Black Magic White Lies, chapter 9

[moscow_watcher]

Title: Black Magic White Lies
Chapter 9 - Orpheus Rewrite, Bedroom Version
Timeline: BtVS, alternate season 5
Genre: drama, mystery, action
Characters, pairing: general, Xander/Faith
Rating: R (for intense situations).
Summary: Xander thinks he has a little secret. He doesn't know that his little secret is a part of a big fat conspiracy.

Comments

[xc_runner50]

Ah! I loved this. Introspective Xander dream. I hope I used Introspective correctly....big words hurt my head this late at night.

[moscow_watcher]

Thank you! Yes, I guess this chapter turned out to be pretty introspective. (I wanted to write something fluffy and a bit porny - but poor Xander started torturing himself and couldn't stop...)

These Lines Are So True

[keith5by5]

"You go after strong women in hope to break this pattern. You're so afraid to miss your big shiny chance that you miss a lot of good."

"You love me because I'm a screw-up and you want to save me. You think you're not worthy of real love, so you want to find somebody to save in the hope that she'll love you for saving her."

And this one most of all:-

"Do you really think she'd hesitate to gut me again? It's a perfect excuse to get rid of," she makes air-quotes, "Faith the Vampire Slayer." The apocalypse will excuse anything."

Great stuff.

Re: These Lines Are So True

[moscow_watcher]

Thank you!

You know, writing this chapter was a strange experience. I started it with the intention to write a fluffy intermezzo, to give Xander a short respite before the Main Action starts. But, instead of fun, it turned into another session of moral torture.

In hindsight, I realize that I've been reading too much debates on fan forums. Pro-Buffy vs pro-Faith. Pro-Xander vs anti-Xander. I had to vent it out :)

Re: These Lines Are So True

[keith5by5]

"I started it with the intention to write a fluffy intermezzo, to give Xander a short respite before the Main Action starts. But, instead of fun, it turned into another session of moral torture."

Stories can often run away with you like that.

"In hindsight, I realize that I've been reading too much debates on fan forums. Pro-Buffy vs pro-Faith. Pro-Xander vs anti-Xander. I had to vent it out :)"

Lol. The fan forums certainly can have that effect.

Still a great story, btw.

[sentine]

It's really interesting that all these could either turn pro or con Xander - which tends to prove one more time how utterly human he is :)

I love how this chapter is a breathe between so much happening!

[moscow_watcher]

Thank you! Poor Xan - he's trapped in a horrible situation, and he doesn't know this is just a beginning...

[sarian71]

I enjoyed taking a peek inside Xander's head immensely! Xander having a conversation between him and him-as-Dream!Faith worked really well. It's amazing how satisfying it is to see Xander being so self-aware, recognizing and admitting so many deep and profound truths about himself. And not only that. He's not blind to what's going on around him, he's noticed that something is going on with Buffy and Spike.

[moscow_watcher]

Thank you!

Subconsciously Xander realizes many things he doesn't admit consciously. He admits his fears, he understands that he can't hide his "thing" with Faith from Buffy, he is ready to change the situation. But could he face these problems when he's awake?

[rebcake]

so you want to find somebody to save in the hope that she'll love you for saving her.

Heh. This is one of those ideas that usually backfire badly. People resent needing to be saved, and blame the savior. Unless it's a firefighter. Everybody loves a firefighter, for some reason.

Great chapter!

[moscow_watcher]

Thank you!

People resent needing to be saved, and blame the savior. Unless it's a firefighter.

Hee! There are people who love to be saved, who enjoy being weak and helpless - but Faith certainly isn't one of them. She could hardly accept any help at all - unless she's in a desperate situation and needs all help she could get.