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The Summer After. Part 6
Well, here's the last part - finally! This took a while, but thanks to my lovely beta ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
kathyh it turned out ok! Thanks again! If anyone needs to catch up, previous chapters can he found here.
Edited slightly April 2007.
The Summer After
Part 6
Giles sat forward nervously, but Angel ignored him completely and addressed Illyria. “What do you know of Watchers and their function?”
“They train the Slayers. They study demons and magic.”
“That’s correct. But they have another purpose as well. It is their duty to chronicle all that happens to the Slayer in their charge, as well as other important stuff - apocalypses or extraordinary incidents and people. They probably have several books about myself and Spike, as we are the only souled vampires in existence.”
Illyria quizzically turned her head to look at Giles, who uttered a garbled confirmation. As a matter of fact Andrew was currently editing the latest one, having begged for two months before Giles finally gave in.
When she turned back to Angel, the vampire continued. “This here is Rupert Giles, the Head Watcher. We wish for him to write down the life story of the man you... cared about. We will make sure that he will impart the... singularity of this man to all Slayers and Watchers, so as long as The Council exists, no Watcher will be honoured above your Wesley.”
Giles inhaled sharply at this announcement, but the blue entity across from him appeared to almost smile.
“Your ‘surprise’ pleases me. This will be a fitting tribute for Wesley. I... thank you!” And she inclined her head briefly toward Angel.
Giles watched as Angel cast Spike a happy look and they smiled at each other. After the initial surprise, he felt equal measures of relief and disbelief. This was their great scheme? Write an account of Wesley’s life? He had understood that his former colleague was dead after Spike’s earlier statement, but...
“You want me to do what?” he asked, his incredulity obviously showing in his voice, because all three demons turned to look at him.
“Seems pretty straightforward to me!” Spike remarked.
“Em, well, yes - but...” Giles faltered with three pairs of scornful eyes on him.
“You’ll have to cancel all your appointments and other plans of course, but otherwise I can’t see it bein’ too hard,” the blond continued.
“But... Wesley?” Giles felt unable to come to terms with what they were asking - the young man he remembered did not seem more than a footnote in Slayer-history. What could he possibly have done to warrant such devotion?
Angel obviously guessed what he was thinking. “Do you remember when Willow was captured by the Mayor? Wesley was against the trading her for the box we stole - he saw that it was crazy to value her life above thousands. And you knew that he was right - that you should look at the bigger picture. That was Wesley’s gift - he, more than anyone I’ve known, always saw the bigger picture! And what’s more, he acted on it - no matter the pain it would cause himself or others. That is the man we want the world to know.”
Giles fell silent. He did recall what had happened then - and two years later. His arguments with Buffy over Dawn’s life. What he had been prepared to do and what he had been forced to do. Spike knew all of this and still somehow thought that Wesley had been the truer Watcher...
He was shaken out of his thoughts when Illyria spoke again. “Will you tell him about Connor?”
A slow nod. “Yes.”
It was now Spike’s turn to look incredulous. “You can’t do that! Seriously - the poor kid will drown in Watchers wanting to study ‘the miracle-kid’. If they believe you, that is. It was a bit of a curve ball for me, and considering my life so far, that’s saying something! I’m glad you told me, don’t get me wrong, but if I hadn’t seen him myself...”
Angel folded his hands on the table in front of him, his face determined. “Giles will be the only one to know... that particular part can be put with all the other top-secret stuff I’m sure they’ve got stashed away somewhere. I just...” He looked up, a strangely helpless look on his face. “I just want there to be some sort of record. God knows how long we’ll last...”
His voice drifted off and he briefly closed his eyes. Then, pulling himself out of the deep seated tiredness that had momentarily overwhelmed him, he finished - voice calm, but determined. “I want someone to know - just in case.”
Spike slowly nodded and ran a hand through his hair, trying to hide emotions Giles couldn’t guess at. “Can’t blame you there. If it was me...” his voice trailed off and for a moment he looked into the distance, eyes lost.
