[for Dave]

[t_emmagen]

It had been a typical day with the building crew. They were working on huts again, and Teyla often found herself trying to explain building basics to new islanders who were generally more hindrance than help. It was a good skill to have, and she could not begrudge them the lessons. Even if they did sometimes make her grit her teeth in

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[davor_dandalrei]

Dave had been waiting just long enough that he'd given up slouching awkwardly around Teyla's front yard and took a seat under a tree, idly drawing with a stick in the dry, baked dirt. Like most days, he was dressed in the basketball shorts and wifebeater that the clothing bin seemed inclined to give him, still a little sweaty from that morning's build and run. His own hut was newly completed and had stood up well to the first rainstorm the island threw at it. If nothing else, it was a relief to make up a pallet big enough that he didn't sleep with his knees under his chin.

So he sat day dreaming with uncharacteristic patience, remembering Levon's sister dancing for the Clan, the bonfire that had an alive thing before her, and the thrumming of her feet on the dry, baked dirt of the Plain.

[t_emmagen]

"Dave," Teyla was slightly breathless as she entered New Atlantis, having jogged from the compound. She had paused briefly just out of sight, watching him stare purposelessly into the distance. It was a look she caught on his face frequently when he did not realise she was watching. The look of remembrance. "I hope I did not keep you waiting long."

[davor_dandalrei]

He smiled slightly when he saw her, snapping out of his reverie when she called out.

"Not really," he said, rolling to his feet, "I was late, anyway." He crossed to meet her. "How was the build?"

[t_emmagen]

It was hard to judge early and late in this place, and easy to lose track of the sun and what point of the day it was. Teyla often wondered at just how used to Atlantis she had gotten, with its ways of marking time.

"It was good enough. The man we are building a hut for wanted to help," she added the last with no small bit of amusement, "But is rather clumsy."