T'Soni family mansion, seat of the Thrassican Republic's Government, mid-afternoon – two days before Janaris
On arrival at the impressive seat of the T'Soni family's power and influence Liara and Shepard had been whisked away to meet with Matriarch T'Joan and Priestess El'Estrene.
"The guests are assembling in the great hall and when everything is ready you will take up a position inside the Tapasvini Hall so that they can be introduced one at a time," Matriarch T'Joan spoke in the full knowledge that Liara was already well aware of the protocol for the reception. But she wanted to make sure that nerves did not leave Liara open to make any mistakes.
"I know Lady Seninnth we have been through this many time. Do you fear I will fail?" Liara said a slight quaver in her voice.
Shepard stiffened next to her lover and gave the Matriarch a stern look; Liara did not need her confidence undermined at this precise moment.
"Not at all Lady Liara," Seninnth said warmly and moved forward to rest her hands on the young Asari's shoulders, "I want to do all I can to support you and it is my own fear that I haven't done all I can that calls me to run through everything for the last time.
Lady Benezia would be so proud of you," in truth Seninnth was worried that the occasion would be too much for her young mistress. Liara had not completed schooling in such matters from the time she and her mother became estranged.
Priestess El'Estrene moved forward and both Shepard and Liara immediately felt a sense of peace and calm confidence emanating from the Matriarch.
"Commander we have not had a chance to speak of the spiritual element of the afternoon," the high Priestess smiled at the edge of nervousness that crept into Shepard's face and body language.
"I don't want to let Liara down… Lady Liara, "she corrected herself. It was important that Shepard paid her soon to be bondmate the proper respect when they were at formal gatherings.
Shepard felt Liara's hand slip into her own and the slight squeeze spoke as loudly as any words could.
"When the formal reception line has been completed you will both move to the Siari alter where I will perform the cleansing and naming ceremony. This is to prepare Liara for her duties and responsibilities and to prepare you, Commander, to walk that path with her." Lady Nara smiled at both of them noticing their physical and spiritual closeness.
"A Siari spiritual name is chosen for all Asari who are to dedicate their lives in service. Not all families keep the tradition and some have moved away from notions of pre-determined paths for our daughters, preferring them to choose for themselves when they are older," Lady Nara gave Liara a sad smile knowing that her house, and particularly Lady Benezia, had had a very clear idea of what the young Asari's path should be.
"As you are aware Asari children are named by their house Priestess shortly after their birth but they are not considered wise enough to inhabit those names until they reach their Matriarch stage when they will undergo the naming ritual. However, there are exceptions and Liara is certainly one of them.
No non Asari has ever been given a spiritual name Commander and the honour is only partly because you are to be the bondmate to an important Asari leader. You have made a great impression on a number of the Matriarchs of the T'ara and it is with their permission that you will be given the name Auca'poma."
"I am truly honoured Priestess," Shepard said and offered a Siari blessing which was returned by the Priestess.
Liara was smiling broadly as she spoke, "that is a great honour Lady Nara but I do not believe I have heard that name before."
"You will not have Liara. As you know some names are specifically devised for the individual when none of our existing ones seem to fit the spirit in question. Commander there is no direct translation but the closest to Galactic Common we can find is 'foe of the oppressor'."
Shepard felt a stirring in that place of deep memory but pushed it down, today was not the day to delve into the dark recesses of her mind or back into a past she had no conscious knowledge of.
Before any more could be said a knock at the door was followed quickly by the entry of a slightly flustered looking Matriarch who Shepard recognised as one of the staff of the mansion who spoke in slightly hushed tones, "everything is ready for you Lady T'Soni, High Priestess, Matriarch, Commander."
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For just over an hour Shepard and Liara had greeted their honoured guests. Shepard had variously saluted, shaken hands or given Siari welcome blessings as befitted the correct protocol. She had remembered not to do anything at all when confronted with a Matriarch of the T'ara and only responded if directly asked a question.
Shepard had panicked slightly when Matriarch T'Joan had been running through protocol with her, "but how will I be able to tell if the Matriarch in front of me is a member of the inner circle?" she had asked concerned not to cause a social misstep.
"They wear long black robes with black head pieces and their robes are edged with gold, honestly Commander you will be hard pressed not to recognise them from their air of superiority alone," the Matriarch had replied a small smile lifting the corner of her mouth.
