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Marked Effect (AFF Edition)	By : unrealuniverse Category: +M through R > Mass Effect Views: 22185 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Mass Effect characters, species, locations and the universal setting are owned by Bioware and not myself. Any other brand names mentioned are property of their respective owners. This work is and always will be free for anyone to read.

Chapter List
- 26
- 27
- 28
Chapter 27 - Off World Inexperience
Tuesday 24th January 2017
-----
Sam does not get the best nights sleep ever in the slightly turbulent transport. He quickly puts his clothes on and opens the door, after hearing a knock, to see Talima. "Morning Sam. I apologise if I woke you but we must leave." Sam was starting to feel as if this was a chore. He nodded before following Talima out of the transport to a waiting shuttle nearby. They both climb on-board and Talima closes the door.
"I am glad to see you two. My name is Saymera and I am the manager of Galactic Acceptance's support network." Saymera took no time to set off towards the facility after the two of them had got in.
"I am Talima and this is Sam."
"I am guessing that you have both been sent to see Amistathya?"
"No Saymera just Sam. I am only here to make sure Sam is safe and has everything that he wishes."
"I am not so sure about this as..."
"I am sorry to interrupt Saymera but Sam requested not to be told anything except her name and her age."
"Really Sam? I think you might need our help while you are here."
"Yes Saymera. I understand it could be highly risky as I will know nothing. I am however hoping that given I know nothing I will not be seen as threatening in any way."
"I am not sure how that will help in this case but it is up to you. Iona will be your contact to help you with Amistathya. I would recommend speaking to her first." Saymera lands the shuttle in a parking space almost within spitting distance of the main entrance. The three of them get out and walk into the building immediately entering a large reception area.
"This is our reception area which handles every person that walks in and needs our help."
"How many people do you get a day?" Sam clearly interested in the size of this operation.
"At this location we usually get about thirty a day, but over our three facilities we usually give advice and help to about seventy five people a day." The three of them continued past the reception desk down a corridor to its right. "If the person just needs advice or quick help then we can provide that instantly with no waiting. If the person needs longer term help and cannot come in on a daily basis, or has no home or is a danger to themselves then we provide them with a room which they are able to stay in until they have recovered."
"It sounds like you provide a vital service for the community as a whole."
"We try to but we do not get enough funding to be able to provide this service to enough people. We estimate sixty thousand people a year would benefit from our services in one way or another on Thessia alone. We would ideally like to open outreach centres on the Citadel and Illium to be able to get our support to individuals there as well."
"How is this all funded?"
"There are a couple of private contributors but most of our funding comes from the Serrice and Armali councils who essentially fund the three facilities." The three of them walk around the corner to the left at the end of the corridor and Saymera opens the first door on the left. "If you would both like to enter." Sam and Talima do so to enter what looks like a large office. A desk was at the back of the room and a round meeting table for six nearer the door. A friendly looking Asari gets up from her desk and walks over. "Iona this is Talima and Sam. I am sure you can explain to each other what is happening. I will be at reception if either of you need me." Sam and Talima nod and Saymera leaves.
"It is wonderful to meet you both. Please take a seat." They do so at the meeting table. "I guess you are here to help with Amistathya?"
"Iona. I am not exactly sure why I am here if I am honest. With what I have managed to piece together on the way here I would prefer to know as little as possible about her."
"Strangely that is how most of the galactic community sees you at the moment Sam, an unknown entity. In that case I will only say I was brought in as a second opinion. I was therefore only told her name and age to keep my opinion impartial. I have found out nothing more over the last three days about her so I know as much as you do Sam."
"You have been with her three days?"
"I have been trying to make her more comfortable and happy Talima. Without any success I may add."
"Is there anything important I need to know Iona before I see her?"
"No Sam. I am however curious as to why you say I? Are you both not here to see her?"
"I am not here to see Amistathya Iona. I am only here to help Sam and to keep him safe."
"I understand. If you would like to follow me Sam." Sam gets up and follows Iona to the room immediately in front of them after turning right. "I have one piece of information and one request to make Sam. The first is when you wish to leave; touching the door control panel will open the door for you. The request is could you leave your shoes outside." Sam nods and begins to remove his shoes.
