[A/N: I'm not sure why my ability to tab-indent and otherwise format the way I had isn't working, but I'm not going to stop the post because of it. If anyone knows, please share. Also, if you saw a different chapter, I work one ahead and accidently submitted the next chapter. Oops.]
MAHREAD'ZHU SIGHED AND curled herself tighter. It was one thing, she reflected, to make an utter fool of yourself with an emotional display. Far worse to do it in front of witnesses. As soon as Teyla had managed to calm her and bring her back to some semblence of rational thought, she'd excused herself to go and sit. Alone.
The best place seemed the Garden. It would be a little time before the Earthers gathered a group together to take charge of it, as they seemed so wont to do. Meanwhile, it was a strangely comforting place to be.
At least until company joined her.
He said nothing, but he rarely did. Words from Jondo were meant to have meaning, or not be spoken at all. Many thought him rude. Mahread'zhu was used to his silences; had enjoyed the privilege of conversation when he deigned to speak.
Right at the moment, however, she was more comfortable with silence. Which was probably in part why he spoke.
"Many would consider being chosen for a Joining as a wondrous thing," he offered carefully.
She turned away from him. "In our homes. Away from danger and strangeness. When one is ready for such a...gifting." Her words twisted to bitterness.
"Not everyone has felt blessed by the choosing. And it was wrong of the Earther to simply thrust the knowledge to you." He reached over and touched her cheek, gently. She turned to see him sigh. "I remember the first day we worked together. You were so young."
She shook her head, dislodging his touch, and shot him a dark look. "I have not been a child for years, Jondo."
He tilted his head back and inhaled deeply. "This I have known for some time now."
She stood up and moved a short distance away from him. "Many times I have doubted that."
He reached out and touched her shoulder, startling her. "Many things you can doubt, but I should never be one of them."
With another quick touch to her cheek, he abruptly spun on his heel and left the room, leaving her to troubled thoughts.