Answer to this challenge from the Tok'ra Resistance board:

Martouf/Lantash is in hiding from an Ashrak.

Story from his POV. Marty finding out about Earth's culture, you know the important stuff, the internet, t.v., ice cream
TV, internet, that's definately the important stuff he needs to deal with! Imagine Martouf on a chat line! 'I'm an alien with another alien in my head, and we have just recently lost our mate. Online girlfriend wanted.' (of course, maybe Sam meets him online...)

~ is internal speech

bold is symbiote speaking with symbiote voice

~I really don't like the idea of having to hide on the world of the Tau'ri.~ Martouf mused. ~It's not a world we know much about, and being as advanced as it is, it will be harder for us to 'blend in'.~

~I don't like the idea of having to hide at all, we have just realized we love Samantha, and now we cannot spend time pursuing her! She has been told we are missing! Presumed dead! And all of this because an accursed ashrak are chasing us!~

~Yes, I don't know why Apophis sent an ashrak after us - just because we tricked him on Netu. He couldn't exactly have expected us to just tell him were the Tok'ra base was!~

~No, but maybe he is a bit angry because Sokar got furious and was torturing him? He only succeeded in surviving due to coincidence!~

~Caused by us and SG-1! He killed Sokar and gained his fleet and empire! He should be grateful to us!~

~A Goa'uld? When have you ever heard of that happening? No, my dear Martouf, we shall have to suffer our fate. The ashrak will not find us on the Tau'ri, and in perhaps a few months - hopefully not more - the Tok'ra will have found and killed the ashrak, so we can safely return.~

~Yes. Hopefully Samantha hasn't married O'Neill before that! I really fear that could happen!~

~Stop being so depressing! We are almost there now, and I need to find a place to hide our cloaked teltac!~

~We obviously need some different clothing!~ Martouf remarked, as they walked through the streets.

~Yes, it's a good thing we brought so many valuables. Now we just need to find a place to sell them.~

~It's also fortunate Jacob taught us how to read their language, or it would be difficult to do this.~ Martouf sighed and looked at a newspaper inside a strange metal box, with a glass window in. ~I wonder why they have put that thing in there? It looks like some sort of information newsletter.~

~I agree.~ Lantash studied it too. ~Maybe it is only for certain classes of people? It could be activated by something they have. A transmitter, perhaps? The rest only gets to know this small amount of news, which have been placed at the top.~

~Possibly. If I interpret it correct, today's date is February 8th, 2000...it is a Tuesday.~

~Which explains why it is chilly... actually, it's warmer than I would have expected, and no snow.~

~Good. Now, where do you suggest we go to sell gold and gemstones?~

~Perhaps that store over there? They have a signed with 'buying gold and jewelry'.~

~All right.~

~We got 10000 of their dollars for the gold, jewelry, and gemstones - do you think that is a lot?~ Martouf wondered.

~I think he cheated us. He looked suspicious - but I don't really care. We have a whole crate of the stuff in the teltac, so we can get more of their money any time we need it. This sounds like it is enough to begin with - at least if the prices in the stores are anything to go by.~

~Okay. So...we find a place to stay? Or should we just stay in the teltac?~

~If we are to blend in, we should live in this city...Denver, or whatever it was called. It is also too risky to sneak back to the teltac each evening to sleep. Unfortunately, all these people are making me feel uncomfortable.~

Martouf sighed. ~You are correct. So we rent a place, then go buy local clothing - and then off to get something to eat.~

~Agreed, but not in that order. Our clothing is strange enough that some people stare at us. Besides, I am starving.~

~So...we buy some clothes to wear now, then get some food, before we do anything else?~

~Yes. That store over there would probably work just fine.~ Lantash called Martouf's attention to a large department store with the name 'Nordstrom' over the large doors.

They entered the store and looked around. There were clothing and accessories everywhere. ~Wow, this place is huge. How are we going to find anything in here? And how do we choose?~

~There is a sign saying 'men's clothing' and an arrow over there. Let's follow that. I suggest we pick something that is similar to what other men that looks to be about your age, wear.~

~Agreed. That is sensible.~ Martouf followed the signs and found the area where they had the clothing for men.

