New Fic: Tar'airah

[mollyig]

So Caranthia isn't the only one deceiving the tribe, she has Perhamia in cahoots with her. I didn't like Perhamia at the start because of her seedy interest in Tara, but now she's definitely in my bad books!



I like the way you split perspective in the last chapter. Willow watching on as the Amazons conversed, and then from Fa’aithlia's point of view. Tara's two allies now know the truth about Willow, what will they do now.

---

Sheacht mh'anam déag do bhéal, do mhalaí's do ghrua

[LunaMuses]

hehe way cool update. even if I had no idea how to translate (by the way, thanks for giving the english, heh...much fun as it is to make up the story, I think that's your job ;P).



The next chapter looks to be quite promising!



As for the new situation, I just started classes today (eeks). It's nice to know I can still run back here when I feel a lil' overwhelmed ^^'



And look at you, moving in and still with new updates! hurrah!



*waits eagerly for more*



oh, one more thing: can I have Faith? Just wrap her up in a nice to-go basket, and I'll be on my merry way

[taramagic]

oh my god i missed 2 wonderful updates!!

they were so amazing!!

hope the next update is coming soon!!

[Modjadji]

Cliffhanger! Aargh!



Disclaimer: I would never jump on your guitar-like stuff, unless you jumped on mine first. (...erm, for some reason that sounds very, very dirty. Or maybe just to me...)



Much praise for the Faith update. Gotta love that girl. drawherdrawherdrawherdrawher. Faith POV's are always tricky because it's easy to play her too hard or too soft and miss the effect, but you've absolutely nailed it. Tough and perhaps a little pig-headed, but smart, too. Bravo.



Had a massive Eowyn "I am no man" moment at the end of the update. Oh crap, indeed. I'm very interested to see how B and F react to the revelation. Supportive, or not so supportive? Will their consciences win out, or is their Amazon loyalty too strong? Questions, questions.



Can't wait for them to be answered, and for more W/T snuggle time. I've said it before, but it warrants repeating - you write their chemistry so, so well!



Cheers,

mo



P.S. Did I see Latin influences in that Amazonian (veras etc.)? Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditiones habes.

No matter how short life may seem, it's still the longest thing you'll ever do.

[thebardgirl]

*runs into kitten board, with lots of bags, luggage, and yes a toothbrush* Hello! I'm here, and I guess here to stay until I decide to run screaming away from midterms and finals...So...replies?









RaVeN- *snicker* well, I'm glad you liked the update. It was a crazy-bitch to write. I literally went back and translated it word for word. And um...I apologize to your roomate. I'll be sure to be less humorous in my updates from now on, okay? Thanks for the dancing pink elephant!



Sheba-Thankyou! Uhoh, you a smoochies-lover? Damn...then, you probably shouldn't read my fiction, I have this issue of always putting off smoochies for as long as humanly possible. Cause, seriously, this whole "buildup" thing...is exactly what I love to do. *Cackles evilly*



Arron CFF- Thankyou, I think...you did call me evil...so...Ah, yes, dorm life. It's...interesting. And, well, I guess it's all a matter of luck and such. Man is it hard to get your muse when you're plunked in a different environment, though. It's definitely been a struggle.



WickedReds-Heh..well, I'm glad you like the fabulousness of my handydandy Webster Dictionary to Amazonian. Smut trip, eh? Damn...well, I hope he has a nice vacation, but I'm still stuck on "pg-13 island" partly because, well, *blushes* I like it here. Thanks for reading.



Arwen276-Heh. I GOT A THUD! Whoo! Lol, that is the best response I think I've gotten so far on my strange translations...it IS like switching tv channels, and being hopelessly lost. I know that pain well from the Telenovelas on latenight TV. Sorry for the long wait, but now I give you more!



p.s.1: I never once thought that you seriously did not understand the update--for I knew that you were placing yourself in the mind's eye of the normal reader.



p.s.2: Ugh, moving is a bitch. But i'm here. And look! It took a while, but I'm back!



Thankyou, almighty Queen! *bows retreating with update thrown down at Thea's feet*



tarawhipped-heh...this is fabulous. I love reading your feedback--it makes me smile like a crazy-fiend. Dude! YOU rule! Thanks for reading my insane story and continuously liking it Cameron, and I hope you like the update.



shuyaku-Heh...another fluent-amazon speaker who also wishes to place themselves in the mind of a normal, confused reader! You and Arwen (Also known as the Queen) should get together sometime, oh! Perhaps you're like a soldier of hers or something? I'm going to go ponder that now...Dorms, eh? Mm...they're...weird. Going to try to survie, but in the mean time, they're weird.



Spikeizmin87-Heh. Thanks for reading, dude! Erp. Sorry for the headaches. Didn't I mention the disclaimer?

Meh, well here it is:

"The author in now way is responsible for pains of the head when and if the reader decides to pronounce the extremely insane words the author has created."

Right, won't tickle you at all. Will. Not. Um...not too sure whatcha mean 'bout my poking you, so I won't do that at all either. Okay? Okay, we're good to go. And yes, getting settled in a dorm is a pain. Major. Pain. But I'm writing again (slowly) as I told you earlier in chat. So here you go, Rose.





Tempest Duer-DUDE!! I have found Homestarrunner based upon one friend's recomendation--couldn't due to crappy computer, got new computer, now can read it--so...And I LOVE Strong Bad. WHAT THE CRAP? BRIAN?? Heh....well, thankyou, I'm glad you like my additions to this odd little story. It makes my day. that, and you saying I have a "pretty little head" *snicker*...thanks again for reading, dude.



