New Fic - Neverland

[Kajun]

Heather, Park time!! Whoo-Hoo! Well, I figured from the get go this update was going to be a multi-part chapter. That time in the park has been too significant an event throughout the story to be fully revealed in such a short update. I wondered how this day would play out: In one of Willow’s dreamscapes, during an intense conversation, bits and pieces of simultaneous over thinking and reminiscing between each of the girls, etc. I’m glad you chose a completely different route. After looking at puzzle pieces through a distorted lens, you’re bringing the event into clear focus and constructing the scene which becomes the catalyst for Willow’s discovery of her true self. Shoot. I don’t know if that makes sense to anyone but me. LOL. Anyhoo..

So Buffy inadvertently set Willow and Tara up on a blind date of sorts. I think her spidey senses must have been tingling but she probably thought it was due to the yucky.. I mean yummy Riley time. LOL.

I love the spin you put on their dinner the night before with Buffy re-contextualizing much the same way Willow did for Tara in “New Moon Rising” Only this time, the return of a character was a much more pleasant and welcoming event. Actually, quite a bit of that episode is referenced in this update. Nicely done!

“There was a long pause as the blonde's mind caught up.”

Nice Willow babble and, as expected, it didn’t lead Tara to thoughts of the redhead possibly being insane any more than Willow having disparaging thoughts of Tara’s stutter. They both have little nervous quirks but neither is fazed by it. The only negativity comes from the fear of possibly being bothersome and the desire for each to be liked by the other. When Willow reprimands herself for saying “cool” too often and Tara says it, it felt like that was the ice breaker moment you know? I could almost hear Willow breathe a sigh of relief and start to calm down a bit.

From your reply:

You know, funny about the parallel you mention between the note/doodles because I didn't even think of that.

That doesn’t surprise me. You’ve been writing this for many years so little details like that are bound to insert themselves into the story from a subconscious level. I think it’s cool.

So I’m realizing that this day in the park is prolonging the much anticipated chapters for Willow’s talk with Shelia, then Buffy, then the inevitable.. drum roll and trumpets please.. coffee kisses and gay lovin’. If this were any other story I would throw a temper tantrum but.. this journey is so damn good I want to savor each and every single moment. Why do I think the last song is going to come into play sometime during this day and that will be partially why it has such an impact on Tara? Yeah, yeah, wait and see.. I know the drill. Excellent update as always, Thanks muchly!!

[babyglau]

Hey Heather!

This was a great update...

It's realy nice to know what happend between Willow and Tara in the past, maybe it brings up a new point of view and understanding for all the fear and weirdness that they have around each other sometimes.

But I've to say, I'm almost crazy to know how they'll deal with the "flinched kiss thing".

I just wish that Willow thinks about all the good things that they've been doing together and run to Tara and kiss her without a word. Sometimes words aren't necessary, and this is one of those.

Anyway, do you realy need to tease us that much???

Please, another update soon.

[sadie]

Fantastic update, and nice timing of the flashback, too...

We might actually find out what happened in the park that day - though we can never be sure of what the next update will bring...!

I like the double viewpoint of Tara seeing Willow for the first time and vice versa. Very similar of course! Someone said "you managed to make a whole chapter of them essentially putting on their coats." which I suppose is true but it completely sets the mood and atmosphere of the story so you can almost feel what they're feeling right there. I think that's been one of the many strong points of this story for me so far. You can just feel their emotions because they're described so well without overdoing it.

Anyway... can't wait to read what's next. This fic is the best addiction ever!

[ssc1980]

Haha that was me, but I certainly didn't want that to mean it's a bad thing. Heather just has a knack for drawing things out, which I actually like because I don't want this story to end. (Anytime soon, that is...)

[LonelyTara]

This was a wonderful update. The hesitance, the innocence, is very sweet. I have to say, it was a bit of a welcome relief from the tension of the present moment in the story, as much as I want that misunderstanding to be resolved. I did feel like I was floating a little bit. Is Tara having this memory? I hate to think of her sitting, alone, thinking of a happier time with Willow.

[Finey_McFine]

I'm with LonleyTara...nice to see some relief from all the tension in the last several updates. Back to such humble and sweet beginnings. Just think, if they'd gone with their hearts from the very start...*sighs*

I am curious though as to whose flashback it is. I hate to think that either of them is sitting around moping over this time spent together three years ago...that's a loooooong time! I imagine that they wish they could go back and change things. Maybe be a lot more open with each other...they've wasted a lot of time.


As always...looking forward to the next update!

[JustSkipIt]

Hmmm. I didn't read your entire response to feedback from the last chapter but I have glanced at most of the feedbacks here. I find it fascinating that all the readers are assuming that you are about to lay out the entire day in the park. Like I said, maybe I missed it but did you actually say that? I don't know that I feel like the entire day in the park layout is your usual modus operandi. I think that you've shown (for what... 65 updates or more to be quite cryptic and mysterious about things. And those things include the day in the park. And even if you are planning to do that, I'm not sure I want it. I mean we've waited all these years for them to reach this day. This come out to mom day and suddenly we're going to read how many updates about 3 years ago? And no offense because you've got a baby and I know how that is and I haven't updated a story in like 3 years so i have no room to talk but it could take months and months to read about that day in the park. So .... arggghhh. We're so close here and it's just painful to think about turning left and driving down another road for a while.

Ok, all that said. I love the musings from both of them on the other's beauty and how intrigued they are. I think it's definitely a soul-mate type feel to it.

[Gaga01]

That story is simply awesome. The suspence is killing my though! My heart goes to Willow...luckily Tara already seems to understand what might have happened, I just hope Willow will manage to put her act together and be strong enough to finally admit everything to Tara, her previous be damned...Xander can't come out for her but Tara can help though, hopefully.

I'm so glad we will get to see that infamous scene at the park all those years ago! This is such a sweet thing to do!!! I can't wait to read it, and to see what Willow's next actions will be...

[wayland]

Hi Heather,

I really enjoyed the chapter. I smiled the whole way through it. I loved the way you wrote Willow’s attempts to pin down her elusive feelings. Also, Tara’s automatic reaction to the sound of Willow laughing. Sometimes the mind takes a while to catch with what the body already knows.

The dinner scene with Buffy was so easy to visualize. You created a whole unspoken conversation. I think it tied in with the ‘Neverland’ theme, of feelings existing just at the edge of consciousness, just beyond reach.

Just to clarify, I wasn’t hoping for Tara and Willow to reach ‘the point of no-doubts’ before they talk. Where’s the fun in that? But I am glad they have time to regroup and didn’t blurt out their feelings when so overwhelmed with guilt. Of course I’m impatient to find out more about the post-flinch aftermath, but I think it’s a good place to pause and remind us how happy they can be together.

I didn’t think I was as keen as other readers to hear about the day in the park but now I’m eager to read more. Thank you.

Just noticed this.

Notes: Ask me about this one again when the story is finished

I’m intrigued.


Clare

[MagicPancakes]

I haven't checked in in quite some time, and was floored by THREE updates to this, my favorite fanfic EVER. I just love your style and flow, and the deliberate selection of words and letter sounds and imagery...

Its been what, about 6 years since you started writing this? For awhile there I have to admit I thought Neverland would join the ranks of the best, but unfinished, stories on the board. I was effing thrilled when you started updating this again.

I don't post alot of feedback, but I just wanted to thank you for the amazing updates, and the high standard of writing you've continued to deliver year after year. I'm with everyone else-finally, that day in the park!! Hanging on, waiting to see what happens next...

I could blather on here about this story, and all the reasons I love it but I'm sure anything I would say has already been covered repeatedly by the regulars...So, I'm just hanging on here waiting for my next dose of Neverland

[SylverMaki]

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!! HAPPY DAYS are here woot woot. I'm so excited to know every inkling detail of those days three years ago.

Its so exciting to see this sub story start. I'm a little angry I keep missing these updates by more than 3 days. Like what the heck. Anyway I loved it, it is a perfect start to see the fluttering feelings and the joy they have being around each other even though they barely know one another.

You are a storytelling, wordsmith, genius. I love you, love love love you and I can't wait for the potty trained puppies.

Hope to see another update soon, the same day it comes out right.

[BeMyDeputy]

You know, I was going to write this:

Park time! Squee! But that means you're almost done? I think? Boo!

And then go on to say nothing insightful or, in fact, interesting at all. Possibly I would have just ended it there, kind of balancing out my thousand word comment from a few updates ago.

But then I saw Deb's comment, and started thinking how cool it would be for the park NOT be layed out all at once, but instead interspersed with the present day, and to have the two storylines wrapping up together. You probably have it worked out already which way you plan on doing it. But I can see how it would be really cool to cut back and forth between these timelines, since one is so clearly the cause of the other.

I'm both intrigued and frightened by actually laying out the day in the park, however it's done; on the one hand, it's something I (and everyone, from the sound of it) have been curious about since . . . well, the first time you mentioned it. And yes, it's the metaphorical gun over the fireplace, which means you have to fire it. But on the other hand, it's almost better being something to which you allude but never reveal, to leave it as the submerged part of the iceberg. And I have faith in you as a writer to pull it off, so I'm not too worried that you've built it up to something you can never write.

But still . . . I'm curious about the different ways to present this.

[KnightlyLove]

She *can* write it... and despite all the good points JustSkipIt made... I really do think she will. Yes, this is how it feels to be crucified. The end is coming.

... now watch, the next update comes in two years =P

[sabina]

Hi Heather,

I read your update a few days ago but only now had the time to come back and leave a reply.

I think i'm probably in the minority here but at this point i confess i couldn't care less about that day in the park.
I want to know what's happening with Willow right now. Is she running to find Tara? Is she waiting back at the house for Buffy to get there? Biting her nails and practicing what to say to her mother?
What reaction will Buffy and Willow's mother have to the news?
Mainly i want to see what's coming next for our girls.

