Chapter Two: Tacky Costume Jewelry

Soundtrack suggestions: anything by Jewel, "Pretty Girl (The Way) – Sugarcult

"River, what are you doin'?" Zoë demanded. The girl looked up, caught with her hand in one of the drawers in the infirmary.

"Looking for answers," she replied slowly.

"Where's Simon? Does he know what you're doing?"

"Eating. Or with Kaylee. Either is probable."

"What do you have in your hand?" Zoë asked cautiously, praying it wasn't a wrench or other tool that could be used to cause concussions, not that Simon generally kept concussion-causing instruments in his drawers.

"Nothing." She looked hurriedly away from Zoë.

Mal appeared behind Zoë. "Zoë, good news! We've got a job from Eddy Watson."

"Old Snakebite Cider, that Eddy Watson? The one that double-crossed us on Osiris and left us to die?"

"Well… we didn't, did we?" Mal said testily. "We're goin' to Snozlund."

"Snozlund. Cold," River said. "Snow everywhere. Good for snowmen, snow angels, snowball fights, ice skating, sleigh rides…"

"This is beginnin' t' look like a Currier 'n Ives picture, if you just throw in some hot chocolate and stories 'round the fireplace," Mal said dryly.

"What's the job, sir?" Zoë questioned.

"Theft. Of the Rockport Bones."

"The Rockport Bones?"

"Is there more 'n one?"

"Well, no, I'm just surprised Eddy Watson's goin' t' send us in t' steal the Rockport Bones, since they're one of the most highly guarded things… anywhere."

"Then there's no surprise Eddy called us, is there? He knows we're th' best fer high-profile jobs."

"Since when?"

"Since… ever," Mal replied. "If I was ya, I'd be gettin' out m' cold weather gear. We'll be in Snozlund by the end o' the week. We've just got one stop t' make, payin' passengers headin' straight fer Snozlund, we're pickin' 'em up at Seven Skyes."

"Yes, sir," Zoë said, shaking her head. "I just hope when we're caught by the Alliance, y' have a really good explanation fer why we were stealin' the Rockport Bones. 'Oh, Mr. Alliance member, we were stealin' the Bones fer Santa.'"

"That isn't a good enough explanation fer ya?"

"Only if I was in the mood for a quick but painful execution." On that happy note, she left the infirmary.

Mal turned to look at River, who was staring at him, her head tilted, both of her hands clenched into fists as though she was holding onto something tightly. "What are ya thinkin', little butterfly?"

She didn't answer for a minute. Then she said, "Not so much butterfly as spider. Can't fly anymore, least not now. Scuttles like one, black widow across so much floor, hides from the noise. You're bringing trouble on."

"Trouble? Trouble with the passengers, or with Eddy's job?"

"Trouble is everywhere, and comes like an opera cape in the night."

"Could ya be a little more specific?" Mal asked, a little confused by the opera cape metaphor.

She considered that, tilted her head the other way. "We're going running again. Everybody knows more than they're telling."

Simon brushed past Mal into the infirmary. "Something wrong, captain?"

"Not yet," River answered for Mal. "Too much treasure to crash."

"What are you talking about?" Simon asked his sister. She grinned at him. "Treasure in my hands." Then suddenly she looked confused, and said, "Explosion."

The second the word left her lips, she fell backward onto the floor as though shoved by unseen hands. Mal looked at Simon and was about to ask a question, but he never got the chance.

The ship suddenly jerked to the left and began to fall. River started to giggle, her eyes closed, a look of rapt ecstasy on her face; as though the ship's strange movements were for her enjoyment. Simon's knees buckled and he found himself crouched on the floor next to his sister. Mal had had the sense to grab onto the doorframe. "Wash!" he yelled in the direction of the bridge. "What in th' hell's goin' on?"

"Sorry, Cap'n my Cap'n!" they heard Wash yell back faintly. "Got a mite o' trouble headin' in t' Seven Skyes!"

"Is it gonna be over soon?" Mal demanded.

"That it will, Cap'n my Cap'n, Kaylee assured me so!"

There was one final pull to the left and they felt the ship stabilize, then Wash's voice said calmly, "We're entering atmo of Seven Skyes and should be docking within twenty minutes."

Mal let go of the doorframe as Jayne came storming by. "Ruttin' hell, he could a' killed us all!" the brute exclaimed. He headed for the bridge, and Mal went to the engine room to see what had malfunctioned.

"But he didn't," River said calmly, still lying on the floor, staring up at the bright ceiling lights.

"Get off the floor, mei-mei," Simon said, and offered her his hand so she could get up. She looked at him, puzzled. "Get up, no sense lying on the floor now that the trouble's over."

She reached to take his hand, and her fists fell open. A handful of shiny things dropped to the floor. "Treasure," River said, nodding at Simon as though to convince him of this fact.

