Disclaimer: Bioware owns all.
A/N: Again a big thank you to everyone following along!
Chapter 12
Strange the notion of memory, how unbidden images slither from the darkened recesses of my mind. It is most often during idleness that I revisit the past, the faces of those that have gone, many by my own hand. Occasionally, the images fade, blurring together with the passage of time. Only those that remain sharp in my mind's eye retain personal relevance, be it peace or vengeance.
I relished the surprise frozen on Ton's face as he crumpled to the floor, the realization as it dawned on him that I had caused his demise. He had not suspected I was capable of such a feat and his ignorance had been his undoing. Had he treated me kinder, though, I doubt my success would have tasted so sweet.
At times I still remember Arch as he was the night I left him, unaware that the simple ease of his base existence would soon end. His face was rather handsome as he slept, at peace outside the daily cares of his corrupt business. I never did wonder how he managed to sleep at all, but rather how he could so soundly with me next to him. Trust was not a word in his vocabulary, but it was a mystery which would remain unsolved.
And I remember Mother, the green twinkle in her eyes, the scent of soft perfume on the air. I could hear the whisper of her voice at times, her stubborn pride pushing us ever onward. Ghosts of the past, as gnarled as her hands, still occasionally flickered to life and I would sift through them as idleness allowed. Such memories served as lessons learned, carried within so as to give meaning to my life, but guilt had no place for me.
No, guilt was a lesson I never learned.
After nine years I had refined the lessons learned as a child. Patience was a virtue, and one that I exploited to my benefit. When all others had abandoned a mark, I alone pursued it. I alone remained undaunted, hunting in the dark corners of Omega's grimy streets. Never had I failed in a mission. I remained patient and in time the target eventually came to me. I simply had to wait for the perfect moment, the perfect opportunity, a concept many of Aria's novices did not fully comprehend. They would learn, as I did, or they would die.
Subservience was another lesson I had never truly mastered. Bowing down to another's whims was tolerable for a time, but I recognized that my pride occasionally hampered my resolve. I learned to simply bend to their desires if duty required, without breaking completely, thus fulfilling my objective. The combination of pride and subservience rarely worked in coordination with the game, unless both parties understood the nature of what it was they played. However, given my victims unwilling demise, it was rarely the case.
Revenge I consider the most potent and dangerous of the lessons I had learned. Rarely do I seek it now as I have little reason. Barring the occasional slaver, seldom does Aria assign me to such tasks. Vengeance clouds the mind and dulls the senses, as all energies are focused without fail on the target. Patience has little effect on a vendetta, and neither does control. In the nine years under Aria's employ, only twice did I act strictly with the purpose of revenge, but Aria was pleased at the outcome nonetheless.
I met with her after I had completed my assignment on Brulin Ton. She was in her usual haunt, lounging and deceptively calm in her perch on Afterlife's main floor. I was summoned as soon as I came in for my shift at work, as it would be all too obvious to anyone watching if I reported immediately after the deed. Patience was valuable outside of the hunt as well.
I climbed the stairs, calm façade belying my inner turmoil. I knew what she had expected of me, but a tangle of worry clouded my mind. I almost laughed aloud when I finally realized I was nervous about job expectations. The absurdity of my worry steadied me and I focused instead on other interests, such as the stately curve of Aria's neck as I approached her private booth.
It was difficult for me to distinguish my feelings for her, so wound up in adoration and appreciation, that oftentimes I mistook her appeal for attraction. To this day I still find her enticing. It was not her physical form that solely captured me, but the strength, the undeniable authority and confidence she wielded. It was in that moment, as I climbed the last of the steps to her perch that I vowed to learn from her. I would be as ruthless, as driven, and as intelligent in order to achieve my objectives. However, during my moment of clarity, I had little idea what the future would hold, including said objectives.
"Word has reached me that one of Afterlife's regulars had some bad luck." She barely tilted her head to face me, eyes drifting over the dancer on her left. "Poor bastard's heart gave out."
"Really?" I feigned ignorance for the sake of show. I had already learned this game. "I do hope the poor bastard fares well."
The corner of her mouth quirked upward in the barest, briefest hint of a smile. "I'm afraid not. Seems he overexerted himself – poor taste in sport, word has it."
"Ahh," I nodded. "Poor taste indeed."
