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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
- 34
- 35
- 36
Chapter 35 - Travelling
Wednesday 1st February 2017
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Sam was awoken from his first decent spell of sleep by Amistathya suddenly putting her arms around him. "Bad dream?" Sam half registering Amistathya holding him a little tighter than usual. "Would you like to explain?"
"Please do not leave." Sam thought that was a bit of an odd comment but decided to be a bit mean back after last night.
"Why not?"
"I deeply apologise for being so mean last night, even I think it was excessive. Please do not leave me Sam."
"Will you agree to in the future put anything you mess with back if I ask?"
"Yes." Amistathya shuffles back a little to see Sam. "You do not have a problem with me messing with your mind?"
"As long as when I ask you to change something back you do so promptly and without being mean then not really Ami. I would really prefer that you did not but I think that could be asking too much."
"So you will not leave me for what I did?"
"No Ami it was just a bad dream." Amistathya gives Sam a short kiss before a hug.
"Thank you Sam. I was so frightened that you may have left me after I had tampered with your mind without asking you. I must be honest with you and say that I have done something each time we have connected or melded. It is a defensive thing I do to make sure no one hurts me. I apologise again."
"Can you promise me anything you change or have changed will not harm me?"
"I can promise that. While I can be mean, a little defensive and not quite what you expect I could never cause you long term problems."
"Hold on. I have just remembered something. You said you had an idea of manipulating me to meld with you, then did so shortly after. You did not did you?"
"Would you be angry at me?" Sam looks shocked as Amistathya was unable to keep a straight face. "No Sam. While it was tempting I want that meld to be more memorable."
"Do you find teasing and being mean is fun?" Sam breaths a sigh of relief.
"Yes Sam." Sam shakes his head and laughs before looking at the time.
"Great I have had probably three hours sleep and it is about time to get up."
"I apologise for waking you Sam but I was really convinced you would leave me after what I did."
"I am going to wait to see what Kate's reaction is when she eventually finds out. Anyway breakfast then ship, then fourteen hours then home." Sam gets out of bed and Amistathya does the same. "Your bruise looks better this morning Ami." She looks down at it before gingerly running her finger over it.
"It is still sore but it is looking quite a bit better." The two of them get dressed before going to grab some breakfast.
-------
"Morning everyone." Adastra walks in to the kitchen still looking half asleep. Her Omni-tool giving her an indication of a message.
Adastra,
I will be unable to help you today as something has appeared. We should be back on Illium earlier than planned as we have had to move our plans forward.
Sam
"I think that is the least informative message ever."
"What did Sam have to say?"
"That they will be back earlier than planned. That is it Fosanta. No explanation or hint or anything."
"Perhaps the journalists have worked out their plan and they wish to avoid them."
"What have they done though Seliha to be followed so closely? We have not had any sort of problem in Nos Astra."
"I am sure Sam will say when he gets back, whenever that may be." Adastra settles down at the table with everyone else to get breakfast before going to work.
-------
The four of them had taken the side exit out of the hotel and avoided the mass of journalists that Dastana said were waiting at the front door. After a stop at a small shop to get some snacks and drinks for the shuttle they made their way to dock three one one. "Well this turned out to be a nice trip. It is a pity we were hounded as I might have enjoyed a meal somewhere."
"We can always do something on Illium Sam." Amistathya staying positive.
"It does not feel special though unlike if it was here." She nods in acceptance of Sam's point. "What dock are we at now Hymara?"
"Three zero eight Sam. Are you that bothered about walking?"
"I did not get a great amount of sleep last night. It was sky blue's fault and not in that way." Sam, even though he was lacking sleep, noticed that assumption a mile off.
"I will not ask Sam." Lianta overhearing the conversation from behind. The four of them approach the shuttle in dock three one one with fifteen minutes before departure to find an unknown Asari at the door.
"This is a private shuttle. If you would kindly leave it would be appreciated."
"My apologies. I am sure you know who I am and I was told that this shuttle is Armali Council's going to Illium."
"I do know who you are Sam but as I stated it is a private shuttle."
"I wonder if Usarta would help us out here." Sam talking to Hymara but easily loud enough for the Asari to hear.
"Wait, you know Usarta?"