And i guess i'm starting to get scared that with the way you're delaying Willow's coming out that when it finally happens it will mean the end of this story :( And i'd love for it to be only the middle of Neverland! I'm sure there is drama to be had even after they get together... Please?

On a more on topic note i think Willow might have to give a toaster oven to Tara and i wouldn't have guessed Tara to be the woman that made Willow see the light, lol. It's sweet to see them so carefree around each other.

Anyway, I also wanted to say that i love the way you write, i feel like i'm seeing the scenes happening from the outside and from the inside at the same time. And that's only possible because you are an awesome writer.

I hope all is well in your life Take care.

[Dr. J]

Hi Heather,

I've been reading, and loving, this story since the very start. This update has finally prodded me into delurking so I can say thank you for the day in the park! I'm thinking that this is Tara's flashback, brought on by playing the last song on Willow's cd. I hope we'll get to see more of the park soon, and finally find out what song Willow finds so meaningful. Really, though, I'm just happy to read anything you write.

I think your writing is wonderfully paced and full of such amazing detail that each scene seems almost palpable, as if I'm watching rather than reading how events unfold. I will happily follow you down any twist and turn as long as it means that the story continues! Thank you for writing!

[Naeryn]

Ugh, I'm completely torn. I want to know what happens in the present... like, now. I'm horribly impatient that way.

But I also want to find out what happened three years ago. So I was so excited when I discovered the nature of this update!

Until I got to the end and realized you really didn't tell us a damned thing this entire chapter.

*falls to her knees and shakes her fists at the sky* Damn yoooooooou!

Just had to get that out.

[wimpy0729]

Heather, my dear, why must you torture us so? I'm still in recovery from the Flinch, and I keep waiting and waiting for them to talk, or Willow to come out to at least her mom, and now ... **sounds of sighs and grunts of frustration** Oh, who am I kidding. Of course I was curious about what happened between them back then. You once again paint such a lovely picture for us readers, it's like we're right there watching it all. You know I love it. Now I can't help but wonder if you're going to give us more of the day in the park or bring it back to present day. You always keep us on our toes. I don't care what you give us next, just give us MORE!

Wimpy

[ceridwen]

Yeah, what Wimpy said!

[LittleBit]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!

I love it when I have multiple updates to read in between my visits!

Firstly, I get why Tara bolted ... I probably would have too, even though I would have liked to think I had the courage to stay and face the music. I just know that sometimes one needs time to process and that time can take ... well a bit of time!

It's good to see that Willow is realising that she needs to start acting now ... and I'm glad that Xander is there for her!

I also love the fact that you have taken us back to that day .. the day it all really started. I so want to know what happened that day as you've only ever provided brief glimpses before now. Of course, I also see this as a stalling activity but your story is just too good to now rush the ending!!!

[Grimm]

I find it increasingly hilarious, that this fic has an overall rating of nc17. We are barely into the pg portion of the story (if you don't count Anya's ouburts and Willow's dreams) and we are already to chapter 62.....

With the recent shift in time that this last update took, I don't see us getting to the kissing portion of our program til update 103..which will probably be 4 years from now. I to have been very curious about the park date 3 years earlier. But, at this pivitol point of the story, I'm completly uninterested in reading about it. You stuck the knife in me and gave it a good twist with the 'Flinch' and I don't think anything else will matter to me until that situation has some kind of resolution.

Since Willow insists on being 'plan gal', lets get to the outing (of herself) to Shelia, Buffy and more importantly Tara. I have not been following this story as long as some of the hardcore kittens out there. But, ive been with ya for 2 years strong...throw us a bone would ya?

[Sanpfa]

People, people, people!!!! They fell in love at the park that day, or so I like to believe, and I for one, would like to see them fall in love. Sometimes it takes years for two people who are in love to make that leap, when the circumstances of their lives finally allow. We are getting close to that point for our girls and I think we owe it to them to see how it really started. Now that I've said that, I would also like to say, please please please update soon!!!! I LOVE this story

[pipsberg]

Hey there I adored this update. First, I have to say it's a nice break from the tension and angst that's been building over the last several updates (um, or ALL of them)...It's like taking your foot off the gas petal at 90 mph and letting the car cruise for a while. A lovely feeling and a bit of a relief, honestly. I know the "hard stuff" is still there after the day in the park, but I don't really care - I am just determined to enjoy this for what it is.

I also love the innocence and preciousness of their time time together in this update - both the fumbling of a new friendship and the building of something more. It makes sense that Tara adores Willow right away and is attracted to her... or at least finds her attractive. I always thought that canon Tara was just like that as well - she knew she wanted Willow but didn't see it as a possibility for many reasons (the straightness, her insecurity). It also makes sense that you show Willow's interest in Tara as curiosity; she's intrigued by her. This is also very much how I interpreted the canon response of Willow to Tara. So spot on and well done!!

Being a huge fan of Golden Gate Park, and of the Academy of Sciences, I am so thrilled to finally be getting insight into their 'day in the park'. I think it's going to be adorable, cute, fun and educational too! I have so many fond memories of the place, it means a lot to me to finally be at the point of enjoying these updates!

Thanks so much for the respite. I look forward to as much day in the park as you can throw at us! Love you xoxo

[EasierSaid]

JaynetheMercenary First, welcome to the board. I hope you have a chance to read the other stories posted on Pens and in the archives. There are so many great ones here, written by so many talented, friendly people. They (the stories and the people!) will keep you busy for years! (At least, they have for me.) Second, thank you for the very, very kind words. Truly, I'm sincerely flattered. I agree that love is messy. Heck, life is messy. No matter how happy things get, or how satisfied we think we are in life, things are still messy. That's just the way it is, you know? I'm glad you think that I've captured that messy feeling, and maybe, just a little bit, the feeling of real, true love. It's why I keep writing the story. I love Willow and Tara's love story. And aw shucks about inspiring. I'm just grateful that the story is resonating with you. Thanks so much. (And no thank you is insufficient; all are appreciated.) Please enjoy the next bit.

angieb86 Thanks so much - I'm glad to read that you're excited! I'm excited too. It's nice to think about writing them, you know, talking to each other for a change. I'm glad you liked their dinner, too. That sort of snuck in there on me; I wasn't expecting it, but there you go. That could describe like, 90% of this story! Hope you like the rest of their day, and thanks very much.

lavenderangel Thanks very much - I was hoping to get the updates closer together, so glad it worked out. I'm really glad you thought Willow was adorable; it was an interesting perspective to write. And re-read? Wow, that would be a long haul. Best of luck if you tackle it, and hope you enjoy the next bit.

KnightlyLove No worries at all. I just never know whether punctuation or emoticon-only feedback is good or bad, so I usually just assume neutral for everyone's sake! And yes, finally on the park. I thought I better hurry up, considering the pace of the "present time" story is picking up. In a way it does feel a bit final, but I assure you there is plenty to go. It's not like there are going to be four more posts and then, THE END, you know? And me? Avoiding? I assure you that the day in the park is placed here for a reason. (I don't think I'm capable of writing like that—it feels right for the story to put this here, so in it goes.) Hopefully it'll be more clear after the next handful of posts. And I hear you about whether you want to just get on with it or slow things down - I've felt that way about other fics on the board, for sure. Hopefully you'll enjoy the rest of the tale, however long it takes to unfold. Thanks so much, and enjoy the next update.

ssc1980 Wow, I think it's been a long, long time since I've been told I updated too quickly! I am the tortoise of Pens, slowly meandering my way to some far off finish line. Thanks very much for the kind words. I think you're right; "bad but not catastrophic" is a pretty good way to sum things up. And so glad you like Xander. I heart him, he's fun to write. I'm glad you're happy about the park, and yes, a chapter about putting on their coats, indeed! I believe my wife's exact words when she finished reading the update were, "so, wait, they didn't even get to the park?" Um, yeah. And I know, right, about the old Cal Academy! It's such a trip. I've actually had to do some research on the old building to try and jog my memory so I didn't botch things up when writing this. Been an awesome walk down memory lane. I have been to the new one, we took our son and he was totally fascinated by the new aquarium. We could hardly keep up with him. And they still have the two-headed snake! Granted, he's embalmed in a jar, but still, so neat. And hehe about the five chapters - I swear, they step foot in the park in this update. Heck, they even make it to the museum! Hope you enjoy their take on the park, and thanks very much!

Mrs. Pineapple Yeah, we have a puppy. She'd be a lot cuter if she'd stop peeing on my floor! And yes, finally the day in the park indeed. I like how you mentioned prelude - that's pretty much it. I felt like the scene needed to be set, in a way, their emotions really laid out so that everything that came after came from a set touch stone. Does that make sense? Tara is mildly smitten, however very aware how hopeless the situation is, and Willow is mildly smitten, wondering why she feels smitten-like at all. Good times! I love falling-in-love fics too, so it's kind of surreal that I'm getting a chance to write one right now. It's sort of like this is a new fic, or vignette, for me, and it's wonderfully entertaining and challenging to think about. And yes! Elbow! Perfect, to a T. They have a new album out, if you haven't checked it out. Very good, which shouldn't surprise. They are awesome. And gulp about the unravelled. Hopefully the story doesn't unravel at the same time! (Knock on wood.) Thanks so much Helena, hope you like the next bit.

indigokane Thanks, and tease? No way. Table setting, table setting! Please enjoy the next bit Tina.

what_we_do_is_secret Thanks so much. Agreed about going back to innocent times right before things get even more complicated. It felt right, you know? I'm glad you're enjoying the cuteness; hopefully you like the rest of their time in the park, as well.

nightmask Yay for shy and adorable Willow! Good ol' Tara just brings it out in her. I'm glad you're excited about the park - enjoy!

zampsa19752001 Thanks so much. I'm really glad you enjoyed their dinner. It was fun to write. And hand holding you say? /whistles Hope you like the next bit.

beautiful_love Beyond curious, eh? I'm glad; I've been looking forward to writing this for a long, long time. Hope you like what happens next, and thanks very much.

