Hey, sorry it took me a while to post this chap. I was going to post it last night, but I got hooked into reading Merlin fanfiction, and it's just so sad, that darn last episode *Cries*. Anyyywho, back to this fandom I suppose. Hope you enjoy! :) Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to read, favorite, follow and comment. It's much appreciated! Just a warning- there are three swears at the end, but nothing too major.
"Jelani, we can't promise that we will be able to solve this 'curse' business." Jack attempted to tell the village elder, but it seemed he was having none of it.
They were sitting in a hut, much like the ones they had seen upon first entering the village, only this one was about four times bigger, and adorned with brighter colours than the other huts. Ekene and Emem had both left upon reaching the hut, Boipelo had stayed in the hut however. The elder, Jelani, didn't appear too old, his head was shaved, and there were the dark lines of wrinkles etched into his features. He was also wearing one of the 'skirts' -He still hadn't asked Daniel what they were actually called- it was a bright orange, with deep red triangular patterns imprinted on it. He was also adorned with several long beaded necklaces.
Sg-1 were currently all sitting on cushions placed on the floor. Boipelo was standing behind Jelani, much like a guard. They were positioned in a circle, Jalani at the head, so they could all easily see him, two cushions on either side of the door, which had dyed fabric over it, offering privacy to those inside. Jack was sitting on the cushion closest to the door on the left side, Teal'c in the cushion adjacent to his. Carter was in front of Teal'c, while Daniel was in front of him.
"I understand that you cannot, but of what you say is true, than you are the best chance we have ever had." Smiling Jelani gestured with his hands. "But enough of that for now! We must drink to the earth at our feet, sky at our heads, and love in our hearts. Boipelo, fetch the ceremonial drinks."
Boipelo left the hut, presumably to get these 'ceremonial drinks'. Jack was thinking of the best way to decline. He was remembering the last time they- or rather he- had consumed the local chow on a mission. While it wasn't all bad per say, Kynthia certainly wasn't bad. But he wasn't exactly eager to relive that experience.
"Um, actually, last time we had something from...um, far away from our home, it didn't work out so well." Daniel, apparently, also didn't want to relive that experience.
Jelani's smile dipped at this, "I'm sure that will not happen here. It is important that we do this, or else we will not be able to converse, for the spirits will be angry."
Daniel turned slightly, to give Jack a helpless look. Jack just shrugged, if these people really had driven out the Goa'ulds they may have a trick up their sleeves. One trick that could be extremely useful. Besides, he doubted these people would also have nanites in their food and drink.
Daniel turned back to face Jelani. "We are sorry if we have offended you, we're happy to drink and please the spirits." Daniel offered with a placating smile.
Jelani's smile returned full force. "Very good my friends! The spirits will be pleased!"
A rustling of fabric signalled Boipelo's arrival. He entered with a wooden bowl, cups that were also made of wood, and large pot and a piece of cloth filled with some type of powder. Walking over to sit down in the middle of the circle, facing the entrance, Boipelo set the item's down.
"This is Kava." Jelani declared. "It is made from grinding a root, and then placing the powder in cloth, and running water through it."
"Oh," Daniel piqued up, "Kava. Kava is used by Pacific cultures stemming from the Polynesians, such as people in Fiji and Hawaii. It has slight sedative properties."
Jack immediately tensed at this, he glanced at Sam and Teal'c and noticed that they had also tensed. Daniel, obviously noticing this, hurried on.
"Although in quantities like this," He gestured to the cups. "The only effect you'll most likely notice is a slight numbing of the tongue. It was drunk because it calms whoever drank it, without impairing their thought process."
"What he says is true my friends. It is merely for freeing tension from the body. The mind will not be affected." Jelani added, obviously cluing into the upped tension in the room.
Jack relaxed a bit, but still remained wary of this 'Kava'. Boipelo, placed the cloth into the bowl, he then lifted the pot, and poured the contents into the bowl, which Jack could now see was water. After he had poured it in, he came up onto his knees and placed both hands in the bowl. Using his body weight he began to roll forward on his hands, presumably rolling the cloth in the water. The hut became quite, as all occupants attention focused on Boipelo. The noise of water sloshing around in the bowl the only sound present. After about a minute Boipelo raised the bowl and poured the Kava into each cup. He then presented it to each of them, starting with Jelani, and then moving to Daniel, and working around the circle. Jack took the cup and gave it a tentative sniff, wrinkling his nose. It didn't smell like much, but the odour that it did give of was...Odd, that was the only word for it.
