Reviews for Thirteen Steps - 11 - Vanishing Ahn 2007-09-14 id # 6384 So glad you updated again! So where is Xander in all this? He mad the wish but I can't tell if he's with his Will or Buffy and the other Will. I hope you update more soon! Valyssia 2007-09-15 id # 6389 Reality 1: My AU - Giles and Miss Hartness work against Willow as she tries to get Buffy back. In short, they fear her methods. Reality 2: Alternate plane - Buffy's a psychotic vampire killing machine who takes great delight in murdering slayers. Willow's a lot more frightened and naive, she's hanging with my Buffy and it's really screwing with her head. Angelus is soulless and all kinda evil. The Circle was never destroyed because of that. Most of the cast of Angel died at W&H once Angelus returned. You know how he feels about people who love him. The Scoobies are just barely floating. The Xander that made the wish is from this reality. My Buffy was sucked in because of the wish. Welcome to hell. Val Rin 2007-09-15 id # 6393 Good! You did decide to continue...yaya!!!! Ahn 2007-09-16 id # 6403 Wow great update! So was it Buffy's Willow that took the Vampire Buffy? I wounder if there's going to be problems with Buffy and her Willow because she slept with the other Willow? Looks like Willow is going to have some guilt to get over after she gets her Buffy back and is that going to cause more problems with the couple? Please keep the great updates coming and thanks for the comments on the comments it's great of you to do that! Rin 2007-09-16 id # 6405 Good...good... Valyssia 2007-09-17 id # 6406 Responding is no big... I kinda like keeping up a dialog with folks as I work. I just wish there were more folks talkin'. Strange that I'm having to do it as feedback for my own work. Think I should be tellin' myself just how much I suck? I'm not going to tip my hand. I have a definite goal and ending in mind for the story. It's a surprise. Hope you enjoy it! The next chapter was just sent to beta. Nightsong's been enjoying the story so I expect she'll manage her way through it tonight. That is if her kids allow her the peace. I'll post as soon as she adds her comas and sorts my piles of word salad. Val bhv virgotex@gmail.com 2007-09-19 id # 6416 Very satisfying. Some deft storytelling here for sure. One hole-for me- was the lack of notice or comment by the AU crew about Kennedy's disappearance. I don't care for K and the folks who are just reading for the B/W goodness don't give a shit but asshole or not, she's a named canon character and was connected to one of your principles. She was also a military asset and there would be the fear that she'd gone rogue or vamp. I don't think it bears much story real estate but it's a hole. Nobody expects much from a mediocre fic/writer but when something is as good as this, every rough spot, hole and error has a red light on it. Nice save on the .Mr. Giles bit ,btw Valyssia 2007-09-19 id # 6417 Yeah... I dunno. I thought about that, but I just wasn't sure wishverse Willow would really give crap. Her reaction was bu-bye... Please let the door hitcha on the ass on the way out. I know my Buffy just wanted to take her head off. As for the rest of them...the story's so POV focused to Buffy/ Willow that there's little place for else. I suppose I could have Xander ask, but having spent the night on the floor of a cab. He's just not so much for the observeyness. If it brings you any comfort her name comes up a ton in the following chapter. It's nearly complete on my end. I've been possessed by the plot demons and am doing little else but writing. I need to get the story out on paper or in pixels as the case may be. The Mr. Giles thing wasn't meant as a save... I brought it into sharper focus because of feedback but... It was always my intent that Willow not trust him regardless how sugary sweet she was acting. The positive effect of feedback...I just wish there was more. Anyway, there's big reason not to trust the head of the Watcher's Council regardless how friendly and familiar he is. He took the job. I looked at his little conference with the demons back in the early bits of the first four story arc and immediately questioned him. Now he's offering Faith an early 'retirement' and lording her freedom over her. I can't help but wonder if the word 'retire' is meant in the charming wetwork sorta way. I'm glad you're enjoying the tale. Back to the grind... Val Ahn 2007-09-19 id # 6420 I really did like this update! I do think buffy needs to be with her Willow and not the other. Even if there the same person there not. Example