The slight wind caught the low sweeping trees, making them dance, the high grass of the meadow swaying.

“Where’s the welcoming committee?” John Sheppard stated, his eyes narrowing, scanning the field.

“That would be them” Rodney smirked, “Nice observation.” John glared at him, walking down the three steps onto the hard ground, walking towards the approaching persons. They were pale skinned, dressed in floor length robes, an air of calm surrounding them. The oldest man stepped forward, “Welcome once more Colonel Sheppard, I presume this to be your leader?” He questioned, glancing at Elizabeth. Elizabeth stepped forward, “Yes, I am. It is a pleasure to meet you.” The man smiled warmly, bowing his head lightly before meeting her eyes once more. “The pleasure is all mine.” He glanced at the others, the warm glow remaining in his eyes, “If you will follow me, the festivities have already begun.”

“Festivities?” Rodney grinned.

Teyla frowned, “If it to involve alcoholic substances, I believe that I should watch over you carefully Rodney.”

Rodney’s grin disintegrated, “That is a myth!” he whined.

Sheppard fell back, grinning, “From what I saw, it is no myth.”

An hour later, the sun had begun to set and the festivities were in full swing. Rodney was more than a little tipsy, chatting enthusiastically with Authun, the Kirari’s chief physicist. Togan, as they had discovered was a beautiful planet, inhabited by the Kirari, a gentle race, of deceptively advanced race that’s seemingly simple existence had saved them more than once from invasion. Although they lived on the surface of the planet in simple brick houses, their main work was underground, in a complex not too dissimilar to the SGC. A maze of tunnels wound its way through room’s filled with experiment after experiment. The leader Grenathin was an old man, with a flowing white beard and long dark blue robes. John and his team had discovered the race on a simple exploratory mission, and a comfortable friendship had developed between the two races. Elizabeth had joined John, Rodney and Teyla after Rodney had discovered a highly valuable metal mined on Togan.

Elizabeth sat on straw bales which had been placed close to the main campfire. Earlier, they had slaughtered 20 pig-like creatures which they had cooked on the same fired. They had gone, but it still raged bright red. Elizabeth had chosen that spot to avoid the alcoholic substance being passed round, but also she was cold. The chill in the night was soothed by the warm of the fire. She was in her own world when she felt the bale move, and looked beside her to meet a young man’s eyes. They were deep blue, but there was something hidden in their depths that Elizabeth couldn’t quite muster. “Hello, I am Tralifh. I am chief scientist of the Kirari people.” He said, his words warm and kind, offering his hand. Elizabeth smiled softly, taking his hand, shaking it. “I’m…”

“Elizabeth Weir” He interrupted, “Leader of Atlantis.”

“Yes” She smiled, nodding.

“Your race seems very interesting.”

Elizabeth was confused by his statement, and cocked her head slightly. Tralifh picked up on her confusion, “I’m sorry.” He shuffled, smiling, “What I mean is your interaction. I see the way you interact with the male members of your team. Here on Togan it is not permitted for a woman to interact with men in such ways.”

Elizabeth felt immediately uncomfortable at his stated, and moved slightly away, “I am extremely sorry if my actions have offended your race.”

“No no Elizabeth. We understand your customs, and take no offence. It is just interesting to us.”

Elizabeth smiled, her discomfort increasing, searching for John amongst the crowd. Catching hi face among a group of five or so others, she let out a breath she wasn’t aware she was holding and stood, shortly joined by Tralifh.

“It was a pleasure to meet you Tralifh, and I am sorry if I have offended you or your people. I would hate it if the next few days were to be uncomfortable.”

Tralifh offered his hand, “Never could you offend our people Elizabeth, of this I am sure.”

Elizabeth took his hand; he shook it more roughly than before, a smile curling the edges of his mouth. Elizabeth returned his smile, it never reaching her eyes as she disappeared into the crowd; Tralifh’s eyes never left her.