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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
- 30
- 31
- 32
Chapter 31 - Inclusion
Saturday 28th January 2017
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Kate walks into the kitchen not expecting Sha'ira and Talima to be sat down eating breakfast. "Oh hello."
"You sound surprised to see us Kate?"
"I thought I was up early Talima. My mind was trying to make decisions all night so I did not sleep too well."
"You could not decide whether to accept my advice?" Sha'ira smiling to herself knowing this would likely happen.
"Sorry Sha'ira, unlike Sam I am perhaps a little more cautious."
"Cautious about what?" Seliha walking in with a cheery smile on her face, seemingly very refreshed after a good nights sleep. "If you are worried about me coming for you, then you would be correct. I am however biding my time as I know you are nervous."
"Seliha, will you ever be happy with Adastra?" Sha'ira wondering if this is going to be an ever running problem.
"If the other two are taken then I will be perfectly happy with her."
"I hope you are not saying I am third best Seliha." Adastra joking as she walks in only moments later to find breakfast, "Morning you three." Kate, Talima and Sha'ira nod.
"You are the third rarest; also you know what people say about pure blood children."
"It is not as bad as children with our condition Seliha. I am sure she would be perfectly fine."
"What do they say Adastra?" Fosanta walking into the conversation.
"Morning Fosanta. Well, I was basically the school target for bullies, and the nearest I got to friends is people who tolerated me. It was not a pleasant experience but I survived it. Perhaps that is why I felt I had to defend myself against people knowing what my markings looked like."
"I think you were trying to hide from yourself Adastra not hide yourself from everyone else. Morning everyone." Sam walking in followed by a tired looking Amistathya.
"You could be right Sam. How was your night?"
"Well I slept fine Adastra. I think the sky blue one was weary of sleeping when I was only about an arms width away." Sam starting to dig through the cupboards to find something remotely edible. He finds two packets of something which reminded him of cardboard bricks with some sort of dried fruit in. "Could I ask if anyone actually likes these?" Sam waving the packet around.
"Armali left them here. I tried them one morning and they were so bland it was difficult eating just one. Have you tried them Sam?"
"Yes Kate, I had one bite, looked at the back of the packet and wondered if it was the packet I should have been eating as it says great breakfast."
"Typical Illium hype." Seliha seemingly speaking from experience. Sam reads the back of the packet again then checks the nutritional information against a few other foods.
"Well I cannot fault them on the nutritional front. Amistathya would you give them a try?" Sam knew this was a little mean, but it was both not wasting food, and making more space in the cupboard for something better. Amistathya carefully took the packet from Sam and stuck her gloved hand into the box to pull out a couple of the cardboard bricks. Sam got something better out of the cupboard and sat down with everyone else. "So what is the plan for today?"
"I wish to show you something at some time. I would prefer it to be this morning."
"I remember, sorry. Are you two coming along?" Sam looking to Kate and Fosanta as he digs into his breakfast.
"I am leaving it up to Kate." Kate seems to take a few minutes before answering.
"I need more time to decide, we will not go with you." Sam looked a little displeased but shrugged it off.
"Fair enough. Amistathya how are those things?"
"They are not too bad." Sam nods in response with a smile.
"I am ready to leave then if everyone else is." Sam gets a nod off everyone except Kate and Fosanta. "We will see you two later then."
"Enjoy yourselves." Fosanta feeling a little left out but they would undoubtedly hear about it once they come back. The six of them walk out of the kitchen leaving Fosanta and Kate by themselves. "Are you still thinking we should ask Sha'ira for help with the venue?"
"To be fair she would have a better idea as to what we might need. Enough publicity would get us the TV coverage we need."
"I think that sounds sensible."
------
"It is good to actually see you all after being away. You did not want to see me last night?"
"Sorry Sam. We were having a bit of a competition."
"I heard about that Hymara. Who won?"
"Yasmari, which surprised us a little." Imphaya jumping in on the question. "Could we ask who the new person is Sam?"
"Oh I apologise. If you would have been around last night rather than partaking in a competition you would know this." Sam was tempted to say dick waving competition but it just did not translate well into Asari. Imphaya gives Sam a look of get on with it. "This is Amistathya, if you would kindly not touch her then everything will be fine." Sam turns to Amistathya. "Imphaya and Aumarva are Adastra's protection. Hymara and Lianta are mine and for all intents and purposes yours." Sam pointing to each of them as he names them. Amistathya nods half hiding behind Sam.
"We will not hurt you." Lianta trying to be friendly given she looks a little scared.
"Lianta, I think she understands that but she takes a while to trust people especially Asari." Lianta nods. "I think we best head to the shuttle as I am guessing Adastra is waiting to leave." The six of them head to the shuttle where Sha'ira, Talima, Seliha and Adastra were waiting.