would be the pericings and Buffy's even noticed a few personality differences. She also isn't really mourning the lose of her Willow. Buffy's and Willow's relationship was built with her Willow and those experinces is what made there relationship so how's this one going to work? There's no way everybody else won't notice the difference also. Why can't they just break the wish like they did with Anya's? Everything should go back to how it was even Willow. Also with Giles he's got it out for Willow and this Willow won't be able to protect herself. Willow's mentor should also notice a big difference with the magic and stuff. Just a few thoughts. I do love this story and even read the update while at work trying not to get caught. Really can't wait for more so please update soon! Valyssia 2007-09-19 id # 6422 There's a word for that dear...'addicted'. I couldn't be more flattered. DON'T GET CAUGHT!!! You losing your job over my silliness would make me very unhappy. Hit my email if you'd like to make other arrangements. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised where I go with it. You may raise a valid point about the wishverse Willow being able to pull off the role she accepted. She's aware that she's in for a rocky ride. She even says so much in the following chapter. Most of your concerns and more are met in the next chapter so just hold on. I'm not blind to the loose ends I have to tie up. I'm tying as fast as my little fingers will allow. Anyway it's in the mail...waiting for the beta part of the process. I just sent it out tonight. So we'll see... Ahn 2007-09-22 id # 6442 Another great update! I'll be interested to see how Xander except the wishverse Willow and how long they can keep it from Giles. Also it took alittle bit for Shae to be comfortable with the first Willow how she going to feel about this one? Can't wait for the next update! Rin 2007-09-22 id # 6444 dum dum dum....lol. I love what you've done with this, and am interested to see how the Willows interact in a new community of scoobies. Valyssia 2007-09-22 id # 6445 *cackles evilly* I'm not so much for granting wishes... You may end up waiting for your answers. D'Hoffryn and I would make good drinking buddies. Trouble is I don't drink. Val willow 2007-09-23 id # 6451 bhv: "Nobody expects much from a mediocre fic/writer" Christ! Harsh words, much? I think it's bloody great myself, well done! Whedonist you know it 2007-09-23 id # 6452 I figured I'd post something this time around seeing as how I have no questions or need to bug you. I can sorta see where this is headed and just needed to say I can't wait to read more. Keep it up Also you should check that halo, it's lookin' a lil' crooked. =0) Valyssia 2007-09-23 id # 6453 Willow - I believe that there was an implied 'but you are not' in that sentence. At any rate, I wasn't offended. A little harsh criticism is certainly to be expected. Every author faces it on some level or another. Actually...EVERYONE faces it. I've been extremely pleased with my experiences here. I've even managed to develop a few loose friendships that have promise to grow on some level or another. For a severe misanthrope such as myself, this is both interesting and mildly unnerving. *cackles* This is not meant to 'dress you down' by any means. I do appreciate the chivalry It's something of a dead art. Simply letting you know that this princess has claws and fangs of her own. Were I upset... *game face* the eviscerations would begin...like posty hastey and everything. Lastly, that glowing "Bloody great!" means a lot. Whedonist - *wink* For an avid motorcyclist, the getting there is most of the fun. Don't count me out... I may well offer a surprise or two in the telling. Oh...and the twisty roads are definitely more better!!! Val Anon 2007-09-23 id # 6454 I'm trying to come up with a more articulate way of saying how much I liked this but all that comes to mind is 'wow.' There's simply no other way to put it. Like the best of anything, this story has consistantly kept me on the edge of my seat. I've been drawn in by the characterisation, excited by the action and, most impressively, emotionally moved by the drama. I felt bad for 'our' Willow when she gave up all that she was for Buffy and I felt even more sad when Buffy realised (and let us know) she was no more. Very few stories have had such an effect on me. I hope you continue because, while you have tied up the story of 'our' Willow and that of the parallel world, I would still very much like to see what is yet to come of the 'other' Willow in 