The Stone Circle - UPDATED August 25th

[grimlock72]

I suppose in far, faaaar away DreamPast the stone circle (in which I tend to include Buffy due to her duties) used to work together. I know the disagree about Tara but the entire circle seems to have broken. Can't see I disagree with Buffy on the not-trusting of Antean going to rescue Tara... that just sounds awfully wrong and dangerous.

That happens to be the only point I agree on with Buffy though . Buffy thinks she's acting in the best interest of the kingdom by keeping Willow and Tara apart ? What would that solve ?? I for one think Tara would have been very usefull to help Willow channel that power. Without Tara around Willow would have attempted to help the fight anyway, as a matter of fact she did, not following Buffy-logic here. I readily admit that I don't want to follow that logic either way, but so far the logic itself is just faulty. Hardly unique for Buffy-logic of course

For some reason I think Willow will be mightily upset with Buffy once she wakes up . I can imagine neither Willow nor Tara likes being handled as pawns on a chess-board of life much. Everybody just moves them around to suite their own needs.

Sounds more like Buffy is scared that Willow might be seriously injured and blaming herself for it (and if you want to be mean; she wants to be relieved of duty by Willow eventually). Now I'm all for friends caring and worrying about each other, but issueing orders based is not so good.

I so want to know if Tara does rescue that dragon... with any luck if Antean will be impressed with her. Though he has other plans not involving Tara so that might just never happen.

Enough about that, I'm VERY suspicious about any sole survivor of a mayor incident. Besides, what was Lord Maker doing there anyway (yes, WE know but does the rest of the circle??) ? Where did he get that amulet, why did he wear it ? Definitly made it to the top of my suspect list. (yes even above Antean:))

I wonder if Janus really believes Antean would give his life to save Tara. Surely Janus is no fool and he was at the same meeting we read about a year ago or so... .

On to the present;

It is indeed strange that Buffy has disappeared just when miss Spider comes around. Maybe Buffy changes into a spider every full moon ?

That must take a lot of courage to go up against a giant spider with only some wooden stakes. I would have preferred a REAL bazooka myself . It's good to see Willow and Xander work together and even care for each other during the fight itself. Seems Willow can do some magic when under stress, she needs a bit more practice I think but she's getting there.

Hmmm... did I read about a certain blue medaillion in both the present and the past or is my mind jumbling things? Have to read this update on more time I think.

Contrary to what Dennis says he does need a shrink, heck one could graduate on treating Dennis . Elizabeth didn't tell him anything he didn't know yet, it just helped to hear it from somebody else I guess. Appears Elizabeth likes Dennis a lot too, poor Dennis.. stuck between two women . He does need to do something about his urge to fight and being so easily into fights to entertain his friends. That will get him killed on in prison. I liked that he helped the old man who was harresed by two loosers, however I'm not sure if he did that just for justice or because he wanted to fight.

It occured to me that maybe Denis doesn't want to fight all that much but is simply talked into it by some 'friends'. I get the impression it wouldn't be very hard to talk Dennis into doing some not-so-wise things. The rest gets done on pride, not wanting to lose. That's my most optimistic view on Dennis btw. . I do wonder whats up with that fight at the end, it sounds a bit suicidal to me ?

Of course the medaillion he got is very interesting. To bad he doesn't tell Tara about it, she might know what it actually does.

Enough with the way to long feedbacking already. Good to see you back, now STAY here until you've finished the story, k ? (and yes you are allowed leave for drinking, eating and other life nessecities

Grimmy

[mariacomet]

****edited to add...
Sorry all, work stuff came up so will be posting a bit later that I anticipated.

Hi all.

First, I want to apologize for not getting to replies more promptly. There is a bit of a cold bug going around...and I have it.

I want to take a second and extend my prayers to those living in or those who have family in states effected by the hurricane.

Lastly, thank you all so much for reading and being sooooo patient.

We now return to my regularly scheduled ramblings...

First, in general I will be checking in or updating at least once a month. So for those of you who are wondering when this lil ship of fan fic and frolic will reach land again....it will be Oct 17. Those reading near or around that date will be eligible for the special employee discount. Yes, this discount once offered only to official Stone Circle employees is now available to the public at large. For a limited time, enjoy this discount on all 2005 installments of the Stone Circle. You pay what I pay. Not a cent more.

Hints of things to come. ONE of the following is a total lie.
(a) Tara manages to trap a dark shadowy creature.
(b) Tara casts a spell which sends a beacon to an old foe.
(c) Antean says the words, "I don't know."
(d) The dragons hold a council on the future of their current alliance.
(e) Nameless willingly talks to Xander.

And nooooowwwww....the replies...

LeatherQueen
It is soooooo good to see you. It certainly has been a long, long time. I agree that the story is insanely complex. And my therapist also agrees.

"You see doc, there's this dragon and these Mantlebearers and an Orb. Oh yes and let's not forget the future."

"Hmmm...tell me about your mother."

I'm glad you let me know you were reading and said hi. Also you called me the 'great MC' which is nice to hear even if the "mostly okay and sometimes a wee bit rough around the edges" MC is more what I go by. It's hard to fit all that on those signature lines, let me tell ya.

BTW, I missed ya.

Puff - Puff of MA! Puff of the many Animals! Puff of buddines!

Yah college. Boo pnuemonia. Yah horses. Yah visiting lesbians. And an all around yah for the post. That's a lot of yahs.

The dream is meant to be an ideal and usually writing it feels like more fun than work. I have to admit the playing with dragons is fun as is playing with a lot of the images and metaphors. The problem with the dream world is that in the future, the dream world is refered to as 'in ashes.' There is a dark time coming. But in the darkness there is always light.

