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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
- 29
- 30
- 31
Chapter 30 - Celebrate
Saturday 28th January 2017
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Amistathya cautiously exits her room and takes the two steps forward needed to see the whole of the seating area. To her surprise only Talima is sitting there with no sign of Sam and Sha'ira. She looks around and notices the other bedroom door is locked. "I hope you slept well Amistathya. Sam and Sha'ira are having a private discussion."
"What about?"
"I apologise for being unhelpful, however I am unable to ask if I am not told." Amistathya nods and sits down as far away from Talima as she can.
-----
"Could you tell me why you are so desperate to tell me this Sha'ira?"
"Sam, to help someone you need to know what is hurting them."
"I agree usually but I doubt Amistathya would trust me if I knew."
"Sam. I need you to understand, deep down she may never fully trust you. The only way you will see why is if I can show you."
"Are there any side effects to what you are planning?"
"Initially you will feel very odd and there can be side effects but they are usually minor." Sam nods. "I need to ask, do you have any problems with melding to test whether you can have a separated memory?"
"Is there another way?"
"There is but it can cause neural instability for weeks in some individuals. If anyone has a big problem with melding I unfortunately have to decline them the offer to help. The side effect is too common to be worth the risk."
"I would refuse but I seem to be on a predetermined path and I would like to know more about Amistathya so I will reluctantly accept." Sam thinking he seems to have little option in any decisions he has made up to now.
"Just relax Sam. This will only take seconds and be confusing, just accept it. Find the link you used last night. Embrace eternity."
Sam feels as if his brain is literally melting the longer the connection lasts. This seems to go on for minutes not seconds before he feels the connection break. Sam opens his eyes noting the lack of a headache, he rolls his head on the pillow to look at Sha'ira his brain feeling like it is now water moving around inside his head.
"I think you melted my brain." Sha'ira smiles.
"It is the brain trying to rationalise what happened Sam. I can assure you it has certainly not melted."
"You look like you found something you did not expect?" Sam noticing the slight puzzled look beneath the smile.
"First my sympathies for the death of your parents."
"You saw that?"
"It was quite difficult not to as it still seems to weigh quite heavily on your mind."
"I feel rather bare now."
"You have nothing to worry about Sam. I need to ask if we can just connect normally. It will take a bit of concentration now your brain feels funny."
"ok." Sam closes his eyes and tries to concentrate.
"Find the link again Sam. Embrace Eternity.
-------
"Well this is much more familiar. Why did you wish to connect?" Sam jogging to Sha'ira who is already making her way towards the first isle.
"Your mind looks too similar to my receptionists on the Citadel. She cannot have a separated memory without having a permanent headache. She does however have a recessed area of memory which is only opened after melding."
"The person melding does not see it?"
"No as it is only opened after the connection is broken and only remains accessible for ten to twenty minutes. It could be any size and hidden as anything in here. I need you to look for anything that is out of place." Sam nods as they progress down the isle soon reaching the end.
"I spent literally hours walking up and down these isles when boarding the floor, they are longer now." Sam walks back down the isle looking for any set of shelves which should not be there. He settles on one which seems odd to him.
"Is it this set of shelves Sam?"
"It makes logical sense for these books to be here and yet they feel wrong somehow, as if I should just leave them." Sam walks the rest of the isle before walking back to that set. "This is the only one I have any feeling about."
"You may have found your safe storage Sam." Sam looks at the shelf before nodding. Sha'ira starts making her way back to the desk at the front of the room.
"So anything I put in there I will also be unable to access until opened as well?"
"Unfortunately Yes. The other downsides are you need to meld to access it and you have a limited amount of time afterwards. It also means I have to reconsider showing you what I was intending to."
"Why?" Sam sits on his chair in front of the fire as Sha'ira takes a seat on the edge of the desk.
"In a separated memory you can choose not to copy emotions across which would have made the experience a purely logical one. You cannot have this benefit and therefore I do not know whether I should let you see."
"Could you at least tell me a little about what happened?" Sha'ira pauses for thought for a few moments before nodding.
"I will skip large chunks of details but you already know Amistathya has hypersensive skin." Sam nods but he feels it is a little redundant. "It was caused by severe chemical burns which were deliberately inflicted upon her. I hope that gives you a little idea."
"Were they thrown on her or was she thrown in to some tub full of chemicals or what?" Sam asking a little tentatively, trying to get a clearer idea in his mind.
"It was with a scrubbing brush and a bucket while she was restrained Sam." Sam goes a little paler as a cold draught comes down the chimney and breezes past, chilling the air.
"Right..."
"Try not to dwell on it Sam otherwise it could affect you badly. You just need to stay strong and push her just as you would before. Do not let this information however tempting change how you see her."
"I understand Sha'ira." Sha'ira nods as she leaves the library.
------
"Are you good to get something to eat Sam?" He sits up his head feeling like it is half full of liquid brain.
"My head feels so funny. I think I will be fine though."
"I must warn you if you meld with any regularity you will become highly addicted to that feeling."
"I understand." Sam gets up off the bed noting that there is no real instability although his muscles ached as if he had just run a marathon. "If my muscles feel this dead I may not be up for walking too far to get breakfast."