YMKA- Erp. MARINA! Hi. I didn't know you were reading this story, but apparently so...So I'm glad now. Whoo. And yes, I have been writing throughout the loss and gain of internet connections. Here's the update, dude. And HEY! None o' that snickering about lack of smoochies with that Shebagal. Else, I'll um....I don't know what I'll do, but it'll be bad...or possibly slightly annoying. So...umm....ah I give up.



visual fallacy-I'm sorry 'bout those men in the white coats, I'll tell them to leave you alone and go after um...me instead, okay? Heh...yeah, well if you DO go back and compare the words, I actually translated as well as i could with each word. So...I'm glad you liked the translation version though, it makes it all the more worthwhile. Heh, I'm like shrek? Whoo! I LOVE shrek! It's true other things are happening in and out of W/T. But, we'll have to wait and see how they effect them. Or they effect the things. Wait, I confused myself. See what happens when the writer tries to get serious? Thanks for reading Sally.





Artemis- I'm glad you liked it, I tried to make the language as plausable as possible. And the language is mostly a word for word translation thing. It's like a mixture of any latin-based language and my insane brain. But if you want, we could say that I was some ingenius-language-person like J.R.R Tolkein? Let's do that! Heh, I'm glad to the observatory-types out there that the language looks plausable, cause in all reality I base most of the words off my knowledge of spanish/english/german/possiblyfrench/kindalatin. Thanks for reading (with or without my translations.)



mollyig-Erp. yeah, Perhamia's been drawn into the masses as well. I'm sorry for Perhamia, actually. Seriously, if some one that looked like Tara was in *your* proverbial tribe, wouldn't you hit on her at least once? Yeah, that's what I thought. And yes, I do like to use that whole "perspective switch time!!" thing. This next chapter will have that alot too, but not as blatant as the first one. I originally had the first half of that chapter entitled, "Willow's View" and then the second "Fa'aith's View" similar to an episode I watched of Coupling (a brit version of Friends). Hmm we'll have to wait and see what those two cooky amazons will do now with said information...*snicker*



LunaMuses-Meh, I'm glad you prefer me writing, but I must say, it's tiring trying to figure out a word that sounds like, but really isn't "but." However, this next chapter, I hope is what you were waiting for--it took a while to write, I must say. Ah, classes in college. What an interesting thing it is. Very, very interesting...and weird. I started classes last mon. Sorry for the wait, and hmm...you want Faith? Well, well, well, I didn't know I had a faith-fan here. Cool, I'll just try to write her in more from now on. Okay?



taramagic-Well, thanks for reading. I'm glad you liked 'em and I hope you like this one. Sorry for taking so long, but moving and mentally moving myself took a while, are still taking a while. Ah well, enjoy!



Modjadji-In response to your dirty slip up, I say (in the words of the great Melissa Etheridge, whom i've grown to actually believe is a goddess), "First show me yours, maybe I'll show you mine." Oh and hey, another Faith-fan! You want me to draw her? Hmm...good idea...but these days I'm so swamped that the Florida crocadiles want to live in my dorm room. I'll think about it, and if I get some free time that hasn't already been filled up with meaningless drool sessions over Melissa and I'll try to work something out, okay?



But you like my Faith? Thankyou! I sometimes don't know what to do with her, because she gets too crude sometimes in my head (or not crude enough) and well, confusion ensues. You'll see what I mean in this update. Personally, I think I went too far in one part, but I'll leave that for the masses to decide.



Heh....I KNOW! The "I am no Man!" thing got me when I first saw it (although I knew it was coming)...it makes me laugh though...not what Peter Jackson was going for, I'll bet, but I liked it anyway. (She was cute!) Oo you're wondering what the reaction of F and B will be? Well, then. Please read! Thanks dude, for reading and for the fabulous feedback, enjoy!



oh and um..hmm...*reads* Si hoc...I you can read this...



Aw...thanks!....i think...course I'm not going to admit I had help from the fluent latin-persona across the hall, nope. Cause then it would loose all validity that I got a compliment. Damn.

You shanked my janga ship!

[thebardgirl]

Hello! Fabulous kittens, I bring you this update, which, by the way, took a bit longer for my own tastes. I'm not even sure I like some parts of it, which is why I wish I had a twin that could be my beta, but then again, I'd argue with myself more than I usually do and the homeless guy down the street would call me crazy. And I am most certainly not down with that. So....update!













Chapter 15









Thunder.



A deep rolling beneath the earth causes even the smallest creatures to stir from their midnight slumber. It is soft at first, a sort of minimal growl. The bass sounds are imperceptible to human ears. But soon it grows, ever so subtly, climbing octaves, rising above each note at a leisurely pace.



Ants scurry—spiders flee.



And the leaves shake with the knowledge, blazoned on every cell, that it is coming.



It will happen.



But for now…a soft, very soft



Thunder.



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







Imagine a guppy, it’s mouth wordlessly open, hanging on its hinges and waiting for the proper moment to close. Had amazons ever been introduced to guppies, or if the small river outside of their tribal territory inhabited them, Tar’airah might have laughed; apparently her two friends from childhood did killer impersonations.



She stood there, arms folded across her chest, leaning against the bedpost. The two amazons were slightly blocked from her view by a petite redhead who was speaking in English, slowly. Tar’airah in turn translated every word while her friends silently took in the story of the girl’s mistaken capture, near death, and now friendship with the blonde amazon.



Fa’aith and Buf’ just stood there, gawking.



Willow was doing her best not to take that as a bad reaction, and continued in the only form she knew: babbling. However, it was just a blur of sounds to the two warriors in front of her.



Fa’aith and Buf’ looked up to Tar’airah for the confirmation of what looked like honesty in the smaller sunset-haired one. She, however, seemed more distracted with the redhead’s words than the two amazons for once. But the blonde recovered herself and retold what she had heard.



