Chapter 26
The Tranquil Garden - Presidium - Citadel
"So, where exactly are you bringing me?" asked Shepard as she entered the large establishment. Looking around, she was surprised to see plenty of women and men dressed in similar garments attending to others. At first, the spectre thought that the gunnery chief had brought her to an escort service, but after closer inspection, it looked more like a host club.
"A place to relax," said the woman as she shrugged at the redhead. "Scuttlebutt has it that you've been pretty high strung since the beacon, and after you bought me this big boy," she said, patting the neatly encased explosive launcher. "I thought I'd return the favor by getting you a massage."
"Look, Ash, I appreciate the gesture, but…" started Shepard, but she was cut off as the chief shook her head.
"Sorry, Commander. But no arguments. You don't get to throw your money around and expect nothing in return. Besides, tell me honestly to my face that you don't need this," responded the soldier with a no-nonsense look on her face.
Shepard glowered at her before finally sighing. "Alright, fine," she said as she stepped up to the counter. "How much does that cost at this place anyway?"
"For one of the regular girls, not that much. But if you're a big spender, you can purchase time from the owner, and she's said to be some kind of goddess who can bring you to Nirvana with a single touch," said Ash as she shrugged.
Smirking at her, Shepard shrugged. "Nirvana huh? Been a while since I've heard that phrase used unironically."
Chuckling, Williams shook her head. "I don't know how much of it is true. She's waaay outside my pay grade," she stated as she called over the hostess. "Two for the massage table please. And make sure they have powerful hands," she said, getting a nod from the asari.
"Your names?" asked the hostess curiously.
"Ashley Williams and Jane Shepard," responded the gunnery chief.
Suddenly, the asari's eyes lit up as she stared at Shepard. "Shepard? You wouldn't happen to be…"
"Yeah, that's me," said the redhead as she scratched her head.
"What, does she get a discount for being a Spectre?" asked Ash as she leaned on the counter with a grin.
"No... I'm afraid not. However, my sister Saphi is a big fan of yours," she said, almost excitedly as she looked around frantically for something. "Do... do you think I could get your autograph? I'm sure she'd love it!"
"What's your name?" asked Shepard curiously.
"Neylina," responded the asari.
"Would your sister happen to work as a receptionist at the embassies?" asked the commander as she recognized the name.
The asari nodded with a smile. "That she does. She was already a fan beforehand, but after your last encounter with a certain asari diplomat, Saphi said that you became her idol. Apparently, knocking that Dantius woman senseless, as well as having her embassy access removed was the greatest day of her life," she said as she pulled up a personal datapad.
Chuckling, the commander reached for the datapad. "Yeah, that was a pretty good day for me too," she said as she took her own picture with the woman's device, then signed it with a stylus. "Here you go. I hope both of you enjoy it," she said as she handed it back.
Grinning happily, the asari bowed her head as she took the device back. "Thank you, Spectre. We'll cherish it," she said before finally putting their names into the computer. "Your tables are ready now if you'd like, or would you prefer to schedule an appointment?"
"Now's good," said Ash as she stood straight and stretched herself.
"Very well. Then please follow me," she said as she tucked the datapad away under the podium and led them towards the back. After depositing Ashley into one room, she took Shepard to another. "Please remove your clothing and deposit them in this basket, then lay face down on the table. Your masseuse should be with you shortly," she said before closing the door behind her.
Shepard sighed to herself and did as she was told. Removing her boots, she set them in front of the basket before then pulling off her socks and stuffing them inside. Standing, she took off her top, then her bra, and folded them into the basket before doing the same to her pants and undergarments. After standing up again, she grabbed a towel and headed for the table.
Luckily, she didn't have to wait long before another asari stepped inside the room. Looking her up and down, Shepard had to admit that the woman's dress did her many favors. It was short-sleeved, leaving her delicate blue arms bare to the world, while the front had large, diamond-shaped openings that allowed her cleavage to be seen, as well as her stomach. The rest of the dress flowed down to her ankles.
As the asari made her way to the table, Shepard nearly went wide-eyed as it looked like she was gliding rather than walking. Whoever this woman was, she was as elegant as a Tiffany chandelier.
