[N7]

Mass Effect 30 Day Challenge Day 08 → Probing planets, or Mako style? L Probing planets.

The short matriarch walked through the Silversun Strip, ignoring the sway of bodies around her. It was cleaner than most casinos, in her experience, but there was still the lingering smell of the various smoking substances and countless alcohols that each species had. She was still irritated from her shift at the bar. After Garrus had left her with all her sore spots sufficiently agitated, the rest of her customers had only helped piss her off more.

From the rapid transit, it was just a few feet before she was able to get off the strip and into the quieter hallways that led to Shepard’s apartment. There were a few people here too, looking at the latest in furniture design. None of it looked appealing to her, and she kept on her path, ignoring the shoppers. It wasn’t like there was room for any of in her tiny ass apartment anyway.

It didn’t surprise her when the door to Shepard’s apartment didn’t open immediately. She pressed her palm to the panel, indicating her presence, and waited. Why the hell had she come by again? Her temper was short, it had been her whole life but being sober made it even worse, and it wasn’t like her earlier conversation with Garrus had left her anything but bitter. Maybe she was just a glutton for punishment. That had to be her problem. Or it could be because the idea of spending another night in her shithole little apartment staring at pictures of her kids and a half-dozen still full bottles of wine couldn’t be healthy.

Dressed in his casual clothes, a blue and white robe, he pressed a button on the panel, seeing who was on the other side. Ah, Aethyta. So, she had taken up his offer. Pressing another button, the door opened. “Matriarch,” he nodded to her in greeting. “Come in, please. I was about to start pouring the drinks.” He led her inside and gestured to the large leather couch. “Make yourself comfortable.” The door closed after her, and Garrus called into Shepard’s office. “Matriarch Aethyta is here, hot stuff.” Garrus had been researching pet names. He was trying them all out when he could. “She has some interesting stories to tell us.” Opening the fridge, he pulled out something for the two of them, and then something for himself. No complicated stuff. Just straight out of the bottle.

"The Turian Hierarchy is in shambles," Shepard continued to her mother, trying to explain the precarious situation she found herself in.  "There is no just, unbiased law.  The entirety of the Turian species should feel outraged by that fact, but only a handful do.  And Garrus has decided to try and spearhead any recovery and rebuilding efforts that he can."

"And I'm sure it's just a coincidence that he's getting what he wants, tagging alongside the savior of the galaxy."  Hannah Shepard's tongue was just as sharp as her daughter remembered it being back when she was a child.  The redhead rolled her eyes at her mother.

"Garrus is doing his damnest to try and put his homeworld back together again.  If my presence helps grease the wheels a little -which I don't even think it does- then so be it.  And yes, Mom, I know what you're going to say."  Shepard held up a hand to wave off her mother's next complaint.  "Being the human mate of a Turian Primarch is bound to get me a target planted between my shoulder blades.  Let's just say I'm cautious, and chances are, I have more people looking out for me then trying to kill me.  Garrus doesn't even want to be Primarch.  He's doing it until someone trustworthy can take over."

This stalled Hannah momentarily.  The elder Shepard looked over her daughter, noticing the dusting of scars on every inch of naked skin.  Most of them were almost completely healed, but the redhead would almost assuredly still bear their presence.  From downstairs and out in the living room, she heard her Turian calling to her, and her head flicked behind her, listening to what he was saying.

In front of her, her mother arched an eyebrow.  "Hot stuff, Jane?"  The seasoned officer was trying not to smirk.

"He's been trying out pet names.  I think I'm going to start calling him something equally embarrassing."

Hannah Shepard laughed.  It was a rich sound, one that Jane relished, as she didn't get to hear it enough during her childhood.  Trained officers weren't so undisciplined that they allowed themselves to fully feel- to lose track of their emotions.  Emotion was weakness.  Weakness was death.  Shepard herself knew this as well.

"Go see to your guest, Jane," her mother ordered sternly, but not unkindly.  It was something that Shepard was used to by now.

"Bye Mom.  I'll talk to you soon."

