The second day of shore leave and Lenaye's last day to spend with Tia resulted in a deathly silent handoff under the close supervision of Edwin Haestrom and a bored guardsman. Dr. Appan rescued Mycerra immediately after for consultation about the biotic ability suppression pills. They conducted the consultation in her office. One small regret she harbored about the prefab office was the lack of openable windows. Instead, the built in AC unit cooled the office to a comfortable seventy degrees and cycled in fresh air.
She sat behind the desk in her supremely annoying chair she considered throwing out the window daily. She'd replace it soon, when she had time, she promised herself.
Dr. Appan walked the office wall to wall and accounted for the items in the cubicle shelving. He a dirty look to the chair offered before rejecting it entirely. She empathized. However, if she tried to throw them out, someone would pitch a social media fit and then she'd have to explain it away while looking like a materialistic jerk. Her ass and spine needed a better chair!
Without fanfare, he launched into a fantastical tale about the asari behaving badly (again) and the salarians almost suffering for it. Her brow crept up her forehead minute by minute until he wrapped it up matter-of-factly. She followed the tale of political disregard for non-asari biotics easily enough, and she empathized with both sides. Omega taught her the salarians earned the scathing attempt and the near failure of the galactic defense against the Reapers earned the asari a rightful lashing to their pride.
"Doc, are you saying the medication you want me to take originated as an attack against salarian biotics by the asari government?" Mycerra asked in extreme confusion. "And I should trust it's not loaded with long term consequences?"
"You prefer death?" Dr. Appan asked in disbelief.
She sighed. "No, but it being a biological weapon of terror isn't the best origins."
"Humans created medigel, an invention that is incredibly useful to the galactic community – and unlawful by anti-genetic modification laws. Yet we're allowing it to be shared." Dr. Appan lifted her helmet off the top of the shelf and held it. "It's not the most ideal origins, but I can list twenty plus medications without research that share similar dark origins."
She considered challenging him and decided against it. Dealing with Lenaye yesterday exhausted her desire to argue, debate, or otherwise exchange charged banter.
"I assure you the only purpose of the pills are to suppress your biotic abilities. Asari tested it. Salarians 'tested' it. And now humans have the opportunity." He gestured broadly, helmet in one hand.
She leaned forward. "I'm starting to understand why 'salarians' and the words 'doctor' and 'scientist' should never be in the same sentence." She remarked wryly.
He cocked his head and smiled.
"How often do you want La'Quoia to test me?" She switched to business mode, disinterested in dragging out the unpleasantness. "Weekly? Monthly? Biweekly? Biannually?" She rolled her hands in prompting.
Dr. Appan placed the helmet back on the shelf top. "Once a month. Take a pill once a day, try to take it at or near the same time, and with water." He considered the poor excuse of the minimalist chair in front of her desk and shook his head. "Replace these chairs. It's bad for your back."
She smiled sweetly. "I would…except I have no one to donate them to."
"I know the perfect person to gift them too. I'll ensure they're retrieved before we leave today." He gloated.
She shrugged. "I'll have to speak with my other biotic specialist about the pills. She's been having me track my moods during the lows and peaks of excess biotic energy. I did notice the happier or more neutral I've been, the less excess energy there was. Considering most of my life was miserable, I'm sure I've lost years against the battle of arthritis."
"And the other therapist?" Dr. Appan paced the office.
She put her hands behind her head and swiveled to face the window that showcased Haven 1 on a sunny day. She admired the vibrant life cycles of the inhabitants within view. "Talking helps. I don't think it'll resolve the totality of my issues, but then again – "She swiveled to face him again and crossed her arms over her chest. "I have two decades worth of trauma. I'll never recover from it. I can only hope to adapt."
"I was wondering if you'd be interested in donating your body for science at the end of your lifespan. It'll benefit all biotics." He encroached gently. "I'm aware that death is not something you wish to think about, especially in your youthful years, but you can save lives by advancing medical knowledge for biotics rare as you are."
She gave him a deadpan look.
"You defied the twisting nature of the biology you're cursed with. You are a unique adaptation, not mutational, but externally discovered and nurtured. I don't know how you discovered your technique or how you manipulate it, but it is effective. You are nearing your thirties, something no salarian has boasted of. Asari won't admit to defective biotics." He rambled in rising excitement.
She covered her eyes with her hands and breathed into the heel of her palms.
"You are medical advancement."
If someone like Dr. Appan approached her as a teenager, she'd jump on the cause in a heartbeat. Now? She already survived the impossible and more. She wanted peace and quiet, not accolades and needles.
