Blue Sun Room FICTION - GENERAL
Back Stories I: Chapter 12/14
Thursday, June 7, 2007
River maintains her own kind of hope, Simon gets to use big words, Mal and Zoë make plans, and Kaylee refuses an offer.
CATEGORY: FICTION TIMES READ: 3871 RATING: 9.0 (PG13) SERIES: FIREFLY
Disclaimer: It belongs to Joss and all those business people. I’m just playing.
Rating: PG to NC17. I will not put warnings on each chapter, because I don’t want to give things away. In general, don’t be getting into any of this if you’re not prepared for adult storylines, violence, explicit sexual content, and - oh my - bad words.
Many thanks: to several fireflyfans.net members: and for hours of beta reading and entertaining discussions of many things. , , and provided additional beta time on the early chapters. The talented did the lovely artwork. (Ain’t it nice?) and http://www.chinesetools.com provided many colorful Chinese phrases. One of fine fics provided a useful plot bunny. (I won’t tell which yet!) Finally – kudos to for her inspirational fic . Added thanks to wikipedia for providing Simon's big words and rounding out my pseudo-science. Links: Prequels: The Fish Job () () and Easy Tickets () (). Timing, pairings, and canon blurbs are in my
Comments
Thursday, 07 June 2007 17:12
OK, so how confusing was the beginning? **cackle!**
Thanks for the fabulous feedback on the last chapter! It really is a wonderful reward, to get such thoughtful comments. (In the sense that I'm stirring up thoughts and you're sharing them, if you know what I mean.) Very interesting ideas on the Simon/River scene. It really hadn't occurred to me that there were so many ways that Simon could have handled her prying, each interesting in its own way. Know-it-all River would be hard to handle patiently, I'd think.
2x2 - I killed all my cookies and temp internet files, and now I can post on LJ. That might be the key... As for comments, I've tried to get myself in the habit of copying my comments before I hit post, except I usually forget. It really sucks to lose them - thanks for trying again!
Katesfriend - there are loose ends everywhere, and I just keep making more! It will be a while to get to them all, and I hope I don't lose any...
Desertgirl - you know it's only a matter of time until all our electronic gizmos come together into one contraption. That'll be fairly cool, though I won't be able to afford it for looong time LOL!
Lambytoes - don't fear, I wouldn't even know how to handle a five year in a grown-up's body! (I hate the movie "Big" LOL!) Yeah, it won't be going that far.
Misswhatsis - girl books in guy drag - that is so perfect! I'll have a look some time, when I have time to read again. Not so much right now!
Nosad7 - Oh, you'll be getting the Mal/Zoe interaction in spades, as you can probably guess after this chapter!
Thanks for the fabulous feedback on the last chapter! It really is a wonderful reward, to get such thoughtful comments. (In the sense that I'm stirring up thoughts and you're sharing them, if you know what I mean.) Very interesting ideas on the Simon/River scene. It really hadn't occurred to me that there were so many ways that Simon could have handled her prying, each interesting in its own way. Know-it-all River would be hard to handle patiently, I'd think.
2x2 - I killed all my cookies and temp internet files, and now I can post on LJ. That might be the key... As for comments, I've tried to get myself in the habit of copying my comments before I hit post, except I usually forget. It really sucks to lose them - thanks for trying again!
Katesfriend - there are loose ends everywhere, and I just keep making more! It will be a while to get to them all, and I hope I don't lose any...
Desertgirl - you know it's only a matter of time until all our electronic gizmos come together into one contraption. That'll be fairly cool, though I won't be able to afford it for looong time LOL!
Lambytoes - don't fear, I wouldn't even know how to handle a five year in a grown-up's body! (I hate the movie "Big" LOL!) Yeah, it won't be going that far.
Misswhatsis - girl books in guy drag - that is so perfect! I'll have a look some time, when I have time to read again. Not so much right now!
Nosad7 - Oh, you'll be getting the Mal/Zoe interaction in spades, as you can probably guess after this chapter!
Thursday, 07 June 2007 21:20
TEASE!
Oh, I was so happy and frustrated with this chapter. Finally, Simon grows some and Kaylee pushes him away. Yeah, that'll work for his confidence. . .
I really like that Simon was able to come up with some kind of solution. No doubt, those plans won't go off entirely without a hitch.
Mal thinking Jayne was Kaylee's boyfriend made me giggle madly. Too bad he couldn'tbe drugged to keep him awake a bit longer.
Just 3 people that he knows now. . . Wash is next, and then Kaylee? If it gets that far, Kaylee is going to be hit the hardest. And the poor woman has had enough issues lately. Of course, I'm all for more angst so bring it on:)
Oh, I was so happy and frustrated with this chapter. Finally, Simon grows some and Kaylee pushes him away. Yeah, that'll work for his confidence. . .
I really like that Simon was able to come up with some kind of solution. No doubt, those plans won't go off entirely without a hitch.