WillowRulez Another "famous" - I guess at this point it's at least, infamous, eh? I think tarawhipped coined the phrase, "That Damned Day in the Park TM," which I always think about when the topic comes up. Seems about right! I'm glad you liked how Willow's line of thought was going. She's smitten, just doesn't know it yet, that's for sure. And yes, rude of Buffy for sure, though hopefully she really needed the money. If she only knew, indeed - she'd probably be pretty floored to know she was accidental matchmaker. And another tease! Trust me, I had more written, it just seemed like a good place to take a break. Hopefully you'll like where things go from here, and thanks very much.

Kajun So glad to see the whoo-hoo! And yes, multi-part chapter. I think it's safe to say that I don't do short. Interesting about the different scenarios you presented about ways that this park bit could have been told. Your explanation makes perfect sense, and that's sort of what I wanted to do. It felt like writing about the park needed to be complete and clear. Maybe not clear... straightforward? When I think about it in my mind I can see each step, each little exchange. It feels whole, and I wanted to see how whole I could get it on the page. We shall see! And yes, Buffy, matchmaker extraordinaire! I'm glad you liked their dinner, and yes, a little NMR-like re-contextualizing. I had fun picturing that, Buffy going on and on while Willow and Tara just kind of smiling at each other. "They both have nervous quirks but neither is fazed by it." That's them in a nutshell, right? In my mind, they'e too intrigued by each other to be fazed, and when they do think of it, the stutter, the babble, it's endearing.
And writing on a subconscious level? That's a heady thought! Lord knows I've thought about this story enough over the years to have it seep in. I can't count the number of dreams I've had about Neverland over the years. And yes, the park is prolonging, but I promise, promise, promise that I will try my hardest to make it worth it. I know everyone is eager for the coming out, but in my mind this, their initial falling in love in the park, is so important too. I'm glad to read that you think the journey is worth it. Hopefully it's placement will make more sense once we're through the park and back to the "present." And guessing the last song is going to come into play - interesting. Just have to- oh wait, you know the drill. Thanks so much, as always. Truly appreciated.

babyglau Thanks so much. You pretty much nailed it on the head - I'm hoping that this park revisit will add a little understanding to where they are in the "present." It's Willow's first awakening, and I think going back to that before her second is a good thing. You're definitely not alone in wanting to know more about the post-flinch; it seems a pretty healthy portion of people are eager to just skip right back to that! Hopefully you'll enjoy the park bit too, however. And tease? No teasing, I promise. It will all make sense in the end. (Or at least, that's what I keep telling myself.) Please enjoy the next park.

sadie Thanks! And thanks about the timing. Why do I get the feeling that little winky face is a wee bit sarcastic. I hear you though, it's like, "omg, flinch" then "wtf, park?!" I know it seems like I'm pulling a sneaky, but definitely think there's a good reason for putting this here. I'm glad you liked the mirrored Tara and Willow thoughts. I wanted to reset things a bit, get into their heads and start fresh from there, and I'm glad you picked up on that, for sure. I'm glad you don't think it's overdone. As I've told others, I'm sure I could have done without most of that update, however, it felt like it needed to be done. Plus, it was super fun to write. I hope you like the next bit, and addiction? Aw, shucks. Thanks again.

LonelyTara Thanks so much. I'm glad you liked the previous bit, and I'm with you, it was a welcome relief for me too to have a break from the tension. Thanks for mentioning innocence, that's what it felt like for me too. Revisiting the park felt very necessary, like a reminder of why they're suffering so much in the "present" time. As for who's memory this is—it's not really one or the other. I imagine they're both thinking about this day in the "present" time in some way, because it was THE day they fell in love, but this really is a standalone moment in time. Does that make sense? Hope you enjoy how the rest of the story unfolds.

Finey_McFine Another vote for relief from the tension! Glad to read that. And no kidding about 'what if...' Don't think Willow's not thought about that 50 million times since! As I mentioned above, this isn't really a person-specific flashback. It's more a look back at what that day was for both of them. I'm sure in the "present" time they're thinking about this day, because it was so crucial, but Tara's definitely not in Marissa's studio and Willow's definitely not in her bedroom relieving the day step for step. And wasted time - that's a really interesting concept. More on that in future updates, for sure. Thanks so much, I hope you enjoy the rest of their time in the park.

JustSkipIt Hi Deb. I totally see your point, especially about the real life timeline. I don't update in what anyone would call a "timely fashion," so I can totally see why someone would be frustrated with what definitely seems like a protracted tangent. I can even see how this seems like a diversion, or distraction from the real story, which is Willow coming out. However, I've always intended to write the day in the park; I think I've been mentioning it was coming up for at least the last several updates and in my mind it was always a given that it would get done. Writing the park is important to me, because for me, how Willow got into the closet is almost—if not as—important as how she gets out. For Willow, the closet includes the realization that she's gay and that she's in love with Tara, and I think those two realizations are so fascinating. It's not enough for me to know that she is gay, and that she loves Tara. I want to see how it happened, you know?
Even though I know that it's probably not everyone's cup of tea, I am enjoying writing this because, in a way, it's like writing a totally new fic. And I'm trying to embrace the newness, really have fun with them blissfully spending time together in a way that they haven't in the previous updates to Neverland. Because this park day is them before the heartache, and that feels sort of special. (You mentioned soul mates, and that's how I think of them—well, always in all fics—but it's definitely what I wanted to try and bring about here.) A little happy before the bruised feelings feels right, right now.
Re: your note about cryptic and mysterious... I think that works in fiction to a point. For me, I've written with the understanding that at some point there would be a payoff for the previous park mentions. An origin story, I guess. I've read so many works (fics, published novels, etc.) where things are referenced—events, feelings, etc.—that are never flushed out and most of the time it feels really empty, and kind of cheap. Like, the writer is trying too hard to force layers where they don't exist; depth where there's nothing but tricks and teases. You know what I mean? And a lot of the times it feels like the writer was either incompetent (that they tried to build mystery because they couldn't actually write the thing they were referring to), or manipulative (stringing people along to care about something they had no intention of spending any real time with). I wanted to be confident and try to write this. Maybe it'll be a huge misfire, not fit at all, really ruin the romantic idea most people had of what happened that day and kind of take the air out of the rest of the story... but I wanted to try. Because if nothing else, I'm selfish as a fan of Willow and Tara, and I wanted to live these moments with them.
Hope that long-winded spiel helps. I knew when I posted the park updates that a lot of people would see it as a tease or distraction before the real story (e.g. Willow's coming out) picks back up, but hopefully you'll enjoy it all the same. And if not, check back in like three years and maybe I'll be up to Willow's coming out. (I kid, I kid!) Thanks so much, really appreciated!

Gaga01 Thanks so much. And I feel you on the suspense; I'm dying to know how this is going to turn out, too! (I mean, I know, but I don't know the details quite yet and that's always so fun when writing, discovering the little things.) Willow does need to be strong, and I think she's figured that out. It'll definitely be interesting to see how she uses her strength to get through everything. And so glad you're interested in the park. Hopefully you will enjoy their time together!

wayland Hey Clare. I'm glad to read that you enjoyed the chapter, and Willow's attempts to articulate what exactly is so fascinating about Tara and Tara's smiling at Willow's laugh. I just thought those were good examples of how they would approach things, you know? Tara just enjoying it, if only subconsciously, while Willow tries to rationalize it. And I'm glad you liked the dinner. It does seem to fit the title explanation; hadn't really thought of that. I imagine them being in their own world at that dinner, sort of trying hard not to give in and just spend the whole time staring at each other. And thanks for the clarification, I totally understand. It felt like way too messy a moment for them to understand each other, and hopefully this break with Tara at Marissa's studio will give them time to, if nothing else, take a deep breath. They both need it, you know? I'm glad you thought this was a good time for the park, and exactly, it's a reminder how happy they can be together. So much of the story has been about heartache and anticipation; I wanted to try and capture a more innocent, happy time. Honestly, if for no other reason than I really really want to write/read about them being flirty and happy. (Not that they won't eventually without the park, but this feels singular and special.) I'm really glad that you're eager to read more, that's awesome. And that note - yes, ugh. Again, ask me about it when the story if finished. (I'm not sure I want to get into it all before I write more, but suffice to say, that was a tricky chapter for me.) Thanks so much, I really appreciate the kind words.

MagicPancakes Three updates! Makes me feel like I've been writing a lot, though, sadly, I suspect it's really just because you really haven't been around for a while. Either way, happiness abounds. And aw shucks, thanks for the very flattering compliments! And 6 years... I think it's 7! (That's just crazy to me; if this was a kid, she'd be in elementary school!) Thanks re: still writing—I'm glad you're still reading. Truly, that's one of my driving motivators. Beyond my selfish desire to see how this turns out for me (I mean, I love these girls and want to see them together), is to finish for everyone who has stuck with this tale over the years. I am so truly appreciative of all of the wonderful feedback—the readers on Pens are the best. Thanks again, so much. I hope you enjoy the rest of the park, and don't be a stranger!

SylverMaki Loved the all caps, many lettered yay - so glad you're excited about the park! And what's three days? You're here now, that's totally what counts. And oh man, I can't wait for the potty trained puppy, too! Seriously, it's like my greatest wish right now. Well no, actually greatest wish is time to write. No, sorry, take that back, greatest wish is that I get to see the Cadbury Egg commercial again this year randomly on TV. The one with the clucking bunny? I saw it the other night and it made me feel like a little kid again. Anyway! I digress! Thanks again—I really hope you like the rest of their time in the park.

