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Fic: Shanshu 48: The Box
Title: The Box
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 478 - Slow Suicide
Rating: PG
Summary: Another chapter for Shanshu
Word Count: 1351
Note: The final chapter so maybe I should have called it The End. ;-)
( Spike stopped and spoke before turning. “Webb.” He started to pat at himself, searching his jacket for cigarettes as he turned. Will hadn’t smoked. Will also hadn’t even remembered much less worn a leather jacket for the past six years. Spike glanced down at WIll’s jeans and sweater, which were grungy after weeks of imprisonment in a dungeon. The flicker of fire from Webb’s lighter highlighted the faded letters on the old t-shirt. “Agnostic Front? Don’t you think it’s time for a new wardrobe?” )
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 478 - Slow Suicide
Rating: PG
Summary: Another chapter for Shanshu
Word Count: 1351
Note: The final chapter so maybe I should have called it The End. ;-)
( Spike stopped and spoke before turning. “Webb.” He started to pat at himself, searching his jacket for cigarettes as he turned. Will hadn’t smoked. Will also hadn’t even remembered much less worn a leather jacket for the past six years. Spike glanced down at WIll’s jeans and sweater, which were grungy after weeks of imprisonment in a dungeon. The flicker of fire from Webb’s lighter highlighted the faded letters on the old t-shirt. “Agnostic Front? Don’t you think it’s time for a new wardrobe?” )
Fic: Shanshu 27 - We Are the Hollow Men
Title: We Are the Hollow Men
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 477 - ascetic
Rating: PG
Summary: Another chapter for Shanshu
Word Count: 1013
Note: Written out of order. I decided I needed a scene earlier on, when Will and Willow are in the cell.
( Will had moved the jug of water to the center of the cell. The walls were dank, oozing with who the hell knew what, and he didn't want anything contaminating their water. One thing, among many, that he couldn't get used to: no matter how much he drank, the jug remained full. Except he wasn't letting himself think about that. He didn't believe in magic – no matter what the red-head, Willow, said – but he couldn't see how the trick was being played. Perhaps they'd drugged him. Perhaps the whole situation was an elaborate hallucination. It felt real though. Sitting, shackled to the wall for days on end was too dull to be some kind of a vision. )
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 477 - ascetic
Rating: PG
Summary: Another chapter for Shanshu
Word Count: 1013
Note: Written out of order. I decided I needed a scene earlier on, when Will and Willow are in the cell.
( Will had moved the jug of water to the center of the cell. The walls were dank, oozing with who the hell knew what, and he didn't want anything contaminating their water. One thing, among many, that he couldn't get used to: no matter how much he drank, the jug remained full. Except he wasn't letting himself think about that. He didn't believe in magic – no matter what the red-head, Willow, said – but he couldn't see how the trick was being played. Perhaps they'd drugged him. Perhaps the whole situation was an elaborate hallucination. It felt real though. Sitting, shackled to the wall for days on end was too dull to be some kind of a vision. )
Fic: Shanshu 46 - Could It Be Magic
Title: Could It Be Magic
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 476 - Siddha
Rating: PG
Summary: Another chapter for Shanshu
Word Count: 1271
Note: Since Angel's getting what he wants, I took the title from Barry Manilow. How do you think Buffy will react when Angel wants to see Manilow's show on their Vegas honeymoon?
( Spike could remember loving Buffy, but he couldn't quite work out why he'd loved her. Looking back, it seemed like an addiction, loving the worst thing for him. Dru had been like that too, not good for him. First off in the killing and turning and then by invoking his jealousy with her Daddy issues. Millay hadn't been bad for him. He'd loved her. They'd had passion with no dysfunction. Maybe that was a human trick, loving well. Maybe he'd forget how to love wisely, if he survived the spell. )
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 476 - Siddha
Rating: PG
Summary: Another chapter for Shanshu
Word Count: 1271
Note: Since Angel's getting what he wants, I took the title from Barry Manilow. How do you think Buffy will react when Angel wants to see Manilow's show on their Vegas honeymoon?
