Chapter 10 - An Evening Amongst Friends
Year 2191 CE
The Citadel, Serpent Nebula
On the afternoon of the next day, Shepard and Liara decided to grab a shuttle from the public transport terminal to get to the docking bay B13 to say goodbyes to Miranda and Oriana, insisting that Shiala makes use of their skycar. The commando's new human girlfriend was apparently departing at a similar time, but the real reason for letting Shiala use the skycar was that Morgan and Liara didn't want the commando to take them to Aria and Tevos, preferring to keep the circle of those who knew about the relationship between their asari friends as small as possible.
"Hey... Liara?" Morgan asked, slightly confused, as they got off the shuttle and were now walking by the parked skycars on the approach to the docking bay B13. Shepard was wearing her beloved leather pants, but had forsaken the leather trenchcoat, because she did not want to make Aria think that she was copying the asari's style. Instead, she had procured a nicely form fitting white sweater with a high turtleneck, just in case someone might be able to spot the hickeys Liara had generously graced her with.
"Yes, Morgan, what is it?" Liara stopped to look back at her, unsure of what had caused Shepard to hesitate.
"Well... isn't this our skycar?" she pointed at one of the vehicles, then checking the registration number with the information from the rental company on her omni-tool. "Yup... that's our skycar. Seems like Shiala's girlfriend is on the same flight as Miranda and Oriana. It really would have made sense to ask her from which docking bay they would be leaving, but apparently we fail at communications."
"It is... slightly amusing," Liara chuckled. "You know... I'm starting to get a funny feeling about this..." she remarked, as they began walking towards the docking bay, but refused to elaborate when Shepard looked at her.
They eventually managed to notice Miranda standing alone in one of the lounges of the docking bay, already having deposited their luggage for loading. With her outfit closely matching the one she had worn during their days of battling the Collectors, she was not exactly difficult to spot, and as Shepard and Liara approached her, they were surprised only that Miranda was once again not accompanied by her sister.
"I'll have Ori's head for this, I swear," Miranda hissed, seeing them both approaching. "I told her that Shepard and Liara wanted to meet her, but no... she still sneaks off to probably meet with that asari temptress of hers while I'm not looking..."
"I didn't think anyone could escape from your watchful gaze, Miranda," Shepard joked, a little amused.
"Well, at least I have news that I think you will like, Shepard," Miranda smiled. "I discussed the offer with Ori, and she wants me to take the Spectre job. She said she couldn't be more proud about having her sister being one of the famous Spectres, and one of the first humans to join their ranks... so I guess I don't have a choice now. I still want to discuss some matters with Councilor Hackett before I agree to anything... but for now, my answer is positive."
"Oh, that is great, I can't tell you how delighted I am," Morgan exclaimed, feeling happy and relieved. "Hackett will be glad too, I'm sure he'll be accommodating to whatever requests you might have."
"Should we go look for Oriana, perhaps?" Liara suggested, once Morgan had calmed down from having learned the exciting news. "The boarding starts in ten minutes, so we have a little bit of time."
Miranda and Shepard both nodded to that, starting to slowly walk through the massive docking bay, paying particular attention to checking the darkened corners of every passenger lounge for a pair of star-struck lovers seeking some last moments of privacy. It took maybe five minutes, not more, for their search to produce results, Miranda noticing the couple pressed against the wall in one of the lounges, the asari running her hand along the young human's thigh, Oriana's leg wrapped around her lover's hip, both oblivious and lost to the galaxy.
"Oriana Lawson!" Miranda exclaimed loudly, startling the pair who separated quickly, stunning Shepard when she noticed just who Oriana's asari lover was... and sending Liara into choking fits of laughter.
"Shiala!" Morgan finally managed. "You... and Oriana... oh god... did you know about this?" she glared at the highly amused Liara who could only shake her head in reply.
"Miranda!" Oriana exclaimed, blushing deeply. "Uh... Shepard... Dr. T'Soni... I'm sorry..."
"Mistress Liara? Shepard? What are you doing here?" Shiala blinked.