BeMyDeputy "Park time! Squee!" totally works for me. Shoot, that's how I felt when I started writing it. And funny about the balance. Three words or three hundred, they're all appreciated.
Because you mentioned Deb's feedback, be sure to see my reply to her. I definitely have a plan for how I want this to go, and sadly interspersed is not in the cards. For me, it just doesn't fit either moment in time, you know? The park was a standalone special moment in time, and to intersperse it with heartache and doubts from where they are in "the present" just feels wrong. (Not to say it's all rainbows and lollipops in the past, but it's not as... final? Immediate? I'm not sure what word works here.) I mean, no doubt, the park is the cause of where they are now, and that will be plain as it goes along. But in my mind, the park is a bubble and I wanted to come at it almost like it was a new fic. That's my hope anyway. I mean, there is every chance that the timing of the park insert is going to be really wrong, or that the way it's written (or heck, writing it in the first place) is a massive mistake, but I'm hoping to trust my gut and go with it. Hopefully you'll like what ends up happening. In my head it seems very clear how the division between the two timelines should be. Hopefully it'll work when on the page!
And I hear you about being intrigued and frightened, that makes total sense to me. Would it help to hear I feel the same way? I've been looking forward to writing this for a long time. This whole story has developed almost of it's own accord; I didn't have a clue what it would be about, really, when I started, didn't have an outline, didn't know anything beyond the first few posts. It's been such a discovery, and this day in the park bit is so much along those lines. It has been a blast writing this look back, if only because I get to experience the park, and that's such a gift for a homesick San Francisco girl like myself. It's totally selfish, and I have no idea if it's going to be any good, but I'm having fun with it.
Side note: Interesting "gun over the fireplace" - never heard that phrase before. Where is it from? I'm curious, because I'd never even think to fire a gun over the fireplace, because I'd assume it was a non-functioning decorative piece; I'm assuming that back in the day (frontier days, perhaps) that wasn't the case though, to make the phrase work. Anyway, always interested in language, so if you have any insight, please do share. Thanks again!

sabina Glad you circled back! And totally understand about not caring a wit; I'm actually surprised at the proportion of folks who are happy versus people who are grr because I thought there'd be more in the grr camp. I know most people probably want to just get on with it, get back to Willow in the present, get to her coming out, but I really do feel like it's important to take a step back and see them in the beginning. To experience how it was before they got all freaked out and weird around each other, before Willow stepped into the closet she ended up trapped in. As for the middle of Neverland - I think we're definitely in the later stages of the story now, though I have to caution there is plenty, plenty to go. (Maybe not 60 posts plenty, but definitely not going to end next week or anything.) I mean, I don't think it's realistic to think it ends with a kiss. There are things that need to be experienced, and I hope to be able to write at least some of it. And I'm all for Tara getting a toaster—she deserves it! I really appreciate the kind words. Very much blushing over here. Hope you enjoy the park, even thought it's not what you really, really want to read!

Dr. J First off, welcome! I'm so glad to see you delurk. I hope you stick around and enjoy the rest of the stories on Pens - there are some outstanding authors and very friendly people. And wow, since the start. You poor dear! (I say that sincerely, knowing how slow this story has been delivered. You "old timers" are troopers, that's for sure!) As for whose flashback, it really belongs to no one; I'm writing it more as a look back, rather than Tara's look back or Willow's look back. I really wanted to just pause and go to a simpler times before things get ca-razy. Another person curious about the last song - definitely more on that eventually. I appreciate the very flattering compliments. Truly, they mean so much. I do hope you like the rest of the park, and indeed the rest of the story. Thanks so much!

Naeryn I hear you on the torn; I suspected that would be the general reaction. A lot of, "well, I have wondered about the park" mixed in with "OH COME ON!" And re: the nothing happening - as I mentioned above, I believe my wife's exact words were, "they didn't even get to the park?" Color me sheepish! It was a 'state of mind' update. What is their headspace, etc. It's not terribly action packed, but I felt like it was necessary in that it resets the game a bit. I probably could have done without most of this update... but it felt right to write, so I went with it. Hopefully this next update will be more action packed. Please enjoy, and thanks so much!

wimpy0729 Wimpster! I had to chuckle and nod my head in sympathy. I totally know what you're saying. As eager as I am to get to the coming out, etc. I really, really wanted to take a break and go back to the schmoopy days. (And I worry that I'm setting it up as being all schmoopy - there's some non-schmoopy in there too, but at least for now it's mostly schmoopy.) I'm glad you thought it was a lovely picture, that means so much. And back to the park! The next few updates will be park/that-day/night/visit-centric. (Sorry, those who aren't feeling the park!) Hopefully you'll dig what comes next. Thanks so much!

ceridwen Yeah!

LittleBit Hehe, I aim to please. Glad you had multiple updates, but shucks, visit more often! Glad you could see why Tara bolted; I'm like you. Would be nice to stay, but sometimes you just need some air. And Willow is all about action now. She knows it's go time, for sure. Very glad to see that you're interested in that day in the park, though stalling? Truly, there's a reason for the parkus interruptus, I swear. Hopefully you'll enjoy what happens next, and for sure, no chance of rushing the ending. (I seem to be incapable of rushing!) Thanks so much!

SMGOVAN Uh oh, is overall NC-17 bad? I thought we were supposed to rate it whatever the highest we would get to. And hey! Tara's gotten busy too, you know. Just Willow dreams and Anya-talk. Pfft. Gah, update 103. I don't know about that. That seems... daunting. I hear you on not being interested in the park, but I promise it's important. And two years? That's super long. Just because you missed the first five, don't sell your investment short. Hopefully you'll like what happens in the past despite your initial indifference. Thanks so much!

Sanpfa An appeal to the masses! I like it. And what you said, is kind of how I feel. I don't know that I owe it, but I definitely want to relive that day with them. It's been so fun to go back and see how it all started. Hopefully you'll enjoy it as much as I've been enjoying writing it. Thanks so much, I really appreciate the kind words.

pipsberg Hi. First, yay for the park! Not the day in the park, but just the park itself. That place is memorytastic, and really should be THE destination spot for anyone visiting San Francisco. (It is one of my favorite places in the world.) I'm glad that you adored the update, and are happy about the look back at their first real time spent together. It's been so much fun to write, so I'm hoping (fingers crossed) that it's fun to read, as well. Thanks re: the canon bit. That's how I always pictured it, and wanted to try and get that here. It's kind of interesting, because I'd like it to mirror canon as much as possible, but there are different variables at play (this Tara is more confident, Willow is not single, etc.) that make it an interesting challenge. While it won't be exactly the same as say, S4 Willow/Tara, hopefully it'll be similar enough to evoke similar feelings. And educational! I don't know about that, but I'll try. Thanks so much. Hope you enjoy! xoxooxxo

[EasierSaid]

Title: Neverland
Author: EasierSaid
Feedback: Yes, please.
Spoilers: None.
Setting: AU. There is no Hellmouth, there is no slayer and no magic of the wicca variety. Just our girls and the rest of the Buffy characters living and loving in that great city by the bay, San Francisco.
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Please don't sue me Mutant Enemy.
Notes: A few lines from 'Pangs' and a whole lotta park.


Thoughts in italics

PART 63

Three years earlier


Tara shut the metal door with a soft click, and turned her head to shyly smile at the redhead standing patiently next to her. The blonde briefly pointed to their left and they started walking, the sounds of their footsteps mingling with nearby traffic and chirping birds. Though neither noticed, they exchanged shy, nervous glances, each girl uncertain of just exactly what to say given the situation. After a half of block of silence, Tara summoned up all of her nerve and spoke.

"So, are you h-having fun?"

"Right now?" Willow asked owlishly as she looked to her walking companion.

The blonde couldn't stop the lop sided smile that pulled at her face. "I meant more, with your visit," she corrected shyly. She pointed left to indicate the need to head down a side street.

"Right," Willow muttered bashfully as they turned. "Cause that makes more sense, what with the us just walking down the street." She looked to the blonde. "Not that this isn't fun, it's just–"

"Walking down the street," Tara finished, a wide grin on her face.

"Yeah," the redhead blushed, a slight smile pulling at her lips. "And yeah," she said, returning to the original question and its original intent. "It's always great to see Buffy. And San Francisco is pretty wow. I didn't see much when I was here last couple of times. It always seems to kind of be a whirlwind weekend trip sort of thing when I visit."

I know, Tara thought with a soft smile, remembering their brief encounters from years previous.

"And, it's not like I'm here forever this time either," Willow continued. "It's just, it feels different. More familiar and less like I have to squeeze in all of this new stuff." They walked a couple of steps. "Like, we went out to breakfast this morning and it was totally comfortable because we ate there last year so I knew what to expect."

"What did you have?" Tara asked.

"Huevos rancheros," Willow replied with a grin. "I mean, this year I had huevos rancheros. I think last year I had some sort of eggy scramble thing."

"Good memory," the blonde said, impressed.

"Good food," the redhead retorted.

"So why not the scramble this time?" Tara asked. She nodded to the right and they waited patiently at the light to cross the street, cars zooming by on their left.

"Huevos rancheros, California; sort of felt like it was my ex-pat duty, you know, as a returning native."

"So Boston doesn't have good Mexican food?" The blonde asked, amused. The light changed and they crossed the street.

"Not really," Willow answered, scrunching up her face. "I mean, there is this one place that's marginally better than horrible, but they don't do breakfast."

"So no rancheros."

"Sadly no," Willow said. "And even if they did... It's just, you know, yummier here."

Tara nodded. "So, you've been um, homesick for huevos." She smiled brightly at the girl walking next to her.

"In a manner of speaking, yes," the redhead said with a nod, surprised by how easy she was finding conversation with the blonde. "And now that I've had my fill, I can cross it off my list until my next visit. Or you know, until tomorrow cause they were super yummy."