And the screen flickered off.  Standing, she shook her head.  "Savior of the galaxy, and still being ordered around by her mother.  Wonder what the extranet would make of that."  Entering the living room, she quickly descended the stairs, coming over to a rather angry-looking Asari.  Her attractiveness wasn't diminished by the obvious foul mood however, and though Jane knew she was a matriarch, she didn't look a day over the human age of thirty.

“That is terrible, Kasumi,” he chuckled when she stated that she stole things while stocking them. “They must have some intriguing items, indeed, if you are snatching them away. Though, of course, I’m coming to the realization that you just enjoy stealing for stealing’s sake. Are you an adrenaline junkie?” he asked her, smirking. He was teasing her, of course. Garrus always found it very easy to tease people. Especially humans. They sort of just walked into it. “We’re going to come visit,” he told her, smirking even more. “We’ll find what store you’re working at, and we’ll come visit when you’re actually working, and we will make things so awkward for you.” Garrus chuckled, stopping his teasing of the poor thing. He didn’t need her to get captured and thrown into jail now. Though, she could probably use the fact that she had helped on Crucible to her advantage … They owed her.

His sharp eyes caught sight of her glistening eyes, and he felt immediately bad. He hadn’t meant to cause her hurt with his words. Thinking for what to say, he finally said, “maybe it’s time to bury the graybox,” he suggested to her. “Let your past be exactly that … and move on into the future. Everyone is doing that now. You don’t want to be left behind, do you?” he nudged her, squeezing her hand. “If you’d like, we can even have a sort of funeral for Keiji  . .. even if it’s just you and me. If you think it will help.”Garrus couldn’t help but smile at her words. She had a point. His death would ignite the wrath of Jane Shepard . ..  and that wouldn’t be a pretty sight. He’d seen it a few times himself, and he’d nearly wet  himself as a result. Well, not really. It was actually pretty hot when she was angry. “Yeah, maybe,” he sighed at her comment about retirement. “I was just really looking forward to that tropical weather.”

Ever since it had been discovered that she'd survived the Crucible crashing -though just barely- Hackett was always trying to get her to show herself off in public.  The "Poster Child for the Alliance", he'd called her.  Well, whatever.  She'd play along for the moment.  The Admiral had never said where to show herself, however.  And so, it wasn't a huge surprise that Shepard found herself entering the bar roughly half an hour later.

What was surprising was that Garrus was already there, and it appeared... with Kasumi?  She found her lips curving into a smile.  Good.  She loved the little family she had forged with her crew, and was glad that they seemed to care as much about each other as she did about them.  Shepard hesitated just a moment, however...  What if they'd rather be by themselves?  What if they were discussing something that was private?  She tamped down on a little tiny surge of jealousy.  Not at Kasumi, per se.  But at the thought that Garrus would rather be with someone else.  But no.  She couldn't allow herself to think that  way.  She would simply go up to them, and if they preferred to be alone, she'd find somewhere else to drink.  Perfect idea.

She was still quite far from them when Garrus whipped his head around, pinpointing her as if he'd known she was there the entire time.  Shepard felt her cheeks heat- smell.  Of course.  Damned Turians and their damned heightened predator senses.  His words reverberated in his flanging voice, the subharmonics resonating mirth.  Oh, he was going to pay.

Following Shepard’s lead, Garrus joined her at the table with their former squadmates. “Hey, Williams … Alenko.” Helping Shepard into her seat, he sat down beside her and immediately heard Ashley ask about their sex life. “Uhhh,” his jaw drop, and he cleared his throat. He supposed he shouldn’t be surprised. A Turian and a human? Hell, he didn’t even know how it would work when they first started out. Apparently, human biology wasn’t so different from Turian … well … in that regard anyway. Hearing Alenko become just as flustered as he felt, he offered them both an uncomfortable smile. “I think we should start with some drinks. I’m aware none of us are really used to just … relaxing. Hell, even when we went to the club back during the war, we always had one hand on our gun. People like us? … We’re not meant for normalcy.” He gestured for the waitress to come over.

