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Eric Lincoln gulped as he stood in front of the Embassy for the Asari Republics. To say he was nervous was an understatement. He was terrified. About three months ago, he had put forward a project to strengthen human relations with the rest of the other races of the Galaxy. Now that project had moved up so fast the chain of command in the Alliance and Asari governments to the point where the Asari Minister of Education wanted to talk to him. He didn't know what to expect, or how this would turn out but took a deep breath and entered.
The doors opened and he approached the desk. The asari receptionist looked up and smiled.
"Hello Sir, how may I be of assistance?" she asked with a polite smile.
"I'm to see Education minister Kilai," he said doing his best to shake the fear from his voice.
"Of course, one moment," she said before turning to her terminal, it didn't take long for a response to come though. "She's ready to see you," the receptionist smiled before she stood. "She's down this corridor, fourth door on your left," she pointed down the right corridor.
"Thank you," Eric smiled as he turned, straighter and walked down the corridor.
As he walked, he could hear the Asari talk to someone. "Hey is that a human?" she asked the receptionist.
"Yeah, they really do look like Asari," the receptionist replied. "I wonder what they are like?"
Tuning out the conversation, he reached the door and hit the holo controls getting a ring. "Come in," a voice said and the door opened. "Ahhh Mr Lincoln, please come in, take a seat,"
"Thank you, Mrs Kilai," he said as he walked in. "It's a pleasure," he said offering his hand.
The Asari looked at his hand, then at him. "Is something meant to happen?" she asked.
"Ah," he blushed. "Sorry, I thought… never mind, it's a common human greeting, we shake hands,"
Kilai's brow raised. "Oh, sorry I've been busy lately that I haven't read the brief my aid handed to me," she said as she reached out and took his hand.
After a quick shake, the two sat down. "I understand," he said. "This job can be quite taxing,"
"Indeed," Kilai nodded as she placed a tablet on her table. "I've been going over this project, and I have to say, I'm interested. In fact, the Asari council are very interested,"
Eric blinked for a moment. "You… you are?" he asked in surprise.
"Yes, the Turrians may not care, the same with the Battarians, but we Asari love new experiences and cultures. It's not every day we meet a new species, one that looks so much like us," she smiled. "I can get at least 20,000 students, if not more to come to Earth,"
Eric smiled but sighed. "Unfortunately, due to the war… many politicians in the Alliance are in disagreement with this cultural exchange. At best, this is a test-run of sorts for 500 placements,"
Kilai nodded. "I was expecting something like that," she sighed. "I'm not surprised, the war was a horrid business. But it's something I can work around, it also gives me enough room to work with to vet our students,"
Eric sighed again this time in relief. "And here I thought it would be tough to convince you," he then pulled out a tablet of his own. "Now while all of this will be in the brief, I feel like I need to explain a couple of details," he pulled up a map of earth and turned it to show the education minister. "The places the students will be going are to Europe, far east Asia, Oceania and North America," he pointed and marked the places that said. "The main places they will go to are London, Boston, California, Quebec, Tokyo, Dubai, Beijing, Seoul, Sidney, Paris and Berlin,"
"I'm guessing that all of these places have some of the best universities?" Kilai asked and Eric nodded.
"The big ones are in America and the United Kingdom, but because we wanted Asari students to go to other places, other universities, not just the top ten, were selected. The big ones are Yale, Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard. But we will let students pick their preferred universities and it will be up to the university to decide if they want them or not," as he spoke Kilai nodded.
"Makes sense, the Asari universities do something similar," she said with a frown as she looked at the map. "I assume that these places all have different cultures? I am not fully aware of Human society and culture, but I do understand that Earth is still operating under nation states,"
Eric smiled with a nod. "Yeah, we are. The Alliance is meant to represent Earths interests outside of Earths borders. But uniting a world like ours, is not easy. Too much bad blood and cultural differences between us. But are trying to work together,"
"Which nation would be the best for a mix of human cultures?" she then asked.
"The United Kingdom, London to be more specific. It has been described as a melting pot of cultures," he shrugged with a smile. "I am, of course, being bias as I am from the UK myself,"
Kilai smiled as well. "I know the feeling, one's home is always going to be a part of who we are," she leaned in and began to listen.
OOOOO later that day
Alaya yawned as she walked into her and her mother's apartment. It was a long day of studying and playing around with her friends. Now she just wanted to sleep as she walked in and collapsed on the couch with a moan. That's when she noticed several packed bags. Between the tv and the couch.
"Mom, are you going somewhere again?" she yelled.
