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Xora Patrone - Chapter 9

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Title: Xora Patrone - Chapter 9: Harmless Intentions
Author: xRebel666x
Game: Mass Effect
Characters/Pairing: All Original Characters - Xora Patrone(female human), Lyrik Castius(male turian), Josie Madeen(female human), Hal'Jurgar(male quarian), Tren and Kero(male krogans).

Chapter 9: Harmless Intentions
November 13th, 2185

  Against the protests of the crew, we were docked at Omega for the night. Typically I avoided having my ship near a location filled with gangs, especially since I have collected bounties on many of them in the past, but tonight I had one thing on my mind… Afterlife.

  I threw on my black hoody and snuck out of the airlock. Carefully walking in the shadows from the docking bay to the doors of the VIP entrance, I did my best to avoid the residents crawling around the hallways. I was constantly checking behind me to make sure I wasn't being followed. With all the batarians and vorcha Omega had, I couldn't be too cautious. I quickened my pace when I saw the stairs leading up to the VIP lounge.

  "Xora!" someone called out from behind me, causing me to freeze in place.

  I turned around to see James Vega heading my direction, walking away from a table with three batarians and a krogan. We knew each other from the Alliance. I cannot count how many bar fights we started here on Omega. It was nice to see that he hadn't changed much. His short mohawk complemented his brawny shoulders and I could still see the outline of his tattoo crawling out from the sleeve of his shirt.

  "You can't leave the game!" a batarian screamed in protest.

  "I'll only be a second," he responded, shaking his head, "What are you doing on Omega?"

  "Needed my fix," I removed my hood and shook my hair back, "How could you tell it was me?"

  "I'm observant."

  I tilted my head at him.

  "Fine… I caught a glimpse of your tags," he smiled, pointing at my necklace.

  I had nearly forgotten that it was a gift Lyrik gave me a few years back. I was getting frustrated with the standard chain the Alliance provided me, it was constantly in my way. So Lyrik stole my dogtags, had them attached to a black choker, and gave it to me as a birthday gift. I still haven't forgiven him for causing me to go insane from searching for them.

  "Hurry up!" one of the impatient batarians yelled.

  "You should come join us for a game," James suggested.

  "And lose all my earnings to you? I think I learned my lesson."

  "I'll go easy on you."

  "That's what you said last time."

  He had a smug look on his face.

  "It's okay, James. Maybe the next time I'm on Omega."

  "I'll hold you to it." As he was about to walk away, he stopped mid-step and returned his attention to me, "Actually, I was going to forward this to you when I had a chance but since you're here…" He pulled out a packing slip from his pocket, mentioning, "I found something you might be interested in. It's a package you will want to intercept."

  "I think I'll pass," I replied, trying to refuse the piece of paper, "I've had my fair share of unknown parcels at the moment."

  "Trust me, Xora, you'll want this one," he insisted and I took the slip.

  "Fine, I'll see what I can do. Now you go clean out all those batarians bastards for me," I smiled, pulling my hood back over my head.

  He shot a smirk in return and assured me, "You know I will."

  I jolted up the stairs and nodded at the bouncer at the door. He immediately recognized me and let me enter. The music flooded the room, making it easy for me to become lost in the rhythm. I surveyed the VIP lounge and found a speaker hiding in one of the dark corners.

  Perfect.

  Navigating my way through the patrons in Afterlife, I made my way over to the isolated speaker and stood directly in front of it. I closed my eyes and placed my hand against the mesh over the cone. The bass pulsating against my chest, adjusting my heart beat with every punch. The vibrations slowly took control of my movements. Every muscle in my body began turning and flowing in sync with the beat, going limp and stiff like a puppet on stings.

  Just as the music was beginning to consume me, I felt a hand lightly grab at my wrist. I immediately turned on my heel and pulled my arm back, ready to slug whoever dared interrupt me. I didn't expect to see my mechanic in his red and silver enviro-suit cowering from my aggressive stance.

  "Hal?" I lipped, the music was too loud for him to hear me.

  "I didn't mean to interrupt you," he leaned in, trying to talk over the speakers, "I'll go away."

  "You don't have to, how about we go chat over there?" I asked loudly, pointing at the empty booth near the bar. He nodded in agreement.

  I flung the hood off my head, running my fingers through my hair. I took up one side of the booth, propping my legs up on the bench and lounging my arms across the top.

  "Well, you caught me Hal. And I thought I was being stealthy," I laughed, thinking about my failed attempts of sneaking away.

  One of the asari waitresses came up to our booth and her blue eyes lit up when she saw me, "Xora, haven't seen you on Omega in a while."