O o O o O o O
I learned to hide my identity when I met with Aria in an official capacity. A mere bartender garnering such attention would seem out of place, and so I hid my face within a deep hood. It seemed absurd to me at first when Aria suggested it, but given my increasing success at her tasks, she grew concerned about my potential for notoriety. An infamous assassin would attract the eyes of those she cared to avoid, and so I complied. I shielded myself for her benefit and mine.
And so my years in anonymity began. Jin remained the bartender, but no one quite knew what to make of the figure that stood in Aria's shadow. Rumors spread, whispered in the darkness of Omega. And Aria smiled.
When I wasn't engaged in the more menial tasks of Afterlife, Aria invited me to accompany her on various outings. Hooded and anonymous I would follow, comfortable in my new, nameless identity. It offered a measure of freedom that I had rarely known, and I reveled in the discomfort my presence brought others. Their ignorance of my person set them on edge, and I believe Aria enjoyed it as much as I did. We had come to find a measure of equality, her and I.
Aria liked to share the company of like-minded individuals and together we would often enjoy the spectacle of the fighting pits. Usually, vorcha were featured, but the lineup varied pending availability of new meat. The opening act consisted of two rival vorcha packs, ready to bloody the arena before the mercs took center stage. I found it only mildly entertaining and sipped on my drink to whittle away the time.
"Goddamn vorcha. You think we'd be able to get some better entertainment by now."
I shrugged. "I doubt we'll get the hanar juggler back. He was attacked during boarding. It was quite messy."
Aria sighed into her glass before downing the rest of the amber liquid. "He was good for a laugh, I'll give him that."
The whistle sounded, high pitched and grating against my ears. The initial match had started and slavering vorcha circled before our vision. It was a sight I was familiar with, and although it passed for entertainment, I found it rather dull at times.
"I hate those beasts," Aria spat. "Brainless animals."
"Perhaps there is a way to harness their potential?" I quipped, bare thought put into the meaning of my words. I only wished to make idle conversation to ease my boredom, but as I looked to Aria, I noticed a familiar gleam in her eyes.
"Perhaps." She set her glass down and immediately reached for another, swirling the fluid restlessly.
We fell into comfortable silence as the violence took hold, rival vorcha packs tearing into each other and littering the arena with carnage. Their regenerative capabilities only served to prolong their suffering and draw out the spectacle, but I cared not. I wanted to get my money's worth.
Aria leaned forward in her seat, eyes alight with interest, the familiar glint flaring in her eyes. I watched her study the vorcha pack as they ripped into each other, biting, clawing, rending flesh from bone. Their death lacked art and I found no beauty in the chaos. I wasn't able to discern what Aria sought, however, and she soon relaxed, once more sipping on her glass.
"The mercs should be up soon." I stated blandly. "Blue Suns, I believe."
"Yes. I promised the winner a decent purse – probably worth more than their pathetic attempts would earn."
I shrugged again, nonchalant, the drink warming my body. I set it aside for the moment. I was far too comfortable. "Perhaps I could take care of that for you, regain some of your lost income."
"Bloodthirsty, are we?" A trickle of laughter escaped her lips and I watched enraptured as she crossed her legs. "I can think of better uses for your talents, my dear. You are far from a petty thief."
Her voice was like liquid velvet and I melted into it, reveling in her praise and attention. I had no doubt she understood her effects on me, but I had learned long ago to restrain myself in her presence. Breathing deeply, I took a moment to compose my wits and met her eyes though the shadows of my hood.
"Instead of the usual fare, what if the winner received a free line of credit at your casino? They would have no place to spend their winnings but in your establishment – a chance to reclaim your investment as it were."
A devious smile pulled at the corners of her mouth and she took another sip of her drink. "Very nice, my dear. The likelihood of full reimbursement without the need to attract undue attention."
"And a chance to profit." I added. "The house always wins."
Aria barked a harsh laugh, the glint in her eyes returning. "True, my dear. So true."
I watched as she set her drink aside and called over one of her henchmen. I did not hear the orders she relayed to him, but I didn't need to. The winner's purse would be altered to suit her needs, and in the end Aria would win. It was what she excelled at.
She was indeed a marvel to behold; beauty, brains, power wrapped up in a tight, deadly package. I had no doubt when it came to her cunning or her cold calculation. Aria knew what she wanted and she could manipulate the galaxy to provide her with it. At times I envied Aria's strength, other times I pitied her. In all the years that I had known her, she had kept not one person close, not even her daughter. Aria remained isolated, and in doing so, retained her power and dominance over Omega.
She was relatively safe in her isolation, but also very alone. I could relate.