“She s-says she didn’t exactly know where sh-she was, and she never meant to trip upon our ‘lovely’ tribe, but apparently it’s a life or death situation for…” she seemed slightly embarrassed by the words that were slipping out of her mouth, “…f-f-for both of us. A-and she’s not about to step aside and…” Gulp. “Leave me…” Tar’airah in a split second of panic added, “t-t-to be banished.”



We still don’t know if they plan to kill Willow, best not tack on the fact that I’m in love with her.



Silence enfolded the room; Willow had said her part and felt no need to expand on her feelings for the blonde in front of her violently capable companions.



She slowly stepped back next to the body of her only Anglo friend in the hut. Her right hand slipped down of it’s own accord and slowly clasped that of the blonde’s left. Tara didn’t reject the hand.



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



Fa’aith was having troubles comprehending it all.



First man, then no man.



How a person could suddenly switch their identity was beyond her.



First offensive piece of crap, then nice piece of ass.



Well, there was that one amazon that seemed a little too okay with men, in fact, wanted to be one, but that was a decades ago, and they didn’t talk about he—him—any more.



First balls, and now—wait.



It was going to be a long night.



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



“Tar’airah, what…” Buf’ was trying to make sense of…everything. She tried again, “How…” but failed.



Then, luckily, she saw something that she could question.



“Why are you holding her hand?”



Fa’aith seemed to be lost in her thoughts, so Buf’ walked a little bit forward.



“What?” Tar’airah immediately dropped Willow’s hand, and stepped forward a bit. Willow, however, seemed more surprised than anything. Her face contorted with slight confusion and hurt as she looked up questioningly—but she didn’t say anything.



I’ve said enough for one night. Hell, enough for a week. One wordy week…one wordy Willow week…one worthy wordy Willow week…



Besides, it looked as though the small blonde had to talk to Tara about something important.



“Tar’ just I saw you!”



“Buf’, I was just comforting her. You know, friendship, comfort?” Tar’airah’s resolve was breaking. She still didn’t know whether Willow was in danger, and the last thing she wanted was for Buf’ to now angrily find out about them.



Was there a ‘them,’ though?



Every time I’ve gotten close to…I don’t even know if she feels the same way.



For now, she’d have to go from what she did know: keep Willow safe. And Buf’aneah, to Tar’airah’s dismay, wouldn’t let the small gesture go.



“Fa’aith,” she said to her companion who was still in deep thought, “Fa’aith,” she tried again but no avail.



“FA’AITH,” this time she added a slight thwack on the brunette’s arm.



“Ow!”



“Then try listening, Fa’aith,” she growled.



“Buf,’ please, Willow’s just an innocent here, don’t get angry. We haven’t done anything—“



“I know that look, missy! That, won’t-you-two-please-leave-us-alone-so-I-can-make-out-with-my-capture-of-the-day, look!”



“BUF’ANEAH!”



“Hey, I remember that! I did walk in on something!” Fa’aith had seemed to get back into the conversation, this time with a slight grin on her face.



“I KNEW it!” Buf’ almost screamed. Tar’airah’s mind was going into meltdown.



Not good, not good, not good, not good!



“Tara, what are they jumping up and down about?” Willow asked behind the blonde. The wild-eyed look in the smaller blonde was starting to scare her, especially since it was constantly being directed at her.



“So how long has this been going on?” Buf’ had steamrolled over the redhead’s words.



“Nothing’s going on!”



“Oh come ON, Tar’!” Buf’ yelled incredulously.



“Yeah, who do you think we are? Idiots?”



Tar’airah looked back at the brunette with an answering look. It didn’t take long to get a response from Fa’aith.



“Shut up, Tar’.”



“Tar’airah, at least give us the credit to notice when you’re more friendly than usual with a girl,” Buf’ said angrily.



“It’s insulting to think you wouldn’t tell us.”



“Not if you plan on tearing her apart!” Tar’airah almost yelled.



“What?” Buf' asked after a few moments. It was always weird when Tar'airah raised her voice; something must be wrong.



Tar’airah slowly drew herself up, with a menacing look Buf’aneah and Fa’aithlia had luckily never been the target of before.



It’s now or never.



“I won’t let you hurt her,” she said very softly, “I love you both, you know that,” she said apologetically, “But if either one of you come a foot near her in anger,” her face turned hard, all kindness leaving the eyes they had known for so long, “you’ll regret it.”



“Tar’,” Buf’aneah said slowly, finally understanding where Tara’s anger was coming from, “We wouldn’t hurt her.”



“Why? Why should I trust you? You two were about to kill her because you thought she was a man no less than then thirty minutes ago!” Anger started to bubble within the blonde.



“Yea, but that’s different!”



“HOW?” the girl yelled.



“Well, it just is okay?” Fa’aith was getting angry now. Why the hell should I have to explain to her the history of our people all for the sake of making it clear that if her girlfriend happened to be a man and not a woman, I might be violently inclined to kill her?



“Fa’aith! Tar’!” Buf’ said getting tired of the confusion, “Let’s try to be calm. Your ‘friend’ looks a little pale,” she nodded towards the redhead.



Willow, who at the time was more concerned about Tara’s raised voice, had the look of a little kid lost in a zoo, waiting for someone to explain Why?



Tar’airah tried to give her a comforting look before shooting back at the smaller blonde, “We’re not—”



“Whatever,” Buf’ tossed the thought away.



“Buf’, I’m serious,” Tar’airah’s voice rose again to a deadly level, “If you come near her…”



“Tar’ we wouldn’t harm a hair on her head!”



“Yeah, what do you think we are? Ruthless killers?”



Again with that look.



“Shut up, Tar’.”



“Tar’airah we won’t hurt her.”



“Oh, and why is that?”



