Oooh, what's going on? Intrigued to find out whether it's the council messing with the mojo, or if it's related to Buffy's time travelling/re-write...

Really enjoyed the fight scene, could see the stars when she was hit with the paperweight... Owsers. 

Now. Is it the weekend yet? Excited for the next chapter :-)

Author's Response:

Yeah, I really enjoyed the fight stuff...maybe that makes me a sadist, I'm not sure. But, poor Buffy. Oh, well, she's a tough cookie.

Thanks for your thoughts.

I do like eager readers...oh, alright next chapters up!

Man. Interesting chapter. Poor Buffy got the crap beat out of her by Mr Trick and his vampy goons. I was wincing for her, she was in a lot of trouble. You made the whole scenario seem pretty damn terrifying. I knew she wouldnt die but I couldn't help but feeling through that fight that Faith was suddenly going to be one lonely slayer.

The dream with Faith in it was messed up. So was Buffy feeling a bit apprehensive about Faith when she woke up. So ... I'm guessing it's the wish demon that's messing with Buffy's head. This is when he starts to get his pound of flesh. Still... I'm not a huge fan of fics where one or the other Slayer gets mind controlled/possessed/cursed/etc to start acting weird and put a strain on their relationship. There are plenty of ways for them to have relationship challenges, hell there are enough fo those without some outside influence like that. Still I'm just guessing where you might be going with this. I have no idea and am excited to find out.

Faith Slaying with xander and willow in the beginning was really nice btw. Seeing Willow so happy to be out Slaying with Faith was such a huge shocker of a difference from how much she hated her.. and now she really likes her. I'm just saying it was fun to see. And the banter about wolverine and spider-man made me crack up, I'm a sucker for geeky pop culture references :D

Random sidenote: if you take requests, I'm going to make one that you include a few more scenes at some point of Joyce mothering Faith. It's really sweet and heartwarming and something I enjoy (and that Faith could use). Just think about it :)

Wonderful chappy, as ususal.

 

Author's Response:

Yeah, poor Buffy seems to be getting slapped around a lot, and she's in for some more pain! (I do feel really bad doing it, but drama is drama). I'm glad you enjoyed all the fight-y stuff.

Nope, no possession, I'm just reminding people how badly the Buffy/Faith thing actually went...and yes it is linked to her wish, as will become clearer a couple of chapters later.

Well, Faith reads lots of comic books, so she has some geeky creds, and the slaying with Xander and Willow, while unusual, will be explained. Glad you enjoyed the nerd banter!

There will be a lot of Joyce/Faith stuff in 'The Zeppo'- to see why, keep reading...

Really enjoyed Faith's characterisation in this chapter and thought the part where she throws her stake over the edge was a nice touch – complex feelings she's wrestling with, it felt very true to form.

Did wonder how you were going to tackle/alter the episode and very satisfied with the outcome!

Looking forward to the next chapter: next up, Gingerbread, right? Mom-centric episode which I loved for all of the emotional complexity. Really eager to see your take, and where/how Faith fits in to the Buffy-Joyce dynamic, maybe even raising some more of Faith's own mommy-issues?... Good work :-) and thank you!

 

 

Author's Response:

Thanks, I had great fun with the Angel/Faith climax. I really think these two characters click, in a non-romantic way.

I'm glad you liked that I played around with the whole Buffy/First dynamic, a lot of people seemed to have enjoyed that.

 

Ah...no, not Gingerbread. The thing is Gingerbread is a really good mystery (I actually quite like the episode, nice twists and lots of good stuff about censorship, wheter Buffy is really making a difference, etc.) but the second time around Buffy will figure things out in seconds and fill in Giles...monster taken care of. As a writer I couldn't think of a way to make it interesting, sorry.

However, fear not, there will be some juicy Faith-Joyce stuff coming up in Helpless, plus the two slayers are in for a rough time...

I LOVE the Go Ask Malice references. And you definitely rock at the naughtiness. Can we date now?

Author's Response:

I glad you like it! Go Ask Malice is something I've read about three times since Christmas, it's fantastic.

I'm really thankful people are liking the sexy, naughty stuff. Big relief.

 

But I don't know, aren't you digging the rugged, sexy, mysterious, fan-fic writer thing I've got going on? If we dated you might realise that I'm none of those things! (well, apart from fan-fic writer obviously..)

Wow. First thing that comes to mind is that that was the most colorful description of an orgasm I have ever read. But it managed to work and not come across as honky in any way, so I have to say very original wording and very well done. You strike a good balance overall in your love making scenes (well this one) with flowery language and keeping it feeling real and visceral (as all good sexual scenes should).

I can kind of see why you did this instead of full on sex. First it makes a lot of sense.. this is the sort of thing first time inexperienced people would do. Secondly if you take it a little at a time you'll always have something new to write about when it comes time to 'sexy' scenes. And... well given that this story is shaping up to be truly epic length.. (if my guess is right you can't be more than halfway done with the story at this point) then you have to make it so that each time its fresh and original. don't have any doubt you'll pull it off.

Other than that I really liked the symbolism of Buffy giving Faith that bow for Christmas as a way to help let go of the past. If/when Faith gets her memories back that is for sure going to be one of the things she keeps in mind as she tries to reconcile everything that originally happened and everything that is happening 2.0.. Also... lol yeah a vibrator for Christmas was kinda.... ahem.... not the best traditional present. But Buffy pushed past her discomfort and made something good out of it instead of leaving Faith feeling dissapointed and thinking Buffy didnt like her gift. Buffy making an effort at acceptance was the best part of that methinks.

