Chapter 133 - The Royal Invitation
"Ooof... who would have thought that walking could be so difficult?" Shepard lets out a pained groan as Liara helps her settle back onto her bed after a series of light exercises.
"I think it's a little early for you to be put onto the treadmill as you demanded, Morgan," Liara shakes her head, a little exasperated. "You don't need to rush this recovery, you know."
"Well... actually, I do need to rush it..." Shepard disagrees, slowly settling into a more comfortable position in the pillows. "But you're right, I tend to get a little... overzealous at pushing myself. Don't know what's taking those damn implants so long, I'm just getting impatient with all this waiting..."
"As someone who has actually seen your injuries..." a pained wince creeps into Liara's expression from the mere memory. "I am not at all surprised that it is taking this long, Morgan. When they cut you out of your armor, your entire right side that the Reaper beam had licked was... I don't really want to recall, but to re-grow all that... no, it is no surprise at all."
"Once again, ignorance proves to be a bliss," Shepard chuckles weakly. "Well... at least Dr. Michel promises that I can be back on my feet in two weeks. Maybe even take a shuttle to Earth and see with my own eyes what's going on down there."
"If you think that would be wise..." Liara looks uncertain.
"Well, I would have you along and I know my beloved bondmate would never let anything bad happen to me, right?" Shepard smiles at the asari.
"You can always be certain of that, love," comes the immediate reply. The temptation to reach out and kiss Morgan is overpowering and she is about to follow through on this urge, but then a knock on the doors interrupts them and Liara pulls away with a slightly frustrated look on her face. "More visitors. Wonderful," she grumbles in a way that makes Shepard laugh.
"Maybe if we stay really quiet and don't answer, they'll go away?" Shepard suggests, not overly serious.
"That is... very tempting, but I have an idea who those visitors are," Liara grins, shaking her head. "There is no way will we be able to deny this particular guest, I'm afraid," she stands up from the bed and walks towards the doors to open them, letting in a brash looking Aria T'Loak, striding in as if she owned the place, followed by two rather timid maidens, looking around cautiously and then greeting Liara and Shepard with shy smiles.
"Aria!" Shepard exclaims, feeling joy at seeing their initially reluctant friend. "And you brought Rila and Falere with you, that is wonderful! However, your group is still one short, isn't it?" she can't resist adding.
Aria grumbles a bit in response. "You know very well why she can't come with us, don't act like a fool, it doesn't become you, Shepard. No... wait, it does," she adds with a wicked grin. "Besides, she said something about visiting you soon, so... get ready for boring and lengthy talk about galactic politics."
"Ah... wonderful," Shepard sighs, watching Liara's reaction with interest as she greets their guests, warmly taking both Rila and Falere's hands in the traditional asari greeting, but not initiating the same welcome for Aria, and then looking a little nervous and trapped when the Pirate Queen grabs her hands for the small welcoming ritual. "I have to say Aria, I think that eye-patch suits you just brilliantly. It's so very fitting."
"It does, doesn't it?" the Queen of Omega agrees. "She likes it as well. Says it makes me look even more dangerous and imposing."
"Yeah, now we just need to get you a peg leg and a parrot, and you'll be a real pirate!" Morgan laughs, then sighing when nobody in the room understands what she is talking about.
"That must be some ridiculous human thing," Aria shrugs, when Rila and Falere face her with questioning stares. "What the hell is a parrot, even?"
"It's a small bird that would sit perched upon your shoulder and repeat strings of profane swearwords at the most inopportune time," Shepard helpfully explains.
"A foul speaking avian?" Aria ponders thoughtfully. "Hmm, this merits further consideration."
"How do you manage to steer the conversation to such bizarre topics?" Liara wonders, giving Shepard a slightly admonishing stare. "Besides, we should not ignore Rila and Falere," she adds, turning towards the two sisters. "How have you two been doing?"
"We were frightened out of our wits when the Reapers seized the Citadel," Rila answers. "But now that Aria is here with us, we once again feel safe and protected. The Kithoi Ward is mostly intact and getting cleaned up quickly. I think that in a few months we will be able to take walks through our ward without seeing any reminders of this terrible conflict."
