A high pitched cry echoes the lower wards of the Citadel, reaching people's ears as different words through translators, all with the same definition. Little tumbling footsteps run in tiny grey shoes as a red and black skirt dances with every footstep. A petite hand wipes tears away from soggy eyes. A slight hiccup leaves the child's lips. Her voice echoes once again.
"Momma!"
Shepard turns, the word sending shivers of sympathy down his spine as he turns away from his large friend as a Batarian tattoos his back. He dismisses himself with his namesake phrase, "I should go." He steps to the mainly empty space near the few bunks for the refugees of this terrible war. A small girl of pure white scales and red upper lip, teary eyes rimmed with a soft grey, the same color of the elastic skin at her throat. Her four fingered hand fearfully grips the hem of her light grey shirt.
"Momma!"
The little Drell girl runs around once again, looking at everyone she comes across. Her little black eyes frantically dash from face to face as she is presumably looking for her mother. Shepard approaches, causing the girl to look up at him with innocence as she takes a slight step backward. He kneels to her level and looks to her with eyes full of concern.
"Hello, what's your name?"
His voice is soft and comforting, full of compassion. The girl looks to her hands, rubbing the fabric in-between her fingers. Her eyes flick to him in a heartbreakingly adorable way.
"Avie."
"Are you lost Avie?"
Avie looks to her feet and nods, tears running down her cheeks. Shepard frowns at the little girl. She's most likely scared to death, being in such a strange place with such strange people.
"Come on. Let's look for your mother, okay?"
Avie looks up to Shepard as he stands. He offers her his hand, but she declines shyly. Shepard starts walking around the lower wards, the whimpering little girl close at his heels. They finally make it to the docks, to see a Drell the color of lavender close to tears as she rambles to a C-sec officer is seen. The C-sec officer obviously irritated as the woman continues to ramble.
Shepard stops at the sight of the Drell woman, Avie's steps hastening. The Avie dashes at top speed to the woman, her lips a large smile as she heads for the woman's leg. The woman turns and brightens immediately.
"Momma!"
"Avie baby!"
The woman collects the toddler in her arms, squeezing the girl tightly as tears cover her scaly cheeks. Avie hugs back happily, a light laugh emitting from her cute little vocal cords. Shepard smiles proudly at the scene. He turns back to the wards, his job done. If he had a say, this was his favorite assignment by far in this disastrous war.