fateandfortune | Just two vampires, traveling the galaxy... [For Todd the Wraith]

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Just two vampires, traveling the galaxy... [For Todd the Wraith]

[continued from here]

It was a pleasant surprise to glance over and see Todd asleep on the bed, relaxed and peaceful. He can't have gotten much quality rest the night before propped up in the chair as he had been, certainly not when he'd been woken by her nightmare. She hoped that didn't happen again tonight, he had important things to take care of tomorrow; she didn't know all of the details, but with a civil war going on between his people, he needed his wits about him.

To that end, Rogue forced herself to stay awake for hours into the night, eating the dinner he'd brought for her and looking through one of the books from the collection he'd shown her before their sparring session. She didn't recognize anything on the pages, but it gave her a topic for conversation with the voices in her head, providing ample entertainment to pass the time. Eventually she fell asleep herself, the book held carefully to her chest as she curled up in the armchair, her boots set on the floor beside it. It was a fairly deep sleep, and she didn't dream for one of the first times in many weeks, something she was eternally grateful for when she awoke.

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Rogue took her time finishing up, enjoying the moment of solitude without letting it stretch on for too long. By the time she'd climbed out of the bath, the ache was completely gone from her knee and she could walk without difficulty - that salve was incredible, plain and simple.

She dressed in the cotton outfit and the pants portion of her uniform, but left off the jacket; she'd be more comfortable without it in the kitchen, and the long sleeves offered plenty of protection for his men. Her wet hair was pulled back into a loose French braid, the white streaks being pulled into the center from the sides. Practical, comfortable.

Leaving the bathroom, she set her jacket in the desk chair before turning to Todd. "Do you and your crew know what to do if someone is choking on their food?" she asked, the question having occurred to her while she was getting ready. Perhaps they might have learned in their childhood, but even if that were the case, how many of them remembered or could put the knowledge to practical use?

While waiting, he'd re-knotted and braided his impossible hair exactly as before.

When she came back into the bedroom he got up and stood by the door, waiting for her to put her hair up and the like when she posed the question.

And eh had to think on it.

"We don't" he answered. "What do you do?" he asked

"There are a few methods, depending on the severity of the situation," she explained. "When someone's choking, food is lodged in the airway, and sometimes simply slapping them on the back with a good amount of force is enough to loosen the obstruction and induce a cough to expel it." The walking medical textbooks in her head were preening as they fed her the terminology to explain, though she tossed aside the more complex words for her own sake.

"Other times, pressure needs to be applied here," she set a hand on her abdomen, between her navel and ribcage, "pushing up under the ribs. It has the same end result, but requires more accuracy."

Todd listened to the short safety tip on how to eat real food.

Course, eating humans could be dangerous too, but not quite like this, and he thanked her with a nod and a chuff before they headed down to the kitchens.

As Rogue contemplated in the pantry, the commander told the others this potentially life-saving tip.

Today, those that had not gotten the chance to learn from Rogue, switched with those that had the day before. Todd remained, though quickly became an extra wheel when all the chopping and measuring duties had been assigned, so he stood out of the way, but near enough to listen and watch as she worked.

Rogue taught this group the same basic methods as those from the night before, making sure each grasped the overall concepts as well as a particular skill. The main dish that night was a stew containing all the same ingredients as the meal from last night but with different spices. She wanted to impress upon her 'students' that they could manage quite a lot with what they had on hand if they just used a little creativity.

Finally the stew was left to boil and she moved them on to dessert. Heating the oven was an interesting experiment, trying a mid-range heat setting and then adjusting it when it wasn't quite what she wanted. She had them wash and core a pile of apples that were set in a baking dish and filled with a mixture of butter, cinnamon, and something vaguely similar to brown sugar. With a thin layer of water at the bottom of the pan, they were set in the oven and left to bake while the stew was ladled into bowls and handed out. Again, Rogue stayed in the kitchen, content to eat at the island as before.

She was a good teacher. Like before, the underlings obeyed Rogue and only questioned when necessary. They weren't quite sure what was going on the with apples but did as they were told, enjoying the stew at the table while the commander and the head chef enjoyed their meal at the island.

"Creativity is something Wraith will have to work on now that our meals are not ready to eat." he said. "We have very little in our culture and imagination that doesn't revolve around feeding on humans in some aspect." he admitted.

