A/n: I know, weird place to end this chapter but I figured I have to stop here because otherwise it would be a realllllllly long chapter because the next chapter will also take place at the party and I don't think you guys would like super long chapters or not? Let me know if you want longer chapters, but anywho! Enjoy!
"What the hell is this? Is he serious?" Garrus flailed his arms around as he paced back and forth through the quarters, stopping in his tracks once he caught glimpse of the calm Shepard. "How are you okay with this? This is utterly disgraceful." The turian babbled, staring down disgusted at his long sleeve tunic.
"I really don't care." Shepard said straightening her wreath crown. "He is testing us, and if a statement is what he wants, that's exactly what we must give him."
Garrus stared at the human with awe, "Everyone knows that long sleeves on warriors are…a sign of weakness." Shepard wasn't the type of person who initially tried to please everyone, they were just people, no matter their title, whether that be, King, queen, peasant or slave. It wasn't like their words mattered, they had no meaning, and even if they did to others they didn't to her.
The red head smirked, "Well, I'm positive "your highness" will be more than happy to test my strength and as well yours." Shepard slid a knife through her bracelet between the space of her forearm and the golden band. She knew there was something off about feron insisting on her appearance at a very important party, slaves were not guest, they were servants.
"And just want do you suppose will happen tonight?" Garrus said folding his arms over his chest, "A fight to death for the love of the princess?" He said with a shit-eating grin on his face. That perked shepards interest, she never thought about that, she did think however, that he would possibly try to humiliate her in front of her love, but she didn't think they would duel, liara didn't like violence after all.
"Hm…maybe I should beat him to the punch, shall I bring the princess a token of my gratitude for being such a worthy ruler?" Shepard lips pressed together. What could a woman who has everything possibly desire most of all? Shepard snapped her fingers, "Ah! I got it!" Garrus watched as his friend grabbed her notebook and began to scribble down words.
"Uh…Shepard? What are you doing?" Garrus asked, "I wasn't serious about feron actually trying to fight you, he's smarter than that." Which was undoubtedly true, feron was sneaky and manipulative, but Shepard was smart, decisive and cunning. She knew something was going to happen tonight, but just what was that little pig hiding? There's no way liara could possibly know about this, she cares about image of her kingdom too much to risk it for ferons silly obsession with getting revenge.
"No, no. I know, I'm simply writing liara a letter… to make her notice me." Shepard said the last part quietly. She longed for the asari princesses attention, those big blue eyes on her was something that Shepard craved day in and day out. She had even drawn liara countless of times just so maybe it would fill the void. "Besides, if I charm the tunic off of the delegates, he would be a fool to start an altercation, but there's no doubt in my mind that there will be one at the palace."
"Hm, I guess I should probably pack then?" Garrus said as he picked up a small, sharp blade in the back of his undergarments.
Finishing the letter, Shepard stuffed it in the front of her underwear, she stood up toward Garrus and nodded. "Glad to know you have my back. Let's take our leave now, tonight is bound to be one hell'uva night."
Tonight was very important for liara. There was rumors that the slave that had disgraced feron was making an appearance. Which, was a little unsettling for the young asari, but feron had invited her, so that took a little pressure off of the princess, but knowing feron..the pressure really should have been on.
Liara wanted to look nice, tonight she was to make an impression on the subjects of the kingdom, she would preform a dance with feron, to show the people that not only was there future ruler an elite biotic, but that she was graceful and delicate. Of course she was nervous about that but, she was more nervous about seeing Shepard. There wasn't a single doubt in her mind that Jane would talk to her, she was too straight forward and didn't care what the people whispered nor did she care who saw. Which was very, intimidating.
Liara wore her finest, whitest, silk tunic. It was a little less modest than what young maidens would wear, but tonight was too important not to look her best. With onside of the tunic being slit to her thigh, skin clinchingly tight at the abdomen and bust, even a little part that opened up exposing her upper belly to her belly button. She was sure to grab people's attention with a such out the norm outfit.
"Surely you can't be wearing that." Liara leaped at the sound of ferons voice, she hurried to regain her composure when she remember how he thrived off of her insecurities and naiveness. "You look like an expensive whore."
