A/N: Translations in (-).
*IMPORTANT*
I may go more in depth about the Auriel culture and home-world, Eralos, later. However, I figured that I would go ahead and give you a little (a lot) detail now:
- If you want a reference for what the world looks like, think of a futuristic, highly advanced cross between Greece and Ireland with a little bit of Northwestern US/Western Canada thrown in. (Emerald-colored leaves, moss, and grass over rolling hills. Massive, towering trees covering rocky mountains. White, sandy beaches covered in a deep blue tide. Wide rivers running into wider lakes. Tall, stone, wood, and metal buildings, built in and around trees, underground, and even partially underwater. Cylindrical, fast-moving vehicles that make little to no noise.) The civilization is highly advanced, almost beyond compare, but the people refuse to move forward too quickly, choosing, instead, to maintain their connection to nature and the Old Ways. They have changed little in the last 50,000 years; partly because of decreased population and partly because of longevity. They also believe that advancing too quickly will only bring about the destruction of the world. (And now you know more than Cerberus.)
- I imagine the native music sounding like genuine, old-style Celtic music (with guitars, violins/fiddles, bagpipes, flutes, drums, etc.) with some music imported from all over the galaxy and mixed in. The "old dances" that may be mentioned are Celtic as well, but they've also got a bit of 18th century flare when it comes to slow, partnered songs. In recent times, the music has become more technological with electric beats, thrums, and riffs (think Muse – actually, Clarell's club introduction song from the first chapter was inspired by Muse's songs, Time is Running Out and Madness.)
I mention all of this because Clarell will periodically play music from "home." Whenever Clarell plays a song, I will give you the name of the song I find inspiration from. Most are from CD(s) I own.
*Song(s) played: Air of Londonderry from Atmospheres: Celtic Voyage
Thane was up and moving before anyone else the next solar morning. He was used to it. It was the same time he'd gotten up at for the last ten years. In the six days he'd been on board, Thane had only known of Shepard to be up this early. He had thought that this morning would be no different. However, as he left Life Support for the Mess, he heard – what sounded like – bells, flutes, running water, and chirping birds coming from Port Observation. Obviously, it was some sort of music; very peaceful music, at that.
Thane approached the door slowly, footsteps making no sound at all.
The music was beautiful and like nothing he'd ever heard before.
Without conscious thought, Thane placed his hand on the door, hoping to lean more fully against it. However, his move didn't work as planned and the door opened. It would've sent him tumbling gracelessly to the floor if not for his quick relexes.
Instantly reorienting himself, he instinctively took a defensive stance and turned his attention to the only other presence in the room.
Clarell was sat in the middle of the floor, body turned toward the window, and staring at him, with wide eyes, over her shoulder. Her hand was reaching under a nearby pillow. Experience told him that, under that pillow, her hand was wrapped around either the grip of a gun or the hilt of a knife.
They were frozen like that for an indefinite amount of time; he, prepared for an attack that wasn't coming, and she, prepared to defend her life that wasn't in danger.
When they finally regained their senses, at the same time, they both relaxed with equally embarrassed, slightly awkward, clearing of the throats.
Thane could feel his frill darken, a high, embarrassed trill escaping him, and awkwardly clasped his hands behind his back. He found it strangely endearing when he saw that Clarell's blush didn't darken her purple cheeks, as he had been expecting. Instead, the skin of her cheeks lightened, almost literally glowing, with her embarrassment.
Thane noticed that the music was no longer playing and assumed that the song had ended during their stare-down.
"Thane," her voice surprised him in the quiet, though it really shouldn't have. "I didn't expect to see up and about so early. Is there something I can help you with?"
He noticed that she was still slightly tensed and she had her body was turned in a way that would allow her to jump to her feet at a moment's notice. Judging by her body language and the way he had entered her room, he assumed she thought he had been spying on her. He felt he needed to explain himself; quickly.
"I heard your music playing and was curious to learn more about it. I've never heard anything quite like it," he explained, his voice more steady and sure than he was feeling at that moment.
He really hoped that his throat would lighten soon.
She smiled, relaxing her body and getting into a more comfortable position facing him. "It's something from my home. It's old; not like what the younger generations play these days. What you just heard was music from about…hm…" her expression turned thoughtful, "oh, I'd say about…200 years ago…? Something like that."
"I assume that music isn't played quite so often anymore?" he phrased it as a question, still standing, statuesque, by the door.
"Oh, where are my manners?! Come in. Have a seat. Make yourself comfortable!" she exclaimed, rising gracefully to her feet and escorting him to the couch. She didn't even give him a chance to say "no."
…Not that he would, if he were honest with himself. He was rather hoping that she would explain more of her culture to him.
After ensuring that he was comfortable, she sat down on the couch seat diagonal to him.
"To answer your question about the music: no. As I'm sure you know, most pureblooded Auriels, including myself, have been unable to procreate with each other for tens of thousands of years due to a genetic defect, we believe, came from the Reapers. That led to many of the Auriel finding mates from other races with which we can procreate. Well, with all of the 'intermingling,' we brought in aspects of many other cultures. Sadly, it would seem that we are slowly losing our own culture as time goes on," she explained, a somewhat sad edge to her voice. Her voice, then, turned quiet and mischievous. "Don't tell anyone, but I actually kind of enjoy a heady beat when the mood strikes or a situation calls for it."