"Of course I do considering I work at Armali propulsion on Illium. I am really surprised you do not know this."
"I have only ever worked at the Thessian facility but I do know Usarta runs the Illium facility. This will be my first time at the Illium facility. I will have to confirm this but even so I doubt the rest of you will be allowed." Sam opens his Omni-tool and creates a message as the Asari seems to do the same.
Usarta,
I really thought this week would have been quiet and peaceful but it has been anything but as the journalists are being a pain. I have been informed there is an Armali shuttle leaving for Illium this morning and would really appreciate getting away from here as it is not pleasant. The Asari at the airlock does not even know I work at Armali.
Appreciate any help you can give.
Sam
"Let us see what happens. Actually I could do with having a talk with her tomorrow actually. Are you the pilot as I have not seen anyone else arrive and are you not meant to be leaving at seven?"
"Yes to both." She seems a little anxious before her Omni-tool beeps and she quickly reads the message. "Well it seems the delegates needed to go back to Thessia and got a shuttle with the Serrice Council."
"So an empty shuttle to Illium?" Sam was wondering if she would take the hint.
"Unless I get a message in the next five minutes, it is." Sam was starting to think what side of the bed she had got out of this morning as she seemed more irritable than he did.
"Can either of you three fly a shuttle?" Sam got three shaking heads. "And there was me thinking there was a way to work around the red tape." The Asari seemed a little agitated by that comment but kept quiet. Sam's Omni-tool beeps.
Sam,
That shuttle should not even be there as we knew our delegates were sharing a shuttle back to Thessia. If your group can make it less of a wasted journey then you can use it. I will message the pilot to inform her of this. I am going to have to ask some questions as to how this mix up ever occurred as it is rather strange.
Usarta
Sam cannot help but start laughing. "That is the best thing I have read in quite a while. I will tell you three when we get back to Illium."
"It was not was it?" Lianta seemingly having an idea of what Sam could be laughing about. Sam just nods as Lianta gets a slight smile.
"Sam, what is funny?" Amistathya feeling a little left out as Lianta whispers to Hymara who has a bit of a laugh.
"I think it was unknown who scheduled the shuttle to be here Ami." Sam speaking in English hoping she had picked it up well enough to understand. The smile on her face said she had.
"What did you say and what is so funny?" The Asari feeling a little left out.
"You will not be pleased if you find out." The Asari gives them all a suspicious look which was quickly broken by an incoming message.
"It seems I am taking you four back to Illium." She does not sound overly thrilled by the prospect. She opens the ships outer door and gestures them all in. Sam noted once they had got inside that it was basically the same as their private shuttles just for sixteen people instead of twelve. The unnamed Asari went to the pilot's seat as everyone else took a seat.
------
"It was a bit mean of me to wait until this morning to tell Adastra I would be unable to help her today."
"I am sure she will be fine for a day Sam." Lianta cutting his ramble off before it had properly begun.
"I was trying to make a conversation as I do not have games on my Omni-tool. Remember what I was like just wasting time in the clinic?"
"Please do not remind us." Sam points to the pilot's seat.
"I got so bored I even drank Amistathya's urine just to see what it tasted like."
"Please could you keep comments like that private?" Sam quietly laughing to himself.
"It is not making you uneasy is it?"
"The concept is revolting. Do the rest of you not think so?"
"It is not appealing but sometimes it is necessary." Hymara seemingly being honest rather than playing to Sam's joke.
"I cannot believe I let you all on-board."
"We trusted an individual who we do not even know the name of."
"I do not give my name to passengers after, an incident, a few years ago."
"Could I ask what kind of incident?" Lianta seemed more on the ball than Sam.
"I am officially not allowed to say."
"Well I am guessing it was related to Armali thinking it was you that did something rather than someone else."
"Something like that Sam."
"Does this ship have cameras?"
"As far as I am aware it only has a tracking sensor to know where it is."
"I will make a deal. If you tell us your name and have a talk I will stop deliberately making you uncomfortable." The Asari gets up off the pilots chair and moves down the ship to the seating.
"I will talk but I will not give you my name."
"Well you know who I am. Hymara, Lianta and Amistathya." Sam points out the commandos and puts his arm around Amistathya. The unknown Asari nods in greeting. "What is it you do at Armali?"
