1Hey, this isn't dead I've just had a lot to go deal with that I felt burnt out here. Morinth's thoughts are in Italics, Kai's thoughts in the memories are in bold.
"Mirala it's time to go, or else you will miss the Serrice Arts and Culture exhibition." It was a name, it was their name. But it wasn't.
'Mirala? She did say she wasn't always Morinth.' Kai still could think even with the haze, but it was understandable he was the same way, maybe she would learn about him too.
The voice seemed distorted at times, but it was someone she loved, it was her mother, well not exactly the same word but close to it. He had to note it also wasn't his mother but why did it feel so comforting all the same?
"Sama, give them a few seconds." The other voice made them smile, but it seemed so distant, and then its pitch seemed to change. Them, it felt odd to hear a language with no connotation of gender; it was simply just them. [1]
A figure came in, it was another Asari. They had light blue skin and a smile on their face. It was not their mother or a father, they were an Alensa, the non-bearing bondmate, and their name was Janeia. "Mir, you're not nervous are you?" Mir, a nickname, a term of affection.
'It's strangely fitting. Children should make up their parent's world.' Kai thought, considering what Mir meant in Russian.
"No, but what if other people talk about you and Mother?" Kai felt he could sense embarrassment or even fear through the sharp pain he felt at times.
"What of it? Yes, you're a pureblood, but you and your sisters are just proof that your mother and I love each other, and that will never change." A pureblood, the offspring of two Asari. It was frowned upon, words like demon-spawn, and traditionalist came to him and he could feel Mirala felt like crying but she felt two arms wrap around them as their Alensa gave them a big smile.
They got up and walked into the living room. Kai saw three other Asari, two children younger than them. Their sisters, friends, and fellow troublemakers, Rila and Falere were their names. The other face gave Kai pause; it looked like Morinth, no, Mirala. It was their mother Samara and they had a warm smile on her face.
Mirala had walked out and before them was the Asari city-state of Serrice, Kai could only take in the architecture, but it felt different somehow. He'd only seen some travel guide vids of Thessia, and possibly Armali or Delos, but nothing on Serrice. He saw the familiar spires of Asari architecture, but why did they seem less pointed, and have a green color?
Their eyes darted to a datapad. It read 2400th annual Serrice Arts and Culture Exhibition CE 2220.
'What?' Kai never did like date calculation between Earth and the Council races, even if you were to simply just subtract five centuries. 'This is the year 1720? It seems insane to think about. Earth was still using sailing ships, and home was just some town visited by ginseng thieves." [2]
"Janeia, you seem eager to go this time."
"Well Sama, Mir's always wanted to go and I'm not sure how much time we have, so I want this to be special."
Something felt wrong about this, Mirala brushed it off, but it remained with Kai. 'They're not leaving are they or is it something-.' Kai didn't want to finish that last sentence, it brought up some bad memories of his own childhood.
Soon Kai found himself looking at sculptures and felt feelings of amazement and wonder. Thoughts of the ability to turn any material into something wonderful. Sarrisite iron, traditionally used for weapons, was made into farming equipment.
'All of this. All of this can be art. I can make Nemeans out of glass, the T'Selva Hall out of Clay.' Kai was taken aback as thoughts seemed to bombard him. Trees of stone, and metal buildings but they were carved from trees, there seemed to be no limit to what this child wanted to make.
'She is just a child and an excited one. Maybe she saw those times my father went up and down the Lena River in my own head. It almost makes me want to be a kid again.'
Mirala seemed to calm themselves down and turned to face their parents and hug them. Even if some other asari gave them distrustful looks.
The human was thrust into another memory of the asari just two years later. He saw their parents talking from a stairwell. There was worry and fear, and it felt strange to feel these things, at least so young.
"Sama this is serious, the disease can't be stopped, we have to tell the kids." The voice sounded sick and strange, almost ethereal. Kai felt the same way as he could feel Mirala almost become sick with dread.
'How tragic, at least she would get some closure.' Kai couldn't help feel a nagging irritation. 'Damnit Mother, I kind of wish I knew more about you.'