"Oh, and we made something for you, Commander," Falere speaks up, looking excited as she steps forward and gives Shepard a small OSD. "We recorded some of our sessions together with..." she stops to look at Aria uncertainly.
"It's alright, Falere," Aria says. "They know. You can trust them." Hearing the Pirate Queen make such a declaration of trust towards her and Liara sends pleasant warmth coursing through Shepard, and Liara appears similarly touched.
"Very well. We made these recordings with Rila and Councilor Tevos," Falere continues. "I'm not going to say exactly what it is, but if we're any good then Liara should recognize these musical pieces easily."
"If you're any good?" Aria scoffs. "You're amazing, girl. And so is your sister."
Falere blushes lightly. "I don't think the recording captures everything as well as a true live performance. These pieces are more than just music, the body language and the setting are just as important."
"Well, that just means that Shepard and Liara need to come visit us once Shepard stops slacking and gets back up on her feet," Aria chuckles.
"Yes, that would be wonderful!" Rila agrees enthusiastically. "And Commander, I could make a drawing of you, if you would agree to pose for me. I would be deeply honored."
"Would I have to be in the nude?" Shepard wonders.
"Uh... why..." Rila looks very confused, blushing dark shade of blue.
"Yes, I think you should be, Shepard," Aria nods sagely. "This could be a very interesting... cultural experience."
"Err... perhaps not?" Liara interjects. "It must be one of those human cultural things again."
"Always trying to ruin my fun, T'Soni," Aria scowls. "Still, the offer for a visit stands. I'm sure you will not want to insult me by refusing."
"We will attend, Aria," Liara says, Shepard feeling a little surprised at how quickly the assent is given, considering her bondmate's slight unease around Aria.
"Yes, we definitely will," Morgan nods. "What have you been up to yourself, Aria, other than watching over the girls? And please, no sordid details of your... other certain exploits..."
"Oh, in that case, I have nothing at all to tell you, Shepard," Aria replies with a lascivious grin. "Well, alright, I have been... ugh, helping out a little on the Citadel, when the mood strikes me... which is not often. No visits to that stupid rock down below, I've had enough of that place during your ridiculous suicide mission. Besides, if I showed up there, your Alliance admirals would go berserk, thinking I've come to take control of those moronic merc forces."
"We have been promised living quarters groundside," Liara says. "Morgan feels that she needs to be closer to her people, rather than hiding here in the comforts of the Citadel, and I agree that it would send the wrong signal if we remained cooped up here."
"I can't believe you would still be so concerned over what the others will think," Aria shakes her head in disbelief. "You saved all our asses, Shepard, nearly at the cost of your own life. When I saw you there at the Citadel control, I never thought you were going to make it."
"Yeah... and I very nearly didn't," Morgan sighs. "And I still haven't thanked you for saving my life, Aria. So... thanks."
"Eh... I think I owed you one, Shepard. But the very idea that the bloody savior of the galaxy can't just do whatever she pleases seems a little insulting to me."
"Well, that's humans for you, Aria," Morgan chuckles bitterly. "Heck, I don't think what I did is even good enough for promotion to the rank of Captain with the Alliance!"
"How did the savior of the galaxy come from the clearly stupidest species in the current cycle is beyond me," Aria snorts, then looking at Rila and Falere. "Well, girls, I think that's enough excitement for Shepard. Let us take our leave, so that T'Soni can nurse Shepard back to full health. And do several other things that I'm sure need not be mentioned."
"As tactful as ever, Aria," Shepard rolls her eyes. "Still, I thank you all for visiting, and we'll be sure to return the favor at our earliest opportunity."
"Yes, it was wonderful to see you, thank you all for coming," Liara echoes the sentiment.
"Aw, does that include me too, T'Soni?" Aria asks, making Liara sigh. "You're such a sweetheart."
The farewells are said quickly enough, and Madame T'Loak together with her entourage are already well on their way back to the Kithoi Ward, when Morgan faces Liara with an intrigued look after the asari has once again settled in a seat next to her bed. "I'm clearly missing something about the way you and Aria are acting towards each other," she remarks, her words making Liara blush slightly.
