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red_satin_doll...dashing off something fun and lighthearted always helps. Besides, it's time I came out of the closet, don't you think? I've added version #1 below to my Welcome Post but I also like the slightly paler "vintage" version (#2) and a bright rainbow one with and without (#3) the torn paper frame, as well as the original. I can never decide between colorways but you know that about me by now, don't you?
(A sneaky-peek of what awaits you after the cut, Gentle Reader)
(A sneaky-peek of what awaits you after the cut, Gentle Reader) (01)Click the images below for the full-size treats and enjoy:
(02-03)Which version do you prefer?
Let's face it: for me as a Buffy fan, shipping her with Spike - or Angel, Xander, Giles, Faith, Willow - hell, Clem for that matter - can be a freakin' joyless slog at times, something to be done privately with lips kept zipped. I can only read so many "bad Buffy, bad girl, for not duly appreciating my favorite character! No biscuit for you, bad girl!" before I begin to feel as though I've been lacerated up and down my entire spine and my shoulders ache from cringing so often. I have enough of that sort of thing in my real life relationships. Fandom is supposed to be fun, isn't it, or why participate? Ergo, Buffy/Tara shipping: all the warm hugs and pillowy comfort I could desire.
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Not that I don't ship Tara will Willow. If you think I nearly cried when I made the two W/T icons for this round of
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btvsats20in20, you'd be correct. If you think I'm tearing up right now thinking about them, you'd also be right. Working on the icons from The Body reminded me why I loved them when I watched the show two years ago, why they still felt incredibly revolutionary to me over ten years after the show ended, why they matter to this middle-aged lesbian and to so many other people, young and old, gay, straight, and otherwise. This round increased my desire to "reclaim" them for myself and do a future Willow/Tara claim. Speaking of which -***********
VOTING ENDS TOMORROW, JUNE 22nd for ROUND 3 of
btvsats20in20. (See what I did there?) There have been approximately 23 participating voters, some of whom are the 9 participating artists. That's a very very tiny voting populace in a fandom of thousands of people. Even if you don't like voting (which I admittedly don't) or disagree with the concept of awards for arts, do stop by and give the participating artists feedback. If you're snagging an icon, let the artist know. That's the best gift and reward of all for any artist: to know their work is not only appreciated but used and loved. So says I.***********
I also said I wouldn't post my alts and extras from this round, including banners, until after the votes were tabulated. (Believe me I have no illusions about winning anything this round, 'cause that ain't happenin', and that's ok. ) However, I never promised not to post the Willow/Tara banner that actually was the inspiration for my Category set this round. I made this well over a year ago before I knew anything of ipiccy or vector masks, textures and layers, kits and kings and various things.
And Tara - oh, Tara. In addition to a W/T claim, there's Tara in S4, in S5, S6; by herself and in combination with Buffy, Dawn, Willow, Anya. Tara as a true "comfortador" in ways Xander can't even begin to dream of; Tara as fierce Mama Bear, Tara as witch and seer; as a bridge, with Dawn, between Manus and Spiritus, demonstrating that the two can be united even when Buffy and Willow are mistakenly locked in the extreme ends of the spectrum.
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Now for goodness sake, Gentle Reader, go and vote. Or stop to look and appreciate the fine art in the galleries, however you like. But do stop in...whilst I mop up my tears and make myself presentable for company.
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no subject
Date: 2014-08-22 05:19 am (UTC)not just because I kind of ship Buffy with another of Willow's canon loverswill stand up for you to the bitter end.Off to vote now.
Gabrielle
no subject
Date: 2014-08-22 11:27 am (UTC)and don't worry, I won't tell a soulbecause Oz is beyond cool into his own Universe.Off to vote
Didn't you do so already, dearheart?
no subject
Date: 2014-08-22 01:57 pm (UTC)Yes, I did. Oops.
Gabrielle
no subject
Date: 2014-08-22 08:23 am (UTC)I really must get the final chap of the fic I was writing finished ...I have a few chaps up here so you can see what I mean. She was just such a gentle soul and given a chance to open up she would have returned that 100% making those she was with so much more at peace.
no subject
Date: 2014-08-22 11:36 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-08-27 08:30 pm (UTC)Unless you're kwritten (see her beautiful series "Blurring the Lines") or you're me and you try to write a B/T & B/S AU S6 fic in which Buffy thinks she's hiding everything but everybody knows, especially Dawn and Willow, and that goes way way angsty because - because it's me apparently. (No, I've never posted it. I might just though.)
no subject
Date: 2014-08-27 08:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-08-27 08:44 pm (UTC)S6 is a place of dispair but also so incredibly fascinating
Oh yeah. There are things I'd change, things I disagree with (*cough*killing Tara*cough*) but beyond that I don't feel much need to make it "less angsty" because pain is such a familiar thing to me. Although I'd be all for Buffy getting therapy or for goodness sakes some quality girl time out with Tara, Willow, Faith and Dawn, just having fun. (Which means I'm actually thinking post series, since I just threw Faith in there.)
no subject
Date: 2014-08-27 08:51 pm (UTC)Eventually good luck with the writing!
no subject
Date: 2014-08-28 11:10 am (UTC)We definitely share the same brain on this issue! (Except when it comes to a few things like Tara's death *grrr* or Anya not speaking up when Buffy fails to ask the Council for an income for herself. there are things that could have been done better, or differently, but I never end up rewriting it. I give other people like
no subject
Date: 2014-08-28 12:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-08-22 11:46 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-08-27 08:33 pm (UTC)Aren't they? I'm surprised there isn't more friendship fic - they must have had more moments than we saw. (Tara and Willow's conversation in Tough Love implies as much, doesn't it? That Buffy and Tara have been spending time bonding over the shared experience of their mothers' deaths beyond that moment in the Body.)
I'm kind of surprised that female friendship isn't explored more in fandom, generally, but then again the show could have given us more of that too and i would not have minded at all.
no subject
Date: 2014-08-22 03:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-08-23 03:01 am (UTC)Friday August 22
Date: 2014-08-23 03:35 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-08-23 11:56 pm (UTC)Personally, I think Tara's very underrepresented in fandom and I'm always happy to share in the Tara love. While Tara/Buffy isn't my otp, I think they would be good together and it's always fun to read unusual pairings.
no subject
Date: 2014-08-27 08:37 pm (UTC)Oh gosh thank you sweetie! *blushes* (Although I just finished some artwork that if far more angsty - this is more fun and light than I usually do.)
I think Tara's very underrepresented in fandom and I'm always happy to share in the Tara love.
YAY!