Shepard Stories II - Ch 30: Firstie Major
Main Characters: Milizkia T'Loak, Xaneya Praci, and Benezia T'Soni
Armali, Thessia – T'Soni-Shepard Military Academy, August 2219CE
It was nearing the end of her summer vacation and the beginning of her last year at T'Soni-Shepard Military Academy. Milizkia walked up to Indigo HQ and pushed the intercom button next to the door and waited for a brief moment until an asari appear on the screen.
"Can I help you?" asked the asari commando
"Yes, ma'am. S-Seas…I mean Firstie Captain Milizkia T'Loak reporting in. I need to retrieve my security band and any new orders."
"Buzzing you in Firstie Captain." Replied the commando on duty.
She walked in and over to the commando's counter and waited for the commando as she prepared her things.
The commando smiled, "Welcome back, Firstie Captain." She placed Milizkia's security band on the counter as she said "Your security band." She tapped at the screen then said. "Your new orders have been sent to your e-mail." She placed her new insignia on the counter "Looks like you've been promoted to Firstie Major, congratulations. After you get settled in, bring your old insignia back here and I'll give you the rest of your Major insignia. Just like the years before, head to laundry, drop off your S-Seas gear and retrieve your Firsties gear." She paused for a moment as she glanced over at the privacy communication pods then over at a few other cadets that were now in HQ "Would you like to receive your personalized message from Dr. Liara T'Soni-Shepard?"
She smiled then glanced over at the other cadets as she shook her head "Thank you but Dr. T'Soni-Shepard has already spoken to me fairly recently."
"Ahhh. Well, that's all then Firstie Major." Said the commando
She nodded "Thank you and yes, ma'am." she said then turned and walked toward the security band activator.
"Firstie Major?"
She pivoted on her heel as she replied, "Yes, ma'am."
The commando smiled and whispered, "We're all proud of you."
She smiled and simply nodded then turned as she put her security band on and headed over to the activator. She placed her wrist under the activator and waited for it to beep then the screen read "Welcome back Firstie Major T'Loak your band is now activated." As she was about to exit a commando called for her.
"Firstie Major?"
She turned on her heel as she said "Yes ma'am" then looked from counter to counter to see who was calling her.
A commando waved her over and as she got closer, said "Firstie Major, these two are fresh Plebian recruits who unfortunately missed orientation Saturday."
One asari parent quickly replied "Again, I am so sorry, and I have apologized many times to Dr. T'Soni-Shepard."
The commando raised her hand then continued "Orientation was a crucial process for your child to attend as it informs your child where to go." She waved her hand over toward Milizkia as she continued "This is Firstie Major… Loaky. She is the academy's number one cadet and the only cadet to reach a rank of Major. Her gpa, skills and intelligence are amongst the highest we've had so far. She is the type of asari you'll want to befriend. Now, if I am to assume correctly, Firstie Major is on her way to the Quad, is that correct?"
"Yes, ma'am" replied Milizkia
"Fantastic! Would you please be so kind to direct these two to the Quad. Your help beyond that is entirely up to you and you are qualified to do as you please." She said with a smile.
Milizkia smirked then replied swiftly "I'd loved to but I'm no tour guide."
"I agree, that's all Firstie Major."
Milizkia turned toward the new recruits as she said "I'm not going to hold your hand, and neither is anyone else here. So, let me break it down for you. You are fresh meat for the grinder and the wolves here are starving. This academy is going push you beyond your limits. One day you'll wake up and your muscles will feel like they've been ripped from your bones, you can no longer think because your brain is overloaded, your biotics have been pushed to the extreme and you feel like you're about to shatter into a thousand pieces. Then one night when your emotions can't take it anymore, you'll clinch yourself into a fetal position as you weep into the night then realize that you've only been here for a month. But you can't quit because this is probably your only chance to become someone you've always wanted to be. Believe it or not you'll grow very fond of this place and never want to leave but you'll have to. You'll also gain lifelong friends and a lifetime reference of Dr. T'Soni-Shepard. That, in its own, is worth every bit of your sacrifice here. So, I'll give you a moment as you think it over."