"Does the door not open if she touches the panel?" Sam forgoing using her name given the oddness of it.
"No Sam." Iona shaking her head. "I wish you better luck than I had and we will happily provide you lunch in my office if you would like that."
"It would be more convenient, if it is no hassle for you."
"Of course not." Iona unlocks the door and opens it. "You know where to find me if you need me." Sam nods and Iona turns to take the dozen or so paces to her office. Sam steps in to the padded room with the door shutting behind him making him jump a little. He peers into a small bathroom on his left to see no one there so decides to move forward. He looks around the corner to see an Asari sitting on a foam mattress, her back in the corner of the room and her legs brought near her chest. She seemed to be wearing gloves as well as what Sam assumed was standard white top and trousers, with white socks.
"Greetings Amistathya. My name is Sam. I deeply apologise if I have mispronounced your name." She does not make any movement. "I know you may be wondering what species I am. I apologise a little as this is all new to me as well so I understand what you may feel like." Sam decides it would be best if he sat down in the opposite corner to Amistathya. Amistathya just looked at Sam but said nothing. "I know nothing about you except your name and your age. Would you like to tell me something?" Sam was hoping this worked as otherwise this is going to be hard work. Amistathya did not seem to want to be co-operative.
"Do you mind if I tell you a story?" Sam got nothing much from Amistathya except a small tilt of the head. "Nothing can really prepare you to see a new species. The fear of the unknown makes you want to run, but the thrill of meeting them and the curiosity of how they got there takes over. I bet you feel the same as I did on that cold night when I first met two Asari. The pair of them looking cold, a little lost and in need of some help. While I understand that you may not feel you need some help, given you are in here and you have barely lived a fifth of your life you really do Amistathya." Sam looks across to the Asari in the corner wondering what was happening behind those sky blue markings. "I hear Iona has been in here with you for the last three days. She seemed warm and friendly which confuses me. I would ask why you did not speak to her but that is the wrong question." Sam just caught the slight glimpse of confusion on Amistathya's face. "I was called here from Illium to see you Amistathya so I am not going to waste the opportunity by asking stupid questions. I would quite like to ask if you like your body Amistathya?" She brings her legs a little closer to her body with that question.
Sam takes a few minutes to see if she would give an answer but she makes no movement or no attempt to answer. "Amistathya, over these last few weeks I have seen more strange things than you could probably imagine. I can see now you are an Asari. You also have the right physical features such as arms and legs. While I may be a little shocked if you had bright yellow skin, I could not say that it is wrong as for all I know that could be what some Asari look like. I have only ever seen two Asari and both had markings on their body." Amistathya seems to close up a little more. "I guess from your reaction that you have the same condition Amistathya. I am sure Adastra and Seliha would be interested in meeting you."
"You lie." Sam was almost relieved when he heard those two words uttered in a soft, cool voice.
"I really do not Amistathya. Adastra was the first Asari I ever saw on my home world. She taught me Asari and we really annoyed the Asari Councillor. She is a friendly individual who really cares about others, although her reputation that she has gained portrays her in a bad light. Adastra's markings are seemingly chaotic and fairly random. Seliha's are well organised and symmetrical but she has less of them. I mean even I do not have bare coloured legs." Sam pulls up his left trouser leg which seems to get Amistathya's attention. She does not make any kind of comment to seeing the hair on his leg. "I should go to talk to Iona and have something to eat as this is remarkably tiring. I will be back in a bit Amistathya." Sam gets as far as just standing on his feet before getting pushed back into the padding of the room. Sam looks over to Amistathya thankful in his mind for the padding in the room. "I hope that means you wish to talk to me Amistathya as it is not the friendliest way to treat people."
"You are weird."
"To you maybe as I am a different species. To me it is everything and everyone out here that is weird. All I can do is accept everything is as it is as I have no concept of whether something is normal or not. I must however say you are still young and you can do an awful lot in eight hundred years Amistathya. If I had that amount of time I would know I have the time to make everything in the future better. It may not make what has happened better but you can feel positive about going forwards. I have seventy years if I am lucky to do the same and meeting Adastra was the best bit of luck I have had to begin that journey. If you would kindly let me go for some lunch I would appreciate that. I would also like you to consider offering to show me a little of your markings. I know you feel defensive about doing so but please trust me." Amistathya gives the merest of nods. Sam carefully gets up knowing what happened last time and cautiously makes his way to the door. He puts his shoes back on before walking into Iona's office. Iona and Talima were sitting next to each other at the table, facing towards the door.
