For a moment Shepard and Garrus just stood there, gaping at each other. Like Thane, Garrus wore a dashing black tunic, though his sported a high collar that accentuated his long fringe and pronounced cowl. Thane cleared his throat, prompting Garrus to blink and look at him. Thane thrust his chin towards Shepard, gesturing for him to continue. Pulling himself together and straightening up a bit, Garrus stammered his greeting.
"G-good evening, Shepard." An awkward silence fell for a moment as he looked her reverently up and down. "Spirits, you look amazing!"Thane smiled, feeling inordinately proud as Garrus examined his mate, totally wowed by her beauty.
"Uhm, here," the turian said thrusting the flowers awkwardly out towards he in one three fingered hand. "These are for you. he know it's not much, but we haven't had much shore leave and it was hard enough sneaking these on board. So I thought-"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Garrus!" she said chuckling a little at the confusing situation as she took the flowers from him and inhaled their sweet, alien smell. "They are beautiful, thank you. But he think SOMEBODY might want to explain what in the world is going on." She turned, looking expectantly at Thane who had remained silent throughout the exchange. Garrus coughed politely.
"Excuse me Shepard, may I use your bathroom?" Shepard spared him a quick nod then turned back to fix Thane with a meaningful stare as Garrus disappeared behind the locked door.
"Thane baby," she said with a tense smile on her face. "Please tell me what the hell is going on... I mean the room looks amazing, but I didn't exactly expect more than ONE man to be in my room when I arrived." She ran her fingers through her still immaculate hair and tried to breathe normally, fighting the way her eyes were drawn to the bathroom door.
"Before I tell you that, let me tell you a little bit about drell culture. With the entirety of our people in possession of an eidetic memory, if we want to try something again, we can just as easily relive it by remembering it as do it again. That isn't to say that each memory isn't special, it just means we tend to put an extremely high value on new experiences." He took a deep breath, speaking slowly and deliberately, choosing each word carefully. "Keeping that in mind, it is not terribly surprising that my people have become rather... adventurous, both in their public and private lives..." Shepard raised an eyebrow at the emphasis he put on the word 'private' but nodded for him to continue.
"When a drell couple has been together for some time, they often find themselves in search of new and different ways to 'spice things up'. For example they may try positions that are new to them or toys they have never used before. One special way to for strong, trusting couple to enhance their love is to welcome another person who is an important part of their life into their bed." By this point Shepard's eyes were as big as saucers, but he cleared his throat and continued.
"The arrangement is different for each group. For some, it is a one time thing. For others, it is a regular occurrence, but the couple and the third party maintain a strictly platonic relationship outside of the bedroom. Sometimes, one or both of the couple become romantically involved with the trusted third member. This is often the case where feelings already exist between one or more of them..." Shepard blushed and looked away, feeling ashamed of having feelings for more than one partner, but Thane's cool touch at her chin drew her eyes back up to look at him.
"There is nothing to be embarrassed about, Siha. The heart wants what it wants, logic or reason have little to do with that. The reason I want to do this is because I care for you and want you to find your own unique happiness. I know you have feelings for Garrus, and I am secure enough in our relationship to say that that's okay. If you would like, tonight can be a night to explore your feelings for both him and me and see where you want to go from here. It can be a one time thing if you want, or we can all talk and find out what would be best for all of our futures. Whatever the case, I want you to be happy and without regrets."
Shepard bit her lip, chewing it thoughtfully as she weighed her options. Truly the idea intrigued her, but she felt like doing this would risk the solidity of the wonderful relationship she already had with Thane. Adding another party would require a period of adjustment at best... but the payoff... Could she really be lucky enough to be able to find warmth in the arms of BOTH the men she cared so much about? Would the universe even allow her that much happiness? Slowly, hesitantly, Shepard looked up at him and nodded.
"If you are, in your heart of hearts, truly alright with this, I think you might be right," she said quietly.
"Are you sure that this is alright with Garrus? Does he know this may or may not be a one time thing?" Thane nodded serenely. "And he is... interested? In me as more than a friend I mean?" Once again, Thane nodded. Her breath caught in her throat and she felt a smile tug at her lips as a feeling of relief and happiness washed over her.
Maybe tonight her long buried feelings would become clear to her and she could either move on with them or... or what, she didn't know. She looked at Thane's handsome features as he watched her think, finding a look of patient affection. "Regardless of what happens tonight, I want you to know that I love you, and gods-willing that will never change." She looked deep into his eyes as she spoke, kissing his lips softly. Thane just smiled.
"Is that your final decision?" She paused, thought for a moment, and then nodded more confidently. "Then it shall be as you wish." Thane bowed to her before rapping his knuckles on the bathroom door. It swished open immediately, Garrus stepping hesitantly out into the living area and looking nervously between them. It was endearing to watch him fidget, and Shepard felt her heart warm as their eyes met, hers warm and welcoming (if a little nervous), his pleading and vulnerable. She smiled at him, walking softly over to stand in front of him and give him her answer.