"My name is Sha'ira, Spectre. I hope you don't mind that I'll be taking the place of your scheduled masseuse," said the woman as she gave a polite curtsy.
"Had you not said anything, I'd have thought you were my scheduled masseuse. Who exactly are you and why are you replacing them?" asked Shepard curiously as she sat up on her elbows to stare at the woman.
"I am Sha'ira Y'Lessa. I am the owner of this establishment," she said, causing Shepard's eyes to widen in surprise.
"Wait, does that mean…?" started the commander, but the asari held up a hand and gave a gentle smile.
Somehow, the woman's smile seemed to gently calm her nerves. Shepard let out a small sigh as she felt herself relaxing. "Be calm, Spectre. I have an offer to make you, and I assure you that you will not be paying my regular rate," she said, causing the redhead to relax even more. "Now, please lay flat."
Shepard did as she was told and laid on the table, her head now occupying the cushioned oval at the top. As soon as she felt the woman's hands on her back, any stress she had melted away. She let out a sigh of contentment as the asari's magical fingers found her most tense muscles and worked them until they too were free from stress. "No wonder your prices are so high," she said as she groaned in pleasure from another knot being released.
"I spent two hundred years studying the art of physical therapy and bodily release on Illium. I assure you, very few have applied themselves as much as I have to bring pleasure to others," said the elegant woman as she worked her way down Shepard's body. When she got to the back of her legs was when Shepard really started to groan. "Your work has you very stressed, Spectre."
"Tell me about it," said Shepard as she let out a breathy sigh.
"I can also see that you have recently begun experiencing sexual frustration," said the asari as she gently ran her fingers down the spectre's spine. "Would you like me to relieve you of this as well?"
Shepard cocked an eyebrow curiously at the woman. "Are you offering me sex?"
But the asari shook her head gently. "As enticing a partner as you may seem, Spectre, I'm afraid we do not offer that kind of physical service here," she said as she gently ran her finger up the redhead's spine again, then further up her neck. "Let me show you," she offered as she placed all five of her fingers on the back of her head.
The asari closed her eyes and inhaled slowly as Shepard waited for something to happen. She wasn't sure what to expect, but it had to be something to do with melding. Suddenly, her eyes shot open and she couldn't stop herself from moaning loudly as her body flooded with a feeling she hadn't had for years. She gripped the table lightly as the feeling vanished as soon as it appeared. "Fucking hell!" gasped Shepard as she lifted herself off the table to stare at the woman again.
"I take it you enjoyed it?" asked Sha'ira as she smiled.
Letting out a gasp, the spectre ran a hand through her red hair. "Something like that…"
"Shall I continue then?" asked the woman curiously. "I assure you; it is a simple therapy for those who suffer from such frustration. You will not have to worry about the stigma often associated with sex work."
"I don't know if I could afford it," said Shepard with a half-grin.
"As I said, Spectre, you and your friend will not be paying anything more than the normal rate. The reason I'm here is to ask you for help in a small situation. Should your answer be yes, then there will be no charge for you or your subordinate," said the asari casually as she stepped up to the table where Shepard's head was propped up.
"And what is this situation?" she asked, trying to distract herself from actually asking for the treatment again.
Letting out a wistful sigh, the asari looked into Shepard's blue eyes sadly. "I've been caught up in some drama, unfortunately."
Resting her head on her fist, the spectre nodded. "Gotta love drama…" she said sarcastically, making the asari smirk.
"Indeed," replied the asari before she pulled up a seat and continued. "Before I get into that, there's something I must explain about my work here," she said, getting a nod from Shepard. "Despite what others may say, I am here as a healer of the mind, and of the soul. People come to me and my acolytes from all over Citadel Space because I can offer them peace. Broken souls with PTSD, men and women with anxiety and depression, and those who have suffered such loss that their spirit will remain scarred forever. I help these people. It is my pleasure, and my duty to help them."
"Okay, I understand that part. But what's gotten you into drama?" asked Shepard curiously.
