Blue Sun Room FICTION - ROMANCE
Something To Think On: Chapter 16
Monday, September 7, 2009
M/I. Post-BDM. On lying and learning to let go.
CATEGORY: FICTION TIMES READ: 4324 RATING: 10.0 (PG13) SERIES: FIREFLY
Something To Think On
by
Chapter Sixteen
“It’s Inara.” Mal hadn’t noticed the man’s reaction, hadn’t heard whatever Simon said after: it’d all seemed jumbled and confused. He’d stared at the screen but hadn’t understood any of it after that: “It’s Inara.” Hadn’t understood that, either; didn’t know what he was supposed to feel: understanding? relief? anger?
So as the Cortex screen froze up (Simon caught in still, just as he was reaching up to pull off them gorram glasses) then went to snow, he made up his mind not to think about it – and went instead to find Jayne.
***
In those early days after Miranda, after he’d told her she’d go (to go?), he’d taken to avoiding them all. Didn’t want none of Simon and Kaylee’s romancing; didn’t know what to say to ease Zoe’s grieving; didn’t know how to stop River remembering or Inara leaving. The only one out of them who he felt he could manage was Jayne. Jayne was something simple. Did his job; took his pay; didn’t try to make things more complicated than what they were. So, a couple days after he’d fought with her, when he still hadn’t seen her again, he wandered down to the cargo hold to see what the merc was up to. (Fact that he could just about see the door of the shuttle from the middle of the hold’s floor had nothing to do with it, he told himself, and near about believed it.)
The big man lay stomach-down on the floor of the hold, upper body disappearing through a hatch in the flooring (looking at wiring or somesuch) as Mal sidled up. Cleared his throat, and the man pulled himself out of the floor and looked at him, grease marking his forehead. Quirking an eyebrow: “Somethin’ I can do for you, Mal?”
Rocked back on his heels. “Just seeing how things’re coming along. On my ship.” He talked to Jayne, but
Comments
Monday, 07 September 2009 20:45
Ah, I like that new part with the paints. So the past flashbacks are occurring about the time that they're repairing the ship?
Jayne is great in here. Gruff humour, not overdone with the "ya'll just get on my last ruttin' nerve!" (Looks guilty)
The fight with Simon... Oh. That is NOT going to go over well. And Simon not necessarily knowing that this is really going to help, but doing it anyways and expecting Mal to go along with it? Might be Inara's best bet, but I forsee some rage that Simon didn't explain this sooner.
Of course, the way it's framed, this is just another "I'm her brother, who do you think YOU are" pissing match Simon is having with Mal. Pretending to win a point by constantly accusing Mal of selfishness, but by not cooperating or working together, I'm not sure Simon has been behaving in Inara's best interests either!
So complicated. Much love!
Jayne is great in here. Gruff humour, not overdone with the "ya'll just get on my last ruttin' nerve!" (Looks guilty)
The fight with Simon... Oh. That is NOT going to go over well. And Simon not necessarily knowing that this is really going to help, but doing it anyways and expecting Mal to go along with it? Might be Inara's best bet, but I forsee some rage that Simon didn't explain this sooner.
Of course, the way it's framed, this is just another "I'm her brother, who do you think YOU are" pissing match Simon is having with Mal. Pretending to win a point by constantly accusing Mal of selfishness, but by not cooperating or working together, I'm not sure Simon has been behaving in Inara's best interests either!
So complicated. Much love!
Monday, 07 September 2009 21:48
Oh, your guilty look about Jayne-speak made me laugh.
Yes, Simon and Mal. Hmm. My flash-forward suggests that at some time in the future, perhaps once all is said and done, perhaps not, they can speak to one another rationally. But we'll see what happens in the not-so-distant future. The thing is, it's the same pissing match that's been happening for chapters, but now it has a defined foundation... which Mal may or may not buy as more legitimate than Simon's being in love with her. WE SHALL SEE.
And re: your review on ff.net: "Playing pirates"... is that what they're calling it these days? ;-)
Yes, Simon and Mal. Hmm. My flash-forward suggests that at some time in the future, perhaps once all is said and done, perhaps not, they can speak to one another rationally. But we'll see what happens in the not-so-distant future. The thing is, it's the same pissing match that's been happening for chapters, but now it has a defined foundation... which Mal may or may not buy as more legitimate than Simon's being in love with her. WE SHALL SEE.
And re: your review on ff.net: "Playing pirates"... is that what they're calling it these days? ;-)
Monday, 07 September 2009 23:09
Oh ick, gross!
