Liara T'Soni, looking to shake things up in the bedroom.

Shepard had been mulling around in her quarters when EDI sent word that Liara had returned safely from an archeological dig. An old colleague had asked for her input on some ancient Asari ruins and things were, for the moment, quiet so Shepard had let her go without a fuss. She did seem to recall playfully implying that she, hero of the galaxy, would be helpless and **** if the all-powerful Shadow Broker left her all alone; that was neither here nor there of course.

When Liara arrived, she was wearing a rough and tumble outfit not entirely unlike Aria T'Loak's usual ensemble, and something else too.

"You found what?" Shepard asked. Well she could tell what she had found, a crystal eyepiece which was affixed to her face at present, like one half of a pair of stylish glasses.

"The Eye of Athame," Liara explained. "It is said that when the goddesses of the Asari pantheon were disobedient or otherwise quarrelsome, Athame would cast her eye upon them, and in an instant they would be compelled to do as they were told. This," she tapped lightly on the crystal lens, "was likely used in religious ceremonies, most likely conversions."

"Can you actually see out of that thing?" Shepard leaned in, narrowing her eyes, tilting her head from one side to another. Shepard certainly couldn't see into it; far as she could tell it was just a fancy eyepiece.

"I can," Liara started, "and I can do more than that." She ran a biotic finger down the side of the eyepiece, and suddenly it began to glow with an unusual light. Not blue or purplish like the usual biotics; it was more of an eerie green.

"Whoa..." Shepard said. "What does it do?"

"Among other things, it allows the user to see through solid objects, no matter the composition or thickness. It can also be used a lie detector. Quick. Tell me something that's patently false."

"I don't love you," Shepard replied, thinking fast. Liara arched a brow, then shrugged. There was a little red flash in the eyepiece.

"False," she said, "though I don't think anyone would have trouble figuring that out." She smiled warmly.

"Anything else?" Shepard asked.

"Actually yes, but... Well..." Liara hesitated to explain this next part, fearful of who might be listening in.

"Liara T'Soni... Are you being sheepish?" She chuckled.

"No!"

"Oh my god you are!" Shepard laughed. "You haven't been like this in years. What's got you so flustered that you can't even show me?"

"It's not that I can't show you Shepard, it's just that it's not exactly... ethical," Liara shuffled in place. "You see I said this was primarily used in conversion rituals. This eyepiece has the power to transfix anyone caught in its gaze. Asari priestesses used it to shape nonbelievers into being loyal devotees. It's a powerful tool, and a dangerous one."

"If that's so, why did you bring it onto the ship?"

"Well..." She gulped. "Call it a moment of weakness, but I actually thought maybe we could, erm, use it?"

Shepard felt her face flush slightly at the suggestive phrasing. "Use it... how?"

"Just a little experiment," Liara said coyly. "We could use it on one of the crew... bring them up to the bedroom..." She trailed off, blushing.

"What?!" Shepard's voice came out louder than intended. "No! No that's a terrible idea. I mean... Even if we did, how could you possibly explain that to them? Or to the rest of the crew?!"

"Well I..." Liara mumbled.

"It's wrong!" Shepard pushed. "Look, you know me, I'm no prude, but we can't just take advantage of people like that! They're our friends Liara!"

"I know, I understand, but..."

"But nothing! Christ, what do I have to say to..."

"WOULD YOU JUST SHUT UP AND LISTEN TO ME?!" Liara cried. The lens suddenly flashed with brilliant light. It lasted only an instant, but in that instant, Shepard went quiet, and her face suddenly went slack. Liara took a step back and stammered, "O-Oh goddess... Shepard, Are... are you alright?" She waved her hand in front of Shepard's face.

"Yes mistress... I am fine..." She droned.

"Oh thank... Wait. Did you just call me mistress?"

"Yes mistress..." Shepard droned again, her eyes vacant and uncomprehending, staring right through Liara, who couldn't believe what was happening. She had used the Eye of Athame... She had used it on Shepard! How long would it last? How far could she push this? She had to find some way to reverse it, obviously, she couldn't leave her lover like this but...

She had to know.

"Take your clothes off," Liara demanded suddenly. Shepard stared at her blankly for a moment. Liara was almost about to start wondering if the effect had worn off when Shepard began to wordlessly undress, peeling her clothes off of herself piece by piece. It seemed like the entire process happened in slow motion, very much like the way it looked when one watched a movie where someone was hypnotized. There was something unsettlingly erotic about the way Shepard moved, though Liara didn't quite know what it was. After discarding the last of her undergarments, Shepard simply stood there, waiting. The site of her lover's naked body, and the thought of everything she could do with it, made Liara moisten between the legs. "Now touch yourself."