Simon picked up what had fallen; it was a bright handful of gold and silver and beauty every color of the rainbow. "River, where did you get this?" he asked, knowing full well none of it was hers. There was a locket, a tarnishing gold heart with a flowery pattern scrolled on the front, attached to a golden chain; two silver bangle bracelets with delicate engraving on them, words of some foreign language Simon couldn't read; a bright brooch shaped like a flower with red enamel petals and green enamel leaves; a necklace of brightly colored glass beads that resembled small hard candies; a silver piece almost like a large bullet shaped like a scarab beetle, which was strung on a leather lace; a thick multi-colored enamel bracelet with embedded red and pink stones; a gaudy necklace of five-petal purple flowers with bright stones in their center; an oval pin with a kerchief-wearing woman's head on it; a pendant, a twisted knot of gold, on a chain of slinky silver; a handful of rings, some with stones, some without, some silver, some gold.

"Treasure," River repeated. "On a treasure hunt."

"River, these things aren't yours. Where did you get them?"

She just stared at him. He set the jewelry on the counter behind him. "River, stealing is wrong. You know that. You can't take what isn't yours."

"Not a thief," she replied.

"Who gave these things to you?"

"They fell from the sky."

"River. These things aren't yours. Where did you get them?"

"They fell from the sky."

"Are they Inara's?" The Companion was the only one Simon could think of would have any kind of jewelry on the ship, but this jewelry was exceedingly tacky and probably not of her style. "Did you take them from Inara?"

"No."

"Show me where you found them."

He picked up the jewelry and she led him out of the infirmary and to her bunk. On the blanket was a small wooden box with an inlaid top. It was just big enough to hold the jewelry in Simon's hands. Next to the box was a packaging envelope, thick with cellophane and plastic tape. The envelope was addressed to River, care of Serenity, in a spidery scrawl. "Who is this from?" Simon asked. She handed him a piece of yellowing, crackly paper and he read the accompanying message, half-expecting it to crumble into dust in his hands. It was undated.

Dear River, I was on Magellan two weeks ago for a Shepherds' meeting. I saw these things in the bazaar there and thought you might like them. Remember to have faith. Proverbs 3:3. Shepherd Book.

"The Shepherd sent you these things?" Simon asked his sister. She shrugged. "River, the Shepherd is dead," he said gently. "You know that. How could he have sent you jewelry?"

"Mail service is slow. Magellan is out of the way. Only four thousand people. An optimal place for Shepherds' meetings, as the economy is fueled mostly by tourism." She considered that. "Not that Shepherds are tourists."

"River… this jewelry is junk, costume jewelry, worthless trinkets. Why would the Shepherd send you junk jewelry?"

"Not junk!" she exclaimed, grabbing the gold, silver, and beads away from him. "Pretty. Treasure. Mine."

"It's junk," he repeated as Jayne stuck his head into the bunk.

"Jest wanted t' let ya know we've landed," Jayne said. "Seven Skyes. We're pickin' up passengers. Y' wanna get off 'n have a look round?"

"Sure. Sure thing, Jayne. We'll be right there," Simon said. The mercenary disappeared and Simon turned his attention back to his sister. "Put that stuff away."

"Jewelry is for to be worn."

"Not this. Put it away."

"'Nara wears jewelry."

"That's part of her job."

"What's my job?"

"Your job? To be good and to listen to me. But also, not to wear jewelry. You wouldn't want to lose it, now would you? It's not nice to lose other people's gifts."

Sighing, she dumped the handful of trinkets into the inlaid box and slid the lid shut. "Seven Skyes. Population forty-four thousand, eight hundred and seventy-six. Chief exports: ivory, indigo, sugar, gold bullion. Home of the Followers of the Second Coming, current population five hundred and ninety, and George Ann University, student population eight thousand, nine hundred and five."

"Who exports gold bullion? Where would they export it to?" Simon asked, momentarily confused.

She shrugged. "Don't know. Just says so in the book."

"What book?"

"Don't have it anymore."

Simon could understand that; all of her books had remained at the Tam estate, and she had made no move to purchase any to take their place since coming aboard Serenity. They exited the ship. Mal and Zoë were standing by the open hatch with Kaylee; the mechanic was covered in grease and looked a little singed, but no more so than usual. "Wasn't nothin' but the G-17 couplin', Cap'n. Shouldn't take more 'n an hour t' fix, tops, specially since we've got a spare."

"Good," Mal said tightly. "I don't want t' be here any longer than we have to. The job's waitin' fer us in Snozlund."

"The passengers, sir, what do they look like?" Zoë asked.

"I only saw the one on the wave," Mal replied. "She was young, golden hair done up tightly, proper accent, the whole bit. She said she had a younger sister and a guardian, whatever that is. I just hope she's on time."

