#Also. I think me could have been fixed if we learned who built the reapers and got into the shit

[gothamcityneedsme]

also. The start of the game forcing u into the genesis comic feels. Very silly. its a tonal jump from the death to like have sudden narration. It shouldve been framed differently idk. Or just. Not inserted into the story. Anyways.

Love the beginning of this game. Setup is so good. I love Jacob and Mirandas intros. Jacob as the one who tells you the truth, who has a moral compass vs Mirandas sole purpose and drive for two years being to bring you back to life regardless of her impression or opinion of you personally.

[ameliasnormandy]

Broken Joker

The three of them went on their way. Shepard watched the people that watched her. It was hard watching them watch her. Their faces weren’t right. They were angry at her. She couldn’t understand if it was that they were angry that she was wearing a helmet, or if there was something hidden in their argument. The three of them walked outside and that is when Shepard saw the beacon, but she refused to think about it, no there was Joker to worry about. Joker was something she could fix, and right now there weren’t a lot of things that she could fix. The world felt wrong, again. It felt like it had moved on, and she had stayed the same as she was. Nothing about her had changed, but everything and everyone had changed, but she didn’t want to think about that. No, she wanted to focus. Focus on Joker.

              There were no words that were spoken until they got to the arena. “Have they put VI into the system?” she asked.

              “No, not yet,” Miranda said, looking around. “We are working on getting VI’s up.”

              “Is that the best decision?” Shepard asked, looking over them, and taking a deep breath in.

              Vega stopped for a second. “Why would that not be the best decision?”

              “For the reason that the Reapers were built in the first place,” Commander Shepard said, looking at Vega. She didn’t know what they knew, and she wasn’t sure what she needed to tell them to make sure that the same thing didn’t happen again, but without ruining everyone either.

              Miranda looked at Shepard. “How much did you learn while you were there?”

              Shepard walked away for a few seconds, and then stopped herself. “What did you learn about my time up there?”

              Miranda shook her head. “I asked you first.”

              “I want to know what you know. I don’t know how much information got back to you. I can’t imagine a lot of information got back to you, but I guess it is possible.”

              “We barely know anything about what happened up there,” Miranda stated.

              “You have to know something,” Shepard said. She walked a little further from them, was about to say something, but decided against it until they were closer to her again. “You knew that Captain Anderson was shot by the Elusive Man, and I don’t remember telling anyone that during the fire fight, and the after math, so what happened? How did you know that?”

              “It’s a hard question to answer.”

              “It shouldn’t be. I mean there are only a few ways you could have done it, so just tell me how you did it,” Shepard said.

              “Please, not now,” Miranda said.

              “Alright,” Shepard said, and looked away from her. “You are right. I have to go fix Joker. Vega, will you inform both the rest of my team, and Admiral Hackett that I will be a little late to our meeting. Apologize for me and do your best to make sure that it is sincere.”

              “I am the king of sincere, Lola,” Vega said.

              “I would have pegged you for the king of crashes,” Shepard said, laughing.

              “You crash one shuttle,” Vega said, shaking his head.

              “That is all that you need to crash,” Commander Shepard said, walking into the arena. Miranda followed right behind her.

              “I will see you guys there,” Vega said, walking away. “Unless you think that you need my help.”

              “I think we can handle a guy with vroliks syndrome,” Shepard said, walking into the building. “Do you know where he might be?”

“No, but he shouldn’t be that hard to find, right? Look for a guy with crutches or limping around making bad jokes.”

“His jokes weren’t that bad,” Shepard said, with a smile on her face.

“You enjoy his jokes?”

“They brightened up the ship, and he made it feel like things weren’t as bad as they were,” Commander Shepard said, looking around the room. “Do you see him?”

“No, but I’m thinking he won’t be too hard to find soon.”

“Why?” Commander Shepard asked, looking around to see if Miranda had seen Joker, but Commander Shepard still couldn’t see him. She didn’t know if Miranda was seeing something that she couldn’t or if Miranda just knew something that Commander Shepard didn’t.

              “Because the main reason he got kicked out was because of you,” Miranda said, looking at all the people that were looking at her companion.

              “Me? What did I do?”

              “You died,” Miranda said flatly. “He didn’t take your death well.”

              “And without EDI I am sure that it made him harder.”

              “Some of us have debated that one,” Miranda said, looking around the room. “If he still would have had the breakdown he did if EDI was alive.”

              “And?”

              “Kaidan believes that he still would have. He said that he saw Joker after the first time that you died and that this was worse than that, and he was grounded the first time it happened. Vega believes he still would have, but it wouldn’t have been so bad.”

              “And you?” Commander Shepard asked, taking a few steps further into the room. “What do you believe?”

              “I don’t think he would have. I don’t think EDI would have let him.”

              “He really cared about her.”

              “He really cares about you.”

              “He was a good man, and a better friend, though I could say that about a lot of the men that I served with in my time as Commander Shepard.”

              “You still are her.”

