The Girl from Away
You are correct, I did not expect such a time jump. Neither did I think you'd pick a different big bad for the scoobies to rile against. Interesting pick by the way, I was half expecting it to be Willow with how she was going in the earlier chapters and the fact you're not her biggest fan.
Still really enjoying how you're writing this Alt Buffy and how Faith is constantly observing her and seemingly in wander at not being aimed at with death eyes 24/7.
The closet line was pretty funny. I like how you're not making Buffy too 'clingy' when she encounters Faith and the fact she didn't go to see her after Faith told her not to shows the level of maturity she has and how much she cares for Faith. The fact Faith still wants to know why she didn't come back is somewhat amusing. That girl really is a hook on the line. :P
There is definitely something between them and I have a feeling things will go a lot smoother than they did between the Buffy and Alt Faith from the other story.
Author's Response:Thanks! Season 7 was such a train wreck, I couldn't stand the thought of having to work within it for the whole story.
Faith was angry during their last talk at the prison, but I think it would have been reasonable to think Buffy would come back. Of course, it would have been reasonable for Faith to contact her and apologize if she wanted her to, but they're not that reasonable as people. :p
They definitely have a different path than B/F in Flowers, I will say that much!
Right, first things first, get well soon and hope you are feeling better for all the love and adulation you'll get from your readers!
And yes, safe to say this was unexpected. Safe as houses!
The opening line threw me off guard... but in a good way cos I quickly realised why it need to flash forward :)
I like how you've interwoven some bits from S7 BTVS.. works very well and doesn't seemed forced; could almost go unnoticed... in a good way...
Okay, if you’re having trouble making sense of my waffle sorry! My new car has arrived from Germany, 10 days early and I haven’t got rid of my current car and its all driving me nuts/// driving... haha!
Okay stepping away from the tangent I took you on, back to you and your masterpiece...
Yey, Buffy and Faith are bonding... party hats on, banners up, drink in hand!
There's a new (old) big bad and its Rat-Amy! I like it! I'm so glad (and actually expected no less) that you are doing your own thing and not using S7's battle with the 'first' as the ‘big bad’. It's original and also a little familiar as we know Amy and her history with magic. Making it believable.
I'm loving the interaction between Buffy and Faith, I was worried for a moment in the last chapter but I knew... wait, had faith, that I needn't worry cos the almighty Alice is steering this magnificent ship and I'm on board til your very last word! Oo that sounds a bit morbid... last word of your chapter/story I mean!!!
Looking forward to Friday's update...
Author's Response:Thanks, Wix! :) I'm doing good now. Congrats on the new car!
I debated whether to use the canon from season 7, but honestly, I hate that storyline, and in the end I didn't want to re-live it by using it in this story. :p Hopefully the use of Amy will be satisfying to the story. I appreciate the faith! *snort* :) Thanks as always for your review!
nice up-date. i like that amy is the big bad, that is so totally different! so taras alive and willow still went over the edge with the black magic, what caused that? everyone is stuck in sunnyd, at least everyone amy wants stuck there, so what is she up to and how'd she get so powerful? will wait anxiously for next weeks up-date.
Author's Response:I think people are inclined to give Willow a pass on her total and complete craziness because the show presented it as Tara's death which pushed her over the edge. Willow was struggling with control all season though, and her only incentive for stopping was trying to get Tara back after she left. I don't think if Tara had lived, Willow would have gone cold turkey off magic. I don't know yet how much I am going to reveal in later chapters, so I don't want to say too much. :)
Thank you, as always for reading and reviewing!! :)
Let's see.. It doesn't FEEL like there was a lot of movement on the Buffy/Faith front in this chapter. But that is totally understandable. There needed to be a transition chapter introducing us to the new situation in Sunnyhell. Having Amy be the Big Bad is kinda nice because its different. Are we thinking like Amy is as big and bad as Bad Willow? I'm guessing she'd be pretty scary if that is the case.