The one complete breach of protocol had come when the Krogan delegation had presented themselves.
Shepard smiling widely took the warriors arm clasp offered by her friend Wrex and dropped into a banter filled personal welcome. Liara similarly dropped out of her role to welcome the old Krogan who had watched over and provided protection for her from afar in honour of their friendship and his bond with Shepard.
"Really... you could've just invited me to visit there was no need to go to all this trouble," Wrex joked and then said in quieter tones so that only Shepard and Liara could hear, "got to say putting me on the official list and giving me diplomatic status Liara... that's going to help me a lot bringing the clans together... I, well it was good of you," the gruff old Krogan smiled showing his rows of sharp teeth.
"We are behind you completely Urdnot Wrex," Liara said now loudly enough for his delegation and others close by to hear, "I hope that our officials will be able to complete our negotiations on the special trade pact between Thrassica and Tuchanka before you leave." In truth the details of the deal had already been ironed out. Very generous aid, technical support and preferential purchasing rates from all T'Soni owned corporations; they were only waiting for the right moment to release the details.
"We look forward to a long and rewarding relationship Lady T'Soni and clan Urdnot can be counted as an ally to Thrassica...," and then Wrex broke from the diplomatic script with a rumble of laughter, "which means if this pyjak doesn't treat you as well as you deserve I'll head butt her into the next Galactic Cycle," he finished by slapping Shepard on the shoulder and only because she had had a great deal of practice did she manage to avoid crashing backwards. Sometimes Shepard had the distinct impression Wrex knew just how much force to use to keep her on her feet.
When Councillor Anderson and Rear Admiral Shepard were presented Anderson made sure that Liara knew she had his personal support and respect. The marine adjutant in their wake, ramrod straight in dress blues, managed the merest hint of a smile and a wink as she followed silently behind the Earth Systems and Alliance delegation.
Shepard also had a few moments of regret that she was not hanging out with her friends near the bar particularly when Wrex joined them and at times their laughter could be heard over the other sounds of conversation in the room and the quartet of musicians playing classical Asari stringed instruments.
With the last guest officially 'welcomed', Shepard and Liara were ushered toward the alter at the far end of the room. As they walked towards it Shepard had a moment to truly take in its beauty. The way the glass wall at that end of the room made the alter seem as if it was set in the carefully orchestrated gardens behind, seeming to be at once ordered yet natural.
Siari teachings were displayed on the alter itself, beautifully crafted into works of visual art as well as important cornerstones of Asari wisdom. The texts were written in traditional Asari and not its modern form that was the basis of Galactic Common.
The ceremony's that would take place over the next two days would also be conducted in traditional Asari and Shepard had been taking a crash course so that she would be able speak, at least, competently particularly during their bonding ceremony.
As they walked side by side the sounds in the room died down and guest's parted to make a path for them. The music also faded away and it seemed all eyes were on the pair. When they reached the steps that would take them up onto the raised dais the only sounds in the room were rhythmic clicks of Liara's heels and the clunks of Shepard's dress shoes.
High Priestess Nara El'Estrene waited for them, with two of her acolytes, in front of the alter and they positioned themselves side by side facing her, back to the room, Shepard removing her dress cap.
From the rear of the room came the sound of singing. Shepard knew it was the choir of priestess's and acolytes from the Temple. The voices made sounds that seemed to fill the room creating a sense of being immersed in water, in a Thessian ocean, comfortable buoyant, surrounded by warmth and safety.
Through the sound the chanting of Siari prayers began to rise and fall like the waves on a beach. And then a moment later the room was filled with light refracted through inserts in the glass wall creating rainbow patterns throughout the room as the Thessian sun hit just the right elevation in the sky.
As one Shepard and Liara knelt and the High Priestess began speaking the prayers of cleansing above their heads eyes fixed somewhere in the distance, her arms stretched out, hands turned to the sky, in supplication.
El'Estrene finished the opening prayer and turning to her left picked up a beautifully decorated silver scoop from an equally elegantly decorated bowl which was being held by one of her acolytes.
Shepard hoped she was prepared for what was about to happen. She was certainly as prepared as she could have been without actually having previously experiencing the biotically energised water.
