[Illium/Citadel] the techno vixen (closed)

Illium was hot and humid. They obviously still fondled with their environmental controls but that was a weather Taleeze liked. She was wearing a light grey business suit and matching heels, fitting for the reason of her travels - business. Maybe the fact that she wore nothing under the jacket was a bit casual but she was just adapting to the weather and she still was the maiden she had always been – and maybe it had been influence of Daia’s office looks although she still had a way to go to match them. For now she was going to negotiate with on of the leading tech companies, Ariake. They had made her an offer to license her tech armor and cloak mods to integrate them into their entertainment line of appliances. This could be a mayor deal, especially since they had shown interest in possible further projects.

Since the Apricity owned half of the rights to the whole thing – they had paid for the hardware and provided time and space – Taleeze was here to get the details fixed with Charisma and Eafina. From there it would go to the Citadel HQ of Ariake, she was very excited. What had Daia called her… techno-vixen? She liked that!

Taleeze pushed the shades up her forehead for the immigration ID and smiled wide at the asari behind the counter, who was a bit irritated, making Taleeze’s smile even wider. “Welcome to Nos Astra, Ms. Driana”

While she was strolling for the gates, she thought back to Nevos and Freh’ya. It’s been funny, now was the first time it occurred to her that the last time the two had separated at Astella Space Port had been Freh’s shipping out to Thessia. Now it had been the other way around and under very different auspices, as it had been a happy good bye, knowing that the other would be well. Freh’ya was working like a horse, grinding huntress recruits – Taleeze didn’t envy them – and Tal would probably making a lifetime deal and got to meet Skylar again so soon!

She was skipping steps as she dragged her case behind her on the way to the gates. She was so happy to have clear air to breath, a clear blue sky above, sun coming up on the horizon. She was happy to be with Skylar again, now that Freh’ya was also in the picture finally, knowing everything.