It's weird though because I didn't really feel even a little bit of romantic tension between the two in this chapter. Maybe that was inentional? Maybe not. But I have faith that you will resolve that issue of the non-romanticism tension in the next chapter. That's what the whole fic is about anyway! I can see some angst coming on the Buffy front. She's gonna be all attracted to Faith but feel all guilty because she's thinking of Alt-Faith. I know there has to be some of that but please do something to make it feel different than Alt-Faith being all super-guilty-hesitatant with canon Buffy in FfaG. It would be cool if Buffy was just like 'fuck it, I like you, i know you're not her but I've had two years to grieve and dammit I want your hotness'. That would be sweet. And I'm sure Faith will get all 'she doesn't want me for me, she thinks i'm someone else blah blah blah' and try to sabotage everything even though she really wants Buffy. Sigh. Is that even close to what's gonna happen?
This chapter by itself was important but not quite as viscerally satifying on the romance/feelz department as the last one. But the plot point introduced and the little magical things with Amy were really neat.
Look forward to more next Friday! :)
Author's Response:Yes, Amy is supposed to be that bad. More detail will come over the next few chapters. :)
It wasn't intended to be overtly romantic, but I did intend for their confused feelings to continue, for instance when Buffy takes Faith's arm and begins studying the wound on her neck.
The time jump serves two purposes, which were to avoid endless prison visiting scenes, and to move Buffy to a different place than Alt Faith was at in Flowers. The relationship between B/F here will progress very differently than it did in the companion story. I hope you'll like how it goes. I wouldn't say the next chapter is overflowing with romance either, but trust me, we'll get there.
Thanks for the thoughtful feedback, Six!! :)
Another great chapter, I loved how you depicted Buffy's frustration and pain over her loss of her Faith.
Author's Response:Thank you very much. :) Happy you are enjoying it.
EEEEEK!!! Things aren’t gonna go as swimmingly as one would like it to! But I guess this Faith is not Buffy's Faith and that 'evil/grey' side to this Faith was bound to come out sooner or later.
I hope/pray that Buffy won’t give up - and I kinda get the feeling she won't cos otherwise that kinda ends the fic and you've only just got us all revved up!!
As usual I have to compliment your amazing writing skills, I'm in awe of you quite frankly (but I guess you get that a lot!) I'm so glad I stumbled upon your 'flowers' fic cos this has led me onto:
- this wonderful companion fic,
- a changed view on zombie stories,
- POV stories, and
- this wonderful site which is full of great story tellers - fanfiction.net (or whatever the hell it was) kinda has been blown outta the water since C2 came into my life! And I ain’t looked back!
Author's Response:Wixy, I heart you. You are so sweet. Thank you so much!! :)
I do not get enough awe actually. I'm going to talk to my girlfriend about this. I need some more awe. :p
I don't think Faith was wrong in the argument with Buffy. I think they're both right, which is what makes it hard. :( I know you've already read the next chapter and saw what happened between them, so I won't say more. :p
I love how you described everything as they happen. Am I too lazy that I want everything to be said to me? Yes! But it adds to my visualisation when I read your stories. I always like chapters with descriptions written in a way that don't cause me headaches when I read them.
I loved Faith's reaction when Alt+B smiled at her. Imagine the joy(?) that she felt. Also must have fucked her insides up a lot. I mean, how do you even react to a situation like this? And the way Buffy looked at her after she picked up the receiver. It was like she was drinking in the image of Faith. *sigh at the things I can only imagine. Why can't this be real again?
""There’s another round of staring, and Faith speaks first, almost shy now, “In your world, am I good? I mean, you don’t look like you wanna kill me, so…”"" ---- I can imagine Faith saying this meekly. Like a child asking for validation. I feel really sad at how the real Faith turned out.
And those hands on the glass thing. Huhuhu. *wipes snot on nose
Author's Response:Well, you'll kick my butt if I don't! :p
Canon Faith didn't turn out that badly, if you've read the later chapters. She's doing okay. :)
Sorry to give you snot. :p
OMFG...
WOW...
