jedibuttercup

Amazing. There is no other word for it. You've utterly nailed the humor in the pathos, and now you're plumbing depths of subtext and subterfuge in an economic, tense, tightly-constructed way, and I'm absolutely stunned.

Inara as spy is an interesting read for that character. I haven't decided whether I can reconcile that notion with the woman presented in the series, but you've certainly laid out the argument for it, how the Guild operates, and how Companions comply such that it's a strong case for your explanation. I love Mal flinging back on Serenity Valley when Inara pulls the rug out from under him, and I'm almost afraid of what that will do to him. Seems he and Zoe both were on equal footing there towards the end, both having lost so much, it's fitting that he goes to her at the end.

What really impressed me is the handling of Inara in this confrontation. You've gotten her so perfect, I could never imagine it being better. Plenty of times, I've envisioned this confessional scene in my head and never been able to make Inara's side of it work because I cannot get inside her head. You've not only done that but you've put her feelings out of her mouth in the most true sense that it is just mind-boggling. She's strong, doesn't deny her feelings, and doesn't let Mal stick to his prejudices or imagine himself above them. She shoots right through him, tears him down when he thinks he's not given her space for it, which is why the two of them do their dance but never commit--they hurt each other too much.

And, as painful as that is for the part of me that loves Mal, it's so true to him and Inara that I can't help but love it. I cannot wait--am already impatient, in fact--for the next bit. Will it tear my heart into pieces, too? Oh, I hope so...