A/N: Translations in (-).
"Is my translator glitched or something? Why won't translate what you say in your own language into something I can understand?" Shepard questioned, his tone heavy with exasperation.
"I believe it is because your translator was not programmed with an understanding of our language. Why do you think we go out of our way to learn the dominant languages of the galaxy? Is it not simpler this way? We have plenty of time to educate ourselves and others, after all," Clarell explained with all the patience of one who had lived a long life.
Commander Shepard had come to visit Clarell in the, as-of-yet unoccupied, Port Observation room that would be her temporary quarters. She had just settled in when the Commander had requested entry. She had yet to change into her normal leathers, but she had allowed his entrance anyway, despite her discomfort in the reeking, revealing dress she still wore.
The Commander opened his mouth, presumably to reply or ask more, somewhat invasive questions, but was interrupted by the ship's AI.
"Commander, it is advised that we begin scanning for any raw materials that may be used in upgrading the Normandy and its resources," EDI's robotic voice informed from somewhere in the room.
"Thank you, EDI," he turned his attention back to Clarell. "That's my cue. I should go."
Clarell nodded permissibly, out of habit, and watched as Shepard left the room. Finally, I can get out of this ridiculous dress.
Clarell Di'Raevus was interesting.
Thane had little chance to talk to her from the moment she agreed to join Shepard's team to their return to the Normandy. And the way she dealt with her target…
Steady, feminine hand pulls the blade from the man's throat. Glowing violet eyes fill with regret. Shoulders square as she accepts what she must do. Calm hands gently cradle the man's head. "Kal'vera guide you." Steady hands wrench the man's head to the side. She stands and bows her head. Muscled back covered in light intricate designs. Lovely. Prayers for the wicked begin.
She was efficient and deadly but not heartless or cold. He had heard the words she spoke to the man – Vance Otwell. She was looking for someone. The tone changes in her voice indicated that it was someone she cared about. A daughter? A lover? A sister?
Thane was curious, more than he felt he should be. She was beautiful; sure, even a blind man could see that. However, she was different. It wasn't her looks that fascinated him so. There was just something about her; something he couldn't quite decipher. He would have to speak to her at some point. He imagined conversation with her…intriguing.
Clarell felt far more comfortable and at ease after putting her leathers back on. The outfit still left little to the imagination, with its tightness. It left her shoulders bare and had an opening from her collarbones down to just above her navel, but she was sufficiently covered in the ways it mattered.
Snapping the last of her buckles across her chest, she breathed a sigh of relief and smiled happily. Few would understand why she was comfortable in clothing that had, no doubt, been bathed in blood at one time or another. It wasn't about the death she brought in the suit. She had fought and trained from the time she was old enough to walk to earn her right to wear it. Now, she all but lived in the leather that portrayed her station and title. She did what she did because it was it was what she was meant to do. Her uniform was her badge. Her late betrothed had been the only one to come close to understanding, and that was mostly because he was an Auriel and raised to understand what she was.
She was prepared for the inevitable questioning she would receive about her origins. She was very much aware of the mystery that surrounded her people and the fascination others had with them. At any rate, she would allow their questions without complaint. She had questions of her own, after all. Besides, there was little doubt that there would be any questions she hadn't heard countless times before.
There was one person in partcular that she was eager to learn more about. She was briefly introduced to Sere Thane Krios before Shepard and Miranda began a slew of questions that left her occupied during the entire trip to the Normandy.
In all of her travels, Clarell had seen very few Drell; one of those had been Milara's father. She had always had a sort of fixed fascination for the hanar. Eventually, that led to a fascination for the Drell. Few Drell ever ventured away from Khaje or Rakhana. Millon, Milara's father, told her what he could, but he had been adopted by an Auriel/Turian couple at a young age. He knew only what he had retained through his childhood eidetic memory.
Maybe…maybe Sere Krios would like some company. She had seen him enter Life Support as she was being led to her own room. He was only a few sure steps from her room…
Thane sat in his usual spot, staring out the window to the Normandy's drive core. His mind was fully focused on the purple-skinned Auriel in the next room. She was an enigma; one was growing more determined to figure out with each passing moment.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of his door ringing a request for entry, and he began to mentally prepare for Shepard's endless barrage of questions.
Without moving in the slightest, he quietly told EDI to allow whoever was out there inside.
The voice that greeted him was most definitely not Shepard's.
"Vela'mori'tasi, Sere Krios," the voice of Clarell greeted from just inside the doorway. (Peaceful tidings.)
Thane just barely managed to mask his surprise at her presence and respond, "Tal seris vela'sin." (I greet you./I bid you welcome.)
Her surprise was not so easily masked. "You speak Auriellon?"
