Changes....last update

[tabaqui]

Yup. You read it right. This is the last update to Changes for... Well, for a while, probably. The story is over!
I'm equal parts giddy and maudlin.
It's been a long, crazy ride - just amazing, frightening, wonderful... Changes has brought all sorts of people into my 'space' and helped me to make some wonderful friends. I don't even know where to start!

Well, i do, actually. I start with Canadian Snoopy, who has just...vanished. She got me writing again, encouraged me, and did amazing fb and beta-ing on the first half of 'Something Rich and Strange'. I would NEVER have written Changes without her, and I love her for it. Snoopy - I miss you every day - thank you, thank you, thank you.
And then Lazuli, who graciously offered up advice and space - namely Excessent and it's archive The Attic - to host Changes.
And so many others...PerfectWhorl, who fb'd and encouraged and raved and made me feel great, and kyrieane and roxymissrose and reremouse for their support and encouragement, 'dirty' beta's and super-fast fb's that told me i hadn't lost my mind and totally screwed up this or that chapter or moment or storyline. Ladies, i'm so glad to know you, and so honored to call you 'friend'! Love you all!

Now, some 'stats'. Here's the final word count.
'Something Rich and Strange': 222,872
'Hold Fast': 226,532

There are .zip files of both parts on my website, and part one is 736k, part two 792k.
Wow.

I re-formatted the page that 'Changes' lives on, so if you go there and something doesn't work, please tell me!
Now, onto the last chapter. I hope it stands up to expectations. And to everyone out there who has read this for the past year and four months... Thank you so very, very much! I am so pleased and gratified by your continued fb and support!
*If i've forgotten someone...well, whap me with a trout!*

The End of it All

Comments

Over!

[tsavoritegarnet.livejournal.com]

I'm still holding on to that "for a while" part, and not the "over" part. I don't want to think I'll never hear from that world again.

I'm not gonna get to read until a bit later tonight. Sigh. I can't wait to see what's happening.

Re: Over!

[tsavoritegarnet.livejournal.com]

"They say that all good things must end
some day
autumn leaves must fall..."

:-) Just going through my head now thinking about changes ending, but I can't even remember if the rest of the song is appropriate to it.

[sangpassionne.livejournal.com]

Lovely.

*happy sigh*

I'm going to miss this so much, but it's been great while it lasted. Thank you.

[tabaqui]

Thank you thank you for reading!
I'm going to miss it, too, but...so much more to do!

[julia-here.livejournal.com]

Trying to think of this as a fruition and not a death, but...dammit, one less thing to look forward to.

Good thing there's "No More Snakes and Ladders" then, isn't it.

And, of course, now I can go back and read the whole thing from the beginning, or at least read all of "Hold Fast" as I've reread "Something Rich and Strange"maybe four...five? times.

Great stuff, but my Sundays just got a lot less interesting.

Julia, {sigh}

[tsavoritegarnet.livejournal.com]

I read a comment on intentional communities dissolving at some point, that was "no one says that a flower has failed, once it has bloomed and died", aproximately. I try to remember that when I think about things ending. But I'm going to miss Changes a lot too.

I've already started rereading, (only once so far, but I'm sure it will be multiple times, I read paper books that way, afterall) but then put that on hold when life got busy. It will be good to go back to. Especially with the whole thing in big files now.

[amejisuto.livejournal.com]

I told my Mom I felt like I was in my first relationship breakup that ended well. I'm really going to miss this story, this last chapter was a great ending, tied up all the loose ends and didn't make me cry. I really love this, thank you for sharing your gift.

[tabaqui]

Ack!!
You're breaking up with me?

Thank you for reading! I'm so glad you liked it.

[paperk8.livejournal.com]

OMG, are you serious???
Holyfuck.
I'm not ready.
I'm not looking.
Don't expect anything from me until I come to terms with the idea of it being over.
I'm not reading the last bit until then.
Right now it's giving me a queasy sensation.
Though that could be the muscle relaxant...
Nope. Changes. Over.
*goes into denial*
*clings to you*

[tabaqui]

*pet pet pet pet pet*
It's okay!
You're gonna be okay!
*muscle relaxant? hee.*
I've still got lots to write, bay-bee, in so many other stories.
:)
*hugs*

[caliadragon.livejournal.com]

Wow! This has been a rollercoaster ride of emotions, and I have loved every curve you have thrown at us. I loved the ending and the battle with W & H. The fact that everyone survived and that Angel got his final redemption, but that they still want to fight.

Thank you for an excellent read.

Calia

[tabaqui]

I had to be nice to Angel after all the abuse i heaped on him.
:)
Thanks for reading!

