Liege Lord: Yes, 'beating' the Council was much fun. And yeah, I hope they'll stay together as well- we don't want Shepard to be all depressed through the whole second part of this story, right? And I'm not a meanie! DX
Hound Akragth: I do try to be fast with my updates- otherwise, HB might track me down and ring my neck (lol). You've pretty much got it right with figuring the Vertoakan history lesson; they expanded to another galaxy (Shepard's) but were soon waylaid by the Reapers. They saved all of the surviving inhabitants they could and jumped back- but not without being told to destroy as many Reapers and mass effect relays they could after doing so, the force of this destruction tore a hole in the fabric of space/time. When sucked through, they ended up in Shepard's timeline since they were, essentially, forced into another reality from their own. (Sorry, this must be complicated…)
I agree with your opinion on the LIs in ME2 as well; it pissed me off to see all of them just brush you off or get offended that you died and came back to try and help again. They just didn't seem to see the 'big picture' in my opinion. Mostly, I'm talking about Ashley and her 'friendly' hello after, I don't know, you saved her life-again. Jeez… (Sorry about the plotbunnies- they spawn on their own)
BAMS: I live to please, buddy. XP
Kachie Takahashi: Daw, you really would've romanced Raegas instead? Yea! That makes me feel awesome! You're awesome Kachie! XD And thank you! –For the review, I mean!
Hopelessly Blue: Really? I crack wise all the time but I'm sure I'm older than those kids… Maybe it's just 'cause I'm so sarcastic. -_- Yeah, nevermind. Anyway, I'm glad you liked the reunion- I tried to make it awesome and happy since they've both missed each other and I've also made all of you guys wait. Either way, I too hope they'll stay together. But you know how Raegas is with her loyalty and duty and all that… … Sheploo rape face? … I don't know what I should think… … *.* Me Gusta?
Mizul: Who knows what Shepard will become? I just want Raegas to hurry up and claim her as her Soulmate officially, you know? But I have to wait and see how everything pans out…
A/N: Okay everyone, I apologize for my apparent slowness again, but you should blame HB. It's her fault for putting all these images in my over-reactive mind. Seriously. (I still love you lots HB!) XP
"You should have gone with her, Raega." Vetrali stated, moving my armor about my room, putting it in its proper place. I sighed, trying to focus on my work.
"You've said that four times already." I muttered, feeling my stomach knot up even more.
"And I will keep repeating myself until you acknowledge that fact!" she shot back, obviously displeased.
"I have a responsibility to my people." I replied, growing restless.
"Yet you have a commitment to her! Your duty to your people would be fulfilled if you would see that you should have gone with her! As humans say, you would have killed two frogs with one tree!" she burst. I frowned, glowering at her from the corner of my room.
"It's actually two birds with one stone. And I wish I did go with her, okay? But my place right now is here." I grumbled, turning back to my work. Ciria looked between us and whined quietly, nudging my leg with her nose.
"That is not the point, princess…" she sighed, covering her eyes with a hand wearily.
"Look, I don't know why you're making such a big deal out of this- Shepard just went to get the others from the Normandy!" I stated, restlessly standing from my seat. Vetrali looked at me in slight surprise then, just as the doors to my room opened and in stepped Shepard herself.
"She's not leaving for another three days anyway, and when she does, I plan on staying at her side." As I spoke, Shepard smirked and patted Vetrali on the shoulder.
"I wouldn't have left until she agreed to come in the first place." The Commander smiled, eyes glinting at me subtly.
"Oh, and since you're my caretaker, you have to come too." I said, entertained at Vetrali's dramatic sigh. In the back of my mind though, I felt a little guilty for keeping her in the dark a bit.
"You can't expect to have only me with you, Raega. Your team will most assuredly follow." Vetrali said, confusing Shepard. I furrowed my brows and nodded, sitting back down. The past while had been too tiring- especially with everything that was happening.
"You have a team Rae?" Shepard's question got a strange look from Vetrali. She narrowed her eyes and ever so slightly pursed her lips as if in distaste. Then, she looked back to me with the same look.
"Yes, 'Rae'. You should introduce everyone before confusion sets in once more." Her sour tone made me furrow my brow.
"Okay…?" I muttered, watching her leave the room without further ado. Shepard and I shared looks before shrugging to ourselves. I would ask Vetrali about it later anyway.
"Come on, I want to see your team." Shepard smirked, coming to me and planting a kiss on my cheek before dragging me from the room.