"Where are we going to Sha'ira?" Adastra wondering where to fly to now everyone has boarded the shuttle.
"Sentix Spaceworks Adastra." Adastra looked around to Sha'ira.
"Really?" She nods which gives Adastra a smile before she turns around and pilots the shuttle towards the space works.
------
Nineteen minutes later they were landing in Sentix Spaceworks' shuttle parking. "I am glad we are here. I am starting to dislike Nos Astra's weekend traffic more and more."
"Not as much as we dislike you for weaving through traffic Adastra." Imphaya ceasing the opportunity for a joke.
"I was going to say you fly but I do not want dints in my shuttle." Adastra giving Imphaya a bit of a disapproving look as she stands from her seat. Talima opens the shuttle door and everyone gets out.
"Why does every one of these buildings have to have a lift?" Sam moaning to no one as they all get in and push the button for the ground floor.
"How else would we get between floors?" Imphaya clearly not seeing why Sam finds them annoying.
"Escalators, suction tubes, jet packs, any of those would be better than these slow lifts."
"Jet packs?" Adastra only having a vague idea what each of those were.
"Sorry, mass effect core backpacks with some kind of propulsion added would probably be the nearest equivalent now." Adastra nods as the lift door opens onto a corridor, a convenient sign located on the opposite wall pointing right to the reception. The ten of them move down the corridor through a set of double doors into the reception area.
"Good morning Omepha."
"The same to you Sha'ira. Welcome everyone to Sentix Spaceworks. I guess you are all here to view the hanger?"
"We honestly have no idea what we are meant to be doing here Omepha."
"Oh hello Adastra. The Enlighten was a bit of mess when we got it back."
"I was seeing how well built it was. I was quite surprised it survived a core discharge."
"As were we when we heard the news, I am sure that we can talk about this another time Adastra. Sha'ira would you like to explain what is happening before we have a look around?"
"Of course. Sam you said you would do something to help Galactic Acceptance if you had a venue. Sentix have kindly offered you use of two of their hangers for the first week of May. The visit today was to show you the two hangers since they are currently unoccupied."
"That I did not expect, Omepha thank you."
"There is no need to thank me; I am not the owner of the company Sam. I will be sure to pass on your gratitude however." Sam nods. "If everyone could follow me we are going to make our way to hanger four."
"Hanger four?"
"Yes Adastra, you seem a little shocked?" Omepha opening the door while looking back at Adastra.
"I am as I read somewhere it is the second largest surface based hanger." The group of them walk across the long corridor to the packing area for the transport vehicles.
"Indeed it is Adastra. We usually use it for producing cargo vessels but we have produced parts for dreadnoughts in it as well." Sam was wondering if he had stuck his foot in it by saying he would do something if he had a venue. They all get on one of the largest vehicles and Omepha begins to drive down the corridor.
"Sha'ira, could I ask why you tried to get the biggest space you could think of?"
"I wanted the media to take an interest. Do you think that is a bad idea?" Sha'ira knew full well it wasn't but she wanted Sam to feel he has a choice.
"It depends on what I can do with the space."
"It is essentially just a building Sam so you can put in it any temporary structures you wish."
"I was meaning more things like power, water and whether there are any limits such as number of people Omepha."
"This is Illium Sam. As long as you do not injure people in the crowd by deliberate overcrowding there is no limits on the number." Omepha pulls the vehicle into the parking next to hanger four and everyone disembarks. "As Adastra said earlier this is our largest hanger and hanger five adjoins it. It would be possible to use hanger five for things like power generation, food outlets, services etc."
"That sounds like a good idea." Omepha opens the hanger door and holds it open before gesturing everyone to walk in.
"Goddess, Errr." Was all Adastra could get out as she viewed the expanse.
"This is a big space." Hymara stating the obvious her eyes showing a tiny amount of shock. Sam walks through the doors after the commandos.
"Great. This is a lot bigger than I could ever have imagined which could be a problem. Omepha what are the dimensions of this hanger?" Sam wondering what to do with such a vast expanse that just seemed to go on and on in all three dimensions.
"The hanger is nine hundred metres by five hundred metres Sam. The roof height is three hundred metres." Sam just looked around feeling so tiny in relation to the space.
"Hello!" Sam shouting into the room, his voice not echoing too badly, rather petering out before it has a chance to reflect. "Hmmm... Could I ask if anyone has used this hanger for an event before?"
"No, hanger one was used about twelve years ago but that is nearly eight times smaller."
"How did they handle sound as I am struggling here?"
