Amongst the Pale Starlight: The Citadel
Title: Amongst the Pale Starlight: The Citadel
Rating: PG
Word Count: 646
Characters: Shepard with a bit of Garrus and smidge of Jacob.
Summary: Shepard's first trip back to the Citadel brings up a variety of feelings and she hasn't even seen the Council yet.
The Citadel
With Mordin onboard and working on an antidote, Shepard decided she couldn't avoid it any longer, it was time to go see the Council. Back to the Citadel where she was given the honor of becoming the first human spectre, saved the Council and destroyed Sovereign, and where she experienced a few brief moments of peace with Kaidan before being sent out to fight geth.
Kaidan. She tried not to think about him. They had an understanding that as long as he was under her command they would keep things professional. It had been a struggle and she almost gave in before Ilos. Sometimes she selfishly wished she'd had and taken that bit of happiness for herself while she could.
"Shepard, we've docked at the Zakera Ward," Joker reported over the comm.
"Thanks. Have Garrus and Jacob meet me in the CIC."
She suited up and took a quick glance at her reflection in the fish tank. It was a very different Shepard than the one who left the Citadel two years ago.
---***---
Things at the Citadel were not off to a good start. First there was the "our sensors think you're dead" issue with C-Sec which she tried to laugh it off, "Only mostly dead." Then there were all of the new advertising vids they had put in since she was last there. "Shepard, you've recently been dead," and "You earned zero credits last year," they shouted. She really didn't need holographic images reminding her that she should be rotting on some planet's surface instead of walking around.
On top of all of that she was fuming over Avina's programmed denial of the Reapers, blaming the attack on Saren and the geth instead. Everything she had worked to uncover had been swept back under the rug. Jacob was right, in some ways the Citadel never changes, even after almost being destroyed.
She ducked into the nearest shop to get away from the ads and the stares they caused. There would be no sneaking around the Citadel with those things. Jacob and Garrus silently followed behind her.
"Welcome to Citadel Souvenirs," the asari behind the counter chirped happily. Shepard had to remind herself to smile politely. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
Shepard had just wanted to get away from the bustle of the ward and forgot about having to actually interact with someone in a shop. She remembered Gardner's request. "Yes, do you know where I could find these?" She showed the asari the list.
"You should be able to find it at the Zakera Cafe. Is there anything else I can interest you in? Perhaps a pet or model ship?" She waved at the shelves behind her.
Shepard was prepared to say no and leave when something caught her eye. "Can I see that?" She pointed to a sleek looking model. The asari handed it to her so she could examine it more closely. She rubbed a finger along the side, feeling the raised lettering of the ship's name. SSV Normandy.
"They did a good job," Garrus said over her shoulder.
"Think it comes with a Mako that drives terribly?"
"I think that was an operator error issue. And if it does I'm not fixing it if you break it."
"As far as I know this model doesn't come with any accessories," the shopkeeper said, "but I can check if you'd like."
"That's alright." A faint smile crossed Shepard's lips as she carefully put the model down. "I'll take one."
Back on the Normandy Shepard carefully hung the ship in the small office area in her quarters. It was the first personal thing she'd added, even the picture of Kaidan on the desk was already there when she got on board. In a bittersweet way it reminded her of simpler times. For now the sweet outweighed the bitter and that was the best she could hope for.
Rating: PG
Word Count: 646
Characters: Shepard with a bit of Garrus and smidge of Jacob.
Summary: Shepard's first trip back to the Citadel brings up a variety of feelings and she hasn't even seen the Council yet.
The Citadel
With Mordin onboard and working on an antidote, Shepard decided she couldn't avoid it any longer, it was time to go see the Council. Back to the Citadel where she was given the honor of becoming the first human spectre, saved the Council and destroyed Sovereign, and where she experienced a few brief moments of peace with Kaidan before being sent out to fight geth.
Kaidan. She tried not to think about him. They had an understanding that as long as he was under her command they would keep things professional. It had been a struggle and she almost gave in before Ilos. Sometimes she selfishly wished she'd had and taken that bit of happiness for herself while she could.
"Shepard, we've docked at the Zakera Ward," Joker reported over the comm.
"Thanks. Have Garrus and Jacob meet me in the CIC."
She suited up and took a quick glance at her reflection in the fish tank. It was a very different Shepard than the one who left the Citadel two years ago.
---***---
Things at the Citadel were not off to a good start. First there was the "our sensors think you're dead" issue with C-Sec which she tried to laugh it off, "Only mostly dead." Then there were all of the new advertising vids they had put in since she was last there. "Shepard, you've recently been dead," and "You earned zero credits last year," they shouted. She really didn't need holographic images reminding her that she should be rotting on some planet's surface instead of walking around.
On top of all of that she was fuming over Avina's programmed denial of the Reapers, blaming the attack on Saren and the geth instead. Everything she had worked to uncover had been swept back under the rug. Jacob was right, in some ways the Citadel never changes, even after almost being destroyed.
She ducked into the nearest shop to get away from the ads and the stares they caused. There would be no sneaking around the Citadel with those things. Jacob and Garrus silently followed behind her.
"Welcome to Citadel Souvenirs," the asari behind the counter chirped happily. Shepard had to remind herself to smile politely. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
Shepard had just wanted to get away from the bustle of the ward and forgot about having to actually interact with someone in a shop. She remembered Gardner's request. "Yes, do you know where I could find these?" She showed the asari the list.
"You should be able to find it at the Zakera Cafe. Is there anything else I can interest you in? Perhaps a pet or model ship?" She waved at the shelves behind her.
Shepard was prepared to say no and leave when something caught her eye. "Can I see that?" She pointed to a sleek looking model. The asari handed it to her so she could examine it more closely. She rubbed a finger along the side, feeling the raised lettering of the ship's name. SSV Normandy.
"They did a good job," Garrus said over her shoulder.
"Think it comes with a Mako that drives terribly?"
"I think that was an operator error issue. And if it does I'm not fixing it if you break it."
"As far as I know this model doesn't come with any accessories," the shopkeeper said, "but I can check if you'd like."
"That's alright." A faint smile crossed Shepard's lips as she carefully put the model down. "I'll take one."
Back on the Normandy Shepard carefully hung the ship in the small office area in her quarters. It was the first personal thing she'd added, even the picture of Kaidan on the desk was already there when she got on board. In a bittersweet way it reminded her of simpler times. For now the sweet outweighed the bitter and that was the best she could hope for.