"Wait..." Miranda glared at Shepard. "You know this hussy?"
"This 'hussy' is the leader of the commandos of T'Soni household," Liara replied, now a little less amused about Miranda's words directed at Shiala.
"Wait... you know Shepard and Liara?" Oriana gave Shiala a confused look. "Why did you never even mentioned them?"
"Would that have changed the way you see me?" Shiala shrugged. Oriana shook her head. "Anyway... I meant to do that, but I guess it just slipped my mind. I was very distracted, you know." Oriana's blush deepened at that, while Miranda continued to quietly seethe.
"Shepard, if I found out that you or Liara set this seductress up to mess with my sister's head, I'm going to be very unhappy," Miranda hissed at them.
"I told you that she's very protective," Oriana leaned in closer to Shiala to whisper in her ear folds, the asari commando nodding as she merely grinned at the ineffective glares Miranda was sending her way.
"Alright, enough of this nonsense," Miranda then huffed, grabbing Oriana by the hand and trying to pull her away, her sister in turn not letting go of Shiala, pulling her along. "Ori, they are starting to board, we need to be off!" she admonished.
"Sure, just a moment, Miri," Oriana said, shaking her sister's grasp off and turning to embrace and kiss Shiala one more time. "You'll write, of course? And maybe come visit? Please?"
"I will write, I promise," Shiala nodded earnestly. "Glad to have made your acquaintance, Miranda," she then bowed to the older sister, just to enrage her further, much to Shepard and Liara's amusement, Miranda muttering something unintelligible in return as she began to pull Oriana with her towards the boarding ramp.
"Bye Shiala! I'll miss you!" Oriana continued to speak as Miranda was now unceremoniously dragging her away. "And bye Shepard and Liara! Sorry I didn't spend more time with you!"
Shepard, Liara and Shiala were busy waving the two sisters off, until they walked up the ramp and entered the ship. "I'm sorry about that," Shiala spoke up, once the Lawson sisters had disappeared from their view. "I honestly did not mean to anger your friend."
"That's quite alright, Shiala," Morgan smiled. "Watching Miranda rage like that is pretty damn funny."
"Do you plan to stay in contact with her?" Liara asked, looking at Shiala more seriously. "Oriana is a sweet girl, I would not wish to see her hurt."
"I will write, that does not take much of my time," Shiala said. "As for visiting... well, sadly I do not expect to have many opportunities for that."
Shepard and Liara exchanged quick glances, remembering their plans for Shiala and the Khar'shan mission. "Yes... I'm afraid that might be problematic..." Morgan remarked a little sadly, as they began their way back to the shuttle bay.
"Shepard, about damn time!" Morgan felt herself being pulled into the traditional asari greeting, holding hands with Aria as the Pirate Queen planted a kiss on her cheek, then repeating the same with Liara, who finally seemed perfectly at ease with this display of affection, Aria's antics no longer flustering her unlike all those years ago. "I thought you would never make it!" their hostess huffed, welcoming them inside, after they had finally finished all the hugging and kissing with Tevos, Rila and Falere.
"We're actually a few minutes early," Shepard grinned at Aria, happy to see their friend in a good if slightly overbearing mood, pouring her and Liara glasses of elassa and slipping them into their hands without even asking whether they wanted the drink or not.
"Are you two hungry?" Tevos asked, looking at Morgan and Liara, both shaking their heads quickly. "Very well, in that case, we can have dinner later. Truth be told, I would not mind simply talking and catching up with things to begin with."
"That would be lovely," Liara nodded, smiling as she turned to Aria. "You have been quite busy on Omega, or so I hear, Aria?"
"Yes, tell us just what you're up to, Aria," Shepard urged the reinstated Queen.
Aria shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "More or less the usual, cracking skulls and trying to keep order," she said. "Things have changed a little, though. I'm no longer even allowing docking on Omega to those who I know only arrive to cause trouble, I don't need insane murderers and madmen running amok on the station, when I'm trying to clean up the image a little bit. I've invested heavily in something akin to customs and security, to make sure that at least some of the troublemakers remain outside the gates. Of course, that doesn't sit well with some... even last month, some Eclipse captain decided that he'd take on the whole station in his fancy new frigate after I denied his docking request."
