Human rituals

Chapter 4

Just like the Commander predicted, that little break seemed to be having very good results on the crew members, even after chasing her own clone and beginning a race to prevent it from stealing the Normandy. Occupational hazards. If that have brought a good consequence, it was probably that after resolving the case, Joker convinced Shepard to organize a party on her new apartment that night. It would be a little weird under those circumstances, but it was possible that they wouldn’t get another chance to celebrate all together.

Garrus watched distractedly a store catalog hoping to find a part, but he knew it probably wouldn't be available. It was really hard to get, and in times like those it seemed almost impossible. He was about to abandon his search when something else caught his attention. A pistol upgrade. It seemed a lot better than those he had seen on the Normandy. He wondered If Shepard saw it already.

“Thinking about someone in particular?” The known accent of his quarian friend made him startle a bit.

“So now I can't check the catalog for my own interests?”. Said the turian ironically, but the woman answered immediately in an amused tone.

“Yeah, right, except that you don't use pistols during combat.”

Garrus gave up on his search and walked without answering, now with his friend's company. She didn't stay quiet for too long.

“Did you invite her on a date?”

Garrus remembered his recent shooting contest with the Commander on the higher spot of the Presidium and felt warm inside. He wasn't sure he could call that a date, but they surely shared a great moment by themselves.

“Am I sensing a personal interest for my romantic preferences” He mocked trying to make his friend uncomfortable.

“Oh, consider it charity. I'm just trying to make sure you don't make a fool of yourself and end up losing your only chance to get a romance before the fight against the reapers” She joked back with a fake tone of arrogance. Garrus knew his friend used to mock like that to evade shameful situations, but he preferred to play along with her.

“Well, thanks for your honesty.”

She laughed a little before answering again.

“That's exactly why you need me. A shooting contest would be fine for a friend, but if you want her to see you like something else then you will have to improve your techniques.”

The turian wondered if Liara had wires and cameras installed on the clothes of all the crew members. That thought made him feel a shiver run through his back.

“Thanks for your confidence, Tali, but I think I can handle it” He finally said, trying to put an end to that uncomfortable conversation. The quarian crossed her arms totally amused before talking one last time.

“Is that so? Well, if I were you I would hurry. The last time I saw Shepard she was in the Purgatory drinking with a turian. He was kind of handsome, by the way” She walked provocatively by his side, “See you later, Garrus.”

The turian stood on the place trying to process what Tali just told him. He knew she was trying to be provocative, but it didn't mean she was actually lying. Nonetheless, what could he do? He couldn't just get there and take her away from him. Right?

As if his body was unaffiliated with his mind's rationalization, his legs quickly took him to the elevator and pressed the number three, decided to get to the bar. He didn't have a plan for what he was about to do, but he couldn't contain his need to see it by himself.

The place was crowded with people, especially where the dance floor was. He took a couple of steps forward looking for Shepard, but the familiar voice of Joker interrupted him.