Ashley grumbled to herself as she made her way through the markets beside the former C-Sec officer. They had spent nearly a half an hour looking for the specific shopkeep with little success, and it was beginning to grate on her nerves. We should have asked the doctor for directions before we left…we should always make sure we know where we're going…the Citadel's too big not to. Stupid!
She cast a glance at the turian and gave a small snort. She'd taken to heart Shepard's request to get to know the crew, but she was regretting her choice. Not that I had much of a choice…quarian engineer who would probably talk techno-babble all the time, a krogan who would sooner crush me into pulp than speak to me, most likely, and a medusa squid-head looking asari who studies dirt for a living…and finds it fascinating. Yeah, no. Ex-soldier and cop was the safer choice but…Garrus is too stubborn to ask for directions. As if asking will tip this Morlan guy off, instead of making us look like lost shoppers.
Garrus paused momentarily, scanning the area, looking for the elusive shop. I'm sure we must have something in common…we can both shoot guns, but I can't bring that up when he's probably trigger happy enough, given the situation. Probably the same with asking for war stories…but…he hates Saren. I hate Saren.
"Garrus? Quick question." She asked, walking right up to him in order to not block the lanes of passers-by.
He shot her an annoyed stare and seemed to sigh. "For the third time, I'm not asking for directions. I don't care about that stupid human phrase about trinkets or charms or whatever."
Ashley looked at him confused for a moment before she clued in, bringing a slight grin to her face. "I was actually going to ask why you're looking for Saren."
"You're asking because I'm a turian. Would you ask a human that question?" Garrus snarked, turning his focus back to the marketplace. Testy, much?
"Well, I mean, I won't say that doesn't make me wonder, but…I mean, I know why I'm after him. I just…don't really know why you are." She reasoned. Though I'll admit, I don't see why he'd throw down the gloves against a legendary turian Spectre…I just don't…
"He's brought tremendous shame to the hierarchy. His actions disgusted turians everywhere. He needs to pay for what he's done." Garrus seethed, drawing a quirked eyebrow from Ashley.
"You're saying all turians hate him? Not sure I can believe that." She stated, trying to figure out why that would be. I mean, I'm sure some turians out there still hate humans for the first contact war…Saren probably won some support due to what he did.
"Saren was given a duty to protect the galaxy, be its first and last defense. Turians take duty seriously. We have honour. He lost that honour when he cast aside his duty to protect, and that he lied about it…he's a disgrace to turians." Garrus said firmly, turning his focus back on her. "I need to help make this right. A turian did these atrocious things, so a turian should be there when he draws his final breath. Otherwise, we might spend generations paying for his actions."
Ashley nodded, recalling her grandfather's efforts in the first contact war. I'm still paying for his decision…right or wrong, it's still the reality I live in. Like dad said, I have to be twice as good as anyone to be considered an equal. If Saren's really trying to destroy the galaxy then…yeah, his whole species could pay for Saren's crimes for a really long time. They could be exiled like the Quarians, maybe…
"I can understand that, I guess." Ashley openly mused. He's fighting for his species. Just like I am. "I swear, when we catch that scumbag, I'm going to give him the regards of the 212."
"I heard about your unit. He couldn't even fight them himself, the coward. For what it's worth, you still carry your unit's spirit…their courage and honour." Garrus noted, pulling his gaze away from her again, his expression darkening. "And so long as you let me sink my talons into him, I'd be glad to share in doling out his punishment."
On that, I'm game. Ashley thought, as her eyes caught a sign off in the distance. "Hey, look over there. There's a pasty looking Salarian running a shop, and it looks like the sign might start with an M."
The two took off toward the storefront at the same time, Williams smiling a little at the notion of her and Garrus giving Saren a once or twice over. She knew she should technically want to bring him to trial for war crimes, but she agreed with what the turian had insinuated. It's nice to finally have some common ground…maybe this whole acquainting myself with aliens thing might actually work…
Shepard stopped dead in her tracks as they reached their destination, having followed the turian general's directions. Her eyes were locked upon a small sign hanging above the entrance, housing two single words that both filled her with dread and uncontrollable, unprecedented apprehension. A light conversation could be heard from within that only further unnerved her as she inched toward the threshold of the doorway. She didn't need to look to the sides of her to know her companions were staring at her curiously. They did not know what danger rested beyond that boundary, or how with every passing second, uncertainty consumed her. She knew that this was a moment that had been inevitable ever since she had been made aware of them over a decade earlier. Yet, this was different; it was more potent, and unexpected. For Shepard, it would have been easier to strike up a casual conversation at a restaurant, or a shop, but she wasn't prepared for anything of this magnitude.