( Spike could remember loving Buffy, but he couldn't quite work out why he'd loved her. Looking back, it seemed like an addiction, loving the worst thing for him. Dru had been like that too, not good for him. First off in the killing and turning and then by invoking his jealousy with her Daddy issues. Millay hadn't been bad for him. He'd loved her. They'd had passion with no dysfunction. Maybe that was a human trick, loving well. Maybe he'd forget how to love wisely, if he survived the spell. )
Fic: Shanshu 45 - When You Have Neither
Title: When You Have Neither
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 475 - Titanic
Rating: PG
Summary: Another chapter for Shanshu
Word Count: 2470
Note on scene title: When you have the facts on your side, argue the facts. When you have the law on your side, argue the law. When you have neither, holler. - Al Gore
( Millay didn't argue when Xander and Dawn had commandeered one of the vans so they could return to LA immediately. Anything that got her to Will sooner was okay in her book. The Slayers were staying to close the Hell-thingy, assuming there even was a Hell-thingy, but Millay had seen the creatures that had climbed out of the crater. Those monsters would put even Nosferatu to shame. She'd also seen them turn to dust when killed. If Hell-thingys did exist, then the more people making sure they were properly closed the better, but Xander said the Slayers had it covered and that was good enough. Millay might not believe in Hell-thingys and vampires, but she did believe in Will, who might or might not be in LA. If he was, she wanted to be there with him. )
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 475 - Titanic
Rating: PG
Summary: Another chapter for Shanshu
Word Count: 2470
Note on scene title: When you have the facts on your side, argue the facts. When you have the law on your side, argue the law. When you have neither, holler. - Al Gore
( Millay didn't argue when Xander and Dawn had commandeered one of the vans so they could return to LA immediately. Anything that got her to Will sooner was okay in her book. The Slayers were staying to close the Hell-thingy, assuming there even was a Hell-thingy, but Millay had seen the creatures that had climbed out of the crater. Those monsters would put even Nosferatu to shame. She'd also seen them turn to dust when killed. If Hell-thingys did exist, then the more people making sure they were properly closed the better, but Xander said the Slayers had it covered and that was good enough. Millay might not believe in Hell-thingys and vampires, but she did believe in Will, who might or might not be in LA. If he was, she wanted to be there with him. )
Fic: Shanshu 44 - Thirteen Moons
Title: Thirteen Moons
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 474 - Cheerful
Rating: PG
Summary: Another chapter for Shanshu
Word Count: 1955
( They'd driven to the magic shop. Of course driving was faster, but that wasn't the real reason they'd taken the car. The things Angel had said he do if they left him behind, well, Willow hadn't even known you could do that with a leg, even if it was detached. )
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 474 - Cheerful
Rating: PG
Summary: Another chapter for Shanshu
Word Count: 1955
( They'd driven to the magic shop. Of course driving was faster, but that wasn't the real reason they'd taken the car. The things Angel had said he do if they left him behind, well, Willow hadn't even known you could do that with a leg, even if it was detached. )
Fic: Shanshu 43 - Fight. Fight. Fight.
