A/N: I've always resented the implication that Shepard can't dance. What a load of crock. :)
Chapter 25 – Painting The Citadel Red
Year 2196 CE
The Citadel, Serpent Nebula
"Are you quite done?" Shepard asked in a bored voice, leaning against the doorframe, then lazily popping salted peanuts into her mouth and starting to munch while she watched Aria working over a screaming turian, using a sharp metal pole, knocking the pleading thug down and then whacking him repeatedly until the bastard finally seized twitching and whimpering.
"Yeah. Now I'm done," Aria grunted, throwing the metal stick aside as she took several deep breaths, the savage beating she had unleashed on the unfortunate victim having left her very exhausted.
"So... how many targets do we have left?" Shepard inquired. The brutal violence was slowly starting to get to her a little, even if she had already learned so many new facts that made her approve of Aria's actions even more.
"Well, normally I would have said five, but since we got some new leads... let's see..." Aria switched on her omni-tool and took a peek at her notes. "Thirteen names left. That's going to take a while."
The new leads had appeared as a result of some of Aria's initial targets starting to talk when faced with the very real possibility of violent death. One human had dropped to his knees, begging for his life, confessing that he had thrown several rocks at the councilor, and then offering to reveal the names of some of the instigators behind the attack. Aria had spared him, as well as three others, two turians and a human female, all of them naming more perpetrators. They were still beaten to the brink of unconsciousness, but they would live, knowing never again to try something as despicable and cowardly as their attack on Tevos.
This new intel had led Aria and Morgan to some truly despicable individuals. In one apartment, they came across four humans, three men and a woman, having their way with a gagged and bound asari dancer. That time Morgan hadn't simply stood by and watched Aria slaughtering them all, she had struck out herself, taking disturbing satisfaction in watching her omni-blade cut through the flesh of the surprised offenders. She had alerted the nearby hospital directly afterwards, only for the sake of the injured and humiliated asari dancer, the doctors looking very disturbed after they had arrived to witness the scene before them.
In another hideout, they had come across a group of five, drinking and boasting, and when Aria's eyes fell upon the 'trophy' in the hands of one of the turians, the remains of her bondmate's ruined dress, she had gone completely berserk, reducing the five to red smears on the wall, her wild biotic discharges almost leveling the entire apartment. And while searching for a rare batarian involved in the attacks, Aria and Shepard had found him in one of the seediest bars at the bottom of Shalta Ward, boasting about stabbing one of the commandos to death. He had expired violently a few moments later, his death sparking a massive bar brawl amongst the few dozen patrons in attendance, and while Aria looked happy to remain there and kill anyone who would dare to attack or even come near her, Morgan had grabbed her by the hand and pulled her out of the bar.
"Aria, I know you are probably itching for more, but I don't think I can go on just now," Morgan sighed, shaking her head. "Let's take a break. I could do with a drink... or two... dozen."
At first Aria looked about to protest, disapproval etched across her features. Then she gave a small shrug, nodding curtly. "Fair enough... I am getting slightly tired," she confessed. "And a drink sounds just perfect. I think we're only two minutes away from the Purgatory, aren't we?"
"That's correct," Morgan smiled, relieved that Aria did not put up more protests. With this delay, there was a chance that some of the culprits would learn about their buddies getting killed all across the Citadel, burrowing down and disappearing, but it was a chance that they had to take simply for the sake of retaining their sanity, and she was happy to see Aria recognizing that as well.
Purgatory looked much the same as it did during the Great War, there was only one difference to the place now, they could see no asari present in the establishment and the dancers and waitresses had been replaced by near-naked human females. On the way to the bar, Aria had to punch at least two idiots in the face, not recognizing her identity and approaching her with some kind of racial slurs, ending up collecting their teeth from the busy dance floor.
Aria and Shepard simply ordered two bottles of Noverian rum, grabbed a pair of empty glasses from the counter and crawled to a remote booth, desiring privacy as they enjoyed their small drinking binge. The word about their and especially Aria's presence spread quickly throughout the premises, and Morgan was only too happy to note that soon enough everyone gave their booth a very wide berth, not fancying their chances in getting tangled up with the Pirate Queen or Spectre Shepard.
