Ashley liked Flux.
It was large – which after the cramped space of the Normandy felt wonderful – it was friendly – which after getting shot at every time one left the Normandy was equally nice – and it contained alcohol – no one should ever forget the alcohol.
It was also loud, had a nice atmosphere and lots of people, reminding Ashley that there indeed was a world outside of the Alliance fighting mercenaries, pirates and Geth. Guess it's good to be reminded of what you're fighting for. Ashley glanced back, seeing couples dancing upon the stage she swore had gotten larger since last time they were at the nightclub, an Asari and her somewhat short Turian boyfriend marking themselves out as they dominated the stage. Shrugging she turned back to her table and her drink. Well...I guess we fight for them too now...never thought that would happen before...eh...fine by me.
In contrast to last time the group wasn't drawing as much attention, Ashley wasn't sure why, they were still armed and armoured, still in a corner of the room, just like last time. Though we don't have a glowing map with us...oh and we're drinking, and relaxing...and clearly off duty...actually it's not that surprising come to think of it. She looked down at the glass in her hand with a frown, she had asked the Volus owner to surprise her with the drink...and now regretted it. It's green...and sluggish...and I swear I saw something moving in it...
Ah screw it.
Gingerly raising the glass she brought it to her lips and took a careful sip. She had expected something fruity, instead it was tangy, thick and...not all that bad.
Keeping the glass in front of her, upper lip sliding over the edge to nip at the nearly full drink, Ashley looked around the sizable table the group had grabbed. To her right Garrus sat, the Turian looking down at his drink, eyes distant, the man not really there. Further to the right, dominating that side of the rectangular table, Wrex sat, one hand closed around his glass, the other under the table as he looked around himself with a peculiar look of interest as those large ruddy eyes followed the many people coming and going.
Tali was sitting opposite Garrus, surprisingly close to Wrex, an empty chair to her right, a chair she now and then glanced at. Compared to Wrex, and with an empty space next to her, she looked awfully small. It didn't help that she was leaning her elbows on the table, shoulders bunched up against her long neck and the odd straw she used tucked into the black cylinder set in the socket of her helmet – the one with the light that was her speech-unit sat on the table – and ending in a blood-red drink.
If the Quarians had any hair – and if it wasn't hidden by a helmet – Ashley would have felt forced to ruffle Tali's. She's too darn cute for her own good...damn I miss my baby sisters... "Hey Tali, the drink, is it good?" Ashley knew she couldn't drink it because of the two's different types of DNA...but it never hurt to be polite...which was a hard thing to remember at times she had to admit...
The Quarian looked up from her slurping of the drink, the left silvery orb behind her visor becoming narrower, probably meaning that she was giving Ashley a weird look. A shrug and the woman tapped her helmet, or rather, where her speech-unit was no longer attached in favour of the one for food.
Oh... Ashley looked away with a blush she hoped the darkness of the club would conceal, not that it would help, Tali seemed to have a knack for telling your state of mind with less then a look. "Sorry, my bad."
For the briefest of moments she expected an answer from the Quarian, then remembered herself with a roll of her eyes. Great, either I'm already getting tipsy or I've developed the memory of a goldfish.
That's when she noticed Kaidan. Or rather that the man to her left was looking at her with a smirk – his own drink forgotten on the table – making her arch an eyebrow in question.
A small chuckle, lost to the thump of the music, and the man shook his head: "I wasn't aware that's how you drink...is Ashley Williams the unstoppable afraid of a drink?"
Putting the glass down Ashley returned the smirk: "Perhaps taunting the unstoppable is a bad idea?" Putting her own glass down and pushing it a bit away from herself she shook her head with a snort: "Besides, there's nothing here but to drink..." She glanced back at the man, shooting him a small glare: "...it seems."
"Huh? Did I miss something?" Kaidan looked so honestly confused that Ashley found a laugh bubbling out of her, making her playful glare loose what little edge it had. "I mean there's gambling, always thought you'd like that, not to mention that large dance floor..."
"Oh yes, the dance floor..." Ashley rolled her eyes, still chuckling as she shook her head at the ceiling. God...why do you make the good ones morons? "...never thought about that. Despite having mentioned my desire to dance...what...three times?"
"Four." Wrex muttered, not looking away from his crowd-watching.
"Oh..." Kaidan blinked, eyes blank, then blinked again. "Ohhhh..."
"Wow...he finally gets it." Ashley shook her head, grinning at the idiot even as she nodded towards Garrus: "Honestly, Mr stick-up-his-ass here would have gotten it before you if he wasn't so fascinated with his glass."