"I am a bioamp specialist. I occasionally get asked to fly personnel shuttles as well." Sam actually realised something given he has now had a second closer look at the Asari.
"Please in no way be offended by my next question as it is an assumption and I am curious. Was your father an Asari?" She begins to stand showing nothing. "Please could you sit back down? I in no way wish to insult you, I had just thought I had an idea you may have had an Asari father and wished to know whether I was right. I know that Asari tend not to be too keen on those individuals who have Asari parents but I cannot understand quite why it is such a big problem." She looks to Amistathya.
"I have no problem at all with that as my mother had Asari parents." She looks to the commandos.
"You are no different to the rest of us." Hymara nods in agreement to Lianta's statement.
"How did you know Sam?" The Asari seemed happy enough to sit back down a little away from the commandos, opposite Sam and Amistathya.
"The fact you have very few markings and blue eyes. That and you seem quite tough but I do not think you are given how you reacted to my urine comment."
"You really did that?"
"It was not because I was bored but yes."
"Do you assemble thrusters then Sam?" The Asari seemingly wanting to get off that subject quickly.
"No I design them, although I have only worked one full day since my contract started a week and a half ago." The Asari looks puzzled. "I think my contract has an unwritten clause in it for charitable work."
"Armali tend to be fairly sympathetic about that. I hope you do not mind me asking but how did you two meet? I only ask as you were not a crewmember of the ship that brought Sam back, if I remember correctly."
"You do. No I met Amistathya last week on Thessia doing said charity work. She is a bit of a handful but such an interesting individual."
"So are you two?"
"Good friends." Sam looking to Amistathya who smiles back.
"I do not believe you Sam."
"Sorry that is the best answer I can give you as it is a little complicated." Sam thinking that is a bit of a lie but it was a little too difficult to explain.
"Could I ask what Adastra is like as I know of her reputation but according the news articles you seemed to get on together?"
"As long as you are friendly and you do not threaten her or treat her differently then she is a very pleasant individual. I mean it was difficult for me to resist being her bondmate but I feel the choice I made was right. If you are very lucky and friendly you may get the opportunity to see her markings one day. You two have not seen them have you?" Hymara and Lianta shake their heads. "I like the chaotic nature of them. Anyway I am ranting and I have to be careful not to say too much." Sam yawns.
"Tired?"
"Yes. I did not sleep well last night. You really will not tell us your name?" The Asari sighs.
"I should not but my name is Whesiva Sam."
"It is good to finally know who I am talking to."
"Could I ask what it was like for you at school Whesiva?" Amistathya seeing an opportunity to go digging.
"It is not that people hate you but the degrading remarks made it difficult. I was happy when I did not have to go back. No doubt you enjoyed school, most individuals do."
"I never went to secondary school." Whesiva seems a little shocked at that.
"I thought secondary education is mandatory?" Amistathya keeps quiet. Whesiva turns to Lianta.
"It is. I honestly have no idea what happened Whesiva."
"Does that not cause problems for employment?"
"It does."
"What do you do now then?" Amistathya looks to Sam
"Strictly speaking she is my indentured servant Whesiva." She gives Sam a confused look. "You look a little puzzled at that Whesiva?"
"I am wondering why a charity would release her into indentured servitude."
"I said it was complicated and it is. Ami could you tell our new friend how much different you feel from me first meeting you to now."
"I have gone from thinking I do not belong in this universe to seeing the Citadel for the first time and feeling happy."
"By do not belong I mean she was in a padded room Whesiva. I am sure you can guess why."
"Maybe I was wrong then."
"No you were right. I would not have let it happen either but it was Ami's idea and she insisted. She felt she would feel happier with this arrangement and I could see why. It gives her the security of knowing she has one person she can always go to for help."
"I never thought of it like that Sam. Have you done this kind of work before?"
"No as I can find one-to-one situations with unknown individuals awkward at times. I felt Ami was quite easy for me to understand so while it was difficult I do not think it was too bad. Oh I must stress, please do not call her Ami, she prefers Athya or Amistathya."