The Priestess, singing a new set of prayers, sprinkled the energised water over their heads. The sensation was difficult to quantify at first; the wet sensation changing almost immediately to refreshingly cold and clear whilst at the same time burning cleansing hot.
And with the sensations came a clarity of mind that made Shepard feel as if she could take in everything. She was standing on a high mountain, clouds below her, not only able to look out across the horizon all around her but somehow seeing past it.
Then as expected Shepard felt the gently brush of Liara's mind as she joined them together in the experience. And now instead of standing on the mountain she was airborne lifting higher and higher on unseen thermals until her view went beyond the physical horizon.
Shepard turned her head, either in her mind or physically in the room, she wasn't sure which. She looked at Liara who had also turned and as their eyes locked they soared even higher, to the very edge of space which seemed to beckon them, their physical bodies replaced by pure energy.
Then as suddenly as the experience started they were back in the room and Shepard could feel her knees sinking into cushions and her lover's hand in her own with no memory of reaching out to hold it.
In the crowd Matriarch T'Joan made her way quietly to stand next to Admiral Shepard so that she could answer any questions that might arise.
With a smile and very softly Hannah Shepard asked, "Liara said the water created some kind of experience?"
Equally quietly Seninnth replied, "it is unique to the individual its purpose is difficult to explain but it offers a moment to view the universe from a different perspective, to understand that time runs on without us but we can extend our influence, join with tide of others influence and help keep us on the path," she knew she was not conveying the true shift in consciousness that the ceremony offered nor how much Asari culture and society depended on continuity across the stretches of time.
The Matriarch kept to herself the belief, which was shared by Lady Nara, that Shepard did not truly need that element of the ceremony. Her mind was already open and could see with much more clarity than most Priestesses but they both felt it would help her to see her own gift.
The Priestess once again paused and began a new prayer; this time taking two small etched glass goblets dipping them in the bowl and drawing into them two matching measures of the energised water.
Handing one each to the supplicants she, once again stretched her hands out over their heads palms to the sky, and began another prayer. Shepard had only been able to understand snatches of the prayers so far but this one she had memorised as they had to drink the cleansing draft at a precise moment in the prayer.
As they were still holding hands Shepard held her drink with her left hand as Liara held hers with her right. And at exactly the same time they raised their goblets and drank down the prepared offering.
This time the experience was more powerful and they were engulfed by a warm, deep ocean. Sensing currents and feeling the water moving across her body as they were 'flying' through the water again side by side and again seeming to be made no longer of a physical body but pure energy.
Then they were once again back in the room and for the third time High Priestess El'Estrene began singing a prayer set.
The Priestess placed her hands on Liara's head and speaking in ancient Asari said, "Now is the time you are called to take on your true path, you will answer to your true name and your true calling Zandee'Abhiti, a courageous pathfinder lighting the way through the darkness."
Then the Priestess moved her hands over Shepard's head and an almost inaudible gasp rose from some of the guests witnessing the ceremony.
Hannah Shepard looked to the Matriarch by her side an unasked question on her lips. Seninnth answered, "Only Asari are given spiritual names and this will cause some friction but there is a strong contingent of High Priestess's and some within the T'ara that believe your daughter has a destiny that is inextricably linked to our own."
"Now is the time you are called to take our true path, you will answer to your true name and your true calling Auca'poma, the enemy to all who would oppress sentient life."
With the naming blessings complete they both stood and this time Shepard stepped away and behind Liara who stood face to face with the High Priestess the dancing light show in the room fading and the voices of the choir dropping.
The final stage of the ceremony was Liara's vows of service and a commitment to achieving purity of spirit and enlightenment as a spiritual leader. Shepard felt so proud of her lover she thought her heart might burst, Liara's voice showing no hint of doubt or trepidation of the responsibilities she was taking on.
She also knew how conflicted Liara was about the mantle of duty she was taking on and given they were facing the possible end of Asari civilisation her burden would be much greater than anything her predecessors had faced.
Palm to palm the High Priestess and Liara spoke the same words together and again Shepard struggled to understand the old Asari language but she already knew what the vows were.
"We are Asari, I am Asari, to serve is my duty, to walk the path is my right, to honour our wisdom is my gift. I pledge myself to the service of my family, my republic, to Thessia, Ad'wai'ta."
