Sacrifice (Willow/Kennedy), PG

[punch_kicker15]

Title: Sacrifice
Author: punch_kicker15
Characters/relationship: Willow/Kennedy
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters
Written for: Open on Sunday
Word count: 100
Rating: PG
Summary: Willow and Kennedy discuss an unpleasant part of Willow's resurrection spell
Prompt: animal

"I think the faun is where I started going wrong," Willow says. Kennedy tries not to roll her eyes.

Willow's not a vegetarian.

"Bringing back the Slayer to defend the Hellmouth" is a much better reason to kill an animal than "I'd like a cheeseburger."

It's way more honest to kill an animal with your bare hands than to pay someone else to do it.

Willow's got plenty to feel guilty about without getting sentimental about Bambi.

But Kennedy remembers the conversations she’s had with Willow about pushing too much, and doesn’t argue. Relationships are all about sacrifices, after all.

Comments

[velvetwhip.livejournal.com]

This illuminates the difference between these two, doesn't it?


Gabrielle

[punch-kicker15.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think if Kennedy thought she had a good reason to kill a cute animal (or even slaughter a bunch of them), she'd just do her job and move on to the next job. I don't see her as someone who would engage in a lot of second-guessing or angst about her past actions.

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

Seconding Gabrielle's comment.

Your characterizations here are sharply-observed and spot-on; there's a lot going on beneath the surface that you capture in just a few lines. I'm enjoying your drabbles and how well you capture every character so succinctly and elegantly in three-dimensions, which is something I admire a great deal.

(BTW - I'm one of those weirdos who loves Tara but doesn't hate Kennedy. At least I think I'm weird that way? IDK)

[punch-kicker15.livejournal.com]

Gosh, thanks! One of the things that I love about BTVS is that most of the characters feel like real, complicated people to me and I'm happy you feel like I captured that in the drabbles.

I don't know if it's a contrary streak, or just coming to the fandom very, very late, but I don't hate Kennedy. I liked Tara, and liked Willow/Tara until Willow got abusive and kind of soured the whole thing for me.

Kennedy's abrasive and aggressive and a bit lacking in the empathy department, and that's different from anyone else Willow's ever dated. But I think that's the only kind of person who would even try to be with Willow in S7. A thoughtful and empathetic person would pick up on Willow's grief and fear of moving on, and would respect that. Kennedy either doesn't notice or doesn't care, and she's able to get close and be supportive as Willow works through some things, which is a good thing for Willow and the rest of the world.

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

I don't know if it's a contrary streak, or just coming to the fandom very, very late, but I don't hate Kennedy. I liked Tara, and liked Willow/Tara until Willow got abusive and kind of soured the whole thing for me.

I pretty much agree with everything you've said here. I came here late myself, so I have no idea if it's a timing thing esp re: Kennedy. (when I first got into fandom, on the AV Club rewatches, the vitriol directed at her is pretty astonishing.)

I don't know if you read Spuffy fic but shapinglight's post-series fic, The King and She, includes a Willow and Kennedy who are arguing over who is going to carry the baby they are planning to have, and Willow is rather controlling if not downright scary at times. Not evil, but enough so I have tons of sympathy for Kennedy.
http://seasonal-spuffy.livejournal.com/483765.html

I honestly don't see them lasting, not because Kennedy's an awful person or from lack of love, but the major control issues, esp once Willow rebuilds her confidence. It'd be like two Queen Bees in one hive!

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

This illuminates the difference between these two, doesn't it?

That's exactly it, in a nutshell. I think Kennedy has pragmatic streak and tons of self-confidence, even if it's not always earned and she sometimes forgets the people on the receiving end, she doesn't wallow. She's good for Willow that way.

But Kennedy also wasn't there, she didn't see what Buffy and everyone went through that year; it's easy for someone to be detached when they have no personal experience or history re: the matter at hand. Willow's not just talking about the faun.

[spikesredqueen.livejournal.com]

This drabble shows a really good comparison between Kennedy and Willow. I think you did a fantastic job capturing their personalities in just 100 words!

[punch-kicker15.livejournal.com]

Thank you. As you can probably tell, Willow's a favorite of mine, and I'm always glad to hear that I captured her and Kennedy well.

[elviswhataguy.livejournal.com]

Perfect, perfect Kennedy. This really sums her up -- admirably pragmatic, yet not quite 'getting' it. Great stuff.

[punch-kicker15.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I like Kennedy, for both her strengths and her weaknesses, so it's great to hear that I captured her character here.