"Huh?" Garrus looked up sharply, blinking furiously. "I'm sorry...what?"
"Nothing." Ashley shook her head at the man, gesturing for the Turian's drink: "Keep looking for pennies...or whatever you're doing."
"Sorry...just...some things on my mind." Garrus muttered in reply, his gaze already drawn back to his drink.
"Whatever." Ashley waved dismissively at the Turian before fixing her grin on a hesitant Kaidan: "So how about it Lieutenant? Or is the big bad music making your poor head faint?" She shot him a playful wink.
For the briefest of moments it looked as if Kaidan was actually going to take the bait, which would be a first, but as usual his cool just managed to win out against her little jab...and he shook his head, a look of conflict on his face: "I'm sorry chief...but it wouldn't be proper and all...we're after all still-"
"It's just a dance Kaidan." Ashley shook her head at his stupidity, yet couldn't stop the grin growing on her face. "I'm not proposing, or what...friends can't dance together now?"
"Sure." The man nodded, frowning. "I just think that certain protocols should still be-"
"Keelah." Tali's groan made them both look over at the Quarian, her speech-unit now in place as she tucked her straw and black cylinder for food away into one of the many hidden pockets in her suit. She was shaking her head at Kaidan: "I wish I'd learnt one of my people's many dances...this music is good and if you know how to dance you should dance..."Another shake of her head: "...or do you wish to lose this skill by not practising?"
Ashley shot the Quarian a thankful look, knowing she had probably spoken up in support rather then voicing an actual opinion. Then she looked back to Kaidan, grinning widely: "See? Even Miss workaholic here thinks you should come dancing, so come on."
A smile slowly grew on Kaidan's face as he leant his head against a hand and looked at her with twinkling eyes: "What's with you and these new nicknames?"
"You started it and-" She blinked. "Ohhhh no you don't, don't change the subject!" She could tell Kaidan's reluctance was evaporating and half-rose where she sat as she reached for his arm. "If you keep stalling I'll just have to drag your sorry ass-"
Michael.
Ashley found her words cut off as she spotted the man stalking towards them, am arm protectively draped over a hesitant-looking Liara.
The hand reaching for Kaidan's arm came down on the table. Ah...he succeeded. She knew that was good, that it would mean another helping hand, a good lead on Saren and all...and shouldn't lead to her to feel bitter. She also knew that she had learnt to trust the other aliens of the group, because they had earned it.
She didn't trust Miss traitor-Junior though, with her big blue eyes, her strutting walk, her soft voice, her freaky alien sex-like melding thing...
Ashley forced herself to unclench her teeth, even to smile, however fleeting it was: "Hey there Michael, you two were gone a good while, seems you won out though?"
"Commander Shepard is quite the debater, he convinced the Council to keep me with you." Liara replied, making Ashley tense. I wasn't talking to you...
"It wasn't that difficult." Michael said, the man pulling out the chair opposite Wrex's for Liara, making Ashley's toes curl in her boots with irritation even as the Asari politely bowed her head and sat down. "To be honest I suspect they were already planning to release you into my custody, this hearing was more for the sake of..." He shrugged, an unreadable look passing his face before he smiled: "...protocol, nothing to worry about."
Nothing my ass...Ashley finally sat down, shooting Liara a glance she hoped was neutral before looking at Michael as he sat down next to Tali: "So that's it? You can relax and have a drink with us common grunts now?"
"Common?" Michael echoed, looking around at the disparate group with an arched eyebrow, then shot Ashley a smirk: "You're all a bunch of freaks as far as I'm concerned."
Ashley opened her mouth in quick retort, only to be cut off by Liara: "Commander! Why would you say such a thing!" The woman actually looked horrified...and Ashley rolled her eyes. Okay, that's it...
"It's a human thing..." Garrus muttered, not looking up from his drink.
"Why would-"
Ashley couldn't help it, she interrupted Liara: "Hey Tali, I need to go to the bathroom."
The Quarian visibly paused at the sentence, then shrugged, tone confused: "Okay...so...go?"
Oh right...damn alien cultures never getting stuff. "I'd like some company..." She leant her head forward, eyeing the girl tensely.
The Quarian cocked her head to the side. "That's the oddest thing..." She suddenly glanced to her right, at Liara. "...I..." Another shrug, followed by a sigh: "...verywell...Keelah humans are odd..."
Rising to her feet Ashley took a step towards the bathrooms...only to stop as Michael spoke: "Ashley."
"Yes?" She looked down at him.
