The two of them worked together to assemble the various cooked foods on plates, serving the others with a shared purpose. The aroma was tantalizing: a blend of spices, roasted vegetables, and tender, succulent meats wafting through the air. The crew had transformed the beach into a cozy dining area with mats, blankets, and logs. They gathered around the fire, their laughter genuine and conversations light. Tali handed Shepard a steaming mug, the warmth seeping into her hands, a comforting contrast to the cool sea breeze. Liara offered a plate of colourful, exotic fruits, their vibrant hues adding a touch of delight to the moment. Javik and Grunt proudly distributed the fish they had caught, fresh and light, while Vega and Cortez passed around their skewers with grilled vegetables and meat. "Try this, Shepard. Reminds me of what my abuela used to make," Vega said with a nostalgic smile.
Settling down, Shepard leaned back, feeling the warmth of the fire caressing her face. The smell of the abundant food mingled with the salty sea air, creating an intoxicating aroma. She savoured every bite, the physical exertion of the day making the meal all the more satisfying.
As they ate, the crew shared stories of their day's adventures. Tali spoke of the aquatic life she'd discovered, showing pictures of vibrantly coloured fish and strange coral. Garrus recounted his and Vega's impromptu beach volleyball game, which had quickly turned competitive as more of the crew joined in. Garrus's eyes sparkled with mischief as he recounted each point scored, his hands animatedly mimicking the serves and spikes. Liara shared her fascination with the island's unique geology and ruins, her enthusiasm for the subject infectious, punctuated by observations made by Javik. Wrex shared that this day had been a welcome respite from the constant harassment by the now-fertile females on Tuchanka, and Grunt remarked that he was happy just to be out from his extended hospital stay on the Citadel. Joker, always one for a good story, regaled them with his exaggerated tale of the carnivorous plant, much to EDI's amusement.
Slowly, the dark of night descended upon the beach they camped on, and their lively camaraderie quieted as the stars overhead appeared. A musing mood emerged, and a metaphorical cork popped open the emotional bubbles held under the pressure of the war. Topics of love and loss began to surface. There were some stories of heartmake and heartbreak, some of the loved ones waiting for them lightyears away, and some of the ones who were lost to the living and could no longer be found. There came a moment deep in the evening where a natural lull in the conversation had occurred, and the sounds of the fire and the water around them had risen slightly; the crackling of the flames, the lapping of the waves, the chirping of insects in the night.
"Arius, tell us what it was like in your time," someone asked him, "with your people. What were they like? In the early times. The better ones."
"In the better times?" Arius repeated, poking a log at the base of the roaring fire with a long stick. "It is easy to think of the past as better, and I will not discount the romanticism that accompanies ages lost… but those times were just out of reach to me as they are to you now. Still, I will share what was shared with me once upon a time."
He put down the stick and recounted a lost story of his people.
"Before the pollution of industry, our world flourished like many others. Mixed woods and grasses strewed the land, warmed well and even by the star we circled. The fauna and flora were plentiful; great herds and flocks of beasts roamed the continents, and the plants were filled with all manners of creatures, large and small. Our land was contiguous, unlike the disparate continents of Earth. We were diurnal creatures, eventually climbing the food chain like most others as we evolved tool usage and social maturation, becoming the masters of the day.
At some point in our prehistory, the stable narrative of our species broke. The alpha event occurred, and it changed us unexpectedly - not just my distant ancestors but also the ecosystem. The night had always been sacred, revered for its mystery and danger, but the alpha event forever shifted the cycle once maintained by our star. Imbued with new powers, the dark became no longer the sole domain of predators, and for those that survived the event, their newfound gifts abated the fears once held of the world after dusk. Our days bled into nights."
The tongues of flames danced as a breeze passed through their camp. Shadows flickered across Arius' face as the light grew unstable, and his eyes appeared to pierce the dark while his face lost all definition.
"Much like this planet, our night sky had no natural satellites, only stars. In the days before our light pollution blanketed our ceiling with darkness, my people assembled themselves in tribes and ran unceasingly across the lands like the free winds under our moonless skies. To live was to run, and to run was to live."
In her mind's eye, Shepard had conjured an image of their tireless, shadow-like running forms in the twilight over the hills, the orbs of their unique eyes cutting through the dark as they reflected the starlight above them.