The new recruits and their parents stood there in shock then quietly discussed it over. The parents squeezed their child tightly then the cadets grabbed their things and stepped toward Milizkia. The cadets looked at each other then said "Ok, let's do this."
Milizkia nodded then made her way to the door.
As they exited the building the cadets followed behind her. They looked at each other then one said "So, umm Loaky…"
"Firstie Major." she said as she stopped then turned toward them "It's Firstie Major." She said sternly as she tapped her insignia on her sleeve. "I've been given a task, and I am not your friend. You will address me as Firstie Major because I'm your commanding officer and you will salute me when you see me on campus or any other officer. I have earned that respect as have any other cadet that ranks above you. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Firstie Major!"
"As of right now you are not truly even Plebians because Plebians have ranks. Without a rank you are a NUB, and a NUB is a non-useful body. So, until you have a rank in this academy you are nothing and will be treated as such. Worse among the ranked cadets than any staff officer in this academy so be prepared for that."
"Yes, Firstie Major!"
She nodded then said "So, what was your question?"
The cadet swallowed hard then said "Is it really as hard as you say it is?"
She shook her head as she replied "No, it's much worse." then turned and continued to walk toward the Quad.
Milizkia walked through the courtyard then looked down at her omni tool 0850 "Ugh it's way too early to be on campus and a week early at that." She looked around at the semi-busy Quad and saw several cadets and asari heading for their dorms. Some were coming back from chow, others from the gym, a handful were just lounging out in the courtyard, and a few were jogging around the campus. She looked at the marquees in the quad that read Plebes, Yoogs, S-Seas and Firsties. Plebians were the first-year fourth class cadets. Yoogs were the second-year youngsters as third-class cadets. S-Seas were the third year second class cadets and Firsties were the fourth year, first class cadets. Each class was not only identified by name but by specific color shirts. Plebians were white, Yoogs were yellow, S-Seas were blue and Firsties were black.
Milizkia turned when she heard her name, "Loaky! That you?"
She saw some of her asari friends Skylis from Bravo, Ruava from Bravo, Corlimi from Charlie and Kajah from Delta were jogging toward her. Skylis was from a middle-class family who was on a partial work-study program, but the rest were all lower-class asari. She knew most if not all of the lower class asari stayed on campus during off times. There were at least two lower-class asari per squad except her squad had four. When the rest left on break all the lowers hunkered together and hung out in each other's rooms.
Milizkia waved at them "Hey ladies!"
When they got closer, they stood at attention and saluted her "Firstie Major!" they announced.
She smirked "At ease, ladies."
Skylis looked at her then at the two recruits behind her friend. She scrunched her brow markings at the nerve of two NUBs in their vicinity. She huffed then said "Ugh excuse you! Hello?" then pointed to herself and her surrounding ranked friends. She looked at the two recruits as she pointed her fingers at her eyes then at them. "Yea you two NUBs. We're waiting!"
The cadets quickly dropped their things and stood at attention then saluted them.
Skylis chuckled as did the others then snarled "What the hell are ya'll doing in the vicinity of a Firstie? Especially Firstie Major here. Don't you know your colors?"
The recruits stood there in silence for a moment then one replied "Second Lieutenant, Firstie Major was tasked to take us to the Quad, ma'am."
"Oh!" she said then looked at her friend "Were you now. Giving tours huh?"
She gave her friend a lopsided grin "Do I look like a damn tour guide? You bitch!"
Skylis and her friends laughed then she fiddled with her cropped hoody pull string as she said "Thank you for riding Loaky express. You have arrived at your destination..." She waved her hand in disgust at the NUBs as she continued "…so fuck off!"
One recruit clinched her jaw then bravely replied "Wow, are you all bitches or just you?"