"My apologies Sam, part of that is from the test. It should be much better in a few minutes." Sam walks around the bed and opens the door, Sha'ira following him out towards the seating.
"Morning Amistathya, did you sleep well?"
"It was ok." Sam nods making his brain ripple around.
"How are you this morning Talima?"
"I am good Sam." Talima wishing she could ask Sha'ira what happened.
"When do we get to Illium?"
"We arrived twenty minutes ago Sam. Are you feeling ok?"
"I am fine Talima but I am not going to say what the purpose of the meeting was." Talima nods as Sha'ira gains a small smile.
"I recommend we should get breakfast as I wish to go somewhere this morning and I believe you two have a contract to sign." Amistathya reluctantly nods.
"If you are having second thoughts Amistathya you can say so."
"No Sam. I wish to do this." Sam nods his head before having to resist smiling at the fact that the sloshing around was already getting addictive. Sha'ira opens the inner airlock door which signals Talima to get up off the seats. Amistathya seems reluctant until Sam gestures her to follow.
-----
"Happy birthday Adastra." Fosanta seemingly fairly cheerful this morning.
"Thank you Fosanta, where is Kate this morning?"
"She went into the basement to get some more soap for the bathroom." Adastra nods before looking to see what is for breakfast.
-----
Kate drops the soap off in the bathroom and exits onto the hallway. Moments later someone from behind had caught both of her arms and covered her mouth. "When he arrives back you will not say anything about his servant. Do you understand?" Kate tries her best to nod but with the hand over her mouth having a tight grip it was a little difficult. "Just for everyone's benefit as well as your own. Displease me and you will be hurt. If you mention anything negative to him when he comes back I will dislocate a shoulder of your choosing." Kate tries to struggle free, the attacker pinching her nose in retaliation. "I find people trying to resist quite amusing, especially when they are in no position too." Kate was feeling very tight chested now with the lack of air. "Will you try that again?" Kate shakes her head and the attacker lets her go. She runs forward a few steps before taking a few deep breaths, looking back to see Seliha with a caring smile on her face. Kate jogs down the stairs still feeling the effects of the attack and walks quickly into the kitchen looking back every few steps to make sure Seliha is not behind her.
"You look out of breath and scared Kate, what happened?" Adastra a little confused at what could have caused that just taking some soap to the bathroom.
"Adastra you know when you said she was acting a bit strange." Adastra nods, not liking where this is going. "Well she just attacked me as I came out of the bathroom." Fosanta and Adastra are a little taken aback as Seliha walks into the kitchen with three pairs of eyes following her?
"Do I have something on me?" She looks down and doesn't see anything. The stunned silence scaring her a little. "If someone would care to explain to me what is happening I would be grateful?"
"Kate has just said you attacked her upstairs." Adastra providing the answer that Seliha wanted.
"I cannot even remember seeing you... Oh no. I did not hurt you did I Kate?" Seliha seemingly genuinely concerned.
"It only happened two minutes ago, how can you not remember?" Kate feeling frustrated and annoyed.
"All I can remember is walking out of my room after having a shower and coming down here. I have to admit I would rather trust you than myself as this has happened before."
"Is there a reason you did not tell us?"
"It was well over two hundred years ago when I last remember it happening Adastra. I never thought it would return."
"What would return Seliha?"
"I was diagnosed with duality syndrome before entering my servitude contract with Armali. This is going to scare you all, I apologise profusely in advance. Usually people with the syndrome live in their dominant personality. I have been trained to live in my submissive personality. I therefore have very little control over when I switch and I have no control over what I can remember." Seliha gets a little teary as she looks at three scared individuals. "I apologise even more for not knowing what I am capable of doing, I am not allowed to see that." Adastra's Omni-tool goes off to indicate a message.
Adastra,
Happy birthday. I have just arrived back at Nos Astra space port but I think you will be at work by the time I get to the house. I hope you have a good day.
Sam
"Seliha, I will tell Usarta that you are having a day off for medical reasons. Sam and his Asari should be coming back soon. I am hoping Talima might be with them. Could you discuss this with them as I am not sure what to do?" Seliha sadly nods. "I really need to be going. I will see you when I get back Seliha."
"We need to be going too." Seliha sits down and nods as the three of them leave, leaving Seliha in silence in the kitchen.
-----
Talima returns from the legal office with a datapad in hand. "I hope the wording is what you wanted Amistathya." She holds out the pad to Amistathya who gingerly takes it and reads the two lines of text. She nods to Talima and signs it at the bottom before holding the pad out to Sam.
"I was going to make a joke at this point. It however feels entirely inappropriate for me to do so." Sam very quickly reads the very short documentation. He pauses to look at the owner's signature box for a few moments before taking a breath and signing it. "That I think was the most difficult thing I have ever had to sign." Sam handing the pad back to Talima who goes back into the office. "We will have a private talk when we get back to the house Amistathya. I feel it would be best to get a bit of an understanding between us." Amistathya nods seemingly unsure as to what to do.
It is not long before Talima returns holding a pair of datapads. "These are for both of you for your own records." Amistathya nods as she accepted hers. Sam takes his without wishing to even register it.
"Is it normal for Sha'ira to randomly disappear to various places?"
"Yes Sam. Where to and what for, I rarely get to find out."
