Mal none too subtly drums his fingers on the hilt of his shortsword, spear tucked against his shoulder like it's nothing. Cuz it's noth'n. They want 'em? They can take 'em. Right now he's spend'n too much time mind'n eyes, follow'n the power play that he almost misses the damn demon. Jayne, silent until now, perks up at the demon and starts up a low key growl that has Mal reach'n down to steady him with a hand. "Être encore."

Now that was a mite unsettl'n. More than a little. Jayne whuffs and settles as he's told, grumbling as he leans against Merrill's legs. Merrill understands him. Merrill doesn't think he's being silly.

"Sorry 'bout that. Jayne does what he's told, though, don't you boy? He won't cause any trouble and neither will the rest of us. I do gotta say- I think the villagers mighta had their fill of us. Wouldn't mind stick'n it out here for a li'l while."