"They used a large speaker array at the front of the hall. There were a few complaints about the sound being a little loud at the front and quiet at the back. They did say they would have preferred to have hung speakers from the gantry but they did not have enough time to do all the setup required." Sam nods in thought.
"Sam, you could use the gantry to have multiple speakers like the others were planning." Seliha looking at the steel lattice two hundred and fifty metres above them. Sam opens his Omni-tool and crunches some numbers.
"Thank you Sha'ira." Sha'ira looks to Sam with a slightly curious expression on her face. "This is going to be a pain given a lack of time. Unless Armali have a design for a silly large plasma thruster then I am going to really struggle."
"What size are you talking Sam?"
"Well I am guessing the four smaller ones on the Enlighten had one metre plasma tubes." Adastra nods. "And the main thruster was about three?" Again Adastra nods. "I am talking more like twelve here and needing eight of them. The amount of power needed will be something silly though which is worrying me."
"We have run two fifteen metre thrusters in here before Sam. We did not even need to get in outside power generation; keeping them fed with hydrogen gas was however very difficult." Sam seems to have a quick think about something.
"Adastra, would it be possible to split the water in the thruster itself and just supply water to it instead of gas?"
"It would push up the energy use in the thruster quite a bit but it should be possible." Adastra thinking that sounds like a decent idea instead of having one electrolysis unit doing all the work.
"I will have a chat to Usarta on Monday and see if they would be willing to let us design them." Adastra nods. "Omepha, two things, first can we put soundproofing on the roof as long as it is easily removable afterwards and would you be willing to help us get any power that we would need?"
"I am sure our fusion core supplier will be able to meet any requirement you need as long as it fits in the hanger and has enough cooling. Just give me the specifications when you have them and we will see what we can do. The roof is already acoustically treated otherwise it would sound awful in here whilst working. I am sure you can treat any other surfaces you wish to as long as it causes no damage to anything." Sam looks up to the roof unable to determine from the distance if it does have anything at all on it.
"That is good to know, thank you. How big is hanger five just out of curiosity?"
"Five hundred by three hundred by three hundred metres Sam." Sam notes down the dimensions of both hangers for later before looking at the size of the hanger again. A random thought suddenly crossed his mind as he looks at all the free space. "Aumarva. You should have used a space like this instead of the shuttle bay on the Enlighten for your demonstration with Adastra."
"It is not that much better Sam, just bigger." Adastra thinks otherwise as she releases a biotic push into the air, splits it into eight and makes a petal of a flower with each piece of energy. Ompeha looks a little surprised at the demonstration as Amistathya hides behind Sam.
"Ooops. My apologies Amistathya. I should have known Adastra would have been unable to resist." Adastra looks a little sheepish. "It is ok Adastra it was my fault for reminding you. I just forgot that it would scare the sky blue one."
"So you were holding back on us?"
"Seliha, I do not know as much as I would like which pains me but I am unable to ask. She has said she was on the receiving end of having her biotics used against her. That is as much as I know and that is the reason I know she is scared now." Sam gives Amistathya a gentle hug which she seems to appreciate. "The reason why I never mentioned it is I did not want people abusing the fact she is scared of it." Seliha looks away from Sam.
"I am not doing well am I Sam, first the shower gel and now this. I apologise Amistathya but it is difficult for me to help myself at times."
"Adastra, it is fine as I know you would not harm Amistathya intentionally." Adastra nods to Sam. "Omepha, sorry for the little display. I think I have seen all I need for now, would it be ok if I contacted you in the future if I have any questions?" Omepha smiled to Sam.
"Of course, that would be what I am employed for. If that is everything you wish to see I will happily take you back to reception of you wish." Omepha gets a fair few nods with everyone else just walking out of the door.
"Sha'ira, did you deliberately pick the first week in May as I am curious?" Sam noting that that is the week immediately after Amistathya's contract runs out.
"I will discuss that and a few more things with you later Sam." Sam could only laugh a little at the predictably cryptic response as they all boarded the transport back to the reception.
------
Kate and Fosanta were sat in the seating area wondering quite where they had gone too given it was now well after lunch time. "If it is taking them this long to look around the venue then it must be large."
"What are you thinking Kate?"
"Sha'ira seems to like giving me puzzles to mentally solve."
"Kate. Just to let you know I was trying to pluck up the courage to ask you about the second thing Sha'ira mentioned yesterday. I have not been the one to ask in the past so I am a bit worried I might say something I should not." Kate shuffles up to Fosanta a little more before putting her arm around her waist.
"The worst that could happen is I get annoyed for a few hours Fosanta. I could never stay mad at you for long." Kate giving Fosanta a smile.
"I was going to ask you to meld with me as I am seriously considering having a child at some time Kate." Kate's face goes a little pale. "I wished to get to know you better to see if I would want you to be a father, or whether I need to keep looking. I am not exactly getting younger."
