Even Roses Have Thorns, chapters 14 and 15
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Mal and Inara set up the job; Jayne and Kaylee bond. Canon pairings. These chapters are rated PG, just in case. Positive feedback perfered.
CATEGORY: FICTION TIMES READ: 3218 RATING: 9.0 (PG) SERIES: FIREFLY
Even Roses Have Thorns
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, , , *** *** *** Chapter Fourteen: Gladiator in arena consilium capit (the gladiator is formulating his plan in the arena, which is to say, too late) Inara composed her face to its most relaxed and (supposedly) unguarded mask as she waited for the connection to open to Durran Haymer. “Mr. Haymer. How do you do? I am Companion Inara Serra.” “Miss Serra.” Haymer nodded bluntly, but wary rather than rude. “I am well. How are you?” “I am also well, thank you.” “Miss Serra, I am uncertain of how to state this, but if you have heard that I am in the market for a Companion, this is not currently the case.” Inara smiled. “What I have heard is that you were in the market for this Companion to act as a broker for an antique of some value to you.” Haymer shifted visibly on his chair. “Indeed. I had hoped to be more discreet, but I should have guessed that you would have the resources to establish that I am indeed the buyer. It’s true. I would like the Lassiter back, and I am willing to pay a considerable sum for it.” To Inara’s trained eyes, Haymer read as – if uncomfortable – at least uncomfortably open and honest. Vulnerable. ‘Why in the name of earth that was would Haymer be vulnerable?’ She let the question slide from the forefront of her mind as she formulated her next response. “I am certainly willing to do all I can to help you to acquire the piece.” Inara noted that Haymer seemed to visibly relax at this. Again, the question ‘Why?’ could not be avoided. Inara kept the puzzled frown of her mind from appearing on her face. “I believe the piece is currently the property of one Captain Malcolm Reynolds, of the
Thank you to everyone who has commented. I really do love reading them.
Apologies to those who read the piece before the broken italic tag was fixed (first 5 or so readers). I hope it wasn't too distracting, and I hope you all enjoy.
I don't see Kaylee overreacting with Jayne as she seems to perceive herself as better, or cleverer, or more mechanically gifted than Jayne is and is comfortable with that. It'd be a mistake on her part to think it, mind you, as Jayne has his own gifts, but she's coming across as being more comfortable around him than she is with Simon.
The Haymer complication is a nice one. It makes sense that he'd want his gun back, but if he already knows who has it why would he not just turn 'em in?
I really am just exploring the dynamics - romanitic, friendly, family - as best I can.
I will confess, since I know that some readers have strong relationship prefences, that I can read nearly anything, as long as it's vaguely plausable, and the characters sound close to the show (it's hard to get right).
I'm with whoever said on some thread here that any relationship is fair game as long as you take the time to get the characters to that place - vide Buffy/Spike.
This isn't a warning that I'm writing Kaylee/Jayne - I still think that I'm probably writing Kaylee/Simon - but I don't want to get cocky about it, Kaylee keeps doing things that I don't expect.
Up until this whole incident, Kaylee could often be found hanging out with Simon, chattering away. Now she can't even go near the doc without ending up in a fight of some type. Mal, Zoe, River, and Inara have given her rather harsh advice on the whole deal, but Jayne has yet to voice an opinion to her (it's doubtful he even cares beyond "dammit someone's crying again"). He's literally the only person she can be around without walking on eggshells.
I agree that any relationship is fair game (that was me way back when on Chapter 2), but before Jayne goes a-swoopin', I'd like to see our current two anti-lovebirds make an honest effort at a resolution here (no, Kaylee, hopping into bed doesn't count as a resolution). River has apparently stopped running interference and Inara's advice has been given. Time for one of the two of them to make the heroic effort, put on the body armor, and bring the subject up - and for the other to slow down on their righteous fury long enough to think.
I was worried that maybe I was the only one who thought so :)
"Time for one of the two of them to make the heroic effort, put on the body armor, and bring the subject up - and for the other to slow down on their righteous fury long enough to think."
Well, yes, indeed. But what's the point without some character building, first? There was fluff in chapter 5!
I don't remember, anyway.
Sure he did, just not directly. Kaylee ain't stupid: she'd know that the official sanctions came down from Mal via Zoe - Zoe'd never hand out shipwide punishment without Mal's approval. Mal has effectively said "knock it off" as his advice. And we all know his standing policy on shipboard realtionships.
You know what might help? Injure Simon. Think about it. He pisses her off in "Safe", but she forgives him after he's kidnapped and almost toasted. Pisses her off again in "Jaynestown" (although not entirely his fault that time), but she forgives him after he gets the crap kicked out of him. "The Message" is slightly different, but the result is the same: something forces her to re-evaluate Simon's pros and cons. She had a bit of that after Inara's advice here, but perhaps more painful circumstances would move it along.
Besides, I have a thing for mentally/physically torturing Simon. It's fun in a sadistic way. He's like Wile E Coyote: takes a licking and gets back up for another round.
You're not the first person to suggest this.
"Think about it."
Oh, I do. All the time. "Safe" is my favourite episode ever, if just for the moments where he steps up onto the pyre and when he says "Light it".
"Besides, I have a thing for mentally/physically torturing Simon."
It appears to be going around :)
Since I've now had at least two requests (one more overt than the other), I guess I'll have to speed up the Simon-hurt-argh-angst!
:)
:)
And I think Jayne would make a great back-up mechanic besides River (whose genius would presumably allow her to understand and fix mechanical issues), since he's quite the dab hand with his weapons...which have a lot of complex and finicky moving parts, especially Vera:)
And I think Jayne could/should have an opinion about Silee. What it should be is another matter entirely...but I get the feeling Jayne could very well give Kaylee some ge-ge style advice about how she has been treating Simon and the need to get things settled before she could move on;D
BEB
It's interesting that you should say that ("I get the feeling Jayne could very well give Kaylee some ge-ge style advice" etc.) I've just finished chap 17 , and I'm starting chap 18 now.
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