I like the comparison of Dennis to Faith. I agree there are a lot of similarities. I think part of his scars were inflicted upon him - and then there are those he is chosing to keep or to create. He tries to do 'good' for Tara and those he cares about. However, he clearly does not believe himself to be 'good.'

Ok the spider gave me the wiggins. I hate spiders with a passion

Hmm. Seems like I gave everyone the willies with that thing. Would you hate me if said I'm not quite done with it yet?

Oh btw are you posting the last part of your other story sometime or did I miss that when it happened

I think you mean the Garland Days? Yeah, finished that one. I think it's here: http://www.thekittenboard.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=2721&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=garland&start=0

Mary

I am hereby forwarding a letter I recieved in hopes that it will ease your fears and prevent me from a possible boycott.

Dear Ms. Comet,

We of the society of Spider Patronage, Learnedness, Appreciation and Tending society (SPLATs for short) are deeply disturbed by the bigoted portrayal of spiders in your story the Stone Circle. Of further concern is that a "No More Story-Spiders Brigade" (compromised of Puff, Mary bardgirl and others) seems to have formed. How are these poor hapless spiders supposed to find work with these kind of sentiments running un-checked on threads like yours?

Not once in your story did you mention that spiders eat harmful insects. Or that their silk is used for the cross hairs in certain optical instruments.
You have only to look at the inspirational example of Charlotte and her web, or the annexing of the evil Miss Muffet to see spiders as a shining example of bravery and grace.

We at SPLAT ask you to show Trianalech as the merciful, wondrous creature she is or we will be forced into drastic measures involving picketing and nature films. We trust you will not force us to show you the web of our wrath.

Sincerely,
Tara N. Tula

Spiders do it with 8 legs!

Er...suffice to say. I have never faced a web of wrath before.


thebardgirl - I just realized that although I posted when I posted FOR your birthday, I forgot to actually SAY happy birthday. So.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Many more!!!

I am delighted to here it ranked among the better birthday. Feel free to share or gush, as you see fit.

Dennis. That man...he's no longer just a character--he's a real person and now he's gone and turned himself into a spider.

I am guessing you are making that conclusion based on the fact that both Dennis and the spider have the same pendant? Well, could be. Let me confirm that it is the same pendant, firstly. Second, let me say that Dennis will change drasticially in this story at least once.

And so yea...that elizabeth lady. I think I'm in love. She's SO awesome.

That is so lovely to hear about a supporting non-scooby character. I am realy glad you like her. I always am a bit hesistant to spend too much time away from Willow and Tara and tend to fret and worry when I have to write a scene that is all non-scooby supporting character based. My biggest fear is that my readers will be bored to tears. I try very hard not to let that happen. So Thank YOU for all the kind words. It really eases me to hear it.

And happy 19th! And um...sure at 19 it's legal to...er...do the Mexican Hot Mama dance!

grimlock, the Grinning Grimmy

Hey! I know you!

It's so much fun to hear your comments on one of my story parts again. I think in Buffy's shoes (and Willow's and Tara's) it would be very hard to know who to trust at this point. I think part of the problem with the Stone Circle is at this point none of them are exactly filled with trust. They don'tr all trust the Orb or Willow or one another. So most of them have decided to only trust either themselves or those they believe are allies.

I don't think Buffy wants to keep W/T apart as much as she wants a decision. She wants the question of who is ruling the kingdom resolved, and yes, I agree f we were being mean we could find that very selfish of her. Her logic is very impulsive here. But there's reasons. Most of it has to do with fear. Part of her army just got their behinds kicked by something no one can explain in battle. There have been open rebellions against the Stone Circle and Mantle. Meanwhile the person who was supposed to be able to fix it all, the person appointed by the Orb almost died. I think Buffy's darkest fear is that it will all come apart and it will be too late to stop it. She is trying, I believe, to force a decision on the one thing she believes will prevent disaster. It's kind of a flight or fight response.

But the alternative is that she does nothing and waits. To see if the Stone Circle will accept Willow and Tara. To see if W/T are all they're cracked up to be. To see if the kingdom makes it through this hard time. I don't think waiting is an acceptable option for her right now.

That's not to say she's being reasonable.

Enough about that, I'm VERY suspicious about any sole survivor of a mayor incident. Besides, what was Lord Maker doing there anyway (yes, WE know but does the rest of the circle??)

VERY good catch. The Lord Maker was consorting with the rebels. Me thinks he's going to have some 'plaining to do.

I wonder if Janus really believes Antean would give his life to save Tara.

I think that Janus wants to believe it. Both Antean and Janus have been walking a very fine line, no? Eventually they'll have to make some choices.

Hmmm... did I read about a certain blue medaillion in both the present and the past or is my mind jumbling things?

The pendant you refer to (in it's current form) has indeed appeared twice. In the now and the past.

Contrary to what Dennis says he does need a shrink, heck one could graduate on treating Dennis

I totally agree. Dennis could use a few billion hours on a couch. I think Dennis is someone who just doesn't have a lot of hope for various reasons. I think he believes that the world is a certain way and so is he. I also think he believes himself to be acting in the only way he can in the face of such a world. It's a dangerous mentality to believe you are always in war with something that you can never possibly win against.

Thank you for the welcome back. I have every intention of staying put save for meals, writing, work, time with the girlfriend and major bank holidays. Seriously, I think the check in once a month or post onec a month thing is very reasonable. And I really appreciate you sticking around and contining on this journey with me.[/b]