Author's note:
The idea of asari being unfamiliar with the human habit of pouring milk on cereal comes from this Liara/FemShep fic by N.Q. Wilder: fanfiction dot net /s/6883994/1/All_Things_Pass
Credit where it's due.
Chapter 02: Preparations
Shepard and Liara were seated at the same table where they had eaten the Serrice takeout food Shepard had brought back to the barren home the previous night. Determining that there was only enough leftovers for a single pregnant asari, Shepard had heaped last night's dinner onto Liara's plate, and retrieved two travel sized boxes of Warlord Garok's Krogalicious brand "krogflakes," which she had packed for the journey to Thessia, out of her duffel bag to serve as her own breakfast. They were seated across from each other, both reading on their datapads and eating, when Aethyta walked into the room.
"Don't you want some real food?" Liara said, glancing at Shepard's cereal.
Shepard just gave her "that look," the one that said, "you should really know better."
Liara returned the disproving glare for a moment, staring over her datapad, before breaking into a smile.
"Be careful with this human predilection for spoiling your pregnant wife... I might just start to get used to it."
"You, enjoying relaxation? Don't get my hopes up. This is the only excuse I'm ever going to get to drag you away from your work. Besides, Garok's Krogflakes come with real marshmallow headplates... they're Krogalicious!" she said enthusiastically.
Liara laughed, and Aethyta rolled her eyes at the couple behind their backs, as she turned to open the refrigeration unit, finding it all but empty inside.
"I don't suppose you have any milk," Shepard asked, looking over at Aethyta.
Aethyta closed the door of the refrigeration unit and turned around with an incredulous look on her face.
"None for you, sweetheart," she said with sass.
"My father is confused," Liara quickly explained, looking up from her datapad. She turned toward her father. "Humans continue to drink milk throughout their lives. From domesticated animals that is."
"That sounds disgusting," Aethyta said.
Liara scowled at her father.
"Well, there's a pretty big human food store in the off-world district. I'm sure you could find some there, if you really crave this ah... beverage," Aethyta offered.
"No, it's fine. I just wanted to pour some on this cereal," Shepard responded.
"On your cereal... right. Of course." Aethyta shook her head and walked out of the room.
Shepard went back to reading her datapad while she munched her dry cereal.
"Hey," she exclaimed. "There's an article about us on the ANN... Hero of earth set to become mom. I guess that should read 'dad,' shouldn't it? The Alliance Public Information Office today confirmed rumors that former Alliance Commander and Spectre Kate Shepard and her wife Dr. Liara T'Soni have arrived on Thessia in preparation for the impending birth of their daughter by the asari Dr. Liara T'Soni. Alliance Admiral Steven Hackett made the announcement late Monday to a crowded press room, extending both formal congratulations on behalf of the Alliance, and and personal congratulations on his own behalf to the couple. That's sweet of him. The couple share a celebrity status across much of Citadel Space. News of their wedding last year made front page headlines across the galaxy, and spurred impromptu celebrations on Thessia, and complaints from some human centric groups. Terra Firma spokesman Peter Yeger called the couple's Monday departure for Thessia, 'Further evidence that Kate Shepard has abandoned her human heritage,' and encouraged Earth's youth to 'stay true to the customs of their parents...' Oh, please..."
She tossed the datapad to the far side of the table.
"Terra Firma is very unpopular now," Liara said flatly.
"Then why do they even bother publishing this crap?" Shepard complained.
"The illusion of balance," Liara said. "It is the Alliance's news outlet after all. I bet the rest of the article goes on to praise your contribution to the war."
"Yeah, leaving out yours again, no doubt," Shepard replied bitterly.
"My work is necessarily more classified... and less glamorous."
"Not really fair, is it?" she said with sympathy.
"I'll manage," Liara responded, the expression on her face making it clear that she didn't care at all about it.
Shepard decided to change the subject. "We need to pick up some food sometime today, before the kids arrive... preferably asari. I don't want to gross your dad out again with any of my disgusting human habits."
"She's made of pretty strong stuff; she mated with a hanar after all. I'm sure she can handle it,' Liara said.
"Just wait till she finds one of my hairs lying around."
Liara giggled.
"I'm asari, and I rather like your hair," she said, scooting her chair around the circumference of the table, and running her hand through the mess of Kate's bedhead.
"You know, I think you just have a human fetish. That's why you couldn't keep your hands off my ears the other night," Shepard teased her.
"You have to admit, they are pretty cute," she said playfully, pinching one between her fingers.
"Big, floppy disks sticking out of my head?"
"That's what makes them so adorable," she said, pulling the top of Kate's ear down and letting it pop back into place.
"Well I guess that's OK, as long as you let me indulge in my perverted crest fetish," she joked, leaning in and planting a slow gentle kiss on the back of one of Liara's fringes.
Aethyta walked back into the kitchen, munching on the end of a long, brown stick of seasoned Thessian grains.