"How was she Sam?"
"Well I managed to get five words out of her Iona. They were not answers to questions in case you were trying to gain any more knowledge."
"Did you find out anything interesting Sam?"
"I think I know why she is a little shy but I asked her to consider an offer to prove it to me. I am expecting her not to though."
"Would you be willing to tell me Sam?" Iona seemingly desperate to know as she was just about managing to keep a lid on her enthusiasm.
"She essentially told me she disliked her body. That plus the gloves and how defensive she was made me think is she like Adastra."
"You mean you think she has markings on her body? The chances of that are practically nothing Sam."
"She did not deny the fact when I mentioned it Iona. I asked if she would consider showing me after lunch. I am expecting her not to do so, but it would be nice if she did. If she does and it is true, I think I then know why Sha'ira asked me to come."
"Talima has told me about yourself and Adastra. From what I gather you were the first individual she seemed to trust."
"Adastra never gave anyone else the opportunity Iona, it was just by chance that I saw her. I am hoping she uses it as a step forward to open up a little more to others. This is not really all that relevant to Amistathya however as she is certainly different from Adastra."
"I do apologise Sam but when I have questions about someone, I like to find the answers. You seem to talk a lot and say very little, which is almost as confusing as Amistathya who refused to say anything." Sam laughs a little.
"Perhaps you are asking the wrong questions Iona."
"I will consider that Sam. I will see where lunch is as you seem keen to get back to Amistathya."
"If she converses more then maybe but getting the odd word is remarkably tough." Iona nods and leaves.
-----
Lunchtime in the Skylounge was remarkably busy today so tables were in short supply. Fosanta and Seliha had managed to claim one that was close to the window so when Kate and Adastra appeared it was easy for them to sit together.
"Is anyone else struggling to work today?"
"I think we all are Kate. I am personally missing him a little." Kate laughs a little at Adastra.
"I am as well Adastra. He has almost become the annoying and always in trouble sibling who you want to get rid of and then miss when he is gone. I hope that he can give us some information soon."
"I am sure that he will Fosanta once he gets some spare time." Seliha hoping that she is right.
-----
"I was only curious earlier as to why you managed to get Amistathya to speak Sam. I thought it may have been something to do with your time with Adastra."
"I will give you more information later Iona but I am starting to wonder if it is because of me knowing nothing. I mean as I mentioned to Amistathya, I have no understanding of what is right and what is not. I have only seen two Asari and both of those individuals have markings, does that mean all Asari have markings?"
"Two Sam?" Both Talima and Iona mentioning almost simultaneously.
"I have no reason to lie to either of you. As I said you are asking the wrong questions. The lunch was nice but I believe I have a sky blue marked Asari to hopefully talk to." Iona stands up and Sam follows her out of the room. "I have a question, would you consider moving her out of this room as it seems pointless?"
"If you can reliably communicate with her then we would probably consider doing so Sam. We could not work out whether she was a danger to herself or not so we took the safer route."
"I think she would appreciate the move Iona. I will come and discuss it in a bit." Iona nods and unlocks the door. Sam removes his shoes and cautiously makes his way into the room. "Hello." Sam intentionally keeping his voice a little lower than usual so he does not startle Amistathya. He takes a seat in the opposite corner again. "You look a little defensive Amistathya. I am not going to hurt you and if you do not wish to show me anything then you do not have to."
"How did you get here?" Sam smiles and relaxes a little with the question, a feeling of relief that the chances of a conversation are in sight.
