DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters of 'Stargate: Atlantis'. They're not my property.
She observed every inch of the room carefully with curiosity. She had done the same when she was in John's room without anyone noticing. Making a bird with her hands, Syla started singing quietly again. She smiled and pointed to the ceiling where an imaginary bird had passed. The little girl then slowly turned around on the bed where Elizabeth was sleeping. "E-eli-za-beth," she suddenly spoke out very quietly. " Elizabeth," she repeated the name smoothly this time. Syla touched the sleeping woman's hand.
It hadn't been the usual alarm that had awoken her but a soft brush of Syla's small hands against her cheek. Elizabeth opened her eyes, moving her head lazily on the pillow. "Oh, morning, Syla," she said to Syla. "Again you woke up before me… That's something." Elizabeth yawned.
When afternoon came, Elizabeth found Vera in her room where she was preparing for her journey to the new planet. When she noticed the woman with Syla, Vera smiled politely at them. "Elizabeth Weir."
"I hope I'm not disturbing you?" Elizabeth asked.
"Oh, no, Elizabeth Weir." When they entered the room, Vera looked at Syla. "Oh, she is growing well," she suddenly said.
"Already?" Elizabeth glanced down at Syla who was quiet since they walked inside.
"You are surprised?" Vera asked.
"Well, in a way… yes. I thought she was a little different last night."
Vera narrowed her eyes at Elizabeth. "Human children grow up quickly, do they not?"
"Not exactly. They need more time," Elizabeth replied.
"Oh. Atonian children do not take long to mature. In her case," Vera nodded at the little girl, "she will be a mature young woman after seventy-one moons."
Elizabeth was amazed. "That's pretty fast."
"For us it is normal. John Sheppard had asked me how it was possible for Syla to have all the teeth of a grown Atonian before. They are born with them. Why their ability for proper speech always comes later, we still do not know. She is only nineteen moons old but she should be able to speak now." Vera looked down at the little girl. "True, Syla?" she spoke softly to her.
Syla only stared quietly at Vera with her little arms around Elizabeth's neck. Vera sighed sadly at this.
Elizabeth watched Vera's saddened expression. "Are you sure you do not wish to remain here?"
"Yes, Elizabeth Weir. I do believe it is best for her to grow in a society where my people are not present… Including me," she replied.
"But you are not like the others, Vera."
"No. My people are weak now. Although I do not share many of their thoughts, I cannot abandon them."
"Ve-e-ra," Syla suddenly spoke.
Vera smiled widely. "Oh, Syla." The Atonian suddenly got emotional from Syla's word.
"Ve-era," Syla repeated and smiled.
Vera touched the little girl's cheeks with her hands. She looked up at Elizabeth with joyful eyes. "She spoke my name. Her third word… oh, the gods!"
Feeling confused although less emotional, Elizabeth asked, "Third?"
Vera nodded, returning her gaze to the little girl. "Yes. The first two words of our children are always the names of their parents… if their third word is also a name of an Atonian… it is a great honor."
"This is the first time I heard her speak, actually," Elizabeth told her.
"Perhaps you were not present or asleep." Vera caressed the little girl's hair. "Thank you, Syla. Thank you." She then kissed Syla's nose.
"Would you like to hold her?" Elizabeth asked her.
Vera looked back at her. "Could I?"
"Of course." Elizabeth slowly gave Syla to her.
The moment she was in Vera's arms, Syla started crying very quietly. Vera uncovered a piece of hair behind the little girl's ear where a green star-shaped mark appeared.
"What is that?" Elizabeth asked, surprised at this.
Vera uncovered a bit of her own hair and revealed the same mark only purple in color. "It is a sign that she is growing, Elizabeth Weir. When the color of the star reaches violet many moons later, she will gain full maturity." Vera brushed the mark with her thumb several times; Syla's crying began to die down with each stroke. Soon, she became quiet and looked back at Vera.
"Why did she-" Elizabeth wanted to ask about Syla's change of behavior but soon decided against it.
"Her soul is growing beautifully. Her star shows it." Vera touched Syla's nose with her own. "Are you happy here?" she asked the little girl.
Syla nodded to this and giggled.
Vera smiled again. "Kia would be proud of this," she told Elizabeth. "I am proud of you and John Sheppard."
"She has only been with us for seven days."
"For you it might not be long, but for us… it is a long time. Kia and Kelovan cared for her when she was most vulnerable. You and John Sheppard have cared for her when she is stronger and learning." Vera looked back at Syla. "Her mother wished for you and John Sheppard to have this honor… that is why she was silent with you."
Elizabeth crossed her arms. "How?"
"They have a special bond in the beginning. I have not mentioned that to you?"
"You did, but I'm not sure I quite understand."
Vera smiled. "Perhaps Syla will tell you when she has matured."
"Oh, I don't think we'll be around then," Elizabeth replied wanting to hear more of Vera's explanation.
