FIC: Answering Darkness

[ruby]

*rushes breathlessly into the room*



Sassette, to think I am so late for the party that I almost missed it!



I don't usually read long AU fics. But your vignette about the Tara Kissage was so well-written that it sent me flying into this thread, where I read Parts 1-40 in *one day* (grading finals, bah) and finished up the rest yesterday. When it was over, I looked up, blinking uncomprehendingly at the *real* world, since the one you created is so vivid. That's never happened to me with fic before.



It's been a wild ride waiting for updates, and I'm sorry I missed it. On the other hand--no waiting for updates!! It's like eating all your Halloween candy at once. Only instead of having a stomachache at the end, you feel wonderful.



Only now do I realize how quickly I rushed through AD, simply to find out what would happen next. (I can't tell you how long it's been since I felt that anticipation while reading--well, anything.) It will be a treat to read through again, savoring dialogue and the masterful way you handle POV.



This rambling is all to say THANK YOU for this story. It's gorgeous. Your talent is humbling and I am honored to witness it.

The mind is its own place, and in itself/Can make a heav'n of hell, a hell of heav'n. --Paradise Lost, I.254-55

[Sassette]

**tommo: Oh, I don't doubt it - but who's to say I wouldn't >LOVE< to have a visit with Flaming Joel? *G*



**Mystikk: Thank you - I certainly didn't >mean< to write an alternate season six ... but heh - I guess I kinda' did *G*



**ruby: Wow. Why, thank you ruby *G* That's wonderful to hear, and I'm really glad you liked the story. It was great fun to write, and in a way, having someone knew show up in the thread saying they just read the whole thing kind of helps me with feeling a little bummed that I'm done - sort of like as long as people are still reading it, it's not really over *G* So, thank you.



-Sass

______________________________________

I Think The Hellmouth Tastes Like Chicken -- Autumn

[WebWarlock]

Sassette,



Oh my god. That was wonderful. Simply the best. I loved the Willow/Tara interactions and the way they stuck it to the hell gods in the end. Classic.



I LOVED the scene where Buffy was beating the crap out of the construct. I don't know why, I just really liked it. Hmm, maybe it has something to do with humor. Yes, I kinda forgot that there was humor once apon a time in BtVS.



Let me echo what Xita said. Angel owes Willow EVERYTHING. He should get down on his knees and thank her on a daily basis.



I am so happy that there is going to be an epilog! I am not one to direct people what to say in their fics, but let me just say that Autumn's suggestion is wonderful.



Now I am torn. I decided that the crap I saw on TV was not Season 6. Now the question is should AD or UC be considered my "offical" Season 6????



Let back up Ruth here and say you had better keep writting! Please!



Warlock

-----

Web Warlock

The Other Side & ShadowEarth Games


Liber Mysterium: The Netbook of Witches and Warlocks

[Sassette]

Thank you, Web Warlock - and can I say it's wonderful to see you here? Willow and Tara can't be defeated ... evil is powerless in the face of that much love, and I'm darn well sticking to that concept ... it's what this story was about - what it was always about - and I don't ever want to write about anything else. So there



And yes - poor Buffy ... she didn't get to do very much in this fic, and she was a little frustrated. She feels much better now that she got to kick the crap out of something.



Yup - all the brooding angst, all the hair gel ... and none of it would exist without Willow. And yeah - I think Autumn's suggestion is wonderful, too ... it's a great set of lines. Reclaim! Reclaim!



As for AD or UC being your "official" Season 6 ... doesn't matter *G* They're both chock full of W/T lovin'. As it should be. And yes, I'll keep writing. I don't know when I'll do another full-length fic, but I'm doing short (and by short, I mean tiny, really) pieces in a thread called "Vignette Series" until I feel up to tackling a longer project again... I think you'd like them.



-Sass

[TrueXena]

??? What ???



I thought this was gonna be updated and finished by the middle of the week?



Umm it IS hump day! Can we have our update now please?



