Shepard paused after she stepped into her room.

Something wasn't right. The air wasn't as still as it should be, and there was a slight scent of the ocean. She left the door ajar behind her as her eyes swept the room.

'There,' she thought.

The curtains were moving slightly. She gently slid her HWMP from its holster, and moved out of the line of sight of the balcony. She inched up to the wall adjacent to the balcony door, and took a deep breath as she prepared to charge through it.

'One, Two, Thr...'

She heard two words. The two words most likely to make her stand down, to calm her agitation, to flush the adrenaline from her veins.

"Hello, Shepard."

.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.

"I am sorry I startled you Shepard. Alaya had the staff put me in my old bedroom. Benezia had changed nothing. It was exactly as it was when I lived here. There were too many memories. Bad ones, angry ones, memories of the fights I had had with my mother. I do not want my time here to be spent thinking about those days. I finally asked to be moved to other quarters."

Shepard had found the maiden on the balcony leaning on the railing and drinking a glass of the same purple wine she had enjoyed at dinner. Shepard had poured herself a matching glass from the decanter provided in the room and joined her. Shepard was looking out at the sea while she listened to Liara expound on her estrangement from her mother. When Liara finally paused, Shepard turned her head to regard the maiden and decided that Liara looked... better. Shepard believed that the fact that she seemed to be taking an active role in her own life again was also a good sign.

Liara caught her looking. "I needed time to clear my head, and I wanted to see if you were back from dinner. You were not, so I waited as opposed to walking all the way back to the residence wing."

"All the way back?" Shepard was incredulous. "How far away is your room?"

Liara blushed, but it was difficult to see in the dim light. "Not THAT far Shepard, It is only a 5 minute walk."

Shepard rolled her eyes. "You could have just called me on my omni-tool if you needed something."

Liara ignored the comment as she took another sip of her wine and again turned to face the sea. "Did you tell Shiala what we discussed earlier?"

"I did. She was surprised." Shepard didn't elaborate, instead letting Liara assume that Shiala had explained cari'ssi'mi to her. "She also let me know that I'm not all that popular on Thessia right now, and that coming to the funeral may not have been a good idea."

"She is protective, as is to be expected. She was the captain of the guard here from before I was born until after I left. She is afraid for me, afraid for the challenges I will face as head of the House."

"Are you afraid?"

"My mother was an exceptional administrator Shepard. She always recruited the best, and then let them do their jobs. Managing the assets of the House will require little direct involvement from me. I knew this day would come, and I have made preparations for it. I was just not emotionally prepared for the fact that when this day arrived, it would be because Benezia would not be here anymore. My mother was nearly 1000 years old Shepard, but she was in excellent health. I always thought that we would reconcile long before my ascension, perhaps even after I had children of my own."

"But are you afraid?"

Liara sighed as she stared into her glass. "I am saddened by what has happened. I miss my mother terribly and I regret the time that I will now never spend with her." She turned back to Shepard. "But I am not afraid. Not while you are here."

The pair was silent for a while, content to watch the ocean. Few stars penetrated the mostly cloudy sky, a precursor to the rain forecast for the following day. It was early spring in the southern hemisphere of Thessia, and the breeze coming off the ocean was cool, but not cold. Shepard reflected that she would be waiting for a long time for a tide to come in, as Thessia had no moon. The waves were nearly uniform, driven by the offshore wind. Shepard had changed into shipwear before dinner, but Liara was clothed in a traditional high collar Asari dress, albeit all white as opposed to one with the typical two or three colors. Shepard automatically thought that Liara would get cold quickly until she remembered that as an Asari, Liara's body temperature was 34 degrees, as opposed to her own 37.

Eventually Shepard prompted with "So about tomorrow..."

"Thessian rites for the dead, what you call a 'funeral' are very simple compared to what I have read about human ceremonies. Such events are not a tribute to the fallen, as they commonly are for your people. There is little benefit to rousing speeches augmenting the deeds of a deceased individual in a society of telepaths. Everyone close to my mother would have had an unique perception of Benezia's essence created by any melding that had occurred during her life. Asari often meld with close friends, trusted lieutenants and advisors, relatives, and anyone else with whom they have a relationship of a personal nature. When an Asari dies, it is to those memories, the pieces of the other left in our minds that we turn to. My mind is filled with many segments of Benezia's essence, all tailored to our unique relationship. My deeply personal awareness of Benezia is entirely different from the one held by Alaya, Shiala, or anyone else who shared a relationship with my mother."

"So what is a Thessian funeral?"