"What time were you expectin' her, sir?"

"Anywheres from now on. She said her name was…"

"Kathryn Sugarwhite," a crisply accented voice interrupted Mal. Mal, Zoë, Kaylee, and Simon turned to look in the direction of the voice. A twenty-ish woman with light blond hair pulled back into a severe bun was standing before them. She was pale with very pink cheeks and pink lips, very slender, dressed in a green tweed suit with an A-line skirt and mother-of-pearl buttons on the jacket. Her shoes were shiny black leather with pointed toes. There was a small brooch attached to the neck of her cream blouse; it was a cameo, a woman's profile done in white on a green stone, the whole thing surrounded with a curlicue of silver. In her ears were tiny diamond studs, sensible ear-bobs for a woman like her. She offered her hand to Mal; her nails were perfect pale pink ovals. "But please, call me Kate. You must be Captain Malcolm Reynolds."

"Uh… yes. That's me," Mal answered, taking her hand and shaking it a little confusedly. "And this here's Zoë, m' first mate, Kaylee, the mechanic, that's Simon the doctor there, and his sister, River."

"Pleased to meet you all," Kate said. "I'm afraid Mother Mary and Noelle and the luggage are a few steps behind me. Mother Mary stopped to show Noelle some flowers in a public garden."

"Mother Mary? A nun? Yer bringin' a nun on my ship?" Mal asked.

"Her real name is Marion Bathgate, but I suppose only her husband ever called her Marion. She's a Follower of the Second Coming," Kate explained. "She goes by Mother Mary; we've never known her by anything different. She's been with our family since before I was born. She's a right darling, if a trifle dotty."

"Who's Noelle?" Zoë asked.

"Noelle is my younger sister. She's thirteen," Kate answered promptly. "We often call her Nona. She's a sweetheart. I should tell you now, though, she doesn't talk and she can't walk, so there's no way she can do any pulling of her weight on the ship. Mother Mary and I will do what's necessary for her."

"That's… that's fine," Mal managed to say. "Doc, why don't ya take Kate t' her quarters?"

"If you don't mind, I'd rather wait for Mother Mary and Noelle and of course the luggage," Kate hurried to say before Simon could move.

"No, I suppose that'll be fine. We've got some business t' attend t' here," Mal said to Simon. "We'll be back in a bit. You see t' it that they've got whatever they need."

Simon nodded, and Mal and Zoë walked off into the depths of the marketplace. Kaylee disappeared back into the ship, presumably to have her way with the G-17 coupling. River said, "A little bird is coming."

"A bird?" Kate asked. "You take on animals as well as people for passengers?"

"She probably doesn't mean a bird," Simon answered truthfully. "River… she doesn't often say things other people can understand."

"Oh. How unfortunate," Kate said. "Is there… anything to be done for her?"

Simon shrugged. "Some days are better than others."

"It's the same way with my Nona," Kate said. "Some days I think she can understand everything I say, and others…"

"Gracious me, is this the best ship you could find?" a voice demanded from behind Kate. The blond woman turned, Simon following her line of sight. An older woman, probably in her late fifties or early sixties, was standing there with her hands on her hips. Her face was doughy and plain with an honest look to it. Her hair was graying, pulled up tightly, and covered with a bonnet made of thick black organdy. She wore a light blue dress with a high collar, a sleeveless blue flower-printed apron over it. Her shoes were thick-soled and black with heavy laces tied into neat bows. At the middle of her collar, in the same place Kate had a cameo brooch, this woman had a round silver pin with an eight-pointed star engraved on it. She wore no other visible jewelry. "Seems like a heap of nothing, if you ask me."

"Mother Mary," Kate said quickly, before the older woman could defame Serenity any further, "this is Simon. He's… the doctor?"

"Yes ma'am. Simon Tam, doctor for Serenity," Simon hurried to say.

"Finest ship in the 'verse," River murmured.

"Still a piece a' junk if you ask me," Mother Mary stated staunchly.

"How were the flowers?" Kate asked, trying to head off what she could probably sense was going to turn into a confrontation.

"They were right pretty," Mother Mary had to admit. "Nona sure did like 'em, didn't ya, Nonny?"

Mother Mary turned slightly and Simon could see for the first time the little girl in the wheelchair behind her. The girl was tiny for thirteen. She had tiny gold rings in her ears, and dark hair that looked very soft. She wore indigo pants and a light blue shirt. Her head was tilted to the side, and she had an odd, earnest expression in her dark eyes. It unsettled Simon a little; it appeared as though she was staring right into his soul. Her arms were bent towards her body, and she was wringing her hands. "Bird!" River exclaimed, her eyes going wide. "Simon, look at the bird. Look how pretty she is."