And of course Daia! Vidcasts could never replace a real girl chat. She entered one of the waiting cabs and was off towards to Apricity in no time.

~~~~~

“Hello Tol Madan, how are things? I have an appointment with Eafina and Charisma.” She greeted the volus concierge as she stored away the sunglasses in a pocket inside the jacket.

"Miss Driana, it is most agreeable to see you again!" *hssk* "And in such obviously fine spirits, it is a fine thing to see your reunion with your partner has produced such contentment." The volus touched his suit's manipulators together in a gesture of friendship, then tapped a command into his console. "Miss Meressus is expected shortly, and will join you as soon as she arrives." *hssk* "I have notified Miss Laurendon of your arrival, she will be pleased to see you again. She is in her office, but if I may, you would perhaps wish to pass through the club on your way there."

Tol Madan's voice, even filtered through his mask, had enough of a knowing ring to reinforce the seemingly-random suggestion to take a detour on the way to the agency's offices.

Apricity was sparsely populated, relatively speaking - a respectable gathering of patrons filled the tables surrounding the central stage, but the morning shifts were never especially busy, compared to the evening and late night. Those in attendance were undoubtedly pleased to be so, though, watching with rapt attention and frequent exclamations and cheers as Daia wove around the three poles suspended mid-air above the stage in a triangle, swinging from one to another with biotic flares wreathing her body - virtually powerless, but visually impressive - and, as Taleeze entered the club, the last of her costume floating down to the floor.

The act was obviously reaching its conclusion, from the tempo of the music and the crowd - one last sequence, Daia's body twisting lithely through a series of rapid-fire moves that seemed to defy just how much an asari body was supposed to bend, a leap from the highest point of the triangle, and - supported by a stronger field, cushioning her landing - she came to rest on the edge of the stage, on one knee, head down, arms out, gleaming with sweat and glitter, and smiling exultantly when she raised her head and acknowledged the applause with a generous round of bows.

Her eyes sparkled when she spotted the newcomer, and after blowing a final kiss to her audience she hopped down off the stage, wove between the tables quite unselfconsciously, and hugged Taleeze, earning her some envious looks.

"Where did you come from?" she laughed. "Well, Nevos, obviously - your ship made landfall early? I thought I'd miss you here, I'm back to the office as soon as I..." She glanced down, and chuckled at herself. "Get dressed, I really ought to. Oh! Thanks dear," she smiled as a turian, herself in quite a risque dress, appeared and handed her a short, gauzy robe. "Taleeze, you met Syaris last time, didn't you...?"

"She did," the woman nodded, flexing her mandibles in greeting to Taleeze. "Joy to see you again. And to have heard you and your lady have had the spirit of comfort with you since you found her." She glanced over her shoulder at the stage, then gave a quick, apologetic shrug. "Can't stay, I'm on in five minutes. Come by the common room if you get the chance?"

"I probably ought to go too," Daia said, finishing donning her robe - which didn't do an enormous amount to preserve her modesty, but she obviously felt it was the thought that counted. "But, not right away. So," she looped an arm around Taleeze's as they walked slowly towards the door to the employee areas, where Charisma's office was located, "we'll see each other later, but give me the five-minute update, how have you been?"

“Thank you! Oh, could you keep an eye on my case here? Have a great day, we’ll see each other later.” She put her case behind the counter, out of sight for passers-by and waved, steering towards the salon.

It was always a spectacle to see Daia perform. Taleeze leaned onto the backrest of a cushioned chair, to enjoy the finale of the display. She liked the body makeup with the glitter. It got sparked into a myriad reflections by the lighs and the biotics and was the best effect to Daia’s dark blue skin. With a grin Taleeze mused if the increasing bodily activity with Ana was having a visible effect on the asari, as she seemed a slight tad more enthusiastic in her performance than before she had left, if that was even possible. It was more of a feeling of someone knowing Daia as well as Taleeze, most likely totally unnoticeable for a casual observer.

Taleeze returned the hug. She could feel the heat from the workout and the pulse under Daia’s skin. It was good to be so close to her friend again. Since the body makeup was highest grade and totally rub-off proof, she didn’t have to worry about her suit and could pull Daia tight.

“Oh, yes, we obviously got one shot earlier through the Sol relay. I am not to complain, I would have missed the display.” She missed working alongside Daia quite a bit but the plans were still there. They just had to wait for a bit.

“Hello, Syaris, and thank you so much! Yes, I’ll come by the common room later.” It was warming her heart to see how people had remembered her and her quest. She had to bring Freh’ya here some day. Things were beginning to settle down and… it was become more than an option. A real prospect. It was time to start thinking about the future.

“Five minutes, huh? Dunno if that’s possible, but I’ll try. I’ll have to skip the dirty details then though, sorry ‘bout that.” Taleeze joked. She got serious again, since the beginning of what had happened since wasn’t all that nice and cozy. She had sent Daia some short burts to keep her up to things but of course, telling the story was more personal.

“We are settling in again. It’s a tough ride for Freh, the counseling is heavy stuff, at least at this stage. She got reinstated though, even started to work… training recruits. It’s an uphill battle, but she’s making ground.”

“That’s not saying there are no setbacks… she has nightmares and sometimes terribly unpredictable mood swings… We’re sticking together and reassure each other as much as possible. I can bear it. I even think, now’s the time she even benefits from me being a bit away from her, as hard as it is.” Taleeze sighed and then smiled.

“We cleared the air about Skylar.” She scratched her rearmost le’ku with her free hand. “She was so…. Goddess, so understanding, it was almost frightening. It was not at all a question of if but of how for her. I let her see glimpses of what I feel in our melds, this is the most truthful thing. I am not hiding and she can see what it does to me. She is happy when I am happy … we talked about it and these were the most peaceful nights we had afterwards, strangely enough. Of course I understand she also needs a bit of time to work on herself for this, she doesn’t know Sky yet after all. But this is going to be the greatest thing in my, in our life, Daia, can you imagine that?” She looked over to her friend.

“I feel like I never want anything else besides these two.”

“So, I’ve been good most of the time”, she joked again, filled with joy. “But what about you? I guess that’ll have to wait until after business, right? I’ll also give you the long and dirty version if you have time. It involves a boat trip.” She laughed as they had reached the office.

"I can imagine it," Daia smiled. "In broad strokes, at least - and I do want those 'dirty details' later on, believe it." She smirked and patted Taleeze's hand on her arm. "We'll catch up properly later, of course - Ana as well, she's back at the office now."

Arriving at the office, she paused in the open doorway, and caught Charisma's eye as the human got up from behind her desk.

"Look what I found," she giggled. "Can I keep her?"

"I think Skylar might have other ideas," Charisma chuckled, rounding the desk and extending a welcoming hand. "Taleeze, salut. It's good to see you again." She gave the asari a kiss on each cheek, then did the same for Daia, in parting.

