moved over to it and slid the torch into it. The room was doused in an almost cheery glow.
Willow nodded. "Nice."
"Okay. I'm going. I won't be long. Maybe I can find.. I don't know. Something."
Willow looked up. "Fine, but be careful and don't break the concealment barrier." She returned to stroking Tara's face.
As Amy got to the door, Willow called to her and she turned.
"No magic." Willow's voice was firm.
Amy hesitated but nodded, then walked quietly through the door and disappeared around the corner.
End Part Four
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
See, not as bad as you thought we would leave you eh?
------------------
Later dayz,
TrueXena
"I'm so evil, and skanky...and I think I'm kinda gay."
[This message has been edited by TrueXena (edited November 30, 2001).]
[This message has been edited by TrueXena (edited November 30, 2001).]
IP: Logged
My fault. I didn't get back to them with my first set of edits until late this afternoon.
Done now though . . . should be up any minute. Sorry.
IP: Logged
Secondly, mollyig is happy now!
Thirdly, mollyig is surprised that she's not hating Amy as much.
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Anya: You think it's sensible for me to go down into that pit of
cotton-top hell, and let them hippity-hop all over my vulnerable flesh?
IP: Logged
quote:
Originally posted by mollyig:
Firstly, mollyig apologises for being pushy.Secondly, mollyig is happy now!
Thirdly, mollyig is surprised that she's not hating Amy as much.
Firstly, pushy is good. It actually makes us not be so lazy, and put off tomorrow what we can do today.
Secondly, we are happy that mollyig is happy now. (but can I ask what you were before being happy?)
Thirdly, well okay, we dont really have a thirdly. BUT...if we did, it would be right here. (as for Amy? We aint done with her just yet)
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Later dayz,
TrueXena
"I'm so evil, and skanky...and I think I'm kinda gay."
IP: Logged
quote:
Originally posted by TrueXena:
(but can I ask what you were before being happy?)
Before I was happy I was impatient. But then yez updated the fic, and I was happy. I was just worried that it wouldn't be updated today, and then I'd have to wait until Monday to find out what happens.
Hang on though, . . . that's silly really, 'cause I have to wait to find out what happens next anyway.
Hmmm, ah well. Today's update will keep me going! (for now!)
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Anya: You think it's sensible for me to go down into that pit of
cotton-top hell, and let them hippity-hop all over my vulnerable flesh?
[This message has been edited by mollyig (edited November 30, 2001).]
IP: Logged
IP: Logged
Now I'll go get in line with all the others who are eagerly awaiting the next installment. No pressure though! heh heh
IP: Logged
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vive,valeque.
IP: Logged
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"Yeah, cheers, thanks a lot." ~ Patsy Stone
IP: Logged
Bit of shameless plugging from the humble story editor here.
Glad to see you all are enjoying it so far. Shadow went over the overall story outline with me last night, and all I have to say is that, folks, if you like what you've read in the first four parts, you ain't read nothin' yet!
So hey, Shadow, TX . . . where's my rough draft already?!?
IP: Logged
quote:
Originally posted by Shaniezak:
*grins*Bit of shameless plugging from the humble story editor here.
Glad to see you all are enjoying it so far. Shadow went over the overall story outline with me last night, and all I have to say is that, folks, if you like what you've read in the first four parts, you ain't read nothin' yet!
So hey, Shadow, TX . . . where's my rough draft already?!?
HEY!! You ain't spose to be given' out spoilers!
But she is right, you ain't seen nothin' yet.
------------------
Later dayz,
TrueXena
"I'm so evil, and skanky...and I think I'm kinda gay."
IP: Logged
No pressure or anything, but I'm all sad now!
No, its okay - don't feel guilty. I'm gonna be strong. I can do this!
Please forgive the melodrama - haven't had my morning caffeine yet. But that doesn't mean I don't want this fic updated!
------------------
Anya: You think it's sensible for me to go down into that pit of
cotton-top hell, and let them hippity-hop all over my vulnerable flesh?
IP: Logged
posted November 30, 2001 04:06 Was hoping there'd be another part to this story when I got in this morning.No pressure or anything, but I'm all sad now!
No, its okay - don't feel guilty. I'm gonna be strong. I can do this!
Please forgive the melodrama - haven't had my morning caffeine yet. But that doesn't mean I don't want this fic updated!
------------------
Anya: You think it's sensible for me to go down into that pit of
cotton-top hell, and let them hippity-hop all over my vulnerable flesh?
quote:
Originally posted by mollyig:
No, its okay - don't feel guilty. I'm gonna be strong. I can do this!
Ok, we are doing the last editing and will be posted soon. Drink a cup of coffee and try back later. Ok?
Edited to put Part 4 up. Happy now?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Reflections in Raindrops (4/?)
Authors: Shadowriter (shadowriter@kc.rr.com) and TrueXena (truexena@columbus.rr.com)
Rating: R
Couples: W/T
Spoilers: Through this season
Notes: This is us trying to get beyond the W/T rift, kind of.
Archiving: Sure, but please talk to us first.
Feedback: Please. Pretty please? Public or private, either one.
Copyright: The characters in the story are the property of Joss Whedon (much bowing in his general direction) and Mutant Enemy. We are borrowing them for a short time, but will return them in perfect condition. The plot, however, is ours.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Reflections in Raindrops
Part Four
Willow scrambled to her feet and reached out for Tara. She grabbed the trapped arm and pulled, trying to free her friend. The only result was another cry from the struggling captive.
The light in the room began to fade as Tara's magic orb slowly winked out. For a few seconds they were plunged into total darkness. Then, with a word, Amy's witch light returned, filling the area with a yellow brilliance.
Once the light returned, Willow tried to figure out what was holding Tara, but all she could see was the top of the crate. Tara's arm seemed to disappear a little above the elbow. Willow reached down and watched her own hand slide through the box top as if it wasn't there.
"Tara, it's an illusion -- you have to dispell the magic." She looked up at Amy. "Don't just stand there, help us!"
Tara gritted her teeth against the pain and focused on the top of the crate. "Aperio!"
The illusion dissipated, to reveal a slimy, greyish creature in the box, its two thick limbs wrapped tightly around Tara's forearm. It was about two feet long, with two short legs curled at its side. Two mouths, side by side, were attached to Tara's arm. Blood was leaking down her wrist to drip from her fingertips. One neon green eye swiveled to stare angrily at them.
Whatever it was seemed to renew its grip, and Tara groaned, slumping to her knees. She landed next to the mace, which Willow grabbed.
"Tara, hang on! Amy -- find something to kill it!" She swung the spiked ball up and over the side of the crate, bringing it down on the creature's head.
Amy shook off her shock and grabbed a set of chains from the other box, swinging it as hard as she could. There was a high pitched whine, and after several more blows, the thing in the box let go.
Tara pulled away, cradling her bleeding arm. Willow dropped the mace and knelt beside the blonde witch.
Amy kept beating the creature, slamming her chain into it over and over until it stopped moving. Breathing hard, she looked up to find Willow trying to stop the blood that was pouring from Tara's wounds.
"Tara?" Willow slipped her vest off and wrapped it tightly around the injured forearm. "Easy, baby, I'm here. I've got you."
Leaning into Willow, Tara groaned. Her hand was numb, but her arm ached and it felt like the thing was still biting her. She felt nauseous and her mouth was dry. Closing her eyes from the pain, all she could do was trust that Willow would take care of her.
It wasn't long before blood was soaking through the vest, and Willow knew there was a real possibility a vein had been opened. The bite was just above the wrist, on the inside of the arm.
"Tara? We need a healing spell. Something..."
Tara shook her head slightly, trying to think. She knew she had no chance of healing herself, but she wasn't sure she wanted to lay the burden on Willow. Giving up the magic had been hard, and even a healing spell might restart the dangerous cycle out of which the redhead had broken.
Amy knelt beside them. "I can do it. You'll need to tell me what to do, but I can do it."
Willow nodded. Part of her wanted to do this, but another part was afraid to even test the magical waters again.
"Need --" Tara coughed, and swallowed. Her throat was dry and it hurt to talk. "Need sage. And a clean crystal."
"Sage, I have." Amy pulled over her purse, which she'd managed to hold onto during their frenzied flight down the hall. "But, a crystal -- I have one, but I've used it before. Is it still okay?"
Tara shook her head. "Not if it was dark magic. It wouldn't work."
Amy's shoulders slumped.
Willow dug into her pocket. "This one should work," she said quietly as she showed them the doll's eye crystal.
"You -- you never used it for dark --"
"I never used it." Willow lowered her head. "Not without you, anyway."
Tara tried to smile, but it was broken by a pain shooting up her arm. She gasped and arched her back a little. Her face went white.
Willow tightened her grip. "Amy, hurry."
Amy nodded and scooted closer to Tara. "I know a general heal injury spell, but -- is there a different one that I should use?"
"No, that's fine." Tara tried not to look as Willow and Amy peeled the cloth off her arm. "Oh, ouch."
Tara's arm was bloody from the midpoint of her forearm down to her fingertips. In the area above her wrist there were two semi-circular sets of bite marks. Most of them were sluggishly oozing, but there were two that were bleeding freely and heavily.
"Okay." Amy slid her own arm along the inside of Tara's, holding the blonde witch's right elbow. With her left hand she took a pinch of sage and sprinkled it around and on top of the wound. Taking the crystal, she held it over the bloody tooth marks.
"You do know this is going to hurt? And it'll knock out your powers for at least a little while."
Tara nodded. "No choice. We can stay here for another half hour without a problem, I think. And as far as the pain --" She shrugged with her good shoulder. "It's not like it doesn't hurt now."
Amy nodded; Willow held Tara's hand as Amy closed her eyes and started to chant.
"Great Mother, bringer of all life, I beseech you.
Brigit, Goddess of moon and healing, hear me.
Life and death are yours to give,
they are also yours to hold.
By Crystal's might, and magic white,
heal this wound by way of light.
Heal your daughter, of mortal birth,
this I ask by sky and earth."
