Well written with gently conflicting emotions and an unusual, yet appropriate, pairing

A lovely little piece. Very introspective, and a nice look at the possible future of Marcie, one of the 'mouse' characters of Buffy.

Well done!

I must have missed this when it was originally posted. It's very good, and I'm adding it to my recs.

Really glad to see that you're back!
This was beautiful. I liked the pairing and Ari's introspection was very spot on.
When you made the Rumpelstiltskin reference I immediately thought not of the fairy tale but of the Anne Sexton poem by the same name:
"I am the law of your members,
the kindred of blackness and impulse.
See. Your hand shakes.
It is not palsy or booze.
It is your Doppelganger
trying to get out.
Beware . . . Beware . . "
I liked that Ari is whistful somewhere deep inside even if he doesn't really care, or can't make himself.
Marci is a great character, because really she is so damaged and morally ambivalent (at least from her one BtVS appearance) that her journey must be fascinating. Great to see a glimpse of her.
Cheers.

A very fitting poem for both of them, I think. The man (or woman) at risk of being consumed by their monsters.

Thanks for taking the time to review my little experiment! :)