~There is certainly much to choose from, though it is not as large as the market on Seuala.~

~Nothing is as large as that market! The clothing here is a lot less colourful too. Hm...I think I like these...they seem to be called 'cargo pants'. Do you think there is room for cargo in them?~

~That's a ridiculous question! Though I guess it's because of the big pockets. Or maybe you are supposed to wear them when you load cargo?~

~Maybe, but I have seen other young men wear them, so I think they will be fine.~ He held them up before him. ~Do you think this size would fit?~

~We should probably try them on. There is a room over there that I have seen people come out from, when they want to try clothes. Grab a few sizes - and take some of those 'jeans' too.~

~Okay.~ Martouf did as Lantash asked, and they walked to the fitting room to try the pants on.

~I think these 'jeans' are uncomfortable!~ Martouf complained. ~Even if it's the right size.~

~But they look good on us! Look at our ass! I am sure Samantha would like that!~

~Hm, I see your point, but Samantha isn't here, and she's probably married to O'Neill - or worse - before we ever get out of this place!~

~We will take a couple of these - and a couple of the cargo pants... and maybe a pair of the nice dark pants, and the tan pants.~ Lantash decided. ~And we are not that far away from Samantha. This city is in the same 'state' - and we can sense the chaapa'ai.~

Martouf sighed again. ~Okay, okay. I'll do as you say. We need some shirts, sweaters, shoes, socks, underwear, jacket... and stuff too. But we shouldn't buy all this now, should we?~

~You're right. Let's just get the pants we talked about, and then one set of the rest...then we go eat and get a place to stay before shopping for the rest.~

~If you like shopping you can have control. I hate it! You can just use my voice - it's not like anyone here know us anyway and would recognize a difference in personality. Just remember to be polite and nice.~

~I am always polite and nice!~

Martouf snorted. ~Of course you are!~ He bowed his head and gave Lantash control.

They stepped out of the store wearing the new clothes. They wore the cargo pants, in a concession to Martouf who didn't feel like wearing the jeans right now. Later, he promised. They also wore a nice white shirt, and a blue sweater, and a really nice leather jacket. They had some comfortable, but nice shoes on, so all in all the shopping had been a success.

~Let's go to that small eating place.~ Martouf suggested, calling Lantash's attention to a small restaurant across the street.

~I have no objection to that. I am so hungry I will eat almost any kind of food.~

~Yes, it's been a while since we ate, and those meal rations we brought aren't the most delicious.~

~That's an understatement if I ever heard one! Whomever made those weren't thinking of taste. Or texture. Or smell. Or how the product looks. Yuck! There is nothing good to say about those, except that they provide nourishment!~

Martouf laughed. ~We are in complete agreement there!~

~Don't laugh like that, when we are on our own! It looks like we're insane!~

~Relax! Maybe I thought of something funny?~ Martouf entered the store. ~Chinese food. That is the culture they have on many of Lord Yu's planets. Do you know anything about their food?~

~Some. I have been there a few times, but it was a long time ago. Maybe that...spicy deep-fried chicken. It looks pretty good. And some of that hot green tea, maybe.~

Martouf shrugged. ~Sounds okay.~ He took a step closer to the counter, as the one in front of them finished ordering.

"What would you like, sir?" the man behind the counter asked.

"That... spicy chicken." Martouf pointed. "With rice...and green tea, please."

"Coming right up...do you want hot or cold tea?"

"Hot tea."

The man ladled up a big portion for Martouf, and poured tea in a large foam cup. He placed the food and drink on the table. "That will be 7 dollars and 50 cents."

Martouf found the money and paid. "Here."

"Thank you."

Martouf took the food and drink, and grabbed a plastic fork and some napkins too, before going to find a place to sit. After looking around some, they found a free seat, and sat down, starting to eat their food.

~It's not bad. A bit too fatty for my taste, perhaps, but otherwise okay.~ Lantash observed.

