Nocturne, by Purpleshrub (G)

[figs_sg1_rec]

Rec Category: Teal'c and Daniel friendship

Pairing: none
Categories: Teal'c and Daniel friendship, Teal'c, Daniel Jackson, gen, character study
Warnings: none
Author on LJ: purpleshrub
Author's Website: Purpleshrub at StargateFan
Link: Nocturne 

Why This Must Be Read: This lovely little story is told entirely from Teal'c's POV. It begins with his first weeks with the SGC, when he is still unsure of his position with the Tau'ri in general and Daniel Jackson in particular. When Daniel takes the initiative and invites Teal'c to spend some time off-base, we get to see Teal'c's introduction to real steak instead of the stuff in the commissary, Daniel's game of "The Jackal and the Hound" – and the piano, something vastly different from the horns and drums he knew on Chulak. 

From that first introduction to the music of Earth, Purpleshrub weaves a bittersweet thread throughout the years, shifting from that tentative first foray into friendship to a point six years down the line – when Daniel is gone – and then, again, a year later, when Daniel has returned from Omaland and learned about the "angel of music" that haunts the late shift at the SGC.

Low-key but intense, this sweet story offers us a side of Teal'c – and his friendship with Daniel – that is quiet but very real.

Moving on, Teal'c finally stopped before an unfamiliar wooden object. Daniel anticipated his question. "This is a musical instrument, Teal'c. It's called a piano." Daniel gently lifted the cover like it was made of glass, exposing the row of black and white keys. He explained, "By pressing the key you cause a small, felt-covered hammer to strike a steel wire string. That produces the sound." He briefly lifted the top of the piano to let Teal'c see the strings. "Although there have been a number of similar instruments, the precise instrument we have today was invented between two and three hundred years ago." Leaning slightly towards the piano, he played a short scale.

It was unlike anything Teal'c had heard before. Daniel was looking at him; somehow Teal'c found his voice. "The Goa'uld have nothing like this."

Daniel tilted his head slightly as he thought, then said, "I didn't notice any complex instruments on Chulak; I think I saw horns and reeds—those are instruments you blow air through—and some drums of one sort or another." A smile crossed his face. "I'll play some Brahms while we eat. The tone will be quite new for you . . . I think you'll like it." He moved away from the piano, and Teal'c reluctantly followed.

The weekend wasn't as difficult as Teal'c had feared, mostly because to Daniel, teaching and explaining came as naturally as breathing. As they drove around the city, Daniel lectured on American history, the frontier and the development of cities. As they shopped, he explained how different objects were made or came to be used. As they ate, he talked about how eating habits differed between various cultures and religions. Teal'c began to believe there was no subject Daniel was unfamiliar with.

Teal'c began teaching Daniel the subtleties of spoken Goa'uld and the written aspect of the language. Daniel started teaching him written English. They played a game of "The Jackal and the Hound." Daniel won, but just barely. He taught Teal'c chess. Teal'c liked "The Jackal and the Hound" better. Neither talked of the past or future. The past was a minefield, ready to go off in an instant if approached, and the future was too cloudy to provide much comfort yet.

On Sunday after lunch, Teal'c finally asked that which had hovered around the edges of his thoughts all weekend: "Daniel Jackson . . . may I see the "piano" again?"

Daniel blinked. "Of course."

Teal'c reverently lifted the cover from the keys and looked at them. He reached out and touched one, pressing it down so slowly and gently that no sound emerged. He touched it again, more forcefully, and almost jumped at the sudden sound.