"We travelled far. We sought the ends of our world, each frontier a challenge waiting to be conquered. Roving tribes were sometimes encountered by chance or design. When it came to assembly with others well met, we celebrated our encounters through the exchange of food. Our culinary practices were as diverse as our people, and sharing a meal was sharing a part of ourselves. Each tribe brought unique dishes, flavours, and recipes passed down through generations. It was a symphony of tastes, a melting pot of cultures, where young warriors, experienced elders, and leaders alike would gather, eat, and learn from each other."
"Like what we're doing now?" someone interjected, gesturing to their own shared meal around the fire. There was a moment of collective realization among the group, an understanding that Arius' repeated acts of making and sharing food with the crew were deeply rooted in the cultural practices of his long-lost people. It wasn't just a gesture of kindness or fellowship; it was a reflection of a longstanding tradition that shaped his very being and his interactions with those around him.
"Yes, very much like this," Arius nodded with a soft smile. "They were times of unity and mutual respect - before we fractured ourselves. Food was our common language, a bridge between tribes. Now, celebrations were another matter. On the day of a great triumph, bonfires would be lit… and all would sit shoulder to shoulder, feasting on a potluck of starlit delicacies. To bring some of the heat and light of the immortal stars down for just a night… to burn with the best…"
Shepard zoned out from the conversation for a moment, glossing over what was being said and instead looked into the faces of those gathered. The stress the war had put on them had dissolved, at least temporarily. Around the fire, the crew of the Normandy were eating, listening, and conversing with one another with some gaiety, happy to have a full belly, a good story, and a peaceful respite from the horrors above them, seemingly in another universe. Shepard's attention returned.
"Wow. Is it weird that I feel nostalgia for a time I never experienced?" she heard someone say. "Do you miss those days, Arius?"
"I do," he answered them, "though it seems more like a memory of a dream to me now. For a time, I could live like my ancestors' ways in the earlier days of Earth. And for that, I am grateful."
Arius stopped talking then, having naturally reached the end of that subject, and the conversation among the others continued elsewhere. Shepard observed him following what was being exchanged for a bit, slowly looking into the faces of those seated around him and then watched his gaze return to the heart of the fire with a slight, contended smile. His internal musing must have been profoundly glad, for as the old wanderer gazed into the flames, his vital, green eyes were drawn to such a luminous intensity that they seemed to reflect the light of the fire as if they were polished mirrors.
Such as she was human, Shepard could not read his mind to ascertain his thoughts, nor did she wish to disturb the moment that was wholly his. Glimpsing his hidden joy brought a flutter of emotion to her heart, and the feeling filled her with her own sense of gladness - glad that she had been a part of his story and his life, as he with hers, same as all those who had journeyed with her aboard the Normandy.
Had Shepard been physiologically Prothean, and had she reached out toward him at that moment, she would have felt the live recall of an old memory of his: of being seated with others at a fire much like this one, among their number a certain Black Captain staring dismally into the flames, and of a promise Arius had made to himself after that day. Had she reached deeper, she would have felt the root of his current, gratified emotion: that despite having weathered the short days and long nights of his life and in quantities far greater in number than his mentor's, he had successfully kept his promise.
As the reflective mood began to wane, Arius felt compelled to speak once more, to share one final sentiment that seemed to rise unbidden from the depths, to seize the moment and affirm it with gratitude before it passed forever.
"Friends, I wish to share one last sensibility with you if you can bear it," he told them, and as the conversation quieted and heads turned, he regaled them one final time.
"This planet, long ago, was once part of the Prothean empire..." His voice was reflective, filled with a mix of nostalgia and contentment. "...and its stewards before that time, only glimpsed at. Its ecology and position in the system reminded me of my lost home, so I lived here for a time. It was here, on the mainland to the west, at the end of the last Reaper harvest, that I made my decision to try one final time. Somewhat surprisingly, having found myself at the end of this cycle, I can unequivocally say that I have no regrets about my decision. While I will admit, its quality has waxed and waned with its seasons, its culmination now reigns among the sweetest, no doubt, that this galaxy has ever seen."
"Aww, I bet you say that about all the pretty cycles, Arius." Tali joked light-heartedly, slightly inebriated. There was a quiet murmur of levity among everyone, and even he could not help but chuckle at the remark.
"What I mean to say is that I am profoundly glad to have lived and served alongside you, your ancestors, and perhaps most importantly of all, on the Normandy. I think I speak for all of us when I say, thank you, Shepard, for bringing us disparate travellers together, from near and far, for helping us mend our minds and hearts, to showing us just how much we are each capable of, how far we can climb our own personal mountains–"
"Here, here!" Someone affirmatively shouted with enthusiasm.
