Liara fought off an urge to rub the bridge of her nose as she looked at the selection in front of her. She'd very clearly asked for a modest and comfortable gown, because she didn't want to worry about spilling out of it the whole night. Not when she had to worry about making a good first impression on her future bondmate. That was all she wanted. Now she had three choices in front of her, none of them fitting her description, because apparently both her mother and Shiala decided that she couldn't be trusted with dressing herself for the ball.
She glanced at Shiala wearily, but her friend was completely unapologetic, judging by the smirk on her face.
"Try the blue one. That one was my idea."
Liara approached the first mannequin hesitantly, already knowing without a doubt that she wouldn't be caught dead in that particular dress. It was almost the exact shade of her skin - which she feared would make her look naked to the casual observer - but that wasn't the worst part. She shivered when she caught the plunging depth of the cleavage and the thin, almost nonexistent straps that threatened to slip off even on the motionless doll. I wouldn't be able to breathe properly without fear of exposing myself to the whole court.
Pretending to consider it as an option to avoid a discussion, she moved on to the next one and relaxed a little. The royal purple dress was obviously her mother's choice: strapless but supportive, the fine silk flowing elegantly to the floor. Liara bit her lip, her forehead creasing. Was it too much of an attention-grabber? She already felt under pressure; she didn't want to invite any more if she didn't need to.
Maybe she shouldn't have postponed this for so long. The ball was tomorrow and if the last dress wasn't…
Chewing her lower lip nervously, she moved to the last mannequin and then sighed in relief. Thank the Goddess. Shiala groaned and muttered something that sounded awfully like 'I knew it'. Liara ignored her. This one - if not what she would have chosen precisely - was still a step above the others. She quickly disrobed and tried it on, moving to stand in front of the full length mirror.
White and more conservative than others, the dress hugged her whole back and even rose to cover the back of her neck, which made Liara feel much less exposed, even with the square that opened in the front to hint at the curve of her breasts. That seemed to happen a lot with her dresses. What was it with their tailor and her obsession with breasts?
"Oh, wow." Shiala said, coming to peer over her shoulder. "Maybe that dress isn't the dullest thing I have ever seen."
Well, that was a backhanded compliment. "I'm not wearing the blue one, Shiala." She cut off, her tone grave.
"No, I'm serious. This one might just be perfect if the things I heard about humans these last couple of days were right. I've been doing research you know." She winked before pursing her lips thoughtfully. "White and virginal, which is apparently a must for their brides, but with your figure the contrast is devastating."
"What's wrong with my figure?"
"Nothing at all, and that's exactly my point." Shiala smirked. "I wouldn't be surprised if your Commander decides that she can't wait until the bonding and tries to join with you tomorrow night."
Liara stared wide-eyed, blush heating her cheeks.
"Shiala! That's - that's not going to happen." She smoothed out her dress with a nervous hand, taking another look at herself. The dress was indeed adequate and Liara thought it was somewhat flattering on her, but the mere idea that her future bondmate would find her so irresistible that she might try something genuinely romantic was…ludicrous. Yes, ludicrous. If a bit exciting, she allowed herself to think for a moment.
After all the idea of being the target of a genuine interest - no matter how purely carnal it may be in the beginning - was still vastly superior to the desolate wasteland her social life was now. And they were already set to be bonded, so there was no harm in perhaps trying to build something…
She let the thought course through her, an ember of hope glowing warmly in her chest until an ugly worry wrenched her out of her daydream. What if the Commander did try something tonight but only because she heard stories about the asari and she thought she was entitled to something because they're betrothed? Liara's face soured and she straightened, cutting off her train of thought.
She was being ridiculous and very possibly unfair. You haven't even seen her, yet let alone talked with her. Better to reserve judgment and stop the ridiculous daydreams. Throwing the mirror one last glance, she started undressing again before reaching for her pants and blouse, both a bit stained by her lab hadn't even had time to change before Shiala dragged her here.
"I can't say that I blame you." Shiala sighed, apparently noting Liara's expression but drawing the wrong conclusion. "I've heard about the scar, too. Aurelia from the kitchens told me that the front gate's guard's sister heard from the noblewoman in town that her scar splits her face from her forehead all the way to her jaw."
Liara stopped dressing and blinked, jarred from her thoughts. "I - the noblewoman is scarred? What does that have to do…"
"No! Shepard!" Shiala said exasperated, her voice slowly but surely getting drowned in the rising commotion outside the door as she continued. "They say it's hideous, jagged and red,earned in a fight with a whole krogan battalion and I definitely wouldn't…" She trailed off when the sound of hurried steps joined the clamor outside and she went over to check what it was, leaving Liara to contemplate the image she just painted.