Giles began to suspect that he was dreaming. It seemed like every time he found out one thing, another mystery popped up. He sighed, and decided that he might as well ask. “So who’s Connor?”
The answer almost made him pinch his arm.
“My son.”
Giles nearly laughed, but seeing the proud, stubborn look in Angel’s eyes made the laughter die in his throat.
After a few seconds he turned to Spike. “I think I need another whisky!”
Spike, shaken out of whatever thoughts he’d been entertaining, nodded and waved to the barmaid, and soon a drink appeared on the table.
As Giles nursed his scotch, he half-listened to Spike and Angel’s quiet discussion of where to go next. It would seem they had no place to stay, having only arrived in London that evening.
The events of the last few hours were continually playing themselves out in his mind - later revelations casting light on earlier puzzles. And he realised that he would indeed do what they had asked him to. He was already planning out details and wondering what Wesley’s father would have to say. Also he was becoming curious - what had Wesley done to earn the admiration of the cold, unemotional demon-god across the table. How - and when - had Angel fathered a son? And what had they done at Wolfram & Hart that had cost so many lives?
He thought for a moment, and then made up his mind. “For the purposes of recording this... life story, it would probably be best if you stayed at the Council Headquarters.”
Two heads turned to him, their faces questioning.
“At The Council?” Spike asked, laughter and disbelief mingling in his voice. “You sure about that Rupert?”
Giles tried to ignore the way the vampire still managed to annoy him, even when he wasn’t trying, and answered as calmly as he could. “We have extensive guest accommodation - I think you will find it quite sufficient.”
But for reasons he couldn’t understand, they didn’t appear very keen. Spike shot Angel a look, and the older vampire, after a moment’s hesitation, asked, “You mean we can just walk in?”
Suddenly illuminated, Giles answered. “Well, Willow set up a mystical barrier, but a small incantation should be all that’s needed to let you pass through.”
Angel looked incredulous. “You mean it’s that easy? No shamans? No supernatural alarms? No mind readers? Not even an empath demon or a Seer? Please tell me that at least you have security cameras.”
Noticing the look on Giles’ face, Spike chuckled. “You were at Wolfram & Hart too long, mate! Not everyone is as paranoid as evil lawyers.”
Angel shook his head. “I spent four years breaking in and trying not to get captured before I took over the place. They were thorough and rightly so! You,” he jabbed a finger in Giles’ direction, “are the Head of The Council of Watchers, with countless Slayers at your disposal. Don’t you think there are a good few demons out there who’d like to see you and your organisation gone?”
Giles was speechless - being lectured on security by Angel was something he’d never envisaged.
“Not to mention the fact that the three of us are amongst the most wanted fugitives of the demon world. The Council would be under siege within days.”
Shaking his head, Angel continued. “We have contacts in town. We’ll find somewhere to stay, and tomorrow I’ll call in a few favours and get your place made thoroughly secure! We’ll see you then. Spike, Illyria?”
And in one swift motion the three of them were gone, leaving Giles alone at the table. It happened so quickly that it was almost as though they’d ‘gone poof’ as Willow would have said. Demons indeed. He had forgotten that and tonight had been a timely reminder. The two vampires were not ‘tame’ as he had sometimes thought to himself with a chuckle - a little humble, a little outside the Scoobies tight circle. There had always been a feeling that they didn’t really fit, and therefore were more expendable - and more willing.
But tonight... tonight they had talked down to him, the way elders have always addressed their juniors. Spike’s ‘Rupert’ had not held any of the cheekiness that it had previously, when the vampire had behaved like a rebellious youth. Now it was merely a way of addressing him - with a bit of contempt added for good measure.
Giles finished the drink, but didn’t get up although he could see that the place was closing. The vampires were extracting their darts from the board - the game seemed to have involved seeing how many darts would fit in the bullseye - and the barmaid was wiping down the tables. She left his until last, and when she took his glass ventured a question. “’Scuse me, but what with Spike now bein’ a Champion - does this mean that he’s saved the world and stuff like that?”
