[Stargate SG-1] "Informal Outdoor Gathering" [G]
Title: Informal Outdoor Gathering
Author: Ami Ven
Prompt: writerverse phase 23, challenge 03 independence
Word Count: 571
Rating: G
Fandom: Stargate SG-1
Character(s): Teal’c, Jonas Quinn
Summary: “What is a barbecue?”
Informal Outdoor Gathering
“Jonas-Quinn,” said Teal’c, appearing in his office doorway. “O’Neill has sent me to remind you that it is time for the noon meal.”
“Is it lunchtime already? Hang on, let me just…” As he moved some books around, Jonas found a single sheet of paper and held it up. “Oh, hey, Teal’c, did you get one of these? I was hoping I could ask you a few things.”
“I have also been invited to the celebration hosted by General-Hammond,” said Teal’c. “I will be driving there from here, and you are welcome to accompany me.”
“No, I wasn’t - I mean, yes, thank you, I’d really appreciate the ride, but… what is a barbecue?”
“In this instance, it is an informal outdoor gathering.”
“Oh,” said Jonas. “But what does that have to do with the Fourth of July? I tried to look up the significance of the date in some of Dr. Jackson’s books, but he doesn’t have much on American history. But I did learn that July Fourth, Seventeen-Seventy-Six is the official date of founding of the United States of America. They - we - had been a colony of the British Empire, but they broke away with a document called The Declaration of Independence. Have your read it?”
“I have not,” Teal’c admitted.
“It’s really fascinating,” said Jonas. “But I don’t see what any of that has to do with General Hammond’s… barbecue.”
“I was similarly confused,” said Teal’c. “When I first came to this world, O’Neill explained the significance of the occasion. It is not only a celebration of this nation’s founding, but also of the freedoms it offers. The freedom of assembly and the right to bear arms, in this case.”
“Arms?” Jonas repeated. “Will there be guns? Because I only just finished my qualifications.”
“Do not be worried, Jonas-Quinn,” said Teal’c. “Traditionally, these celebrations were marked by the firing of cannons, but fireworks are now more customary.”
Jonas brightened. “Will we get to see fireworks?”
“Indeed. Major-Carter has already acquired the necessary permissions to set up such a display on General-Hammond’s property.”
“I can’t wait!” said Jonas, then his expression fell again. “But what do I do at a barbecue? I don’t want to disappoint General Hammond by being a bad guest.”
“Again, do not worry, Jonas-Quinn. As I understand it, the weather is an encouraged topic of conversation at Tau’ri gatherings.”
“Yeah? Well, I can certainly talk about that. Is that all?”
“Essentially, yes,” said Teal’c. “The purpose of a ‘barbecue’ is social interaction. I have attended General-Hammond’s celebration for several years now, and each event is similar. Most of the purpose is casual conversation, but there are also simple games and physical activities. These are optional, and as a foreigner to this nation, it will be expected that you are unfamiliar with them.”
“Oh, that’s right,” said Jonas. “I’m supposed to be from another nation here, Canada, and I’ve been studying their history. Do you think anyone will ask me about that?”
“Perhaps. But vague answers will be more than sufficient.”
“Thanks, Teal’c. And thanks for explaining everything. I think Earth people don’t understand how hard it is to understand them, sometimes.”
“You are welcome, Jonas-Quinn,” said Teal’c. “Perhaps you can bring up your observance with O’Neill and Major-Carter during lunch.”
As if on cue, Jonas’s stomach growled. “Good idea,” he said, grinning.
Teal’c merely arched an eyebrow and led the way out into the corridor. “Indeed.”
THE END
Current Mood:
need coffee
Author: Ami Ven
Prompt: writerverse phase 23, challenge 03 independence
Word Count: 571
Rating: G
Fandom: Stargate SG-1
Character(s): Teal’c, Jonas Quinn
Summary: “What is a barbecue?”
Informal Outdoor Gathering
“Jonas-Quinn,” said Teal’c, appearing in his office doorway. “O’Neill has sent me to remind you that it is time for the noon meal.”
“Is it lunchtime already? Hang on, let me just…” As he moved some books around, Jonas found a single sheet of paper and held it up. “Oh, hey, Teal’c, did you get one of these? I was hoping I could ask you a few things.”
“I have also been invited to the celebration hosted by General-Hammond,” said Teal’c. “I will be driving there from here, and you are welcome to accompany me.”
“No, I wasn’t - I mean, yes, thank you, I’d really appreciate the ride, but… what is a barbecue?”
“In this instance, it is an informal outdoor gathering.”
“Oh,” said Jonas. “But what does that have to do with the Fourth of July? I tried to look up the significance of the date in some of Dr. Jackson’s books, but he doesn’t have much on American history. But I did learn that July Fourth, Seventeen-Seventy-Six is the official date of founding of the United States of America. They - we - had been a colony of the British Empire, but they broke away with a document called The Declaration of Independence. Have your read it?”
“I have not,” Teal’c admitted.
“It’s really fascinating,” said Jonas. “But I don’t see what any of that has to do with General Hammond’s… barbecue.”
“I was similarly confused,” said Teal’c. “When I first came to this world, O’Neill explained the significance of the occasion. It is not only a celebration of this nation’s founding, but also of the freedoms it offers. The freedom of assembly and the right to bear arms, in this case.”
“Arms?” Jonas repeated. “Will there be guns? Because I only just finished my qualifications.”
“Do not be worried, Jonas-Quinn,” said Teal’c. “Traditionally, these celebrations were marked by the firing of cannons, but fireworks are now more customary.”
Jonas brightened. “Will we get to see fireworks?”
“Indeed. Major-Carter has already acquired the necessary permissions to set up such a display on General-Hammond’s property.”
“I can’t wait!” said Jonas, then his expression fell again. “But what do I do at a barbecue? I don’t want to disappoint General Hammond by being a bad guest.”
“Again, do not worry, Jonas-Quinn. As I understand it, the weather is an encouraged topic of conversation at Tau’ri gatherings.”
“Yeah? Well, I can certainly talk about that. Is that all?”
“Essentially, yes,” said Teal’c. “The purpose of a ‘barbecue’ is social interaction. I have attended General-Hammond’s celebration for several years now, and each event is similar. Most of the purpose is casual conversation, but there are also simple games and physical activities. These are optional, and as a foreigner to this nation, it will be expected that you are unfamiliar with them.”
“Oh, that’s right,” said Jonas. “I’m supposed to be from another nation here, Canada, and I’ve been studying their history. Do you think anyone will ask me about that?”
“Perhaps. But vague answers will be more than sufficient.”
“Thanks, Teal’c. And thanks for explaining everything. I think Earth people don’t understand how hard it is to understand them, sometimes.”
“You are welcome, Jonas-Quinn,” said Teal’c. “Perhaps you can bring up your observance with O’Neill and Major-Carter during lunch.”
As if on cue, Jonas’s stomach growled. “Good idea,” he said, grinning.
Teal’c merely arched an eyebrow and led the way out into the corridor. “Indeed.”
THE END
Current Mood:
need coffee