Pyre

[bookaddict43]

Title: Pyre
Author: Bookaddict
Characters: Simon, River
Rating: PG13
Word count: 100
Comments: Set during the witch burning scene in Safe. A companion drabble to Sparks, as requested by cmk418. Originally written for firefly100, prompt: cold

“Post holer for digging posts,” River smiled gently.

Simon looked up into his sister’s calm and accepting face and then down at the clamouring crowd.

He wouldn’t really mind being burnt; it would erase forever the cold consciousness of being alone. The pain of being cut from their parents’ hearts and minds would be banished and River would no longer be hurt. His fears and worries would disappear into the smoke and ashes; there would be nothing but everlasting peace.

His decision made, Simon stepped up onto the pyre and wound his arms around his sister. “Light it,” he said.

Comments

[mercsgoodgirl.livejournal.com]

Beautifully done, Fran. I've always wondered about what Simon was really feeling when he joined River on the pyre and now I feel I truly know.

(I didn't have any S/R icons, so I used my "Family" icon that cantonheroine made for me)

[bookaddict43.livejournal.com]

I really love Simon in that scene - how he just joins his sister, it seemed so fatalistic somehow. I'm glad you think I caught the feeling :)

Also I love that icon - she's so talented...

[cmk418]

Wow. That is both beautiful and heartbreaking. I re-read "Sparks" and it's interesting to see the differences in the two perspectives and that you keep Simon's mindset so true to where he was at that point (no regrets of leaving Serenity like River had). It also puts a different spin on his emotions when the rescue takes place. Very well done and I'm glad you followed up the initial post with this one.

[bookaddict43.livejournal.com]

It was your request for Simon's POV that got me thinking. I liked looking at this scene from his perspective, he really would have seen it so differently from River. I'm happy you think I captured that!

[danniisupernova.livejournal.com]

<3

Love this one, just like the first piece. It always amazes me how you can get so much into so few words.

[bookaddict43.livejournal.com]

I really enjoy writing drabbles - it's such a challenge trying to pare down the words!

[romanceguru.livejournal.com]

So that explains Simon’s look of utter peace and love as he joins River. Death would actually be freeing for him, for them. Great drabble!

[bookaddict43.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Poor Simon he is so worn to a frazzle looking after River - I could see him longing for peace...

PS I love that icon - it personifies their relationship I think :)

[sandoz-iscariot.livejournal.com]

A nice look at that scene.

[ladytalon1.livejournal.com]

Yeahhhh, I can't really get into Simon fics for some reason but this was very well written - nice show of solidarity where he's ready to go with his sister.

[b-cs.livejournal.com]

collswan and I were talking about Simon's fatalistic tendencies the other day. She was trying to convince me there was more under the surface when he decides to throw it all away. This really points that out.