Mess Hall / Commissary

[Ratbaby07]

Spoiler:

((David + Temperance))

"Antarctica? Wow. That's.... well, that's cold." David said lamely. "And brave, very brave, yes... Not sure I would ever have picked to go there. I preferred deserts, really, when I did field trips. While hot, I found I could endure that climate fairly well. Yes, I know what you mean about Egypt. I've never become so obsessed, ever since I met Dr Jackson. I was there when he did his speech about the pyramids being landing platforms for alien ships.
It was very interesting, and both daft and realistic enough for me to get interested in it. I began to follow him and his work, since I also have an interest in anthro, and well, I guess we met in a library one day. We both wanted the same book, and he ended up drafting me into his current project, I knew just that much that he needed for something, and thus the ball began to roll for me. Because I was in the SGC database when he went missing, I got enrolled as temporary replacement. Of course, we all know what happened next." He smiled at Temperance.



((click here for ooc comments))

Temperance shrugged slightly at the brave comment. “It was a little bit crazy.” Then she laughed. “Probably not as crazy as this though,” she waved a hand vaguely to indicate the whole “living on another planet” thing.
“I ended up going to Antarctica on something of a whim. One of my professors, Dr. Otto Tibbs, knew a guy who was the first to ever discover people living there. Right after it came out, the guy, a man named Dr. Herbert Gianakis, called Dr. Tibbs looking for people nuts enough to accompany him on a long-term study. Dr. Tibbs was getting old though, and he wasn’t up for a frozen desert. Next thing I knew, I was flying away with Dr. Gianakis.” Temperance smiled at the memory, remembering the cheerful way Tibbs had announced to her that she would be traveling across the world. Temperance brought herself back to the present with a little shake of her head.
“Of course, about a month and a half into our study, Gianakis insulted the headman’s third wife and nearly got himself booted from the encampment. After that he couldn’t get much more out of the people and associating with him was hampering my studies too. So he went home and I stayed there.
Our primary focus of study was just how people could survive in so harsh a place, and I was looking into the genetics of it. I’d been there for a year, give or take a few weeks, when Herbert sent a message my way about some government agency being interested in the Articans. Of course, it was the Stargate program. They were researching the ancient gene and the group I was living with were living darn close (relatively speaking) to the site of the first discovered ancient. ”

Temperance listened attentively to David’s story. When he finished, she couldn’t quite muster up her habitual smile. Yes, they did all know what had happened next. Then she said, “I never had the opportunity to meet Dr. Jackson, though I did catch a glimpse of him now and again in Antarctica. It must have been a privilege to work with him. I understand he was a good man.”


(((OOC: ugh, lots of backstory and probably poorly delivered. But as the white rabit would say, "I'm late! I'm late! I'm late!")))

[Ryn]

"Mmmm, yes, he was."

David had listened attentively too, to Temperance's Antarctic story. It interested him greatly. "Well, I had no idea there lived people there. It does make sense though since they found a Stargate there and that Ancient body." He paused, thinking, making connections.

"It just goes to show how resilient and resourceful our race is. We should draw hope and comfort from that. And I've done just that, my lab holds a LOT of the research from Earth, and my home in Foreston has a few trinkets left over, too. Stuff I came across in my global travels. I'll show you one day." He chuckled to himself at a private joke.
"This is the second time I'm offering someone to see my house, if I'm not careful it'll turn into a hotel! For medical reasons, I'm not allowed to travel back to Foreston until 4pm, but until then, I can go to my lab, and if you want, come along. Have you ever been there, Temperance?"

[Ratbaby07]

Temperance nodded in agreement, humans were a tough lot. At the mention of a chance to see his collection of things from Earth, she said appreciatively, “I’d like that.” It gave her a painful twinge to remember that there were all sorts of places she would never have a chance to visit now, places that had once seemed so far away and exotic, like China and India. Heck, she’d never even gotten around to visiting Hawaii.

Temperance pushed the thought aside, reminding herself that there were other places open to her now. Places she had never dreamed could exist.

“The linguistics laboratory? I’ve been known to lurk thereabouts, trying to improve my language skills and pulling the occasional reference book. I’d be glad to accompany you.” Figuring now was as good a time as ever to mention her project, Temperance added, “In fact, I was examining a stone idol of the god Min, something from the Earth backlog. I think it might be promising. Perhaps you could help me with the translation.” She looked at him hopefully.

[Ryn]

"Ah, yes, the rudest of all statuettes," David laughed slightly.
"It's a miracle "something" didn't break off in the transport, but then again it got wrapped up fairly well, I saw to that.". He had a meaningful look on his face when uttering the word "something", there were just some things one didn't mention when in polite company. Seeing as how she was studying the idol, she would know what he meant, David thought, the meaningful look changing to pensive as his thoughts continued.