"Do you mean from my home world to say the Citadel?" She nods slightly. "Can I just remark before I begin answering that you have a lovely voice Amistathya." Sam wonders if she may respond but she seems more keen in getting an answer to her question. "It is a bit of a long story but I can see you are not in that much of a rush. An Asari exploration ship was attacked and had to make a faster than light get away. This caused the mass effect core to discharge into the ship damaging a number of different components. When they dropped out of FTL my home world was the obvious place for the crew to go to find water. Two of the five Asari left onboard after the attack went down in a shuttle to collect some. Unfortunately at the time the star in the solar system had launched two flares in the direction of my planet which impacted the shuttle causing it to make a rough landing. One of the two Asari was injured and the door seal was damaged. I was passing on a nearby road at the time and came across a tree. I spotted something moving in the undergrowth so I went to have a look. So that is how I ended up meeting Adastra. One thing lead to another and a couple of days later myself and another of my species went to the ship to help repair it. We were then offered the opportunity to come back with them, which we did so and most of us now live on Illium." Sam looks over at the indecisive blue one who seems torn as to what to do or think. "Do you think that you would be happier if you were in a better room?" Amistathya looks a little confused. "I will go and see what I can do. I will be back soon." Sam looks for a response but does not seem to get any. He keeps and eye on her as he leaves the room, given the lack of approval, but nothing untoward happens. Sam puts his shoes back on and enters Iona's room again. "I am back to see about the room change."
"Is she conversing with you Sam?"
"I got a question from her Iona which I would class as conversing. She just seems really confused and scared. I think giving her a bit of trust might get us a little in return. It is at least worth a try as I do not think she wishes to shorten her life."
"Have you learnt anything from her Sam?"
"Other than I am growing a bit of a liking to her voice no Iona. I can see you are not convinced."
"I am not but you have got further than I managed so maybe I was missing something. I will talk to Saymera about changing her room." Sam nods and Iona leaves.
"Is it wrong that I am seemingly going against what Galactic Acceptance has done up to now Talima?"
"If you feel it is a sound decision then it is best to voice it Sam. It is even more important in situations where you have managed to make progress when others have failed to do so." Sam nods as he takes a seat to wait for Iona coming back. "You seem fairly exhausted Sam."
"It is surprisingly, quite hard work talking to someone who seems to keep most of the interaction in their head. I am rather pleased I have yourself and Iona to talk to otherwise this would be even more difficult." Talima nods as Iona comes back through the door looking a little less cheerful.
"Saymera was not particularly happy with the notion of moving her Sam. I am not sure how happy you may be but she asked me to be with you when you see her. It was the best I could do to convince her Sam."
"I should really have a talk to her myself later but we will see how this ends up working out first. Am I ok to talk to her on my own to explain what is to happen first?" Sam walking out of the office and towards Amistathya's current room.
"I will meet you in her new room Sam. It is four doors down on the same side of the corridor." Sam nods before talking his shoes off. Iona unlocks the door and goes down the corridor and enters her new room. Sam walks in to the padded room again to find Amistathya still in the same place as before.
"I do apologise for taking a while Amistathya." Sam sits back down again in the opposite corner. "I have got a new room for you but I have a few questions I must ask you first. If you could answer them then I would really appreciate it." The blue one just seems to be waiting for the questions. "Sorry, I keep thinking you may acknowledge with a nod or something. I said I was not going to ask stupid questions, I apologise, but it seems I have no choice. Could I ask why you do not like Iona?"
"They all scare me."
"Are you afraid of what they might do?" Amistathya gives a small nod. Sam tries to work out what may be happening here. "Has Iona done anything in the last few days which makes you believe that may be the case?"
"They have."
"I am assuming by they you mean Galactic Acceptance, but not Iona herself?" The Asari nods her head. "Amistathya, if I am in the room at the same time would you be happy enough to move from here?" Sam gets up and moves closer, crouching down not far from her. Amistathya seems to try and make herself disappear into the crease in the corner of the room, without success. "Please do not be scared. I have only come to offer to help you get up, nothing else." Sam holds his hand out. "If you cannot trust me to just be friendly then how can you trust the people who make your meals not to have put poison in them. You cannot go on without giving people a chance to earn your trust Amistathya. I am just wishing to give you a nicer room, which I think you deserve, and to help you get there." She tentatively reaches out and takes hold of Sam's hand. He pulls himself and Amistathya up before letting go. She looks down at her gloved hand with confusion on her face. "Are you happy enough to follow me?" She looks up to Sam with no real warmth to her grey eyes and nods. Sam makes his way out of the room and picks up his shoes before walking to the door of Amistathya's new room. He opens the door and gestures Amistathya inside. "Please do not be alarmed to see Iona. It is not a trap or anything; it is just us wanting to offer you something better." She peers around the corner into the room. She seems happy enough Sam is telling the truth as she slowly makes her way into the room, taking her time as she gets closer to Iona who was sitting on the desk chair.