"Unfortunately, some people want more than I can give. We have several repeat customers that continue to come back because they enjoy the presence of me and my acolytes. But on occasion, we have some that want more. They ask for things we cannot do. In particular, a turian general by the name of Septimus Oraka wants me to be more romantically involved with him. I've turned down his advances several times, telling him that I cannot leave this place for him. And each time he has gotten more foul-tempered. After his last offer was again refused, he began to do spiteful things that could get me into trouble…" she said as she gently held her thumb at her lips.
"Oh boy…" groaned Shepard as she shook her head.
"It is as it seems. He has released information regarding another customer of mine, Xeltan, the elcor ambassador. Now, Xeltan believes that his trust in me has been broken, and that I am the one who shared his innermost secrets with the world. He is currently in the elcor embassy trying to bring up charges against me," said the asari as she looked straight at Shepard again. "I wish for you to speak to Septimus and snap him out of his anger. Or, if that task should be impossible, then find proof that clears me of his charges. While I do not wish to shame Septimus publicly, I cannot let his anger smear my reputation."
"That shouldn't be hard to do. And if I do this, you say we get these services for free today?" asked Shepard curiously.
"Indeed. I will even extend the offer to the rest of your crew if you wish. No doubt they too need comfort after some of the things they've been through," she said with a knowing grin.
Shepard eyed the woman curiously, wondering if she knew what they had actually been through, or if she was assuming simply because they worked for a spectre. "Alright. Free services for my crew and I sedate a crying turian general," she said with a nod.
"I appreciate your assistance, Spectre. While I could fight this battle myself, it would be very costly and time consuming. Meanwhile my name would be dragged through the dirt the entire time," said the asari as she stood and flexed her fingers again. "Now, shall we proceed where we left off?"
Chora's Den - Zakera Ward - Citadel
As she strolled into the bar, Shepard felt like she was walking around in a new body. Hearing that the asari woman had spent two hundred years studying physical therapy now sounded perfectly logical as she felt lighter than air. With a satisfied grin on her face, she headed into the bar with her hands in the sleeves of her hoodie.
But as soon as she entered, almost everything stopped. Like an old western, everyone sitting at a table looked up at her nervously. Even the barman and the dancers had wary expressions as she walked in and looked around. "Relax, I'm just here to drink," she said, getting looks of relief all around. Apparently, her last visit here left an impression.
Walking up to the bar, she leaned on it and looked around. Within seconds, she had spotted her target sitting in one of the many chairs surrounding a lovely dancing asari. He stood a little over two meters tall and wore white clan markings on his mandibles, on his brow plates, as well as three stripes down his chin. After extensive study, she found that the markings represented the desert colony of Invictus.
The salarian barman nervously approached her. "W-What can I get you, Spectre?"
She smiled at him and pulled out her credit chit. "Whatever levo beer you have on tap is fine," she said as she offered him the payment. "And get one for yourself as well."
The salarian's face lit up at the offer, and he nodded. "Of course! I'll be just a moment." He then zoomed off to retrieve the drink.
Turning again, she eyed the turian for a moment before turning her gaze towards the dancing asari that he sat in front of. She almost immediately recognized the young woman, likely barely a century old, as the same woman who jumped in to save her during their raid on the bar. Her gaze shifted again as the salarian brought her drink. "Thank you," she said as she took the glass stein and headed over to sit next to the large turian.
As soon as she sat down, she reached forward and paid ten credits to the dancer by swiping her chit over the scanner. The dancer apparently recognized her as well and smiled happily before putting more sway into her movements, showing her curvy body with much more enthusiasm.
"It's been a while since a spectre approached me," said the turian as he turned his head, his predatory eyes scanning her curiously.
"I heard you retired a few years ago," said Jane as she pried her eyes away from the sensually dancing asari and looked at the turian sitting next to her.
"I did. You and your kind make it hard for a general to work," he said with a snort of contempt. But he sighed afterwards and shook his head. "Sorry, I don't mean to be hostile. I've just had a rough week."
"So I've heard," said Shepard as she took a drink from her beer. The turian looked at her with a sharp stare.
"What exactly have you heard?" he asked, almost forcefully.
"General, in the history of the turian military, each officer that makes it as high as you in the ranks gets their portrait painted and hung in the Hall of Valor. How often do you think they take paintings down for dishonorable acts after retirement?" asked Shepard as she returned his stern stare.