"You say you're a pure Auriel, does that mean you are as old as the genetic defect itself?" Thane found himself asking without thought.
"Why, Sere Krios, don't you know that it's improper to ask a lady her age?" Clarell gasped in mock offense, unable to keep a smile from her face at his flustered expression.
He opened his mouth to apologize, but she stopped him before he could.
"I was only joking, Thane. No harm done. No, I am not quite that old," she answered with a laugh. "However, I am just over three hundred years old. Auriels don't have a particular 'average age' that they are likely to live to. I could die tomorrow, or I could die thousands of years from now. It is why we value life and nature so deeply. I have known a pureblooded Auriel that lived to the age of thirteen thousand. One of the mixed Auriels died at the age of ninety-three. Does that answer any questions you may have on the subject?"
"Yes, thank you. I understand that the Auriel are fairly secretive with their culture, so I'm grateful that you're willing to share."
"It is no trouble. You offered to answer any questions I may have. It is only right that I return the favor," she replied, an easy smile on her face.
"Are there any questions you wish to have answered, now?"
"If you'll allow-"
"I apologize for the interruption, but I was on my way to make tea before I heard your music playing. Would you like to continue this over a glass of your own?" Thane interjected, hoping that she would acquiesce.
He was dying for a glass of tea…pun, mostly, not intended…
With a smile she replied, "A glass of tea sounds lovely. I hope they keep sweeteners stocked."
Three weeks onboard the Normandy and Clarell and Thane had made tea and conversation their nightly, and sometimes morning, ritual. It gave them a chance to forget about the pressure of their daily lives. For those few hours, they were just two people trying to educate each other. At some point, they lost the awkward, stiff formality that hung between them and became two somewhat-friends trying to make it through to the next day.
"So, you know the Soul Name of a hanar? I thought they only told it to close friends."
Thane and Clarell were in Life Support, seated at their usual places. They were sharing stories from their pasts, and Clarell was astonished to find what Thane had learned growing up with the hanar. The open astonishment on her face was endearing, and made her look almost innocent.
"Most of my commissions were for the hanar. I grew close to my regular contacts. Soul names tend to be poetic. A hanar known for its cynicism might take a name that means 'Illuminates the Folly of the Dancers,'" Thane informed with a small smile.
"They are such polite beings. I think it's both refreshing and frustrating. Their bioluminescent communication proves a bit of an obstacle as well," she commented wryly.
"True. Many drell have had their eyes genetically modified to perceive their higher frequency flashes. I had the treatment. I can't tell the difference between a dark red and black, I can see ultraviolet light as a silver color."
Thane found himself oddly endeared once more to the amazement on her face.
"And you don't headaches? You don't find your eyes becoming irritated by certain types of light?"
"I see the same as I would without the modifications, aside for the slight color differences. Pain has yet to be a problem for me," he answered before taking a sip from his precious teacup.
There was a brief silence between them before Clarell stated, "Alright, I believe that covers most all of the questions I can think of. However, there is something I've noticed; something I've been thinking on for a while, now…"
"What would that be?"
"Have you noticed how closely our religions resemble each other? Do you wonder why that is?"
Thane took a moment to ponder her inquiry. He had noticed the similarities. He had wondered about them since she had explained much of hers to him that first night she had boarded the Normandy.
"They are very similar in ways, though you are not aware of any particular afterlife, while I believe we travel across the sea to Kalahira's shores. Perhaps, once we die, we may find out why," he supplied.
He valued their talks and their debates. She was very inquisitive and strange, but she was also understanding and insightful. He found their morning and evening conversations refreshing. It provided him with a way to ease the pressure of the coming mission. However, worryingly, his soul was becoming more and more aware of his pending demise. It was troubling, but…she was awakening him from his battlesleep. Three weeks with her and she had managed to accomplish what no one had been able to in the last ten years.
He wasn't sure how to feel about that.
Later that evening, as Clarell and her roommate of two weeks, Kasumi, were preparing for bed, Shepard stopped by Port Observation.
"Hey, Kasumi, Clarell," Shepard greeted.
Kasumi nodded in his direction, preoccupied with her vid-screen.
"Good evening, Commander. Is there something I can help you with?" Clarell asked, turning her attention from window to Shepard.
"We found that Blood Pack mining outpost on Tarith; gonna go check it out tomorrow. I'd like for you to join me and Garrus on this mission."
"Of course, Commander. When should I be ready?"
"Be suited up and ready to go by 0700."
After Clarell's nod of acknowledgment, Shepard turned and left the room.
Tomorrow, they would figure out each other's strengths and weaknesses.
Thane was just leaving Life Support for another cup of tea when he ran into a very unhappy-looking Clarell on her way back from the Tarith mission.
Curious as to why she would be irritated enough for the skin around her eyes to darken, Thane asked with concern in his eyes, "Is everything alright, Clarell?"
He found her grumbled response, secretly, amusing and had to school the smile out of his exression.
"The only things I despise more than the Blood Pack are insects; especially gigantic ones."
A/N: This is, mainly, going to be written as interludes between missions until I get through ME 2 and into the "between" stage before ME 3. At that point, it'll get more stable. Things are going to move fast, including the building relationship between Clarell and Thane, but it will slow down and, as I said before, get more stable.
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, and I'd appreciate it greatly.
-Hope