That was amazing!!! The last few paragraphs had SO much emotion and layers in them it made me cry!
the difference between this and flowers is astounding. Like it's from two different authors. Flowers pace was too quick IMHO and this is just perfect. Where flowers felt light and ephemeral this feels deep, gritty, realistic and painful.
this is truly a Fuffy work of art. Just a damn shame it's so painful to wait for new chapters! ;)
Author's Response:Haha, thank you. :) Very glad you are enjoying it so much! New chapter is up now! I can only write so fast! :p
Welp. I tried reading this chapter in bed and got all misty-eyed, and I tried now at work and that's still the case. That first scene is still just as heartbreaking the second time around. God, I can't even imagine how Buffy and Faith felt at that moment, knowing it was their last goodbye. Ahhhhh, tears. :(
And Tara's statement of "You love her" tugged at my heartstrings again. God, you're just so good at that. So much emotion in one chapter. I swear, I'm not even a crier! Haha. Looking forward to what comes next. Keeping a box of tissues nearby just in case. ;)
Author's Response:Oh sure, not a crier. Electraboo, more like electraboohoo! :D
Oh God, save me from my own horrible jokes. D:
I'm glad to have made you cry, at any rate, since at least you enjoyed the chapter. You probably won't cry at the next one! :p
Another outstanding update! Yay, yay, yay!! I absolutely love how you write the characters. Pretty much spot on, in my opinion. More please:)
Author's Response:Thank you so much! :) More coming soon!
Another good chapter but Faith wasn't out to end the world, she merely just did what she was told by the mayor, I even doubt she had any other motives besides making him proud of her at any cost.
Willow always annoys me at times with her attitude, the problem with some of scoobies was they saw the world in black and white, where in reality there are shades of gray. Also in the canon, Buffy is much to blame for Faith's mental breakdown as Faith herself because she threw Allen at Faith, making her just as involved in manslaughter, she lied about Angel which caused trust issues for Faith, she also only half-heartedly tried to help Faith because as soon as Faith showed any resistence, Buffy would taunt her by saying that she was "better" than Faith and then there Wesley's screw up. Plus the guilt of killing Allen, slowly made Faith mentally unstable yet conveniently, the scoobies forget all that and make out that Faith simply one day chose to be evil and betray them.
Its good that you have Alt-Buffy sticking up for her. I look forward to the next chapter, it can't come soon enough XD
Author's Response:I don't think Faith had a lot of motives herself, but her actions were to bring a pure demon into this dimension, and where was it going to go from there? It was an apocalypse, and she tried to do it, no matter what her motives were.
Willow annoys me at all times. :D Which is why I have no problem writing her as the jerk, lol. :) Thank you for the review! Glad you are liking it!
Wow this is rough!
I mean, well written, i'm loviong this story.
I'm just worried for Buffy, she's hurting so much.
I am really, REALLY hoping that the two buffy's get back to where they are supposed to B.
(see what i did there?) :)
I read this story filled with tension, just hoping things come right.
And i wonder about alter Faith, and what she's going to go through when she gets her Buffy back.
Anyway, well written, bravo!
R
Author's Response:Ahaha, yes! I see what you did there! :p
Thank you for the review! I'm glad you're enjoying it! Buffy is dealing with a lot,. :( But she's strong. She can handle it!
So my boss keeps looking at me because I'm reading this on my phone and it's very clear I'm not working... so worth it! :)
I was wondering if Faith would point out that she's not the Faith Buffy loves. Their argument was so realistic! It makes me wonder if Buffy's going to back off and not be as insistent with her on what good she could do on the outside.
The fact Buffy is very strong willed about her feelings for Faith is so great to read. The way she stood up to all of them shows the strength she needs to make it in this new dimension without Faith. Even though how Willow refuses to see Buffy's side in going to the prison makes me want to dislike her, it's so true to her character that I just can't.
Great job on this chapter! :)
Author's Response:Lol, please don't get fired! Read secretly, like I do. :p
I dislike Willow, in canon and here, haha. To be fair though, she did lose canon Buffy, and she doesn't really understand Alt Buffy yet, and she does have legitimate reasons to dislike Faith. I don't think she's totally wrong in her points, although she presents them in a terrible way that doesn't help anyone.
