Forward to Time Past by Unbridled_Brunette
Chapter: Chapter Thirty

Mesh
11/12/2009 07:50 pm
did they say "fuck" in victorian england?
Yes, they did. The word "fuck" has been around for centuries and first appeared in a dictionary in 1775, although most dictionaries did not include it until the 1960's.

LindsayH
06/01/2007 10:42 pm
And now we've met Spike.
It was inevitable. Not that anyone ever complains when Spike comes on the scene. :)

04/11/2007 04:41 am
This chapter is the most compelling one yet.

I love how you understand each of these characters so well, and write them true to form. Darla rings so true. I so appreciate how you are taking your time and developing each character with the love and care that they deserve. Not too mention your knowledge of history. I love a writer who does their research and writes accurately, even if it is for fanfiction.

Now bare with me as I do something here that I only do when I truly love a story and its content. A review of my favorite parts of the chapter..

'It seemed like a century since he’d last held her.' I love the irony here. Especially since it will be a just over a century before he does see or even get to touch her again.

'Most days, he could block Elizabeth from his mind, if he gave it much effort.' This one little line means so much because it shows me the decision he will have to make to finally become 'Spike'.

The following paragraphs are so wonderfully written I could quote it all but won't weary you.

I love what Immortal Beloved had to say in reference to William's penchant for killing blonds. I've been wondering since the beginning how this would all play out when he sees her for the first time. Him wanting to kill her because she looks like his long lost love could be a way to go. I can't wait to see what way you go with it.

The fading velvet...the ring that won't fit on his last finger and this..“You were mine,” he whispered to it. He closed his eyes, summoned her image as easily as if he were looking at a photograph. He told her: “You were mine.” Is there anything more sad and tragic than this? :(

But by far my most favorite line in this chapter was..


“A quick stop by the railway station,” he replied. “I have some…poetic justice…I should like to dispense.” *lol*

You must have been grinning like a cheshire cat when this line came to your mind. I know I would have been. Btw..is anyone making a banner for your story? If not and you'd like one let me know, I'd love to make one for you. Just a thought.
I would absolutely love it if you would like to make a banner for me. Thank you so much for offering -- and for the wonderful, insightful review. :)

04/11/2007 04:23 am
Whew is Vampire William creepy - love the descent into evil.
Thank you! :)

04/08/2007 05:41 pm
This is hard for me to read, but that's because it rings so true. And it's not a criticism. :) You're showing how William became Spike, the long journey to Buffy, and that's much finer than if you'd skipped over his hundred-plus years as a vampire to have them meet again in Sunnydale. I am pulled into this story like no other. Thank you for writing with such care, and so often in William's/Spike's point of view.
Thank you. :) I know it's hard to read, but I'm so glad that you like it anyway.

04/05/2007 09:53 pm
wow that was violent
Could've been worse... :P

04/05/2007 07:37 pm
the creation of spike, a powerful read. thank you
Thanks for reviewing. :)

04/04/2007 12:46 pm
love the story!!!!!
Thank you. :)

Deb
04/04/2007 10:24 am
Ohhh..that's very chilling. Kinda graphic, but inspired. Thank you for weaving in that his dreams are of Elizabeth and his passion/despair of her loss drives him. Excellent writing. I'm hooked!
Thanks, Deb. What a nice thing to say. I really appreciate the review!

04/04/2007 08:25 am
Angry William is scary. Angry, vengeful William doubly so.
Scary but fun, right? Thanks for the review!

04/04/2007 06:53 am
Just got caught up on this ... quite a turn of events, and how interesting. Love the explanation for why he's killing blondes and *love* the line about poetic justice!
I'm glad you did. I have to admit that when he said that, I snickered as well. Naughty William, ever the poet. Thanks for the review!

04/04/2007 05:34 am
Was wondering when he was getting around to Archer. Guess they'll be leaving London soon, now that Darla's back. Enjoying this so much. Thanks for the second update, great chapter.
Thanks for the review. :)

04/04/2007 05:31 am
Hmm- I have to wonder which way in particular Dru was playing with Archer?
I think I know what your guess would be...and you're entirely right. :P Thanks for the review!

04/04/2007 05:19 am
Well, Archer DID ask for it...

Another great update, I loved his dream of Elizabeth in the beginning. *sigh* it makes my heart hurt for him... poor William, I guess he might be called Spike now tho lol Looking forward to the next update!!
lol. Archer really should have known better, shouldn't he? :P

Thanks for the review!

04/04/2007 03:25 am
and Spike was born. :evil:

I love what you've done with his character. It leaves me wondering what the Watcher's books will say about him now that he has a thing for killing blonde women. You've managed to convey his feelings perfectly and the first part of this chapter was heartbreaking.

Wonderful update and I can't wait for more.
Thanks, sweetie. You know I always appreciate your reviews, even if I'm terribly late in responding to them sometimes. :)

04/04/2007 03:24 am
Now that was a nice bit of veangeance!

Fabulous chapter, my dear! Thank you.
Vengeance is mine, sayeth William. Oops. Being sacriligious there. But I'm sure you won't mind. :P

Thanks for reviewing! You know I always love hearing from you.

04/04/2007 02:54 am
“‘Well, isn’t that interesting. And you tell it so well.’” Perfect entrance for Darla. I can just picture her, taking off immaculate white gloves, staring down her nose at William. She’s quite haughty, and you’ve gotten that across in her words and her actions.