"The elcor embassy…" she mouthed, looking at the sign in horror.
She heard Tali ask something from her right, but she hadn't been entirely listening. Shepard turned her head to the quarian.
"What?" she asked, certain that she looked troubled, but she couldn't hide such emotions in the face of such potential turmoil.
"Are you okay? This Xeltan person should be inside, right?" Tali asked, her head angled as a show of curiosity.
"Oh, yeah. Yeah. Probably inside there." Shepard stated blankly, turning her gaze back to the sign.
"We should get this over with. I would prefer our business be finished with the consort as soon as possible." Liara stated, spurring Shepard on. She knew she'd have to go in and talk to an elcor, for the first time in her life, and couldn't help but feel that the potential of her making a fool of herself was drastically high.
"Yeah. I guess so." She stated taking slow steps through the doorway, controlling her breathing and trying to stay calm as the first of a number of elcor came into view. Mother of Christ they're all huge! They're as big as…NO. No, I can't even think of that right now! Augh!
Shepard moved a few more steps into the fairly large room and noticed a small meeting area to her left where a number of elcor were talking, a small nook with a nice view of the presidium off at the far side of the room, and a long desk off to the right hand side of the room where a sole elcor rested behind, talking to a volus and an elcor.
She steadied her breathing and tried to clear her thoughts as best she could, closing her eyes to gain a semblance of willpower. "Is there a Xeltan here, by any chance?" she asked loudly, but surprisingly politely. N7 didn't goddamn train me for this…
A few seconds later she heard the dull stomps of an elcor moving toward her; she opened her eyes to see an unsurprisingly generic looking elcor wearing a tremendously flashy silver and blue sash over its back. Or head, or neck, or bum…I'm really not sure at all…
"Curious. I am not acquainted with you human. How do you know of me?" the elcor asked, its mouth flaps vibrating gently as it spoke.
Shepard had a hard time looking at Xeltan without staring in wonder. They really do look like it…
"I was told by a friend to find you, his name is Septimus." Shepard stated as calmly as she could manage.
"Sincere apology. I am sorry, human, but I am here on business and cannot be distracted right now." Xeltan replied.
"Firmly. Xeltan, you have continued to bring up these allegations with no evidence to support them. I understand that this may be a serious…" the Ambassador behind Xeltan announced, before the other elcor began to spin slowly around, cutting him off.
"Undauntedly. This is serious. My reputation is at stake. I spoke to the consort in confidence, and her alone. And she betrayed that confidence." The silver-garbed elcor responded, in the same monotonous tone that made it nigh impossible to tell who was speaking unless she focused on their mouth flaps.
Shepard took a small step forward biting back her fear of embarrassing herself for a moment, hoping to get the event over quickly. "I'm actually here to talk to you about your problem… if you don't mind."
"Curious. What do you know about the consort and her relationship to me?" Xeltan asked, slowly turning back to face her.
"I know that you are a client of hers and…" she started, taking a breath once she realized she'd been holding one. "I know who revealed your secret. It was a turian. The Septimus I mentioned before."
"Unbelieving. I know this Septimus, and he could not learn of my secrets. The only way he could learn them is from the consort." Xeltan explained. Shepard shook her head slowly.
"That's…uh…actually not true." Shepard stated, pulling out the datapad Septimus had provided her with. "You should take a look at this."
The elcor's left front hand raised off the ground and politely took the object from Shepard's grasp and read it over.
"Confused. This is difficult to fathom. If the turian could learn this on his own…" Xeltan began, pausing for a few moments as his eyes blinked away. "Dismayed. Anyone else can discover my secret."
"Septimus is a powerful man. It wasn't easy for him to find." Liara piped in from Shepard's side.
"Relieved. I suppose you are correct, asari. Thank you for this information. Startled realization. I must speak with the consort immediately. With much disappointment. She will be most displeased with my actions." Xeltan stated, handing back the datapad. "Anxious request. Please, human. If you will excuse me, I must go now."
Shepard stepped out of the way and watched as the big elcor lumbered its way to the doorway and out.
