I knew from a young age that I belong in the stars. I was named after the constellation Cassiopeia, after all. The Vain Queen. Not very flattering, but I appreciate the Greek Mythology reference.
Being the child of a scientist and a soldier, I guess you could say I got the best traits from either. A knack for leadership from my father, which helps when dealing with my two younger brothers; Andrew, who's nine, and Fletcher, who's five. I guess I got "smarts" from my mother... along with something I don't particularly like to talk about too much.
Hyperthymesia.
She had it, my grandmother had it; as far back as the records go, every woman and girl from my mother's side of the family had it. A perfect memory.
Well, "perfect memory" is an incredible understatement. It's similar to what Drell apparently have, minus the inconvenient flashbacks, for lack of a better term... Okay, maybe occasionally, but only when I'm really stressed or scared. It's normal for them, but not for humans. That's why I'm so... different.
It's still early for me; I'm only thirteen, and it started when I was nine. The only other people who know about it besides Andrew...
They died.
Our parents died when the Reapers attacked. As did our closest family friends, the only other people who knew about it. It's been over three years since that day, and we've found a new home, with a wonderful couple that adopted us.
Jane and Garrus Vakarian.
Yes, that's the Jane who saved the galaxy. Formerly Shepard, but she and Garrus Vakarian got married, so... yeah.
It's only been a few days since the wedding, since my brothers and I were adopted, but... I don't know. They don't know about my "ability", but... maybe they should?
Why am I so worried? I shouldn't be. Andrew's always telling me I'm worrying for nothing, which I know I am, but I can't help it. It's my biggest fault. I'm a worrier. My anxiety is probably to blame for that, though...
Okay. Enough worrying, Cass. Get over it and tell them.
Now!
I stand up from my desk in my room, put my game-face on, and walk out the door-
"Oof!" The air gets knocked out of me as I walk right into Garrus, who chuckles softly as he somehow manages to keep me on my feet. Urz is standing behind him, tongue hanging out and tail swaying happily.
"Well good morning to you, too." He smiles, and I can feel the embarrassment rise to my cheeks in the form of a blush.
"H-hi, um... Is... Is Jane still here?" I ask, struggling to get the words out. Garrus shakes his head.
"She left early for her meeting with the Council, but she should be back soon." He says as he places his hand on my shoulder, a concerned look on his face. "Are you okay, Cassie?"
"I... Yeah, I guess. I just wanted to talk to you two about... something..." I trail off, and he pulls me into a hug.
"Whatever it is, I can tell you're nervous. Relax a bit, alright?" Garrus smiles as he lets me free from the hug before continuing to speak. "Are you hungry? I could use more practice cooking."
"Sure... I can help if you want."
"I'll probably need it. Don't want to nearly start a fire like she did the other day." He jokes, and I giggle.
"Don't worry. I'll make sure you don't."
Twenty or so minutes pass, and we've gotten everyone's food ready. Even for Andrew and Fletcher when they wake up.
I've been giving Garrus tips on cooking for us, while I was using the time to put together his own breakfast. I set the plate next to the others on the counter, and it takes him a couple seconds before he realizes the difference. Urz has been at our feet the entire time, not hesitating to lick up anything that may have fallen on the floor.
"Oh, you remember how to cook that?" He asks, surprised.
"It's not really that hard..." I say softly, feeling my blush come back to my cheeks. He laughs and gives me a one-armed hug.
"Wish I could say the same about human food. I really hope I did it right..."
"You did, I was watching." I say with a smile. "I'll go wake up my brothers."
"Alright," He says as he moves the plates to the table, and I walk into the hall towards their room. I walk in just in time to see Andrew helping Fletcher with his shirt; he always seems to put it on backwards by himself. Daisy and Rose are already awake as well, playing with each other at the feet of my brothers.
"Oh, you're already up?" I ask. "Makes it easier for me."
"Wasn't my choice," Andrew says as he turns towards me, and I can't help but smile at his major case of bed-head. "Fletcher woke me up because he could smell the food cooking."
"I'm hungry," Fletcher says, and I laugh.
"I know, me too. We've got food ready. It's already on the table, go on and eat." I kiss Fletchers head, and he darts out of the room with a wide grin, pulling his bear behind him. I start to follow, but Andrew grabs my hand and turns me to him.
"I can tell something's up. You okay?" He asks before letting go. I smile a little.
"I'm getting there..." I say softly, and he raises an eyebrow.
"You're... you're going to tell them. Aren't you?" He asks again, and I feel the blush come to my cheeks again.
"I hate it when you do that," I say, a little flustered. He laughs.
"Do what? I just know you. For someone who remembers everything, you can't seem to ever remember a way to not be so readable." He teases, and I stick my tongue out at him.
"Whatever..." I mutter as I walk out of the room, Andrew laughing a little as he walks behind. We walk into the room with the pups at our heels just as Jane walks through the front door.
"Hey, welcome back." Garrus says as he puts our drinks on the table. Jane walks over and kisses him.
"Food. Thank god, I'm starving." She says with a laugh as she sits down. Fletcher is already in his seat, half of his food already gone. Andrew and I sit down, followed by Garrus last. The Varren go to their respective bowls and begin gobbling down their meal.
"How was the meeting?" Garrus asks before taking a bite of his food.
"Well, first thing I did was insult them for making our wedding a public spectacle." Jane says, which almost makes Garrus choke on his food.
"Wait, you're serious?" He asks, wide-eyed. Jane just laughs.
"Of course not. I wanted to, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have been offered the position if I did." She says before taking a bite of her own breakfast, a smile on her face. I swallow the food in my mouth without making sure it's fully chewed, causing me to cough before I can speak up.
"Wait, what position?" I ask, very glad I didn't end up choking.
"You're looking at the new Human Councilor." Garrus says, obviously with pride. "Makes me regret not accepting the Turian Councilor position."
"No it doesn't," Jane says matter-of-factly, a smile on her face. Garrus laughs and leans in to whisper in her ear.
"Hell no." He whispers, but it's still loud enough for me to hear. I giggle, and Andrew laughs as well. Garrus was obviously loud enough for him to hear, as well.
"Congratulations!" Andrew exclaims, followed by clapping from Fletcher.
"Yeah, we're so happy for you." I say, smiling as I continue eating.
"Thank you, but I'm not sure if I should be thankful yet." Jane admits. "It's definitely not combat, but it's definitely not retirement, either. I hope I don't get bored."
"Why would you get bored?" Andrew asks.
"This is Jane we're talking about." Garrus says with a smile. "It's quite a career change, going from saving the galaxy and destroying bad guys to naming Spectres and dealing with planetary disputes. If anyone will get bored, it'd be her."
"You know me so well," She laughs before turning to look at me. I know right away where this is going. "But enough about me. Garrus told me you had something you wanted to talk to us about?"
It suddenly feels like my heart lodges in my throat, and I stare at my plate, absently poking holes in my pancake with my fork.
"I... um... just wanted to tell you..." I begin, but my heart begins to race so hard and fast it feels like it'll leap right from my body. My eyesight begins to go fuzzy, my blood pressure drops; it almost looks like my fork begins to tremble, and I've already dropped it on the table.
I feel it coming. The thing I despise more than anything.
Well... shit.