Flowers for a Ghost
nooooo buffy y u hit faith!?!?!
Author's Response:Poor decision making, Buffy.
buffy don't give up on faith :'0
but the reasoning does make sense
Author's Response:It feels like too much to get past!
yayyy hawt sceneeees!
poor faith, she must think she betrayed her buffy or something :(
Author's Response:Exactly. It's such a weird situation.
i love it!! Buffy faith road trip!! These dorks can't help but want each other!
Author's Response:Hahaha. Perfect description is perfect.
Awww Buffy comforting faith; it must be so difficult for faith to have Buffy and yet not
Author's Response:Totally!
buffy'/ diary!! Poor faith! She's still trying to come to terms with losing her buffy
Author's Response:And this Buffy is doing nothing to help lol.
Damn dawn, that's cold gurl
Author's Response:Lol! But you can see where she's coming from... kind of?
Loving it!! Poor faith, misses her buffy
Author's Response::( I know.
omg i love the concept
Author's Response:Woot!
This is one of my favorite stories, just wanted to let you know that it is just as good reading it the third time!
Author's Response:I basically look like the heart eye emoji right now. You're amazing. Thank you!
Hi. I just wanted to write a quick note to say thank you and that I enjoyed reading this story and it's companion piece. I got the recommendation from Electra as it has been years since I have read any Fuffy.
Author's Response:Thanks, Nnif! Glad you hopped out of the woodwork to check it out. :) Did you also read Graduation? That is a one-shot that is set after Flowers/Girl, if you want to read everything from this series.
That was pretty sad, I hope it works out for them. Kinda a lot. I also really like (not sure if you share this view) that both the stories together imply a lot of what happened to canon Buffy and Faith was on Buffy's shoulders, I think the show put wayyyy too much responsibility on Faith. Like lbr, who in the Scooby gang /didn't/ kill someone at some point and cause mayhem and destruction (apart from Tara who is the personification of a cupcake of course). Anyways, I super enjoyed it, that was a roller coaster I would ride again :) Are you ever planning on writing any one shots or AU-AUs where they switch back or collide or anything? Or maybe a fast forward of these? Altogether bravo :)
Author's Response:Thank you, glad you liked it. :) I don't think it was sad at all, but I get that it didn't end on kissing or a definitive note. It ended with them agreeing to try though so I thought it was upbeat. Of course, very few readers agreed with me. :p It's interesting that you felt the fics were implying there was a lot of blame on canon Buffy. That's not my perception at all. In fact I'm kind of a rabid Buffy lover and I put very little blame on Buffy for anything related to Faith. I think Buffy tried to help, but ultimately she was a 17 year old girl in a really difficult situation. As was Faith. I think there's blame to be put on Giles, Wesley, and the Council, as adults who should have been looking after her. I also think that nothing anyone else did or didn't do to help her in any way mitigates the fact that she chose to kill a person on order from the Mayor. Even after all that, Buffy still seemed open to wanting to help her when she woke up in Season 4. The body switch was the thing that made Buffy so hateful toward Faith. I think of course Faith deserves as much of a chance at redemption as anyone else who also took human lives, but Faith went bad in season 3. That was well before the other Scoobs had done anything. To put a cap on my rambling, that wasn't what I intended to be read into the fics. Buffy in Flowers has remorse for how things went with Faith, but the final piece to their story is Buffy forgiving canon Faith, not apologizing. Alt Faith doesn't put any blame on canon Buffy when she finds out the details either. The only one who does in either story is Alt Buffy, but canon Faith puts the kibosh on that and owns up to her own actions. I guess that's the interesting thing about writing--there ends up being variability in how people take it, even when I didn't intend for there to be. Similar to the show--we both see something completely different. :)
As for one-shots, I can promise they won't switch back. There are a couple small pieces planned that will touch on both fics, but I won't spoil you. :) and I won't make promises I may not keep lol. Thank you got checking it out and for reviewing! :D
Oh this is so painful so far. I want them both to be happy!!! Ahhhhh
Author's Response:But you're reading out of order! You should have done Flowers first!! D:
Glad you are... Enjoying? As much as one enjoys pain? :p
"You do not hit me. Ever.”
It is so goddamned refreshing to see someone write a self-confident Faith who calls Buffy on her seriously, seriously messed-up penchant for violence as a response to words. In point of fact, this is raising the issue of domestic abuse and calling it what it is, and that's important. Really, really important.
