Dawning Light 9: Breaking Apart (Anita Blake/Buffy the Vampire Slayer crossover)

[mhalachaiswords]

Dawning Light
A Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Anita Blake crossover
Chapter Nine: Breaking Apart
by Mhalachai

Summary: Dawn fell from Glory's tower and into the portal. Now she's all alone and scared... but sometimes family comes from the strangest places.
Disclaimer: Buffy the Vampire Slayer belongs to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. Anita Blake belongs

Comments

[elle_blessing]

This chapter was one of the best so far. I loved the scene where Anita was crying and Dawn comforted her and the similar scene with Micah and Dawn saying that they had to be a family and take care of each other. These are the times when Dawns 5/15 age thing really comes into focus for me...she's able to have these deep insights because of her 15 year old self, but she handles the situations with a 5 year old's self-effacing innocence. You're doing such a good job with her characterization.

I've told you this before, but I really love the relationship you've developed between Dawn and Nathaniel. He's not quite her father figure (b/c that's Micah), but he's not quite a sibling figure either. They have somethings special that is deep and close, but I don't know how to label it in my head...how exactly do you see their relationship?

I was actually thinking about DL today and was very pleasantly surprised when I saw the update :) Thanks for sharing!

♥

[mhalachaiswords]

I'm glad you enjoyed it :) This was a hard chapter to write, but it was necessary, I think. Anita's actions in the context of the story thus far have been very single-minded, and while Nathaniel might be okay with that (submissive and all that), Micah would have to face the issue head-on. Besides, while Anita might be thinking big with all this, Micah strikes me as the kind of guy who would take these tasks on.

And who would finally snap under the continual stress of having a 5-year-old on the house and being expected to "leave it alone".

I'm just saying :D

Dawn's experience with "family" was really one year with Buffy and the Scoobies, seeing that love trumps blood. She would bring this attitude to Anita's family, which acts on the same basis. All Anita needs is a kick in the pants to remember that.

I've told you this before, but I really love the relationship you've developed between Dawn and Nathaniel. ... They have somethings special that is deep and close, but I don't know how to label it in my head...how exactly do you see

[elle_blessing]

Yeah, Micah is definitely the guy that would make sure these kind of things got done/taken care of. I think it might have a bit to do with the fact that he grew up in a loving home and was taken care of (and probably always wanted kids). He's also the leader-guy and you don't get there either without knowing what it takes to care for the smallest to the least

[cissasghost]

Eee, new chapter! I like that Micah's not being completely super-accomodating here . . I mean, theory is he's supposed to be an alpha-type lycanthrope, right? So theoretically, he should have some trace of dominance in his personality, but that doesn't show up much in canon. You've shown that here, though, which is good.

[mhalachaiswords]

When the main issue in Micah's life is accomodating Anita, he'll do anything. But with Dawn in the mix, Anita's no longer the most damaged person in the room. As a child, Dawn needs certain things, like food and clothes and support for her nightmares. Micah sees that Anita's not making the logical long-term steps (or else he's stepping in to deal with the issues, like he does). So he decides to stand up to Anita, pissing her off and endagering his security, but he can't do anything else. Dawn's needs outweigh Anita's. A moral choice, and the right one.

My idea, anyway.

[sabriel_0405]

I have to agree with Elle and say this is one of, if not the, best chapter so far. I've said this before, you've made me like Dawn which, considering how much I disliked her, is no mean feat.

[mhalachaiswords]

I'm glad you liked it. Micah's reaction to the issue was, I felt at this stage, necessary. At the same time, Anita feels attacked on all sides.... which we deal with next chapter :) Everyone's equilbrium has been messed with, and dealing with the problems is not fun or pleasant.

And Dawn... well, what can I say? I like writing her. Her situation makes for interesting times.

[askani]

ooo, new chapter! i ♥ this fic so much.

i like this chapter a lot. i just wish it was longer. :)

[mhalachaiswords]

I'm glad you liked it :D

The chapter couldn't have been any longer without encompassing the full moon, which would throw everything off. But the short time length is made up for by the angst and woe, right?

[oportunemoments]

Your icon is Harry Dresden and I love it :)

[mischiefcat]

Yay another chapter! Most awesome. I loved the interaction between Dawn and Micah at then end. Very touching.

[mhalachaiswords]

Glad you liked it :) Micah plays the missing role in Dawn's life -- the supportive father role, that Hank Summers abandoned, that Giles was too busy to do, and that no one else could fill. It's an interesting combo.