#but it's merweek time!

[starsandskies]

Mass Effect Relationships Week 2019 

Day 1: Competition

“I’m Garrus Vakarian, and this is now my favorite spot on the Citadel!” “It’s windy up here!”

[officious-seeing-eye-bitch]

Fic has surpassed 10k words :D

[dapandapod]

Kelp Forests and trinkets

Hello lovelies!

My brain is very empty but it is Mermay and I had to! Because somfte! Please enjoy!

Oh, and Kuri I love you, thank you for Beta reading, you are a gem!

On Ao3 here    For the @thepassifloradiscord Merweek

Normally, Geralt would roam in the Kelp Forests of old. He enjoyed the sunlight filtering down from the surface, the broken off rays of light shimmering between the kelp's thick leaves. 

It is not without its dangers, but that is why he is there, to guard their little reef. His folk rely on him to keep the dangers at bay, and he does so to the best of his ability. His body wears the scars to prove it; bitemarks, and sometimes even claw marks from surface creatures.

Usually, it is not so bad. It heals up fast enough when he is allowed to rest back home. But one of his side-fins took a bad beating a few years back, and every now and then it pains him. It is healed, as well as it can be with being torn into pieces, but sometimes when he makes a sharp turn, or when he gives chase after some pest trying to eat his family, he feels it for a long time after.

The Kelp Forest is calm. Their stems sway in that soothing way of theirs. Dancing, Jaskier called it once, and Geralt thinks that, yes, maybe they are. At least when Jaskier sings to them, they do.

That is how they met actually.

Geralt was patrolling the outer edges of the Kelp Forest, when a voice reached his ears. Distance was tricky sometimes, but it sounded close. Geralt had followed it, only to find Jaskier singing to himself as he sat on the edge of a big rock formation, his scales glittering in the sunlight.

At the time, Geralt had been pissed about it because the singing had attracted a rather large shoal of Razers, a small but sharp toothed fish that were too nosy (and hungry) for their own good.

Jaskier, the idiot, apparently did not yet know what it meant to be out in the open like that. While singing in itself is an innocent activity, and usually a good strategy for placating whales or even sharks, it can be a bitch when his folk were unable to read their surroundings and attract attention such as that.

They were not in mortal danger, but would have been had Geralt not stepped in and not only shut Jaskier up, but pulled him into the relative safety of the kelp. After that near-death experience, he took to following Geralt, watching his every move, *singing* until Geralt finally relented and admitted they were friends.

It took even more time for Jaskier to nestle himself into the reef, but no time at all to make sure that there was a place for him in Geralt's home.

Living together came surprisingly easily; his family took to Jaskier like algae to a bone.

And since then, they have been living like that for years. The cave system Geralt had chosen was perfect for inhabitants more than himself. Maybe he had hoped one day to fill those rooms with life, despite the aching loneliness when he originally chose it. Maybe Jaskier had already known, and that is why it was so easy to slip into Geralt's life, once he found the door.

This time, he is making the rounds on his own. It is a longer route this time because his brother, who would usually meet up with him halfway, had to stay home. 

Eskel mentioned something about a 'hatchling' that needed his help in the message sent earlier, but Geralt knows full well it's because said 'hatchling' is in fact a full grown mer who had been courting Eskel for a full year already.

If he had the guts to do it, Geralt would probably attempt courting too. Sometimes when he is on patrol, he would spot something Jaskier would like. A pretty shell, smooth sea glass, sometimes even a pearl.

He has a little pouch of things he has found. He has only once ever given Jaskier something from those treasures. The smile Jaskier gave him stayed with him for days.

A few days later, he would be the one who let someone else take patrol. Geralt had made up his mind just the night before. Yes, he and Jaskier live together, do pretty much everything together, but there is one thing he is missing. 

The one thing yesterday had given him a taste of. Jasker had fallen asleep while clinging to his arm, his lips pressed against Geralt's shoulder. And Geralt would do anything to get that again.

So this morning he sent Roach with a message, the little sea horse speeding off to Eskel's home. Payback for flirting instead of working, he thought, as he collected another armful of seagrass.

Jaskier won't be back for a while yet, so he should at least have an hour or two to finish up the first step of his plan. When he decides he has enough seagrass, he settles into a nook in the cave wall, weaving the grass together so it becomes thick and soft. Perfect to nest on.