"I..." Kate trying to catch the thoughts flying around in her head. "You seriously think?"
"I do not know whether you are the night person for me or not Kate as we have not melded. I have personally felt you have had a slight fear of Asari for some unknown reason. Doing this might help a little with that at least."
"I do have a bit of nervousness from when I first met Adastra and Shiala. When I realised you could mess with people's minds. It is a bit of a fear, I hope you understand why though."
"I do but I need you to know this, in a full meld you can enter my mind as well. I am trusting you not to mess with anything or I will have as much of a problem as you. The fear is in both directions this time which is why it is so difficult for me to ask."
"How can I enter your mind?" Kate not quite getting what happens.
"The link is two way, everything becomes one. It is hard to explain." Fosanta hears people walk back in through the front door and so abandons explaining further or waiting for a response. "You look cheery Adastra."
"Yes. How I can get excited about an empty building I do not know."
"Maybe because you made a pretty biotic flower in it." Sam reminding her which half makes her happy and half makes her sad that she scared Amistathya.
"Is anyone going to tell us?" Kate feeling a little left out and wanting to know.
"Does Sentix Spaceworks hanger four mean anything to you Fosanta?"
"I think it... hanger four Adastra?" Adastra nods as if she has been on caffeine all morning. "How are you planning to use that?"
"I thought the same thing when I saw it Fosanta." Sam getting his oar in now. "Also sound is going to be a pain given the size." Fosanta nods.
"Is anyone going to explain to me?" Kate looks to Fosanta.
"I think they should tell you given they know more about it."
"It is quite literally huge given it is nine hundred metres long and five hundred metres wide. You literally feel tiny." Kate tries to envisage a hall that size and fails miserably.
"Can you give me an idea of size as numbers are not that helpful?" Sam opens his Omni-tool and does some quick calculations.
"It would take about ten minutes to walk from one end to the other Kate." Sam thinking that seemed a little excessive but since he did not walk from one end to the other he could not prove it wrong.
"I hope you do not mind me interrupting but could I speak to yourself and Amistathya, Sam?" Sam nods to Sha'ira who has her pleasant smile on her face again. The three of then head off upstairs as Adastra, Seliha and Talima take a seat.
"What can you do with something that large?"
"Sam worked out you could get at least hundred and twenty five thousand people in it, and that sounded like a low estimate." Kate looks a little surprised.
"Sam seemed to think Sha'ira had sat the date to be the first week of May deliberately."
"Really Seliha, that soon?" Seliha nods to Kate.
------
The three of them head into the bedroom locking the door behind them before sitting on the bed. "My apologies for keep taking your time but I have a few pieces of information for you. Yes I made the arrangements for that week deliberately Sam. I am sure that you can work out the reason why I did so." Sam nods knowing full well it was mostly for Amistathya's benefit. "The second is that I know you saw Adastra earlier on today Amistathya. You do not know much about Seliha yet so I will say she does not have that ability."
"I thought that might be the case but I was uncertain. How do you get to find out this kind of personal information anyway?"
"Seliha participates in bioamp testing so getting information on her abilities is trivial Sam. That is however not the reason I asked you here. I needed to ask if you are both still happy to meld." Sam looks to Amistathya and waits for her to get the hint.
"It is up to you Sam."
"Amistathya it is, however this is something that needs your input as well. Especially when you looked tired after last night." Amistathya looks a little uncomfortable at that thought. Sha'ira ever on the ball does not miss this either.
"Is this about Amistathya being nervous around you Sam?"
"Yes, I do not want to force anything again as Thessia was difficult for both of us. I only want Amistathya to feel comfortable with any mutual decision that is to be made and that means allowing her to add her input into the decision. I am sure it would be quite a while before we are both fully happy with the decision though." Sha'ira was contemplating whether to offer them an appointment to see her on the Citadel in a few weeks or not. "Amistathya, do you think the meld would make you more comfortable?"
"It might do Sam as it may give me a better idea of what your intentions may be afterwards."
"I will take that as a good sign. I think it is a reluctant agreement again Sha'ira."
"I understand. I would recommend melding for the first time, on the floor, or in the bathroom. Amistathya, you must if Sam is not happier after twenty minutes find me quickly. Do you understand?" Amistathya nods. "Sam as soon as you have finished melding push all that information you get into the recessed memory space. It will be difficult but you need to do this as quickly as possible."
"I will try my best." Sam feeling a little nervous.
"I will leave you two for now. It would be better before having food. Come and find me when you are done or Amistathya, if after twenty minutes Sam is not happier." The two of them nod and Sha'ira leaves hoping everything goes well. Sam gets up and locks the door.
