WARNING: all these drabbles take place after the main storyline of ME:A. Don't read if you don't want to be spoiled.

Art piece is just a simple paintover of a screenshot mixed with some lighting practice. Couldn't decide which version I liked better.


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The alien is a strange one. Nnriek isn't sure what the purpose of all this is. It has been here for a couple days at this point. Or at least, it thinks it has been days. Still no way to track time. There is no daylight here, only the eternal buzzing of the UV lamps. They've moved it to a different room now, one it leaves in regular patterns to meet with the doctor. There is a bed, a table with a single chair, and a small corner with a toilet and sink. It's not much, but a thousand times more freedom than it had had before, simply strapped to the gurney.

Kett do not sleep much, and so it uses much of its time awake exercising. After several hours, it has barely worked up what could be called a sweat. It would need more space to get a proper workout, but this would have to do. It's more to keep its own mind clear anyway.

After a couple more minutes, it can hear voices outside. That means they will be picking it up soon to meet with the doctor. Effortlessly, it hops up from the floor to wash itself. An act that is more important as part of its daily routine than actually necessary. It slips into the silly-looking, far too big and simultaneously too small slacks. They are clearly made for a different species, only fitting above the protruding bones in very awkward ways. It knows they are watching, and sure enough, the moment it closes the last button, a voice comes through the speaker in the wall.

“Please lay down on your belly and fold your hands in your neck.” It has already finished doing so the moment the voice stops speaking. It is the same procedure in regular intervals, and that's how it tracks its days. A guard comes in, snapping handcuffs into place before ordering it to get up again. Once it stands up, the cuffs are also attached to its belt and ankles, all of them connected with chains. It seems a little simplistic, almost barbaric. But it's effective, and it means they don't have to sedate it or put it at gunpoint every time they want to move it somewhere else.

The chains clink quietly with each little step. They don't leave much space to walk, so their progression through the empty hallways is slow. The guards' grips on its arms are like iron, and one of them finally shoves it into the room where the doctor is waiting.

It is the same room they are always in, but it looks different today. They seem to have removed most of the medical equipment, switched it out for a table and two chairs. One of them is occupied by the doctor, looking up at them as they enter. A guard pulls Nnriek onto one of the chairs, locking the handcuffs to two hooks on the table.

“Keep your hands where we can see them”, the guard barks. As if it had a choice in this. The doctor shoots the guard an disapproving glance that is met with a dismissive shrug. This new set-up makes Nnriek nervous. It glances around the room, unable to see any of the equipment that had previously occupied the space. What are they planning now?

Judging from the set-up, they're going to talk. Perhaps it is time for a psychological evaluation. Worrying. Terrifying.

“Good morning. How are you doing today?” The alien's lips curl into a smile as the door closes behind its back. It has nothing more than a shrug for her. The situation hasn't changed. There's nothing to feel anything about, good or bad. After a couple moments of silence, it sighs and nods. It's never gotten an answer to that question.

“Nnriek, do you mind if I ask you a couple questions?” There it is. The alien truly wants to dig around in its head.

“No matter my answer, it will not stop you. So speak.” Nnriek is finally used to the sound of its own voice again. But that of the alien feels a little stranger every day. Perhaps it is the fact that the blue alien is always so soft-spoken and gentle, as though it is worried the no doubt older kett could get hurt.

“It does matter to me. This conversation... everything we're doing here is incredibly important.” The alien – Lexi, it reminds itself – seems tense. Such a fragile little thing it is. Dainty little hands, a soft body wrapped in cloth.

How can one little grunt be important? Let alone incredibly so? It mulls the words over in its head, unblinking as it watches her. There has to be a good reason. Do they already know? Is that why they're interested in talking? Had it slipped up at some point and given them a hint? Had they found something in its body that told them?

“...I have two conditions”, Nnriek finally replies, keeping its eyes sternly on the alien. “I know I'm in no condition to make demands, but I hope you will find them acceptable. My lips will remain sealed otherwise.” It can see the hesitation in the doctor's face. Understandable, considering the circumstances. There are requests it will not be able to fulfill. Thankfully, Nnriek has chosen its requests carefully.

“...the first one, I assume, should be familiar to you. I... want to learn.” The words are hard to say. Kett are not supposed to be curious. The archon's words are all that matters. His voice still rings clear in its head, and always would. “I only learned of your people's presence in our cluster the moment I awoke here. Us grunts only receive the information we need to complete our task.”

The alien gives a small nod and smile. It has not escaped Nnriek's notice that she is recording their conversation, or that it is already giving away information. Give and you shall receive, right?

“Second. No personal questions.” That seems to make it nervous. “This is one I'm afraid I will have to insist on. Simple things like my age, I can answer. That is, five. But I don't want you digging around in my head.”

“I understand.” The alien has folded its hands in front of itself. Nnriek would really like to sit a little more comfortably, but its hands are still chained to the desk. When was the last time it wasn't chained up somewhere? “I... can accept those terms, for now. I'm happy you want to learn”, she once again pulls her face into that expression that might be a smile. The more Nnriek sees that expression, the more it is convinced that it is indeed a smile. “I'd really love to learn more about you as well, but I understand your mistrust. We can always rediscuss that should you ever feel like sharing yourself.”

Nnriek gives a curt nod, tilting its head. There is a moment of silence between them as they stare into each other's eyes.

“Allow me to ask a question?” Nnriek finally breaks the question as the alien's stare becomes too painful to bare. It hates being looked at.

“Go ahead.”

“I admit it is... embarassing to ask this question. But I suppose it is part of first contact. Does your species possess multiple sexes or genders, similar to the angara?” The alien chuckles softly, making Nnriek a little confused. Was that an odd question?

“We asari are mono-sexed. All females.” Ah. So it had been correct in its original assumption.

“So I can adress you as a she?”
“Correct. So... how about kett?”
“It depends on the individual. As you have no doubt noticed, we do not possess reproductive organs. Many of us still choose one of the existing pronouns.”
“Am I allowed to ask which ones you use?”

Nnriek hesitates for a moment.

“...it.” The word makes doctor blink. Once again, it is not surprised. After all, the kett often refer to those of other species as 'it' in order to demean them. A blatant show of disrespect. “...pure kett are incapable of reproduction, so instead, they create us. But creating us capable of reproduction would be below them. To them, we are no better than the angara or your people, asari. There is no point in pretending otherwise.”

“I... admit I wasn't aware your people were so self-aware.” There is an uncertainty in her voice, and Nnriek isn't sure whether it has revealed too much. But these are all things it had known long before it regained its memories. They all know, but it doesn't matter. To fight for the empire is embedded in their genes. And it's a helluva struggle to fight that instinct.

“...we know our place in the empire, doctor”, it states with a voice that is almost soft, fingers slowly curling inwards to form a loose fist. “We help the pure ones achieve greatness through our sacrifice. There is no other meaning to our existence.”

The asari's eyes – which Nnriek now finally sees are grey – examine the kett with a certain gentleness to them. Is that pity? It hopes not.

“Pure ones, huh? We've heard vague stories of your government. How about you tell me more about that?” A good distraction coming from the doctor. Anything else she could have asked in this moment likely would have been to personal to be graced with an answer. It can tell that this is going to be a long day.