"Mei-mei, that's Kate's sister. Her name is Nona. You have to be gentle with her, all right?"

"Nona is a bird," River replied. "Like a little bluebird, except without flying or singing. The bird girl is my friend."

"Aren't ya a sweetheart!" Mother Mary exclaimed. "Nona will be right proud t' be yer friend, won't you, Nonny?"

The little girl didn't respond. River took two steps towards her, as though frightened of the girl. She looked back at Simon, who shrugged. Then a slow smile spread across her face, and she addressed the girl directly. "Nona, we can go on a treasure hunt! You can be my best friend."

Jayne appeared from the crowd, parting it like Moses at the Red Sea. Following him was a man, obviously a native of Seven Skyes, dressed in baggy dark blue pants, a light blue work-shirt the shade of Mother Mary's, and a straw hat, as well as a star pin attached to his collar. The man was pushing a two-wheeled cart filled with various luggage-y items. "This feller says he's got cargo bound fer Serenity," Jayne said. "Didn't know we was pickin' up any strays."

"That's Brother Paul," Kate hastened to explain. "He's not coming with us."

"Heavens no, he ain't comin' with us!" Mother Mary exclaimed. "Brother Paul's got a wife and five kids t' answer t'. There'd be no room for 'em on this fantastic voyage."

"Couldn't pay me t' get on a Firefly anyhow," Brother Paul related from below his straw hat, a wide grin tacked onto his lined face. "Jest deliverin' the luggage as a favor t' Mother Mary."

"Owed me one," Mother Mary muttered.

"We's takin' them with us?" Jayne asked, looking from the properly dressed Kate to the wheelchair-bound Noelle to Mother Mary, who obviously confused him. "They's goin' to Snozlund? What're they gonna do there?""

"The captain said they were going with us," Simon said, at a loss for any other answers.

Jayne looked at Simon, puzzled. Simon shrugged.

"Well then, best get this cargo loaded a'fore he 'n Zoë get back," Jayne said, his voice one of acceptance. "I'll help Brother Paul here."

Brother Paul wheeled the cart into Serenity's cargo hold and he and Jayne began unloading the luggage Kate, Noelle, and Mother Mary had brought with them.

Before long, Mal and Zoë reappeared out of the crowd. Mal was carrying a large crate. He seemed surprised to find Simon, Kate, and Mother Mary still standing outside the ship. River was standing next to Noelle and was chattering away. The younger girl was looking up at her with either confusion or rapt attention in her eyes.

"What're y'all waitin' fer?" Mal demanded, dumping the crate unceremoniously into the hold. "I thought we was outa here."

Kaylee appeared before any of them could say anything. "Everythin's right shiny, Cap'n! I fixed the couplin' and we're good t' go."

"Has Wash come back yet?" Zoë asked Simon.

"I didn't know he got off," Simon answered truthfully.

"Hey, wait fer me!" someone yelled out of the crowd, and Wash appeared, hurrying towards them, carrying two large brown paper parcels, one under each arm.

"We can't leave without ya, honey," Zoë informed him with a smile. "You are the pilot."

"Oh. Right."

"What's that?" Mal asked.

"What's what?"

"You seem t' be holdin' two packages, or are those figments o' my imagination?"

"Oh, those? It's nothin'. These our passengers?"

"Kathryn Sugarwhite. Kate," Kate said, offering him her hand. He stared at it, then quickly shifted his packages and shook it. "Pleased t' meet ya. Wash. The pilot o' this heap."

"I hope yer a good one," Mother Mary said, "otherwise we'll all go down in flames."

"That's Mother Mary," Kate introduced the older woman. "And that's my sister Nona."

"Pleased t' meet ya all," Wash said. "I best be gettin' aboard, gettin' ready fer takeoff."

"A good idea if I ever heard one," Mal said. "Let's go." He and Zoë followed Wash into the ship.

Mother Mary strode right onto the ship, moving right past Kaylee and Simon, who watched the older woman open-mouthed. Kate turned back to look at Noelle, but River was already pushing her chair aboard. "The bird girl is my responsibility now," River informed Kate, who looked a little confused. "Spider girl takes good care of things." She pushed Noelle past Kate and onto the ship.

Kate turned to look at Simon. "Is she… to be trusted?"

Simon shrugged. "If River thinks Nona is her friend, I don't think there's anything she won't do to protect her."

"River's a right sweetheart," Kaylee added. "She takes good care o' things trusted t' her." To Simon, she murmured, "Not that we trust her with things…"

Kate was still looking at both of them. Simon hurried to say, "Noelle is in good hands, Kate. I wouldn't worry."

Once all of the luggage had been loaded and Brother Paul and his cart were back in the security of Seven Skyes' marketplace, Jayne closed up the hatch, and Serenity was on its way for Snozlund.