Shepard Thessia February 23 2183
A short skycar ride to the estate had everyone's eyes glued to the windows. It was the most beautiful place we had seen for sometime. "I could build a whole new Tuchanka on your land alone. Don't worry...I won't." Wrex said the words through a smile. Although he wasn't trying, it always felt intimidating. "Seriously. Earth isn't even this beauitful and green anymore. How did the Asari manage to keep it this beautiful for this long?" Ashley's tone was more inward, not really expecting an answer from the young asari who stared off somewhere in the distance, not really in awe like the rest of the crew. I scooted closer to her and wrapped an arm around her after checking to make sure we weren't too close to the windows.
"This stupid news drone keeps popping up and then dashing away. If I could, I would knock the bosh'tet right out of the sky." Tali had gotten tired of the view being confiscated by the little machine. Garrus sat next to her, his mandibles twitching in amusement. "Ma'am, so what is our mission while we're here?" Kaiden raised his eyebrow, trying not to make direct eye contact with me as I consoled the young woman. "Our mission is to make sure we keep Benezia away from Saren and deliver her to the high priestess'. To do that, we're going to be faking her death. One I will be held accountable for." Everyone was now looking onto the two of us which made me unconsciously grip Liara tighter.
"It is the only way. Me and the Commander spoke to Tevos. The only way we can help my mother is if Saren is not trying to exert his control over her. If he believes she is dead, then the priestess' think their is a chance of saving her. It is our only hope." The crew went silent. Everyone understanding the level of delicacy this entire mission required; completely in left field from previous missions. Garrus cut in, hoping to cut the tension as we descended deeper into the path and closer to the house. "Hopefully we can make it through the next few weeks without the Commander blowing something or someone up." Their were a couple of chuckles and grunts in agreement. I smiled at him, silently thanking him for easing the pressure that was beginning to build up.
"Also, this is the closest thing we'll be getting to shore leave. The first two weeks, you all are free to roam and relax be the you that you want to be. The last week, i'll be sending all Alliance personnel back to the ship to restock and do inventory and anything else we need. Except for Williams and Alenko. I'm going to need everyone back to themselves then because that's when the mission requires everyone's focus. For the first two weeks, the pressure is just on me and Liara. I will have two of you close to Benezia in the event of a worse case scenario, the house is fully staffed with its own small army of commandos as well. Garrus and Alenko, you'll be meeting with them to learn the layouts and create escape plans and contingencies if any worst case scenarios should present themselves. I may need you all to do small things here and there, but be prepared for anything." Everyone nodded, determination on all of their faces, even Williams. This had less to do with me giving orders and more to do with helping a fellow teammate in their time of need.
"Joker, what's our eta?"
"Eta is ten minutes, the estate should be breaking into view now." As he spoke the words, the narrow path opened into a beautiful garden of eloquent structures and marvelous architecture. Most of the building seemed to be made of sleek off white marbling material with accents of gold throughout every building and the pathways that connected them. A large garden that bolstered a number of flowers I had never seen before sat in the middle of the estate. As we got closer, the front of the home itself gave off the energy of royalty. The same marbled material made up some of the main interior of the buildings from what I could see on the inside of the tall, towering windows. The walls littered with balconies and sculptures on ledges built just for them. A waterfall sat near the entrance, separating the path into two sides. We turned off to the left to a building filled with sky cars. Two asari sat near the entrance, waiting on us to land. As the doors opened up the two stood on either side with calming smiles on their face.
"Welcome back Rajni T'Soni and guests." The two covered their faces and bowed, opening their arms as they lifted from the bow in a traditional asari greeting.
"Please Yassi'ri, you do not need to call me that remember?" Liara looked liked she was resisting the urge to run back into the car and back on the Normandy.
"Rajni? What's that?" Alenko turned his head, seemingly questioning everything around him. "It is ancient Asari. It means princess. Lady T'Soni insists we don't use it however."
"Told you Liara was a princess." Joker chimed in as Liara's face dipped into purple. The two asari led us up the trail and into the home. The first room opened up to a large room with two sets of spiral stairs on either side. Both sides also had hallways that stretched on longer than my view could focus. Behind the stairs was a large open space with seating and statues. A royal blue carpet led from the front door to the back wall which was made up of mostly glass; two doors hid in the creases the glass. The crew looked on in awe. Liara looked like she wanted to sink and disappear.
"We have prepared rooms for you all for the duration of your stay. If you should need anything, you will have access to your own personal servant that will be more than happy to assist you."