The crystal began to glow, emitting a blue-white light that reached out to envelop Amy's hand and Tara's arm. A tingling began in Tara's elbow and fingertips at the same time, and she squeezed Willow's hand hard as the tingles became a wave of pain that washed through her forearm. She closed her eyes, tears leaking down her cheeks, and pressed back against Willow as hard as she could. When the pain finally ended, she slumped against her former lover, tired and spent.
Willow held on through Tara's painful grip on her hand. Whispering into her ear, she wiped away the tears that fell, and kissed her temple till she finally went limp in her arms. "I love you, Tara." Willow used her sleeve to dry the beads of sweat that had formed on Tara's brow, holding the blonde close as she rested in Willow's lap.
Amy wiped away the blood and what little remained of the sage she'd used. The puncture marks were still evident on Tara's wrist and arm, but had fully closed and were in the early stages of healing. Amy smiled up at the blonde, her own fingers still tingling from the spell.
Tara glanced at the now sealed wound and nodded. Her eyes were very heavy, and she tried to keep them open, but couldn't. "Willow? Gotta sleep." She turned her head slightly and sighed. By her next breath, she was out.
Willow watched Tara sleep for a moment as she fussed with a strand of the blonde hair matted by sweat. Her face was still white, but now calm in slumber. Her jaw had relaxed, releasing the tension that had told Willow just how much pain her love had been in. Tara's appearance was one of peace as she breathed deeply through her slightly open mouth.
But there was still fear in Willow's voice as she asked, "She'll be okay?"
"Yeah, she'll be fine. I -- I think between the pain, and the energy the spell took -- she's just tired. She'll be okay, Willow." Amy tried to sound sure of herself, knowing it was what Willow needed. She was certain of one thing -- Tara's arm would heal fine. But Amy was suddenly really unsure of everything else.
She moved away slightly, leaning against the stacked crates she and Tara had been going through. Her hands rested on her knees as she sat with her legs pulled up in front of her. Amy grimaced slightly at the grime now coating her hands and arms. The dirt had mixed with the oil from the crate and Tara's blood, to form a layer of paste that covered the backs of both hands. Along with that red-tinged grime was an occasional speck of green, the result of the creature's blood splattering over her as she killed it.
She couldn't help but wonder what the hell it was.
A low growl came up from her stomach, and she realized she was hungry. This was quickly followed by the understanding that they were trapped in a dungeon with no food or water. And she was responsible for it.
"Willow?"
"Hum?"
"I'm sorry. I really thought this would be a quick job for you and me. I'd bring you here, we'd wipe the floor with a few demons, and be home by dawn." Amy gestured at the room around them. "I never expected -- this."
Willow didn't know exactly what to say. She was upset about Tara being hurt. About Tara being dragged into this just for being with her on a date. Upset that Amy still thought she could get her to do magic after all this time, by force if need be. Willow stared at the woman in her arms for several moments before replying.
"Amy, this book that you want? It's not worth all this; you have to know that. I know you think I'm a powerful witch, and in truth I had power. But I didn't have control of it. The magic was in control of me. Instead of using the magic, it was using me." Willow looked back down at Tara's sleeping face. "She knew that. She tried to warn me, but I didn't listen." Tears began to form in her eyes. "She was the one that was strong when I was weak. She's the one that understood that you have to have respect, and understand the consequences. You could learn a lot from her. I know I have."
She paused for a moment, then turned to Amy again. "You have the same problem that I did. You've lost control, and that will only get you into trouble." She waved a hand around the room they sat in. "Take a look around you. How fast did your simple plan get out of control?" Willow just shook her head. "You're just as addicted to magic as I was. And it's only going to get worse if you don't try and stop now."
Amy looked down at the floor, and then up at Willow, whose eyes were focused on the blonde asleep in her arms.
She knew Willow was right, at least in part. It was her fault that they were all trapped there, and the plan had gone wrong awfully fast. And the magic lately -- well, she had to admit to feeling a little out of control.
But, give it up, like Willow had? She shook her head mentally.
I have to get to the book, she thought. Then I can make this whole thing up to them. I can get them safely out of here, and I can get control of my life again. I can.
There were shouts off in the distance. Guttural voices could be heard echoing down the hallways. Amy doused her witch light, and Willow huddled down with Tara, covering the injured woman as much as she could.
They stayed that way in the dark for several minutes. More sounds drifted through the air, but there were no footsteps that they could hear. It seemed that Tara's spell was still working.
Amy relit the magic light, and watched for several moments as Willow gently stroked Tara's cheek, whispering in her ear every few minutes. She knew she had to make things right. "First things first," she muttered to herself.
"Willow? Hey." Amy kept her voice down in order to not wake Tara. "Listen, I'm going to go scout around, okay? Follow this tunnel down a little further. You stay put and watch over her?"
Willow didn't even look up."I'm not going anywhere without her. I won't lose her again."
Her voice was soft, but it came across to Amy clearly and strongly. The absolute love she felt for Tara was evident, and had been all along. For a moment, Amy was jealous. Then she just felt guilty.
"Oh. Hey, what about the light?"
"I'll need to take it with me." Amy looked apologetic. "It's kind of attached to me."
"Um ... I'm not so sure I want to sit here in the dark. Any chance of finding a non-magical light source?"
"Don't know." Amy looked around the room. She noticed an odd shaped metal holder on the wall, and stared at it till she realized what it was. "Hey, wait, I think --" Creeping over to the box she and Tara had gone through earlier, she dug through the chains until she came up with a long piece of wood, one end covered in black pitch.
"Exuro." Light flared from the end of the torch, and Amy grinned over at Willow. "Saw it earlier in the box but didn't know what it was till I saw that." She pointed at the metal object on the wall, then moved over to it and slid the torch into it. The room was doused in an almost cheery glow.
Willow nodded. "Nice."
"Okay. I'm going. I won't be long. Maybe I can find.. I don't know. Something."
Willow looked up. "Fine, but be careful and don't break the concealment barrier." She returned to stroking Tara's face.
As Amy got to the door, Willow called to her and she turned.
"No magic." Willow's voice was firm.
Amy hesitated but nodded, then walked quietly through the door and disappeared around the corner.
End Part Four
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
See, not as bad as you thought we would leave you eh?
------------------
Later dayz,
TrueXena
"I'm so evil, and skanky...and I think I'm kinda gay."
[This message has been edited by TrueXena (edited November 30, 2001).]
[This message has been edited by TrueXena (edited November 30, 2001).]
IP: Logged
posted November 30, 2001 04:12quote:
Originally posted by mollyig:
No, its okay - don't feel guilty. I'm gonna be strong. I can do this!
Ok, we are doing the last editing and will be posted soon. Drink a cup of coffee and try back later. Ok?
Edited to put Part 4 up. Happy now?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Reflections in Raindrops (4/?)
Authors: Shadowriter (shadowriter@kc.rr.com) and TrueXena (truexena@columbus.rr.com)
Rating: R
Couples: W/T
Spoilers: Through this season
Notes: This is us trying to get beyond the W/T rift, kind of.
Archiving: Sure, but please talk to us first.
Feedback: Please. Pretty please? Public or private, either one.
Copyright: The characters in the story are the property of Joss Whedon (much bowing in his general direction) and Mutant Enemy. We are borrowing them for a short time, but will return them in perfect condition. The plot, however, is ours.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Reflections in Raindrops
Part Four
Willow scrambled to her feet and reached out for Tara. She grabbed the trapped arm and pulled, trying to free her friend. The only result was another cry from the struggling captive.
The light in the room began to fade as Tara's magic orb slowly winked out. For a few seconds they were plunged into total darkness. Then, with a word, Amy's witch light returned, filling the area with a yellow brilliance.
Once the light returned, Willow tried to figure out what was holding Tara, but all she could see was the top of the crate. Tara's arm seemed to disappear a little above the elbow. Willow reached down and watched her own hand slide through the box top as if it wasn't there.
"Tara, it's an illusion -- you have to dispell the magic." She looked up at Amy. "Don't just stand there, help us!"
Tara gritted her teeth against the pain and focused on the top of the crate. "Aperio!"
The illusion dissipated, to reveal a slimy, greyish creature in the box, its two thick limbs wrapped tightly around Tara's forearm. It was about two feet long, with two short legs curled at its side. Two mouths, side by side, were attached to Tara's arm. Blood was leaking down her wrist to drip from her fingertips. One neon green eye swiveled to stare angrily at them.
Whatever it was seemed to renew its grip, and Tara groaned, slumping to her knees. She landed next to the mace, which Willow grabbed.
"Tara, hang on! Amy -- find something to kill it!" She swung the spiked ball up and over the side of the crate, bringing it down on the creature's head.
Amy shook off her shock and grabbed a set of chains from the other box, swinging it as hard as she could. There was a high pitched whine, and after several more blows, the thing in the box let go.
Tara pulled away, cradling her bleeding arm. Willow dropped the mace and knelt beside the blonde witch.
Amy kept beating the creature, slamming her chain into it over and over until it stopped moving. Breathing hard, she looked up to find Willow trying to stop the blood that was pouring from Tara's wounds.
"Tara?" Willow slipped her vest off and wrapped it tightly around the injured forearm. "Easy, baby, I'm here. I've got you."
Leaning into Willow, Tara groaned. Her hand was numb, but her arm ached and it felt like the thing was still biting her. She felt nauseous and her mouth was dry. Closing her eyes from the pain, all she could do was trust that Willow would take care of her.
It wasn't long before blood was soaking through the vest, and Willow knew there was a real possibility a vein had been opened. The bite was just above the wrist, on the inside of the arm.
"Tara? We need a healing spell. Something..."
Tara shook her head slightly, trying to think. She knew she had no chance of healing herself, but she wasn't sure she wanted to lay the burden on Willow. Giving up the magic had been hard, and even a healing spell might restart the dangerous cycle out of which the redhead had broken.
Amy knelt beside them. "I can do it. You'll need to tell me what to do, but I can do it."
Willow nodded. Part of her wanted to do this, but another part was afraid to even test the magical waters again.
"Need --" Tara coughed, and swallowed. Her throat was dry and it hurt to talk. "Need sage. And a clean crystal."
