AN:
Set in a Mass Effect AU where humans joined the Citadel earlier than in canon, there are no Reapers to worry about, and Shepard isn't the first human Spectre. Those are just a few among a number of twists and tweaks to the established Mass Effect lore. Other canon characters besides Matriarch Benezia will appear, some altered and some staying mostly the same.
Mass Effect is owned by EA and BioWare.
All characters are 18+.
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1.1
The asari stared down at the peaceful lake from the balcony of her office, watching the denizens of the Presidium walk about. Some of them moved quickly, weaving through the light crowds that filled the lakeside commons, rushing to get to their destinations wherever they might be. Those were the couriers, the upstart businessmen, the people who saw it as heresy to waste even a
second
of their precious time.
Others moved slowly, their steps calm, deliberate. These people could move slowly because they could
afford
to. Meetings waited on them, not the other way around. Business was done on
their
time.
Lady Benezia could relate. With a few rare exceptions, of course.
Exceptions like today. The
human
was running late. A human Spectre agent to be fair, but a human nonetheless.
The Citadel's newest arrivals had quickly made it clear that they were not beholden to tradition or ceremony. In fact, they seemed to make a point to dismiss such things at any opportunity. Only fifty years had passed since their first contact with the salarians but the humans, represented by their "Alliance", had already built a firm reputation of being classless brutes. Brutes who barrelled through bureaucracy, politics, tradition, and slavers all the same.
And young asari maidens can't get enough of them
, Benezia thought ruefully. The woman frowned, once again flashing open her omni-tool to observe the time.
Twenty minutes late now. Ridiculous.
She flashed her omni-tool again, bringing up the holo of the Spectre's file. She had his name, his age, his photo, and his Alliance service record prior to his Spectre induction. The rest was classified by Council decree. Not even Benezia's connection to Tevos could grant her access to what was behind the "black ink".
Agent Gabriel Montes. Thirty-two years of age. A
child
by asari standards. The Alliance - and the
Hierarchy
- called him a war hero. The batarians called him a war
criminal
. The man had built his career on culling slavers in the Terminus Systems. And today he wanted to meet with Benezia T'Soni personally.
Benezia glared at the holo. She wasn't one to believe in old superstitions, but the elder asari hoped her anger would manifest as discomfort for the man, wherever he was.
A soft beep sounded at the asari's wrist. Her receptionist's soft voice came through, accompanied by the soft buzz of short-wave audio transmissions.
"Lady Benezia, your afternoon appointment is here."
"Thank you, Layana. Send him in." Benezia pursed her lips. Despite the affront to asari customs displayed by his tardiness, the centuries-old woman was looking forward to meeting the man. She would get a measure of the Spectre who thought a Matriarch's time was worthless. And then she would get her petty revenge, sending him on his way like a scolded child.
A dog with his tail between his legs
, as the charming human saying went.
Benezia heard him before she saw him, heavy armored boots thumping against the floor. The automatic doors slid open and a looming mass strode forth into Lady Benezia's office. Centuries of learning the value of poise and grace helped Benezia keep her composure, but even then she was struck silent for the briefest moment.
Agent Montes was
large
. Benezia knew she shouldn't have been surprised. She saw his biometrics in his file. Six feet, three inches was listed as the human's height. Freakishly tall by asari standards. Adding on to that was his bulk. The wide shoulders and thick arms were common among males of his species, particularly the martial types. The same went for the human's flat torso, solid like a slab of rock, and the narrow waist leading down to thick, powerful legs.
Human males made for
ugly
asari. But as aliens, they were
exotic
. Alluring, even. Perhaps that was why they were such popular choices for adventurous asari maidens. And the human standing in Benezia's office was as alien as could be. Which made his few clearly
asari
features all the more vexing.
Montes' face was so
un
-asari with its hard lines and sharp features. His brow and jaw were too pronounced. His neck was far too thick. But his lips, surrounded by harsh bristles that humans called "hair", were full and delightfully plump. And his eyes, a dazzling blue-green, were near-enchanting.
Benezia smoothed out the fabric of her outfit's long skirt. Asari business attire was much less formal than salarian, turian, or even human counterparts. Today, Benezia wore a gown of white Nevosi silk, snug around her belly and hips but loose around her calves and ankles. Like all asari, Benezia was well aware of her own beauty. Naturally, she dressed to accentuate it. But now with this human in the room with her, cutting an admittedly intimidating presence in his heavy armor, Benezia felt a tinge of... vulnerability. This, despite the kinetic barrier harness sewn into the fabric of her dress.
"Miss T'Soni," The Spectre greeted, his low voice rumbling from deep in his chest. Not gravelly like a batarians or nasally like a salarians. His voice wasn't musical like an Asari's or a Quarian's. It was clear, strong, and almost pleasant to listen to.
Almost.
He gave a short bow, as one would expect from a fellow asari. "Thank you for your time."
Two centuries ago, Benezia's heart would have been fluttering. Five centuries ago, she might have already flung herself into his arms, such was the spirit and daring of her youth. But today, at a respectable eight hundred and sixty years, Benezia T'Soni had long since sated her desire for alien company. She was no longer the blushing maiden, sent swooning at the sight of an exotic potential lover.
Benezia gave a short bow in turn, bringing an official start to... whatever this meeting was.
"I must admit, this is quite unusual." Benezia began, taking a seat at her desk. She gestured to one of the chairs opposite to her, inviting the human to join her. "It's not often that a Spectre agent requests an audience with me. To what do I owe this...
Occasion?
"
The human, Montes, spared the empty seat a quick glance... And ignored it. Instead, he moved right up to Benezia's desk, boots thumping with each step. His face remained mostly passive, keeping an even expression but for the small quirk in his lips, a grin that wasn't
quite
friendly but wasn't overtly mocking, either. Benezia wasn't sure if the man was trying to intimidate her or was simply acting the way humans were known for.
"I understand that you're a busy woman, Miss T'Soni." His voice cut through the air, deep and clear. Such was the way humans were often compared to krogan: their presence in a room was often unmistakeable. Montes' omni-tool flashed open, bringing up a holo-image of a very familiar face. "I'll just get right to the point. You have a daughter: Dr. Liara T'Soni."
For a moment, Benezia's blood ran cold. A Spectre had requested an audience with her out of the blue and now her daughter was involved. Possibilities raced through her mind.
Terrible
possibilities.
"Is she in trouble? Has something happened to her?" Benezia found herself asking, the words tumbling out of their own accord. Matriarchs had unparalleled restraint but there were few things in the galaxy more powerful than a mother's concern. Then she was rising from her seat, more questions ready to come flying from her lips.
"Your daughter is fine." Montes told her calmly and firmly. He raised a gloved hand, gesturing for her to stay seated. "Nice and safe back on Thessia. She's got a nice, cushy job at the Grand Prothean Museum in Armali, right?"
"Yes." Benezia nodded, feeling a sudden rush of relief. She exhaled through her nose, mentally chastising herself for having such an emotional display in front of a stranger - and a