"Until tomorrow," she said, to which Daia nodded, gave Taleeze a warm hug, and departed.

"I still can't believe the way that woman can bend," Charisma mused, shaking her head. One wall of her office was a floor-to-ceiling screen, giving the appearance of a window looking out over the club and stage from which she would have had a fine view of the show. "'Fina will be here in just a moment - we may as well wait for her, rather than get started and have to recap everything when she arrives. Can I offer you anything? Café au lait?"

“Yes, thank you,” Taleeze replied to the Coffee offer. Charisma had a special terran way to prepare hers. Her French origin was showing and the asari could never resist that.
“I think she’d even bend that way even if she hadn’t helped nature with her enhancements. Yes, she’s the most amazing thing.” Taleeze said that in true admiration, as Daia had been a friend and an inspiration for many things. As far as acrobatics went, she was ahead of Taleeze, who herself wasn’t bad, but Daia always seemed to bend a few degrees more.

“I don’t know, maybe the recent activities with Ana made her retrain some rusty muscles again… not saying she got rusty in general, but you know, Ana trains a few special things,” she added with a chuckle. On the big screen the young turian was beginning her display now.

“It’s great to be back. Still smells like home. I miss the stage and I hope it won’t be long for me to be up there again.” she said, nodding towards the screen. Taleeze took a seat on one of the sofas forming a conference corner.
“How are you doing?” she asked, while taking a first sip of the coffee, tasting the silken smoothness of the milky mix.

"She has rediscovered a certain spring in her step since she and Ana got back," Charisma agreed, glancing at the opening moments of Syaris's show before turning fully to face Taleeze, evidently satisfied that the club was operating smoothly.

"Ça va," she said, inclining her head, when Taleeze asked after her. "The pildavi following isn't quite what it was a few months ago - you'd have heard all about the Pulsars' woes - but attendance at the sports bar is holding steady, between the die-hard fans, and the skyball crowd now that the Thessian regional playoffs have begun. Everything's been running ship-shape in the main club, we've added that big Serrice Indigo dance number, the one I think you saw rehearsals for last time, to the weekly lineup, and it's got a useful few mentions in the industry and tourism press." She took a sip of her own coffee and gave a quiet, satisfied sigh.

"You look well," she noted. "Spring in your step too. I... well, I don't want to be nosy," she admitted, "but, Skylar... she and you and Freh'ya, that's working out? I got a quick cultural history lesson from 'Fina about asari relationship structures, so, I know your position isn't as, uh, unconventional as it could seem to an outsider. Oh, speaking of Eafina by the way, major excitement," she grinned. "She's finally tracked down the plans for a fuel injector assembly for that drell motorcycle she's building... ah, speak of the devil!"

She looked over Taleeze's shoulder with a smile, as Eafina strolled in through the doorway.

"And she'll appear, hm?" the older asari completed the quote, setting her briefcase down beside the desk, and turning first to Taleeze. "Wonderful to see you back, even for just a brief visit." She offered both hands in greeting to the other asari, and that done, took Charisma's hand and pressed a kiss to her palm, before seating herself.

"I'd hazard a guess that everyone you've met from the front door in has asked how you and Freh'ya are doing?" she asked, with a slight smile. "You being here and happy speaks for itself. Let's get the business out of the way, and then we can relax and chat properly, and bask in the glow of how industrious we've all been."

“Hm”, she replied to Charisma’s assessment of the state of Apricity. The stupid Pulsars move had even an effect here, sad to hear. On the other hand it was great that the sportsbar already had attracted a group of regulars and some league was always happening somewhere.

“I’d like to catch a few glimpses of the new show. They were still struggling with timing and as far as I remember, the music wasn’t finished completely as I last saw them rehearse. It sounds like something special. Great that everything is running well.” She took a sip of her coffee.

“Oh, it is special,” she replied to Charisma’s comment on her new relationship situation. “It was some of the hardest times in my life, but now I am so happy! It’s still all very fresh but I think we are off to a promising start indeed. Us three have to meet for real pretty soon… Freh’ya gets back on track slowly but steadily.” She chuckled, thinking of her. “I hope, developing the relationship will help her further. You know… Skylar was amazing when I was messed up. She is a great person. I want her to be in our lives and be happy there, so I’ll do everything it takes.” A soft smile appeared on her face. “You know, whenever I need advice on human-asari affairs, I know who to come to…”

When Charisma was mentioning the motorcycle, Taleeze had to grin. She had thought about getting one herself… maybe after things had settled down.
“Oh, cool. I must take a look at that some time!”

Then The Woman herself appeared. She totally had nothing of an ardat, Taleeze mused.

“Hello ‘Fina, nice to see you.” She took the offered hands and returned the gesture.”Brief this time, but the promise still stands.”

“Yes, you’re right. It is a good feeling to have left such an impression and everyone caring. Anyway, yes, we are on a good way and all is as good as it can be under the circumstances.

But yes… let’s get this business down finally.”

Taleeze sat down her cup and opened her omnitool, opening a port so everyone could see her data on their screen.
“So. This is the proposal from Ariake, as I sent it already. They want the license for the tech armor mod and the cloak. They know I did use none of their armor modules and want an adaptation and an exclusivity contract. That would mean full patent protection in C-Space.“ Taleeze switched a few slides. One of them showed the figures Ariake had proposed. “Here I think, they have miscalculated the effort we put into it. So if guess I have to tell them they have to consider at least an additional thirty percent,” Taleeze said with a smirk.

“Very interesting is their idea for a line of prefabricated macros, kind of costumes they want to sell with limited to no moddability. It would only be us who can freely edit and develop new patterns which they can license and distribute. They called it the ‘electronic costume line’. We will get all kinds of fancy new hardware, so no decommissioned second hand stuff anymore, and support from their devs if we need anything. Also I am offered an independent developer contract on top, obviously they like my way of thinking.” She smiled, a bit proud of her ideas.

“Soo… I think it’s no question of if we take this offer, right? That’s big. As I see it, fifty percent of everything belongs to the Apricity. It was your time and equipment, aside from the original Kassa module. Without you this wouldn’t exist. So, I’d like to hear your terms for the negotiations.” She closed her tool and looked at Eafina and Charisma.

With Taleeze's data shared, Charisma opened her omni-tool and split off several screens, each displaying portions of the proposal, along with highlit segments and commentary; on her main screen, she busied herself manipulating a VI, refining and steering the 'conclusions' it presented from the text. It was a role she took to easily, from her days as a personal assistant, and Eafina gave her a quick smile as she passed one of her screens into the asari's 'tool.