Title: Fight, Fight, Fight
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 473 - Feculent
Rating: PG
Summary: Another chapter for Shanshu
Word Count: 1118
( If there was anything Willow hated, it was being frozen in place as the big scary came at her with a weapon, and, okay, the woman, Ash, wasn't all that scary and she certainly wasn't very big, but she did have a sharp-looking dagger aimed straight at Willow's chest. “Have you really thought this whole stabbing idea through, because as a lifestyle choice, major carnage isn't as satisfying as you might think.” )
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 473 - Feculent
Rating: PG
Summary: Another chapter for Shanshu
Word Count: 1118
( If there was anything Willow hated, it was being frozen in place as the big scary came at her with a weapon, and, okay, the woman, Ash, wasn't all that scary and she certainly wasn't very big, but she did have a sharp-looking dagger aimed straight at Willow's chest. “Have you really thought this whole stabbing idea through, because as a lifestyle choice, major carnage isn't as satisfying as you might think.” )
Fic: Shanshu 42 - Finding Spike
Title: Finding Spike
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 472 - Picaroon
Rating: PG
Summary: Another chapter for Shanshu
Word Count: 1161
( The desert was hot in a hotly hot way but at least the vamps were dusted. Buffy looked over the edge of the crater. Plus the Hellmouth didn't seem to be spewing out any other monsters at the moment. “Okay, Dawn. Turok Han are dusted. You're up.” )
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 472 - Picaroon
Rating: PG
Summary: Another chapter for Shanshu
Word Count: 1161
( The desert was hot in a hotly hot way but at least the vamps were dusted. Buffy looked over the edge of the crater. Plus the Hellmouth didn't seem to be spewing out any other monsters at the moment. “Okay, Dawn. Turok Han are dusted. You're up.” )
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Fic: Shanshu 41 - Kill the Witch
Title: Kill the Witch
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 471 - Crank Call
Rating: PG
Summary: Another chapter for Shanshu
Word Count: 747
( One one side they had Mann's Chinese theater providing the most dramatic ritual backdrop ever. On the other side demon soldiers were clearing the street by chopping axes into cars. “So,” Willow said, “this is pretty much the crankiest of all crank calls ever, right? I mean dialing into a dimension to end all the dimensions, that's definitely not of the good.” )
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 471 - Crank Call
Rating: PG
Summary: Another chapter for Shanshu
Word Count: 747
( One one side they had Mann's Chinese theater providing the most dramatic ritual backdrop ever. On the other side demon soldiers were clearing the street by chopping axes into cars. “So,” Willow said, “this is pretty much the crankiest of all crank calls ever, right? I mean dialing into a dimension to end all the dimensions, that's definitely not of the good.” )
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Fic: Shanshu - Dramatic Backdrop
Title: Dramatic Backdrop
Prompt: 469 - enharmonic intervals
Rating: PG
Summary: Another chapter for Shanshu
Word Count: 665
( The guards stopped shy of the cage, leading them to a dais instead. The raised circle was about ten feet across and ran only a few inches up from the ground. “What do you suppose this is for?” Willow asked. )
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Fic: Shanshu 38 - The End of the World as We Know It
Title: The End of the World as We Know It
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 468 - Expunge
Rating: PG
Summary: Another chapter for Shanshu
Word Count: 1253
( The insectoid guards had led them through so many tunnels that Willow had stopped worrying about what they'd find at the end. Spike's arm around her waist was warm, warmer than she'd expected. Granted, he was human now, but where he touched her was a lot more tingly than she'd thought it would be. It felt sort of nice actually. If they were going to die, at least she'd have a good memory to carry with her, but of course they weren't going to die because being defeated here would mean a big old apocalypse and she just didn't let that kind of thing happen even if she didn't know how she and Spike were going to stop it. She didn't know yet, which is why she and Spike were touching, pretending she was more hurt than she actually was so the demons would underestimate her and leave an opening for her to work with. Not that they had gotten careless. Yet. )
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 468 - Expunge
Rating: PG
Summary: Another chapter for Shanshu
Word Count: 1253
( The insectoid guards had led them through so many tunnels that Willow had stopped worrying about what they'd find at the end. Spike's arm around her waist was warm, warmer than she'd expected. Granted, he was human now, but where he touched her was a lot more tingly than she'd thought it would be. It felt sort of nice actually. If they were going to die, at least she'd have a good memory to carry with her, but of course they weren't going to die because being defeated here would mean a big old apocalypse and she just didn't let that kind of thing happen even if she didn't know how she and Spike were going to stop it. She didn't know yet, which is why she and Spike were touching, pretending she was more hurt than she actually was so the demons would underestimate her and leave an opening for her to work with. Not that they had gotten careless. Yet. )