Well, that went better than expected… she thought, grinning in relief.
"Thankful. That was a great thing you did, Commander. Approving. You see, Din, not all humans are as you say." The ambassor spoke, startling Shepard back into reality.
"I'm sure the earth-clan stands to profit from this in some way." The volus grumbled. Shepard just wanted to leave, but she saw Tali pivot at the volus' words and march over. Christ, help me.
"You shouldn't make those kind of accusations! It isn't fair to paint a whole species like that!" the quarian spoke loudly and firmly. She felt a swell of pride and gratitude for Tali's words, but the recurring unease was gnawing away at her as she realized she was about to get drawn into yet another elcor-based conversation.
"Apologetic, do not listen to my volus compatriot. It was a good thing you did, regardless of your intentions." The ambassador noted. "I am Ambassador Calyn. Genuine query, is there something I can do for you this day?"
"Why do you even bother, Calyn? This earth-clan will most likely stumble over your appearance and way of speaking, like most earth-clan do." The volus interjected.
"Actually your way of speaking is kind of…intriguing? And your species look…" Shepard began, before getting tongue tied as a storm of thoughts whirled in her mind. Don't say 'like space-elephants'. Don't say 'like space-elephants'. Don't say 'like space-elephants'. "Like…uh…sp…well, you look noble? I guess." She managed, desperate not to say the thought festering in her mind. That was too close.
"With restrained mirth. Thank you for the compliments, Commander. It is nice to have another species feel intrigued by our kind." Calyn stated flatly.
"If I understand well, Shepard is quite interested in learning about culture. I am sure she would love to learn more about elcor societies, beliefs and rituals." Liara stated, and Shepard couldn't tell if the asari was simply naïve, or playing with her elcor-related insecurities.
Either way, she felt they were treading into dangerous territory, with no end in sight.
Shepard shook her head as she and her two companions made their way back through the embassies, grumbling to herself about how bad of an idea it was to tell Xeltan, and how much the consort would owe her for it. It hadn't taken long for her to realize the other two were having fun at her expense, egging the ambassador on to inform them of seemingly every bit of elcor history and culture one could imagine. And they kept prodding me to keep going, and ask or answer questions…all I wanted was to get the hell out of there… and I would have gotten away with it if it weren't for those darn kids!
"Shepard, you seem to be walking a little fast." Tali noted playfully; Liara's barely restrained giggles following suit. She just shook her head and slowed her pace a little, hoping it wasn't too rough on Tali's still-recovering body.
"Just want to get this over with." Shepard said flatly, turning her head to face the doctor. "I thought we were on the same page, Liara."
The asari couldn't help but grin a little, and covered her mouth quickly in an attempt to hide it. "I just found it amusing that elcor unnerved you so." She said, calming her expression. "They are such a gentle species."
"Yeah, well, some people are freaked out by vorcha, or spiders. Not that I'm freaked out by elcor. They just…confuse me." Shepard explained, turning the corner into the main lobby of the Embassies, making a beeline for the exit.
"Shepard…you cannot compare Elcor to spiders." Tali noted firmly.
"I'm not saying they're alike or anything, I'm just saying that some people don't like spiders, even though they're pretty much harmless. Elcor are pretty much harmless too, and they're sentient, so they're pretty much generally alright." Shepard said, knowing that she wasn't making much sense. Not that I feel like explaining it to them…
"Elcor don't have eight, long and spindly, gross, hairy, menacing legs, and tiny little creepy eyes and razor-sharp little fangs for teeth, and… eurgh!" Tali ranted, sounding altogether disgusted. Shepard made a mental note to check the Normandy for spiders.
"Is this another one of your…how did you call it…'hang-ups'?" Liara asked, looking sidelong at Shepard.
"Yes, and it has been for a long time, so if we could just change the topic that would be fantastic." Shepard said exasperatedly, wanting to get forget the whole debacle at the embassies ever happened. Not that it was necessarily a debacle, as she'd made some form of ally in the elcor ambassador, and ended on at least good terms with the random volus diplomat that was there. She just didn't want to be face to face with an elcor again, any time soon.
"So…how long have you known the consort?" the quarian asked, sounding slightly more eager for an answer than Shepard was comfortable with. Great, from one frying pan into the other…
"I met her the evening that I found you." Shepard noted flatly, starting across the walkway bridging both sides of the presidium.
