War Stories: Throwing Down The Gauntlet (1/1)

[lettered]

Series: War Stories
Title: Throwing Down The Gauntlet (1/1)
Length: 9,700 words
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: violence.
Summary: Angel takes over.
A/N: part of the “War Stories” universe. The first story is Raising The Banner. Thanks to everybody who encouraged. Cuz I'm spazzy.

Comments

[lynnenne]

I'm sort of waffling on whether Angel would behave this way. I think he would have no problem ripping off a man's hand, under the right circumstances--I'm just not sure he would do it under these circumstances. It seems like a pretty foolhardy move, to me. Humans are incredibly tribal creatures, especially when there's no functioning government in place. Fist may not have been universally liked by his mallrats, but he was still their leader. Angel is a stranger to them. Ambushing Fist in public, especially in so shocking a manner, would be more likely to start a riot and get Angel and his people lynched. I don't know that Angel would make that kind of political miscalculation. He's certainly not as political a creature as Darla, but I think he probably learned something from her over the centuries.

Otherwise, I thought this was really engaging. The dialogue between Angel and Spike was perfection, and the pacing was much faster than the last fic. You kept me riveted right to the end.

[lettered]

I'm not sure it makes sense either, especially with the number of people involved. The premise was supposed to be that after something like that, everyone's too afraid of Angel to step up to him, especially because he's so obviously not human and some of his followers aren't, either. Seems maybe with people already beat down and cowering from all the demons in the outside world, they'd cower here, too. But it could work the opposite way--what they've already faced on the outside giving them courage, no longer shocked into submission by the supernatural in their lives. Considering there're about 400 or something mallrats, that'd be logical to assume

[lynnenne]

The premise was supposed to be that after something like that, everyone's too afraid of Angel to step up to him, especially because he's so obviously not human and some of his followers aren't, either. Seems maybe with people already beat down and cowering from all the demons in the outside world, they'd cower here, too.

Yeah, I think it could go either way, in the short term. Long-term, I think it would breed discontent and eventual revolt, especially knowing that Angel is "one of them." But then you'd just have more to write about, so it's all good. ;)

I am LOVING the Angel/Spike interaction in this. Please make more! :D

[a2zmom]

For me, this fic was all about family.

Spike and Angel press each other's buttons and get on each other's nerves but in the end they are family and will back each other up right to the death.

Angel's entire conversation with Lawrence about family and what you do to protect your son killed me. I could feel Angel being ripped apart. And the fact that Lawrence looks so much like Angel's father is a brilliant touch considering all of Angel's unresolved issues with his own father.

I know Germaine was saying she's not sure that Angel would have done what he did at the end, but the thing is I don't think he would have if it had been anybody else. The Reiley's don't know it but they are Angel's family also in a personal way and Angel would kill for them in order that Connor and the people he loves don't suffer.

[lettered]

For me, this fic was all about family.

Me too! I'm glad you saw it that way. But of course you did because it's your brain too, huh. ;o)

I could feel Angel being ripped apart.

I'm glad. I stayed out of Angel's head mostly on this one, because I thought the events and dialogue spoke for themselves, but sometimes I worry about everyone getting the same thing from it that I do.

I know Germaine was saying she's not sure that Angel would have done what he did at the end, but the thing is I don't think he would have if it had been anybody else. The Reiley's don't know it but they are Angel's family also in a personal way and Angel would kill for them in order that Connor and the people he loves don't suffer.I'm not sure. To me, the end actually wasn't about Angel being a father, but being a leader. Angel realizes that if he's going to make the mall a safe place for Connor and the Reilly's to live, he can't be try to be the man Connor loves and respects, can't try to set the example for the kinda man he'd want Connor to be.

[violaclaire]

This is great. I'm loving your Angel/Spike banter, and I think the Connor voice really shines in the scene where he tries to save the cat. It's a very Connor Reilley way of dealing with things--he's kind of bemused and disgusted, but he wants to reason everything out. He's completely the kid who helpfully showed Sahjan where all the weapons were before their fight.

[lettered]

Thank you for letting me know! We really only get to see Connor Reilly in one ep (and like 2 minutes at the end of "Home".) He's the same person as the other Connor, but he's coming from such a completely different place. It's fun to think about what this Connor would be like, but I'm not sure I nabbed him--so I'm so glad you think so! Thanks again.

[menomegirl]

Very well-written. I love all the details and the feel of these pieces. Look forward to reading more.

[lettered]

Hey, thanks!

[kitmarlowescot2]

Angel is really starting to embrace his inner Angelus, and Spike, gotta love him. Poor Connor.

[lettered]

I like it when Angel is dark and scary.

Thanks for reading this!