'our' world. -Chris- Valyssia 2007-09-23 id # 6456 I'm very gratified that I could entertain you. Part of me felt that the premise I was working with was perhaps too overly dramatic. Sorta...sappy to the point it might almost be a parody. I hoped I wouldn't overdo and end up with advice like; go write for Harlequin or something. The Buffyverse does however allow for some pretty severe extremes while mostly complying with canon. It is sort of a world of extremes created to embody metaphor. I honestly love it. Being able to tell the grand tale o' sap and still talk about eviscerations and flaying and punching through skulls!!! *gets all excited* WOOT!!! Sign me up! Okay so I missed the flaying this time. I'll get it next round. *giggles like a school girl* Seriously though, thank you so much for the glowing review, Chris. If you would like to make further comment or suggestion without potentially giving up more of the story to new audience members, feel absolutely free to email me. My address is provided in my profile. Val Nicole 2007-09-23 id # 6457 I would like to see more Please Thank You Nicole Ahn 2007-09-23 id # 6458 I must say the ending was great in epic portions! It sumed up every thing perfectly. It's a story that is worth rereading. Thanks! Whedonist uhh... 2007-09-23 id # 6459 All I'm gonna say is fan-f&*@in'-tastic...I'm not sure I can say more than I already have. Val, it was a pleasure reading what you wrote. I still need to hear The Nurse Who Loved Me *damn me and my mouth* there's that nudge...I'm a tyrant I know...sorry..I'll go now ;0P Rin 2007-09-23 id # 6460 I'll be honest...it's a good enough ending but yeah, I wanna see more on the still living Buffy and Willow side of things, see how this Willow adapts, and how Buffy adapts to the new Willow. Plus, I wanna see if anybody notices... bhv vuirgotex@gmail.com 2007-09-24 id # 6462 willow: as Val. pointed out, you did not correctly understand. A weakness in a poorly written story doesn't stand out. A weakness in a very well-written story is more conspicuous. Val.: very nicely ended. Watching W methodically destroy her Self-even tho it was for the good and even tho she clearly "moves up" after -managed to be disturbing and sad at the same time it was transcendent and funny. Very whedonesque, and I mean that in a good way. Would like to see more of the B/W side of things. It will be interesting to see how it compares to this tale. zinerva 2007-09-24 id # 6464 Wow. You made me cry. I'm very impressed with the whole of the story, from 1 to 11. It is absolutely incredible, and beautiful, and sad, bittersweet. I would love to see more of this world, and just how the events in Vanishing are going to effect Buffy and - it's still Willow, so I guess the new Willow. I'm also curious to see how 2 sets of memories effects Willow over the long term. Thanks for the great read! Valyssia 2007-09-24 id # 6465 More with the blackberry badness, bhv? You need to put that thing on a leash. OR drop it into a cup of hot coffee, add ketchup, salt, pepper, yellow mustard, creamer (not the real kind), sugar... In short all the condiments you get at a diner. Stir and sit for 10 minutes, remove the device with a spoon and drop into ice water. The results will amaze you. The shell will literally crumbles in your hand. Then you tell work you dropped it and found it on the street hours later. Very effective when there's snow on the ground. Instant replacement. And yes, true story... *chuckles evilly* I appreciate what you're saying about wrapping the ends down tightly. Giving closure is important. I would be remiss to not mention that you were helpful in this goal. In fact, you and a number of others here influenced the story and made it all the better. Please keep it up. All of you! All of the kind words are very touching. I appreciate every kindness. It's good to entertain such a great group of people. I'm very gratified that you believe I do it so well. *passes zinerva a hanky* Val willow 2007-09-25 id # 6474 bhv: sorryyyyy, my bad. =] Valyssia: *stares at the computer screen with mouth wide open in amazement.* freakin'. awesome. and Thirteen steps - 12 - isn't here yet because.... Valyssia 2007-09-25 id # 6475 Because I'm a worthless, lazy wench... *yawn* I wrote a little bit tonight. It was a light night though...maybe 2000 real words. I normally produce double that. I'll find the heart again soon. I actually start to miss the characters after a few days. Then well...I just have to torture them or the dogs. So far I've been choosing them. Thanks for the kudos... Love 'em! Val