The Citadel IV
"I am one of the Consort's acolytes. Many of the people here today will not see the Consort, but they expect to be attended to just the same. It is our job to ensure that they leave contented." Nelyna explains.
"What exactly do you attend to?" Sampson asks tilting his head in confusion as Sapphire just face-palms her forehead in exasperation.
"Well, each acolyte has her unique abilities. Some soothe with song, others with conversation. As much as possible we seek to match the needs of our clients to the skills of our acolytes. My specialty is touch. My fingertips can find every tension point in your body… And relieve it." Nelyna explains.
"That's impressive, I'd love to get a chance to experience that myself." Sampson says, not realizing what he is implying. As Ashley and Kaiden give Sapphire a look, to which she just shrugs as if saying with her eyes 'He's always been like this.'
"Excellent. I will add you to our client list. We should be able to see you in… Hmm, three or four months." Nelyna says typing away at her scheduling pad.
"Jeez, well kind of on a time-sensitive mission, I'll try and make the appointment if I find myself back on the Citadel." Sampson says.
"Understood, I have your name and you'll be contracted. Is there anything else?" Nelyna asks confirming the appointment.
"Nope, I think we're done here." Sampson says turning to leave.
"Aw. Well, I hope that you will return again in the future. We always enjoy seeing new clients." Nelyna says before she touches her earpiece.
"Yes, Sha'ira?… Yes. Of course, mistress. Huh… It appears the consort has taken notice of you. She'd like to meet with you now." Nelyna says slightly taken aback.
"Oh, where do I go?" Sampson asks.
"Just head upstairs. She will be waiting for you." Nelyna says pointing to the back room.
Sampson nods quietly before walking to Sha'ira's personal chambers.
A beautiful vibrant blue asari stands in the middle of the room looking away from Sampson, "That is close enough, Commander. I've already heard a great many things about you since your arrival here on our Citadel."
"Well, I hope it was only good things. But you have me at a disadvantage, what exactly do you do?" Sampson asks while standing just at the staircase.
"That depends on your needs. I offer advice to some, comfort to others. I have a certain problem that could use your expertise." Sha'ira says turning around.
"Well, whatever it is I would be happy to help if I can." Sampson says.
"I have a friend. Septimus, a retired Titian general. I won't discuss the details, but he wanted me to be more than I could be. We had a falling out. Now he spends his days in Chora's Den drinking and spreading lies about me." Sha'ira explains before gently caressing Sampson's cheek.
"If you would speak to him as a fellow soldier, I believe he will listen to you and let the matter be." Sha'ira continues.
"What happened between you two?" Sampson asks, shaking away her influence.
"I respect his privacy too much to go into the details. If he wishes to tell you what happened, that is his prerogative." Sha'ira adamantly refuses.
"What exactly do you want me to tell him?" Sampson asks.
"Appeal to his sense of honor. Remind him of his position as a general." Sha'ira pleads before leaning onto Sampson, pressing her chest against him, causing him to flush slightly as Ashley scowls in the background.
"If you can convince him to stop spreading his lies about me, I would be ~very~ grateful." Sha'ira whispers into Sampson's ear as her cheek brushes against his before she pulls back and turns away from the team.
"Now, I must ask you to take your leave. I have many clients waiting to see me." Sha'ira says waving Sampson away dismissively.
The team leaves the Consort's office and wanders the Presidium for a while longer, looking at a beautiful statue of a krogan and a mass relay before acquiring a Sirta Foundation license from a rather talkative hanar. As a notification from Anderson chimes over Sampson's omni-tool signifying they are ready for the team's appearance.
Once in the elevator, Ashley speaks up nervously, "The Council isn't going to ask me any questions, are they?"
"I doubt it. We've made our reports. Now we just have to trust Ambassador Udina." Kaiden says nonchalantly.
"With all due respect sir. No we don't. At the end of the day. Udina's a politician and he will always look after his own interests before that of any greater good." Ashley says.
"Yeah, I'm with you there, Williams." Sapphire agrees.
"Come on, don't be so cynical." Sampson says as the door to the elevator opens. And the team walks forward to see a turian C-Sec officer in blue combat armor arguing with Executor Pallin.
"Saren's hiding something! Give me more time! Stall them!" The Turin frantically asks.
"Stall the Council? Don't be ridiculous! Your investigation is over, Garrus." Pallin says with dissatisfaction as he walks away.
Garrus turns to leave when he sees the team coming up the stairs.
"Commander Shepard? Lieutenant Colonel Shepard? Garrus Vakarian. I was the officer in charge of the C-Sec investigation into Saren." Garrus says with a respectful nod to Sampson and Sapphire.
"Sounds like you came up empty." Sapphire says.
"Saren's a Spectre. Most of his activities are classified. I couldn't find anything solid." Garrus says with resentment.
"Sounds, like you really want to get him." Sampson says.
"I don't trust him, but I know something is up. What is it you humans always say? 'I feel it in my gut.'" Garrus says with conviction.
"I think the Council's ready for us, Commander." Kaiden interrupts.
"Thanks, Alenko. Pleasure speaking to you, Garrus. We've got to go." Sampson says giving Garrus a nod before walking on to the Council chambers.
"Good luck, Sampson. Maybe they'll listen to you?" Garrus says with little hope as he walk towards the elevator.