Chapter 2 : The Red Thread Legend
We were walking through the forest, towards Bora, the city inside the cave. Xian said (via Daniel) that the entrance of Bora is near a waterfall inside the forest. Daniel and Xian are in front, with Teal'c closely behind them. Carter and I are a bit behind.
"So, is there any chance that this planet doesn't have any naquada here?"
"No Sir, the preliminary test of the sample I brought back to the SCG definitely shows an abundant amount of naquada here."
"Any chance that the test was wrong?"
"Only about one in a million."
"D'oh"
I have to let out a sigh. That means there will be another SG teams going to this planet. I know my team won't kiss and tell, but there's no guarantee that the natives would do the same. I can't believe I'm going to wear a sarong. Think! Think! There're must be a way out of this. Maybe I could piss some of the natives, and then classify this as a hostile planet. But there's this little problem, we need the naquada. Mmm, what else can I do?
"I got nothing. You?"
She looks confused. "Colonel?"
"Could you think of how I could wear this sarong and get away with it?" She opened her mouth to say something but then stopped, changing it into a big grin.
"Actually Sir, some women find a man who wears sarong quite attractive."
"Carter, what's so attractive about a man wearing skirt?" I think she's winding me up.
"They just do. I know I find man who wears kilt attractive." Interesting.
"You do?"
"Yeah, sure I do." I really wish she does.
I could hear the sounds of the water, I guess we almost there. The waterfall is enormous, there's this small entrance next to it. Xian took out a piece of cloth (i.e. the sarong) out, wrapped it around his waist before he goes inside. It looks quite simple and OK, the skirt is only about his knee length, like the Tok'ra uniform. Maybe I still can leave this planet with my dignity intact. I was just about to follow him when Daniel stopped me.
"Jack, we can not go in yet. Xian's going to take some sarongs for us. After we wear them, then we can go in."
"Oh, let me guess, it's about the whole negative vibe thing?"
"Yeah, well guys, while we're waiting for Xian to come back, I just want to give you guys the background of the celebration." I could feel my headache coming.
"Look Daniel, do we really need to know about this stuff?"
"Jack, if you want to be a part of this, you have to know the basic information."
"Well, that's the problem, isn't it? I don't want to be part of this. What do you say if we come back here tomorrow? At least we won't have to wear skirt to enter the city."
"Jaaack."
"Colonel, this could be important." Carter says.
"How's that?"
"General Hammond did say that we have to be careful not to accidentally insult our potential future ally."
"It is true O'Neill. We can not let our ignorance endangered our relationship with the people of the Hailan."
"What day is it? 'Let's frustrate our CO' day?" Sometimes I feel like these guys don't respect me anymore.
"It's not, but we can arrange that if you want to, Sir." I growls.
"Whatever. Just make it short OK?"
"OK, this celebration is based on an ancient legend. Back on earth, Chinese people believe that when a child was born, invisible red threads reached out from the child's spirit and connect to all the important people who will enter the child's life. As time passed, the threads shorten, bringing the child closer to those peoples. The red threads may knot up and twist, but they will never break. So, it doesn't matter how further apart those people are, as long as the thread connect them, they will meet again. Even if they were separated, in time they will get together again. Now, the Hailanese has this holy rite where a chosen priest tells a story about this legend. Xian wouldn't tell me the story as he though that it would be better for us to hear it straight from the priest. It is the most important part of the celebration."
My headache got worse. "Daniel, I did say short, didn't I?"
"Sorry Jack, I got a bit excited. Anyway, all you have to do is sit still through this rite, don't interrupt or do anything that will distract the priest from telling the story."
"See, all you have to do is get straight to the point."
"Interesting legend, Daniel Jackson. I believe it can also apply to us."
"Uhm, Teal'c. What do you mean?"
"You are a scholar Daniel Jackson, O'Neill and Major Carter are formidable warriors, all of you were born on Earth. I was the First Prime of Aphopis and born in Chulac. Yet we are together now, fighting against the same enemy despite our differences. If this red threads do exist, then they must be linking all of us." Teal'c is a very deep person, might have something to do with him being over 100 years old.
