During the Normandy's restocking, Shepard ran errands around the Citadel, checking off items on her lengthy to-do list. She began at the hospital, delivering an experimental medi-gel formula to Dr. Ravin, which she had obtained during a Cerberus Lab raid. Next, she dropped off Cerberus automated turret schematics to C-Sec, which they had gathered to disable the anti-personnel devices left behind by Cerberus during their failed coup. Then, she found and purchased GX12 thermal pipes requested by Chief Engineer Adams and had them delivered directly to the ship.
And finally, her last errand was finding a gift for Arius, but the endeavour proved difficult. The war had caused a shortage of specialty items on the market, and the prices were inflated. To make matters worse, secondary to physically finding a present was the familiar guilt of undue selfishness, the knowledge that while the Citadel was packed with throngs of people suffering from lack in all respects, she was devoting time to a frivolous pursuit of her individual wants. Adding to her distress was the recent death of Thane, which made her consider giving up on the idea entirely save for some internal stubbornness she refused to budge on - Cerberus would not take this from her, no matter how small.
While browsing a confectionery merchant terminal, she chanced upon a small, inexpensive item that caught her eye. Her discovery was a long shot, but while researching the ancient Mesopotamian god Marduk, she skimmed through a section detailing traditional ritual offerings, including sweet cakes made from dates and nuts, honey, and beer. Intrigued, she searched her memory for any indication that Arius was fond of those items and recalled that honey seemed to appear around him often. He always had a bottle ready to sweeten his tea, and he had used the sugary substance in more than a few dishes he had made for them. Though the item seemed insignificant, it was better than nothing, so she purchased it from the merchant and returned to the ship with it in her pocket.
.
"And how did she react?" she asked.
"At first, Aria found it disrespectful that you sent a crew member instead of going yourself," he replied, his eyes meeting hers. She gave him a pointed look, conveying her thoughts on the matter, and he quickly raised his hand to stop her from chastising him further.
"I know, I know. I take full responsibility for those optics. I'm the one who tried to convince you to let me go in your stead. But don't worry, her opinion changed once we started working," he said, motioning upwards to display the scans of the Adjutants he had made while on Omega. The creatures had hunched, bloated forms that seemed to hobble but could move startlingly quickly. Their permanently open eyes were perfectly round and as bright as flashlights, and thick cables jutted from their mouths where tentacle-like appendages had once flowed.
"I'm still reeling from knowing that this virus is based on the Inusannon," she said. "The statues on Ilos haunted me for a while. To turn a corner on Omega and see these…"
"It gives me shivers. A nightmare I haven't had for two cycles brought back to life," he said, shuddering to clear the image from his head. "But we managed to bring the situation under control, though not without cost. Nyreen Kandros, the leader of the Talons mercenary group, sacrificed herself along with a large group of Adjutants charging toward civilians during the final push. It was a noble sacrifice but a woeful one. Nyreen and Aria had a history and were close; Nyreen was the more compassionate half, I wager, while Aria has more renegade tendencies."
"It sounds like Nyreen really cared about the people of Omega."
"They both did in their own ways."
"What about the Cerberus general? Aria wouldn't let someone who wronged her live, even if they surrendered."
"You're right, she wouldn't. After we retook HQ, she tried to strangle the man to death with her own hands."
"Tried? What stopped her?"
"I managed to dissuade her before the effects became more permanent."
"Ha. That's a minor feat in and of itself." Shepard searched through the messages on her omni-tool and displayed one she had received from the Alliance brass. "You'll be happy to know that General Petrovsky already gave up information on some of Cerberus's activities, including the location of the Cerberus lab working on the virus. The Alliance has since obliterated the base."
"Excellent. I'd like to see the ghosts of the Inusannon put to rest - permanently this time."
Debriefing complete, Arius raised the lights' luminosity and shut down the holographic projections. "I will take my leave now unless there is something else you wish to discuss?"
"We're good for now. If you're going back down, I'll accompany you; I need to talk to Adams in Engineering."
He nodded, and they jointly walked out of the conference room, rounding the corner and taking the elevator down. Just as Shepard stepped out, she remembered the item she had left in her pocket earlier.
"Hey, Arius, before I forget, I got you something while I was passing through the markets earlier," she told him, handing him the item. "Made me think of you. Thought you would like them."
He seemed surprised by her gesture, and he took the item from her hand and looked down at what she had passed him. It was a small, transparent bag filled with loose, hard candies made from honey.
"Oh!" he exclaimed, his face lighting up with delight. He ripped open the bag with childish impatience and popped one of the golden-coloured, hexagon-shaped candies in his mouth. A look of simple bliss crossed his face, and he nearly purred.
"Mmm. Might be my favourite sweet," he mumbled, words slightly obfuscated by the candy. "Ah, where are my manners! Would you like one?" he offered, sheepishly extending the bag's opening back to her.