Giles nodded hesitantly. “Em, yes... several times actually. Angel too, I should add!”
This caused obvious delight. “Ooooh, fancy that! Do you think I should get a little sign up or something - y’know like the blue plaques they have on houses where famous people were born?”
Giles felt unable to come up with a reply, but she had already left, busy planning a way of making her pub famous.
They had saved - or at least helped save - the world... he didn’t even know how many times. They had lost their lives, their friends, their home and now there was a price on their heads - but... they were still fighting. They had come all the way back to England to honour a dead friend and a demon god travelled with them because she saw them as something resembling equals.
And with a shock he suddenly realised that Buffy had been right that night. That she had seen a different person to everyone else, when she looked at Spike - someone Giles had only found out existed tonight. As for Angel... He had been very surprised to learn that Angel had taken over Wolfram & Hart, but now he could see the ruthlessness that had probably always been there, but that only Angelus had drawn on in the past. Although it also proved what he had always suspected - that Angel was not so different from Angelus as Buffy wanted to think. He knew next to nothing about what had happened to Angel since he'd left Sunnydale, and Spike's decision to stay with Angel was even more puzzling. What was their purpose? What kept them fighting? So many questions, and hopefully he'd get some answers soon. They were players - but what was the game?
Champions indeed, he thought, as he made his way out of the pub and saw that morning was near. He remembered standing by a crater one bright day, and wondering out loud, “I don't understand. Who did this?” And Buffy had answered, a note of quiet fondness and pride in her voice: “Spike.”
I should have known then, he mused. Hopefully I’ll not be so dim in the future!
The End
ETA: There is now a Prequel as well!
kathyh it turned out ok! Thanks again! If anyone needs to catch up, previous chapters can he found here.Edited slightly April 2007.
The Summer After
Part 6
Giles sat forward nervously, but Angel ignored him completely and addressed Illyria. “What do you know of Watchers and their function?”
“They train the Slayers. They study demons and magic.”
“That’s correct. But they have another purpose as well. It is their duty to chronicle all that happens to the Slayer in their charge, as well as other important stuff - apocalypses or extraordinary incidents and people. They probably have several books about myself and Spike, as we are the only souled vampires in existence.”
Illyria quizzically turned her head to look at Giles, who uttered a garbled confirmation. As a matter of fact Andrew was currently editing the latest one, having begged for two months before Giles finally gave in.
When she turned back to Angel, the vampire continued. “This here is Rupert Giles, the Head Watcher. We wish for him to write down the life story of the man you... cared about. We will make sure that he will impart the... singularity of this man to all Slayers and Watchers, so as long as The Council exists, no Watcher will be honoured above your Wesley.”
Giles inhaled sharply at this announcement, but the blue entity across from him appeared to almost smile.
“Your ‘surprise’ pleases me. This will be a fitting tribute for Wesley. I... thank you!” And she inclined her head briefly toward Angel.
Giles watched as Angel cast Spike a happy look and they smiled at each other. After the initial surprise, he felt equal measures of relief and disbelief. This was their great scheme? Write an account of Wesley’s life? He had understood that his former colleague was dead after Spike’s earlier statement, but...
“You want me to do what?” he asked, his incredulity obviously showing in his voice, because all three demons turned to look at him.
“Seems pretty straightforward to me!” Spike remarked.
“Em, well, yes - but...” Giles faltered with three pairs of scornful eyes on him.
“You’ll have to cancel all your appointments and other plans of course, but otherwise I can’t see it bein’ too hard,” the blond continued.
“But... Wesley?” Giles felt unable to come to terms with what they were asking - the young man he remembered did not seem more than a footnote in Slayer-history. What could he possibly have done to warrant such devotion?
