envy cannot coexist with true and spiritual wisdom, but with false, earthly, unspiritual, demonic wisdom
Shae O'Reilly | envy
♥128 years ago
envy cannot coexist with true and spiritual wisdom, but with false, earthly, unspiritual, demonic wisdom
Shae O'Reilly | envy
The reply sent was electronic and encrypted:
Ms. O'Reilly,
I am pleased you responded so promptly. There is a small bar nestled nicely away from Purgatory. No offense to your fine establishment, but I detest the loudness and the crowds. I will be in Old Blue Lights bar. I look forward to our conversation.
Faithfully,
Commander Ariel Shepard, Master & Commander SSV NormandyShe sent the message and turned off her omni-tool, certain that the woman would arrive. She had one of her smaller journals with her and a fountain pen. She always found something to write, all written in that old biblical language.
Old Blue Lights bar was a was a small hole in the wall establishment frequented by Alliance officers, catering specifically to the esteemed human cliental. It was where Ariel did most of her business that was outside the military. She sat in the the booth in the darkest corner, her redwood smoking pipe adding to the haze that hovered over every head, tobacco mixing with cigar and cigarette smoke to create a very distinct smell. Her eyes and scars made her easy to find, her casual military uniform a black sweater decorated with the symbols of her service and heritage, her shoulder straight with rank.
A waitress brought the Commander a cup of tea and its accompanying pot, making sure not to disturb the woman as she wrote. She looked up and mouth a quiet and polite ‘thank you’ before resuming her writing.
Shae had never been to the aforementioned bar, but had certainly heard of it. Small, dingy, and dark. Frequented by soldiers—human soldiers. She’d heard there was some unwritten rule that other species were unwelcome. It put her slightly on edge.
She walked in nevertheless, feeling entirely out of place in her beige pea coat and knee-high boots. She did her best to ignore the sideways glances she received as she walked toward the telltale glow of cybernetics under marred skin. When she reached Shepard’s table, she gave a polite grin and extended her hand. “Commander. It’s a pleasure.”
So, after the mishap that was a mysterious anonymous email, Miranda, or further known for the next two days as Michael Lawson, he decided to go out a bit. Besides, what could it hurt? He needed a drink after all this anyway. Going to Purgatory of all places where he hoped that even his masculine looks wouldn’t be recognised, he walked into the bar, music blasting away. Heading towards the bar, he went to sit when he caught a brunette woman looking his direction.Casting a smile, he sat down next to empty stool anyway, teeth bright against his skin.
Shae glanced to the side and raised her glass in greeting. “Hey, there. I’d give you the ‘welcome to Purgatory’ spiel but…” She shrugged. “I don’t technically work here anymore.”
Yeah. Name’s Drake, by the way. -he smiles, raising his hand for a small wave before dropping it back down again- Yours?
Shae. [She lifts her drink.] Pleased to meet ya.
If he had been any less of a man, he would have happily lost his patience right in the eye of the public. He would have yelled and objected, would have denied her truth and demanded a new one. A better one. “And how, may I ask, did he discover something under verbal agreement, mhm?” Artemis kept himself looking unmoved and calm. However, given the context of the situation, Shae must have known that he was silently fuming. The choice of words and the subtlest touch of rage were all the hints she needed. “How could the best allow such a sloppy mistake to happen?”
Artemis’ eyes flickered over to hers, his fingers curling into a tight fist. “I’m upset, Shae, I really am, but, for once, it’s not at you.” Purgatory’s owner was it? Splendid. “This game we had was something I thoroughly enjoyed. I wanted it to last as long as it could, but being usurped by some idiot wasn’t exactly how I saw the ending. How about you, my dear? Surely you must have been thinking the same thing because we certainly sounded as if we were on the same page just a few weeks ago, you remember?” This challenger had to go. Immediately. “And now I get the news that you’ve already been dethroned. It’s unexpected, and I’m not too much a fan of that. I can’t possibly imagine how Rhea is dealing with this. I was looking forward to our meeting. She would have made a nice addition to the group… And now I’m just sitting here, and why? For this? No… I demand more. Give me more.”
Shae fought to keep control on the volume of her voice. “I have nothing else to give you. Don’t you understand?” She sensed his jibe and her hackles rose. The best? Was that meant to be an underhanded compliment or a grievous insult. “I made a mistake. You’re…right.” The words were painful to say. “I was sloppy. I never in a million years thought he would actually check.”
She shook her head and instead brought up her omnitool, opening an image file of Enrik’s unreadable face. He was severe, even by turian standards, cold and ruthless to friends and enemies alike. Shae had done some private investigating into his background and noted that he was both a respected and feared commander on the battlefield. Why he deigned to purchase a night club on the Citadel after his retirement was beyond her. However, it had been a lucrative move. Purgatory had been just about the only business making any profit in this time of war. That was, until Shae started sharing their revenue.
“His name is Cadaxan Enrik,” she began, directing Artemis’s attention away from her and onto the orange-hued image. “He’s ex-turian military. 54 years old. Complete asshole with a near-spotless profile.” She emphasized ‘near’ by dragging up an article she found concerning their subject. “He went on trial for war crimes during the First Contact War but was acquitted lacking substantial evidence. Other than that, he’s spotless. Not even a parking violation.”
Shoulder is mostly healed up an’ I haven’t got shot again since the last time I saw you so…pretty good I guess. *shrugs*
—What about you, lass?
I got suspended from Purgatory.
*tries to keep a straightface before he brings a hand up to his face in attempt to stifle a laugh* Uh--yeah, of course.
[She smiles, glad to see him happy.]
How have you been?