Skylis jerked her head back with raised brow markings then swiftly replied "We're Firsties so were allowed to be bitches as we have endured three years of agony here. So, unless you want me to make your life more hellish then get to steppin'!"
Milizkia stepped between them as she said "Ok, easy. Everybody just take a breath." then turned to the recruits and pointed to the Plebian dorm. "Your dorm is there. Whatever squad dorm you are in should be in your paperwork or orientation email. I suggest you go through it and find the campus map. Good luck!"
The recruits nodded and said "Thanks."
Skylis grunted as she said "Eww." Then mocked her friend as the recruits walked away "Good luck. Seriously?"
She shrugged "What?"
"Ugh hello. We're supposed to be giving them hell not trying to be their friends."
"Yea yea. There's plenty of time for that this year." She let out a breath "What are you all up to? Sky, I thought you left for break did you just get back?"
"I did leave to go home for a bit, but I came back midway through to do some work-study." Skylis bumped her as she said "Look at you, a Major! You rule this campus girl."
Loaky rumbled in laughter "Psshhttt whatever. I just have mad skills!"
Skylis snickered "That you do Loak. Hey, your girl has been moping around here for the last few weeks. What do you do to her because when she talks about you, her body shudders?"
Loaky rolled her eyes and sighed, "My girl? What are you talking about? Oh and…. I don't kiss and tell."
Rue laughed "Oh please… Loaky. All we hear is that you're sooo amazing. Blah blah blah. Oh, my Keke…" she rolled her eyes and pointed her finger in her mouth "Gag me."
"Ughhh. Does the whole campus know?" asked Loaky.
"Nah just Firstie dorm, we know better than to spread it beyond that or to let the staff officers hear about it. Besides, this is just between us lowies." Rue looked at Sky "Well, some middies… maybe some uppies because they're not all bitches but definitely no staff officers. Let's just say this doesn't go beyond the girls of the Firstie dorm. We know the rule: What happens in Firstie dorm stays in Firstie dorm." She said as she patted her shoulder, "So don't worry."
She nodded then said "What are you all up to anyway?"
"Oh, we were just taking a jog around campus. Hey, you up for some Biotiball later in the rec center? We were also gathering players." said Sky.
"Yea I'm down. I'll ask the others when I get in the dorm, I'm going to go get unpacked. I'll see you all later." Said Loaky
They nodded in response then returned to their run.
She looked up and smiled when she saw the marquee on her dorm building that read Firsties. She walked up to the exterior door You're in the stretch T'Loak…just one more year. The exterior doors slid open after she scanned her band then walked over to Alpha dorm. She scanned her band at her door, walked through, and smiled as she saw her squad mates already in there. She dropped her bag near the kitchen and said, "What's up, ladies?"
Her squad mates looked over, smiled, then stood at attention, and saluted her.
T'Loak smiled "At ease, ladies. You know I don't do that shit in our dorm." She smiled, snapped her fingers, and did a small dance "We're Fiiiiirstiiiies! We're going to fuck these bitches up again this year."
D'radi walked over and slapped T'Loak's hand twice "Hell yea! Reigning champions on campus! Runners up the last three years on five-on-five league. We need to kick your cousin's asses this year."
She nodded "I know, but impossible even with the updated rules placed on Benezia during league play. Even with the restriction of her red powers. Nez is just—"
"Fucking amazing!" mentioned Lesor in awe.
"That she is, and Anna's skills have improved as well."
The girls smiled and nodded, then Kytis said "Would she ever just do a gimme? You know for a final year win?"
Milizkia arched a brow marking as she huffed "A gimme? That's not how I want to win and no she wouldn't. What the fuck, really?"
Kytis just shrugged "What? Ok, so what do we do?"
Milizkia shrugged "I don't know but we have five months to prepare for our mid-season ass kicking." She said then chuckled softly.
Lesor tapped at her omni-tool when it dinged then said "Oh oh speaking of, Boomslang appearance tonight at the Arena want to go?"
