FIC: A Rose By Any Other Name (Giles)

[brutti-ma-buoni.livejournal.com]

*Waves*

I have two fics to post for my first ever contributions here. The second will follow after a decent interval, as smutfic doesn't really mix with bibliography... But I like to think the combination evokes Giles in all his many aspects. (Or something.)

Title: A Rose By Any Other Name
Author: bruttimabuoni
Rating: G
Medium: Fic(ish)
Word count: c320
Warning: Pedantry
Summary: Giles is a librarian, yes? And librarians classify, especially if they’re attached to vast ancient organisations which need to keep track of their information. And if you’re a librarian you’ll certainly understand how loaded classification can be, and how much it tells you about the society which created it. I just hope this translates to the rest of the world...



Giles, Rupert (b 1954: Watcher 1997-2004, subsequently Head of Council),
Revised and Expanded Classification of the Specialist Classes in the Watcher’s Library: Overview
All Gilesean revisions to the pre-1997 classification are italicised. The revisions reflect Mr Giles’s extensive observation and analysis of Slayer realities as a Watcher and are considered to be the most significant revision of the classification since 1882, when the Great Library was first fully catalogued. Full explanations of revisions and sub-sub-categories are published in the complete classification scheme (406pp, available from www.rip-lydiachalmers.com).

Class: Demons
(NB this section of the classification was entirely restructured in 1999. The previous arrangement under McThrage’s Eighty-Six Orders of Demonic Infrastructure was found to be unhelpful for quick reference. Cross referencing applies across all categories)
Big
Small
Lumpy
Spiky
Fluffy
Smelly
Toxic
Oozy
Sneezy
Harmless
Corporate
Tribal
Nesting
Breeding
... cut for reasons of space. See pp102-317 of the full classification for the remaining sub-categories

Class: Prophecies
Past – proven true
Past – proven false
Past – proven tricky
Future – dangerous, for active monitoring
Future – potentially worrying, for periodic review
Future – negligible, for filing
Future – danger of basing strategic decisions on

Class: Slayer
Potential
Calling
Duties
Training (weaponry)
Training (mystical)
Training (magical)
Training (theoretical)
Training (Cruciamentum)
Personal life
Family life
Love life (See also: Vampires)
Plural Slayers
Multiple Slayers
Death
Resuscitation
Resurrection

Class: Vampires
Siring
Habits
Growth and development
Feeding patterns (killing)
Feeding patterns (willing prey)
Feeding patterns (snack foods)
Techniques for slaying
Relationship with humans
As allies
Relationship with Slayers
Romantic relationship with Slayers
Sexual relationship with Slayers
Historical notables
Ancient but still living notables
Current threats
Souled (by curse)
Souled (voluntarily)
Becoming human

Class: Watchers’ Council
History
Traditions
Values
Rules and structures
Origins in demonic cult
Oppression of the Chosen
Destruction
Renewal and redefinition
See also: Watchers’ and Slayers’ Council (2004- )

###

Comments

[brutti-ma-buoni.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad it works - I had a horrible feeling only about two people would get it! And yes, I think flowering onions have their own subcategory. With reviews.

You're absolutely right about the Cruciamentum - in fact I might edit the version on my journal accordingly (crediting you, of course) if that would be okay? It's a horrible test and I don't believe the post-2004 Council would let it continue.

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

Oh ::gasps:: I'm not expecting a credit (but if you feel you really have to, lol, it's okay by me). I definitely feel that Giles would have gotten rid of the Crusciamentum by the time he took over. In fact, I've read fics where Quentin was actually continuing an already-discontinued and certainly barbaric policy (though that seems unlikely, considering the fact that the Council had employed wet teams to take out rogue slayers and, after all, when one died another was called; can we say disposable?). I've also read at least one fic where Giles was actively contemplating NOT administering the weakening potion but was so irritated by Buffy/Angel, etc., that he did it out of frustration and anger.

[brutti-ma-buoni.livejournal.com]

I've just written a Giles backstory for plot_wout_porn, showing an earlier Cruciamentum and Giles fully involved in it along with the rest of the Council - but yes, definitely not his style once he's had many years of Buffy!

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

I also get the impression (more so from fanon than canon) that Quentin actively despised Giles (partly because he'd rebelled and had his Eyghon phase and partly because Giles got to be an active watcher, while Quentin was stuck on the bureaucratic side of things); my belief is that Giles was assigned to an untrained slayer with the hopes that both would be killed and then the Council would have a new pair (one they hoped they could control closely). But, hey, just my imagination running wild!