Liara face harden when she felt a pang in her stomach, she knew she shouldn't care what he said, but when no one told her anything but that, it was quite hard to believe herself over him. She decided to stand her ground, like she always did. "I think it is something different...something that could change the kingdoms view on things." Liara said as she placed her diamond tiara on her head.
Feron stepped closer to the asaris back, "Ah…you want to change the opinion on whores in the kingdom? Or are you trying to catch someone's eye?" The princess obviously tensed at the end of his statement. She knew exactly what he was trying to say, it would be nice to meet Shepard tonight and have an actual conversation with her, but she was not the asaris first priority.
"…I…do not know exactly what you're trying to imply feron. My main priority tonight is to make a good impression on the senate and my loyal subjects. Surely, I would want to grab their attention." Liara explained.
"Or the attention of a certain slave, rather?" Feron hissed. The drell trailed back to the door. "No worries, I believe, you will soon learn the truth about your beloved Shepard."
Liaras heart dropped, she had no proof, but she knew feron was bound to be up to something. "Tonight is about the kingdom, feron." Liara sighed, "Nothing more, nothing less."
Feron eyes narrowed, before completely leaving he let out a mumble, "We'll just see about that."
Upon arrival the party had already started. With music blaring and the already drunken guest, you would guess it was a teenage orgy. Nothing like shepard was expecting at least, wasn't this suppose to be a little, "party" like feron had insisted? Although, tonight was bound to be surprised filled, Shepard knew for a fact that the senators were suppose to be there, were they okay with this?
"…Wrong palace do you think?" Garrus said with just as much disbelief as Shepard felt.
The two walked toward the palaces open gate where two guards stood gaurd, Shepard couldn't imagine what would be behind those very doors, the royal parties were VERY exclusive, and now Shepard was starting to see why. "I think we might be in for a treat tonight Garrus." Jane whispered full of joy. The friends looked at each other, a smile spreading on shepards face and the turians mandibles twitching like crazy, they ran towards the huge palace doors, only to be stopped by two more asari guards.
"Halt! State your name human and turian." One of them commanded.
Garrus stepped in front of Shepard with a cocky smirk, "We are DEFINITELY on the list." He urged.
The red head pushed her more than intolerable friend to the side with an amused roll of her eyes, "Jane Shepard of Spain and archangel." Shepard said. She wasn't sure what feron had told the guards what their names were but not to toot her own her horn, but her name did carry weight now unintentionally.
"Oh, of course!" The gaurd said enthusiastically as both of them parted from the friends path. "Have a good time savior." They purred in Union.
The slave mates smiled, stepping toward the door and somehow freezing in their tracks. "Here we go." The read head breathed, Shepard pushed open the door, the music hit them like a wave, but that was the least overwhelming thing. Stepping in with their eyes wide and mouths even wider, the door shut behind them. It was almost completely dark in the palace with a red hue hanging over the place sinisterly, music the loudest it could be and people grinding and dancing.
"What the..." Shepard whispered.
"Drinks?" An asari in a very revealing black skin tight mini skirt and top offered to the two slaves. The friends, still in shock, snapped toward the voice. Neither one of them spoke, their mouths moved but the words seemed to get caught in their throat. "Oh! Is this your first time?"
Shepard blinked, "At a brothel?" This entire situation was more than eerie. Shepard knew that these parties were top notch but she never imagine the palace being completely turned into omega, the most popular brothel in all of the kingdom, for one night only.
"Wha-?" The waitress giggled making her breast jiggle slightly, almost hypnotic to the very, weak, human and Turian. "No! This is no brothel, just a simple party thrown by the leadership, although it is hosted by Aria T'cloak."
Garrus reached for the waitresses platter where she held drinks, "Uh I'll take one of those... I'll probably be needing this tonight." He downed the shot, immediately regretting it when it burned his thoart. "Sprits, be carful with that Shepard, its definitely rycnol."
"Goddess! Of course! You're Shepard the savior! Here…" the asari pushed the platter toward her eagerly. "Please take as many as you would like!"
Shepard smiled politely, "Oh no thanks I d-"
"Ladies and gentlemen! Please welcome our princess, lovely, Liara T'soni!" Shepards eyes turned to the bright light that hung over the staircase, her heart stopped even before Liara stepped down the stairs. She realized that she, Jane Shepard was in the presents of her love, and she was only a couple of feet away.
