Stargate Atlantis: I'm Alive

Chapter 9: Curiosity

Getting Forrest to focus had been more of a struggle than anyone had anticipated, as they worked to get her from the jumper bay to the conference room. The pair seemed to bounce from window to window, eyes wide as they looked out across the city. *This is insane*, Castiel nodding his head in agreement as Carson stood next to them. "We can show you more later, but we need to talk to Dr. Weir." He said as the others waited. Sighing deeply, she turned to follow. "So, I have one question. You all refer to one another often by your title and last name. Why is that?" Carson had no idea how to explain that to her, as they joined the others walking up the stairs into the gate room. "Just a formality I guess." She was silent for a moment. "On Loonrian, your title is used very rarely. The day you get it, when you first introduce yourself, signing your name, and then when you die. The rest of the time our first names are used." She explained as she looked around the room, watching as people somewhat paused to look at Castiel and herself. "They are all so curious." "Well, no one has exactly seen something like Castiel before." They walked past the control room, Forrest looking around at the technology around her before she was led into the open doors of the conference room that then closed behind her.

Inside, Dr. Weir and Tayla stood waiting. The pair eyeing Forrest and Castiel curiously as the group began to move around the long table to sit down. John and Carson were staying up for a moment with Forrest. "Elizabeth, this is Forrest Atla and Castiel. Forrest, Castiel, this is Dr. Elizabeth Weir and Tayla Emmagen." John said as he looked at the pair. Dr. Weir about to speak but cut off as Castiel hopped down from Forrest's shoulders, growing himself up to his tiger sized form. Nodding his head respectfully before Forrest spoke. "It is an honor to meet you, Cas says thank you for your hospitality." She said as she looked around the room, most everyone inside eye's locked onto them. "Well, it is nice to meet both of you, welcome to Atlantis. I am not sure exactly what all has happened, but I look forward to hearing it from all of you." Her eyes bouncing from John to Carson, who obviously had something to do with the pair before her, John she expecting it from, but not Carson. Beside her, Tayla was more focused on Castiel. Who was contently standing next to Forrest. His bright blue eyes looking around the room with intense curiosity. "While I do have things to ask of you Forrest, for now, it will be best if I talk to my team about what has happened. Tayla, if you would please take Forrest and show her around a bit." Carson suddenly realizing that the long smears of dried blood still showed on Forrest's silver hair probably did not give the best first impression. "I'm sure you are tired Forrest, I will be happy to show you around a bit while they talk. Forrest nodded, looking at John. "Don't worry too much, you and Tayla will probably get along very well." "Thank you so much." She said as Castiel once again shrank back down, setting himself on her shoulders.

Tayla smiled, as she walked past the group and towards the door. While she was unsure of Forrest and Castiel, the pair seemed somewhat overwhelmed that she fully understood. "I'll find you later," Carson said with a smile as Forrest turned to follow after Tayla. The pair slipping out of the conference room door while the others stood in silence. Weir turning to take her seat, the others following suit. "Okay, start to finish tell me everything that happened." She said folding her hands on the table. Waiting to hear who would talk first.

The pair of women laughed a little as they walked through the city, John's prediction of the pair getting along well accurate as Tayla showed her the main features of the city. They had gone out on one of the piers, allowing Castiel to grow to full size and Forrest to grab all her bags from the saddles before he shrank back down. Leaving Tayla rather impressed, and nervous all the same time. Tayla explaining the general idea of the city, while Forrest did the same regarding who she and Castiel were, and their way of life. While Tayla was curious as to what had happened to bring the pair here, she knew soon enough John, and the others would fill her in. Right now, though, she found Forrest to seem genuine in her intentions, as she looked around the city with a sense of wonder. As people ran into them, word spread of Castiel. Who had at this point managed to end up on Tayla's shoulders; but she did not mind. She found the animal breathtaking with his colors and patterns. "So, I was able to see you have blood in your hair?" She half asked as she looked at the crimson streaks in Forrest's hair. "Oh, I guess that is left from yesterdays emergency." She explained, though not going into depth. Tayla did not pry, as she led Forrest down the hall towards her quarters. "I can guess you have not had a hot shower in a while?" She asked as Forrest laughed, "A year or two, had to shut that down to save power." She explained as Tayla opened the door. Leading the pair inside her own quarters before speaking, "Well, there is enough power here for that. You are welcome to use mine if you want. They are probably planning exactly where you will be staying." She explained as she sat down on the foot of her bed, Forrest nodding her head as she looked around the room. Tayla had explained her people, and Forrest already wished to meet them on the mainland. "Thank you so much, you have been so kind to me." She said as Castiel glided down to Tayla, sitting next to her. "You are very much welcome; I know how it feels to be here for the first time. The bathroom is just over there; I can wait out here for you." With a deep sigh, Forrest nodded and walked away to the bathroom.