"We should head to the house. I am sure Sha'ira will join us later." Talima nods and Amistathya follows the two of them out of the building to get a skycar to the house.
-----
The skycar lands on the visitors pad and the three of them get out. "I am guessing you have one house and the commandos have the other Sam?"
"Yes Talima, it seems to work reasonably well." Sam looks to Amistathya who seems a little fearful of the left hand house. "Amistathya, they are our security from media and various people trying to attack us. While they look scary I think most of them are a bit wimpy. Please do not tell them I said that." Amistathya nods, seemingly a little happier with Sam's joke. The three of them walk through the front door with Sam noticing Seliha looking upset sat in the seating area. "Seliha, can I ask what is going on?" Sam guessing something has happened given she is not in work and was looking a little upset.
"It is happening again." Sam sits down on the sofa opposite gesturing Amistathya to join him. Talima took a seat next to Seliha.
"Explain from the start for those of us who only know something is happening."
"I have duality syndrome Sam. Basically I am the same individual with two differing sets of rules. Usually sufferers live in their dominant personality and so can usually control their submissive personality."
"Why do I get the feeling you are the other way around."
"I have been trained to live in my submissive personality deliberately Sam. That means I have no control over what happens or what I can remember as the dominant personality controls memories and has greater influence over switching."
"Wait so this is deliberate?" Sam getting a little edgy.
"Yes, I also do not know if I have any particular skills or not as well. The reason I am here though and not at work is I supposedly attacked Kate this morning." Amistathya seemed to go rigid at the thought.
"I am guessing you cannot remember ever doing it?"
"No Sam. They all looked at me as if I was insane or being deliberately evil. They never told me what happened before they left. I did apologise but I do not think that is enough."
"Ok, I think we can work around this as long as the other you is not unreasonable. Could I ask if you see the one next to me as competition?"
"In what way Sam?"
"In the, everyone seems to want to get into bed with Sam, way."
"It would be dishonest of me to say no, however I understand entirely that we are friends."
"So the answer is yes then, which would explain the message you had Adastra send to me." Seliha looks puzzled. "You said if I brought the Asari back you would not meld with me."
"Evidently my other personality trusts her own emotions more than logical reasoning. I apologise for sending such a remark Sam."
"I think I may have some comeback to come from my reply I sent back. I said I could get another marked Asari yet you would probably not get another human until you were a matriarch."
"That was a bit mean Sam." Sam shrugs.
"Anyway, I need to do some introducing after all that effort. Sitting next to you is Talima who is one of the consort's acolytes." The two of them nod to each other. "Then sitting to my right is Amistathya." Sam being deliberate in making his pronunciation as good as he can.
"Sam has done a good job of keeping you entirely a secret. Your name is not all that easy to pronounce either." Seliha seemingly confused as to how to go about pronouncing it.
"Seliha, I know that after three days. I have no doubt messed up many times. It is Aymi-sta-theia Seliha." Seliha seems to make a mental note. "I have not been withholding information, I just know so little. I do feel a liking towards her though so I can forgive that for now. Anyway I could do with setting a few rules and showing the sky blue one around."
"Sky blue... Oh I get it." Sam just laughs a little.
"Yes and you would be the purple one, Adastra turquoise and Fosanta dark blue. Amistathya would you like to follow me?" The sky blue one nods and they both go upstairs and into the first room on the left, the spare room on the same side as Adastra and Seliha's. Sam locks the door once Amistathya has entered before moving to lock the bathroom door. "Take a seat on the bed if you wish." She does so as she looks around. Sam takes a seat next to her. "Would you rather sleep alone or with me in here Amistathya?" She looks a bit confused. "Yes I know I am meant to tell you what to do. I however have something to tell you which you may not like so it is a sort of reward. Of course I can remove it when I wish in the future but for now it is your choice."
"Could you tell me the news first?"
"I know the reason why you have hypersensitive skin. I know you do not trust anyone who knows too much so I feel it is only right for me to tell you."
"How did you find out?"
"Amistathya please remember that you are not in the best position to ask." Sam sighs. "Sha'ira wanted to show me but after she found out I could not have a separated memory she was unwilling to tell me anything but the minimum amount of details."
"I would like to hear what you know."
"I would also like you to sleep in here tonight. Remember you need to learn not to ask too many questions. I am fine with you asking questions but asking for clarification on answers, if it is unnecessary for completing something, is not. I will however answer your question given you are to be in here tonight." Amistathya reluctantly nods. "I only know it was forced chemical burns and the method was a bucket and scrubbing brush. I know nothing more as Sha'ira was unwilling to say anything else." Amistathya nods. "Just two more rules for you. The first is I would like you to try to verbally respond rather than nodding or shaking your head. It may make you feel a little less secure to begin with but you might gain a bit of confidence eventually from doing so. I will not be strict on enforcing that rule however, just try your best. Second is unless you are doing anything that you need your hands or arms for, so opening doors, carrying something, eating or something similar, I would like you to fold them behind your back with the palm of each hand over the opposite elbow. Do you understand?"
"Yes." Sam was particularly impressed at the speed in which she complied but he remembered he cannot ask if she has had to do this before.
"I need to say now that I think Kate will probably have some difficulty with your name for a while. Please be patient with them as even I find it a little difficult and I have had three days longer to get used to it."
