I follow Martouf through the Stargate, and onto a fascinating world. The market is exotic and lively, full of people from many different cultures, selling everything - slaves too, unfortunately - imaginable. I've never been to such a place before, but Martouf does not seem to find it unusual.
"The market - and the planet - is neutral territory - one of several such, protected by the System Lords - where everyone can go to trade. These markets are usually placed on neutral worlds, and are something everyone can see the use of having. This market has a wide range of merchandise, but some markets specialize in one commodity or another. Of course, there are products which are not for open sale, but can only be bought by the Goa'uld, or with a permission from one of them - ships, weapons, most kinds of technology."
I nod, absorbed in everything around me. "Too bad, the SGC could use some zats, and some of those shock-grenades."
"You have a need of that? The Tok'ra can easily get some for you. They are not a truly protected product - if you have the needed valuables to pay for them, and are able to pretend to be a Goa'uld, even a minor one, most traders will happily sell to you. Of course, we can also produce zat'nik'tels and other weapons ourselves, even if it is of course in a smaller scale. We do not have the opportunity for large-scale industrial production, and it would draw unwanted attention."
"Wow!" I shake my head. "I don't know why we didn't think of that, but it makes sense - you guys can get your hands on a lot of things that we can't. We really need to start cooperating some more."
"Agreed." Martouf puts a hand on my back and gently steer me into a side-street, then points ahead of us. "That is the inn we will be eating at."
I look at the building in front of us. It is large, built almost like a small palace. "Impressive!" I frown. "Will they really let humans dine there?"
Martouf sends me a wry grin. "As long as they are paid, they will not ask questions. However, you are correct. Most of their patrons are minor Goa'uld, along with the occasional high-ranking Jaffa. Most worlds have few humans of any influence or wealth, even though traders will occasionally become wealthy. No Goa'uld will dine with a human or a Jaffa, though, so the inn is separated into different parts, with the Goa'uld-only one the largest and most impressive - and with the best food, I suppose, even though all they serve is excellent...or so I am told. I have actually only been to the human section. Do you have a preference?"
"Ah." I don't know what to say. "Um, wouldn't they think it was weird that you wanted to eat with a human? I mean, if you pretend to be a Goa'uld."
"I would order a private room, and they would not ask. They would probably think you are my human consort. While somewhat frowned upon by the Goa'uld - and perhaps not surprisingly humans as well - it is not completely unheard of for a minor Goa'uld with no domain of their own, to take a human consort."
"I see. Well, the human section of the inn is probably the safest, don't you think? I mean, you don't have a hand device or anything."
"Actually I do. It is in this pouch, where I also have currency and other valuables to pay with. This world is not always completely safe, and I did not want us to go here without any means of defending ourselves."
"Oh, I should have brought a weapon then."
"It would not be easy for you to hide it with that dress, though." He wrinkles his brow. "There are small weapons that can be disguised as jewellery, but none that are easily available, and most requires naquadah to operate. I know you have that, but they also require skill - and they would call attention to you." He sighed. "Would you like me to teach you to use Goa'uld weaponry?"
I had not expected that question - not on a date. What do I answer? I mean, I can see why it would be useful, but it's also...a bit unsettling. That I am able to use the weapons that everyone tend to associate with Goa'uld oppression - I know how the others reacted to me using the hand device to kill Seth. I sigh. "Perhaps. I'll think about it. Okay?"
He nods. "Of course."
We have almost reached the door to the inn, and we both grow quiet as a well-dressed man and a woman wearing very revealing clothes leave the inn. The man is angry, and yells at a man standing by the door to the inn.
"How dare you turn me away! I have more money than half the other humans you did let in there!"
"I apologize, sir, but the human section is completely full, and we even have a list of patrons arriving later, who has reserved seats. You cannot expect me to turn some of these away."
"It is an outrage!" The man exclaimed, then grabbed the woman accompanying him. "Move, woman!"
The couple leave, and I stare after them, frowning. I turn to Martouf, and see he is putting on his hand device.
"I believe the choice of section has been made for us, Samantha." Lantash says - they must have switched control while I was looking away.
"I guess so. Is your clothes really, ah, Goa'uld enough?" I grin, a little embarrassed. "They seem...to tasteful."
Lantash grins back at me. "They are acceptable, for a very minor Goa'uld."
"And they'll let you in, as a minor Goa'uld?"
"Even the lowest Goa'uld is considered far, far above the most important human - or Jaffa. They would rather throw out everyone in the human and Jaffa section to make room for me, than turn me away." He frowns. "Which means I dearly hope the Goa'uld section is not full, as I would really dislike if they felt the need to make room for me." He shakes his head. "It's not likely to be even close to full. Just remember not to quarrel with me or in any way disobey or disagree with me in public. No Goa'uld would accept that from any human." His hand device in place, he assumes an arrogant expression. "Come."
As I follow Lantash up the stairs to the entrance to the inn, I briefly reflect that this date is getting a good deal stranger than I expected. Not bad...just strange.
We were shown to a private room, by some very very polite servants. Lantash ordered a selection of dishes, as well as several bottles of their famous fruit wine. The servants started bringing food very quickly, apparently having had the appetizers ready for anyone that would order them.
Lantash orders the servants to leave us alone, and not come back until he calls for them to bring the next dish - or whatever other thing he might want. They bow deeply and leave, closing the door after them.
"Now we may speak freely, Samantha, and you need not worry about disagreeing with me or anything." Lantash smiled. "Though I must admit I hope you will not have cause to disagree with me too often on this date."