I think next chapter should answer your questions about how they handle their argument going forward. :)
Thank you for the feedback! :)
Author's Response:Lol, please don't get fired! Read secretly, like I do. :p
I dislike Willow, in canon and here, haha. To be fair though, she did lose canon Buffy, and she doesn't really understand Alt Buffy yet, and she does have legitimate reasons to dislike Faith. I don't think she's totally wrong in her points, although she presents them in a terrible way that doesn't help anyone.
I think next chapter should answer your questions about how they handle their argument going forward. :)
Thank you for the feedback! :)
Still loving this story. I like how you take the canon seriously and work it into the story. I wonder what role Spike and magic-crazed Willow will play by the end.
Not sure what part of this was the "big thing" that happened. I'm guessing the angry exchange at the prison. I assumed something like this would come to break them past that awkward 'she's not who she looks like' phase.
I look forward to what's to come, it's hard to picture where it goes from here - no wonder you're struggling a little. :P
Author's Response:Well, I wasn't struggling with the basic bones of the story, just how much of the canon to include, which you'll see in the next chapter. :p
I'm trying to think what I did with the canon that was impressive, and can't recall, but I'll go ahead and take the compliment!
Knew it wasn't going to be all sunshine and roses though I do have to say that I did wonder if Faith was going to get out in this fic like she did in 'Salvage', like that part of season 7 being moved to season 6 to get the two together, but I do understand your way and Faith's argument. It's funny because neither of them are wrong. Alt-Buffy thinking Faith can do more good on the outside is probably true and Faith thinking that she needs to atone for what she did and get ahold of herself in prison is probably true too, so what's going to happen? There's the conundrum and I love it! Absolutely love it. Wanted this chapter to be longer, but that's just because I am a greedy reader and I appreciate your wonderful writing so much that I can't help but want to see more of it more often. I really liked some of the sentences you wrote here like: "Buffy’s solid in Faith’s arms, lacking all the angry bones and hollows Faith remembers from the night on Angel’s roof." That was a good one and the line where Faith asked, "we both look good in blue?" had me smiling right off of the bat. I don't think you mentioned before that Alt-Buffy was going to be softer, but that is something I do really like about her. Though without Faith as her rock in this timeline, I am not sure if she will develop harder edges or not being that her life is harder here. We will see, won't we? ;) Great writing and keep it coming!
Author's Response:The next chapter should address some of your thoughts on how they resolve the discrepancy between their points of view. :) But I agree, I think both are right. They both have valid points, but ultimately I think it's up to Faith to decide since it's her life.
I'm glad that the 'softness' idea came through on its own then. Literally, as in she doesn't get scrawny as canon Buffy did, and figuratively in her personality. :p Next chapter is up now! Thank you so much for reviewing. :)
I really can't wait to read what happens next. Fairh was hard on Buffy and I believe Buffy is right she doesn't deserve to be in prison
Author's Response:Thank you. :) I think they're both right, which makes it very hard to see each other's points. Faith could be doing a lot of good, and it seems crazy for an active slayer to be behind bars. But as the same time she's done a lot of wrong, and she should be able to decide when she's done atoning for it, not Buffy.
The last two chapters have been the best in the entire series. The sheer longing Buffy feels for her Faith is both muted and pervasive and comes across so much more profoundly than Faith's did in the last one. I have to ask: did you write this subsequent to finishing up the last story? Emotion is so much more amplified here: while in the former I followed the story and only sort of connected with the characters, my connection with Buffy's suffering here is so much greater.
Also, I sort of feel that this Buffy is carrying flowers for a ghost in a way the last one just didn't, for me.
To sum it up: this is lovely.
Author's Response:I wrote some of it prior to Flowers, and most of it after completing Flowers. Thank you. :)
Damn. The feels. It's so good and having a cliffhanger is kinda traumatizing cuz there were fights and bad feelz between Faith and Buffy in this chapter.
Was Willow really this bitchy in season 6? I dont remember but it sounds sorta right. You write Faith and Buffy both really well, not sure how but you both get them and make them feel not only completely sympathetic but also beautifully lay out their motivations and thought processes. It takes real skill and as I'm sure many people have told you your skill in writing is impressive.