"Our 'rites' are simply a gathering to say the final goodbye. Again, this is more ritual than serving a particular purpose. Our people and culture have strong ties to water, to the ocean from which we came. Individuals who have a personal connection to the deceased gather when the physical body is consigned to the ocean. 'Mourners' assemble along the water's edge to observe the funeral dory until it disappears over the horizon, which signifies the release of the individual from the obligations they had during life. This time is usually spent in reflection on time spent with the deceased, and the impact that person had on our lives."

"Shiala told me that the staff is expecting over 20,000 people tomorrow. That doesn't sound like a gathering of close friends."

"Remember Shepard, 1000 years is a long time to build relationships. In addition to friends, many members of the Conclave will attend, as will business partners, long time staff, acolytes, commandos of the House, and others that Benezia had occasion to form bonds with. But you're right, many will not be those with the kind of link to my mother that I described. Some will be here as guests of other attendees, some to witness a historical event, some just to be seen. Many will be here to observe my ascension, which will precede the Benezia's release. Some of those will use the occasion to curry favor with me in the event that my policies and protocols will in some way differ from Benezia's. The guest list is very diverse, and few who actively sought to attend could be refused at risk of giving offense. Most will arrive in the morning, and depart as soon as the dory carrying my mother's body is out of sight. Fewer than one hundred guests are actually staying here tonight as guests of House T'Soni. Less than half that number will remain tomorrow night."

"I can't believe you have nearly a hundred other guests here and I haven't seen one of them."

"The residence is large enough, with ample staff, to see each guest's needs individually." Liara turned away.

"And..." goaded Shepard.

"And, we have been careful to keep you separated from the other guests, Shepard. Especially the members of the Conclave, and Councilor Tevos."

"Tevos is here? Wait, why are you keeping me from them?"

Liara turned back to Shepard. "I thought that given your current problematic position in the public eye, it would be best to not have to engage with any government officials until after my ascension."

"Which I now apparently have a role in."

Liara's eyes now turned to the floor between them. "Yes, Shepard, unless you have changed your mind."

"I haven't changed my mind Liara, you just haven't told me what you need me to do."

"Observance of the ritual is simple. Whichever matriarch has been selected to perform the ascension will ask me if I am ready for the responsibilities of leading a Great House. She will then ask who stands with me, ready to provide counsel or even act in my stead should I prove unable to meet the challenge. I will introduce you, and we will be recorded as holding right and responsibility to all elements of House T'Soni; capital, commercial, and political. Like Benezia's release itself, the actual event will be very brief."

"If you need a 'second' to ascend to head of the House, who is that person now? Why didn't they become the new head?"

"When Benezia ascended, she selected her eldest sister to stand with her. She was killed nearly 400 years ago. Benezia had no other living relatives until I was born, and would never have selected someone from outside the family as a replacement."

"Like you did?"

For the first time Liara looked annoyed. "I am not my mother."

"Sorry. But how often does this happen, that you have to select someone who wasn't a member of the family?"

"Unlike with humans, Asari familial legacy is only through maternal lineage. Fathers and bondmates are not a factor in Asari inheritance law. Thus, this can happen more often than you might think. The size of our population is more a function of our long lifespans than a high rate of fertility. Also, Asari reproduction is a deliberate act. It very rarely happens by accident. With such a long future to look forward to, many matrons and matriarchs postpone having children, which leads to small families. One or two accidental deaths and a family line can suddenly find itself with no one to continue it."

"And how about what you're doing? How often does that happen?"

"Do you mean bringing a member of another species into the line of succession of a Great House, or a Human specifically?"

"Either."

"Never, to my knowledge."

"Great."

.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.

Shepard woke before the dawn.

She stepped out onto the balcony and took in the view of the ocean. The household staff and hired personnel were already setting up seating along the overlook for the ceremony. From her vantage point it stretched as far in each direction as she could see, filling the space from the residential compound to the edge of the bluff 200 meters away. The sky was overcast, a harbinger of the rain that was expected in a few hours. When she'd mentioned the forecast the night before, Liara had been unconcerned. Apparently rainy funerals were considered a favorable thing on Thessia. Something to do with the Goddess' approval of the departed. Shepard chalked it up to the Asari love of water.

Shepard had offered to escort Liara back to her room when their conversation had finally wound down, and her concern for Liara overcame her desire to share the maiden's company. Liara had told her it wouldn't be necessary, and Shepard had tried to press the issue. In response, Liara had simply opened Shepard's bedroom door to reveal Shiala, who had apparently been waiting in the hall since Shepard's return from dinner. At least they'd both looked suitably embarrassed.

It was time to move on with the day. Shepard opened her omni-tool, and called Dr. Chakwas.