"Sweet."
-------------------------------
Xian brought us inside Bora, introduced us to his people and gave us the twenty cent tour around the cave. The Hailainese were friendly and a bit curious about us, but they don't pose any danger. The rite will begin in a minute, so now all of us hanging around near the statue with all the Hailanese. It's a statue of a woman, clearly distress over something as tears are pouring out from her eyes. She's holding a flower in her hand. I must admit that the sculptor must be really skillful, capturing all the little details even though the statue is made of stone. Peoples are gathered around it forming a circle.
A small boy approaches me, he has something in his hand. He lifts his head so that he could see my head, then says something. Of course I don't understand it, I was going to ask Daniel to help me translate it when the boy tugged my sarong. He pointed at my head and then at the object he's holding in his hand. It's a small red ribbon, only about ½ inch wide and 3 inches in length.
"I think he wants your hat in exchange of the ribbon, Sir." Carter's been watching this whole interaction with interest. Daniel and Teal'c are having conversation with Xian and some of his friends not so far from us.
"Really?"
I watch the boy again, and then take off my hat. His eyes follow the movement, I take a last look at my hat and then put it on his head. It's too big but he doesn't seem to mind as his face brightened. He smiles at me and says something that I could only guess as 'thank you' and gives me the ribbon.
"Now, what am I supposed to do with this?"
I take a look at the ribbon, it got some gold Chinese characters written on it. My confusion must have been really obvious. The boy then says something again while his finger pointed at Carter. He takes the ribbon from me, takes Carter's left hand, wrapped it around her little finger and then ties a knot on it. I guess the ribbon is hers now. He's giggling while doing it and then takes off.
"Well, my hat for a ribbon on your hand. Not so bad for a fair trade." I gave her a smile.
"Uhm, if you want it back Sir, I'll ..." She was starting to untie the knot when I stopped her.
"Keep it Carter. Beside, it looks better on you than on me."
She looks at the ribbon and smiles, "Well, in that case, thanks Sir."
Suddenly there's a horn sound originated from the position of the statue, peoples around us suddenly stopped whatever they're doing and gave their full attention to the man standing next to the statue.
"The rite is started." That's all Daniel said.
Then the priest begins to tell the legend.
******************************
God of Creation made us in pairs, one man for one woman. Before they came to this world, the man and the woman are one. When they were conceived, they will become two. Separated in time and distance, but their souls will always be one. Their love and destiny transformed into an invisible red thread reaching out from their little fingers, binding them together for eternity. The thread are so strong, no weapons or death can break it. Only the eternal fire from Feng-huang the Phoenix, Protector of the South can burn it, consuming it until the thread turned into ashes. However, in doing so they will lose the memory of the one they love.
This is a story about two people.
Pi Sien is a beautiful and mild mannered princess, the only child of Emperor Song of the Tang kingdom. Her red thread is connected to Bun Su, a handsome and brave young General serving her kingdom. They first met when she was born and he was five. Fifteen years later they were lover. Pledged to love one another, giving their souls to each other no matter what will happened in the future. In her seventeenth birthday, they were going to take their marriage vow. Their world was perfect.
A month before the marriage took place, their kingdom was attacked by the Ming. The enemy took them by surprise and Emperor Song was killed. Princess Pi Sien was given an ultimatum by Emperor Kang Si, the Ming's ruler, if she willing to become one of his wives then he will spare the life of the Tang's people. By becoming his wife, Tang will legitimately become his. But if she refused, then he would wipe out the whole Tang kingdom and reclaimed it as his. She was given a week time to think about this.
She knows she had no choice, her duty to her people had to come first. So she spent the whole week together with Bun Su, savoring their limited time to be together without crossing the boundary. Bun Su is a General, he understood her choice and tried his best not to make it difficult for her although his hearts were broken to pieces.
On their last night together they bid their farewell in tears under the crescent moon. He picked up a Chi flower, gave it to her and said, "Whenever you see this flower, please remember that my love for you would never ceased."
The next day came and Princess Pi Sien was taken to Kang Si's palace and became his wife. Months went by. Kang Si treated her well, but she was suffering inside because she was not with Bun Su. All she did everyday is holding a Chi flower in her hand, looked at it for hours and cried.