              “For now.” Commander Shepard didn’t say anything for a few moments, and instead kept looking around the room. She looked toward the bar and that is when she saw him. “There,” she said, pointing to someone leaning against the bar. “That’s him.”

              Miranda didn’t question Commander Shepard, she knew that if Commander Shepard was sure than it was probably the truth, it was probably Joker. The two of them walked over to the bar. Commander Shepard leaned against the bar. “So, who finished that sludge of a drink?” Joker didn’t say a word. “Was it Cortez?” There was still no response. “Garrius? Wrex?” Still no response from Joker. “Come on Joker. I know it would have had to have been one of them. Unless, was it Javik? If it was Javik I will have to tell him that he should have laid off you.”

              Joker finally spoke, but he didn’t look over at Commander Shepard. “I don’t know who you are, but leave me alone or…”

              “Or you’ll what?” Miranda asked, rolling her eyes. “You’ll break a bone on us.”

              “No, he’ll just tell you jokes until you roll your eyes so far back you die,” Commander Shepard said, laughing. “You know one of my favorite jokes he told?”

              “No, what?”

              “How many humans does it take to fix a dormant Mass Relay?”

              “I don’t know how many?”

              “602. 600 to vote on it. 1 to ask an asri for help, and one to ask for a seat on the council when it’s done.” Miranda rolled her eyes. There was a slight drunken chuckle from the silent Joker. “There was one that Garrius told Joker that insulted most of the people on the ship, and the best part was Joker was the punchline.”

              “I was not the punchline, I was the set up,” Joker finally said, turning around. Joker froze when he saw who was leaning against the bar beside him.

              “My mistake,” Shepard said, leaning back just a little further. “Good to see you Joker.”

              “Who are you?”

              “You tell corny jokes to all the pretty girls,” Shepard asked, pretending to be upset.

              “I’m not looking for a hooker,” Joker said, and then leaned in to look at Miranda. “What are you doing with a hooker?”

              “She’s not a hooker,” Miranda said.

              “Do hookers wear helmets now?” Shepard asked.

              “What does she mean by now?”

              “Thank you, Joker. Thank you for everything. Thank you for being there for me when Thesia got destroyed and thank you for being with me during Cerberus thank you for it all,” Shepard said, looking down at him.

              “What new game is this?” Joker asked, glaring at Miranda.

              “No game this time,” Miranda said.

              “Stop fooling around.”

              “I still owe you dinner,” Shepard said, leaning just a touch into Joker. “I mean after all I did use you as bait.”

              “It can’t be.”

              “It is.”

“Commander Amelia Sheperd,” Joker said, breathlessly.

“You know I was sure no one knew my first name. No one ever uses it. Actually, I had a conversation with Doctor Chakwas about this exact thing and she said it was because she had too much respect for me.”

“It can’t be you…”

“I’m not a clone,” Commander Shepard said, probably a bit too loud. It seemed to loud to her. “Clones don’t have the same handprint or memories for that matter.”

“We saw it explode,” Joker said.

“I know, but I survived.”

“I can’t believe it. We left you.”

“I would have been upset if you wouldn’t have. You did everything right.”

“We left you,” Joker said again. “You were alive we should have saved you.”

              “You couldn’t have known that I was alive. You did the right thing, but this, this isn’t you, and this isn’t right.”

              “You’ve seen me drink,” Joker stated, looking at Commander Shepard.

              “I’m not talking about the drinks. I am talking about you, and this place. The last time that I heard you talking about a place like this, you said that you would never need it, and yet here you are, and more than that you are actually shooting things. What got into you?”

              “Your death. EDI’s death. All of the people that I thought would protect me and I would be with forever, just died.”

              “I used you as bait once.”

              “Yes, but you made sure that I wasn’t actually shot.”

              “Maybe, but I still used you as bait.”

              “You were doing it to protect…”

              “Myself.”

              “Everyone. You needed to use me as a distraction.”

              Commander Shepard shook her head. “This is the last thing that I wanted. I never wanted people to think so highly of me they forgot that I was just a person.”

              “A person that has saved the galaxy three times.”

              “And you have saved my life that many times and more. There is no reason for you to think that I am anything, but a person.” Commander Shepard looked toward the door of the arena. “Take a look Miranda I think we found their missing person before they did.”

              “What are you talking about?” Joker asked, also looking toward the door. He then saw what Commander Shepard had seen. “What do they want?”

              Commander Shepard looked at the Alliance soldiers and then at Joker. “They want you.”

              “Why? They grounded me almost a year ago today, I was discharged soon after that.”

              “What did they discharge you for?”

              “The better question is what didn’t they discharge me for. They wrote me up for about everything in the book, but they refused to call it a dishonorable discharge because of my service with you.”

              “I’m glad that I was able to help,” Commander Shepard said, looking away from Joker. “They should never have taken your ability to fly away. It is the one thing that you live for, and no one should have taken that away from you.”

              “It wasn’t your fault,” Joker said. “But I don’t know what they want they have been following me for days.”

              “I might have some ideas about that,” Commander Shepard said.

              “Jeff Moreau,” one of the alliance soldiers asked, looking at Joker.

