The Misfortune - His Mrs. Janisch, Part 6

[gilliebeans]

Title:  His Mrs. Janisch, Part 6
Author:  gilliebeans 
Words:  5300
Rating:  PG
Summary:  Preseries; Inara returns to Serenity after being swept up into an investigation surrounding a corrupt client.
Author's Notes:  I would never have finished this without the unbelievable patience of browncoat_2x2 .  Astonishing, the kind forbearance she's shown me.  And the suggestion

Comments

[gilliebeans]

My take on his bastardry is this: he's waiting for her to get back, dwelling on the implications of her "full docket," unable to quite manage being elsewhere when she comes floating down the stairs, but mad at himself for it.

Also, if my story were canon (heee! the thought), he might have been feeling a little backlash toward himself for being so kind and forebearing with her just now. Might have berated himself for not pushing her on the why are you here question; might even have convinced himself that she was manipulating him to keep him away from the question, to keep her secret. Maybe, upon reflection, he judged himself weak for being at all careful with her feelings, and resolved it wouldn't happen again, that she'd better not expect such treatment from him on a consistent basis. Add in the chance to discomfit a Man of God, and he lets fly.

Here's my question for you - when Inara gets mad, Mal acts surprised. How much of that is real surprise, and how much is him trying to get more of a rise out of her? But then a moment later, there he is with the sad face and the downcast eyes at the thought of someone rescuing her away from him. Spun about, indeed.

[aliasse]

Here's my question for you - when Inara gets mad, Mal acts surprised. How much of that is real surprise, and how much is him trying to get more of a rise out of her? But then a moment later, there he is with the sad face and the downcast eyes at the thought of someone rescuing her away from him.

Not so much spun about, I'd say, more just plain stupid:) I mean, when he says 'you spin me about', he means 'my feelings for you spin me about' - talk about not taking responsibility. I know someone like Mal in this scene, who yes, does like to get a rise, and will push it as far as possible, but who is then genuinely surprised and hurt when someone finally gets through with how pissed off they are.

Him regretting his kindness completely makes sense as well. There's definitely more to it than him just wanting to make the Shepherd feel awkward.

[gilliebeans]

I have been thinking more about this scene on my pre-holiday road trip. These thoughts aren't all the way fleshed out, but a couple of things have occurred to me. First, Mal had a choice to act deferentially, tactfully toward Inara in front of the Shepherd. And he chose not to - he was not only bringing up something that the Shepherd would feel uncomfortable about, he was showing Book not to expect him to be respectful or mannerly - deferential - to anyone who most people might think merit it. It would be common courtesy to avoid a crude insult to the pleasant lady who has just smiled at you and greeted you by name. Mal's setting the bar very low for what the Shepherd can expect. Also, and this in no way excuses him, might he have anticipated the Shepherd having some unpleasant, disapproving words for Inara once he found out her profession? So by acting like a total ass, he forces the Shepherd to come down on one side or another. Join the Captain in his insulting rejection, or make an effort to be pleasant despite his discomfort with Inara's job?