The two smiled at each other and then slipped into a relaxed silence. Willow looked to her left and the small strip of park running between where Tara and Buffy lived and the Haight beyond. It was remarkably green for an urban area, and while the redhead's home in Cambridge wasn't exactly barren, it wasn't like this. She stole a look at the blonde and took a slow, steady breath. Granted, it had only been a few minutes, but things seemed to be going well. Willow stole another look and felt the nerves flutter a little as Tara caught her eye and smiled. They each looked away, suddenly finding the passing cars and blinking 'no walk' light fascinating.

They slowed as they stopped at another intersection. The light changed quickly and they crossed. "We're going to cross into the park right up there," Tara said as she pointed to the next crosswalk fifteen feet away.

Willow nodded and followed the blonde as the light changed and they crossed the final intersection and entered the park. "It's nice, that you're so close," the redhead said as they walked along the pathway running along JFK Boulevard.

"Yeah," the blonde said with a pleasant smile. "I um, I don't take advantage of it as much as I'd like, though."

"You're busy with school," Willow allowed.

"I think that's m-more of an excuse than a reason most days," the blonde said, a half smile pulling at her lips. "I mean. I could make time. I just, usually don't." She flashed a small smile at the redhead and then dipped her head, trying to concentrate on the path before her and not the intriguing girl to her left.

"I get that," Willow said thoughtfully. "I mean, I can't even tell you the last time I did something in Boston like this."

They shared a pleasant look and then retreated into their own thoughts, each girl saying hello to a man walking in the opposite direction. They walked in quiet for a few minutes before Tara took her jacket off, tying it loosely around her waist. "I can't believe the weather," she said, her voice genuinely awed as she squinted up to the blue sky. "I'm starting to think that you brought the sunshine with you." She smiled softly at the redhead before looking away. "B-Brought the sunshine with you?!" she internally winced, hoping the girl didn't think she was as cheesy as she just sounded. "It w-was r-really foggy last week," she tacked on sheepishly.

Willow couldn't help but smile brightly at the blonde. "Oh yeah," she joked. "That's me—Willow, bringer of happy sunshiney weather." The blonde chuckled despite her embarrassment and the redhead felt herself swell and relax at the same time. "It's a gift," she said modestly with a shrug of the shoulders.

Tara shook her head, amused, and they continued their walk, enjoying the warmth on their faces and the slowing sounds of traffic as they walked deeper into the park. It didn't take long before Willow felt her gaze being pulled to the blonde's chest.

"I really like your shirt."

"Thanks," the blonde said as she met the redhead's eye with a genuine smile. "I think it's kind of, sporty, which is kind of funny because I'm really not. Sporty, I mean."

"Me too," Willow said. "Me too not sporty. Though, I like basketball. To watch, not to play. Me playing sports is sort of a disaster and maybe a lot dangerous." The redhead smiled. "I tutored the star basketball player in high school, so I sort of got sucked into the basketball fever."

"How'd that go?" Tara asked.

"Great," Willow said. "He got a scholarship to UC Sunnydale. Athletic, not academic, but hey, eligible is eligible."

"I meant, for you," the blonde clarified.

"Oh," the redhead replied, surprised. Nobody had ever asked her whether she had liked tutoring Percy. "Fine. I guess," she said with a shrug. "I mean, it was sort of mandatory, as mandated by the principal so I didn't really have a lot of say in the matter."

"That doesn't sound very fair," Tara said, her brow lightly creasing.

Willow again shrugged. "It wasn't that bad."

The blonde nodded and they walked a few steps in silence. "So, you like basketball?"

"To watch," Willow again clarified. "But I don't go out of my way for it, or anything. I mean, I go to a school that doesn't even have sports. Or, more accurately, sports that anyone outside of New England cares about."

"I think we have sports," Tara said, her brow furrowing with thought. "But I don't know if they're any good. The teams, not the sports."

"If you don't know, then probably not," the redhead said with a smile. "I know a girl that goes to USC and their football team is pretty much all she ever talks about. Well, that and herself." They walked a few more steps and Willow felt her eyes dragged back to the blonde's chest. "So, is a dragon your school's mascot?"

"W-What?" The blonde asked, truly confused by the apparent tangent.

"Your shirt, with the dragons," the redhead said, motioning with her hand over her own chest. "I'm just trying to figure out the sporty angle."

"Oh." Tara blushed and looked down to her chest. "It's a um, b-baseball shirt?" She pointed to the navy blue three-quarter length sleeves and ringer collar as she looked up.

"Right," Willow said with a light blush. Duh. "Sorry, that's sort of obvious now that you point it out." She looked to her feet and then back up. "I'm not as up on fashion as, oh say, Buffy."

"Buffy would definitely not call this fashion," Tara said with a light giggle. "Um, more like, d-donation material or, a d-dust rag."

Willow smiled, enjoying the blonde's teasing tone. "Well, we all know her taste is questionable." She saw Tara's brow crinkle. "Hello, she chose to hang out with Riley today instead of me, and that's pretty shaky if you ask, er, me."

Tara forced a smile and dipped her head. So the redhead was disappointed to have to spend the day with her.

Willow immediately felt a shift in the mood and kicked herself for no doubt causing it. Tara and Buffy were friends, and she probably shouldn't joke about the petite blonde like that with someone she didn't know very well. She peeked over to the blonde and then away, before finally asking, "So what were you going to do today before Buffy roped you into babysitting?"

Tara blushed, her eyes still averted. "I um, I d-don't think of it as babysitting," she said bashfully, as she looked up and apologetically smiled at the redhead.

Willow's stomach fluttered at the shy look. Backtrack! "Okay," she nodded, searching for better words. "Until Buffy roped you into her nefarious scheme to procure Riley smoochies." She smiled hopefully, gesturing slightly with her clasped fingers.

Tara smiled and relaxed at the redhead's goofiness. "Reading." She lightly shook her head. "The last week has been s-so crazy I thought I'd just, take a break from the world and read."

"Oh," Willow said, her voice falling as she looked to her shoes. "Sorry."

"No," Tara said quickly, sure that the redhead took her words to mean she'd rather be at home than with her. "I'm glad, that it didn't work out that way? I would have missed the really nice weather." She smiled brightly, hoping the girl believed her.

Willow smiled weakly. "If you'd rather–"

"I wouldn't," Tara assured with a smile, and the redhead nodded, taking the blonde's words at face value. They walked along quietly for a moment.

"So what are you reading?" Willow asked, looking up and making eye contact.

"Tales of the City," Tara said, relieved by the benign question. Willow shook her head, indicating she wasn't familiar. "It's by Armistead Maupin? It's set in the '70s, about a bunch of people living in San Francisco."

"Cool," the redhead said. "Any good?"

"Yeah," the blonde said with a nod. "Though, to be honest, I'm reading it under duress." She smiled brightly.

"Duress?" Willow asked, her eyes never leaving the tantalizing curl of Tara's red lips.

"Peer pressure," the blonde clarified with a roll of the eyes. "Apparently it's um, sacrilege to live in San Francisco and not read it."

"Good to know," Willow said, tearing her eyes from the blonde to briefly look to the sidewalk before them. "You know, in case I ever move here." Tara couldn't help smile at the thought. They both looked right before crossing a quiet street, and continued deeper into the park.

"It um, it should be pretty quiet at the museum," Tara said. "The weekends can get pretty packed, but weekdays, not so much."

Willow smiled. "It's like that in Boston, too."

The blonde nodded. "We might run into some school field trips. Can get kind of, boisterous."

"I loved field trips when I was a kid," the redhead said. "I think I was the only person on them who ever learned anything, though."

"I loved field trips, too," the blonde confessed with a shy smile. "Though, our field trips were usually pretty um, depressing." She saw Willow slightly frown. "I'm f-from a small town, so, it was always a trip to the mill, or g-grocery store," Tara explained. "We went to Lassen National Park once. It was so peaceful and, old. You know? It seemed so, pristine."

The redhead nodded, entranced by the blonde's brief description. "We went to the zoo once," Willow said, internally wincing at how inarticulate she sounded. "And a couple of museums. Nothing major." There was a slight pause. "I think I would have liked to have gone to a forest. You know, except for the mud, a-and the moss, and the potential to come across frogs... Other than that, a trip to the forest sounds nice."

"Um, frogs?" Tara asked, biting back a bright smile.

"Did I say frogs?" Willow said, her eyes growing large. "Cause, frogs, that's just..." The redhead trailed off weakly as she felt her face burn red. Great, had to bring up the frog fear. Why don't you mention that you're terrified of tadpoles while you're at it? She hazarded a glimpse at the blonde and her eyes settled on something beyond. "Hey, what's going on over there?" She pointed to the partially deconstructed frame of a Victorian greenhouse with clasped hands, looking from the construction site to Tara and then back again, hoping the blonde didn't notice her very unsubtle subject change.

Tara did a slight double take, looking from the redhead to the building and back before she slowly smiled. "It's the Conservatory of Flowers," she said. She's afraid of frogs? The blonde's heart momentarily swelled. "It's the oldest building in the park. I think," she said with a sheepish roll of the eyes. "They're working to restore it, so it's closed right now."

"Looks like it was pretty," the redhead offered. The building was being taken apart in stages, with one section still retaining it's old glory. White wood was curved into thin arches that held hundreds of panes of glass. The building was separated from the path by two large beds of flowers planted in exact geometric patterns, and Willow couldn't help but think how much it looked like a snapshot from another era.

"It was," the blonde nodded. "I've read a lot about it. It was sort of famous for its orchid collection, and it had a really impressive aquatic plant display." They walked a few steps and the blonde felt her face pull into a mischievous smile. "I'm pretty sure the aquatic display was um, f-frog free." She offered the redhead a warm look and smiled slightly wider as Willow blushed.

"That's..." The redhead went speechless as her cheeks burned. She should feel mortified, embarrassed beyond all belief by the playful dig, but when she looked over and saw the twinkle in the blonde's eye, she found that she felt... giddy. "Anyway," she said cheerfully, narrowing her eyes briefly as Tara chuckled. "It's probably good that it's closed because if it was open I might want to go in, and I definitely should not go in there. Frogs or no," she gamely tacked on.