Angel obviously guessed what he was thinking. “Do you remember when Willow was captured by the Mayor? Wesley was against the trading her for the box we stole - he saw that it was crazy to value her life above thousands. And you knew that he was right - that you should look at the bigger picture. That was Wesley’s gift - he, more than anyone I’ve known, always saw the bigger picture! And what’s more, he acted on it - no matter the pain it would cause himself or others. That is the man we want the world to know.”
Giles fell silent. He did recall what had happened then - and two years later. His arguments with Buffy over Dawn’s life. What he had been prepared to do and what he had been forced to do. Spike knew all of this and still somehow thought that Wesley had been the truer Watcher...
He was shaken out of his thoughts when Illyria spoke again. “Will you tell him about Connor?”
A slow nod. “Yes.”
It was now Spike’s turn to look incredulous. “You can’t do that! Seriously - the poor kid will drown in Watchers wanting to study ‘the miracle-kid’. If they believe you, that is. It was a bit of a curve ball for me, and considering my life so far, that’s saying something! I’m glad you told me, don’t get me wrong, but if I hadn’t seen him myself...”
Angel folded his hands on the table in front of him, his face determined. “Giles will be the only one to know... that particular part can be put with all the other top-secret stuff I’m sure they’ve got stashed away somewhere. I just...” He looked up, a strangely helpless look on his face. “I just want there to be some sort of record. God knows how long we’ll last...”
His voice drifted off and he briefly closed his eyes. Then, pulling himself out of the deep seated tiredness that had momentarily overwhelmed him, he finished - voice calm, but determined. “I want someone to know - just in case.”
Spike slowly nodded and ran a hand through his hair, trying to hide emotions Giles couldn’t guess at. “Can’t blame you there. If it was me...” his voice trailed off and for a moment he looked into the distance, eyes lost.
Giles began to suspect that he was dreaming. It seemed like every time he found out one thing, another mystery popped up. He sighed, and decided that he might as well ask. “So who’s Connor?”
The answer almost made him pinch his arm.
“My son.”
Giles nearly laughed, but seeing the proud, stubborn look in Angel’s eyes made the laughter die in his throat.
After a few seconds he turned to Spike. “I think I need another whisky!”
Spike, shaken out of whatever thoughts he’d been entertaining, nodded and waved to the barmaid, and soon a drink appeared on the table.
As Giles nursed his scotch, he half-listened to Spike and Angel’s quiet discussion of where to go next. It would seem they had no place to stay, having only arrived in London that evening.
The events of the last few hours were continually playing themselves out in his mind - later revelations casting light on earlier puzzles. And he realised that he would indeed do what they had asked him to. He was already planning out details and wondering what Wesley’s father would have to say. Also he was becoming curious - what had Wesley done to earn the admiration of the cold, unemotional demon-god across the table. How - and when - had Angel fathered a son? And what had they done at Wolfram & Hart that had cost so many lives?
He thought for a moment, and then made up his mind. “For the purposes of recording this... life story, it would probably be best if you stayed at the Council Headquarters.”
Two heads turned to him, their faces questioning.
“At The Council?” Spike asked, laughter and disbelief mingling in his voice. “You sure about that Rupert?”
Giles tried to ignore the way the vampire still managed to annoy him, even when he wasn’t trying, and answered as calmly as he could. “We have extensive guest accommodation - I think you will find it quite sufficient.”
But for reasons he couldn’t understand, they didn’t appear very keen. Spike shot Angel a look, and the older vampire, after a moment’s hesitation, asked, “You mean we can just walk in?”
Suddenly illuminated, Giles answered. “Well, Willow set up a mystical barrier, but a small incantation should be all that’s needed to let you pass through.”
Angel looked incredulous. “You mean it’s that easy? No shamans? No supernatural alarms? No mind readers? Not even an empath demon or a Seer? Please tell me that at least you have security cameras.”
Noticing the look on Giles’ face, Spike chuckled. “You were at Wolfram & Hart too long, mate! Not everyone is as paranoid as evil lawyers.”