              “No, she is,” Joker said, pointing toward Miranda.

“What am I not funny enough to be Joker?” Commander Shepard asked, giving Joker the softest of nudges. “Do you think you can fly me around the galaxy again?” Commander Shepard asked, looking toward Miranda.

“Hell, yes, Commander,” Joker said, already standing up from the table and nearly stumbling.

              “I wasn’t talking to you,” Commander Shepard said, looking at Joker and then turning her attention to Miranda. “I was talking to her. She is after all Joker, the best pilot about to be reinstated into the Alliance Navy.”

              “I’m getting reinstated into the Alliance Navy?” Joker asked with the giddiness of a small child.

              “No, I’m sorry Miranda, you will probably be allowed to work with the Alliance, but you were never actually part of the Alliance.”

              “They are getting everyone back together?” Joker asked.

              “Most likely it will just be the humans, since it is an Alliance mission, but who knows who we might find on the way. So, what do you say Joker, ready for another adventure with me?” Commander Shepard asked, looking at Joker. Joker seemed a little upset about this, but decided that he wasn’t going to tell Commander Shepard about it until later. “But there are a few that haven’t agreed to it yet.”

              “Who hasn’t agreed yet?”

              “Well you were one of them, but I assume that you’re coming with me and Miranda…”

              “And the soldiers,” Miranda added.

              “Yes, and the soldiers that this is your way of accepting your new position. Miranda and Jacob are two more, and that leaves one, and I am not sure who that is.”

              “I know, and it’s not you were hoping it would be Joker,” Miranda stated, looking at Shepard.

[fightevilandthengetblownup]

Red Right Hand VII

—

Nothing of the last weekend had actually gone to plan - and Michael intended to resolve as many of the complications and insubordinate actions as quickly as possible before the next race.

He met with the short dark haired barman on the Tuesday morning, and a substantial amount of notes and looming later, he had the first part to his resolution started.

He had allowed too many mistakes, too many instructions only half followed, too many bar brawls that resulted in more damages than they accrued back for securing the facilities. Too many times had the loose cannon of the family been allowed to run unchallenged.

And as the family was heading towards bigger goals, great obstacles and larger risks, the volatile element had to be dealt with. Subdued somehow.

Michael had considered marrying him off. Finding some down on her luck girl who could hold up to his brother’s idiosyncracies out of desperation.

There had been that redhead cousin of the Catholic’s his brother had driven around a few times, which would have resolved that additional issue in one, but she had married some banker and left for America during the war. There had been the brunette - Bela something - however her little habit of finding herself with dead husbands was not something Michael was willing to risk with the other. There had been the dark haired American girl, Tessa, who weaved herself around the pub back when the Reapers visited Birmingham from London, however he did not believe that anything could convince her to return from the capital, no matter how badly the Reapers were doing.

So he was left to find another solution, and when he had the stroke of genius to occupy The Fort for their own legally, it gave him the opportunity to potentially instil some responsibility into the other.

He waited until after the surprisingly cold family meeting that moment to speak with the other. When discussing the outcome of the weekend, filling in their mother and sister of the results, Michael found the reaction from his younger brother a little off-putting considering he had seemed to have a pleasant time. That would be a topic to discuss again at a later point.

Jeffrey however, seemed much the same as usual - a little too glad at the bloodshed of the day despite instructions otherwise. He had weaved a tale for sister and nephew alike of the events of the betting tent, complete with cocky retelling of his ‘grand entrance’ to the ballroom. Michael exchanged a look of exasperation with Eleanor as the toast, eggs and bacon were shared around the table.

The rest of the meeting was spent discussing the original agreement crafted between himself and the previous leader for the Catholics; and then the tense peace agreement made prior to leaving the elegant home. Eleanor questioned why the original plan had to be changed, however the topic was dropped when Jackson stormed from the room to the work floor and Michael decided it would be best to discuss with her later the interuption to the plan. How was he to know that the girl would react so poorly, she had agreed to assist and follow orders after all.

“Jeffrey, you’re with me this morning.” “I’ve got a date with a blonde at eleven-” “You are coming with me this morning, I have got something to discuss with you.”

As the rest of the family had begun to peel off from the breakfast table, Michael had called his brother over to him and barely refrained from growling at the impetuous suggestion that a picture with some girl took precedence over business. The thought that the other may just abandon responsibility if given it did cross his mind, however Michael clapped a hand on the other’s shoulder with a commanding squeeze. “We have important business today, brother.”

The complaints at the change in plans from the other did not stop for a moment as they made their way towards the pub. As Michael pushed the doors open, he didn’t notice the barmaid setting the bar up for the day suddenly disappear into the store room at his entrance, before ushering his brother inside.