  "Yeah I know, it's been awhile, how have you been Mariana?"

  "Same ol' shit, Omega never changes. Want the usual?"

  "You know it," I shot a smile at her.

  Mariana turned her attention to the quarian sitting across from me and asked, "And you?"

  "I'm good, thanks."

  "Suit yourself… I'll be back with your drink, hun."

  Hal just stared at me with his glowing eyes so I had to ask, "What?"

  "I thought you hated asaris."

  Mariana came back holding a shot glass and a bottle of my favorite liquor, "Here you are, darlin', my treat."

  "You are too kind," I smirked.

  "It's the least I can do. And Xora, if you feel lonely later, let me know," she gave me a wink as she strode off to the next booth.

  I could feel Hal glaring at me through his mask again, "It's a long story."

  "Shorten it."

  "I was drunk," I shot back, filling up my glass.

  "You slept with an asari?"

  "I thought she was a human… didn't find out until the morning after that she wasn't."

  "The fringe wasn't a dead giveaway?"

  "I thought it was really coarse hair!"

  He shook his head.

  "What? There are a lot of things you don't know about me."

  "Obviously… it must have been one hell of a night since she's giving you free bottles."

  "It, um," I tried muttering the rest under my breath, "happened more than once…"

  "What?"

  "I can recall three separate times I got really drunk and woke up next to her…"

  "No wonder she's so nice to you! But… if you thought she was human the first time, what were you thinking the other times?"

  I shrugged, unable to remember distinctly why it happened.

  "Xora, I thought you were disgusted by the sheer thought of humans mingling with other species. And yet here you are confessing to sleeping with one… a biotic no less!"

  "I know," I pouted, "I am the perfect definition of a hypocrite.

  "It could also have something to do with your drinking."

  "I do drink quite a bit," preparing my next round, "With that aside, what brings you to Afterlife? I typically don't see you wandering into bars."

  "That depends."

  "On what?"

  "How drunk you are."

  "Why?"

  "Because it'll make what I have to say easier."

  I recalled having a few drinks before leaving the Dolus Bia. I looked down the neck of my bottle and noticed I was already half-way through it. Also, the sensational tingling in my fingers and how the lights around me blurred together nicely was a clear giveaway. I definitely had a good buzz going. I smiled, "I would say I hit a sweet spot."

  "Okay, well, I followed you here. It's not the first time either. I know how you always come up here and dance in front of the speakers whenever we arrive in Omega."

  I don't know how you do it Hal… but you manage to get creepier by the day.

  "So you followed me here… to watch me dance?"

  "Usually that is what I do but…"

  "But?"

  "Tonight I actually…" he fumbled with his hands, "wanted to try dancing with you."

  "I didn't know you danced."

  "There are a lot of things you don't know about me."

  "Touché," slamming down another shot, grunting as it slithered down my throat. "So why did it matter if I was drunk?"

  "I knew I would have a better chance if you were."

  "A better chance? To dance with me?"

  "Well… no. I mean yes, I mean… when you drink…" he took a long pause, frightened by the next series of words.

  "Out with it," I spat.

  "When you're drink, you get 'friendly.'"

  I laughed.

  "I've been noticing a pattern with your behaviors."

  "Oh," I gawked, "Enlighten me."

  "You said you were drunk when you slept with the asari waitress."

  "Yeah, and?"

  "I know you were binge drinking the night Lyrik encountered you in the hold."

  "Yeah…"

  "How many other instances have there been when you were drunk and ended up getting involved with someone else? And how many of those instances have been with humans?"

  I started rolling through the Rolodex in my head, thinking of the other "friendly" encounters I have had while intoxicated. The numbers began stacking up and he was right… the quantity of partners that were of a different species outnumbered the times I was with another human. I sunk into my seat, muttering, "You're right."

  Damn, I never thought about that. What the hell is wrong with me?

  "I figured that since you were 'friendlier' while under the influence, that I could finally have my chance with you. I know you're with Lyrik and I envy him for having you… I promised I wouldn't interfere but it would mean everything to me if I could have you for just one night."

  "Why do I get the feeling you're withholding information from me, Hal?"

  "Am I that obvious?"

  "For someone in a full body suit… yes."

  "I don't think I should say it."

  "You're going to… otherwise you wouldn't have even mentioned it in the first place."

  "I'm in love with you Xora. There, I said it. Finally," he blurted out with a sigh of relief.

  "I… You are IN love with me? Wait… finally? How long have you been waiting… um…" the shock was making it difficult to piece together sentences.