He saw her cry and he knew why, it was very painful to watch. That why he decided to looked for Feng-huang the Phoenix to burn the thread that connected them, making them forget about each other. He went to the South where the Phoenix lived and asked her for her help. The Phoenix refused at first because burning the red thread is highly forbidden but Bun Su keep begging and begging her. Finally she made a proposition, if he could sculpt a stone statue showing how much Pi Sien suffers then she would grant his wish.
With that, Bun Su went on a journey to look for Master Cin Ha, a famous sculptor to become his apprentice. Master Cin Ha accepted him and became his teacher for 3 years. Everyday he worked hard to be able to sculpt a stone statue. Before Bun Su set off to see the Phoenix again, Master Cin Ha asked him, "Are you sure you want to forget about her? She is your soul mate, you should be pleased with the memory that you have, even though you two were not meant to be together." Bun Su replied,"I am happy with the memory I have, but she is suffering. I will do anything that I can to make sure that she is free from all of her misery, even if I have to give my soul to the Emperor of Hell."
The Phoenix already waited for him when he entered her palace. There was a large stone provided for him, the image of her crying while holding the Chi flower was burning inside his mind. Loves, sadness, anger, helplessness, all of his emotions were poured to the statue. Three days and three nights he shaped and sculpted the stone non stop with all his heart. At the end of the third day the stone had changed into a beautiful masterpiece, but as soon as the statue was finished he blew his last breath. The Phoenix was so touched by his will power that she granted his wish.
Pi Sien soon forgot about her lover, she still not happy with her life but she no longer drowned in her sorrow. However, everytime she saw Chi flower, she felt a bittersweet sadness although she didn't know why. The statue was placed inside the Phoenix's palace, the Phoenix put it there as a memoir of Bun Su and his sacrifices.
******************************
// to be continue //
AN: Hmm, what you think about the legend? I think chapter 3 will be heavily S/J. Please give me reviews and feedbacks.
blue-topaz@lycos.com
We were walking through the forest, towards Bora, the city inside the cave. Xian said (via Daniel) that the entrance of Bora is near a waterfall inside the forest. Daniel and Xian are in front, with Teal'c closely behind them. Carter and I are a bit behind.
"So, is there any chance that this planet doesn't have any naquada here?"
"No Sir, the preliminary test of the sample I brought back to the SCG definitely shows an abundant amount of naquada here."
"Any chance that the test was wrong?"
"Only about one in a million."
"D'oh"
I have to let out a sigh. That means there will be another SG teams going to this planet. I know my team won't kiss and tell, but there's no guarantee that the natives would do the same. I can't believe I'm going to wear a sarong. Think! Think! There're must be a way out of this. Maybe I could piss some of the natives, and then classify this as a hostile planet. But there's this little problem, we need the naquada. Mmm, what else can I do?
"I got nothing. You?"
She looks confused. "Colonel?"
"Could you think of how I could wear this sarong and get away with it?" She opened her mouth to say something but then stopped, changing it into a big grin.
"Actually Sir, some women find a man who wears sarong quite attractive."
"Carter, what's so attractive about a man wearing skirt?" I think she's winding me up.
"They just do. I know I find man who wears kilt attractive." Interesting.
"You do?"
"Yeah, sure I do." I really wish she does.
I could hear the sounds of the water, I guess we almost there. The waterfall is enormous, there's this small entrance next to it. Xian took out a piece of cloth (i.e. the sarong) out, wrapped it around his waist before he goes inside. It looks quite simple and OK, the skirt is only about his knee length, like the Tok'ra uniform. Maybe I still can leave this planet with my dignity intact. I was just about to follow him when Daniel stopped me.
"Jack, we can not go in yet. Xian's going to take some sarongs for us. After we wear them, then we can go in."
"Oh, let me guess, it's about the whole negative vibe thing?"
"Yeah, well guys, while we're waiting for Xian to come back, I just want to give you guys the background of the celebration." I could feel my headache coming.
"Look Daniel, do we really need to know about this stuff?"
