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.

Wow, thank you. Now I'm speechless. =)

> 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.

Rough times for Mal and Inara for a bit, I think, until they settle into a new dynamic that takes into account this sort-of-spy business. Loving the ship and crew goes a long way in Mal's books, but the trust issue will niggle for a bit.

I really do have more purpose behind it, by the way, than just preventing them from ever having a romantic relationship in this story. To be revealed much later, of course!

> 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.

That was the hardest part of writing this chapter-- getting inside Inara's head. I'm so glad it worked so well. I do admire her as a character, despite the problems I have with the way she interacts with Mal on the show.

> 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...

Well, the next chapter's up; I hope it passes scrutiny, too!