"I appreciate the enthusiasm, Doc, but I'm not sure I can stop the biotics from warping my failing body when I do reach that age. I've seen older biotics, and I'm not sure how much time you've spent with our elderly. They're not exactly nimble or mentally competent. Some of them will surprise you, but memory fades, body fails."
Pills or not, she couldn't hide from death forever.
He placed his palms on her desk. "Think about it. I'm not saying you need to lose yourself to selflessness, but it's worth the time to weigh and judge for yourself." He said with the best bedside manner she'd seen in years.
She smiled in spite of her reservations. "Do you know if Nihlus or Titus had anything to do with the blog being taken down, by the way? I've been reading the comment strings on the platforms, and I'm being accused of it. Titus is the other candidate locals settled on. I know for a fact I had nothing to do with it."
"Nihlus was too busy handling a fist fight between two humans and a turian crew member to know about the blog." Dr. Appan supplied. "Your Defense Specialist may have had a hand in it, but I highly doubt he knows how to force a blog off the extranet."
Her brow lifted. "Why do I get the feeling you're not entirely innocent?" She poked.
He smiled mischievously. "I am salarian. Why should I not?"
She laughed. "I guess we'll never know for certain, will we?"
Her favorite anti blogger blamed her for the takedown. She'd take credit for if she instigated it. She avoided their blog like the reapers during the assault, and like the reapers during the assault, the blog always seemed to find her in one form or another. She'd never admit out loud that she was glad it was taken down.
"If I had to wager, it's someone who's tech savvy." Dr. Appan offered.
A part of her believed him party of the conspiracy and no amount of evidence would convince her otherwise. Never misjudge a salarian. She smiled, overly amused by the situation before her. The best part? She didn't have to lift a finger to help her enemy.
"Whoever it was earned my temporary goodwill." She freely shared on the off chance he knew the person involved. "When is the boarding time for the crew? I'm sure Nihlus is clamoring to leave Earth after seeing all the awful human beings."
He noted her teasing tone and leaned over conspiratorially. "The turian hierarchy would lose their minds if they learned all humans are as difficult as you." He contained his laughter.
"I'm sure Palaven already prepared the rest of his politicians for the likes of me. Besides, there's a much better representative of humanity married to Nihlus. All joking aside, Pacyra is built for that job, not me." She sighed dramatically. "The Alliance trained her to be the best, and damned if she didn't follow that logic in marriage too."
Dr. Appan bowed out of the office before their conversation devolved into jabs and jokes.
She placed the pills on the desktop and pulled one out. She rolled it between her fingers, the chalkiness lingering on her fingertips. "With water." She reminded herself.
She added an office water dispenser to the list of office upgrades.
Placing the pill back into the bag, she resigned herself to living without biotic abilities. If it meant more years with Amani and Tia, she'd find new, intriguing tech tactics of offensive and defensive nature.
Instead of sulking in her own misery and self-pity, Mycerra chose to spend the last visitation hours with the crew. She joined Tannetus Kloss at Tiny's for drinks and caught up with him over current events that trickled to earth in small packets.
"Did you hear about the Krogan declaring Omega as Krogan domain?" Tannetus asked her on his second drink. "Aria T'Loak refuses to give up the station. Lotticia Hinder is heading up the space battles to repel the krogan who haven't landed on Omega. It's first page news on the Citadel."
Mycerra gestured to the rest of the bar interior. A quiet couple ate street tacos alongside their untouched beers. "Does this look like the Citadel?"
"I forgot. Front page news in Harretsburg is the rebuilding efforts. I'd take your front page over the Citadel's." Tannetus said and pushed a vial of Dextrose to her. "Also, this. I'll take a hundred of these."
She picked up the vial of liquid and shook it. It swished satisfactorily. She wondered what it tasted like. Tannetus never lifted his eyes off the precious vial. She placed it squarely back in his hand reassuringly.
"I don't think I'm the right person to ask about that. Maybe Titus." She patted Tannetus's shoulder. "I'm out before Titus starts harping about me being in a bar in public during operating hours."
Tannetus laughed at her. "As if he doesn't already know."
"Oh, I know, but if I leave now, the lecture will be a half hour less than if I stay longer. Take care of yourself." She tipped the bartender and stepped out into the sunlight. Flinching from the direct rays, she shielded her eyes with her hands. A cool breeze whipped past her and carried with the distinctive smell of turian cologne.