It takes some time, some swearing, and some more gathering of sea grass when he butchers a few too many to keep going, but when he is done, he has new, bigger bedding for his nest.

There is just about enough time to put it into place when Jaskier returns, calling down the halls to announce his arrival. It makes Geralt's blood pump with nervous energy, and before he can change his mind, he rummages through his hidden bag of courting gifts, and picks out a shark tooth.

As per usual, Jaskier bursts into the room, telling Geralt about his day, arms waving and fins swirling with expression. Sometimes, Geralt feels like he could watch him speak forever.

"What's that?" Jaskier interrupts himself, mid story, finally picking up on what Geralt is hiding in his hands. 

Geralt feels his face heat up, and he offers up the little treasure to Jaskier with an open palm.

"Found this when patrolling," Geralt mumbles. "Thought you might like it."

Jaskier's smile is blinding. He picks it up, the very tips of his fingers brushing against Geralt's palm. There is no reason for that to send a shiver through him, down to his tail fin, but it does.

Jaskier studies the tooth this way and that, holding it up in the light as he asks what kind of animal it came from, if you can tell the creature's age from it, what this spot right here means, would this be better as a knife or as a necklace, and so on.

Geralt answers all of his questions, and when he quietly offers it to Jaskier as a keepsake, he is rewarded with a kiss on the cheek. As much as he had decided that today would be the day asked Jaskier to be his, he can't fight off the nervous grumble at that.

Jaskier just smiles and swims back to his own nest to place the gift somewhere safe until he has decided its fate.

As soon as the other mer is gone, Geralt finds his little bag of treasures again. This time, he chooses three very small pearls he found. Rolls them between his fingers, feeling their smooth surface, letting them ground him.

He wonders if he can give them to him just like that? Or maybe he should save them, give the pretty rock instead, the one that glitters when turned.

Before he can make up his mind, Jaskier returns, words exploding out of his mouth again with ideas for the tooth. It has Geralt smiling, glowing inside with how his gift was so well received and with so much enthusiasm.

He doesn't notice himself floating closer until Jaskier turns silent, looking up at him with quiet wonder.

"Geralt?" he asks, quietly for once, eyes big and questioning.

"If I told you I picked you dozens of courting gifts, but lacked the courage to give them to you..." Geralt starts, but trails off. The naked hope on Jaskier's face, it catches him off guard somehow.

"Yes?" Jaskier whispers, inching closer too.

He blushes, even his gills turning a pretty pink, and Geralt just wants to reach out and touch him.

"If I collected them to give them to you... would you accept them?" Geralt braves, and when Jaskier's smile wavers, when his chin wrinkles and his brow furrows, Geralt thinks for a moment he read it all wrong.

"Can I show you something?" Jaskier whispers, and when Geralt nods, Jaskier reaches for his hand.

He is guided out of his own room and down the hall, to where Jaskier has his nest. He should be used to Jaskier's tactile nature, but he still isn't. It always surprises him when Jaskier reaches out, when he offers reassurance or seeks comfort.

As soon as they are inside, Jaskier lets go and swims up to one of the upper shelves. His nest has always been a mess, full of things that Jaskier finds interesting and beautiful, his ornaments and instruments strewn about the room, mixed with the little corals growing here and there. Jaskier returns with a sheath, and inside it a whale bone, carved into a knife.

It is beautiful, if a little crooked, but wonderfully decorated with runes and carvings.

"Where did you find this?" Geralt asks with wonder.

"Lambert helped me make it. Or, well. He made it mostly, didn't let me near any of the sharp objects."

Geralt snorts and Jaskier smiles, coming closer and pointing out the finer details on the knife.

"Yennefer helped me with this bit. Said it would help keep you safe. And this one, Ciri put it there."

Geralt admires the handiwork, recognizing the runes and symbols. The one Ciri had put on it was a charm to lead him home.

"And this one?" Geralt asks, pointing to an inscription along the top blade.

"If I told you this is a courting gift, would you accept it?" Jaskier whispers, mirroring what Geralt had asked before.

Gently, Geralt sheathes the knife and puts it down. Then he reaches forward, cradling Jaskier's face in his hands, leaning forward.