  "When we were first restoring the Dolus Bia. I couldn't stop thinking how amazing you were. You were smart, beautiful, and shared the same passion about ships. Everything I could ever dream of…"

  I started repeatedly pouring shot after shot. Hoping the alcohol would void out everything he spilled or wake me from this hallucination.

  "I always kept my distance since you were constantly saying how much you disapproved of interspecies relationships. But then Lyrik broke your barrier. Maybe I shouldn't have waited…"

  "I don't know what to say…," I stuttered, "I'm sorry I didn't know you felt that way and I…" I couldn't bring myself to mention how I didn't feel the same way. I always saw Hal as a really good friend. But I thought the exact same thing with Lyrik… or did I? I was always more open with him and found myself being closer to him than anyone else, maybe I do have feelings for him after all.

  "It's okay. We can't be together anyways. I've come to terms with it a long time ago."

  I paused, trying to make sense of his denial. Curious, I asked, "Why can't we be together?"

  "Because I'm a quarian! I'm not as hardy as any other species and, to add insult to injury, I'm a mysophone. Even if I threw aside my fears, I know my immune system is too weak. Any interactions between us may cause me to become severely ill, there's even a chance of fatality. I'm cursed to remain quarantined in this suit, without ever feeling the pleasures you take for granted every day. You don't know what it's like… being forced to be celibate. I will never get the chance to touch anyone with my bare fingertips, to taste their lips upon mine, to embrace their body with mine."

  His statement resonated in my thoughts. I felt like an ass for not realizing it sooner, how he sees all the freedoms we get to experience while he was confined to his enviro-suit. I actually felt bad for him. All the things we take for granted was out of his reach.

  "Keelah! I knew I would never get the chance to be with you… especially now. Even if I wanted to risk everything, it wouldn't be fair to you. We all make sacrifices and I gave up the one thing I knew I wanted… you. So I watched you from the shadows, knowing no one would notice me. Followed you to Afterlife, just to see you dance and secretly wishing I joined you…"

  Poor guy… Stuck in that suit every day and night, watching the rest of us do things he could never experience. He had feelings for me all this time and denied it just so I could be happier with someone else. In return, all he ever wanted was one dance with me. I don't know if I should be doing this…

  I chug down another shot and placed my hand on top of his, "Hal, you said you just wanted me for one night… for one dance… right?"

  "It would mean everything to me."

  "Then let's make that wish come true… dance with me."

  "Are you sure?"

  I nodded, "Yes, it's just one dance."

  I guess there's no harm in being nice…

  I could have sworn I saw him smile, hard to tell through his mask. I scooted out of the booth, feeling light-headed for a brief moment as I stood up, and lent my hand out to Hal. He cautiously took it, following me to the dark corner in front of the speakers. Letting go of his hand, I faced away and closed my eyes. The music sent shockwaves through my body, guiding it to flow in rhythm with the beat. Every pulse moved my hands like I was orchestrating a symphony and directing the rest of my body to follow. Once the mix of alcohol and music took full control, I could feel Hal's hands gently grab my waist.

  Remember, Xora… harmless…

  I crossed my arms and placed my hands on top of his. Feeling his body close in on me, I slow down my movements. He pushed his hands forward and around my stomach, wrapping tightly against me and pulling me closer to him. I allowed myself to lean further back into his chest. Swaying our hips together, we were in sync with the melody.

  Don't get carried away… I know I should stop… but…

  As I felt his chin rest on my shoulder, I shot a glance at him from the corner of my eye and noticed his glowing eyes were shut. He lightly attempted to rub his face against mine, having difficulty in judging the distance with his mask in the way. I decided to take it a step farther, against my better judgment, and return the affection. I placed my hand on the other side of his mask and pushed it gently against my cheek, nuzzling him.

  Screw it… It's just for tonight so do whatever comes natural… Give him a night to remember…

  Without breaking his grasp, I twirl around to face him. His glowing eyes opened and stared at me confused. Placing my hands on the sides of his stomach, I directed his hip closer to mine. My wandering eyes suggesting my intentions.

  "Should we stop?" he asked with uncertainty.

  I shook my head no.

  "Why?"

  "Because you made the ultimate sacrifice, even if I didn't know about it. No one deserves spending every day suffering over the love they lost. It only seems fair that I do this for you, even for one night."

  "But you are with Lyrik, doesn't this feel wrong?"

  "What am I doing wrong? It's just a harmless dance with harmless intentions. This night is yours, Hal."

  "Thank you," he whispered.