"Spirits, you're here because of Sha'ira, aren't you?" he asked in frustration as his talons gripped the arms of the chair.
"The answer is that it's very rare. Often generals retire to a home with their family and continue to assist the military with expertise and knowledge," she said, furrowing her brows as she stared at him. "Why would you go out of your way to make trouble for a woman solely because she turned you down?"
Sighing to himself, he leaned back in his chair and stared at the dancer. "Sha'ira does something to me. She makes me a better man just by being around her. She soothes me like no other in the world can," he said as he tapped his brow-plate with a single talon. "In here are memories of some of the worst things someone can come across. Innocent people being slaughtered as warships drop projectiles from orbit and level an entire city block. People starving because we've cut off their supply lines…." he said as he looked down. "Examples made."
Shepard's eyes widened slightly. "You have PTSD from participating in the siege of Shanxi?" she asked, her drink now forgotten.
"That's right. Many in the Hierarchy try to justify what we did. But I had to watch as a recruit as they unnecessarily assaulted and killed so many over a stupid mistake," he said as he cradled his head in one hand. "She makes all that go away. She makes me forget."
"And you pay her back for helping you by slandering her?" asked Shepard, getting a surprised look from the turian.
"No…" he said, his face making it clear that he knew what he was doing was wrong. "Spirits, you're right. What am I doing?" he asked before leaning forward and downing his entire glass.
Shepard shook her head and sighed. "General, if someone else had done this to her, how would you react?" she asked curiously before taking another drink of her beer.
"I'd kick the clan paint off their face so fast that they'd reach escape velocity," said the turian as he swiped his chit for the girl again. "I know what you're getting at, Spectre. I'm... hurting her."
"You are. And on top of that, you're a Hierarchy general. Doing childish things like this is beneath you," she said as she too finished off her drink. "Not to mention the fact that you're actively harming the one person that helps you forget," she said as she stared him dead in the eyes. "And trust me, having someone that can help you through your worst moments is like finding an oasis in the desert. They're extremely hard to come by," she said, looking away as her thoughts drifted to Liara.
"I know…" he grumbled, then reached up and slapped his face with both hands. "I have to fix this," he said as he opened his omni-tool. "Spectre, if you'd do me a favor, I'd highly appreciate it."
"Anything I can do to help you fix this, General," she said as she opened her own omni-tool.
"Take this information to Xeltan. It's proof that the information that was leaked came from me, and not from Sha'ira," he said as he passed her a compressed file. Closing down his omni-tool, he sighed to himself. "Now... to take a cold shower, and prepare my apology," he said as he looked at her. "Thank you for setting me straight, Spectre. Sha'ira didn't deserve what I did to her."
"That's right. And if you want her to trust you again, you have to take it slow. Don't rush into this expecting to be absolved of your mistakes just because you're sorry," she said as she stood up and slide her hands onto her hoodie pockets again.
"I will," he said as he stood up and left the bar with a no-nonsense stride in his step.
Shepard watched him go before turning to the asari again. The dancer smiled at her, then blew a kiss to the redhead. The spectre smiled brightly before swiping her chit again and leaving herself.
The Tranquil Garden - Presidium - Citadel
"Feeling better?" asked Shepard with a grin as Ash stepped up to the counter.
"I feel like I could jump and fly through space without a suit," said the gunnery chief as she leaned her elbows and back against the counter. "The guy giving me the massage told me that it was on the house, so I asked for a facial as well. You should have joined me," she said as she smiled brightly.
"I had to run and do something real quick. The owner offered me free service for the crew if I did her a favor," said the spectre with a shrug.
"Ah, I see now. Playing hooky with the boss?" asked Ash playfully as Neylina once again approached the counter.
"Ah, Spectre! Sha'ira is expecting you! Both of you, please follow me!" she said excitedly as she led them past the other customers and up the stairs. When they stepped into the consort's room, Shepard's jaw nearly hit the ground. The entire room looked like a fantasy zen garden. Plants grew from soil around the edges of the room, and in the dead center of the back wall was a rock formation with a small waterfall cascading down into a pool. Even the floors were decorated with neatly curated purple sand that had been raked into artistic asari symbols, each one with a crystal planted delicately in the center.