"Jack, if you want to be a part of this, you have to know the basic information."
"Well, that's the problem, isn't it? I don't want to be part of this. What do you say if we come back here tomorrow? At least we won't have to wear skirt to enter the city."
"Jaaack."
"Colonel, this could be important." Carter says.
"How's that?"
"General Hammond did say that we have to be careful not to accidentally insult our potential future ally."
"It is true O'Neill. We can not let our ignorance endangered our relationship with the people of the Hailan."
"What day is it? 'Let's frustrate our CO' day?" Sometimes I feel like these guys don't respect me anymore.
"It's not, but we can arrange that if you want to, Sir." I growls.
"Whatever. Just make it short OK?"
"OK, this celebration is based on an ancient legend. Back on earth, Chinese people believe that when a child was born, invisible red threads reached out from the child's spirit and connect to all the important people who will enter the child's life. As time passed, the threads shorten, bringing the child closer to those peoples. The red threads may knot up and twist, but they will never break. So, it doesn't matter how further apart those people are, as long as the thread connect them, they will meet again. Even if they were separated, in time they will get together again. Now, the Hailanese has this holy rite where a chosen priest tells a story about this legend. Xian wouldn't tell me the story as he though that it would be better for us to hear it straight from the priest. It is the most important part of the celebration."
My headache got worse. "Daniel, I did say short, didn't I?"
"Sorry Jack, I got a bit excited. Anyway, all you have to do is sit still through this rite, don't interrupt or do anything that will distract the priest from telling the story."
"See, all you have to do is get straight to the point."
"Interesting legend, Daniel Jackson. I believe it can also apply to us."
"Uhm, Teal'c. What do you mean?"
"You are a scholar Daniel Jackson, O'Neill and Major Carter are formidable warriors, all of you were born on Earth. I was the First Prime of Aphopis and born in Chulac. Yet we are together now, fighting against the same enemy despite our differences. If this red threads do exist, then they must be linking all of us." Teal'c is a very deep person, might have something to do with him being over 100 years old.
"Sweet."
-------------------------------
Xian brought us inside Bora, introduced us to his people and gave us the twenty cent tour around the cave. The Hailainese were friendly and a bit curious about us, but they don't pose any danger. The rite will begin in a minute, so now all of us hanging around near the statue with all the Hailanese. It's a statue of a woman, clearly distress over something as tears are pouring out from her eyes. She's holding a flower in her hand. I must admit that the sculptor must be really skillful, capturing all the little details even though the statue is made of stone. Peoples are gathered around it forming a circle.
A small boy approaches me, he has something in his hand. He lifts his head so that he could see my head, then says something. Of course I don't understand it, I was going to ask Daniel to help me translate it when the boy tugged my sarong. He pointed at my head and then at the object he's holding in his hand. It's a small red ribbon, only about ½ inch wide and 3 inches in length.
"I think he wants your hat in exchange of the ribbon, Sir." Carter's been watching this whole interaction with interest. Daniel and Teal'c are having conversation with Xian and some of his friends not so far from us.
"Really?"
I watch the boy again, and then take off my hat. His eyes follow the movement, I take a last look at my hat and then put it on his head. It's too big but he doesn't seem to mind as his face brightened. He smiles at me and says something that I could only guess as 'thank you' and gives me the ribbon.
"Now, what am I supposed to do with this?"
I take a look at the ribbon, it got some gold Chinese characters written on it. My confusion must have been really obvious. The boy then says something again while his finger pointed at Carter. He takes the ribbon from me, takes Carter's left hand, wrapped it around her little finger and then ties a knot on it. I guess the ribbon is hers now. He's giggling while doing it and then takes off.
"Well, my hat for a ribbon on your hand. Not so bad for a fair trade." I gave her a smile.
"Uhm, if you want it back Sir, I'll ..." She was starting to untie the knot when I stopped her.
"Keep it Carter. Beside, it looks better on you than on me."
She looks at the ribbon and smiles, "Well, in that case, thanks Sir."
Suddenly there's a horn sound originated from the position of the statue, peoples around us suddenly stopped whatever they're doing and gave their full attention to the man standing next to the statue.
