Speaking of Vala (PG-13)

[fignewton]

Twelve prompted drabbles, twelve glimpses of Vala. The last of the Speaking of SG-1 series. Spoilers for Vala's arc in general and Memento Mori in particular. All gen, rated PG-13.

For lolmac: Looking in the mirror, post-Qetesh

After the Tok'ra rescued her, Vala avoided the sight of her own reflection. For too long, Qetesh had preened and admired her body in mirrors of gold and crystal. Vala was afraid of whom she might see looking back.

Months passed before she went down to the stream on a windless day and saw her blurred reflection mirrored in the calm water. For long moments, Vala just stared. Little ripples distorted her face, but there was nothing more than that.

Returning home, she walked straight over to the mirror for a long, hard look.

Tired, drawn, haunted... but unquestionably herself.


For princessofgeeks: Using Qetesh's memories

Vala hates the lingering stink of Qetesh's thoughts festering in her head. She feels dirty, unclean. There's no way to scrub the inside of her brain.

But the first time she picks up a Goa'uld device and it glows to life in her hand, she feels an odd spark of satisfaction. The same sensation warms her when a stray memory of something she'd done as Qetesh helps solve a challenging puzzle.

She cradles that feeling, savoring it, until she finally identifies it.

Ah. Revenge. Using Qetesh as the snake once used her.

Vala smiles. It's not much, but it'll do.


For campylobacter: Battle-seasoned warrior

Vala has battled all her life: scrabbling to survive, struggling to endure, fighting to keep going. Her weapons were many and varied. She used her wiles, her good looks, her wit, her skills. She employed a cunning tongue and clever hands with equally good results. She learned when to run and when to stand her ground.

The Tau'ri fought, too, but... differently. Not just their weaponry, but their methods. Strangest of all, they were not afraid to ask for help.

It felt odd to use trust as a weapon. But Vala could see that it was both weakness and strength.


For jagfanlj: What Vala likes about Earth

The Tau'ri, Vala considered, did a poor job of presenting themselves to the rest of the galaxy. Those shapeless uniforms, the ugly ships, the boxy weapons -- no wonder so many planets were convinced that the Tau'ri were a humorless, boring race.

When she first discovered the vibrancy and color of Earth outside the drab confines of the SGC, Vala was enchanted. So these people did have a lighter side, after all!

Vala loved the indulgence, the frivolous luxury, that so personified Earth. It was a sign of prosperity, yes -- but also of inner joy, a world free of the Goa'uld.


For sg1danny: Daniel's credit card

Vala didn't need to swipe Daniel's credit card. She'd been given a credit line of her own, and Teal'c had helpfully shown her the basics of internet shopping.

On the other hand...

She ran a thumb lovingly over the word platinum on Daniel's card. The Tau'ri seemed to think they were generous, but a girl wants more than needs.

Vala enjoyed keeping her skills well-honed. It wasn't as if Daniel ever bothered spending his money, anyway. And it would be positively therapeutic for him to have a reason to yell at her.

She logged onto Amazon and got started.


For thothmes: Sparkly things

Like most children, Vala was fond of sparkly things. Quality wasn't important, just glitter.

Qetesh was more discriminating. Gold and glitz mattered, but she sought the rare and expensive, gifted by adoring men that knelt at her feet. The more priceless the object, the more Qetesh craved it.

Vala expected, in the aftermath, to have a knee-jerk reaction against anything sparkly. She was surprised, but pleased, to realize that she still liked things that were shiny. Perhaps Qetesh hadn't robbed her of all joys, after all.

But she sticks to trinkets of little value. It feels safer that way.


For izhilzha: What Sam won't let Vala buy

"Vala, you can't. I mean, really."

"I don't see why not." Vala crossed her arms and pouted. "Cameron won't take me. I need to go with someone."

Sam was trying not to laugh. "Vala, they don't actually mean escort in quite the way you think they do."

Vala peered at the computer screen. "What do they mean, then?"

Sam clarified. Vala considered.

"Not seeing a downside here," she said finally, giving Sam an impish grin.

Sam snorted.

"But I'll drop the idea," Vala added, "on one condition."

"What?"

Vala's grin turned downright wicked. "Don't tell Daniel that you've already explained."


For holdouttrout: Vala's Very Bad Day

The Ba'al clone leered, keeping his gun casually aimed at his hostage. "Bad day, Qetesh darling?"

Vala hurled her hair dryer with precise accuracy. He cried out in pain and dropped the gun.

"Bad day, Ba'al?" Vala stalked forwards. "Bad day is getting implanted by a symbiote. Bad day is getting burned alive. Bad day is dealing with the Orici and her pet soldiers."

She reached out as he scrambled backwards, and struck him. Once, twice. Hard.