"No?" Tara asked, her face still pulled into a relaxed smile.

"I'd probably kill the plants with just a look, like some evil fairy tale queen," she explained with a dramatic sweep of her hand. "I have the opposite of a green thumb."

"Me too," the blonde said, tipping her head back slightly. "But I'd like to learn. You know, how to take care of plants and stuff?"

"Learning is good," the redhead said with a a head bob.

"I had a houseplant, in the dorms? But it sort of died an untimely death after we moved. I'd like to have a garden someday though."

"That sounds really nice."

They shared another slight smile and continued walking, the Conservatory falling behind them as the ventured deeper still into the park. After a long moment, Tara spoke. "So how does it feel to have g-graduated?"

Willow smiled. "Good, though it doesn't really feel like it. I'm probably starting school again in the fall, so it kind of feels like starting another school year, instead of, 'Yay, finished! Now time for the rest of my life!' sort of thing."

"Ah," Tara said.

"Are you graduating this year?"

"Not quite," the blonde said with an embarrassed dip of the head. "I h-have a couple more classes. I um, I took a light load this last semester so I could do a resident artist seminar and it p-put me a little behind."

"That sounds really impressive," Willow said.

"Not really," Tara blushed. "Just time consuming."

"So, you'll graduate next year like Buffy?" the redhead asked.

"I think Buffy is on the five year plan," the blonde said with a soft smile. "I'm hoping for, four and a half."

"Cool," Willow said.

"How was your graduation ceremony?" Tara asked.

"I'll tell you when I go," the redhead said breezily. She caught the blonde's confused look. "It's in two weeks."

"But I thought you were done–?"

"Oh, I am," Willow reassured. "My finals were early, so I thought I'd come out, do the California thing, then head back. Graduation is on June 8, so I have a little time."

"Oh," Tara said with a nod.

There was a brief pause. "I sort of wish I wasn't going," the redhead confessed, the blonde looking to her with a creased brow. "I mean, don't get me wrong, my parents are thrilled about going to the ceremony, but it kind of seems like a hassle. I mean, it's not like it's going to change my life or anything. I don't even remember my high school graduation. Well, except for the hour long speech the mayor gave comparing us to snakes."

"Ah," Tara said, nodding her head, recognizing the reference from Buffy's stories. "The infamous, 'be a boa' commencement."

"Which doesn't even make sense if you really think about it," Willow said, instantly exasperated. "I mean, get really big, sneak around and squeeze things to death? Cause, that's what boas do. Hardly practical life advice."

The blonde couldn't help but smile. "My high school commencement speaker spent the whole time talking about kites."

"Let me guess, 'soaring' was a major theme," the redhead said and Tara nodded with a chuckle. "Better than 'be a boa,'" Willow grumbled. "It's been four years and it still bothers me. What does it even mean?" The redhead looked over at the amused blonde and smiled, instantly forgetting why she had been agitated in the first place.

"Maybe it means, the m-mayor is a little crazy?"

"Well, that's a given," the redhead said with a roll of the eyes. Tara giggled and Willow smiled, her tongue darting forward to her teeth with glee. "So, what was your art thing last night," the redhead asked, training her eyes on the girl to her right.

"A student show," Tara said, again regretting that she went at all. "It was a f-friend of a friend. He did a collection of super heroes as menial laborers. Superman janitor, Wonder Woman maid."

"Sounds cool," the redhead replied.

"Mmm." The blonde's brow furrowed. "More like, pretentious."

"Oh," Willow said a little self-consciously. Art had never been a strong suit.

"I mean, it could be cool," the blonde quickly explained. "But the artist was really full of himself." She rolled her eyes with a smile. "Like his paintings would um, cause a w-worker's revolution or something."

"Ah," Willow said, understanding. "So, if Marx had been a cartoonist–"

"Oh, no," Tara said with mock seriousness. "Thomas is a serious 'artiste.'" A half smile pulled at her lips and the redhead giggled.

"Of course," Willow replied with her own mock serious head nod. Tara nodded to their left and they crossed the street to follow a new path. "Now that's creepy," the redhead said, pointing to a statue a few feet away. A bronze bust sat atop a stone pillar, two kneeling bronze figures below looking up at it's stern visage. "It's like they're praying to a disembodied head." The girls stopped and took in the work.

Tara smiled brightly. "The um, head, is Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, and the little, kneeling people are Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. They're paying homage to their creator."

"O, kay," Willow said with a confused look.

"There are a lot of r-random statues like that in the park, and a lot of them have absolutely nothing to do with San Francisco," Tara said as they started to walk again, crossing the street with a brief look over their shoulders. "They're mostly left over from the various expositions the city has hosted. There's one really neat one, The Doré Vase? It's covered with these little Bacchalian figures. It's just over there if you w-want to see it later." She pointed vaguely to their right.

"Yeah, that would be cool," Willow said. She fixed the blonde with a warm look. "You know a lot about the park," she said, impressed.

"N-Not really," Tara said as she dipped her head, hair falling around her face. "I just w-wrote a paper about some of the statues for a class last year."

"No, really," the redhead said with a proud smile. "It's like I have my own personal tour guide." She bumped her shoulder lightly against the blonde's and Tara blushed further.

The blonde made brief eye contact with the redhead and then pointed to their left. "T-That's the museum w-we're going to right there."

Willow nodded, taking in the large, non-descript rectangular building, and looked to her right, taking in another large building across a spacious courtyard. "What's that?"

"The DeYoung," Tara replied. "It's an art museum. It has a really big collection of Asian and Polynesian art."

"Oh." The redhead looked between the two buildings and then back to the blonde. "Would you rather go there?" Willow asked, her words tentatively spoken as she nodded to the DeYoung. Tara's brows rose. "Cause, it's art and that's what you like," Willow explained weakly. "Art."

Tara offered a warm smile, her heart skipping a beat at the redhead's offer. "It's okay."

"Are you sure, because–"

"It's okay, really," Tara said, reaching out and squeezing the redhead's arm. "I've been. And I um, I think you'll like the Academy more."

"Okay," Willow said with an embarrassed nod.

They walked a few steps. "And, I like more than just art, you know," Tara said shyly.

"No, I know, I just," the redhead sighed and stopped in place several yards from the Academy of Sciences, the blonde stopping and turning to face her a step later. "I know this isn't what you had planned today and so I sort of feel bad. I mean, I want you to have fun, too."

"I am having fun," Tara assured with a shy smile.

"Really?" Willow asked, her brow knit with concern.

"Really," the blonde said. "And I like the Academy of Sciences." She nodded to the building behind her, a teasing smile on her lips. "There's an albino alligator inside, you know."

"An albino alligator?" The redhead repeated, her brow knitting.

"And a two-headed snake."

"A two-headed– What kind of freak show is this place?" Willow asked, looking beyond the blonde to the building behind her and Tara burst into laughter.

"Only one way to find out..." she said as she leaned in, her voice low and teasing.

The redhead smiled and the girls headed up the steps to the museum's front doors. They walked to the admission desk and paid, Willow noting with some interest Tara's wallet, which the blonde admitted she had made out of duct tape one particularly boring afternoon.

The redhead took a map and asked Tara where they should start. She pointed to the right and they quickly viewed the Wild California wing, chatting amiably as they walked around groups of grade school kids in uniforms, their chaperones and docent obviously overwhelmed by their extraordinary energy.

The girls crossed back through the foyer to the African hall. Willow arched her neck as they strolled into the long hall, her wide eyes showing how impressed she was with the spacious room. "Wow." The blonde nodded with a smile and they continued in, the redhead's eyes roaming over the arched ceiling, decorated in molded plaster in repeating geometric patterns. The room was at least twice as long as wide, with benches running along the middle and huge, life-sized dioramas filled with long-dead animals mounted in life-like poses on either side. Pockets of tourists strolled the hall, talking amongst themselves, and a few college-aged students sat on the benches taking notes. Tara noticed one sketching the Roan Antelope and the blonde smiled, remembering an earlier trip to the museum of her own, sketchbook in hand. They walked in silence for a while, taking in the stuffed animals and beautifully staged scenes. When they got to the lion display they stopped to admire the savannah setting, and the redhead idly wondered how long it had been since the lions lived and breathed. After a long moment, the blonde broke the silence.

"I want a cat..." Tara said, her eyes looking over the three large lions staring over a realistic-looking savannah. Willow arched her eyebrows and looked from the massive felines to the blonde out of the corner of her eye, smiling politely as Tara turned to her and said, "M-My cat would be smaller."

"And, hopefully, less inclined to eat people," Willow replied.

"Oh, definitely," the blonde said with a sincere nod. "Though, some play biting would be expected."

"Nothing wrong with play biting." The girls blushed. "That came out wrong."

"I got what you meant," Tara said with a shy smile.

"Good," Willow said, relieved. "You getting what I mean when I say weird things definitely bodes well for us successfully spending time together." The blonde smiled. "So," the redhead said. "What would you name this hypothetical cat?"

"Hmm," the blonde stalled. "I don't know, I'd p-probably have to see it first, see what it was like?"

"Makes sense," Willow nodded.

"Though," the blonde added. "I've always sort of been partial to Miss Kitty Fantastico." The redhead's face broke into a wide grin. "T-That or Trixie."

"I like both," Willow said. "Though, the first one is pretty great. You could call her MKF for short, although, I'm not sure if that's really shorter now that I hear it out loud."

"I could just call her Miss Kitty," the blonde said. "Though, that sounds a little–"

"Old West bordello-ish?"

Tara nodded with a wide grin. "I um, I think I like MKF better. Or maybe just Fantastico"

"It does have a certain Sigfried and Roy flair to it," Willow said with mock gravitas.

"Yeah," Tara smiled shyly again. "Hey, do you want to go see the Gem and Mineral Hall?"

