***Garrus POV**
"She seems like a nice girl," Garrus's mother commented as Garrus watched Aster leave. "Have you known her long?"
"I just met her the other day," Garrus replied distractedly.
"Oh," Camelea said, intrigued. It was rare for Garrus to just meet someone and be so smitten with them. Camelea knew there was more than he was letting on.
"I accidentally broke into her place," Garrus continued, smiling a bit. "My friend gave me the wrong apartment number."
"At least she didn't shoot you," Camelea replied. "She looks like she can take care of herself."
"She can," Garrus agreed.
"Don't forget to invite her for dinner," her mother continued as her husband chatted away with Ravis Kandros, a family friend.
"Before your father suggests you marry Ravis," she muttered softly.
"She's too old for me," Garrus whispered.
"That won't stop your father," his mother replied.
Garrus shook his head in disbelief and took his seat at the table. As the night progressed, Garrus attempted to find opportunities to leave, but his father never gave him a chance. His father would ask him questions and maneuver the conversation so that it forced him to answer in long sentences.
Eventually, his mother had to step in and wrap up the family dinner. His sister Solana immediately headed out with Garrus hot on her trail. Even though the dinner was supposed to celebrate her promotion, their father spent the entire evening chatting with Ravis.
One would think he had a crush on her or something, Garrus dared to assume. He didn't pay any attention to Mom or Solana.
Garrus headed back to his ship for the night. It was already 2 in the morning, and he wanted to rest before heading over to Aster's apartment. He was too busy entertaining his father that he didn't get a chance to pack earlier.
*
It was late in the morning when Garrus showed up at Aster's apartment, two bags in tow. Thankfully, there was no one around to ask him any questions. From his last visit, he got the impression that only humans lived in the apartment complex. When he entered, all the lights were off, and no one appeared at home.
"Aster?" Garrus called out, leaving his bags by the door.
Garrus took another look around but didn't see her. He called out again, just to make sure she wasn't hiding or anything. Although he knew he could take her, Garrus really didn't want to experience their tussle again. There was no answer and no one in sight. He could safely assume that she was nowhere in the apartment.
Garrus grabbed his bags and took them to the bedroom. He hoped Aster would have left him some space for him. Upon further searching, he found a couple of drawers and a closet space left empty. He took a couple of minutes to put his things away before heading back to the kitchen. As he got closer to the counter, he saw a small note sitting there.
Curiously, Garrus walked over and picked up the note, which was from Aster. He wasn't sure what surprised him the most, that Aster left him a message or that she wrote a handwritten message.
The note read:
Garrus,
I left some open space for you in the closet and dresser, feel free to use them. I was called out on a mission and don't know when I'll be back. I hope you have a great night with your family and your special guest.
-Aster
Garrus reread the note several times before setting it down. He wasn't sure why, but the last line bothered him. Why would she bring up the guest from the other night? She even called the guest "special." There was nothing special about who they ate dinner with. His father wanted to invite a friend over for dinner in conjunction with celebrating his sister's promotion.
I should have made up an excuse and left with her, he thought. I hope Aster didn't misunderstand.
Garrus knew it was a hidden ploy, on his father's part, to get him to know more turian women and maybe settle down. His father hoped that Garrus would leave the Spectres and join C-Sec, just like he had. Garrus had given up on pleasing his father, career-wise, but jumped on any opportunity to ease the tension at home.
However, one thing that he would never do is marry Ravis Kendros. She was as old as his father. He wasn't that desperate.
I hope Dad didn't suggest such a ridiculous idea to her!
Garrus rubbed his manidbles. He didn't want to ask the Councilor for any more help. He could easily remember when he was almost exiled from the Vakarian Clan, but thanks to some quick thinking by Councilor Sparatus, that was avoided. He still owed the Councilor a favor. Only his mother knew of his dealings with the Councilor. He was sure his father and his sister wouldn't agree.
Councilor Spartus was a family friend, but his father frowned upon using power to deal with small issues. A ping from his omni-tool distracted him from his thoughts. He grunted when he saw who it was from: Nihlus.
Nihlus has sent him a message asking him if he wanted to join him in dropping off an asset and monitoring a dangerous situation. Garrus sent a quick message to Councilor Sparatus to confirm his collaboration with Nihlus. The Councilor approved without hesitation. Funny how things worked when the counselor was a family friend.
After sending his reply to Nihlus, he grabbed one of the empty bags and packed it for a few days. Since Aster was gone, there was no other reason he wanted to stay. If the Council wanted to give him another mission, then they could assign one to him whenever they saw fit. Besides, going on a mission with Nihlus always seems to brighten up his routine.
Nihlus sent another message with a departure time and a bit of information regarding their mission. The asset was an undercover agent handpicked by the Council to infiltrate the Science Academy on Juxhi. The asset was tasked with finding and retrieving any artificial intelligence information they could find. He was to meet him at the docking station in two hours. That was plenty of time to pack and eat some lunch.