"Sage, I have." Amy pulled over her purse, which she'd managed to hold onto during their frenzied flight down the hall. "But, a crystal -- I have one, but I've used it before. Is it still okay?"
Tara shook her head. "Not if it was dark magic. It wouldn't work."
Amy's shoulders slumped.
Willow dug into her pocket. "This one should work," she said quietly as she showed them the doll's eye crystal.
"You -- you never used it for dark --"
"I never used it." Willow lowered her head. "Not without you, anyway."
Tara tried to smile, but it was broken by a pain shooting up her arm. She gasped and arched her back a little. Her face went white.
Willow tightened her grip. "Amy, hurry."
Amy nodded and scooted closer to Tara. "I know a general heal injury spell, but -- is there a different one that I should use?"
"No, that's fine." Tara tried not to look as Willow and Amy peeled the cloth off her arm. "Oh, ouch."
Tara's arm was bloody from the midpoint of her forearm down to her fingertips. In the area above her wrist there were two semi-circular sets of bite marks. Most of them were sluggishly oozing, but there were two that were bleeding freely and heavily.
"Okay." Amy slid her own arm along the inside of Tara's, holding the blonde witch's right elbow. With her left hand she took a pinch of sage and sprinkled it around and on top of the wound. Taking the crystal, she held it over the bloody tooth marks.
"You do know this is going to hurt? And it'll knock out your powers for at least a little while."
Tara nodded. "No choice. We can stay here for another half hour without a problem, I think. And as far as the pain --" She shrugged with her good shoulder. "It's not like it doesn't hurt now."
Amy nodded; Willow held Tara's hand as Amy closed her eyes and started to chant.
"Great Mother, bringer of all life, I beseech you.
Brigit, Goddess of moon and healing, hear me.
Life and death are yours to give,
they are also yours to hold.
By Crystal's might, and magic white,
heal this wound by way of light.
Heal your daughter, of mortal birth,
this I ask by sky and earth."
The crystal began to glow, emitting a blue-white light that reached out to envelop Amy's hand and Tara's arm. A tingling began in Tara's elbow and fingertips at the same time, and she squeezed Willow's hand hard as the tingles became a wave of pain that washed through her forearm. She closed her eyes, tears leaking down her cheeks, and pressed back against Willow as hard as she could. When the pain finally ended, she slumped against her former lover, tired and spent.
Willow held on through Tara's painful grip on her hand. Whispering into her ear, she wiped away the tears that fell, and kissed her temple till she finally went limp in her arms. "I love you, Tara." Willow used her sleeve to dry the beads of sweat that had formed on Tara's brow, holding the blonde close as she rested in Willow's lap.
Amy wiped away the blood and what little remained of the sage she'd used. The puncture marks were still evident on Tara's wrist and arm, but had fully closed and were in the early stages of healing. Amy smiled up at the blonde, her own fingers still tingling from the spell.
Tara glanced at the now sealed wound and nodded. Her eyes were very heavy, and she tried to keep them open, but couldn't. "Willow? Gotta sleep." She turned her head slightly and sighed. By her next breath, she was out.
Willow watched Tara sleep for a moment as she fussed with a strand of the blonde hair matted by sweat. Her face was still white, but now calm in slumber. Her jaw had relaxed, releasing the tension that had told Willow just how much pain her love had been in. Tara's appearance was one of peace as she breathed deeply through her slightly open mouth.
But there was still fear in Willow's voice as she asked, "She'll be okay?"
"Yeah, she'll be fine. I -- I think between the pain, and the energy the spell took -- she's just tired. She'll be okay, Willow." Amy tried to sound sure of herself, knowing it was what Willow needed. She was certain of one thing -- Tara's arm would heal fine. But Amy was suddenly really unsure of everything else.
She moved away slightly, leaning against the stacked crates she and Tara had been going through. Her hands rested on her knees as she sat with her legs pulled up in front of her. Amy grimaced slightly at the grime now coating her hands and arms. The dirt had mixed with the oil from the crate and Tara's blood, to form a layer of paste that covered the backs of both hands. Along with that red-tinged grime was an occasional speck of green, the result of the creature's blood splattering over her as she killed it.
She couldn't help but wonder what the hell it was.
A low growl came up from her stomach, and she realized she was hungry. This was quickly followed by the understanding that they were trapped in a dungeon with no food or water. And she was responsible for it.
"Willow?"
"Hum?"
"I'm sorry. I really thought this would be a quick job for you and me. I'd bring you here, we'd wipe the floor with a few demons, and be home by dawn." Amy gestured at the room around them. "I never expected -- this."
Willow didn't know exactly what to say. She was upset about Tara being hurt. About Tara being dragged into this just for being with her on a date. Upset that Amy still thought she could get her to do magic after all this time, by force if need be. Willow stared at the woman in her arms for several moments before replying.
"Amy, this book that you want? It's not worth all this; you have to know that. I know you think I'm a powerful witch, and in truth I had power. But I didn't have control of it. The magic was in control of me. Instead of using the magic, it was using me." Willow looked back down at Tara's sleeping face. "She knew that. She tried to warn me, but I didn't listen." Tears began to form in her eyes. "She was the one that was strong when I was weak. She's the one that understood that you have to have respect, and understand the consequences. You could learn a lot from her. I know I have."
She paused for a moment, then turned to Amy again. "You have the same problem that I did. You've lost control, and that will only get you into trouble." She waved a hand around the room they sat in. "Take a look around you. How fast did your simple plan get out of control?" Willow just shook her head. "You're just as addicted to magic as I was. And it's only going to get worse if you don't try and stop now."
Amy looked down at the floor, and then up at Willow, whose eyes were focused on the blonde asleep in her arms.
She knew Willow was right, at least in part. It was her fault that they were all trapped there, and the plan had gone wrong awfully fast. And the magic lately -- well, she had to admit to feeling a little out of control.
But, give it up, like Willow had? She shook her head mentally.
I have to get to the book, she thought. Then I can make this whole thing up to them. I can get them safely out of here, and I can get control of my life again. I can.
There were shouts off in the distance. Guttural voices could be heard echoing down the hallways. Amy doused her witch light, and Willow huddled down with Tara, covering the injured woman as much as she could.
They stayed that way in the dark for several minutes. More sounds drifted through the air, but there were no footsteps that they could hear. It seemed that Tara's spell was still working.
Amy relit the magic light, and watched for several moments as Willow gently stroked Tara's cheek, whispering in her ear every few minutes. She knew she had to make things right. "First things first," she muttered to herself.
"Willow? Hey." Amy kept her voice down in order to not wake Tara. "Listen, I'm going to go scout around, okay? Follow this tunnel down a little further. You stay put and watch over her?"
Willow didn't even look up."I'm not going anywhere without her. I won't lose her again."
Her voice was soft, but it came across to Amy clearly and strongly. The absolute love she felt for Tara was evident, and had been all along. For a moment, Amy was jealous. Then she just felt guilty.
"Oh. Hey, what about the light?"
"I'll need to take it with me." Amy looked apologetic. "It's kind of attached to me."
"Um ... I'm not so sure I want to sit here in the dark. Any chance of finding a non-magical light source?"
"Don't know." Amy looked around the room. She noticed an odd shaped metal holder on the wall, and stared at it till she realized what it was. "Hey, wait, I think --" Creeping over to the box she and Tara had gone through earlier, she dug through the chains until she came up with a long piece of wood, one end covered in black pitch.
"Exuro." Light flared from the end of the torch, and Amy grinned over at Willow. "Saw it earlier in the box but didn't know what it was till I saw that." She pointed at the metal object on the wall, then moved over to it and slid the torch into it. The room was doused in an almost cheery glow.
Willow nodded. "Nice."
"Okay. I'm going. I won't be long. Maybe I can find.. I don't know. Something."
Willow looked up. "Fine, but be careful and don't break the concealment barrier." She returned to stroking Tara's face.
As Amy got to the door, Willow called to her and she turned.
"No magic." Willow's voice was firm.
Amy hesitated but nodded, then walked quietly through the door and disappeared around the corner.
End Part Four
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
See, not as bad as you thought we would leave you eh?
------------------
Later dayz,
TrueXena
"I'm so evil, and skanky...and I think I'm kinda gay."
[This message has been edited by TrueXena (edited November 30, 2001).]
[This message has been edited by TrueXena (edited November 30, 2001).]
quote:IP: LoggedShaniezakGay Now! My fault. I didn't get back to them with my first set of edits until late this afternoon.
Done now though . . . should be up any minute. Sorry.
IP: Logged
posted November 30, 2001 04:57 *hanging head sheepishly*My fault. I didn't get back to them with my first set of edits until late this afternoon.
Done now though . . . should be up any minute. Sorry.
IP: LoggedmollyigSassy Eggs Secondly, mollyig is happy now!
Thirdly, mollyig is surprised that she's not hating Amy as much.
------------------
Anya: You think it's sensible for me to go down into that pit of
cotton-top hell, and let them hippity-hop all over my vulnerable flesh?
IP: Logged
posted November 30, 2001 05:37 Firstly, mollyig apologises for being pushy.Secondly, mollyig is happy now!
Thirdly, mollyig is surprised that she's not hating Amy as much.
------------------
Anya: You think it's sensible for me to go down into that pit of
cotton-top hell, and let them hippity-hop all over my vulnerable flesh?
quote:
Originally posted by mollyig:
Firstly, mollyig apologises for being pushy.Secondly, mollyig is happy now!
Thirdly, mollyig is surprised that she's not hating Amy as much.
Firstly, pushy is good. It actually makes us not be so lazy, and put off tomorrow what we can do today.
Secondly, we are happy that mollyig is happy now. (but can I ask what you were before being happy?)
Thirdly, well okay, we dont really have a thirdly. BUT...if we did, it would be right here. (as for Amy? We aint done with her just yet)
------------------
Later dayz,
TrueXena
"I'm so evil, and skanky...and I think I'm kinda gay."
IP: Logged
posted November 30, 2001 11:00quote:
Originally posted by mollyig:
Firstly, mollyig apologises for being pushy.Secondly, mollyig is happy now!