Milizkia eyes widened as she said "What?" then quickly tapped at her omni tool for the Arena playlist. She huffed as she said "That bitch didn't even tell me she was playing tonight and on a solo insanity mode. Hell ya I want to go! She starts at eight. So, let's leave around six-thirty with her playing it's going to be packed."
Lesor nodded as she tapped at her omni-tool "Cool. I'm sending out a mass campus email on Boomslang. Let's just all go." She said as she chuckled then looked over at Milizkia "You playing?"
Milizkia shrugged "I don't know. Maybe. Nez just puts on a show though. I kind of want to just watch."
Lesor mocked Benezia with her signature entrance move. She made two guns with her fingers then kissed them as her fingers bounced off her lips then she swirled her hands as her biotics flared.
She laughed as she said "You're disgusting."
"What? She's my favorite player. I love her." said Lesor in awe then tapped at her omni tool "I even have her player card."
She rolled her eyes as she chuckled "Stop and we know how much you love her."
Kytis nodded then said "Oh, you're about to see how bad her obsession is." She thumbed her thumb toward the bedroom "She has Benezia's hologram glowing on our bedroom wall."
Her eyes widened as she slowly looked over at Lesor "Seriously?"
Lesor hung her head as she said "Sorry… and I know but the moment they became available I bought it." She raised her finger as she continue "…and they sold out in a matter of minutes. You can't even get one. So, ha!"
She shook her head as she picked up her bag then walked toward the bedroom then said "I'm going to put my things away then read my orders." The moment she entered the bedroom she saw Benezia's hologram shining on the wall near Lesor's bunk. She was in her lightweight arena gear with her helmet tucked under her arm and the name Boomslang underneath in fiery cursive writing. After a moment the hologram changed to her kissing her fingers then little hearts appeared. She tapped at her omni-tool to call Benezia and smiled when she came into view. "Hey B."
"Hey! I was just about to call you. Oooh look at you Firstie Major." said Benezia
She chuckled as she touched her insignia "Yea. Hey, why didn't you tell me you were playing tonight? I could have missed it."
"I honestly just decided on a whim, I was seriously just about to call and tell you."
She glanced back then softly said "Lesor is in love with you." Then quickly showed her the hologram on the wall "Check it out. It's disgusting." She said then laughed.
"Oh my, is that a hologram of me on the wall?" she said as she laughed then spoke in a dramatic tone "How marvelous. I should kiss her the next time I see her."
Milizkia laughed then replied "Oh lord! Don't you dare make it worse."
"But I just LOVE my fans!" she said in a dramatic tone.
She chuckled as she shook her head "When did you sign off on that? Mine is still sitting in my inbox. I didn't think you'd go for it though."
Benezia placed her hands over her face briefly then said "I knew you were going to give me shit the moment you saw one. Anna sure has." She scrunched her face as she continued "Bad idea?"
She smiled as she shook her head "No, but Lesor said they sold out of them in a matter of minutes..." She frowned as she pouted "..and now I probably can't get one."
Benezia laughed "I'll send you one and personally say to my bestie." She said then made a heart with her fingers as she smiled.
"Ooo… a special edition. Valuable!" She said then looked back when she heard someone walk into the room. "Hey, I have to go." Then jokingly said "Besides I can't be seen conversing with famous people such as yourself."
Benezia laughed then said, "Ok, I'll see you later."
She nodded as her friend faded to black. She glanced over and smiled at Praci "Hey…" then unzipped her bag and began to unpack.
Praci smiled at her and walked closer to her, "Hey, I'm sorry… I didn't mean to interrupt."
"It's ok, I was just finishing up a quick call."
Praci looked around, then spoke quietly "I missed you."
T'Loak closed her eyes, took a deep breath then turned to face her "I missed you too, but we can't keep doing this."
Praci reached for her hand "Why not? We both like each other, and we enjoy each other's company."