"Servant? Like indentured?" Kaiden questioned again. "No not at all. In asari culture it is an honor to work for great household names. My family has worked for the T'Soni estate for many, many centuries." She said the words all while holding a smile. A servant moved in to everyone, grabbing their bags and motioning them towards the stairs. I stayed in place for a moment, as did Liara before she decided to speak quietly, leaning into the other asari. "Yassi'ri? Could you put the Commander and I in rooms that are conjoined but still discreet. Preferably away from the most common windows and areas."
"Of course Lady Liara, anything for you. How has Lady Benezia been? It has been some time since she has come to the estate. I was aware that she would be gone for some time, she made that clear, but some of her apprentices have begun to worry." Liara froze, unsure of what she should say, and still in pain about the situation. I racked my brain for some sort of distraction when a familiar voice rounded the corner.
"Lady Liara is very tired Yassi'ri. We must let her and the rest of the crew rest. Tomorrow, I am sure they will answer any questions they are comfortable with answering."
"Shiala!" Liara's voice perked up as she sprinted into the arms of the slightly older asari. That same heat of jealousy I had felt back on Feros attempted to peak its head again as I tried my hardest to push it back down underneath me. "Hello Lady Liara, it is good to see you." I studied Shiala as they unraveled from the hug. She was almost as tall as me but nowhere near as built. "Their is no need for such formality Shiala. You have known me my whole life." The two drifted into a quiet conversation as I shuffled back and forth nervously on my feet like a kid that had to give a report in front of a whole school. "Might I show you to your room Commander?" I had almost forgot about the woman that was waiting on us. I looked back at the two before resigning myself to the offer.
"Yea that'll be fine." I followed her up the stairs and down the hall opposite of the rest of the main crew. The Normandy's Alliance crew, minus Joker, was staying in a set of guest houses, where a lot of other guest that came after our breaking news would stay in order to attend the 'funeral'. The woman opened a set of elegant double doors that opened to a spacious room with a balcony connecting it to the room next door. The bed was lower to the ground than I expected but still very high profile itself. I dropped my bags near the door as I inspected the rest of the room. Another opened door revealed a bathroom the size of a regular homes room.
"Thank you Yassi'ri, I shouldn't be needing anything else."
"Of course Commander. If the two of you require more privacy than just the connecting balcony, their is a control panel beside the balcony doors that will lift a wall with high windows up from the side, making it impossible to see who is inside at all." I nodded as she left, pressing the button as soon as she was gone. The wall ascending vertically met a glass ceiling that moved horizontally, connecting the two pieces perfectly together.
"Finally." I slumped down onto the bed, completely unaware I had even been that tired. I looked at omni-tool watch, the time glowing back into my face. I sighed, resigning myself to a shower before meeting back with Liara to work out the details of what we were to say tomorrow. I walked into the bathroom, surprised I could still be impressed by the home. Every detail of the house was thought of it seemed. I stripped out of the bdu's I wore and hopped into the water. It fell from the ceiling like rain in a rainforest. I let my head fall back and my hair followed suit. The Normandy's shower in my own quarters weren't bad for an Alliance ship, but this was far more luxurious than even my own shower back in Canada. I stepped out after a thorough wash and dried my hair and body, getting halfway dressed before walking back out to the open room.
"Shepard I- oh by the goddess, I am so sorry. I did not know you were washing up, I shall return when you are more uhm, dressed." Liara folded into herself at the sight of my slightly naked body. I laughed at her nervousness. "Don't worry about it. Just let me throw on a shirt and some pants."
"I, okay then. I am sorry. I got caught up in conversation with Shiala. I do not know how to explain the relationship we have. She is much more to me than just one of my mothers apprentices. She acted as my nanny for many years, especially while I was younger. My mother spent a lot of time on diplomatic ventures. I consider her to be like a father to me, considering I never met the other asari that was my mother's bondmate."
"I definitely didn't pick up on that one. I thought maybe you two had a thing going on. I didn't realize how much older Shiala was then you." I felt more like an idiot for assuming than just asking, laughing at my own idiocy. "Oh no. That is not the case at all. I am glad that we have cleared that up." We fell into an awkward silence for a moment before Liara's omni-tool began to chime. "It is Tevos. She has arrived. You may want to put on some clothes." I looked down at my body, realizing I was still in only a sports bra and underwear. "Uhm, yea you're right. I'll be down there to meet you and the rest of the crew. I need them just as in the loop if this is going to go smoothly regardless of what Tevos thinks. We're still on a critical mission."