"I would prefer to call you Athya if you do not mind. I am not good with pronouncing most peoples names at the best of times. Why do you let Sam call you something different though Athya?"
"I am perfectly happy with Sam calling me Ami but I just do not want anyone else to do so." Whesiva nods.
"Could I ask if you are going to Nos Astra space port or Armali's facility?"
"Armali Sam as it is much more convenient than the space port."
"Good, it means I do not have to wake Adastra up to bring more security. I am half considering bedding down somewhere else and just randomly turning up at work tomorrow." Sam has a quick think "I think my own bed sounds much more inviting."
-------
Kate and Fosanta walk towards a table that Adastra and Seliha had found next to the window. "Nice table."
"It is very difficult to get these tables. We were just very lucky." Seliha looks out of the window at a small selection of skyscrapers and various skycars and shuttles travelling past.
"Any news on Sam this morning?" Fosanta at least semi interested in what is happening.
"None Fosanta. All we know is what we were told yesterday that his plans have been moved forward and he will be back earlier than expected. It really means I have been able to do essentially nothing today as Sam's design seems ok but the simulator does not like it."
"Do you think tomorrow?"
"It depends how difficult the journalists were being Kate. I would assume they would all be on a ship back here tomorrow at the latest. I could really do with getting back to work as it is bioamp testing this Saturday." Fosanta gets up and leaves.
"So you two are testing your bioamps this weekend?" Seliha nods.
"I had forgotten about that. It will be you, Sam and Amistathya on your own then this Saturday."
"Peaceful day then."
"I am not that bad am I Kate?"
"I was joking Adastra, although you do tend to make your presence known. Anyway I have a meeting in ten minutes so I must leave. I will see you both later." Seliha and Adastra nod as Kate leaves to get back to work. It is not long before Adastra and Seliha leave the window table either. They are both amused when they look back at the table to see it has already gained new occupants.
------
"It is wonderful being on a ship for fourteen hours with nothing to do."
"Could I ask what was so amusing before we got on the shuttle?"
"Sorry that is something else I cannot really talk about Whesiva along with Adastra's markings and an awful lot about Ami. Why do I seem to come in contact with the most secretive of individuals?" Sam uttering the question more to himself.
"Your lack of sleep is starting to get to you Sam." Lianta looking over at a slightly pale faced human.
"It is. Sorry everyone. At least on the way to the Citadel I had a bed I could use. When is the next drop from FTL?"
"In about thirty minutes Sam."
"Usarta is going to be so annoyed at me."
"Why Sam?" Sam sighs as he clearly needs to give some answers.
"Well this shuttle should never have been on the Citadel to begin with. Then I need to ask if I can load something on tomorrows parts freighter from Thessia to Illium. All of this is after only working one day and already requesting a silly amount of things for something."
"Things for something, or is that something else you cannot talk about."
"The only way you can keep anything secret is if you never talk. The best you can realistically manage is to make it as difficult as possible for people to find out. Unfortunately someone found out our plan for going to Thessia tomorrow hence why we had to leave for Illium today as it was too much of a security risk. You will find out what I requested soon I guess."
"So where do you all live?"
"Armali got the Enlighten crew and the security assigned to them houses outside of Nos Astra. I am guessing you will be in an apartment in the city Whesiva?"
"Yes, I cannot complain as Armali have said I am getting a two bedroom apartment so space will not be an issue." Whesiva gets up and takes the pilots seat.
"Could I ask how long you are on Illium for?"
"The usual placement time at an alternate facility is three months but can be as long as six. Why do you ask Sam?" Whesiva guessing who it was who was talking.
"If you can think of some way to show that I can trust you not to say something about something then I may tell you." Whesiva drops the shuttle out of FTL with the relay not far away. Sam gets no response so leaves it for Whesiva to get back to him as he starts creating messages.
------
Kate, Fosanta, Adastra and Seliha were just settling down for something to eat as Adastra gets a message.
Adastra,
Should be back on Illium soon, unfortunately I am unable to say when or where but it should only be several hours or so. I apologise for not getting in touch earlier, it will be good to see you again.
Sam
"Seems Sam is on his way back from the Citadel. He says it will be several hours which is a little vague."
"He was no more specific than that?"