"What happened?" Liara asked.
"He found out all about the upgraded defense grid of the station... I really love it when they give me opportunities to use those cannons, bloody damn good show! Cerberus did me a huge favor there," she laughed heartily, raising her glass. "So here's to you, Cerberus bastards!"
"What about your whole positive PR campaign?" now it was Morgan's turn to ask. "I'm aware that you're buying stakes in some legit businesses, but I don't know much more than that."
"It's really quite simple, Shepard," Aria replied. "The eezo mines bring in a steady profit every month, and I'm using those credits along with my old savings to buy up some floundering companies on Thessia, Sur'Kesh, Earth, you name it... I don't even care what they do, I just want the brand name. Then I pull a few levers... speak to some people... and these companies suddenly decide to invest into some project on Omega."
"Hey... that's a pretty good plan, simple, but good... I like it," Morgan nodded.
"Yes, there's nothing quite like the news bulletin reporting that the Nashiri Adult Electronics have opened their new vibrator factory on Omega," Aria rolled her eyes to the laughter of everyone present. "I'm not sure there's much that is not produced on Omega now, we have everything from sex toys to personal hygiene products, furniture, a brewery and several confectioneries... yes, it all sounds unbearably mundane, but at least I still get to shoot some idiots now and then, so it's not all disgustingly civilized."
"But this means more work opportunities for the people of Omega, doesn't it?" Liara asked, looking at Aria approvingly.
"Yes... I suppose it does at that," the Pirate Queen shrugged again. "Actually, we are experiencing a shortage of workers, the Cerberus rule has left the station's population seriously depleted. And I don't just need anyone, we need qualified specialists to work in those ridiculous sex toy factories."
"It is an interesting change to see people reading about job opportunities on Omega, and actually giving the idea a good thought, instead of dismissing it outright," Tevos added, looking pleased. "Crime is down... well, compared to what it was... press is mostly positive and praising Omega's thriving economy and investment opportunities... the landscape is slowly beginning to change."
"Speaking about press... I can tolerate a few reporters now and then, but Tevos, I want you to make sure that the human bitch from Second Star Broadcasting never sets her foot on Omega ever again," Aria snarled angrily. "She actually thought I was going to sleep with her, I'm not sure who or what had given her the idea that I would fuck just anyone who dresses a little provocatively, but I came very close to simply throwing her into a varren pit."
"She will not bother you again... or I will throw her into a varren pit myself," Tevos promised, looking like she was grinding her teeth a little.
It does seem to me that Aria is honoring the promise that she gave to Nyreen and the people of Omega... Morgan thought to herself. I... I guess I had my doubts, but I'm very glad that Aria has been proving me wrong so far. She will never be a model citizen, prim and proper, but god knows I don't want her to be that, if I'm honest, I would not find her nearly as interesting then...
"What about those ex-Cerberus people still on the station?" Liara asked, looking curious. "Have you removed all trace of them?"
"There were around eighty of them left, when I retook the reigns of Omega. My people are keeping tight tabs on them, but they appear completely harmless, having gone back to simple, mundane lives, now that the indoctrination effects have cleared," Aria explained. "There's something you need to see, though... I found it extremely amusing, myself," she said, activating her omni-tool and quickly locating a small clip of video footage, bringing it up on the screen to display it for everyone.
"Looks like a middle-aged, bearded human male working on a production line to wrap boxes of vibrators," Shepard spoke, having watched the recording, finding nothing particularly remarkable about it.
"Yes, there's really nothing interesting about this man at the first glance. Thomas Maurice, works a twelve hour shift every day to return to his tiny apartment in Kenzo District at the end of each mundane day, eat, play some extranet game for an hour or two before falling asleep and then repeating this dull cycle of existence over and over again," Aria said, then bringing up another image, this one of a middle-aged man standing proud in a Cerberus uniform. After a bit of squinting, Morgan was forced to admit that he did share some similarities with the man in the previous footage.