*tra la la*

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

Tara: "C-can you just be kissing me now?" - in 'Entropy'

Tara: "Its good to be a chicken casserole." -in 'Answering Darkness' By: Sassette

Tara: "Evil's....good." - in 'Seeing Red' (shooting script)

[Sassette]

Tasteful shower scenes cannot be rushed.



-Sass

______________________________________

I Think The Hellmouth Tastes Like Chicken -- Autumn

[ExtraFlameyWT]

Hahaha, no.. tasteful shower scenes can NOT be rushed. I can't wait, though!



-Aimee

*****
"Pope John Paul today confirmed his opposition to gay marriages, said they're unnatural. Gay marriage is unnatural. Then he put on a pointy hat, his dress, and returned to never having sex at all." -Bill Maher

[frenchrose888]

Well, what can I say that everyone hasn't already ?



Sassette, thank you so much for this incredible ride.



I can safely say that this is the best BtVS "fanfic" I've ever read - I don't really feel the term FF is accurate right now, because AD has grown to be so much more. To me, this is the kind of smart plot, dead-on characterization (how the heck do you spell that word?*g*) sharp humor and most of all beautiful romance that we are all so desperate to find these days - and here you provided it all.

Thank you for not failing us, for not insulting our intelligence, for respecting your characters and their story. In a word, thanks for being such a damn fine writer, Sass.*g*



From Dawn's spell, through the Road Trip, Being Willow Rosenberg, the Puzzles, the Tantric Sex and so many more great things , to the Hell Walking and to the much awaited Epilogue, you made me feel all these different emotions I used to experience over the course of a Buffy season : curiousity, anticipation, suspens, joy and so much more.



Blah blah, I just go on and on, so to sum it up - this story I will keep as precious, like anything else you may come to write.



Rose

" Well, Xander is a guy, so... kinda not a surprise that he likes to watch... girls. Why are we talking about this ?" - Wilow, Entropy

[TrueXena]

Shit! Give me the "not so tasteful" shower scene then.



I'm ' Jonesing' for my fic-fix. *snicker* Doc's orders, read much of the smut then call her in the morning. *snicker*



*tra la la*

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

Tara: "C-can you just be kissing me now?" - in 'Entropy'

Tara: "Its good to be a chicken casserole." -in 'Answering Darkness' By: Sassette

Tara: "Evil's....good." - in 'Seeing Red' (shooting script)

[Grimaldi]

a tasteful shower scene is coming? cool

If there are any questions, you may direct them to that brick wall over there.

I got news for you pal, you ain't leadin' but two things right now. Jack and shit... and Jack left town.

[mollyig]

Tasteful eh? What flavour will the taste be?

Adding up the total of a love that's true, multiply life by the power of two
Indigo Girls

[Puff]

Have I expressed my love of shower scenes? Ask MC she knows about it. I can't wait to read what you write Sass.

-----------------------
You know, it's a real deal relationship and that's why people can relate to it
Amber Benson

[tkheaven]

Sass, I just recently began to read this fic and HOLY!!! This fic is awesome!! I'm up to 52c right now and can't wait to see what else happens...

-----------------------------
"It's amazing, isn't it? A tiny piece of metal destroys everything. It ripped her insides out. Took her light away. From me. From the world. Now, the one person who should be here is gone. And a waste like you gets to live." ~ Villians ~ Willow to Warren

[Mufin53]

"No time for love, Docta Jones!" is finally over. It seems our girls will now have all the time for love they need.



Sassette, thanks for bringing us all through this, safe and sound. What do we smittens have to show for these past few Sassilicious months? Bumps and bruises, lovely accessories, chaff marks from the harnesses, and perma-grin. Oh.. and heaps of panties and wonderful memories.

THANK YOU! And mmmm.. looking forward to that shower scene =)

______________________

If you thought that you were making your way To where the puzzles and pagans lay Put it together: It's a strange invitation -Beck

[Shinnen]

Sass:



I'm also writing to thank you so much for a wonderful story. I love long stories. Your fic is way better than a BtVS novel. More of a Lisa Countryman standard and that's really high.