The crowd roared as soon as a blue foot emerged from the darkness of upstairs. Almost collapsing to the ground, Shepard regained her footing by grabbing onto Garrus. The red head watched as those gorgeous blue eyes shined in the light, and how her skin looked exceptional rich and lively in that very revealing dress. Shepard could feel a swelling downstairs as her eyes traced hungrily over liaras taut stomach muscles and supple thighs.
Shepard ears perked when, the asari was in mid-sentence, "…special guests here tonight, thank you so very much for joining us in this wondrous occasion, it is a pleasure to be greeted by your presence and hopefully I will be able to personally meet you all tonight."
Shepard zoned out again, and intensely stared at the Princess. She was so fucking beautiful, Shepard would have no choice but meet her tonight. She watched as her asari princess scanned the ground, her eyes coming to an halt when her eyes linked with shepards. The slave threw her a sly wink only to get a shy nod and blush, the asari looked away but every once in a while her eyes would find their way back to the savior.
Shepard turned to waitress, "On second thought I'll take some of those," Shepard took one of the glasses and downed it without any reaction.
"Show off." Garrus mumbled.
The red head smirked, "Either you can hold it or not." Shepard took four more shots before the waitress took her leave. She wasn't drunk, surprisingly, but maybe a little tipsy. After all, she could still feel her fingers, kinda. The crowd cheered one more time before the going back to mingle and watch the asari dance on the poles.
Finally, looking more relived than ever, the princess hurried down the rest of the stairs gracefully. Shepard knew she was coming over to her, she was actually shocked that she was, it was bolder than the human thought the asari could be just to come up to her. Then again it's probably just her poshness, it would be rude to not talk to Shepard in a sense.
"Here comes the princess…I should go." Garrus said scurrying off before Shepard could protest.
"Jane Shepard of Spain." Liara kicked herself for sounding too formal yet again as she walked closer to the human. "I am quite surprise to see you here, why, mustn't you get your rest for the next gladiator show?" She finished strongly.
"Princess, please, call me Shepard." Shepard continued when liara nodded in agreement. Good so far. "I suppose I should be resting, but I don't believe feron will be letting me preform too soon, but enough with formalities." Said Shepard with a smile as she watched the asari fidget under her gaze. "I'd like to talk about the last time we met. If you remember that is."
Liara stiffened, of courses she remember the loving caress in the dark, the whispers and the intense stares. It was the most companion she had got from anyone besides her parents. "O-Of course Shepard, I remember…it quite clearly actually."
Shepard shifted on her feet, she noticed the asari tensed posture, she didn't want to weird her out, but it seemed to fail miserably. "About that, I don't want to make you feel weird about what happened, it was just an…in the moment kind of thing." Shepard slinked into her awkward little girl tone, but she couldn't help it when she was around the one she adored.
Was she blushing? Even though it was hard to see in the almost complete dark, liara tried to make out the slight discoloration on shepards face. "It's quite alright Shepard. You were kind to me, you didn't hurt me even though you could have easily did so. I do not doubt the amount of character you possess."
"Thank you princess. Again, I'm sorry for the misunderstanding. It was completely inappropriate for me to touch royalty in such a promiscuous manner." Shepard apologized, she did feel a little bad for touching liara like that, but honestly, she wouldn't take it back for the world. "So um…if you don't mind me stealing you away from the rest of the crowd to get away from this music, would you like to go to the balcony? I would actually like to speak to you."
Liara was a little uneasy. "Yes of course, and please call me Liara. Hearing "your highness" or "Princess" gets oh-so tiresome."
The two made their way upstairs grabbing the attention of some of more important guest. They ignored them, they knew it would be rumors around the kingdom about them, but there was always a some rumor floating around, eventually it would die down and. A new ridiculous one would take its place.
Pushing the doors of the balcony open, Shepard let the cool, crisp, night air hit her face first. She heard Liara take in a deep breath with a sigh of relief, letting the princess pass her, she shut the door behind them to muffle the musical instruments. It was actually nice to get away from the loud noise, Shepard heard of that in the stadium and for some reason, she never took the princess for much of a partier, particularly because she was in her maiden stage and she didn't take it upon herself to be a dancer while she was young, that's another reason why Shepard liked Liara, she was always the outlier, completely different from anyone Shepard knew.