Once she finally recovered from the shock of seeing the room, Shepard looked up to the asari woman who had risen from a chair set on a circular platform at the very center of the room. "Spectre, I just received a message from both Xeltan and Septimus. I must say, you are certainly an effective ally."
"I'm pretty good at getting things done," said the redhead with a grin. "But I'm glad to hear he followed through."
"As am I. You've done me a great service," said the woman as she strolled up and stood directly in front of Shepard. "As promised, any person serving aboard your ship will be welcomed here without charge for their next visit. On top of that, I have another gift for you."
Shepard eyed her curiously. "And what's that?"
"A gift of words," said the asari as her face grew serious. "I sense greatness in you Spectre. But rash action will reveal much about the task and the man. The reward may be immediate, but there is no going back," she said as she stepped forward again, nearly pressing herself against Shepard before whispering in her ear. "I see your skin, tough as the scales on any turian, unyielding. A wall between you and everyone else. But it protects you, makes you strong. And it is that strength that people are drawn to. It is why you lead, and others follow without question. You will need that leadership in the battles to come," said the woman as she finally took a step back and eyed Shepard seriously. "You are a shining beacon, Shepard. This only forms the basis of who you will become."
Shepard stared at her wide-eyed for a moment before turning to Ash. The gunnery chief was hastily typing something on her personal omni-tool. Turning back to the asari, Shepard smiled. "That was very poetic, and somewhat prophetic if I might be so bold."
Smiling, Sha'ira nodded. "It is not the future I see, but you. As you are, and as you will be should you continue down this path. However, through your own feelings, I see distress about those close to you. Your leadership will be necessary in guiding those who follow you to keep them from straying."
"I'll... keep that in mind," said Shepard with a furrowed brow as she thought of her crew. Garrus's inner turmoil, Wrex's lone wolf attitude, Tali's early rejection of AI, Liara's loss of her mother to Saren, Ash's need to prove herself. They all could easily go down dark paths. She began to wonder if Sha'ira was implying that Shepard would be crucial to steering them onto the right path.
"I'm happy to hear that," said the asari as she pulled something from behind her back. "Here, this is one last gift I have for you," she said holding it up for both of them to see.
Shepard cocked an eyebrow at the strange trinket. It was small, able to fit in the palm of her hand. But it was a chrome sphere with no design on it. It looked like a large ball bearing at first glance. But once Shepard picked it up, she knew better. It's chrome surface rippled with her touch, and her mind immediately knew that it was more than it appeared. Suddenly, a small vision appeared in her mind. It was a mountain range with massive spears of rock jutting into the air. The vision zoomed out until she could see the entire planet. Then she could see the system it was in. Suddenly, she snapped back to reality and looked at the asari wide-eyed. "What exactly is this?"
"It's a mystery. I have never found its use or purpose. But I sense it is time for me to pass it on. Hopefully you will be able to solve that which many prothean experts have not," said the asari as she bowed her head.
Shepard stared at the rippling surface curiously for a moment before grasping the object in her hand. "Thank you. I will do my best to help you solve this mystery."
"I am pleased to hear that Shepard," said Sha'ira as she returned to her chair.
"I should be going now. If you ever need me, feel free to contact me," said the human as she turned.
"Farewell, Shepard! May your journey be safe!" responded the asari before both of the women left the room.
Looking over at Ash, Shepard saw as the chief finally put her omni-tool away. "What were you doing in there?"
"Writing down her words. If she turns out to be a future-seer, then I want her on speed dial," said Ash as she grinned at Shepard.
Chuckling to herself, Shepard left the establishment and headed for the nearest transit car with Ash in her wake.
Prothean Research Department - Presidium - Citadel
It was frustrating for Liara. All day she had spent looking over data on the device they had discovered in the ExoGeni building. And while she would normally be excited about studying a potential new prothean artifact, she had discovered early on that while it may have looked prothean, it was something entirely different. Made of the same material as the relays but was unlike anything they had ever seen the protheans make.
Normally, that would be exciting. Except that all the object did was project a headache-inducing signal that was little more than white noise. There was nothing else about it. No data inside, no power sources to be found, no nothing. It was just a prothean style noise maker.