"Aria has a compulsive need to control and dominate all those around her, possibly with the exception of you, Shepard," Liara explains. "I think it irks her that I am not more humble and respectful towards her, especially considering that she is more than five hundred years older than I am. She always tries to reassert her dominance over me, but I will not give her the satisfaction, because if I do that, she will become even more insufferably smug."
"Yeah... I can believe that explanation," Morgan nods. "You do like her, though."
Liara's blush deepens a little bit. "Yes, I suppose I do, not that I can ever tell her so, because such knowledge would give her great power over me."
"It's okay, babe," Shepard smiles. "I like her too. Aria, and her whole strange new family... she's just so... vibrant, exciting and honest in a... certain 'if I didn't like you, you would be dead' kind of way."
"And let's not forget that she is still dangerous, despite having changed quite noticeably," Liara agrees. "In some ways, she reminds me a little of you. The sheer strength of her personality is not always easy to resist. If not for your calming and supporting presence, she might have already managed to crack some of my defenses," the asari confesses. "A part of me still respects her strength and I do not always manage to hide it well enough."
"I do not think she wishes you ill, though. She seems to like you in a strange, awkward kind of way."
"...I think we have spent more than enough time discussing Aria and her motives, already," Liara finally says, indicating that she wants to drop the issue. "We were busy with something far more interesting when we got interrupted by this visit," her bondmate adds meaningfully as she leans a little closer to Morgan, and Shepard finds herself quickly forgetting Aria together with the rest of the galaxy, only the thoughts of Liara remaining on her mind.
The visit by the asari councilor comes three days after Aria and the girls have made their social call. During this time, Shepard has subjected herself to more and more rehab, adding extra exercise and load every workout. Now that the worst is behind her, the recovery appears to start becoming more swift and Morgan is almost able to move around freely, with minimal pain. The endurance is obviously lacking, but she is determined to return to top shape as soon as possible, hoping that it will help to convince Dr. Michel that she is ready to leave the hospital.
Even now, as Councilor Tevos enters her room, Shepard surprises the asari by slowly standing up from the bed to step towards her and accept her hands in the friendly greeting. "Commander, words cannot express how pleased I am to witness your swift recovery," Tevos remarks, appearing sincerely glad.
"Yes, I'm slowly getting back into shape, Councilor," Shepard nods.
"And Liara, this must be relief for you as well," Tevos turns to warmly greet the younger asari.
"Indeed it is, Councilor," Liara nods, smiling.
"Have you made any plans regarding your future, Commander?" Tevos asks, a little more directly than Shepard has expected her to.
"Not really... though, I have agreed with Admiral Hackett's offer to move to a temporary residence on Earth," Shepard replies. "I imagine they will want to get me involved with the Alliance work, but I have no idea just what they want me to do to restore peace."
"Perhaps you could be more effective in your role of a peacemaker if you accepted the position of humanity's councilor?" Tevos tries, again not mincing any words. "We could make this posting temporary, if you are still uncertain about whether this is something you wish to do. My fellow councilors would support you wholeheartedly."
"I'm not sure that would be a good idea, Councilor," Morgan replies. "I can't be effective if the majority of the Alliance high-ups don't support me... which they clearly don't, considering they want one of their own admirals to take this post."
"Yes, this... Admiral Singh," Tevos speaks the name with great distaste. "Our latest discussions with him have been only borderline civil, he is beginning to display unacceptable forcefulness. It does not reassure me that he would be a good candidate for the role of a councilor."
"What do you mean, Councilor Tevos?" Liara asks.
"As you know, the Systems Alliance is struggling to contain the spread of unrest back on Earth," Tevos moves to explain. "This sometimes endangers our people who have moved groundside to help. The Alliance claims that they cannot provide additional protection if our specialists wander outside of their enclave, and yet, Admiral Singh promises that he would offer this additional protection if we were to support his claim for the post of humanity's councilor. Even more so, during our last conversation, he claimed that containing the rebels is taking such a strain on their forces that as he said, and I quote directly, 'we might no longer be able to guarantee the safety of your people in the Sol System'."
"That sounded an awful lot like a threat to me," Liara looks deeply upset.