"Beautiful night isn't it?" Shepard said breaking the ice once again. She walked closer to the edge of the railing where Liara resided, looking off into the distance. "You don't see the stars burning this bright now a days."
Liara felt the corners of her lips twitch, as she felt shepards gaze upon her. "Yes, it's hard to really take the time to even notice that they shine at all." She watched the balls of gas glow in the distance, taking in the little time she had to be away from everything.
"Really?" Shepard smiled slightly, "Why, princess, I've always took you for someone who was always interested in the different things in the world than what everyone else strived for. I would think you would make time for the things you enjoyed most of all."
Liara smiled fully this time, but it was weary. "I do sometimes feel like there's no one who appreciates the things I do, that's why I do spend most of my time in my library or in my lab studying new discoveries. Have you never wondered what there is to the world? How extraordinary the tiniest things can be, say like…" the princess pointed enthusiastically to a star in the distance. "That star, simply to us it is just a incandescent luminous ball of gas kept in the sky by gravity, but what if it's more to it than it seems? What if it's some sort of distant planet far in the galaxy that obtains life? Or some sort of advance technology created by someone who was here long ago? Could you imagine the things that we will discover in the future? How far we can stretch until there's no more room? The possibilities are endless! Everything so far has been
Mystery, but when will something or someone discover us!"
Shepard resisted the urge to burst into laughter, but failed miserably. Liara came down from her high to see Shepard giggling at her, she did feel a little hurt and of course her face said it all. "Please!…F-forgive me princess!" Shepard chuckled out.
Liara felt a pang of anger and hurt, she had never opened up to someone like this so easily, showing her more than childish manner was beyond personal, it just seemed right with Shepard somehow, she supposed she was wrong. Liara hardened with a blush. "It was nice speaking to you Shepard, but I must get back to my guest." Liara began to rush to the door when she felt shepards hand on her wrist, and in the next moment she whipped around to face a smiling human.
"Liara, I wasn't laughing at your passion. I was laughing at how you don't express yourself like this more often. It was quite a spectacular sight your highness." Shepard smirked, "Even if your entire demeanor was adolescent to say the least…It was a truly beautiful display."
Liara flushed even deeper in the moonlight, never has anyone stared with such compassion at her. She felt the urge to cover her cheeks to cool them down, but it didn't help as Shepard watched her squirm even more. "I-I…goddess than you Shepard, for second I thought I had made a complete fool of myself. I tend to always do so." Liara admitted. Why was she being so open with Shepard? Why did she trust the slave so much more than anyone who she had ever talked to?
"Don't worry princess, I find it charming. Quite refreshing actually." Shepard continued, even though she could obviously see that Liara felt undoubtedly uncomfortable, but if she really didn't want to hear shepards words she would kindly excuse herself. "I have to admit, that I've always found you intriguing."
The asari peered down at her feet, "Goddess Shepard, I'm not use to such praise. Although I will say it is much appreciated, but you are also very exceptional yourself Shepard." Liara said nervously.
"Well, just exceptional? What about gallant? Dashing? Conventionally hilarious?" Shepard watched as the princesses smile spread wider. "I mean, exceptional is one of many things I would use to describe me, but personally I have other preferences." She mocked.
Liara smiled, completely humored with shepards audacity she even let out a giggle. At first it took Shepard by surprise, but in the end made her heart melt like butter, it was so sweet, innocent and rich like something Shepard could listen to on repeat if possible. "My greatest apologies, shepard. You are more than exceptional, and even greater than all those other words together."
"Oh." Shepard said sauntering closer, "That so princess? Well, if I didn't know better, i'd say you were flirting with me." There was that primal look again, this time a little more playful, but still intense enough to make Liara shiver, Shepard saw the flush in her cheeks and the curious glare in her eyes.
"I…I don't know what to say." Liara admitted lamely. "No one has ever been so blunt with me."
Shepard snorted, "Do not worry princess I am but a simple admirer." The red head bravely reached for liaras arm, when the asari didn't pull away Shepard gently caressed her arm, dragging her fingertips over the blue skin down to her hand. "But I wouldn't mind a friend…" Shepard interlocked their fingers. "And I think this could a start to a beautiful relationship."