He wasn't really offended by the idol, it was just some odd thing of the ancient Egyptians. Their sense of decency was completely different to that of the 21st century, it was far more open-minded. He secretly actually applauded them for it. The modern world and its inhibitions often caused him distress. There was so much they could learn from the ancient worlds, and he wondered why society had developed in this way. But then again, that was Earth, and this is Gaia, he thought, wondering how the society on Gaia would develop. He somehow had a notion people would continue to walk around clothed and it made him chuckle inside.
Realising finally that Temperance was still there, he looked up at her again.

"I'm sorry. I have a tendency to do that, stare in space, get lost in thoughts, it's not meant to be rude. I'd be delighted to help you. We could go and examine it right now if you wish ?"





((thank goodness for Wikipedia. ))

[Ratbaby07]

Temperance covered an amused smile with her hand. “That’s the one,” she admitted. “Though the more vulgar aspects of the deity have received the most press, it’s actually his lesser known role as a god of mining that makes this particular statuette interesting. I have hopes that it might point us to something useful.”

Temperance raised an eyebrow in mild amusement as the man’s attention wandered and his expression became distant. When he snapped back to attention, she just waved his apology away. “Don’t worry doctor, I daydream too. I’d be glad if we could go take a look at it now. For the moment, it’s in my quarters.”

(((OOC: Hehe, I know. I found a reference to Min first in a book, but it was just a short blurb so I used Wiki and a couple of other sites as references too. )))

[kingzing]

<<From Quarters>>

Xavier slowly walked into the Mess Hall with his nose buried in a book. He walked over to one of the smaller tables and placed the book down to get some food. Happy with his selection of a turkey sandwich and a bottle of water he sat back down and began to eat.

((Is this ok for a post, its my first time role-playing and I want to make sure that I'm doing everything correctly. Thanks))

[JacksonMiracle]

<<From Quarters ((Long time ago-RL))>>

CJ wasn't suprised at the crowd in the mess hall. It seemed that someone on the base was always hungry. Quickly making her selections, she grabbed some water and headed for the only empty chair she could find. Normally, she would have simply taken her food back to the lab for more work, but not today. Today, she was actually going to take the time to enjoy her meal. After the target practice last night she realized that she really didn't get out of the lab enough. It was a miracle that she had even met Robert with all the time she spent in there away from everyone else.

"Mind if I sit here? Looks to be the only empty spot in the entire mess." She asked the lone gentleman at the small table. He was a lieutenant by his uniform, not much younger than herself, and appeared to be completely enraptured by the book that he was reading. Well, that was better, she supposed. At least she wouldn't have to come up with any small talk to pass the time.

[kingzing]

Xavier looked up from his book and nodded his approval for CJ to sit down. "Please have a seat, I'm Xavier Cortez, it's a pleasure to meet you."

[Ryn]

Temperance covered an amused smile with her hand. “That’s the one,” she admitted. “Though the more vulgar aspects of the deity have received the most press, it’s actually his lesser known role as a god of mining that makes this particular statuette interesting. I have hopes that it might point us to something useful.”

Temperance raised an eyebrow in mild amusement as the man’s attention wandered and his expression became distant. When he snapped back to attention, she just waved his apology away. “Don’t worry doctor, I daydream too. I’d be glad if we could go take a look at it now. For the moment, it’s in my quarters.”

(((OOC: Hehe, I know. I found a reference to Min first in a book, but it was just a short blurb so I used Wiki and a couple of other sites as references too. )))

"Ah, nice,", said David. "Listen, since we're not really allowed in eachother's quarters, why don't you go fetch it and bring it to the Lab ? We could study it there just fine. Has it been carbon-dated yet ?"
The fact that Temperance kept it in her room, told David it probably had a personal meaning for her. Else she would have endeavoured to find a place for it in the artefact room.

[JacksonMiracle]

Xavier looked up from his book and nodded his approval for CJ to sit down. "Please have a seat, I'm Xavier Cortez, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Thank you." CJ said with a polite smile, before taking her seat at the opposite end of the table. "Captain Johannson. Good to meet you too." She said returning the introduction and holding out her hand to Xavier.

"So, what are you reading? If you don't mind me asking of course." She said after taking a few bites of her food. She barely tasted anything as the chewed up lumps of nourishment made their way down to her stomach. This was definately not the best food day for the mess. Then again, it was the military and one couldn't expect the food to always taste good.

[kingzing]

"Thank you." CJ said with a polite smile, before taking her seat at the opposite end of the table. "Captain Johannson. Good to meet you too." She said returning the introduction and holding out her hand to Xavier.

"So, what are you reading? If you don't mind me asking of course." She said after taking a few bites of her food. She barely tasted anything as the chewed up lumps of nourishment made their way down to her stomach. This was definately not the best food day for the mess. Then again, it was the military and one couldn't expect the food to always taste good.