"We both are," her mother said causing the tiredness Alaya felt to vanish as she sat up looking up at her mother.
"What?" she asked in surprise. "Mom we can't. I'm not finished with my studies and me and my friends are planning a party for next week,"
"Don't worry, you can go to the party and I'll make sure you have your study material," her mother said making Alaya relax.
"Oh good, where are we going?" the thought coming to mind.
"It's the human homeworld, Earth," her mother explained causing Alaya to sit up straighter.
"Human's, those Asari-looking aliens?" she asked. "The ones with pink or black skin and fur on their head or jaw?"
"Those are the ones," her mother said as she exited the kitchen. "You and me are moving to Earth. A city called London. You'll love it, there's a lot of history there,"
Alaya just stared at her mother jaw open. "When were you going to tell me this?"
"Well, I did try to call you, but you had your omni-tool turned off," her mother shrugged. "This is the only way for me to let you know," Alaya groaned in response as she fell onto the couch again. "You also have some forms to fill," her mother then said as she handed her daughter a tablet. "While you will have your studies to do, the human academic system works differently from ours. So, you'll have a couple of months with your current school before you move to the human system,"
"What kind of name is Oxford?" Alaya asked her brow raised as she read the tablet and sat up. "So, there's only five schools at this London?" she asked looking up.
"No, there's more," her mother said as she pulled up a chair. "But due to the war, not a lot of human places are wanting to have a…. non-human attending their schools. These are the big ones who are open to having non-humans attend, at least in the city we are going to live in. They recommended picking three, so that you have a good pick,"
Alaya nodded as she looked though the descriptions about the different schools, but frowned as she read the places. "United Kingdom, British Isles, Great Britian? What are these names? Are they all for one place?" she scoffed.
"Sort of," her mother shrugged. "The United Kingdom is named for an alliance of four nations that make up two islands known as the British Isles,"
Alaya nodded. "So, I assume we're moving within the month?" she asked.
"Yes," her mother smiled. "Like I said, you can go to that party next week while I'm in communication with Earth and prepare our apartments,"
Alaya looked up. "We won't be sharing one?"
"No. There are student apartments, one I booked for you so that you can get to know humans more. I'll be down the street," her mother smiled.
Alaya didn't smile but nodded as she continued to read.
OOOO the next day Citadel Academy.
"So, then he said 'I'm here to pick up girls like you'," Liana said in her best impression of a Turrian.
The group of 5, 2 Asari, 2 turrian and 1 Salarian, laughed at the comment except for the second Asari, Alaya, who had her head in a tablet while eating. As the laughter died down, the Salarian, Mikano looked to her.
"Hey Alaya, you there?" he asked waving a hand in front of her breaking her focus.
"Huh, wha?" she muttered looking around.
"You alright Alaya?" Liana asked. "You've had your head in that tablet all day,"
"Oh," the Asari blinked. "Oh sorry, I've been doing some culture reading," she said shaking her head.
"Who's culture?" Talous, one of the Turrians, asked.
"Human," Alaya said as she took a bite of her food. "My mother got a culture exchange request for the human embassy, which she accepted, so we're off to the human homeworld Earth by the end of the month. I'm going to be studying at one of their top universities,"
"Ooooo humans? That new race?" Mikano asked. "What have you been able to find out?"
"Not much. All I've been able to find out is that they still split by nation-states. No unified culture. Goddess even their colonies are developing their own culture," Alaya said as she placed the tablet in front of her friends. "The nation, I'm going to, is one of a few that still has hierarchical line. A monarchy, they call it and this monarchy is the head of state for several other nations. Like the Turrian Primarch,"
"United Kingdom, interesting…." Galida, the female turrian, muttered. "Hierarchical you say…." her mandibles twitched. "So, it's based on merit?"
Alaya shook her head. "No, genetic. Apparently, it was extremely common up until nearly 3 centuries ago,"
"3 centuries?" Liana asked with a frown. "How long do they live for?"
That earned the Asari a blank look for a moment before reaching out and grabbing the tablet. "They live for about….." she muttered trying to find the right info. "150 years, but that is largely due to medical technology. Up until 20 years ago. Before that it was 100 years then close to 80,"
Alaya looked up to see four pairs of blinking eyes. "So, in the past 3 centuries," Mikano started. "They managed to raise their life expectancy from double the Salarian standard to almost triple it? I wonder if humans can figure out how to help us Salarians,"
The group laughed. "So, what caused the drop of this… monarchy?" Galida asked.
Alaya looked to the tablet. "Errr, something about a drake…. Oh no here we are Duke. Oh…. Oh… that's…." she said as she began to read.