I'm totally digging this story. It's cool because it gives me something extra to look forward to on Fridays. So far I'm liking this story a lot better than it's predecesor FfaG. Don't ask me why I just am. =)
Author's Response:Willow definitely had her moments in canon, like the attitude toward Giles in the last chapter--that was exactly how she acted when he found out about the ressurection spell. During the season she did get worse and worse, although of course she opted to do stuff like erase people's memories instead of talking, but I don't think it's too much of a stretch for her to act like this. Plus, she does have legitimate anger toward Faith, and she doesn't know Alt Buffy very well yet.
Thank you very much. :) I think Buffy and Faith are both right, which is why they can't really see eye to eye, and both are so hurt by their circumstances, it's... ugh. Now I gave myself feels! D: Haha. Better go channel these into the chapter I'm working on. :p
Jeez... This is just going from bad to worse! Not the writing of course, but the storyline...
Willow is really hating on this dimensions Faith huh?!
At least the gang knows about Alt-Buffy and Faith's relationship now!
My heart is once again breaking for Buffy and what she's lost with her Faith.
And then Buffy gets into a fight with Faith over her being in jail... And then Angel sends her the sketch of Faith smililng and happy... *cries* its so tragic... Like Romeo and Juliet, but hopefully without the tragic, horrible deaths!
Looking forward to next weeks updates!
Author's Response:I can promise you, I won't put in any tragic, horrible deaths! :p Haha! I am glad the writing has not gone from bad to worse! :p
Willow's animosity toward Faith I think is in keeping with canon, but she's angry more at what she sees as Buffy disregarding everything that Faith did to them. Plus she's season 6 Willow so she's a bit of a witch with a b anyway. :)
Next week's update I think is a bit happier. We'll see what you think.
Herro! Again, sorry for the long response, but it turns out running a writing competition on another site and writing to deadlines to them squeezes a lot of time out of your life. D:
I'm not sure how the last review ended up on the wrong chapter - could just be me being a derp, as usual. I've always throught of domestic fics as ones being without much fighting action/lack of explicit detail in fight scenes, and focused more on the individual development of the characters. Does that make sense?
Anywaaaaay. For this chapter, it was a nice surprise to have Faith phone up Buffy - obviously she's super curious about this one and the nice way she treats Faith. You've got Willow being obssessed about the resurrection spell, but you've slightly changed the properties of it so it would still "bring" their Buffy back. I like this. Willow in our universe got a little OTT with magic, and you seem to be heading down this line as well. Willow actually scared me a little, she does seem a little psychotically bent on bringing Buffy back, despite the obvious potential consequences that Giles and Tara are impressing on her. Noes, evulz Willowz!
Poor Buffy, having to come to terms with the idea she may be stuck here. It's good she had misgivings about the spell as well. Not surprising, considering what can go wrong... :P
The second meeting between her and Faith was really nice, and her revelation that she was sort of, you know, together with the Faith from her world is going to have an interesting spin around.
Like Buffy in Flowers for a Ghost, Faith is probably going to be super super curious how it works out. "So this means... you've seen me naked." xD
You've also demonstrated how right this Buffy will be for this Faith, by having her kill Allen Finch in her timeline. Woh!
Can't wait to see how you write this.
Finish it for your avid readers soon? *Flutters eyelashes*
Squee. :P
Author's Response:Haha. That's okay, I appreciate you reviewing at any time!! :p
I see what you mean by domestic now. Flowers was definitely in that description. This one will have a little more plot, but the focus is primarily on Buffy and Faith. :)
Willow*is* scary, I agree! I don't like the one I wrote at all, haha. What a jerk, to talk to Giles that way. I did take her rude commentary from canon though, so she's a jerk no matter how you look at it. :p
Don't you flutter your eyelashes at me, Squee! I'm going as fast as I can. *thinks quickly* Uhhhh here, have a pint! You love pints, right? Do I have to say a pint of what, or like, I just say pint? Teach me your English ways.
Another excellent chapter. Love it. :) Definitely looking forward to more! Characters are true to the series, and the twist with the deputy mayor was brilliant.
