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A Prayer From Dante by pfeifferpack
Read straight through - wonderful story and connection to Dante's work the ending of Chosen and Spike's wanting to leave this world and Buffy to find how it all ends - I've always felt it was that transformation from the living within the concepts of love as humans to the love and connection to the concepts of Divine/Universal status.
Really liked your treatment of all the characters, especially Tara as she is representative to me of a Mother Earth symbol which goes well with the the theme of universal/spiritual love and harmony. Giles - well, have to say that even at the end I found that I really disliked him for never having been able to go beyond the narrow confines of his CoW dogma and perhaps his unyielding status is just as important as the lesson/contrast to all the other characters having tranformed.
Really liked your treatment of all the characters, especially Tara as she is representative to me of a Mother Earth symbol which goes well with the the theme of universal/spiritual love and harmony. Giles - well, have to say that even at the end I found that I really disliked him for never having been able to go beyond the narrow confines of his CoW dogma and perhaps his unyielding status is just as important as the lesson/contrast to all the other characters having tranformed.
Truly sweet and satisfying, with a bit o' explanation and foreshadowing of the future of Angel... Made me shudder just a bit.
Blue
Blue
Thank you. I try to weave with canon when possible.
k
k
alým
03/22/2008 09:57 pm
Chapter 20
Such silly dreams!!! LOL Loved it all,it was just so beautiful,so I should thank you once again for being the great author that you are! I'll never get sick of your fictions:)
Glad you won't get sick of my stories because I am working on some more (won't post until complete though). Thank you for your lovely and kind reviews. k
wonderful tale, thanks for the fun read.
I am so glad you enjoyed the story. It was my very first attempt at "dark" fic and I am greatly pleased you liked it. Thank you for the lovely comments too. I appreciate that very much.
K
K
Amazing story. I loved the end too. With Buffy and Spike both having a dream about what's to come and thinking it silly. Just a little advice though. In your warnings, you put Spike/Other. I don't know what that was for, maybe the demon who raped him, but you should be careful when writing that because it almost made me skip the story. I usually don't read stories that have Spike/other in the warning because I can't stomach seeing Spike with anyone but Buffy. I know, obsessed much. But I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels that way. I gave it a chance anyway because I liked the title and summary and I figured worst comes to worst, I would just stop reading. I'm sure glad I did give it a chance though. It was really great. I've been reading it for two days and it wasn't time wasted.
Thank you so much. I have decided to take your advice and removed the Spike/other note. I'm like you and don't want Spike with anyone but Buffy at least after he falls in love with her. Some people get upset if not warned about many things and I was over cautious. I am so happy you took the chance and read it. I appreciate your taking the time to review as well.
Kathleen
Kathleen
very good fic I loved it immensly
So happy you did. I enjoyed writing this one so much. K
:-)
06/24/2010 02:54 am
Chapter 19
alým
03/22/2008 09:27 pm
Chapter 19
Poor Spike and sweet Spangel;) Love it.
Thank you! k
LOL, Angel is funny, but ya know if you wanna stake him I won't argue :P
Come on, you'd miss him and we know it LOL. K
alým
03/22/2008 08:43 pm
Chapter 18
You aren't Gods,you troublesome children! Spike's hurting and the idiot that he is accepted the soul himself. I get that he wants Buffy safe,sound and happy,but,the soul? Really?
It is the only way they would really be accepting of this match I'm afraid! k
the scoobies are as sick as the 'evil' they fight. very good read, thank you.
I always thought they were in need of a viewpoint change to really deserve the title "good". Thank you. k
lol, poooor Spike :P
He does have a hard time of things, poor baby. K
alým
03/22/2008 08:05 pm
Chapter 17
"Not gonna share my boyfriend with some ‘ho with a stuffy name."
And Buffy isn't stuffy?:P
Loved the Spuffy scenes but actually grimaced by the end of the chapter.I suddenly remembered what was to happen and gotta admit,I was't too pleased by it back at the time I read it first.He was the last man who needed a soul,really.
I also wonder why you write this story like that,you know,all with a souled Spike.
And Buffy isn't stuffy?:P
Loved the Spuffy scenes but actually grimaced by the end of the chapter.I suddenly remembered what was to happen and gotta admit,I was't too pleased by it back at the time I read it first.He was the last man who needed a soul,really.
I also wonder why you write this story like that,you know,all with a souled Spike.