Thirdly, mollyig is surprised that she's not hating Amy as much.
Firstly, pushy is good. It actually makes us not be so lazy, and put off tomorrow what we can do today.
Secondly, we are happy that mollyig is happy now. (but can I ask what you were before being happy?)
Thirdly, well okay, we dont really have a thirdly. BUT...if we did, it would be right here. (as for Amy? We aint done with her just yet)
------------------
Later dayz,
TrueXena
"I'm so evil, and skanky...and I think I'm kinda gay."
quote:IP: LoggedmollyigSassy Eggs quote:
Originally posted by TrueXena:
(but can I ask what you were before being happy?)
Before I was happy I was impatient. But then yez updated the fic, and I was happy. I was just worried that it wouldn't be updated today, and then I'd have to wait until Monday to find out what happens.
Hang on though, . . . that's silly really, 'cause I have to wait to find out what happens next anyway.
Hmmm, ah well. Today's update will keep me going! (for now!)
------------------
Anya: You think it's sensible for me to go down into that pit of
cotton-top hell, and let them hippity-hop all over my vulnerable flesh?
[This message has been edited by mollyig (edited November 30, 2001).]
IP: Logged
posted November 30, 2001 11:35quote:
Originally posted by TrueXena:
(but can I ask what you were before being happy?)
Before I was happy I was impatient. But then yez updated the fic, and I was happy. I was just worried that it wouldn't be updated today, and then I'd have to wait until Monday to find out what happens.
Hang on though, . . . that's silly really, 'cause I have to wait to find out what happens next anyway.
Hmmm, ah well. Today's update will keep me going! (for now!)
------------------
Anya: You think it's sensible for me to go down into that pit of
cotton-top hell, and let them hippity-hop all over my vulnerable flesh?
[This message has been edited by mollyig (edited November 30, 2001).]
quote:IP: Loggedthe_slayers_girlFloating Rose IP: Logged
posted November 30, 2001 12:55 I really love this story! I look foward to reading lots more! IP: LoggedScoutBig Pineapple Now I'll go get in line with all the others who are eagerly awaiting the next installment. No pressure though! heh heh
IP: Logged
posted November 30, 2001 13:29 Wow, if this isn't addictive I don't know what is. And apparently dark magick is very addictive, too, from what I hear.Now I'll go get in line with all the others who are eagerly awaiting the next installment. No pressure though! heh heh
IP: Loggedemily 'first'Cool Monster Fighter ------------------
vive,valeque.
IP: Logged
posted November 30, 2001 13:59 Well now we know what happened next,but...What happens next?------------------
vive,valeque.
------------------
"Yeah, cheers, thanks a lot." ~ Patsy Stone
IP: Logged
posted November 30, 2001 17:29 I'm really enjoying this. Action. That's what I like. And poor Tara. Although I have to say Willow is doing a sterling job of holding off on the magic.------------------
"Yeah, cheers, thanks a lot." ~ Patsy Stone
Bit of shameless plugging from the humble story editor here.
Glad to see you all are enjoying it so far. Shadow went over the overall story outline with me last night, and all I have to say is that, folks, if you like what you've read in the first four parts, you ain't read nothin' yet!
So hey, Shadow, TX . . . where's my rough draft already?!?
IP: Logged
posted November 30, 2001 19:27 *grins*Bit of shameless plugging from the humble story editor here.
Glad to see you all are enjoying it so far. Shadow went over the overall story outline with me last night, and all I have to say is that, folks, if you like what you've read in the first four parts, you ain't read nothin' yet!
So hey, Shadow, TX . . . where's my rough draft already?!?
IP: LoggedTrueXenaDoll's Eye Crystal quote:
Originally posted by Shaniezak:
*grins*Bit of shameless plugging from the humble story editor here.
Glad to see you all are enjoying it so far. Shadow went over the overall story outline with me last night, and all I have to say is that, folks, if you like what you've read in the first four parts, you ain't read nothin' yet!
So hey, Shadow, TX . . . where's my rough draft already?!?
HEY!! You ain't spose to be given' out spoilers!
But she is right, you ain't seen nothin' yet.
------------------
Later dayz,
TrueXena
"I'm so evil, and skanky...and I think I'm kinda gay."
IP: Logged
posted November 30, 2001 20:11quote:
Originally posted by Shaniezak:
*grins*Bit of shameless plugging from the humble story editor here.
Glad to see you all are enjoying it so far. Shadow went over the overall story outline with me last night, and all I have to say is that, folks, if you like what you've read in the first four parts, you ain't read nothin' yet!
So hey, Shadow, TX . . . where's my rough draft already?!?
HEY!! You ain't spose to be given' out spoilers!
But she is right, you ain't seen nothin' yet.
------------------
Later dayz,
TrueXena
"I'm so evil, and skanky...and I think I'm kinda gay."
quote:by mollyig » Fri Nov 30, 2001 2:06 am
No pressure or anything, but I'm all sad now!
No, its okay - don't feel guilty. I'm gonna be strong. I can do this!
Please forgive the melodrama - haven't had my morning caffeine yet. But that doesn't mean I don't want this fic updated!
------------------
Anya: You think it's sensible for me to go down into that pit of
cotton-top hell, and let them hippity-hop all over my vulnerable flesh?
by TrueXena » Fri Nov 30, 2001 2:12 am
quote:
Originally posted by mollyig:
No, its okay - don't feel guilty. I'm gonna be strong. I can do this!
Ok, we are doing the last editing and will be posted soon. Drink a cup of coffee and try back later. Ok?
Edited to put Part 4 up. Happy now?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Reflections in Raindrops (4/?)
Authors: Shadowriter (shadowriter@kc.rr.com) and TrueXena (truexena@columbus.rr.com)
Rating: R
Couples: W/T
Spoilers: Through this season
Notes: This is us trying to get beyond the W/T rift, kind of.
Archiving: Sure, but please talk to us first.
Feedback: Please. Pretty please? Public or private, either one.
Copyright: The characters in the story are the property of Joss Whedon (much bowing in his general direction) and Mutant Enemy. We are borrowing them for a short time, but will return them in perfect condition. The plot, however, is ours.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Reflections in Raindrops
Part Four
Willow scrambled to her feet and reached out for Tara. She grabbed the trapped arm and pulled, trying to free her friend. The only result was another cry from the struggling captive.
The light in the room began to fade as Tara's magic orb slowly winked out. For a few seconds they were plunged into total darkness. Then, with a word, Amy's witch light returned, filling the area with a yellow brilliance.
Once the light returned, Willow tried to figure out what was holding Tara, but all she could see was the top of the crate. Tara's arm seemed to disappear a little above the elbow. Willow reached down and watched her own hand slide through the box top as if it wasn't there.
"Tara, it's an illusion -- you have to dispell the magic." She looked up at Amy. "Don't just stand there, help us!"
Tara gritted her teeth against the pain and focused on the top of the crate. "Aperio!"
The illusion dissipated, to reveal a slimy, greyish creature in the box, its two thick limbs wrapped tightly around Tara's forearm. It was about two feet long, with two short legs curled at its side. Two mouths, side by side, were attached to Tara's arm. Blood was leaking down her wrist to drip from her fingertips. One neon green eye swiveled to stare angrily at them.
Whatever it was seemed to renew its grip, and Tara groaned, slumping to her knees. She landed next to the mace, which Willow grabbed.
"Tara, hang on! Amy -- find something to kill it!" She swung the spiked ball up and over the side of the crate, bringing it down on the creature's head.
Amy shook off her shock and grabbed a set of chains from the other box, swinging it as hard as she could. There was a high pitched whine, and after several more blows, the thing in the box let go.
Tara pulled away, cradling her bleeding arm. Willow dropped the mace and knelt beside the blonde witch.
Amy kept beating the creature, slamming her chain into it over and over until it stopped moving. Breathing hard, she looked up to find Willow trying to stop the blood that was pouring from Tara's wounds.
"Tara?" Willow slipped her vest off and wrapped it tightly around the injured forearm. "Easy, baby, I'm here. I've got you."
Leaning into Willow, Tara groaned. Her hand was numb, but her arm ached and it felt like the thing was still biting her. She felt nauseous and her mouth was dry. Closing her eyes from the pain, all she could do was trust that Willow would take care of her.
It wasn't long before blood was soaking through the vest, and Willow knew there was a real possibility a vein had been opened. The bite was just above the wrist, on the inside of the arm.
"Tara? We need a healing spell. Something..."
Tara shook her head slightly, trying to think. She knew she had no chance of healing herself, but she wasn't sure she wanted to lay the burden on Willow. Giving up the magic had been hard, and even a healing spell might restart the dangerous cycle out of which the redhead had broken.
Amy knelt beside them. "I can do it. You'll need to tell me what to do, but I can do it."
Willow nodded. Part of her wanted to do this, but another part was afraid to even test the magical waters again.
"Need --" Tara coughed, and swallowed. Her throat was dry and it hurt to talk. "Need sage. And a clean crystal."
"Sage, I have." Amy pulled over her purse, which she'd managed to hold onto during their frenzied flight down the hall. "But, a crystal -- I have one, but I've used it before. Is it still okay?"
Tara shook her head. "Not if it was dark magic. It wouldn't work."
Amy's shoulders slumped.
Willow dug into her pocket. "This one should work," she said quietly as she showed them the doll's eye crystal.
"You -- you never used it for dark --"
"I never used it." Willow lowered her head. "Not without you, anyway."
Tara tried to smile, but it was broken by a pain shooting up her arm. She gasped and arched her back a little. Her face went white.
Willow tightened her grip. "Amy, hurry."
Amy nodded and scooted closer to Tara. "I know a general heal injury spell, but -- is there a different one that I should use?"
"No, that's fine." Tara tried not to look as Willow and Amy peeled the cloth off her arm. "Oh, ouch."
Tara's arm was bloody from the midpoint of her forearm down to her fingertips. In the area above her wrist there were two semi-circular sets of bite marks. Most of them were sluggishly oozing, but there were two that were bleeding freely and heavily.