"This is an excellent opportunity for you," Eafina agreed thoughtfully. "By way of background, Ariake haven't been making aggressive moves with their entertainment division here on Illium - our feeling is that they see a market dominated by veteran asari firms like IE, and don't want to rush to a confrontation which, the balance of power being what it is, would have to end either in their being pushed out, or forced to accept a subsidiary position with one of the local firms. That's based on observation," she qualified, "we haven't had any direct dealings with Ariake prior to this, but it's just good business practice to stay informed.

"What Ariake is doing," she continued, sharing a number of summary files, for Taleeze to read later, "is making partnerships. Small-scale, limited to particular events, or talents, or as in this case technologies. These sorts of arrangements are much easier for them to enter into here without rocking the boat, so to speak, or having to overextend themselves. So that's promising, it suggests - and," she glanced at Charisma, who nodded, "the terms of the proposal are in line with this - that they're not looking for maximum control or financial exploitation. They're no fools, but they know they have to give to get."

She selected another file and shared it with Taleeze.

"This is what we'd like to offer," she explained. "There's two parts - the first is a data set that should prove useful, as far as it goes, when it comes time for you to argue in favour of that extra thirty percent. Metrics and returns from your stage appearances here - I'm sure once they meet you in person they won't be easily convinced that your audiences only came for the holo-spectacle," she smirked, "but there are figures that'd support the tech's value without dispute. When you told us about the offer, we put out some feelers to the APU as well, and arranged for them to share some of the viewer rating statistics from the Cup halftime show; that's in there as well.

"The second part is a set of guidelines, which we'd be grateful if you'd incorporate into your presentation when you meet with Ariake. I know," she added quickly, "you'll look out for us - this is by way of giving a clear picture of the areas that the club would benefit from being addressed in the final agreement. Exclusivity: Ariake's interest has to be balanced with our freedom to employ other tech brands. Intellectual property: we'd ask for the C-Space protections to reflect the technology's origins, obviously with you, but also under Illium IP jurisdiction. Incidentally," she noted, grinning faintly, "that'll have the side benefit of keeping the Harriers from trying to copy your hardware in their next Cup showing - a point which the APU's publicist here in Nos Astra was quietly interested in, let me tell you. But back to business, thirdly, and the last main point, creative control: as with patent, obviously to focus on you as creator, but arrangements like this can set precedents for companies to influence, for instance, the style and content of a performance, based on how it may reflect upon their reputation by association."

"Earth firms aren't invariably up to speed on erotic dance meriting the same artistic license and freedom of expression as other performance forms," Charisma put in. "Although, Ariake hasn't made waves in that regard, so this is really more of a shoring up measure to guard against any future change in attitude at their end."

"As well as the data to support your hardware's value," Eafina finished, "that second file contained some other 'sweeteners' you may find useful. Brand positioning and advertising strategies we're ready to implement, if Ariake want to take us up on that. We're not going to have their insignia hovering over the stage, exactly, but there are whole industries here who take notice of who's behind what, invisible to the general audience. Ariake's envoys here, we think, will have made them aware of the value of this sort of deal. It's not a closer - that'll be you yourself - but our advice is that they should recognise what we're offering, as a minor partner in your agreement, is worth what we're asking for."

"And, speaking of our advice...?" Charisma prompted.

"Oh... yes," Eafina nodded knowingly, glancing at her before looking back at Taleeze. "Now, I know you're no maiden on her first trip out from home. And maybe it's just having lived on Illium so long, but we talked this over, and thought it might be advantageous for you to have a trained advocate with you when you go to the Citadel to finalise this deal. Someone familiar with Illium, C-Space, and Systems Alliance law, ideally someone already familiar with your technology as well - we had someone help integrate the initial development into your employment contract here didn't we, who was that?"

"Skylar," Charisma said promptly, almost keeping a straight face.

"Ah, yes, thought so," Eafina nodded. "And she also drafted those files I just gave you for Apricity's position on the Ariake agreement, so she's familiar with those as well. And I'm pretty sure she's not working on anything that couldn't be put on hold for the duration of a reasonable working trip to the Citadel and back."

"Add in some extra time for sight-seeing, too."

"Might as well, if you're going anyway," Eafina said philosophically, before shaking her head and laughing. "Okay, the joke's worn into the ground nice and thorough... So," she looked at Taleeze, "we haven't put this to her yet - it would've been presumptuous, for one, although given what you were saying earlier, it'll be a pleasant surprise for her to hear it from you... We would like you to have someone along to back you up in negotiations, and she is the best qualified for the job." She closed her omni-tool, and regarded Taleeze with a friendly gaze. "I don't want to push you, with what you two - you three, both of you and Freh'ya - have, but having more time with her than just a quick stopover wouldn't be a bad thing, surely. Would that work for you, do you think?"

Taleeze’s eyes were moving from Eafina to Charisma and back, as the two made their presentation. She kind of shrunk in her seat, feeling insignificant and naïve about all the things she hadn’t considered. Maybe her mouth was opening and closing a few times as she thought about making a comment but just let ‘Fina do her thing. Not much to add here, this was a fully fledged battle plan, Illium style. A tad more paperwork than the earthlings might expect from an asari.

These were all good points, also about the clauses for Apricity and the detail about brand positioning in a market like Illium. This could even be something of a joker to be pulled at a good time.

She could need an Illium lawyer alongside… Oh wait. She jumped a little bit and then shrunk even more when Chraisma dropped Skylar's name. How could she not have considered that! How embarrasing. She had just assumed Sky would be busy and needed here and… Oh well. With a big smile, she straightened up.

“Yes, that’s a great… idea. She is even human and we will deal with them… I assume, that their reps will be humans. So having her will be such a big plus!” She closed the omnitool, having downloaded the files and presentations. She radiated from excitement about the suggestion and the prospect, getting a bit giddy and grinning sheepishly.

“I sure hope I can get this right, girls” she said with a sheepish grin. “That’s the biggest thing I have ever negotiated all by myself. Most of my experience dates back to my time at VeilStar Skycars. I was engineering CoC in the SE teams for the nav module, but never the lead though. I have learned a few tricks maybe but could never really use them.”
She picked up her cup and finished it. Lukewarm by now.

She looked at Eafina, more earnest.
“And you are right. We maybe need all the time we can get now – besides, Goddess, I so want to be with her – I mean, we only had so little time and this is actually…. I promise you, it won’t take my focus of things. But I’ll gladly extend the trip for some sightseeing.”

She checked with her omnitool. She had arranged with Skylar to be at her place in the afternoon. Her status was ‘occupied’ for the moment. Hm, can't be helped. So still time to bring Daia up to speed and finally say a propper hello as well as grab some Lunch at Kaga’s, as the escort had promised…. And time to see Ana.