"Matriarch Lidanya was with me, and she apparently thought so as well. Her answer to the admiral was... very passionate," Tevos smiles grimly in the memory of that episode. "I had to step in and smoothen things out, but I also did tell Admiral Singh in no uncertain terms that his chances of becoming the humanity's councilor are almost certainly ruined with this outbreak."
"The Alliance think they can blackmail the Council?" Shepard groans. "Lovely, just lovely. Maybe you should just temporarily suspend humanity from the Council, so that we learn our lesson and shape up."
Liara gasps sharply. "You would see this done to your own people, Shepard?"
Tevos shifts her posture, looking a little uncomfortable. "Well, actually... such initiative has already been proposed by Councilor Sparatus. Valern is currently undecided about this move. I am... also debating whether to give my provisional support to this initiative. I'm sorry, Shepard."
"Well... if I was certain that it would provide the proverbial kick to the backside for our leaders, prompting them to shape up... then you would have my full support for this move. Unfortunately... it could also lead to more violence, which we desperately don't need," Morgan shakes her head vehemently. "The simple truth is that the humanity needs a good and strong candidate, and until we can come up with one, perhaps it's better if we don't have anyone, rather than someone who is not well suited for the role. Or someone unwilling," she adds quickly, noticing the way Tevos looks at her.
"If I believed that inviting this Admiral Singh into the Council would bring stability and peace on Earth, I would gladly support him. Unfortunately, I find his candidacy... severely lacking," Tevos continues. "I made my opinion painstakingly clear to this man during our last talk several days ago. Since then we have reinforced our enclaves on Earth, though I do not believe that there will be any serious confrontations. The Alliance do not have the resources to fight on several fronts."
"I must say, Councilor," Shepard remarks with a smile. "You have become far more forceful as of late, compared to how I remember you. I very much approve of this change."
Soft smile reflects on Tevos' beautiful face, Morgan always having found her facial markings particularly delicate and enchanting. "I am not the only one to be changed irreversibly by this war. So many mistakes were made those three years ago, and I consider myself blessed to be alive and in position to work and atone for the shortsighted decisions I have taken. And the close brush with death that I have only recently recovered from, has reinforced my newfound belief that I must act more decisively to better protect the galaxy under our care."
"And perhaps it is also due to the influence of a certain very charismatic and inspiring individual," Shepard adds with a wink.
"That is also likely," Tevos nods, smiling. "I think that the asari would benefit from having more driven and forceful leaders such as Aria and your father, Liara. She has truly brought the clans on Thessia back together and working all as one to restore the beauty of our homeworld."
"Yeah, we could learn a thing or two from Aethyta," Morgan nods.
"Ah, Shepard, I see you have received your gift," the councilor then says, her eyes falling on the OSD on the desk next to Shepard's bed. "Did you like it?" she asks, almost hopefully.
"Are you kidding? I loved it!" Morgan exclaims earnestly. "That might have been the most beautiful thing I have ever heard. Which of the instruments are you playing, Councilor?"
"The alo'rai. It is a combination of a string and percussion instrument, not unlike the piano used by human composers," Tevos explains.
"You play it beautifully, Councilor," Liara says, smiling.
"Thank you, Liara. I have had decades of practice in my maiden years, as part of my education. I had not played it for many years, until Falere and Rila asked me to join them. It has been... a wonderful experience to create something so beautiful and emotional together with two very talented maidens."
"Well, I look forward to experiencing a live performance," Morgan adds, lowering her voice a little, even if she does not believe anyone might be listening in. "I imagine that Aria has told you about the invitation that she extended to us?"
"Yes, she did," Tevos nods. "It would be our pleasure to have you join us one evening, Commander. I am certain that you will enjoy the experience, and hopefully, also our company."
"Of that I have no doubt," Shepard smiles. "Even if Aria still tends to make Liara quite jumpy."
"Shepard, please!" Liara exclaims, giving Morgan the distinct impression that she has disclosed something she shouldn't have revealed, quickly sending her bondmate an apologetic stare.
"I'm afraid that can't be helped," Tevos says. "Liara commands power and respect that is uncommon for her tender age, and she herself is not truly aware of the influence she is capable of exerting on our people. Liara, I'm afraid that Aria feels challenged by another powerful personality, and she seeks to find ways to dominate you, to discover something with which to force you into submission and acceptance of her authority. Which I think you are reluctant to give."