"How are you, Aria? I mean, really, how are you?" Shepard asked after they had both finished the first glass of rum, watching the cold, hard expression on Aria's face slowly beginning to slacken.
"I don't know what to reply to that, Shepard," Aria shrugged. "I'm just doing what I know needs to be done. I'm not really over-thinking this. We're killing off a bunch of assholes. That's all there is to it."
"You know that Tevos isn't going to feel better from knowing what you did, so you're actually doing this for yourself," Morgan remarked. "Is it making you feel better?"
"No. Yes... maybe, a little bit. Damn it," Aria cursed. "Not as much as I hoped it would. Still, these thugs are the worst dregs of the society, the lowest of scum, worse than most of my people on Omega... cleansing the Citadel from these bastards is... well, we're doing the people here a favor."
"After what I've seen today... I'm rather tempted to agree," Morgan nodded.
"I... wonder how they're doing back on Thessia," Aria sighed wistfully, deep into her second cup. "Damn... I miss her, you know. But your perfect little bondmate is doing such a great job with helping Tevos... I'm quite thankful to her, I know I would just fuck something up if she were exposed to the ugly thoughts of blood and death in my head... haven't dared to meld with her since the attack..."
"Give it a little time, Aria... you'll both be fine," Shepard smiled encouragingly.
"Yeah, I know we will," Aria said. "It's just... hard. I'm not used to being patient. And after all this violence and killing, damn... I... need her so much right now." The Pirate Queen looked at Shepard with a hungry expression in her eyes. "Damn it, look at how easily I fall back to that old way of thinking... I am just so hungry to get laid after something like this, and you're here and attractive as ever, and… shit, I'm tempted, so very tempted, but I simply can't..."
"I know what you mean, Aria," Morgan quietly agreed. "All this violence... damn, if Liara was here, I know exactly what the two of us would be doing. And I'm starting to get a bit drunk, I'm feeling sorry for what you and Tevos are going through, and you are perfectly aware of the almost animal magnetism you possess... I'm probably as vulnerable to agreeing to sleep with you as I'll ever be, Aria, and I still can't do that... so let's not go there."
"Fuck, Shepard... you saying that just made the urge get a lot worse," Aria groaned, quickly drowning another glass.
"Uh... sorry," Morgan grinned guiltily, able to imagine perfectly well just how Aria was feeling right now.
For a while, neither of them said anything, drinking and quietly working on reaching the bottom of their respective bottles, until Aria suddenly snapped her fingers, a wicked expression on her face. "I've got it!" she exclaimed. "I've figured out a way how we both can help each other with our little... issue..."
"Oh? Do tell..." Shepard ventured, her curiosity piqued.
"Let me explain..." Aria grinned, leaning closer and beginning to whisper in Morgan's ear, the human's face slowly starting to color with a pronounced blush, Shepard feeling as if someone had suddenly turned on the heat in the Purgatory.
"That's kind of... skirting the edges a little, there, Aria..." she muttered, slightly uneasily.
"But not crossing them, wouldn't you agree?" Aria asked. "I do not want to cross any borders, myself."
"I... suppose it doesn't, at that," Morgan finally agreed.
"So, you're in?" there was challenge in Aria's eyes, one that Morgan knew she could not refuse.
"...alright, you're on," she nodded, pouring more rum into her glass. "But let me finish this bottle off... I think I need to be a bit more drunk when we try that..."
Armali, Thessia
'Thank you, Liara.' The profound feelings of gratitude were the last thing that Liara sensed through the meld before the two minds gently untangled. The younger asari rolled over on her back in the bed and lay there, staring at the mural covered ceiling, waiting patiently until her thoughts slowly settled.
The sessions she had with Tevos were intense, emotionally exhausting, but in the end, ultimately rewarding, and most importantly, Liara felt that she had been able to help the councilor heal from the mental fractures she had sustained during the Citadel assault. Tevos still spent most of the time resting and sleeping in her bedroom, but at least lately she had began to move around the estate, no longer looking in panic when the prospect of taking a walk in the garden was brought up.