~~~~~~~

After a crazy lunch at the krogan’s mobile café and an exchange of totally indecent gossip about the others love life and eventually Ana’s newly gained wellbeing (Taleeze had never experienced the quarian to talkative. The lack of pain and the absence of painkillers had a stunning effect!) she was riding in a cab to Skylar’s place.

At the door she didn’t have to do anything. The human had obviously already programmed the VI to let her in automatically. Taleeze raised a brow, smiling.

“Hey love!” she called into the apartment, not seeing Skylar for the moment. “I have two tickets here that say ‘Citadel’….” She grinned in anticipation.

"Here," Skylar called out from the back of the apartment. She closed the wardrobe door she had been half-hidden behind, revealing herself to Taleeze - dressed today in a provocatively styled tight bodice in Serrice purple with intricate black lace edging, and a matching full-length skirt that sported corset-style laces running up its clinging sides. Her hair was slicked back, still wet, and her skin was flushed and rosy, both evidence of a recent shower-and-change; even on Illium, her outfit would have raised rather more eyebrows that were prudent during the morning's business meetings.

"Love," she repeated, rounding the sofas and reaching out both hands to Taleeze. "That is still very new, to hear... and say. Welcome, love." She ran her hands up the asari's arms, slowly, to finally cup her face and draw her into a kiss.

"I hope it always feels this new," she whispered. "It's the best feeling."

She smiled, her lips still touching Taleeze's, then drew back enough to take her by the hand and guide her to the nearest lounge.

"You saw Eafina this morning?" she asked. "She asked me to do some homework on Ariake and what you'll likely be looking at in dealing with them, but I imagine you've been through all that already. I'm very happy for you, darling - opportunities like this don't come often. Granted I'll look favourably on anything that brings you back to Nos Astra for a while. Ample cause for celebration."

She reached over to a side table, where a slim bottle of Thessian spring nectar and two high glasses were waiting, obviously prepared in advance for this exact purpose. She began pouring, then stopped abruptly, narrowed her eyes, and finally broke out in a slow, curious smile.

"You said two tickets," she said slowly. "Do... Are you asking what I think you're asking?"

Skylar looked breathtaking, Taleeze thought. Or rather her bodily functions were indicating as a rush of desire swept through her. She watched in admiration as Skylar came around to greet her and in return let her fingers slide up the laced sides, gliding over the bare skin and the laces. Was that one of the new pieces daia had mentioned? It was to Taleeze’s liking for sure! The body radiated a certain warmth that’s so special after a hot shower.

“I’ll say it to you as often as you wish,” she whispered into Skylars mouth, as their lips touched for the kiss. “love.”

“You are magnificent, that combination is new, right? And… you know that it makes me crazy when you have your hair all wet and like this… rrright?” It was indeed something she particularly loved. “I’ve missed you too, glad I am here now!”
She felt not the least bit nervous anymore, it was finally time to enjoy the feeling of being with Skylar was the right thing. No unsolved problems, not dark clouds. Just a even brighter prospect for the future.

As they sat down, she nestled into Skylar’s side, bodily contact was now so very welcome. She listened to the human’s lead in, smiling mildly when the realization finally hit.

“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m asking. I was talking to ‘Fina and Charisma. They have laid out quite a battle plan… and they thought, I might be better equipped with a lawyer by my side who not only knows the quirks of Illium law but is also a human an knows their specialties. In other words, you.” She made a small pause.