An echo of a response to the final prayer, Ad'wai'ta, sounded around the room from every Asari present.
The High Priestess and Liara turned to face the gathered guests and as Lady Nara spoke they made the Siari blessing, bringing their hands up to cover their eyes then dropping to cover their hearts and opening them in an expression of sharing, compassion and openness.
"The truth is one, we are one with the universe, all is of the one, Ad'wai'ta," the Asari in the audience including the gathered priestess's responded in kind. Shepard noticed Tash had given the Siari blessing and was returning the prayer.
There were a few moments of absolute silence then Lady Nara turned and congratulated Liara and drew Shepard to her as they all began walking down from the alter and into the throng of waiting guests. There was a light buzz of conversation and the music struck up once more as they were engulfed by Asari guests wanting to strike up much more informal and relaxed exchanges with both Shepard and Liara.
They both felt the loss of the High Priestess's calm and serene presence as she moved away and Shepard slipped back into 'work' mode careful to keep the spotlight on Liara and still a little worried about making a social etiquette mistake although the worst was certainly over.
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After another hour of small talk and diplomatic fencing, the fencing coming from Liara, they decided to spend some time with people they knew rather than people Liara needed to meet in her official capacity.
Shepard had gravitated to the small group of her friends that included temporary Ambassador Vakarian, Krogan Emissary Urdnot Wrex, Councillor Anderson, Admiral Shepard and Captain Mikhailovich.
"Here get this down you," Garrus smiled and handed her what she hoped would be very strong Asari liquor.
"So what was the trip like," Tash asked smirk playing around her lips knowing how Shepard hated any kind of mind altering substance.
"Well I'm sure you've had more exciting trips Tash," Shepard grinned back and then continued, "it was… well… um very spaced out."
"With humanities extensive and dynamic vocabulary at your disposal to describe a real first for our species that's what you came up with," Hannah Shepard looked indulgently at her daughter her pride clear for all to see and shaking her head slightly in mock despair she smiled.
"Ah sorry mum, I'll do better for the log entry," Shepard smiled back.
They lapsed into an easy banter and teasing flying between Garrus, Wrex and Shepard. The other's joining in and entertained by the exchanges.
Shepard couldn't help letting her eyes drift to where Liara stood with a group of old university friends and colleagues and noticed one in particular standing very close to her lover. They seemed to become a little separate from the group and when the unknown Asari stroked Liara's cheek in a very intimate and familiar way Shepard felt the dragon of passion and jealousy begin to uncurl in her gut.
She kept up her end of the conversation but her eyes glanced back and she saw Liara holding the Asari's hands as they touched foreheads. Shepard watched as the beast in her gut began to flex its muscles when she saw the clear look of desire on the face of the unknown Asari as she pulled Liara, her Liara, into a full embrace.
Just as she felt the last anchors of control give way under the flexing of her muscles, preparing her to tear this intruder apart with her bare hands she felt a touch on her arm and Shepard snapped around to see Tash standing very close.
"It's not what it looks like… not for Liara anyway," Tash said very quietly so that their companions could not hear, "Asari are really tactile and show their emotions physically LV… and you don't want to ruin a perfect performance till you know what's going on hey," Tash had manoeuvred Shepard so that Liara was no longer in her eye line forcing her cousin to look at her.
"Have to say I didn't think you had it in you cuz. Always so fraking calm and composed, cool like you have ice in your veins," Tash said trying to lighten the mood and was rewarded by a small smile.
"Thanks Tash… I… I don't know what happened… it was almost like… like the zone you know in combat," she admitted to her cousin glad to have someone to finally talk to about these overwhelming feelings of possessiveness and jealousy which she really didn't want to have.
"I hear ya…I don't know maybe it's something about being with an Asari," Tash thought about her own stirrings of jealousy and her relationship wasn't even meant to be serious, "I've had a couple of flashes and well… what you've got with Liara is huge compared to me and Leece."
They stood in silence for a moment and were only drawn back to the present moment and away from their own thoughts when Anderson turned to speak to Shepard.
"I wanted to say how proud I am of you Shepard and," he paused for a moment as if considering what to say next. He continued his tone soft and sincere "I know your father would have been so proud of you today" he seemed to shake himself and he put his hands on her shoulders.