“Our important business is to go to the pub?” “No, Jeffrey. Our important business is The Fort. I believed it was time to introduce a legitimate avenue for our funds to be processed, and Spangler was willing to sell his ownership of the venue. For the right price.” “So.. why am I not having my cock sucked right now and instead here with you about some real estate purchase, Mikey? I would much rather not be here.” “Brother…”

The word came out as a growl as Michael found his arm wrapping around the other’s shoulders, grip tight on his upper arm, as he snarled the word in warming. This had been going on long enough. If France had not knocked some sense into the other, then he, Michael, would have to do it himself. “Brother, you are here to sign the paperwork into your name, and learn the ropes from Spangler.”

“Me?” “Yes, you.” “Why the fuck would I be runnin’ a bar, Mikey? I’ve got rounds to do on a night. I’ve got girls to do on a day. I’ve got standing bouts with Fitzgerald and Miles.” “And now, you’ve got a pub to run our funds through.”

The glare from the other was nothing on the looks Michael had received in the last few days, and brushing off the complaints as Jeffrey looked viable to begin throwing punches, the older gave his brother another pat on the shoulder before turning and leaving the location. The man would sink, or he would swim, and it was about time the Michael saw which way it would be.

—

The row house did not look any different from those to either side of it. The same black brick that built the city, and the same worn wood doors for the side of town. Fallen almost into neglect like its neighbours. It was the one building that those who sought out a way to dull the war and forget the screams could visit and walk away with a pocket of forgetfulness.

Jackson had visited the house once a week, to replenish his night time habit, since he had returned from the war and the long nights awake staring at the walls had worn him down to the dark embrace the house offered.

Rapping a short three knock on the door, it was opened moments later by a quiet boy, who then led him along the hall to what had once been a dining room.

Now it was the base of the dark haired Scot’s operation. Where he made deals and small talk with those that came to him for the little beads of forgetting. Jackson knew the way by heart, slumping into the seat opposite the other man with a sigh.

“Rough weekend, Jacky boy?” “You could say that.. What have you heard?” “Heard you boys went to the races. Somethin’ to do with those bloody Catholic wanks.” “You wouldn’t be wrong-” “Also heard that that old geezer, Zachariah, has gone missing since.”

Jackson frowned a little at that. He had thought the Catholics would be quiet about the death of their leader. It would appear as weakness if it had gotten out, even more so if the truth that a tiny woman had gone and done him in.

“Seemingly they don’t keep their mouths shut as well as I thought.” “Fear not, Jacky, they have. They just happen to have some servants with needs much like yours, who talk more than they should before their fix.” “So what exactly did you hear, Crowley?”

Sometimes when talking to the other it was like talking in riddles. Sometimes, it was like talking to the end of a gun pointed at your head. And others still was like being drawn into the numbing embrace of the opium he dealt - like you could share your secrets and none would leave the four walls. For the right price.

Today, it had been riddles but Jackson was in no mood for games.

The other man rose to his feet to the small decanter and two glasses before returning with two glasses. Scotch whisky. Irish whisky would never pass the front door, and that thought almost made him smile at the connotation.

“From what I heard, your brother engaged in a wager with the man, rest his soul, about that barmaid from The Fort. Zachariah had a tenner he would have her before the hour was out.”

Jackson’s hand froze where it was, glass halfway to his lips as the description came out. He had felt something telling him not to leave the billiard room that day, but Michael had told him it was part of the agreement as they sat around the card table in the lounge. That Zachariah demanded it and that Beth had agreed. To hear otherwise from an uninterested party, as well as the scene the day ended on, told him that was a lie.

“Seems that was true…” “What?” “Your reaction Jacky. So telling that thats all.” “Get on with it, Crowley.” “Yes yes. Well, if that is the case, from the little birdies I heard that Zachariah, the imbicile, didn’t quite win that wager. From what I hear, he in fact ended up in a pile on the floor.” “Served him right.”

He sipped at his drink as he listened to the other, dark look slipping over his face as he reflected on the bald man getting his dues. The way Michael had reacted at home when he returned from dropping Beth off made him think that something more was at stake than a simple wager, however that could just have been Michael’s disinterest in working with the soon-to-be leader instead of the devil he knew. Now, Jackson wanted nothing more than to take up this issue with him; especially when reflecting on the way Beth had behaved upon arriving at her rental flat.

“Regardless, what those Catholic fucks get up to does not factor into this discussion ‘ere. What I want to talk about is if you’re aware of the whereabouts of another of my companions.”

That got a brow raise in response as Jackson finished his drink and sat it on the desk before him. Crowley was not usually the type to concern himself with the comings and goings of those colleagues in the Black Eyes, and usually knew better than to question the Shadow about it during their handovers. Something had to be out of the ordinary for that to occur.

“Not that I’ve heard. Who’s missing?” “Oh they aren’t missing. I know exactly where they are. Lying six feet under with a bullet through his brain.” “And you think a Shadow had to do with it?” “I don’t think things, Jacky, I know things. What I don’t know is who caused Alastair’s brains to scramble in his skull. Nor to I know why.” “I’d say he probably deserved it too - knowing him.”

Crowley raised his glass in agreement at that, the smug knowing look on his face that used to make Jackson laugh more than it should have. It had always been delivered at the most inappropriate times, times when laughter would be wrong, or following a sadistic comment. However this time, it just added to the rolling dark feelings that had driven him there in the first place. As the other man finished his drink, Jackson leant forward and slid the folded bank notes across the desk to the other.