"You could say that again," Liara mutters, looking a little nervous. "She's not going to stop, is she?"
"Not until something happens that changes the current situation," Tevos shakes her head. "As you grow older, Liara, she might become more accepting of the respect you command. Until then, however, we will all have to live with this... slightly frustrating power struggle between you and Aria."
"Well, it is quite amusing to watch," Shepard chuckles. "I don't believe that Aria would truly want to hurt Liara or put her in any danger, would she?"
"I find that very doubtful, Commander," Tevos smiles. "I must say, I find myself unusually impatient in anticipation of your visit, Shepard. I am very pleased that our relationship as of late has become warmer, and I look forward to learning more about you privately. And the same goes for you, Liara."
"I must confess being just as intrigued, Councilor," Liara admits. "And I love spending time with Rila and Falere. They... remind me of how I was before..."
"Before Therum and getting rescued by a dashing Alliance Commander who stole your heart," Shepard finishes for her, smiling. "But I agree with Liara's sentiment, Councilor Tevos." I wonder what she's like privately. The cold, arrogant bitch I used to know seems to be gone by now... and the chance to see a more domesticated Aria... this should be very interesting. "Though, of course, you still remain my boss as a Council Spectre, so we still have our working relationship to consider," Shepard adds a moment later.
"Ah, it is good of you to remind me of it, Commander," Tevos says. "I have been meaning to ask about your Spectre status. Do you truly intend to keep it?"
"Why wouldn't I?" Shepard asks, a little confused. If anything, my future with the Alliance looks more bleak than with the Council, she thinks privately.
"Please, Shepard, we both know that you have outgrown the Spectres, just as you have outgrown us, the Council," Tevos speaks, uncharacteristically humbly. "I cannot any longer in good conscience give you my orders and expect you to carry them out without questions, it would demean us both."
"I would have no problems with taking orders from you, Councilor, and I have come to respect Valern and Sparatus as well. The same would go for the human councilor, and quarian, krogan or geth, should they ever be accepted," Shepard replies honestly. "I would prefer to keep the job and the title, because I have grown used to it, and because I enjoy some of the perks that it gives me. That is, if you believe there will even be a need for Spectres in the new, post-Reaper galaxy."
"The need for Spectres will be even greater than before, Shepard," Tevos says with certainty. "The rules of the game have changed, power bases have been destroyed and are being rebuilt completely anew. There is a new order coming to the galaxy, and with it will come new struggles and new conflicts. If you are willing to stand with us, Shepard, we will have you for as long as you want."
"What about Morgan being too famous and recognizable?" Liara asks, looking a little worried. "Won't that make her less effective as Spectre?"
"Yes, due to the fame of Commander Shepard, perhaps she would not be best suited to say... infiltrate a terrorist network. But we have many others Spectres capable of such tasks. And there might be plenty of work for a Spectre with a name that carries great influence such as the Commander's. Indeed, I can already imagine that sometimes her mere appearance in the conflict zone might ensure that the cooler heads would prevail."
"So, I'd be more like an ambassador for the Council," Morgan says ponderously. "Hmm... yeah, I guess that might work for me. Just don't call on me too often, Councilor. Liara and I, well, we have a... lot of catching up to do."
Liara blushes deeply, breaking into a smile. "Yes... I quite agree. And by the way, Councilor, my answer to your question is still 'no', politics simply do not hold any interest or appeal for me right now. I believe I will be quite busy in the years to come with other... pursuits."
Shepard smirks knowingly, being very well aware as to what Liara refers, while Tevos faces her bondmate with an inquiring stare, prompting the younger asari to explain. "I have plans for several books, Councilor," Liara says, deciding not to mention her pregnancy. "Mostly involving my research of the Protheans."
"Then I will respect your choice, of course," Tevos nods, not showing any disappointment she may be feeling. "But I believe that I have taken too much of your time already, my friends. Please, keep me informed about the time of your visit, I am anxiously looking forward to it."
"You won't have to wait too long, Councilor," Shepard replies, grinning. "I am so hooked up on that music of yours that we'll probably get in touch before the week is through..."