"Goddess... it's Admiral Oleg Petrovsky!" Liara gasped in realization. "He... he's working in one of your factories? I... can't believe it!"
"Of course, when my people had finally located him, I arrived to kill him... only to find this pathetic sight before me," Aria brought the footage up again. "The man who threw me off Omega and humiliated me is now working in a factory that I own, putting together sex toys... his dreams and ambitions completely wiped from his mind, a broken, empty shell of a man... and then I realized that I cannot kill him, for he is already dead... I decided that it would be more fitting to allow him to exist in such a state of hopelessness."
"That's... brilliant," Morgan agreed, just like Liara appearing a little astonished. I would have thought that she would kill him for sure... but damn it, this kind of punishment is almost more cruel and fitting... it's like with the Patriarch before, but somehow even more humiliating. As she was still thinking about Petrovsky and his fate, Rila and Falere returned from the kitchen, where they had been finishing some final upcoming dinner preparations. "And how do you find Omega, girls?" Morgan asked as the Ardat-Yakshi sisters joined them, choosing to sit on the carpet at Aria's feet like a pair of obedient and harmless kittens.
"It was frightening at first... so dark and gloomy," Falere admitted, exchanging a brief look with Rila before replying. "But I think we have slowly grown used to it. And the changes that Aria is making to the place... slowly, but we're starting to see the signs of that, too."
"Where are you two staying on Omega?" Liara inquired.
"Aria appropriated one of the nicest apartments in the Fumi District," now it was Rila's turn to speak. "We're staying there most of the time, it's very comfortable. Aria does not want us to visit her at the Afterlife, but she spends time with us every day."
"You know perfectly well why I do not want you coming to the club," Aria reminded Rila, even if the young Ardat-Yakshi had not sounded aggrieved when speaking.
"But we agree... the one or two times I've been there, I did not like that place at all," Rila actually shuddered from the memory. "The music was so loud and unpleasant, the overwhelming smells and the underdressed patrons... it was quite simply awful!" Falere was nodding vehemently in agreement with that statement.
"It is still better than being locked up at the monastery, though," the younger of the two sisters spoke up again. "And we are not prisoners there, we are free to wander around Omega, as long as we are accompanied by the three commandos Aria has assigned to us for protection. There's a lot to explore!"
"A necessary precaution... after all, it is still Omega," Aria said simply.
"I don't imagine there are a lot of inspiring views to capture for your paintings, Rila," Shepard remarked, smiling at the young asari.
"Oh... I would not say that, Shepard. Some of the sights are truly impressive, such as the eezo mines and those massive drills... frightening, yet amazing in their own special way," Rila replied. "I think Aria is right and Omega does have its charm... though it is not easy to discover and it does not reveal itself to everyone."
"She has an entire collection of drawings of Omega," Aria said. "I think it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. She captures the essence of Omega perfectly. At some point, I will find an opportunity to put her work on display in some prominent place, it's the least I can do to give Rila the recognition she deserves." Rila was blushing deeply from the unexpected and overwhelming praise, almost starting to sniffle a bit.
"I'm very happy for you Rila, it's good that you have been able to continue the pursuit of your talents," Liara agreed happily, then turning towards the other sister. "And Falere, have you worked on any new musical pieces to delight us with?"
"I have worked on something, but we have not had the chance to practice together yet," Falere replied, looking up to where Tevos sat on the sofa and giving her a fond stare. "Aria is going to leave us on the Citadel for the next month, though, so we'll have a lot of time for rehearsing."
"Yes, and I cannot express how delighted I am for having this opportunity," Tevos beamed happily, reaching lower to affectionately squeeze Falere's shoulder, before putting her arms around Aria next to her and leaning in to tenderly and unashamedly kiss her. "And I am ever so thankful to you for allowing them to stay... I cannot wait for the day when we can all remain together without having to hide our love, but for now, we must all remain patient."
"That day is coming... I promise," Aria replied hoarsely, looking a little affected by the intense kiss.