On top of her frustrations at the device, she hadn't seen Shepard since she started her work. It was odd how lackluster her work seemed without the spectre present and watching anymore. She came to the startled realization that she had quickly grown out of her former loner persona and had quickly become friends with the crew. Now, working without one of the Normandy's crew nearby seemed hollow.
Finally, she finished her work and sent the data back to the researchers. Opening her comm, she sent a message to Shepard, wondering if she was nearby. She quickly received a message back, which she opened with haste. [If you want to have dinner, meet me in the Zakera Marketplace. Me and Ash were looking for a good sushi place.]
Smiling at the response, she quickly called a transit car that took her to the wards access, then jumped into another that dropped her off in front of the markets. She made her way through the large, crowded market area, holding her head up to try and spot that familiar fiery hair. But as she searched, she found herself stopping as she spotted the curious figure of a salarian standing over a keeper in a back alleyway.
With her curiosity getting the better of her, she stepped into the darkness of the alley and watched as he kept running a scanner over the busy keeper's body. She knew that it was against the law to interfere, or even touch the keepers. But technically, he wasn't touching or interfering with it. It continued to work without even acknowledging he was there. Stepping forward, she had to ask. "What is it you're doing?"
The salarian, who wore a dark grey salarian lab coat which accented his jet-black skin, nearly jumped out of his clothes in fright. "Wha-I... I wasn't doing anything! You can't prove anything!" he shouted as he pointed at her.
"Were I recording you for the few minutes I've been standing here, then I'm afraid C-Sec would have plenty of evidence to get a conviction," said the woman as she stepped closer. "But I'm not here to get you arrested. I'm simply curious as to what you're doing."
The salarian grimaced at her before sighing. "Alright, fine!" he snapped before slowing his panicked breathing. When he composed himself again, he looked at her. "I'm scanning the keepers."
"Why?" asked Liara curiously. Though the answer was obvious, she was more interested in his motive than his actions.
"Because we know so little about them. If you barely bump one, it implodes on itself. If you build something, they come in and make it seamless. We don't know where they come from, or where they go. We don't know where they get the materials or tools to build the way they do! And they've made it illegal to study something so integral to our lives simply because they don't want to disturb their work patterns! It's maddening!" growled the salarian who looked like he was about to kick something.
But Liara's eyes widened immensely at his response. Everything he said about the keepers was also true about prothean technology, with the exception of it being illegal to study. But his frustration at society's lack of interest in things that their livelihoods depend on was nearly identical to her frustrations about the lack of interest in studying the protheans. And technically, since the protheans made the Citadel, it's just as likely that they made the keepers as well, which drew an uncanny parallel between the two.
"I agree with you!" she nearly squealed, causing his already large eyes to widen more.
"Y-You do!?" he asked incredulously, nearly dropping his scanner in surprise.
"I do! It's agonizing how little people care about such important things!" she growled as she looked at the ground.
"Thank Surakesh! I've found someone with some sense in their head!" he shouted as he pulled up the scanner.
"So, how is it that you're scanning them? I thought that they self-destructed when examined before," asked Liara as she stepped up to the scientist.
"Oh, it's quite simple actually. Most of the devices that were used before, when the creatures destroyed themselves, were scanners made from our technology! Therefore, I hypothesized that since the keepers were made by the protheans, I'd make a prothean scanner! It's a prototype that's designed after a blueprint that explorers found on a prothean ruin in salarian space!" he said as he held the device forward to show her.
She slowly reached forward and took it, then began examining it cautiously. "This is a prothean scanner?" she asked curiously.
"Not to specs. It's still made of the same stuff we use. But how it scans is different. And it turns out that it works! I've scanned numerous keepers to date with it, and they seem unbothered by its presence!" he said victoriously with a large grin on his face.
"Incredible!" said Liara as she handed it back to him. "What's your name?"
"Luvis Delica Tos Duvain Leppa Sat Nima Chorban! And you are?" he asked, getting a flustered look from the asari.
"Doctor Liara T'Soni," she said as she nodded to him. "Can I ask a favor?"
"Of course Doctor!" he said happily, likely thrilled at finding a like-minded individual.