OMG

[(Anonymous)]

Wow!!! What a ride you've taken us on. You've gotten us past NFA so if you ever decide to return to this AU you are free to do whatever you please. Angel got his Shanshu which is what he wanted and Spike remains a vampire which is as it should be as he never voiced a desire to be anything else. Even if you never return to "Changes" we can picture the lot of them living happily ever after in their strange little commune near Seattle with just enough prey to keep Spike and the wolves content without any further apocalypses.
I loved the way you danced with canon, sometimes touching it and at other times flitting away. Now all that remains Is "Credence" (not updated since last year ::grin::), the weekly eps of "NMS&L", "And Ice for Your Wounded Heart", "Litttle Runaways" and any other WIPs and future muse attacks which should keep you busy for the forseeable future. Looking forward to it all.

Shakatany

Re: OMG

[tabaqui]

Thank you so much!
So glad you enjoyed the story.
Yup, i've got a lot of stuff to catch up on - that'll all be coming soon!

[umbralillium.livejournal.com]

*cheers for Angel* Yay! *bounce* Happy!Xander! And Connor! Such a sweetie. Kinda sad this part is over, but looking forward to the next one. *purrs*

[tabaqui]

Thank you thank you!
Ummmm... no next part. Anything that comes after this is going to be just one-offs.
Glad you enjoyed it!

[quondamquadrat.livejournal.com]

A nice big happy sigh for the way it ended, and a big sad sigh for the fact that it did end. Thank you so much for writing this world; it's a much more satisfying story than what I watched (and then resisted watching) when the shows were on.

Q

[tabaqui]

Yeah.
*big sigh*
I hated the show, then loved it, then hated it again, and then decided it had to be FIXED. So, fanfic.
Thanks for reading - I'm so glad you enjoyed it all!

[echosrevenge.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for this story. I loved the ride all the way through. Haven't been reading since you started but it was fun catching up when I did find the story.

You managed to keep the characters consistant the whole way through while letting them grow at the same time. As sorry as I am to see the story end, I salute you for having a vision for the story and not dragging it out. The timing feels just right with enough time to savor as you read and no excess.

Obviously, I love Xander/Spike, but really grew to love Derio/Oz after my initial and instictive dislike of an original character with one of the boys. Derio was just perfect and I could easily see him on the TV show.

-Echo

[tabaqui]

Thank you so much! Every bit of that fb makes me smile - especially the 'Derio' bit! Wheeee!!
OC are a hard sell - i'm glad he fit in for you!
*bounces away*

[darkhavens.livejournal.com]

Oh my. The end of an era. :: sniffles ::

That was a wonderful ending though. Dragon vanquished, Angel Shanshued, Spike back to his lovable demony self, and the Seelie crowd back where they belong. Woohoo!

It's been a wild ride, sweetie!

[tabaqui]

*pet pet*
Thank you thank you!
Anything but the lousy ending ME gave us.
*bounce*

[riani1.livejournal.com]

Oh, very lovely. Thank you for the Angel bits. Thank you for making that right.

credence credence credence</>

Whups, sorry, let me close that door. Darn those chanting mobs.

[tabaqui]

*snerk*
Had to be nice to him afte all the abuse.
Hee!

Wow, just wow...

[rose217.livejournal.com]

I've been following this story for a couple of months now. And at the end of it i'm finally posting to tell you how wonderful I think it is and to say thank you.

The story was beautiful and the character interactions are so vivid. And just so romantic. Every post made me want to go snuggle with my honey.

Also, I finally got a livejournal account so I'm friending you. I figure it will make it easier to keep up with your other stuff.

So, I'm off to snuggle with my honey, now!

Re: Wow, just wow...

[tabaqui]

Thank you for commenting!

Heeeee - go, snuggle!
I'll friend back - it's what i do!

[annabuffy.livejournal.com]

Whoa, what a great ending. It was thrilling, heartbreaking, loving, sexy and sweet. Please don't say that this is the end of this story though. I'm sure there's more you can tell us about our boys Spike and Xander.

[tabaqui]

Thank you thank you!
I promise to come back for visits!

[cousncarla.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for this. It has been an amazing ride. I've read this story so many times and each time it makes me cry, laugh and fall in love with your characters. You are an amazingly talented person and I can't wait to see what more you create.

Thanks.

[tabaqui]

Oh, so glad you liked it!
Thank you for the lovely fb. I'm going to be catching up on all my WIP now.

[chocgood84.livejournal.com]

Bwaaaaahhhhhh!

Okay, three hershy's bars and a tube of cookie dough, a box of kleenex and a bottle of Vallium, and I've finished.

This? Was lovely. Everything. From Conner and Angel and the Shanshu to Spike and Xander's guilt.

Over all, this was better than most novel's I've read, more entertaining than any TV show, and more heartbreaking and heartmeanding than any dream could be. You? Are one hell of a talented writer, luv.