There was a brief minute as the other checked the value of the notes, before they were slid off into the breast pocket of Crowley’s vest. A key was drawn from the same pocket and slid into the top drawer before a glass vial with four balls of the substence, ready for use, was removed and slid across the besk in response.

Jackson held the vial carefully, finger holding the cork in place tightly as he tilted the vial to review before pocketing it in return. The other man poured another drink for the both of them now the business was completed, and both men reclined back to discuss other news for the next hour before either had other meetings.

—

She had been outside the flowershop on Albury Lane when the officer had approached, baton out already but not making a move to use it against her unless necessary. During the war, when only the barest number of officer remained to maintain the peace and she had been heavily involved in the operation of Shadow business, Shada had been used to such approaches to know fighting never got her anything but unsightly bruises and tears. However, since her brothers had returned, she had not found herself being escorted to the police building.

Following the constable towards the station, Shada didn’t know what to think of the situation other than her afternoon plans had been ruined until whatever was needed was resolved.

At the station, she was directed into a small interrogation room with a simple table and two chairs. As she sank into the seat facing the door, she chirped, “Ash tray, and a glass of water.” At the look she received, she clicked her fingers, “Now!”

The young officer fled the room quickly as Shada withdrew a cigarette, lighting and reclining back as she waited for whyever she had been accosted to be explained.

At the door opening, she looked up expectantly before staring darkly at the man that entered instead of the younger officer with her requested items. The man strode in as if he owned the place before sitting across from her, dark hands with fingers laced as he leant his elbows on the table and pressed his hands to his mouth. Shada raised a brow at him, letting the smoke slip gently from one side of her mouth before leaning back in her chair.

Neither party talked for a long drawn out moment, Shada getting through almost half of her cigarette in disinterest and the man simply staring across at her as if trying to disect her with his eyes alone. If he had been attractive to her, she might have tried fluttering her eyes or forcing a blush to her cheeks or tried releasing the inhaled smoke more seductively; however the ominous feeling she got from the dark-skinned officer and the creeping of a disturbing smile upon his face.

Finally, the man spoke, leaning back in his own chair with a smirk, “So. You are the infamous Visyak sister.”

“What of it? What is this all about?” “Just doing some background research if you will.” “Well, whatever this is about I want my ash tray and my water.”

That got a laugh from the man, and the sound made goosebumps flood along her arms. It sounded like something no one should hear, as if he did not laugh often and when he did, it was the start of something horrible. Letting out a stream of smoke straight towards the other’s face, Shada forced herself not to shudder.

“Yes, I heard your demands - unfortunately, you are in a police station, being questioned in regards to an open investigation-” “Is that what this is?” “And as such, you are not in a position to be making demands.”

He reached a hand out, Shada thought he was about to hold her hand for a brief second as the shudder of fear finally moved through her, to pin her wrist onto the table top with more pressure than expected. It hurt, however the officer seemed to know exactly how to avoid leaving a mark of his actions behind as he released the pressure upon getting to his feet to loom over her.

“You are here to deliver a message, Miss Visyak. You are here to remind your brothers that they aren’t untouchable for you are not untouchable. So long as you are around, they are easy to control - and I need for you to ensure they remain as such until they fall into line.”

Shada jerked back at that, chair making a horrible scraping noise on the wooden floor of the room as she struggled to get back from the sneering officer. Tugging her coat closer around herself, as if that was a defense to words or looks alike, she snarled back at the man, “And who the fuck do you think you are to keep me here?”

“Dear girl, my name is Gordon Walker. Make sure to inform your brother Jackson that you and I spoke when you’re finally released from here. Remind him to contact me shortly when you get home, or I will be wanting to speak with you again. More physically that time.”

Gordon Walker reached a hand out to run along her jaw line, tilting her chin to look up at his wicked grin before he let her got and strode from the room. She could head the lock click from the outside as she slumped back into her seat, prepaing to be sat waiting for quite some time at this rate. Her fingers shook slightly as she lit her next cigarette, stamping the other out in the middle of the table top without a tray to use.

—

Something had been very wrong with her family for a long time, something was slowly pulling them all in different directions, separating the usually cohesive group. The Shadows and Visyak’s alike were stronger together, but thry weren’t right now, and Eleanor had seen it crack the hardest that week.

Something had to have happened at the races.

Since Sunday, Jackson had been withdrawn and since Wednesday refused to speak to anyone. Frosty silences and sequestering himself in his room like he had just after the war.

Jeffrey had been all over the place - satiated after his fighting Sunday and then infuriated from Tuesday. She had heard it was something to do with that rundown pub they frequented.

Michael seemed to be behaving normally, which meant he was the instigator of whatever problem was now splintering the whole - as children it had always been whomever was at fault showed no remorse or reaction to the behaviour of the others.

However the most troubling was that Shada had not returned home since Thursday. Eleanor had asked each of the boys if they knew where she was to no avail. She had checked all of Shada’s favourite stores and places, though no one had seen her since picking up flowers Thursday morning.