"No Kate. I can understand him wanting to keep what ship he is on ambiguous although I doubt there will be many passenger ships from the Citadel arriving between an hour and say tomorrow morning."
"He might be up for helping you tomorrow Adastra."
"I would like that Seliha as the design is starting to annoy me now."
-------
The shuttle jumps back into FTL as Whesiva gets up from the pilots chair and walks back to the passenger area. "Unfortunately Sam I do not think I can do anything to prove you can trust me."
"Could I ask what your honest opinion is on Asari who have markings Whesiva?"
"I have a fairly open mind Sam, probably because they would probably have had similar problems as I have had in the past." Sam was ready to drop no hints at all yet.
"What if the Asari openly said they were tattoos added after they finished school. Would that change your opinion?"
"Probably. I do not get why you are asking me these questions though?"
"I need to know how sympathetic you are to individuals who have various conditions or medical issues Whesiva."
"I honestly do not think I have met someone with any major medical conditions."
"I bet you have met some individuals with potentially serious medical conditions Whesiva but that is not the point. I am sure since you have seemingly been on Thessia a lot that you have heard of Galactic Acceptance."
"That is the charity people can go to for various help."
"Yes, that was where I was last week."
"Wait. You have serious medical conditions Athya?" She moves a little closer to Sam.
"Yes Whesiva but she dislikes me telling anyone what they are. Anyway the things I have requested off Usarta are for a charity event on Illium. I know it is not a condition or a medical issue but I was wondering if you would be interested in trying to make a case for people to treat Asari with an Asari father better."
"Well that was unexpected Sam. Would it be the best idea for you to show... purebloods, alongside other medical conditions?"
"It is up to you Whesiva. I intended this to show people that everyone is essentially the same whether they have an Asari father, markings on their body, four fingers on their hands or a strange skin colour for just a few made up examples. Of course secondarily I would like it to raise a decent amount of funding for the charity and for everyone to have a good time but I want that message to be what gets through."
"I actually appreciate you trying to do this Sam but I am not sure what I could do to help."
"Neither do I as I have no idea what is happening as this is still only an idea really. All I know is that it will be sometime in the first week of May at a large venue."
"How big are we talking Sam?"
"How big are you thinking it will be?"
"Ten thousand?" Sam smiles.
"That would be what I would call a good start. No my conservative estimate put it at a hundred and twenty five thousand easily." Whesiva seems a little shocked.
"That is certainly ambitious."
"It is and I need individuals who would happily either participate in some way or help with the event. If you would be happy to do so then I will arrange something nearer the time with you."
"I am not going to stand in front of that many people Sam."
"I know and understand that, perhaps a pre-recorded video piece or something. I am not sure yet but does that sound like a better idea?"
"I think I could do that Sam."
"I will try to see if I can get some more details sorted out over the weekend. It is quite likely to be March sometime before we would need you to do anything if you wished to."
"That sounds ok as I should have settled in well by then and be on top of my work. So what is it you are getting off Armali for the event?"
"Ten large plasma thrusters. Standard speakers would have worked but they would have been more of a pain."
"You can use plasma thrusters as speakers?"
"Theoretically yes, practically I have no idea. I am sure we will have to find out before March."
"Whesiva, you asked about my medical conditions. One is that I cannot taste anything." Amistathya making yet another rare contribution.
"I cannot even comprehend that Athya."
"She said to me everything just tastes like water of various textures and viscosity. That certainly made it easier for me to understand what it is like. It must be depressing but we must concentrate on what we have not what we do not." Whesiva nods.
------
Usarta checks her messages after a busy after hours meeting to notice only three new ones. She worked her way methodically down the list until she finally got around to reading Sam's.
Usarta,
I am sure you are annoyed at me always messaging or asking for various things. I deeply apologise but given our plan change we are no longer going to Thessia. We have something there that we would like on Illium and I was wondering if we could use what Seliha did to get to Illium a couple of weeks ago?
I understand if it is not an acceptable use and we should find a different way. I was just wondering if it was possible.
Sorry for annoying you.
Sam
Usarta sat back in her chair, shaking her head a smile on her face. She composed a quick message to Sam before heading home for the night.
------
The shuttle drops out of FTL to make the final jump to Illium. Within seconds Sam gets a message.