"Okay." Amy slid her own arm along the inside of Tara's, holding the blonde witch's right elbow. With her left hand she took a pinch of sage and sprinkled it around and on top of the wound. Taking the crystal, she held it over the bloody tooth marks.
"You do know this is going to hurt? And it'll knock out your powers for at least a little while."
Tara nodded. "No choice. We can stay here for another half hour without a problem, I think. And as far as the pain --" She shrugged with her good shoulder. "It's not like it doesn't hurt now."
Amy nodded; Willow held Tara's hand as Amy closed her eyes and started to chant.
"Great Mother, bringer of all life, I beseech you.
Brigit, Goddess of moon and healing, hear me.
Life and death are yours to give,
they are also yours to hold.
By Crystal's might, and magic white,
heal this wound by way of light.
Heal your daughter, of mortal birth,
this I ask by sky and earth."
The crystal began to glow, emitting a blue-white light that reached out to envelop Amy's hand and Tara's arm. A tingling began in Tara's elbow and fingertips at the same time, and she squeezed Willow's hand hard as the tingles became a wave of pain that washed through her forearm. She closed her eyes, tears leaking down her cheeks, and pressed back against Willow as hard as she could. When the pain finally ended, she slumped against her former lover, tired and spent.
Willow held on through Tara's painful grip on her hand. Whispering into her ear, she wiped away the tears that fell, and kissed her temple till she finally went limp in her arms. "I love you, Tara." Willow used her sleeve to dry the beads of sweat that had formed on Tara's brow, holding the blonde close as she rested in Willow's lap.
Amy wiped away the blood and what little remained of the sage she'd used. The puncture marks were still evident on Tara's wrist and arm, but had fully closed and were in the early stages of healing. Amy smiled up at the blonde, her own fingers still tingling from the spell.
Tara glanced at the now sealed wound and nodded. Her eyes were very heavy, and she tried to keep them open, but couldn't. "Willow? Gotta sleep." She turned her head slightly and sighed. By her next breath, she was out.
Willow watched Tara sleep for a moment as she fussed with a strand of the blonde hair matted by sweat. Her face was still white, but now calm in slumber. Her jaw had relaxed, releasing the tension that had told Willow just how much pain her love had been in. Tara's appearance was one of peace as she breathed deeply through her slightly open mouth.
But there was still fear in Willow's voice as she asked, "She'll be okay?"
"Yeah, she'll be fine. I -- I think between the pain, and the energy the spell took -- she's just tired. She'll be okay, Willow." Amy tried to sound sure of herself, knowing it was what Willow needed. She was certain of one thing -- Tara's arm would heal fine. But Amy was suddenly really unsure of everything else.
She moved away slightly, leaning against the stacked crates she and Tara had been going through. Her hands rested on her knees as she sat with her legs pulled up in front of her. Amy grimaced slightly at the grime now coating her hands and arms. The dirt had mixed with the oil from the crate and Tara's blood, to form a layer of paste that covered the backs of both hands. Along with that red-tinged grime was an occasional speck of green, the result of the creature's blood splattering over her as she killed it.
She couldn't help but wonder what the hell it was.
A low growl came up from her stomach, and she realized she was hungry. This was quickly followed by the understanding that they were trapped in a dungeon with no food or water. And she was responsible for it.
"Willow?"
"Hum?"
"I'm sorry. I really thought this would be a quick job for you and me. I'd bring you here, we'd wipe the floor with a few demons, and be home by dawn." Amy gestured at the room around them. "I never expected -- this."
Willow didn't know exactly what to say. She was upset about Tara being hurt. About Tara being dragged into this just for being with her on a date. Upset that Amy still thought she could get her to do magic after all this time, by force if need be. Willow stared at the woman in her arms for several moments before replying.
"Amy, this book that you want? It's not worth all this; you have to know that. I know you think I'm a powerful witch, and in truth I had power. But I didn't have control of it. The magic was in control of me. Instead of using the magic, it was using me." Willow looked back down at Tara's sleeping face. "She knew that. She tried to warn me, but I didn't listen." Tears began to form in her eyes. "She was the one that was strong when I was weak. She's the one that understood that you have to have respect, and understand the consequences. You could learn a lot from her. I know I have."
She paused for a moment, then turned to Amy again. "You have the same problem that I did. You've lost control, and that will only get you into trouble." She waved a hand around the room they sat in. "Take a look around you. How fast did your simple plan get out of control?" Willow just shook her head. "You're just as addicted to magic as I was. And it's only going to get worse if you don't try and stop now."
Amy looked down at the floor, and then up at Willow, whose eyes were focused on the blonde asleep in her arms.
She knew Willow was right, at least in part. It was her fault that they were all trapped there, and the plan had gone wrong awfully fast. And the magic lately -- well, she had to admit to feeling a little out of control.
But, give it up, like Willow had? She shook her head mentally.
I have to get to the book, she thought. Then I can make this whole thing up to them. I can get them safely out of here, and I can get control of my life again. I can.
There were shouts off in the distance. Guttural voices could be heard echoing down the hallways. Amy doused her witch light, and Willow huddled down with Tara, covering the injured woman as much as she could.
They stayed that way in the dark for several minutes. More sounds drifted through the air, but there were no footsteps that they could hear. It seemed that Tara's spell was still working.
Amy relit the magic light, and watched for several moments as Willow gently stroked Tara's cheek, whispering in her ear every few minutes. She knew she had to make things right. "First things first," she muttered to herself.
"Willow? Hey." Amy kept her voice down in order to not wake Tara. "Listen, I'm going to go scout around, okay? Follow this tunnel down a little further. You stay put and watch over her?"
Willow didn't even look up."I'm not going anywhere without her. I won't lose her again."
Her voice was soft, but it came across to Amy clearly and strongly. The absolute love she felt for Tara was evident, and had been all along. For a moment, Amy was jealous. Then she just felt guilty.
"Oh. Hey, what about the light?"
"I'll need to take it with me." Amy looked apologetic. "It's kind of attached to me."
"Um ... I'm not so sure I want to sit here in the dark. Any chance of finding a non-magical light source?"
"Don't know." Amy looked around the room. She noticed an odd shaped metal holder on the wall, and stared at it till she realized what it was. "Hey, wait, I think --" Creeping over to the box she and Tara had gone through earlier, she dug through the chains until she came up with a long piece of wood, one end covered in black pitch.
"Exuro." Light flared from the end of the torch, and Amy grinned over at Willow. "Saw it earlier in the box but didn't know what it was till I saw that." She pointed at the metal object on the wall, then moved over to it and slid the torch into it. The room was doused in an almost cheery glow.
Willow nodded. "Nice."
"Okay. I'm going. I won't be long. Maybe I can find.. I don't know. Something."
Willow looked up. "Fine, but be careful and don't break the concealment barrier." She returned to stroking Tara's face.
As Amy got to the door, Willow called to her and she turned.
"No magic." Willow's voice was firm.
Amy hesitated but nodded, then walked quietly through the door and disappeared around the corner.
End Part Four
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
See, not as bad as you thought we would leave you eh?
------------------
Later dayz,
TrueXena
"I'm so evil, and skanky...and I think I'm kinda gay."
[This message has been edited by TrueXena (edited November 30, 2001).]
[This message has been edited by TrueXena (edited November 30, 2001).]
quote:by Shaniezak » Fri Nov 30, 2001 2:57 am
My fault. I didn't get back to them with my first set of edits until late this afternoon.
Done now though . . . should be up any minute. Sorry.
by mollyig » Fri Nov 30, 2001 3:37 am
Secondly, mollyig is happy now!
Thirdly, mollyig is surprised that she's not hating Amy as much.
------------------
Anya: You think it's sensible for me to go down into that pit of
cotton-top hell, and let them hippity-hop all over my vulnerable flesh?
by TrueXena » Fri Nov 30, 2001 9:00 am
quote:
Originally posted by mollyig:
Firstly, mollyig apologises for being pushy.Secondly, mollyig is happy now!
Thirdly, mollyig is surprised that she's not hating Amy as much.
Firstly, pushy is good. It actually makes us not be so lazy, and put off tomorrow what we can do today.
Secondly, we are happy that mollyig is happy now. (but can I ask what you were before being happy?)
Thirdly, well okay, we dont really have a thirdly. BUT...if we did, it would be right here. (as for Amy? We aint done with her just yet)
------------------
Later dayz,
TrueXena
"I'm so evil, and skanky...and I think I'm kinda gay."
quote:by mollyig » Fri Nov 30, 2001 9:35 am
quote:
Originally posted by TrueXena:
(but can I ask what you were before being happy?)
Before I was happy I was impatient. But then yez updated the fic, and I was happy. I was just worried that it wouldn't be updated today, and then I'd have to wait until Monday to find out what happens.
Hang on though, . . . that's silly really, 'cause I have to wait to find out what happens next anyway.
Hmmm, ah well. Today's update will keep me going! (for now!)
------------------
Anya: You think it's sensible for me to go down into that pit of
cotton-top hell, and let them hippity-hop all over my vulnerable flesh?
[This message has been edited by mollyig (edited November 30, 2001).]
quote:by the_slayers_girl » Fri Nov 30, 2001 10:55 am
by Scout » Fri Nov 30, 2001 11:29 am
Now I'll go get in line with all the others who are eagerly awaiting the next installment. No pressure though! heh heh
by emily 'first' » Fri Nov 30, 2001 11:59 am
------------------
vive,valeque.
by tommo » Fri Nov 30, 2001 3:29 pm
------------------
"Yeah, cheers, thanks a lot." ~ Patsy Stone
by Shaniezak » Fri Nov 30, 2001 5:27 pm
Bit of shameless plugging from the humble story editor here.
Glad to see you all are enjoying it so far. Shadow went over the overall story outline with me last night, and all I have to say is that, folks, if you like what you've read in the first four parts, you ain't read nothin' yet!
So hey, Shadow, TX . . . where's my rough draft already?!?
by TrueXena » Fri Nov 30, 2001 6:11 pm
quote:
Originally posted by Shaniezak:
*grins*Bit of shameless plugging from the humble story editor here.