"Good morning Commander. Is there something you needed?"

"Just checking in Doctor. Do you know when you expect to arrive?"

"In about 6 hours Commander. We've been assigned priority transport and seating."

"Are you planning on staying?"

"I am, and Jeff may as well. I think most everyone else will want to see Armali while we're here."

"Makes sense. It isn't often an Alliance crew has an opportunity to take leave on Thessia. The ceremony is supposed to be very short, so Lt. Pressly should be able to rotate through the duty roster to get everyone at least one full day to explore the city. Liara will have transitional obligations through tomorrow, so we likely have a little over 2 local days until departure."

"Understood Commander."

"Please spread the word to anyone who is coming that they should have a large breakfast. Apparently fasting is a sign of respect, so there won't be any meals served until sunset."

"I don't think Wrex needed an order to overeat, but I'll pass the word along."

"Thank you Doctor."

.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.

Shepard dressed after breakfast, not wanting to risk a stain on her dress whites. Although she had not spoken to Liara, they had seen each other several times during the morning. Liara had been busy meeting dignitaries while being attended by various acolytes. Liara was in a full length white dress with long sleeves, a white hat and gloves, and a veil reminiscent of a Human wedding veil. Shepard didn't know what the dress was made out of, but it must have been extremely thick and heavy, as it barely moved with Liara's motions.

Most of Shepard's morning had been spent just staying out of the way. Matriarchs, regional government officials, and businesspeople had been arriving for several hours. She had been intrigued by the dance of the T'Soni staff moving those worthies through the house as they each sought private meetings with Liara. Shepard had quickly identified the pattern of disposition. Many were simply served something to drink and escorted from the main foyer, through the home, and outside the to join the growing crowd behind the residence. A smaller group was lead to a ballroom. Liara moved through this group every 45 minutes or so, accepting condolences and offers of assistance, which she always seemed to decline. The final group was escorted by individual acolytes, and were led one by one into the office where Liara was holding private meetings. These occurred every 10 minutes or so. Shepard was unsurprised to observe that both Councilor Tevos and Sha'ira were members of the final group.

Eventually the morning began to wane. Household staff began assisting in directing the remaining groups and individuals to their assigned areas. Apparently that hadn't included Shepard. She continued to watch the slowly organizing assemblage from her position in the drawing room. Liara had drilled into her that once everything stated moving, her position during the event would be one pace back and one pace to the right of her position. That in mind, Shepard had made a point to always know where Liara was as the morning progressed. At the moment Liara's position in the great room was in her line of sight, where she was in discussions with Alaya and several staff to whom Shepard had not been introduced. Shepard kept her attention split between the crowd and confirming that Liara was still in the house.

The assemblage was starting to settle. Few were left to make it to their seats. Shepard estimated that they had exceeded the anticipated guest count, but being Asari, they were relatively quiet and well behaved. Without a visible cue, quiet music began playing outside that reminded Shepard of synchronized windchimes. Shepard moved to join the group standing around Liara as she started making motions towards the double doors to the outside. Looking beyond Liara, Shepard could see a matriarch start making her way towards the dais at the edge of the bluff. When the matriarch was about halfway to her destination, Liara started walking as well, and Shepard fell in behind her.

Alaya stepped in to stop Shepard. "Now where are you going Human?"

Shepard scowled. "I'm following her," she indicated Liara.

"This is Asari business, T'Soni business, and you have no place in it Human."

Liara had kept moving forward, focused on her destination, and was almost to the door. Shepard started to wonder if this was going to degenerate into a physical altercation when Shiala stepped between them. "Shepard is to stand by Liara for her ascension."

"The hell she is," Matriarch Alaya growled in return. "I won't stand for it. Better for Miss Liara to stand alone than to stand with a Human."

Liara whirled with fire in her eyes. "You have no choice Seneschal," Liara made the word a curse. "Shepard has been named cari'ssi'mi in House T'Soni. Serve your House, or depart and do not return."

Alaya paled. She bowed to Liara, and then to Shepard. "My apologies Peeress. I shame this House with my actions." She brought her hands together in the Asari manner of respectful submission, one hand over a loose fist, and backed out of the maiden's way.

Liara turned and resumed her stately walk towards the door. Shiala nodded to Shepard, then indicated she should catch up with Liara. As Shepard passed her, Shiala whispered "One step behind, one step to the right, and don't say anything. You'll do fine."

.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.

