Even Roses Have Thorns, Chapter Thirteen
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Mal and Zoe discuss the job, and clothes. Canon pairings. This chapter is rated PG13, just in case, for swearing. Short piece.
CATEGORY: FICTION TIMES READ: 2884 RATING: 9.0 (PG13) SERIES: FIREFLY
Even Roses Have Thorns
Chapter Thirteen: Ratio et consilium propriae ducis artes (reason and deliberation are the proper skills of a general)
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, , *** *** *** As her brother passed by her, River looked up from the book she was reading to say, seriously, “All love is unrequited. Everyone loves their lover a little less for who they are and a little more for who they want them to be.” Simon looked like he wanted to contradict her, but she had already returned her attention to her book. Later, playing jacks with Kaylee, River paused for a moment, throwing her round. Kaylee looked up, and River met her eyes to say, “I am not a god. Don’t ask me to intervene. I shouldn’t have to and I won’t do it. And if that’s what it takes, it’s not really worth it, is it?” She handed the ball back to Kaylee. *** When Mal found his first mate standing in the bridge, staring down at the console, checking their course, he nearly fell back down the steps. It had to be his first mate. It was her hair, her skin, her necklace, her boots, her gun. Just the bit in the middle seemed so very wrong. Still, it was definitely Zoë. ‘Better approach this with tact’, he thought to himself, before broaching the topic aloud. “What the hell are you wearing, Zoë?” She turned, eyebrow raised, and spoke tersely. “A dress. Sir.” “You always wear pants. Why aren’t you wearing pants?” “Don’t fit.” “Neither does that, Zo.” “No, Sir. But at least I can breathe now.” “Zo, I’m serious. Has anyone else seen you in that yet?” “Passed Jayne on my way here. Mentioned somethin’ about slink.” Mal smacked his hand on his forehead, and swore a little. “That’s cause you look like you’re wearin’ a night slip, Zoë. Want to borrow some of my things ‘til we
My apologies to anyone that this confuses or annoys.
Thank you for reading, rating and commenting - I hope you continue to do so (and continue to enjoy).
OK, that one made me snort popcorn out my mouth. Definitely a moment of tact from our stalwart captain.
River's sudden hands-off policy threw me a mite. Up 'til now, all she did was meddle: telling Simon what to do, or purposefully make Kaylee think Simon was punishing her. Is this more of a "OK, dumbasses, I got you talking. It's your show from here" type of thing? Although it certainly stands to reason that Kaylee would at least secretly hope River would work on her behalf.
I do like her advice to Simon, though. It took me several parsings in my head to get it, but I think it's what he needed to hear.
I love that crack! That is purely Malcolm Reynolds! Love it as always!
Mal's whole reaction to the dress and the like was dead on.
River's remarks to Simon and Kaylee: gotta agree with ManicGiraffe in that the turnaround seems rather sudden and without even somewhat obvious reasoning. Still...River was at her cryptic best here;)
BEB
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