Author's Response:Thank you! *takes bow* Brilliant, you say? :D Seriously, thank you. :)
Love! I love this story! Update soon please:)
Author's Response:Thank you, I will! :)
"Faith approaches them, and Buffy turns her attention to the other slayer. Faith tries to speak, but her face crumples, and she only manages to let out a strangled cry. The slayers fall against each other, kissing hard and desperately. “I love you,” Buffy tells her as soon as her lips are free. “I love you so much, Faith.” ~~~ Sht. The first time I read this I was so torn by the anguish that Faith must have felt. It is a gift that they got to say goodbye before Buffy 'departed'. But it was still goodbye. Forever. Heartbreaking.
The Giles in the other dimensions had been an anchor to the original Buffy. Here, he's providing the same fatherly comfort and support. I'm glad that there is a Giles to care of the displaced Buffys.
When alt+Buffy woke up and couldn't find Faith, it felt like I was reliving chapter 1 of Flowers. Except instead of fear at the loss of Faith, it was anger that Buffy felt when she saw Faith. Such contrast. There was initial relief when all seemed well, but after the realisation hits, all I can imagine is the amount of pain running through the Buffys' hearts.
The loneliness of sleeping alone in a bed after you've slept with someone for years. Heartbreaking. You're cruel for doing this to them. But I like you anyway :P
Author's Response:Giles is awesome and he should always be around for Buffy! :) I love him. No disappearing acts as he did on the show.
I guess I *am* cruel. Why did you encourage me to write such sad stories instead of that cute happy one? :p
I think the ending to “The Gift” is wonderful (in a “Great, now I'm going to be depressed for the next week” sort of way), so I like that you included a slightly modified version featuring Faith here. Faith letting Buffy jump also feels very in character for your version of Faith – I can imagine her understanding and respecting Buffy's decision, even if she desperately didn't want it to happen. And Buffy knowing that she was leaving Dawn in the protection of another Slayer would at least have given her a little more peace of mind.
I also like how Dawn is completely not bothered that it's a different Buffy – as you hinted at, she kinda does have more perspective on the matter than anyone. Besides, it's definitely an upgrade from a robot.
Skimming over the “what's going on” was a good call. There was enough there to ground it without it going all deja vu (And anybody who gets confused should have followed the instructions :p). Three chapters of research, etc, before they set sail to LA would probably have been overkill.
Buffy went to visit Angel and didn't take Spike with her? Missed opportunity (Sorry, their immature relationship amuses me). :p
Faith's reaction to Buffy visiting should be interesting. They kind of left on strange terms – Buffy threatening to kill her then saving her instead, then Faith turning herself in and saving Angel – so Faith's state of mind could be pretty much anywhere.
Author's Response:I thought The Gift was wonderful too! And honestly, I think the show should have ended there. What a fantastic way to wrap up. Instead... season 6. SIGH.
Dawn's been through so much in the past few months, I think she'd cling to any port in a storm right about now. And yeah, she beats the Bbot. :D
Haha, damn! Missed Spangel hijinks!! She hasn't actually seen Spike yet. :p But she will soon! Maybe I can work some Spangel in later. :p I won't say anything about Faith's reaction to Buffy visiting her, I'll let you see for yourself. :)
Excited you are reading this one! I know I have slacked like a slacking thing on responding to my last round of FF reviews on Flowers, and yours is in there. D: I have to go get that done.
Great chapter, kept everything moving forward with pace and development. Really nice to see the crossovers with elements from the show (ie. Willow's growing magick problem)... Interesting to see if this features down the line.
Felt for Buffy here; still amazed she's keeping it together and hasn't cracked. And interested to see how the others react (aside from Tara) when they find out about her and alt Faith. Echo previous comments, Alt Buffy is freaking adorable... Sad to see no one really tapping into how much she's hurting. :-(CAN'T WAIT for the next chapter!
Author's Response:She keeps it together pretty well, and to be fair, with the exception of Tara, they don't really know what she's lost. Although perhaps Willow would notice if she didn't have her head up her ass. :) So yes, let's blame Willow! Stupid magic addiction. I hated that storyline, but decided to utilize it a bit here since it works for my purposes. Nefarious purposes of course. :D Thank you very much for the review!! :D Next chapter will be up soon!