This is really very good. I loved it, aside from some of the invectives in the beginning and the very end parts- or thereabouts.
The part about Anya being (supposedly) a saint was a bit unbelieveable, but the tale was very fun... I'll have to look up people being unsainted, but I don't think that's ever happened in the entire 2000 year history of the Catholic Church, or almost 2000 year history.
Interesting take on Faith; when I watch the episodes of the series's, I can't see her as a Catholic, if she is, she's a very fallen one- but it IS a lot of fun to think of her as such.
Oh, and about that: I want to thank you, this story was about the best thing I could have read as yet these days- it was exactly what I needed to read for my own sake. I'll tell you via PM if you ask me about that that way.
I think you made Faith outright beautiful in her manerisms, and the part about how she was losing her willingness to use explatives is a wonderful touch- well done! That could well be the influence of grace, and that solves something I was looking for as a bit of a 'research project' in my life for, I'm going with, several years.
I know quite a bit about the expected behaviors and rituals and beliefs of members of that particular religion- being a member of it myself (lifetime, and will never leave), but I have some difficulty believing her to be a fellow member; thanks to her overt impurity in behavior and her manerisms... I want to thank you for challenging me to be more 'accepting' of fellow members, and their difficulties (something my associates (family, and now spiritual director... for those not farmiliar with that function, it's kind of a spiritual mentor- a bit like a 'watcher' in Joss's work, but they can change with (among other things) logistical matters) have been reminding me to do for the past few years.), or simply tolerant of them.
I think this is a lovely tale, and I was especially fond of the part about the Vampires drinking the Holy Water- and Faith's reaction to the story, how she burst out laughing and couldn't shut up about it.
I was also very fond of the part wherein Faith's a collector in personality, you really fleshed her out- and I am Very VERY fond of it- that touch!
I think she would be very upset if you imply she's weak- well done!
The part about the water fountian as a bubbler was also nifty, as was the part about the interior of the church in the story- all of it was very fun- especially the way she stopped wanting to utter explatives; that was one of the best parts!
She was actually very sweet in this, and I loved it!
I honestly cannot get enough of this, and will have to look for the rest of those "Psalm fics" you said you wrote; I love the idea for that!
Just one question: it seems as though they're both trying to change, am I correct (Faith and Xander), and if not, who's the one with the contrite spirit?
This is a lot of fun. I really want to read the other fics in that "Psalm Fic Challenge" you mentioned in the beginning; you know: the other 149 of them.
I think it was Saint Anne who was giggling, am I correct? That would most definitely be interesting.
Here's hoping to hear back from you regarding this wonderful tale, which I sincerely hope you don't ever remove from the internet and also do post in multiple other sites.
Signed, your fan:
Cotto.

Wow. this was great. xanders sense of humor and pain and sadness, and his interaction with faith is great. just the post-sunnydale fic /hurting xander fic i was looking for, and it had faith/xander friendship (or pre-friendship) too. I loved it. Especially the two african gods, faith bringing up anyanka, unaware shes anya, xander feeling guilty for her action and the bubler thing, and the two of THEM talking religion. Its funny, sad and sweet, and had a very uplifting end, contrasting nicely to the sadness.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story, although I almost laughed out loud at the thought of Anyanka as a saint.

It worked really well - good emotions, good premise.

I, well, wouldn't be surprised if it turns out you're some published author with a huge following. You write angst well. It's disheartening but not overwhelming or melodramatic. It wouldn't be a stretch for the Faith and Xander in this story to be as canonical as a post-BtVS situation can be.

The inclusion of St. Anya was painful. I kept waiting for Xander to say something, for him to slip and say she was his fiance, and I want so desperately to know what happens to day Faith discovers who Anya was to Xander. That is, if she ever does. It's definitely a whole new possibility, that's plausible AND imaginative.

The last scene with the Slayer they're looking for is so vibrant and I can almost hear and see the wood crack. I think it's something huge that you can make me feel something strong for a character that appears only briefly and is mentioned nearly as briefly.

That's a very unusual and interesting story. You obviously put a lot of thought an work into it, and manage to show the characters of both Xander and Faith as they're rarely shown in fanfiction: No cliches, but real insights. Well done!

Oh Yup Good story - like this one. Please keep writing excellent stories like this. Thank you! Well plotted and well characterised.

this is quite probably one of the best stories i've read. it is true yopu can never take the catholoic out of a girl, i know from pewrsonal experience. u got th details well, th candle lighting, th holy water, it was great

loved it-

You're analysis of the gods are real therefore faith is not needed reminded me of something similar in Terry Pratchett and amused me so much. Rather enjoyed the whole Faith as a Catholic aspect too. I don't think Faith is physically capable of giggling. Also loved the Elvis obsession, well he is the King. Xander's pickpocket skills were very cool, even if the source was less so. Poor Sister Jeanne. I feel like you hit me in the gut with the Saint Anyanka bit (brilliantly thought out as it was). Bloody wonderful story. That was so much fun. More please. I especially enjoyed Xander's adventures with the African gods.

Wow.

I took me a couple of goes to read it because it's longer than I thought.

You've got the interaction between Xander and Faith and the characters themselves. I loved Faith's reaction to the church, and the mental leap Xander is (eventually) able to make. The involvement of St Anyanka was quite moving. Xander's not wanting to know, his frozen reaction was very well protrayed.

And the story of the slayer they were finding, and the knowledge all of them has of what's going to happen was brilliantly written. The language you used to describe it worked very well.

There was a line I marked, but I can't remember it. The backstory was written very well into the relatively short scene between their arrival and the arrival of the novice slayer.

Anya as a catholic saint fits somehow.

that was

freaking amazing.

at the risk of sounding both pretentious and obsequious;

an intricately woven tapestry of guilt, pain, predestinations, and hope.

highly impactful every time i read it.

Like BastardSnow, I have read this story multiple times and have been delinquent about leaving a review. I don't even really know what to say, except that this story is one of the best I've ever read. Xander's misadventures in Africa, and his retelling to Faith, are pitch-perfect. And Faith's story about "Saint Anyanka" (and Xander's reaction) just blew me away. I hope you never get tired of writing Xander.

Liz, I absolutely love this story. I've probably read it a half-dozen times now, and finally decided "I should leave a review." Anyway, this is one of your better efforts (and trust me, that's saying something). Hope to see more from you soon (hint! hint!)

Oh, my! This is quite wonderful. Thoughtful and interesting, and I appreciate very much how respectful you were to Catholicism.

That was beautifully crafted,

funny, sad and as real as any fanfic

on this site