"Mission Statement" (Post-Season 6)

[Bagheera]

Quote:

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SACK (Screaming Anguished Cliffhanger, Kittens) warning applies. You've been warned.

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Loco2, calm down. Deep breaths. Can you say 72 hours? Next posting. PS: I'm halfway through drafting Episode 1.4 at the moment if that's any kind of reassuring to you.

"Willow and Tara keep kissing. It is intense, it is passionate, and it is, above all else, love. Truly and forever."
"Entropy" shooting script

[Loco2]

yes, it is much reassurance....and hey, enough piss taking out of me, here.



hmm, 72 hours, doesn't seem like so long....



steph

(who has calmed considerably)

"Dr. Becker, have you seen the skeleton?" "What do you think I am, a skeleton thief? You want to search me?!"
"Who sponsered career day this year, The Brittish Soccer Fan Association?!" - Xander - What's My Line?
"We'll all be a lot happier without the constant whining....Mom, Buffy, Tara, Waah" - DMW to Dawn

[Bagheera]

I'm not taking any piss, you sounded upset.

"Willow and Tara keep kissing. It is intense, it is passionate, and it is, above all else, love. Truly and forever."
"Entropy" shooting script

[LeatherQueen]

Wow.



Ok, 72 hours, you said, right? *sigh* I can wait patiently...



That was pretty powerful. What an update!

--------------------------------


"But when they're playing your song on the jukebox in Hell, you might as well dance." - K. Simpson


"Futile... like a FOX, baby!" - Tara in The Late Shift by wiccachica

[Bagheera]

LeatherQueen: Hi, and thanks. A short, punchy update, almost a semi-teaser, to start Episode 2. They won't always fit this pattern, but it seemed to fit here. I could have had Willow say a bit more, but she probably would have started to repeat herself. This is a very bad habit that on occasion appears in my writing and that I try to watch out for.

"Willow and Tara keep kissing. It is intense, it is passionate, and it is, above all else, love. Truly and forever."
"Entropy" shooting script

[DarkWiccan]

Hm.



Why do I suspect ravishment as opposed to feeding?



I dunno...



72 hours to go



Cheers

DarkWiccan

[Bagheera]

DarkWiccan: "Why do I suspect ravishment as opposed to feeding?" That would be your mind, methinks. That's nice, but don't forget that Tara is still in vampire face. And she made an offer to Willow that was vehemently rejected.

"Willow and Tara keep kissing. It is intense, it is passionate, and it is, above all else, love. Truly and forever."
"Entropy" shooting script

[Thanatopsis]

SACK (Screaming Anguished Cliffhanger, Kittens)



It's comforting to know that when you say such a thing you're not lying. Well, not comforting, per say, um I don't know. Uh, 72 hours you say? Waitng kinda patiencely.

-----------------
Oh, trusty soda machine. I push you for root beer, you give me coke.

[DarkWiccan]

As I was sitting here about to reply to your reply... yeah... I realized how silly it is to start a tete 'a' tete with GOD.



I'm not saying you're the God or a God. Just that as the creator of your story you're God... so why should I bother posing theories since you already know what's happening anyway...



But! It's still fun... So! Yes, true that Tara is in vamp face.. but Willow is also half-naked and if Willow was standing half-naked in front of me (vamp or no) I'd be thinking a completely different kind of yummy from "lunch".



Not to mention that there is a trust issue here. Tara needs to regain Willow's trust... so biting her not the way to do so.



However... there is the possibility that you've decided to make Tara a homicidal maniac and the next Big Bad to try and take over SunnyD...



And (as I've said before) you've left yourself open with a huge can'o'options as to where this can go.



So... 72 hours and counting...



Cheers

DarkWiccan

[xita]

Yes, I like that Willow is very much in her belief that being a vampire is not a good thing. And that life would not compare to what they had. I like her sticking to those principles even in the face of a vamp tara. It's a different approach. And one I can take because I know we'll have a resolution at some point, a happy one

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Willow: (to Tara) I could heal.

Tara: (to Willow)And we’re gone.