"I actually really do," Willow said, following the blonde as she lead them out of the majestic room. The Gem and Mineral Hall was almost more of a hallway than a proper room, with a couple of large floor to ceiling windows and small case displays along the walls.

"This would be Buffy's favorite hall," Willow said as they looked at the first display, a large polished ruby sitting on a pillow of blue velvet.

"It is," Tara said with a smile. "We came last summer and her exact words were, 'come back and get me here when you're done.'"

They shuffled to the next display, quietly taking in the large polished stones. "So when did Buffy tell you she'd be back today?" Willow looked up to the blonde as they continued their slow walk.

"B-Before dinner," Tara said with a slight head bob.

"Ah," Willow said through a forced smile.

"I'm guessing she told you something different..." the blonde led, her brow creasing at the unreadable look on the redhead's face.

"Bedtime," Willow said, making eye contact with the blonde before looking away.

"We'll um, we'll probably see her in the morning," Tara joked with a wry smile.

"Yeah," the redhead said through a tight exhale.

The blonde's brow knit. "I'm m-mostly kidding."

"No, you're probably right," Willow said. "I just." She stopped walking just inside a new room, warmly lit with walls painted in orange and gold. "I don't want you to feel like you have to keep me company all day if you don't want to."

Tara nodded, a lump in her throat as the redhead again broached the subject of their unlikely day together. "W-What if I w-want to?" The blonde said softly, her head dipped, her hair framing her face.

Willow felt her heart skip a beat and her brow creased in confusion. The way Tara's hair obscured her face, the bow in the girl's shoulders; it almost hurt to see the girl close up on herself. The redhead pushed the confusing feelings aside when Tara looked up and met her eye, the honest look sending her tummy into a flutter and almost striking her mute. "That would be cool," the redhead finally said sincerely before snapping back to her original line of thought. "But just, don't feel like you have to, if you have other things you'd rather do."

A brief embarrassed smile pulled at half of Tara's lips and she nodded her head, still looking at the floor. "A-Are you." She sighed, frustrated with her stutter. "A-Are you, h-having fun?" She looked up tentatively before looking back down.

Willow's brow furrowed and she realized how she must have sounded, how Tara must think she was passive aggressively looking for a way out of hanging out with her. "Yes," she said, more forcefully than she expected, stepping forward and touching Tara's arm. The blonde looked up and the redhead smiled sheepishly as she lightly squeezed the girl's elbow. "I'm having a lot of fun. In fact, I think I'm probably having more fun than I would have with Buffy." The blonde tilted her head slightly, not following, and Willow continued. "I mean, the Gem and Mineral Hall was nice and all... but I'm sort of enjoying seeing the rest of the museum, too." She smiled, hoping the girl would appreciate her teasing tone.

Tara smiled again and nodded. She suspected the redhead was just trying to be polite, but she grabbed on to her words with all the trust and hope she could muster. She looked around self-consciously before she looked back to the redhead. "M-Maybe we could um, p-play it by ear?" She looked to the redhead hopefully and Willow smiled in return.

"Okay," the redhead agreed with a smile. "That sounds great." The smiles spread on each girl's face, and after a long moment staring they looked away embarrassed.

The redhead looked up and around, taking in the new exhibit, noting the collection of Native American art. She read the display cards with interest as they walked through the room, moving from case to case intently. Halfway through she turned to Tara. "This is so much better than the Chumash museum at the old Sunnydale mission, which really was just a whitewashing of the destruction of the indigenous peoples. I mean, why talk about imprisonment or forced labor or living in a mission full of bad European diseases when you can instead have an exhibit on how to make adobe?" The blonde stared owlishly. "Sorry, my mom's a little strident about Columbus day and Thanksgiving... sort of rubbed off."

"M-Must of made Thanksgiving fun," Tara said with an amused smile.

"We didn't celebrate Thanksgiving," Willow said matter-of-factly, looking over a display of pottery shards.

"Not even pumpkin pie?" The blonde asked, her voice far more surprised than she intended.

"Nope," Willow said as they continued through the exhibit. "Well, not until senior year when I went over to Buffy's for Thanksgiving. It was an eye-opening experience." There was a brief pause as they looked over a collection of baskets. "Hey, did you know that you can make whipped cream? Like, the stuff that comes in cans?"

"Yes," Tara said, charmed by the innocent look on the redhead's face. "I like Thanksgiving."

"Me too," Willow admitted. "Don't tell Buffy, because it might chip away at my chip off the ol' liberal block, but it was pretty fun. You know, despite it being a celebration of genocide and all."

"Right," Tara said with a head nod.

"It was actually a pretty memorable day as far as memorable oppressive holidays go. What with Faith there on her best behavior and Xander thinking he had syphilis."

"Syphilis?" Tara asked, her brow furrowing.

"It turned out to just be the flu" Willow said with a roll of the eyes. "He's a bit of an over-reactor. And, not very good at typing in symptoms at WebMD."

"Oh," the blonde said, following the redhead as she walked to the exhibit's exit.

"I mean, he could pretty much make a hangnail into amputation on that thing."

Tara nodded. It was the redhead's first mention of Xander Harris. The blonde had mixed feelings about the man. On the one hand he was charming and friendly, and she had such a favorable first impression of him. But then the Halloween party happened, and Buffy became insistent that Xander was leading the redhead on with his playful, borderline flirtatious behavior. Indeed, at the party it was sometimes hard to tell who the redhead was dating; the short musician or the dark haired man. The blonde looked up as the redhead slowed to a stop near a large pendulum. "I th-thought Xander was going to visit this week, too."

"He was," Willow said, looking back to the blonde. "But then he got a new job, in construction of all things, so he thought he should stay local in case they needed him."

"Oh."

"Oh?" The redhead asked, her brow quirking.

"Nothing," Tara said with a bashful smile. When Willow's confused look didn't fade, the blonde explained. "It's just, you said, 'job' like, quote, end quote, job."

"Oh." Willow said, reviewing her earlier words. "It's just, he's had a lot of jobs over the last couple of years and he's never taken any of them seriously, so, not quite sure what's so special about this one." She winced apologetically as she further explained. "He sort of has a tendency to get a job, get bored or get fired and then move on to the next thing. He's sort of, job impaired."

"M-Maybe this one's different," the blonde said.

"Maybe," the redhead replied with a warm smile. They turned to face the pendulum, their eyes following the large weight as it slowly swung back and forth.

"That's a big pendulum," Tara said, pointing to the machine.

"A Foucault Pendulum," Willow said with a nod, identifying the device from memory. "It's proof that the Earth rotates."

"I like the little pegs," the blonde said, pointing to the small wooden pegs situated on the floor in a circle around the swinging arm. Several were knocked over, presumably by the ever-swinging weight.

"Me too," the redhead said quickly, her eyes lighting up as she turned to face the blonde. "Earth spins, pegs go boom."

Tara giggled and Willow's grin widened. "So, n-next room?"

The redhead nodded agreeably and followed the blonde as she lead them toward the Steinhart Aquarium. They made their way through the Reptile & Amphibian Swamp, Willow shaking her head in amazement at the seahorse railing and sedentary albino alligator, both girls tactfully avoiding mentioning the poisonous dart frogs. After a short trip past the Touch Tidepool, they entered a dark room with a huge aquarium filling a wall and the blonde grabbed Willow's arm in excitement. "These are my favorites," Tara said, beaming as she pointed to the exhibit's occupants, a colony of small Black-footed penguins. "They're just so cute."

"And mischievous," Willow said after watching them for a long moment, the ten penguins waddling about and watching the humans beyond the glass with curiosity. "It's like they could totally be plotting to take over the world in their spare time."

"Totally," the blonde said with a chuckle. "But, aw, that one's going to jump in the water!"

Tara sighed with happiness and Willow again felt her heart skip a beat. It shocked her how happy it made her to see the blonde happy, and the redhead's brow furrowed in confusion at the feeling. She caught the blonde beaming at her out of the corner of her eye and the confusion melted away, the only important thing in that moment the look of pure joy on Tara's face as she watched the penguins play.

After a long time spent sitting on the bleacher seating enjoying the penguins' antics, Tara insisted they leave, telling Willow that she thought the next room might be the redhead's favorite.

They walked into the blue-lit room and up the ramp and the redhead silently took it all in. "Okay," Willow said after a long moment, turning around slowly, as fish swirled around her in the large, round room. "This is slightly bigger than the aquarium I had as a kid."

Tara smiled, watching the redhead's obvious joy at being surrounded by the huge circular aquarium. "You had fish?" Willow nodded. "Goldfish?"

Willow nodded again. "When I was 6, I had this goldfish named Steve, only, he sort of, met an untimely end." The girl twisted her fingers. "You see, I had just read 'Cat in the Hat'–"

"And, real life fish don't balance..."

"Right," Willow replied with a smile when Tara knew the reference. "I was banned from pet ownership for five years."

"But you eventually got another fish..."

Willow nodded, proudly. "On my eleventh birthday. Multiple fish. They were pretty; angel fish. I used to watch them when I had a problem with my homework, or got lonely. Mostly when I got lonely, cause I was kind of a big, well, bigger nerd then, and I didn't have many friends..." The redhead looked up and followed one particular fish with her eyes. "Angel killed them when I was 16."

"A-Angel?" Tara asked, surprised. "Buffy's ex Angel, killed your fish?"

"Oh," Willow said with a quirk of her eyebrows, realizing how that sounded. "Not on purpose, at least, I don't think it was on purpose. I went out of town with my parents, and Xander couldn't watch them, and Buffy was at her Dad's in L.A., so Angel said he'd feed them, only, he sort of, didn't." Willow flapped her hand. "He couldn't find the key I had left and didn't have a number to reach me. He could have gotten in through a window, but he's the kind of guy who doesn't enter unless invited, so..." She shrugged. "I understood... eventually." She watched the fish again. "I should have just asked Giles to feed them anyway..." she said, absently.