She rubbed her fingers on her forehead as she spoke "Xaneya, it was four unforgettable nights our junior year. I'm your commanding officer; you're my squad mate and a really good friend. If anyone beyond our squad umm dorm finds out about this... I just… I don't want to get reprimanded for this. I have to graduate… I have to…I'm already practically in the University of Serrice."
Praci face dropped "We've followed the rules, and we didn't do any releases on campus. They never said there couldn't be relationships on campus, they just said releases were forbidden and we've complied with every bit of that." then waved her hand toward her omni-tool "…or is there someone else."
She scrunched her face then looked down at her omni-tool "Benezia?" she said as she laughed "No."
"I mean I'd understand if you did. She is out of this world gorgeous amongst variety of other things, and you do talk to her almost every day."
She shook her head as she replied "No, we're just friends and she's family."
"We're asari and that's not how it works. We have no taboo." Replied Xana
Milizkia jerked her head back as she hesitated for a moment then firmly said "We're just friends." Xana continued to speak but her words faded as that one previous line trickled through her mind "We're asari and that's not how it works. We have no taboo." she glanced over at the hologram on the wall then she fiddled with her fingernail. She pinched her eyes closed as she expelled the evasive thought now stomping through her mind.
Xana touched her shoulder as she said "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. That's just how I feel."
Milizkia shook her head then said "That's not it at all, but umm…I need this year without distraction."
"Without distraction? Is that your response to what I just said?"
She opened her mouth then closed it as she tapped her leg then said "I honestly don't know what to say. I'm sorry."
"I knew I'd throw you off guard with telling you that I love you. I know that you don't love me in return, but I can't help but feel this way. This entire vacation without you was unbearable."
"How, when we talked frequently? You kept me sane when I was on Omega, I showed you around shitter rock, I showed you Illium, and I showed you the resort. I took you with me the whole time."
"I know, and I appreciated every bit of it. Illium was beautiful, and so was the resort. The last few weeks you didn't talk to me much was it because you were with the Shepard's?"
Milizkia nodded, "Mhmm."
Prass looked down then back at her "You hide me from them? Are you embarrassed by me because I'm low class?"
"No, that's not why. Xana we're really close friends …friends.. with lots of benefits."
Prass blinked several times as she furrowed her light grey brow markings "Friends… with benefits? Ugh… I thought you were my girlfriend last year…and now…"
She rubbed the back of her neck "Ummm yea maybe…" She could see the sadness pouring through Xana's beautiful, unique purple eyes. Damn it those fucking eyes.
Praci moved closer to her as she looked into her eyes. "Maybe? You respect me, and you care about me because you didn't cheat on me with anyone else but yet you say we're just friends with benefits?"
She opened her mouth then closed it, squinted an eye as she furrowed her brow markings then said, "Yessss?"
"mHmmm" Prass ran her hand softly down her face then kissed her.
She returned the kiss, then pulled away gently as she said. "Xana..."
Praci whimpered "Keke… please don't do this. Don't make last year seem like nothing."
Milizkia looked down then at her "It wasn't nothing. I know you eagerly want to be more than friends and I know last year you got a taste of that. I don't mind this at all… I really don't, but this year we need to really focus—"
"And you think I can focus without you?"
"It's not like I'm leaving the squad. I'll be here just like always."
"You know what I mean and don't make it sound like it was all me because it wasn't. I came on to you, yes. I can't help that because you're a beautiful asari with your lovely purple skin and your gorgeous emerald green eyes." She fluttered her fingers around her face as she continued "And those light green facial marking wisps." She let out a breath "You're seductive with your intelligence, your skills, your body, and your words that flow from your mouth. BUT you touched me with those hands, you kissed me with that mouth, and you made me feel this way about you."
"I know that." Milizkia sighed, "This is exactly what I didn't want to happen, friction."
Praci furrowed her brow markings and stared at her with her beautiful purple eyes that she could swim in. She pulled away from her, looked at her with watery eyes then raised her hands and squeaked out "Ok, Firstie Major I'm sorry. No more friction." She turned and walked away.