"How are you feeling?" Liara asked softly, turning her head to look upon Tevos' profile, the councilor also resting on her back and staring at the ceiling. There were still one or two scars on the older asari's face, but the treatment she was receiving, coupled with the fabled asari regeneration meant that the marks would eventually fade.
"Better. Much better," Tevos replied quietly. "As if a massive weight had been lifted from my chest. The guilt and the memories will creep back as the hours pass by, but… with every day, every melding, it becomes easier. And I have you to thank for it, Liara," she reached out, taking the maiden's hand in hers.
"Well… I have to thank you in turn, because our melds are helping me as well," Liara replied, squeezing the councilor's hand in a gesture of affection and encouragement. "I'm glad that both Aria and Shepard were in favor of allowing us to go ahead with these sessions."
"Why wouldn't they, if it helps us both to heal?" Tevos asked. "Possessive as Aria is, she knows that she cannot help me right now, desperate as she is to do something to aid. Her entire being is consumed by anger, hatred and dreams of vengeance, and she is entirely correct in denying me the joining of our minds until she has worked these dark, destructive feelings out of her system. I love her with my entire being, and once she returns from the Citadel, hopefully in better spirits, I will welcome her, cherish the presence of her strength, protectiveness and security that she empowers me with. But right now, I require a gentler mind to join with… and Liara, I do not know of anyone else more suited than you."
"I am… truly delighted that I can do something to help you both," Liara admitted, her heart swelling with joy and satisfaction, buoyed by the elation that she still felt from the meld. "But you know that you are helping me almost as much, do you not?"
"Yes… I do," Tevos admitted after a moment of silence. The guilt that sometimes was literally tearing Liara apart from the inside came and went, but she had not been able to deal with it in a satisfactory way, not until she was certain that her decisions had not ruined any dreams of future that her beloved daughter might have. "I am… not entirely certain why you do not allow Shepard to help you with these feelings, Liara. She is caring, patient, and her love for you is boundless."
"I… do allow her to help, but… it is just so very hard for her," Liara spoke up quietly. "Whenever I allow her to sense my anguish, it just makes her so depressed because she does not know how to help me feel better, and that in turn makes me feel even guiltier for upsetting her. She knows that it was my desperate love for her that made me succumb to my desire to have a child with her, no matter the cost… and she begins to blame herself as well, and I will not have that. Morgan has too many regrets of her own to dwell upon, she does not need to agonize over my impulsive and hasty decisions as well."
"This war has left its harsh imprint on us all, hasn't it?" Tevos asked softly.
"Will we ever truly heal, do you think?" Liara ventured, still sounding a little hopeful.
"Yes, we will, we have to believe that," the councilor said. "We will endure by helping each other, and eventually we will purge these ugly shadows from our lives, finding ourselves able to move on."
"I... will do my best to cling on to the hope brought by your words," Liara sighed, settling in a little closer to Tevos until their shoulders touched. "I just wish it did not take as long as it does. Times like this, I almost consider the asari life span a curse instead of a blessing."
"But it also provides us with a wonderful opportunity by granting us plenty of time in which to work and try to atone for the mistakes we have made," Tevos said, Liara understanding perfectly well what the councilor had meant. During their first melds, Tevos' guilt over her own actions prior to the Reaper War had almost overwhelmed Liara with its intensity. These feelings had almost convinced Tevos that she deserved what had been done to her by the mob of protesters. Together, they had worked through these emotions, and progressed to the point where Tevos still accepted the responsibility and shouldered the blame, but began to see her purpose in diligent work to help build a new, more peaceful galaxy, instead of believing that she deserved to meet her end at the hands of an enraged crowd.
"Yes... that it does," Liara finally agreed, feeling unusually content, finding strength and hope in their close quarters. She felt so comfortable and at ease that she didn't even stir at the light knock on the door, before Falere poked her head through the gap in doors, grinning broadly when she saw them both sleepily lounging on the bed.
"That looks awfully comfy," the smiling maiden chuckled, stepping into the room. "And I truly hate to interrupt, but..."
