Follows part IV; directly precedes part V.
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The lab door opened with a hiss, and Kasumi slipped through, annoyed out of habit more than any particular necessity that there was no such thing as a silent entry on this ship. The chemical tang of whatever Mordin’s most recent project was greeted her in a rush of cool air.
The salarian himself was bent over a microscope. ”Miss Goto. Good. Hoped you would visit soon,” he said, without looking up.
“How’d you know it was me?” she asked, shaking her head bemusedly.
She could hear one of his smug smiles in his voice as he answered. ”Footsteps silent. Assassin similar, but always speaks upon entry. Would remind you that sneaking about the Normandy is unnecessary, but understand desire to stay in practice.”
The thief snorted and pulled a small case of vials out of her belt. ”I have those biologicals you asked for, from the last mission.”
Mordin finally looked up. ”Ahh, excellent! Most appreciative. Can complete analysis while en route to Omega, then integrate data during stay.”
“You’re not going to take any leave?” Kasumi asked. ”Shepard made it clear there would be time.”
He waved a dismissive hand. ”Am assured that clinic runs smoothly without me. Only reason I would consider debarking - am not fond of nightclubs.”
“That’s a shame; the dance floors are a sociological gold mine.”
“True, but frivolous.” Mordin’s wide mouth tilted up slyly. ”Wouldn’t want to intrude on you and the Commander, in any case.”
“…” For the first time in many, many years, Kasumi Goto found herself momentarily speechless.
The salarian continued, clearly amused. ”Behavior subtle, but clear. Easy to see, once baseline interaction with other crew established. Recommend action. Commander is too accustomed to human military protocol to initiate.”
“I…” Kasumi crossed her arms over her chest. ”Look, Mordin. It’s not quite that simple. Humans tend to get… awkward around offers they didn’t expect and don’t want, and Shepard’s… a very good friend. She loosens up a bit around me, and I don’t want to guess wrong and end that.”
If he’d had eyebrows, she was sure he’d be raising one. ”Risk aversion? Am surprised, Miss Goto - highly atypical.”
She knew she’d most likely find all this funny later, but just then, she was getting out of the tech lab and away from that damned smirking and altogether-too-observant salarian.
amasterthief started following you
