Chapter 10: Kolyat's Titanic

Note: This chapter includes completely made-up events surrounding Kolyat – since I think Shepard should have had an interaction with Kolyat, since well she loved his father – and he died. It also includes an OC. I've decided to name my OC Kara, since Kara is the name of the Turian's "Titanic" – as was discovered in Kasumi's loyalty mission in ME2. Anyways, enough rambling – enjoy the read!

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Shepard headed down towards the make-shift refugee camp with, honestly, awkward anticipation. She had wanted to check-in on Kolyat, and make sure he was settling in and doing alright. He had messaged her the night before.

Kolyat had sounded at peace, god – I hope he is. She still felt absolutely awful that he had to find out about her and his father, as he died. She wanted to do what ever she could for Kolyat. She knew that for as long as she could, she would be making sure Kolyat was living a good life – she would protect him from making poor decisions, like he did just months ago.

Finally the elevator opened, and what she heard and saw completely rattled her. She felt pins and needles down her spine, as she walked into the, usually, open part of the camp to see a crowd of people huddled around a single human woman standing up on two storage crates. And she heard, god she wasn't sure – Is that music? Sure enough it was. The woman was playing the violin – an old instrument that was rarely played anymore, mostly due to technology's advances.

Shepard felt herself become completely mesmerized. She couldn't help it, but she joined the crowd and took in the full scene before her. A small, petite woman who couldn't be far in her twenties, with short blunt burgundy bangs and the darkest eyes she ever saw on someone so fair, was playing a very, very old violin with practiced ease and grace. Her fingers floated over the strings as she played an old, old earth song – Beethoven, Bach? Shepard didn't know, she was impressed.

So was Kolyat.

Out of the corner of Shepard's eye, she saw Kolyat standing amongst the humans and aliens alike. He was staring at the woman, with an expression on his face that Shepard instantly recognized. She slowly walked over to him, trying not to block anyone's view, and said:

"Have you talked with her?"

She startled Kolyat, who upon recognizing Shepard replied, "Commander, it's good to see you... And no, I haven't spoken with the musician. Why do you ask?"

She chuckled softly, and patted Kolyat once on the shoulder before replying, "Well it seems like you really like her. I think you should talk to her – who knows you just might be her type." She winked.

She could tell that he ways trying his hardest not to look embarrassed, "How did you... What are you... I mean. What. You, uh, don't even know her."

"Well neither do you, and that's a problem I can definitely fix. How about on her next break, I introduce you to her? I'm a bit of a celebrity, I guess. I could help ease any tension there might be."

"Uh... Sure Commander..." He then turned away from her a bit too quickly, obviously trying to keep his mouth closed before he embarrassed himself any further. Shepard smiled to herself. He deserves some happiness.

The woman played two more songs before she apologized that that was all for the afternoon, and promised that she would come back later in the evening. She picked up a gray bag, placed the violin and other contents in it, slung it over her shoulder, and hopped off of the storage crates. Shepard stood by Kolyat's side until the crowd was mostly dispersed, and people were done thanking the woman. She then all but dragged the poor, nervous Kolyat over to the woman.

Shepard paused and smiled before the woman, "Hello. I'm Commander Shepard of the Alliance, and this is Kolyat Krios. We wanted to congratulate you for your great performance. It was very impressive."

"Commander Shepard! I'd recognize you anywhere. And Mr. Krios a pleasure to meet you." She smiled and shook both their hands – Kolyat looked a little faint when she shook his. "I'm Kara Gilbert. And no congratulations is necessary. I play simply to try and bring peace to those who have not had any in quite some time. It is my duty to do so, and a joy." She smiled again, boy she sure likes to smile. But she also had concern on her face, her words sounded authentic, sincere.

The woman continued, "Mr. Krios. If I'm not mistaken, you've been spending time here too, trying to bring peace and ease people's pains. Don't you recite prayers to the weak and dying?" She spoke using occasional hand gestures, which brought her hands and arms so close to Kolyat, they nearly touched.

"Yes... I do. And please, call me Kolyat."

"Sure thing, Kolyat. And I hope between us – someone will find peace as their life fades into the void..." Kolyat seemed to become a bit wobbly as she said that, but nodded at her words in return. "Anyways, is there anything I can do for you, Commander?"

"Yes, actually Miss Gilbert. Would you care to join me and Kolyat for some lunch? My treat."

…...

Their conversation was going nowhere fast. Kolyat was obviously too nervous to say anything, and the girl just kept picking at her salad. Shepard finally had enough, and decided to jump in, "So, that violin looks old, where'd you get it – it can't be from around here. And it is a violin, right?"

Kara chuckled softly, "Yeah. It is a violin. And it was gift from when I was young. It is from my grandfather, who lives on... Earth." Her eyes darted down, she put down her fork, and rested her hands on either side of her plate. Shepard could see her body slightly tremble, her hands shook, she closed her eyes. "My parents live on the colony Tiptree. I haven't seen them in four months. I've lived here for four months. As soon as I heard that they were attacked, I started visiting the refugees – hoping I'd find them. I was going mad, so I decided to play. That's all I can do, play."

When she opened her eyes, she noticed that Kolyat had taken her hand that was closest to him, in his. She smiled softly, sweetly. He awkwardly withdrew his hand, and put his hands in his lap – where they couldn't roam on their own. He tried to gain control over the conversation, as he noticed Shepard's own grin, from ear-to-ear.

"So, uh, you've been on the Citadel for four months? I don't think I've seen any of your performances advertised. I've been here over seven months myself."

"Well, I haven't been able to find a sponsor. No one wants to hire a nobody, from some nowhere colony. Even if I've been playing the violin, professionally, since I was eight." She was looking intensely at Kolyat. Like she wanted to hug him, or pounce on him, Shepard couldn't tell.

Thankfully, Liara had just walked by, and Shepard took the opportunity to leave the hormonal young-adults alone, with each other.

"Excuse me, but an associate of mine is right over there. I should probably check-in on her. I'll just leave you two alone. It was a pleasure to meet you, Kara... Goodbye Kolyat."

Shepard gave Kolyat a credit chit, and nursed her coffee as she hurriedly rushed over to Liara. Later, just before Shepard left, she spied the two leaning close to one another, and laughing at something.