Her head turned in time to catch Aurellian walking with Nihlus. She edged toward the alley between the building and meandered back toward somewhere more acceptable. She walked right into Javik and froze.
He held her in place by her arms. She placed a finger to her lips until the high profile turians walked past. "You are nothing except nerves." He remarked coolly.
She wished for an extra half foot of height, so she didn't have to constantly look up at aliens as much as she currently did.
"Are you well?" He asked genuinely.
"Always and never." She quipped.
"All is well with the Coltons?" He asked in a lowered voice.
She cocked a brow at his concern. She lifted his hands off her arms and held them for a brief second. "All is well with Pacyra and I. Should I be worried?" She countered.
He squeezed her hands a brief second and dropped his hands back to his side. "One can never be overly careful with new acquaintances and their shared history." He said.
Mycerra stepped to the side. "I swear on my itty-bitty heart, to never kill Pacyra. I apologize if I gave you the impression. I'm not willing to cross the most reprehensible boundaries." She wanted to be insulted he'd believe it, but she knew the history tainted first impression and general goodwill.
He started to speak and stopped himself. "As you were."
"As you were." She shot back evenly.
They walked in different directions, Mycerra wondering why Javik acted weird.
She spotted several turians and Dr. Appan at the memorial wall. Approaching the area gently, she quietly stood between the XO and Dr. Appan. One bowed their head toward the plaque and prayed in a dialect Mycerra hadn't heard before. She nudged Dr. Appan with her elbow. "Is everything well?" She whispered.
He looked down. "What do you mean?"
"Javik is acting strange again." She nodded to the eavesdropping XO. "Have I upset my dearest sister?"
"You are not the only one with an undesirable mother-in-law." Dr. Appan shared. "Councilor Ysett undermined your sister's qualifications during the journey here. She suggested that Pacyra hid her mental illness well."
The words bounced off Mycerra's thick skin harmlessly.
"If anyone is mentally ill in the Colton family, it'd arguably be me." She said charitably. "As far as I know I am not mentally ill. I am simply exhausted from social expectations that my issues should vanish because people are nice to me."
"Mrs. Kryik is a difficult woman as well." Dr. Appan allowed hesitantly. "Your sister is under duress from both. Javik is witness to it all."
Mycerra smiled at the XO, who didn't bother to hide his interest in the conversation.
"It is not your concern. Nihlus is handling it." Dr. Appan assured her.
She laughed. "I wasn't concerned. I was curious. Although, I am curious as to why you're visiting the memorial. There aren't any turian names we recorded. Nor salarian." She wrapped her arm around Dr. Appan's.
"To pray for the lost and to commune with them is to show respect." The XO explained. "Those who gave their lives, regardless of their species, deserves to be honored."
"I know, but in my experience, humans aren't high on the pecking order of authority in the galaxy. Granted the council is undergoing changes to allow a broader representation on the Galactic Council, but that's not entirely completed nor a fix-all for the damage caused. I figured our losses would be unimportant to visitors."
"Humans are rising rapidly in galactic politics." The XO kindly argued. "Admiral Hackett is well respected among the survivors and Ambassador Anderson and his wife Kahlee Sanders are well respected on the Citadel. Your transplant, Galaxy Portman, made the fourth page news of the Citadel News for her academic intelligence and passion for science. Commander John Shepard and Major Kaiden Alenko earned their own accolades as well."
"That's a handful of examples, XO." She reminded him.
"A handful who speak well for their species. Your documentary film crew has requested us to be part of their biotic documentary. We refused." The XO's disapproval tinged his otherwise neutral façade. "Humans have a way of acting in and out of accord with society as a whole. It is unpredictable."
She grinned. "My good sir, unpredictability is what defines us. Other than our virtues, I am told. Vasa found it curious that our genetic diversity outstripped the diversity among asari, turians…salarian even. I'm surprised Dr. Appan isn't recruiting multiple human biotics for his trials."
The XO gave Dr. Appan a dirty look. Mycerra conveniently studied her boots for a moment.
"I apologize for invading the spiritual space." Mycerra released Dr. Appan's arm. "I must have a word with my mother-in-law before she leaves. Would you happen to know- "
The XO checked his omni tool. "She is walking in the gardens of your shopping center." He answered readily.
A shiver danced down her spine. Bad memories poked at her generally good mood. A hand brushed over her hip where Balencia shot her.
"Thank you." She bowed out of their personal space and speed walked to the shopping center.