"That's… what?" Liana asked.
"Complex, according to this, most monarchies failed due to coups, revolution, forging conquest or civil war…" Alaya muttered as she read. "The United Kingdom had a civil war in which the king was overthrown was restored due to a lack of clear leadership and a popular desire to restore the monarchy. But that was years before a world war in which the concept became unpopular because they didn't see how deadly the war could be or how nationalism could undermine their rule," she blinked. "Wow this history is complex," she smiled.
"Sounds like it," Mikano sniggered as he took a bit of his food.
"Are you going to be coming back?" Liana asked. "I can't be the only Asari in this band of misfits," she smiled
"Oh, don't worry, I'll come back," she smiled to her fellow blue skinned sister. "I'll see how often I can make it. And I'll give you all the juicy news about humans,"
They all smiled as they ate their food.
OOOOO Arcturus station, 1 month later.
Alaya groaned as she and her mother pulled some of their bags out of the ship and onto the human station. While they got some looks from humans, they were largely ignored as people moved about their business. As they exited an Alliance officer walked up to the two. He was male with a large brown beard. While Kilai had been talking and meeting with humans over the past month, Alaya hadn't so the sight of the man's beard caused her mouth to fall open.
While she had seen pictures, seeing it in the flesh was another thing entirely. The man walked up and shook her mother's hand.
"Aright there Miss Kilai," he then turned to Alaya. "Young lass," he slightly bowed. "I'm Major Donnel Scott, I'm here to escort the pair of you to your places in London,"
Alaya wasn't sure if her universal translator had a glitch, but the man's accent was hard to describe. It was deep with an emphasis on the r sounding words. She had been doing her best to learn the language known as English, but it was hard to grasp.
"Ah yes, I heard from Mr Lincoln that a member of the military was going to escort us," Kilai smiled.
"Aye, we have had some concerned about the two of you being apprehended," he shrugged. "So, some security seemed warranted,"
"Understandable," Kilai nodded but Alaya gave her mother and odd look. "Where is our shuttle?"
The Sargent jerked his head. "This way," he said as he picked up two of the suitcases and threw one over his shoulder.
OOOOO
Alaya wasn't sure what she expected when she set foot on Earth. The flight was pleasant and the look of the blue planet was somewhat mesmerising. But as they descended into the clouds, that magical feeling began to fade. Now, standing outside Heathrow Starport she began to question her mother's decision and not for the first time as heavy ran battered the rows of cars and people. The young Asari didn't like rain. Not the feel, not the sound and not the smell. While most of her life was spent on the Citadel, she did spend a few years of Thessia with her mother.
She didn't like the rain there either. Looking to her mother and the Major, she almost rolled her eyes at the look of the two of them. They shared a look of fond memories.
"Reminds me of some tropical zones of Thessia," Kilai smiled. "If a little colder,"
"Aye, the UK is known for our poor weather," the soldier chuckled. "We tend to joke that it never rains it pours,"
"Perfect," Alaya groaned, eyes rolling as a car pulled up.
The major incited to it as Lincoln exited, opening up a rain shield holding it over his head. "Miss Kilai, Miss Alaya, glad you both could make it. Leave your luggage for the major and come on in,"
Alaya wasted no time in moving quickly to the car and sliding herself if while her mother took some time, enjoying the rain before getting in. "Ahhh, refreshing," she muttered as Lincoln got in, his rain shield closed.
"You are going to love it here then," he smiled. "We tend to get rain often,"
"Goddess, that's wonderful news," Alaya complained. "Never had to deal with this on a station,"
"Aye, regulated atmosphere must be nice," the major said as he climbed into the car on the other end. "But you aren't going to get it here. In terms of weather, we have samples, not weather," this did nothing to ease Alaya's mind.
Lincoln trapped on a screen that separated the diver section and passenger section. "Diver, we have the invaders. Take them to our leader," he said before all three humans laughing.
Kilai smiled but her daughter just shook her head muttering something under her breath.
Once the laughter died down, Lincoln smiled. "We'll stop at Alaya's place first," he said. "It's student accommodation with 5 others. They've been vetted and volunteered for this as it adds to their majors,"
Kilai frowned. "Vetted?" she asked. "I assume that you are still concerned about non-human activists?"