"Would you mind keeping me updated on your findings? Perhaps I could help given my extensive knowledge of the protheans," she remarked as she opened her omni-tool.
"Splendid! Any assistance would be excellent!" said the salarian as he traded data with her.
"I must go now, but please keep in touch! Any knowledge that can help explain more about the protheans is invaluable," she said with a smile. "Oh, and if you should get caught, let me know and I'll see if I can't help you get out of trouble."
"That I will do Doctor T'Soni. And thank you for your time. It's refreshing to meet such an enlightened individual," he said as he activated the scanner again.
"Likewise, Chorban," she said, bowing her head lightly. "Good luck with your scanning," she finished as she turned and exited the alleyway and made her way back to the markets. Almost immediately, she found Shepard and Ashley waiting next to a very enthusiastic salarian salesman.
Shepard's face lit up when she caught sight of the asari, making Liara's stomach flutter lightly. "There she is! About time you found us," she said as she waved.
Rushing up to the pair, Liara bowed her head in apology. "I apologize. I got distracted by... well, I'll tell you later. For now, you said you were interested in sushi?" she asked curiously, getting nods from both of them.
"It's been forever since I've eaten at a decent Asian place," groaned Ash as she leaned her head back dramatically. "I'm dying for some dumplings."
"If I may," started Liara as she looked between them both. "Asari cuisine consists primarily of fish. So, when your sushi restaurants began coming to the Citadel, we almost immediately swarmed to them."
"Are you saying you know a good place?" asked Ash with a curious smile.
"I know a few, actually. Shall we go?" she asked with a wide grin plastered on her face.
"Lead the way Doc," ordered Ash as she held a hand over her growling stomach.
Captain's Quarters - SSV Normandy SR1
She was stuffed like a turkey as she closed down her terminal and threw herself onto the bed. It wasn't often that she splurged on food like that, but after she invited all the others in as well, she couldn't let the opportunity go to waste. A lot of the crew who weren't visiting family swung by the restaurant and joined in the merriment. Even Joker stopped by after his visit to the consort, where he had a simple dream session with one of the asari.
After the party had wound down though, Shepard sought the comfort of her bed. And almost as soon as she hit the pillow, she heard a knock at the door. Looking up, she wondered who it could be. "Hello?"
The door opened, and there stood Liara in her night clothes, a simple pair of pajama pants with a soft drink logo printed over and over on it, as well as a t-shirt. "May I enter, Shepard?" asked the asari timidly.
Sitting up in her bed, Shepard smiled slightly. "Of course," she responded as she waved the woman in.
Smiling back, the doctor stepped inside and sat at the end of Shepard's bed. "Sorry to disturb you. I know it's late, and you've had a pretty long day."
"It's alright. I can always spare time for one of my crew," she said as she crossed her legs. Liara looked slightly disappointed at the statement but didn't comment. "Nice pants by the way," said Shepard as she looked down at the red and white design.
Smiling brightly, the asari nodded and ran her hand over the soft pants. "Thank you! I bought them on the extranet! The design looks so beautiful and mystical. I heard it's written in cursive, a human form of writing that's no longer used." she said proudly. Shepard couldn't help but snort in amusement, which got her an odd look from the doctor. "What is it?"
"It's a logo for Coca-Cola, a human soft drink," said Shepard with a playful grin.
"Oh…" said Liara as she looked down at the pants. "I suppose that does take the mysticism out of them a bit."
"If you'd like, I can write your name in cursive and have it imprinted on a pair of pants," offered Shepard as she rested her chin in her hand.
"I'd like that," said the woman with a nod. "But, as for why I'm here…"
"You want the cipher?" she asked, causing Liara's eyes to widen. "Ever since that first night where you soothed me to sleep, you've been avoiding asking me about it because you didn't want to rush me. So, you waited until a day where I didn't have a lot of work. Believe me when I say I noticed, and greatly appreciated the wait."
"I... didn't want to add to your stress. You've already had so much on your shoulders," said the asari as she lowered her head.
Reaching forward, Shepard lifted her chin so that they were looking eye to eye. "Thank you, Liara." The doctor blushed wildly before smiling. "Now, you want to begin?"