"But they're not ready. By the Goddess, I am not ready Janeia."
"Well it's not like the disease will give us time, we have to tell them Sama." The voice was firm, even if it was weaker than last time.
"Kids we need to talk, it's important." Samara's voice was firm but Kai could hear it almost crack. "It's about your Alensa and their illness." Kai saw her going down the steps, their hands slightly trembling, and heard two other pairs of footsteps behind them.
"My Salesa's Syndrome is getting worse. I don't have much longer to live." Kai could feel his vision slightly blur and tears starting to fall from Mirala's cheeks. "Please do not cry for long, I need all of you to be strong, especially you Mir."
"Me?"
"Yes, you. You have to be the one to help your mother and sisters. As the oldest you will be expected to assist your mother and guide your sisters."
"I will Alensa."
"I know you will Mirala, you always were stubborn when offered a challenge." Janiea put their hands on their daughter's face. "Remember that time you made sand sculptures on the Nyalani beaches, and how you said you would one day build something like those to last? Well helping keep this family together will be something else entirely.
"Ri. Don't worry too much about being caught between your sisters even if they are a handful. You'll have your time to grow into your own role."
"Fal, you're the youngest, listen to your sisters for now, but remember life's not fun if you don't give them trouble somewhere down the line."
"Alensa, please don't go." It was Falere pleading.
"I don't want to kids. My time here may be more limited than I wanted, but my love for you and your mother has no limits."
Anger and sorrow could be felt from what Kai could see in front of him. He found himself staring at Janeia's body lying in state only a few meters away from his vision. It was obscured by too much crying. 'I it must be hard, Asari can live for nearly a millennia, maybe even more. Fourteen years away from my father must seem like nothing in comparison, yet at least I know of him and miss him. To lose a parent at twelve, knowing centuries will pass.' Kai's thoughts were disturbed by the voice of a speaker which sounded slightly off.
"Let us commend the spirit of Janeia D'Sana to the Goddess. Though they ascend to the next world, let us not forget what they have done on this one. Janeia was a valued member of the Serrice Glassmaking Guild and a trusted friend to their guildmates. To their children, a bringer of joy, and a source of strength. To their bondmate, the one who saved them from the darkness of their past."
"May we see them again through Silari." Kai heard the words spoken in unison and felt the anger and sorrow only grow.
"This wasn't fair. Why did they have to die?" Kai felt a firm grip on the shoulder, it was their mother."
"They were sick, and life is not fair Mir. But you are not alone in this life, and you never will be. You have me, Ri, and Fale. I'll always treasure the time I can spend with all of you." This time Kai felt two pairs of small arms, it was their sisters. The voice was clear and normal, this time.
"Yeah we will always have each other, I promise."
Twenty-four years of memory seemed to come and go. Growing up, going to school, the occasional fight, and exploring various fields of art, but always going back to sculpture. It lasted until Mirala was at least thirty-six.
Kai then saw a sculpture in front of him, it looked like Mirala's parents, holding each other. He saw a tool in Mirala's hands delicately chipping away the rest of the rock which had a bluish hue to it. The name of the rock was in the front of Kai's thoughts; it was Alunite, a rock named after the Asari goddess of Medicine. This was a sculpture to remember and honor the love of the two people, and for it to heal all wounds. [3]
An older model communication device flared to life; it was their mother. Mirala quickly covered the statue up and answered the call.
"Mirala you seldom call. You're always engrossed in some art project or planning the next one, I wonder if you don't have time for me?" Samara said in a mockingly offended tone.
"Mother, I said I had a surprise project I'm working on. It's quite important to me."
"I hope it's not more important than spending time with me and your sisters. So how are you?"
"I'm fine, Mother. The Serrice Art Academy has been draining at times but I'll get through it."
"I know you will. You know I have that Skyball tournament coming up." Skyball, an Asari sport mainly played with biotics. It seemed her mother turned to skyball and fitness while she was away.
"I'll be there." 'And I'll have something amazing to give you afterward no matter what happens. I hope Ri and Fale come through with that trip to the Citadel.' [4]
"I know, but what are you and your sisters plotting?" Samara had a sly smile.