Glad to see you all are enjoying it so far. Shadow went over the overall story outline with me last night, and all I have to say is that, folks, if you like what you've read in the first four parts, you ain't read nothin' yet!
So hey, Shadow, TX . . . where's my rough draft already?!?
HEY!! You ain't spose to be given' out spoilers!
But she is right, you ain't seen nothin' yet.
------------------
Later dayz,
TrueXena
"I'm so evil, and skanky...and I think I'm kinda gay."
quote:by Puff » Fri Nov 30, 2001 8:15 pm
------------------
Bloody hell, sodding, limey, shagging, knickers, bollocks...oh God...I'm English
by TrueXena » Fri Nov 30, 2001 8:18 pm
quote:
Originally posted by Puff:
Really enjoying this story and I look forward to the next parts...any idea how long it is going to be?
Glad you like it.
Part 5 is still in the works, but should get edited tonight (late) so check back in the morning?
Edited to say "WOOOOHOOO" *Doll's Eye Crystal* look at me go!
One day I'll be *Gay Now*
------------------
Later dayz,
TrueXena
"I'm so evil, and skanky...and I think I'm kinda gay."
[This message has been edited by TrueXena (edited November 30, 2001).]
quote:by Sassette » Sat Dec 01, 2001 1:37 am
And Shaniezak, dear... Beta Faster *G*
-Sass
by Shaniezak » Sat Dec 01, 2001 1:44 am
Geez, Sass, would you like one of those thorned whips of flame too? I swear, you people.
[This message has been edited by Shaniezak (edited December 01, 2001).]
by Sassette » Sat Dec 01, 2001 1:47 am
-sass
by TrueXena » Sat Dec 01, 2001 3:38 am
Reflections in Raindrops
Part Five
Stepping out the door of their hiding place, Amy quietly set off down the hall. She kept her witch light much smaller than the one she'd used earlier, smaller even than Tara's orb, but she didn't need too much light anyway. Just enough to show her the next few paces in front of her.
Not that there was much to look at. The walls were dirty and grey, with a few cobwebs in some of the upper corners. Amy couldn't help but think that spiders must be the one constant through every universe ever
created.
She came to a T-junction of corridors, where she had to turn left or right. She peeked carefully around the corners before choosing the right hand tunnel. It didn't seem much different than the one on the left, but Amy thought she could see some light down near the end.
As she got closer, she began to get nervous. There was definitely a light, and every once in a while she thought she could catch the sound of a voice.
She was about to turn back when she smelled it. It was roast something, and she guessed it had to be this world's equivalent of roast beef. She inhaled slowly through her nose, enjoying the scent of meat cooking. Her stomach rumbled a little more, and her mouth watered.
Going forward didn't seem like a good plan; after all, there had been voices. On the other hand, she had no desire to walk back to Tara and Willow empty handed. She'd caused them enough harm, and it was time to repair a little of it.
I know I said I wouldn't, Willow, but I have to. She sent a mental apology to her friend, then closed her eyes and cast a spell. When it was done, she looked down at her hand to see that it wasn't there.
Invisibility is the key, she thought. With that, she could roam around the castle and not be seen. Pleased with herself, she set off towards the light with a confident step.
====================
Willow yawned lightly and shook her head. Tara was still asleep in her lap, and the redhead was passing the time by reading.
It was difficult, but a good challenge for her mind. Gaulish was an extinct language that was part of the Celtic group. It came from a group of Celts that had remained on the European continent and were eventually eliminated or assimilated by the Romans. Not only that, but it was very obscure, and there was little documentation.
Giles had spent some weeks tutoring Willow on extinct languages, Gaulish included. It was a time Willow had enjoyed, before Glory, before Buffy's death and resurrection -- before she'd lost control.
Before Tara left her.
Tears stung her eyes for a moment and she set the book aside.
Tara mumbled something and stretched. She turned over slightly and opened her eyes.
"Hey, baby."
"Will." Tara sighed. "Wow. That's nice."
"What is?"
"Waking up in your arms."
They smiled at each other, and Willow gently touched Tara's cheek. "How are you feeling?"
One blonde eyebrow rose, and Tara stretched a little more. "Not bad. A little tired, yet, but after all that's happened, I think I'm okay."
"Yeah? How's your arm feel?"
The fingers at the end of said arm wiggled, and Tara gently moved flexed her elbow. She grimaced a little, but didn't stop moving it.
"Pretty good, actually. I mean, it aches, but that's to be expected." She wiggled her fingers again. "Hand's still tingly."
Willow reached down and tangled her fingers with Tara's. She felt her hand being squeezed and looked up to find Tara's blue eyes smiling at her. She couldn't help but return the expression.
Tara glanced around. Seeing the box, she shivered. "Willow, what was that thing? Do you know?"
"Oh, yeah. I found it in the book. I sorta did some reading while you were sleeping." She grabbed the book she had put aside.
"Studying again, huh?" Tara smiled up at Willow.
"Uh huh. You know me, study girl." Willow smiled back. "So, if I'm reading this right, it was a Kradtic. Your basic low level, third dimension demon, with a nasty outlook on life. Who sits in wait for anything that comes along to snack on."
Tara frowned. "You can really read that? I didn't think you could understand it that well."
"Well, most of it's in Gaulish. There are only a few pages in a different language that I don't understand. Demon, I think, but I'm not sure."
"I know Giles was teaching you Gaulish, but I didn't think he taught you the whole language."
"Not even close." Willow smiled at her. "But -- it's like a puzzle, and puzzles I can figure out." She pointed at a word on the page. "I'm not too sure what that word is, but I know what the surrounding words are, and I'm pretty good at context associations."
Tara nodded. "Right. Puzzle gal, with the photographic memory."
Willow grinned. "Well, it helps that Giles taught me the really important words."
"Like?"
"Like demon, slay, kill, magic."
They shared a chuckle and then fell silent at a sudden noise from the hall. There was a loud boom, like the sound of a heavy door slamming shut, and more shouts and yells. Then everything was quiet again.
Tara suddenly sat up. "Where's Amy?"
"She went to go have a look around."
"Alone?"
"Well, yeah. You were sleeping, and -- well, I wasn't about to leave you by yourself." She avoided Tara's gaze. "Besides, I rather enjoy watching you sleep, if you must know."
The blonde witch smiled. "Oh, yeah? You do that a lot, huh?
"Well, not as often as I'd like to, but when given the chance I'm not going to pass it up."
They sat quietly for several moments, just enjoying the peace and quiet. Then more voices and the sound of footsteps echoed from the hall. They looked at each other in alarm. Willow started to stand.
"What are you doing?"
"The torch!"
Tara shook her head and pulled Willow back to the ground. "Exuro abeo." The torch fluttered and died, leaving them in darkness.
The sounds of marching boots seemed to come closer by the moment. Willow wrapped her arms around Tara and pulled her down behind the crate. The stayed there, hardly daring to breathe, as the footsteps went past the
door, never stopping.
Slowly, they sat up. Neither of them moved away, though, and neither said anything about relighting the torch. Willow kept her arms around Tara as they sat in the darkness.
"Where did you say Amy went?"
"To look around."
They both sighed, hoping she hadn't been the cause of the marching soldiers.
=================
Amy, at that moment, was sitting under a table. On the other side of the room were several of the whatevers that had surprised her when she opened the door to the stairs, speaking to each other in low guttural voices. Unable to understand the language, but certain she would be unwelcome in the conversation, she stayed hidden, hoping to find a way to take some food and water back to her friends.
The problem, as she saw it, was twofold. One, she needed to get to the area around the fire without being stepped on or bumped into by any of the creatures at dinner. Two, she needed to know just what the spell of invisibility included.
Feeling her pockets, she felt the lump of her wallet in her back pocket. She slid it out and looked at her hand. There was nothing there; no hand, and no wallet. Reaching out, she set it on the floor next to her and glanced up to see if anyone was watching. They weren't, so she looked down and slowly took her hand off the wallet.
It appeared the moment she stopped touching it. Nodding, she put it back in her pocket and crawled out from under the table.
There was a table loaded with empty water skins, along with several full ones. Next to the table was a barrel of water. Slowly, Amy approached the stack of water skins, reaching out carefully. Once again, she made sure none of the creatures were looking her way. Then she put her hand on the top of a full skin and it disappeared.
She tied that one to her belt and was reaching for another when one of the creatures stood and started to lumber towards her. Moving away, she stepped carefully around a chair and plastered herself against a wall.
It was the first good look she'd gotten at the Goshti, as she remembered Willow had called them. She admitted to herself that she could have lived without the close-up shot.
The one in front of her was big, over six feet, and very muscular. His (she was pretty sure it was male) face was a cross between a boar's and a man's, with yellowed tusks protruding from his mouth. His eyes were black with white pupils, and his forehead sloped back from his eyes. Dirty looking strands of black hair stuck to the sides of his head covering half of his long ears. His forearms were as thick as her thighs and his thighs were wider than her whole body.
The uniform, which she could see was pretty much the standard among his companions, was made of strips of metal over a solid leather coat. He had a type of battle axe strapped to his back, and a short sword attached to his belt.
Amy covered her nose; whatever the thing was, he reeked.
The soldier creature grabbed all of the filled water skins and tossed them to his comrades. They stood from the table and all started heading out the door. One of them seemed to argue with his fellow, and Amy wondered if maybe she had swiped his water skin.
After several minutes of yelling the Goshti grabbed an empty skin and tossed it to his angry companion. This seemed to mollify the creature and the group of them headed out the door, leaving Amy completely alone in the room.
Breathing a sigh of relief, she filled two more skins from the water barrel. After that she went to look at what was left behind on the table. There wasn't much there, but towards the back of the room, near the hearth, was the spit where the roasted meat was still waiting. Her mouth watered as she approached.
She found not just meat but bread and cheese as well. The only problem was she had no way to carry it.
Looking around, she found a small wooden box. After first making sure there was no magically hidden creature, she used a spell to change the box into a bag. Then she loaded the food into the sack and prepared to leave.
Only to duck back under her original table when several more of the creatures entered the room.