Edited 2015-11-29 07:55 (UTC)

"That's understandable," she commented with a slight nod. "It's been your way of life for a very long time, and change like this doesn't just happen overnight. But I'll do what I can to help while I'm here."

For however long that was. She enjoyed teaching them, enjoyed the actual act of cooking, and it was comforting to know that she was helping to make a difference in the quality of their lives. It was only a small difference in the grand scheme of things, of course, but it still meant something to her.

He chuckled, "A lot of what we do these days has not or never been our way of life"

Not just associating with non-worshiper humans, but gathering together regularly to discuss the state of things with fellow commanders and queens. Not to mention, considering Alantis as an ally and not as the great enemy.

After eating, those that had not helped cook helped with the clean up while whatever was happening with the apples continued.

As the cleanup was finishing, Rogue carefully removed the apples from the oven, the delicate scent of the baked fruit and cinnamon filling the room. Each apple was set onto a small plate with a fork, and the first was presented to Todd.

"This is my way of saying thank you," she explained as she passed out the rest, "for being quick and helpful learners." And now they would find out if Wraith liked sweet things, as a culture and as individuals. She was intrigued to see the results of the little culinary experiment.

Todd blinked a little confused. A meal after a meal? Well, thanks to the large party, seconds had not been allowed, so this second meal might tide him over longer.

Not above trying new things, the commander was the first to have a forkful.

It was very different than what they'd just finished. An entire different palette of flavors. The only dessert he'd been able to try was on Atlantis and it was jell-o. It'd been too much for him, but McKay had been only too happy to finish it for him.

This however was not overly sweet and the tartness of the apple balanced it out. Some of the group liked it more than others but the general consensus was that it was good.

It was a relief that they liked it at all. Most adults Rogue knew who had not grown up with sweets in their diet didn't care for them at all, which was why she'd chosen to try something that was more naturally sweet than anything. There were other fruits in the pantry that they could experiment with in the coming days, as well as the cheeses. It was another way to demonstrate creativity and improvisation.

Rogue, on the other hand, adored sweet things, especially chocolate. Smooth milk chocolate was definitely one of the things she missed most about life before the war. Finding an intact Hershey bar these days had become as likely as the Sentinels bringing them flowers, everything had been so picked over. It was more than a little depressing.

She finished the last of the cleanup once everyone was done and put away the final plates and utensils, then turned to her escprt with a small smile.

The underlings all thanked her again with a respectful nod before going their separate ways and Todd led the way back to his chambers.

Again, the idea of offering the position of cook on board came up in his mind but he pushed it away. After they reached Atlantis, that was best.

He took his chair tonight again, not tired for once, so he stayed up to read, adn also write out the Lantean translation key for her.

The days developed a pattern during their trip to Atlantis. Sparring happened regularly, and reading now that Rogue could stumble her way through Wraith and Lantean texts. She cooked every evening, teaching new skills to Todd's crew and himself. It wasn't the most eventful life, but after years of war, she was pretty okay with that.

As they drew closer to arriving at Atlantis, though, Rogue became increasingly nervous, all too aware of how much of her future depended on the people there and what they would think of her. More of her daily time was devoted to meditation to keep herself and the hitchhikers calm, and the day before the arrival she found herself able to do little else, even sleep. And the day of? She was certain her heart was going to leap out of her chest from the way it was racing.

The Wraith were quick learners and soon Rogue didn't even have to lift a finger during dinner time. Which was good because by now all fifteen inoculated Wraith turned up every night. The daily large scale feedings, even if it was only once a day, decimated the pantry pretty good, so it was good they dropped out of hyperspace near Atlantis when they did.

Todd got a message from his second and he had Rogue follow him to the bridge, the first time she'd been allowed up there. There were only two other wraith on the bridge, Kenny and one of the other inoculated ones, not many were needed to fly the hive when not in battle.

The wall in front of the bulbous podium that was the helm came to life when Todd gave the word to contact Atlantis. And they answered. A man with messy black hair came on screen, standing next to a nearly bald man with glasses.

"Hello John Sheppard, and Mister Woolsey, still in charge of Atlantis I see." Todd said.

"Todd. Keeping her afloat." Sheppard answered with a lopsided grin smile.

"You're two days later than expected." Woolsey said, a stickler for things being neat and on time.