How she thought she knew where she was going was beyond me.
…
Shepard and Raegas walked into a spacious room called the 'Lounge' not ten minutes later. Various tables and benches were scattered about, along with people, and plenty of food was around. It seemed more like a giant dining hall to Shepard given how everyone was either talking in small groups with serious expressions on, or eating silently with serious expressions on. The Commander had the impression that Raegas' people weren't the playful type. At all.
Raegas led Shepard across the room to a group of five people. Surprisingly, one of them was a huge Krogan- he was at least Wrex's size. The others were Vertoakan. They looked up and stood, seeing the pair approach them. Raegas said her greetings before gesturing to Shepard.
"This is Aerin Shepard, everyone." Raegas announced, smiling only lightly. The Krogan glowered and the others either raised a brow or narrowed their eyes.
"This is unexpected, princess. –Please, sit and indulge yourselves." The one with white hair and red eyes said. Raegas called her Adel, Shepard recalled, before awkwardly sitting down, next to Raegas.
"Unexpected, Adel? Raegas needs to eat too, as does Shepard, I'm sure." The one with short black hair and hazel eyes said, smiling in an almost smug manner. This earned him a sharp glare from Adel.
"Provider! We need more food!" the Krogan, Herga, barked loudly. Shepard watched in amazement as a large Vertoakan male came over with heaping trays of mouth-watering food. His groomed moustache, shining eyes and huge smile took Shepard by surprise, considering she thought all Vertoak were partial to frowning or simply glowering at everything they looked at.
"Princess! It's wonderful to have you here after so long!" he laughed, thumping the tray onto the table. Shepard had to keep herself from jumping at the loud noise given she already felt out of her element. Raegas only smiled as if to herself. "I keep telling you, you should eat more often! Of course, now that Shepard's here, you ought to perk right up! I see it already!" he burst out laughing when he caught Shepard's slight blush at the statement.
"Thank you, Provider." Raegas chided, smirking. The large man grinned before lumbering off to see to the others in the room.
"Dig in, Aerin." At Shepard's confusion, Raegas leaned in to her ear, still smiling. "It's easier to get off on a good start with a Vertoakan if there's food involved." She whispered, sending jolts of electricity through Shepard.
"So, I hear you're the one that's overseeing the meetings between our peoples. Is there any first impression you have of our people?" the one with dark blue hair and golden eyes asked. Raegas had introduced her as Rota.
"I haven't met a short Vertoakan yet. Or an ugly one. I originally thought your people would be much less diplomatic, honestly." Shepard said, watching as the group methodically inhaled the food, including Raegas. The one with blond hair and sharp green eyes chuckled to himself but said nothing. He was called Jersak.
"Understandable, given the first one you met was Raega." Vetrali announced, walking towards the group. She sat on the other side of Raegas with a smirk, seeing her frown.
"I'm not undiplomatic." The Vertoakan princess grumbled, taking another bite out of her meat sandwich.
"Really?" the green haired AI asked, smiling at Raegas' sour expression as she chewed. "What do you think, Shepard?"
"Ah… Raegas can be very… persuasive." The commander answered, trying not to squirm at the silence that befell the group. They all looked at Shepard with blank looks for a few moments, seemingly thinking up their own scenarios. The next thing the commander knew, Rota spluttered, trying not to laugh, and Graide coughed into his fist to smother the giggles. Jersak openly smirked and Adel only blinked, seemingly conflicted. Vetrali laughed in amusement, seeing Raegas' blush.
"Persuasive, huh? I suppose that makes sense. After all, she got Herga on her side." Jersak finally spoke up, and Shepard wished he hadn't. she could tell by the sound of his voice that he was a difficult man to be around. The Krogan didn't waste any time in growling at him either.
"She is my Battlemaster by right, you obnoxious male!" he glowered. Shepard was surprised at his use of such a long word, but at least it showed he wasn't a stupid Krogan.
"Lixeria, Shepard, we need you two in the meeting ground. The Council would like to deliberate." A sudden voice stated, startling Shepard. She turned to see Ko floating behind them as if he was always there. She wondered how long he really had been there. Raegas sighed and stood with Shepard.
"We'll talk later." She said, before leading Shepard out of the room. Of course, she still had her sandwich in hand.
A/N: Oh hey, look at that. It seems Raegas is planning on going with Shepard when she leaves. Let's hope nothing stops her from doing so.