Five of Willow's Pets

[deird_lj]

 Another fanfic.
This one in 5 drabbles.

Fish

 

Willow is a fast learner.

 

Six years old, Willow reads Dr Seuss, and learns about rhyme and meter.

Later that day, Willow finds her fishbowl, and learns about real-life application of what you have read.

Shortly afterwards, Willow learns about gravity and broken glass.

But there is one lesson that hasn’t quite sunk in yet.

It might take a few years.

 

Her first fish perish due to misapplied storytelling.

Her second fish are the victims of a casual invitation and an epic romance.

A reminder lesson, sent in an envelope, teaches once more:

Pets never last for long.

 

Willow learns.

 

 

Wolf

 

Willow arranges the cage to be nicely comfortable.

 

There’s bedding in one corner, a water bowl, and twice-nightly feedings, with a nutritious balance of everything a growing werewolf needs.

She considers providing a few toys, but decides Oz might think it’s demeaning.

Instead, she reads him extracts from Mark Twain and Shakespeare. She plays him soothing music. And she practises using the tranq gun.

 

Most nights he stays awake, snarling and throwing himself at the bars. Once, he falls asleep, and she just sits and watches him snuffle.

 

She never lets him down.

Willow is very conscientious about pet care.

 

 

Puppy

 

Knives are fun. The blood runs rivulets across his stomach, and his moans turn to screams when she twists the blade.

The whips can be interesting, but she likes to save those for pony rides.

Holy water is over-rated. Good for a change of pace, but not today.

Today it’s matches, and the puppy barks and arches his back on the concrete floor.

 

Willow laughs.

 

Three on his stomach, just for starters. One in his ear. Five on his back. And two down his pants.

He can’t keep still.

Maybe she should glue sandpaper to the floor. That’d be interesting.

 

 

Rat

 

The rat is kind of accidental. Willow doesn’t mean to keep her.

 

She tries a general reversal spell, and Amy sniffs her fingers and pees on the carpet.

She buys bindweed and maize seeds, and Amy eats them.

She researches Malfia’s Transformative Holding, and Amy falls asleep next to her laptop.

 

She writes a shopping list, for newt eyes, Sandman’s Silver, crow’s feathers, crystals, sulphur, and anything else that could possibly be helpful.

Then she throws the list away, and goes to the pet store.

 

It’s the most spacious and comfortable cage she can afford.

Nothing else to be done.

 

 

Kitten

 

Miss Kitty Fantastico. Name courtesy of Buffy’s sister – although Willow checks the timeline and wonders if she used to be called something else.

 

She has black-and-white fur, sharp claws, and the softest purr you’ve ever heard.

She snuggles into Tara’s lap, and Tara’s eyes light up.

Willow freezes the moment in memory.

 

Miss Kitty moves from dorm to house. She’s fed by whoever remembers, sleeps on the stairs, hides in Buffy’s weapons chest, and purrs at everyone.

 

One night, Dawn slips, and the crossbow goes off.

Dawn is horrified, but Willow consoles her.

After all, pets never last for long.

Comments

[a2zmom.livejournal.com]

This is fantastic. Really shows the many facets of Willow, especially a casual callousness that's always there but normally hidden. (pets never last for long)

[deird1]

Oh, thanks!

Glad you liked it.

[taiba.livejournal.com]

Very nice :-) I've been looking forward to reading this one.

[deird1]

Thanks!

[chrisleeoctaves.livejournal.com]

Hi again.
I'd love to archive this at Five Things.

[deird1]

Well, thanks!

Feel free...

[chrisleeoctaves.livejournal.com]

Do you have an e-mail addy for feedback? Also, would you like a link back to your LJ?

[deird1]

Email is deird1(at)gmail.com

Extra linkage is always fun...

[sonnekinde.livejournal.com]

Aww, I liked these a lot. I agree with what a2zmom said up there: it really shows the many facets of Willow.

Amy peeing on the carpet had me in stitches for some reason, "Hmm, not really the reaction I was hoping for..." And lol at Willow considering putting toys in Oz's cage but thinking better of it... it's such a Willow-thing to do.

I think you captured her very well!

[deird1]

Thanks!

Willow is one of my favourite characters to write.

[velvetwhip.livejournal.com]

I decided to take a journey through your fic tonight and stopped here first. Wonderful work! I love the thin thread of something sinister that winds through this. Brava!


Gabrielle

[deird1]

I'm glad you liked it!