Gemini Syndrome -Chapter 1
Hey, all! Thanks so much for clicking to read this far. Not really sure where this is going yet. I read a lot of Mass Effect fanfiction, but I've never written any, so any constructive remarks are much appreciated!
"Flux, really Shepherd?" I rolled my eyes up in my head as I gently pulled on the skin underneath my eye and put the kohl liner to my waterline. "You've been here two days. TWO days!"
Oh great. Here we go. The kohl slid smoothly against the sensitive skin of my waterline. I made two passes before releasing hold of my under eye and repeating on the other side. "I've given you forty eight hours of peace, Des. Now it's time for some fun—you know, that thing you like to avoid?"
The springs of my childhood friend's bunk squeaked as she flopped down to my left. I could tell from the heat rolling off of her that I'd hit a nerve. "Fuck you, Shepherd." Yup, I was right. I checked out my makeup in the mirror. I never got much of a chance to wear makeup the way I wanted when I was still with my parents. My mother didn't think the way I chose to wear it was becoming for a Captain's daughter. Too "gothic" my ass.
I thought it looked amazing on me. A black smoky eye, blended out perfectly into the pale peach of my skin, and a dark blue lip. I loved playing with contrast with my pallor vs my color palette for my makeup choices. Even with not being able to wear it around the Alliance dreadnought Fuji, I would practice every weekend and make sure I had it down, because one day—I knew I'd get off that ship.
A timid hand on my shoulder brought my attention to my left. Desi Hyre, my best friend since we were five, was silently pleading with me to not to hit up the new nightclub that had just opened on the Citadel. Her bright green eyes were glassy, like she was fighting back tears, and her wet burgundy hair hung about her face in thick strands. "Look dude, I know you're itching for some fun—I know your mom kept you on a tight leash and all, but going to a high profile night club on your second night staying here, the night before school—is NOT a good idea."
"Why not?" I stood and made my way across the small room to the floor length mirror on the opposite wall. I began the long process of detangling my long shoulder blade-length hair. It had finally dried, but I'd forgotten to take a comb to it before starting my makeup, and picking out an outfit for my then undiscovered plans for the evening. "Captain-Mom, and dad are out of the system, and your mom is super trusting. It's kind of cute. I'll just say I met some kids from the Academy and I'm trying to make friends."
"I don't want to lie to my mom, Amelia," Des' voice cracked. I could tell this was really upsetting her. I was kept on a short leash because of my mother's assignments, but Des kept herself on that leash so she wouldn't have any black marks when trying to get into medical school.
"Then I'll do it, we already know I have no conscience," I laughed.
"But what if we come home smelling like…like…booze n' shit," Her hands fluttered in the air as she tried to find her wording.
Always flapping about like a mother hen when you're worried, eh, Des?
"Ew," I wrinkled my nose in the mirror and and quirked a brow at her, "why would we smell like shit?"
"You know what I mean, Amelia!" Desi groaned and got up to pace the small space. "I know my mom is more relaxed than yours, but that's because she trusts me! If it was an underage night maybe I'd be okay with it, but I'm….I'm not going."
I spun slowly and tilted my head as I regarded Desi with a mixture of pride and annoyance. On one hand she was sticking up for herself which had always been something she was usually too scared to to, but on the other-I wasn't looking forward to going out by myself and dancing alone. "So you're making your last stand over a club, where I know a guy who can get us in, and get us drinks without worrying about being carded, or anything? Do you really think we'd be the only ones in there under aged?"
"…How?" Her wet russet hair slapped lightly against her bare face. "Of course you know a guy. Wow you work fast."
"It's a gift," A small smile crept slowly across my face. My feet plinked across the hardwood as I made my way over to my friend. My knees sunk into the soft shag rug by the side of her bed. "It's our last year before I get sucked back into the Alliance and you go to Med. School. I want to make the most of it, is that so wrong?"
The mint of Desi's toothpaste blew gently against my face as she sighed at me. "But the way you're going, Amelia—we'll be grounded for all of it…I'm just not comfortable with it. I'm tired after all that shopping today, and I just…I'm not into it."
Dancing alone it is.
"Oh Des," The soft material of her night shirt pressed against my chest as I hugged her. "I won't make you go—but I hope you won't get super pissy if I do. I promise I won't always do this, but I really want to go experience shit, you know?"
"I won't be mad, but I'm not lying to my mom for you." Desi smiled at me as she pulled away, "just be safe, dude." Her hands waved me off back to the mirror to finish getting ready.
