Black Magic White Lies, chapter 13

[moscow_watcher]

Title: Black Magic White Lies
Chapter 13 - In Which Xander Finds Out About Giles' Secret
Timeline: BtVS, alternate season 5
Genre: drama, mystery, action
Characters, pairing: general, Xander/Faith
Rating: R (for intense situations).
Summary: Xander thinks he has a little secret. He doesn't know that his little secret is a part of a big fat

Comments

[sarian71]

"Instead of a thousand-years-old demon with a rich history of murders and disasters all around the world you get a young slayer with an almost spotless reputation of killing only several humans."

ROTF! Oh, Anya, you are as delightfully hilarious as ever! :D And wise, too.

The break-up went smoothly, considering... At least there's now one secret less to hide and be suspicious of, and everyone concerned seem to be relieved and happy about that. I've always thought that Giles and Anya would make a great couple. Anya's like a breath of fresh air for Giles.

[moscow_watcher]

Oh, yes, Anya is wiser than all Scoobies put together. But she was around much longer than they all put together, even including Spike. :)

I've always thought that Giles and Anya would make a great couple. Anya's like a breath of fresh air for Giles.

There were speculations that initially Joss planned to pair Anya with Giles. It has never been confirmed officially, but there were rumors that in season 4 Anya has been brought back for Giles and Spike has been brought back for Xander. But when Seth Green had decided to leave, and Joss used his departure to make Willow gay, instead of Xander. So Xan stayed with Anya and the plans to pair her with Giles were scrapped.

[sarian71]

"there were rumors that in season 4 Anya has been brought back for Giles and Spike has been brought back for Xander."

Huh... Interesting. I've never heard about that rumor before. And now I'm really intrigued to know how they would've handled a Spike/Xander storyline! :) But at the same time I'm glad they didn't go there... *clings to Spuffy*

[moscow_watcher]

Like I said, it was just a rumor, although Xander's interactions with Larry suggest that Joss had been flirting with the idea of making Xander gay.

And now I'm really intrigued to know how they would've handled a Spike/Xander storyline! :)

Judging by Spander's popularity online it could be very interesting. But, of course, no way we could get Spuffy in that case.

I suspect that Joss quickly realised that Spike/Xander couple could become so popular that it could totally eclipse Buffy/Riley - and he couldn't let it happen. :)

[brunettepet]

I'm enjoying all the subterfuge going on amongst the characters. Spike and Buffy are obviously in a relationship, but nobody's talking about it. Faith and Xander had an affair, and now it comes out that Giles and Anya have been messing around, too. It's hilarious. It must be something in the Sunnydale water.

Giles' weird reaction to Xander and Faith being fueled by guilt explains a lot, and I loved Anya's flip "I thought you were planning her grisly death too, honey," Anya puts in brightly. "Recently you've been talking so much about doing your duty and taking responsibility."

Giles is genuinely baffled. "Anya, responsibility doesn't necessarily mean murder!"

She snorts. "You humans use so many funny euphemisms for killing and death. A demon can easily get confused by them. Her thinking Xander's stories about his father's temper were veiled threats was both sad and funny. She really is new to this whole humanity thing and it really shows.

[moscow_watcher]

Thank you!

I think the worst enemies of Buffyverse characters are themselves. They're so afraid of losing each other that they go any length to avoid confrontations. It takes an outsider (Faith) to reveal all the accumulated lies, half-truths, failures to mention.

She really is new to this whole humanity thing and it really shows.

...or maybe she intuitively understands Giles' subconscious fears better than he does... *whistles innocently*

[sam_arkand]

What initially felt off--Anya's use of British expressions--now comes across as completely in character. Of course she'll try to please her new paramour by adopting his quaint and odd ways, like speech and flagellation!

[moscow_watcher]

Yes, Anya always tries to adapt to the new environment, new people, new situations, and it's always funny and at the same time sad...

Actually, here I'm partly channeling myself: I'm often at loss regarding differences in American and English language. :)

[angearia]

Wonderful development. I can see all my worries were me jumping at smoke and mirrors.

Oh, Anya! I adore her. And Giles watching both Terminator movies? WIN! Have Anya make him watch Die Hard next. Hee!

I'm looking forward to more. :D

[moscow_watcher]

I can see all my worries were me jumping at smoke and mirrors.

And you thought the epic Buffy-Xander-Faith standoff would be about "Why didn'y you tell me about your new girlfriend, Xan?"

*zips her mouth and hides in the dark corner*

[angearia]

And you thought the epic Buffy-Xander-Faith standoff would be about "Why didn'y you tell me about your new girlfriend, Xan?"

Nah, I was worried about the hostility of Buffy towards Faith. But Anya expressed here exactly what I'd been feeling. That Buffy's protective instincts would shine through.

[sentine]

Excellent Anya voice :)
And a very interesting interpretation of Buffy/Faith in Graduation Day. I never thought of it that way, but it makes a lot of sense.

[moscow_watcher]

Thank you! Anya is one of my favorite characters, and I enjoy writing her.
As to Buffy/Faith fight, I've read a lot of meta on it, but I never stumbled upon any analysis that would delve into Buffy's basic feminine issues. I wish I could write it myself - but it's too complex and controversial to me, I'm too lightweight writer for writing that type of meta. So I just included my take on the scene in this story. :)