This story is great, and amazing, and I love it, and this is maybe my 3rd time through reading it, but this part gets me every time. It kind of breaks my heart to see a Faith who knows what she's worth and won't stand for getting treated like someone less.
Thank you for writing that. It fills a hole in the Faithiverse.
Author's Response:So does writing perfect reviews run in ya'll's family or what? Between you and Bobina, I have so many review squees! :D
It's so easy to excuse B/F knocking each other around because they're super ladies and equally matched, but I really don't like seeing it. Buffy doesn't usually hit the other people in her life (not getting in to Spike haha), except for Angel and that one time with Giles, so why would she find it excusable with Faith? Even with Angel I didn't like the times she punched him. Strangely okay with Giles. :p You just don't hit people you love, and I think Buffy and Faith need to know that. Initially I had planned for this scene to be in Girl, with canon Faith hitting Alt Buffy, who would be shocked and horrified. It felt like I was playing up the image of "bad Faith" vs Alt world Faith, so I swapped it. I think it worked out better. :) Honestly I wasn't trying to make a comment on Buffy in general, but rather just how not ready to have something real with Faith she was. I still sympathize with Buffy here--she has such a horrible history that Faith isn't fully privy to. Plus Faith reaches for her arm, and Buffy's experience of Faith grabbing her mid-fight is not a good one. But Faith needs to assert those boundaries with her so that this doesn't happen ever again. I love that you got this scene. :)
I loooove me some self respecting Faith. I am right there with ya! I tried to let Faith in Girl start to develop that sense of herself as someone to be trusted and treated with respect. I don't know that she'll ever be just like Alt Faith, but she deserves to get at least part way. :)
Okay, so I know I'm ridiculously late to the party, but I finally finished reading this. I started it when you were first posting it, but then I disappeared for awhile. This story was always in the back of my mind, though, and I am back, for who knows how long, to tell you how much I loved it.
Because I LOVE THIS STORY. You're an incredible writer, and you get these characters' voices so well. This story in particular is so complicated to tell because you're creating such an intricate world that's so like the one we're familiar with, and yet so different at the same time. The confusion and heartbreak that Buffy was feeling through this entire story was so real. The grief and guilt that Faith was feeling was a weight that I could feel in my chest from the moment Buffy laid eyes on her. JFC.
I love that you left a lot of this up to interpretation, and that nothing is cut and dry and perfect happy endings. Buffy and Faith don't get perfect happy endings because of their calling, but if they try, they just might get each other, and I love that that possibility is left open-ended.
Author's Response:You are back forever, and I don't wanna hear otherwise! :p I love you for loving the ending to this fic. I think it was not as well liked as some of my others where they had more concrete endings. In this case, it just felt like they weren't there yet. But we can't follow them forever, and they were at a very good place for them. Looking down the road, I'm betting they can work it out. The point of the two stories is basically all roads lead to B/F after all. :)
Thank you for brightening up my day with this review!!
I'm sighing, but trust me when I say it's happy sighing. Honestly, I think it was perfect. The best, honest, most real way to wrap things up. It's not a perfect fairytale ending, but seriously, who actually gets those? I'll tell you who: no one.
You've left Buffy and Faith with hope. Their issues are laid flat out before them and they're taking each other's hand so they can get past them together. Will it all work out? Who knows! But they're going to try. Our Buffy let go of the old Faith, and Alt Faith let go of her Buffy.
It's the best way this story could have ended!
I'm proud of you for not going the 'kisses and sex' way because that's too easy. This was real. This was great. Kudos, my friend. Giant, mega super-sized kudos.
Author's Response:Certainly not me ever in life. *GLARES AT UNIVERSE, SPECIFICALLY BUFFALO JUST BECAUSE*
Thank you very much. :) I think they work on it, and they can have a good relationship at some point down the line. And I'm kind of their boss, so that's probably what they'll do. :p
“The kind of soul mates that are meant to be together, no matter how many worlds there are, or what life throws at them. Buffy is Buffy,” he said, almost confusing himself trying to explain. “I’m not saying you have to marry her. I’m just saying, don’t push her away and say you’re doing it for Buffy. She wouldn’t want that.” Ah, Xander. He's always the voice of reason when it's really needed. And really, that was such a beautiful and poignant statement. "The kind of soul mates that are meant to be together, no matter how many worlds there are." It's beautiful, and it makes my heart hurt for the Buffy and Faith we know from the show, because they just never got their chance together.