I smile back at Lantash. "I hope we'll get along too..." I sigh. "I'm happy to be alone with the two of you. Those servants are...a bit much. Do they always treat you guys like that? I don't just mean these servants - people...humans, when you're undercover."
Lantash nods. "Yes, if we are undercover as Goa'uld, though that is rarely the case for Martouf and I. Fortunately, since I do not care for this treatment. I dislike it intensely...though I shall readily admit it can be useful to have humans and most Jaffa fear you and treat you like a god, even if it's unpleasant. Right now it means we get a private room for dining, which we would not have, had we eaten in the human section. They will also not interrupt us without me calling for them, so both Martouf and I can be in control."
"That's good." I agree. It's warm in here, so I am glad my dress is so thin and open. "Don't you want to get out of that coat? It looks fairly warm."
"It is not too bad, and I can regulate our body temperature." He sighs. "Yes, normally I would remove my coat. It is warm in here, however, my shirt does not cover my neck adequately, and while no one would likely notice, I prefer not to advertise the fact that I do not have an implantation scar."
"Oh, of course. I didn't think of that."
"Usually it is an advantage, when we pretend to be human, but in situations such as this, it means it is necessary to dress correctly." He looks at his hand device. "This I would also like to take off, but that would be unthinkable for a Goa'uld, especially without personal guards." He bows his head, giving Martouf control.
"Mm, I would imagine." My stomach growls and I look at the food on the table. Some of it looks yummy, but some of it is fairly strange. "Can you tell me what these things are?"
"I recognize most, if not all of the dishes." Martouf tells me. "That one just beside you is made of a type of sweet tuber, mixed with a tangy, but sweet fruit. I do not know the words for either in your language, but I can assure you that it is quite good. The fruit and the tuber are mashed, cooked, and made into fluffy cakes that are baked very quickly." He points at another dish. "That is made from the meat of a type of large crab. It is seasoned with several different spices, and then cooked slowly in sweet wine. It sounds strange, but it is tasty. Then you have a pate made of mushrooms and nuts, served with thin, crisp bread..."
I try a little of all the different appetizers - and find I like most of them. It is nice being here, eating good food and drinking fruit wine, sparkling and delicious, it turns out. Also, I really enjoy talking to Martouf and Lantash. We have rarely had the opportunity to talk about anything that wasn't work related, but now we do. They are intelligent - I knew that, of course - and both sweet and fun. I am very happy I agreed to go on a date with them.
I look at them. Martouf is in control right now, and he is smiling that wonderful, slightly shy, and very charming smile that is making me feel like I am melting, and making my heart beat faster. I could very easily fall for him myself...if I haven't already. What does it matter if these emotions came from Jolinar? He is gorgeous and perfect, just the man for me.
He bows his head and gives Lantash control. Lantash - I have strong feelings for him too. He is rarely shy, but he can sure be just as charming as Martouf. Charming and sweet, even though you wouldn't think it. He can also be fiery and passionate. I look into his eyes, and he flash them deliberately, giving me a naughty smile. "Would you like me to send for the next course?"
I feel my cheeks grow warm, and I realize I find both his eyes and his voice sexy. Why is that? On a Goa'uld I would find the flashing eyes and flanged voice scary, but on Lantash...oh, so very differently. I suspect he knows. He's got that smug look. Taking a deep breath, I answer. "Yes, that would be nice."
He nods and presses the signal alerting the servers.
We have eaten the main course, which consisted of several different - all delicious - dishes. We drank another type of their fruit wine for this, which is not as sweet, and actually much like ordinary red wine. Which apparently is also drunk on many worlds, according to Martouf and Lantash.
The servants have brought us the dessert - and more of the sparkling fruit wine, which I most admit a fondness for. It's really really good. We eat for some time, chatting about unimportant things,
"Samantha..." Martouf says, smiling at me and reaching out to take my hand. "Thank you for going on this date with us. It has been wonderful."
I can only agree. I cannot remember when I have last had such a wonderful time - great food and great company. I am sad the evening is almost over, and I really wish I would not be going back so soon. I wish I could sit here forever, and talk with Martouf and Lantash...though I think I wish we were sitting beside each other instead of across from each other...and that he had his arm around me, though holding his hand like this is also nice. I squeeze it gently.
"Yes, it has." I sigh.
"Is there a problem?" He asks while caressing my hand.
He entwines his fingers with mine, and for a moment I am completely captivated by that simple gesture. What's wrong with me? Why am I reacting like this? He's just touching my hand, for gods sake! He hasn't even kissed me - but I am behaving like a teenager with a huge crush!
I shake myself mentally. "Um, nothing's wrong." I tell him. "It's just...the time just flew and I wish the evening wasn't over yet." I confess.
Martouf smiles. "The evening is not over just because the dinner is...unless you wish to return home now? We could take a walk - there are many places Lantash and I would like to show you. If you want to." He looks at me, hope in his eyes.
How can I say no to that? "That sounds great, Martouf. I'd love to!" I frown. "I didn't inform General Hammond that I would be gone for more than a few hours."
Martouf looks embarrassed. "I, ah, told him that it might be, ah, somewhat longer, before you come back. Depending on how the evening developed, of course." He gets a worried expression. "I hope that was not too presumptuous of me?"
"It was a bit presumptuous, but since you only told him it may be longer, I guess I can't be angry. Especially since you were right, and I very much do want the evening not to end yet." I smile at him.