She dropped her head and sighed then watched her five-foot-four sapphire blue extremely sexy lover walk away. She was lean with curvy hips, B cup breasts, and intoxicating luscious lips. "Prass."
Prass turned before she got to the corner. "What?"
"Do you know how hard it is to say No to your lovely eyes?"
Praci smirked, "I do now..."
She smiled as Praci exited the room then looked over at Benezia's hologram. She shook her head as she sat on her bed then placed her head in her hands. She let out a breath as she softly said "What the fuck…"
—/
Armali, Thessia - Armali Grand Hotel – Graduation Party– June 2220CE
Praci grabbed Loaky's hand and spoke loudly into her aux so she could hear her over the thumping music "No more rules..." she said then ran her thumb over her lips.
Milizkia smiled, "Nope."
Praci kissed her passionately. "Good because I need you..." She looked at her and bit her lip, "I want you."
"You'll have me, right after this party…" it felt like her heart stopped when she saw an asari in a white dress out of the corner of her eye. She was wearing a form fitting white dress with a long split down the side that exposed her leg. Her eyes couldn't help but follow her every movement as she walked across the dance floor. She looked down when she realized it was Benezia.
When Benezia reached her, she smiled and gave her a hug "Hey, congrats on graduating, Firstie Major."
She chuckled "Thanks. Holy shit, look at you! Damn!" she said as she looked her over. The white dress on her light skin with her teal facial markings and crystal blue eyes amplified her beauty.
She placed her hands on her hips as she swayed them and said "You like it? Mom thought it was a bit much but wait until you see Anna."
"Yea, you look phenomenal B."
"Thanks." she said then swayed her hips to the music "Oh, for celebration, Anna and I were thinking Vortex since it's up the road. Yea?"
She watched her hips sway then nodded "Yea definitely." Her brow markings pinched when her close friends walked over and hovered around Benezia.
"You, ok?" asked Prass
She watched Benezia as she danced closely with Skylar and D'Radi. "Hmm? Oh, umm…it's hot in here. Are you hot?" she said as she pulled at her shirt for air then slowly let out a breath.
Prass shrugged slightly then said "It's a little warm but not hot. What is the Vortex?"
"Oh, it's a club on Armali strip. Do you want to go?" She gave a quick nod at Benezia "I think she's recruiting more people."
"Yea, sure. Sounds like fun." Prass said then nudged her as she pointed toward Anna "Check out Anna. Damn they came to impress tonight."
She arched a brow marking as Anna walked closer in her snug fitting red dress that stopped mid-thigh.
"Hey, bitch!" said Anna with a smile.
"Look at you, you whore!" replied Milizkia
"That's right!" she quickly looked back for her parents then rocked her body "I'm fucking somebody tonight!"
She laughed then pointed to Benezia "Don't worry she's recruiting people."
"Pffftttt I need dick not pussy." Replied Anna then looked toward her sister then back at Milizkia "I could have sworn sister was a dick kind of gal."
She chuckled then said "Nah, she plays all fields." Then nodded toward Benezia "See look."
Anna rolled her eyes at her sister grinding her ass into someone as she danced then said "Hmm, well hundred credits says she fucks whoever that is right there."
She flared her nostrils as Skylis pressed her body against the back of Benezia and gripped onto her hips as they danced. "Skylis…" she mumbled.
"Oh, mom needs you. She originally sent Nez but looks like she's gotten side tracked."
Milizkia looked at Prass and said "Lady Liara needs to talk to me. I'll be back" then walked over to Benezia. She grabbed her hand then pulled her away from her dancers. As her friends grunted, she said "Vortex later. She'll be there."
Benezia laughed as she looped her arm around hers and leaned into her as they walked "Em, I'm happy you graduated but sad that you're leaving."
"Me too but Serrice is only a few hours away and you can visit any time. Besides you're still going to call me, right?"