"Not just today Shepard but I know how proud of you he was and you've become everything he knew you would. Such a huge weight you're carrying on these shoulders dammit I wish he was here to see it," Shepard thought she saw a slight glisten in her old Captain's eyes.
Anderson was an old family friend dating back to when he met her father and mother at the Academy. Shepard noticed her mother had moved to join them and she also had a distinct shine to her eyes.
"We are all so proud of you Liddie," Hannah Shepard kissed her daughter on the cheek in a moments break of protocol and Shepard had to resist a teenage version of herself from saying 'mum' in a very embarrassed tone.
Instead she smiled and accepted their words but somewhere deep inside she felt she had done nothing to be worthy of their praise, nor of her father's faith in her… not yet anyway… but she would. She would defeat the Reapers and Cerberus of die trying.
At that moment Shepard felt a hand slip into hers and a familiar and welcome presence at her side. She had to stop herself pulling her love into a protective hug which at that moment would have been more about protecting herself than Liara.
"I am sorry I was not here for the ceremony Commander," a familiar voice and as Shepard turned Councillor Tevos tall and gaunt was standing next to Liara. The Councillor looked as calm as ever but strain was showing around the edges of her composure.
Shepard smiled still not trusting herself to speak and leaning into the side of her lovers body for warmth and comfort.
"And I must ask you to join me for a short meeting Commander," Tevos nodded her apologies to the others in the group and began to walk away. Over her shoulder Shepard could see the handful of Matriarch's of the T'ara who had been at the ceremony also discreetly leaving the room.
"We will go straight back to the house from the meeting so please return there as soon as you wish," Liara said to the group, "and you are joining us for dinner this evening Wrex," she asked with a smile.
Wrex barked with laughter, "I have a new member of the Urdnot clan to meet Liara and nothing would keep me from spending time with you," the old Krogan meant every word.
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"Forgive me Councillor, Matriarch's but that's a hell of an ask," Shepard said now allowing the edge of her frustration to show in her body language and her voice.
The meeting had been going on for over twenty minutes after Tevos had explained that this decision had come from the full T'ara, the inner circle of the most powerful one hundred Matriarchs, despite Tevos's attempts to dissuade them from it.
The directive from the Matriarch's gave a completely new direction for her mission… her mission not anyone else's… and Shepard felt that it was being high jacked without any recognition of the danger she was leaving everyone in just to make it a possibility.
"We are aware that this makes your mission more complicated but it is an opportunity that Thessia cannot let pass and we will not have it fall into other hands," Matriarch B'Lanea seemed to have been designated to speak for the Matriarchs in the room and the wider T'ara.
"Complicated…complicated is an understatement," Shepard said rising to her feet, "you not only want us to take the Brokers ship and his network in tact you want us to take him alive so you can interrogate him… the simplest solution would be to blast him out of the sky," Shepard said moodily her temper getting the better of her as the next thought in her head was voiced by Liara who had remained quiet until this moment.
"But we have to rescue Shiala, we must board the ship and…" Shepard cut across her lover and instantly regretted doing so in such a public space.
"Oh yeah let's not forget fuckin Shiala," shamefaced she turned away and got herself a drink for the tray that had been set on one of the side tables.
The uncomfortable silence was broken by Tevos, "I agree with you Commander and I have argued this extensively with the Matriarchs. Taking over the Broker network, a network that encourages corruption, deals in secrets and lies, assassination, slavery corruption, would soil our hands and our souls. This is not the Asari path.
Shepard could see that Tevos was going for the 'ends do not justify the means' argument. But Shepard could also see why Tevos would not want a 'shadow' diplomacy played out using the dirtier side of Galactic underhand dealings.
Liara's voice was calm and business-like and echoed the coldness that had welcomed Shepard on her return from the dead.
"It is naïve to think that we are not already involved in the more despicable acts that are carried out in the name of balance, commerce or ambition in the Galactic community Councillor.
I admit I had not given thought as to what would or could happen to the Broker's network before but it is such an asset that we can not throw it away. And we certainly can not allow those who do not have the best interests of the Galaxy or Thessia to fill the vacuum." Liara was thinking about Cerberus particularly but there were also the shadowy indoctrinated forces of the Reapers that may seize the opportunity.