Sam,
As long as I can check that it is not full then it is fine. You can use tomorrow's run if you wish but whatever you want needs to be at Armali by four.
Usarta
"Oh nic..e. I really hate jumping at times. Yes we can abuse the parts freighter from Thessia as long as the items are at Armali by four."
"All I need is to send the message."
"I will give you our contacts address tomorrow morning after a sleep. Also could I ask why you are not sat properly Ami?"
"My apologies." Amistathya folding her arms behind her.
"Thirty minutes until we dock." Whesiva saying from the pilot's chair. "Are you being mean to Athya Sam?"
"No Whesiva. Should I see whether Fosanta or Adastra would pick us up?" Sam looking towards Hymara and Lianta
"It may be an idea as getting a shuttle from Armali at this time of night may take a while." Sam nods to Lianta and opens up his Omni-tool.
------
The four of them are sat around a console upstairs a new message notification breaks the immersion of what they are watching. "Who would message us at this time of night?" Fosanta getting up to see who it is.
Sorry to annoy you at this time of night. We are on approach to Illium, arrival in about twenty minutes at Armali. If someone could pick us up it would be most appreciated if not then message me back and we will sort out something else.
Sam
"Oh Sam is arriving in twenty minutes at Armali. Why Armali and not the space port I have no idea. He was wondering if one of us would like to collect him."
"Actually Fosanta, could we go? It would allow you to ask Athya about the name thing and it would be something different." Fosanta looks towards Adastra who shrugs.
"Ok Kate. We will be back in a few minutes." Fosanta walking down the steps as she types a reply.
------
"I can see bed from here." Sam looking out of the window at Nos Astra which is still a fairly small splodge on the surface of Illium.
"You have to be kidding Sam?"
"I am but the prospect of sleep is a nice one Hymara." Sam looks at the message he has just received.
"Oh interesting. The one who dislikes me for Ami being a servant and the one who seems to have something against shortening names is picking us up. This could be a tiring trip back."
"Are they that bad Sam?"
"No Whesiva they are very nice individuals, they just have strong opinions on certain things."
The shuttle lands in the Armali parking area reserved for larger personnel transport shuttles. "At least there seems to be plenty of shuttle parking here. On Thessia it is quite a pain."
"Perhaps but I did not see a lift there."
"Sam I know you are tired but please do not say anything more about them." Hymara finishing the rant Sam was about to go on. The five of them get out with their bags.
"How are you getting to your apartment Whesiva?"
"Probably a skycar Sam."
"At least come and say hello to Kate and Fosanta." Sam gets a message. "They are on level twenty four. I will not comment Hymara." Hymara smiles.
"I may as well as I am guessing the skycars leave from a lower level?"
"Yes, five Whesiva." She nods to Sam as they all get in for the ride down to the level Fosanta and Kate are waiting on. It takes three and a half minutes for them to descend the twenty three floors. The doors open with Kate and Fosanta waiting for them. "It is good to be back. How are you two?" Sam resisting the urge to make a comment at what he can see for the moment.
"You look very tired Sam?" Kate making the first comment.
"Thank the three hours of sleep and the fourteen hour journey. I think I am slightly delirious, anyway this is Whesiva. She is the individual who flew us here and will also be staying on Illium for a while."
"It is good to meet you, I am Fosanta. Are you one of these people who have got displaced by the biotics refit?"
"Yes Fosanta. I have an apartment waiting for me in Nos Astra somewhere."
"I am Kate. It is always good to see another friendly face." Whesiva nods with a slight smile.
"I know it is a bit out of our way but we could drop you off in Nos Astra as you will probably be waiting a while for a skycar."
"I would greatly appreciate that. It is nice since it is my first stay on Illium." The seven of them walking towards where Fosanta had parked the shuttle.
"Have you not stopped on Illium before Whesiva?" Fosanta talking as they walk.
"No I have only dropped people off or picked them up. I never really felt I was missing anything not having a few days to look around."
"You probably did not miss anything but it is not that bad here." Fosanta giving her opinion. "You can literally get anything and the basics are extremely inexpensive."
"That sounds good." Hymara helping Whesiva put her baggage on-board the shuttle before they all get in.