"What is it, Falere?" Tevos looked kindly upon her unlikely stepdaughter. "Oh... have they arrived already?"
"Yes, the shuttle landed in the courtyard moments ago," Falere nodded.
Liara rose from the bed and sent an inquiring look in the direction of Tevos. "What is happening? Tevos, are you certain that you are ready to receive visitors?" she asked, a little worriedly.
"No, I am not certain... but I have to," Tevos nodded grimly, slowly beginning to rise from the bed as well, then looking up at her stepdaughter. "Falere, my sweet, please take Ambassador Irissa up to the Green Study. I will meet her there."
"Of course, mother," Falere bowed, Liara smiling as she always did when either of the maidens used that particular word to refer to Tevos, or when calling Aria their 'father'.
"Ambassador Irissa has come all the way from Palaven? My friend, you are in no shape for political games," that did not stop Liara from giving Tevos a disapproving frown.
"Yet I must, for the good of our people," Tevos nodded stubbornly. "The post of the councilor cannot remain empty for too long, and I am in no shape to return to my duties, not now, not anytime soon."
"Is Irissa seeking your endorsement?" Liara asked.
"No," Tevos shook her head. "She already has it. Come, walk with me, Liara. I want you to accompany me when I speak with Irissa."
"Would she agree to discussing secrets of the state in my presence?" Liara wondered.
"She will have to," Tevos said firmly, smoothening out her robe and then taking Liara's hand as they left the bedroom and began the short walk down the corridor towards the Green Study. "I need you to be there for me, Liara. In Aria's absence, you will be my strength."
Liara knew then that she could not refuse the request, and truth be told, she felt more than a little curious about what Tevos would have to discuss with Ambassador Irissa, a well known figure in the political circles who had served as the envoy of the Asari Republics on Palaven for the past thirty five years.
Irissa arrived moments after Tevos had sat down on one of the comfortable soft chairs, Liara choosing to stand directly behind the councilor, her arms pressed against the backrest of the chair. The ambassador's appearance was harsh and almost challenging, which Liara surmised could be because of spending so much time amongst the turians, but her voice as she greeted Tevos was soft and melodic, Irissa stepping closer to prevent the councilor from rising from the chair, instead bending down as the two shared a friendly embrace. As Irissa leaned back, her eyes fell upon Liara, widening a little from surprise.
"Ambassador, I trust you recognize Doctor Liara T'Soni, our hero of the Reaper War?" Tevos asked by the way of introduction.
"I do, indeed. It is an honor," Irissa nodded, approaching Liara and offering the customary open-palmed greeting, which Liara quickly accepted, sensing no ill intent from the other asari, save for mild curiosity. "I was lead to believe that this meeting would be private, Councilor," Irissa did say, looking at Tevos.
"I am afraid I will have to insist, Irissa," Tevos replied, her voice a little weak but still firm. "Is this going to be a problem?"
"No... no," the ambassador shook her head quickly enough. "I am certain that Doctor T'Soni has only the best interests of our people close to her heart." Liara simply nodded, watching Irissa relax a little as she pulled up a chair and sat herself down to face Tevos.
"Have all the arrangements been made?" was the first thing that Tevos asked.
"Yes," Irissa nodded quickly. "It is a little disconcerting leaving Palaven after spending so much time there. And the situation on the Citadel is so volatile that truth be told, I no longer dearly covet the post I once desired so much. But for the good of our people, I know I must accept."
"There could be no better candidate, my friend, and we both know it," Tevos spoke in a kind voice. "If there is a way I can aid you behind the scenes, I will. Goddess knows, your reign will not be an easy one."
"My temporary reign," Irissa corrected quickly. "I only accepted this with a condition that you will be allowed to return to the post once you are able to resume your work."
"You are too kind, my friend," Tevos smiled. "Did the matriarchs agree to this condition? I cannot imagine they would have been too happy about it. Some of them now blame me for what has happened, believing that I allowed it to escalate."
