oh coolness...we should have known Tara would help (I soooo loved her gentle character and was very saddened when she was killed). May I ask if you named Meret for the egyptian goddess of song and celebration? If so then I really appreciate the way you chose to reference a god(dess) who was accessible to the 'common' people. In my culture we had a similar system - most of the 'masses' in my iwi (think of iwi as a tribe or nation) kept practices involving Uenuku (his avatar being the rainbow) while the name of the highest deity was invoked only by tohunga whose practices were kept from most of the people. Looking forward to seeing Buffy more explicitly as this develops too - though it's been really interesting the way you've spoken around her and of her impact on Spike and Dawn. It's been like drawing one of those pictures using negative space, where the actual figure you're creating comes together in relief AGAINST the backdrop of the other figures you've actually drawn in. Go you!

Author's Response: Meret is named for the goddesses Meret and Meretseger, both of whom were worshipped by "commoners." Now you've made me curious about your iwi's religious traditions! I'm a sucker for the religions and myths of other cultures. I hope you keep liking my dancing around Buffy without including her after a few chapters, because I keep that piece of negative space running for a while. Thanks for the review!

Hi, i just found this completely by accident and am really enjoying it. The start of the first chapter with the poker game rang especially true and that was what suckered me, a confirmed ophidiphobic, into a story I would not normally touch with a barge pole. You have a real gift for writing conversations, this last chapter's one with Dawn was a true delight. I love the dry humour of it. More please!

Thanks again! I'll check out your LJ too. You've got me interested.

Author's Response: I know that not everyone can feel the same way about snakes as me, so thanks for giving the story a chance! I'm glad you're enjoying it in spite of my little ophidian. Thanks for the review!

Love this chapter! I’m a huge sucker for Spike and Dawn friendship; and you’ve hit all the right notes there. I particularly adore the awkward hug. Of course Spike not used to platonic hugs; though I suspect he’d love more. Poor starved for affection Spike!

Also loved the tiger/ vampire parallel. Very apt; especially Spike’s refection on the caged tiger and his chances out in the wild. You capture the early season 6 Spike’s motivations well.

I’d wonder if you planned to take this in a central american mythological direction. The only winged snakes I can remember! Very cool. Looking forward to the next chapter!


Author's Response: Hey, everyone needs a hug sometimes. :-) Early season 6 Spike was one of my favorite iterations of the character. I'm glad you're liking what I'm doing with him. Thanks for reviewing!

Another wonderful chapter. Go, Tara! You really are a terrific writer.

Author's Response: Thank you!

I think Meret is so cute and I love Spike I just hope when Buffy gets in on the act that shes nice to him.

Author's Response: I'm glad you like her. Thanks for the comment!

Loved insightful Spike at the begin of the chapter. "Spike, I think there's something alive in your pocket." *gg* Poor Dawn *grins* It was a bit too much for her, huh? ;-) Ain't it isn't so easy to keep Meret a secret as Spike thought :) But Tara is kind - she'll help. And it seems she knows something.

Author's Response: Hey, "the best laid plans" and all that... Thanks for reviewing!

Noooo... what a place to leave me! I want to know what Meret is too.

Loved the Spike / Tiger paralell. Works beautifully, although I'm going to take a little time to ponder your, "...He had the sinking feeling that the once proud hunter had been so thoroughly gentled by its captivity that it would have chosen to stay within the confines of the only home it could remember..." because I sort of believe that Spike did quite easily accept his gradual transition from truly evil BigBadVampire to the non-killing/evil doing redemptionist vampire who eventually realised he was in love with Buffy. The fear he exhibits at the zoo seems to conflict with my image of him ultimately welcoming the transformation. I could however imagine him feeling pity or even some regret at the leashing of such wild explosive power. Just my opinion though, pet.

Dialogue is good, although I'm not a great lover of the abbreviated English-speak. You've captured Dawn and Tara though!

Wonder if Meret can communicate with anyone else? Wonder what she'll make of Buffy. It would be interesting to see two such different females vie for his attention! *grins*

Great update, ignore my nit picking - I'm a redemptionista grumpy so-and-so.


Author's Response: I looked at Spike at the beginning of season 6 as being on the cusp of becoming truly good. (Hey redemptionista here myself.) I'll cite the wistful look he gave the looting Hellions in Becoming I and the bite-that-wasn't in Smashed. He wasn't there yet, but he was so close. As for the zoo scene, it was set in season 4, right after he had been chipped. No worries about the nit picking. I appreciate a good debate! Thanks for the feedback.

This story is fun to read. Good chapter, maybe next we'll get some answears to what it is.

Author's Response: I think that is a very good guess. :-) Thanks for commenting.

oh poor spike *pets him*

Author's Response: Yeah, that's my general reaction to Spike too. :-) Thanks for reviewing!