Beauty and the Beast
Chapter One: The Village of Genii
John Sheppard, adopted son of Radek Zelenka, ambled down the dirt track that led to the village of Genii. He needed to pick up a few odds and ends for one of his fathers inventions, a few groceries, and a new book or two for himself. As he strolled into the village proper, he heard the village people shouting out good morning to each other. He first picked up his groceries; some eggs, bacon, veggies, and some bread. He then strolled on down to the blacksmith to pick up the parts Radek needed for his invention. Finally he slipped into the village bookshop. He had always found it strange that such a shop existed in such a tiny village, after all not many people in Genii could read. In fact, in the entire time he and Radek had lived near the village, he had been Sora's only customer.
"Hello, John! Back already?" Sora chirped as he entered.
John smirked at her and drawled "Yep. I've already finished both of them."
Sora stared at him in disbelief. "You finished S. Carter's, 'Advanced Math Equations' and Thor's, 'History of the Asgards' in two days?"
John quirked an eyebrow and went, "Yep!"
Sora sighed, "Well nothing new has come in since then, John!"
"That's all right," John drawled and reached for a book on one of Sora's shelves. "I'll just borrow this one."
Sora laughed, "You must like that one, you have borrowed it twice already."
John leaned against a wooden pillar, a lazy smile flitting across his face. "Yeah, I do. It's so cool."
"What's so 'cool' about it, John?"
"Well, it's about a young knight who befriends a dragon. That dragon likes him so much that he lets him ride upon his back and they fly the skies together." A dreamy look fills John's eyes and he continued on. "Then they meet and befriend a warrior race called the Jaffa and together they fight the evil Gould. The hero also meets and becomes best friends with a brilliant magician and linguist and together they end up living happily ever after."
Sora gently smiled at her friend and stated. "If you like it so much, the book is yours."
John gives her a startled look, "Mine, but . . ."
"Consider it a gift my friend. You are the only one in this town who appreciates a good book."
John gives her a brilliant smile and a soft "Thank-you!" The he headed out the door and on his way back home.
John opened up the book, flipping it to his favorite part. This is where Sir Jack O'Neil meets Teal'c the dragon and they become fast friends. As he walked out of the village, his mind joining Jack and Teal'c and their flight thru the clouds, not realizing he was being watched by many eyes.
Chaya stood in the village square, preening in front of her many admirers. She then catches a glimpse of John at the corner of her eye. She sighs in longing and stated, "Now there goes the man I am going to marry."
Cowen looks at her in disbelief. "John Sheppard is the man you want to marry. But why? He is so strange, with his weird hair, his fetish for reading and his father is insane!"
Chaya delicately shrugged her shoulders then stated. "He is the most gorgeous male in this village." Her tone turned icy, "And don't I deserve the best, Cowen?"
"Of course, Chaya, your right he is the best looking and you do deserve the best." Cowen quickly spat out.
Chaya nodded in satisfaction and strolled after John. 'Not only was he hot, I sense that he has an enormous untapped sorceress power. Power, which once a marriage bond is in place, I can tap into and drain from him. Making me even more powerful than I already am!" She smirked in satisfaction and took a short cut thus enabling her to get in front of her intended spouse.
"Hello, John." Chaya huskily whispered, coyly winding a strand of her hair around her finger. She leaned forward to better show off her cleavage. "How are you doing this find day?"
John slowly looked up from his book. A polite smile forming on his face, "I'm doing fine and how are you Miss Chaya?"
John could be polite when needed. He did not like Chaya that much. He would admit that when he first met her, he had been attracted. As time went on however, he changed his opinion. He watched her and observed how she treated others, especially how she treated Radek Zelenka. So his initial attraction had faded and then quickly turned into a great dislike of her person. None of his distaste for her appeared on his face though. He smiled and politely flirted with her. John likes to flirt, even with people he did not like.
John slowly backed off. "Well it's been nice talking to you, Miss Chaya. Unfortunately it is time for me to be getting home now. My father needs these parts for his newest invention."
Chaya snorted delicately, "Your father is a loony with delusions of grandeur, John. You really should leave that fool behind."
John's eyes narrowed and his gorgeous hazel eyes took on an icy hue. When he spoke, his voice could have frozen the fires of hell. "Do not insult my father again, Chaya. He is a brilliant man and a great inventor."
A load explosion suddenly filled the air. A worried look crept into John's eyes. He cast a dismissing look at Chaya, turned and loped out of Genii at a steady clip. Chaya stood in the middle of the road, staring after John. A pissy expression on her face and determination lighting her eyes, "John Sheppard, you will be mine!"