Yes I agree that he was already well on his way to redemption without the soul but the Scoobies and Giles would NEVER have let that rest! Spike with no soul would never be given any peace with Buffy and he would have eventually wanted her to rest easy and gotten one. I also try to use pieces of canon in stories and they gave him that soul on the show so I let him have it (besides.....William's soul is so lovely after he got over the crazy in the basement phase he was just as endearing and still our Spike in time).
k
k
LOL, ok Xander can be useful, and I know Angel HAS been helpful, but can we stake him for shits and giggles??
I haven't offed the poof yet in story but will have to do one just for you one day! LOL K
:-)
06/24/2010 02:10 am
Chapter 16
alým
03/22/2008 06:49 pm
Chapter 16
Good girl!
Loved it:)
Loved it:)
Thank you! k
very good read, thank you. seems the one with no moral guide is ripper.
Ripper has many a problem yet and always did have a strange code for a moral guide. Thanks. k
"Because he's Spike." Loved it. Such a great answer. And I love that Buffy defends him. Such a nice change.
Thank you! If they had been really seeing Spike they would have known his character after all those years. Because he's Spike should have said a lot. I just had Buffy less blind *G*. k
"Because he’s Spike", Buffy said in answer.
Holy Wisdom of Solomon Batman!! Buffy bought a clue :P
Holy Wisdom of Solomon Batman!! Buffy bought a clue :P
Somewhere deep inside she really does know him and realize what Spike really is all about, it just scares her into denial. K
Oracleholly
12/29/2005 08:31 pm
Chapter 16
Whoa! damn girl this is something else! I've really enjoyed how you've used Angel in this rescue mission. I'm still concerned about something you put in an earlier chapter --- the Initiative Council guys had told Riley or Sam that Giles was back in England for re-training? It was a little something that's been nagging me. Perhaps I'm freaking. I just have not really trusted Giles in this fic since that mention. Love Tara in this and even am enjoying Xander. Great job!
I just thought about how facists "retrain" a persons thought process and how different Giles was after he left Sunnydale. He was so much more old style council in S7 than ever before. Looked like it might be the reason for the change. Loosing Buffy might have made Giles think it was his unconventional style of Watchering and he would want to change to keep her from dying again...it was just a wild thought.
Much as I wanted to bitch Xander at times I still remember his good points. I think he was showing signs of maturing in S7 onscreen so I cut him a break now and then.
K
Giles - no faith at all in the power of love or a Dawn might way, "broken record much."
alým
03/22/2008 06:16 pm
Chapter 15
Gosh,I've already wanted to kill Riley and now Giles,too! Those pillocks... >:(
Giles is just a blind idiot at times....Riley is a bigot. Giles can learn but Riley is a hopeless case. Thanks. k
giles always way out of sync with his slayer. very good read, thank you.
Giles just can't seem to find his way yet but isn't a total lost cause. Thank you, k
Oh yeah one down two to go :P
Maybe a bit to easy for her though in hindsight. K
alým
03/22/2008 05:54 pm
Chapter 14
Ohhh,Riley is so gonna piss his pants:D Loved it!
Riley deserves what he gets. k
Glad to see Giles isn't the enemy here. I like his reaction to Buffy and Spike. He's not as freaked as I would have thought.
S6 Giles wasn't completely changed and he did laugh when Buffy told him on the show. He might have been able to deal with the two of them at that point. k
Oh yes I am sooooo loving it :P
Thank you! I'm really fond of this story too and am delighted when it's liked. K
:-)
06/23/2010 09:44 pm
Chapter 13
alým
03/22/2008 04:07 pm
Chapter 13
"She had given her Watcher the Cliff Notes version of her affair with Spike, even admitting to being the one to initiate the physical relationship." That's more like it!
And,awww...you know how to make me cry.:(Nobody,especially our dear Spike deserves anything like those stuff.
And,awww...you know how to make me cry.:(Nobody,especially our dear Spike deserves anything like those stuff.
Spike did deserve better...at least their respect that's for certain. He earned it from the time he helped against Glory. k
:-)
06/23/2010 09:34 pm
Chapter 12
alým
03/22/2008 03:39 pm
Chapter 12
Kill Riley,for God's sake! I mean,Mh’Crejshamroyken? Oh,dear...
Yes Riley is one character I don't mind killing off even if I DO let him live in this one (but I think he'd rather be dead LOL). k
I don't trust Giles much right now. I keep thinking about his "re-training" and wonder what exactly did the Council do to him. He seemed normal until now, but what will he do when he finds out the chip hasn't been working on Buffy? Will he change his mind? After all, we all know about his irrational dislike of Spike. Can't wait to read more.
