Down the Rabbit Hole, Chapter Eight

[homespunfic]

Hi. You really don't want to read this chapter without having read the previous ones, or at least the last one, so here's the link to Chapter Seven
If you'd like to start at the beginning, here's Chapter One
Thanks!

Comments

[browncoat_2x2]

Oh, darlin'...

Even knowing what was coming, having read some of this before... it's still so amazing. And the second half, the stuff I haven't read before - Simon pausing as he stared out at the spot where he'd shot Mal as the moon carried on it's merry way, the mournful note in Mal's voice that gave Simon pause - the poor man who owned the house! and what the Alliance did to him!! the fact that Mal's still looking out for Simon's saftey as he tells him to stay low (granted, it's as much for his own survival, but still), the way Mal's still calm and in control... it's all just damn beautiful.

I *LOVE* this story so much. I'm *so* happy to see another chapter...

You rock, darlin'... this is soooo good!

[homespunfic]

I don't think I can coherently reply to this - something about floating off with a head like a balloon - but I'm so happy you liked it and I beyond appreciate your comments. Thank you thank you. Hell, you get a *hug*.

Did I say thanks?

[terimaru]

She gets a hug????? What have I been doing???? I've been saying it was good for a lot longer than Miss-I-Just-Sashay-In-Here- and-Write-A-Few-Pretty-Words! I've been in the trenches! *huffs*

Oh, yeah, if you care, I like this chapter. *huffs again*

[homespunfic]

Ooh, is frightened by icon.
And you, do you not get hugs everyday for your fabulous encouragement and nice words and cheerleading and letting-me-bounce-stuff-of-you-ness and ego stroking and feeding the attention whore and everything else? Of course you do! But here, I'll state it publicly: terimaru encourages me to write this fic and others every breathing day of my life via chat and gmail and snail mail and phone calls, and when I am rich and famous she shall be in my author's notes and HEY - isn't this supposed to be about ME?

[kit_the_brave]

WOO-HOODLES! An update, and what an update! First the opening, and then, when I could bring myself to stop thinking, SimonshotMalSimonshotMalSimonshotMal (which is what Simon was thinking himself, o'course) and read on past that point, I found Mal having to rely on Simon's stealth to get them out of their mess. It's brilliant and I'm waiting with baited breath for the next chapter! (And thanks to terimaru AND browncoat 2x2 for keeping you writing!)

[homespunfic]

I think "WOO-HOODLES!" is my favorite review ever.
Thanks, Kit, glad you liked it. If you want to send money to terimaru and 2x2 so they can continue their fine work...
Really, I'm trying to be better about this than I have been about other fics, so I hope to have a chapter for you sometime in the new year. :)

"What happened to Simon? And who's this diabolical master of disguise?"

[ashavah]

Relying on Simon's stealth is possibly not one of Mal's better plans.

[jpgr]

Yeah! You did it! You caught up to where you were working when I was there. The rest wil be a surprise to me now....unless you care to share early. : )

Fab job!

[homespunfic]

I. Am. So. Slow.
*shakes head*
But at least it was worth the wait, right? Thanks for the cheerleading. And I'd share, except I'm not sure what happens next.

[ashavah]

You. I know I already said this, but it needs saying again. You are evil. I don't even know that I want to know what's going to happen to Simon in the next chapter. (Except that I do, you know I do.) I loved the opening stuff just as much as when I read it earlier, and I loved the stuff I hadn't seen, especially the way you highlight that conflict we've talked about, between his instincts as a doctor and his instincts to stay alive.

This is what happens when you shoot your captain. When you’re a fugitive and you shoot your captain.

This amused me. Poor Simon.

And I also love the way you bring out the cultural differences between them. Simon doesn't understand what it's like to have a home that's yours, that's part of what makes you you, that you've been with for years. Mal obviously does; I daresay growing up on the ranch gave him some understanding of that. And Simon still doesn't get how useless and futile the 'civilised' gesture is in those circumstances, where you've lost everything. Very poignant, that.

[homespunfic]

Thank you, ashavah. I'm glad you're along for the ride, even if I am evil, just so we can continue your analysis of Simon. :)

Simon doesn't understand what it's like to have a home that's yours, that's part of what makes you you, that you've been with for years.
No, silly Simon, he doesn't quite grasp the homesteading angle of it. Naturally Mal identifies with this man, with the Alliance coming in and taking what you've worked for by force. But I think the further Simon distances himself from the Alliance, (and that will take time no matter what he says) the closer he will come to understanding that essentially the same thing happened to him.(I think he still blames *himself* for his and River's fugitive state) If Mal had been feeling better, he might have asked Simon what recompense would be acceptable for River. But it's no fun if character development moves that quickly.

Simon still doesn't get how useless and futile the 'civilised' gesture is in those circumstances, where you've lost everything. Very poignant, that. Thanks

[ashavah]

It actually occurred to me as I was writing that review that if Simon stopped to think about it, he might find he understands better than he thinks he does, because while his loss was voluntary, it was still forced on him by the Alliance. And while it wasn't the family home he was worried about losing, he still lost everything he had to the Alliance.

I totally agree that he blames himself, though he has no reason to. What is it he says in Bushwhacked? "I 'selflessly' turned us both into wanted fugitives."

Definite guilt there.

NOT YOUR FAULT, Simon.

[homespunfic]

Will do, Dernie.
Glad you're caught up.