SO LONG AS THE SKY SHALL FEED THE STARS

*

[POLUS DUM SIDERA PASCET]

Motto of RAF 692 Squadron

*

I'll make love to you

in all good places

under black mountains

in open spaces.

By deep brown rivers

that slither darkly

through far marches

where the blue hare races.

Come with me to the Winged Isle ---

northern father's western child.

Where the dance of ages is playing still

through far marches of acres wild.

*

Acres Wild – Jethro Tull

*

[This goes a little off-piste from the 'verse we've been shown so far, but

Joss isn't averse to showing spiritual realities, so maybe...]

[The characters aren't mine, I'm just taking them out into the sandbox for a while]

*

Serenity came into land just outside Hine Moa. Mal stood on the apron at the rear of the cargo bay, apparently just enjoying the sunshine.

“Seems like half a lifetime since we were here last.”

Vera popped a modest bag of clothes and vital bits and pieces down nearby, “I know what you mean,” she smiled, “Been imprisoned twice, shot at and fought with so many times I've nearly lost count, nearly burned to death and several of us got married to each other.”

Mal rubbed his jaw and his lips twitched into a smile, “Was even co-President of the 'verse for a while.”

Vera chuckled, “Don't envy you *that task.”

Jayne appeared, bristling with weapons as per usual and toting a larger canvas bag, “Betcha *I could do it!”

Mal chimed in, “You heard what I said about the palace being a prison? Sure, we had all the food we could eat and servants at our beck and call, but Inara and I were trapped.”

“Woulda shot my way out!”

“Trust me, we tried. We never even got as far as the front or back door.”

“Not even with grenades?”

Mal managed to bite back most of a smile, “No, Jayne; not even with grenades.”

“Don't sound like much fun.”

“Trust me; it wasn't.” At that moment, a familiar looking mule drew up nearby.

*

Vera smiled, “Cliff!”

He got down from the mule and gave her a hug, “Kia'ora, Vera.”

“Hey!” Jayne was firmly in Cliff's space automatica