Liara stepped through the door from the great room to the veranda. As she walked across it she was able to see the full size of the crowd for the first time. The silence was broken by murmurs when Shepard stepped from the residence and into view. She had expected this, as her intent had been discussed with no one outside of Shiala. She ignored the chatter as her eyes moved across the attendees. She identified several groups in the time it took her to cross the veranda to the promenade. She could see the gathered members of the Conclave, representatives from local industrial groups, and a large number of employees of House T'Soni. It made her smile when she saw that several colleagues from the University of Serrice were also in attendance. She was certain that a request for endowment would come shortly.

Although Matriarch Elina was already facing her from the dais at the edge of the bluff, Liara continued her walk down the promenade at a slow and dignified pace. Her eyes continued to scan the crowd, and she nodded to those she knew as she passed them. The crew of the Normandy had been placed adjacent to her path to the dais, the non humans among them the only color in a sea of white. Her heart melted when she realized that the entire crew was in attendance even though she knew that Shepard had given no such order. As she passed she made eye contact with each of them in turn. Some stood out in her mind; Dr. Chakwas, her confidante, Tali, the younger sister she'd never had, Joker, perhaps the most human of them all, with his back straight and a formal expression on his face, the powered chair he sat in his concession to Thessia's 1.1 g. When her gaze met Lieutenant Alenko's, all of the human crewmembers joined him in a crisp salute.

She managed not to let the water in her eyes complete their transition to tears, and even regained her composure by the time she reached her destination. She walked the three steps up to join the matriarch at the top. She didn't need to turn to know that Shepard remained one step below, continuing to follow her lead.

Elina was relatively young to be a member of the Conclave, recently transitioned to the matriarch stage. Liara assumed her assignment was meant to be an insult of some kind, but secretly she was relieved. What she was about to attempt might not be possible with too inflexible a functionary. Elina likely would not realize all the ramifications of what was about to occur, which would work to Liara's benefit. It also didn't hurt that Elina seemed flustered by the actions of the crowd. She was already running behind, and Liara didn't believe that the matriarch had expected the crowd to be a factor in her timing. Liara could see Benezia's dory behind the matriarch, already nearly a third of the way to the horizon. If Elina believed she needed to hurry, Liara could use that to her benefit as well.

The matriarch impatiently waited for the crowd to settle before speaking. The slight murmurs eventually passed, the various media representatives stopped sweeping the crowd and focused on Elina.

"It is a time of transition, a time of beginnings, a time of endings. Lady Benezia has passed. She no longer stewards a great house. Yet, House T'Soni persists, and needs one of her own to assume the role that Benezia so adeptly filled."

"Is there a T'Soni present?"

Liara took a breath. "There is."

"And her name?"

'You know my name you silly biddy. Do we have to follow the old interpretation?' Liara thought. Then she said simply "Liara."

"Liara, are you ready to ascend to the status of head of a great house? The house of your mother, your grandmother, and all the generations before?"

"I am ready."

"And who stands beside you in this monumental task? Who will act as trusted advisor, perform as your executive, and even supplant you if you prove unworthy of the burden?"

"Sarah."

The matriarch blinked.

'This is where it gets interesting,' Liara thought. 'This is where she will challenge or not. They never expected me to Name her, that instead I would stand alone, with Shepard only here for moral support.'

The matriarch leaned in to Liara, knowing that it would take a moment for the shotgun microphones to follow with her head out of position. "Are you sure you want to do this Miss T'Soni?"

Liara didn't move. "Doctor." she replied, her voice firm, giving no ground.

"What?"

"Matriarch, my title is doctor, not 'miss'."

"Doctor", she hissed, "are you certain that you want to designate a hum... someone not of Thessia to stand with you?"

"Not of Thessia?" Liara's pitched her voice to carry to the crowd. The microphones followed her just fine. "Sarah is an Asari spectre. She represents our race as an agent of the Citadel Council. She has saved my life and also freed Benezia from mental enslavement. She has defended my person in battle against Krogan, Batarian, Geth, and even members of her own race. She is cari'ssi'mi in House T'Soni. If you would believe her 'not of Thessia' perhaps you should have spoken with Councilor Tevos before this ceremony."

The matriarch rocked back on her heels. Forcefulness was not what she had been led to expect from the T'Soni maiden. She turned to her left where the attending members of the Conclave were gathered. None would meet her eyes. Just beyond them, Councilor Tevos had gone so far as to turn her head the other way.

'Message received. I'm on my own on this one.'

Elina turned her attention to Shepard.

.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.

"Sarah," Elina began, "Are you prepared to stand with Liara?"

Shepard hadn't expected to be addressed, but she took a swing at it. "I am."

"Even realizing that this is not a short term commitment? Given your lifespan, you will likely be obligated to the wellbeing of House T'Soni for as long as you live."

