I had an idea of what exactly would happen if Jen was pissed off - I mean really pissed off. 'Come on ladies you know what I mean - when you get so mad you do something completely out of character and turn into a PMS'ing ball of fury? :) Well, this is my take on what could happen... You go girl! :)
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ONE
"You look beautiful." Teyla smiled, and pulled Jennifer's hands away from where they were picking at the front of the dress.
"I look like Michelle Kwan." Jennifer muttered, yanking her hands back to pull the hem lower. "The only thing missing is the figure skates."
"Figure skates?" Teyla pronounced slowly, her eyebrows arched in curiosity.
Jen flung her hands up in disgust. "This is crazy. I can't go out there dressed like this!" She fiddled with the flimsy mint-green material, trying to force it to cover up more of her body. She felt naked without a bra on, but the damn cut of the dress wouldn't allow for her well worn, very comfortable, granny style white bra. Thank goodness she'd at least worn beige underwear this morning.
"I look ridiculous. Why do I have to wear this?"
"Jennifer." Teyla placed her hands on Jen's bare shoulders and turned her around. "All the women are dressed as you are. It is the traditional attire of the festival. And it is only for one night. Rodney and Radek will be finished their survey and be back tomorrow to retrieve us."
Jen rolled her eyes and cursed Colonel Carter for the hundredth time since Sam had rushed into Jen's office at four o'clock and begged Jen to take her place at a festival. Jen had pictured well, a festival – carnival rides, cotton candy, lots of junk food – so she'd happily agreed.
Instead she'd discovered festival loosely translated into a collection of tents and a bonfire in the middle of the forest.
Jen peered out through the flaps of the tent towards the center of the clearing. Brightly decorated with flowers and ribbons, it was a mass of villagers, dressed in various matching combinations of colors, and almost all the women wearing the miniscule little outfits like Jen's – reds, greens, blues – they were all represented.
A large collection of tables lined the side of the clearing, each overflowing with huge platters and bowls overflowing with food. A few women, wearing the mint-green concoction Jen was currently picking at, stood in a group near the fire pit, laughing and giggling behind their hands. A small group of men, dressed in trousers and dark green shirts stood across the clearing, staring and whispering while watching the giggling women. The rest of the crowd milled around chatting and talking.
"There is nothing to be nervous about." Teyla continued. "I have been assured by several of the elders that the summer festival is a wonderous event. It would be considered a great insult if we did not participate."
Jen sighed. Atlantis needed their Pegasus trading partners, and pissing them off just because she didn't want to be dressed like a figure skater didn't seem much of a real reason not to participate. Except for the small fact that Jen hated standing out. And right now, she was feeling way more than a little naked, about to step out into a crowd of strangers wearing nothing more than a bathing suit.
At least it was a hot, sunny afternoon.
She wouldn't freeze to death.
Die from embarrassment, maybe.
But at least she'd be warm.
"Why can't I just wear what you're wearing?" She looked longingly towards Teyla's much less revealing long skirt.
"I am…" Teyla smiled and gently placed her hands over her protruding stomach. "Not able to properly wear a garment such as yours. Besides," She smiled up at Jen. "It looks much better on you."
Jen snorted, and turned back towards the tent flaps.
She could see Colonel Sheppard standing some distance away, across the clearing, still wearing his uniform, but were without weapons. He was discussing something with the village elder, and the way John kept looking back at Ronon, their discussion obviously involved him. Jen's eyes moved to the tall Satedan who was leaning so casually against a tree.
She hadn't know he was attending the event, and at first she'd been rather happy he was going to be there, but now, dressed like this, she felt her face flushing.
He stood with his arms crossed and a frown on his face while he glared at Sheppard.
"Ah." Teyla nodded. "I believe the elder does not approve of Ronon keeping his weapon."
Jen shook her head, and tried not to smile. "He'd never leave it behind."
"No," Teyla agreed. "He would not."
John must have said something that eased the Elder's mind for he finally nodded and shook the Colonel's hand before walking away – but not without a parting glare at Ronon.
Ronon didn't move, his stance still appearing casual but Jen knew differently. The man rarely turned off – if ever. He was always on guard, always watchful. Rodney was always joking around and calling Ronon a caveman – but Jen knew better. Ronon was incredibly intelligent. The more she spoke to him, the more she realized there was a lot more to the man than any of them realized.
She'd barely had time to say two words to him today after her spectacular exit from his room this morning in front of Colonel Sheppard and Teyla. Thankfully, no one made any specific comments when they'd found out she'd be taking Colonel Carter's place, although John seemed to have issues controlling his smirk. She'd tried a couple of times to get him alone so she could thank him, but every attempt seemed to be against some kind of bizarre rule of fate.
A flash of color appeared directly in front of Jen's face, and she stepped back, frantically trying to yank more of the material over her bare shoulders and down past her thighs, before Teyla pulled the edges of the tent back.
"Ah." The Elder stood in the opening, dressed in a long flowing robe with a rainbow of colors stitched through it's intricate patterns. He nodded towards Teyla. "Good. I see you are ready. We are calling our guests to the meal." He turned towards Jen and gave her an approving nod. "Someone as knowledgeable as you, Doctor Keller, brings our village great honor by agreeing to participate in our festival."
Teyla, ever the diplomat, nodded towards the man. "We appreciate you allowing our inclusion in such an important time for your village."
Jen shook her head. The woman could be president, she was such a natural politician.
The Elder held out his hand, reaching for Jen's arm. She let him lift her hand, and jumped when he suddenly snapped a large, ugly metallic bracelet around her wrist. It was heavy and cold against her skin. She looked up questioningly.
"It is tradition for all our women who participate to wear the banding of the festival." He explained, bending his elbow and motioning for her to take his arm. She looked at Teyla, who nodded briefly.
Jen hooked her fingers lightly over his outstretched arm, and walked beside him as he moved out into the bright sunshine.
"Please tell us more about your festival." Teyla asked softly as they threaded their way though the tents towards the large gathering of tables.
"Our celebration compliments the arrival of the middle of the growing season – the time when the plants have grown and stabilized and now begin to take fruit. It has been a tradition our village has honored for generations. It brings us luck in the hunt, fertility to our families and prayers for a healthy harvest. The celebration ends with the pairing ritual that is quite spectacular."
Fertility? Jen mouthed to Teyla, who shrugged.
"Pairing?" Teyla prompted.
"Oh yes." The Elder nodded excitedly, turning towards Teyla. "On this day, our young men to choose a mate. A union made during the festival is considered unbreakable. It is the greatest blessing our people strive for.
He stepped back and bowed slightly. "And now I must get everyone seated for the meal. I bid you good festival."
"Good festival." Teyla repeated, nodding.
"Choose a mate?" Jen questioned, turning towards Teyla.
"I do not think you will be expected to choose a mate." Teyla smiled knowingly. "Although, perhaps you have already found one?"
"Teyla!" Jen hissed, but couldn't stop the smile from inching at the corner's of her mouth. "You're terrible."
"I am merely saying there might be… someone… here who finds you of interest."
"Oh get real." Jen rolled her eyes. "I look like a half-dressed scoop of mint ice cream. Who the hell would want me?"