Shepard agreed completely on a logical level now her temper had subsided but she couldn't muster the grace to do a compete 'volte-face'.
"I'll leave the politics and subterfuge to you just give me my mission parameters and I'll get the job done," Shepard downed a second drink and made to leave halting with her back to the room to listen to her orders from the Council, from Tevos.
"Your instructions Spectre are to use whatever means are available to take into custody the Shadow Broker, causing minimal damage to his facility so that you can hand over his network in-tact. Freeing any prisoners he may have held on his ship."
Shepard left the room and headed outside shame burning her anger and concerns about the mission to nothing.
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Commandeering one of the many Estate shuttles at the mansion Shepard made it back to the house well before everyone else. Changing into something more comfortable she collected her son from Jamie and putting him in a sling went out for a long walk.
She needed connection with something bigger than her that would drown out the feelings that came unbidden and seemed to be completely at odds with who she thought she was.
Settling against one of the thin tree trunk that delineated the beech from the wood Shepard drew her legs up and rested her son's back against her thighs so she could watch his face.
"Hey little man, hope you never get yourself in this kind of mess with whoever you end up loving," her son answered with contented gurgling and uncoordinated waving of arms.
For a few minutes all thoughts of how she could make things right with Liara were driven away with the purest feelings of love for the little miracle in front of her.
"And to think I wondered if I'd love you," she smiled at her son and held his delicate hands gently in her own and studied the tiny dimples on his knuckles and perfectly formed finger nails.
He was a part of her, as important and loved as Liara and her unborn daughter were. And Liara had unquestioningly without any hesitation taken him to her heart as her son.
"Sometimes I think I'm not worthy of you mother little one," Shepard said quietly.
"Of course you are my darling love," Shepard had been so consumed with her thoughts and her connection with her son she hadn't heard Liara coming through the trees towards her.
Turning and looking up into the face of love that smiled down at her Shepard felt her breath hitch and her stomach turn over.
Liara sat next to Shepard and pulled her sad looking lover into a hug.
"Whatever you are punishing yourself for my love tell me so that we can talk about it," Liara's voice was soft and encouraging.
"I lost my temper with you in public, I disgraced you and myself in front of the very Matriarchs you're trying so hard to gain influence with… and Lee… I was… I don't like feeling this jealousy that seems to take me over…" Shepard stumbled to a stop and Liara squeezed her shoulder before pulling away a little so they could face each other.
"I suspect it was also fuelled by what you saw in the hall, with Sulima, the colleague that all but groped me," Liara ducked her head a little to get Shepard to look into her eyes and gave her tormented lover a small smile.
"So she was…"
"We spent a lot of time on one particular University run dig, we were close, I was… fond of her… even considered choosing her as my first… she was more than willing even insistent that she be my first… to be honest Shepard she became a bit of a pest after I refused her," Liara smiled at Shepard's darkening features and continued.
"But stand down marine I can handle Sulima and her ilk. And I knew I wanted to wait for someone who I really cared about and I did… someone truly worthy of me," Liara suddenly looked embarrassed, "I do not mean I am something special…" Shepard cut across her immediately love pouring into her words and reaching out to stroke the cheek that had been contaminated by another's unwelcome touch.
"You are special Lee… your perfect and so loving you'd never…"
Liara gave a deep throaty laugh and kissed Shepard's hand before holding it.
"Really Shepard it is only because you feel so wretched in this moment that you give voice to something so absurd… we both know I am far from perfect and loving… I understand your feelings towards Shiala and although without as much cause I have similar rages of jealousy when I think of that Lawson woman…" Liara leaned in and kissed the baby on his forehead, "which are very difficult to reconcile as it is because of her that we have our beautiful son."
Shepard felt as if they may be moving towards thin ice but Liara carried on in a quiet tone.
"My darling I believe that Shiala is the focus of another rage as well as your real and understandable feelings because of my… well what happened between us… I believe she is the focus of all the pain and confusion and rage at losing your life in its real sense… you came back and everyone had moved on… you came back and we had not waited for you… we had all left you behind…"
Liara shushed the Shepard's attempts at responding, "you do not feel ill will towards us for that, you logically understand it… but emotionally we all abandoned you… you woke up in the arms of your greatest enemy… and I put you there," Shepard let Liara's words settle on her and they held truth. They felt like a balm to the un-named anger that she had been carrying since she woke up.
