Firefly, Serenity, and all related proprietary characters are the intellectual property of Joss Whedon and corporations with whom I have no affiliation. Said property does not belong to me, and the fictional story below is of my own creation. (I don’t own ‘em, just like to play with ‘em!)

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However, much to River’s chagrin, Jayne seemed skeptical. “Peek? Ya mean look inside my head with that mind-readin’ thing ya do? Not so sure ya should be doin’ that… man like me’s seen and thought on all manner of unsavory things ya shouldn’t never know ‘bout. Wait a minute, why’d ya even ask? Not like I can stop you if you wanna look.”

“It’s rude to take without asking, touching what isn’t yours. No better than the scientists at the Academy, playing with my brain without asking first. Please? I’ll be quick, I know what I’m looking for, won’t go wandering off. I know what’s private, know not to look at those, not polite.” It worked so well on Mal that River decided this would be a good opportunity to test her “sad puppy dog” look.

Gorram she’s a quick learner. “Hey, settle now… the “sad puppy eyes” might work on Mal, but most folk just find it irritating.” She prob’ly knows that’s a lie, but can’t be givin’ her the wrong idea. “Are you sayin’ yer a Reader, but ya don’t just listen in whenever it suits you? I thought yer brother said ya can’t control it, you always hear everythin’ anybody thinks ‘bout.”

“Simple gē ge , doesn’t explain anything right… thinks everyone is best off knowing only the basics, thinks complications make the world go crazy, but he’s wrong, only crazy one is me.” River looked off towards the bay doors for a moment, deep in thought, before looking back at Jayne. “People are like stores, can’t know every item for sale just by looking at them, can’t have everything in the window. Windows would be too small, so the store owner puts pretty things in the window, convince people to come in and look around.”

This is gettin’ distur