“Also, it’s me who want you to come with me on this trip. This is a big thing for me and I’d very much like to do it together with you.”

“I’d like to see earth and see where you come from…. and to be completely honest, I’d just like to spend every minute possible with you.” She caressed Skylar’s cheek and jawline.

“Like Eafina said… let’s take some time off and do something together that’s not only related to work. Let’s get this deal done and finally have time for ourselves… good time, not just in between or brief….”

She opened her omnitool, it showed an extranet site of a hotel. “Look, this is where I got a room… it’s not super expensive, you get a big place for good money. But when you come, we might only need the bed anyway….“

"I'd like that too," Skylar said quietly, enjoying Taleeze's soft touch on her skin. "It's been... quite a long time since I saw Earth myself. Given everything that's happened I'm not sure how honest it would be to say I want to see it again. More that on some level I need to." She gazed thoughtfully at Taleeze's omni-tool for a moment; part of the hotel's front page was a long shot of the Citadel, against its new backdrop of her ancestral homeworld.

"I don't remember it," she murmured. "Not really. Visits later, of course, but being born there - we moved to Bekenstein when I was very young. I have these vague impressions, of being in places I can't quite picture, looking up at a blue sky... but then, it may well be my mind playing tricks on me. Bekenstein's sky isn't very different to look at. I wonder, now, if I'll even feel like Earth is... different. More than just another world."

She looked up at Taleeze, smiled, and shook her head gently.

"I feel a disclaimer is in order," she grinned. "I won't be like this the whole way. I suppose the war's left us all a little haunted sometimes... or a lot. But..." She leaned into Taleeze's side and inhaled her scent, slowly and deeply, which caused her bodice's ability to keep her inside of itself to become interestingly precarious. "...I have some very good reasons to live in the now, not the past."

She smiled, then glanced back at the hotel page, selecting part of an image gallery that displayed a typical room.

"Oh yes, quite sufficient," she smirked. "I would love to accompany you, absolutely. Provided- No, of course, Eafina's already made sure I'm available." She laughed. "I'm caught in a well-woven conspiracy, I see."

When Skylar became so emotional about earth it was a bit unexpected for Taleeze. In fact it reminded her how many things there were about the human she still didn’t know or only had vague ideas about. Gently rubbed herself to Skylar a bit more, trying to produce some reinsurance, she needed both hands for the omnitool unfortunately.
“I didn’t know it was like that for you… I’ll be with you then, let’s go have a look together, it’ll be alright.” She promised whispering, not sure if she was able to keep.

When Skylar had finally accepted to their trip – she had long before she had said itr of course, but hearing her say it was still nice – Taleeze closed the ‘tool and turned her full attention towards the blond woman. Both free hands found their way to favorite resting spots, her face sighlily turenhd upward from her current reclined position, only centimeters away from Skylar’s. A gentle smile played around her lips.
“If that’s a conspiracy, it’s one played on me as well. Maybe Charisma and ‘Fina are just testing their human-asari theories on us” , she chuckeled. “Whatever, I am more than willing to be played like that, don’t you think?”

There was one more thing she had to do. When was the right timing for that… the moment seemed right.

“Freh’ya sends you her greetings, she’s been asking about you…” Taleeze said softly, while caressing Skylar’s sides, playing with the laces a bit.

It was feeling alright but still, she wasn’t taking any reaction for granted so she tried to be as cautious as possible. There was some getting used to from her part as well.
“She’s been better lately. Her sleep is getting more regular and she went from exhausting workout to a phase of more meditating over the last week. I think, she starts to feel like commando again.”
She wanted to share her sorrows with Skylar, but there was a fine line between that an overstraining the human’s feelings probably.

"It'll be alright," Skylar repeated, sounding a little more sure of herself. She smiled down at Taleeze, then settled into her embrace, chuckling at her conspiracy theory.

"Freh'ya," she echoed softly. "Well... Hopefully, it won't be long before I can answer her questions, in person. I presume you've been giving glowing reports," she smirked at the asari in her arms, "so, I have a lot to live up to." She nodded, then lifted her head slightly to let her lips run, very softly, over the ridges and grooves of Taleeze's scalp.

"I'm glad she's doing well," she murmured. "I know the instinct, the drive to be a huntress, is far more... well, primal, than simply a choice of occupation. To feel cut off from that..." She sighed, then tightened her hug reassuringly. "But she's got you. And I-" She hesitated a moment, then pressed on. "I hope, in time, I might be an asset to her, as well, like you are. Not as much as you are to her, of course, but in my own way, however I can."

She lifted her gaze to the apartment's windows, and the vista of Nos Astra, silver and plasteel towers gleaming in the afternoon heat outside. For her early adult years, similar views of Milgrom had been the backdrop of her life, but Nos Astra was different, its asari heritage worked subtly into every angle and spire. The alienness of it calling to her, tugging inside of her as nothing human ever quite had. She had no desire to abandon who she was, but there were times - the feeling ebbed and flowed, depending on circumstances - when she felt she could almost taste how she, Skylar, human, could be a part of this asari world that had drawn her all her life.