"I will take Sha'ira's advice so I think the bathroom would be the best idea. Is that ok with you?"
"Yes. This is not going to be at all pleasant. I do apologise." Amistathya looking a little pained
"As far as I know it is not your fault so you need to stop apologising. The only reason I am agreeing is I cannot ask about your past and this is about the only way for me to find out. As long as you help me through whatever happens afterwards then I am ok with it." Amistathya nods before standing up, Sam does the same before they walk into the bathroom and lock the doors.
------
Sha'ira approaches the sitting area. "I see everyone is here." The five of them turn to look at Sha'ira who takes a seat next to Talima. "I need to tell everyone here that Sam may seem to be a little erratic for a while and his personality may change a little. Please do not ask him why, he will say when he is ready."
"Could I ask why Sha'ira?" Kate feeling a little protective of Sam.
"Amistathya has not had the best of lives Kate. He will experience some of that and I think it way affect him badly at first."
"So you are letting him do it?"
"I merely suggested the idea of them melding as they obviously like each other Kate. Sam and Amistathya have mutually agreed to do this between themselves. I really do not wish to discuss this any further as it is getting into private information." Sha'ira closes her eyes and takes a breath. "Have you made any decisions yet you two?" Sha'ira looking towards Kate and Fosanta.
"I think we need some more time to discuss it alone." Kate looking to Fosanta.
"I think we have enough time before we eat." Fosanta standing up. "We will be back shortly." Sha'ira nods as Kate stands and follows Fosanta up the stairs.
------
"I know the original idea was to treat this as a bit of a competition Kate but Sam is going to need as much help as he can get." Kate barely getting through the bedroom door before Fosanta started talking.
"I thought the same thing Fosanta. I was really after a talk about the latter discussion we had."
"There is not much more I can say unfortunately Kate. It is one of those experience only things. I hope you are not feeling forced into it as I would understand if you said no."
"Do you mind if I said I will make a decision before bed time?" Kate thinking the time limit would help.
"Of course not Kate. So we are going to help Sam?"
"I was thinking of it as it sounds huge. Also I might be able to do a bit of public relations work which is what I used to do back on Earth."
"I am sure any help he can get he will appreciate. I think we should go back downstairs as I am hungry." Kate gives Fosanta a quick hug before they both leave the room.
-----
Amistathya was a little worried about Sam given it was approaching twenty minutes and he didn't seem to be improving. Suddenly he seems to become less pained and moves his hand to dry his eyes. "I have much respect for you for how strong your mind is Amistathya." Sam spits out a load of sick flavoured phlegm into the toilet before flushing it. She carefully shuffles a little closer to Sam before giving him a hug from behind. "Can I ask if you feel like you can trust me now?"
"I feel happier about being with you Sam. I am just worried how bad you are feeling."
"I feel very stressed and upset but given I cannot remember why I am confused as well."
"I am glad for your benefit that a meld softens the experience a bit."
"I am not sure whether I wish to ask this but by how much?" Sam taking extra care when standing up.
"It would be about a quarter of what I feel Sam. Please do not have pity, I just wish to move on."
"I will do what I can to help you do that."
"Thank you for being so understanding. I greatly appreciate everything you have done up to now just to try and help me."
"You deserve to be treated well Amistathya no matter if you think otherwise. I do need a drink soon though as my throat is sore."
"I will help you downstairs." Sam gives Amistathya a short hug and a smile before the two of them head out of the bathroom to go downstairs.
------
Kate and Fosanta rejoin the others on the seats. "Sha'ira we have decided to help Sam with his event."
"An admirable decision, did you decide on the other topic?"
"Not yet. I have given myself a couple of hours. I am a bit weary of melding to be honest."
"If you trust the other person then there is nothing to worry about Kate." Adastra trying to be helpful but probably not being given Kate's expression.
"I wonder how long Sam will be."
"I hope they will both be down here in a couple of minutes Kate."
"I think I will make some food then while we are waiting." Kate getting up, Fosanta, Talima and Adastra also going to help.
"Is there a reason why you did not leave with Adastra Seliha?" Sha'ira a little confused.
"Two, first I feel myself drawn to Kate so I need to stay out of her way this evening. The second is I did not want to harm anyone by tampering with the food. Perhaps I am being too hard on myself but I really do not want bad things happening."
"I understand but you must remember that what you are doing now is being allowed by your other self Seliha. I agree with you trying for now but give Amistathya a bit of time to settle in, then try and move back to your dominant personality."
"You think so? All I tend to get afterwards is complaints of being generally evil."
"I do not think you are unreasonable so you should be able to tame the aggressive edge." Seliha nods to Sha'ira before pondering the thought. It is only a few seconds later before Sam and Amistathya appear from upstairs. "Could I ask how you are Sam?"