I wouldn't mind the scar, if she is kind and… and if she is not…Well, then Liara could handle that, too. If somewhat more violently.
She just grabbed her labcoat when Shiala burst inside again, her face alight. "It's her! Your Commander! She's here!"
Liara froze. "But - but she's supposed to arrive tomorrow. She's early!" She threw her labcoat over her shoulders, her fingers shaking a bit. The Commander was supposed to arrive tomorrow, receive a formal reception from Benezia in the Grand Hall, then after getting a couple of hours to rest from the travel, she was supposed to attend the ball held in their honor. And only there was she to meet Liara, who didn't feel mentally prepared for any surprises.
And now the Commander was early.
"Maybe she couldn't wait to see you." Shiala teased, foot already out the door. "Come on. I'm dying to see what she looks like."
Liara jumped forward to run after her before she remembered her mother's lessons about decorum and decided to walk to the nearest window facing the entrance instead; though she did walk more briskly than usual. Thankfully the servants all rushed to the lower floors to get a better look, so she was alone with Shiala. She hoped that at least one of them had the sense to send word to Benezia, because there was no chance of Liara herself was doing it. At least not until she had a good look.
Taking a deep breath, she stopped next to her friend and looked outside just in time to see a group of riders pulling up, a long trail of carts a little way off behind them.
It was obvious that the figure in front was was no mistake; from her black leather armor to the signature paired swords secured to her back, to the red stripe hugged closely by two white lines blazoned on the side of her hood. Liara had been doing a bit of research herself.
Drawing closer to the window, she cursed the light drizzle that'd been falling all day, making Shepard bundle up. Nervous, she watched closely as the Commander slid off her horse in a fluid movement, still hoping to catch a glimpse. Her breath caught when Shepard threw the reins to one of the stable hands and lifted gloved hands to her hood.
Liara's heart hiccupped as a stream of thoughts flashed behind her eyes. She quickly told herself to prepare for that horrible scar, or mean, tiny eyes, or a cruel line at the corner of the mouth, anything to stop herself from being disappointed after what seemed like an eternity of wondering and waiting. She even had time to scold herself for caring so much about her bondmate's appearance. But when the hood finally fell and the Commander looked up at the castle…
Oh. Liara let out a short huff of breath, staring.
"Not bad. No scar either." She thought she heard Shiala say, but her friend sounded miles away.
And when another rider came down – was that a turian? – and slapped the Commander on the shoulder while saying something, she watched as Shepard's face lit up in a grin, her eyes still looking almost at her as they danced with delight.
Oh.
Maybe I should wear the blue one.
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"…and I would like to extend a warm welcome to you and your people, Commander. Under the Goddess' loving eye, our borders and our House open to you in friendship." Benezia finished her short, impromptu welcome speech, taking a few steps toward the commander and her entourage, well aware of the fact that every pair of eyes in her Grand Hall was glued to them.
The Council won't like me welcoming her alone and robbing them of the opportunity to strengthen their position, a stray thought flickered through her mind, but Benezia brushed it off immediately.
They always found something to complain about, and now she was far more interested in assessing her daughter's future bondmate. Benezia only hoped that the Commander wouldn't disappoint. She kept her eyes leveled with Shepard's as she approached, pleased when the Commander returned her gaze steadily before she spoke.
"On the behalf of my people I thank you, your Ladyship." Shepard said, commanding attention effortlessly and making Benezia relax a bit. "And I am honored to arrive as a friend and stay as family." She finished, executing a flawless traditional bow, her eyes drifting to the floor in a show of respect for a moment before returning to Benezia's.
There was a moment of startled hesitation when Benezia offered her hand, as if the Commander wasn't expecting it, but then Shepard clasped it with her own, a smile flashing across her face as her eyes filled with appreciation for the little gesture. The softening of her features was effortless, like her face was accustomed to it, and Benezia relaxed a bit further.
It was far too early to tell, of course, but the signs were encouraging. That unguarded smile and the youthful, barely restrained excitement that glinted in Shepard's eyes were reassuring, as was her calm and confidence in speaking before a large crowd. What Benezia found especially comforting was the way the Commander's eyes took in the room as soon as she entered, as if mapping possible routes of attack and escape by habit, and the fluid way she moved that spoke of her experience in battle.
She didn't dare hope yet, but if the signs were right…then she might have made the right choice. The thought carried a wave of relief so strong that it threatened to topple her, but Benezia pushed it away, not allowing herself respite while there was still doubt, even when she was desperate for it.
