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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
- 7
- 8
- 9
Chapter 8 - Understanding
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Adastra from her seat on the sofa looked at Sam sat on the single seat opposite and when he looked back at her she pointed to herself and said "Adastra". Shiala was a little perplexed at how basic the communication was that got them in this situation. She however did the same as Adastra, pointing to herself and saying "Shiala". Sam nodded in acknowledgement thinking he was lucky they had understood what he had tried to communicate. He then saw Shiala shuffle along the sofa leaving a gap on the end. She then placed her hand on the empty seat and moved it shortly thereafter. Sam got the hint but was a little apprehensive at what was about to happen. He thought being in his own house on his own turf would be comforting but instead it was increasing his anxiety that they were just waiting for the right time.
Shiala was indeed waiting but tiredness was starting to set in. It was drilled into her back in the days when she was training as a commando that it was never a good idea to let your guard down. She would feel better knowing a bit more about this species before she slept. It was obvious when Sam finally sat down that he clearly was not comfortable in this situation. Sam was sitting upright with his back not touching the back of the sofa and sitting quite a distance away from Shiala. Shiala decided to sit up to match Sam's posture and looked into the brown eyes of the alien with a look of sadness in her own.
Sam was wondering why Shiala's green eyes were looking sorrowful when he heard two words and his brain felt like someone was repeatedly pushing a hot poker into it. Sam just thought that it was the end, as no matter how hard he tried to fight back he was not winning back control and so gave up fighting. Quickly the blackness and searing pain relented and he found himself in an old library with dusty books on shelves packed high and far. At the end of the shelves where he currently stood there was a single desk, an old wooden chair with red upholstery and behind it was a fire. The flames suddenly went from a fiery red to a more pleasant but yet chilling ice blue before starting to flicker in time to someone talking as if it were the flames themselves speaking.
"I am sorry about this Sam. I needed to know how to communicate with yourself and to see if you would be a problem for us. My deepest apologies." Sam just thought to himself, 'that sort of makes sense given they would probably be locked up and experimented upon if they were found.' To his amazement the flames replied.
"I am glad you see our point of view". At that moment he looked to his left as he was facing the desk and the fire to see a large door open and two robots that looked like bins with arms rolled in. Each bin having a handful of books in as they trundled off loudly on the stone flooring down the isles. As soon as they were out of sight the dim overhead lighting suddenly went out and before he could think anything he was back in his home, on the sofa facing Shiala who had something between a grimace and a smile on her face.
Sam was thirsty and had a terrible headache. Wondering quite what had just happened he tried standing up from the sofa and falling back to where he had just been. His head felt like someone had poured diet coke into his head before pushing a pack of Mentos in and sealing it. Shiala lost the grimace to leave just the smile. "Sorry again Sam but it was for the best. You would have felt quite a bit of pain as I was trying to find your language but I felt you relax towards the end." Sam was shocked he had an Asari sitting in front of him talking, if you omitted the pauses between groups of words, in fairly good English. He then did a double take inside is own head.
"How do I know what species you are? Where you are from? That there are a number of other alien species in the galaxy and roughly how you got here?" Sam felt a slight bit of relief getting those questions out in to the open as this was well beyond most people's comprehension.
"I am sorry if you have suffered. You helped me with what I sought and so I felt it was only fair that I gave you something back, a token of appreciation if you will." Shiala's calming voice reassuring Sam whose mind was still boggling at what had just happened.
"Thank you... I think," was all Sam could say before he had to get something to drink. Just about managing to stay standing after getting off the sofa, he carefully made his way towards the kitchen using furniture and walls to steady himself as he went. He could hear what sounded like words being exchanged in the other room but was more interested in a glass of water. Shiala got up and walked into the kitchen area looking around as she moved towards Sam, trying to put words to the items she could see in her mind.
"Sam I know this experience has affected you, but, Adastra would be honoured if you could teach her too." Sam had evidently taken the request a little badly given the glass that was under the tap had now been overflowing for several seconds and he was making no effort to turn the tap off. Shiala stepped to the side of him and turned it off. "I could give her the information but it would not have the same thoughts, feelings and inherent understanding behind each of the words. We can give you some time to recover but I am leaving the final decision up to you." The long day, the improbable odds and the connection was starting to catch up to Sam. He turned his head towards Shiala who was standing to the side of him with the perfect example of an expressively neutral face.
"Could this wait until tomorrow as it has been a long day? I am not sure I could go through that again without some sleep first." Shiala looked a little saddened by this response.
"If you could manage it tonight then it would be better Sam. It is always easier when you know what to expect and now I can talk you through what to do, it should make it much less difficult."
Sam followed Shiala back to the sofa with a weighty decision on his shoulders; he dropped on the vacant seat in between the two Asari carefully studying a small bit of dust floating on the top of the water in his glass. After a couple of minutes of trying to get the dust to the side of the glass by tilting it in various directions, and it stubbornly refusing to do so, he turned to the younger Asari who was to the right of him nearest the fire. "I'm..." His refusal refused to turn down Adastra who with her head resting on the top of the sofas back and a small smile on her face looked happy. Sam turned back to his glass with a tear running down his cheek, the first sign of his mental cracks starting to bubble to the surface. His mind laying the guilt upon itself for contemplating making someone unhappy, something he had seven months experience with and wouldn't wish on anyone else. He turned back to face Adastra to try and say sorry but all he can do is let a couple more tears roll down his face.