Fortunately, the engineers determined the building to be stable and on stable ground. Unfortunately, the internal spaces needed rebuilt. The businesses housed in the shopping center primarily served Haven 1 and the limited space prevented any greedy entrepreneurs from expanding without needing to rebuild surrounding rubble ground up.
She discovered Lenaye and Tia partaking in Botanist Kim's hard work, a thriving garden that greatly benefited from the open courtyard and consistent sunlight. For colder months, a sunroof enclosed the courtyard roof to allow year-round thriving plant life.
The delightful fresh air and nature's earthy perfume grounded her in a happy place.
"I will not run away with Tia, Mycerra." Lenaye's icy tone cut through the happiness.
Mycerra cleared her throat and tried to sink roots into the happy place again. She failed to properly attune to the gentle atmosphere. "I know. Nihlus would never permit it. I wanted to speak with you. About family." She seated herself on the stone bench at the rim of the water fountain next to Lenaye.
Lenaye tensed.
"Firstly, keep Pacyra out of it. I know you don't like me, and that's fine. Pacyra did nothing to you. If anyone is going to give her a hard time, it'll be me, the pain in the ass little sister, not the extended family that hates humans." Mycerra said calmly. "Secondly, I wanted to extend an offer to you, not because I am fond of you as a person, but you care about Tia and want to be part of her life. I grew up without blooded family and I don't want Tia to live like that. If you want to spend time with Tia, I will not object to you visiting Earth to spend time with her. Supervised."
Lenaye placed Tia on the cobble stone pathway carefully. "You would allow that?" She asked in confusion.
"I'm a reasonable person, Lenaye. I love Amani. I love Tia. I know the importance of family. I may not like you, but you are Amani's mother, and in your own way you do care about her. A little too much, in my opinion, but I'm not here to argue." Mycerra instinctively flexed her hand to expel the built-up biotic energy. "That's my offer."
Lenaye sat in shell shocked silence for several minutes. Mycerra amused Tia and enjoyed the scents of nature. The silence deepened between them until Lenaye broke it with the kindest tone she ever used toward Mycerra.
"And I could visit as often as I like, as long as I like?"
"I mean, I'd need a heads up so I can arrange a place for you to stay. You may have to pay for lodging, but I can ensure there is availability."
"I would be permitted to teach my granddaughter about asari culture?" Lenaye asked cautiously.
Mycerra casually listed off all the fairy tales they've told Tia from the many galactic races – Asari, Turian, Drell, Hanar, Krogan.
"And one day she'd be permitted to visit Cyone?" Lenaye dared.
Mycerra sighed. Her gut twisted and shouted no. "I would like to see where Amani was raised and I have no objection to Amani, when she is older, spending time alone with you on Cyone." She hated the very idea of it and didn't trust Lenaye not to trash talk her, but older children were smarter than younger children. Tia would know what was and what wasn't true at that point, she hoped.
"And you're offering this to me after everything?" Lenaye said skeptically.
Mycerra shrugged. "My parents are dead. I hate them. They ruined my life. That doesn't mean I don't want to have a long talk with them about the why and if there weren't any doubts they harbored over the years. So many questions that they will never answer because they're dead. I am denied an important part of my past because the only links to it are dead. Tia shouldn't have that done to her. It's wrong." Her voice dipped and she studied the cobblestone's curvature dully.
Another pause extended between them, this one more awkward than the last.
"Every six months is acceptable?" Lenaye finally asked.
"Every six months is fine. I can't guarantee that the lodging will be free." Mycerra gathered her scattered nerves and booted the anxieties to the curb. "I need a heads up. Tia is a favorite here, and she has many an uncle or aunt who don't trust strangers around her. You may be a grandmother, but you're a stranger according to the people who help me take care of her during work hours."
Lenaye frowned. "Communication raises the quality of logistics." She agreed begrudgingly.
"Speaking of logistics, I've heard the krogan are taking Omega apart. Is Amani alright? I haven't spoken to her in weeks." Mycerra asked sincerely. "I know that nothing good comes from Krogan at war. Except maybe destroying the reapers."
The elder fell silent a moment too long for Mycerra's comfort. "Aria has assured me that Amani is safe." She answered sincerely.
"Hopefully she makes it to a safe location far, far, far from Omega." Mycerra opined.
"Agreed." Lenaye shifted uncomfortably.