"I feel on edge, the fact my brain feels funny and I cannot remember why I feel like I do is highly confusing and rather strange."
"You should learn how to avoid Amistathya's bad memories given enough practice. That is if you wish to stay with her."
"I hope you understand that this is nothing personal Amistathya but I would rather have had some more time with you before making that decision. Not knowing quite what I was in for made that a difficult decision."
"I understand, but I hope you do not think it was the wrong decision."
"I will see when I am less confused but I do not think it was. I hope neither of you mind if I get a drink?" Sam's throat starting to feel a little rough.
"Of course not." Sam nods before using the walls and furniture for balance as he makes his way to the kitchen. "Amistathya how are you?"
"I am fine but I am nervous it may have been too much for Sam given his reaction and what he has just said."
"I think Sam will be ok Amistathya as I expected him to be sick to be honest. You just need to support his recovery and he should be fine." She nods before taking a seat.
------
Sam carefully walks into the kitchen to a hive of activity. "How long before it is ready?" Sam stumbles to the cupboard for a glass, leaning slightly on the counter top for balance.
"About fifteen minutes Sam."
"I am glad to hear that Fosanta as I need time to let my stomach settle." Sam drinking the glass of water as Kate looks at him clearly wanting to ask what happened. "All you need to know is it caused me to throw up. I am trying to stop my throat of burning."
"Maybe now is not the best time to ask but I have asked Kate to meld with me, but she is a little reluctant. Do you have any input Sam?"
"All I have to say is you have to try it once Kate. You are lucky in that Fosanta is not on the dangerous list, nor wanting to see if you can have a separated memory. You should be able to enjoy it and the melted brain feeling afterwards is pleasantly addictive." Sam smiles a little at his own sloppy mind before making his way out of the kitchen back to the seating area.
"I do not like the sound of the melted brain feeling."
"Kate, it is not actually melting your brain. The only side effect to a full meld is its addictive nature if the other individual is not malicious. I highly doubt Fosanta would want to hurt you."
"Do you have any advice Talima since everyone else has given me theirs?"
"The advice you have had from Adastra and Sam is sound. I personally would recommend trying it while close to each other in bed first and then go from there."
-----
"I must thank you Sha'ira for recommending the bathroom. I hope I do not need to be there each time."
"No problem Sam as I expected that reaction. You should be ok next time as it is from the shock of not expecting what you saw. I do hope the memories have not caused you any problems." Sam sits down next to Amistathya.
"I can live with it I think. I just wish I would not have to relive it each time as it is so weird to feel as I do."
"You should eventually you should learn to look around and ignore it but as I said earlier that is going to take some time." Sam nods. "I must inform you that I can only give you advice from this point on. I will be unable to offer to help with anything else."
"I am guessing that would be why you wanted me to help with Amistathya as you could not help her yourself."
"You should be amply rewarded eventually Sam."
"I was never implying you used me Sha'ira as I am rather pleased that I have had the opportunity to meet Amistathya."
"I just wished to inform you Sam, nothing more. I will admit that I could not risk seeing the other side of the memory, hence why I can no longer help you. I would recommend you meeting Holana the receptionist I talked about at some time. I am sure she would appreciate being able to help someone on her own."
"Is she new and I am the test?" Sam joking really but at the back of his mind he was starting to wonder if Sha'ira really was using him.
"If you really want to know we need to go somewhere private."
"Right." Sam gets up and starts walking to the basement door. "Are you going to join us Amistathya?" She gets up and joins Sam and Sha'ira in the basement.
"Everything I have said to Sam also applies to yourself Amistathya." She nods. "I must explain about Holana as she is a unique individual. She first flash melds to get an idea of someone's mental and physical tolerances before helping."
"Why would she need to do that?"
"She is very numb to life and only feels anything at the extremes. She needs to know where your limits are so she knows where to stop. Unfortunately the memory is only temporary. I asked her one day if we could have some pleasurable fun without melding first. There were an awful lot of upset people when we stripped and jumped off the bridge in to the presidium lake together. What most people do not know is she then would not let me surface for air until we had both had an orgasm. I am sure some people would not be impressed at consuming the resulting fluid even if it is filtered and purified." Sam was a little embarrassed as to quite how direct Sha'ira was
"I really did not need to know the details Sha'ira."
"It saves you having more questions than answers as you have enough at the moment Sam. Anyway afterwards Holana did seem quite a bit happier for a few days. Unfortunately most of that time was spent in a C-Sec cell. After that I had to agree not to give her clients and not meet her privately on my own."
"So you feel because she is numb then she will cope with Amistathya's memories."
