Ardat Yakshi – Chapter 14
Are we there yet?
As if nothing had happened, Liara and Elysia spend the next 96 hours in complete bliss as they enjoy their time at the luxurious hotel; taking in every amenity possible the resort had to offer. They swam for hours in the large private pool, took in the best shows and ate the most exquisite foods and desserts. They indulged in every possible way leaving the world around them behind. Each night Liara had to carry the overly exhausted asari to their bed. And although they were experiencing some of the best four days of their lives, it was the evenings in which Liara loved best. It was when she would stare at the young Elysia snuggled right next to her, despite the humongous bed, that she enjoyed most. She knew this time would be limited and wanted to take in every possible second she could.
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In a completely ecstatic voice Elysia yelled out, "LiLi! Watch me Watch!" The young asari wiped her nose with her hand trying to ease her breathing. "Yes dear, I am watching." Liara kindly responded. Splash! As water went everywhere from the pool, Elysia quickly came swimming up to Liara, "Did you see that cannon ball? That was awesome wasn't it?" Smiling wildly, "Yes it was." Clearing her throat Elysia excitedly asked, "Wanna see me do it again?" Liara proudly nodded yes and off with a flash Elysia was climbing out of the pool for her next trick.
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It was on the fifth morning that Elysia noticed, on her way back to bed from the bathroom, that there were 3 silver suit cases sitting in the living room and a fully dressed Liara was lying in bed with her. Without saying a word she slowly crawled back into bed with Liara hoping to stretch out their time in the hotel as long as possible. She laid her head on Liara's chest listening to the rhythmic pulse of her multi-chambered heart. Keeping her ear canal close to the beating sounds, Elysia softly asked, "Today is the day isn't it?" Continuing her gentle strokes on the young girl's crest like her mother used to do to her, she answered breathlessly, "I'm afraid it is."
Liara had secretly hoped that her new contact in the transport hub would have failed her task or at least been delayed a lot longer than she was. But sadly, she had come through as promised. There would be a private shuttle leaving for Thessia today at 1500 hours. The shuttle would return to Liara's home planet and location of the Secret Asari Magistrate as well as home of many other wonderful things.
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With heavy chests Liara and Elysia strolled into the private terminal they had been directed to. They were pleasantly greeted by the Transport Manager, Misha Bek'kon. "Good Afternoon Ladies" Misha said as she touched her forehead and gave a slight bow. Liara was pleasantly surprised at her knowledge of customary asari greetings. It wasn't something seen very often on Illium and certainly not by someone who worked the night shift of the loading docks. The information broker was equally impressed that she had acknowledged Elysia's presence as well; also something not often heard of on Illium.
Elysia giggled at the woman's gesture. She had never seen such a display of refinement on the planet. Liara smiled warmly and returned the greeting with a slight nod of her own. Watching her teacher intently, the youngest asari repeated Liara's movements by nodding her head too. "Good afternoon to you as well." Liara hummed.
Misha had a sparkle in her eye thanks to Liara's travel companion being a child and not a lover as she had imagined. The matron inquired, "Is this your 'special' travel companion today?" Elysia went to touch Misha to introduce herself when a sharp glance from Liara stopped her dead in her tracks. The matron however wasn't offended as mothers of very young asari often do not allow non-family members to touch them at all. Instead she nicely asked, "And what is your name little one?"
Elysia again looked up and saw a defiant look on Liara's face. She then quietly moved behind her guardian removing her eyes from the matron. When Liara was satisfied that Elysia was safely behind her, she returned her eyes to the matron and courteously answered in husky whisper, "That is not important." Working for such a long time on Illium, the transport manager was not offended by their secrecy. Especially since the young woman had gone through great lengths and many credits to arrange this 'special' undocumented shuttle. As she had boasted before, there wasn't a lot she hadn't seen before, therefore Misha had grown accustomed to having a thick layer of skin and wasn't easily offended by anyone.
"Have all the arrangements been made?" Asked the young maiden. "Exactly as you requested. You will have no problem entering Thessia space nor landing at the space terminal." The young woman quipped, "Are you sure it will be safe?" Smirking Misha replied, "Absolutely, I have a friend there who should really never play cards against me." Chuckling slightly, "She's been paying her debt to me for decades. She would do anything to get from under my thumb. Besides, she runs the whole operation down in the quadrant you requested." Realizing the seriousness on the maiden's face she answered more modestly, "Absolutely safe, I promise." Gratified with the terminal manager's attention to details, Liara simply stated, "Thank you."
Liara had instructed the other dock workers that the silver cases were her bags and that they please be loaded with care. Elysia happily piped up, "I'll get this!" When the transport manager saw the small child's body begin to glow vibrantly with a biotic charge, she quickly leaped forward to restrain the child in her attempt to move something far too complicated for a child that small. Misha stood dumbfounded as she watched the very young asari lift the cases high above her head with little effort. Each case soared into the air with great control and speed. With mouth opened, Misha uttered, "Well I thought I had seen just about everything…." Her eyes widened and followed the cases that disappeared into the belly of the shuttle craft. "….but I've never seen anything like that." Liara lovingly petted Elysia's crest as she looked down at her. With a proud smile she turned back to the matron and with her crystal blue eyes she conveyed that perhaps this was the reason for her request for an absolutely quiet departure. Why this shuttle would have no record at all of ever landing or leaving Illium.
Something piqued the matron's interest further as she lazily studied the young asari and child. She knew inside that something was certainly special about this particular beautiful blue eyed asari. She wanted to know more. She knew she wanted to see her again. The transport manager took a characteristic chance and asked Liara, "Hey, when you get back, maybe we can go out or something." Seeing the sad expression on Liara's face as she continued to stroke Elysia's crest, the matron earnestly added, "Perhaps, we can go out for a drink when you come back…." She emphasized her next words. "Just to talk." The gesture was well received by the young asari and she placed a hand on Misha's arm as she stepped onto the shuttle. "Perhaps, we shall see." Lifting her arm to steady Liara onto the shuttle, she politely nodded and stepped away from the craft. As the doors began to close, from the lack of not knowing what else to say, she yelled out, "Have a safe trip! Write!" The shuttle doors sealed with a hiss and Misha started kicking herself, 'Did I really just say write? Oh Goddess! I need to get out more often.'
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It had been a dull and uneventful shuttle ride and Liara couldn't have been happier. The less attention they received the better. Being so close to Liara the whole time, Elysia was able to catch up on some much needed sleep. Liara too had been able to sleep better even if she had kept one eye alert for trouble. It was the middle of the night when they landed on Thessia and they were quickly escorted to a smaller shuttle that also made a hasty departure into the night's sky. It would be early afternoon before they reached their intended destination.
A/N: To see through a window is to peek. A mountain has a peak and to excite or arouse interest is to pique.
Aw you got to love the English language, right?