"Oh. She seems rather…friendly." Tali said, sounding a little surprised. "I just figured you'd known her for a while, from the way she was around you."
"The consort is …friendly… around all of her clients." Liara piped in, sounding slightly annoyed. Shepard nodded her head, taking Liara at her word. Sha'ira's just…trying to make people comfortable, I guess, even if they don't feel like it, or feel comfortable with her…
"She's nice and all, really. She's just a little forward sometimes." Shepard said. "She doesn't mean anything by it, I don't think."
Shepard slowed her pace, seeing Xeltan of all people leaving the consort's, but luckily he veered off toward the marketplace. Thank Christ…that would have been really weird… she thought, stepping into the Consort's abode. Sha'ira's attendant signaled them in quickly, with a smile. The trio walked silently through the lobby, laughter and vibrant discussions filling the room to the point where there was no real point of continuing their conversation.
Let's just get this over with, get the meeting with Tevos over with, and then I can maybe get some rest. She mused, pressing the controls for the door, which quickly slid open. Shepard stepped inside and was quickly ambushed by the consort, who gracefully crossed the floor to meet her with a gentle hug.
"I just received a lovely note from Septimus, Commander. Thank you for speaking with him." The consort purred into Shepard's ear, her arms holding her possessively, as if she wished Shepard's body could melt into her. "Even the elcor diplomat has withdrawn his campaign against me. You have my heartfelt thanks, Shepard."
She felt the familiar heat and rush of blood, and closed her eyes in order to better focus on matters at hand. "It was an honour." She said, the words stumbling quickly from her mouth. Sha'ira broke the hug slowly and kept one arm firmly around Shepard's waist.
"You are too kind, Commander." The consort said softly as she gently, but deliberately, guided Shepard toward the nearby sofa, walking side by side. "But I would not expect you to help me solely out of the kindness of your heart." She finished, her hand slowly moving downward from her waist. As they reached the furniture, she guided Shepard to a sitting position and nestled up close to her. I should have worn armor…
Shepard felt frozen in place as the consort grazed her hand against her cheek. Goddamnit…why can't I just get up and walk out of here? I should just leave. I should go…
"You have done a remarkable deed for Thessia, Commander, and you have won my favour in that. Yet, you have also done a great deed in helping me keep my profession alive." The consort breathed into her ear, her voice as sensual of a siren song as ever, sending a chill through Shepard's body. "How shall I ever repay you?"
"Honestly, it's…fine." Shepard spoke, her words strained as she fought to keep focus, to not simply melt against Sha'ira's touch, which had moved down to her upper thigh.
"I do not feel comfortable leaving myself in another's debt, Commander. Surely you can understand." Sha'ira whispered, her breath hot against Shepard's cheek, her hand tantalizingly massaging her inner thigh. "I have something to give you…if you are interested." She spoke, a fair bit louder this time.
Shepard opened her eyes and noticed Tali lingering by the door anxiously, Liara nowhere in sight. Please…don't leave me alone with her, Tali…she thought, sending the quarian a pleading look. The quarian stood still for a moment, but then quickly exited the room. Gah! Traitors! Come on…she agonized internally, turning her head away from the consort in frustration.
"It seems your friends have left us to our own devices." The consort purred, pulling away from Shepard slightly. "You can relax if you'd like, Shepard. I certainly won't bite."
She exhaled for the first time in a while, catching her breath as she attempted to calm herself down. Christ, I'm trembling…
"Yeah, well, you could have fooled me." Shepard breathed out, still feeling a little off balance, still feeling echoes of the consort's touch all over her. My god…
"Commander, please. Have I not only used my hands to show my affection?" the consort asked, sounding somewhat appalled. "I assure you, my goal was nothing so primal as that."
"And what the hell is your goal?" Shepard asked, running her hand through her curls, frustrated at the asari's actions.
"Short term, to have your friends give us time alone. My over-arching goal? To normalize you to touch. To show you that despite the intimacy, there is nothing it will escalate into, unless you vocalize such a desire." The asari stated, matter-of-factly. Shepard's eyes nearly bulged out of her head.
"So you're just playing a game with me?!" she growled, turning her focus to the consort, who in turn leaned up against her, resting her soft, cerulean hands upon Shepard's shoulders.
"Not a game, no." Sha'ira said quietly, kneading her shoulders gently. "You let me touch you. You react to it. Your body enjoys my touch, and perhaps it even yearns for it."