Irissa's face twisted in distaste. "Typical," she snarled angrily. "If it was the Shadow Broker, as you believe, then we both know that there was no way anyone could have prevented this. As for the reaction of the matriarchs... we struck a compromise that my work would be evaluated again in five years from now. I hope that it will be enough time for you to recover, Councilor."
"It will be... but you better get used to not addressing me that way, Councilor Irissa," Tevos smiled.
"I will use your title even if you are currently not in the office, Tevos," Irissa shook her head defiantly. "Now... there are a few less pleasant issues that I have been instructed to... go over with you. But only if you think you can deal with something like that, I would not dream to force anything upon you after what happened," the would-be councilor raised her palms in a conciliatory gesture.
"There is no sense delaying the unpleasant, Irissa. I will endure," Tevos said simply, reaching upwards to find Liara's hand on the backrest, drawing comfort from a gentle squeeze of the maiden's hand, before the ambassador spoke again.
"Very well," Irissa squirmed a little uncomfortably in the chair. "The matriarchs have... devised steps to take in hopes of appeasing the enraged populations of the Turian Hierarchy and Systems Alliance in particular. While the financial situation of the Republics is not brilliant by any means, we will offer significant reparations to both humans and turians, in credits, resources, important research data and there is even talk of sacrificing several prospective colony worlds in order to maintain peace."
"That is very generous," Tevos said, shaking her head a little. "Anything to preserve peace and not become the outcasts of the galaxy, I suppose."
"And that is not all," Irissa continued, looking a little uncomfortable. "An official investigation has been opened in the case of the Prothean beacon on Thessia. I'm afraid that you are amongst those who are implicated of knowingly hiding the truth, Councilor. If the investigation confirms that you knew the exact nature of the information contained by the beacon..."
"I did not know anything else other that there was a Prothean beacon," Tevos exclaimed angrily, a shudder running through her, forcing Liara to slip her hand onto her friend's shoulder, steadying her. "If this investigation is anything more than simply a show to put up for the angry crowd demanding satisfaction, then it will not find any real evidence to implicate me with. Who is overseeing the investigation?"
"That... would be me," Irissa said quietly.
"Have you gathered the files from the GBC?" Tevos demanded. Irissa responded with a nod. "We believe they are forged. Can I ask for a copy, so that my people can go over the facts as well?"
"Slightly irregular, but I will do what I can," the ambassador responded. "There were several logs showing your name amongst the visitors of the temple of Athame, but I cannot confirm that they were genuine. We are only beginning our investigation, and it could take considerable time until it is completed, but I can already say that the evidence against some of the matriarchs is stacked more heavily than it is against you, and their hysterical reaction to the accusations speaks volumes in itself."
"I have nothing to hide in this matter, Irissa. Ask me anything you wish," Tevos offered.
"No, I will not burden you with this right now, my friend," Irissa shook her head. "I am not prepared to conduct a questioning right now. However... there is another question that you knew would be asked by many."
"Yes, I think I know what you mean," Tevos sighed.
"Aria T'Loak? Councilor... are you serious?" Irissa said, looking a little astonished. "This, on top of everything... some of the matriarchs are enraged! I will do what I can, but..."
"I do not expect you to sacrifice your own career by protecting me, Irissa. I will answer for my choices and my decisions," Tevos replied, then rolling up a sleeve of her robe and revealing the beautiful bondmate bracelet. "Aria and I are bonded, yes. And I will not make any apologies for it. It is time for the matriarchs to swallow their pride and accept that the Republics need someone like Aria, her influence and her resources, especially in times like these."
"Yes... that was my reply to the matriarchs as well, and it did make them pause," Irissa nodded. "We have been wondering about the change in Aria's operations ever since the Reaper War. Some of the less conservative matriarchs have been thinking of reopening diplomatic relations with Omega, unaware that you have been forging... your own connection all this time, councilor."
"I believe that Aria can become a loyal and powerful ally and protector of our people," Tevos said with stubborn belief in her voice.
"That might be so, but... you do not honestly expect me to believe that this is a bonding of political convenience. Especially considering the history between you two," Irissa pointed out.