"Of course, but it's not the same." They walked in silence for a moment then she said "Wait until you see what we got you."
"Ooo, I got gifts?" she said as they walked closer to Liara, she could see her family waiting to congratulate her.
They surrounded her as they gave their hugs and congratulations. Tears formed in her eyes as her heart felt emotions burned in her chest. She smiled broadly when Tevos had her mom on standby. "Mom, you saw?"
"Of course! I'm not there but I didn't miss it, Liz. I'm proud of you, babe. Liara has something for you from me." Aria cleared her throat as she quickly wiped away her tears. "I have to go. I love you!"
She wiped her tears away as she said "I love you too." Then her mother's image faded away. She turned to her family as she said "Thanks for coming to see me graduate."
"Pfffttt. Like we'd miss this!" replied Benezia.
Anna expanded her fingers as she said "So, Vortex…" she bumped her mom as she playfully said "…but…with mega bucks. I'm sure they wouldn't be that much of a downer."
Liara placed her hand on her hip as she huffed "I'm offended." She waved her hand at the other adult members "We go out on the town too ya know. Besides we wouldn't want to trample on Mil's evening."
She chuckled "If you want to go that's up to you but it's hella sweaty in there."
Liara arched a brow marking as she replied "Sweaty huh?" she paused as she looked at her two older children's dress attire then said "I think we'll stay out of this one."
Anna laughed "Good call mom." She began to sway her hips to the music then tapped at her omni-tool as she said "We need a very large lump of credits, so we can splurge on Mil here. Plus, a few rooms here at hotel, please."
Liara looked over at Shepard, then Miranda and Alex as they all gave a lopsided grin.
Shepard placed his head in his hand as he shook it then said. "I still can't believe you allowed them to leave the house in that attire. You know what's going to happen, right?"
Liara shook her head "I don't want to think about it and they're old enough, babe." Then tapped at her omni tool to deposit credits on her children's accounts then booked several hotel rooms for them and their friends. "Ok, done."
"Sweet! Thanks momma." replied Anna
"Can we give her, her gifts now?" asked Rileseya, one of Liara's younger children.
Liara smiled broadly "You're welcome and yes, I know you all are dying to see her reaction."
Ry handed Milizkia a small black box with a red ribbon on it "This is from your mom…" She said then waved her hand at her sisters "…but we picked it out and Nez insisted on the color."
She pulled at othe ribbon, then removed the lid. Her eyes widened then she looked up at her "No way!"
Rileseya and her sisters smiled broadly, "Yes, way!"
"A skycar?!" she said excitedly as she picked up the small key fob. "Oh wow, an SVX3 turbo sport edition." She looked over at Benezia as she said "Please tell me it's candy red."
Benezia smiled broadly as she said "Of course it is!"
She squealed then jumped up and down "Yes!"
"The skycar was all your mom and she left it up to your cousins to pick it out. So, make sure you call her and thank her." Said Liara then handed her and envelope "This is from all of us…including your mom."
She opened the envelope and read: Congratulations on your accomplishment. For all your future endeavors in traveling the galaxy, we present to you your very own small frigate. She stopped reading to wipe her eyes then continued, "This small ship can house up to four people or two with supplies depending on how you like to travel. The pilots at the estate or any one of us are ready when you are to teach you how to pilot this ship. We love you. Enjoy the galaxy and your new life. Milizkia covered her face as she cried happily "Thank you… I ummm…don't know what else to say but Thank you."
Liara wiped her own tears away "Thank you is plenty. It's one of our older frigates, but it's been completely redone and upgraded. That's what we all pitched in to do. You may rename her to whatever you like."
She shook her head "I'm sure it's perfect. I still can't believe this. Thank you."
Liara smiled "We're not done yet." She handed Milizkia a small white box.
She took a breath then opened the box "What more can you give me?"
Liara laughed softly, "Well... it's your new condo in college territory in Serrice. You're a hop and a skip away from campus."