"You are so much more grown up than I am Lee," Shepard said a loving smile playing on her lips.
"Hardly at all my love I just spent a lot of time talking with Lady Nara and I still turn to her for counsel… she would be happy to help you as well if you felt you could let her," Liara leaned in and kissed Shepard on the lips a loving familiar kiss that lit them both from within.
"Now no more talk of unwanted suitors, our jealousy's or the mission to take down the Broker… let us spend the rest of the day and the evening enjoying our friends our family and each other," Liara stood and pulled Shepard up.
Shepard looked across the beach and noticed a bonfire had been laid some way along, "someone's having a party," she said as they began to walk slowly towards the water's edge hand in hand, the baby held securely in the crook of Shepard's arm.
I believe Tash and Liselle are arranging something Liara said in an offhand tone.
"Oh no… if Tash has anything to do with it we'll have drinking and dancing and sex… and not necessarily in that order," Shepard pulled Liara into a hug and felt that she was back in balance and all was right in her world.
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The evening had been hugely enjoyable. As soon as Wrex arrived he insisted on seeing the newest member of clan Urdnot, Shepard's son, and promptly presented him with a varren pup.
To rounds of laughter, and looks of 'I told you so' from Garrus, Shepard took the gift with good grace and wondered just how 'tame' it would prove to be.
Shepard also introduced Grunt although Wrex had already heard all about him.
"If you are in Shepard's Krant then you will be welcome to undergo the Trial to see if you are worthy enough to join clan Urdnot," Wrex had said and although Grunt tried to hide it Shepard could see how pleased and impressed Grunt was with the old Krogan warlord.
Shepard had the distinct impression she was missing something during the evening though. She couldn't put her finger on it but it was obviously something to do with Tash's beach party.
After dinner the party broke up with those who were staying at the mansion or on the Normandy heading back. When Shepard returned from checking on the baby she found herself alone in the sitting room. Closing her eyes she sank back into an armchair taking a few deep breathes to aid her relaxation, it had been a very long and at times emotional day.
Someone came into the room. Opening her eyes she saw Tash in a heavy jacket carrying Shepard's own 'deck' jacket.
"Come on its turned a bit colder tonight you'll need this," Tash said handing the heavy black jacket, with its rank insignia on the shoulders and collar, to her cousin.
"I'm not really in the mood for a party Tash, I'm going to go find Liara and head to bed," Shepard said standing but not taking the jacket.
"You'll enjoy this trust me," Tash said holding the jacket out for her cousin to put her arms in.
"Well where's Liara, should we collect her as well," Shepard said a resigned tone in her voice.
"You just leave all the thinking to me until we get to the beach," Tash said with a huge grin, "come on."
Shepard followed Tash out of the doors to the garden and in silence until they reached the edge of the beach.
The huge bonfire was glowing brightly and lighting up a small group of people standing a little way from it.
As they got closer Shepard turned to Tash who was grinning widely, "is that El'Estrene… and what the hell is mum doing with the baby here… what have you cooked up," Shepard received no response from Tash save a bigger grin.
Drawing to the edge of the group she turned to Liara who was in full length and very warm looking coat.
"What…" Shepard said but before she could say anymore Liara said gently.
"Welcome to our bonding ceremony my love," and Liara pulled her shocked but happy looking lover into an embrace and kissed her deeply pushing away all questions and pulling them both into the depth of their love for each other.
A/N yes we are here… Liara's gift to Shep… their private, personal ceremony under the stars… and that's where we'll start the next chapter
Also – Adwaita is, if my research is correct, Sanskrit for 'the truth is one, not dual' and is my attempt to find a more 'Asari' meaning equivalent of 'nameste' which as some of you will know is a Buddhist salutation which recognises the 'deeper self' or 'divine' or 'universal' in each and every one of us… look it up other people describe it much better… and so for me Ad'wai'ta holds the Asari meaning of 'we are one' 'one universal consciousness' and that is what Asari greet in others… the oneness, the unknowable universal 'magic' that gives us consciousness and that we all share