"You two really are newlybonded," she said, as Shepard quickly removed her face from the back of Liara's neck. "You think you can tear yourselves away from each other long enough to get yourselves made up all nice for Kalina?"
Aethyta pulled a jar of some kind of spread out of one of the cupboards and dipped her grain stick in the sweet jam.
"I suppose, if its for a good cause," Shepard joked.
Aethyta smiled. "By the way, If you've got a thing for crests, try running your tongue down one of her seams next time, and see how she reacts."
Shepard's eyes widened slightly, and while she was trying to think of something to say, Aethyta ran her hand atop her own crest, pointing out exactly where she meant, and gave Shepard a wink before walking back out of the kitchen.
"Father!" Liara scolded, shouting after her. But she was already gone.
After a short pause Shepard turned toward Liara and asked, "how would you react to that?"
"Wouldn't you like to know," she said, planting a short kiss on Kate's forehead and getting up from the table.
Liara and Shepard were seated, side by side, in the formal greeting space of the T'Soni estate, surrounded by the elegant curves and graceful arches of the beautiful greeting room, which were so typical of asari architecture. Seated across from them was the Matriarch Kalina, dressed in her unusual robe and headdress.
She was a priestess of sorts, the birthing ritual was quasi religious, but that didn't stop Shepard from feeling an uneasy dislike for the woman. This being was sizing her up, after all. Deciding whether or not she would be present for the birth of her own daughter, and what was worse, she had no idea what the matriarch was really looking for in her. She only knew that the matriarch was supposed to make her decision in the interest of what would be best for Liara, and best for her daughter, during the birth. But what did that mean, really? Maddeningly, there was no checklist that she could consult in any of the books she had read, no guide to follow. It all seemed to come down to the personal intuition of the attending matriarch, a woman hundreds and hundreds of years older than even humanity's first contact with other species.
"You are unusually young," The matriarch began by stating disapprovingly.
She's young, Shepard thought to herself. What about me?
"Time waits for no one, Matriarch," Liara responded politely.
The matriarch cast an accusatory stare at Shepard. The message was clear enough; you, your lifespan is responsible for this maiden's decision to have such an early pregnancy. Shepard fought hard to resist the urge to return the disapproval in the matriarch's stare. Finally, the matriarch turned back toward Liara.
"It is, of course, your choice to make, child," she said.
"Thank you, Matriarch. I am as confident in my choice now, as I was the night we conceived," Liara said with all the formal grace of a matriarch's daughter.
"And what of your bondmate? Does she wish to be considered for inclusion in the the birthing ritual?" The Matriarch asked, the question clearly directed at Liara.
"She does," Shepard interrupted.
The Matriarch ignored her.
"She does, Matriarch," Liara responded, glancing sidelong at Shepard.
"And you wish her to be present at the birth?"
"Absolutely."
"Then I will take her candidacy under consideration," the matriarch declared standing up.
She turned toward Shepard.
"We will being seeing each other again soon, for your testimonials. Your bondmate will explain everything you need to prepare," she said flatly, and promptly exited the room, the meeting over seemly before it had begun.
"Well, that didn't go very well," Shepard sighed.
"It went better than you think," Liara responded, tugging at Shepard's collar to straighten it. "It's her job to make you feel uncomfortable."
"Well it worked. I can't stand the idea that that woman has the power to separate me from my own child's birth."
"It won't happen," Liara said reassuringly. "Come on, we need to round up your character witnesses."
"Garrus and Tali are already on board, and Wrex committed last night, while you were sleeping."
"There's one more person I want you to contact," Liara replied with a knowing smile.
"I am honored that you would ask me to be one of your witnesses." The Justicar's face flickered momentarily on the viewscreen. "But I am curious; you have many close friends, why choose me?"
"Actually, it was Liara's suggestion, but I can't think of anyone else who could represent me to the matriarch as well as you."
"Your bondmate is wise, Shepard. The matriarch will assess your character based on the character of those you have chosen to be your witnesses. With me, however, she will know that I am bound to speak the truth by the code. She can be confident that she is getting an honest opinion, no mater the question asked."
"Is that a good thing?"
"With you, I believe, yes. My order carries an aura of deep respect in asari culture. We are bared from giving our personal opinions on maters of politics or state, however, our opinions on personal maters are often highly respected, especially among traditionalists like Kalina. It is fortunate that I am currently between cases. This affords me an opportunity to repay you for..." She paused. "...the kindness you have shown me."
"How is Falere doing, anyway?" Shepard asked.
"She is well. She has transferred to another monastery. I visited her once. She has had few problems settling in."
"You should go and visit with her again, if you have some free time."
"I never have free time, Shepard. Being a justicar is full time commitment."
"Still, there must be some way to interpret your code that would allow you to see her," she protested.
"I can see that you are unchanged from the person I know," Samara said, smiling as much as she ever allowed herself to. "But there is no ambiguity in the code."
"There's ambiguity in everything, if you look hard enough."
"I believe you have just expressed one of the central tenants of your philosophy."
"Well, don't expect me to write a treatise about it; I'm no matriarch," Shepard said.