Xavier took CJ's hand and shook it. "Oh, I don't mind at all. I'm reading a book called Pandora's Star. Its a futuristic science fiction book about how humanity has colonized hundreds of planets. They hadn't meet any powerful aliens in their vast travels and eventually they did. They accidentally set loose a species of xenophobic aliens that believed that any other form of life besides themselves was a threat and had to be destroyed. It really is fascinating. It's a great book, this is my 3rd time through."

((Oh BTW, this really is a great book, its a little long, but its worth a pickup! Oh and if any of you decide to actually get the book, you will love how they travel between planets!))

[JacksonMiracle]

CJ raised her eyebrows at the revelation that Xavier had read the same book three times. It must be good, if he could put up with that many times. She could never even make her way all the way through a book that thick one time without growing bored, much less three seperate times. But then again, the plot did seem interesting, and somehow ironic considering what she did for a living, and all the events of the past year of her life. "Now that sounds like a very entertaining read. I'll keep it in mind if I ever find myself without a lot down time." She told the man, knowing that even if she did have the time, she still probably wouldn't read the book, prefering to spend the free moments with Robert if at all possible.

She chewed a bite of her food thoughtfully for a few moments in silence. "So, what's your speciality? No offense, but that book does seem more like something an anthropologist might read." And with that question, CJ had thrown out any possibility of a quiet breakfast. Despite her orginally intentions, she never had been able to resist the obligation to speak to the person that she was eating across from.

[kingzing]

CJ raised her eyebrows at the revelation that Xavier had read the same book three times. It must be good, if he could put up with that many times. She could never even make her way all the way through a book that thick one time without growing bored, much less three seperate times. But then again, the plot did seem interesting, and somehow ironic considering what she did for a living, and all the events of the past year of her life. "Now that sounds like a very entertaining read. I'll keep it in mind if I ever find myself without a lot down time." She told the man, knowing that even if she did have the time, she still probably wouldn't read the book, prefering to spend the free moments with Robert if at all possible.

She chewed a bite of her food thoughtfully for a few moments in silence. "So, what's your speciality? No offense, but that book does seem more like something an anthropologist might read." And with that question, CJ had thrown out any possibility of a quiet breakfast. Despite her orginally intentions, she never had been able to resist the obligation to speak to the person that she was eating across from.

"Well, my specialty is in advanced physics. Before I joined the marines, I had offers from several world-class research institutions to do work in theoretical physics. But I felt that I should give something back to my country, so I joined up. I may not have all of the fame as a scientist, but this," (smiling, he stretched his arms out indicating everything around him) "all of this is so much cooler then sitting in a lab 16 hours a day everyday until I retire. Oh, and the book may seem that way and it is, in a small way, about culture, and how we deal with difficult decisions, in the face of extraordinary danger. But It is also about humanities exploring spirit.
So, what is your specialty?"

[JacksonMiracle]

CJ was impressed by the man sitting across from her. There weren't many non-civilian scientists on the base. It was nice to meet a kindred spirit every once and awile. She listened intently as he talked about his career path. She knew all too well it cost scientists in the SGC. All this amazing technology, and no one to tell, at first because it was classified, and now because any one they met that could actually understand the technology was so far beyond them, that it would have pointless to share a new discovery. But just the experience was worth it. "Wow. That's pretty exciting. I heard it said somewhere once that physicists are the Peter Pans of the human race. They never grow up and always keep their curiosity." She smiled briefly at the random thought that came out of her mouth. But quickly hid it by taking another bite of food.

"I see." she said when he clarified about the book.

"Me? Ah...safety engineering actually. Comes in quite handy when something like that 'quake the other week happens. Things are just now starting to settle down after all that. I actually dabbled a little in all the hard sciences, before finally settling down with safty engineering, so there isn't much scientific research that I don't at least have some clue about when a fellow scientist talks about it. Even if it's just the recognition of hearing a word before." She took a sip of her water, trying to remember any more quotes about physics that she had heard before.

[Ratbaby07]

Spoiler:

"Ah, nice,", said David. "Listen, since we're not really allowed in eachother's quarters, why don't you go fetch it and bring it to the Lab ? We could study it there just fine. Has it been carbon-dated yet ?"
The fact that Temperance kept it in her room, told David it probably had a personal meaning for her. Else she would have endeavoured to find a place for it in the artefact room.

Temperance was polishing off the last of her coffee when David reminded her not-so-subtly of the regulations about being in others‘ rooms. She nearly choked. She‘d long ago gotten into the habit of conducting research in her quarters, as part of her avoidance of all superfluous social interaction. Temperance’s cheeks pinkened. Making silly mistakes embarrassed her. Although she‘d meant to explain that she needed to go fetch the artifact, not that he should accompany her to her room, Temperance found her communication error somewhat distressing.

She coughed a couple times over the now empty coffee cup and cleared her throat. “Yes, of course,” she finally managed to croak. “I’ll get it.” Then in response to his second question she added a with a little more calm, “It was dated back on Earth, though I can‘t remember exactly what the numbers looked like. It was sort of a late night.” she told him. “It’ll be in the file though.”