Amy waited, listening to their low gravelly voices, and wondered what they were saying. Then a smile crossed her face as she realized that she could easily find out. Whispering carefully, she did a language recognition spell, and leaned against the wall with a smile on her face.
==============
The darkness was broken by a tiny flare of light as Tara brought back her orb. It was barely the size of a marble, and its glow was dim, but it gave enough light for them to see each other.
"Do you think that's safe?"
Tara nodded. "We haven't heard anything for a while. No yells, or footsteps. Besides, it's nice and small." She shrugged. "I just couldn't stand the dark anymore."
"And it's not going to wear you out?" She looked at Tara in concern.
"No, it's relatively low energy output. I don't think I could do anything big right now, but I can handle a little light."
Willow sighed and glanced around the room. "I wonder what's taking Amy so long. We definitely need to be getting out of here, before someone -- or some thing -- finds us."
She picked up the doll's eye crystal from where it had rested on her bloody vest. With another sigh, she reached to put it back in her pocket.
Tara stopped Willow's hand, pulling it closer to her. She opened the fingers to reveal the hidden crystal. "Guess it was lucky for me that you had it with you."
Willow shook her head. "Wasn't luck. I always have it with me." Even in the dim light of the orb, Tara could tell the redhead was blushing. "Just call me sentimental gal."
Tara looked at her, startled, then smiled. "That's very sweet, Willow." She settled back, leaning her head on a soft shoulder. "I didn't know if you'd kept it. Why did you? Why didn't you ever use it?"
"Because it's -- well, because you gave it to me." Willow finished in a whisper. "I don't know why I never used it. It just didn't feel right, is all." She closed her hand around the crystal, squeezing tightly. "Because I didn't want to lose something else that was you."
Tears stung the corners of Tara's eyes, and she let a few roll down the sides of her face.
"I missed you so much." She curled a hand around Willow's. "And I didn't know how to reach you, or help you."
Willow's heart skipped a beat. "I - I missed you too." She wrapped her arm around Tara, bringing her mouth closer to the blonde's ear. "I was wrong to do what I did to you. I
was out of control. I couldn't see it, but I do now. You did what you had to. I don't know what would have happened if you had stayed." She kissed the blonde's cheek lightly. "Thank you for being strong enough to leave." In a gentle motion, she brought their entwined hands to her lips.
The tears continued to leak from Tara's eyes, but her lips were curved in a smile as she watched Willow kiss her hand. She squeezed the fingers wrapped around her own, and brought them down to return the favor.
With her free hand, Willow played with Tara's golden hair. It had been a privilege long denied, and one she swore she'd never lose again. Slowly she curled a tuft of it around her finger and used it to tickle Tara's sensitive skin near her shoulder. It had always made the other woman squirm, and she was pleased to get the same result this time.
Until Tara winced.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Just twisted it a little." She waited for Willow to speak or move or do something, but Willow did nothing.
"Willow?" Tara looked back to see green eyes filling with tears. "Willow, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing."
"It's something, or you wouldn't be crying. What is it?"
Willow shook her head. "I just -- I just wish I could have done more with ..." She trailed off, gesturing towards Tara's injured arm.
"With what?" Tara followed her gesture. "Oh. Oh! You mean with the spell?"
Willow nodded slightly. "I know Amy did it fine, and you shouldn't have any problems. I don't know, I feel -- I just feel useless now. Like someone took away all my super powers, and I'm just -- just me."
"Super powers?" Tara frowned. "Is that how you think of magic?"
"No! I'm just saying -- well yeah, sorta. I mean I felt like somebody when I did magic. I was useful, and helpful in lots of ways. Free from the geeky nerd I was in high school. And that felt good." She looked away.. "Too good, I guess. But now, no more magic, so everybody gets geeky, useless, plain Willow again."
Tara just stared at her for several minutes. At first she couldn't believe Willow could feel that way, and then she realized that of course Willow would feel that way. She should have realized it sooner.
She sat up and turned around, mindful of her injury. Taking hold of Willow's chin with one hand, she brought her love's gaze up to meet her own.
"You, Willow Rosenberg, are not, and never could be, useless or plain." Willow started to protest, and Tara put her fingers over her lips to stop the words. "You are one of the most intelligent, resourceful, unique, and special people in the world. You always have been, and you always will be. With or without magic, it's you Buffy turns to when she needs advice or information. It's you who's always learning and teaching and helping other people. You're the one who everyone looks to for strength when they need it."
Tara moved her hand down and stroked Willow's cheek. "Darling, I don't care if you can use magic or not. I didn't fall in love with a superhero. I fell in love with you -- you, Willow Rosenberg. Computer geek, bookworm, and research girl." She leaned forward and kissed Willow's nose. "I love you, Willow. I love you, and I need you, and don't you ever call yourself useless again." She smiled. "You're essential."
Willow blushed at hearing her own words from so long ago. The tears dripped down her cheeks. Tara wiped them away, her own going unnoticed. Their gazes locked and they came together, hands reaching, lips touching in a soft kiss --
"Willow?"
Amy's voice made Tara jump, and she and Willow pulled away from each other hastily.
Tara looked around, but saw nothing. "W-willow, did you just hear --"
"Yeah, I heard it too." Willow risked a peek over the top of the crate toward the place the voice had come from, but saw nothing. "Amy? Is that you?"
"Of course it's me." The voice seemed to come from the thin air just in front of them.
"Where -- where are you?" Tara asked.
"Right here -- oh. Sorry. Aperio."
With the banishment of the illusion, Tara and Willow found Amy sitting just a few feet away from them. She looked none the worse for her wanderings, and was in fact smiling. A bag was perched precariously on her lap and she was busily digging through it.
"Amy!" Willow whispered fiercely. "I said no magic!"
"I know, but it was just an invisibility spell. No biggie. Besides, if I hadn't used it I wouldn't have been able to bring back this." She pulled out a chunk of cheese and handed it over to Willow. "Even got a small knife to cut it with."
She grinned as she kept pulling food items from the bag.
Tara's stomach growled. Willow shook her head, and muttered something about 'no more magic.' Then she cut a slice of cheese and handed it to Tara.
"I don't suppose you got any water?"
"Oh, sure did." She untied a water skin from her belt and handed it to Tara. "I got three of them, so don't be afraid to drink up."
Willow held Tara's portion of cheese while the blonde woman uncorked the skin and took a drink.
Tara choked after the first swallow. "Gah! That's not water, Amy." She wiped the back of her hand across her mouth, a grimace on her face.
"What is it, then?"
She shook her head. "I don't know. Tastes like alcohol, though."
"Huh." Amy untied another one and tested it. "Okay, this one's definitely water." She traded skins with Tara. "Sorry. I grabbed this one off a table, and it was already full." She stopped. "Oh. So maybe that's what the guy was yelling about. I stole his liquor." She gave a grin at the perplexed looks on Willow and Tara's faces. "Never mind."
"How did you get this stuff?" Willow asked.
"Well, I made myself invisible and found this kind of dining hall. I hid there until I was alone, then grabbed a bunch of stuff." She stuffed a piece of bread in her mouth and chewed. "Good thing, too. I was getting pretty darn hungry."
Tara shook her head. "You could have gotten in trouble, Amy. You can't use that kind of spell without a consequence."
"I know." Amy shrugged. "It was kind of necessary. Besides, I have information as well as food."
"Information? What kind of information?"
Amy grinned at Willow's question. "I know where the back set of stairs are. And I wandered down there and checked it out. There aren't any guards. It's like six turns, and this really long corridor, then twenty-two stairs and we're on the next floor." She looked back and forth between them. "I did good, huh?"
Willow just stared.
"And you got this information by just walking around?"
"Nope. I was sitting under a table in that dining place and listening to a bunch of these Goshti - whatevers talk. They're the ones that chased us, you know."
"Right." Tara nodded. "They were speaking English?"
"Well, no, they were speaking their own language. But I understood them."
"How?"
"I c--"
"Cast a spell," Tara finished for her. "Amy, just how many spells did you cast while you were gone?"
Amy thought about it. "With or without counting the magic light?"
"Without."
"Four."
"Four?"
"Uh-huh." She counted on her fingers. "Invisibility, language, turning a box into a bag -- it made the food easier to carry -- and I cast a sleep spell on this guy that bumped into me." Another piece of bread disappeared into her mouth. "And of course, the light. But you said not to count that one."
Tara shook her head.
"Amy, you've gotta stop with the magic." Willow was vehement in her protest.
"Right. Okay. Next time, I'll just ask for the food from these Goshti guys, and I'm sure they'll be more than willing to just hand some over to us. And I'll remember to ask them for directions as well. How's that?" She glared at Willow. "You're eating food that I got by using magic. If it bothers you so much, don't eat it."
Willow looked at Tara, who gave her a gentle smile.
"Amy, we're just worried. This isn't our world, we don't even know most of the rules. So far all our casting seems to be the same, but there's always the possibility that a spell won't work the same way, or won't work at all. So," Tara shrugged. "Just be careful. Please?"
Amy nodded. "I will be, Tara. I promise." She leaned forward. "I'm sorry I got you two into this, and I fully intend to get us all out, okay?"
Tara smiled and nodded.
They ate in silence for a few minutes.
Willow glared at a piece of bread. "This is so not what I was wanting as dessert."
Tara chuckled. "What happened to the cheesecake anyway?"
"I dropped it when the teleport thingy happened." She turned her glare to Amy. "You couldn't wait until after desert to kidnap us?" She bit into the bread and chewed as Amy and Tara both laughed softly.
Willow swallowed, then cleared her throat. "So, Amy, how long were you, um, here, before you announced yourself?"
"I had just walked in the room. Sorry about startling you. I didn't think about the invisibility thing until Tara asked where I was."
"You had just walked in right then?"
"Uh-huh. Why?"
"No reason." Willow looked up at Tara and winked.
Tara blushed and took another bite of cheese.
End Part Five.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Just so you all know, Shadow and I will TRY and get another Part finished today.
But we can not promise, for I've got family stuff to do, and I think Shadow actually wants to sleep for a bit. We will try though.