"I feel a... maybe 'bond' is too strong a word, yet," she said. "Perhaps one day. But a connection to her, through you. I believe that I can't welcome you into my heart without her, too, and... and, that's an idea that's seeming more and more natural, the more I think about it." She coaxed Taleeze over, gently, until the asari was astride her, looking down. "I don't say this to... to try to impose myself into your lives, yours and hers. Or, God help me, to put any expectations onto her, especially with everything she has to cope with already. But I - as much as this is unfamiliar ground, I think - I'm sure - that it's what I want. Whatever that entails." She ran her fingertips, very softly, over the sensitive ridges down the back of Taleeze's head. "I'll need you to guide me, I'm sure. You, and Freh'ya, when we meet, and start really figuring out how we... how we all fit together. But you'll find no hesitation from me. I promise that."

Taleeze just wished, she would already be as far as glowing reporting. She had been as cautious with Freh’ya as she had been with Skylar. So it had been bits and pieces…. since that one night, but more and more glowing indeed, since the reception had been so well and had come with a typical asari curiosity.

Her pulse was beating faster as she listend to Skylar’s response. She felt so complete and so full of love and happiness about the prospects of life.
“This is the most beautiful thing you could have said now. And you’ll be a new petal to our small flower and probably the most beautiful.” For a moment she thought about a flower in purple, cyan and yellow. She wondered if such existed somewhere.

When she had straddled over Skylar she was bending forward a bit, putting her hands on the backrest, on both sides of Skylar’s head, moaning softly under the touch on her neck… Skylar knew her.

“You’re not imposing any… thing. It’s a situation the galaxy…. has put us into. Siari, you know? We should meet all together… soon. Taking our… time. I’ll guide you, rest assured, and just never be afraid… I can make you … see through my eyes...” and maybe one day she would see through Freh’ya’s, that was a picture that came up out of the heat that Skylar’s doing was building in Taleeze.
“We should go to Nevos after… the Citadel, you and me, steal… an extra week or two. Illium… will survive us being ha… happy for a bit.” That move had been too much.

She breathed heavily, resting her forehead against Skylar’s. She giggled between breaths. “We should totally review the … papers but that… can wait. I can’t wait though… I need to be with you…. Now.”

"Well," Skylar dipped her eyes, even blushing slightly, "I've been associating with asari, I was bound to pick up your... poetic habits." She smiled, a little of her habitual cheekiness infiltrating the tender mood, then her eyes widened as Taleeze offered to show her the world as she saw it. She had melded before, sexually as well as more chaste sharing of ideas and feelings, but never like this, never with someone she loved this much; she knew the same was true of Taleeze, that for her, there was only Freh'ya. No longer, though. She wondered how it would feel to join in such a way, and quickly reasoned that any guess she might make could only prove inadequate.

"Nevos," she nodded slightly, then added a phrase she had picked up from her studies of asari culture - a Kendra saying, not Taleeze's native cultural heritage, but well-known enough to be recognisable: "A'seeah telan. I will make this journey with you." She smiled up at Taleeze, seeing her understanding, and shared her giggle. The mood between them was quickly turning sultry; not their first time, but it occurred to Skylar, the first time when they had known their union was not to be temporary. The thought made her light-headed, but bold as well.

"Paperwork later," she agreed with Taleeze, using her free hand to unfasten the front of the asari's jacket, and dipping further into her Thessian vocabulary. "Now, elissa sen vouri lahm..."

~~~~~~~
The Citadel, seat of the Council, now orbiting the third planet of Sol.
~~~~~~~

It had been ages since Taleeze had last seen it and it sure had been different. She had seen pictures of its damages and followed holo reports on the reconstruction which was happening in unbelievable pace. These days only small sections were still off limits or under repair.

Their hotel was on the lower end of one of the ward arms. Although it was nothing fancy like the luxury temples you could find on the presidium, it was offering spectacular views towards the presidium ring from its upper levels and the rooms were designed to please. Dark tiles covered the floor; a spacious bathroom was separated by a glass wall that could be made transparent or opaque. So if you wanted, you could feel like in the middle of the wards with the view, while under the shower. The bed was an oval shaped affair and more than big enough for two people.

Taleeze put down her suitcase and dropped onto the bed, which was soft but responded pleasantly to her body. “Aw, this is better than the pictures, great!” She opened her omnitool and typed a short message, a couple of lines to tell Freh’ya they had arrived safe and sound.

It was evening, Citadel time, the day before their meeting with Ariake.
“I need to take a shower and then I need to get something to eat! You know I don’t like the food-substitute they offer on so many spaceships.” She undressed her jacket and let the pants slide down her legs, kicking them playfully towards an armchair.

She entered the bathroom, looking around, everything was tidy and shiny new. As she turned on the hot water, she looked out through the now wet glass over the Citadel. The steam and moisture made her skin feel centuries younger immediately.
“Skylar, I could reeeeally use a scalp massage later….”