"We are too old to go joy-riding." Kai slightly snickered.
'Right, what was that incident on Omega?'
"You're never too old to go joy-riding, and you're not even a maiden yet. Just don't take my skycar this time."
'These must have been the days she missed. Although her mother is right.'
A few weeks passed Kai was at a place known as the Ygara Island Athletic Center. He was watching the event through Mirala's eyes. It was their mother, she was in the final match of the Thessian Amatuer Skyball League Tournament.
Both players had two scores each. It was the final minutes of regulation. Skyball was a sport where each player used their biotics to stay afloat and had to score by knocking a ball through a goal at the other end of the pitch.
Each player was moving with a mix of light floating punctuating with quick charges, however, the other player made a slightly miscalculated hop. Her mother took the ball and dashed toward the other end of the field, before spiking the ball up to then slamming it into the goal. [5]
"Yes!" Loud cheers had rung out. Their sisters hugged each other and they ran down to join the crowd.
They made their way and found their mother, being carried by other members of the skyball team.
"Nice going, Sama." It looked to be another teammate of theirs.
"Yeah Mom, your unstoppable." It was a voice that registered as an older Rila.
Another moment quickly passed. Kai saw something covered by what looked to be a type of cloth.
"So Mirala, what is it you wanted and your sisters wanted to show me after that dinner at B'Dalsa's."
"This Mother." Mirala pulled away the curtain, and he heard a gasp.
"Mir, this is beautiful. If only your Alensa was here to see this, I will treasure it and keep this forever." Kai saw himself getting closer until he felt a hug.
Kai then saw brown eyes in front of him. It belonged to another Asari, a fellow classmate. Their name was Telianna B'Sala.
"Hey." The other Asari had a small smile on her face. "I've seen you around, you're the one making those sculptures. They seem really detailed, I especially liked the statue of Kurinth Cradling Nylana."
Memories came of the sculpture it was a statute depicting an old Asari deity holding another asari in their arms. They were fierce enemies, but also parent and child.
"You like that?" Mirala seemed to have a mix of nervousness, pride, and something else.
"Yeah, you really get the look of absolute devastation in their eyes as they realize that for all the horror Nylana did, they were still their daughter. I like the carving of tears on her face and the subtle blood that covers their hands from their daughter's body. How their spear, which should be held in triumph or held ready to fight, just lies on the ground covered in blood."
'Uh thanks, I think I've seen your work on some paintings. You did Green Nemeans at Sunset?"
"Yeah. I don't care much for painting people."
"What, are you a Sharite?" A student of Sharis, an Asari artist who preferred the painting of nature scenes over people. Apparently, Asari had many rival art schools.
"If I believed sentient society was horrible, do you think I would be here?"
"Only if you wanted to make enough money to never have to deal with it. What else could keep you here?" Mirala asked half-jokingly.
"Passion, you fool." Kai thought he felt a blush.
"Passion for the arts or just passion." Teliana smiled at Mirala.
"Both. I hope to see you around."
The memory of the conversation faded into another conversation, but Telianna was naked, and she and Mirala were in each other's arms. They were breathing heavily.
'This is awkward.' Kai never expected to be thrust into a memory like this. 'I mean there was Ilyana on shore leave, and Brooks, and at least two other flings. At least my first would be just as awkward.
"So Mir, you're not just good with your hands." Kai could feel Mirala's happiness, even if their body seemed tired."
"Oh Telia, you turn me darker than violet." The Mirala responded with a smile of their own. The phrase was now familiar to Kai's mind; it was an expression of affection.
"Meld with me Mir. Come on, you'll never forget your first time." Mirala had put her hands on Talianna's face. 'I didn't get that check up what is the worst that could happen?'
"Embrace eternity!" Kai saw biotic energy surrounding the other Asari, minutes had passed as thier body seemed to thrash around, and Kai swore he saw some of the alien's memories until Kai heard a thud on the floor. Blood began to trickle down Teliana's nose and she was unresponsive.
Fear and panic spread and suffocated his feelings as Kai only saw Mirala moving the body. "Telia, please get up. Telia please!" Mirala had begun to dry heave, and their hands began to tremble. "No, no."