[bulldog tidnab]

72 hours, huh?



at that point i may no longer have fingers, let alone fingernails... oh nevermind... i'll just eat my pen... mmm inky... blech.



i do want to say that thus far i have truly enjoyed this and am quite excited to see where you decide to take us... yep yep... i am entertained and rather intrigued...



also i feel rather guilty for not doing the feedback thing sooner.... BAD ME!



i'm going to go hang my head in shame and lecture myself firmly while i wait for the next update...



*off to flog and punish and so on*

Was a whirl, got to be a whirl


Was a girl, got have one too.

[Bagheera]

Hello, Thanatopsis and your Sassy Eggs. I understand that the Board is a safe place, so if scary or dark stuff happens in my stories, then it's only fair to give warning. Remember "Darker Time"? Tara got hanged and Willow killed herself. Still ended kind of happily, I hasten to add.



DarkWiccan, you can comment in any way you want. Some readers look back and comment on what has been, you like to look forward. I respect that. I don't mind speculation, but I will tend not to respond or to be vague to questions that deal with pivotal plot points; for instance, currently, will Tara bite Willow or not? It would be unfair and spoiling for me to respond either way to this. As for 1/2-naked Willow. Mmmm... But also metaphorical - in her speech to Tara, Willow laid her feelings bare. It could also be a challenge or a dare to vampire Tara - "Do you remember this body?" that sort of thing. It's open to a few interpretations and I don't hold the monopoly by any means.



Ah, Xita - You obviously share my affection for these characters. Willow has of course been in this situation before, in her dorm room with Spike. I expect she has reflected over the years about Spike's offer to her (be killed or be a vampire) and I think death would be her choice, especially having met vampWillow in the past.



bulldog tidnab - Thank you. No problem with feedback or no. Most people who read the Pens don't post, I probably only post in a tenth of the Fics I read.

"Willow and Tara keep kissing. It is intense, it is passionate, and it is, above all else, love. Truly and forever."
"Entropy" shooting script

[ZipityDoDa]

This is definitely a cliffhanger, what will Vamp Tara do???? Nice job Bagheera.

[4WiccanLuv]

Simply riveting! Wow, this story is awesome. Willow's plea to VTara for death was heartbreaking.



One of these days, I'll learn to not start a story until its completion. I'm not large with the patience. 72 hours, huh?

- Dime con quien andas y te dire quien eres -

[Thanatopsis]

Bagheera, don't worry about it. You warned me and so I knew very well what I was getting into, especially since I was an avid reader of your last fic. I'm fine with angst and cliffhangers, I just feel a need to comment on them when a writer gives a particularly good one. Next time I'll be more clear.

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Oh, trusty soda machine. I push you for root beer, you give me coke.

[Bagheera]

ZipityDoDa - Thank you, you're very kind.



4WiccanLuv - Thank you. xx It's a little over 2 days now before the next update falls due. If the cliffhangers drive you mad, you could always keep an eye on the Update Thread and digest the story episode by episode. Or you can consider the intervals between the updates to be the commercial breaks.



Thanatopsis - No problem. I love your feedback.

"Willow and Tara keep kissing. It is intense, it is passionate, and it is, above all else, love. Truly and forever."
"Entropy" shooting script

Edited by: Bagheera at: 7/1/02 9:37:16 pm

[4WiccanLuv]

Bagheera, see the problem is, I fast forward commercials. What am I to do, but be a good patient Kitten like the rest. Meow!

- Dime con quien andas y te dire quien eres -

[Bagheera]

4Wiccanluv: Your patience (and all the other Kittens') is rewarded.



Rating: M15 Kitten unhappiness, adult themes

Preview: Vampire Tara reflects!

Kitten Poll: What next?



Willow screwed her eyes tightly shut and waited for the pain. Time seemed to stand still, it may have been for a second, or a minute, and then Willow felt a tiny trickle of moisture on her shoulder. Still she had not felt the vampire’s fangs piercing her skin. Tara’s head was still pressed firmly against the redhead’s neck, the ridges above the eyes compressing her delicate flesh. Willow opened her eyes and dared to look down. Astonished, she saw the vampire’s shoulders trembling and saw the watery drops against her own freckled skin and she realised what was happening. The vampire was crying! Very slowly and tentatively, Willow brought her hands around and placed them gently upon Tara’s back.