Mycerra gave Tia a quick peck on the cheek before leaving Lenaye alone in the garden. She checked in with the business owners at the shopping center as part of her mayoral duties. The hours cranked past for the conflict avoidant mayor determined to make the best of her circumstances. She logged in their requests, complaints and suggestions on an extensive to-do list that dictated how she spend most of her working hours outside of gym time midday and unexpected calls from friends and acquaintances. Lenaye intercepted her before she departed once more for the maze of buildings that comprised Haven 1.
"I'm sorry." Lenaye struggled. "We both love Amani. I don't support your freeform approach, but you care in your own way."
Mycerra bristled under the jab. "Bygones are bygones, right?"
"Absolutely." Lenaye lied.
Mycerra lied too. "We can start fresh."
They eyed each other up contentiously for a moment. "I heard about this ice cream shop. Any recommendations?" Lenaye tried to make nice.
Mycerra emailed her a map of Haven 1. "Enjoy." She said flatly.
Mycerra deflated upon leaving the shopping center. The right thing mostly felt right, until now. Trusting Lenaye felt wrong. Everything about Lenaye felt wrong. The effort counted, right? She needed to try, otherwise she'd disappoint Amani. She didn't want to disappoint the woman she loved.
She checked the time. No time like the present to slip back into the office, check the emails, check the voice messages, and hopefully Amani finally responded to her attempts at communication.
She entered to Nihlus and Pacyra half dressed. "Nope, nope, nope." Covering her eyes, she backed out.
"Sorry!" Pacyra called out.
"It's fine. Just uh…um use the sanitation wipes when you're uh…finished." She said without turning around.
Her omni tool pinged. She answered the call from Nihlus. "We're fine for the hour?" He asked.
She locked the door via omni tool and set the timer for an hour to unlock. "Have fun. Don't wreck the shelves, please?"
Laughter echoed. "This never happened." Nihlus declared.
"Of course not." Mycerra made a mental note to scrub everything down after they left. "Besides someone should enjoy the desk." She ended the call purposely and hoped the couple enjoyed themselves.
Sulking in her own self-pity, Mycerra returned to Tiny's and resolved to have a drink. The bartender left her alone with a one drink maximum limit and called Titus Deltano to update him.
She raised her glass to the man. "To Titus." She said.
"To the man that keeps us all safe." The bartender agreed. "You look like you need a week of rest."
"More like a year, maybe a decade." She mused humorously. "Hey, how's that blogger doing? The one that likes to post awful things about me. I feel bad about their blog being taken down."
The bartender leaned on the bar and reached for a glass of water. "They'll live."
"It wasn't me." She said reflexively.
"I know." The bartender smiled. "You aren't capable of hacking. You purposefully ignore the blogger while they tear you down- "
She sipped the cheap beer.
"- and you do nothing. It's admirable, and it's stupid." The bartender continued to drink his water. "You listen. You try. You're real. We respect that. You can't win the war without a bit of fuckery."
"I suppose, since you're in the giving mood, you can help me find new tech toys to offset my lack of biotics in potential combat?" She asked hopefully.
The bartender grinned. "I think I know a few tricks I can introduce you to."
She stared into the bottom of her drink. Was she speaking with the person who helped take down the blog? Why did it upset her if they were? She brushed off the guilt and chose to ignore the nagging voice ordering her to dig and dive.
"Life will improve, Mayor. You have to believe." He raised his glass of water to her. She raised her drink to him. "You have to believe."
She bowed her head, closed her eyes, and tried to believe.
The noise picked up around her as the usual crowd filed in. She checked the time, finished the drink, and paid the tab. The bartender slipped her a card. A name, hastily scrawled across it, stared up at her. The bartender saluted her.
She flipped it over to a blank side.
"Thank you." She said.
Seeing off the Normandy SR2 and collecting Tia, Mycerra put the name in the back of her mind as a to-do for another day. The cranky Tia resisted sleep.
Javik held back on the ramp. She helped Tia wave goodbye.
"The prothean is acting weird." Aurellian commented.
She turned to the turian. "Yes, he is. Even for him. I hope it's nothing serious." She tried to kiss Tia and earned a disgusted look from the child.
"I have a feeling something is happening bigger than us. I want nothing to do with it." Aurellian protested. "I'm glad they're gone. I can go back to my boring routine."
She slapped his back supportively.
"Please tell me they're not visiting again this year?" He pleaded.
She shrugged. "I don't know. I do know to knock before entering my office when they do though."
He choked on his dextrose water.
"If anyone needs me, Miss Crank and I will be scrubbing the office." She informed Aurellian glibly. Aurellian affectionately patted Tia's tendrils.