"There would be no higher honor," Geralt whispers, and Jaskier's face crumbles again. He looks devastated, and Geralt doesn't understand it, but then the mer is throwing his arms around Geralt's shoulders, pressing close.

He tucks his head in under Geralt's chin, the hands that had been cradling him now holding him close instead, and Geralt finally, finally feels whole.

"Beloved," Geralt whispers, and Jaskier makes a pained sound and presses closer.

"I have had that knife for months," Jaskier admits into Geralt's collarbones, lips grazing the sensitive skin there.

"I have collected courting gifts for years."

They stand there for a long time, just holding each other. Then they hold each other while lying on Jaskier's nest, barely fitting together even with their tails curled around each other.

"I had another question for you," Geralt murmurs into Jaskier's hair eventually, and the mer looks up at him.

"I... uh....made my nest bigger...."

Maybe it is too soon to ask? It feels soon, but also oh so very late. But Jaskier is smiling at him, adjusting them so that he is looking down at Geralt, bracketing him in between his arms.

"Would you share it with me?"

Jaskier kisses him. Soft and lingering and warm and perfect, one of his fingers slowly dragging along Geralt's cheek bone. When they part, Jaskier is giving him another of those blinding smiles.

"There would be no higher honor," Jaskier replies, leaning in for another kiss. Geralt melts into it, losing himself in Jaskier, in the sensations of finally, finally being close the way he has always wanted but never dared. 

Too scarred or too broken to think someone like Jaskier would ever want him, but here they are. It has barely reached midday, but it is hard to do anything other than hold each other close and trade kisses.

Eventually, Geralt's stomach growls, and they have to get up and get food. Now that it is allowed, Geralt can't stop touching him.

Brushing their fins together, resting a hand on Jaskier's lower back, thumbing away food from the corner of Jaskier's mouth... He can't stop.

They wrestle, which dissolves into cuddling, into kissing, and it is like all those years of waiting has led them up to this. The first touch is tentative, hands exploring and kisses deepening. 

When Jaskier presses closer, presses them together, Geralt can't help the low moan slipping out.

"I thought the courting came first," Geralt teases, but Jaskier won't have it. Not entirely, at least.

"I have spent years courting you in my head. I want this. Please."

Despite those years of mental courting, it is too early for the final step. Maybe this will all fall apart in time, maybe it will turn out they won't be able to stand each other within a few months.

Jaskier just laughs when he says it, and Geralt doesn't believe it either. But for Jaskier, he wants this to be done right.

Day by day passes as he empties his courting bag. Trinkets and gifts and findings are given, and Jaskier accepts each and every one. 

Until Jaskier is gone for two full days, returning with a golden ring for Geralt.

The inscription matches the one on the knife, and what Geralt had called him that first night.

Beloved.

Geralt still makes his rounds in the Kelp Forest. He doesn't hesitate to pick up the treasures he finds now. He brings them home to his husband, his mate, presenting each and every one as a gift.

Jaskier calls him a romantic. Geralt calls him home.

[cactuarkitty]

Announcing the 5th annual Mass Effect Relationships week aka MERweek from September 20th - 26th 🌟

This is a chance for us to show some love to all the different relationships within the original Mass Effect trilogy AND Mass Effect Andromeda. This can include any relationship; such as romantic, families, friendship, the bond with your pets, acquaintances, enemies, friends to lovers, etc 🦄

Rules:

Everyone is free to contribute.

You can post whatever you want. Such as fanart, gif sets, edits, fanfics, head canons, general discussions, etc.

No ship wars or racist/incestuous/sexist/lgbtq-phobic content.

Please tag mature content with nsfw, and any possible triggers with the relevant tags.

Use the tag: #merweek2021

Please put this tag as your first tag so I don’t miss it. You can also tag/mention me in your posts if you’re worried I won’t see them.

Any questions, feel free to send me an ask or reply to this post. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone's contributions. It’s going to be awesome! 😊

PROMPTS

The MERweek character colour combo palette 🎨

MERweek 2021 Fanfic and Fanart Prompts  (made by @cactuarkitty)

Note: These are suggestions to get you started. You can write or draw whatever your heart desires, as long as it stays within the rules. Also you can use these for edits and gifs too if you would like.

Day 1: fun(?) in the sun.