"I got the sense you and honey go way back," she explained, taking one herself, feeling optimistic about his reaction.
"It's always been a treat," Arius confirmed, picking a second candy from the bag and holding it up to the overhead light as if appraising a valuable gemstone. "There were times of scarcity during my meandering that I would have traded all the treasures of the deep earth for just a bite of the sweet comb." As he lowered his arm, his eyes flashed in remembrance, recalling positive memories. "Although, I suppose it goes even a bit further from that. The first time I tried it on Earth... it reminded me of Thessia in a way I never expected."
"Of Thessia? How so?"
"There's a common plant that grows there named Iirssal. I didn't know it then, but when they blossom, they smell like how Earth honey tastes. It's a strange coincidence, don't you think?"
"Huh, I didn't know that. Doesn't Thessia also have honeybees?"
"Yes, they do, but they look dissimilar. Their honey also doesn't have the same colour or flavour - I blame the eezo. The first time I saw Earth honey made by your Apis, I was amazed. I had never seen such a rich golden colour, like liquid sunlight. Infinite shelf life, too; been food and medicine for thousands of years."
His face wore that wistful, soft look, smiling in that way with his eyes that melted her heart - but instead of remaining distant as they usually did, they refocused and settled back on hers with direct intensity, fully present in the moment. "Thank you, Eden, that was very thoughtful."
He looked so pleased to have received the cheap, simple gift that it took Shepard aback, nearly causing her to flounder her reply. He popped the second candy into his mouth and hummed with pleasure as they walked toward the doors of the starboard cargo hold.
"Hmm, I better stow these away before I finish them all in one go. Well, we've reached our stop. I'll be seeing you later?" Arius asked as they parted ways, leaving Shepard with a light fluttering feeling in her chest.
She distractedly resumed walking, wondering where she had meant to be going. Engineering, was it?
.
Her good mood persisted throughout the day, and she slowly made her rounds about the ship.
"Greetings, Shepard," the AI voiced as she was approached.
"Hey, EDI. Looks like you're deep in thought again."
"You are correct."
"Anything big and world-shaking? Man's inhumanity to man? Does objective reality exist? That kind of thing?"
"I was analyzing Jeff's behaviour through various scenarios. I believe he has developed a strong emotional attachment to me, but he has not expressed it to anyone yet. Shepard, you have experience with romantic relationships. How can you tell when someone is interested in you?"
This was not the direction of the conversation that Shepard anticipated from the AI.
"Well, usually they display signs of being unable to stop thinking about you. They might ask you out, give you gifts, or even play music for you…"
EDI crossed her arms and lowered her gaze as if contemplating. "I don't desire material possessions other than upgrades to my hardware and software, and my programming doesn't assign value to music."
"Well, there are numerous resources available that provide helpful tips. Maybe you should read them. References are always helpful."
"I have read them, but the information is self-contradictory and assumes that the reader is part of Earth subcultures. When you're interested in someone, what kind of advances do you make?"
"Well, you might have intimate conversations, give thoughtful gifts, or even joke around with each other…"
"I have observed such advances between you and Arius, so that seems relatively accurate."
Shepard blinked. "I … uh … that's-"
But EDI persisted, oblivious to the slight flush on her face. "Jeff often tries to lighten the mood with humor. That could indicate a repeating chance that he cares for me. However, that's insufficient data for determining his motives."
"I don't think that's information you need to know."
"I understand. Revealing private information can undermine trust. I have done so in the past. Perhaps we could discuss how to encourage Jeff to make an emotional commitment."
"That's not how you should approach it. It should come naturally. There needs to be chemistry."
"I see. There are various pharmaceuticals I could inject to simulate the desired emotional state."
"No, I mean, relax and do something you both enjoy. Something simple. For example, you both like humor."
"Right. I will check to see if there are any comedic entertainment shows on the Citadel. Scanning... Do you think he would enjoy 'The Man Who Hung Himself'? It seems to be about an amorous plastic surgeon."
"EDI, the key is to have a good time wherever you go. If you're having fun, he probably will too."
"Then the outcome is uncertain, but you're suggesting I give it a try anyway."
Shepard sighed. "No one has ever fallen in love without being a little courageous."
"I understand. Thank you, Shepard. I believe you have increased my chances."
As she watched EDI retreat, a strange blend of astonishment and humour washed over her. The fact that she had just offered love advice to an artificial intelligence, particularly to one as bound by strict programming as EDI had once been, was a surreal experience. Yet, the AI's sincere fascination with human emotions and connections were endearing. Stranger things had probably happened, and despite the unlikely match, she found herself pondering the possibility as she returned back through the CIC. Whatever the case, their current events highlighted the value of the time they had left.
"Commander," Specialist Traynor flagged her as she crossed the CIC, "you have an urgent message from the quarian admiralty."