As Michael strode into the family quarters from the workroom, Eleanor is waiting, hands bridged on the table over her cold cup of tea and eyes pinning him to the spot. "What happened on Sunday, Michael?”

“I don’t know what you mean, Ma.” “Oh yes you do. I can sense it on you, boy. Now sit down and speak with me.” “It was nothing I cannot handle.” “There it is again - always thinking you can handle everything. Let me tell you, Mikey, you are losing your grip on this family. You need help.”

The bblond stared her down for a long moment, before he lowered himself calmly into the seat opposite his mother. Two fingers rubbed the bridge of his nose as he was forced to stare down the concern on her face. Eleanor had always been good at getting information from each of her children, and it had not changed with time.

"That fucking barmaid killed the head of the Catholics, Ma, after I’d gone and worked out a perfect solution for the next two years before we wiped them out completely.” “What? Why? What was she even doing there?” “I asked Jack to bring her, use her as bait or a distraction while Jeff sorted the rest of the plan.” “Jacky does seem to be sweet on her, last I saw.” “I thought that, which is why I asked him to bring her rather than ask myself.” “So how did she end up killing the Catholic?”

Eleanor could see the cogs working behind the icy blue eyes of her son, working hard to decide what elements to share, what to conceal. It was always a flaw of having smart children, they started to decide what would be a lie and what would be an omision. What would get them in trouble and what would get them a shake of the head but not more. After a minute Michael seemed to settle upon what to tell, and as he spoke Eleanor let out a gasp. “I made a wager with him about how long it would take to get in her skirts. She did not seem to be favourable to his approach and made it abundantly clear to us all how much she disapproved of the idea.”

“You wagered on a girl’s looseness?” “It was more wagering upon Zachariah’s seduction technique. Seemingly, he had none” “So you asked Jackson to bring someone he’s sweet on to assist your plans, and then left her with another man to attempt to defile her? No wonder he’s not speaking to you.” “It wasn’t exactly like that, Ma.” “Lying doesn’t become you, Michael.”

Eleanor stared him down, pushing for him to realise and acknowledge the problem with his thinking, as much as she could see him doing the same to her. It was the creak of the front door opening as the youngest brother finally returned home for the evening that broke the silence, Jackson’s slumped shoulders pulling back taunt and rigid as he spotted the other man before storming upstairs. With a raised brow, Eleanor looked back across at the other blond.

Standing, she moved around the table to stroke back the other’s hair with the same smile she had used when trying to soothe and coax each of her children into understanding her words over their arrogance or confusion. “You may be able to lie to yourself about the situation you created, Mikey. But the damage has been done, and you will need to unmake these mistakes.” Eleanor gave a sigh before she left to the workroom, leaving the other to think over her words.

—

It had been five days since he’d been dragged into the pub, forced into the position and stuck writig ledgers upon ledgers of ‘takings’ to filter the illegitimate and legitimate together. Bookkeeping. He had been reduced to bookkeeping.

The glass shattered against the wall of the small office, thrown in frustration as Jeffrey pushed back in the desk chair, close to pulling his hair out in anger, with a shout.

“Well, now you’re just goin’ta have ta clean that up.” The cheery voice called out, grating on his nerves even further. Five days, he had had the blonde teasing and cajolling him at greater lengths than before. Five days she had spun about him behind the bar to grab a bottle or pour a pint, leant over his shoulder in the office to point at a figure or help with the math of the ledgers, and joked in turn at each of his angry outbursts. “Shame ‘bout not bein’ a customer is ye have to take care of th’ messes!”

“I’m your boss, you clean it up.” “But how will you ever learn if I tidy your mess up for you?”

Beth was leaning against the back of his chair again, hip against his shoulder and a look upon her face that made his blood boil. Something about her, the almost always knowing look, since he had begun spending more time around her was slowly driving him insane. She knew something about him, more than he did her; but she was not willing to share the secret with him. Only surface jokes and teases.

“Beth, just clean it up.” He was weary. Usually on a Sunday morning he would be out brutalising some bookies, or fucking one of his weekend girls. He would not be listening to some barmaid tease him about cleaning the fucking floor.

The blonde rolled her eyes at him before moving to collect the glass up, her apron folded up to hold the pieces as she plucked each large shard. “Ye know gettin’ angry won’t help nothin’. It’s all ‘bout the patience. Bidin’ your time.”

“And what are you biding your time over, sweetie? Thought you got all your rage out last Sunday.” “That was just defendin’ meself.” “And it was beautiful. Did the runt tell you how lovely you looked all covered in blood and fury?” “Well now, flattery won’t get you knowhere wit’ me, Jeff.” “Where will it get me?”

Jeffrey moved around quietly behind her as the girl finally stood up, the back and forth smoothing down his anger. As she plucked the last shard, he offered a hand to help her to her feet as she bunched her apron together. His thumb rubbed over the inside of her wrist as the thought that perhaps he wouldn’t need to forego some of his usual Sunday morning activities.

