The Treasure of Lei Fong Wu -- Chapter Six
Monday, September 12, 2005
The perils of untruthfulness . . . and shopping.
CATEGORY: FICTION TIMES READ: 5122 RATING: 9.0 (G) SERIES: FIREFLY
The Treasure of Lei Fong Wu
Chapter Six
Mason’s “bungalow” was almost exactly what Inara had expected.
It was on the eastern side of a narrow peninsula which jutted out into the northern polar ocean like a rude finger gesture. It was on high ground – most of it – a sprawling pastel green twelve room show-mansion in the Late Isisite Romantic style, all balconies and observation points and whimsical statuary. A style suited for rich, influential playboys seeking to impress other rich people with their taste and class. Only the Han Elite Revival or the Euroimperial Baroque styles would have been more ostentatious, but their lines were not well suited to this environment. This was a tropical paradise, and the Romantic was the perfect choice: playful, fanciful, and filthy stinking rich.
But there was a lovely “beach shack” bigger than most people’s houses where they would be staying most of the time, she guessed. They had arrived this morning, which had allowed her to show off her flying skills, had a leisurely but incredibly good brunch which allowed Mason to show off his chef (the “bungalow” had nine permanent servants). Then they retired to a pretty white pavilion on the beach, where they had to struggle along with only one manservant nearby to wait upon them. She had insisted on a quick dip in the surf after, though Mason had declined, which allowed her to do the Companionate Meditation on the Sea of Love, a singing meditation that welcomed love and desire into a jaded and weary heart. It also gave her an opportunity to indulge in a secret vice, peeing in the ocean.
By the time she had gotten back to the pavilion Mason was sitting propped up in a lounge chair, and elaborate, fruit-filled drink on the table beside him. He almost looked relaxed as he smiled and greeted her. But there was a hint of trouble in the smile.
“Bad news, bao bei. Vacation won’t start until this afternoon. The sales office in Apex waved, and one of my junior associates wants to bring out a client – let me talk u
I truly loved your exposition on the brown coat... "Brown symbolized the people. Not bright yellow or blue or red. Brown. The color of fresh turned soil and dusty dirt roads. The color of a new calf on a misty morning, and the steaming pile of shit its mother left in the barn. The color of most of the rivers and some of the oceans on the frontier worlds. The color of a gunstock, and the tree they used for target practice. They came with their personal arms and their coats of brown. They became Browncoats."
I very much enjoyed the beginning up until Simon. Excellent look at her, immersed in her professional element.
I gotta say, though, you lost me there a bit with her coercing Simon. I don't see her abetting something that would hurt Kaylee, doesn't jibe with my view of her, as she is actually very honest on the show. Being a Companion doesn't actually affect her sexual morals negatively. So, this bit of her encouraging Simon to go against his own nature to do something that would hurt Kaylee,... doesn't quite work.
I'm missing a precedence for this on the show.
All the more wonderful, though, the bit about Mal's coat! Excellent, the insights into the Browncoat mentality, his newfound spirit of change, and the utter cuteness of the last line. Shiny boots! Bwaha! Mal always had a thing about people's outfits, shiny hats and all. Hee!
Your Wash and Zoe continue to make me very happy.
So, somewhat hesitant about the Inara characterisation there, but very excited about the rest. Looking forwarsd to more!
~AR~
I wouldn't say that Inara was "coercing" Simon, nor would I consider this a negative side of her sexual mores. In fact, she is looking at the situation very practically. She doesn't say "Go for it!" she says "Do what you gotta do," and there is a difference. True, Inara looks at sex differently than most others, but let's not impose a double standard. When Kaylee was "unfaithful" in KL, no one got upset when Inara comforted her about her indiscretion. Similarly, Inara is looking out for the welfare of the entire group when she sees it in danger, and she also knows that Simon is likely as frustrated at this point as Kaylee was. I guess I just wanted some balance -- Kaylee can get laid to "blow off steam" and everyone is sympathetic. Simon tries to be a gentleman, but is put in a position where that is difficult and might lead to trouble -- yet he's a bounder for considering it?
I know I took liberties with Inara's character, but that's what this is about. Stretching them, examining facets that were not fully explored on the show. At this point in the game there is no garuntee that Simon/Kaylee will happen, despite the feelings on both sides. If Inara gives Simon some counsel that will help him play the role without an attack of overwhelming guilt messing things up, is that unreasonable?
I think you will be satisfied in the end. And as much as I like Inara, I think that her attitudes towards all things sexual are very different than ours. Don't be surprised if this comes up again later in the book.
Thanks for commenting!
StA
I'll reserve some doubt about the nature of Inara's sexual morals (or rather, relationship/interpersonal morals), but none of that is going to keep me from enjoying the rest of this story. *g* You do have a wonderful hand at the character voices!
Dear StA:
[blah blah]
signed, AR
It's a bad day for details, hee.
That's fantastic. This picture of Inara as a savvy, experienced, and slightly cold business woman is not totally unexpected, it's just something that wasn't explored on the show.
And although Simon here seems more coherent and outspoken than we usually see him, I think he's finally in his element, the way he was when he was planning the Ariel job. This situation involves money and social status, and he's intimately familiar with both. Now he's got the moral dilemma - should he take one for the team? He hasn't been able to kill anyone for the team ... not Dobson, not Niska's cronies. This sacrifice doesn't compare to taking a life, of course. But even knowing what Kaylee did with 11 inches, he's still hesitating. How sweet is that?
By the way, thanks to you, my new favorite color is Brown.
I hope Simon doesn't have to take one for the team with Ms. Goldpanties. Jayne's been there!
易弯曲
Loved the description of what Mal's browncoat symbolises both to him, the men he fought with in the war and the people. That was excellent! Ali D :~)
You can't take the sky from me
p.s. what's jayne doin'? sorry, BIG jayne-shipper here...lovin' it
hahaha
where is book?
-unsavoryplatypus
You made me LOL at work - my boss just shot me a funny look. ^_^
Post Your Comments
You must log in to post comments.