"Well this looks familiar if a little smaller." Sam noting he has seen the same basic seating and brushed metal interior since the Citadel.
"Just ignore Sam Kate. He is a little grouchy." Kate nods as Sam pulls a bit of a sour face at Hymara.
"Amistathya. I need to ask you if you are indeed happy with people calling you Athya?" Fosanta getting straight to the point as soon as they were out of the Armali parking area.
"Why would I not be Fosanta? My parents used to call me that so I have probably been called Athya just as much as Amistathya."
"I was just wondering as I particularly dislike the idea. I admit I felt a little foolish for thinking that when I found out I had been shortening Kate's name."
"I could have told you that Fosanta and you have been shortening mine as well." Sam thinking he may as well stick his foot in it.
"I think that was a bit mean Sam."
"Sorry Kate as Hymara said I am grouchy."
"It is ok Sam. It took Kate telling me I had been shortening hers to realise that I should not try to force what I believe is right onto others. Whesiva do you know where your apartment is?"
"Yaimas Tower wherever that is." Fosanta uses the on-board navigation to find it but she has a rough idea where it is.
"I am sure it will be a nice apartment. You should see quite a bit of me at Armali as I also work in the biotics building. Yes it is large but I do get quite a few calls to the development labs."
"Well it will be nice to have one person I know. Could I ask if you have any problem with me having an Asari father though as some Asari do not want to be with me when they find out?"
"I do not mind what species your father was, all that matters is how you are." Fosanta being a little deep there, Sam getting lost about half way though. Fosanta sets the shuttle down on in the drop-off space at Yaimas Tower. "We are here, Yaimas Tower. I will look forward to meeting you around Armali Whesiva."
"Same to you Fosanta. I will hopefully see you all again shortly. Thank you for the ride." Whesiva gets out and Kate helps her out with her bags. When she has everything they all say goodbye and close the shuttle door before Fosanta takes off.
"It is quite amazing who you can pick up on these off world trips." Sam looking towards Amistathya as he says that.
"So how was your time on the Citadel Sam?"
"It was great Kate. Half of the time we spent out of the hotel was in the clinic the other half we were watching reporters taking our picture from across the presidium lake. We spent about eight hours overall outside the hotel."
"How bad were they?"
"Fosanta, I have rarely seen anything as bad. Sam also did not help much by bringing Amistathya and opening his mouth. That caused an awful lot of speculation and slightly negative press." Hymara giving her report.
"They also gave Ami quite a nasty bruise on her left arm as we were trying to get back into the hotel through a group of them." Sam putting his answer in.
"I guess there may be similar problems here but at least we can injure them with no real problems unlike on the Citadel." Sam smiles at imagining that individual getting launched into the lake.
"Great."
"Do not blame me for having Ami now Kate. I must also say you would look remarkably pretty with blue skin." Kate looks at her hands to seemingly make sure she had not been tricked again before looking back at Sam.
"You have really lost it Sam."
"No Kate I am really serious, your hair looks brilliant with it. At least try it once."
"Looks? I am worried now Sam."
"Kate you know you said your biggest fear was someone messing with your mind without asking you?" Kate nods not getting what Sam was implying. "Work it out Kate."
"Athya you did not. Did you?" She looked towards Sam with no obvious outward expression. Sam nods and a smile creeps onto her face.
"Yes Kate. You have no need to worry I am not like Seliha."
"Why did you let her Sam?"
"You think I had a choice Kate? We do however have an agreement now in that if I want something changing back she will do so."
"I think you are mad Sam."
"Kate, I cannot initiate a meld with others and I cannot see what is being changed in a meld. How then is this in any way up to me?"
"You did not have to connect with Athya." Sam just facepalms, thinking it is very hard not to when you are coerced and manipulated into it. He carefully puts his arm around Amistathya.
"You must not be looking if you cannot see the changes Sam?"
"Actually Lianta Sam is correct in that he does not have a choice. Humans seem incapable of monitoring minor changes unless you explicitly tell them, which makes it very easy to change things without them knowing." Fosanta answering from the pilot's seat as they approach the house.
"I hope you learnt that from Adastra Fosanta otherwise Kate is not going to be happy."