Thank you for this among many things.

[tabaqui]

Ack!!
Dude!!
*pet pet pet*
Thank you so much - you make me smile!

[pyrite.livejournal.com]

i'm just gonna sit here in slack jawed amazement for a while longer ok? you're astounding.

[tabaqui]

*pet pet pet*
Thank you so much, bay-bee!
*and i haven't forgotten you 'letters', i promise!*

[chriself.livejournal.com]

That was INCREDIBLE!!! The battle was fabulous! Spike's reaction to Angel's shanshu, terrific! Love how you negated any jealousy on Spike's part by having him declare his need to be a 'real'vampire earlier on. Go Tara with the wards and the binding spells. Dawn was terrific. I can't even say I'm sad to see it end because the ending was so fulfilling. All the ends neatly tied up. And no body died! Yay Tabaqui! Hopefully I'll have more intelligent insights after it all sinks in.

[tabaqui]

Thank you so much!
Yeah, couldn't have Spike wanting that - really, i CAN'T see him wanting that, and...*i* don't want that! Hee.

So glad you liked!

[piratepurple.livejournal.com]

I've never been quite this happy while crying before. I'm so glad you let us be a part of the world inside your head. It was wonderful to watch, and I hope you decide to revisit this verse often. Wow. Really wow.

[tabaqui]

*pet pet pet*
Thank you so very much!
I promise to come back for visits!

[shighola.livejournal.com]

I want you to know I started crying from the moment I saw your post.

I just ... I have no words right now. It's still too raw. Maybe tomorrow. Now it's just like you're taking my family away. Mean lady!
*g*

[tabaqui]

Oh!!
*tissues*
Ipet pet pet*
It'll be okay!

[eyezrthewindows.livejournal.com]

Haven't had a chance to read this yet but gah! At the thought of it pretty much being over for a while. You've got plans for another bit, though? Or are you going to focus on some of your other wips?

[tabaqui]

I'm going to focus on finishing up other things for a while, but i do have plans to come back and visit, oh yes!

The end?!? Noooooo!!!!

[(Anonymous)]

Just wanted to let you know that this has been a FANTASTIC series. I discovered your site about six months ago, and have read (and loved) everything on it. I've been back to check for 'Changes' updates every single week. When I saw this chapter was 'the end of it all' - well, see my subject heading? I literally shouted it out! Good thing I'm alone in the house today! *grins* I hope you will come back to this 'verse for some standalone's, even if they're only little snippets. I love what you've done with the plot line and the characters so much, it would be awful never to hear any more - like loosing touch with a best friend.
I only recently clicked on your livejournal and discovered 'No More Snakes and Ladders' which is just beautiful. Now that I know it's there, and I'm no longer gonna be getting my weekly 'Changes' fix, I'll be checking your journal instead, and hanging for your every post! Can I suggest that putting it up on your site would be a good idea - just so its easier for us folk who aren't really livejournal users to find?

Re: The end?!? Noooooo!!!!

[tabaqui]

Thank you so very much!
I definitely have plans to come back for visits, but right now i have several WIP and Snakes and Ladders to catch up on/work on, so i won't be back right away.
I've had a wonderful time writing this series, and i'm so glad that you've enjoyed it.

"Snakes and Ladders" is being written by me and my partner in crime reremouse and we've decided that until it's finished, we won't be putting it up on either of our websites.
But i think i'll add a link at my website to the journal.

Thank you again for the lovely fb!

[fanbot.livejournal.com]

Ah, sweet and sour. Nice wraping up. No more debts to the evil faries! (said witht he insult intended.) Thanks for giving Angel and crew a happy ending. * hugs*

As long as there is fresh Tabaqui fiction on LJ, I'll be here.

[tabaqui]

Thank you thank you, bay-bee!
*bounce*
More fresh fic soon!
Had to be nice to Angel - i abused him so before!
Oooh, neat jackal icon thingy!!
*pets*

[tsavoritegarnet.livejournal.com]

You did good Tabaqui. It is a good ending. Things feel settled. (Not that I don't think there's a whole lot more you can write, after a nice break). Thank you for a great story, and characters more real than the ones on the dvds.

[tabaqui]

Thanks, bay-bee!
*beams*
There will be visits, oh yes.
*bounce*
Wow, now THAT is nice - more real than the dvds!
:)

[sufie58.livejournal.com]

Wow - what a ride, I feel I've just come down off a Pooka. I couldn't believe it when you made them fight a final battle - and with the Sidhe! But a wonderful ending with no loose ends. Your 'for a while' makes me hope you may feel inclined to revisit this world in the future and that would be lovely. I'm going to miss this story very much but thank you.

[tabaqui]

Heeeee.
Thank you so much!
Yes, there will be visits!
*i'll miss it too*