And found him silently nod towards Liara. No! Another nod, more insistent, eyes narrowing in a frown. No...you...we're supposed to be talking about her... A third nod, the man's shoulders bunching up as he leant forward, eyes cold. Dammit...
"Oh right, Liara, do you want to come along?" She said it lightly, but it was like spitting out barbed wire. Please say no...
"Very well." Liara shrugged, looking around the crowded nightclub tensely. "I could use some time to...adapt to this..."
"Great." Ashley muttered, rising fully, then glancing down and noting Kaidan staring down into his drink, looking mopish. Oh for...what's eating him up now!
Before she had time to think about it she was moving, Tali and – ugh – Liara in tow.
Fuck...
8
8
8
As in any nightclub the ladies room was filled to capacity.
Doesn't matter if it's a human or alien, or how large it is...it's always full... Ashley held back a sigh as she brushed past a nearly purple Asari doing her eyebrows in the larger mirror lining the entire left wall of the bathroom.
There were no surprises to find in the ladies room. It was long and large, the left wall a mirror and a long counter lined with sinks, the right lined with dozens of white-walled stalls. Sure, there were many women looking at the three new arrivals, a few even grimacing, but what could one expect when entering the place with guns strapped to you?
With the subject of Liara now closed, that with her coming with them, Ashley wasn't sure what to talk about, and to buy time she kept walking towards the end of the room as she pondered her options.
Only to stop.
I completely forgot about Kaidan and that dance...no wonder he got annoyed...
She slapped her forehead. I'm such an idiot! For God's sake...great...now I have to make up for it. Hope he's not too mad...well he didn't want to dance to start with, though I don't think that's much help now...damn it! I who have problems making friends even without me messing up like this...I'll get him something to make up for it... She grimaced. Something friendly...yes...friendly...
Another grimace of irritation. God I'm messed up...
Then she blinked, looking around herself with a start: "Erm...where did everybody go?" Looking around herself she noticed that they indeed were alone in the bathroom, only her, Tali and Liara left, the Asari looking at herself in the mirror as she washed her hands, looking a little more relaxed now that there were less people around.
Tali on the other hand looked tense, the Quarian leaning against one of the stalls, arms folded in front of her and head tossing defiantly towards the door behind her, tone short and angry: "Left."
"Why?" Ashley shot Liara a suspicious look, then thought better of it and instead tried sniffing the air. There was nothing but the smell of soap however, soap and something lemony...
"Oh please." Tali snorted, straightened, arm dropping to her sides, the thin hands curling into fists, fists she didn't seem to know where to put as she swung them back and forth around her hips. He voice was acid with bitterness: "A Quarian entering a public toilet? She's obviously there to steal from everyone's purses..." Another snort, another defiant toss of her head. "..bosh'tet's..."
"Oh..." Ashley winced. "...I didn't...realise that..." She sought for words, but found none.
"They usually don't." Tali shrugged, the bitterness replaced by weariness. "As a Quarian you just have to be used to people...'knowing'...what you're like..." She shook her head, shoulders slumping as she looked down at her feet. "...it's a bit...tiresome to be so...disliked...because of who you are..." The words petered out...and Ashley found her heart aching.
Guilt, it dug into her.
And I thought humans were seen as second class citizen... Ashley looked around herself, the empty bathroom echoing with that of her shattered illusion. But humans are still not as well thought of as most others right? So it's not like I was actually wrong... She again looked at the bathroom, then to the dejected-looking Tali looking at Liara – as the oblivious Asari continued washing her hands – with something that actually looked like jealousy. I mean we too have our crosses to bear... She glanced back to Tali, at the tight suit that she must have worn most of her life. Some...bigger then others...
Suddenly she felt petty.
Petty and guilty, as if she had personally offended Tali. Okay, new thought, better distract her...us both actually. "So...I take it you Quarian's don't usually go to public bathrooms then? Erm...how do you go at all!"
A weary laugh escaped Tali, the Quarian shaking her head. "Disinfectants and plastic...skirt I guess you could call it...capable of closing into something air-tight..." Another shake of her head, this time more animated, her tone softening: "You're as bad as Shepard...you humans and your weird questions..."
Now Liara looked up, looking interested. Ugh...Ashley forced herself not to roll her eyes. "Curiosity is a valuable trait, I'm considered somewhat odd among Asari for being just that...some have called me more Salarian then Asari... Tell me, what other traits do humans possess?"
Oh yes, can imagine you as a bug-eyed Salarian, that's a fun image...Ashley's polite smile came surprisingly quickly: "Traits differ among humans, you can't point at a human and say she's this and this...I mean surely all species have some diversity. Just look at Garrus." God, can't believe these words are coming out of my mouth...
