Mass Effect 30 Day Challenge: Day 9

Prompt 9: Best Piece of DLC

SPOILERS: Mass Effect 2

Title: Heels

Normandy SR-2, en route to Bekenstein, 2185 CE.

Kasumi Goto sat cross-legged on Commander Shepard's desk, studying the collection of model ships displayed in the glass case to her right. Shep was close to having the entire set – she was just missing a couple of Quarian models. The fish tank in the wall across from her position gave off a soft ambient glow, a calming ambiance save for the collection of dead fish floating sadly towards the top. The thief shook her head – Kara Shepard, hero of the citadel, savior of the galaxy, and she couldn't keep a few fish alive.

"Least she looks after you, right buddy?" Kasumi leaned over to ask the small wide-eyed space hamster who scuttled around his glass container. Boo looked up at her and gave her a very solemn 'squeep' before retreating into his little hut.

She chuckled, then looked in the direction of the closed bathroom door. "You done yet Shep?" she yelled. "Time's a-wasting."

"I'm not coming out." Commander Shepard's voice was muffled through the metal sliding door.

"Come on," Kasumi stood up and stretched her stiff muscles. "We're going to be in Bekenstein's orbit in less than an hour."

"I look ridiculous."

"It's just a dress Shep."

"It's a dress and high heels," Shepard retorted through the door. "And jewelry. And makeup."

"Makeup?" Kasumi feigned astonishment and fear. "How horrible!"

"I will end you Goto."

"Just think of it as warpaint!"

"I'd rather think of it as NOT having to be on my FACE."

Kasumi rolled her eyes. "Do you really want me to go out there and tell the rest of your team that the Great Commander Shepard was bested by high heels and some eyeshadow?"

There was silence from the other side of the door. After a moment, Shepard's voice came through again. "There's also lipstick."

"Get out here already," Kasumi said, leaning forward and banging on the bathroom door. "Before I feed your space hamster some of those dead fish."

More silence, followed by another growl from Shepard. "I hate you."

"You love me," Kasumi corrected. "Now get out here and let me see already!"

A few more seconds passed before the door of the bathroom slid open and Commander Shepard stepped out, standing in front of her desk awkwardly so Kasumi could look at her.

The Thief studied the Commander with a bemused expression on her face. The dress was black and form-fitting, low cut to display just enough chest to keep things interesting, but the hem not short enough for scandal. Her muscular arms and legs did paint an odd picture, not in the least because Shepard stood with an embarrassed hunch, as if worrying she was going to fall out of the black stiletto heels. Her eyes were lightly made up and she wore a muted red lipstick, which would have looked stunning against her pale skin if not for Shepard's surly expression. Her short hair was clean and styled, and she wore a pair of silver stud earrings that Kasumi had not provided.

All in all, the Commander looked about as comfortable as a Krogan in a China Shop, but she did clean up well.

"Looking good Shep," Kasumi nodded in approval. "I knew formal wear would suit you."

"If there isn't alcohol at this party," Shepard said, glowering at Kasumi. "I will beat you to death with one of these heels."

"Don't worry your pretty little head," Kasumi said, smiling sweetly. "There will be plenty of fancy drinks for a fancy lady such as yourself."

Shepard's furious expression did not waver. "I am anything but fancy," she said. "Seriously Kasumi, I look ridiculous in this get-up. Couldn't you have at least gotten me a tailored suit or something?"

"You have to make an impression Shep," Kasumi said, folding her arms. "And nothing makes an impression on a man like a little black dress."

"So my mother told me," Shepard shook her head. "She would cry tears of joy to see me wearing something like this. The last time I wore a dress was senior prom."

Lightning fast, Kasumi snapped a picture with her omni-tool, making a mental note to find out which ship Hannah Shepard was currently serving on.

"Did you just-?"

"For nostalgia," Kasmui said, still smiling sweetly. "Plus nobody will believe that Commander Kara Shepard wore a dress without photographic evidence."

"Still hate you."

"Still don't care," Kasumi smirked. She paused for a moment, debating the question before finally going for it. She was never one for caution anyway. "The earrings weren't part of the package I sent you." She said. "Where'd they come from?"

Shepard blushed and looked down at the floor, sighing. "They were my mother's," she said. "An anniversary gift to her from my Dad. She gave them to me after he died. I've never worn them before."

Silence fell for a few moments, and Kasumi decided she wouldn't feel the least bit guilty about forwarding the pictures she'd snapped to Hannah Shepard. The Commander would thank her later.

"Well, they look good," Kasumi said. "So does the rest of you, now let's get a move on down to the shuttle, we're almost there."

Shepard sighed and began to awkwardly walk forward. She hadn't been kidding about not knowing how to walk in heels. "Let's get this over with," she muttered. "If I break an ankle, you're paying for it."

Kasumi chuckled. "You'll be fine once you stop looking like you're walking a tightrope over boiling lava."

"These things are five inches high!" Shepard complained as they stepped into the elevator and hit the button to take them down to the shuttlebay. "I'd prefer the lava!"

Kasumi shook her head. "Just tell Joker we're ready to go," she said. "The party's already started, and there's only so late you can be before it's unfashionable."

Shepard rolled her eyes and pinged Joker over the comm. He responded in the affirmative and she crossed her arms again. "As long as nobody sees me in this ridiculous outfit." She muttered. "Then I'll be-"

The elevator doors slid open on the engineering level and Shepard and Kasumi almost collided with Garrus, who held a datapad and some schematics in his hands. "Oh, I'm sorr-" he began, stumbling back, and then paused when he got a good look at the Commander. "Shepard?"

"Don't say a word Vakarian," Shepard growled, stepping around him and storming towards the shuttle bay as fast as she could in her heels. "Not one fucking word."

Garrus blinked, and Kasumi saw him give the Commander an appraising look before chuckling and giving her a nod. Kasumi nodded back and waved as the elevator doors closed behind him. So there was something more than commander and subordinate to those two, she thought to herself. She'd known it the first time she'd joined them on a mission and seen them in action together. Hopefully they'll wake up and admit it to each other before it's all too late.

"Guess you jinxed it," Kasumi commented as they stepped into the shuttle.

Shepard sat down in the shuttle, her legs in an extremely unladylike stance, and scowled. "I don't believe in jinxes," she muttered. "And I am serious, if I don't get at least two drinks in me at this damn party, I will shoot someone."

Kasumi smiled. This heist was going to be more entertaining than she'd ever imagined. "Don't worry Shep," she said. "Drinks or no, you'll get to shoot someone."

*
Answer: Kasumi: Stolen Memory

Note: I don't know how this happened, but in my headcanon Kasumi has a secret penchant for old early 21st century pop songs, and her theme song is Ke$ha's 'Party at a Rich Dude's House'. So I wrote this while listening to Ke$ha.

Also, I feel Kara Shepard's pain. Every time I walk in heels, I feel like I'm going to break my damn neck.

Thanks again to everyone reading along