(Happy Halloween.)
Chapter 2 - Preparations
A month before Halloween, Jack had invited the invited Tok'ra to use their computers to look at potential costumes. Not all came, but enough that they could easily convey the proper information.
"That's what people wore?" Martouf asked as he looked at some of the historical costumes.
"Well, these are cheaper, usually sexier, versions of them," Sam answered, "but it gives you an idea of what to put together yourself."
"Why would someone want to dress up as fowl?" Malek asked from another computer.
"Usually for humor," Daniel answered. He was sitting next to Freya, curious to what she was interested in.
"You have roller skates too," she chirped as she found a skater costume with the model holding a pair. "I thought that was just my planet."
"Why are they wearing what appears to be skin over skin?" Aldwin asked, pointing to a picture.
"Otherwise, they would be naked," Daniel replied as he look to see what he was looking at.
"They have leaves." He looked back to the computer. "I think those are supposed to be leaves."
"A bovine?!" Malek gasped.
"You should probably get out of the animal section," Sam said.
"I…do not know how," he admitted.
Sam laughed and walked over. "I think I know what might be more your style."
Jack watched this all with amusement. Most of the invited Tok'ra had all been on Earth's surface before, but this party would be large enough to accommodate more than usual. While he was far too busy to actually help with the party, at least for now, he had given Mark money to help pay for, as he had told him, "Food, decorations, whatever you need." He knew that Sam and Jacob had as well. Jacob would also be flying out there to help in anyway he could.
"Why are his ears pointed? Is he a Vulcan from that show?" Malek asked.
Sam laughed. "He's a warrior elf."
"Why would I want to be an elf?"
"You kind of are one. Long lived. Intelligent. The…personality."
"I believe she just called you arrogant," Freya supplied.
Daniel smiled, knowing she knew about elves from him.
"Alright, so you are…a little, but it'll be fun. Dress as something you never would otherwise. Don't just be one of your hosts pre-Tok'ra."
"I thought a lord would be fun."
"That's just pre-Tok'ra Gete."
"What's wrong with pre-Tok'ra me?" Gete asked after Aldwin gave him control.
"He dresses in your planet's clothes all the time."
"But I like it," he replied with a suggestive grin.
"Something different. That's the point of Halloween."
"Speaking of what I wear for Gete," Malek said, "Are we hiding our marriage?"
"No, actually. His neighbors don't care, and you won't even me the only gay couple there."
"There most certainly be other happy… Oh, yes." Gete replied as he stood up. "The slang of your world." He over, looking at the "warrior elf" costume. "We could almost wear the Tok'ra uniform instead."
"An elven Tok'ra?" Jack asked with amusement. "Now, that would be interesting."
"This is similar to my people," Martouf said as he found Renaissance peasant costumes. "Except you see arms."
"You hid your arms?" Jack asked.
Martouf looked over. "I would never have worn what I'm wearing now."
"Legs too?" Daniel asked with genuine interest.
"Yes." He grinned. "I wish you could have met my people. I think you would have found them interesting."
"I'm sure I would have."
"I keep a religious book that also has my family history. Maybe you would like to read it someday."
Daniel's eyes widened like a poor man offered free gold. "Yes!" He said a bit too enthusiastically. "I mean, yes. Yes. I would love to. I've been studying your language. And-and I'll, of course, treat the book with the upmost respect. I know how. I have many old books. How far back… Sorry, that's rude. Thank you. I would love the opportunity to read your book."
Martouf smiled. "Keeping such books was traditional in many families. Many families made copies to pass onto multiple children. However, that would have been too expensive for my family. This was, along with the family armlet, was supposed to go to my oldest brother, Marrow."
Daniel nodded, knowing that Marrow had been killed by Jaffa.
"I would like my people to be remembered beyond me," he admitted.
"I'll do what I can," Daniel replied with complete sincerity.
"Thank you."
-x-x-x-
It would be the biggest party that Mark had ever gone to himself. A few of his neighbors had were having parties as well, and as usual, the parties combined into ones. Every year, more neighbors got involved. This year was the largest.
Because of his extended guest list, Mark "paid" for more of food and supplies than he usually did. However, his father and sister had given more money than he really needed.
"I want to invite as many Tok'ra as I can," his father had explained. "As many as are willing to go. Besides, my money is just sitting there. I don't need it to live. The Tok'ra provide for everything I need."
Then he got surprise calls from Jack and Daniel.
"I really don't need your money."
"I'm coming with my girlfriends," Daniel said. "I should provide to this party."
"Girlfriends? Oh. Tok'ra."
"Freya and Anise. Do you remember them?"
"Yes," Mark replied with a smile. "I met them once. I didn't realize they were dating you."
"No, not at the time. They were married to Drack and Kela'an then."
"The same Kela'an that blended with Sam?"
"Same one."
"That sounds awkward."
"It was. Anyway, Teal'c and I will be flying out with your father to help with decorations."
"Teal'c decorates?"
Daniel laughed. "He takes even minor things seriously. In this case, he understands the importance of the Tok'ra enjoying time on Earth."
"Oh," Mark replied nervously.
"Just do what you think is best. Remember, you are the son and brother of two Tok'ra. You have dealt with being kidnapped yourself, and everyone involved says you were courageous and strong. You don't have to impress anyone. They already like you."
"Thank you." It really helped to hear that. "Um, do you have a preference in how I spent your money?"
"Food. The Tok'ra need more calories than we do. Healthier food. They…well, they can be picky."
"I have noticed that Lantash and Malek prefer food that has been less processed."
"Yeah. That's what they are used to."
"I will do what I can."
To be continued…