He smiled minutely at her genuine, happy surprise as he answered, "I regret that I don't. I managed to pick up a few phrases when associating with a few Auriels over the years. I generally speak Common or Drell."
"Well, it's refreshing that there's at least someone whom I can possibly share my native words with," she replied, a wry smirk on lips.
He gave an acknowledging nod before asking, "Was there something you needed?"
"I was just wondering if we could talk. We didn't really get the chance to on the way here," she stated, leaving the offer open.
"Of course." He motioned for her to take the set across from him.
Her answering smile was brilliant, white teeth looking brighter in contrast to her skin, and left him curiously stunned. His hitched breath was surely a result of his condition.
Once she was settled, he clasped his hands in front of him and waited for her to start.
"Well, I know your name, Sere Krios, but I'm curious about you. Anything you feel I should know?" she asked, her posture tilted slightly toward him and showing her interest.
She should be made aware of his illness. The rest of the crew knew of it and were adjusting accordingly.
"I'm dying." As soon as the words were out of his mouth he felt the ribbing of his throat darken. He definitely could've explained that a little better…
To his great relief, it wasn't pity that took over her face but a sort of sad acceptance.
"Kepral's syndrome. It isn't contagious so you have no need to fear being around me," he was quick to explain.
"I'm sorry to hear that. There aren't proper words in the common language to say translate what I wish to say fully from Auriellon. I suppose the closest I may get is: May your soul find peace and your body find relief on your path to the afterlife," she stated with soft expression, briefly laying a marked hand in front of him on the table.
"I – thank you. I understand that Auriels are a spiritual race, but I'm afraid that I know next to nothing about your beliefs. Would it offend you if I asked to learn more?" Thane questioned hesitantly, spreading his hands apart to show he meant no harm.
"It wouldn't offend me at all," she replied with a smile. "I confess, I'm rather curious about your own culture, as well. Where should I start?"
"Anywhere you wish."
"Hmm. We follow three divines that the common may refer to as our god and goddesses. We refer to them as Lord and Ladies, occasionally referring to them as the Guides – or Davasi in our tongue. They are Relvana, Vaas'an, and Kal'vera. Relvana is the Lady dedicated to giving life through love and marriage, the cleansing of tainted souls, and protection; Vaas'an is the Lord dedicated to the hunting of our prey through necessity, guiding our hands, feet, and minds to our ultimate goal; Kal'vera is the Lady dedicated to Life, Fate, and Death, guiding our souls into the Afterlife."
"What is your view on the Afterlife? Where do your people go?"
With a demure smile she answered, "We don't know."
He was astonished at her reply. They don't know?
She laughed lightly at the astonished expression that he guessed was on his face.
She must've expected his reaction, because she had a fully prepared reply. "Obviously, we believe in an Afterlife of sorts. We simply acknowledge that none of us know for sure what it is. My kind, generally, live long lives, though we are not immortal. We don't try to understand things that are so beyond our reach. I don't know for sure what awaits me in the afterlife, but I hope that I can atone for my wrongdoings and earn my place in it."
Thane took a moment to consider. It was a bleak view, but a logical one as well. If the Auriels were anything, they were logical and spiritual.
"If you have any more questions, I will be happy to answer them another day. For now, I fear I am, as the humans say, dead on my feet."
"Rest well, Khar Di'Raevus," he bid as she rose from her position and approached the door.
She stopped, turning to face him once more. "Please, Sere Krios, call me Clarell," she requested.
"Then you may call me Thane."
Then, with a nod and a smile, she left the room.
A/N: I know that the Port Observation Room is Kasumi's, but, until then, it will serve its purpose as Clarell's.
Also, this won't necessarily be a slow build Thane/OC (with the Reaper threat on the horizon, I don't want to draw it out too much), but it won't happen overnight, either. She has Thane's interest right now, but it will grow fairly quickly after…things and stuff.
If you're interested:
Clarell's name translates as Clarell (Protector-F)Di'Raevus (of the People).
Khar is the female form of a formal, respectful title to someone that has achieved great things and lived a full life (even if they're young) – Khor is the male form. (It's a lot like "Admiral" or "Commander", though not exactly.)
Kal'vera is the Lady of Life, Death, and Fate. She is also referred to as T'Davasi Nimas (The Guiding Hand).
Relvana is the Lady of Life-Giving/Motherhood and Protection.
Vaas'an is the Lord of the Hunt.
(You may notice that the Auriel Guides (or God/Goddesses) have a lot in common with the Drell people's own deities…this was done purposefully.)
Title is subject to change should I think of anything better.
As always, review if you want. I'd like to know what people think.
Oh! And I love art, so feel free to…oh, I don't know…send me any pictures you may want to draw, paint, etc. of anything you want in this story. *hint-hint* *wink-wink*
-Hope