Angel shook his head. “I spent four years breaking in and trying not to get captured before I took over the place. They were thorough and rightly so! You,” he jabbed a finger in Giles’ direction, “are the Head of The Council of Watchers, with countless Slayers at your disposal. Don’t you think there are a good few demons out there who’d like to see you and your organisation gone?”
Giles was speechless - being lectured on security by Angel was something he’d never envisaged.
“Not to mention the fact that the three of us are amongst the most wanted fugitives of the demon world. The Council would be under siege within days.”
Shaking his head, Angel continued. “We have contacts in town. We’ll find somewhere to stay, and tomorrow I’ll call in a few favours and get your place made thoroughly secure! We’ll see you then. Spike, Illyria?”
And in one swift motion the three of them were gone, leaving Giles alone at the table. It happened so quickly that it was almost as though they’d ‘gone poof’ as Willow would have said. Demons indeed. He had forgotten that and tonight had been a timely reminder. The two vampires were not ‘tame’ as he had sometimes thought to himself with a chuckle - a little humble, a little outside the Scoobies tight circle. There had always been a feeling that they didn’t really fit, and therefore were more expendable - and more willing.
But tonight... tonight they had talked down to him, the way elders have always addressed their juniors. Spike’s ‘Rupert’ had not held any of the cheekiness that it had previously, when the vampire had behaved like a rebellious youth. Now it was merely a way of addressing him - with a bit of contempt added for good measure.
Giles finished the drink, but didn’t get up although he could see that the place was closing. The vampires were extracting their darts from the board - the game seemed to have involved seeing how many darts would fit in the bullseye - and the barmaid was wiping down the tables. She left his until last, and when she took his glass ventured a question. “’Scuse me, but what with Spike now bein’ a Champion - does this mean that he’s saved the world and stuff like that?”
Giles nodded hesitantly. “Em, yes... several times actually. Angel too, I should add!”
This caused obvious delight. “Ooooh, fancy that! Do you think I should get a little sign up or something - y’know like the blue plaques they have on houses where famous people were born?”
Giles felt unable to come up with a reply, but she had already left, busy planning a way of making her pub famous.
They had saved - or at least helped save - the world... he didn’t even know how many times. They had lost their lives, their friends, their home and now there was a price on their heads - but... they were still fighting. They had come all the way back to England to honour a dead friend and a demon god travelled with them because she saw them as something resembling equals.
And with a shock he suddenly realised that Buffy had been right that night. That she had seen a different person to everyone else, when she looked at Spike - someone Giles had only found out existed tonight. As for Angel... He had been very surprised to learn that Angel had taken over Wolfram & Hart, but now he could see the ruthlessness that had probably always been there, but that only Angelus had drawn on in the past. Although it also proved what he had always suspected - that Angel was not so different from Angelus as Buffy wanted to think. He knew next to nothing about what had happened to Angel since he'd left Sunnydale, and Spike's decision to stay with Angel was even more puzzling. What was their purpose? What kept them fighting? So many questions, and hopefully he'd get some answers soon. They were players - but what was the game?
Champions indeed, he thought, as he made his way out of the pub and saw that morning was near. He remembered standing by a crater one bright day, and wondering out loud, “I don't understand. Who did this?” And Buffy had answered, a note of quiet fondness and pride in her voice: “Spike.”
I should have known then, he mused. Hopefully I’ll not be so dim in the future!
ETA: There is now a Prequel as well!
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“Oh, fancy that! Do you think I should get a little sign up or something - y’know like the blue plaques they have on houses where famous people were born?”
That was cute! :)
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Oh, I'm so glad you liked it! I think Wesley deserves it! And Giles is sometimes rather slow on the uptake - he needed someone to spell it out!
I rather like my barmaid - I think her name is Stacey! ;-)
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*Thank you*
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Weirdly enough, I can still see Giles trying not to mention all this to Buffy, somehow.
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Well the old Council was blown up - but I'm certain that it's something Giles wouldn't have thought too much about though!
