The Xander post has gotten lots of attention. Thanks everyone for pointing to it!

The whole thing's definitely a keeper, if only for the great archery discussion between ludditerobot and koos73. I think I've learned more about archery in the past 24 hours than I ever did. Kudos guys! I'm totally digging it. And koos73, if I ever need tips on how to write an archery scene? I am soooooo calling you.

Check out the archery tips chat here. You'll have to scroll down to see it.

I totally have cool people on my FList. It's nice to have fans of all stripes having an interesting conversation.

I'll be posting my Psalm challenge later tonight...I just have some items to finish cleaning up on it per my Loverly Betas. *smoochies*

BAH! Three paragraphs too long for a single post. *headdesk*

I've cut it in half at a vague spot that makes sense.



Rating: PG-13 (content)
Characters: Xander, Faith
Summary: Faith and Xander are waiting for a newly discovered Slayer at Ste-Anne-de-Beaupre and find answers to questions they were afraid to ask.
Authors Note: Written for the Psalm Challenge set by musesfool. Special thanks to hpchick and hjdevnull for some mad last-minute beta-ing.


( Contrite Spirits )

Continued from here


( Contrite Spirits )



A little post-script:

This one is story is a short one (for me).

Inspired by musesfool’s Psalm challenge to a large extent. It loosely ties in with that Homicide/Buffy cross I pick at between Living History bouts and finishing Ishmael Sings of the White Whale for the Faithfic Challenge. Think of it as a prequel.

Just a quick note:

Yes, Ste-Anne-de-Beaupre really does exist and yes, it is believed the good saint herself bestows healing on believers and non-believers alike when they stop by to visit. The description of the grounds, the gift shop, the priest-in-a-box, the cathedral, the altars, and the statue are exactly as laid out in the story. And yes, the cathedral is really staffed by priests in the Redemptionist order. I couldn’t make that up if I tried. The curious can take a virtual tour here

I also couldn’t make up Legba and Eshu if I tried. Thank you Google for helping me find two West African trickster gods when I really needed them.

To an extent, this is one of those stories that have been patiently waiting to be written. The key scene near the end has been hanging around on my hard drive in one form or another for approximately a year. I never thought I’d get a chance to use it, but thanks to musesfool, I got my hook.

The cathedral is real, but the characters aren’t. They’re owned by Fox and Mutant Enemy. Don’t sue.

In my own head this story is a PG. But because of the religious nature of the running discussion between Xander and Faith, plus the fact I was unable to resist playing on Faith’s name, I’m boosting it to a PG-13. Damn my Catholic-raised, currently Unitarian sensibilities.

People who are religious might find this mildly insulting since the story is told from the point of view of someone who is most definitely not a believer. People who are not religious may find this mildly insulting because of the little bit of hanging doubt that runs through the piece. In short, if you’re overly sensitive about religious issues--pro or con--don’t say I didn’t warn you.