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Fic: Shanshu 35: Sword Play
Title: Sword Play
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 465 - Flashback
Rating: PG
Summary: Another chapter for Shanshu
Word Count: 1117
( Their path dead-ended in an armory. Not guns, demons didn't use them, or the axes they'd seen the demons carrying, but swords. As far as Willow could tell, they were sort of your everyday go-to sword, or a Slayer's version of that anyway, swords with slightly curved single edge. “At least we've got our choice of weapons.” )
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 465 - Flashback
Rating: PG
Summary: Another chapter for Shanshu
Word Count: 1117
( Their path dead-ended in an armory. Not guns, demons didn't use them, or the axes they'd seen the demons carrying, but swords. As far as Willow could tell, they were sort of your everyday go-to sword, or a Slayer's version of that anyway, swords with slightly curved single edge. “At least we've got our choice of weapons.” )
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Fic: Shanshu 33 - Pull Out His Eyes, Apologize
Title: Pull Out His Eyes, Apologize
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 463 - Snake's Eye View
Rating: PG
Summary: Another chapter for Shanshu
Word Count:1158
( Willow's grin told him he'd said something terribly amusing. She sat onto the ground as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Ah, yes, modern women. Didn't play by the old rules and didn't need his help. Most likely she'd have escaped already if she hadn't had him anchoring her down. As he joined her on the ground, he voiced his thoughts. “I suppose you wish Spike were here.” )
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 463 - Snake's Eye View
Rating: PG
Summary: Another chapter for Shanshu
Word Count:1158
( Willow's grin told him he'd said something terribly amusing. She sat onto the ground as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Ah, yes, modern women. Didn't play by the old rules and didn't need his help. Most likely she'd have escaped already if she hadn't had him anchoring her down. As he joined her on the ground, he voiced his thoughts. “I suppose you wish Spike were here.” )
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Fic: Shanshu 30 - Lair of the White Worm
Title: Lair of the White Worm
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 460 - Jurassic
Rating: PG
Summary: Another chapter for Shanshu
Word Count: 1254
Note: Apologies for Will and Willow. Joss named 'em, not me.
( It felt as if they'd been skulking for hours. Will had wanted to make a run for it but Willow had insisted they take it slow and stealthy. She was a smart one alright. So far they'd snuck past out a good dozen set of guards without being seen. )
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 460 - Jurassic
Rating: PG
Summary: Another chapter for Shanshu
Word Count: 1254
Note: Apologies for Will and Willow. Joss named 'em, not me.
( It felt as if they'd been skulking for hours. Will had wanted to make a run for it but Willow had insisted they take it slow and stealthy. She was a smart one alright. So far they'd snuck past out a good dozen set of guards without being seen. )
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Fic: Shanshu 27 - Let's Do the Time Warp Again
Title: Let's Do the Time Warp Again
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 457 - fugacious
Rating: PG
Summary: Part 27 of Shanshu
Word Count: 1022
Note: When he says fugacious, Will is quoting a poem: ' [ Late August ] ' - Poem by Ency Bearis
( “Spike? What's wrong?” Granted, they'd been kidnapped by demons and dumped in a dungeon, but there was no reason, as far as Willow could see, for Spike to curl up in a corner. Oh, wait, Spike was human now and had amnesia. Maybe human Spike wasn't comfortable with weirdness, which was weird in and of itself given that whole devoted to Drusilla for a hundred years thing he'd had going on. Of course if he didn't remember Drusilla and he didn't remember demons, this would all seem kind of strange, but he'd lived with strange for so long you think it'd be ingrained into his psyche or something even if not his memories. )
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 457 - fugacious
Rating: PG
Summary: Part 27 of Shanshu
Word Count: 1022
Note: When he says fugacious, Will is quoting a poem: ' [ Late August ] ' - Poem by Ency Bearis
( “Spike? What's wrong?” Granted, they'd been kidnapped by demons and dumped in a dungeon, but there was no reason, as far as Willow could see, for Spike to curl up in a corner. Oh, wait, Spike was human now and had amnesia. Maybe human Spike wasn't comfortable with weirdness, which was weird in and of itself given that whole devoted to Drusilla for a hundred years thing he'd had going on. Of course if he didn't remember Drusilla and he didn't remember demons, this would all seem kind of strange, but he'd lived with strange for so long you think it'd be ingrained into his psyche or something even if not his memories. )
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Fic: Shanshu 23 - Sparks in the Darkest of Caves
Title: Sparks in the Darkest of Caves
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 453 - Ooze
Rating: PG
Summary: Part 23 of Shanshu
Word Count: 1008
Note: time moves more slolwy in the demon dimension.