Alaya frowned as Lincoln nodded. "Being here, in the UK, most people won't give a fuck. Hell, they're more likely to take problems with which football club you support. But there are always exceptions and we are no different. We want out students to be safe and learn what they can, but you can expect bullying at least,"
The young Asari sighed at that. "That's nothing new," she muttered. "I'm what's called a pureblood, the child of two Asari," she waved her hand. "It's a… well… an offensive term,"
To her surprise both humans nodded. "We've… well had something similar but the opposite. In the past, groups of people used to have problems with people mixing," that earned a frown from Alaya. "Humans have different skin tones, and looks. That is what people had problems with. Still do to varying degrees,"
Scott nodded. "Aye, had a guy in my training unit call another guy a…" he paused trying to remember the words. "A curry loving, shit skinned pig. Guy got kicked out very quickly,"
"Interesting," Kilai muttered. "So, skin colour is a cause of some friction?" she got a nod from the two. "Seems…. I dunno silly. You're all human, you bleed the same blood, same species,"
"Aye, but the people who disagree tend to have more the a few screws loose for judging people by skin," Scott said with more than a little venom. "Fucking cowards,"
"Anyway," Lincoln said diverting the conversation. "Bulling is the most you can expect from the University. It's zero tolerance, so if anyone is caught bulling you, they get kicked out,"
Alaya nodded despite having some reservations about people getting kicked out. But if they had a problem with her being Asari or having blue skin, that was their problem. Looking outside, she began to watch as people walked or drove by while the rain pattered down. Adjusting herself, she looked at the buildings as the car drove passed taking in how old the city seemed to be.
There were modern things as well, neon signposts, holographic news pillars, vi guides and others. But the city still had a rustic and old-fashioned feel to it with more than a sprinkling of modern in. Like two time periods clashing with each other. Thessia didn't have much of this, but the Citadel had none. While the Asari did have an attachment to the past, long age being a major factor, it was more along the lines of important buildings. Temples were the main one, but there were also some important buildings which no religious meaning.
But this city, this city seemed to be locked in some kind of time warp. One part locked in the past with the other locked in modern times. That didn't mean that there weren't modern buildings, but that just made the older buildings stand out even more. Taking it all in, she smiled, wondering about the history of this city.
"Alaya," her mother said poking her in the ribs getting her out of her daydreaming.
"Huh, wa…." the young asari muttered embarrassed. "S… sorry…. I… I was..." she muttered but the two humans just chuckled.
"It's fine lass, we all get lost in our thoughts," Scott said.
"We were just talking about… well…" Eric muttered. "Sex,"
Alaya blinked for a moment and nodded. "Ok, what's the problem?"
The man sighed, steeling himself. "The problem is the idea's that we have for sex," he explained. "I understand that Asari tend to have a…. well…. a lax attitude to sex," he said doing his best to pick his words carefully.
Alaya continued to blink before her mother spoke up. "Humans tend to have a monogamous view of sex. To them it's personal and private. Sometimes feelings begin to develop due to sex or people are just used for sex,"
The young asari mouth opened for a moment before she understood and nodded. Different culture, different rules. In Asari culture, sex was not something to be ashamed about and talked about frequently. Aalaya had had sex with a few friends both in groups and one on one. But it seemed that that wasn't going to be the case here.
"So, what do you recommend?" she asked the two humans before her.
"If you get propositioned for sex, don't go for it," Lincoln answered after a pause. "Your housemates can explain better. But, with humans if you get caught with another human's partner, male or female, it can ruin reputations. I'll let your housemates explain better,"
She frowned but nodded as the car pulled up to a modern looking building made out of glass and steel. "This is our stop," Scott said. "I'll get your luggage," he climbed out with Alaya about to follow but stopped by Eric.
"One sec," he said. "Before you go, I wanted to mention that you and your housemates kind of have… well let's say extra freedoms to skip class," he was rewarded with and confused and surprised blink from the young asari. "To give you more experience about humanity and earth, it was agreed that a special fund would be placed aside so that you, and your housemates, can leave on trips across the country and world. However, you will be sent extra work each time you do so and you have to attend about 30% of classes,"
After a moment of processing the information Alaya looked to her mother than back at the human. "Does this only apply to me?" in response Lincoln shook his head.
"It applies to all Asari on the program," he explained. "But, like I mentioned, you still need to attend around 30% of all classes and you'll get extra work to compensate. If you don't, then the privilege gets removed,"
She nodded. "Understandable, well thanks," she held her hand out which Eric shook.
"You're welcome," he smiled. "If you need anything, give us a call,"
She smiling and nodding she climbed out of the car, only to remaining it was raining. "Goddess' tits," she muttered as she ran inside the building with Scott following close behind.
"You ok there lass?" he smiled as he walked up, the wet not seeming to bother him.
"I hate rain," she groaned as she let him take the lead.