Mass Effect 30 Day Challenge: Day 14

Prompt 14: Favourite Asari

SPOILERS: Mass Effect 3

Queen

Purgatory, the Citadel, 2186 CE

Shepard should have known better than to drink that fifth glass of whiskey. Years of waking up in strange places should have made her acutely conscious of the reasons why blacking out drunk was a profoundly stupid idea, and yet here she was again, lying on a strange couch with no clue as to how she got there.

She opened her eyes slowly, grateful that she wasn't assaulted with bright lights. This definitely wasn't the Normandy; the pounding bass and sound of chatter and cheering was clue enough to that. Her head ached, and as she shut her eyes she noticed that the couch against her cheek was smooth leather and smelled of rubbing alcohol with strains of a rose-scented perfume.

Shepard tried to remember what she had been doing before her brain had switched off and she'd ended up in this position. Wincing against the thumping beat nearby her mind drifted back to the series of drinks that had set her upon the path to unconsciousness. Well, Jack was here on shore leave, she pondered, lifting a heavy hand up to rub one of her eyes. I remember doing shots, with Jack there are always shots. Then James showed up with some more of his marine grunt buddies and I didn't want to look like a tool by not having at least a couple of drinks with them. Then I ran into Cortez and he actually looked happy for the first time since I met him…

There may have also been dancing. Bad dancing, and lots of it.

Shepard risked opening her eyes again, squinting around at her surroundings. She seemed to still be in Purgatory, but this wasn't the unceremonious wake-up call she was used to getting at the Dark Star – in the men's restroom with indignant Turians glaring at her lying on the floor. This was a very comfortable couch, and that was a very pleasant smell.

Lifting her head up slowly, Shepard glanced around to try and get an idea of where she had been deposited after her blackout. She was off the dance floor, that much was certain. Not in the entryway either, the bass was too close. Where was she?

She slowly turned her head to the right and that was when she finally noticed the Asari sitting next to her. Aria T'Loak, former queen bee of Omega, now crime boss of the citadel, sat with her legs crossed and her arms resting casually on the back of the couch. She looked the same as ever, cool and calm and surveying the bar with an air of ownership, even if she had been unseated from her usual throne. She glanced over at Shepard and gave her an appraising nod, almost as if to say 'you're welcome.'

Shepard slowly dragged herself into a sitting position and gave Aria an awkward smile. Aria nodded again, still saying nothing, but crossing her arms in front of her with a gentle smile of casual apathy.

I wonder if she found me. Shepard thought to herself, slowly standing up. I wonder if she had me put next to her here, to make sure I was safe.

Or maybe this is just where I passed out and she didn't have any desire to move me.

"Shepard, there you are!"

She winced at the high-pitched cry and turned towards the steps leading to the bar to see Liara running towards her. "Liara?" She croaked.

Liara put an arm around her and helped her up the steps. "Thank the goddess I found you, Garrus has been worried sick."

"I…" Shepard coughed and groaned. "Had a little too much to drink. Sorry."

Liara turned back when they reached the top of the steps. She looked back and seemed to be taking stock of Aria, who, Shepard noticed, had not moved a finger upon Liara's arrival.

"Aria," Liara said, giving her a cautious nod. "Thank you for keeping an eye on the Commander."

"Doctor T'Soni," Aria said, nodding to Liara, and Shepard noticed even in her hungover haze that Aria had a knowing smile on her face, a smile that said 'Shadow Broker' even if she did not address Liara as such out loud.

Liara gently helped Shepard out of Purgatory, muttering something about getting her back to the Normandy, and Shepard acquiesced, though she couldn't get that expression out of her head.

Looks like the Citadel has a new Queen, Shepard thought as they stepped into the elevator, and that just might be working in my favor.

Answer: Aria T'Loak

It's hard for me not to love a character whose first rule is not to fuck with her, and when I played 3 for the first time and Kara Shepard woke up next to her in Purgatory after a bender, it sealed the deal for her being my favourite. Ice Queen, hardass, but has Shepard's back. Least that's how I saw this goofy little easter egg when you have a few too many drinks at the bar.

Fic also has bonus Liara because everyone's favourite Shadow Broker comes in as a very close second for me on my list of favourite Asari. Liara is adorable and I love love LOVE her growth and development throughout the course of the series.