Defenseless by Rebcake

08/28/2011 11:41 pm
Act Three         
I really liked this, but I didn't like the end. I know that Buffy would fight like a demon, but I really don't think she'd kill her own body...   It got dark and not in a way that meant it could ever get light again.  Well written, but for this person needing happy endings, kind of unsatisfying.

Blue
Thanks for taking the time to comment. It's natural to prefer happy endings, I suspect. I know I do. I do think that this veered into serious territory, though no more serious than anything we were given by Joss. I didn't think of it as insurmountably dark because of various instances in media where the person lives on, even in a different body. For example, the Doctor from Doctor Who is on his eleventh body at the moment! I sort of blame Dollhouse, as well, for all the questions it raised about identity and whether the self can be divorced from its physical container. However, there is no bringing Faith back, and Buffy will have to deal with her guilt for that — much more than she did for her Graduation Day attempt on Faith's life, which was irrresponsibly glossed over on the show, in my opinion. I have a tentative plan to write a sequel for this, which would bring a happier resolution and a more hopeful future for our heroes and their friends and family. Does that help at all?

09/13/2010 02:02 am
Act Three         
Wow, you surprised me again.  I definitely didn't see that coming.  But it seemed like Buffy ending up in Faith's body was just starting to get into the heart of a deeper story, so I was even more surprised that the plot just suddenly quit.  Does that mean you have a sequel planned?

And I loved the interactions between Joyce and Spike.  I always liked the potential for friendship there, so I'm glad you developed it.
Heh. Surprise! I'm glad that you enjoyed the Spike and Joyce parts. They are similar in some ways, and I think they could have been very supportive of each other during a transitional time for them both.

A sequel? Maaaaaaybe. I have given it some thought, because you are correct that the issues raised by the ending do cry out for exploration. I usually write one-shots, so this was already quite long for me, but I want to keep going.

eyghon
08/28/2010 11:40 am
Act Three         
What a great ending! I loved that Joyce was so involved, and it's so much better than the usual "they switch back and everybody lives happily ever after"...kudoz!
Happily ever after doesn't seem to happen to Faith in either case, alas. *pets her* I'm glad you enjoyed it, and were happy to see more Joyce. She's not perfect, but I have a soft spot for her anyway. Thanks for commenting!

08/26/2010 03:59 am
Act Three         
Cool twist - I wasn't expecting Buffy to kill Faith and end up with her body.  Thanks.
I'm glad you liked it! Thanks so much for your comments!

08/26/2010 03:43 am
Act Three         
???!  OMG!!  Wow, you pulled that one off...yeah.  
Um...surprise? I think it's a really interesting possibility, but I am well aware that it needs fleshing out. Thanks so much for your comments!

08/26/2010 02:02 am
Act Three         
A bit of a turn? Oh boy, didn't see that twist coming - and it so easily could have. Just one question - was another slayer called? I really fancy a sequel covering that - and Buffy coming to terms with her new form...
*evil laugh* Yes, this could go lots of ways at this point. I've even jotted down a few ideas, but I'm loath to commit to a sequel until it's well underway.... I hadn't really worked out whether another Slayer would be called. It's a tricky point, but could go either way. Does the "power" that recognizes these things follow the body or the soul? Hmmmm...metaphysical! For people who are really interested in the background and possible future of this story, I have written up a "commentary" which you can find at this address:

http://rebcake.livejournal.com/25682.html

Thanks so much for your thoughtful comments!

08/26/2010 03:48 am
Act Two         
Hah hah - glad to see Spike was able to console himself by robbing a liquor store.
Hee! I hadn't thought of it that way, but you're quite right, it is consoling! Poor guy needs something to make him feel in charge of his own destiny. Thanks for commenting!

08/26/2010 03:11 am
Act Two         
Oh, AU!! Sorry for not being with the program at end of first chapter. 
No worries! We're speeding through S4 like gangbusters here! Again, thanks for commenting!

08/25/2010 12:13 am
Act Two         
Love Spike socialising with Joyce, regaining his humanity bit by bit as she treats him like a man. Glad Spike had a chance to learn more about the soldiers. Always love his utter glee when he realises he can hurt demons. More please...
I worry that what we see as "regaining humanity" Spike sees as losing his potency. So to speak. Joyce would be able to put the best possible spin on it, IMO, but a bit of violence is bound to put a bounce in his step. Hee! There will indeed be more tomorrow...and it takes a bit of a turn.

09/12/2010 07:20 am
Act One         
How fun!  I'm really enjoying this.  And now that you mention it, Joyce seems like a much more logical person for Spike to go to for help.  It is interesting that no one else has ever thought of it before now--you're so smart!
Thanks, Sensei! I'm glad you agree that going to Joyce makes sense! Other authors have had Spike ending up in Joyce's basement at some point in Season 4 and even in Season 2, but it's usually Buffy's call. I just cut out the middleman, as it were. I hope you continue to have fun with the next chapters.

08/26/2010 02:55 am
Act One         
Great Start! But that last sentence..huh?!
I know! Nobody expects "Something Blue"! It's like the Spanish Inquisition that way. Heh. I'm glad you liked the start, though. Thanks for commenting!

nojiri23
08/24/2010 10:25 pm
Act One         
neat! please continue! 
Your wish is my command! Act Two is up now. Thanks for commenting!

08/24/2010 10:20 pm
Act One         
Wonderful start. I can just see Spike's mind working towards going to Joyce who was so sympathetic when Dru dumped him. So... Buffy's avoiding Willow who is all 'poor me' after Oz left and Willow has done the 'will be done' spell... can't wait to see the twist you put on 'Something Blue'...
Joyce may not be able to fight off Spike's foes, but she can definitely provide a decent cuppa. Sometimes that's even more important! Thanks for the nice comments! Act Two is up now.

08/24/2010 04:20 am
Act One         
Heh heh - Love your Spike. He's so funny.  :)
Hey! Are you one of those terrible people who gets a kick out of Spike's suffering? 'Cos if so, we should be friends! Actually, I think I'm pretty easy on the guy...

Thanks for commenting! Act Two tomorrow!

08/24/2010 01:22 am
Act One         
Awesome twist. I think I read it on Seasonal Spuffy, but had forgotten the very ending. Will there be more?
Yes! There are two more chapters (all finished), and if I squint I can see a sequel beckoning. I'll be posting the next bits tomorrow and Wednesday. It's not over yet!