(no subject)

The kitchen is the gathering place on Serenity -- unofficial, maybe, but it's been true since the beginning. It's cozy, and full of chairs, and Kaylee's painted flowers all over the walls, and it's the perfect place to sit down for tea and friendly banter.

With the ship in dock, there's no need for anyone to be piloting, either, which is why when Shepherd Book steps through the doorway from the cargo hold, he finds the entire crew there. Most of them are grouped around the table; Kaylee bought a bag of oranges from Milliways yesterday, and everyone's got one. Jayne, because he's Jayne, is peeling his with an improbably large knife. River's perched on the counter, swinging her legs idly and staring at her toes. Simon, beside her, is pouring himself a mug of tea, and accepts the return of his encyclopedia with a murmur of thanks.

Book turns away to get himself a cup, and it's then that River's head swings up and she slides off the counter. "Time to talk," she says, to the air.

Simon blinks, setting down the teapot, and turns to her. "Ah... What? Talk about what, River?"

River ignores him, in favor of staring at Mal. "Come on," she tells him. "Muster the ranks. Time to go hold palaver. Everybody."

Simon and Wash both look at her sharply, startled; Book's eyes narrow a little. So do Mal's. "That right?" Equal parts question and skepticism, from the captain.

She blows out an exasperated breath. "Just said so."

Zoe glances from one to the other, self-contained as ever, and waiting. Inara does the same, looking gracefully and genteelly bewildered as only she can do. Jayne slices a long curl of peel from the orange. "Huh," he mutters. "Crazy girl wants to go talk to people, she can go ahead. I got me an orange says I'm staying right here."

"Shouldn't talk to your food," River says serenely to him. "Come on."

Kaylee smiles uncertainly, and half-raises a hand in question. "Um. River? Where're we supposed to go?"

"The, ah." Simon blinks at his sister. "I think she means the bar. Milliways."

"Oh." Kaylee beams. "Shiny!"

Mal and River are still trading glances. "You telling me you want everybody to up and trot off to the mó shù bar right this instant so we can talk to people?"

"Talk to certain people, maybe," Book interjects mildly, picking up an orange. He glances at Simon, then back at River. "Been told there's some there that... take an interest in our corner of the 'verse."

Mal studies her. "This that an-tet palaver your brother's been talking about?"

"Yep," River says cheerfully.

"...Huh." Pause. "Well, reckon I could find room for a beer." Mal stands.