Skylar was distracted from the view - familiar but so strange, even a little unnerving, seeing the Wards and Presidium against the backdrop of Earth rather than the Serpent Nebula - by Taleeze's assessment of the bed, and she smiled in agreement. The asari penchant for oval and circular beds fell a little short in practicality, both for fitting them into rooms and fitting people into them without wasted space - she had learned the trend wasn't even universal to Thessia, with several entire cultures preferring other modes of furniture for exactly that reason - but damn if it didn't look good. Never more so than now, she reflected. Engaged in the mundane activity of checking her omni-tool, Taleeze still had the aura of a particularly delectable artwork, positioned just so on a decorative podium specifically intended to show her off.

Or perhaps there's an element of bias talking, the human smirked at herself, as she tucked her travelling case away. She had made the trip light, given the short notice - just the change of clothes and essentials she kept packed against the possibility of being called away on business at the drop of a hat, along with a few choice items of lingerie she had covertly squeezed into the case while Taleeze hadn't been looking - but her income had been above par lately, so she had had little hesitation in deciding to buy whatever she needed from the Citadel's boutiques. What was the point of a trip without a little shopping, anyway?

"Oh, agreed wholeheartedly," she said, not-entirely-covertly admiring Taleeze's little flourished as she undressed. "The chicken parmigiana I had... Well there's a saying from Earth - an enduring running joke, rather - than virtually everything tastes a little like chicken, so that meal can only have been the product of irony working full-force."

Not one of her finer efforts at wit, but after a journey made more tedious than necessary by congestion in the Charon traffic control lanes, it was enough for her to snicker. Further observation of Taleeze starting her shower pushed thoughts of spaceliner food from her mind quite effortlessly, and she began to covertly slip out of the comfortable suit she had donned for the flight.

"Later?" she asked innocently, sauntering naked up behind the asari. "Because I've heard tell that this is exactly the kind of time for a scalp massage." She used one hand to keep Taleeze from turning, pressed the bodies together, then reached up to slowly, and quite skilfully, massage her le'ku; her hips moved slowly in a sympathetic rhythm. "The steam, and heat, relaxing you - while the water cascading onto the skin stimulates sensitivity. Any truth in that, do you think?"

She chuckled, then leaned in to murmur: "How desperately, would you say, you need food as soon as this shower is finished? Because I can make this so we'll be able to stop, and... ah, resume later... or, I can not."

Taleeze had of course noticed Skylar 'sneaking' up behind her and had not protested the soft hand holding her body in position. She put both her hands to the walll in front of her and moaned softly under the experienced touch of Skylars's fingers as they explored each fold between her le'ku, warm water running over her like a summer rain on Thesssia.

"Hmm, did I say I was hungry? When was that? Please don't stop, love...." Her hips were finding a common rhythm with the human, it was as if they indulged in a dance together.

"This is sooo good, Sky, just what I needed now." She got away from the wall and turned around, cupping Skylar's face in both hands. She was so beautiful, as the hot streams of water ran down her face and body.

Taleeze placed a kiss on Skylar's lips.
"That was quite refreshing, you are such a dear." In fact she was cooking inside. "But now I do really need something to eat or I can't stand upright anymore." There reason for her weak knees was different though.
"But maybe that's... just what you wanted, right?"

Taleeze's lips were close to Skylar's ears, as she wispered: "Let's just test the roomservice... what do you say?" She started to nibble at the humans ear with a grin as her hands found her way down Skylar's body.
"Tomorrow's going to be a bit stressful. I think I really need the relaxation. Besides, curling up in bed with you is an enticing prospect. I want to have all the business off my back before I want to explore the Citadel!"
She ran a hand through Skylar's blond mane."Do you want me to wash your hair?"

The steam from the shower was covering the mirrors and the glass wall with a mist.

"Room service sounds perfect," Skylar agreed, offering no barrier to Taleeze's various touches. "I wonder, do we have in here- ahem," she raised her voice slightly, "interface? Ah, outstanding," she murmured, as a holographic screen appeared on the glass partition, shimmering slightly as spray from the shower ricocheted off their bodies and passed through the image.

"I would love that," she purred, tilting her head into the water to give Taleeze free rein tending to her hair. "I'm contemplating growing it out even further, did I ever mention? More for you to play with. I have a notion I think you'll appreciate, concerning the legend of one Lady Godiva... but that can wait for another day." She gave a deep, satisfied sigh as Taleeze's fingers massaged her scalp and ran through her hair, savouring it, then focused on the screen, accessing the hotel's room service menu.

"Hm, lots of Mediterranean," she noted. "African, South American... I suppose importing the raw ingredients from Earth is a lot more cost-effective than it used to be. Ah, but plenty for the asari tastes as well. What do you say, darling, shall we dine from your ancestral homeworld or mine?"

Her hands found Taleeze's, guiding them through her hair; the asari had found the conditioner on her own from the shower's supply of necessities, she noted, evidently she had been reading up on the 'alien' art of hair care.

"Don't worry about tomorrow," she said softly. "It'll be a big day, but enjoy that: the thrill, the adrenalin - adresalyn rather, in your case. I'll be right there with you, all the way."