"-And to all of you, who have warmed the Normandy's halls with your unique graces, who carry your people and each other through this long night, who each heard the call and answered…"
There were jubilant whistles and shouts in the air, each cheering the others on, arms clasped around shoulders in shared camaraderie and mugs raised into the air.
Shepard stood, her gaze sweeping over her crew, "To the uncharted paths and the battles we've conquered. Here's to the Normandy, our struggles, and the team we've become."
Garrus added with a smirk, "To steady aims and unbreakable bonds."
Tali, her voice warm, chimed in, "For the homes in our hearts and the new ones we've found."
Liara spoke softly, "To the mysteries unravelled and the knowledge gained."
Wrex, with a hearty laugh, proclaimed, "To strength, respect, and a thriving future for all species."
Grunt's youthful but gruff voice rang out, "To being the toughest and the baddest in the galaxy!"
Javik intoned, "To the echoes of the past and the present we forge."
Jack declared fiercely, "To kicking ass and standing tall."
Joker, grinning, quipped, "To swift flights and even swifter pilots."
EDI, sincere in her synthetic tone, added, "To the connections made and the humanity shared."
Vega nodded confidently, "To strength in each other and overcoming challenges."
Cortez raised his glass, "To journeys embarked and memories created."
Traynor added with a smile, "To sharp minds and wise decisions."
Arius raised his mug, his voice deep and resonant. "May your hearts be strong," he said, echoing words imparted to him from a time and place long gone.
The crew echoed the sentiment, raising their drinks in a united toast. The fire crackled and popped, casting a warm glow over their faces, each reflecting a tapestry of experiences, battles fought, and friendships forged.
Wrex, ever the krogan, bellowed, "Now, let's get some music before I start singing!"
Suddenly, music started to play, a lively tune with a rhythm that seemed to pull at their feet. Traynor, with a mischievous grin, had managed to rig up a makeshift sound system, filling the air with an upbeat melody.
"Dance time!" Jack shouted, standing up with a fluid motion, her hands reaching out to Traynor. The others laughed, some standing up to join in the impromptu dance party.
The music, a mix of different galactic styles, created a unique harmony that seemed to resonate with their diverse backgrounds. Tali and Garrus, in a rare public display of affection, swayed gently together, their heads close. Vega and Cortez showcased their surprisingly good salsa skills, drawing cheers from the group. Liara, with her graceful movements, danced with a joy that was infectious, pulling a reticent Javik and Grunt into the fray. Wrex, with his robust laughter, encouraged others to join, his deep voice occasionally singing along to the music with a surprising melody.
Arius extended a hand towards their Commander. "Dance with me, Eden?"
Shepard, surprised but pleased by the invitation, took Arius' hand with a smile and allowed herself to be pulled into the rhythm of the music. They danced, not with the precision of trained dancers, but with the freedom of those unburdened, if only for a moment. He spun her around loosely on the sand, and she laughed, her eyes shining as she found herself lost in the music, in her crew's laughter and chatter, and in Arius's warm presence beside her, a smell of salt, smoke, and the sun.
As the night wore on, the music faded, clouds hid the stars above, and the dancing slowed. The crew began to disperse, some heading back to their tents as the fire fell to embers. Shepard found herself in Arius' arms, swaying gently to the music. She felt his hand on her back, his touch warm and comforting. She rested her head on his shoulder, her eyes closed, and for a moment, she felt like she was floating.
"Eden, may I steal you away for a little while longer?" he asked her with a low voice, almost demure in his request. "I'd like to do something with you before we leave. This might be the last time for us to do so. Please," he nearly begged her, "run with me tonight, under the stars. One more time. Like my people used to do before their light went away."
She looked at him, trying to fathom the depth of emotion he was revealing. She saw a distant memory cloud his eyes, a hint of longing. Moved by his plea, she nodded and placed her hand in his. "Lead the way, Arius."
Taking her hand, he left them away from the others, first over the sand, then deeper into the island. The nocturnal landscape transformed as they moved away from the campfire's glow. The beach's familiar terrain gave way to a dense, lush forest. The lack of moons and clouded stars plunged the thick canopy above into pitch darkness, but the air was alive with the soft chirping of nocturnal insects and the distant calls of unseen creatures.