I like how you’ve changed the dynamic between William and Drusilla. Obviously, if he’s still in love with Elizabeth, then he wouldn’t be completely ga-ga over Drusilla. William’s love is not fickle. But, at the same time, he would grow to care about her. William does seem to have a need to protect the women in his life, so it stands to reason that he’d feel protective of Drusilla.

I’m really enjoying William’s inner turmoil  He likes being a vampire because he is able to inflict pain on other people, but his motivation seems to be a bit different than it was in the cannon. Instead of being delivered from mediocrity, he’s now mourning the loss of Elizabeth. He wants to see other people in as much pain as he feels. It’s interesting the difference that he feels when Angelus tells him to make the kill personal. At first he seemed to be in it for the hunt, for the kill, but he was following Angelus’ example. When he makes it personal, William seems to find a whole new creative side to himself :evil:

I’m intrigued by Eowyn’s comment about William finding Buffy later and wanting to kill her due to his penchant for killing blondes. I can just see him thinking, “She’s wearing her face. I have to kill her.” 

One last thing: thank you so much for getting the crucifixion details right: nails through the wrists, die from suffocation from the pressure on the diaphragm.
Yeah. I know it sounds weird, but I really researched the crucifixion, because I wanted to be sure it was accurate. The nails through the wrists is much more logical than the hands. I wonder how the palm myth got started?

Thanks for the review! :)

04/03/2007 11:54 pm
Whew... for a minute there, when he said "mine" at the end of the dream, I was afraid he was claiming Dru (either by accident because he was dreaming of Elizabeth, or that he was dreaming of Elizabeth to keep his mind off what he was doing).

I love your explanation of why he revels in the killing, and I love the change that happens when he makes it personal.

And - dare I say it? - you've set things up really well so that, when Spike meets Buffy for the first time in the present day, it'd be very believable that he'd be hellbent on killing her because she reminds him so much of Elizabeth (until she comes back from the past and they figure it out, of course :)).
Nope, definitely no claiming of Dru, thank goodness. I'm glad you like the plotline, so far. And thanks for the review. :)

hellbound
04/03/2007 11:53 pm
yay dialogue! it cleared up my confusion about spike & angelous. and the familial rather than passionate feelings for dru make more sense than where i thought you were going before, so great chap in an awsome fic. oh, and the way you're portraying darla- so her.
Glad to hear that it cleared things up for you. Thanks so much for the review. :)

04/03/2007 11:52 pm
Very well done: gruesome and savage. Kinda feel a bit sorry for Dru, since Spike was originally hers first. Now she has to be second in his heart, if that. Still, you play them well. Nice introduction to him becoming Spike, too.
I'm glad you liked it, thanks. And, incidently, savage and gruesome were just what I was going for. The life of a vampire, and all. Glad to hear I hit my mark. :)

Carole
04/03/2007 11:42 pm
The crucifixion, the apple, the blonde girls, the velvet that is slowly being worn away, it's fascinating. The essence of this Spike seems to be a bit different though, his passion still reserved for Elizabeth. Killing and sex were an escape until Archer. So the persona of Spike is being created, "personal feeling" is emerging. Wonderful. Very original.
There was a lot of symbolism in this chapter, and I'm so happy to hear that you appreciate that. Thanks for the review!

04/03/2007 10:31 pm
The dream was so beautifully done. I'm wondering if it's a connection or just wishes. The changes that Buffy's introduction into William's life, and what kind of vamp it'll make him are fascinating. Love what you're showing us, in little bits, like unwrapping a gift that has been nested in layer upon layer of tissue.
Don't give in to the time/perspective-shifting crowd. NOT knowing what ripples of change have hit the future is a huge part of the allure of the story.
Darla is _such_ a cold one.
Thanks so much, BT. I've gotten so much pressure from that side (to time shift, I mean) and although I have no intention of changing the storyline, it does get annoying. I'm glad that the readers on this site seem to understand why I'm heading in the direction I am. :)

04/03/2007 10:04 pm
Love the changes. I'll try to catch you tonight when we're both awake. lol Very powerful chapter with more Spike emerging from our dear William.
Thanks, as always. :)

04/03/2007 08:56 pm
This is exactly how I imagined the whole "tortured his victim's with railroad spikes" came to be. Gruesome but the right target for the event.

Your reasoning about why Spike is taking such pleasure in the killing (aside from the demon) is understanderable. He wants everyone in pain as he is.

I hope we'll get a look at Buffy's reaction in her own time as she realizes she's back and William is her Spike with new memories even if they don't meet right away.

Lovely update.
Kathleen
Thanks for the review. I'm glad you like it. :)

Onyx
04/03/2007 08:22 pm
Marvelous....and I do mean that in the literal sense, as something that should be MARVELLED at! I am so pleased that Archer got what was coming to him (does that make me sound like some sort of deranged criminal?....perhaps just a vampire?)
Nah. You're not the only one who enjoyed the torture. I really loved writing it. :evil:

kim
04/03/2007 08:20 pm
And so starts Spike.....

Oh, the poor dear and his dreams...
Thanks, kim. As always, I appreciate your thoughts. :)

04/03/2007 08:06 pm
wow, that dream was heart-rending.

and i really enjoy reading of william's transformation. this is a really excellent story!
Thank you. :)

04/03/2007 06:44 pm
Wonderful...the end so chilling, the beginning so heart-breaking. Your William feels things so intensely I shudder with it as I read. I am drugged by your gorgeous writing, as always.
What a great compliment to my writing. Thank you!