I always wondered about the change from the Giles that left Sunnydale and the Giles that returned, especially in S7. He left a bit of a rebel and returned almost Traverslike. I figured he was so scared because he "lost" his Slayer off that tower that he would embrace the Council's stand even more thoroughly, re-train as it were. k
LOL, and kill Giles too, :P or at least maim him a little
Giles can make me have lethal thoughts too. K
alým
03/22/2008 03:02 pm
Chapter 11
As much as I don't like the things that's gonna happen,I liked the chap. Buffy showed Angel his place.Glad that the both idiots finally figured out that they are over. Forever,not until the Damsel bakes and lets the King of Broodiness eat her up.
They were over by season 3 IMHO....when he became Angelus in S2 it would have never been the same. Of course I don't think the "love" was real anyway. Buffy had him on a pedastal as a hero and Angel saw her as pure and innocent. Neither of them really knew the other well enough or real enough for it to be love. That puppy love/first love rarely survives. k
Kill the Riley
Would love to but alas I have other plans bwahahahah. K
I love Buffy called the demon's ferris wheel demons. LOL! I have the same problem that she does and I get sayings and phrases mixed up all the time.
That was one thing consistent with her LOL. I think she was much smarter than anyone knew but it showed that to her it was "point out demon and I kill demon" instead of little details like how to pronounce the names or what their habits were. Practical Slayer and not a research girl, that's our Buffy. k
alým
03/22/2008 02:19 am
Chapter 10
Spangel...always good in a decent(!) dose:D Love it,really.
Depends on how and when it happens but I do love the dynamic between Angel and Spike...its very love/hate. k
No, not Angel! I could never decide who I hate most, Angel or Riley. I think it's a tie. But hey, anything that might help Spike. He's been in there an awful long time and if they're done with him, that means Riley's gonna get to play. That's no good. I love Clem. Love him, love him, love him. Great story.
I didn't like Angel when he was on Buffy, even on his return. I did like him on his own show. As for Clem, not likeing him is like not liking puppies and kittens. k
lol, poor Spike
Our little energizer bunny can take a lickin at least. K
Your Buffy is often so easy to dislike because of her tendency to be so closed minded and self righteous - well - always room for learning lessons with this slayer and vampire and the scoobs.
:-)
06/23/2010 03:17 pm
Chapter 9
alým
03/22/2008 01:49 am
Chapter 9
Really,Spike never lied to her,also he never left her alone after being with her,instead he was always the one to watch her leave.But on the other hand Riley left her in her bed after being with her just to get himself a suck-job or two by a vampiress whore.
I mean,really,which one'd you trust? I'd choose the soulfull one if I were off my stones,which I'm not.But Buffy was.Glad that you are a great Spuffy shipper,I can always trust you about a happy-or,at least hopeful- ending.Thanks a lot for that:)
I will ALWAYS let Spike have Buffy's love in the end since he wanted it so much. I may put them with others for story reasons but will never keep them apart if they are both "alive" at the same time! I try not to bash any of the characters, even Angel, but Riley is too tempting at times. k
an unchipped master vampire and a slayer who is ready to start beating her way to answers. a very good tale is getting even better.
Thank you. Yes, justice WILL be served in time.
k
k
Poor, poor, stupid Buffy. That will teach her for trusting Riley Finn... of all stupid untrustworthy people. God I hate the guy. My hatred for him is as strong as Giles' for Spike. Why does he hate him so much by the way. I never understood that on the show. He can still be almost civil to Angel who killed his girlfriend, but not to Spike who helped them so many times. One of life's great misteries. Great chapter. Can't stop reading even though I should be in bed lol
Tee heee...I could NEVER cozy up to Riley for many reasons. Mostly because he was a bigot and bully (not just his anti Spike behavior). Many examples but the two that stick in my mind never let me "forgive" the character. I despised him when he lured the vampire girl, Sandy (who had poitely backed off at a bar weeks earlier when he said he wasn't interested) only to stake her! She wasn't hunting! Then there is the plastic stake moment....his all time low IMHO. Seems we are alike this way LOL.
K
K
damn Buffy's calling isn't slaying, it's being stupid :P
Yes Buffy is slow, but trainable LOL. K
:-)
06/23/2010 10:50 am
Chapter 8
alým
03/22/2008 01:18 am
Chapter 8
Well,the neighboor Spike has in that place might be four times his size and strenght,but he can't even be quarter of his intelligence,ever since he thinks that Spike cannot manage to survive.As Spike himself said,he had Angelus as his trainer about the torture and its survival,and that means something!
Lovin' it even more by every passing chapter:) Thank u.
Lovin' it even more by every passing chapter:) Thank u.
Thank you for the lovely feedback. k
very good read. glad the chip is gone. perhaps spike can have a moment with riley.
Poor Spike has torture enough without having to spend too much time with Riley *G*.
