Strictly Business, by NotTasha (PG)

[the-hobbet.livejournal.com]

Hi, it's me, The_Hobbet, again. While I was looking for stories to recommend last month I found so many I wanted to share that I signed up for a second month. In May I concentrated on long, plotty stories. This month I will be highlighting mostly short to medium-length tales. I hope you enjoy them.

Fandom: THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN
Pairing: none
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: NotTasha's Fictional Existence!
Why this must be read:

Last month I indulged in my passion for action and adventure. NotTasha has written many enjoyable action/adventure/hurt/comfort fictions, but I especially enjoy her quieter stories. She gives us subtle insights into the boys, especially Ezra, with delicacy and gentle humor. The emotions are strong and true, poignant and sweet, but not sentimental.

NotTasha's Ezra is so grounded in his upbringing that he truly does see his more generous impulses in terms of what they do for him. (Ayn Rand would be proud :-). When he downplays what he does for others, he is being honest about his feelings, not falsely modest. Ezra has conned himself. In spite of all his cynicism, there is something sweetly innocent and touching about him.

I love 'Strictly Business.' It is part of NotTasha's 'Down the Amazon' series that focuses on the developing friendship between Ezra and Vin. It can be read alone, but there are references to events in previous stories, especially 'Across the Andes.' You should know that Ezra has tried again to fulfill his dream of owning a saloon, the Redbird, and the other six are all investors.

And I love this little tip of the hat to the original Magnificent Seven.

Try Strictly Business

"Yeah, I liked hearin' about those warriors and all that. Those fellas were pretty exciting."

"The samurais were exceptional." The gambler's eyes sparkled, remembering that section of the book. "Fearless men with incredible moral character."

"They did put up a good fight." Vin looked down the empty street and then grinned sheepishly. "I was thinkin', when you read ‘bout ‘em, that we were somethin' like those samurais -- me, you and all the guys."

Ezra laughed. "Me? The samurais were men of great honor and discipline. They lived by their ’bushido’, that is to say 'The Way of the Warrior.' They prized, if I recall correctly, the following characteristics: loyalty, self sacrifice, justice, sense of shame, refined manners, purity, modesty, frugality, martial spirit, honor and affection." He smiled and tipped his head. "Now, my manners are exceptional, but the rest are beyond me."

"I don't know 'bout that," Vin said, mulling over the list that Ezra had ticked off so easily.

"My 'sense of shame' is non-existent if you consider my lifestyle. How can a man who bilks another man from his lifesaving be accused of any shame? And 'justice' would be discounted for the same reason. I do my very best to avoid justice and keep myself from jail. Neither of these virtues are part of a con man's repertoire. 'Purity?' I think we've gone over that one before. 'Frugality'," he pulled on the lapels of his obviously expensive coat. "I wouldn't even want to consider that particular trait, and one may as well lump in 'self sacrifice' as I loathe to sacrifice my comforts. 'Modesty'? The modest never wear red. 'Martial spirit', now that may be somewhat fitting as I'm quite capable in a fight -- but my preference is to avoid such confrontation as it is detrimental to my existence. I would prefer to talk my way out of a fight."

"Which leads me to another point." Standish leaned against the wagon again. "The samurai had no fear of danger. Death was not to be avoided and in fact, they were capable of suicide if they became negligent in any of these virtues." Ezra shook his head. "My friend, I have a healthy respect for danger and avoid death at all costs. Vice is preferable to hara-kiri."

"You left off a couple of 'em," Vin commented.

"Pardon?"

"When you went over all those things you listed, you forgot 'honor' and 'loyalty'."

Ezra smiled, revealing his gold tooth. "Mr. Tanner, if you've perceived either of those qualities in me, then I'm a far better con artist than I thought."

The Amazon Series
Strictly Business