Shepard turned her face away from the blue body resting up against her, unsure exactly what to do in her predicament aside from blush fiercely. I should just leave, right now. Just get up and walk away and…
"It is not wrong to feel pleasure, Shepard." Sha'ira continued, resting a hand on the commander's. "Your body and mind are in dissonance. Your body reacts positively to touch, yet your mind abhors it. Yet… your mind lets it happen. I merely want to help you understand why."
Shepard found herself jumping off the couch and onto her feet at the remark. "And you, for some reason, know anything about that?" she asked, feeling angry at the asari's assertion. She looked down at the consort and noticed her still holding onto her hand. She wrested it free and shook her head. "Well go on. Amuse me, tell me what the fuck is wrong with me."
"Commander, I do not know the depths of your experiences, I merely have a talent for…reading people." The consort spoke, standing up from the sofa, her legs carrying her to slowly circle Shepard. "I see you...your uniform fits as though you were born wearing it. You are a soldier through and through. Proud, solitary...alone, but it gives you strength, does it not? Becoming the sole protector of your ideals, controlling their fate?"
Shepard felt the consort's fingertips graze her shoulder blades, making her wish more than anything that she was wearing armor.
"It may be that strength that draws people to you. It is why you lead and others follow. You will need leadership in the battles to come." Sha'ira continued. "Yet that strength you gain from solitude will not hold forever. Your ideals will become appropriated by others, and their weight will bury you unless you give up that control and let others in, let others share that role."
"For it is not the only strength you house, Shepard, and it has failed you in the past. I see the sadness behind your eyes. It tells a story that makes me want to weep. There is pain, loss, sacrifice…but it drives you. It makes you strong as well. You don't hide this strength either. It has created a series of reputations that serve you, that terrify your foes and endear your friends. Few will dare stand against you, and as more flock to your side, so will your reputation change." Sha'ira noted, stopping in front of Shepard. "This may be who you are, but it is not who you will become. It only forms the basis of your future. Open yourself to change, Commander. Open yourself to the future."
Shepard stood there, baffled at how the consort had spoken as accurately as she had of her. Do others…can everyone else see through me so easily?
"So what, I need to stop trying to control everything?" Shepard asked cautiously.
"You need only give up degrees of it. You need to listen to your body and stop trying to control what sensations are right, and which are wrong. If you are to let your mind dictate your body, you should utilize it…think about each touch, each encounter, before you make your verdict. Allow yourself to explore, to give others an opportunity to communicate with you, to help you. I would like for you to set that as a personal, short-term goal." The consort stated, taking a step toward her.
"I'm not too excited about that kind of goal, to be honest." Shepard noted nervously. "Why do you even care?"
"My purpose in life is to guide those in need, as I have stated many times in the past. You have needs Commander, but you must change in order to meet them. I am merely trying to guide you down that path, to not see all touch as revolting. Affection from one person to another is merely positive communication, and you are a worthy subject. You may not believe that now, but I believe you will one day, with some help." The consort said, taking Shepard's hand and leading her toward the exit. As they reached the steel doors, Sha'ira pulled her into a hug, but Shepard noticed it felt different, less possessive. Nice, even…
"I am eternally thankful for your efforts here today, Spectre. I wish you well in your pursuits." The consort whispered, resting her head gently on Shepard's shoulder.
Shepard stood there and returned the hug for a few moments before breaking it off. Today just keeps getting goddamn stranger and stranger. Goal…achieved? Partially? Was that the point?
"Um, if I may ask, did Tevos get back to you?" Shepard asked, as she rubbed the back of her neck nervously.
"She did indeed. I apologize for not bringing it up earlier." The consort apologized kindly. "You are to meet with her at her home in three hours."
Shepard winced at the amount of time, having wanted to get it over with sooner. "That's a lot of time. Why the wait? Don't Council hours end… pretty much right now?" she asked, checking her chrono.
"Yes, I arranged for you to have a reservation at a client of mine's restaurant, as a measure of thanks." Sha'ira mentioned with a smile. "It is but a meager gift in return for you keeping Little Wing safe. And I am certain that, given her tendency to neglect food and drink during her studies, let alone sleep, that you both could use some nourishment and relaxation before meeting with the Councilor. The restaurant also has many highly regarded dextro-dishes for your quarian friend."