“Because you love her,” Buf’ said simply. After the words were spoken, the realization of what that meant caused Fa'aith's mouth to turn upward every so slowly. She stood there, grinning like a jaguar having found a baby gazelle with a sign on it saying, ‘please eat me.’



"Tar'airah," came the brunette's voice, "The warrior to be feared, known for her deadly skills in combat and weaponry," she snickered, "Is. In. Love," she finished laughing and pointing.



And so the relentless mocking begins.



Tar’airah just stood there, wordless. Laughter between two young girls enveloped the room, only to broken by a frustrated voice.



“Okay, seriously now, what did she just say? Cause this whole ‘Willow doesn’t know any Amazonian so let’s just all talk in it’ thing is starting to get old.”



I liked it better when they thought she was a man.













tbc....slowly, but it will be continued...



-elizabeth

You shanked my janga ship!

[Spikeizmine87]

Holy shit she updated!!! "runs over and tackles elizabeth" YOU FUCKIN ROCK!! Man Ive waited for soooo damn long...and here the update it!! All good and everythings just good and YAY for buffy and faith being ok...but faith better mean it or i will have to kill a bitch! Dont think I wont! Cause I can! Anyway, I understand that it'll be takin you a while to update but dont make me wait too long!

-rose

I didnt know what being happy was till i found you, i didnt know what love meant till i loved you.

[tarawhipped]

*jumps onto the pile o' kittens* Okay Elizabeth, you take as long as you need between updates if this is the result. Willow being so brave and honest, Fa’aith and Buf’ with the mocking, Tar' with 'the look'--frickin' AMAZING!. Now just kick the goofballs out of the hut and give Willow and Tara some alone time, okay?





-Cameron

---

What should I be but just what I am? - Edna St.Vincent Millay

[WickedReds]

Wow... u updated... now i wonder y i almost got stuck in that hurricane in Florida.. Aww tara's in love.. to when buffy pointed that out.. and whoa we see some take charge tara there with the protectiveness... Mmm take charge tara ... k must stop... pg-13 is good i'm lovin it...but Smutty the Banana is on the smut trip 4 good... great update..



-reds



my banana dances for smut

Tara in a wet shirt, Tara in a wet shirt. Tara in. A. Wet. Shirt. “Of course.”-Willow From Remember to Breath By Yellow Crayon



Now that just sucks- me

[amazonaa]

That was hilarious.



And it's about time you updated.





More soon please.





brittney







"Arn't you going to tell me to 'break a leg'?"

"Break 'em both." Amber Benson as Cheyenne in The Crush

[Kajun]

Here I thought you had crafted your own escape from this wacky world leaving Willow and Tar’ in the clutches of two angry yet incredibly hot Amazons speaking what sounded to me like Greek only.. erm.. yeah.. Greek.. to me. Whew. Glad you’re back with update-y goodness. So now Tar’ and Willow have allies in the jungle.. most excellent. Although I’m certain the girls can hold their own against the tribe, it’s always nice to have back-up. Even if Buf’ and Fa’ are likely to spend more time teasing than protecting. Hee.. I’m just going to shut up now and enjoy the rest of the ride.. whenever it starts up again. Needed some fun.. thanks!

[LunaMuses]

eheheheehe update, YAY!



"First offensive piece of crap, then nice piece of ass."

*giggles*



more Faith, I don't think I can complain there. I like this update cause it showed how much

1) Tara cares about Willow

2) how supportive Buffy and Faith really are (even if they have their squabbles) and

3) how badly Willow needs to invest in Speaking Amazonian for Dummies...hm, wonder if I can get a copy too?



thank you for the update!! *hugs*

"I was disappointed. I had thought I would have some revelation of specific evil. I wondered if all women did with other women was lie and hug."
The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

[Sheba]

Ooh! This is lurvely! hehe! Now for the great escape? And the even greater, 'let's-start-falling-in-love' bit! Bring it on sista!

[Insanity]

YAY!!! Updaty goodness.



I loved it. Its good to seem that Buf and Faith don't want to kill Willow anymore (also its a shame that they probably would have, if Willow happend to be a man. I mean, love is love right?)



Now could the two just leave now, so Willow and Tara can have finally some alonetime to.. uhm ..talk. Yes talk

(or something )



Insanity

German Fanfiction

It's always sudden! Tara; the body

[Artemis]

Poor Tar' - she's too nice a person to be able to bring herself to kick their asses for teasing her. Maybe she could just kick their asses a little...



It's good to see Fa'aith and Buf' on Tar's side, even when they're still mightily confused - once she gets over the initial shock of being found out like that, it'll no doubt be a comfort for Tar' to know she can rely on her friends. And she and Willow probably need all the comfort they can get, what with evil Caranthia scheming against them and who-knows-what going on with the lightning and the tree and all that.



Speaking of which, thunder coming from deep underground? What's up with that, I wonder - ancient spirits displeased at Caranthia's nefarious goings-on? Volcano about to erupt? Buried alien spacecraft? (I never rule out alien spacecraft.)

Chris Cook

Through the Looking-glass

A Willow and Tara for every world.

[veiled isis moon]

awwwww, no way man, i loved that update. It was so funny! What didn't you like? Just curious



I liked how Buffy and Faith went from wanting her dead and quite willing to fight over who would have the privillege to thinking she had a great ass! Funny



And Tara being all protective was so sweet.

[Shy One]

Hi Elizabeth!

Well, I've been lurking around your story for a while now and

thought that it would only be proper to leave you some

feedback.

I really love this story! It's a very interesting take on an AU,

to say the least. I can't wait for the next update!



Are we going to get some smoochies soon?

*quietly chanting*

I hope, I hope , I hope.............



Shy One

[Arwen276]

Simply Hilarious! with lovely moments in between!