Mal thinking Jayne was Kaylee's boyfriend made me giggle madly. Too bad he couldn'tbe drugged to keep him awake a bit longer.
Just 3 people that he knows now. . . Wash is next, and then Kaylee? If it gets that far, Kaylee is going to be hit the hardest. And the poor woman has had enough issues lately. Of course, I'm all for more angst so bring it on:)
Thursday, 07 June 2007 23:43
Ow, this is so painful watching Mal's memory unravel with the crew trying to hold it together as one by one they are forgotten. I loved the dialogue between Simon and Zoe in the first half and then between Mal and Zoe after. What a prickly situation to be in. I just hope that while Mal and Zoe are on the moon that Jayne doesn't do something stupid. He seems more uptight than I would have expected and that makes me a bit nervous. Can't wait to see how Simon's plan works out and am keeping my fingers crossed a more lasting solution can be found. Ali D :~)
You can't take the sky from me
You can't take the sky from me
Friday, 08 June 2007 00:18
Deeee lightful!
Jayne's outranked by Simon? Again? he's not gonna like that.
(Why does splitting up make me think of every single horror movie out there?)
So, Book thinks he can be of help. I wonder what is planning.
Oh, and after being adamant of not being forgotten, Jayne is forgot. He must be feeling the top of the world.
I guess Kaylee may be next? (I assume Wash was already on board by that point - with Bester as the mechanic).
Just waiting for the other story arc to come and bite them when they are most vulnerable.
I never commented on the last chapter, but I wanted to say I really wanted the POV to be from Lina! I happily accept ginger though.
Jayne's outranked by Simon? Again? he's not gonna like that.
(Why does splitting up make me think of every single horror movie out there?)
So, Book thinks he can be of help. I wonder what is planning.
Oh, and after being adamant of not being forgotten, Jayne is forgot. He must be feeling the top of the world.
I guess Kaylee may be next? (I assume Wash was already on board by that point - with Bester as the mechanic).
Just waiting for the other story arc to come and bite them when they are most vulnerable.
I never commented on the last chapter, but I wanted to say I really wanted the POV to be from Lina! I happily accept ginger though.
Friday, 08 June 2007 01:33
Horray that Simon has figured out a way to stop Mal from forgetting! But it sucks that he's forgotten it already.
Awwwwww... poor Jayne :( *tear* It would suck SO much to be forgotten like that, after being part of the crew for x amount of years. I must say, that went pretty fast, though. He went from when he got the original job from Badger, to, like, 3 years ago in one short sleep.
Kaylee's gonna be heartbroken when Mal forgets her, I can only hope that he gets off the ship, or Simon get's the thing before that happens, I don't think she'd be able to handle it.
What would he do if he caught Wash and Zoe doing something marriage-like, and he's back to when she couldn't stand him in his mind? That would be an interesting confrontation.
Can't wait for the next chapter!
Awwwwww... poor Jayne :( *tear* It would suck SO much to be forgotten like that, after being part of the crew for x amount of years. I must say, that went pretty fast, though. He went from when he got the original job from Badger, to, like, 3 years ago in one short sleep.
Kaylee's gonna be heartbroken when Mal forgets her, I can only hope that he gets off the ship, or Simon get's the thing before that happens, I don't think she'd be able to handle it.
What would he do if he caught Wash and Zoe doing something marriage-like, and he's back to when she couldn't stand him in his mind? That would be an interesting confrontation.
Can't wait for the next chapter!
Friday, 08 June 2007 04:21
I just have to say how very impressed I am by all the medical jargon you have in this chapter. It must have taken some serious research on the inner workings of brains to get that all straight. Good job – Desert Girl
Friday, 08 June 2007 11:39
Congratulations to you and Wikipedia for explaining Neurology 101 so well. It may be pseudoscience, but it was well planned and gave you a lot of plausible leeway in the future.
Loved River as the future pirate queen! That's another person with an interesting reaction when they meet up with Inara finally. You really know how to build the suspense, ya know.
Poor Zoe - this next part coming up may be my favorite. I've always loved the stories of wartime Mal and Zoe - especially Homespun's take on it, and then 'Captain Doctor' (by KMS?).
Just when I thought you couldn't break my heart anymore, you did it again. To see Mal aware of his own weakness and still putting his crew's welfare first explains a lot of his qualities as a leader, and Zoe's loyalties. Fabulous job there and so very much in character for both of them.
As for the loose ends, don't worry. I've been keeping track of them since the FJ, and I have a list I can remind you of if you leave one out. Especially the little tiny breadcrumb trails you spread out here and there to entice us in your evilness.
Another incredible work, and well worth every effort you're making.
Loved River as the future pirate queen! That's another person with an interesting reaction when they meet up with Inara finally. You really know how to build the suspense, ya know.
Poor Zoe - this next part coming up may be my favorite. I've always loved the stories of wartime Mal and Zoe - especially Homespun's take on it, and then 'Captain Doctor' (by KMS?).