I headed back to the mirror and looked myself over. Earlier in the day we had headed out shopping for school clothes. I had spent most of my time in a shop that specializes in old Earth fashions. I had chosen a white lace trimmed tank top, dark wash skinny jeans, and some loose ankle boots for my outfit for tonight. Old Earth fashions were making a comeback recently. Youthful, but doesn't scream "teenager".
Now for the final touch.
Once my parents had agreed to let me stay with Desi and her mom for the year to get a real "high school experience" and the reality of time away had set in, dad had wanted to get me something so I would always feel close to them. I reached out and grabbed a small white box on the shelf next to the door. I opened it and stared at my new prized possession.
In the box was a sixteen inch sterling silver curb chain with a circular locket on it. The locket itself had our family crest etched into it, and once opened had a picture of mom on one side and dad on the other. It's normal for a teenager to complain about her parents but no matter how much things may have sucked living trapped by my mother's position-I love her and my father.
The clasp clicked softly as it closed around the latch. The necklace had a lovely weight to it, and the pendant rested comfortably between my clavicles. Lookin' good, Shepherd, my midnight blue lips stretched into a wide smile. I spun to show off my outfit to Desi.
"Black bra under a white shirt? Slut." Desi laughed, a tinkling soft sound that was very similar to my mother's, though my mother wouldn't have laughed-she would have made me change.
"Oi, I ran out of creds for clothes, okay? I didn't really think through the 'need bras of multiple colors', thing." I joined in on her giggle fit for a moment before the door 'whooshed' open. I reached down to grab my dark blue leather moto jacket that I grabbed earlier in the say as well.
"What's so funny this late at night," Leah, Desi's mother's bemusement rang sharply in her voice.
Crap, I grimaced as I pulled on the jacket. Desi's expression said it all-her mother had just walked in, and was none the wiser, and she already seemed ready to crack.
"Nothing," I turned to face Leah with a grin plastered to my face, "Des was just complimenting my outfit-got a bit giggily."
"Ahhh," Leah's arms folded under her bosom as she looked between myself and her daughter. "So is one of you over dressed, or under dressed?"
"I'm headed out-met some kids from the Academy while shopping today, and I wanted to get a head start on making friends," I reached over to the vanity and grabbed my credit chit and tucked it safely into my front left pocket along with my lipstick. "Des is super tired so she decided to stay home. I won't be out too late."
Leah's worn eyes looked between myself and her daughter, a few times. I kept my eyes on Des's mom, trying to keep up the 'everything's okay' facade-I wanted to keep my promise to Des so she didn't have to lie to her mom. After a moment Leah's eyes settled back on me and she smiled.
"I'm glad you're making friends already, Amelia. Just don't come back in the early hours of the morning, got it? You both have school tomorrow."
Score.
"Got it, Mrs. Hyre."
I looked back at Desi and grinned, giving her the 'all okay'. "See ya later, girlie. I'll be quiet when I come back in."
"Okay, Amelia. Like I said, be safe."
"You worry too much, Des." Leah's expectant stare met me when I turned back around. "Thanks, Mrs. Hyre." She nodded in response and stepped to the side so I could make it out of the door. I walked down the hall and through the living room, past the Hyre's nice comfy furniture and out into the neon of the Upper Wards.
The line to get into Flux was at least fifty deep by the time I got there. It was still early, only about eight o'clock, but it seemed like everyone had the same idea I did—Turians, Salarians, Asari, Vorcha, Volus, Quarian and Human, all co-mixed in a giant line that spread out down and past the shops.
Aaryx, my contact I had met yesterday waved at me as I headed by toward the back of the line. He was cute—shaggy brown hair, and caramel eyes and super jacked. No wonder he was a bouncer. Homeboy probably thinks he's getting some for getting me in, the right corner of my mouth turned up into a smirk as I headed past a group of giggling Quarians.
That would probably change when he realized that not only was I underage—but I was jailbait.
I finally got to the end of the line—right in front of Armax Arsenal sign for their new arena. The sign flashed that it was opening in early 2172. Glorified laser tag is what that is, I rolled my eyes, and turned to face the front of the line.
As I turned a large group of Turians in full armor walked off from the right and right up to Aaryx. They spoke for a moment, and I could see Aaryx's face get a bit red. The Turian put a clawed hand on Aaryx's shoulder and patted it before heading past him with the others into Flux.
A chorus of 'awwwwww's and 'what the fuck's rippled down the line as the turians entered the club. The line was moving quickly, but it still held everyone up to have 10 turians hop the line.
