Unseen: Mass Effect FanFiction (ReWritten)

Chapter 4

Aster laughed softly. She wasn't lying, technically.

"Well, I thought I had seen someone who looked like you," Aster admitted, shrugging. "I wasn't sure it was you."

"Sure, you didn't," Garrus said, taking a sip. "You're here with company?"

"Something like that," she answered, looking around.

"Expecting someone?" Garrus asked, a bit sternly, also looking around.

"Avoiding more like it," Shepard muttered.

Good, they're still dancing, she thought, seeing Anderson swirling Dr. Chakwas around.

"Avoiding me?"

"Of course not," Aster said, acting wounded by the comment. "I'm more wounded about the fact that you would think I would avoid you."

"Well-"

"Garrus," someone called out, making both of them turn around. "There you are."

Coming toward them was an older female turian with the same markings as Garrus. Anyone would assume it was a family member or at least a relative.

"Oh, I'm sorry, dear. I didn't know you had company," the older turian said, seeing Aster.

"Aster," Garrus said, introducing them. "This is my mother, Camelea. Mother, this is Aster."

"Nice to meet you, Aster," Camelea said, smiling. "I didn't know Garrus had such pretty friends."

"Thanks," Shepard said, smiling a bit embarrassed, "It's nice to meet you too."

"Oh, I hope I'm not interrupting," Camelea asked, looking at both of them. "Your father was wondering where you went."

"I imagine father and our guest weren't too happy," Garrus mumbled, sounding a bit irritated.

Aster was silent. The "guest" must be someone important if Garrus's family was meeting them. It was a well-known fact that turians made a big deal about meeting important members of the hierarchy.

"Garrus-," Camelea began in her mothering tone.

"Not now, mother," Garrus replied, glancing at Aster.

"I was just leaving," Aster interrupted, looking between Garrus and his mother. "It's been a long day, and I have to get up early."

"Here I was hoping you'll join us," Camelea said, grabbing her arm. "Any friend of Garrus is always welcome."

Aster hesitated slightly.

"Come on," she said, pulling her along.

"Perhaps another time, mother," Garrus tried to intervene, but he too was pulled along.

"Garrus," a familiar voice said. "Did you find what you were looking for?"

"Castis, this is Aster," Camelea interrupted, introducing Aster to her husband and their guests.

"You're Anderson's kid," Castis said, recognizing her.

"Good evening," Aster greeted. "I just wanted to say goodbye to Garrus before heading home."

It was clear to Aster that the family's guests and Mr. Vakarian weren't happy to see her. She doubted they wanted her to join them.

"Well, alright," Camelea said. "Have a good evening, maybe next time you can join us for dinner."

"Thank you," Aster said. "Have a good night."

Aster excused herself and checked on Anderson one more time before leaving the restaurant.