Jineya and the other two Asari girls were asleep, Vanessa went to check on Le’Nassia. When she got to the bridge she noticed Le’Nassia sitting in the pilot seat but she also was asleep. Ryker walked up to the console and noticed she had set the co-pilot on for a while, she sat and looked out the window at where they were, she wasn’t sure where they were headed yet but knew she would be able to find more information out about her situation there.
“Thessia,” Le’Nassia looked at her, “That’s where we are headed. I’m taking my sister back home to Thessia and hopefully the other two can find their families there as well.”
“Here's hoping, god knows they've been through enough,” Ryker looked back at Le’Nassia, “has Jineya talked about what all happened to her?”
Le’Nassia looked saddened, “no, and I haven't pushed it because I can see it on her face...in her eyes how traumatic this has all been for her...I still don't even know how she got to be there in the first place.”
“Well maybe once she's back home and feels the safety of something familiar it will help,” she smiled at her trying to soothe her. Ryker winced a little as she sat down.
“Are you alright? You were not fully mended when you launched yourself at the krogan.” Le’Nassia was afraid Ryker was injured further due to her.
“I'm not gonna lie I hurt, and I used up energy I didn't really have...but I'm also stronger thanks to your care and treatment of my injuries,” she smiled at her, “nothing to fear...I'll pull through, besides it was worth it.”
It was odd to Le’Nassia, here is a human who practically has nothing left in this world, being hunted down by everyone and she still has it in her to find a way to comfort others...
They landed on Thessia and it was gorgeous, an orange autumn sun rising above the sparkling lake giving light to the radiant towers that were the Asari pride.
Vanessa followed Le’Nassia and the others off the ship still cautious of her surroundings because she didn't know who here she could trust yet. Le’Nassia had given her one of her Asari huntress outfits to wear instead of her N7 outfit so she could disguise herself better for now, she just looked like a Merc.
They found a place for the two Asari to go while they located their families, and Le’Nassia took Jineya home. Their home was very nice, apparently their mother is on the Senate council for their species, so Le’Nassia's family is a high ranking family.
Vanessa sat and waited in the main room and waited as she watched Le’Nassia disappear to the next level with her sister to meet her mother. Ryker didn't know why but she sensed Le’Nassia was proud of her family but hated it all the same, maybe something about the mother caused her sister to end up on Pragia.
Le’Nassia returned a few hours later, “I apologize, I did not intend to leave you here for so long...my mother kept rambling on and wanted to know why and what to everything.”
“Oh no worries, how is Jineya?” Vanessa stood and walked over to Le’Nassia.
“Sleeping finally...took some convincing but she calmed down enough and I told her she was safe, and I wouldn't leave her with mother alone.” Le’Nassia looked concerned.
“What is it?” Ryket touched her arm.
“It's nothing, just a girl's rant.” Le’Nassia shrugged.
“Nas,” she picked up her face and looked into her eyes, “it's not ranting, I can tell..I sense something is wrong here.”
Not many gave her a nickname, her sister called her Sia, so to hear Ryker call her Nas was a change of pace, “My sister...and my mother have always fought... never once have they truly gotten along. When I took her in to see mother instead of being like 'thank god you're home safe’...she was more concerned with how much shame she'd bring to the family over this,” Le’Nassia turned to walk away. “My mother has always been more concerned about politics than family...I love my family...I hate politics.” She walked to the window to look out at the Thessia evening.
Vanessa walked over to join her, “I understand that, I hate politics to...but I play their stupid game because I have to...I don't know much about family, I don't have any so that I can't understand. I was found at a very young age, no parents around, no siblings...bounced between foster housing...so no stable connection to anyone...I think that is why I try so hard to connect with people on my job.” Vanessa rested her head in her hands.
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Le’Nassia looked at this being beside her, this broken, open, raw... vulnerable...laid bare. Vanessa trusted her enough to tell her all that. She was falling for her and falling hard...she couldn't let herself...could she? Le’Nassia went to reach for her...
“Lady Arteza?” One of the servants approached them.
“Yes, what is it?” Le’Nassia turned to address the servant angrily.
Startled, “your mother requires your presence along with your companion.”
Le’Nassia nodded.
They boarded the elevator, it was silent Vanessa could tell Le'Nassia was antsy and in edge, “is there something I should be worried about?”
“by the goddess I pray not,” fumbling her hands at her side; Vanessa reached over and grabbed one of her hands, and held it...that seemed a surprise and a comfort to Le'Nassia.
Vanessa smiled at her, “we got this... together...whatever it is.”
“Always,” Le’Nassia squeezed her hand.
As the doors opened Le’Nassia instantly dropped her hand and brought back that proper manner she had before, almost like royalty...which I guess in a way she kinda is; they walked to her mother's Chambers led by her mother's lackey.
As the doors opened, Vanessa saw the room and as expected it was grand and glorious...not a disappointment on Asari style and taste. The Council woman stood gazing out the window 'probably to make their entrance seem like a dramatic effect’ and of course it worked.
“My lady Mymephea, your company has arrived.” Her mother turned to look at them, and Le'Nassia was a spitting image of her mother almost as if she was cloned.