"Most people struggle with it; it is nothing new to me." Sam nods before the two of them get up and go a tour around the house which ended at the seating area where they started.
"I am guessing you made the dinner Seliha." Sam sits down on the sofa and gestures Amistathya to do the same.
"I did. I have nothing else to do here except feel bad about myself so I thought I would make something to eat."
"Talima did you watch Seliha make the food."
"No Sam, I had some messages I needed to address."
"I have done nothing to the food, please trust me." Seliha looking down towards the floor. Sam knew Amistathya was safe until he told her to eat. He had a bit of a funny feeling that she usually would have added his name into that comment which was ringing alarm bells. Sam decides to see if he can have a chat.
"Do you see Amistathya as a threat to you?" Seliha did not seem to expect that response.
"Yes, I have the marked one and I would like you. That cannot happen if there is a third player."
"And if the second and third players are interlinked then what, legally you have no leg to stand on and... shit."
"I see you remembered the glaring target in your contract. I decided to have a look while you were wondering around. You will break this contract by tomorrow or I will break you." Amistathya seemed to be much more scared of Seliha and her threats than Sam.
"That is nice to know Seliha. Amistathya could you tell me how you got hypersensitive skin?" Sam hoped she would say what he had said earlier.
"Chemical burns Sam." Amistathya just about manages to keep her nervousness hidden. Seliha seemed pleased as Sam struggled not to show his hand.
"Congratulations Seliha, you are as bad as Adastra in manipulating me." The doorbell rings and Talima gets up to answer it. "Which food did you taint Seliha?"
"I did not taint any of them Sam. Can no one trust me to be nice?" Sha'ira looks carefully at Seliha as she walks towards them.
"It is hard to trust anyone Seliha, even yourself at times."
"How do you..."
"It is easy to know your name when I know everyone else in the house except you. My name is Sha'ira it is a pleasure to meet you." Seliha nods before seemingly thinking of something.
"Could I ask why you are here and not the Citadel?"
"I have certain people I wish to help, as they have helped me in the past. Sam is one such individual. I thought it was only right that I should see how Amistathya would settle in, as well as wish Adastra a happy three hundred and sixty second birthday while I am here."
"Adastra is not going to be back for a while Sha'ira." Sam shuffles up next to Amistathya and Sha'ira takes a seat looking at each of the plates she swaps Talima's with Sam's.
"Have something to eat Sam you cannot live without food. I would recommend you do the same Amistathya." She looks to Sam who nods before she removes her arms from behind her and begins eating. Sam empties Talima's plate onto Seliha's and puts half of his on to her plate.
"You did not need to do that Sam." Sam shrugs before beginning to eat. "I appreciate your altruism." Talima joining Sam and Amistathya in eating.
"Seliha, why did you put sleeping pills into those two meals?"
"I did not, or at least I do not remember doing. It has not happened again has it?"
"Could I ask how you know it is sleeping pills Sha'ira?" Sam confused as to how she can be so specific.
"I do not know for definite but sleeping pills are something that are occasionally in the house which give that kind of lustre to food." Sam wondered if there was anything she did not know before getting back to concentrating on answering Seliha's question.
"In answer to your question Seliha, yes it has happened again. You seem to want every unique thing in this galaxy to yourself. Why did you only give me until tonight to make me break the contract with the sky blue one?"
"My feelings are I would like to be your first Sam."
"Too late there Seliha, Sha'ira got me this morning. Admittedly it did have a reason and was not for fun but still." Seliha looks a little down. "Seliha this does not mean I am going to walk out of your life, I just wish to do what I would like. Anyway I think Adastra would get bored with me once she realises I am not some kind of special individual. You however seem to be interesting enough with your newly expressed evil but not quite unreasonable streak to keep her interested."
"You have a point as you are too safe. I will not pursue you further, I apologise." Sam and Talima look a little surprised at that announcement. Sha'ira seems too interested in Amistathya to be caring too much.
"Amistathya I hope you do not mind me asking but did you think Galactic Acceptance did a good job?" Amistathya looks to Sam who nods.
"Perhaps for someone else they would but they scare me." Amistathya being honest about her experience without giving anything away.
"Sha'ira, they made a few mistakes with Amistathya but they did at least ask for extra help instead of giving up. I am sure for people who can trust others they would be an excellent resource. Do you think that is the best way to word it Amistathya?"
"You would be a better judge Sam."
"I am curious as to why you asked Sha'ira?"
"I have something I wish to show you tomorrow. I was trying to gauge how much Amistathya would like the idea." Adastra, Kate and Fosanta walk in to the house to be slightly surprised by the large number of people already there.
"Happy birthday Adastra." Sam getting up and giving her a hug.
"Thank you Sam. Do we have some kind of consort magnet on us or something?" Adastra grinning at the surprise visit.
"No Adastra. I am repaying a debt; I thought it was only right to speak to you on your birthday as well." Adastra nods with a smile as she gets a hug from Sha'ira.
"Kate, Fosanta are you going to come nearer to greet Sha'ira." Fosanta practically drags Kate closer who is keeping a careful eye on Seliha. Sam laughs "I would also not touch the food on the table."
"It is good to see you both again. I see Seliha has had a bit of an effect on you Kate." Fosanta nods in greeting.