I loved the exchanges, and then Buffy's taunting, her conclusion : Tara is in love. and finally the whole 'mocking' .really the way you write it, it's a shame it's not put into act and videotaped! just imagine the characters lol.

It's nice to see 'the terror' emerge when having to defend her love.

and it's good that they have 2 allies now!



superb update! hope u'll enjoy the dorms, and update soon!!





~Arwen





ps: that last 'thought' Tara had?

Hear That Baby? You're My Always... Willow

[Modjadji]

Between the Florida crocodiles, drawing hypnosis and the extremely distracting gorgeousness of Melissa Etheridge, I'm positively ecstatic that you got time to write such a gorgeous update - I can no other answer make but thanks, and thanks, and ever thanks.



And contrary to your belief, I don't think you pushed Faith too far at all. After all, you trailed off "First balls, and now -", leaving the rest quite demurely to the imagination. Faith's always been a racy talker, and her thoughts are likely to be racier still.



I really like how the clues you give as to the natural disturbances in the beginning of the chapter feed into the interpersonal disturbances of the rest of the piece. I have my suspicions about the relationship between the unrest in the tribe and the forces of nature, but I'll keep those to myself for now as you've probably thought of something much better than anything I could come up with.



So far I'm liking Buffy and Faith's reaction. Laughter isn't generally a prelude to axing or tribe-alerting, so I'm hoping our girls are safe for now. And Tara's final thought was priceless!



Hoping to see lots more of this fic in the near future. I'm prepared to get in touch with a couple of crocodile wranglers and swamp clearers on your behalf if that's what it takes.



cheers,

mo

No matter how short life may seem, it's still the longest thing you'll ever do.

[mollyig]

Fun chapter. The fact that Tara was willing to threaten her allies in order to protect Willow speaks volumes, and luckily Buf’aneah realised how much the captive means to her. Of course it now means that Tara will be teased mercilessly by the pair, but isn't that much better than having to fight to the death?

---

Sheacht mh'anam déag do bhéal, do mhalaí's do ghrua

[Spikeizmine87]

"pouts" i thought there was an update...but no....UPDATE SOON!!

-rose

I didnt know what being happy was till i found you, i didnt know what love meant till i loved you.

[mariacomet]

So I finally had a chance to catch back up.



This story is a lot of fun. I love your use of humor all the way through. The line about the baby gazelle was my favorite and I am not ashamed to say had me cackling quite a bit.



Thanks for bringing a lot of brillant, sparkly laughs to a late, long night.



MC

[visual fallacy]

Yay yay yay!! I've been away for a bit, moving into my new uni house ready for my final year (scary) so not been on in a while, so glad that you got a chance to update...no pressure naturally, wouldnt want to disrupt the natural flow of the writing process, but indeed I was concerned that I was never to know what happened next!!



All I can do is sit and clap loudly , I still especially love the way both Willow and Faith are written in this and I love the whole interaction of the four characters in this update!



Look at that, you take the men in white coats off my tail and I actually write something that could be seen as serious! oh dear oh dear!! Well I will leave you to stop reading feedback and get on with writing an update (a not so subtle plea!)



Sally xxx

[Tempest Duer]

Liz! I totally love you now! Yay, you updated! And of course it's obvious that Tara is in love... I love this line of Faith's:



"Tar'airah," came the brunette's voice, "The warrior to be feared, known for her deadly skills in combat and weaponry," she snickered, "Is. In. Love," she finished laughing and pointing.



Perfect. Priceless. Yay.

It's insulting to the whole gender[sic] of rap.



~Eminem

[thebardgirl]

Weird women in life--all attack at once:



Sis is leaving.



Mom is gone.



Weird girl stalks me at school.



And I've got Vamp Willow constantly on my mind.



Plus the writer's block, gotta remember the writer's block....and so, without further somethings or other, I have replies and soon, and update!





Spikeizmine87-

*is tackled* Yowzah! Damn, I'm glad I rock, but I feel kind of sheepish for not having updated in a while (again). But this time the reason was not just a lot happening, it was a pure, combinaton of bad experiences that dampened my writing mood and then, when I least expected it, writer's block! Hmm...don't be mislead, though, by Buffy and Faith's involvement. Wanting to help, and understanding are two different things, which is where I think this update comes from...but I DO have an update! See? It's all nice and new and shiiiinnyy...



tarawhipped-

Dear lord, am I to understand I am at the bottom of a pile of kittens? If so, I do believe my life's goal is complete. I can die happy now. Hmm....take as long as I like, eh? Well, I think I did that...and more so...oops. I'm so happy you're enjoying the story, but be warned, this episode, er, chapter is angsty. I hope you like it, Cameron, cause I just love writing for you, dude. Always a pleasure.



WickedReds-

Yes, yes I updated...and now I fear I'm going to repeat the same pattern of taking forever to reply...damn, that sucks...I'm glad you don't mind the curfew on my ratings, but I must say, I love to prod and poke at the "forbidden"....that'll be a reoccuring theme in my stories, just to let you know; Take charge Tara, what a wonderful and necessary woman to have in a fic.



amazonaa-

dear, I'm glad to make you laugh--but i've also pissed you off with the same stone. I must have a talent! I'm sorry for the delay--issues with people and also writer's block in a new and improved form: Forgetting what one wrote beforehand! yay! Thanks for reading, hope you enjoy...



Kajun-

Heh...alright, alright, I'll take a break from the Greek. It's true these gals have allies, but it's all a matter of how much Faith and Buffy are on board--whether or not they understand how deeply affected Tara is by Willow and vice-versa. Hope you like the update, although I warn you, it will be angsty...



