Flowers for a Ghost
I simply *loved* this chapter. The image of Faith wailing on the punch-bag, bearing out her grief physically, was an incredibly emotionally moving scene, one that had me tearing up.
I think this is the chapter when your writing is at it's strongest, cutting straight to the hearts of the characters in a way that is in keeping with the show, but also shows how much you've created your *own* three dimensional variations on the characters that we know and love.
I thought the interaction between Buffy and Faith in this chapter was similarly moving: Faith's croaked line about her heart being 'ripped out' pretty much did that to me upon reading...
Loved this story, great concept, fantastic characterisation. Looking forward to seeing where you take the next one...
Author's Response:Thank you so much. :) Apologies for ripping your heart out. :p I hope you'll like the next one just as much.
Okay, I literally laughed out loud at Buffy being a brunette and a whole lot, uh, hairier, as a result of trying to restore the natural order. I could just imagine her reaction upon finding said hairiness. Giggles ensued here for many minutes, I can promise you that. :p And I totally get why Dawn is still shutting this Buffy out. She still doesn't trust her, and with Buffy not looking out for Faith, Dawn has no reason to. The natural order is upset and all is chaos.
And chaos is great for telling a story. :D
Onward I go!
Author's Response:Lol, in front of the Scoobs too! How embarrassing. :p
Dawn can hold a grudge like nobody's business. :) She's a brat of the highest order. Which is needed since the other Scoobs are mostly nice to her and accept her easily. Even Faith is being pretty nice.
Onward you went but you left before reviewing!! D: :p
"Can't you just like… magically lojack her?" Hahahaha! That's awesome.
Dawn's anger at Buffy feels so true and perfect. She had her sister and Faith before, and now her sister is gone and the person who took her place . . . is not her sister at all. But Faith is still Faith, so of course Dawn wants to protect her from this person who she still doesn't know what to make of. You really hit the nail right on the head with her reaction to Faith being injured.
And Faith getting teary-eyed at the picture of her and her Buffy. God. She's right; not knowing if her Buffy is alive or dead has to be a complete mindfuck.
You do what you do so well, lady. *two thumbs up*
Author's Response:Thank you, gentle lady! *courtesies*
I always really liked Dawn's moments of loyalty, like sticking up for Tara, or threatening to kill someone if they hurt Buffy. I think she would idolize Faith in this dimension. She has all the coolness of Spike, plus she's been a rock for them since their mom died, and she's got that big sister stuff going on.
I really did put poor Faith through the ringer in this one. We'll see if you begin to curse me later. :D
"Okay, so we got some other Buffy. Where's my B?" The my. The my!! Ouch, right in the feels! You do that so well, dear Alice.
Alright, alright. I know I'm late to the game, but I'm here now! Really digging the start to this one. I'm a terrible reviewer so don't yell at me if I slack. I will do my best, but I already know I'm really going to enjoy this one. How can I not? It's by one of my favorite authors. :p
Also, THE LAST UNICORN! +100 cool points to you, ma'am. :)
Author's Response:If someone hasn't read TLU, I don't know what they're doing with their life (cough, cough Topak cough)!
You have completely missed most of the games by now. :p I feel like a child whose parents are too busy to come to her soccer games. I JUST WANT YOU TO LOVE ME! *sobs* But that's okay, you're here now. *pets self soothingly*
I am sooooo excited for you to read this one. Well, the other ones too, but it's really fun now because you'll get caught up to the ongoing story. :) I appreciate your reviewing even tho you claim to be terrible at it. :p
Like the attention paid to the Dawn/Buffy/Faith dynamic. Feels believable, particularly in Dawn's reactions here to this new Buffy.
Author's Response:Thanks! :) Dawn definitely has a strong connection to Faith here, and she's fiercely protective. I always liked her best when she was like that ('if you hurt my sister, I'll kill you' etc).
Good job capturing the voices of the gang and an intriguing premise. Oh, and the Last Unicorn? LOVE.
Author's Response:I know, right??? If you don't love TLU, I don't know what you're doing with your life. :p Thank you!! :) Glad you are intrigued.
I need beer. Get me beer! Hugs are okay too. Give it to me with the beer. Also a sandwich. Hahaha! Ok, teasing. I know all I'll get is a kick.
I feel sorry for these two. I can't fault Faith for going down that path of guilt. She's still very much in love with her B. Poor Buffy. Just when things were starting to look up in this world, she's reminded again of how complicated it is being the stranger.
I actually liked Dawn here. Especially when she figured out that the two had sex just by their awkward interaction. At least she's not as much a brat as she was in the previous chapters.
Favorite part was, "... Faith’s hands, Faith’s mouth, her trembling limbs, her perfect rasping breaths. All of it had crept somewhere under her skin, moving and rearranging her so that they’d fit together so perfectly, just the way it felt like they should."
Sometimes I forget you can write sweet, romantic, things like this. tongue.gif
Author's Response:No beer. Haven't you heard, beer makes you a cave slayer?
Dawn's very perceptive. :p
So your favorite part was actually what I added later and you hadn't seen. I wonder if it's that good, or you like the surprise?
I giggled when Buffy started to blame Willow for her lusty thoughts. Denial is so funny sometimes.
Awww... jealous alt-Faith is adorable in her moodiness. At least this one was mature enough to admit what's eating her (albeit not in a straightforward way). Her and canon-b are really a pair. Buffy slipping up with that, "I was straight!" line. LoL! I can imagine these two sitting there and eyeing each other. Squinting and raising eyebrows. Barely holding on to their control. Buffy trying to escape out of that conversation... Hahaha! Some more talking. All that emotion brimming in the surface. And then realisation comes!
Fuffy!!! *rolls in bed in excitement. Maybe that's why I had a fever today. This was the last thing I read last night*
Man, what I would give to see something like this happen on TV.
But why did you have to make Faith so sad and guilty? I know, I know. Because for all her hoping and flirting with canon-B, she still loves her Buffy and wishes for her return. This is just sad. Sad. Sad. Sad. I blame you for my sadness.
Author's Response:I do live to make others sad. It's one of my joys in life. You want to see it on TV?? You perv.
I didn't find Faith that adorable. I would probably kick her. Just say what you mean and don't be an ass! Then again, she is Faith after all, so she can't be completely mature and level-headed. :p