And there I was, all hopeful that maybe Xander had talked some sense into her and then that Buffy was finally making a move, and BAM! What a train wreck! Why must Buffy talk with her fists when her mouth doesn't work the way she wants it to! Ugh. Faith had every right to be pissed.
Ugh. Ugh ugh ugh! Fix it, Alice! Fiiiiiiix iiiiiiit!! lol
Author's Response:Haha, I knew you weren't going to be happy when you got to this part! :D But with all the crap between them, I don't think they were ready for fixing just yet. Xander did talk some sense into her, but there were hurt feelings on both sides and it kind of imploded. Oops? :(
Well, to answer your question, yes. Yes I do need a hug. :( I mean, I knew it couldn't be all sunshine and puppies. Especially after seeing how Faith reacted once Buffy had fallen asleep. I definitely did not imagine her leaving to go to Xander's though. I had hope when Buffy determined that they could talk, but then you went ahead and stomped on all my feels with her deciding that she needed to let Faith go.
That is the exact opposite of what she needs! lol
Okay. *breathes* I'm calm, I'm cool, I'm collected.
...so you're probably gonna hurt us all even more in the next chapter, aren't you? :p
Author's Response:Yes. :D
Faith's instinct is usually to dodge bad situations, and even though she's grown up a lot... a tiger don't change his stripes and all that jazz. Hence the fleeing to Xander's house. :p
I apologize for stomping on your feels.
"It just annoys me how you talked up your straight as an arrow bullshit all this time, when you had this epic love story with the girl who eats her own hair." LOL! Aww, poor Tara! It's okay though, Faith. At first glance I'd think she was a hair-eater too. :p
The whole scene in the hotel, with Faith's jealousy and anger and then Buffy's admission, was damn near perfect. No, not near. It was perfect. It's my most favorite kind of Fuffy scene: revelation, shock, fear, acceptance. Faith finally admitting "I shouldn't have stopped doing that" made my heart clench in my chest. Their love scene was beautiful, and then end was hreatbreaking. You hit all the emotional highs and lows so darn wall. That's some serious talent you have there, Ms. Wonderbra!
Author's Response:Well she was a bit of a hair-eater in the beginning, I think. :)
Thank you kindly for the praise, great and powerful Ozlectra!! :D If I have given you heart clenches, I feel successful! :p
"Could switching dimensions be causing changes to my," she paused, glancing around as if someone could be watching them, and then blurted out the rest of her sentence, "sexual orientation?" Hahahahaha! Oh, Buffy, you beautiful little flower!
"You're gay, too?" The blonde asked, in shock. "See, Giles, this is what I'm saying! This is the gay dimension. Faith's gay; you're gay; I'm turning gay! Everyone's gay here except Willow, and she's supposed to be gay!" I'm sorry, but this one deserves a bwahahahaha too! This is how Buffy handles her stresses; she completely panics and loses the plot. lol I love it!!
Love that, even with everything going on, Buffy still remembers and cares enough about Tara to want to check in on her. Even in this dimension she's still pretty darn selfless. :) And I totally could hug Willow for suggesting Faith go on the roadtrip!
Author's Response:That Willow, always meddling. :) Buffy was really working that gay dimension theory hard, but at least she's woman enough to accept that it's probably not inter-dimensional forces of gay at work.
It was refreshing to see Dawn giving Buffy a bit of comfort, and even more refreshing to see tht Faith was able to forgive Buffy for her snooping. Sure it's hard on all of them, but Buffy's in a bad situation too; she's there with people who walk/talk/look like her friends, but in reality they aren't. She's all alone. Having Dawn and Faith on her side is a pretty big deal!