"She will likely feel something but not enough to affect her Sam. If she is cold towards you then it is not because she does not like you, that is just her personality. Some people find her a little much as a receptionist but she is very efficient and really tries to be friendly."
"I was wondering how clients reacted to her as a receptionist."
"Most individuals only contact the greeter who can schedule appointments and arrange for individuals to see a particular acolyte who can help them. Holana is more information processing and sometimes the greeter will defer individuals to her if their requests are about information not related to appointments."
"That is good to know. Could I ask if there are any downsides to this like melding is addictive?"
"It can feel as if you have been hit with something heavy if you are standing up. It also causes you to forget random things for anywhere between a second and a couple of hours for a day or so."
"Could she not meld normally to get the information?"
"Yes but since she has no separated memory she has nowhere to store private information for each individual. The speed of the flash meld does not allow enough time for memories to join so she has nothing that needs storing."
"Ahh. Do you have any questions Amistathya?"
"No."
"I am fairly hungry after wasting most of my lunch down the toilet." Sha'ira followed Sam and Amistathya upstairs where they almost run into Adastra who was walking from the kitchen.
"Oh, I was told to try and find you, everyone is already eating in the dining room." The four of them walk in and take their seats.
"Where have you been or should I not ask?"
"Kate, Sha'ira was just explaining an incident involving the presidium lake." Fosanta sighs and shakes her head. Kate looks to her for an explanation.
"There was a news story about ninety years ago which said Sha'ira and an unnamed second individual, in the middle of the day, stripped on the presidium bridge outside her chambers and jumped into the lake together." Fosanta not wanting to speculate further when Sha'ira was in the room.
"There is always someone every few years who does the same thing. I am a little surprised that you did Sha'ira." Sha'ira says nothing nor makes a reaction but just continues eating. "You were not covering up for someone else were you? It was not the councillor was it?" Sha'ira could only smile at that notion. "Sam was it Sha'ira?"
"Adastra if Sha'ira is unwilling to answer then I cannot help. I think many people would actually pay to see the councillor jump off that bridge with nothing on. I highly doubt she would do it as she does not seem the risk taking type."
"Talima do you know?"
"Unfortunately that would have happened before I joined Sha'ira Kate. As Fosanta said the news article said that it was however I cannot confirm that as Sha'ira has never told me."
"So why do you know Sam and Talima does not?" Seliha putting on her curious hat as she had finished her food and had nothing else to do.
"Why I was told as much as I was, I do not know. I am not the one to ask Seliha." Sam having a little frustration in his voice given he was getting tired of knowing so much yet able to share so little.
"Seliha, Sam needed to know. I can confirm I have been in the presidium lake." Sam thought that was a typically vague response, it could have been a midnight dip last week for all anyone else around the table knew.
"I need an early night everyone as I am really tired. Amistathya you can stay down here if you wish."
"I will join you as I barely slept last night." Sam nods to Amistathya.
"Sam. If you cannot sleep and you need more company than Amistathya then you know where to find me." Sam nods, everyone else says night as the two of them leave.
"Do you like Sam Sha'ira?" Kate had barely waited for the two of them to leave the room before asking.
"Kate, I am unsure how he will sleep as some of the memories may creep through."
"That was not quite what I meant."
"Kate, I feel a little guilty for asking Sam if he would help Amistathya. I feel it was the right decision but that does not absolve me of responsibility for making it happen. Also I should not say this but melding with a torture victim is not a pleasant experience." Faces of disbelief surround Sha'ira, Seliha had a rough idea of this from previously but was expecting it being an accident.
"Amistathya has been tortured?" Fosanta voicing what was on Kate's mind.
"Yes Fosanta but I am not going to go into specifics other than I have no idea how she survived." Silence descended upon the dining room.
"That does explain why she is untrusting of others. It is still never nice to hear, especially when you know the individual." Talima not being too badly affected given she has heard similar stories many times.
"Is she not on the dangerous list Sha'ira?" Adastra thinking if she is then Amistathya should definitely be.
"Not yet. Galactic Acceptance did not know about her past as I have not told them and hence they did not add her on to the list. I will however have to get them added to it on Monday."
"Will Sam be ok?" Kate a little worried about him.
"You eventually become numb to the memories Kate. I am trusting you all not to say anything about this to anyone." Everyone manages a nod. "I believe you gave yourself until this evening Kate, have you made your decision?"
"Err." Kate being caught out by not actually thinking about it. The silence shining a spotlight on her to make a decision. "I have not really thought about it."
"Kate, are you indecisive because you have time or are not sure about Fosanta? I would be wondering by now if you actually liked me, if I had been the one asking." Kate was not sure quite how to take Adastra's comments. She did however have a point.
