Firefly: "The Gilded Cage"

Disclaimer: If I weren't just a poor college student and could finance the series myself, I would, but I can't. So all I can do is just play around in Joss Whedon's 'verse. Also, I don't know a lick of Chinese so I haven't bothered to put the translations because they're probably horribly wrong. If it were Japanese or Latin, well, that'd be another story...

Episode eleven of my second season of Firefly: As the crew settles down with Kaylee's folks to build a new shuttle, Inara confronts an old friend with the information she learned about Saffron.

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It took a lifetime of rigid Companion training for Farah to resist the urge to chew her lip or bite her nails; however she was unable to prevent herself from taking the occassional glance at her surroundings. The architecture of House Madrassa was perfect for eavesdroppers--indeed, all of the Guild's architecture suited those who preferred to hide in the shadows; there were tall pillars, numerous statues, numerous shrubs, massive trees, broad balconies and hanging tapestries. Farah's hazel eyes skimmed over any within her expansive quarters, especially the wide balcony overlooking the emerald valleys, before returning her attention to the face on the screen.

"That's all I learned about 'the Bride,'" said Inara Serra, and though she tried to hide it, Farah could easily pick out the sour note in Inara's voice at the mention of the rogue. At another time, Farah might've smiled and teased her friend about the slip, but there was no mirth in this situation.

Giving another look around her room and finding nothing more threatening than a statue of Shiva, Farah addressed Inara's wave with a harsh hiss of a whisper. "Inara, this is not a secure channel to be discussing the activities of the Bride! You should've sent word so that we could've arranged a more private conversation!"

"Farah?" Inara frowned in confusion. "You're the Head Priestess of House Madrassa. What could be more secure than a convers