~Hm...yes, I agree. Deep-fried was maybe not a good choice. I am glad I have you to take care of all that fat!~

Lantash ignored Martouf's comment. ~We need one of those - the communication units everyone seems to have.~

~Later. When we have gotten everything else we need. Let us just focus on the food for now, okay?~ Martouf grumbled, as he drank some of his tea.

They had eaten, and then wandered around the city for some time, before by pure luck finding a newspaper from the day before, that had an ad for an apartment complex with apartments for renting. The place was not too far away, and they found it after asking a couple times.

~The place looks okay-ish, don't you think?~ Martouf gazed at tall building. ~At least the neighborhood looks good. There are a number of small stores nearby, both selling groceries and other things - and a couple restaurants. The large transportation vehicles meant for public transportation also stops just outside, so we can use those to get around. When we figure out how.~

~True, but let's not judge the place until we have seen it from the inside.~

Martouf knocked on the door to the landlord which was just beside the apartment complex. The door opened and a woman around 30 looked at them. "Yes? How may I help you?"

"Hello. My name is... Martouf Lantash, and I am interested in renting one of your apartments. Could I take a look at it?" Martouf said, in his charming way.

She smiled at him. "Yes, of course. Just a moment while I get the key."

"As you can see, the place is not very big, but it is a nice size for one or two people, and large for a one bedroom apartment. The kitchen and bathroom are completely new," the woman from the apartment complex said.

Martouf nodded. "I think it is a very nice place...and not small."

"So do you want it? Only 600 dollars a month, and that includes the small cable package, internet, and utilities."

"Which utilities?"

"All of them - water, electricity, plumbing. It's really a good deal."

~What do you think?~

~It's a nice place, and much bigger than out quarters in the tunnels. I say we accept.~

"W... I mean, I accept. Yes, I would like this apartment." Martouf said.

"Great! If you follow me, you can sign the lease immediately. Oh, and you have to pay 3 months rent as a deposit."

"That's not a problem."

"Okay. Follow me, then."

~Perhaps we should go get some more valuables from the teltac tomorrow - when we have bought clothing.~ Lantash suggested, when they were standing in their empty apartment.

Martouf looked at the keys in his hand, then around the empty place. ~Yes - and some furniture.~

They walked around and looked at the place, and at the kitchen and bathroom. They figured out the oven and the hotplates on top of it, and of course easily the sink, which was similar to what they knew from the tunnels, and what they had used at Stargate Command. The freezer and refrigerator was easy too. It took them a little while to figure out the dishmachine, though.

The bathroom was easier, as everything was self-explanatory - and they had used it all at Stargate Command anyway.

~Okay, we have about 800 square feet to ourselves. How can that be considered small by anyone?~ Latnash 'shook' his head.

~The Tau'ri are certainly weird in some ways. Anyway - we need a lot of furniture for this place. How do we get that?~

~I don't know where you buy that on this world, if you do not build it yourself. I get the impression you buy it ready-made. We should probably have asked the woman from the apartment complex's office.~

~We should. I will do so when we go out to shop for clothing. What time is it?~

~I have no clock, so I know it no better than you do. It is still light outside, and we arrived early morning, so I am guessing it is early afternoon, maybe mid-afternoon, since it is winter?~

~Sounds about right - so we better hurry, since we have a lot of things to buy.~

They had gone to get clothes first, and bought several sets of everything they thought they needed, including shoes and boots. After getting it all back to their apartment, Martouf took a look at the cheap watch they had bought.

~It's already almost six o'clock. The stores will probably be closing soon - and I am frankly exhausted and hating this. What do you say we buy some toiletries and a mattress, and then postpone anything else for tomorrow?~

~I think that would be a good idea. Let us do that.~

They went and bought those things, as well as some sheets for the mattress, a pillow, and a blanket. It cost them more than expected, but they managed to convince the store to deliver the mattress that evening.

Both Martouf and Lantash were exhausted when they finally could throw themselves on the mattress, and they fell asleep almost immediately.