Feeling the new contact, Tara lifted her head for a moment and a heartbroken sob escaped her lips. She drew her knees up, curled herself into a ball and laid her head in Willow’s lap. The redhead, not knowing quite what to do or say, gently stroked the vampire’s blonde hair and waited. Tara’s face abruptly shifted back to its familiar human form. Tears continued to flow from Tara’s eyes, wetting Willow’s jeans. It was several minutes before either of them spoke, the silence broken only by the sobbing of the beautiful blonde vampire.



“I fell in love with a mortal woman,” Tara said; when she was at last able to speak. “I remember everything we shared. I fell in love with a good, kind, gentle, loving woman. I value those things about you and I still love you for them. I know that I spoke thoughtlessly and that those things that I love about you would be gone forever if I made you. But I also have this - hatred for all living things.” She lifted her head and looked into Willow’s eyes for the first time in many minutes. “I want to bite you. I want to drink your blood. I want to make you a vampire. But I also want to live in your house, share your life, bring a child into the world and raise it with you, grow old with you. I want to share joy and despair, sickness and health, tears and laughter with the wonderful, beautiful, mortal woman that I fell in love with.”



“Oh, Tara,” was all that Willow could whisper.



“You’re right about the vampire that made me,” Tara continued. “She’s weak and despicable. I hated her from the moment I laid eyes on her. I would enjoy nothing more than to stake her and dust her. I would love to burn her to ash and cut her head off. I hate her more than anything. I hate all vampires. I hate myself!”



Tara buried her face in the soft comfort of Willow’s clothes and continued, “I shouldn’t have come back. I should have run from you in the graveyard. I shouldn’t have let you invite me in. I don’t deserve to live. If only my father could see me now, I can imagine how vindicated he would feel, at the mess I’ve made of my life and yours. Willow, dear Willow, I’m so, so sorry for the hurt I’ve caused you, for my selfish and thoughtless desire to make you be like me, into something I could only hate and that could only hate me.”



“Willow, I swear by my love for you that I cannot, will not, ever hurt you. You asked a favour of me; now I’m asking one of you.” Tara rose and crossed the carpet to a set of drawers, opening the one that she remembered held Willow’s socks and underthings among other items. She drew forth the object that she sought, a pointed wooden stake. The vampire regarded it for a moment, seemingly contemplating plunging it into her own chest. After a moment, she demurred and retraced her steps to the transfixed Willow, who still sat half-naked on the edge of the bed. Tara placed the stake in Willow’s hand, closing the red-head’s fist around it. Tara then straightened and removed her jacket, blouse and bra. She lay down on her back in the middle of the bed; one arm flung wide, the other pointing to the smooth pale valley between her breasts. She said, “Here, here’s my heart. It doesn’t beat, it’s nothing. I’m nothing. Stake me, Willow. Stake me!”



(To be continued)

Edited by: Bagheera at: 7/4/02 11:16:15 am

[Triscuit7]

Vamp Tara is cool, but Tara is cool so that follows.



Willow wishing, Tara waking - love it



I love twistedness in a story, but, but... "Stake me"...wah!



Ohmigods abound.



Ciao, Triscuit7

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I brought marshmallows!

[Bagheera]

Triscuit7: I should have put in a cliffhanger warning. Sorry. It wasn't quite as suspenseful as the previous update, so it slipped by. Remember - things WILL work out for Willow and Tara (sic) in the end.

"Willow and Tara keep kissing. It is intense, it is passionate, and it is, above all else, love. Truly and forever."
"Entropy" shooting script

[Triscuit7]

Bagheera, no problem at all. I was just expressing major surprise when the angst went somewhere I didn't expect.



BesidesI know they'll be safe with you.

**********************


I brought marshmallows!