I guess you get some small perks when you give your life to your government, I rolled my eyes and checked my pocket to make sure my credit chit was still there. That's where you'll be in one year, girl. I sighed as I fiddled with the chit in my pocket.
It's not that I look down on the Alliance or anything-they have done great by my mother. She has put in the work and finally moved up the ranks to Captain the dreadnought Fuji. My father having been retired a few years now due to an injury is more than happy to be the happy husband and live on the dreadnought. I however have always wanted to get away from the Alliance for a while and be allowed to be my own person without having to worry about making my mother look bad.
Though outwardly I give the Alliance a lot of shit for being stodgy and uptight, secretly I'm pretty excited for my exam next year. I have been taught from a young age everything I would need to know to get whatever MOS I want. I want to go to the ICT program and eventually earn my N7 rank. I'm too much like my father-athletic, smart mouthed and crass to do what my mom does. As my father says, 'You and me kid-people like us are built to be in the shit.'
A throat clearing from behind me snapped me out of my reverie. I turned and nodded up at the mildly annoyed Quarian male behind me and shuffled forward. The line was moving quicker now-I guess Aaryx wanted to quiet down the dissention in the line after what the squad of Turians pulled. After just a couple moments, the Salarian in front of me walked into Flux and I became first in line.
I looked up at Aaryx's face, and gave him a small smile. "Hey there, darlin'," his face lit up at the affectionate term. "You always this busy?" The corner of his eyes crinkled above his smile, he reached out and put a hand on my arm.
"Not for too much longer. Only got a couple more hours until my shift is over—after that, wanna grab a drink?" His voice wasn't as deep as I remembered from the day before, but it still had a decent weight to it. As creepy as it is there is something to be said about that old Earth theory that men look for partners with similar characteristics to their mothers, and women look for men who remind them about their fathers. Not to say I'm looking for a clone of my father—but I guess growing up a military brat and seeing the duality of badass soldiers going out and kicking ass, then coming home and melting at the sight of their loved ones does something to me that I just can't explain. There's just something about a deep bass voice whispering how much they missed you that just does it for me.
"Sure thing," I stepped up as he unhooked the velvet rope and gave him a wink as the doors to Flux opened.
"Good-I'll tell Bannaria to look out for you-she's the bartender, she'll take care of you." The genuine concern in his voice would have been more concerning if the blast of cold air from inside hadn't caught me off guard first.
The music inside was just quiet enough to not be deafening. It was contemporary and pounding-it had a good beat to it. Definitely good for dancing. The lights were all tinged green and blue, which made both my jacket and the Asari twirling about seem all the more vibrant.
No better time than now for a drink, I grinned and headed for the bar. The bar area was crowded with all species jockeying for the bartender's attention. There had been some education on other species while in Alliance schooling-differences in gender, culture, and natural ways of communication as to not offend when you inevitably would have to deal with non-humans.
From the smaller chitnous plates and the lack of fringe on the back of the head, I could tell that Bannaria the bartender was female. She was just as tall as the pack of Turian soldiers skulking at a table near the perimeter of the bar, but thinner and more...soft in comparison?
I maneuvered my way between a Volus and an Asari and rested a hand on the edge of the overhang of the bar, and waited my turn. Bannaria was in the middle of pouring some dextro shots-ten of them. I watched as her claw tipped fingers spun the bottle between shots-making a show out of the monotonous task.
"Be with you in a minute, hun," my gaze snapped upward and I locked sight with her piercing yellow eyes. I nodded and shot her a smile, hoping to not offend by using a human custom and hopped up onto the stool next to where I stood.
"Take your time-I'll be here," I yelled over the music. She thrummed what I assumed was a laugh and spun the bottle back into its place behind the bar.
"Are you-hsssst-almost-hsssst-done?" I looked down to my right and right in front of Bannaria, right at an irate Volus. The squat creature turned to look at me and waved its hand dismissively before going back to Bannaria. "I've been waiting-hssst-longer than she has-hssst."
"Alright, alright, don't puncture your suit, just let me run this real quick," Bannaria looked around for a server that obviously wasn't where they should be and shook her head.
"I'll do it," I hopped off my stool and maneuvered carefully around the Volus. "Aaryx said you'd look after me-might as well return the favor, right? It's just going over to those guys right?" I jerked a thumb behind me at the Turian soldiers.
"Oh you're Ryx's girl," Bannaria nodded, and then looked down at the Volus and her pupils dilated a bit as she went a bit rigid. "I'll make you something nice to return the favor. It'll be ready once I'm done with him."
