Emms – Congrats on getting the dibs. Sorry to have surprised about their not spending the holiday together but I think it was what had to happen. Tee hee: Faith. Good hoping about the phone call.
Thanks.
mole – Thanks. Yes, all better but thanks for the thoughts. Wow, that angsty? I wasn’t even trying to be that angsty—just kind of necessary.
So, Willow didn't pull her head out and catch up with Tara and Tara didn't wait around to hear Willow's explanation.
A pretty good summary I’d say.
I think it’s absolutely appropriate that Ira & Sheila would visit Tara while in London—they’re practically her parents or at least practically her ex-in-laws. As I’ve said before, I don’t have any experience with long distance relationships but I’m glad that it rings true for those who do.
A very telling point. Willow has managed to stay very close with Faith, there seems to be no discomfort between them despite the fact that they only see each other on Willow's breaks from school. Now, how is it the Willow can keep this relationship stable but can't do it with the woman she loves?
I agree that it’s telling but I also think that there’s a big difference in maintaining a long distance friendship and maintaining a long distance relationship. I have a best friend who I speak to on the phone every month or two. I feel close to her even though I know very little of her every day events because we only need to catch up on the major stuff.
Good luck on the next update…
Thanks.
SallyMcFine – Hey, you’re Big Knowledge Woman now!
What is it with these stories that have these rifts and transatlantic separations?
Believe me that the similarity of being transatlantic wasn’t intentiona.
I don't know if this was intentional or not but I like how Tara is in London - didn't Willow spend the interlude between S6 and S7 in London? It's a nice little nod to canon if that's how you intended it.
I’d love to take credit for that nod to the show but I really can’t. Actually that’s the first time someone has seen a nod to cannon that it wasn’t there; usually it’s the reverse.
They are both totally at fault (if that is possible). As I said earlier, I really struggled with making the fight both people’s faults. I’m glad that it’s making more sense now. I agree that it’s essential that Willow see her own part in the break-up if they are ever going to get back together.
Poor Faith, to be caught in the middle. It's a hard thing to do at all, and a very hard thing to do well.
I agree that it’s hard but I think she’s handling it very well. Honestly, I see her as a person who avoids most emotional angst, possibly thinking “life is too short.”
watty – Ok, first I have to tell you that my wife is totally disturbed that your nickname is now Watty rather than Watson. She thought that Watson was cool and that Watty is not. When I mention you she asks me to say Watson rather than Watty. Ok, end of thought. (Personally, I figure you should get to choose what to be called).
The "she" isn't named.
I also tend to speak in codes to people I think / hope will understand my garbled talk. In other words, I'm not focused enough to communicate properly.
I also think it’s just a human defense mechanism to not want to say the truth when the truth is hard or makes us look bad or it’s all painful. We count on our friends to understand what we’re saying without our having to say it.
I honestly don't think the Frank thing was of any import. Why doesn't Tara tell Willow? Perhaps she promised Frank something. Perhaps she doesn't think it's a big deal and she doesn't understand why Willow is making it an issue.
Don’t you think there are times that we don’t think something is important and finally just won’t give in for stubbornness?
Neither has moved on a single bit, have they?
Quite a bit on that in the next update.
Thanks for the thoughts re: time and taking it.
Oh, what I also liked about this chapter is how you interspaced them in a night of patrolling. I don't think it happens to you but too often I fall into the trap of writing about 2 talking heads without having them do anything except talk ... people don't just stand face to face and talk a conversation against a white background, it isn't realistic. The slaying hasn't intruded at all, just given the whole chapter a real feel so that we readers can picture it better.
Thank you so much. I very much struggled with that because as you say, it’s not like Willow and Faith (especially Faith) would ever just sit and talk. I have to say that I learned a lot about trying to do this from reading the update before last (or possibly 3 ago) of Neverland. Heather did a completely masterful job of interspersing W/T’s movement (physically) with their movement emotionally and verbally throughout that scene.
Thanks.
DelWhicker – I see what you’re saying about the rift causing problems for Faith but Tara would be in London whether she and Willow were together or broken up. Lol, Willow being a poop-head.
I figure it all comes down to how vulnerable you want to appear to the person who can hurt you the most.
Very insightful.
I think Faith and W/T are all doing a great job at keeping their friendship with her separate from their breakup.
I'm just hoping the next update doesn't begin with "...About Year Later" 'cause a girl can only take so much of this!!
Well, sorry to say they will all begin with that or some variation on that.
Show that MS Word who's the boss!!
Arggghhh!!!!
Thanks.
Dianneswillowtree – Thanks so much. I’m sorry it’s painful but at least there’s the KB promise to look forward to.
caz – Hi back and thanks. I’m feeling completely recovered as is the rest of the family.
…I admire her for admitting that it's her fault. Is this why she hasn't got in touch with Tara?