[4WiccanLuv]

Wow! I'm speechless. This is intense, in a hurts so good kinda way! Patiently waiting for more.

- Dime con quien andas y te dire quien eres -

[Loco2]

thanks for this update, it was great. tara vamp is kinda just regular tara with a twist. it's a great story line; she has no idea where to fit in. so sad.



steph

"Dr. Becker, have you seen the skeleton?" "What do you think I am, a skeleton thief? You want to search me?!"
"Who sponsered career day this year, The Brittish Soccer Fan Association?!" - Xander - What's My Line?
"We'll all be a lot happier without the constant whining....Mom, Buffy, Tara, Waah" - DMW to Dawn

[xita]

Oh Tara was crying so sad. She's such a sweet vampire. I am betting Willow doesn't, i mean of course Willow doesn't. But what can she do? Soul resoration? But poor Tara had human dreams, she should be human.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Willow: (to Tara) I could heal.

Tara: (to Willow)And we’re gone.

[Bagheera]

Triscuit7: Thanks. "Major surprise" is nice.



4Wiccanluv: Thank you. Intensity will vary in this story; it's obviously extreme at the moment because Willow and Tara are in such a harrowing situation. They've now outlined their "Bargaining" positions; time for a compromise, do you think?



Loco2: Yes. Unhappy vampTara, faced with knowing what she wants but knowing that she would destroy what she values the most if she gave in to her basest desires. She's a vampire that "reflects", if you like...



Xita: Ooo, double post, you must have been all a-tremble! Good point. You could say I'm exploring an area that "Buffy" writers have glossed over: if vampires take over the victim's memories, does this include emotional memory? And what does this imply for someone as deeply and completely in love with a human as Tara is - and who is also intelligent enough to pause and reflect on the consequences of their actions? I don't think I've given any spoilers away there, by the way.



Edited to add: In the case of Angel/Buffy, don't forget that Angel had his soul for a century before he got his s*** together enough to fall in love with Buffy; his love for her was a direct consequence of having a soul, and once he lost it again, he reverted to his well-established vampire nature. Prior to becoming a vampire, Angel had a not very pleasant human personality: had he met Buffy at that time, he would have seduced her and cast her aside (much like Angelus did, one could say). I contend that the Willow-Tara relationship is very different: it was established while they were humans, and has become an integral part of Tara's nature/memory/personality, ie. it involves much more than whether T has a soul or not.

"Willow and Tara keep kissing. It is intense, it is passionate, and it is, above all else, love. Truly and forever."
"Entropy" shooting script

Edited by: Bagheera at: 7/4/02 10:55:26 am

[DarkWiccan]

And again I say, Hm.



Yup... that's all I have to say about that.



Looking forward to the next update.



Cheers

DarkWiccan

"Promise me you'll never be linear." "On my trout."

[Bagheera]

DarkWiccan: but... is that a good 'hmmm', or a bad "hmm"



Edited to add: Oh, ah, I just read your last post in its entirety. I see exactly what you're getting at - and again I say

"Willow and Tara keep kissing. It is intense, it is passionate, and it is, above all else, love. Truly and forever."
"Entropy" shooting script

Edited by: Bagheera at: 7/4/02 4:36:27 pm

[DarkWiccan]

A good hm... and intrigued hm...







Cheers

DW

"Promise me you'll never be linear." "On my trout."

[Thanatopsis]

Huh. Tara crying. That kind of throws a wrench into things, doesn't it. Or maybe not. Definitely intriguing.

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Oh, trusty soda machine. I push you for root beer, you give me coke.

[Bagheera]

DarkWiccan - I'm hoping for intrigue. Thanks for that.



Thanatopsis - "Tara crying. That kind of throws a wrench into things...or maybe not" - Cliffhanger feedback - excellent! Hang onto that uncertainty - it will see you through the next few instalments. As currently mapped, this arc should not deliver certainty until Episode 1.9 or 1.10.

"Willow and Tara keep kissing. It is intense, it is passionate, and it is, above all else, love. Truly and forever."
"Entropy" shooting script