“Let’s start with the strongest drinks you have,” he told her. “Three Levo, and one Dextro.” He took the menu in hand as the waitress nodded and walked off. “Anyone know about the food here? Anything particularly appetizing?” He was still avoiding Ashley’s question. He had no idea what he was supposed to say … “There … uh … really isn’t much a difference. I mean … that goes in that … . and there’s thrusting involved … and then uhh … climax. Right, Shepard?” he looked over at her. “I suppose the only real difference is that my err … reproductive organ doesn’t uh … hang out … like Alenko’s does. Mine is held internally,” he explained. Garrus really didn’t want to further explain that. He felt awkward as it was. Thankfully, the waitress returned with their drinks. Immediately, he seized his and drained it in four large gulps.

After their drinks arrived, Shepard looked at the purple-colored liquid.  Huh.  "Asari Piss is what they call this back in basic.  Said to be distilled with a weak form of Red Sand.  I  didn't know it was legal to sell it now..."  With a shrug, she downed it in one gulp, wincing as the burn nearly overwhelmed her.  It was offset by a very pleasant aftertaste though, and as Shepard shook her head to clear it, she already knew this was going to be her drink of choice for the night.  It was hard not to simply order the waitress to bring her the whole bottle.  She was definitely used to getting what she wanted by simply demanding it.  But no... she had to act relatively civilized.  At least until she got drunk.  That thought made her snort silently.  When the waitress came back with a fresh drink, she asked her to keep it coming, and to make them doubles from now on.  Hell, they were here to relax.  She might as well go all out.

Words swam around on the menu as she opened it, and already, she could feel that warm hum suffuse her body, the gentle rush of blood in her ears quieting her mind.  Shepard didn't remember what she ordered, but the waitress smiled at her and took the menu, so she guessed she said something vaguely recognizable at least.  She suddenly tensed, barefly fighting the urge to look down.  There was a hand on her leg...  And not just any hand.  Flickering her eyes to Garrus without moving her head, she saw him making perfect conversation.  Which was interesting, seeing as though he'd just finished explaining -however vaguely- about their sex life.  That drink must have made him brave.  His fingers were touching sensitive flesh up by her thigh, making goosebumps prickle along her skin.  Huh.  Suddenly, those 'interesting tidbits' could hardly be held in check.  Two could play at this game.

Politely, she waited until Ashley and Kaidan had finished their answer about how long they'd been on the Citadel, filing their response away for later perusal.  This little nugget of gold was too good of an opportunity to pass by.  If Williams was curious about Turian sex practices, who was she to deny her the information?  One might even say she had a duty to her former subordinate to help her learn as much as possible, especially with her boyfriend being the Primarch of the Turian homeworld- whether he wanted to admit that or not.  Her justification for being a mischief maker only made the entire thing sweeter in her mind.

Subject: RE: Still Owe You Drinks

"Well well," her voice intoned softly, coming up behind the form of her old crew member.  "I must be seeing things.  I swear you look just like the Master Theif, Kasumi Goto.  But all reports say that she died."

Mass Effect Addiction by ~Ravien93

Keep Calm And Assume Direct Control by qmracer01

Subject: RE: Still Owe You Drinks

Hey Kasumi.  It's so good to hear from you.  Garrus said he had seen you recently.  I'm glad to hear that you made it through the war.  Okuda, ay?  You'll have to explain the entire name change to me later, I'd rather not put you at risk if this isn't a secure channel.  I'll be at Purgatory tonight, 1900 hours.  I'll stay there for a few hours.  If you're around, I'd love to catch up, and drink of course.

P.S.  I always have mission with impossible odds that are in need of recruits.  Just let me know if you change your mind.

Hoping to see you tonight.

Shepard

Shepard sent the message from her terminal, checking to see that she had a few hours left before she would be due at the bar.  Garrus was meeting with dignitaries...  As the -officially unofficial- Primarch of Palaven, he had quite a job to do.  One that Shepard herself had been happy to assist with whenever he asked it of her.  But tonight was a break for her, and she was happy at the prospect of spending it with her former thieving companion.