“Thank you Penun, you may leave now,” she waved her off, Penun bowed and exited closing the doors behind her, “ greetings and welcome to Thessia, our most beloved city.” She smiled and waved her arms around in grandeur as if she was waiting for an applause, “And thank you for assisting my daughters on their adventure, of which I'm eternally grateful.” Vanessa could feel the anger and tension welling up in Le’Nassia even as her hands clenched behind her.
“The pleasure is mine Councilor, it is an honor to be here and I'm glad I was where I needed to be to assist your daughters.” Vanessa placed a hand over her chest and bowed her head.
“Such politeness from your kind, that's a rare gift, I can see why my daughter has taken a liking to you. What do I pray is your name so that I may acquaint myself better with you?”
Vanessa didn't want to give her her real name just as a cautionary thing, “my real name has been lost to me sadly, but I go by the name Vi.”
Le’Nassia tried to think why she wouldn't share her real name, but then remembered she's wanted and she had to be sure she hadn't been found out...it was smart, it also made her feel better deep within because out of everyone she's the only one who really knows her true self and identity.
“Vi? Is that short for Violet, Victoria perhaps?,” Councilor placed her hand over her mouth in awe.
“whichever you prefer.” Vanessa smiled at her and hoped it was convicing, it does help she's in different armor than her own.
“Well.. Vi? to show how much I appreciate your assistance to my family feel free to stay here in my house as long as you need to.” The Councilor smiled, and waved them on, “forgive me I have some work to do, take care.”
It was quite a nice house, and as much as it had it seemed empty and lonely, instead of a home it felt more like an appearance. Vanessa was shown a room down the hall from Le'Nassia and Jineya; Vanessa sat on the bed and looked out the window to Thessia, it really was one of the most beautiful places she'd ever seen. She walked over to the balcony and opened the crystal doors to get more of a view.
“You settling in alright?” Ryker turned to see Le'Nassia standing at her door.
“It's beautiful here,” she turned back to look out as Le’Nassia walked up beside her.
“It is...but I think there is something more precious and beautiful,” Le’Nassia took Vanessa's hand, Ryker looked at her, “you, are the most unique individual I have ever had the privilege to be around,” she turned to face Ryker taking both of their hands, “you give without reward even when you've lost everything and everyone you still want to be there for others I'm not sure I could ever do that...and I love you for it.” Le’Nassia looked into her eyes.
“You...you love me?” she was stumped and at a loss for words but very moved by what she was told.
“I think I do, I love you...I know that's strange probably for both of us, but you make me feel amazing just being around you and seeing how you truly are...and I don't feel I can be without You.” Le’Nassia looked at their hands, she was nervous maybe Ryker didn't feel the same way.
She reached up to touch Le’Nassia's shoulder, “hey,” Le’Nassia looked up at her, “you'll never have to be without me, I want to be with you for always... remember we said we'd get through it...together.” she smiled as she looked into Le’Nassia's eyes.
Le’Nassia smiled and put her hand on top of Ryker’s hand, it was warm, loving, welcoming hand...she had never felt feelings of this kind for anyone and the fact that she had them so strongly for a human no doubt...was exciting as well as scary.
Vanessa leaned in closer embracing her shoulders, Le’Nassia reached up touching her face as she leaned in closer she pulled Vanessa to her where they shared a kiss.
As they kissed feelings grew stronger, next thing Vanessa knew she was in another world but in her head, but Le’Nassia was there. Ryker didn't know what was going on but she also wasn't scared, it was thrilling... Le'Nassia eyes shone black, like crystal obsidian...it was captivating...then like it started the vision was gone… “Ryker I'm so sorry!” Vanessa came back to where she remembered and she was on the floor being held by Le’Nassia.
Vanessa looked up at her lover, “what...what was that?”
Le’Nassia touched her face and moved her hair from around her face, “that was called a melding...to be honest I've never experienced one before and I didn't realize it was happening until we were in it, it's something we Asari do...it's considered deeper than mating, we only do that with those we synergize with, most in my race only do that when they want to reproduce.” Ryker, startled looked up at her, “no worries it's only when intended to, I won't/can't just reproduce...well, I could but that would be what your kind consider rape...and they are ostracized and imprisoned if not killed, because when they do it they kill their partner.”
“So this melding you called it? Can be lethal?” Ryker attempted to sit up.
“It can be but only if the Asari is to strong for their partner and they're not equally into the melding...I'd never hurt you, ever, and the fact that we melded without even trying was magical.”
“Learn new things everyday,” she smiled at Le’Nassia, “and yes it was magical.” Le’Nassia helped Vanessa off the floor and she sat on the bed, “I look forward to hearing more about your people and the adventures we're likely to have...if and when I can solve my own disaster.”
Le’Nassia sat next to Ryker, “hey we will I have a few Asari that I grew up with and schooled with that might be willing and able to look into things...ones I can trust, and no matter what I'm with you on this...through all of it.” Le’Nassia touched her shoulder, “we'll sleep on it then in the morning after I make sure my sister is settled we will go to the temple and ask.”
Vanessa nodded in agreement and laid down to sleep, Le’Nassia laid next to her for a time before going back to her own room so not to draw attention to them from her mother's lackeys...it was not something she was ready to discuss with her.