I can still see Giles trying not to mention all this to Buffy, somehow.
Oh, he doesn't! (There will be a few more stories at some point - after Christmas!!!!).
The Summer After
I hope there is a sequel as I would love to see these forces join together and take the heat off of our favorite heroes and champions! I'd also love for Buffy to get out of her oven, drop the poser Immortal and get in the mix.
Well done, indeed, and as always!
Regards,
Kathleen
Re: The Summer After
And yes, when will Buffy be baked? (I love this icon!)
I saw that you posted (some of?) your fics, and I'll have a read when I have some time - which will be post-Christmas I guess...
Anyway, so glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the compliments!
Re: The Summer After
I will be honored for you to read my efforts whenyou do have the time. I am not sure if I posted them in a confusing way (I just started actually using my LJ!) but thre they are, except for the ones still WIP.
Have a lovely holiday and thanks for sharing your mental "episodes" of our program that will never die.
Kathleen
Re: The Summer After
Really? ::blushes::
To do a bit of pimping, I have a longer story called 'Play It Again, Sam' (you can find it in my memories) - which is Sam and Riley turning up in LA late AtS s5... I really must get round to finish posting that - it's finished, but the last bits just need editing!
Anyway, I'd love to read your stories. I used to read all the time too - but having children somehow curbed that a bit, and then I discovered that writing fic meant that I had very little time to actually read fic... so I plan on a fic-feast once the holidays come round! :)
Oh, and it would probably help if you put all the chapters behind lj-cuts. It's very simple, and the FAQ is very thorough (I got out pen and paper and wrote down all the key things, so I didn't have to keep checking! ;) ).
Anyway, I should go and tidy the house (somehow the decorations have made it very untidy, I'm not sure why), but with your lovely comments still in my head, I'll be v. cheerful! ::Hugs::
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Loved the blue plaque idea too.
:Smooches:
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I think that in s7 Giles put on his 'I'm-a-Watcher' glasses, and although it in some ways made it easier to deal with things, he also lost some of his insights and it affected his judgment. F.ex the plot to kill Spike was very much in character - but he should have known better! So hopefully now he'll think twice!
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Thank you! ::smooches::
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This was a wonderful story - thanks for posting. I think we really saw a nice development of character for all of them.
As a matter of fact Andrew was currently editing the latest one, having begged for two months before Giles finally gave in.
::giggle:: ::giggle:: Would love to see this!!!! Any chance it could be written? Maybe a nice challenge to some Andrewphile out there :)
Have you ever read "Pretty Maids All in Row"? Spike managed to break into the CoW pretty successfully then.
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And Andrew is only editing the book... not actually writing it (I know that was a bit unclear). I have no plans for a story containing that however! But - someone has written Lydia's Thesis on William the Bloody - I can give you a link if you're interested? It's perfect for insomnia - very stuffy and Watchery! ;-)
I haven't read 'Pretty Maids All In A Row' but I very nearly bought it a couple of years ago - is it any good?
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Lydia's Thesis on William the Bloody
Yes, I've read that - or at least I know I started it ::sheepish grin::
is it any good?
It's quite a lot better than some I've read. But it doesn't follow canon at all as a Slayer gets killed. Must admit, I always found fanfiction so much better than any of the 'official' stuff written.
::bangs head on table:: LJ is so incredibly slow. Is it this silly computer? Aaaaargh!
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I know I started it
He he he! Me too! ;-)
I always found fanfiction so much better than any of the 'official' stuff written.
I said exactly the same to
My LJ isn't slow, but
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As in your other story "Play it again Sam" I liked seeing my heroes through the eyes of an outside observer. It's a neat trick, and you pull it off well. This Giles is certainly not someone predisposed to think well of Angel or Spike, after all (nor was Riley in the other story) so he's able to view them much more dispassionately than say Vi, who was probably blown over by gorgeous men flirting with her. Though possibly I'm projecting here!