“Not there it won’t.” “Sure it wouldn’t, sweetie. I know I’m better lookin’ than the runt, and you know that you could do with some fun before the crowds roll in today.” “Jeffrey, that isn’t-” “One good reason, Bethy, one good reason why you and I wouldn’t.” “Not with the likes of you, mister.”

Beth moved past him at that comment, headed from the office out to the front bar to dispose of the glass. Her words had frozen him. Something about them seemed familiar, as if he had heard her say them before, heard her words in the same voice while a blonde the same had stared up at him. It tickled at his mind as he found himself rubbing his thumb to fingers, remembering the warm skin that had been beneath it. He had heard it before.

“Besides, you’ve got your Sunday girl, and your Monday girl.. and how many other girls you ‘ctually got, Jeffrey?” Beth quipped as she returned, cloth in hand, as she moved to pat up and dry the brown liquid from the wall. “Some big hotshot king’a the world like you has a plenty.”

As the last words rang out, Jeffrey found himself moving, hand locked around the woman’s throat and pressing her up against the wall. Beth’s feet kicked out a bit as she stared at him in shock, hand flinging out to punch him but caught quickly in his hand and pinned to the wall as well. As she glared up at him in response, he knew where he had met her before, the dark bruises and split lip long healed but the glare was the same.

“I know you, sweetie.” Jeffrey practically purred the words out, thumb rubbing against her skin as she struggled to get away from him. “You’re not Beth Murphy, are you?”

“Who am I then?” “You’re that pikey horseman’s daughter. Your last name is Harvelle, isn’t it?”

Her eyes widened fractionally at that point, brown eyes glaring up at him flickering with surprise and fear for a brief moment. He shifted his hand to hold her jaw in his hand as he had before, “What are you doing here, sweetie? Why is a gypsy girl pretending to be a fancy girl on the run in our little pub? Lying pikey trash.”

The blonde’s eyes flickered back and forth between his own, chin pulling into a stubborn mulish set. “You gangsters ain’t particularly trusthworthy either, ye know? Me Da wanted to make sure we got paid.” Her lips twisted into a harsh smile as she kicked a foot out towards him as she had once before, though this time he was more prepared, laughing at her. “You goin’ to out me to everyone now? Tell’em that I’m not Beth Murphy, that I’m Joanna Harvelle?”

Jeffrey rolled the idea around in his thoughts. It made sense to out her - to let his brothers know they couldn’t trust the girl any more, that she was gypsy trash sent to monitor them - however, as he felt the muscle move under his hand, he felt a matching smile grow upon his own face. “No, sweetie, your secret is safe with me.” 

He let go of Joanna, stepping back as he heard the front door open and his younger brother’s voice call out in greeting. Smirking, he raised a brow back at the girl. “I look forward to seein’ how long you can keep it from others.”

—

[ameliasnormandy]

Shepard’s Crew in Andromeda

OK. No one has asked for this, or at least I don’t think anyone has asked for this. I haven’t been on Tumblr since I tried the new thing, and by new thing I mean actually posting my ideas on Tumblr, and that might be a thing I do every now and then. If I feel like it. That is how it is most of the time. If I feel like it. There really isn’t anything else to that. No one cares about my ramblings, so I can do what I want with this, when I want to. If people start taking an interest I may take it more seriously, though I doubt it. I don’t take anything too seriously. Life can get kind of boring if you do that. So, I’m just going to let it slide.

On to the real topic of the day. The real topic is the team that I would see going with Shepard to Andromeda, because I don’t see everyone going with them.

I just want to take off for a moment about the dead ones. The ones that basically no matter what happens they die. I guess there is only one of those. Thane. No matter what happens he dies. Which is very sad, because I liked him as a character. Now the others can live in certain circumstances. I want to point out one thing I have been having issues with, I don’t have the DLC for Mass Effect 2, so I can’t talk about the two people that you get in that game. I will come back to that game and those characters when I can get them, and spend time playing though that game.

So, let’s start with Urdnot Wrex. He is pretty easy for this decision. He wouldn’t go, because he has too much to lose. If he survived of course. He might not have even survived. There are so many ways to kill him, but if you went through everything and found a way to save him than he deserves the chance to live with his people, and he would make that choice. He would decide to stay with his people. They need him, more than Shepard does. So, for that reason Urdnot Wrex would be staying in the Milky Way system.

Next? Mordin. He should be the next one we talk about. I am talking about him next because of the death thing, though I guess all the characters could have death things. He is one of the major ones though. It takes a lot not to kill him. I have never been able to do it. Something you should probably know about me now is that I am a paragon player through and through. I have never been anything else, and I don’t know why I try to argue with people when they tell me that is what I am. So, I personally, have never had the heart to let Mordin live, not that that gives me much heart, because it hurts watching him die every time. The point is there is a tiny chance that he lives. The question is would he leave with Shepard. The answer to that question is no. He would feel like he has to fix the Genophage. It had to be me, someone else might have gotten it wrong. I think that is what he would still think. He has a strong moral compass, and one that he refuses to leave behind him.