"Actually I worked it out from when I was helping Kate learn Asari properly Sam. She asked what I was doing when if she could see what I was changing it would have been obvious. I did not touch anything else at all Kate I promise."
"I believe you Fosanta as I have not seen Sam with pink hair yet."
"Perhaps I need to think about going to Thessia next week. The amount of abuse I get when I return is great fun. Oh and Ami will be displeased if you call her Ami. I can see Seliha taking advantage of that fact." The Shuttle lands back on the ground at the house.
"Amistathya, do you find Sam calling you that offensive?" Sam closes his eyes and sighs.
"As long as it is Sam saying it I do not. I would find it a little insulting if someone else did."
"Since we are bondmates I get special privileges. Are you happy now Fosanta?"
"Reasonably." Hymara opens the shuttle door with Lianta not far behind. The two of them walking off to their house. "I have probably annoyed them a lot on this trip so they are probably as warn out as I am."
"You do know they have guns and biotics Sam?"
"I did have Lianta at one point imply she may knock me out Fosanta, so I think they like me really." The four of them walking to the house, Sam and Amistathya with their bags.
"Just go to bed Sam and have a good nights sleep." Kate wanting to get rid of him once they had got in the house.
"Where are the other two blue ones?"
"Top floor, your room Sam."
"Thanks Kate. Have a good sleep you two." Kate and Fosanta nod to Sam before he and Amistathya ascend the stairs to dump their bags in their room. "I am too knackered for a shower tonight I will have one in the morning. I must say goodnight to Adastra and Seliha first, you can stay here if you wish.
"I will stay Sam." He nods and heads up the stairs to find Adastra and Seliha watching something.
"Hi."
"Hello Sam. How was the Citadel?"
"It was a little annoying but otherwise good Adastra. Thalmara looked well and was as friendly as ever. The journalists were a pain and I must sleep as I had about three hours last night then a fourteen hour journey today. I will speak to you both tomorrow sometime."
"Good night Sam." Seliha wanting to get rid of him.
"Sam could you give me a hand with the design tomorrow sometime as I am getting nowhere."
"I will remote connect in from here as technically I have this week off."
"That sounds ok. Night Sam." Sam nods and leaves the two of them watching whatever it is. He walks back into his room and locks the door behind him. Looking over at the bed he can see Amistathya already in bed with her head down.
"Can I ask you to change Kate back to not being blue Ami?"
"Your mind will correct the error that I induced by itself Sam. I know it would have been a little confusing knowing she is not blue but you thinking she is."
"I am not going to ask how you managed it. Can you not change trivial things in my mind like that again Ami. It is remarkably scary being reminded you can do anything you wish and I would be unable to stop it. I would rather if you were to do things that they are kept a little hidden so as not to frighten me."
"I will not do that again Sam." Sam climbing into bed with a smile on his face.
"Oh bed how I have missed you." Sam shuffles over to give Amistathya a hug. "Sleep well Ami."
"You too Sam." Sam nods before moving back to his side and turning the light off.
-------
"I still cannot believe Sam had no choice." Kate wondering how he seemed so ok with it as the two of them go to their bedroom.
"You would have no choice if you were in the same situation Kate. I would only prove that after asking you though which does make it more difficult."
"I think I would have had a choice."
"Ok then Kate. Do you trust me entirely?"
"Errm." Kate watching Fosanta get undressed and getting into the bed.
"I see you are not too keen to prove your point Kate given you are just standing there. I can guarantee you will be safe."
"Ok?" Kate not sounding too sure what she has let herself in for. She cautiously strips before climbing into bed. "Are you going to say what is to happen?"
"Oh no Kate. It is more fun this way and it will be sometime in the next two months. Do have a good sleep." Fosanta just about managing to tame her grin into a smile.
"Two months?!"
"Do not bother about it as paranoia makes my job easier. Anyway I am going to get some sleep now, sleep well Kate."
"You... too." Kate being overly suspicious looking at the dark blue markings on Fosanta's face and wondering quite what ideas are being generated behind them. She turns the light off to try and get some sleep.
-------
Notes.
I appreciate the continual readers and you can all catch the next chapter now.
- 34
- 35
- 36
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Marked Effect (AFF Edition)