  The alcohol finally caught up with me, causing everything within my vision to blur. The lights in Afterlife glowed, leaving a trail behind every source. Every feeling surging through my veins felt enhanced, each nerve ending sending pulses of ecstatic proportions to my central nervous system. This was the moment I lived for… when I could sense all the movements surrounding me. It was rare for me to get this heightened alertness but ever since the first day I discovered it I've craved another.

  Allowing my addiction to take over, I stared at Hal like a predator, "I know you won't be able feel this like I do but hopefully your imagination will fill in the holes."
I push my hands up his chest and around to the back of his neck, wrapping my arms around him. Pulling him directly against my body, Hal's breathing quickened. His heart pounded against his suit, harder than the bass in the song echoing in the VIP lounge. I began nuzzling my nose against his neck, pressing my lips against the rim of his visor closest to his ear. He excitedly gasped, his fingers curling into my jacket.

  I couldn't tell if I was torturing him or if he felt everything I was doing somehow through his suit. So I decided to turn my actions down a notch. I guided my lips away from his mask and slunk my head down his neck. Finding solace in resting my chin in the crevasse of his shoulder, I closed my eyes and waltzed until the song ended.

  He took my hands into his, slowly rubbing his thumb against my skin, "You have giving me more than I could have ever wished for. I will treasure this night forever… But, you really shouldn't have. I know you belong to Lyrik."

  "You keep saying that but it doesn't feel like it. He hasn't done anything since that night," I regrettably mentioned, "In fact, it feels like he's been avoiding me."

  "That's not the case, Xora. Lyrik is madly in love with you. I will even confess that his admiration is stronger than mine could ever be. He's just torn over forcing himself onto you. He doesn't want to take any chances of ruining everything he's fought to have."

  "Then I am certainly not helping…" staring at my reflection in his visor.

  "Don't worry about tonight. As you stated, all we did was dance."

  I attempted to give him a smile but only one side of my lip curled up. "Maybe I should stop drinking."

  "You should… but you won't."

  He's right. I can say it… but I doubt I'll ever do it.

  "Thank you for tonight, Xora… You have given this quarian more than he could have ever wished for."

  He brought his hand to the side of my face, tracing the curve of my jaw with his fingers. He took a few steps back and began heading out of Afterlife.

  "Goodnight, Hal," I whispered.

  I stood there for a brief moment before returning to my booth. The bottle sat waiting for me, aching for me to refill the shot glass next to it. I stared at them, contemplating over their ability to influence me.

  Mariana strode over, asking, "Ready for another?"

  I looked at her alluring azure eyes. They seemed to sparkle under the red lights of Afterlife. Her pale blue skin had freckles along her shoulders and the dark tattoos on her face complemented the spots along her fringe, making her more distinctive among the other waitresses. She was breathtakingly beautiful for an asari. No wonder I ended up waking up beside her.

  Maybe Hal was right about me suppressing my feelings towards other species.

  I returned my gaze back to the near-empty bottle, "Actually, I think I'm good."
Welcome to the original story of an original character set in the Mass Effect universe. This story follows Xora Patrone, the spunky Captain of the MSV Dolus Bia. When her parents were brutally murdered by a biotic extremist, she dedicated her life to bringing the criminal to justice. After spending 12 years chasing a ghost, things take a dramatic turn and her whole world goes upside down.

First off... I will hug anyone who can tell me who James is. Once someone guesses him correctly, I will add his entire name into the chapter. - And he's been named! James Vega! I loved him so much in Mass Effect: Conviction that I had to include him in Xora's story!

In this chapter: Xora escapes to Omega for the night. After bumping into an old Alliance friend, she reveals more about herself at Omega and becomes a little too friendly with a crew member...

I will warn you now, if you do not like xenophelia, you may not enjoy this story. There will be some graphic detail later on, so remember this is meant for adult audiences.

The song Xora is dancing to alone: [link]
The song Xora is dancing to at the end: [link]
Xora Patrone's theme song: [link]

Prologue: [link]
Coffee & Cigarettes: [link]
Chapter 1: [link]
Chapter 2: [link]
Chapter 3: [link]
Chapter 4: [link]
Chapter 5: [link]
Chapter 6: [link]
Chapter 7: [link]
Chapter 8: [link]
Chapter 9: VIEWING
Chapter 10: [link]
Chapter 11: [link]
Chapter 12: [link]
Chapter 13: [link]
Chapter 14: WIP

Also... now that we are on chapter 9 of her story... I want to know what you think: [link]

Xora's Gallery: [link]
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i am sad for her. She try forget herself in the bottles, it's like play with a gun. Great fan fic, i love it