Thank you.
k
Thank you.
k
Kill the Riley :D please
Oh how tempted I was! I never liked Riley at all and have to force myself to be fair in writing him. K
alým
03/22/2008 12:18 am
Chapter 7
I never thought Jonathan was evil.Like Andrew,he was nothing like Warren.Jonathan and Andrew are good souls in my opinion.
Liked the chapter:)
Liked the chapter:)
I liked Jonathan (especially in Superstar) and Andrew. I felt bad that Jonathan wasn't able to live to be redeemed like Andrew was . Warren was pure evil IMHO. k
Poor Spike. You have me worried for him now!
This story was my very first foray into H/C or "dark fic" of any kind....glad it was sufficiently dark. k
alým
03/22/2008 12:10 am
Chapter 6
That's the spirit! Our vamp would never go down without a fight.Never!...Well,maybe except for the Bangel fictions,I've never read them,but I have a feeling that Spike is loved by no one or nothing in those. Don't think they'd give him the benefit of a fair fight. Most likely just let him lose,suffer and die...tsk tsk tsk.
Anyway,good chapter which made me wanna dust Riley.
...
Hey,nobody said dusting'd be easy.;)
Anyway,good chapter which made me wanna dust Riley.
...
Hey,nobody said dusting'd be easy.;)
Spike is a fighter, its the only way he survived Darla and Angelus in the beginning and all those years taking care of Dru. He might lose fights because he's not invincible but he'll go down trying. k
Well written and interesting story line. I'm really enjoying it so far. Good read.
Thank you. k
Poor Spike, can we kick Buffy now??
Yes, but Spike wouldn't want her hurt. K
alým
03/21/2008 11:52 pm
Chapter 5
Ahhh,Giles...ever the same.
Loved the chapter as usual;)
Loved the chapter as usual;)
Giles had too many years of training with the Council and then that terrible experience with Angel/Angelus....he just couldn't see. Just like Willow said.....he was blind. k
Oh yeag Gman putr your foot in it
Giles has a habit of foot in mouth disease that never was cured. K
:-)
06/23/2010 08:59 am
Chapter 4
alým
03/21/2008 11:37 pm
Chapter 4
I wish I could say "Yes,you ruthless bitch!" as an answer for the last questions of hers...But I know she's coming to her right mind...finally.Thnk you for openning her eyes to the truths and her heart to Spike.You are a great author:) Thank you for the satisfying chapter!
Thank you! I couldn't make it too easy or it wouldn't be Buffy LOL. k
Stoopid Buffy, hit Xander...please :P
Ah a Xander bash is always good for the soul. K
alým
03/21/2008 08:23 pm
Chapter 3
Only if she followed her heart in the beginning...Damn Angel,Riley and every male that caused people to judge Spike without actually givin' him a chance!
Hopeful chapter,just like how I remember it.:)
Hopeful chapter,just like how I remember it.:)
Thanks! Yes, I think the Scoobies always saw Spike through Angelus colored lenses and Buffy was too messed up with her past loves to see clearly either. Thank you. K
Poor Buffy:(
can we kick her again:D she has it coming
can we kick her again:D she has it coming
Might knock some sense into her....K
love the way Willow and Tara stood up for Buffy and Spike in this chapter. Great job!
Thanks! Willow was always more inclined to accept when she was happy herself and Tara was just too reasonable not to! Thank you. K
:-)
06/23/2010 05:38 am
Chapter 2
alým
03/20/2008 11:23 pm
Chapter 2
"Still, she missed him, felt for him. She still looked for him, even a passing glimpse would do." Huh,how does it feel to be alone,bitch! "No matter what her head might say, her heart still hurt when he wasn’t there." oh,good than!
"Buffy was sure she had done the right thing in ending it." No,I'm certain that this girl left her brains in that heavenly,heaven-like-or,whatever-dimension.
" Her friends would never accept Spike in that part of her life" Are her friends gonna have him in that part of their lives?!?
"She had still expected him to come around though. Buffy had expected pleas and threats to get her to change her mind." Anything else? "If she were honest, Buffy was a bit disappointed that Spike just seemed to accept her ending their relationship without a word." What the hell does this superslut want from him,and how can she dare to want them from him,anyway?!
" She missed Spike. "At least, on patrol, that is", she qualified to herself." Yeah,do that...
"She hoped he hadn’t staked himself when she dumped him." Get a grip,like you're God's gift.
This spoilt tramp is going to be the death of me!
ITA! Buffy had this wonderful guy who loved her to the point of being willing to die for her (like with Glory) not to mention how very hot he is and she didn't appreciate him at all until too late. IDIOT! Thanks. k
I love the idea that Sam and Riley were working together and not married. This could easily have happened on the show!
