Changes Update...

[tabaqui]

Hallo!
Well, here's the next chapter... A few notes: I quoted myself! Too weird. I quoted a couple of lines of dialogue from chapters 5 (Radio), 13 (Talk) and 6 (Sides) in that order.

I also actually gave a number of Potentials. No clue how close to accurate i am, so any quibbles, speak up!

Also, so sorry, this chapter is a little short. It just worked out that way. I'm a bit iffy about it, as well, but - we'll see.

LiveJournal doesnt' seem to be sending me my comments! So if you comment and don't hear from me, well - it's LJ's fault!! I hope the ones i'm missing will get to me eventually.

Thanks for reading! Enjoy!

Changes Chapter 22: Allies.

Comments

[cityphonelines.livejournal.com]

You may be iffy about it, but I'm not. It may have been shorter, but it was powerful. The big family moment was spectacular and Spike's demon? Shivers, babe, shivers!

[tabaqui]

Hey, thanks!!
And LJ didn't forward this.
Grrrrrrr.
So glad you liked!!
:)

[cityphonelines.livejournal.com]

I had the same problem. And since I posted 9 ficlets in 3 days, when it finally coughed them all up early today my inbox was insane. You're gonna end up so flooded!

[snowpuppies]

*FINALLY* caught up with this...I hadn't even finished part 1! *blushes*

It's just beautiful, hon. Loved the demon's transformation in this part - wicked!

*snugglehugs*

[shighola.livejournal.com]

It's quality, not quantity that counts - and this, my friend, was choice.

Mmm ... family ... yeah. God, I just love them more and more every single week.

And is it weird that I totally recognized all the quotes, and remembered the scenarios during which they were uttered. No? I didn't think so.

[tabaqui]

Oh, so they DO actually, eventually arrive?
That's good to know.
Thanks!

[tabaqui]

Hey!!
Wow, lots of reading for you, to finally catch up!

And thanks! So glad you liked... :)
*bounce*

[tabaqui]

Thank you!
Heh. Yeah. I think 'family' for all of these people is a huge, huge motivator, in different ways.

And - recognizing the quotes and know where and when?
That's, like...one of the most flattering things...
*bounce*
*smooch*!!

[roxymissrose.livejournal.com]

Wow! TQ, girl, that was too good. The part with Tara, I didn't even breathe 'til I read the whole piece. It was *excellent* You just let us tell you if it's good or not. It made me--very happy! And so cool the self quotes! heh! Great! *hugs*

[tabaqui]

Hey, grrrl!!
Thank you!
I'm glad it worked - i was a little uncertain.
Man, this 'no comment' thing is drivin' me NUTS.
*pout grrrrrr*

Lurve your icon!
Soo pretty.
:)

[roxymissrose.livejournal.com]

Thank you!It is isn't it? fromward made it for me!I'm all happee!

[sufie58.livejournal.com]

Don't know why you're 'iffy' about this chapter - I thought it was wonderful. Spike's demon and Tara's power - wow. Thank you.

[tabaqui]

Oh, who knows!
Sudden rush of 'christ, THAT was pointless'.
or something.
Dude.
I'm neurotic, what can i say.
*bounce*
I'm glad you liked it, though!
Thank you!

[nashmaveric.livejournal.com]

Uh-oh, Caleb's here. ::worries:: Loved the family scene though! Tara being a bit scared is perfectly reasonable and her reaction to Spike is so in character ::smooches you:: Can't wait for the next part!

[txrabbit.livejournal.com]

Wow. The coming together of the family was just breathtaking. I am so glad that Tara was able to do that for the demon. This was lovely. Thank you so much.

[cousncarla.livejournal.com]

Wonderful! As always.

[tabaqui]

Thanks! I figured i had to have SOMETHING come of Tara seeing all that... Glad you liked it!

[(Anonymous)]

(Julia, here)

Using the quotes was a wonderful decision: Spike "remembering because he can" deepens the emotional impact of both the loss and the restoration of his memories.

And what can I say about every word of the Tara scene, from Spike seeking her out to her "To me"? Wow, lady, you certainly can put words where they belong and make them do what you need them to do! Fantastic demonstration and redefinition of the nature and importance of the link.

I remember at the closing days of season 7 there was a consistent thread in the discussions at TWOP and various other places I lurked, that the greatest weakness in the forces arrayed against The First was the emotional isolation of every individual of the group. Seems like you've found a wide path around that problem.

[tabaqui]

Thank you!
:)

[tabaqui]

Thanks, bay-bee! Glad you liked it!
:)

[snowpuppies]

Yeah, I realized I'd lost track when I made the transition from the lists to LJ - took me a bit to make the connection!