"But you have your own kind of wisdom, nonetheless. It works for you... but not for me."
"I'll forward the travel arrangements to you," Shepard said solemnly.
"I look forward to seeing you again, in person," the justicar said.
But before she could terminate the call Shepard added, "Maybe the next time you swear an oath to me, I can order you spend more time with your daughter."
"That would be a most pleasant arrangement. Would that the universe would conspire to allow such things to be."
"Good bye, Samara."
"Shepard."
Liara stepped out from behind the viewscreen when the call was ended.
"I believe I was the first person to tell you that you shared the wisdom of a matriarch," she said.
"Her code pisses me off sometimes."
"It is a dangerous type of fatalism," Liara agreed. "Dangerous to more than just herself."
"What do you mean?"
"Just bear in mind that, if she knew that I was the Shadow Broker, she would be compelled to try to kill me."
"It wouldn't be the first time I've seen her try to commit suicide with her code..." She sighed. "When are Natana and Wythea due to arrive?"
"Within the hour," Liara said.
Standing in the front yard, and gazing up at the descending skycar that had ferried her cousins from the carport station to the T'Soni residence, Liara spoke softly to Shepard.
"Natana's parents are both asari," Liara said as the skycar set down in front of the house, "however, Wythea's mother died during the war. Her father barely survived the fighting on Palaven."
"He's turian I take it," Shepard responded.
"Yes, but he lives here on Thessia now. He specifically asked me not to bring up her mother in front of her... It's only been a year and a half..."
"I understand..." Shepard said, squeezing her wife's hand.
Shepard watched, as the two young asari got out of the skycar. Wythea would have been about nine, if she were a human, and Natana resembled a young teenager, more like fifteen in human terms.
Natana went to retrieve her travel bag from the backseat, while Wythea ran up to the couple, holding a wilting flower.
"I picked this for you," the young asari said, handing the flower to Shepard.
"Why thank you, sweetheart," Shepard responded, giving the little girl a hug.
The young girl's eyes stayed glued to Shepard.
Liara leaned in and whispered, "I think someone has a crush on you."
The little girl turned to Liara, and placed both her hands on her stomach, bowing deeply in the traditional greeting reserved only for great heroes of the Asari Republics.
"Why thank you very much, Wythea. You do me too much honor."
"You think that crush might stem from a little hero worship of you?" Shepard whispered back to Liara.
Natana walked up to the couple and put her travel bag down, slipping a piece of paper she was carrying through the handle, so that it wouldn't blow away. She bowed in the same manner as Wythea.
"Thank you, Natana, but again, I don't deserve such honor."
"It is nice to finally meet you, da'antana," she said with a formal stiffness.
"You don't have to use the formal greeting with me. Just call me Liara."
The young girl smiled. "My parents made me practice that line," she confessed, relaxing noticeably at Liara's invitation.
"Commander Shepard," she said, turning toward Kate and extending her hand in the human greeting.
"I'm not a commander anymore, so you can call me Kate, or Shepard if you like; everybody else does," she said, shaking the girl's hand.
"All of my friends are jealous that I get to meet you two," Natana said, her eyes darting back and forth between the two of them.
"Well, you can tell all your friends that we're nothing special then," Shepard said.
"They'd never believe it," Natana said. "Liara is one of the most famous people on Thessia, and you're one of the most famous aliens... my friend, Ralla, even has a picture of the two of you on her bedroom wall, from the cover of Bracelet."
"It's a publication that focuses on bonding ceremonies," Liara explained.
"You were on the cover when you were bonded," Natana added. "Ralla printed it off and hung it on her wall, above her bed."
Shepard rubbed the back of her neck, uncomfortable with the idea.
"Shouldn't girls your age have pictures of pop stars hanging in their bedrooms instead?" Shepard asked.
"Ralla is a bit of a political science dork, and she's pretty infatuated with your bond. She made me bring a photo of you two kissing, for you to sign... If that's OK that is."
"Of course, but first," Shepard said, changing the subject, "lets get you two settled in, shall we?"
She walked up to the skycar and pulled out Wythea's travel bag. After paying the driver, she turned around to find Wythea standing next to her bag."
"That looks heavy. Would you like me to carry that for you?" she asked.
Wythea smiled and shook her head. "Please."
Shepard slipped the flower that she had been carrying behind her ear and bent down to pick up the travel bag. Wythea grabbed her free hand and Shepard escorted her into the house. Liara smiled at her as they passed.
Natana picked up her travel bag, pulling the piece of paper out of the handle, and made to follow Shepard into the house.
"What is that you're holding, Natana?" Liara asked, stopping the young asari.
"Oh, this? Someone was handing them out at the station," she said, giving the pamphlet to Liara.
Liara's brow knit as she examined the flier. It was a tract for Thessia First, an asari superiority group even less popular than Terra Firma.
"Lets go in," she finally said, when she had read her fill of the ridiculous nonsense, ripping the pamphlet in half and stuffing it's remains in her pocket.