Best Souvenir

[lettered]

A/N: Since a2zmom is in some way a clone of me I'm having difficulty discerning whether it was she or I who wrote this chapter. But for now I'm going with both and crediting her with the truly brilliant ideas and the funniest lines (because they're hers). Her feet should be kissed, and pronto. And am taking the time to her: thank you thank you thank

Comments

[semby]

Yay, new chapter! I like how even though this chapter doesn't move all that much plot-wise, there's still a lot going on here. I feel like I've commented practically every chapter on how well I think you do both sides of Angel, but again, I really like how you have him fantasizing about her as his abused plaything and then just a few paragraphs later he wants to protect her.

Also, this line: His voice was full of longing and vaguely surprised, as if he hadn’t seen anything but ugliness in a long, long time. is a subtle and yet a very powerful look at Angel's experiences.

Continuing to enjoy their interactions, continuing to look forward to seeing where this goes!

[lettered]

I like how even though this chapter doesn't move all that much plot-wise, there's still a lot going on here.

I'm afraid that might be true for the next couple chapters. Oops ;o)

I feel like I've commented practically every chapter on how well I think you do both sides of Angel,

Yes, and I thank you for it. I really appreciate your comments and always look forward to what you have to say. I'm really glad you're enjoying it.

[semby]

I'm afraid that might be true for the next couple chapters. Oops ;o)

No complaints! I said I liked it. Sometimes slower plots feel like they drag on, but you're getting a lot of fascinating character-development, backstory and interactions in here, and if it takes awhile to get to the bank meeting, well, that means this story will keep on going and giving for longer! :D

[lettered]

Oh, I didn't think you were complaining! :o)

I'm not normally a plot kinda gal. Most things I write are a lot more like "The Confessional"--the characters get somewhere by the end, but nothing actually happens. This fic is surprising me by actually having what is for me a rather eventful plot, but it's taking a while to get there.

[violaclaire]

I'm seconding the yays--I've been looking forward to updates with this.

I really liked how you worked in the Riley stuff. He wouldn't be as insecure without Angel in the picture, so it wouldn't have made sense for him to go out and start letting vampires bite him just because Buffy was bitten by Dracula. But it would make sense for that to happen after a patrol gone wrong, and it would make perfect sense for him to go to Darla.

I love the subtle irony in Darla had always had abysmal taste in men. And I know I keep saying this, but I love the way you've written these voices. I love how Angel keeps getting closer and and closer to his BtVS S1 voice, but you still keep an undercurrent of darkness intact in all of his thoughts. I love that Buffy is in her post-Chosen voice, but so much more defensive and prickly than post-Chosen Buffy would normally be.

This is great.

[lettered]

the Riley stuff

I knew that without Angel, things with Riley would've been different, but I couldn't figure how. A2zmom came up with the brilliant stuff about the patrol-gone-wrong and Darla--I'm glad it worked for you!.

I love that Buffy is in her post-Chosen voice, but so much more defensive and prickly than post-Chosen Buffy would normally be.

I have a very negative view of post-Chosen Buffy, I'm afraid, even in canon. I hated S7, but I think I would've forgiven a lot if I could've had faith in a happy Buffy at the end. But without a love like hers for Angel in her life, ever? Man--she might as well have had a gypsy curse, too.

Thank you for your comments! It means a lot that you're still enjoying, despite the long gaps between updates :o)

Bugger it. I always do user names wrong.

[alleynyc]

I want to send you cash so you can quit your job, stay home and finish this story ASAP. I'm loving this. More, please.

[lettered]

What's sad is I don't have a job and I do stay home. And I spend most of the time writing, although not writing fanfic, which, if I'm ever going to have a job, is probably a good thing ;o)

I'm glad you're liking it. You've helped make it what it is so far, which just gives me a little tickle inside ;o)

WOW!

[mshepnj]

So much goodness!

Three-thirty is the primordial ooze of tomorrow, and tell me again why we can’t do this tomorrow night?”

Ha! I absolutely love your Buffy voice in this.

And he dreaded that the reason he hadn’t was because there was a part of himself that wanted to play a game with Banque EEK-because there certainly was a part of himself that was very interested to see what Buffy would look like, draped across his arms, limp, pale, begging, his little human bistro. Or maybe he hadn’t because some small part of him knew that if she had a quick way of getting the information she wanted, she would be done here, and leave . . . him

Re: WOW!

[lettered]

I love how you worked Riley (and Darla) into this. I don't usually tihnk Riley is very interesting or compelling, but I can absolutely see him doing this.

It was A2zmom's idea! I admit: I've always really, really liked Riley, but I also found him . . . a little boring. But when A2zmom tossed the Riley/Darla idea at me my mind started to do all sorts of naughty things with him. It's tragic, really, the way his relationship with Buffy ended.

I love this bit of perspecitve. Evil is in the eye of the beholder.

That's why I always loved Wolfram and Hart best as a villain. Corporate evil is fun!

Glad you liked the chapter, and thanks for letting me know!

[makd]

excellent chapter! I like the integration of Darla and Riley into this -- and the way Buffy's mind is remembering and making associations.

[lettered]

Glad you're still on board! And you have A2zmom to thank for the Darla/Riley. You know, I don't think I've ever seen that pairing done before...