Shepard heard Liara draw a sharp breath through her teeth. 'Yep, this is definitely going off script.' She thought. She met the matriarch's gaze. "I understand what is being asked of me."

"And your willingness is neither based on a feeling of indenture due to your spectre status nor for potential gain?"

Shepard could feel the waves of hostility from Liara, but the maiden wouldn't place herself in a position of impropriety by speaking. "My willingness is based on the fact that I was asked."

Elina paused. She was backed into a corner. They weren't giving her anything to work with. She turned again to the other matriarchs. Still no support there. 'So be it.' She stepped back in front of Liara.

"Doctor Liara T'Soni, the Conclave of Matriarchs confirms your ascension to head of a Great House of Thessia. We wish you peace and prosperity".

Elena stepped around Liara to face the crowd. "Lady Benezia T'Soni has fulfilled her final duty. We release her of her obligation to her House, and rejoice in the passage of that responsibility to a daughter well trained. Please join me in wishing Benezia a peaceful journey to the arms of the Goddess."

Mourners and others assembled rose from their seats. Some moved to the edge of the bluff to better see Benezia's dory, which by now was at the edge of the horizon. Others hung back, clearly not as interested in this part of the ceremony.

Liara moved to the edge of the dais, overlooking the ocean. Shepard followed. When she came up beside Liara, she could see the tears.

Just then the skies opened, and it began to rain. Not a cold rain, not a hard rain, but a heavy rain. Guests started moving quickly towards the T'Soni residence or to their transports. As the crowd became well and truly soaked, the dory crossed over the horizon.

Liara sank to her knees and sobbed "Oh, mother..."

Several acolytes and other well wishers attempted to come to her aid. Shepard held them back. Liara needed this, needed time to say goodbye. This was not a moment to be shared with strangers or near strangers. Although several individuals made attempts to reach the maiden, none were willing to cross an angry spectre to do so. Eventually they moved away. As the rain continued to thin the crowd, and it became obvious that Shepard wasn't going anywhere, even the acolytes retreated to the residence.

.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.

It was late afternoon, and the dark sky was getting darker still as evening approached and Parnitha drew closer to sunset. Dr. Chakwas joined Joker on the veranda. Although the roof kept the rain at bay, it did nothing against the cool wind. It was chilly enough that for a moment the doctor considered going back to her room for something warmer to wear.

Joker and Chakwas were among the only Normandy crew remaining in the residence. Garrus and Tali had departed almost immediately after the rain started, mentioning a search for a dextro restaurant. Wrex joined them, as an Asari funeral was not his idea of an entertaining afternoon. Many of the human crew also left at the same time as the aliens, to return to their duty stations on the Normandy. Those that remained were part of the first leave rotation, and had trickled out over the course of several hours, some by themselves and some in the company of local Asari. Other than Joker and the doctor, only Chief Williams remained. She was talking shop with Shiala.

If the rain wasn't bad enough, the encroaching dark made it harder still to make out the forms of Liara and Commander Shepard at the edge of the bluff. Once it had become clear that the commander would allow no one to interfere with Liara's grieving, staff and guests had given the pair a wide berth as the assemblage dispersed. Shepard had verified that Liara was uninjured, then returned to her prior position of one step right, one step back, and had assumed a stance of parade rest.

That was nearly 7 hours ago.

Joker looked up at the doctor. "How long are they going to stay out there?"

"As long as Liara needs to, I suppose."

"But they have to be freezing! Shepard, anyway. Besides, it's not even been 4 full days since Noveria. Do you think Shepard's even slept?

Doctor Chakwas briefly closed her eyes, reflecting on the difficulty of maintaining the health of her most challenging patient. "I've spoken to Alaya, she's some kind of majordomo here. She assures me that Shepard got at least some sleep last night, although she seems more worried about Shepard than I am."

"I doubt that's possible. Besides, I thought everyone said that Asari funerals were supposed to be short. What are they still doing out there?"

"I assume that Liara is saying goodbye to her mother. Shepard is standing with her, as she said she would."

"But how? Shepard had to be exhausted when this started. I can't believe she's been strong enough to stand at parade rest for nearly half a day."

Chakwas reflected that although Jeff was very intelligent, there were some things he didn't allow himself to see.

She looked down at her friend. "Liara is her strength."


A/N: Assumptions here include:
FemShep/Liara (still pre LI, but we can see it coming, even without knowing the story, right?)
Later ME1 - after Suspicions and Omissions
After Noveria, before Virmire

Shepard is:
Colonist / Vanguard / War Hero

Liara says her final goodbyes to her mother...

As always, feedback is welcome and desired.