Loved seeing how easily Buffy and Faith fell into a flirty banter together, even after the drama of their previous encounter. Guess there's no fighting the inevitable. :p
And then when they were able to comfort one another after the engagement news . . . guh! All the feels! Really loving this :)
Author's Response:Woot! Thanks. :) Faith is more level headed here, so she's able to forgive more easily. I guess it helps that Buffy's actually willing to apologize. :p I was surprised a lot of the time by reviews I got on this fic. Seemed like people were way more sympathetic to Alt Faith than they were to canon Buffy. I myself was on B's side all the way. :p
(Also, I forgot to add, I TOTALLY would have read that fucker inside and out. But that's just me). ;)
Author's Response:I would have too! I am known for my total lack of respect for others' privacy. If your diary is there, I will read it. :p
Oh god, that breakdown in the training room. My feels. I can just imagine Faith's pain. It's pretty amazing she kept it together as long as she did. :(
And then Buffy comforting her, if not awkwardly, to thinking about her boobs, well . . . I was feeling the sting of my prior heartbreak less by then. lol
Slayerly bonding over food and beer gave me a case of the happies, even though I know it was hard for them both. Still, at least they can talk now without Buffy being weirdly defensive. And getting to hear what she's thinking about her own Faith, well, it just makes me wonder what if. Could they have been as happy as this Faith and her Buffy? Guh. Just guh.
Onwards!
Author's Response:Sorry I am so behind at responding. I suck. :( Buffy is so sweet with the comforting, but she wouldn't be Buffy if not also panicked and weird about it. :D
Faith was trying to keep it together, believing her Buffy would be back, and also being strong for Dawn, but yeah... this was the final thing. :(
Uncle Rory is lucky he hasn't met Buffy's fist. The picture you've described of the green motiff, and Dawn's puffy sleeves, made me laugh. I'm glad that I wasn't the only one who was forced to wear a dress in a wedding. Except that Buffy is such a pretty lady that anything will end up looking perfect. I had to google Mucinex. Hahaha!
When Buffy said, "I want to talk to you all the time and tell you how sorry I am...", she sounded... Like you? How weird is that? I feel like cringing when they started talking about the heavy stuff in the middle of the dance floor. Buffy and her timing. LoL.
"What I had before, with her... I never knew people could be that happy, you know?" She looked away, her face wistful. "Now she's gone, but here you are. And I'm looking at you and I'm thinking... maybe you're supposed to be here." ~~ This. Faith being honest with Buffy. I know some emotions need to be explained using a thousand words. But sometimes the fewest words can also say the most. Then the next few sentences after this -_- argh!
You know, I have a thing about confessions written in letters. Or just emotions in letters. Or maybe just Buffy and letters. Yes, the last.
"...so she headed back to Xander’s (gorgeous, amazing, who did that kitchen?) kitchen" ~~ LoL. Faith, that is unbecoming of a lady. Oh wait.
“You’re supposed to be here. But you’re not. I don’t even know if you’re… if you’re okay, or if you died, and I am so lost. I am so lost without you.” She leaned forward, her palms pressing down into the marker, shoulders beginning to shake. “I feel like I’m betraying you. How stupid is that? How fucking stupid is that? You left me.” Sobbing now, she slumped down, her head on her forearms. “You left me.” ~~ Picturing Faith S7 doing this. Broke my heart. :((
God that ending. I wish I could read the letter. This still makes me feel so much. You know I'm all for fairytale sappy endings. Sex is also good. But you always get me with the Ten-Roads cliffhanger/good-things-can-only-happen-from-here kinda ending. My heart.
Author's Response:
I know, right? Buffy was feeling charitable because it's a wedding. Mucinex I guess is an inside jokes for we USians. :)
Buffy's timing is impeccable! Gotta talk while she has Faith captive.
Darn, I didn't succeed in making you cry? I guess I should have included the letter. :p There's always the next story!!
I just realised that in this world, Faith doesn't have to runaway *far* whenever she has issues with Buffy. She can escape to her own friends. Get some time to gather her thoughts. I'm glad Xander and Oz told her that her sleeping with Buffy is understandable. All that introspection is never healthy. She needs someone other than herself to let her know it is ok.
Tara as Buffy's friend is also great. She can provide comfort to Buffy, free from the history of the alt+Buffy.
Buffy, why do you have to dominate the conversation every time? This isn't your world. That isn't your Faith. You don't get to give the speech all the time. And you can't go hitting alt+Faith like that.
I still can't believe you have only 1 chapter left. How are you supposed to fix that?
Author's Response:You know how it ends! Hah!
Her friendship with Xander is a good point, and I didn't intentionally write it thinking 'Faith doesn't have to go on her disappearing act,' but it's very true. She has a support system because these are her friends too.Asking why Buffy has to dominate a convo is like asking why the sun rises. :p