As they delved deeper, Shepard noticed something extraordinary: the forest around them began to exhibit a faint bioluminescence. The leaves of the trees and underbrush shimmered with a subtle, otherworldly light, casting a dreamlike glow on their surroundings. The deeper they went, the more vibrant the display became. Plants of all shapes and sizes emitted soft hues of blue, green, and purple, creating an enchanting, alien landscape.
Arius, leading the way with a sense of familiarity, guided Shepard through this glowing forest. The ground beneath their feet was soft, covered in a moss that glowed a gentle blue, illuminating their path. As they moved, the bioluminescent flora seemed to respond to their presence, their light intensifying slightly with each step, as if welcoming them into this hidden world.
The animals, too, were part of this luminous display. They caught glimpses of small creatures scurrying through the underbrush, their bodies outlined in light. In the trees above, birds and other arboreal beings glowed softly, adding to the forest's surreal beauty. Even the insects, fluttering around them, left trails of light in their wake, like tiny shooting stars.
Shepard was in awe, each step revealing more wonders. The bioluminescence was not just a characteristic of the plants and animals but seemed to be an intrinsic part of the island's ecosystem, a natural phenomenon that painted the night in vibrant colours.
As they ventured further, they reached a clearing where the forest's canopy opened up to the night sky. Here, the bioluminescence was at its most intense, the ground almost radiating with light. The clearing was ringed with tall, flowering plants, some of the same she had seen earlier that day, that emitted a soft, pulsating glow, as if they were breathing in the night air.
"Come," he bid her, "let us run to the horizon together. Let us find our lost brothers and sisters and run with them again." Then, in a spontaneous burst of energy, Arius took Shepard's hand, and they began to run around the clearing, their feet barely touching the glowing ground, their laughter mingling with the sounds of the night.
As she ran with him through the land, the mothers of the skies parted the veil of clouds. The stars overhead shone in their splendour, the giants of the past looking down at them from their places in the heavenly dome aboard their heads. As they ran, the bioluminescent plants around them seemed to respond, their light pulsing in rhythm with their footsteps.
As he pulled her along into his world, she was transported to another time, another place. The soft grasses underfoot tickled her soles while the wind ran through her hair, cool and soft. They ran over the ethereal hills, the silence only disturbed by the hot blood that ran through their veins and the metronome breaths produced by their chests. The thin line of the horizon beaconed to them as they ran towards it, daring them to cross it. When he turned to her, she could only see his eyes, bright and luminous in the dark, against the backdrop of stars, matching the luminescence around them.
"Run with me," he repeated to her, the words echoing those of his people in the long past as their feet beat the ground. "Dance with me," he asked her, entwining his fingers with hers, feeling the pulse of life they shared. "Dream with me," he whispered, gazing overhead, the pinprick light so numerous that it lit up the sky; each star and gas cloud shimmered like a cloth of the Milky Way, each like a soul that had left its grounded reality and rejoined the others beyond.
"Run with us!" he shouted to the universe overhead, "Dance with us!" he exclaimed, leaping through the air, pulling them along, "Dream with us!" he entreated to the great beyond.
As if answering him, a shooting star streaked overhead long and bright. A moment later, it was followed by another, then another, then many more. A shower of falling stars rained down, each coloured with spirit and burning for just one more moment, just for them.
It was the chemicals in their composition, Shepard told herself, clouds of rock and dust from the remains of the planet's ring system passing close to the atmosphere. But tears still welled in her eyes, filled with awe of their shared experience. When she turned to Arius, she saw his own filled with the same wonder, and she knew that he felt it, too. In that evanescent moment, they were not just visitors to this magical place; they were a part of its fabric, connected to the ancient song of the planet and the celestial spheres above them.
As their run ebbed, energies shifted, drawing them irresistibly closer. A surge of euphoria washed over them, mingling with a deep, wordless longing. They sank to the earth, a tangle of limbs amid the soft whispers of the grass, hungry in their appetites, desperate to touch and taste proof of their life. In the hush of the night, their affections, raw and fervent, spoke of a hunger deeper than desire - a yearning to be truly seen and embraced, to find their place not just in each other's arms but in the vast, unfolding tapestry of the universe itself.
The night was long, and the stars shone bright. The island was alive with the sounds of the nocturnal, and the living around them glowed with a soft, pulsating light. The mothers of the skies watched over them and smiled.