LunaMuses-

I'm so happy you like my wonderfully twisted humor--it makes updating all the more easier...Aww....you liked my W/T scenery? Hmm.....buffy and Faith as supportive friends....can they do it? Well, we'll just have to wait and see...and yes! I just bought myself a copy--true it's been used a bit, got a little jungle rain smeared on it, but it's here! If you want, I could loan mine to you, although it won't come in handy much with this update...so....hugs now?



Sheba-

Thankyou, great escape? Hmm....wouldn't that just be so easy and unangsty? Hmm...I'm bringing something on, sista, but i'm not sure it's that right now, but eventually...it will all come...i think....i hope...





Insanity-

Thanks! It is good that Buf and Faith don't want to kill Willow...But that alone time....hmm...THAT might become an issue...oops. *nervous glances about* Hope you enjoy the update!





Artemis-

Heh...Tara is too nice, alas...Caranthia's got issues, it's true. But there are more complications to come in THIS story than just Tara=Good, Caranthia=Bad...why I suddenly decided that, I'm not so sure..but...on that note, please hold on for the emotional ride i'm about to head into--I'M not even too sure where i'm heading, but it's got a light at the end of the tunnel...i think.



And yes, the thunderings are sign...but for what...I'll leave for you to keep guessing...(and never, never, under any circumstances, leave out the alien spacecraft.)





veiled isis moon-

Thankyou, I'm glad you liked it. I didn't like it at one point when Fa'aith was getting crude, "First balls..." I was originally a little cruder than that, but even after deleting it, I was still bothered by it...I guess I'm a prude at heart...Protective Tara is always of the good, so I'll be sure to keep her around for a while.



Shy One-

Hello there!! I'm so happy you've delurked yourself, and so very, very ashamed that I've taken so long to make your delurking worthwhile. But, in response to your lovely hello, I have an update and this reply which I'm starting to wonder is making any real sense because sometimes i go out of control with the writing/typing and then it all goes down hill from there, and well, I should just stop.



Ha! I did! I....damn.



Well, anyway, what I meant to say was: I'm so happy you like this story, but it's about to take a more "angsty" turn...smoochies? They are coming, I swear, I owe you kittens a lot of kisses--I know--but for now I have to clear up some (or make more) of the messes I've made. Hope you enjoy the update!



p.s. it's nice to meetcha Shy One *holds out hand*





Arwen276-

Thankyou, almighty Queen. I am oh so happy to have pleased thee. Ah, yes, well if Amber Benson, Eliza Dushku, Alyson Hannigan and Sarah Michelle Geller would just, you know, look at the script, I'm sure they'd see how dire of a need we have for an acted out, videoed fanfic. Thankyou, thankyou oh so much, my grand Queen. And here is an update--long overdue.





Modjadji-

You thanking me is making me suddenly realize how much I enjoy writing for you. I hope this long awaited update isn't a let down for taking such a quantative amount of time. I've just had...bad timing, I guess is what you could say..

*blushes* Thanks, I'm glad I have such a kind and clear opinion about my misgives. It makes life so much easier when the audience puts your fears to rest...Yes, I tend to do the "clue" thing alot in my chapters...but i think you're going to get even more clues for other things that will come up in the story later--so please, do not hesitate to go, "huh?" You have suspicions though? Cool...i've got some of my own, too.

Buffy and Faith are a mixed bag for me. I love them. Tara loves them. But they don't love Willow--yet. So it was YOU that got those Croc's off my back??? Thankyou!! I've been wondering where they went since last night.



mollyig-

Thankyou, Tara is definitely NOT one to be pushed around in this story, when it comes to protecting Willow. Buffy and Faith will certainly have an interesting time with Tara now that her feelings for Willow are out....no death, true, but still interesting. Thanks for reading!



Spikeizmine87-

Sorry to disapoint--won't happen again, I think...I hope...I don't know.



mariacomet-

Thankyou, thankyou so much for your lovely email (which by the way I intend to write a thorough email back as soon as this update and reply session has been finished) because I want to you tell you how fab an effect it had on me. It came at quite an interesting time, too, I'll have you know, which you'll no doubt hear about in said email.



But in the mean time, I want to tell you that the new turn the story is taking, what I hope to be a GOOD (in the sense of not so much about good and evil, but human actions verses emotion) turn. I'm glad to make anyone cackle--especially late at night. But I do want to test the waters of being a serious writer too, now; your email inspired me.



Here's hopin' i didn't screw it up.



visual fallacy-

Yup, I did update, but I must say, a while ago--so sorry for not sooner. Thankyou so much for reading, and clapping, I see. Yay! I get clapping! *does happy dance* I really wanted to have a foursome scene where no one (except Tara) knew what everyone was saying--I just loved the idea from day one to have utter confusion with the one translator-girl going, "great googley moogley"...

Heh, you wrote something serious? Uhoh, does that mean that I should get the men in the white coats to come back? Hmm...Thankyou so much for you lovely (and not so subtle) feedback/plea. Here's an update for you and your pleas!



Tempest Duer--



No, no I totally love YOU--why? Not only are you fabulous with your feedback, but you're the last one to say high that I have said hi to and now my fingers are about to fall off of the keyboard! Thankyou so much for reading, and I hope you don't get too "ugh" with my new "serious" turn in the fic. Hopefully it won't last for those that are anti-angst.

You shanked my janga ship!

[thebardgirl]

Chapter 16





W.H. Rosenberg



Log of July 23th, 1910





What exactly does it mean when the two other amazons that don’t wish to slit your throat happen to also be cackling and giggling behind your back every minute they’re around?



I believe there is a certain line of etiquette that has been crossed on one too many a ritual night. I would have thought Tara would go super-warrior-girl on them but instead she just seems to shut up internally every time they appear. I’m not even really sure what their names are.



No, no I remember now, one is called Boughff, or Buck or Buff, or…Lord, who in their right frame of mind names their child something sounding like a fitness protection program?