( Will sat there stroking Buffy's red hair. )
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 453 - Ooze
Rating: PG
Summary: Part 23 of Shanshu
Word Count: 1008
Note: time moves more slolwy in the demon dimension.
( Will sat there stroking Buffy's red hair. )
Fic: Shanshu 20 - The Sunflower
Title: The Sunflower
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 450 - Gorgon
Rating: PG
Summary: Part 20 of Shanshu
Word Count: 1654
( The street was crowded, more alive than Pittsburgh had been. Of course Theater Square was more highbrow than a street full of eateries and dance clubs. Recognizing the name from the police reports, Willow took in the Club California, all three stories with neon signs and a line out the door. “Is this where the cops picked you up?” )
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 450 - Gorgon
Rating: PG
Summary: Part 20 of Shanshu
Word Count: 1654
( The street was crowded, more alive than Pittsburgh had been. Of course Theater Square was more highbrow than a street full of eateries and dance clubs. Recognizing the name from the police reports, Willow took in the Club California, all three stories with neon signs and a line out the door. “Is this where the cops picked you up?” )
Nominated at Willowy Goodness
Yay! Two of my stories were nominated at the Willowy Goodness Awards.
In the categories of Best Crossover Author, Best Willow Crossover, Best Comedy, and Best Willow Characterization, The Revelatory Power of the Feminist Revolution is Obvious, Right?
In the categories of Best Willow/Spike Author, Best Willow/Spike Fic, and Best Alternate Universe, Shanshu. Geez, Willow and Spike haven't even met yet! *huge grin*
And a big thanks to whomever nominated me. *doing the happy dance*
In the categories of Best Willow/Spike Author, Best Willow/Spike Fic, and Best Alternate Universe, Shanshu. Geez, Willow and Spike haven't even met yet! *huge grin*
And a big thanks to whomever nominated me. *doing the happy dance*
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Fic: Shanshu 12 - Destiny. Destiny. No Escaping, Not For Me
Title: Destiny. Destiny. No Escaping, Not For Me
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 443 - Wyrd
Rating: PG
Summary: Part 12 of Shanshu
Word Count: 1101
( Will rested against the wall with his fingers interlaced behind his head and his legs stretched out before him. He felt remarkably calm considering he was shackled to the wall. When he'd woken, still groggy from Ash's sleepy pills, he'd remembered a story Morgan had told him, something about a guy who'd taken LSD and ended up on some farm, stark naked, claiming to be Jesus Christ. Will had crashed at Ash's apartment and woken in a cell so narrow he couldn't even stretch his arms out without hitting a wall. He'd have thought he was hallucinating, like that guy Morgan had mentioned, except for one tiny and inconvenient detail. Ash hadn't given him LSD. )
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: 443 - Wyrd
Rating: PG
Summary: Part 12 of Shanshu
Word Count: 1101
( Will rested against the wall with his fingers interlaced behind his head and his legs stretched out before him. He felt remarkably calm considering he was shackled to the wall. When he'd woken, still groggy from Ash's sleepy pills, he'd remembered a story Morgan had told him, something about a guy who'd taken LSD and ended up on some farm, stark naked, claiming to be Jesus Christ. Will had crashed at Ash's apartment and woken in a cell so narrow he couldn't even stretch his arms out without hitting a wall. He'd have thought he was hallucinating, like that guy Morgan had mentioned, except for one tiny and inconvenient detail. Ash hadn't given him LSD. )