The act was merciless, but she was used to it by now. She'd lost count of how many nights she lost sleep, torturing herself with nightmare scenarios one after the other, each worse than the one before. No matter how many cautiously optimistic reports she got from her carefully placed spies, she still couldn't shake off her worst fear. That she'd made the worst mistake of her life and her daughter would be the one to pay for it. Her too sweet, too innocent Little Wing damned for her whole life, just because her mother…
Squaring her shoulders, she cut that train of thought viciously and stepped away, motioning for the Shepard to follow her.
"If you would come this way, Commander, I'll find someone to take you to your chambers. I'm sure you're hungry and exhausted after so many days on the road." Her words signaled the end of the spectacle, and most of the nobles started gathering in groups and gossiping, still throwing looks at their guests, but fixing them on Shepard almost inevitably in the end. The servants instead jumped forward to take care of the arrivals, but Benezia couldn't spot the commando she assigned to shadow Shepard. As a matter of fact, I haven't seen Ilirra at all today.
She escorted Shepard toward the huge wooden door that led deeper into the castle in the hopes of buying some time, chancing a look at her companion only to find her looking around with unrestrained curiosity, taking in the room with obvious awe. Benezia was just opening her mouth to ask about Shepard's interest in architecture when she almost found herself mowed down by a figure storming through the door just as she reached it.
Embarrassed by the lack of decorum by one of her staff and even worse – that it should occur in front of their guest, she lifted her head high and prepared to scold the intruder before her eyes widened in surprise.
"Aethyta!" She croaked before she could stop herself, thrown off balance by both her former lover's entrance and her dress. It was clearly a servant's uniform even though it looked both too long and alarmingly wrinkled.
"Your Ladyship." Aethyta said smoothly, bowing to her once before fixing a firm stare on Shepard.
"Commander." She bit off somewhat sharply, making Shepard step back at her intensity. Noticing her mistake, Aethyta continued in a much sweeter tone. "I'll have the honor of being your personal attendant until the Bonding."
Oh, for Goddess'...Not now. Not this.Benezia swallowed back a curse. She couldn't be serious, could she? She couldn't actually believe that I would allow her to prance around the castle, doing Goddess knows what? And have free access to Shepard?
Benezia couldn't guess Aethyta's next move in the best of times, but now… no, she needed to stop this immediately. "Actually Aethyta, that won't be necessary. I've already chosen Ilirra for the task and considering she's much more experienced in household chores, she's a better fit for this duty."
"I thank you my Lady, but I think you know just how experienced I am." Benezia ground her jaw together, the remark throwing her off, no doubt as intended. "Besides, poor Ilirra is feeling a bit under the weather."
Suspicious but careful, Benezia glanced at Shepard, noting that the Commander looked half amused-half uncomfortable, and decided to choose her words carefully. "She is?"
"Yes, Your Ladyship. She fainted. Suddenly." Aethyta ground out, probably in effort not to swear. She's probably bursting at the seams for holding out so long, Benezia thought uncharitably. She felt her own face twist in a similar endeavor. But before she could think of something – anything - to say to fix the situation, Aethyta already approached Shepard and motioned her ahead. "I'll just take the Commander to her room and make sure she's got everything she needs."
She waited until Shepard said goodbye and was a few paces away before she turned to whisper to Benezia. "Your commando is in the broom cupboard on the first floor. And I don't want to see her incompetent ass near me again, even when she wakes up."
Benezia glared at her, not even remotely backing down, but Aethyta wasn't finished.
"But be sure to find someone else to wash the Commander's panties, because I sure as fuck ain't doing it." She threw with a toothy grin and stalked her way to Shepard's back, her predatory demeanor vanishing as soon as she reached her.
Benezia sighed. There's no way this is going to end well.
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Commander Shepard was a dumbass.
Either that or a really good actress, but Aethyta somehow doubted it was the latter. If a thousand years of experience - the last hundred or so spent working in a tavern no less - had taught her anything it was to read people and trust her gut when it told her they were harmless. Or dumbasses, like her soon to be daughter-in-law obviously was.
Her image of the infamous Commander Shepard, so slowly and carefully constructed by any scrap of information she could get in the days leading to the arrival, had already started crumbling on the way to the Commander's room.
Insanely curious and just a little bit hostile, Aethyta had started prodding her for information almost immediately. Just a few tiny, easy to answer questions about the trip, to soften her target and build a bit of a trust between them, but Shepard had answered each of them with ease and without a hint of haughtiness, seemingly not seeing a problem in answering a pesky servant.