It doesn’t matter.



What matters is that these two harpies—whether or not life-saving bodyguards in disguise—are seriously ruining any and every chance that I might have to get to get closer to Tara. One moment I’m doing this sacrificial, (Pagan with a hint of Aztec and/or Mayan?) ritual about to close the very unnecessary gap between me and the beautiful woman when they just happen to slip in with huge grins plastered on their faces, and, and…



It’s like they know. They know that I’m staying here for her—that I could easily escape this magically enchanted forest and three hundred or so capable amazon warriors—and that I’m merely playing the “pitiful captive” roll for Tara’s sake.









What?









I could take them.









I could.







Doesn’t matter—the problem lies not within the tactics necessary of taking on a whole amazon tribe whilst looking fashionably dressed, but the constant, and might I say infuriating interruptions for the past five days.



Every. Single. Day.



There’s some excuse, some new kill they just have to show Tara. Or, like on the second day of the Sacrament, the Buck one kept walking in, as if perfectly in sync with my dire attempts to move nearer to Tara, with one exasperating question after another. I do not speak Amazonian—true, but anybody with a brain knows the pantomime for “water.”



What unholy devil’s game is this that forces me to choose between being near Tara and never being close to her?



And she…she doesn’t seem to care either way. Whether they burst in with another wonderful excuse or not she just pulls this curious face—a sort of grimace and groan. Then nothing. Not even a hint of violence. Not one mortal threat has been made. She shuts up; her head does a half nod and stays there hiding from the world while the annoying amazons trample all over her.



And I don’t even know why.



What could they possibly know that causes Tara to curl away from me?











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











“Tar’airah…” came a silky voice.



The blonde’s shoulders hunched and she slowly pulled in the air that was necessary to keep her nerves calm. Tar’airah was slowly stirring in the spices for the night’s fire-powder necessary for the final sparks to celebrate the ritual’s termination. The body belonging to the offensive voice was leaning lazily on the side of the entrance to their hut. Tar’airah replied slowly, “Yes Fa’aith?”



“Nothing,” came the quick reply, “just that your loverboy is awaiting for the next ritual, as usual in the hut.”



“He is not—She is not my loverb—Shut up, Fa’aith.”



“Aw, Tar’, no need to get angry. Buf’ and I are really happy for you and your insanely impossible crush…”



“It’s not a crush—“



“So it is more than a crush?” Fa’aith was enjoying this game. Every day she had playtime. As if she had finally clued into what was worthwhile in life: eating, sleeping and making your friends pop a new vein.



“Fa’aith, just, just go away. The ritual doesn’t start for another two hours.”



“Which is why I thought you should go early and you know,” she shrugged innocently, “have some…” she searched for the right word, “non-captive-and-killer time before the final goodbye?”



“I’m not—“



“What?” Fa’aith smirked, “head over heels in love with a foreigner who, after we get out of this deathtrap, is never going to come back?”



That caught the blonde off guard. A moment left to let the words sink in, and the blonde shrugged it off.



“You don’t know her.”



“Oh come ON, Tar’,” Fa’aith almost yelled laughing, “have you seen the way she acts when a piece of dirt comes her way? She’s used to the inferior life women have in the outside world.”



The outside world was always a topic of discussion among the women of the tribe. It was frightening, a curiosity that no one dared to go near, save Caranthia. Course, she was sent out merely on business; trade and barter were the means by which the tribe had survived cut off for so long from the rest of humanity.



“Look,” Tar’airah had gotten fed up with this. It was true Buf’ and Fa’aith had agreed to help her in Willow’s plan—they were her friends after all—but it seemed that they had little faith in Willow as a person, “she is different. Do you want to know why?”



“Because her hair is less tangled than everyone else here?”



“No. Because on the night I was sentenced to begin the Sacrament I went…I tried…” Tar’airah’s voice caught. She breathed in slowly, “I was going to kill her.”



“What?”



“I wanted to get it over with,” how horrible it sounded, especially coming from her mouth. It was painful to hear herself utter them—forcing the thoughts into reality. Words, once given a voice have the power to become the harsh blades we shy away from in our minds, “I wanted to kill her so I wouldn’t have to think about it!” she laughed almost hysterically.



“Tar’ killing is killing—alive then dead. Simple,” Fa’aith said as if spelling out a simple formula. This however, managed to make the blonde stop all movement. She put down the bowl, straightened up and turned her full body towards the brunette, who seemed more or less frightened by the deadly transition the conversation had just taken. First she was making fun of Tar’airah, next thing she knows their discussing the values of life and death. In all of Fa’aith’s days profound thought never led to happy tramps through the jungle.



“Can you comprehend, can you for once understand,” Tar’s body tensed, “think about what it means to kill—destroy—a life? I know,” Tar’ laughed at this, “you do it so carefree and easily as if it’s a talent, but do you know,” Tar’s voice began to scratch, “do you know what it is to make something so beautiful to just not exist anymore?”



“Whoever said it was beautiful?” asked offended at the carefree attitude her childhood friend had stamped on her, “Life is brutal. It is ugly. It is harsh. It is—“



“The only thing we have.”



A beat.



“Tar’ I’m not getting where you’re going with this. So you were going to get a head start on the Sacraments, so what? It doesn’t make you any less of a person.”



“You’re right,” she looked mournfully down to the ground, “It makes me less of a human. I can’t understand how you can live knowing the lives you’ve taken…how does one live with death?”



“Tar’ it’s still me. I’m still the same girl you ran around the grass with naked when the moon was full on summer nights. I’m still the one you first beat in combat during our Shelka training,” Fa’aith’s voice lowered, “And I’m still a part of this tribe.”



“I know,” Tar’airah, “I’m just not sure I want to be anymore.”