"You want to know the truth, Irissa?" Tevos drew herself up proudly. "The truth is that I love Aria. I have never stopped loving her throughout these centuries. I know that this answer will not satisfy the matriarchs, so you are free to spin whatever lie you need to appease them, but I have always considered you a friend, Irissa... and to you, I speak the truth. I love Aria, and I trust that she will do good by our people. That will have to be good enough, because I have nothing else to add."
Irissa looked a little uncomfortable at hearing these words, wincing a little as she probably already pondered on how to best rephrase this passionate response to the matriarchs who obviously cared little about the councilor's feelings, only worried that through Tevos, Aria would learn some of their secrets. "I... will see what I can do, my friend," Irissa eventually said. "Do you think that at some point I could have an audience with Aria? There is much that I think I could glean from a discussion with her."
"I will arrange it, Irissa," Tevos nodded tiredly, the ambassador noticing the exhaustion in the councilor's face, quickly getting up from her chair, motioning for Tevos to remain seated.
"I'm sorry if I have caused you pain, my friend... it was not my intent to be so inattentive to your condition," Irissa apologized, briefly embracing Tevos and giving a polite nod to Liara. "I shall take my leave of you now, with hopes of your swift recovery. May the goddess grant us strength to endure what is to come..."
As the new asari councilor left the study, Tevos' shoulders suddenly dropped, the older matron collapsing into the chair limply, shaking in exhaustion, all her energy spent in maintaining her regal image in front of Irissa, but now there was nothing left to give. Liara was at her side immediately, putting her arms around Tevos, slightly surprised when the matron's mind suddenly brushed against her consciousness in an unexpected shallow meld, Tevos reaching out, desperate to draw an ounce of her strength. Liara's lips curled in a satisfied smile as she felt her energy fortifying Tevos in her time of need.
'Thank you for being there for me... for lending me your strength,' Liara once again felt the gratitude over the mental connection.
'No... thank you for needing my strength,' she replied, smile never leaving her lips. 'In being able to give... I feel as if I'm finding my deliverance...'
Kithoi Ward, The Citadel
Shepard descended down the stairs from the upper floor bedrooms of Aria's Kithoi apartment, her head still very blurry from the two bottles of Noverian rum, the details of the previous night sketchy at best... but as she stepped into the downstairs kitchen and saw the surprising sight before her, memories instantly rushed back in a flood, making her let out a pained groan.
Aria was currently in the process of preparing breakfast, burning something reasonably nice smelling in the frying pan. She was wearing only her underpants and a tiny tank top, leaving plenty of purple skin exposed, her hips swaying to the catchy tune coming from the wall speakers as she danced, not having noticed Shepard's arrival at first, but then swirling around languidly and facing Morgan with an impish grin.
"Ah, my new favorite human dancer has arrived," she laughed heartily. "I didn't know you had it in you, Shepard."
"Well, I also had two bottles of brandy in me, which kinda explains a lot," Morgan grinned back.
"Still, you must have had some practice," Aria continued, undeterred. "Liara has probably trained you to put on some striptease for her, am I right?"
"You're not entirely wrong, no," Morgan finally admitted, looking around desperately for something to drink, a glass of juice to help with her hangover.
"And I got to benefit from your expertise last night," Aria said smugly, turning her attention back to the slightly dangerous looking randomly thrown together ingredients, sizzling in the frying pan. "I thought I'd thank you for the lovely memories by cooking you breakfast... make sure you appreciate this, because I don't just do it for anyone."
"Hmm, intriguing," Morgan smiled, giving the contents of the pan a slightly worried stare, wondering if food poisoning was a likely outcome, but overall it smelled delicious, so she poured herself a glass of asurio juice and sat down at the table, waiting for Aria to finish and then unceremoniously toss half of the contents of the frying pan on her plate, leaving the other half for herself. "This is pretty good, Aria... what is it?" she asked, having taken a few spoonfuls of the strange fry-up.
"Oh, just my method of getting rid of all the less than fresh food in the fridge," Aria replied with a chuckle, laughing at the way Shepard cringed from the explanation. "Relax, Shepard, those expiration dates are merely... guidelines. It won't kill you, trust me."