There was a slight pause before Shepard obeyed, reaching out and running her hands over her breasts, her stomach, her thighs and hips and belly, all the while keeping her eyes locked on Liara's. "Touch your pussy... please."

Shepard reached down and grabbed hold of her mound, circling it with both fingers and massaging it roughly. She growled softly, making Liara shiver slightly. "Okay okay... Stop," she commanded. Shepard froze. Liara began to hurriedly pull of her own clothing and walked forward to Shepard's immobile form. Liara wrapped her arms around Shepard.

"Kiss me... ****," Liara rasped, growing in confidence. She brought her lips up to Shepard's, kissing her gently at first, then harder. She pressed her mouth against Shepard's and slipped her tongue inside. Shepard moaned slightly and kissed her back, tentatively at first, but quickly getting into it as she sensed her mistress' pleasure. Their tongues met and twisted together, their lips pressed tightly against each other. One thing quickly led to another and the two tumbled onto the bed. Shepard crawled on top of Liara and began kissing her neck, licking down her throat and sucking on her collarbone. She slid lower, kissing her chest and belly, feeling Liara's heavy breathing and soft sighs. She knelt down, planting her hands on Liara's thighs and slowly spread her legs apart, revealing her wet folds.

"****," Liara breathed, "what are you... Ah!" She squealed. Shepard's tongue entered her, swirling around her inner walls and sliding deep into her hot tunnel. "Ahhhhhh!" Liara's voice cracked, and she threw her head back, arching her back and closing her eyes. "More ****, more!" Liara pleaded, her voice breaking between pants of pleasure. Shepard obliged, thrusting her tongue into her mistress' depths and lapping and nibbling at her clit and labia. Liara screamed as Shepard's ministrations sent her over the edge, her juices flowing freely as she climaxed and shuddered in ecstasy. She whimpered and writhed, grabbing handfuls of sheets and tossing them aside as her orgasm washed over her in waves. When it finally passed, Liara collapsed, panting heavily and trying desperately to catch her breath.

"Goddess... That was incredible..." She looked down to see Shepard kneeling idly, her face stained with her mistress' juices, awaiting her next command. "Clean yourself in the bathroom ****... Then we'll discuss the future."

Shepard nodded silently and obediently headed towards the bathroom.

***

Liara lay in bed, caressing the unresisting form of Commander Shepard, who simply stared at the ceiling even as her over caressed her breasts and teased her nipples.

"As wonderful as you are," Liara started, "I can't leave you like this. It seems that so long as I give you commands, you remain suggestible. Of course, if I were to command you to wake, it stands to reason you almost certainly would..." She thought about this while the empty shell of Shepard offered no opinion. "Shepard," she started again, "when I say so, you will awaken. You will believe that, while originally unsure about it, you were enticed by the Eye of Athame and talked me into testing it on you, and will now wish to try it on others to see what it's like." She paused as she thought. "You will also subconsciously prioritize my pleasure and wellbeing over your own and others in all things. All others are secondary to me. I am your entire world. You will never disobey me. You love me more than life itself." Admittedly, she was pretty sure most of that part was true anyway, but she wanted to be sure. "Finally, whenever I say the phrase 'rosebud', you'll fall back into this trance state, understood?"

"Yes mistress..." Shepard droned affirmatively. Liara planted one last kiss on Shepard's cheek.

"Now... Wake up, little red riding hood," she grinned. She'd often called Shepard that ever since Shepard had first told her the story. Shepard's hair reminded her of it. Did that make her the wolf now?

"Uhhhhh..." Shepard yawned after a blink. "Mmm... How long was I gone?"

"Not long," Liara grinned.

"Yeah right..." Shepard chuckled. "Pretty sure I was wearing clothes when you put me under... Oh..." She licked her lips. "What an interesting taste..."

"Oh?"

"Tastes like you."

"Okay..." Liara admitted with a chuckle. "You might have been gone for a little while..."

"Was it good at least?"

"Exquisite." They shared a kiss.

"You know... Could I use that on you?"

"I'm afraid only an Asari can use the Eye of Athame, Shepard," Liara said. She had no idea if that was true, she was making it up on the spot, but it sounded true enough and that's what mattered.

"Oh..." She sounded disappointed.

"What is it?" Liara asked, doing her best to act as if she didn't know what was going to come next.

"Well... I was just wondering what it might be like to be on the, erm, other side of... that..." She tried not to meet Liara's eyes, which were lighting up with excitement.

"You mean... You want to see what it's like to put me under?" Liara asked.

"You... Miranda... Ashley... Anyone on the ship really... Could be fun."

Liara could not agree more.