Looking forward to more W/T stuff by you. I saved the vignettes series but haven;t the time to read them yet... actually... i haven't even been able to do personal stuff. But I can't wait to enjoy more fic from you.



Again...thank you for "Answering Darkness"



CheerZ

Shinnen

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

When I Am Standing On My Head, The Sky Is So Deep And The Sea Is So High.

[AutumnT]

Did someone say shower scene?



Tara's muffins might get all wet and slippery.

Autumn

-----------

Buffy: I could wrestle naked in grease for a living and still be cleaner than after a shift at the Doublemeat.

Willow: Plus, I'd visit you at work every single day. --- "Normal Again" shooting script

[TrueXena]

Quote:

---

Did someone say shower scene?



Tara's muffins might get all wet and slippery.



Autumn

---

And this is a bad thing how?

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

Tara: "C-can you just be kissing me now?" - in 'Entropy'

Tara: "Its good to be a chicken casserole." -in 'Answering Darkness' By: Sassette

Tara: "Evil's....good." - in 'Seeing Red' (shooting script)

[blameburner]

Tasteful? Since when did we, and by that I mean people like me, acquire taste? As in, I don't care if it's tasteful or not!



I need my shower scene!!!



Puh-leeeeaze???



See, the story's officially over and you still reduce me to begging.

"And remember... if you hurt her I will beat you to death with a shovel. A vague disclaimer's nobody's friend. Have fun!"

[Jennpurr]

Need Shower scene soooon.



Jen

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


"It's good to be a chicken casserole," Tara murmured before passing out. -from "Answering Darkness" by Sassette




Tara: Can you just be kissing me now?

[Owl]

.... Sometimes, when I think about two witches taking a shower together.... I go and take a shower by myself....

What? I actually peeked in here and thought, "ooh! good idea! need to get clean!" Hm. seriously beginning to worry about my priorities, here.



Anyway, Sass... I'm impressed you've got such a good memory, remembering me grinning like an idiot at the truckers. Just for that, I'm attaching a "Trucker Friendly Lesbian" sign and a little plaid flag to my bicycle in your honor. looking forward to the good clean fun you've promised in the epilogue... heh.

[tkheaven]

Geez, I had posted I was at 52c...not realizing I was nearing the end of the fic!

Sassette I gotta say WHOA! That was awesome, funny, sexy, loving....all in all just incredible. I loved W/T joking and cracking up at the end. Sassette, a true honor.



so now...where's that shower scene!!

-----------------------------
"It's amazing, isn't it? A tiny piece of metal destroys everything. It ripped her insides out. Took her light away. From me. From the world. Now, the one person who should be here is gone. And a waste like you gets to live." ~ Villians ~ Willow to Warren

[ExtraFlameyWT]

Just giving the fic a bump.. and hoping for the shower scene..



Do you think it will be up soon?



-Aimee

*****
"Pope John Paul today confirmed his opposition to gay marriages, said they're unnatural. Gay marriage is unnatural. Then he put on a pointy hat, his dress, and returned to never having sex at all." -Bill Maher

[AutumnT]

When are you going to tell us the story of Tara's wet muffins? Hmm?

Autumn

-----------

Well, the reindeer part was nice...

[Sassette]

Well, you >might< not want to stay up. It takes me a very long time to write, umm "shower" scenes. And then when they're done with the shower, they move to the hallway. Then the bed. Twice. So this is gonna' take awhile.



-Sass

______________________________________

I Think The Hellmouth Tastes Like Chicken -- Autumn

[ExtraFlameyWT]

Well, it's not even 10:15 here, and I was planning on staying up a while anyway.. So, I'll just hope that it's up before too late. I'm not going to bed for hours yet.



The hallway and the bed twice, though? Mmm, the possibilities...



-Aimee

*****
"Pope John Paul today confirmed his opposition to gay marriages, said they're unnatural. Gay marriage is unnatural. Then he put on a pointy hat, his dress, and returned to never having sex at all." -Bill Maher

[Sassette]

I honestly don't expect it to be up for another six hours or so? Which, technically, will still be "tonight" here.