I think the terminology used is "playing doctor" actually.
...Hmm. I don't think that makes it any better. >_>
Ah, so that was a flash forward? That makes more sense in context now. :)
I think the terminology used is "playing doctor" actually.
...Hmm. I don't think that makes it any better. >_>
Ah, so that was a flash forward? That makes more sense in context now. :)
Monday, 07 September 2009 23:12
>_> And to be fair, "ya'll are gettin' on my last nerve" actually has an underlying reason which will be revealed, but this is very off topic.
Your fic! People, discuss!
Your fic! People, discuss!
Monday, 07 September 2009 23:38
Ha, I think you interpreted that in a much more sordid way than I'd intended. I had in mind Nandi.
Monday, 07 September 2009 23:43
Ah.
...That's not sordid still?
Though, considering the glimpses we got of the guild classroom environment in the movie, you may not be far off.
...That's not sordid still?
Though, considering the glimpses we got of the guild classroom environment in the movie, you may not be far off.
Monday, 07 September 2009 23:48
Okay, still more sordid than I intended, but, as they say, when you're in a hole....
Monday, 07 September 2009 23:53
Twisty, complicated and angsty, I feel for Mal though, legally he has no right or say in her care, that privilege would go to her father, Mr. Tam...and Simon, oh, my, he really played his trump card here and River backed him up. I can fully understand Mall’s feelings of betrayal considering that he has no choice but to leave her in the Alliance’s hands with the knowledge of what they did to River.
You’re channeling Joss, clio, if the series would have continued, as planned; a scenario like this could have played out brilliantly.
You’re channeling Joss, clio, if the series would have continued, as planned; a scenario like this could have played out brilliantly.
Tuesday, 08 September 2009 01:46
I'm intrigued, very intrigued. I really liked the little backstory of Simon and Inara as children. It's got me very curious, what does Inara remember? What does she know? And whoa, Simon and Mal are at a difficult point, aren't they? Especially with the introduction of Gabriel Tam, he did such an outstanding job of looking out for his other daughter...
I know how real life comes calling, my posting pace has slowed down to the point where it's getting mortifying. I'll be happy to read more when you can post it!
I know how real life comes calling, my posting pace has slowed down to the point where it's getting mortifying. I'll be happy to read more when you can post it!
Tuesday, 08 September 2009 18:05
Ah, long awaited return the return of the fic that made me into a Mal/Inara shipper, forever lowered my testosterone level, and ruined my life.
Great stuff! I was initially horrified by your decision to portray Inara as Simon's half-sister--I felt that it blunted a lot of the angst and tension. But I like what you've done with it, and your Inara is the anti-River.
The scene with the paint and ladder was powerful. Can't wait to see what comes next.
Great stuff! I was initially horrified by your decision to portray Inara as Simon's half-sister--I felt that it blunted a lot of the angst and tension. But I like what you've done with it, and your Inara is the anti-River.
The scene with the paint and ladder was powerful. Can't wait to see what comes next.
Tuesday, 08 September 2009 18:31
I know there are probably a lot of folks out there who still resent that decision ("I invested this much time in this fanfic for THIS?"). In the end I decided to go with it not just because it had come to seem like an inevitability in my little story-boarding mind but also because I genuinely thought it would allow for MORE, nor fewer, interesting story possibilities (as well as more angst and tension – the romantic tension would have had to diffuse soon, and ultimately I think it would have felt anticlimactic).
Anyway, I'm glad the the direction of the story is proving promising to people. I'm surprised no one's inquired into the flash-forward flashback (e.g. "Wait – where are they? What's happened? Where's Inara?"). Of course, I can't answer any of those questions, so to inquire would do no good. :-)
Anyway, I'm glad the the direction of the story is proving promising to people. I'm surprised no one's inquired into the flash-forward flashback (e.g. "Wait – where are they? What's happened? Where's Inara?"). Of course, I can't answer any of those questions, so to inquire would do no good. :-)
Wednesday, 09 September 2009 18:49
Okay, I'm giving a rating because I find otherwise you don't get a notification...
Wednesday, 09 September 2009 18:49
Okay, I'm giving a rating because I find otherwise you don't get a notification...
Wednesday, 09 September 2009 18:54
Not only did I somehow leave that message twice but also I wasn't actually finished. *scowl*
I wanted to say that I think your Mal must be the most miserable Mal I've come acoss in fan fiction. He's SO MISERABLE! Granted, he has got a lot to be miserable about.
