Jayne sucked on his cigar, digesting the information like he was trying to pass a kidney stone. It still didn't sit right with him. He tossed a glance to the woman working at the bar. How she was submissive. A part of him was glad that the captain had given him the job and not someone of the female persuasion. If it had been one of their womenfolk, who knows if they would have been captured and turned into slave wives.

Or, if Zoe or River would have gone batshit and taken out half of the village.

Elder Thurn looked to Jayne Cobb suspiciously. "Are you settled on our ways, sir?

"Well, weren't how I was raised, not how most of the 'verse is." He growled roughly, like a bear poked with a stick. "Ain't never been the most chivalrous man, but my momma beat inta me ta a firm respect fer dames. Always told me if'n ya take one ta bed, make sure she consents, never be a beast..."

"You calling us beasts, Mr. Jayne?" The youngest of the lot asked in a scorned manner.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Inara." Mal, came into the house, hefting a cardboard box loaded to the hilt. Struggling with it's weight, he set it down on the table. Her light footsteps came from upstairs, and he went over to Meilin's basket, the babe in deep sleep. Watching her, the captain's mouth pulled into a smirk.

"I thought you were going to get just a few things." She caught his attention as she headed over to the box to inspect what he had procured.

"Well... yeah." Turning, Mal drifted over and let out a deep breath, thumbs sliding under his suspenders. "But apparently when you've had your first baby you're entitled to all sorts of free stuff. Gifts, from those who wish you and your little 'un a long and happy life."

Inara took out a pink blanket, package of pacifiers, and raised a dubious brow to Mal. "There's a cigar in here."

Leaning in, he picked up the cigar. "That's for me."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jayne flicked the ashes off of the end of his cigar. The grey powder flittering off to the hazy ashtray.