“What?! Tar’airah if this is just over the fact that you have the hots for a runaway redhead—“



“It’s not just because of her. I can’t, I can’t be here anymore…”



“Tar’ I know something’s been up with you for a while. But this is ridiculous. First you refuse to do the Sacrament, now you’re thinking of leaving with that,” Fa’aith spat, “poor excuse of a woman—“



“DON’T—“ Tara began but was shortly cut off by the brunette.



“DON’T WHAT?” Fa’aith had gotten tired of this charade, “You know what? I’m SICK and TIRED of you getting completely defensive for that worthless, albeit pretty, girl. She’d leave you in a heartbeat for the pathway out of this jungle!”



A quick flash of metal, a sharp elbow turn and a sword was at Fa’aith’s neck.



“Listen,” the blonde breathed as the brunette stayed still, “And listen well, Fa’aith. I will not let you speak of her like that. She is special,” Tar’airah almost broke with the words that speared her heart like daggers, “I’ve been trying to tell you…she is special…she’s special because unlike everyone else here, unlike the women I had grown to love, and learn to call my family,” Tar’airah said tears jerking every word, “she forgave me. She accepted me for me.”



The sword was swiftly retracted.



A moment of silence sunk in.



“Maybe. But maybe,” Fa’iath began but at the warning look softened, “I want to protect you Tar’, please just listen,” she continued, “She might just be waiting for the safest way out of here.”



“Maybe,” Tar’ seemed to shrug as if the last resort had been pulled, “but so am I.”



“Tar’ what are you talking about? You can’t just leave!”



“Why? Why not?! I don’t belong here!”



“Don’t tell me you’re actually listening to that crap Caranthia spews out with every self compliment!”



Tar’airah’s eyes bristled with tears. She said nothing.



“You’re the best warrior in the whole tribe! You were the highest qualified Caleahlakia ever to be elected!”



Fa’aith was starting to get nervous.



What the hell is wrong with her?



“You finished first in all sparring events! Ever since you first began training, you’ve become the best fighter we have here!”



“Sometimes..." Tar'airah looked up slowly, and ever so softly, she whispered, "becoming something and actually being something can be two very different things."



“So, what? You’re just going to throw away this life to run off the moment you get someone to follow after?”



“I’ll never forget my life here. Never.”



“Then why go?!”



“Because if I don’t, it’ll kill me.”





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





Flashback







May 7, 1890



“Momma!”



“Momma’s gotta go,” A quick kiss on the young forehead and the older woman grabbed her longsword, “momma’s gotta go fight the bad men.”



“No! Please don’t go!” the girl was crying. A five-year-old’s whimpers barely reached the highest octave of a grown woman, and yet held so much power in so few words, “Let Thea go and stay here.”



“I can’t, Kaleh.”



Kaleh, a term of endearment meaning, “soft kitten”



“But you promised! You promised you’d stay away from them!”



“I will,” The pain of breaking your child’s heart, if only for a second, is the most unbearable feeling, “but I have to go now to protect you. If I go then I can stay with you, forever from now on, I promise.”



“Momma,” the babe-girl cried to her mother in vain as the older woman prepared for battle, gathering her grieves, and spear. She slowly stood up and headed for the doorway of the small hut. Pulling back the curtain, Ranthia turned one last time back to see her daughter, eyes filled to the brim with unshed tears.



“I’ll be back, my Kaleh, I promise.”



CRACK!



A lightning flash and the woman was gone—her child left to cry on the one bed they shared since her birth.







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













tbc.....





-elizabeth



so....I need to sleep now. It's 2am...damn my late-late hide.

You shanked my janga ship!

[mollyig]

Nice touch to have the viewpoint via Willow's log. Cackled happily at Willow's I could take them. It seems like a very Willow thing, to write in the style of an actual conversation with someone.



I get the impression that if Tara had talked to "the Buck one" she might have had a better chance of getting her to understand how she's feeling. Although Tara did choose an effective way to get Fa'aith's attention - with a sword.



Thanks for the update!

---

Sheacht mh'anam déag do bhéal, do mhalaí's do ghrua

[thebardgirl]

Thankyou, I'm glad you liked my weird conversational-writing-technique-thing. Heh...the "I could take them" line I'm sure I've used thousands of times by now with my friends...course, it never was really proved to be true.



The conversation between Fa'aith and Tar'...well, I felt some sort of "reality check" in this insane (almost Pulp fiction) story was needed. I want this to actually seem plausable--that these characters are more than just a two-dimensional view of what's good and bad..which is not exactly what you were replying about but I guess this is some of my excess guilt-baggage for going serious on you guys. I'm glad you see that Fa'aith specifically is a leetle more closeminded, perhaps too much of a "blackandwhite" type, at least in my story...heh...



Thanks for reading, and I'm glad you replied so promptly!



-elizabeth

You shanked my janga ship!

[tarawhipped]

Somehow I managed to go all day without realizing you had updated. My bad. As for the latest installment...hmmmm... I see what you mean about Faith (and Buffy, presumably). Understanding Tara's feelings for Willow and accepting all that that implies are definitely not the same. Faith certainly seems to have tapped into Tara's fears of abandonment, hasn't she? I hope this doesn't lead to Tara shying away from Willow so much that Willow doesn't think she cares, thereby leading Willow to leave alone.



Of course, you implied massive angst, so I guess we're all screwed, huh? *sigh* Oh well, I'm a big girl, I can take it...no really, it's fine...*runs off sobbing in anticipation of the turmoil*



-Cameron

---

What should I be but just what I am? - Edna St.Vincent Millay

Edited by: tarawhipped at: 9/17/04 2:17 pm

[amazonaa]

great job. and that was kind of sad.





More soon, please.







brittney







~Good friends help you move. Real friends help you move the body.~