"Negotiations with the third hive went slow then sour." Todd answered "I'll have the full details, good and bad, for you when we talk face to face."

"Sounds like a date." Sheppard said then left the screen to go talk to someone out of sight.

"Speaking of...dates...who's the girl?" Woolsey asked

"Come now Mister Woolsey, I thought you were better than that." Todd tsked.

Woolsey pulled a face then sighed and turned his eyes on Rogue. "I'm sorry, who are you?" Considering the only humans found on hive ships were worshipers or happy meals with legs, it was very strange to see Rogue standing beside a wraith. Even if it was Todd.

Rogue had to remind herself to stay calm, breathe, and not panic. She would be fine, it was pointless to freak out before anything had been decided. But as often as she went through that silent mantra and had it echoed by her knights, she still felt like she was near to shaking like a leaf from nerves.

And then they were on the bridge and there was John Sheppard on the screen. She liked the look of him, with his messy hair and a smile that she was sure could turn mischievous or sardonic at the drop of a hat. Someone who could be trusted.

The same could not be said for this Woolsey fellow. He reminded her of the politicians who had sat on their pedestals and signed off on the legislation that had ended her world, not even giving a moment's pause to consider who they were sentencing to death and imprisonment. But she had faced those politicians, she had faced the President of the United States, and she still just as tall now as she had then, despite the fear gripping her chest.

"My name is Marie D'Ancanto," she began, having debated for many hours over how to introduce herself when the occasion presented itself. "I'm from Earth in the year 2015, but Earth in another, parallel dimension. I came through a portal shortly after the aforementioned negotiations ended badly, and the Commander has been kind enough to offer me safe passage on his ship in the hopes that Atlantis might be willing to help me."

Any mention of her mutation was going to be kept for another encounter, she'd decided. Best to take this in stages, see first if they'd even consider aiding a human who had traveled with Wraith before stacking the deck against her.

Woolsey was surprised by this answer, clearly expecting some other sort, but before he could reply, another man came into view.

"W-Wait did I just hear you came from earth in a parallel dimension?"

"Doctor McKay" the commander acknowledged, both for Rogue's information and just to be polite.

"Hey Todd" he answered but seemed far more interested in Rogue's sudden appearance in this dimension and was about to question her further when Woolsey stepped up again.

"Are you here to deliver a warning or here on accident?"

Clearly this was not the first time that they'd encountered people from other dimensions.

So this was Doctor McKay. Rogue had asked Todd about Sheppard's team during their journey, since he had so much experience with them. His description of McKay had been... accurate, to say the least.

"A warning?" Rogue repeated, then shook her head. "No, I'm not here intentionally. None of this," she gestured broadly, "exists in my dimension. Not that we've discovered anyway."

At least they didn't seem too phased by the whole parallel universe thing. Just another day of weirdness at the office. But she really was not liking this Woolsey guy at all.

"I see." Woolsey answered, he sounded skeptical but then Sheppard reappeared.

"Happy to have you." he said with a smile before looking to Todd. "Doctor Keller said she wants to give each of those inoculated a physical. Come on down, just in time for dinner." he said.

Todd chuckled, "Good, we'll be there soon" and then nodded before the feed cut out. He looked to Rogue. "What do you think?" he asked before beginning to lead the way off the bridge.

"Well, I think Woolsey is a pompous asshole, and he's said all of what, twenty words so far?" she commented as they walked. "Great first impression. I like what I've seen of Sheppard, though. I can see why he's the one you've worked with all this time."

She didn't know what to think of McKay just yet. It would depend on exactly how he reacted to the rest of her story, she supposed, though that could be said for everyone.

Woolsey gave her the most cause for genuine concern. She just hoped it turned out to be unfounded.

"He's harmless, used to be far worse" Todd assured her with a chuckle. "Also doesn't help I threatened to feed upon him once" he added. "You have to remember that the only humans they've seen on a hive ship are worshipers and those we culled to feed upon, I believe you threw them for a loop as the saying goes."

They arrived in the ship's bay and the scout ship, or one like it, sat waiting for them to board, the other Wraith that had been inoculated had already been informed and were hurrying along.

Rogue grinned at the anecdote of the threat against Woolsey. She could imagine just how amusing that must have been, for Todd anyway.