"She attacked me for no reason." Kate obviously still a little shaken from this morning.
"I see you are not like Sam." Sha'ira seems to think for a few moments. "I would like to speak to you later." Kate nods, still watching the Asari in the corner.
"I think everyone knows Talima even if the last meeting was brief." Sam finishes off the announcements.
"Happy birthday Adastra." Talima giving Adastra a hug.
"Thank you. Are you going to introduce your mystery person Sam?" Adastra taking a seat between Seliha and Talima.
"Everyone the shy one next to me is Amistathya. She will likely not trust any of you, at least to begin with, but please be kind to her." Sam waited for the inevitable comments to come from everyone about the name but especially from Kate about the contract.
"Could you say her name again Sam?"
"Aymi-sta-theia, Fosanta. I know it is rather strange and not as easy as all your names, please do your best though."
"It is good to meet you Amistathya." Adastra actually doing well with the pronunciation of her name. She gives Adastra a nod.
"Is it not uncomfortable to sit like that?" Kate skipping her name. Sam could only laugh at the predictability. Amistathya looks to Sam.
"Be honest."
"It is a little." Kate looking towards Sam in a slightly glaring manner.
"Kate, I thought it was the least mean thing I could ask. It is also unintrusive and practical unlike some other things I could have asked." Kate looks back at Amistathya who did not seem to be at all bothered by having to fold her arms behind her. "Adastra, there is a present on your bed for you to open later." Adastra jumps up and starts walking towards the stairs. "Adastra, I said later." Adastra just smiled at Sam who can only shake his head before she disappears upstairs.
"Kate and Fosanta, could I have a quick word with you two about a couple of things?"
"Of course Sha'ira." Kate nodding a little annoyed still at not being able to have a go at Sam. Fosanta leads them upstairs.
-----
Sha'ira locks the bedroom door after she has entered as Fosanta does the same with the bathroom one. "I have one piece of advice and one question, which would you rather have first?" Sha'ira sits down uncomfortably close to Kate on the bed. Kate looks to Fosanta who joins them.
"I think the question."
"I agree with Fosanta." Sha'ira nods.
"Do either of you two have something you wish to do but need some help with? I am going to show Sam and Amistathya something tomorrow and I would be happy to help you in a similar way."
"What are you showing them?"
"Sorry Kate, I cannot say. I can however say it is for a charity event. I can either try to help you to do something for a charity of your own choosing, create something a bit different for the same charity or do nothing. It is up to you."
"I do not know any charities; I think I will let you answer this one Fosanta."
"Thank you." Kate smiling back at Fosanta. "Could I ask what charity Sam's surprise is for?"
"I am sure you can guess as it is where he has been most of the week. Galactic Acceptance try to provide support and help to sufferers of physical and mental problems. I have been quite close to them for many decades now and I do wish they could get the investment to expand."
"Why have they not done any fundraising to get the required investment?"
"They have done small events in the past which got them known but the time and effort involved for very little return made them turn to requesting donations off companies and organisations. I would happily give you a bit of a hand to get an event started if you wanted."
"Sounds like a good cause and we could have a bit of a competition with Sam." Fosanta getting a smile from Kate.
"But where do we start?"
"Well Sam asked for a venue Kate so that is what I am going to show him tomorrow. You can sort a venue out yourself and I will help with something else if you wish."
"Well the two most difficult things are going to be getting the venue and promoting. Can you only help us with one thing?"
"Unfortunately it can only be one thing unless you wish to compensate me Kate. Galactic acceptance will help with electronic advertising on billboards and help you with journalists. You will have to arrange broadcast coverage and any other help you need."
"Could we get back to you on this?"
"Of course. On to my piece of advice, Seliha may be a problem for you two now."
"That is really helpful." Kate being a little sarcastic.
"Kate, I melded with Sam this morning which seems to have made Seliha give up on chasing him. It may mean you are next on the list given you are the only other human."
"You are not joking about the melding are you as Sam has said that nearly every time someone has visited him."
"No, I had little choice. You two however do."
"Are there any side effects?"
"It is addictive Kate. I must however leave to speak to Amistathya. You have my offer and my advice."
"Could I ask why she has such a strange name? Everyone else's is much easier to pronounce."
"I do not know why Kate but it reminds me of a disused Asari dialect from the southern temperate region on Thessia several thousand years ago. It is spelt A,m,i,s,t,a,t,h,y,a." Fosanta jots down the spelling in her Omni-tool.
"I wonder why she has never changed it as surely everyone finds it a problem."
"Perhaps she like likes the name Fosanta. As you know some people also do not take well to people trying to shorten their names either."
"I am well aware of that Sha'ira. I am one of them." Sha'ira nods.
"I must leave you two with the advice." The two of them nod as Sha'ira gets up and leaves.
"What did she mean by shortening names Fosanta?"
"You do not, it is that simple. Please remember that Kate." Kate nods seeing it is a bit of a touchy subject.
-----
Adastra walks down the stairs in an elegant full length green and orange dress, a broad smile on her face. "Goddess, you look wonderful Adastra." Seliha stands up and walks over to Adastra to get a closer look.