"I see." Liara bowed her head, looking pleased. Dammit, I'm not supposed to bond with you...
"Though one trait all humans seem to possess is the fascination with bodily functions." Ashley half-joked, looking back at Tali, hoping to keep the conversation away from Liara. "So Tali...how do you Quarians...you know..."
"Shepard asked the same thing..." The Quarian looked away with a sigh, though her tone was light and not a little amused: "...Keelah...thought I was going to die."
"Why?" Ashley blurted out, then found a small gasp escape her as she held her hands to her mouth to conceal her delighted smile: "Oh you were embarrassed...and that must mean...oh God that's so cute!"
"It's not like sex is easy to have for a Quarian!" Tali snapped in irritation, arms crossing in front of her even as the tone softened: "It takes preparations...medicines..." She looked away. "...trust..."
"Ah, saving yourself for the nicest Quarian of them all eh?" Ashley's smile tugged wider. "You're not making this any less cute..."
"I'm twenty-two..." Tali grumbled, shaking her head. "...why must I always be cute? Damn tall people all around...I'm not a child..."
Okay, less fun now. "I didn't mean it like that Tali..." Ashley shrugged, trying to sound casual: "...and cute is good...I couldn't pull it off...even when I'd want to." Say when Michael's looking my way...
"I guess..." Tali harrumphed, shrugging.
"If it helps I'm a virgin too." They both looked away, at Liara, finding the Asari's cheeks slightly purple now as she looked back at them, then shrugged, voice soft: "Nothing but the truth, my age and research hasn't left much time for...that."
"Wait..." Ashley blinked, remembering them talking to her on the Normandy during the briefing. "...didn't you say you had researched the Protheans for fifty years? How old are you anyway?"
Liara bowed her head. "I admit I'm only a hundred and six."
Ashley coughed, then spluttered. "A hundred and-! You're ancient!"
"Actually Asari can live to be-"
"And you still haven't done it!" Ashley shook her head, taking a step back away from the craziness. "Man you have to have some seriously pent up energy..."
Liara frowned. "I fail to understand how one is connected to the other, I've yet to feel any need for such things..."
"Wow...just...wow." Ashley smirked, feeling smug, then grinned. "Hmmm...we should find you a man here then. He could help you with that problem." Would get you away from Michael too...
Liara blinked, mouth opening to reply, yet no words came, then looked to Tali, who shrugged.
"Not too big, not a Turian either, don't want you to suffer from chafing the first time around..." Ashley shot Liara a conspiratorial wink. Actually the chafing would do you good, a little bleeding's always good to cure you from feeling superior...
Tali shook her head as Liara shifted her stance, cheeks growing a deep purple. "Ashley this isn't really-"
"...oh and maybe someone black, I think you'd appreciate the different hue, oh and lean I think, that way he won't be too heavy for the fragile little flower..." Ashley chuckled. "And perhaps he should-"
"Who said it had to be a man?"
Ashley blinked, looking over at Liara as the Asari smiled back, though still blushing. "E-excuse me?"
"Asari are known to be able to sleep with any species...and gender isn't really an issue either..." Liara replied, suddenly taking a smooth step forward.
What the...? "I don't..."
Liara was closer now, the blush full on her cheeks, blue skin shining in the light of the lamps, smiling faintly, making Ashley's heart skip a beat. "So why not a woman? Someone to show me true pleasure, who knows the body of someone female with far more knowledge..."
Ashley gulped, taking a hesitant step back. "I...I..."
"Smooth skin...gentle and caressing...for hours at end..." Liara muttered the words, though they seemed painfully loud to Ashley as the Asari stepped close. Taking a shaky breath Ashley caught a whiff of something sweet...and drew in deep...
Oh God what did I just do! Stumbling back she stared at Liara, eyes wide with shock. I did not just smell her! I...God!
"What did you just do?" Tali asked, sounding confused, a small echo compared to what Ashley felt. B-but...I'm straight!
Liara's blush was in full force, though she smiled in what could only be victory as she kept looking at Ashley while replying: "Oh just a demonstration of Asari pheromones...I've heard it's quite startling to females of other species the first time they notice it...seems it was correct." A short pause, the Asari cocking her head to the side as she watched Ashley: "Wasn't it?"
I did not just get beaten by the hundred and six year old virgin... Ashley shook her head, looking away...then managed a weak smile. "Fine, you've made your point, no more teasing about your virginity."
Liara sighed in relief: "Thank you."
"Tali's still cute though."
"Keelah..."
8
8
8
Thanks to Abydos Jackson for her kudos.