Thanks to Angela who always manages to make everything much much much better.
Warnings: No noticeable spoilers but some familiar concepts. Feedback would be good :) Can't fix something you don't know is broken eh?
Belief in oneself
He stood, boots lapped by the water of the lake. This planet was beautiful; covered by lush flora, the sun shone brightly, the grass moved languidly in the soft breeze that carried a hint of lavender. Were he a poet, he would've said it was idyllic in such a way as to move his soul to shed its diamond tears. But he was not, hence his earlier remark that it was nice.
They were waiting for Teyla and Ronon to come back from meeting the Atle's Higher House. Rodney was sitting a few feet away. John let his eyes roam the horizon lazily. Sunglasses perched on his nose, body relaxed, except for the hand resting on the P-90 attached to his vest, he surveyed the perimeter he'd established. It stretched only as far as he could see due to his conviction that anything would be heard before it was seen. This world was so quiet and peaceful, he couldn't imagine anything jumping out and leaving them in a gory mess.
"Do we have to?" said a voice laced with irritation.
"McKay, it's just one night! It's not going to kill you!"
The complaining had been very limited, so far, for a mission involving foot travel. Therefore, John had only been mildly aggravated when Rodney had voiced the opinion that the possibility of spending the night here was entirely unacceptable. He was an important member of this expedition! He had things to do. He didn't spend his down time running around and pretending to read a book that was obviously too taxing for the lesser people.
"You don't know that! We could die here, tonight, and it would all be your fault, Colonel!"
"Or you could die right here, right now, from being shot…I'd take the blame for that!"
He loved putting that look on the scientist's face, the one indicating he wasn't sure whether he was being ridiculed or not. He adjusted his weapon in a noticeable way hoping to heighten the effect of the previous comment.
The frustrated glare, the wrinkled eyebrows, the crossed arms…here we go, the genius figured it out!
"Are you threatening to shoot me again? That is just completely unprofessional you know! I should tell Elizabeth about this!"
"Yes, you should, because being a tattletale is very professional!"
…3…2…1…
There was an affronted snort followed by a fuming scientist slowly getting up and walking away. John snickered and called out to him.
"Don't go too far, McKay! I don't want to have to chase after you!"
He received a vague hand gesture which might have been offensive, it was difficult to tell. Sheppard was not worried about letting McKay go and vent. That man could scream loud enough to reach Earth and he'd finally mastered the art of not letting his gun's clip fall to the ground when shooting.
Stretching, as he watched the long purposeful strides taking Rodney away, John reflected on how pleasant this day was.
Before long, Teyla and Ronon came back, a dejected McKay trailing a few feet behind. Teyla explained what had transpired during the meeting. It was their first time to this world and they needed to make a good impression.
"The Atle have requested that we stay for the evening mass, at which point we shall be blessed. Once we have received blessings from the Celebrant we shall be officially allied and free to negotiate."
"What do they mean by blessed?"
"We will be required to chant with the villagers, be presented to the Celebrant and share in their feast."
John smiled and clapped his hands once.
"Great! That's great! A little mass, a little food and we'll be set for months!
"I'm an atheist, this is against my belief!"
"Ah but Rodney…blessing pure evil like you is against my belief but I'm still going to allow it! For all you know, the Celebrant could have a ZPM for a hat, and correct me if I'm wrong but, doesn't atheism mean you have no beliefs?"
"Then it's against my non-beliefs! Anyway, these backwater worlds do seem to have the ridiculous notion that a ZedPM is pretty to look at and prance around with. They could be worshiping one…"
It was quite a sight, Doctor Rodney McKay demonstrating what he thought alien prancing looked like. Expressing himself through his body was second nature to him; he never realised he did it, thus providing a source of constant amusement to all.
John filed away the image of the man's frolicking hands for future blackmail purposes.
"Could be, we might get lucky again…" he smiled encouragingly. "Right. Let's set up camp."
They busied themselves; choosing the perfect spot, arranging shelter and determining the sleeping arrangements. The latter was mainly to decide who would have to share with Ronon; he was a kicker. The limited space in those two-man tents made for a pain-filled night for whoever got the short straw. Between a kicking Ronon and a drooling McKay, John would have to choose…
"Teyla! Alright!"
"Why am I always the one stuck with him! This must be fixed in some way! I'm sick of it! I bruise easily you know!"
A reply came in a growling voice that held no sympathy, if a touch of amusement. "Sleep outside."
"Ah! Certainly not. I can just imagine –"
"Oh stop it! You deserve each other! One kicks and the other snorts and drools, we should make this the permanent bunk assignments!"
"Oh you would say that! Teyla's all warmth and moans…" Rodney's voice softened on the last word and his eyes shone with a dreamlike glow.
"Moans…" a dark eyebrow raised, a scientist blushed.
Having arranged their site, with the soothing sound of a mumbling McKay as background, they left for mass. When they reached the village, they were met by a short, balding man who ran up to them, beaming. His eyes were mere slits in a rounded face. He explained he was partially blind and could make out blurry forms if he forced his eyes to see. He'd asked to accompany them to mass, it was an honour to bring guests, make them part of their faith.
He led them to a small, domed construction where, it seemed, the whole village had congregated. Whispers assailed them as they walked in but that was the way it usually was; they were outsiders.
As instructed, they knelt on the first row and held their heads down. The whispers subsided when a slim woman joined the gathering. She made her way to the front, a rich, saffron-coloured cloak covering her entirely.
She stood, arms spread wide and the chanting began. Swaying softly in time with the swelling voices, she raised her head. Illuminated brightly by innumerable candles, she removed her cloak to reveal a shimmering gold dress and short pixiesque hair. Chanting covered the amazed exclamation that escaped Ronon, Teyla and Rodney. Slowly, and in complete synchronization, three heads swivelled to the left.
John stared straight ahead, eyes wide, eyebrows raised, mouth open in surprise. He didn't notice his team's gape. He could only stare and try to make sense of what he was seeing.
The Celebrant's eyes roamed the assembled people, smiling kindly. As she took in the sight of the dark-haired stranger, the smile disappeared. She froze and promptly departed in a flurry of fabric, a trail of guard following.
Heedless of the sound and activity that had erupted around them, Rodney asked a very pertinent question, pointing in the direction of the retreating Celebrant.
"Am I the only one who saw…Sheppard…in a dress…stand…uh…right there?"