-Sass

______________________________________

I Think The Hellmouth Tastes Like Chicken -- Autumn

[WebWarlock]

Take your time.



Experience has shown us that when you do it is fantastic!



I am looking forward to this with bittersweetness. I loved this story from the word go and to me it is a great replacement for Season 6.



Lots of love, still some angst, and Cthulhu refs! What more could I want. Oh yeah, lots of Willow/Tara goodness!



Here's to your season Finale Sass! I know it will be better than the crap that will be on my TV (if I actually watch it).



Warlock

-----

Web Warlock

The Other Side & ShadowEarth Games


Liber Mysterium: The Netbook of Witches and Warlocks

I miss Tara.

[ExtraFlameyWT]

Yeah... I might actually still be up then. Either way, don't worry.. take your time. As I said before, these scenes can not be rushed.



-Aimee

*****
"Pope John Paul today confirmed his opposition to gay marriages, said they're unnatural. Gay marriage is unnatural. Then he put on a pointy hat, his dress, and returned to never having sex at all." -Bill Maher

[Sassette]

**ExtraFlameyWT: Exactly. Rushing the shower scene would be bad. Because, y'know, then you'd get a rushed shower, and nobody likes that.



**frenchrose888: Thank you so much ... I really appreciate you (and everyone) for reading this monster of a story, and all the kind words in response. Honestly, I doubt I could've written something this ambitious without the feedback ... so thanks *G*



**TX: And thank you, madam, for the puns ... god knows I don't hear enough of those And the "not so tasteful" shower scene is illegal in most countries, so I'm not going to bother writing it. Heh.



**Grimaldi: Yes and thank you *G*



**Puff: No, I don't think you've mentioned it - I was just guessing that kittens in general would be in favor of W/T nekkid in a steamy little cubicle with water pouring down all over them as they slide their slick bodies against each other and ... *cough* Umm ... I'm going to stop right there.



**tkheaven: Heh ... thanks *G* There's not much left after 52c - hope the rest lives up to expectations *G*



**Mufin: Ahhh... more punning *G* Love it. And yes, it's all W/T love all the time from here on out.



**Shinnen: Awww, thank you *G* And you're very welcome - it was my pleasure, I assure you.



**Autumn: Yes, yes ... Tara's wet and slippery muffins. Willow loves Tara's muffins, y'know. In case you were wondering.



**TX: Ehhh... I'm sure I can manage to somehow make this bad. Frickin' shower scenes!



**blameburner: Oh, but I like it when you beg.



**Jennpurr: Tonight. Definitely tonight, even if I have to stay up until 3am to finish it.



**Owl: Cleanliness is next to Nekkid Wiccan Goodness. Or something like that. And how could I have possibly forgotten you beaming at truckers? When you posted that, I had visions of you riding around on your bicycle, smiling at passing truckers, and getting into a horrible accident due to inattention - an accident that would then be entirely my fault. *sheepish look* I'm a little ... well, let's just say I'm a worrier.



**tkheaven: Ahhh ... you hit the end *G* I'm really glad you liked it.



**ExtraFlameyWT: Yes, it will be up sometime tonight. Which might be tomorrow morning for you. Heh - and no need to bump the thread - it's not like I've forgotten it *G*



**bzengo: Sooooooooonnnn ....



**Autumn: Yes, I am rather vixen-y, aren't I? *G* I'm working on it, I promise.



-Sass

______________________________________

I Think The Hellmouth Tastes Like Chicken -- Autumn

[ExtraFlameyWT]

Good to know that you haven't forgotten it! Yay! Tonight! I can't wait.. I'm going to stay up until you post it now!



-Aimee



p.s. And you're right, no one likes a rushed shower scene... that would be wrong, because then there isn't enough time to get clean..

*****
"Pope John Paul today confirmed his opposition to gay marriages, said they're unnatural. Gay marriage is unnatural. Then he put on a pointy hat, his dress, and returned to never having sex at all." -Bill Maher