He glanced at it to observe the rest of his team. Teal'c appeared as impassive as ever, Sam had a intrigued look on her face, while Daniel looked to be caught up in a memory, he's probably had this before, Jack thought with a slight smile.
"Now, Boipelo will pour in the spirit grind."
Jack looked up, Boipelo was standing and pouring some type of powder into Jelani's cup. He looked at Daniel, confused as to why he hadn't told them about this part. But when he looked at Daniel, he appeared to be just as confused as Jack. Jack mentally shrugged, must be something they came up with themselves he thought, not overly concerned. Boipelo came around and poured some of the powder into each of their cups.
Jelani raised his cup with a smile. "Now we drink!" He declared.
Jack raised the cup to his lips and took a tentative sip. He scrunched up his face at the taste; it was like nothing he had ever had before. It was mostly watery, but there was this almost sharp taste to it. It sort of reminded him of soap... Looking up he was surprised that Teal'c even made a small face at the taste, Sam too had scrunched up her face, Daniel, however had just lowered the cup, he had obviously just chugged it. Smart man. Jack raised the cup, and following Daniel's lead, chugged the whole thing in one go. He made a face, but it was better than slowly drinking it. Jelani was looking at them with a smile, obviously amused by their reactions to the drink. After they were all done, Boipelo came and gathered all the cups, placing them off in a corner, where he had moved the other supplies. Jack then became aware of a slight tingling on his tongue, must be the numbing effect Daniel mentioned.
"Now friends we may converse. Emem tells me that Daniel can read the writings of old in the temple?"
Jack perked up at this, Daniel had never said he could read the writing.
Daniel appeared to be slightly uncomfortable. "Well, I can't actually read it yet. But I think with a little more time, yes I will be able to read it."
Jelani's smile returned, as it had turned into a frown when Daniel said he couldn't read the writing.
"Very good! Yes very good indeed!"
"Jelani, if you don't mind, but, what is this curse exactly?" Sam asked.
"Ah, yes. Well, years ago when the God's left they left behind a curse that all the living things on this planet would die after the moon covered the sun. That day came to pass some sun's ago, some animals have died, but we are yet to fall ill, though we fear it is only a matter of time."
Shit. Jack thought with vehemence. That meant they had probably been infected with this illness.
"Up in the mountains is a labyrinth, filled with the writings of old. It is said that in the very heart of the labyrinth is a stone, a stone filled with the power of the spirits themselves. The God's had called it the 'Mortem Stone' it is what is causing the sickness."
"I'm sorry Jelani, but if there is a sickness as you say, then we must head back so our people can make sure we have not caught it." Jack made to get up, but when he stood he found the world swayed, and he had to reach out to grab the side of the hut, in order not to fall.
"Sir!"
"Jack!"
"O'Neill."
Came the rest of Sg-1's worried calls. Jack looked up, seeing that they had all jumped up as well, all of them grabbing the side of the hut, even Teal'c. Crap, whatever this is, junior isn't able to fight it off, by the looks of it.
Jack looked up a Jelani, who was standing with a smug smile on his face. "Daniel, you said the worst effect would be a numb tongue." He ground out.
"It should have been." Came Daniel's almost woozy sounding response.
"What was in that powder Jelani?!" He demanded. Coming to the most plausible conclusion.
"Don't worry, it was just a sedative. I had suspected you would want to leave, and I couldn't let that happen."
"But he put powder in your drink as well." Jack commented, fighting the encroaching haze in his mind.
Jelani yawned, "Yes, I think i'll take a little nap." He smiled. "I hope what you have said was not a lie, or else your chances of survival are quite slim. Good luck."
And with that he was gone, telling Boipelo to deal with them once they had fallen asleep. The world swayed alarmingly again, and before he realized what was happening he was on his knees. Peering through the blurriness in his own vision, he saw that Daniel was already on the ground, Sam was in a similar position to him, and Teal'c was valiantly trying to stand back up only to fall down again. He didn't know how long he stayed like that, but as the darkness surrounded him, he found himself on the floor, eyelids slowly, yet inevitably closing.
So there it is! Hope you enjoyed! Thanks for reading! Kava is an actual thing incase any of you were wondering. I have actually had it before, and found it was very hard to describe its taste XD. If any of you have had it and can think of a better way to describe it, please let me know :). Welp, until next time.