"Now..." Tevos said, breaking away from Aria and looking at Shepard and Liara. "We still have quite a selection of musical delights to share with you, our esteemed guests... but the decision is yours, food or music?"
Liara and Shepard exchanged a quick glance, replying as one. "Music!"
Hours rushed by swiftly, listening to the enchanting performances by Tevos, Rila and Falere, then followed up with a highly enjoyable dinner prepared by the two sisters, consisting mostly of Earth cuisine in Shepard's honor. Afterwards, as the evening began to wind down, stretching towards the night, Rila and Falere wished them all goodnight and retired to their bedroom, leaving the four others to lounge on the two comfy sofas opposite to each other.
Watching Aria and Tevos idly cuddling on the other sofa, Shepard could not help but to be reminded of all the emotional experiences and visions that she had gone through while listening to the performance of the three asari, putting her under their spell with their beautiful music. Most of the time, it pulled her back to the years gone by, bringing up more and more forgotten memories of her childhood, but some of the musical pieces seemed to have a dramatically different effect.
One in particular had left her a little shaken, it had resonated with something she had thought of herself just recently, a vision of what she knew the future held for her. She saw the face of Councilor Hackett, like in a slide show quickly growing old through the years, his hair turning white and deep creases appearing in the sagging skin of his face, as he spoke to her about stepping down from his role of the Councilor... at which point, the vision changed, showing herself standing next to the old, retiring Hackett... Morgan was looking young and radiant, just as she was now... not having aged a single bit. She found the image very disorientating and difficult to process.
There were other images like that. Vibrant vision of herself standing next to an aging Garrus, barely being able to move, supported by his adopted turian son. Tali, moving around slowly with a walking cane, shaking as fits of coughing seized her body. Kasumi, stepping down from her Spectre position due to old age and slowly walking out of the Council Chambers. Shepard seeing herself standing before the final resting place of Karin Chakwas, holding a wreath of flowers. This is what will happen, you know it, a voice seemed to be whispering to her. You have been changed, and now you will have to witness this. Your friends will grow old and die, while you remain young and beautiful. You will outlive their children... and possibly their children's children...
The visions shifted again, now showing her next to Liara, Tevos and Aria... years, decades, a century rolled by... and nothing changed. This is what they have learned to cope with... to watch others pass on, while remaining ever beautiful... can you learn to deal with it? Can you become like them, almost a part-asari? You will have to... if you want to live like this and retain your sanity, without losing your mind to the grief as everyone and everything around you withers and dies. Embrace it... embrace everything that is asari, they way they think, feel and act... it is the only way you can cope...
"Everything alright, Morgan?" Liara whispered to her, shaking Shepard out of her somber reflections and slightly startling her.
"Wha-... oh, yeah... just got carried away a bit," she recovered quickly, as Liara snuggled closer to her side. Morgan noticed that Tevos had settled to rest with her head in Aria's lap, the Pirate Queen idly caressing her crests and the councilor now and then making a delightful little purr, very alike to what Morgan would coax from Liara during similar tender ministrations.
"So, Aria..." Morgan spoke up a while later, eager to have something else to think about other than the recollections of her visions. "Didn't you at one point plan to purchase some property on Thessia as well?"
"I did, yes," Aria replied, her fingers never stopping to trace the outlines of Tevos' crest.
"Well? Why haven't you done so already?" Shepard continued to press.
"Who says I haven't?" Aria flashed her one of those insufferably smug grins. "It's a surprise. You'll find out all about it in due time."
"I can't stand it when you do that, Aria," Liara chuckled, but Aria's grin made it perfectly clear that she knew how irritating she was being, thoroughly enjoying frustrating the other pair.
"Might be a task for our Shadowy Broker friend to find that out," Morgan whispered to Liara, her bondmate nodding eagerly.
"Anyway, Shepard... I do have something for you and Liara," Aria then continued. "If you reach behind that sofa, you'll find a small white box. Take it."
Shepard sat up straight and peered behind the sofa, then reaching down to pick up the box Aria had referred to. Liara rose too, urged by curiosity, watching Shepard opening the box that contained a pair of multicolored ribbons. Morgan blinked at the sight, not sure what to think, but Liara's gasp made it clear that she recognized what these ribbons represented.