"I was rather annoyed at first when I saw it exposed flesh but when I put it on, cleverly all my markings are covered, of course excluding my hands but I have given up caring about those. I also love the colour so I must thank you massively Sam." Sam gets up and gives Adastra a hug.
"That is no problem. I had an afternoon to waste, as you said previously it is very difficult to find something that is right for you." Sha'ira walks down the stairs after talking to Kate and Fosanta to see the back of Adastra.
"Well, I did not think you would ever risk wearing a dress Adastra."
"Usually I would not Sha'ira but the exposed flesh down the right hand side misses every marking. It is a real pain finding something when you do not have a regular pattern."
"I can imagine. Sam, could I have a quick talk to you and Amistathya?"
"Of course." Sam gets up, Amistathya following giving Adastra a light smile and nod as she walks past. Sam leads the way into their room and locks the door once the three of them are inside. Amistathya sits at the head end and Sha'ira gives her plenty of personal space. Sam sits the other side of Sha'ira.
"What did you wish to talk about?"
"I wished to speak to Amistathya about what I said this morning to you." Sam nods. "I apologise Amistathya but this will not be easy news to take. I know about the skin burning on Omega, more than I would like to be honest. I am going to omit some details for Sam's sake, do you understand?" Amistathya nods, looking a little upset. "I found this memory while trying to help a badly damaged Asari at Galactic Acceptance. I tried to put as many of the pieces together which were left in her mind as possible. A realisation dawned after I had spent several hours working that she was not much more than a functional body with a terrible secret. I told her what I had discovered and over the next few days she declined rapidly before taking her own life." Sam moved places to sit the other side of Amistathya who was crying but never moved her arms to wipe them away.
"Amistathya, you can wipe your tears away. I do not know who this relates to but it must have been someone you knew." Amistathya more smudges than wipes the tears away. Sam puts a very gentle arm around her causing her to look at him. He was just about to move it away before he saw faint warmth in her sadness.
"Amistathya, I need you to know that somewhere out there you have a step-sister. She will be a hundred and five and probably has purple markings if she has any but that is not definite." Amistathya nods. "Could I ask if you are at the moment thinking of staying with Sam?" Amistathya moves onto Sam's knee before putting both arms around him and putting her head on his shoulder. Sam seemed a bit flummoxed as to what to do but he just goes with it and puts his arms carefully around the sad sky blue one. "Well that seems a little obvious. I think it could be an idea for you two to consider melding."
"I sense a reason why."
"You will probably experience a bit about Amistathya's past Sam. I need to warn you now that Amistathya would be considered dangerous in council space. I will give you any help that you need to help you recover on Sunday morning before I must travel back to the Citadel."
"This is a lot to ask. I guess if I do this then I will end up on the list as well?" Sha'ira nods. "I know I have done something roughly similar before, but a full meld with someone I know barely anything about is something else. Do you have anything to say Amistathya?" The upset Asari on his knee sits up and wipes her eyes again.
"No Sam. I will be happy with whatever decision you make."
"Do you think it is a good idea for me to meld?" Amistathya closes her eyes and takes a breath before looking back at Sam.
"No one sane would trust their mind to someone who should be on the dangerous list Sam." Amistathya hoping being honest was the best idea.
"I am guessing you suggested this for a reason Sha'ira?"
"This decision was almost inevitable Sam given Amistathya's seeming enthusiasm to stay with you and you seemingly a little taken by her. It may as well be now as Amistathya is in a contract with you so she is going to have to help you for at least that period of time."
"I know hardly anything about you Amistathya." Sam felt a little pressure from her sitting on his knee. "I said that signing the servitude contract was the hardest thing I had signed. I think this is the hardest thing I have ever considered. Sha'ira, what kind of impact would this have on me?"
"Once you are used to it you may find yourself a little less empathetic towards others and you may get rather vivid memories bubble to the surface if they are triggered by something. You would otherwise be much the same as you are now."
"Would I sleep ok?"
"I am not sure as it varies so much and you are not a species I have experience with to have a guiding opinion to provide." Sam sighs.
"To be honest you did not seem to wish to harm me on Thessia when we connected Amistathya so I know you would not intentionally harm me." Sam thinks he can see a building excitement in her grey eyes. "I have one condition. If we find out later that we are not meant to be together then we remain good enough friends to be able to meld. Does that sound reasonable Amistathya?"
"Of course Sam." Amistathya looking a little upset but yet happy at the same time. She gives Sam a heartfelt hug before having to go back to drying her eyes on his shoulder, the impact of the moment coupled with memories of her past bringing on renewed tears of both sadness and joy.
"I think we have a deal which although I am a little unsure about, is fairly reasonable."
"There must be something I am missing here but I am however glad that you seem to have worked out a suitable agreement. I will be downstairs when you are ready." Sam nods and Sha'ira leaves looking back as she does so, wondering quite why they get along so well.
Sam moves his right hand to gently stroke Amistathya's head moving from her forehead to the tips of her folds. He tilts his head to see a small smile appear on her damp face. "Amistathya we could do with getting something to eat and I would be disappointed if there was not cake. I know you cannot taste it but I am sure it will be good non-the-less." Amistathya carefully sits up and gives Sam a smile.
"I saw how much you seemed to care about Adastra. I am glad you seem to be doing the same for me. Thank you."