Shepard's eyebrows raised at the explanation. "You…want to feed us?"
"It would please me to know that you were able to enjoy yourself while on the Citadel, Shepard. I can tell that today has not been easy for you." Sha'ira noted. "Now, I am sorry to rush you out the door, but I have other clients waiting."
"Oh! Alright. I, uh…thanks. I'm sure Liara and Tali will appreciate having some real food for once." Shepard said, exiting the room. She looked over her shoulder to see the consort leaning casually up against the doorframe, offering a polite wave.
"Take care, Commander."
Liara gripped the railing overlooking the presidium's pool, feeling guilty for leaving, and frustrated by the consort's actions. She couldn't help but worry that the consort would be too tormenting for Shepard to handle. Not two days ago she confessed about her unease around how other asari, including Sha'ira, obviously, have acted toward her. With that fresh in my mind I flee. I am such a fool! She thought to herself, agonizing over the situation. I had protected Shepard earlier today as best I could, but I refused to interject just now…I know it would be against custom and be a great shame, but…oh I fear that she will experience more trauma. Sha'ira was always overtly sensual… ever since I first met her, it has been evident. And how she would pass her gaze to me every time she touched the Commander, daring me to respond, looking at me as if I would be jealous rather than dismayed that she was doing such a thing to her…
Liara let out a sigh as her posture slumped. And I let Shepard fall into her grasp. Not that there was truly anything I could have done about it…and Shepard was responding to her touch. She wasn't outright rejecting the consort, yet…it would be too soon for her to come around on what I had explained to her, and she seemed sincere that night…oh why are humans so confusing…
"Liara?" The asari swiveled around, catching Tali emerging back onto the presidium. She couldn't help but pale at the sudden realization that Shepard was now alone with the consort. "Why did you leave?"
Liara instinctively bowed her head, feeling terrible for her exit. "I was feeling slightly…uncomfortable."
The quarian walked over to the railing, resting her back against it. "I um…I wasn't sure it was appropriate for me to…stay. So I left." Tali mumbled. Liara was thankful that the quarian's vocalize was as clear as it was, otherwise it could have sounded like a burst of warbled white noise. "Are Shepard and the consort…" she asked, her voice trailing off, seeking an answer.
"Sha'ira has clients, not partners. This is…merely what she does." Liara explained, feeling guilty over the bitterness in her tone. She had no specific hate for the Matriarch, but she knew that she could cause Shepard more harm.
"But a lot of asari seem to act that way…does it bother you?" Tali asked curiously.
"The myth of asari promiscuity is just that…a myth. Some asari take work as dancers to gain experience, and many asari are comfortable with their sexuality, and sensuality, but it is not something all asari do inherently and publically. The consort is just a different type of dancer, and since Shepard is…nevermind." Liara explained, meekly cutting herself off before revealing Shepard's issue.
"What about Shepard?" Tali asked, her head tilting to the side. She knew she'd piqued the quarian's interest, and feared the young engineer wouldn't let it go.
"It is something I feel that Shepard told me in confidence. I do not wish to betray such trust." Liara reasoned, getting skeptical body language from Tali in return.
"If there's something you're not telling me that puts Shepard in danger…" the quarian started before Liara frantically cut her off.
"Oh Goddess, no! It is nothing so…dangerous. I merely fear the consort will make Shepard less comfortable around my kind due to her behaviour." Liara said, feeling a little bad that she even let that much of the truth out. She had never been a good liar.
"But…what if the consort is trying to help her? What if she helps? She helped Shepard find me, she can't be all bad." The engineer noted, shrugging her shoulders.
"I highly doubt Sha'ira will have the foresight to realize that she is making asari seem like sexual predators. I doubt that she will manage to help Shepard. I think she needs someone with a more careful approach, who can actively disprove the stigmas around the asari people." Liara reasoned, turning her gaze to the glowing fountains in the pools.
"And that someone is you?" Tali asked playfully. Liara mentally swatted away any reasons for Tali using that tone and focused on the matter at hand. "You want to do that for Shepard?"
"I am already aboard the Normandy, and I am a high-standing citizen of the asari republics. If I must be a representative of my people because there is a lack of another to fill the position, then I shall gladly take it up." Liara stated firmly. "It isn't a matter of wanting to be some avatar of knowledge or anything of the sort. You enjoy that Shepard learns quarian culture from you, because it is nice to be understood. It is nice to have someone to talk to about your culture and experiences. I merely want Shepard to get similar treatment from me, without the consort tearing down any progress with her…touch."