"Traditional bonding bracelets!" Liara exclaimed, giving Aria a slightly stunned look. "Aria... we can't just accept this... how did you even get them, they are rarely made nowadays!"
"Where I got them is unimportant," Aria shrugged, smiling thinly. "And I'm only giving them to you on one condition. I have a feeling that you two are not eager to have a proper bonding ceremony on Thessia right now, because of how much stir and attention it would cause. As for Tevos and myself... well, no one can predict how long we will have to wait. So, I've decided that we will do something about it before we can be bonded before the watchful eyes of the galaxy. I'm trying to set up a quiet little bonding ceremony on Ilium... very exclusive and secretive. Tevos and I spoke about it, and we decided that we would like to have you two joining us for a double bonding ceremony."
"What... seriously?" Shepard blinked, looking at the equally stunned Liara, at first uncertain what to reply, the love of her life already being her bondmate in Morgan's eyes. This idea really should have come from me, not from Aria, but I didn't even know there was an option like this... I thought we'd have to wait for a while until the galaxy forgets just who we are and doesn't make a big fuss out of the whole deal! But I have to confess... this is something that I would love to do, if Liara is willing... She stole a quick glance to the asari next to her, seeing Liara's eyes misting slightly. Oh yes, she wants it, that much is perfectly clear. "I think that's a 'yes', Aria... thank you, that was... an unexpected, but lovely offer," Morgan managed, feeling a little overwhelmed.
"Yes... thank you so much, both of you," Liara recovered to smile at the other couple, taking out one of the ribbons and trying out how it felt wrapped around her wrist, a single tear escaping her eye as she admired the formed bracelet. "So beautiful... I remember finding one exactly like this amongst my mother's belongings... she was so mad when I prodded her about it... but later that evening, I caught Benezia crying in her room..."
Shepard wrapped her arms around Liara, embracing her tightly, as the asari placed the ribbon back into the box, closing it gently. "Do you have a date set for the ceremony, Aria?" she asked of the Pirate Queen.
"Not yet, but it should take place roughly in six months," Aria replied. "And Shepard, keep quiet about it, alright? Also, we'll be bringing the girls with us, so I think it's only fair that you bring two guests as well, but no more."
"Hmm... Tali and Garrus?" Morgan asked, turning to Liara.
"Tali and Garrus," Liara nodded with conviction.
"I was afraid that you would choose to bring that pain in the ass turian," Aria sighed theatrically, continuing to idly stroke the councilor's crest, then bending down a little to reward Tevos with a lingering lick along the fringe of her crest that sent the other asari squirming and struggling not to gasp. "And with that, I think we're going to retire for the night... looks like Tevos is slowly getting in the mood..."
"Good idea, we'll be joining y-... uh, I mean, we'll follow your example shortly," Shepard said, blushing from her little faux pas.
Aria let out a sharp laugh, slapping Tevos lightly on her backside to urge the councilor towards the steps leading upstairs. "Thank you, Shepard," the Queen of Omega chuckled, as she followed her lover. "That slip of the tongue just really got me in the mood as well..."
A/N: A note about my personal head-canon on asari bondings and why Shepard and Liara are not having a massive wedding back on Thessia.
First of all, Liara's age comes into the play again. A maiden of her age just isn't supposed to enter a permanent bond, and certainly not with her first and only sexual partner. This is very much against the spirit of a maiden's quest to find out more about herself before settling down. Now, Liara is certainly famous and influential enough to still go through with it, it's not illegal, just that there is a massive social stigma attached to it, enough for it to create a lot of stir and increase attention and controversy, which they don't want.
And lastly, just the amount of attention it would bring to them, putting them even more under the scope of all the paparazzi of the galaxy, being in the news headlines... I think after everything they have gone through already, Morgan and Liara have spent more than enough time in the limelight and they would desperately try to escape such attention again if they could.
Anyway, those are my reasons and I'm sticking to them. :D