Salt of the Earth

[arismoriendi]

Series Title: Like A Rolling Stone
Chapter Title: Salt of the Earth
Chapter Number: Nine
Genre: Adventure/Romance/Drama
Pairing: River/Jayne, Simon/Kaylee, Mal/Inara, Zoe/Wash, Book/God
Timeline: Post BDM. Thus, spoilers.
Rating: R
Disclaimer: Whedon’s world, my manipulation… Series and Chapter Title courtesy of the Rolling Stones
Summary: Can River really

Comments

[willow_reece]

Oh god, this story is so amazing. I was so happy to see a new chapter I almost jumped for joy. ♥

This was an excellent chapter--I love how incredibly dark this series is. Also, the part with River in the cave with the guy, so creepy. But in a good way.

I always figured the Alliance had had there hand in some other things, I mean after what they did to River I always thought there would have been other 'students' before her. They mention a few in the R.Tam sessions but it never went beyond that because the show was canceled.

That's my guess as to what those things were/are on Triumph and the dude in this chapter. Alliance super soldiers who were created through more primitive methods of experimentation.

Of course, I might be completely wrong because this story is amazing and you probably have another great twist up your sleeve. =D

One last thing (I'm rambling tonight) if Joss had been able to do the show as dark as he had originally wanted, I could so see this as being a direction he might have gone. ♥

[arismoriendi]

Hehe, yes you're figuring it out! Those strange people that River encountered on Triumph and Whitefall were experimented on by Alliance, but they were failures. You'll find out soon about what their real purpose was...;)

Oh gosh, I'm so glad you are enjoying this story. It means a lot to me, really. I got all these complicated plot ideas in my head and to know that people actually can follow and enjoy it makes me happy. And you are just too kind with that last comment.

Isn't it grand to speculate about what River could have been developed into if the series had continued? I always assumed her path would be a dark one.

[idyllictorture]

A single, massive empty room, with bolds sticking through the ground,

Did you mean "bolts"?

And I don't think credits have a physical form.

Sorry to nitpik.

Another fine entry in this great series. I've been enjoying it very much. :D It's unpredictable without being unrealistic or insane. Great work! :D

[arismoriendi]

Ah yes! Bolts is the correct word. I went in and fixed it. I do all the proofreading myself and I must be missing some things, so I'm glad ya caught it! ;)

And you may be right about the credits thing. I think platinum is the only physical currency. But ah, for the sake of this, I'll have to make credits a distinguishable thing. ^^;

Thank you for the lovely comment! I'm glad nothing about this seems too far-fetched.

[sunshineali]

Tremendous chapter and excellent writing. This is so enjoyable but River is tripping and she's making me nervous. And Jayne is so hooked now, she's got him whipped and I can't wait to see where you go with it. :)

[arismoriendi]

LOL, but isn't that the fun in River? She's so unpredictable. Hehe, I love the idea of Jayne getting hooked on her. I'm gonna have to run with that idea all next chapter. =D

[arismoriendi]

Ch. 8 is right here: http://arismoriendi.livejournal.com/3355.html

[anonymous]

The scene with the rose petals was pretty awesome. It's funny how River's crazyness seems to manifest itself in beautiful, poetic imagery even when it's spooky.

I love it when Jayne starts to realize he's on a slippery slope and there's no turning back. He probably imagined he could toy with River before (after all he's not known for being the cleverest puppy in the box) and now he's starting to see that she has him wrapped around her crazy little finger.

Jayne should remember not to mess with crazy psychic assasins. It's like poking a wild tiger, bound to end in carnage.

[arismoriendi]

I think you've pretty much summed up everything about how I think on River and Jayne.

"Jayne should remember not to mess with crazy psychic assasins. It's like poking a wild tiger, bound to end in carnage."

No truer words have ever been spoken!