"You will be." Vera's confidence almost surprised Elizabeth. "Syla is growing in a society and by a people not like us. Kia wished for this to happen and it is happening."
"Vera, we can't –"
"Elizabeth Weir, you and John Sheppard had been kind to allow her to live. She would have not survived the death of my sister if you had chosen not to take care of her… even for a while. If you decide on another keeper…" Vera's smile faded as her face become more serious. "I do not know how it could be for her. I pray that you will have the desire to care for her longer." Vera brushed Syla's hair. The little girl smiled. "Pretty," she said.
Vera smiled again. "My expectations had been surpassed; her star has shown; she is happy." Vera kissed Syla's head. "Keep safe, Syla," she told her and handed her back to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth could feel the increase of Syla's weight when she took her back. "Thank you, Vera."
"Do you know that her father would take her to the forest and show her the beautiful birds there?" Vera told her.
"Hmm, she did make it clear how much she liked birds and flying."
Vera nodded. "Her father loved the thought of flying. I understand John Sheppard adores flying as well."
Elizabeth chuckled. "He does."
"Syla is fortunate," Vera finished. She took her belongings. "I must join my people now."
Elizabeth nodded in agreement. "Oh, before you go…" She remembered the two drawings she had brought with her. "I thought you might like to have these…"
Vera took the drawings of Syla's parents. "These are by her hand."
"Yes, they are."
Vera looked at the little girl, expecting some kind of answer. "Take! Take!" she heard Syla say. "Thank you," Vera brushed the little girl's cheek. "You have given me the most beautiful present but… thank you."
Elizabeth couldn't help but smile at this exchange. It also saddened her that Vera could not reconsider her offer, but she didn't want to force the Atonian.
A day had passed since the Atonians left Atlantis for their new home. "So, she'll grow up pretty quickly then," John repeated an earlier sentence of Elizabeth's.
"Yeah, which is great but we still have to wait a while longer."
"It would've made things easier if one of us didn't have to be with her constantly."
"Much easier. And I still find it amazing that from not being able to form a single word only a day earlier, she already used perhaps twelve words today."
"That is amazing. You're just full of surprises, aren't you?" he said to the little girl who giggled.
"Who knows what else we could learn from her," Elizabeth said.
"Yeah, suddenly these past few days seem too short."
Syla then started singing quietly again.
John couldn't help but chuckle. "She's like a little jukebox."
"Those songs she sings, they helped when I was doing work in those late hours. They're really soothing."
"Yeah," John agreed.
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. "More drawings?" she asked, referring to the two sheets of paper in his hands.
"Ah, yeah. I wish I had this artistic gene when I was her age. Not that I'm any better now, but…" he cleared his throat. He showed the first drawing to Elizabeth. It was a stunning representation of the city.
"Really… this is just beautiful," Elizabeth commented on the drawing.
"Yup. She… also did this one," he replied and placed the second drawing on the desk.
She stared at the drawing for a while. "Oh…" she let out a sound.
"I know. I figured all her previous drawings were just photographic copies of what already existed, but this, it turns out that, she can also create one from her, uh, imagination, I guess."
"I see…" Elizabeth picked up the drawing of a couple standing on a balcony, watching the ocean; not different from the scene that had happened a few days ago. What was different about this was the way the woman had been drawn – with her head resting on the man's shoulder; the man's left arm had been wrapped around her waist, his head leaning against hers, his lips slightly open as if he had been whispering something to her and by the look of the woman's smiling face, she seemed happy by this; sleeping on his right arm had been Syla. It was a peaceful scene. The little girl had captured John and Elizabeth in the drawing too realistically even if the setting was a fragment of Syla's imagination.
"You have a wonderful talent, Syla," Elizabeth turned to the little girl.
Their little moment was sadly interrupted by Teyla. "Could I intrude for a moment?"
"Sure, Teyla, what is it?" Elizabeth replied.
"Since the departure of the Atonians I see that you have not managed to find a home for Syla."
"Unfortunately…"
"If this could somehow be useful, I would like to suggest a planet where a people who could be good caretakers live."
"Really, who are they?" John asked.
"The Tanminians. They have many children from different societies who have come under their care."
"Like Syla?" Elizabeth asked.
"Many are orphans, yes. They are a very kind people. I do not know if they could accept Syla but perhaps there is a possibility," Teyla said.
"And you know them?"
"Yes." Teyla nodded slowly.
"Well, if they are as good as you say, then we could pay them a visit," Elizabeth said and turned to John for his opinion.
Glancing at Syla who was sitting on Elizabeth's desk, John nodded. "Sure, I'm for it. Let's check them out." He stood up to leave with Teyla.
"I think I'll join you," Elizabeth then said.
"You do?" John asked.
"Yes. I would like to see these people and their home for myself," Elizabeth told him and stood up.
"Alright then. After you," John said.
Elizabeth smiled and took Syla in her arms. She then walked out of the office, followed by John and Teyla.