"And if the consort wanted Shepard? Like…you say that she treats other clients like this, but…if she's doing this, and she wants to do this to Shepard…what are you doing out here? Why not go in there and get her away from her?" Tali asked, bringing Liara to the decision that she was rather tired of Tali's inquisitiveness.
"I have no choice. I cannot interrupt a Matriarch, especially one as powerful as her. I am merely a maiden. There is nothing I could do to dissuade Sha'ira, and nothing that I could to do keep Shepard away if Sha'ira demanded her presence. Matriarchs get what they want, maidens generally cannot oppose their will." Liara explained tiredly, feeling terrible about the whole ordeal.
"That…is the silliest thing I've heard all day, and I've listened to Shepard stumbling over talking to elcor. We should go in there and get her out, if she's not going to be happy about being there." Tali insisted, pushing herself off the railing, only for Liara to catch her arm.
"Please, it is a bad idea to intrude. Even…even if I prefer that the commander not be involved with her. She is strong-willed, I trust that she will be fine." Liara stated, seeming to quell the quarians's resolve.
"Did…I miss something?" a voice called out from behind her. Liara turned to see a frazzled looking Shepard staring at the two of them with amusement.
"Shepard! I…didn't hear you approach. Are you well?" Liara asked, looking Shepard over to see if she was hurt in any way. She had heard stories of Sha'ira, and she didn't want to rule anything out.
"I'm alright, just…a lot on my mind. We're meeting Tevos in three hours." Shepard replied simply, bringing a smile to Liara's face. It will be so nice to see aunt Tevos again…
"That is wonderful, thank you." She said, feeling a wave of relief. Perhaps she will know something about mother…
"Yeah, and Sha'ira apparently set up a reservation at a nice restaurant while we wait." The human woman noted nonchalantly, turning to face Tali. "And if you're feeling up to it, there's some nice dextro stuff there, apparently. It'd be nice if you could come, but I know the fever's kind of taken a toll on you."
"I…think I'll have to sit out, but thanks Shepard. I'll call Garrus and gunnery chief Williams to bring me back to the ship." Tali said apologetically. Liara swore the quarian was looking at her as she continued. "I hope you two have a nice night, though."
Liara nearly blushed at the tinge of amusement audible on Tali's words, averting her gaze back to the pools. Shepard is not the only confusing person on the ship. Tali is perplexing as well. I cannot comprehend why she would find amusement in a dinner Sha'ira donated, or a reunion with Tevos. Perhaps it there was a cultural reference made that I was not aware of…or perhaps her translator glitched and there was a missed joke that she stated…
"Well, we'll at least escort you to C-Sec. Garrus and Ashley should be able to meet you there soon enough. Is that fine?" Shepard asked the quarian. The trio slowly walked down the presidium, toward the walkway, Liara fading her focus away from the other two's conversation. She couldn't help but feel a little relieved that Shepard seemed to be fine and calm, and couldn't help but wonder what the consort did in her absence.
Perhaps I shall ask over dinner…
A/N: Last chapter of November! Wow! Hard to imagine the month is practically over. And here I am, still with a number of large papers to finish. :P Well, writing is writing is writing. I hope you enjoyed this chapter :) I changed my avatar specifically because of it! Mayhaps you'll see more elcor action in the future (read: you will). I really would like to make them less of a footnote. I have some ideas around that, but I haven't quite locked them down yet…
I also have a gift for all of you who enjoy fluff….but you will have to wait to unwrap it until the start of December :) Less than a week's wait!
It's been a fun month, anyway, at least in terms of writing this (not in general…school's been really hectic and demanding), and I can only hope December will be nearly as good. That's why I'm going to try and start it off as well as I can.
Anywho, I hope life is treating all of you well. Thank you all for taking the time out of your lives to read my story, I hope it's brought you some entertainment so far. And thank you to those who have reviewed my chapters, as your words are encouraging and certainly thought provoking at times. It's a delight to hear from you. And thank you to all who have added my stories to your lists, I'm still kind of flabbergasted that I've done enough to earn that.
Anyway, it's cold here, so I'm going to curl up into a blanket until I can will myself to go make some hot chocolate :) Have a wonderful day!