"I will not do anything Amistathya. I know you are scared of me but you need not be." Amistathya, staying close to the wall, climbs on her new bed to sit back in the corner of the room. Sam wonders if he could abuse his tentative trust and sit on the bottom of the bed. He does so and looks to Amistathya who does not seem to bothered by him being just out of arms reach.
"I have a question Iona, Amistathya said she was scared of you all because you as a group had done something to convince her that you may hurt her. Do you know anything about this?"
"No Sam. Could I ask what was done Amistathya?" The solemn blue one shook her head while looking out of her new window.
"Would you be ok if we tried to find out what happened or would you rather we not know Amistathya?" Iona looked confused at this offer.
"Please do not ask." Sam smiles at Iona's shock of Amistathya speaking.
"Do you have any questions for either of us? I am sure you do and we would quite like to hear them." Amistathya seems to contemplate something for a few moments before looking to Iona.
"Do you work here?"
"I am not a permanent employee Amistathya. Galactic Acceptance ask me to come in to provide second opinions and to help individuals who are not typical cases. I do have my own office as I am here quite often, but whatever they did I was not a part of."
"Why are you here?" Amistathya turning to look at Sam.
"You would have to ask the question which is the most complicated." Sam sighs. "I was told on Sunday that I had an opportunity to help someone and I might be the most suitable person to do so. I was given the option not to take the offer but I was curious as to why I would be asked, especially when I had only been in the galactic community just over a week. I must state that at this point I did not know anything other than the individual was at a charitable organisation called Galactic Acceptance and it is on Thessia. I suppose I felt a little empathy for the individual as I have had a difficult past few months since my parents were killed in an accident. I never really had anyone who I felt close enough to, to discuss it with and no one was offering to sit down and listen. I thought if they have had a similar situation I could maybe help them move on. So that is why I am here." Amistathya nods, seemingly happy with the full answer.
"How did you manage with that Sam?"
"Before I met Adastra and Shiala I just carried on as best I could. I did not have high expectations and could not see a bright future. The best I could have hoped for was a better paid job. Now not only have I been in space, I have travelled faster than light, met other species and seen different worlds. I know I have not accepted all of this as real yet as it is a big change, but it is a nice future." Amistathya seems content to listen on.
"Did you not have a psychological evaluation when you came here Sam?" Sam laughs.
"No Iona, not only am I on the watch list because Adastra connected with me after I had seen her, but we left the Citadel early because the captain of the Enlighten did something stupid. I would quite like it if you did not do one now Iona as we are here to help Amistathya, not try to work out how I think."
"I apologise Sam but the fascination to get a new species perspective is rather enticing."
"I will give you my opinion of Asari if you would like to hear it." Iona nods with a smile. "Amistathya is the first Asari I can feel any sort of confidence of my first impressions being correct. Every other Asari I have met, I either still have no idea about or took a few days to work out. Some people would just accept this and be happy with it but it seems odd to me." Iona seems a little puzzled.
"I would like to hear it." Amistathya looking towards Sam still seemingly trying to work something out.
"You mean the first impression that I have formed?" She nods. "I think you are here because you have nowhere else to go. I guess that means either, you have no family or close friends, or do not know where they are. You seem nervous around other people but more so Asari, so I guess something from your past involving Asari has affected you. You are a fairly shy individual normally and I also think that you would rather find a way out of here than kill yourself, even if your life has not been particularly good to you. I do apologise if it was a bit close to the truth Amistathya." She gives Sam a slight nod but no indication if any of it was true.
"You managed to make all of those logical deductions from first impressions Sam?"
"I have had a bit of time to think about it but I feel I am right. About the only thing I can work out about you Iona is that you probably went to university and did reasonably well. I hope you can see from this demonstration what I was saying, the friendliness is nice but it obscures the individual."