"Have you had any since?" Tara asked, her eyes never leaving the redhead's expressive face.

Willow shook her head. "No. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love the fishies, just... It was a lot of work, cleaning the tank, making sure they had a happy little swimming environment..." She smiled at Tara before continuing. "And I started hanging out away from the house more, discovered the Bronze, had less time for them..." She watched the fish circle. "I didn't want to have them but ignore them, you know?"

Tara nodded.

"I had a rat in college," the redhead said. "Well, only for a semester; it was actually my friend Amy's. Amy the rat." Tara looked confused. "The rat, belonged to Amy, was also named Amy." Willow flapped her hand, dismissively. "It's a whole thing with their family—her mom Catherine had a corgi named Catherine. Little cuckoo."

"That is a little strange," the blonde agreed with a nod.

"A little?" The redhead asked, her eyebrows arched and the blonde laughed. The redhead smiled and the two settled into watching the fish. After a long moment, Tara felt her eyes pulled back to the redhead's face. Out of the corner of her eye she watched the redhead watching the fish, and felt her heart swell. The blonde's brow creased and she consciously pushed her fluttery feelings away, reminding herself with great difficulty of Willow's distinct unavailability.

A swarm of school aged children entered the round with whoops and hollers, and the two girls again smiled, moving without word to the exit to avoid the rowdy crowd.

"Now where?" Willow asked as they left the chatting children behind, and Tara smiled.

"The gift shop."

They made their way into the gift shop, splitting up as they looked at the different knick-knacks. Tara spent her time looking at some books, while Willow looked for small gifts for friends in Sunnydale and Boston. Once the redhead was rung up, she found the blonde and they exited the museum into the sunshine.

"No bag?" Tara asked as she looked to the redhead, sure that the notoriously generous girl would have bought something.

"Didn't need one," Willow said. They stopped just shy of the steps and the redhead smiled at the blonde.

"What?" Tara asked, eyeing the redhead's cat-ate-the-canary grin with a suspicious smile.

"I got you something," the redhead said, rocking back and forth on her feet. "You know, for sacrificing your day in the name of helping Buffy get smoochies."

"That's not– I'm having fun," the blonde patiently reminded the redhead with an easy-going smile.

Willow smiled brightly and held out her hands, which were closed into fists. "Guess which hand." Tara half smiled and tapped Willow's left hand. The redhead beamed and turned it over, unfurling her fingers to reveal nothing. "Nope." The redhead said. She shook her still closed fist. "Guess again."

Tara rolled her eyes and tapped Willow's right hand. "Goof."

The redhead opened her hand to reveal a tiny penguin key chain. "Cause they're your favorites." Her tongue darted forward and she looked from the bobble to the blonde and back.

"You didn't have to," Tara said, genuinely happy with the gift.

"I know. I wanted to." Willow smiled. "Do you like it?"

"Very much," Tara replied, pulling her keys from her pocket. She slid the offered key chain onto her key ring. "How does it look?" She asked, holding the keys up for inspection, the little rubber penguin dangling and dancing in the air between them.

The redhead looked at the penguin and then to the blonde, a wide smile on her thin lips. "Perfect."

[BeMyDeputy]

Dibs? Dibs!
I don't think I've gotten one for this. Squee!

Of course, the problem is that I really like to read updates about three times, think about what you said to my previous feedback, and then go read the update again . . . and then think about it for a while before posting anything, you know, intelligent or useful. Now, I tend to do that for any story I care about, but for this one, it involves a tad more of a time investment, due to the awesome length of the updates. I wouldn't do it if I didn't think it was worth it; it's just kind of how I am.

Anyway, that was a big long paragraph just to say "I'll write more later, I promise."

But, in the meantime: Squee! Park!

Oh, but before I forget, the gun over the fireplace is a reference to Chekov's gun, a type of foreshadowing. It's named after Anton Chekov, who used it in, among other pieces, Uncle Vanya. One of his famous quotes about this philosophy is: "If you say in the first chapter that there is a rifle hanging on the wall, in the second or third chapter it absolutely must go off. If it's not going to be fired, it shouldn't be hanging there."

Okay, this got eaten the first time I wrote it, so hopefully I'll catch the major points.

I can totally see writing this is a distinct piece, unhindered by all the stress of the now, and totally think it works. I just got excited by other ways to present the story, and sort of went on about them.

As for the intrigued and frightened, it's neat to hear that other writers feel that way. I'm writing a canon story, and when faced with a critical scene from the series, I get both really excited and really nervous. So, yay not being alone.

Right, so, about the update. I thought this update was really charming. The contrast between particularly Willow's behavior then versus now is stark: she's so at ease, even though she's going through the early stages of interest (Tara's happiness fueling her happiness, for example). They both seem (unsurprisingly) much more at ease without the pressure cooker of "oh my god I'm in love and if I misstep I'm going to royally fuck this up."

I recently got the Buffy DVDs for an early birthday gift, and have been watching the whole series again. I just got done with season three, so it was neat to read that Sunnydale was, in fact, still Sunnydale, just without the Hellmouth: Percy, "be a boa," Angel killing Willow's fish, etc.. I'm also guessing that Tara's baseball shirt is the one from "The I in Team" (the episode where the nature of their relationship changes, so nice choice there). Though, I always thought those were phoenixes, not dragons, so I didn't catch that right away.

I thought it was interesting that Tara was the only one to ask if Willow actually liked tutoring Percy; your modern Xander seems pretty in tune with, and invested in, how Willow's feeling. Of course, it's totally plausible that that developed since Willow came out to him, as that's the sort of thing that can bring people closer, particularly since Willow's only out to him.

The Academy of Sciences sounds really cool. I've never been, though I've been to the Exploratorium. That would have been a longer walk, but I bet Willow would love it, too. Actually, I bet everyone will love the Exploatorium, based on its total awesomeness.

The large cats in the museum were a good way to work in that Tara wants a cat, one of the things we already knew comes up this day.

Willow saying she's "probably" going to school in the fall doesn't make a lot of sense to me; when I applied to grad school, I had to give my acceptance by mid-March at every school.

A few things I particularly liked:
-Tara's wallet. I've had at least one duct tape wallet myself.

"Nothing wrong with play biting." The girls blushed. "That came out wrong."

-Penguins, 'cause they're awesome
-The Foucault Pendulum, because they're also awesome.

Willow smiled brightly and held out her hands, which were closed into fists. "Guess which hand." Tara half smiled and tapped Willow's left hand. The redhead beamed and turned it over, unfurling her fingers to reveal nothing. "Nope." The redhead said. She shook her still closed fist. "Guess again."

Tara rolled her eyes and tapped Willow's right hand. "Goof."

[smileintheether]

Yay!!

[singgirl]

i haven't been leaving feedback, but i've been keeping up with the updates. i love using the plural there. as always, i'm anxious for more! thank you

[Savannah]

Even though I've been hanging out to read about the 'day in the park' I'm finding it frustrating that, even though the day is perfect, it doesn't immediately lead to a relationship but instead lots of misunderstandings, longing and confusion.

Having said that - the day is perfect in its simplicity. If all felt so real and natural (that is, natural in its sometimes awkwardness)

desperately awaiting some resolution for those girls!

Thanks again for the update - it is very much appreciated! :-)

back to reread

[LittleBit]

sometimes life sucks and it drags me away from all my favourite things!

I very much enjoyed this update too. I like the innocence of Willow and this update really shows just how innocent the character of Willow was (I mean there is still an innocence to the character, but this sort of youthful innocence is slightly jaded now ... as it should be with time etc).

And who cannot find the story of two people falling in love intriguing??

Keep up the fantastic writing and if you promise to continue to write as often as you have been, I will continue to check on a more regular basis!

[Mrs. Pineapple]

Wow... *sigh* Now I'm having the giddy feelings

Seriously, loved this update. It's was really great to see recognizable things you mentioned in the story before (only, you did it the other way round. Chronologically, anyway).

Things I really noticed:

"It's a gift," she said modestly with a shrug of the shoulders.

Made me think of the pancake-making, when Willow talks about 'the gift of pancakes'

it was always a trip to the mill, or g-grocery store,"

yeah, I remember that too luckily, Belgium is pretty small, so when there's something interesting to see it's usually just a two-hour drive. So, no grocery store-trips for me *mock-pouts*

"I have the opposite of a green thumb."

Ugh, don't remind me. I had a herb-fase once, but of course all the plants died within 3 weeks. I'm sure I could let a cactus die.

"The infamous, 'be a boa' commencement."

Wow, I can only imagine what that speech was about. Sounds ludicrous, but then again, people who try to be educational always seem to come up with the weirdest metaphors...

"Thomas is a serious 'artiste.'

Huh. I remember having a conversation with my sister about this. About artist who take themselves too serious, like 'I'm making Art with a capital A'. I really hate that. It's too bad that good potentials always get spoiled by that kind of attitudes. *sigh*

The redhead looked at the penguin and then to the blonde, a wide smile on her thin lips. "Perfect."

This make me think about their christmas-light hanging. I believe Willow said something similar back then. It sounded really familiar anyway *scratches chin*

I really loved how you gave us the grand tour of the park and the museum. I'd say now I don't have to visit anymore, but I now I really just want to come and see SF even more. I liked all the references to canon. It was fun to read how you made the supernatural elements into something 'real'. Very creative.

Wow. This was a really long feedback, and very random . But, you know it: keep it up! I really, really loved reading this.

Helena

P.S. making a wallet out of duck tape? Do you have instructions? It sounds wicked
P.P.S: Re: Elbow. Yeah, they're actually becoming quite famous in Europe too know. I hear them on the radio now and then. Talking about music, I don't think I thanked you yet for introducing me to all this great artists. Thanks to you, I now have pretty much everything by Sufjan Stevens, and I'm really looking into Kings of Convenience too. Great stuff.