At first Aethyta was encouraged, glad that her rocky start (which was all Nezzie's fault anyway) wouldn't affect her mission, but then they reached Shepard's door.
A mountain of suitcases had just been placed outside the chambers by the stable hands, but before Aethyta could call someone else to bring them inside Shepard just started hauling them in herself. Is she trying to show how humble and down to earth she is? I hope she doesn't expect me to help her.
Aethyta rolled her eyes covertly, then made a show of straightening the sheets on an already pristine four poster bed to look busy, but Shepard never asked her for a hand. Didn't even throw her a dirty look, just kept chattering away, innocently answering another question about her family.
It started to dawn on Aethyta then, but she decided to push, just to be certain. When Shepard started unpacking, alone and again without asking for help, Aethyta threw herself into a leather armchair in front of the fireplace, letting out a long sigh of relief. Shepard's only answer was to smile at her while pulling out a dress, presumably for tomorrow, and hanging it up, saying something about hoping that the wrinkles would disappear. Aethyta's spirits sank.
When Shepard unpacked the necessities and started cooing over the large marble bathtub while loosening up her collar, Aethyta decided to push once more, just to see how Commander would react.
"Say, do you mind fetching those pillows for me?" She said pointing to the loveseat to her right, and the pillows barely a foot away. "I want to prop up my feet."
Pausing only to slip her leather chestpiece off her shoulders, Shepard scooped up three pillows and handed them to her without so much as an annoyed look. Complete fucking dumbass.
And Aethyta found herself inexplicably frustrated. Almost disappointed, even though she knew she should be relieved. She tried not to think about possible reasons for her irritation, but a pang of guilt still coursed through her, even as she struggled to push it away.
Damn it, it wasn't supposed to be like this. Not now, when she finally got the opportunity to be of some fucking use to her youngest. Shit!
After so many years, she'd become accustomed to being completely insignificant in Liara's life, even though the fact still hurt like hell. She was used to Nezzie's letters being the only bond between her and the kid. Well, that and an occasional glimpse she'd catch in town when Liara would have her regular monthly trip to the bookstore, and Aethyta would always find a way to be there.
It wasn't nearly enough, but that was all she had for more than a century. Until now. Until this fucking trade deal of a bonding. Suddenly Aethyta's special set of talents could come in handy and she jumped on the opportunity to do her fatherly duty and protect her little girl.
Aethyta sighed heavily, shifting in her seat. She knew she was hardly a paragon of virtue, but this line of thought was beneath her. This was undeniably better for Liara and her daughter definitely deserved a better father. Aethyta swore she was going to be one.
"Wow, asari really know how to live, don't they?" The dumbass said, smelling one of the bathing oils with of rapture spreading across her face. Aethyta rolled her eyes again. Liara also certainly deserved someone better than this, but it wasn't Shepard's fault that she was so inadequate. Who was good enough, after all?
Aethyta watched as Shepard sat on the bed heavily to untie her boots, before sighing one last time. Oh, fuck it. Shooting up from her chair before she gave herself enough time to change her mind, she stalked to the pump next to the bath and started working it, the water splashing inside almost immediately.
Better do some actual work or Nezzie's gonna have my ass, she told herself, stubbornly refusing to acknowledge the real reason for springing into action. The thought backfired as she got sidetracked by fantasizing about being bent over Nezzie's heavy wooden desk with Nezzie actually having her ass. Roughly. Mercilessly. Scolding her about something or other, her face a snarl. Nezzie always did look hottest when she was spitting mad.
She lazily let the image evolve and before she knew it, the tub was almost overflowing. Stopping at the last moment, she grabbed two fire runes from the edge and slapped them together before throwing them in, the surface of the water clouding with steam almost immediately.
She threw a weary look at the Commander, before taking the dress from the closet door. "I'll iron this for you. Make sure it's ready for tomorrow." Or rather, she'd find someone to do it for her, but Shepard didn't have to know that.
She was just turning to leave when Shepard kicked off her boots and stood up from the bed, yanking her tight long-sleeved undershirt from her pants as she approached.
"Before you do, Aethyta… ", she started, tugging off the shirt in one smooth, languid movement,displaying an impressive scar on her back. It began on her hip then curved up and across her back until it disappeared beneath the strip of cloth that bound her breasts. Aethyta's eyebrow rose. The dramatic mark didn't quite fit with Shepard's mindless display so far. Dare she hope she was wrong? "I want to ask you something."
"Go ahead." Aethyta said, curious again.