"You are correct in your assumptions about me Sam but how did you come up with so much more about Amistathya?"
"Most people would go to family or friends for help before spending time in an unknown building with unknown people. You said you had been with her three days and found out nothing. While the fact remains that someone in this building did something to her, if it was just that, she would only be upset at that individual and no one else. This goes further than that to something in her past. She has soft voice which would not usually fit with an outgoing individual. I also feel she is waiting for a plausible reason to continue with her life as it has been all that tolerable up to now and she could only see it getting worse." Sam turns to the corner dweller. "Amistathya it can get better, you just need to be a little optimistic." She does not seem convinced enough to respond.
"Amistathya is any of what Sam said correct?" She gives a small nod before resting her forehead on her knees.
"I have a question which I feel is important Amistathya. Do you think you would ever trust me?"
"Can you prove you will never hurt me?" The question appearing from the gap between her thighs and her chest.
"I am going to say this a little harshly Amistathya but no one can do that. You will get hurt whether physically or emotionally again and there is not much chance of avoiding that, it is just a fact of life. Having people around you for comfort and support when it does happen is the best thing you can have. That is what I wish to help you with as being alone makes everything more difficult." Sam and Iona look at each other after a few seconds when there was no response.
"Please could you both leave?" Iona was just about to speak when Sam gestured her not to.
"Will you let us come back tomorrow?"
"No." Sam gestures to Iona that they should leave the room.
"I hope you find your own path Amistathya as you have a lot to look forward to." Sam gets up and leaves the room with Iona following. The two of them leave the room and begin walking to Iona's office.
"Why did you want me to stay quiet Sam?"
"It was obvious she wanted a bit of time to herself. I however did not like the sound of not coming back tomorrow." Sam following Iona into her office.
"I was sort of expecting the tiredness but not the unhappy faces."
"While I cannot really blame Sam as he seems to understand her better than I do, he may have hurt her a little." Talima looks to Sam.
"Not physically and it was just the harsh truth. I did not want her walking out of here thinking everything will be great and then quickly realising it is not. I would rather tell the truth to earn trust than lie and hope they do not hate you for it when they find out later."
"Sam does have a point Iona. So are we back tomorrow?" Iona sits down and looks up to Sam.
"She said no but I think I have to." Sam has a quick think. "Iona can you do three things for me?"
"I will say once I hear them Sam."
"Could you ensure she is checked at irregular intervals throughout the night just to make sure she did not take my harsh fact of life too badly? Can I also have time alone with her tomorrow?"
"That is two things and she asked us not to come back tomorrow."
"Could I deliver her breakfast tomorrow morning? I will be delivering breakfast not dropping in to just talk."
"Breakfast is at eight Sam so I guess you could give her it if you were here by then. I will try to arrange this with Saymera but she may want to swap her rooms back."
"Iona, she would see them doing that as another reason not to trust them. I know I would be annoyed if that happened to me. She just needs checking every now and then. Can you do that or do I need to speak to Saymera?"
"I think you should Sam. Saymera seemed to barely trust what I said to get her moved. I am sure she will be at reception on your way out. I hope to see you both tomorrow then."
"Try to get a good nights sleep as it was not your fault Iona." She nods before Sam and Talima leave her room and walk down the corridor to reception. "This has been the longest day I have had for a while."
"As long as you did your best and it sounds like you did, then that is all that matters Sam." He nods to Talima just before they walk through the door at the end of the corridor into the reception area.
"Iona did not seem to make much sense earlier Sam. What do you think of Amistathya?"
"Iona seemed less happy after finding out her efforts of the last few days were pointless because of what happened earlier." Saymera looks confused. "Amistathya told me she was scared of them, them being Galactic Acceptance staff. She would not say that if you did not do something to upset her. I do not want you to tell me what happened, I am just letting you know."
"So she is actually speaking?"
"You sound surprised Saymera. Yes she is speaking but I think she is tired. I have three things to request." Saymera nods. "Can I deliver her breakfast tomorrow morning? Can I speak to her on my own tomorrow as I do not think Amistathya is too confident with Iona there, and can you just keep an eye on her every now and then but do not try to move her or talk to her?"