Have a nice weekend.
Edited to make it look all pwetty!
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Later dayz,
TrueXena
"I'm so evil, and skanky...and I think I'm kinda gay."
[This message has been edited by TrueXena (edited December 01, 2001).]
[This message has been edited by TrueXena (edited December 01, 2001).]
by Shaniezak » Sat Dec 01, 2001 3:47 am
Oh, and Sass? See me in my office, please, so I can select the appropriate whip for you.
by tommo » Sat Dec 01, 2001 4:03 am
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"Yeah, cheers, thanks a lot." ~ Patsy Stone
by Scout » Sat Dec 01, 2001 8:48 am
Shanie, they give you a dinner break, right? Edit, woman, edit! (hee hee)
by TrueXena » Sun Dec 02, 2001 4:30 am
Reflections in Raindrops
Part Six
After a long and vehement discussion, Amy finally was allowed to cast a cloak of invisibility over herself and her two companions.
Tara and Willow had both protested, insisting that using that much magic was dangerous. Amy said it was the only way for them to travel safely through the castle, and after several close calls with passing Goshti soldiers, Tara finally gave in, and Willow simply nodded.
The biggest problem about the invisibility spell was that they wouldn't be able to see each other. To combat this, it was agreed that Amy would lead and Tara would be at the back. Willow would be between them, each of them holding one of her hands.
Before leaving, Willow insisted they look through the rest of the crates. Their search yielded a few rusty swords in molding leather scabbards, along with some old leather jerkins. These, they decided, would give them added protection if they had to battle anything physically. Amy and Tara put theirs on over their regular shirts, but Willow pulled her shirt off and put the jerkin on.
Then she ripped the shirt into pieces and used it to wrap Tara's injured arm.
The food bag was secured to Amy's back, and Willow, now girded with a belt and sword, carried the book and map in her back pocket. She had already planned out their route through the second floor but was worried, since the book's references to the creatures had been too jumbled and obscure for her to make out.
Finally, they were ready, and Amy grasped Willow's hand and cast the invisibility spell.
It was strange for Willow. The taste and feel of the magic were all about her, but she couldn't touch it, couldn't use it, and dared not reach out to it. Even though she couldn't see her, she could feel Tara's hand in her own, and she squeezed it tight, taking comfort in the responding pressure.
"You all right, Will?" Tara asked in a whisper.
"Oh yeah, just fine. Heck, I usually go invisible twice a day just for the fun of it, right? That was a joke, of course," Willow finished quickly.
Tara chuckled and tightened her grip. She knew Willow was nervous about having magic used on her, afraid it would refuel her addiction. Tara had worried about it a little herself, but she had faith in Willow. Closing her eyes for a moment, she tried to project all her love and strength into the redhead next to her.
Willow pulled Tara closer to her. "I love you too. And I'm okay, really."
Amy turned and glared in their general direction. She knew they couldn't see her, but it just felt like she should. "Glad you're okay, Willow, and I hate to break up such a loving moment, but if you two don't shut up, the spell isn't going to be any use."
"Sorry."
"Sorry, Amy. Lead on." Tara felt a tug on her arm as Willow followed Amy out the door. She followed, being careful to stay close, but not too close, on the redhead's heels.
After several twists and turns, Amy suddenly yanked on Willow's hand and pulled her out of the middle of the corridor. Willow hit the wall, and pulled Tara over with her. Tara flattened herself against the cold stone, eyes wide, holding her breath.
They waited there while a group of Goshti soldiers went by. Tara was grateful the corridor was as wide as it was, but even so, it was very close. The last soldier came within two inches of her.
Amy got them safely to the back stairs, and then suddenly stopped. They heard her softly cursing to herself.
"What is it?" Willow whispered softly.
"They've posted a guard. I don't know why."
"Can we get by him?"
"There are two, one on either side of the doorway. But the door's open, so if we slide between them quietly we shouldn't have a problem."
"So what are we waiting for? Let's go."
Amy took a deep breath and nodded to herself. She got a good grip on Willow's hand and led them around the corner.
The guards, as Willow and Tara saw, were very big. Their uniforms were stained and dirty, and they smelled like week-old garbage. The color of their skin was a sickly yellow that made Tara think of disease and illness. They carried battle axes on their backs and were both staring straight ahead, their white on black eyes gazing off into the distance.
Amy tried to keep her breathing very light as she crept closer to the guards. Finally, she was between them and her foot was on the first stair. Willow was right behind her, turned sideways and moving carefully. As Amy stepped up to the second and third, it was Tara's turn to step between the guards.
It was at that point their luck ran out.
Another guard entered the chamber. He spoke to his fellow Goshti and was about to leave just as Tara put her foot on the first step. A low whine filled the air, and Tara looked back to see the soldier holding the leash of a creature which looked much like a large gray, furless cat. It was staring directly at her, growling and whining. Its yellow eyes were trained on her, and it held its mouth open, showing a double row of grey teeth, fangs hanging down near the front of its muzzle.
Amy tugged hard on Willow's hand; Willow lost her balance and fell forward. Tara, trying to move up the stairs and away from the guards, tripped over Willow. Alerted to the fact that someone was there, the guards drew their battle axes and turned to the stairs.
The first blow from the first guard landed just inches from Willow's outstretched hand. There wasn't a second from him, as Amy blasted an energy bolt into his chest. He staggered back and fell to the ground.
Willow regained her feet and pulled Tara out of the way as the second guard swung. Tara muttered a word in his direction, and his face was covered by a thick gooey substance. He dropped his axe and tried to pull off the mask.
The third guard loosed the creature, and it aimed straight for Tara. Willow stepped in front, but it dodged around her and leaped for the blonde witch; its teeth became entangled with the leather shirt she wore.
Amy, after sending a bolt into the third Goshti's chest, sent one at the cat-like creature; its reaction was to let go of Tara and leap at Amy.
Willow grabbed it around its middle and hung on. She could feel its claws dig into her shoulder and side, and it was all she could to keep her grip. "Kill it! Use your sword!"
Amy tried to blast it again, but the bolt seemed to have no effect. Tara pulled her sword out and stabbed the thing, pushing the blade through the ribcage and pinning it against the wall.
Willow let go of the now feebly struggling creature. She pulled Tara's sword out of it, intending to pass it back to her carefully. Instead, she turned back to see that the second Goshti had freed himself of his blinding mask.
"Tara, get down!" Praying that her love was safely out of the way, Willow thrust the sword into the Goshti's belly. At the same time, Amy's bolt struck him in the face, and he went down.
Tara had managed to avoid Willow's blow by throwing herself against the wall. She struggled to keep her feet, knowing they had very little time to get to the top of the stairs. Already she could hear the tramp of feet as more Goshti approached.
"Come on, you two! Where are you?" Amy's voice called to them from near the top of the second flight of stairs. "We need to get to the door!"
Willow reached a hand out, colliding into Tara accidentally. She slid her fingers down the woman's arm until their hands were once again clasped together. Without a word they followed the sound of Amy's voice.
Amy heard footsteps on the stairs and breathed a sigh of relief. She reached over to the door and spoke a simple spell of opening. To her dismay, nothing happened.
"Damnit!"
"What's wrong?" Tara's voice was very close to her ear and she jumped.
"I can't get the stupid lock open."
"Do we have to open it together, like last time?"
"Maybe." Amy felt Tara's hand land on her arm, and they stayed in contact as they reached for the handle.
The noise from the stairs was growing and Willow could hear booted feet ascending. "Hurry up.... Beasty Baddies coming, remember?"
The lock finally turned under the strength of their combined spells. The Goshti were on the second staircase as Amy pushed open the door and went through it. Tara followed a little more slowly, pulling Willow behind her. Once they were through, they turned to close the door.
To find it being pushed back open by a Goshti soldier.
"Amy!"
Amy turned at Willow's call and threw herself back at the door, accidentally slamming into Tara, who gasped at the pain in her arm. The three of them pressed their full weights against the door, but it wasn't enough; slowly the door continued to swing open.
There was a yell from somewhere down the stairs and suddenly, the struggle was over. The Goshti pulled back, and the door slammed shut.
Willow felt splinters from the heavy wooden door dig into her hand as she slid down it. Tara fell on top of her, with Amy sprawled next to them.
Tara whispered a spell and heard the mechanism click, locking the door they had just closed.
For a moment, they just lay there, breathing hard.
"Aperio." Tara banished the vanishing spell and sat up.
Willow didn't move. "They must've been late for dinner."
Amy rolled over and got to hands and knees. "Couldn't be. I watched them eat." She wrinkled her nose. "Slobs."
"Hey, Will, maybe they found our cheesecake."
They looked at each other for a moment, then burst out laughing. It didn't last long, but they all felt better for it.
"Okay." Tara stood. "Time we got moving. We were supposed to turn left up here, weren't we?"
"Yeah." Willow stood carefully, putting a hand to her side where the creature had clawed her.
Tara eyed her, not liking the paleness in her cheeks. "And we're going to look for a place we can sit and rest, and do some first aid."
Amy nodded. "Yeah, good idea." She looked down at the floor and shuffled her feet a bit. "Uh, Willow?"
Willow's green eyes tracked to Amy, but she didn't say anything.
"Um, thanks. For stopping that thing." She gave an embarrassed smile, and Willow returned it.
"Any time. Good aim with those bolty things."
Chuckling softly, Amy nodded and shrugged. Then she turned and led the way down the hall.
Tara held back a little, keeping an eye on Willow. She didn't like the pinched look on the woman's face, or the way she kept reaching for her shoulder.
"How bad is it, Will?"
It was Willow's turn to shrug. "Not bad. Hurts, though."
"We'll stop soon and I'll do --"
"Um, Tara? Willow?" Amy 's call came from around the corner, and they quickened their pace.
They found her standing in front of the door they'd expected to find.
But they hadn't been expecting the two little brown creatures that stood in front of it, staring back at them.
End Part Six.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
And yes Rhi, THAT is where we ended it!
------------------
Later dayz,
TrueXena
"I'm so evil, and skanky...and I think I'm kinda gay."
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