"You do not need to thank me. I think you deserve a reward for both playing along with the trick on Seliha and for being a little more comfortable now. If you wish you can sit on my knee for the evening and you may use your arms as you wish."
"I would like that Sam."
"I am happy to hear that. We should head downstairs." Amistathya carefully gets off Sam's knee to allow him to stand and she follows him downstairs to the dining room. "If I had known food was out I would have made more of an effort to get down here sooner." Sam stated in a slightly joking manner as he enters the room seeing two plates of food in front of two empty chairs.
"What happened Sam?" Kate clearly confused by the wet face coupled with a slight smile Amistathya had brought in.
"Amistathya and I have a bit of an understanding now which seems beneficial to both of us." Sam sits down on the seat next to Talima and pats his knee. Amistathya sits down and moves her plate next to Sam's before the two of them started eating. "What?" Sam speaking through a mouthful of food, smiling a little at the mass of shocked faces. Sha'ira could only watch on with a smile.
"I thought you said she did not trust anyone Sam?"
"I did Kate. I think Amistathya is beginning to tentatively trust me though given I have just had my first hug off her."
"So you honestly are not holding anything back from us Sam as I cannot see why you would bring her back to Illium."
"Adastra, I felt sorry for being almost abusive to her and the glimpses of her personality I have seen I have really liked. Amistathya, I think everyone would really like to see them. I will not force you as it is your decision but you probably know that you will be fine if you remember what I have said." Sam gesturing her to take her gloves off under the table where no one else can see.
"Like to see what Sam?"
"I missed telling you one thing Adastra. It is entirely up to Amistathya if she wishes to show you as I know it is difficult for her." Sam looks to Amistathya who seemed a little torn. "Trust me you will be fine if you wish to." Amistathya cautiously removes her left glove to a small gasp from a couple of people around the table. She carefully removes the second before trying her best to hide the markings. Sha'ira looked a little confused by the mixed emotions she was getting.
"I think me saying surprise would be a little irrelevant now." Sam trying to jog people into talking instead of gawping.
"That I was not expecting Sam. You do seem to have a natural ability to empathise with Asari who have markings. Amistathya I do not blame you for wearing gloves as I am well aware of the problems. Your hands however are wonderful." Adastra knew all too well how difficult having the odd marking on the hands is, let alone ones as obvious as Amistathya's. She only nodded in gratitude for Adastra's kindness.
"Adastra, it is not really the markings. After seeing you and Seliha it is practically normal for me. There is something else I cannot explain that I like." Amistathya has a few more mouthfuls of food while people are concentrating more on Sam than her hands.
"Sha'ira I think I can safely say that her hands are beautiful but why do you look a little down about being shown?"
"Kate be grateful you do not know." Amistathya shovels the last mouthful off food into her mouth before hiding her hands again by folding her arms.
"I have always wondered what it would be like if I had markings on my hands. If they were like your markings Amistathya I would be proud about having them." Seliha seemed slightly envious of her markings and also managed to get her name right. Kate goes into the kitchen.
"Sam are those real?" Amistathya recoils a little, Sam puts his arms around her which seems to make her feel a little safer.
"Amistathya it is ok. I think Fosanta is surprised at the ridiculously low odds of having three marked Asari in one house. As you no doubt know you are not exactly common in the Asari populous."
"I apologise Amistathya. I meant no offence with my comment as Sam is correct. The odds of this being true are barely calculable." Fosanta clearly finding that writing her name down has helped a little. "I personally think you hands look excellent." Kate walks through the doorway with a cake which she puts on the table.
"Happy birthday Adastra." Adastra's face lit up as she sees the turquoise and blue icing. Kate looked around everyone and sees Sam with his arms around Amistathya. "I thought you said not to touch her Sam?"
"Amistathya, be honest. Are you ok with me touching you?"
"Yes Sam, as long as you are careful."
"I did say not to Kate, but she seems as comfortable as I am with it. I do however have no idea how much is too much so I am barely touching her." Kate nods with an edge of reluctance. "I really like the cake design." Sam noting it was a bit plain but the turquoise markings on one side of the blue icing was a nice touch.
"I do too Sam, Can I get a bit?" Everyone nods as Adastra goes for the knife and gets a large wedge. Seliha takes over and cuts pieces for everyone else while Adastra starts stuffing her face.
"Good cake. What do you think Sam?"
"I agree, I see Adastra is not too keen given half of it is around her mouth." Sam manages to get a bit of a laugh out of everyone except Amistathya. Adastra just continued eating. "Could I ask why the commandos are not here?"
"I accidently mentioned about them getting tested to see who was the best biotic. I forgot that biotic testing at Illium was today as at Thessia it is on a Monday. I said to Adastra we will do something tomorrow." Sam nods to Seliha.
"Sha'ira, you said you had something to show me tomorrow. Is it just something I can see or can it be a group outing of sorts?"
"Fosanta and Kate cannot unless they make a decision before we leave."
"I will not ask. I could however really do with getting a good nights sleep, and that means one with less individuals letting their hands wander." Sam looking to Sha'ira who just smiles.
"I heard about you melding with Sha'ira."
"I am glad Sha'ira told you Kate as you probably would not have believed me. Actually on the subject of sleeping, where are you two sleeping tonight?"