Adastra was optimistic that he would help her after Shiala had talked to him but she was certainly not expecting this visceral show of emotion. Maybe it was the melding that just nudged something in his mind, something that had previously been stored away behind other items and was now on show for all to see. "Shiala, can you ask him if he trusts me?" Sam looked teary eyed to Shiala. She was feeling a little guilty as it could have been her fault but she had to play the role of go between for now.
"Adastra asked if you trust her?" Could he trust a total stranger who he had only known for barely three hours and was not even from this planet? The thought went around and around in his head like it was in a washing machine. He after a few seconds wiped his tears away and turned towards the concerned face of Adastra. After taking a deep breath he felt he could trust her enough to connect and so he nodded to Adastra.
Shiala who was behind him knew what was going to happen, and judging by Sam's actions, she thought he did too. "Sam, close your eyes and relax. Let Adastra's presence feel like your own, reach out grab that connection as if your survival depended upon it. Try and bring it closer to yourself." With that she gave Adastra a nod over Sam's right shoulder.
"Embrace eternity." Shiala looking on as Adastra's eyes turn from green to black, hoping Sam had taken her words to heart.
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Sam was back in the dusty library with hardly any effort on his part this time. Shiala did say it would be easier second time but this was a massive improvement. He found himself sat at the desk this time with the roaring fire gently warming his back through the chair and his shadow looming over most of the shelves in the library. Hearing footsteps approaching he quickly closed the book that was on the desk. He looked towards the source of the noise to see Adastra who was walking towards him from down one of the isles to his left.
"I think I found most of what I needed. I did not dig into anything that was not obvious, you can tell me or let me look at that information at a later date if you wish." Sam just gave her a nod and looked down at the book that was on the desk in front of him. Adastra came closer and looked carefully at the book. She could clearly see that it had seen years, perhaps decades worth of wear. The brown leather cover was cracking and had clearly been damaged a little around the edges. The pages were crinkled with a few tears. She thought this must be either his best memory, biggest secret or biggest life changing moment and judging by its state it must be from Sam's childhood.
Sam got up out of the chair and moved the desk lamp so that Adastra would be able to read the severely faded text on the cover. He then nodded to her before facing the fire with his back towards the table. Adastra moved closer and looked carefully at the cover before taking a step back. The title could not be correct there was no way. The one had to be a zero on the year. She stepped forward and peered even closer, moving the lamp around to see if the faded title had become so faded as to be ambiguous. It was not to be the case. The book was simply entitled "Saturday 14th May 2016". Reality suddenly dawned on Adastra that it must fall into the biggest life changing moment. She could feel this ethereal presence settle upon the room, looking towards Sam with his back towards her she could only say "I am sorry, I will leave this book alone if I return." Sam turned around showing Adastra a face with no happiness, no enjoyment, no laughter and nowhere to go. Tears were streaming down his face and his nose running as if his brain was trying to escape the internal torment. He got a tissue from his pocket wiped his face and blew his nose before throwing it into the fire to dispose of it. With a deep breath he cautiously moved towards the desk, gingerly picking up the book and looking at the cover once more. With all the strength he could gather he held out the book to Adastra.
"I would like you to have this. It may not be a good read..." He tried to steady the shaking book in his hands but with no success. "it just seems right..." The tears starting to reform in the corners of his eyes as he looks towards Adastra who seems lost as to what to do or say. "Given you trusted me earlier this evening. I should return the favour." He looks back down at the book with a tear dripping on to the cover and soaking through the cracked leather.
Adastra was shocked. She had not expected any payback for her trust, and certainly not one that was so close to Sam's heart. "I am sorry Sam. I really cannot accept your only copy of this." Sam shamefully looked towards the floor.
"That isn't my only copy." Adastra really did not want to dig the hole further but curiosity got the better of her.
"Is this the second copy then?" Sam looked a little pained at that question Adastra feeling guilty for even asking.
"It is not the original, I made four copies and I have destroyed two though overuse, this is the third." Was about all he could manage to mumble before renewed tears started falling again.
Adastra walked around the desk a saddened expression on her face. She carefully took the book from Sam and placed it on the corner of the desk out of the way. Sam wondered why she had not left immediately but was not left wondering long when the Asari took an extra pace forward and gave Sam a cautious hug. She whispered into Sam's ear, "I cannot thank you enough for this; I know it means an awful lot to you. I will leave now." With that she broke the hug off, forced a smile at Sam who gave a nod and a slight curl to the edge of his frown and headed out of the door with the book close to her chest.
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Sam was back looking at the warm fire and Adastra who was looking slightly shaken by the experience. He could not concentrate too well given he felt like he had the flu, a migraine and had not slept for a week. "Shiala, Adastra I'm going to get some sleep. I hope both of you do too." He gives both of them a shaky hug with Shiala wondering what the hell it was for. Sam just about manages the six paces before collapsing on to the seat opposite. It was only about a minute from him hitting the fabric to being fast asleep. The two Asari looked at each other before settling down in a top and tail fashion on the sofa.
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Notes.
If anyone wants to know how they can learn English so quickly and so well then call it artistic licence. I could not have deliberate misspellings and the process taking weeks to learn otherwise the story would be boring and difficult to read.
There will be more posted once I have finished editing the next few chapters. Hope you are all enjoying it up to this point.
- 7
- 8
- 9
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Marked Effect (AFF Edition)