BTW, I'm curious if the "not tame vampires" was a CS Lewis reference? It made me think of Aslan, and it certainly makes me re-evaluate the whole series. Just curious!
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Spike and Angel's 'friendship' was my favourite part of S5 as well (see quote on the side of LJ!) And you'll see some of the arguing in 'Maybe Someday'... but I just love it when they do that thing of presenting a united front. *fangirly sigh*
I liked seeing my heroes through the eyes of an outside observer
I'm so glad it works... in this story it was sort of un-intentional... the beginning just popped up in my head and I really had no idea where it was going. And I like to think that the change in character should be obvious even to someone not fond of them.
And you got the reference! Squee! Not sure it reflects back on the whole thing in any way, I just thought it a neat phrase. (And I adore the Narnia books!)
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I'm trying to be good about leaving feedback when I like things!
Me too. I'm just ridiculously pleased that you like my stuff!
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Mine too; I saved up my allowance and bought a set of the Narnia books when I was about 9. Completely wore out my favorites-- the Dawn Treader and the Horse and his boy. So naturally I replaced them with hardcover a couple of years ago. I got the whole set for my nephews for christmas; my sister thinks they're still too young though. The twins will be 8 next month; I'm pretty sure that's when I read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. What do you think?
And I don't know why you can't have Lewis references in a Buffy story. If nothing else I'd suspect several of the characters would have read at least the Narnia stories growing up. OK, probably not Buffy! But Willow certainly, Giles and Wes I'd think.
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We bought a set (very cheaply!) a few years ago for the girls, and my oldest (who's 6) wants to read 'The Lion..' now, so I think I'll have a go. I think I was about that age when I first had it read to me.
And if I ever come across an opportune moment for a reference, I'll definitely put it in... it's just not really happened yet.
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how precariously the relationships between these characters are balanced, and yet how strong and how deep they run
That's beautiful and so true. And there'll be more of that in 'Maybe Someday' actually... I just love the Spike-Angel dynamic + the wild card that is Illyria.
Thank *you* for such wonderful feedback!
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I also very much liked, But tonight... tonight they had talked down to him, the way elders have always addressed their juniors.,/i> I like your insights into the various interactions.
Also very much like your premise as to why the vamps had sought out Giles, very fitting.
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I like your insights into the various interactions.
Oh I'm so glad - I think my fic is very much characterstudy, so that's pretty much the best praise you can give! :)
very much like your premise as to why the vamps had sought out Giles
Considering that I had no idea where I was going with it when I started, I'm glad it all worked out well.
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And thank you SO much for your feedback - it means an awful lot and I'm feeling all overwhelmed!
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And - barmaid's desire to put a plaque informing about Angel and Spike's visit was absolutely priceless!
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Squee! Thank you. :)
So, it was about Giles' epiphany!
Well that and insuring that Wesley's story gets known. But yes - I felt very good to straighten things out a little... *g*
And - barmaid's desire to put a plaque informing about Angel and Spike's visit was absolutely priceless!
Her name was Tracy I think - it's never mentioned, but I remember naming her. :)
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Off to the prequel and the rest!
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I'm delighted to have read this sharply written, entertaining story.
*blushes*
Spike and Angel coming to Giles to honor Wesley was lovely, and eye opening.
Thank you. I like to think that this is something that would have happened - Angel certainly would have wanted to do mark Wesley's life somehow.
You beautifully conveyed the myriad emotions coursing through Giles and how the truth of the vampires is finally too apparent to ignore.
I really enjoyed writing it all from Giles' POV, because I didn't want him to come across as too unsympathetic - having a look into his thoughts helps explain where he's coming from. I'm so glad I made it work!
They really are champions, and Buffy was right to trust Spike. Here's hoping Giles has learned his lesson.
He's a pretty smart guy, is Giles, even though he's sometimes a little think-headed...
Off to the prequel and the rest!
I was on my way to bed when I saw this, so I won't reply to the other comments until tomorrow. But you've made me squee entirely too much! Thank you again!