"Trust you?" Morgan scowled. "I did that last night, and ended up drunk and doing a strip dance to satisfy your perverse fantasies. Not sure how smart it is to trust you!"
"Hey, I might have been watching you shake your body for me, but my thoughts were on Tevos all the time," Aria said, a little defensively. "Besides, you got something in return, too. It's not often that I dance like that these days, not even for Tevos... I prefer to make her dance for me."
"Uh... yeah, it was quite... memorable," Morgan mumbled, feeling her cheeks grow warm from the memory of Aria's powerful, sleek body moving fluently in the rhythm of sensual music. Much like with Aria, her thoughts had been on her bondmate while she had watched Aria's performance, but the Pirate Queen had made it very difficult by keeping her eyes locked with Morgan's all the time, unlike Shepard keeping her eyes focused on something else nearly all the time while dancing for Aria, too embarrassed to even think about maintaining eye contact.
"Just memorable, eh? I feel a little insulted about this lack of praise," Aria scowled at her. "I'm the best in the business, and you damn well know it."
"We both know it, so why do you even want me to say it?" Morgan asked, shrugging. "You know perfectly well how attractive you are, so I'm not going to say it just to make your ego swell even more."
"Spoilsport," Aria glared, as they continued to eat the surprisingly palatable dish, even if Morgan was still convinced that it would probably come back to wreak vengeance upon her stomach later.
"I think I'd prefer if we didn't speak about what happened last night ever again," she pointed out, as they slowly finished the breakfast.
"If that's what you want," Aria shrugged. "I will remember, though." Morgan looked into the asari's eyes, forced to nod at that, knowing that she will remember the experience as well, despite trying to shrug it off as simple harmless foolishness.
"Yeah, well..." Morgan said, rounding up the last few surprisingly delicious morsels of the dangerous fry-up, then deciding to check whether she had any new messages on her omni-tool as she leaned back in the chair, taking the occasional sip of asurio juice. "Only twenty seven new messages... Liara wants to know when we're returning to Thessia," she muttered, typing a quick reply. "Also, Lita is reminding me not to forget about the list of toys I'm supposed to pick up for her..."
"So, our schedule for the day is... kill a lot of people, followed by shopping," Aria smirked. "I know which part excites me the most."
"Oh, and I have seven messages from different C-Sec officers and three from Bailey himself, asking me to stop by for a little chat about some incidents yesterday..." Morgan groaned. "I'll have to talk to them later... I just hope that they don't get in our way today. I'm not alright with killing C-Sec people as part of collateral damage."
"Fair enough," Aria nodded. "Bailey is not entirely annoying for someone in law enforcement. I have developed something of a shred of respect for him," the asari said, getting up from the table and looking as if she had suddenly remembered something. "Oh yes... I should probably find my pants before we head out."
"That seems like a wise idea, yes," Morgan nodded, also getting up, starting to mentally prepare herself for what they were about to undertake, trying to work herself into an angry, heartless mindset. The memories of what Tevos had been put through by the lynching mob served perfectly for this purpose.
"You're still up for this, Shepard?" Aria asked, her voice a little softer than usual. "You looked a little out of sorts a few times yesterday."
"But I didn't flinch, did I?" Morgan asked, Aria quickly shaking her head. "This is... different from war. It feels a little wrong to take satisfaction from something like this, yet a part of me does, and it still disturbs me a bit."
"That is something I went through a great many centuries ago," the Pirate Queen shrugged. "But the war has shaped you into a killer, Shepard. You may not like what we are doing, but you also need it, that is why you are here, helping me with this."
"Yeah... I'm over-thinking it again, I suppose," Morgan nodded.
"Well, stop dwelling on it. Just give yourself over to the instinct," Aria said, coming to stand close to her, taking Morgan's hands in hers and pressing her brow against Shepard's, standing like a pair of rigid statues next to each other for a good while. "Are you with me, Shepard?" the asari finally asked quietly.
"I am with you, Aria," Morgan replied, her hesitation and doubts banished for good. "Let us hunt..."