DISCLAIMER: Not Mine. MGM and the Stargate writers got to play for real, I get to play in my head now that they are finished with them! And Suzanne Collins provided the inspiration for the backdrop/plot into which I will be throwing Daniel and Vala this time!
A/N: Thanks for sticking with me through the wait guys! More is on the way!
When the blindfold is finally removed, Vala immediately recognizes her surroundings. The high ceiling, the lack of windows, the rows of cubicles surrounded by curtains, the overwhelming pristine whiteness of it all. It's the 'remake area' located in the training center. This is where they clean up the prisoners – or contenders as the government calls them - before putting them on stage for all of Gaban to judge, discuss and bet on. Based on the hustle and bustle around her, Vala is fairly certain that the opening ceremony and live interviews are scheduled for that very night.
The officers who had escorted her to her cubicle tell her to wait, before promptly leaving her alone. They neglect to close the curtain properly and Vala watches passersby through the gap as she leans against the table behind her. She carefully pokes her head out into the corridor between the cubicles a few times as well. Outwardly, she appears aloof and bored, but she is actually observing and processing everything around her as fast as she possibly can, trying to come up with a plan. Her instincts have kicked in and she's looking for an exit, a weak point, a weapon, all the while attempting to remain inconspicuous. Vala is also scanning the room for any sign of Daniel. They will have to bring him here at some point. Though, if she were in charge, she certainly wouldn't do it while Vala herself was still around.
If they remember anything about her at all, they know that that would be asking for trouble.
The attendants who hurry about eye her in what they probably think is a subtle way. Based on the way they whisper to each other while shooting glances in her direction, there isn't a doubt in Vala's mind that they remember her, well. Eventually, a group of attendants approach her cubicle, motioning for her to move back inside before closing the curtain behind them. Vala gives herself over to their busy hands without a fight – this isn't the time.
The young women – dressed all in white of course – laugh and chat with each other as they remove her green SGC uniform and prep her for her stylist. They aren't saying anything useful, vapid gossip about their private lives mainly, so Vala's mind wanders. She wonders who will be in charge of her image this time around and what their plan for her will be; how will she be re-introduced to the people of Gaban? She gritts her teeth as the attendants begin pulling at her hair and poking at her fingernails. Once they have her out of her uniform they toss it onto a nearby table to be disposed of. They give her a white robe, barely more than a sheet, step back and turn around as Vala hastily arranges it around her body. While they have their backs turned she reaches over and grabs the SG-1 badge off of her uniform and, for lack of a better hiding place, clutches it tightly in her fist.
When they have washed her hair and rubbed a variety of lotions into her skin they give her a final once over, gather up her old clothes and nod to her before walking away, still chattering amongst themselves. When they are gone, Vala pokes her head out of the cubicle and looks around, still keeping an eye out for Daniel. The room is starting to clear out now and Vala is beginning to think that Daniel will be the Council's big surprise and that they will not be bringing him in here until no one else is around.
"Figures." She mutters aloud, letting out a sigh.
Hearing slow footsteps coming up the hallway Vala immediately turns towards the sound, already on the defensive. However, when Vala sees who stands in the hallway before her, her body relaxes almost without her consent. He's an older man, tall and lean. His brown hair is going grey and is cut shorter than she remembers, but those blue eyes…they are so kind and so familiar that she almost lets go and collapses into his arms as he approaches. Almost. He doesn't say a word, just walks right up to her and places a warm hand on her cheek.
Vala finally breaks the silence. "What are you doing here Falco?" She grips his arm as she speaks.
He had been her ally, her anchor the last time she had found herself thrown into this deadly circus. He seems as sturdy as ever, despite all the time that has passed. She knows for certain he doesn't want to be here any more than she does; he had been desperate to get out of this job when she had met him the first time around.
"I could ask you the same thing wildcat." Falco says, shaking his head at her in a fatherly sort of way.
"But shouldn't you be enjoying retirement and grandchildren in the country somewhere?" Vala presses, wanting to know what had happened to him after she had escaped Gaban the last time.
"I was, for awhile." A flash of uncontrolled emotion crosses his face and Falco quickly shakes his head and clears his throat. "Some council representatives came by and…er…requisitioned my services a few hours ago."
He doesn't say anymore and simply reaches for her hands to grasp them supportively. When he does so, he notices that she is clutching something tightly in her fist. He gently unwraps the SG-1 badge from her fingers, looks at it with a furrowed brow and with a glance around them sticks it into his pocket, winking at Vala.
Falco motions for her to sit down. "Let's get to work so that I can get you ready to make me proud again." He pauses and catches her eyes in the mirror.
They share a moment during which everything that had happened all those years ago - all the emotions they both had then and now about being trapped in this abhorrent situation - seems to swirl to the surface. Falco breaks the eye contact, shakes his head and picks up a brush. "You would show up in town today of all days." He sighs. "The luck you have…" Smiling at her sadly he lays a comforting hand on her shoulder before setting to work on her hair.
Daniel sits in the chair provided for him inside of his white-curtained cubicle. The guards who had brought him this far had taken pity on him and explained what would follow. Apparently a 'stylist' would be arriving to prepare him for his presentation to the people of Gaban, which would occur this evening via live interview. After that he would immediately be put into training with the other prisoners - he can't help but be relieved that he will likely be reunited with Vala during that time - then, the games would commence.
Daniel waits, listening to the silence in the large room that surrounds his little cubicle. There doesn't seem to be anyone else left in this area of the building, which isn't all that surprising considering he's such a…last minute entry.
When the stylist - a short, slim, dark haired woman - finally shows up, she wastes no time. In a calm and hurried manner she instructs her assistants to take his clothes, dress him in a white robe that reminds Daniel of a hospital gown, clean his nails and wash his hair. In the meantime she seems to be organizing an outfit or two for him from a bin of what he can only assume are castaways and leftovers. She eyes him a couple of times as she chooses dark slacks and a dark v-neck shirt with a subtle blue pattern on the sleeves. She tries to take away Daniel's glasses at one point but he explains that without them his vision would be impaired. The attendants and the stylist catch each other's gaze and seem to scoff in amusement – Daniel isn't exactly sure what that means - but they allow him to hold on to the glasses.
Throughout the entire process the stylist mutters about being overworked and underpaid. Apparently she had been assigned to another prisoner, but when Daniel arrived she, as one of the newest stylists, was instructed to deal with him. She doesn't seem to have much time for him, nor care to tell him anything useful when he attempts to pose questions about the upcoming competition, or about where the other competitors might be.
After what feels like hours – but probably only amounts to 45 minutes - of poking and prodding, they all step back and give him a once over. The assistants all look to the stylist for a reaction to his 'look'. Daniel suddenly realizes then that she hasn't even bothered to introduce herself.
After a moment she simply nods and says, "It will have to do," with a bored wave of her hand. She calls the guards back and struts off down the hallway, her assistants stumbling along behind her like a flock of ducklings. The armed guards re-appear and motion for him to begin walking down the hallway in the opposite direction.
Alone, with no idea where he is, where Vala has been taken or what exactly is coming next, he can do nothing but follow their orders.