The tray of shots was wide and well balanced as soon as the female Turian had it placed onto my open palm. Her mandibles flared a bit in what I could only assume was a smile and I spun in place and headed over to the group of boisterous soldiers.
As I got closer I heard what brought me immediately back to when my dad and his old squad mates would get together: war stories. The beats of suspense-the interjections of 'no this is how it really happened', the pats on the back and the deep rumbles of laughter.
I approached the table in the middle of one of those thunderous group laughs. I stepped up between two of the Turians-one in black and red armor and another with true blue plates. The laughter stopped as I leaned down and carefully set the tray on the center of the table before carefully moving the shots in front of their prospective drinkers.
"I thought we were going to get the good looking one," the one in red groused. "I was hoping for a little action!"
Oh really? This shit? Getting the stink eye from Turians was still fairly common from what I'd seen when I had been with my parents on shore leave in the past. The First Contact war was long gone but not forgotten. Some people, on either side, couldn't or in some cases wouldn't let shit go. I side eyed the Turian next to me and quirked a brow. "Random question, soldier?"
The throaty grumble from the one in red made my ribcage vibrate. "What is it, human?"
"How tall are you?" After placing the last shot in front of him I stood and looked down at him while I waited for my answer while giving the sweetest smile I could muster. No idea how to flirt with a Turian, but to drive the deception home—might as well make an attempt.
"Oh hey Pabus, you've got an admirer!"
"She's so fleshy, though-"
"-How would you even?"
The chorus of 'atta boy's continued for a few more moments. Eventually I rolled my eyes and motioned for the one they called Pabus to respond. Turian facial expressions were probably as much of a mystery to me, as my actions were to them, but I could tell by his eyes that he was thinking—and I hoped to god it wasn't what I looked like naked.
"About six-foot-three?" The answer came out more as a question.
"Wow," his mandibles flared for a moment, and his chest jutted forward a bit, the others murmured as they waited for the conversation to continue.
"Why's that human? Looking for something a little different? Can't say I won't try anything once!" The others guffawed, all except for the one in blue-he seemed like he was waiting for something.
"Not really soldier," I smirked, "just didn't know you could stack shit that high." I made a show of giving him my best salute before walking back to the bar. The table behind me was dead silent save for one cackling laughter. I glanced over my shoulder to see nine pairs of piercing eyes all watching me. The last pair, belonging to the Turian in blue were closed in the throes of the deepest belly laugh I've ever seen or heard a turian make.
I was back to the bar as quick as I could without showing or feeling like I was running away, Bannaria tilted her head at me as I hopped back up and settled into my previously vacated stool and maneuvered the tray onto the bar top. The lights pulsed and the music throbbed and all I could think of was that I might have just started an inter-species incident.
"Problem, little one?" She set a glass in front of me—it looked to be about eight ounces of a blue green concoction. She hunched down to scrutinize my expression, before peering over me at the table of Turians.
Possibly…probably…fuck, Shepherd, what did you do? "Nope—nothing I can't handle." I grinned and took a sip of my drink. It was sweet—with the burning alcohol taste you can never quite get rid of. It was glorious. I felt bad lying to her—but I didn't know her or how her feelings on humans were outside her job. I just insulted a Turian soldier. Knowing that Turian's worth is based on what they do for their species makes him pretty damned important.
"If you're sure. Those types can be trouble. Fuckin' boys club—sure they let females in, but if you don't assimilate you're lesser," Bannaria groused. Oh thank god.
"One of them was a bit bitter you didn't come over so he could hit on you—that's all. I'm not his type I guess," my shoulders rose and fell into an exaggerated shrug. "I ended up making him look like an ass."
Bannaria laughed loudly and clasped her talloned hands together in front of her. "Oh you're alright, little one. Thanks for making my night." A pause in the laughter made me look up from my blue-green haven. The female Turian had her head tilted as she looked over my shoulder. "He does look good in that uniform, though," she sighed.
"Then go say 'hi'," I grinned. "And tell him I sent you so he doesn't think I'm the world's biggest asshole?" Bannaria looked across the bar, and then across the bar top. Most of the humans and aliens waiting for drinks had been served and had all gone off to dance. She nodded and her mandibles flared a bit.
"You got this, Bannaria—"
"You've earned the privilege of calling me Nari," her multi toned voice wrapped around me as she passed and rested a hand on my shoulder. The points of her talons poked gently into my jacket as she gave my shoulder a squeeze.
"Sweet, Nari. Now quit stalling." I tilted my head back and slammed the rest of my drink. "Don't think too much, I know I won't be."