Training

As Shepard's eyes adjusted to the dim lighting, she noticed a series of stations set up around the room, each one equipped with various tools and equipment. There was a grooming station, a massage table, and even a small kitchen area, where a crew member was busy preparing a tray of drinks and snacks. Miranda's voice cut through the ambient music, drawing Shepard's attention back to her.

"First, we'll start with some basic obedience training," Miranda said, her eyes scanning the room before coming to rest on a crew member standing by the grooming station. "Tali, please come over here and assist me."

Tali, her eyes fixed intently on Shepard, walked towards them with a quiet confidence, her footsteps echoing softly in the dimly lit room. As she approached, Shepard couldn't help but notice the way Tali's eyes seemed to gleam with a mixture of curiosity and authority, a subtle smile playing on her lips.

Miranda's voice cut through the silence, her tone firm and commanding. "Tali, please assist me in demonstrating the proper way to groom a pet. Shepard, please come closer and stand beside Tali."

Shepard felt a shiver run down her spine as she obeyed, her bare feet making barely a sound on the cool floor.

Tali's fingers gently brushed against Shepard's skin as she began to groom her, starting with her hair. The soft, rhythmic motions of the brush soothed Shepard's nerves, and she closed her eyes, letting out a deep breath. Miranda watched them closely, her eyes sharp and focused.

"Good girl," Miranda said, her voice soft and soothing. "Just relax and let Tali take care of you."

Tali's fingers moved down to Shepard's shoulders, massaging them gently. Shepard's muscles tensed at first, but soon relaxed under Tali's skilled touch.

Tali's fingers continued to work their magic on Shepard's shoulders, the soft, rhythmic motions lulling her into a state of relaxation. Shepard's mind drifted, her thoughts focusing on the sensation of Tali's touch. She could feel the tension in her muscles slowly ebbing away, replaced by a deep sense of calm.

Miranda's voice broke through the ambient music once again, her tone gentle and reassuring. "Good girl, Shepard. You're doing well. Now, let's move on to the next part of your training."

Miranda's words were like a gentle breeze on a summer day, soft and soothing, yet they carried an undercurrent of authority that Shepard couldn't ignore. She opened her eyes to find Miranda standing beside her, a small, enigmatic smile playing on her lips. Tali, still massaging Shepard's shoulders, seemed to sense Miranda's gaze and looked up, her eyes locking onto Miranda's for a brief moment before returning to Shepard's skin.

"Next, we'll work on your serving skills," Miranda said, her voice low and even. "Tali, please hand Pet a tray with the drinks and snacks you prepared earlier."

Tali handed Shepard the tray with the drinks and snacks, her eyes still fixed on Shepard's face. Shepard took the tray, her hands trembling slightly as she held it.

"Now, Pet," Miranda said, her voice still low and even, "I want you to serve these drinks and snacks to the crew members in the room. Make sure to address them as 'Mistress' or 'Ma'am' and thank them for their service. This is an important part of your training as a pet."

Shepard's hands trembled slightly as she held the tray, the delicate glasses and snacks rattling softly against each other. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves, and began to make her way around the room. Her bare feet made barely a sound on the cool floor as she moved from one crew member to the next, offering them drinks and snacks with a quiet "May I serve you, Mistress?" or "May I serve you, Ma'am?"

The crew members smiled and thanked her, their eyes gleaming with amusement as they accepted the offerings. Shepard felt a flush rise to her cheeks as she moved from one person to the next, her heart pounding in her chest.

The woman looked up from her console and smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Thank you, Pet," she said, her voice warm and gentle. "I'll have a cup of tea, please."

Shepard nodded and carefully poured a cup of steaming hot tea from the pitcher on the tray.

As Shepard poured the tea, the aroma wafted up, filling the air with a soothing scent that seemed to calm her nerves. She handed the cup to the petite woman, who smiled and took a sip, her eyes closing in appreciation. "Thank you, Shepard," she said again, her voice low and soothing. "You're doing very well."

As Shepard moved on to the next crew member, she felt a gentle touch on her shoulder. It was Miranda, who smiled at her and said, "You're doing very well, Pet. Remember to keep your posture straight and your movements smooth." Shepard nodded, feeling a surge of pride at the praise.

As Miranda's hand fell away from Shepard's shoulder, Shepard felt a slight shiver run down her spine. She took a deep breath and continued her circuit of the room, her eyes scanning the remaining crew members to see who was next in line for service. Her gaze landed on Liara, who was sitting on a nearby couch, a datapad in her lap. Shepard's heart skipped a beat as she approached the asari scientist, her bare feet making barely a sound on the floor.

"May I serve you, Mistress?" Shepard asked, her voice low and even, as she held out the tray.

Liara looked up from her datapad, a smile spreading across her face.