Just when I thought you couldn't break my heart anymore, you did it again. To see Mal aware of his own weakness and still putting his crew's welfare first explains a lot of his qualities as a leader, and Zoe's loyalties. Fabulous job there and so very much in character for both of them.
As for the loose ends, don't worry. I've been keeping track of them since the FJ, and I have a list I can remind you of if you leave one out. Especially the little tiny breadcrumb trails you spread out here and there to entice us in your evilness.
Another incredible work, and well worth every effort you're making.
Friday, 08 June 2007 17:40
I give this chapter a big shiny 10 because you've once again shown you are a bloody genius when it comes to writing brilliant dialogue and exposition scenes! I was especially torn up by the scene of Mal and Zoe in the infirmary discussing his condition and their options, and the crew meeting scene where Mal struggles with apologizing for his behaviour and informing them of the plan to help him survive long enough to find a way to fix his brain drain. This would have been on par with the pinnacle of Joss-writen stuff from BtVS and AtS:D
BEB
BEB
Saturday, 09 June 2007 18:08
OK, somehow I came away with the feeling that Zoe may not want some of the events of Mal's long term memory restored...It's late and I've been way off before...anyway their interaction was spot as usual and so sad. That must have been hard to write Mal giving full command to Zoe even though he is still on the ship.
River's romance fantasy was brilliant and I loved her simple childlike assessment of Mal's and Inara's relationship. "She was mean and hurt him" ...reminds me of some of the other fanfic I've read in this fandom that use that literally. LOL
Waiting for the next chapter!
River's romance fantasy was brilliant and I loved her simple childlike assessment of Mal's and Inara's relationship. "She was mean and hurt him" ...reminds me of some of the other fanfic I've read in this fandom that use that literally. LOL
Waiting for the next chapter!
Monday, 11 June 2007 07:18
It was so nice to have Mal's cognizance make the jump from one chapter into the next! His condition takes almost as much a toll on the reader as on the crew (as someone had so aptly mentioned him 'receding into the fic', earlier).
I continue to be amazed at how well you handle such angsty stuff with such nuance and humor, and of course, keeping everyone so true to their character. 'Tis a delight to read.
The last bit with the crew, all coming back to spend what little time they had with Mal knowing them and the situation, was just so touching... There were tears. Really. Not shed, just welling, but they were there. It just really got to the heart of how much these folks care about him, and what a profound loss they are suffering - they cherished this brief reprieve, a fleeting opportunity to just spend some honest time with him before they were lost to him. And it was such a nice opportunity to see the Mal we all miss, stepping up and taking what steps he could to get everyone through this. And bless Zoe for giving him that opportunity.
Once again, your fic sets up enough structure and richness that it succeeds at not just taking us on a ride, but also in sparking imagination and analysis. You provide enough meat - without setting up an inevitable, inescapable conclusion - to allow the kind of 'thoughtfulness' you described above.
Oh, and the beginning wasn't confusing at all. In fact, I think you've come up with a plausible explanation for River's bizarre appearance on the Serenity DVD art: it was from a cut scene of her imagining herself as some glowing eyed goth queen, ruling over her evil minions...duh!
I continue to be amazed at how well you handle such angsty stuff with such nuance and humor, and of course, keeping everyone so true to their character. 'Tis a delight to read.
The last bit with the crew, all coming back to spend what little time they had with Mal knowing them and the situation, was just so touching... There were tears. Really. Not shed, just welling, but they were there. It just really got to the heart of how much these folks care about him, and what a profound loss they are suffering - they cherished this brief reprieve, a fleeting opportunity to just spend some honest time with him before they were lost to him. And it was such a nice opportunity to see the Mal we all miss, stepping up and taking what steps he could to get everyone through this. And bless Zoe for giving him that opportunity.
Once again, your fic sets up enough structure and richness that it succeeds at not just taking us on a ride, but also in sparking imagination and analysis. You provide enough meat - without setting up an inevitable, inescapable conclusion - to allow the kind of 'thoughtfulness' you described above.
Oh, and the beginning wasn't confusing at all. In fact, I think you've come up with a plausible explanation for River's bizarre appearance on the Serenity DVD art: it was from a cut scene of her imagining herself as some glowing eyed goth queen, ruling over her evil minions...duh!
Tuesday, 12 June 2007 17:35
It's negligent of me not to keep up, because then I don't leave comments even approaching insightful, but man, I so love this story. You're absolutely amazing, every time out. I know we touched on some of the angst to come, but for this chapter, this line was it:
>Zoë stayed at the main table, sitting with her arms folded and looking on. She’d have plenty of time with the captain in the days to come; the rest of the crew could have their chance now.<
You remain an evil, evil woman. Gifted, but evil.
>Zoë stayed at the main table, sitting with her arms folded and looking on. She’d have plenty of time with the captain in the days to come; the rest of the crew could have their chance now.<
You remain an evil, evil woman. Gifted, but evil.
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