Thanks....I just had this germ of an idea about Sam. Seemed so fast for Riley to move on and for a gal to accept he was "in love" with someone else so recently to marry him. Figured if she had an agenda it made sense and thus was born this part of the story. Glad it made sense in the reading.
K
K
alým
03/20/2008 10:58 pm
Chapter 1
I'm reading this beautiful story for the second time,and enjoying it as if it's the first time around.Loved it again!
I'm honored at the reread! Thank you. k
Riley should die, die I say then dust Angel :P
Great chappie
Great chappie
Thank you. K
I'm reading now so that I can get a good idea for a banner. Looking forward to reading more chapters. I enjoy your writing very much. The summary and prologue have got my interest. :)
OH and the banner is beyond perfect and beautiful too! I'm hoping to have time today to post it everywhere. THANK YOU for sharing your talent and thank you for reading as well.
K
K
alým
03/20/2008 10:37 pm
Prologue
Was Spike the one to take their involvement from friendship to physical relationship? I clearly remember that Buffy was the one who attached her lips to his. Am I wrong? Did Spike attacked her hot,pink,pouty lips? Did he threw the first punch at "Smashed"? I mean,alright,he did call her and got into her way a few times,but that wasn't an act which screamed "Come on,jump my bones right away!!"
Also he wasn't the one to kiss her at "Once More,With Feeling";they kissed each other. I can't know about "Tabula Rasa" kiss,no one can,but I ,again,remember that Spike turned around to leave before the kiss,just like the time he did at "Once More,With Feeling".
Also he wasn't the one to kiss her at "Once More,With Feeling";they kissed each other. I can't know about "Tabula Rasa" kiss,no one can,but I ,again,remember that Spike turned around to leave before the kiss,just like the time he did at "Once More,With Feeling".
You are so right....Buffy is the one but Spike was always considered the one who pushed it (and her) to that point. ITA that SHE was the one but even Spike seemed to think he was responsible.
Kathleen
Kathleen
LOL stoopis buffy, stoopid Spike
Yes there is a problem with a stupid virus in Sunnydale LOL K
Liked it. Although I think raped/violated victims will have some kind of withdrawl affect on them for atleast a while. And a vampire like Spike being helpless will definitely have some consequence. But there were none. Although he had a lot of withdrawl after getting the soul which is different from Season 7 of Buffy. He was able to overcome it in that quicker.
Thank you. As for rape victims it is individual to the person (I am one myself)...sometimes denial will cause a person to not show it "bothered" them at all....of course it comes back to bite them eventually. The different reaction to the soul is due to the different motive in getting it. On screen it was to prevent himself from ever being able to hurt Buffy and prove he was worthy of her...he was faced with a view of his actions that pulled the rug out frmo under him and madness ensued. In this story it was to pacify Giles more than anything and Spike hadn't "betrayed" Buffy the way he thought he had on screen. Thanks again. K
Rose
01/03/2006 10:25 am
Prologue
Great story! I usually can't stand much Paingel but you wrote him brilliantly. Xander also! You're right about Xander's good points - just a nudge in the direction of rational rather than irrational, and it's not hard to make a nice Xander believable. This is one of the best stories I've read in awhile, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Great work! :)
Thank you! I really do love all the characters and try to see all sides of them. I appreciate the feedback, you made me smile. K
carin
01/02/2006 11:50 am
Prologue
i read this all in one sitting, which is saying something because i don't like angst or souled Spike but you pulled it off...great story.
Thank you so much. Glad you read it in spite of the parts you don't usually like.
I prefer my angst (reading or writing) to have a happy or at least hopeful ending so I am careful about the stories with angst that I do. I love all incarnations of Spike that feel true to me. Glad it worked for you. K
Mandythemusician
12/30/2005 11:29 am
Prologue
Okay, let me first say that this was a wonderful story. I read it all in one day because I just couldn't stop. I barely even stopped to eat or use the bathroom. I loved how you changed the results by changing just a few different decisions along the way. Makes you really think about how fragile the tapestry of life really is. Taking away or adding one decision or mistake and destiny can be changed. Also, that Loreena McKennitt song is one of my favorites ever. It has inspired me on more than one occasion as well.
Wow I am honored! I've read some stories that put challenges on my bladder too and am pleased I wrote one *grin*. Glad you enjoyed it and ITA on Loreena's song. K
Aww, you can't just leave me hanging...hurry up and update soon! Loved this....
So glad! This was my first real journey into the dark side of fic and I found it has an appeal. K
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