Jack next. No. I don’t think that she would go with Shepard. No, matter if Shepard is in a relationship with her or not. I don’t think she would go. She found home. She found what she loves, helping Biotic kids learn, and leaving them forever would be impossible for her. She would never forgive herself if she wasn’t there to help those kids rebuild.

I have debated about Miranda. Some part of me wants to say no. She wouldn’t leave her sister. She loves her sister too much to leave her. Another part of me wants to say yes. She has done it all. She has worked with everyone, but she finds that she works best with Shepard. For this reason, I could believe that she would go with Shepard. I think she is one that we would have to debate for a while about whether she would go or not.

Jacob wouldn’t, unless something terrible would happen to his family. It would be interesting to see that part of the world built. What happened to Jacob’s family that he turned cold again? What happened to his kid? His wife? All questions that would have interesting answers and more questions to come. But the truth is that the only way that it makes sense is if something happened to the family, because Jacob wouldn’t leave his family behind like his father did to him.

The next one is Kaidan. Kaidan is a probably. I think that Kaidan would go with Shepard. He has a lot to prove. He has done a lot of things that he isn’t proud of, and I think this would be a good way for him to prove himself. To prove that he can handle himself. Find where he truly belongs. Yes, I could see that some of you think of him like Jack, but I don’t think that he had the connection to his people that Jack has to hers. I think that he would be more willing to go, and I think it would be a chance for him to start over.

Now, I have to be honest, I never saved Ash. I always thought about it. I just think it’s a catch 22 for me. I am not a huge fan of Ashley, not that I am the biggest fan of Kaidan either. Neither of them are just in my top ten favorite characters, but actually giving a top ten for characters is something that might never happen, and even if it does it will take a lot longer for me to get the energy to write that. For now stick to this. I am going to have to say that if Kaidan went Ash would have to go instead of him. You know because the choice changes who is there, and if Kaidan is dead, but would have gone, then Ashley has to be the one to replace him. Even though I don’t know if she would have gotten because of her family.

We are doing Grunt next. I think that Grunt should be the next one up. His answer is yes. I know in the third game he was fitting in with the Krogan well, but I think it would be interesting to see Grunt interact with the other Krogans, the ones that made it to Andromeda. That is really my only reason for seeing Grunt go.

Let’s do Vega next. James Vega. I think he would go with Shepard. He became an N7 while Shepard was getting repaired, but then didn’t know what to do with it. When Shepard came back he had purpose again. So he, would go to keep his purpose.

Now, on to Garrius. He is another easy one. He would go. He would clearly go. Shepard helped him find his true purpose and without them he is lost. That is stated, so I think the best thing to do is take Garrius with Shepard.

Tali is a bit more complicated. I want to say that she would go, but I think her people would come first. She would have to have a Quarian reason to go there, to go with Shepard. I know Tali has connected with Shepard and there are times that I think she would go, there is also the probability that she would feel too much responsibility to her people. So, honestly I think Tali would be a tossup. It could go either way for her.

Samara wouldn’t go. She had spent so much time not seeing her daughter and then to have to kill one of her daughters and the other to die because of the reapers, keeping in touch with this last daughter would be too important for her to leave behind. She is staying in the Milky Way one of the few characters that I can be completely sure of.

Liara T’soni next. I think that she should be next. It makes sense for her to be next. I think, and sense I am the one writing this I get to decide that fact. Liara is one of the ones I am not sure about. She could get a chance to go out explore something unseen, to put her anthropology skills to the test. She would want to learn about a whole new world. Talk to the man that she consulted with. So, I could see her going with Shepard. Also, she is great friends with Shepard. At the same time there are a lot of reasons that she might not want to leave her new position. She might not want to. I think in a way she likes it. She likes her new position. She likes being the shadow broker. She likes being able to help people because she is the shadow broker, so I think the game could go either way for her.

Javik. I think he would go. You know if he didn’t kill himself. I think that that a new galaxy would be a great way for him to help his people, make sure that what happened to his people never happens again. I could see him going with Shepard. I could really see him going with Shepard if Liara went too. That would be more impressive to see.

EDI I think is the last of the squad characters that I need to talk about. If she is alive, then there is no Shepard. I think that I will talk about what happens if there is no Shepard in another writing, but it is as simple as that. I just want to point out that EDI would go with the other person though, because Joker would.

I think that the next person that should be talked about is… Joker. Joker would go in a heartbeat. The best and most important thing that Joker feels that he has done with his life was be part of Shepard’s crew so he would go, even if he is just remembering them.

I think that Doctor Chakwas would she has been part of every crew and she is one of the only people that completely understands Shepard.

I don’t think that Traynor would. I think she would work on developing a communication system that would be able to communicate with the people that went in the future for others to talk to them, but I don’t think that she would personally go with them.

I think that is all the important people. If there is someone that I am missing I am sure that someone will tell me. I am entering a very dangerous place and I know that if this ever gets traction all my errors will be shone and shunned.

 Amelia, Signing off.