I read the line 'We brought her here to leave her here' with a jolt and a pang. Because I thought this was a hint that Inara was going to die. But no, there's the flash forward, and Mal and Simon would surely not be having quite such a civilised discussion unless the flash forward was flashing forward a very long time after Inara's death. It's time for Inara to wake up! - what does SHE want after all?
I wanted to say that I think your Mal must be the most miserable Mal I've come acoss in fan fiction. He's SO MISERABLE! Granted, he has got a lot to be miserable about.
I read the line 'We brought her here to leave her here' with a jolt and a pang. Because I thought this was a hint that Inara was going to die. But no, there's the flash forward, and Mal and Simon would surely not be having quite such a civilised discussion unless the flash forward was flashing forward a very long time after Inara's death. It's time for Inara to wake up! - what does SHE want after all?
Thursday, 10 September 2009 02:45
Yeah, it was a little less oppressive when the flashbacks were pre-BDM. My Mal throughout most of this is definitely the Mal who told his crew he'd leave them on Haven if they didn't put dead bodies on Serenity, not the (relatively) happier Mal of times before. The flashbacks should get a little less overwhelmingly morose when I get us to the very end of BDM, when Mal's starting to think things might be okay. Then I'm hoping to have some nice tantalizing semi-romantic happy moments.
Maybe.
Anyway, hope it doesn't seem too out of character. He made a couple jokes in this chapter!
Maybe.
Anyway, hope it doesn't seem too out of character. He made a couple jokes in this chapter!
Thursday, 10 September 2009 04:22
“How’m I supposed to know you’re not just gonna fall again? You start making this a habit, may be easier just to hold on to you.”
Layered meanings and foreshadowing!
Just spotted that.
Layered meanings and foreshadowing!
Just spotted that.
Friday, 11 September 2009 15:18
Having had some time to get used to the sibling thing, I'm now all able to fully enjoy this new chapter, and what a chapter! Gabriel!
Simon's starting to fray a little. Mal yelling out in frustration at the obfuscating Tams was 100% understandable and I don't think that Simon can count on any more trust from him. Especially not with this new reveal.
On one hand, I find it incredibly fascinating! I loved Gabriel's character and really want to see this father-daughter relationship explored, considering he DID want to bring her into the home. (Great memory scene!) On the other hand, what is Simon expecting here? Is he trying to help Inara or trying to force a reparation because it's something that HE cannot let go of?
After all, if the chances of healing her are slim, would Inara even WANT to be there? Duuuuuude.
And what are the circumstances of Mal and Simon in the future??
You've set up for some serious questions! I want more! :)
Simon's starting to fray a little. Mal yelling out in frustration at the obfuscating Tams was 100% understandable and I don't think that Simon can count on any more trust from him. Especially not with this new reveal.
On one hand, I find it incredibly fascinating! I loved Gabriel's character and really want to see this father-daughter relationship explored, considering he DID want to bring her into the home. (Great memory scene!) On the other hand, what is Simon expecting here? Is he trying to help Inara or trying to force a reparation because it's something that HE cannot let go of?
After all, if the chances of healing her are slim, would Inara even WANT to be there? Duuuuuude.
And what are the circumstances of Mal and Simon in the future??
You've set up for some serious questions! I want more! :)
Friday, 11 September 2009 15:22
Oh, right, and about the Mal/Inara flashback.. brilliant one. Did Inara slip because she was startled or did she slip because of her symptoms? Mal holding her like that, both being vaguely indulgent about staying close, but then that line... *sigh* I love, love, love that she was trying to tell him! Intense. So close and yet so far.
Friday, 11 September 2009 16:10
Rouka, I'm SO glad you liked this (and that I didn't manage to completely spoil the rest of the story for you with the last chapter)! This kind of plotline is the payoff for the Simon/Inara reveal – I guess it seemed to me like the possibilities were very complicated and interesting.
And all of your questions are spot-on and anticipate issues that I'm hoping to explore....
And all of your questions are spot-on and anticipate issues that I'm hoping to explore....
Monday, 06 August 2012 23:37
Oh wow, what a place to end this chapter! From Simon drugging Mal and knocking Jayne out, hiding the truth about his relationship to Inara and so on. I just hope his father is not going to turn them all into the mighty gorram Alliance. Somehow I don't think he will, at least not while Inara is still on the ship. But once he has her with him who knows what to expect? I just hope it all turns out for the best. Ali D :~)
"You can't take the sky from me!"
"You can't take the sky from me!"
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