"Fosanta, would you like to join me to go to bed?" Kate did not give away anything. It was a little obvious from her question it was an acceptance however. Fosanta stands up with a small smile on her face as the two of them leave.
"I should also be thinking of sleeping as I may well be awakened early."
"I will wash the plates then also go as well. Have a good sleep." Sha'ira nods to Adastra. Talima and Sha'ira leave as Seliha and Adastra tidy and wash the plates before also heading upstairs.
------
Kate was already settling down in bed before Fosanta walked out of the bathroom after having a shower. "I am a bit nervous as I do not know what to do."
"Do what you feel is right and just trust me Kate." Fosanta waited for a nod before she jumped onto the bed pinning Kate underneath the sheets. "Surprise." Fosanta moves herself to be more lying on top of Kate, a broad smile on her face, before running her fingers through Kate's gingery red hair. Kate struggles a little under the taught sheets. "No Kate. Even though I offered to meld you still have to earn it, until you do you are staying under the sheets." Fosanta moved her face closer to Kate's as she tenderly stroked her cheek. "Your blue eyes are rather wonderful Kate."
"Your brown eyes are so evenly coloured they remind me of chocolate Fosanta." Kate feels this yearning inside to sate her curiosity of what it would be like to kiss another female. She slowly and carefully lifts her head from the pillow to go in for a cautious kiss. Their lips touch and Fosanta visibly melts on to the top of Kate pushing her head back down onto the pillow, their lips still connected. Fosanta breaks off a few seconds later and opens her eyes. "Your lips are delightfully soft I..." Fosanta puts her finger on Kate's lips to keep her quiet as she moves off the top of her and climbs under the sheets. Fosanta goes back in for another kiss and as she does so puts her hand on Kate's waist. Kate flinches a little and Fosanta breaks off.
"I hope that reaction was not a complaint." Fosanta stating in a teasing manner as she moves her hand to between Kate's legs. "Your body seems to like the experience." Fosanta noting her hand getting moist as she gently rubs. Kate seems to gain a surge of confidence as her arousal grows, moving her hand to between Fosanta's legs, but instead of rubbing, pushing two fingers inside the waiting moist hole. Fosanta lets out a small gasp at the slightly unexpected, yet wholly appreciated intrusion. "Embrace eternity." Fosanta's eyes go black as she returns the favour, pushing two of her fingers inside Kate. The two of them begin to slide their fingers in and out, riding the pleasure of their own and each others sensations. The lust for more becoming ever greater until the pair orgasm simultaneously. The plateau where nothing, not even time seems to matter extended far longer than either of them thought possible. Fosanta breaks the meld once she has come down enough to think properly. The two of them lying on the bed, slightly sweaty, slightly breathless, and completely relaxed with large smiles on their faces.
"I do not think I could ask for anyone better than you Fosanta. That was indescribable." Kate pulling her hand from under the covers to look at the mess coating her fingers. The urge to lick overtook her, the slightly sweet taste becoming ever more delectable. "You taste wonderful." Fosanta joins Kate in cleaning her own fingers of juices.
"As do you my sweet one. I get the feeling I may be unable to stop you next time." Kate getting an evil grin on her face at Fosanta's observation. Kate suddenly getting a burning question.
"How did you know I would be turned on when you had me pinned to the bed?" Kate turning to lie on her back, noting her brain feels like water yet weirdly liking it.
"I guessed from the fact you seemed to want to keep me at arms length. I was really surprised at you pushing two fingers into me. I was expecting you to do the same as me, it was as if you just broke and went nuts." Fosanta stating in a joking manner, the grin still plastered on her face.
"I did just break; you broke my logic with desire. I literally do not care now if the universe explodes tomorrow as I have experienced the best thing ever." Fosanta shuffles closer and gives Kate a passionate kiss. Kate responding instinctively, pulling her in closer. A couple of minutes later Fosanta breaks off.
"You are a wonderful individual Kate. I think I need some more experience before I can decide though." A seductive tone to her voice.
"So I can experience that again another day?" Kate almost begging in a child like manner for another go, even if it was implied.
"As long as you apologise to Sam for ever doubting him." Kate nodded sending another boost of pleasure floating into her body. "Then I might let you experience that again." Fosanta laughed at herself a little.
"You are such a tease Fosanta." The two of them laugh. "I am too comfortable here to shower even though I could do with one as my legs feel a little damp." Fosanta nods and gets comfortable in the bed by snuggling up a little to Kate. Kate doing the same and the two settle down to sleep, a warm glow on each of their faces.
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Notes.
Certainly a bit more action in this chapter than there has been of late. Next chapter is a bit of another setup chapter but it is a worthy one.
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Marked Effect (AFF Edition)