"The rite is started." That's all Daniel said.
Then the priest begins to tell the legend.
******************************
God of Creation made us in pairs, one man for one woman. Before they came to this world, the man and the woman are one. When they were conceived, they will become two. Separated in time and distance, but their souls will always be one. Their love and destiny transformed into an invisible red thread reaching out from their little fingers, binding them together for eternity. The thread are so strong, no weapons or death can break it. Only the eternal fire from Feng-huang the Phoenix, Protector of the South can burn it, consuming it until the thread turned into ashes. However, in doing so they will lose the memory of the one they love.
This is a story about two people.
Pi Sien is a beautiful and mild mannered princess, the only child of Emperor Song of the Tang kingdom. Her red thread is connected to Bun Su, a handsome and brave young General serving her kingdom. They first met when she was born and he was five. Fifteen years later they were lover. Pledged to love one another, giving their souls to each other no matter what will happened in the future. In her seventeenth birthday, they were going to take their marriage vow. Their world was perfect.
A month before the marriage took place, their kingdom was attacked by the Ming. The enemy took them by surprise and Emperor Song was killed. Princess Pi Sien was given an ultimatum by Emperor Kang Si, the Ming's ruler, if she willing to become one of his wives then he will spare the life of the Tang's people. By becoming his wife, Tang will legitimately become his. But if she refused, then he would wipe out the whole Tang kingdom and reclaimed it as his. She was given a week time to think about this.
She knows she had no choice, her duty to her people had to come first. So she spent the whole week together with Bun Su, savoring their limited time to be together without crossing the boundary. Bun Su is a General, he understood her choice and tried his best not to make it difficult for her although his hearts were broken to pieces.
On their last night together they bid their farewell in tears under the crescent moon. He picked up a Chi flower, gave it to her and said, "Whenever you see this flower, please remember that my love for you would never ceased."
The next day came and Princess Pi Sien was taken to Kang Si's palace and became his wife. Months went by. Kang Si treated her well, but she was suffering inside because she was not with Bun Su. All she did everyday is holding a Chi flower in her hand, looked at it for hours and cried.
He saw her cry and he knew why, it was very painful to watch. That why he decided to looked for Feng-huang the Phoenix to burn the thread that connected them, making them forget about each other. He went to the South where the Phoenix lived and asked her for her help. The Phoenix refused at first because burning the red thread is highly forbidden but Bun Su keep begging and begging her. Finally she made a proposition, if he could sculpt a stone statue showing how much Pi Sien suffers then she would grant his wish.
With that, Bun Su went on a journey to look for Master Cin Ha, a famous sculptor to become his apprentice. Master Cin Ha accepted him and became his teacher for 3 years. Everyday he worked hard to be able to sculpt a stone statue. Before Bun Su set off to see the Phoenix again, Master Cin Ha asked him, "Are you sure you want to forget about her? She is your soul mate, you should be pleased with the memory that you have, even though you two were not meant to be together." Bun Su replied,"I am happy with the memory I have, but she is suffering. I will do anything that I can to make sure that she is free from all of her misery, even if I have to give my soul to the Emperor of Hell."
The Phoenix already waited for him when he entered her palace. There was a large stone provided for him, the image of her crying while holding the Chi flower was burning inside his mind. Loves, sadness, anger, helplessness, all of his emotions were poured to the statue. Three days and three nights he shaped and sculpted the stone non stop with all his heart. At the end of the third day the stone had changed into a beautiful masterpiece, but as soon as the statue was finished he blew his last breath. The Phoenix was so touched by his will power that she granted his wish.
Pi Sien soon forgot about her lover, she still not happy with her life but she no longer drowned in her sorrow. However, everytime she saw Chi flower, she felt a bittersweet sadness although she didn't know why. The statue was placed inside the Phoenix's palace, the Phoenix put it there as a memoir of Bun Su and his sacrifices.
******************************
// to be continue //
AN: Hmm, what you think about the legend? I think chapter 3 will be heavily S/J. Please give me reviews and feedbacks.
blue-topaz@lycos.com