Sad that this chapter was shorter than your ussual ones but it was still a great chapter... not to mention a significant one. Love it, can't wait for more. :)

Author's Response:

Ahem...I thank you. Obviously I had to use my imagination a little...and my beta added a couple of key things. I'm very glad it didn't come across as weird or badly written, so thanks for the reassurance!

Buffy's thought process is something like this: sex with a girl: strange, sex with Faith: crazy weird. So she's naturally a little shy when it comes to moving things up to the next level.

I'm glad you liked her reasoning about pushing past her own discomfort to show Faith something different. I think it mirrored Faith's own efforts to open up emotionally quite well.

As for story length...without giving too much away. It is gonna be kinda epic in length (moreso that I thought before I started the story), but maybe not in the way that you're thinking. This is a Buffy POV story and I was trying to imagine of a way to expand the scope so I could fit in other point's of view. I think I figured out a way.

Thanks again for your thoughts!!

GREAT update! Very sexy!

 

How thoughtful of Faith to get Buffy a vibratory! Actually loved Faith's reasoning behind it too, very sweet!

 

Am worried about what's gonna happen next 'wish' wise though, and what's gonna happen during Helpless... 

 

Update soon please.... And also, please stop hurting the kitties!!!!!!

Author's Response:

Thanks, my first 'proper' sex scene, and the specifics were given to me by somebody else (including the actual webpage where that specific vibe is for sale!- It's quite reasonable...)

Yeah, I think Faith's reasoning was very Faith-like, she sees sex and getting horny as a very natural thing, it's the other stuff (Luuuvvve!) that she'e wary of.

My beta is re-reading Helpless now (a little slow... *grumble grumble*) and yes, ther is badness ahead of our chosen two- easily the darkest chapter so far.

 

*HA!* The kittens are safe now, I promise! They're is a nice, warm home with plenty of balls of wool and catnip

Thanks for the kind words.

great chapter!

Author's Response:

Thank you very much! Appreciated.

You're awesome.

This fic is awesome.

 

Buffy's quips? Perfection.

 

you write like Joss. amazing.

 

and brava for Faith, she's a good girl at heart, just lost.

 

Author's Response:

Many humble thanks for your gushing praise- I have the biggest smile on my face right now!! ('Write like Joss' in particular...only I bet he doesn't have so many typo's...)

Yep, Faith really is a sweetie- just lost. She finds herself eventually though, this time Buffy gets to help. aw...

 

Thanks again for your continued support!

Good update!

 

glad Buffy was able to beat the first, with Faith's help of course!

 

and very very much looking forward to next chapter!!!! Please update soon!

Author's Response:

Thank you- I didn't really want to repeat the whole Angel/Buffy scene- I don't think I could've added anything new. This way Angel and Faith got to bond in a different way (I always think of them as friends now so...)

Ah, but is the First ever actually truly beaten... (well, yes but still.)

Next update is pretty short, so should be up on Friday (ish?)

soooooo, this is the consequences to the wish, the first knows everything and can stay at least one step ahead. loved the whole chapter, faiths joy at looking for a christmas tree was so sweet. cannot wait to see what happens next! post again soon.

Author's Response:

Yes, we're gonna see a lot of wish downsides on the horizon, kinda like a domino effect.

I'm glad lots of people liked Faith's innocent behaviour about Christmas, being a big kid at heart. She's more than just a bad-girl badass (bad-girl-ass? Doesn't work)

Thaks for reviewing.

Oh that twist. And that slayer-themed erotica. It really is like christmas came early..ah...late..um, i'll get my coat.

Awesome chapter, killing it as always. Looking forward to what changes may come in consequence to Buffy's 'wish'. 

 

Author's Response:

Thank you, I find blending plot and erotica can sometimes be a lost art. So it's a good thing this isn't art! mmm...boobs.

More wish consequences to come. Thanks again for the comments.

Wow, finally the plot seems to differ in a major way from the canon, what with the First being all in-the-know and getting the jump on Buffy in this one. How is she going to explain what is going on to Faith? It seems like her whole time traveling secret is getting much closer to the surface, much closer to being revealed. That sucks for her. Inevitable but it will still suck for her. Poor Buff

Also, really hot with the girls getting to second base. Not much to say about that other than I'm glad to see things moving forward and that you did a pretty good job with it. Not too bad.

I kind of like that Faith is opening up to Joyce at least a little more than she is to Buffy. I think it makes a lot of sense in fact, trusting a caring dependable mother figure with some of your dark secrets you probably need to eventually get off your chest, rather than doing it with your hot girlfriend who you are still feeling like you're on somewhat shaky terms with. I know she'll eventually have to open up to Buffy and I hope she gets there before too long 'cuz that would be great... but how it is now I like it and like I said I think it makes a lot of sense.

I also kinda loved Joyce being all nurturing and protective of Faith, telling Buffy how they needed to make it a good christmas for her and take care of her. It's really sweet and good to see. Faith acting like a little kid with the christmas trees was fun too. That's part of what makes Faith so interesting. As much as she wants to come across and this unassailable badass (and she is a badass in a lot of ways) she still has a very child-like, extremely vunerable side to her. I like it and it's sweet.

Great chapter. Can't wait for more. :D

Author's Response:

Yeah, the plot is gonna start deviating from canon a little bit from now on, Buffy will have to make a few more tough decisions in the future. No one ever said being a slayer was easy.

Yes, the fact is these are two interesting characters played by two stunningly beautiful actresses. So, it's really my duty to write these scenes. That's the way I see it anyway!

I imagine a lot of hugging between Joyce and Faith and Joyce getting seriously motherly with her. I think a large part of Faith would love being treated like that. And, yeah, its something she couldn't do with Buffy just yet.

Again, my sincere thanks for your detailed review- I always like to know what people enjoyed most!