Nodding, the asari reached forward and placed her palm on Shepard's freckled cheek, then the other hand on her neck. Much to Liara's surprise, Shepard did the same, then pressed her forehead directly to her own. Stunned for a moment, Liara simply sighed and inhaled slowly. "A-Alright, Shepard…" she said as she then exhaled. "As happened with Shiala, I will have to see the cipher through your eyes, as you saw it through hers. That means that we will need to be almost entirely connected," she said, fidgeting slightly.
"So, it's like a very intimate, but not at all intimate connection?" asked the spectre playfully.
Smiling slightly at the tease, Liara nodded. "Perhaps. Our minds will become one as I experience the cipher. Not like when we watched the visions. I will truly become a part of your mind temporarily," she said nervously.
"Alright then. Just don't go snooping for my exes," she said jokingly, getting a dramatic eye roll from the asari.
"Come now, Shepard. I'm not that petty," she said with mock sternness.
"Alright. You know my boundaries. I'm going to trust you not to break them," said the spectre as she tightened her grip on the woman.
"Of course, Shepard. My thoughts will be solely limited to the cipher," said the asari as she took a deep breath, then heavily exhaled. "We are two beings, becoming one in mind and soul. In the universe, there is no human or asari, as we are all part of the great cycle. Open your mind, Shepard. Embrace eternity…" she said as she closed her eyes, then opened them again to show her mystical black orbs.
She had felt it once before. But experiencing it previously didn't make the process any less strange for her. She was flooded with memories that weren't hers. A feeling of fear as her first day of basic education flashed before her eyes, and her mother standing over her as beautiful and elegant as she always was. Then came isolation in middle school, where she was alone as many people saw her obsession with prothean data and technology as weird. But she didn't mind, as she preferred avoiding others. College, a feeling of happiness as she finally left home and studied not only prothean tech and history, but paleontology, biology, and geography as well. It took her nearly thirty years to get through all of her classes, but she finally did it. Then came nervousness as she met her superior, Doctor B'Nalia Voss at the T'Lana Institute. She had been married to a turian, who had been funding the entire wing of the college himself. Then came excitement with her first discovery with earned her independent funding from B'Nalia's generous husband.
Then came uncertainty as she was being rescued by a strange human who told her that her mother was now a wanted criminal. Finally, there came joy as she assisted the spectre. She saw all of these memories as if she had lived them herself. After a long moment, order was restored and the memories receded, being replaced with the prothean cipher. She lived through the many lives again, experiencing them once more as Liara's emotions bled into her, causing her to tear up at what she was seeing. After witnessing everything, Liara finally released Shepard from the melding.
Both of them opened their eyes slowly, looking into each other's as they did, still holding one another. They sat frozen on the spot as they embraced, close enough that if either one leaned forward, they would be lip to lip. Finally, Shepard let go of her and pulled back, releasing the asari from her embrace. She more than noticed the doctor's look of slight disappointment. But instead of falling back into her bed, she leaned over and laid her head in the asari's lap, getting a look of surprise.
Shepard smiled up at her, and received a glowing smile in return as the doctor once again began tracing her fingertips over Shepard's forehead, allowing her eyes to sink as sleep snared her and dragged her under. "Goodnight, Jane," said that melodious voice as she finally fell into the warm embrace of sleep.
CODEX ENTRIES
Hall of Valor | Location | Palaven
The Hall of Valor is one of the most visited places on Palaven. Originally its location was near the capital building in Cipritine, however due to its ever-expanding nature, it was moved out to a remote location, which eventually facilitated the creation of a new city. The hall is ever growing, and any turian that serves a minimum of twenty years in service to the Hierarchy's Armed Forces and attains a specific rank, are due to get a painting of them in uniform put into the museum. Very rarely are paintings removed for acts of dishonor, but the number grows as turian society progresses.
Dream Session | Entertainment | Asari
Being a biotics-based species, the asari had many forms of entertainment and pleasure that they brought to the table when a galactic society was formed. Through the use of biotics, a Dream Guide can instill very realistic dreams into a sleeping individual's mind while they sleep. This has been used for millennia on Thessia as a form of therapy, and many people throughout Citadel Space use it as a way of experiencing things they would otherwise be incapable of experiencing in reality.