"We have not yet made any sleeping arrangements." Sha'ira seemed to be waiting for Sam to provide an answer.
"I will be with this bundle of fun tonight. I think there is a spare room but you will need to haggle Kate and Fosanta for it." Sam looks to Amistathya. "Could you let me get up to go to bed?" Amistathya gets up and collects her gloves before following Sam upstairs.
"I despise that we have a slave in the house." Kate finally saw a chance to voice her thoughts.
"Could Talima and I sleep in your spare room Kate?" Sha'ira ignoring her thoughts on Sam and Amistathya.
"You have no problem with it?"
"No Kate as it was Amistathya who offered not Sam who suggested or forced her to do so. Fosanta could we have the room or would you rather I made alternative arrangements?"
"You can have the room Sha'ira. Kate they seemed to be happy enough together." Kate reluctantly backs off feeling a little outnumbered.
-----
Sam locks the door once Amistathya has entered. "I am just going to get a shower. I will be back shortly." Amistathya nods sitting down on the bed taking in her new environment. It is not too long before she hears the shower finish running. "Why Adastra?" Sam sticks his head around the door to show his fluorescent yellow face. "Sorry if you do not like yellow people Amistathya." Sam ducks behind the door for a few seconds before walking into the room, his yellow skin a jarring contrast to his dark hair. Amistathya could only smile. "If you like that you are next, just to warn you that you will be green for the next eight or so hours." Amistathya's smile seemed to vanish.
"Sam, I know I should not, however I feel I must say that I have an allergy to something in the coloured gels. It was a long week after I had come into contact with it last time." Sam remembers that for later.
"Is the allergy only from using it?"
"Yes I am fine being around people who use it. It must be something in the gel that is washed away."
"That sounds logical. I will go and knock Adastra out with the bottle and get back the normal stuff. I will not be long." Amistathya nods as Sam exits and walks downstairs. "We were doing well until some nameless person decided to make me highlighter yellow." Sam looks at a point between Adastra and Seliha.
"You look ridiculous Sam?"
"I said to Adastra that yellow would look awful on me Kate. Also please do not make any jokes as I do not think I have the humour to appreciate them. All I want is my normal stuff back as Amistathya has an allergy to something in the coloured gels."
"Really?" Adastra sounding a little guilty as Sam could see she was trying to formulate a joke.
"Adastra, I would not be asking if I thought there was an outside chance of it being true. Luckily I showered first otherwise this may have been a really long night."
"Why did you even do it Adastra?"
"Fosanta, I understand she did not know and was only trying to have a joke. I mean I only knew about this allergy after I had showered. I will say though that if this particular joke does happen again without asking me first I will be really annoyed and disappointed. Could you give me the normal stuff back Adastra?"
"Of course, I am sorry Sam." Adastra gets up off her seat and walks with Sam upstairs to give him the normal shower gel back.
"I best be getting some sleep as I see tomorrow being lengthy. Are you going to join me Talima?"
"Do either of you three need me for anything?" Talima gets three shaking heads in response before turning to Sha'ira. "I will mistress." They give a quick smile of acknowledgement to each other before leaving the room.
"Is Talima a servant?"
"It is possible her work contract is quite similar Kate. The only major differences will probably be she will be getting paid well and will have a few weeks holiday a year. With that I am going to head for bed."
"Goodnight Seliha." Seliha nods to the two of them as they leave.
-------
Sam and Adastra walk into the bedroom from the bathroom. "Amistathya I must apologise. I did not know and it was only intended as a joke." Amistathya looked to Sam who nodded.
"I understand. I am just glad that I did not shower first."
"I hope you sleep well Adastra." Adastra nods to the two of them before walking out of the door and back downstairs. Sam locks the door after she has left. "Yes I made her test it on herself so that I know it is the normal stuff." Sam hands the bottle to Amistathya who carefully takes it into the bathroom with her.
It is not too long before Amistathya appears from the bathroom, she locks the door and turns to look at Sam sitting up in bed. "I am reasonable in that I will listen to any worries or important information you may have Amistathya. I would rather know the consequences of my actions so that I can make an informed choice."
"So you are not to punish me?"
"If it was something trivial then I perhaps would, but knowing you have an allergy is possibly relevant to other things not just the coloured gels. It is therefore helpful for me to know. Could I ask how do you usually sleep in bed?"
"Usually with nothing on Sam."
"I know you may not be happy but I am sure you know what I am expecting." Amistathya looks a little nervous. "I will not touch you deliberately Amistathya, so you do not need to worry. You do have the option of standing where you are all night if you wish."
"I would rather have a chance of sleeping Sam." Amistathya carefully removes her clothes and puts them in a neat pile on the desk chair before tentatively getting into bed.
"I hope you sleep well."
"I will try Sam." Sam nods before shuffling down the bed and turning the light off.
-------
Notes.
Chapters 31, 32, 33 and 34 will be posted on Wednesday the 11th of July.
I am hoping to have this version current with the FanFiction.net version as of next Saturday (14th July) which will be the date chapter 37 is posted. After next Saturday this story will be updated once a week with a new chapter.
Thank you all for continuing to read though as I know it is a long read right from the beginning.
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- 31
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Marked Effect (AFF Edition)