Blue Sun Room FICTION - ROMANCE

The Slower Path: Ain't Never So Bad It Can't Be Worse - Part 11 - Sequel to Weighing the Costs

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Zoe takes a job. Mal's not happy.

CATEGORY: FICTION    TIMES READ: 3788    RATING: 9.0 (PG)    SERIES: FIREFLY

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The Slower Path:

Sequel to

by and

Rating: PG

Word Count: 2046

Spoilers: Set post BDM

Pairing/Characters: Mal, Zoe, Mal/Inara.

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The study was elegantly appointed with glossy hardwoods and tall shelves holding leather-bound books that had never been opened. Full draperies of some material Zoe recognized but couldn't name spilled from the ceiling before puddling with luxurious waste on the floor. The mahogany desk they stood before gleamed in the muted morning light, the sun warming a jade foo lion that sat at neat atte

Comments
Wednesday, 21 May 2008 18:23
This feels all manner of wrong Zoe going against the Captain like that. I have a feeling this job is going to bring nothing but trouble and not simply because of Zoe's actions. Ali D
You can't take the sky from me
Wednesday, 21 May 2008 18:33
If only Joss Whedon had had time to develop the characters more I think he would have had moments exactly like this. Zoe is such a strong character and she is in no way inferior to her Captain. She is, in fact, his rudder to steer by. I wish we could have seen such quality writing in later episodes. Please don't stop growing these characters!
Thursday, 22 May 2008 02:01
Loved to see this side of Zoe & Mal's relationship - strong enough to weather a storm with compassion and understanding between the two. Interesting chapter - what could possibly go wrong with such a simple job?
Thursday, 22 May 2008 07:51
Wow, I could feel Mal's anger burning off the screen. And while I understand Zoe's belief that they need the job, I'm not so sure it's going to be as easy to get past this argument. Good stuff.
Thursday, 22 May 2008 11:31
very nice shifts between the formal and informal speech of characters - and of course (as always) the piece flowed very nicely:)
Thursday, 22 May 2008 18:06
Yeah, I couldn't quite swallow Mal just standing by while Zoe spoke up for him. Perhaps there were goings on in previous chapters that accounts for this?

I love the introduction, the extravagance of the heavy curtains. Great description and scene setting! And the job is an interesting one. A dozen mail order brides in the cargo bay... oh the opportunity for entertainment of both the dramatic and mischevious types! I wonder how Jayen will handle this...

Oh - I was confused about the discussion of credit accounts. It sounded like Loh was dismissing Mal and cancelling the job, but apparently not. Still not sure what happened there.

Overall, though, good chapter! A fun read.
2X2
Thursday, 22 May 2008 22:27
Thanks everyone for your shiny comments! We really appreciate your feedback :o)

And a note of clarity for Mal4Prez and anyone else who may have found a few things confusing...

Back in 'Weighing the Costs' we learned that Mal skunked a done deal because he wouldn't raise a glass to the Alliance with his contact. Fisticuffs ensued, Mal got a couple of cuts and bruises for his trouble, they lost the job, and Zoe gave him a bit of a talking to about how they couldn't afford to turn away jobs, that what they had back on Serenity was worth swallowing a little toast. So, that's the setup there for why Mal stood by.

As for the little exchange about the credits - Loh was asking for their credit account, to which Mal clarified that they only deal in cold, hard, coin. Also shows a bit of a class distinction, small time vs. big time business, that sort of thing.

So, I hope that clears that up for anyone with questions.

Thanks again for reading everyone! We'll have more just as soon as we can get it written :o)

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