"I was wondering…would you know where my fiancé usually is this time of day?" Shepard said, her back still turned as she kicked off her pants and underwear,hands already unwinding the cloth around her chest.
Aethyta crossed her hands across her chest. "Why?"
"Because I want to see her, of course." Shepard said, groaning as she sunk into the tub before flashing in the same good-natured smile that Aethyta was finding increasingly annoying.
"And you can't wait till tomorrow to meet her?" Aethyta asked, suspicious. What was she playing at? Waiting just a second too long, Aethyta added: "Commander."
Shepard only smiled wider. "That's just my point. I want to actually meet her. I don't want to exchange a few awkward, rehearsed words tomorrow night, with everyone gawking at us and judging our every move. Although I'm not going to lie, I'm very excited to do it. And call me Shepard, please. Everyone does."
Aethyta huffed, trying to buy herself some time to think. "Yeah, so excited you arrived a whole day early and made everyone panic just because you were impatient, Shepard. That was just rude." She sniffed, like she'd never dream of doing anything rude.
"I'm only asking a question. What would be the harm?" Shepard asked, grabbing a washcloth and dipping it in the water. "I mean, you've been working in the castle for a long time, right?"
Not at all.
"And so you know Liara very well, don't you?"
Even less true.
And did Aethyta imagine it or was there a pinch of challenge in Shepard's eyes as she spoke? Aethyta liked her better when she was a dumbass.
"So you must know if she'd prefer a more private first meeting. If not, I'd be delighted to wait, of course."
Aethyta frowned. She couldn't care less about Shepard's excitement but she still restrained herself from telling the Commander to kindly fuck off. Even if she didn't know much about Liara, she did know that the poor kid was shy. This might actually be something she'd appreciate. Although I don't expect her to thank me when Shepard barges in unannounced.
Still, Aethyta would take it if it meant she could help. Maybe not by swooping in and kicking ass like she preferred, but it was something.
"I'll see what I can do. Be ready when I get back." Not that she'd have to worry about that it seemed. By the time the words left her mouth, Shepard had already jumped up stark naked and stupidly tried to reach for a towel that was at least a foot too far, slipping and almost breaking her neck in her haste.
Dumbass.
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"Okay, here it is." Aethyta motioned to the impressive wooden door on her right. "She should be in there now, working on…whatever it is that she does."
Shepard nodded gravely, back almost painfully straight, and resisted the urge to run her hand through her hair. She'd made sure it looked okay before they left and it wouldn't do to mess it up now. Still, she wished she had a mirror to double check.
"Just remember, it's almost dinner time, so you won't have very long. Twenty minutes and I'm coming to get you."
Shepard's eyes snapped to meet Aethyta's. "You're not coming inside with me?" She didn't know if she felt relieved or even more - not that she was nervous. Of course not.
"No." Aethyta said, looking like she'd want nothing more than to stay. "I'll keep watch. I'd rather not have to explain this to Her Ladyship. Besides, how much trouble can you get into inside twenty minutes?" She added, as if trying to convince herself.
"Right." Shepard nodded again and slid her eyes to the doorknob, straightening her leather vest before running a hand down the plane of her stomach, as if to soothe wrinkles. She had no reason to doubt her outfit choice, right? Her tightest black breeches were tucked into knee high boots and a soft cotton blouse hugged her form beneath the vest. Flattering and comfortable both. Though, the cleavage might be a bit too revealing. She bit her lip.
"You going inside or what?" Aethyta said, eyeing her strangely. Sheppard nodded, still standing her ground.
"Yep." She said unnecessarily, hands coming to rest on the grip of her swords. And there was another thing she questioned now. Was it too much? After all, she was fairly certain no one was going to jump out behind some tapestry, screaming for her blood.
But she'd always felt naked without her weapons and she needed every bit of confidence today. Maybe that way why she made a conscious choice to hang them from her waist belt. Their added weight gave her security, grounded her, and the fact that it also gave an extra swing to her hips only came as a very welcome bonus. If her future wife were to take notice of that, well, Shepard wouldn't complain.
"Any day now." Aethyta crossed her arms beneath her breasts, annoyance in her eyes warring with something very similar to amusement. She smirked. "Feeling a wee bit nervous there, Commander?"
Shepard flinched before squaring her couldn't have that, now could she? It was time.
"Nope." She croaked and reached for the doorknob, hearing Aethyta's snicker as she walked away, her stomach doing a strangled flip. She didn't even try to reassure herself, convince herself that she'd faced much worse and that she'd breeze through this meeting, because she learned to trust her gut. Today, something big was about to happen.
Something important.