I don’t think that’s entirely it. I think that she’s hurt about the way it all went down and that it got to a point of “too much time has gone by…” And I think that part of her wonders if it would be possible for them to work it out.
I agree with your assessment of Faith’s role. She’s doing a really great. Thanks so much.
Candleshoe – Sorry for the sad. Thanks for posting.
skeeter451 – Ahhh. Hope is such a good thing.
Justin –
Tara not only left the party but also left the college
Just to clarify she left Willow’s college yes, but she hasn’t dropped out or anything. She is doing a foreign exchange program to complete her degree in England and possibly begin her graduate studies. I don’t even know that she’s actually avoiding Willow so much as it just being a matter of both girls being stubborn and expecting the other to make the first move and neither did until it was too late to salvage any kind of “first move.”
I totally agree about the Frank situation being blown out of proportion by curiosity and pride. You’re right that someone’s got to make a move. Who will it be? When? Where?
Thanks so much, Justin.
Darth Pacula – Hey there.
1 - No Tara! cry
2 - It seemed shorter than usual?
3 - Umm .... I couldn't think of a third, but a list isn't a list if it only has two options!
4 - I just noticed another one! You misspelled update?
Lol. Great list.
Stubborn is a perfect word for both W & T.
because if they don't, time is going to widen this chasm between them even more, until it's too late.
On one hand, I agree with you but on the other, maybe they need the opportunity to have some time apart: experience the world, meet other people, know themselves as adults
I think that Faith is doing an excellent job of supporting her friends without taking sides.
I liked the stun gun touch. As I've mentioned previously (on School Days?) I've always thought they placed too much reliance on medieval technology. Heck, a stun gun won't even cause any trouble if the cops catch them with it, unlike say ... oh, a flamethrower or even a battle-axe.
Personally, I could never understand why after Dopplegangland, they didn’t all carry tranquilizer guns. I mean it worked instantly and they could stake the vamps at any point after that.
Thanks so much for all your thoughts and comments.
kayaushk – Lol. I think that both girls are to blame in this situation. And that many people wouldn’t even think of assigning blame; they’d just be “well, it wasn’t meant to be…” but because we’re kittens and it’s W/T we know they belong together so we need to blame someone that they’re not. The thing is that in life most breakups aren’t because we’re attacked by demons or cast a memory spell on someone. They’re because we move apart or do something stupid or just get on someone’s nerves.
That being said, Willow's little control freak heart still asserts itself:
I wondered when someone would point that out. I agree that she’s being control freak but I also think that she’s still thinking as if they’re a committed couple so she expected Tara to talk to her about it rather than applying without a word.
I totally agree about the need to grow up and take some time and distance.
I look forward to Tara's rebuttal
Nice call.
Thanks.
Grayson – I agree that both girls’s behaviors are very frustrating. Certainly I would have expected Tara to try harder but maybe she felt she had already tried enough. Good questions about next year. We’ll see…
Remembering those bad old days when they were broken up while planning their wedding and the birth of their child? OK, maybe that one's a little unlikely
Lol.
Thanks.
Anonymous – Thanks so much for writing. It’s always great to get feedback in any form. I’m glad that you like the premise of MT. It’s certainly fun to write.
Like you, I really love Faith and love to see positive views of her in fics.
>My only minor peeve with the story so far is, that it seems
>as if all the blame rests on Willow. While it was Tara, who
>insisted on them studying apart and therefore only having a
>long distance relationship.
I’m interested that you say that. I can definitely see it but I’ll also say that I really tried to show that they are both at fault. Also, just to clarify, Tara didn’t have a good choice regarding their undergraduate studies; but she is the one who doesn’t want Willow to come to North Carolina for her graduate work.
I like your analysis. Thanks for the comments.
Artemis – Ha ha about “remember the 5 minute…” That would be a little too simple wouldn’t it? We’ll see how Faith does at that convincing.
Though as much as she says 'does it really matter', now I'm really curious about whatever the Frank thing is.
I don’t think you are alone.
We’ll see what happens next year. Thanks.
WillowRTaraM1 – Sorry to surprise but I’m glad you’re touched. Thanks so much.
dj2006 – Hi and welcome. Thanks so much. I will.
Blue - I wrote the rest of these earlier today. I'll respond to yours in the next set.
at least they'd be communicating.
me because I don't want to see them together and lovey-dovey yet. One year is a long time, but please have them take their time, build up the trust again. Wherever you're taking us, this story keeps getting better and better, thanks for that.
oh I knew this was going to be painful and it was now it will be painful waiting to see where you go but you are a wonderful writer and this story is so RL can,t wait soon please
Hope you are feeling better.
).
Well, I noticed a couple of things:
Oh well, let's hope Faith can talk Willow into picking up the phone - we need reconciliation between our girls. Reconciliation leads to snuggles, after all. Faith should be able to manage - she's Faith, after all.
please