[tabaqui]

Thank you!
I wondered if it was too much, getting Tara even a tiny bit into the link, but it just felt right...
And yeah, season seven - they were barely a group anymore, and certainly not a family... Utterly depressing.

Hopefully, my 'season seven' will ultimately be better.

[margarks.livejournal.com]

lovely as always, tabaqui. and i love how much power Tara has, and that she's grounded as always and knows how to use it without abusing it. And i'm still tickled with the whole Fred thing. hee.

And, yes, to your question in my LJ, i did make this icon, though you don't have to credit me. i just fell in love with that phrase.

also, by the way, since i just had a marathon read of Changes, i've also been going through and reading some of your stand-alone fic. awwwwww. i LOVED Letters and your version of Normal Again. You've got an incredibly wonderful talent of sweeping me along into the story and making me feel for everyone in it. You're just so good at choosing just the right words.

thanks.

[tabaqui]

Thanks you!
I always thought Tara was short-changed on the show, magic-wise. I think she would have had every bit of power Willow had if she'd been more confident in learning and using it.

And thanks again, i'm glad you like 'Normal Again' and 'Letters' - i think 'Letters' is my favorite so far!

Awe Inspiring

[caliadragon.livejournal.com]

This was a brilliant chapter. Full of love and reconnecting. What was the most awe inspiring was the show of not only Tara's magic, but of her power as well. It was not only a fabulous read, but another step closer to true connection.

Thanks for the read.


Calia

Re: Awe Inspiring

[tabaqui]

Thank you!
So glad you liked it...
I was a little...i dunno - ambiguous about it, but it seems to be going over well.
Yay!

[darkhavens.livejournal.com]

Oooooooooh, the scene with powerful!Tara and the demon was amazing! Loved everyone being able to experience the power in the link, even Dawnie.

And now I'm deathy curious about how you're going to handle Caleb and his bundle of trouble.

Woo!

[tabaqui]

Thank you!!
I'm so glad you liked it - I had some doubts, but everyone seems to be enjoying it.
*bounce*

Caleb!
Hee.
We'll see, eh?

Caleb

[(Anonymous)]

Now that Caleb has shown up I fear for Xander's eye. Will our heroes be able to avert that?

Don't worry about the length of a chapter. You're not being paid by the word and you're not writing a formulaic fic where company policy dictates the length and numbers of chapters. Write what you think is required for your story. We're happy with anything you present to us.

Shakatany

[riani1.livejournal.com]

A calm and confident Tara using her full power would be a good illustration of how good things can be terrifying. I wonder how the First will prey on her.

Caleb. Urg. Hated Caleb. Trusting Tabaqui to make it all right.

[crazydiamondsue.livejournal.com]

Loved Tara and Dawn being able to feel what the others have felt all along, the recognition, the sense of belonging. And calling to the demon and accepting it...you still rock my world. I also love how you can combine what Joss did so easily - the sense of horror and the mundane - Spike, Xander and Dawn having a normal moment and then the supernatural family and then the fear of the unknown ally...great stuff.

[tabaqui]

Thanks!!
I really wanted to get Tara into the link, if only momentarily. It just seemed right.
:)

[tabaqui]

Heee.
Tara IS a little scary, with all her power.
Thanks!

Caleb.

I only hope that what i write will go over well. Starting to get paranoid.
Ack!

Re: Caleb

[tabaqui]

HA!
Who knows?
:)
Thanks, bay-bee.

[riani1.livejournal.com]

The bois are in good hands with you.

[tabaqui]

You SAY that. But you don't know what i'm going to do.
*bites nails*

Ah well, if anybody doens't like it...
Too bad!!
:)

[riani1.livejournal.com]

Let me just say I'm a big ol' fan of hurt/comfort, so bring it on.

[tabaqui]

BWAAAahahha.
K, grrrl.
:)

[shighola.livejournal.com]

*smooches you back*
*blushes*

meep!

[chocgood84.livejournal.com]

So I just (finally!) finished this chapter. Wonderful, baybee, wonderful.

To me," Tara whispered, and her power withdrew, curling back on itself like an ocean wave, coiling and twisting and winding back down, through her and back to the earth and then they were sitting there, and Xander had gone down on his knees next to Spike, and Dawn was hugging Tara and the wolves were pressing close, whining
This gave me serious hardcore goosebumps.

And Caleb! Eep! *cowers under the desk*

Re: meep!

[tabaqui]

Hey! Thanks, bay-bee!
*pets*

It'll be okay! I promise!!
Hehe.
Spiff icon, dude.

Re: meep!

[chocgood84.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Thought you saw it before. Ah well, me loves it:)