"I cannot be a demon, I can't. Surely it was some kind of accident. If I am a demon, I can't just pack myself off to a monastery." Ardat-Yakshi came to mind. A demon of the night wind. A Pureblood Asari with a condition that causes them to kill whoever they meld with.
A horrible realization overcame Kai. They melded too.
'Does that mean? I suppose life is funny like that if this is how I am to die. Killed on some transport, by someone who I kind of liked. I guess it's better than the Reapers. Mother, Father, I'm sorry.'
"I'll head back home, get my things, and leave." Mirala tried to reassure themself.
She had taken her skycar from Teliana's and quickly drove back home, thankfully they were only temporarily staying at her mother's before going to head back. Back to the Serrice Art Academy Living District, but that was no longer possible
'If I do th-. No, I must do this, but where do I go, what do I do afterward? I'm only forty.'
'Forty, 10 years older than me, and she isn't even seen as an older child by their standards.'
The Skycar drove through mostly empty skyways until it reached a familiar cluster of homes that contained her home. She parked it and quickly jumped out, thankfully her mother had lent her a home door code.
Opening the door she quickly went into their room, to gather a small number of clothes and a finance card. They had to leave, but They couldn't just get money from a bank, she had to get t'vachma to convert to credits. [6]
Mirala got what she needed quickly and was soon near the door.
"Mirala is everything all right? Why are you back so soon, is everything alright with you and Teliana."
"They are dead." Their mother's face contorted into shock.
"How?"
"I'm a demon." Samara nearly collapsed at the words.
"Mirala, please don't leave like this. I'm willing to live on Kallini right near that monastery with you." They felt angry. Why couldn't their mother have loved someone, or maybe it was her Alensa's fault
"Mother, I'm not going to throw away my life because of some condition, especially if it was your fault I'm like this!" Their mother was almost on the verge of breaking down, but Mirala didn't care.
"I never wanted this for you, but if you leave you will be compelled to meld, and you will kill more than just Telianna." They didn't care, their mother or their alensa ruined their life. "Please just-."
Mirala saw a mug on the counter, it was a gift she got her mother from the Citadel, and using her biotics she threw it at them. The Mug missed hitting the handle on the side of the wall with it breaking it off. Mirala took this time to run and leave.
Getting into their skycar, they took off and never looked back. All they could do was drive and get to a transient district of the Republic of Pelo.
'So this is it, one person's life ruined in a matter of moments, and she didn't even have a choice.'
[1] I feel that culturally the Asari wouldn't really have an idea of gender until meeting the Salarians, and even then that might be used in certain contexts. Gender in this case is the social concept of being male or female with the roles that it implies, than sex which is biological. Yes, Asari terms like Huntress and Matriarch are translated with female pronouns, but I would think their actual words are gender-neutral.
[2] Vladivostok, before its foundation was at one point a Chinese village of Ginseng smugglers.
[3] Samara's Shadow Broker Dossier reports this same statue among the possessions she had given away, I'm just going with Morinth having made it.
[4] This is to explain away the mug with the broken handle which is also another possession given away.
[5] Again, another possession in the Shadow Broker Dossier.
[6] I'm going with the idea of both, the Galatic credit, existing alongside other types of money as local currencies.
I'm sorry for the long delay and the fact I'm breaking the promise of not ending on a cliffhanger. True be told trying to write this has been an at times exhausting challenge for me. What little breadcrumbs get from Samara's pre-Justicar life, we get very little of it in context with her daughters, and we get very little of their characterization on top of it.
It's a pitfall of having to effectively write a canon character as a practical OC because of a lack of character, and they are long-lived at that character at that especially if they've had to live with a condition for at least four hundred and thirty-one years. Especially when I want to write Morinth as more than just some succubus-esqe serial killer that ME 2 presents, but I have four hundred and seventy-one years to get through, and making up beats to cover has been torturous. And the sad part is, I practically have the other story beats more or less planned out if not written down, but this has been an obstacle to go finish when I can even find the motivation to go do so.