How the Cycle Continues

Chapter 2: Intros and Questions

Kaidan's POV

What a way to start a posting on a new ship! I thought to myself as I sat in the medbay waiting for either Shepard or the girl we found to wake up. Chakwas said they'd be fine though just need to rest for a bit. I think we're about halfway to the Citadel, though it's hard to tell when you're trying to think of how to tell your XO sorry for getting you knocked out! Me and Ashley gave our reports and now we're just waiting.

I looked over from Shepard to the other occupant in the room. We had found a spare set of clothes and Ashley helped getting her out of the armor she was wearing so that Dr. Chakwas could look at the gunshot wound and so she'd be a bit more comfortable. The doc said that there wasn't much to heal despite the hole in her armor there was barely any sign she'd been shot. Hopefully when she wakes up we can get some answers about what happened and about the strange things we saw.

Almost as though she'd heard my thoughts she sprung up as though from a nightmare. She fell off the bed from surprise and was looking around, her eyes were gold with a bit of bright green mixed in, before she noticed me in the room. She stood up and got in a defensive position with one hand out in front.

"Hey easy it's ok you're safe now." I said trying to calm her down and looking to the door wondering when Dr. Chakwas would be back. "I promise no one is gonna hurt you."

"Where am I?" She said putting her hand down and seeming to relax a bit though she looked like she would sprint at any second.

"You're aboard the SSV Normandy, a ship in the Alliance Navy. My name is Kaidan Alenko. Can you tell me your name?" I asked walking up to her. Now I noticed how short she was, barely coming to my shoulder. She looked pretty confused by what I was saying though and I realized that this might be very difficult.

"My name is Briathara Lavellan." She answered. "So what happens now?"

"Well now I'd like to ask you some questions Ms. Lavellan." Captain Anderson said as he and the doc walked into the room. "If you'll come with me please." He said motioning to the exit.

"Um… ok I guess." She said sounding unsure before following him.

Bri POV

I followed the captain through the ship. There was a sort of dining area and there were several human in there all wearing the same outfit that I was now wearing, must be some sort of uniform. They all turned to look as we walked by and I was reminded of when I was walked through Haven by Cassandra. We went up some stairs and as we passed by a raised platform and when I was close something popped up that looked like a spiral of some sort. I kinda got distracted before Anderson tapped me on the shoulder to get my attention.

"Ir abelas." I apologized before seeing the look he gave. " Uh it translates to sorry." I explained as we went into a room that was hidden by a small wall. The room angled down and came to a circular area with 8 chairs, 4 on each side surrounding it.

"Well I guess it would be best if we were to get some basics out of the way." He said turning to face me.

"Seems fair enough what do you want to know?" I said spotting my bag and staff in one of the chairs in the room.

"I'd like to ask you about the things we found with you starting with this." He said going over and grabbing my staff.

"Oh that is my staff. It helps me focus my magic into more powerful spells. I can do magic without it but its not as powerful. Staffs can shoot out different types of spells, that one in particular is focused more towards fire spells even though I prefer ice." I said not noticing I had begun to ramble.

"Magic? That's a bit had to believe. Though from the helmet cams from the ground team I'm inclined to believe you. Is there anything else magic related that you can do?" He asked looking a bit skeptical.

"Well I'm very trained in spirit healing which I assume is pretty self explanatory. I also know some of the knight enchanter skill set which means that by using this," I explained grabbing the spirit hilt and making the blade appear. ", I can do some more close up attacks. Lastly I'm able to shapeshifter into most small animals like this." I said changing into a snowy owl. I found the surprised look on his face pretty funny before I shifted back.

"Well I was skeptical at first but I guess you've proven that you actually can do magic, as hard as that is to believe." He said then his face changed from one of disbelief to a more serious expression. "I'll have to ask though that you not do magic while on the ship at least for now as it might startle the crew as they're a bit on edge after our latest mission."

"Right that place… it was awful seeing what happened to the people there." I said thinking of the burnt bodies of people I had seen not to mention Saren shooting Nhilus.

"I'd actually like to ask you-" He started but was interrupted by a bright orange light flashing on his wrist. He tapped the light and then his left arm was covered by orange light and he seemed to be reading a message that was on it. "I'll have to ask later it would seem commander Shepard has woken up. Feel free to go around the ship just don't cause any trouble ok." He said and left before I'd even nodded my head.

I sort of just stood there for a bit after he left before grabbing my bag. I looked inside and saw that everything was still in there including the change of clothes I kept with me. I headed back the way that Anderson had brought me and ran into a woman with dark hair tied into a bun.

"Oh I see you're awake now." She said.

"Yeah um who are you?" I asked looking nervous due to how overwhelming this all still was.

"Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams. I made sure that you'd make it to the Normandy when we found you at the SpacePort. So what is your name anyways?" She asked sitting down at a nearby table.

"Briathara Lavellan, though Bri works just fine. Thanks for making sure I got somewhere safe." I said setting my bag on the table.

"No problem. Was there something you needed?" She asked.

"Yes actually I was wondering if you could show me where I could change. I appreciate the clothes I was given but would like to wear something familiar." I explained.

"Yeah guess you would. It does look kinda weird with your markings and ears to be wearing these uniforms. Do those marks have some meaning to them?" She asked looking genuinely interested.

"Yes though I'm sure I can explain them later. It would seem someone wants to talk to you." I said seeing the woman who was on the bed next to me headed this way.

"Ah right Shepard is probably curious about what I'm doing here. Anyways you can change in the ladies room over there." SHe said pointing to a door to the right.

"Ma seranas, er I mean thank you." I said remembering she'd have no clue what I said. She looked like she was gonna ask about what it but got up instead to wait for Shepard. I took another look around before heading to the room that Ashley pointed out. Once I was in there I took a look in the mirror and noticed how Ashley was right and it did look pretty odd what I was wearing with my markings and ears. Turning away I quickly changed out of the uniform they'd given me and put on what I'd normally wear around Skyhold.

Ashely POV

It was a few minutes after Shepard left to go see Joker when the bathroom door opened and Bri stepped out wearing something that was definitely out of place on the ship but look completely normal on her. Instead of the Allience fatigues she'd been wearing she was now wearing a red long sleeved shirt under a brown vest and tan colored pants. She also wore elbow length gloves and knee height boots, both a light cream color. To finish it up she had a scarf and belt on that was the same cream color.

"So what do I do with these?" SHe asked handing me the fatigues folded neatly with the shoes on top.

"I'll take them and put them back into storage. THat's a nice outfit by the way looks more right on you than these did." I said taking the clothes from her.

"Thanks Ashley so what happens now?" She asked messing with the strap of the messenger bag that she had.

"Well we're almost to the Citadel and from there Anderson wants me, Shepard, and Alenko to tell the council what we saw. Not sure what will be done with you but I'm sure Anderson had something in mind." I explained she seemed a bit nervous at the uncertainty of her situation. At the same time seemed interested in the Citadel.

"Well if it would help I did see Saren kill Nihlus, I tried to help but the armor and weapons you people use is so much different than what I'm used to. Not to mention I had exhausted my magic and how I got here." She explained. I on the other hand got excited. This could be they key to taking down Saren and getting payback for my team and Eden Prime.

"Holy- We need to tell Anderson and Shepard! Come on." I said heading up to the cockpit where Shepard hearing the soft sound of her boots following me. When we got there Shepard was standing with Kaiden and the two were watching our approach to the Citadel. "Ma'am we have something you'd like to hear."