After walking for about a mile, SG-1 found themselves approaching a small village. The modest wooden homes with thatched roofs were all decorated with flowers and small ornaments. Sam walked over to the nearest home and carefully touched one of the satiny petals. "These look like roses, Sir." She commented, bending to smell the sweet bloom.
"Indeed, O'Neill. These hanging objects look like one of your Earth birds." Jack walked to the opposite side of the small village square to where Teal'c was studying the ornament.
"You're right Teal'c. They're doves I think." Daniel's voice drifted over from where Sam was standing. Teal'c and Jack walked over to where Daniel was holding a small bird in his hand. "In Greek mythology, Aphrodite was fond of roses and myrtle and her chariot was drawn by doves. It would make sense that this society would adopt her symbols during wedding ceremonies."
"Daniel." He turned at the sound of his name. Larnos was walking toward him with a tall brunette woman. She was adorned in robes of purple and white. Atop her head she was wearing a wreath of white roses with small sprigs of purple flowers. "I would like to introduce you to our high chancellor and priestess." gesturing toward the elegant lady beside him, "This is Circe." The high chancellor dipped her head in acknowledgement.
"Daniel, we welcome you and your friends to Kypros."
After the introductions were made, SG-1 were led by Larnos to his home. Showing the team into what appeared to be his kitchen he spoke "I hope you will accept my hospitality and stay here during your time on Kypros. I shall arrange for the celebratory robes to be brought to you." Before anyone could protest, Larnos had left them alone in the small kitchen.
"Robes? What did he mean by robes Daniel?" Jack's voice was cautious as he stepped toward the archaeologist.
Not hearing the tense voice in which the question was delivered, or choosing to ignore the tone, Daniel dropped his pack onto the floor. Pushing his glasses up his nose he pulled his journal from the front of the bag. "Well in many cultures it is customary to wear special robes during certain celebrations. A bit like a Sunday suit for church I suppose."
"If you think I am going to wear anything like that time on P3X 593, I swear Daniel, I will not be responsible for my actions." Sam's voice was near hysterical by the end of the sentence, causing Teal'c to raise his eyebrow and Jack to place a hand on her arm.
"Calm down Carter. Daniel, maybe you and Teal'c should go and find Larnos and see exactly what these celebratory robes are." Once Teal'c and Daniel had left the house, Jack turned toward Sam with a glint in his eye. "593? Remind me again. Was that the planet where you drank the native drink? Because I don't remember you wearing anything native?" The smirk that travelled along Jack's lips was quickly quelled when he saw the flash of anger and embarrassment shoot through Carter's ice blue eyes.
"No, Sir." Sam's growl was almost imperceptible, but the man who stood next to her heard it, causing him to remove his hand from her arm where it had remained. "P3X 593 was the Shavadai. The one with the head dress."
Jack frowned slightly, trying to remember back to the mission to the Shavadai. The sudden recollection caused a smile to pass over his lips. "Aw Carter. You looked ok. Blue is definitely your colour." Sam turned away to hide the blush that was slowly creeping up her neck. Silence fell between them as Jack shuffled, trying to think of something else to say. "Anyway who knows, here it could be me in the embarrassing head dress."
A small giggle carried to his ears as Sam turned back toward him. "Major. What have I told you about giggling?" His mock stern tone was enough to stop her giggling but cause a mega-watt smile to adorn her face, lighting her eyes like rays of sun bouncing off the sea.
He wasn't sure if he was looking at her for seconds or minutes before the door swung open admitting Daniel and Teal'c both carrying coloured cloth over their arms.
Teal'c walked toward O'Neill, his face unreadable to anyone who didn't know him. Jack on the other hand could see the slight narrowing of the eyes that signified that the Jaffa was unhappy. His stoic expression, coupled with the lack of chatter from Daniel made Sam and Jack nervous.
"I take it the diagnosis is not good?" Jack wagered "Come on. Lets see 'em."
The two men dropped the cloth onto the table in the centre of the room. Daniel proceeded to pull a midnight blue robe from amongst the colours. Holding it at what could be distinguished as the shoulder seam, Jack looked over at Sam. "Well that's a dress, that is obviously Carter's" turning toward her "I told you that blue was your colour."
"Um…Jack…that's not Sam's." Daniel's voice was low as he continued "That one's yours."
The smirk on O'Neill's face was quickly removed as Daniel's words sunk in. "But…but..it's a dress!" The panic was rising in his voice.
"Actually it's a toga. All men wore togas in ancient Greece."
"Daniel Jackson and I will also be wearing dresses O'Neill." Teal'c's dissatisfaction was evident in a soft growl that accompanied his words. Reaching into the pile of togas on the table he pulled out a circle of leaves.
"I believe that we also have to wear this on our head's." Holding the green wreath toward Jack, he took it between his thumb and forefinger, holding it at arms length as though it may attack him at any moment. "And these." Teal'c proffered a pair on leather sandals. Jack shook his head as Sam's laughter floated over from the corner of the room. The three men looked toward the figure hunched over, clutching her ribs. Tears of mirth streaming down her face. "Glad you find this so amusing Carter." Jack put the wreath back onto the table. Turning toward Daniel he lifted his eyebrows, nodding in the direction of a still laughing Sam he asked, "So what does Carter have to wear?" Daniel smiled at Jack as he reached into the pile of clothes. Pulling out a pale pink robe he held it out toward Sam "This is yours." Her laughter stopped abruptly, holding the dress like robe against herself, she looked down with distain.
"Not so funny now is it Major?" Jack's smirk had returned while he glanced over at Sam, still looking at the robe in horror.
A few hours later, a knock at the door signalled the arrival of Larnos.
"The joining will begin shortly my friends. Are you ready?" Glancing around at the three men he appraised their robes. Teal'c was dressed in a knee length toga of forest green, next to him stood Daniel, in burnt orange and slouched at the end of the table was Jack pulling at the midnight blue robe. "I can't believe I'm in a dress."
"Toga Jack."
"Daniel!" the warning in his voice evident
"Jack!"
Larnos watched the exchange with amusement. Frowning slightly he interrupted the exchange "Where is your Major Carter?"
"Sam, come on it's time to go." Daniel called through the wooden door that led to the small bedroom.
"I'm not coming out." Sam's voice was bordering on petulant, with a hint of embarrassment.
"What do you mean you're not coming out? Major you will come out of that room now! That's an order!" Jack didn't mean for his voice to come out so angry but he was uncomfortable not to mention embarrassed. He winced slightly at the silence it had created, a silence only broken by the slow creaking of the door opening.
All four men stared in admiration at the sight that greeted them. Sam's robe was floor length in a light, dusky pink. The fabric was lighter than that of the shorter, heavier togas the men wore. Her dress robe had sleeves that were slit from shoulder to wrist, showing her pale, shapely arms. The neckline dipped just low enough to show a glimpse of cleavage. On top her blond hair sat a wreath of pale pink roses with sprigs of white flowers.
"Wow, Sam, you look amazing!" Daniel was the first to shake himself from the daze. Sam's scowl deepened.
"I'm in pink Daniel, PINK! Do I look like a pink person to you?" she growled.
"I don't know, works for me." Jack's mutter surprised the team. Sam's face reddened in a fierce blush as Larnos spoke. "Major Carter, you are indeed very beautiful."
Choosing to ignore his comment she closed the door of the small bedroom that she had just left "Well we'd better get going then." She shot toward them. Daniel, Teal'c and Larnos walked out of the front door. Jack beckoned Sam to go in front of him. Stomping past she lifted her skirt so she didn't trip, Jack smiled as he noticed that, like him, under her robe she was still wearing her combat boots.