Her mouth dropped open, "You're kidding..."
Miranda laughed, "Your aunt bought the whole complex just to get you that place. AND kicked everyone out just to remodel it."
Liara bumped her "I did not!" She saw Miranda glare at her "Ok…ok I did buy most of the complex and several other places around all the major campuses. I want my students to have places to stay, and that way, they can afford it with the help of other students. Campus housing is highly expensive." She raised her finger "But I did NOT kick anyone out. I made them very generous offers. Some took the offer and others didn't. The ones that didn't stayed."
Miranda nodded then looked at Milizkia as she said "The condo is very close to the university, and the Serrice strip is not far either. The condo has a fabulous view and the university ca be seen from the large walkout balcony. It has a large kitchen because I know you like to cook and bake with a dinette nearby. It has an extra-large open living room with plenty of space for a large sectional with one of those big ottomans or a nice couch and some lounge chairs. It has two bathrooms, but I think we should add another, and it has a small office which can be converted into another bedroom. The condo has three fairly nice size bedrooms if you decide to have roommates, which I'm assuming you are. I know several of your dormmates made it into Serrice." She said as she looked over toward Praci. "Maybe Prass."
She rubbed the back of her neck, "Maybe..."
"Praci got into Serrice as well... did she not?" asked Liara
She wrung her hands together "Yes, she did."
Miranda wrapped an arm around her "Hey, it's ok to be with her we don't care."
"I know it's just we're not really a thing, thing." said Milizkia as she glanced over at Benezia then everyone else.
Miranda arched a brow as she said "Ah, like a benefits kind of thing?"
She squinted an eye as she hesitated then said "Uhhh maybe…"
Miranda made as face as she said "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry then throw it out in front of everyone. Moving on…" then looked at Liara.
Liara made a face then quickly tapped at her omni then said "Umm so Mil, after some renovations your place should be available a week or two before school starts. It'll be fully furnished and it's your choice on who you want to be your roommates."
She nodded as she said "Ok."
"You plan on being at Serrice for at least the next eight years, right?" asked Liara
"That's the plan. Definitely four years to get a bachelor's degree but I plan on getting a master's and a doctorate or another type of degree. I see several degrees in the future. Maybe pursue my baking skills… I know they were a hit here on campus."
Liara smiled "Good to hear. I believe the students, teaching staff…. The whole campus actually are going to miss those muffins and the other goodies you made. I believe you made a nice little profit on those muffins."
Milizkia crossed her arms as she arched a brow marking "Well… we could continue it and strike up a deal…a contract may be."
Liara laughed, "Look at you… already a businesswoman. The Mad Hatter's Muffins?"
Milizkia smiled, "Maybe…"
"I'll strike that deal if you can follow through, but I don't want it to interfere with your schoolwork."
She nodded then said "There's plenty of time for school."
Liara nodded, "And there's plenty of time for business. We all know this product sells, and people love it. Finish your schooling, and I promise you we'll make this business boom. There will be The Mad Hatter's Muffins everywhere."
She laughed, "Ok, what about the academy?"
"If you have time and want to make them then there will be a place for them there. You'll have to deliver them, though." Said Liara
"Well, that shouldn't be a problem with the new transportation I have." Replied Milizkia
"Speaking of…let's hit Armali strip and go to the Vortex." Said Anna.
"Ooh yes! But first let's see how fast this goes!" said Benezia as she snatched the key fob out of her hand and headed toward the exit.
"Wait is it here?" asked Milizkia
"Duh! Miri and Alex drove it over." Replied Anna
The girls exited the elevator and headed through the parking garage over to valet. Milizkia stopped then said "Shit, I totally forgot about Prass."
Anna rolled her eyes, "Are we really going all the way back up to get her? Just tell her to meet us there." She pointed toward Armali Strip "It's like right there. Besides they're probably already over there waiting on Benezia and standing in line." she said as she laughed then bumped her sister.
She gave a slight head nod "True."