"I tend to have that effect on most people," she agreed with a smirk. "You certainly weren't immune to it, Commander," she teased gently, toning down her usual humor since the other Wraith were around. "I'm not sure you knew quite what to do with me when we started this adventure."

"Course I didn't" he said as they sat down, quickly joined by three others. "You were a strange human with an ability close to that of Wraith. If my curiosity didn't get the better of me of who, what, where and so on about you, I would have considered you a threat and killed you." he replied honestly. So in this case, curiosity saved the cat as it were.

Soon enough the rest of the inoculated wraith boarded the scout ship. It wasn't really meant to carry so many at once, more as just an upgrade for ambassadors from the dart ships, but it would do fine.

Once all were on board, the bay was sealed and the ship left, headed down for Atlantis.

Todd stood up and moved to the front of the group. "Everyone be on their best behavior and stick together like before. Wanderers will not be tolerated. Remember, we're among allies." he said. "Betray that trust and you'll have me to answer to."

She was very glad that he had been so curious and decided to bring her along on his ship. Every day had been full of learning about each other, and she'd enjoyed it more than she would ever be able to express. That it might now be ending was... difficult to fully comprehend.

Rogue listened as Todd addressed his crew, watching his expression and stance, taking in the way he was with them. She'd meant every word of the praise she'd given him that night nearly two weeks earlier, he really was a great leader.

Taking a deep breath, she looked down at her gloved hands clasped tightly in her lap and concentrated on staying calm. She was an X-Man, this was cake compared to some of the things she'd faced. But that didn't really make her any less nervous.

He remained standing near the pilot-not a drone this time-as two small human ships escorted the scout one down to a pier. After they landed, the door opened and the smell of the ocean greeted them first. Todd was off the ship followed by Rogue and then the rest of the wraith.

Despite the squad of armed marines that came over to meet them, the pier gave everyone a first class look at Atlantis, sparkling in the afternoon sun.

"Major Lorne." Todd greeted.

"Afternoon Todd." the man greeted then looked to Rogue. "I'm told your name is Marie, pleasure to meet you." he nodded. "I trust I don't have to escort you." he said looking to the commander, "Colonel Sheppard and Woolsey are in the Gate Room, your fellow Wraith will be taken to the hospital to be looked over."

"Sounds good, I hope our invite to dinner stands" Todd answered, part serious, part playful.

"Don't know anything about that, you can ask the Colonel I suspect." Lorne answered and stepped aside.

Todd led Rogue to a set of doors on the pier. They stepped inside a closet-sized room, but when he touched the screen on the back wall, the doors closed, there was a rushing sound, and then they opened again.

But they were no longer on the pier. There were two marines here, but they stood down as Sheppard approached, followed by a guy as tall as Todd himself with long dark dreads and an air that plainly said he didn't much care for the Wraith's presence.

"Colonel." Todd nodded as they stepped out of the transporter, which closed behind them.

"Nice to see you in one piece." Sheppard said then looked to Rogue, holding out his hand. "Colonel John Sheppard."

Nothing could have prepared Rogue for the epic beauty of Atlantis. It was completely unlike anything she'd ever seen before, simplistic and intricate at the same time, bright and colorful where the Hive ship had been full of shadows. The weeks upon the ship made it so she actually squinted at the sun and was a little relieved when they moved inside.

The transporter technology was a fascinating surprise, and actually reminded her a little of the mansion. And then their hosts arrived and it was game time.

Putting on her most charming, slightly flirtatious smile, Rogue set her gloved hand in Sheppard's. "Marie D'Ancanto," she said, letting her signature southern accent flow a bit more than usual into her words. "But people usually call me Rogue."

Sheppard raised an eyebrow at that, but didn't question it. Must be the years of running around Pegasus. "Well, Rogue, it's nice to meet you."

"And you too, Colonel Sheppard. I've heard quite a bit about you." She smirked mischievously and added, "Mostly good things, I promise." When in doubt, southern charm and flirting were her go-to mode, and it hadn't failed her yet.

Turning to address the tall, dark, and unhappy-to-see-them man beside Sheppard, she held out her hand to him as well. "And you must be Ronon." The man in question looked at her outstretched hand in suspicion, but finally returned the gesture, if a little too firmly. Clearly he wasn't too happy to see Wraith and her by association.

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time jump?

Re: time jump?

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you're more than welcome to play people C:

I've been marathoning S5 in prep for this! :D