"Is she a danger to herself Sam?"
"No but I know you do not like to take risks so I thought you would prefer it that way, just to be double sure. I know I can get things wrong sometimes."
"Ok then Sam. I guess you have discussed this with Iona?" Sam nods. "As you are probably aware then, breakfast is at eight. If you are here before that time you can deliver her breakfast. I will ensure someone keeps an eye on her."
"I appreciate that. I will be back tomorrow."
"Have a pleasant evening you two." The pair of them nod and leave the building.
"I guess we need to sort out sleeping arrangements now?" Sam almost sounded as if he is working through a mental checklist.
"I have a room already sorted out for us not far at all from here." Sam sighs. "Is there a problem Sam?"
"Kate would be so annoyed at me."
"Why would that be Sam?"
"She will be thinking it is my fault for sleeping with three different females. I do find it a little uneasy when I have not known the individual long but Asari seem to have no issue at all."
"I guess it could be the gender difference which makes it a little uneasy for you as well Sam?"
"That definitely does not help Talima. I am learning to accept it but I would like to find the right individual to settle with sooner rather than later."
"You seemed happy with Adastra."
"She is extremely tempting and her markings really add something but I feel a need to be a little cautious given her over enthusiasm to want me. Maybe I just want someone I know will be there over someone who goes out of their way to entice me."
"So you would rather not be manipulated Sam?"
"It is not that Talima. I just feel that Adastra likes me because I was the first human that any Asari had seen. While we get on well together and seem to have a good understanding of each other it is difficult for me to shake that feeling of being treated almost as a prize."
"I understand now, you would just like someone who treats you as an individual?" Sam nods. "What do you think of Amistathya?"
"She is the first Asari I have had the opportunity of meeting where I feel I have an idea why she is the way she is. The problem is this has given me an awful lot of questions which are likely to be difficult for her to answer. I am sort of hoping that Amistathya is not the flicker Sha'ira mentioned that I should look out for as it could be difficult for both of us if she is."
"I cannot help you there Sam as that is for you alone to decide. Sha'ira did however tell me to say she thinks Amistathya may break before you succeed. The two choices you face are slowly wearing her defences down and hope she does not fight back or run out of time. The second is to break her defences quickly and hoping she does not shatter."
"In my opinion I think Sha'ira is slightly incorrect. I do not think that the slow method will make any difference. If she can sit in a room with someone for three days trying to get a response from her and getting nothing then she could probably ignore months of effort. It is going to need something she cannot just shrug off as a minor annoyance. The problem is that I do not have anything I could use to make it happen." Talima has a quick think.
"I might have something to help you; it is usually used for self defence if you have poor or no biotics. I will show you when we get back to the hotel which is just around the next corner." Sam pondered both why Talima had such an item and how it works.
-----
The two of them walk into the hotel room. The room is small but well furnished. Sam sinks down into the bed as he takes a seat, happy it seems comfortable enough. Talima digs through her items to pull out what looks like a large laser pen.
"I think this will help you Sam." Talima hands it to Sam who looks at it with caution.
"What is it and what does it do?" Talima smiles.
"It is basically a tiny ion thruster with a laser to help you see where the ions are going to hit. Someone found that a tight beam of ions can feel like someone slowly pushing a needle into your skin. It is certainly unpleasant but causes no lasting damage."
"Does it work through clothing?"
"If it is a woven fabric then it does a little, it is much less effective though." Sam points it at his leg and presses the button.
"That is pathetic." Sam thinking a small patch of pins and needles was hardly going to be a deterrent. "Amistathya is almost totally covered as well, although... That would work."
"I do not want to know what you are thinking Sam. It would probably be best if you did not tell Iona either."
"I can understand why." Sam puts the device on the bedside table before getting undressed and jumping into bed. "I hope you sleep well Talima."
"I am sure I will. I hope you do too Sam." With that Talima carefully gets into the other side of the bed and the pair put their heads down on the pillows.
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Notes.
All good secrets come to an end; we now know who the individual in the strange paragraphs is. More chapters to appear shortly.
- 26
- 27
- 28
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Marked Effect (AFF Edition)