She glared down at the whimpering figure. "You? You're just a minor irritant, Ba'al. Be glad they wouldn't let me come in armed."


For sentientcitizen: Vala wishes she could've met...

Qetesh met Amaunet, once. The two Goa'uld exchanged cool gazes and polite speech, even as they carefully danced through nuanced subtleties in their efforts to best one another.

But that wasn't Vala meeting Sha're.

Vala wished she could've known her. It wasn't because of what Sha're meant to Daniel, although Vala suspected that she might understand him better if she'd had the chance to talk to his wife. No, Vala wanted to meet the woman who helped kill Ra, was taken as host, and actually frustrated her symbiote's intentions.

Sha're had suffered -- and triumphed. Vala would've liked to compare notes.


For hooloovoo_42: Customers at the diner

Val likes Sal and appreciates the waitress job. It feels different, but oddly satisfying.

Still amnesiac, she's more or less content to live in the here-and-now. Certain patrons of the diner leave her uneasy, though, because she doesn't understand her reactions to their appearances.

Blue-eyed men feel trustworthy, especially if they're wearing glasses. Large men with deep voices suggest amused friendship, as does every tall blonde she sees. A tall, graceful woman with dark hair stabs her with heartache.

Why?

With no memory, Val can't trust these mysterious, ingrained reactions. She's determined to stay on her guard.


For sid: Why Vala never cuts her hair

Vala can see why Sam prefers short hair. It's practical, efficient. And after a four-day mission tramping in the rain, it's a lot easier to shampoo out all the mud.

But Vala likes long hair for its versatility. Wear it up for elegance, loosely flowing to look coy and demure, pinned in cheerful pigtails to disarm. A twist of her hair, a shiny barrette or two, and she can project whatever characterization she wants to suggest.

Sam doesn't see the advantage of long hair, but Vala can use anything as a tool in a crisis. Hairstyles are no exception.


For sulien77: First girls' day out with Sam

Vala despaired of Sam, sometimes. Hiding that lovely figure and grace behind baggy uniforms...!

She grew suspicious when she noticed the sheen of clear nail polish on Sam's nails, the stylishness of her civilian attire. Investigating the contents of Sam's locker, Vala identified brands of gels and creams -- all of high quality and expensive.

Sam found her scowling at a particular bottle of shampoo, but only looked amused.

"You didn't tell me you knew about the good stuff!" Vala accused.

"You never asked." Sam grinned. "Let's get you a pass to go off base. I'll show you some real shopping."

Comments

[lokei]

These are brilliant. I particularly love the idea of Vala wanting to have met Sha're. That would have been amazing. The hair-dryer throwing was also a great image.

[fignewton]

Thank you! I would've really loved for Sha're and Vala to meet somehow. And the hair dryer, of course, is "homage" to The Quest. :)

[grammarwoman]

I love these! I felt cheated by the Vala we were shown sometimes as bordering on caricature. These are much richer pieces of her. *grin*

[fignewton]

Ha, YES. I like fandom Vala much, much more than I do canon Vala! Thank you so much. :)

[thothmes]

I'm finally getting around to catching up on all the things I missed while I was away for my son's college graduation.

I love these!

I read very little Vala fic, for various reasons. I really don't ship her and Daniel, so that cuts out a vast swath of them. So many of the rest are inclined to play up her comic and caricaturic value to the detriment of the tender soul that lives inside. Others make her too weak inside, too broken. Vala is strong, a survivor, but vulnerable because she did not start out strong, she learned to be that way because she had to be. I'm sure there is great Vala fic out there because there are some great writers out there, but I've been disappointed so often...

Your take on Vala honors all the aspects of her. She is strong, but vulnerable. She is the vivacious and determinedly light and cheerful outside Vala, and the sensitive and thoughtful inner Vala. She bounces around and stops to reflect.

I can usually pick one or two entries which especially stand out or capture the character best for me, but here I really can't choose.

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Edited to fix a spelling error that turned out to be correct as first posted. So basically, I just pulled it aside for a sec and added this note!

[fignewton]

Thank you for the lovely compliment. :)

The Vala you describe - the non-shippy, non-caricatured one - is the only Vala I really like. I find that I prefer the good fandom Vala (by good, I mean written well) to the canon one (who mostly gets on my nerves). I can't speak for the ship side of things, but there's a lot of good gen fandom Vala being written. And I'm honored that you'd include my version on that list.

[green_grrl]

I see all your readers are on the same Vala train as I am. This is a wonderful exploration of her character! Is it mean of me to love Vala's deal with Sam over the escort best? :D

[fignewton]

Thank you so much for finding these to be really Vala. As I said, I do prefer fandom Vala to canon Vala (how weird is that?)

And heh, yes, that one does seem to be rather popular. But it's so VALA that I couldn't resist it. :)