Describe or draw a fun (or not so fun) day out at the seaside. It could be an earthly type beach, or a tropical planet. Is this a new experience for them? Does the day out go as planned? Who knows what could happen after all...

Day 2: long time no see.

Describe or draw a reunion between two or more people. Had they anticipated the reunion in a positive or negative way? Had they thought about them often, or not at all? How much time has passed and are they happy to see each other?

Day 3: missed opportunities.

Describe or draw a relationship that could have been. What kept them apart? Do they regret it or are they happy the way things turned out?

Day 4: mass effect + andromeda AU.

Describe or draw a moment the two universes collide. Shepard and the Ryder twins could be half siblings or cousins. Characters from both could be related somehow or friends. Maybe even The Illusive Man and Alec Ryder used to be friends and now hate each other. The sky’s the limit!

Day 5: we are family

Describe or draw a familiar moment. Are they close, or estranged? Are they blood relatives, or family found with friends?

Day 6: pet day!

Describe or draw a special moment with your beloved pet/s. Could be special time spent together or shared time with friends/family. Let's have fun with our furry (or not so furry) friends :)

Day 7: it's christmas time!

Describe or draw the celebration of Christmas. What are some of their traditions with presents, decorations, outfits, food etc? Is this their first time ever hearing about or celebrating the holiday? Bring out the ugly xmas sweaters! (Note: you can exchange christmas out for other holidays if you wish.)

[zialinart]

Gil and Kalo for the Mass Effect relationship week !

"It's mine !" "No I made it, it's miiiiiine !"

[miniature-space-hamster]

Merweek Day Five: We Are Family

Karina Shepard is finally released from the hospital after the battle of London, and Kaidan brings her to his family home in Vancouver, where she meets his parents for the first time.

“Kaidan…” Shepard’s eyes focusing on the blur of pine that seemed to stretch endlessly from her view in the skycar, her voice sounded distant. A growing tightness filled her chest. “Are your parents going to like me?” She paused, already sounding somewhat defeated, resisting the urge to start picking at newly painted nails. She brought a finger to her mouth, seconds from chewing before stopping herself. She needed something to distract her from their destination. There was only about fifteen minutes left until they were at Kaidan’s family home.

Without breaking eye contact from the road, Kaidan gave her a crooked smile and raised eyebrows. “Why wouldn’t they, Karina?” She always seemed to surprise him with questions like this. She could face a Reaper on foot without flinching, but the thought of meeting his mother was what she worried about.

Karina wasn’t sure where to start, she sighed sharply before speaking but the noise got lost in the hum of the engines. “I mean… we were sleeping together when I was still your CO, for starters. We stole the Normandy and committed treason. Not to mention I’m the reason you got tangled with Cerberus…” She took a breath, but it didn’t feel deep enough. “How much do they even know?”

“I told my mother we were together after our date at Apollo’s.” He kept his words plain, clearly code for they didn’t know anything prior. At least no more than the average civilian.

Karina nodded, remembering Apollo’s with a slight smile threatening at the corner of tightly pulled lips. It was the closest they’ve ever gotten to normalcy during the war. A taste, albeit brief, of what was to come after the Reaper’s defeat. Kaidan was so awkward and vulnerable as he fumbled through his words. It was cute.

She finally ripped her gaze from the scenery, turning to Kaidan. “Speaking of Apollo’s, depending on how this goes I might need another sanity check.” There was a slight laugh at the end of her words, but it was strained. She tapped the door with her nails, desperately in search of stimuli to ease her anxiety. “I haven’t done anything family related in over a decade.”

Kaidan drove with one hand, reaching out for her thigh with the other and squeezed. Karina took his hand into hers before she even realized it. She focused on the strong, calloused fingers interlocked with her own. She let her free hand trace the familiar shape of his knuckles.

Kaidan knew this was going to be hard for her. She no longer had a family to call her own after Mindoir. Though he knew nothing could replace that, he wanted to at least make her feel at home with his own family.

They pulled into a driveway, past the forest of dense pine that finally brought the distant orchard into view. This was the first time he’s been home since the war. Kaidan was barely holding back a smile as he finally turned to Karina. “We’ll be fine, don’t worry. It’ll just be for the weekend.”

He hopped out of the car and made his way to Karina’s side, helping her out and grabbing her cane from the back seat, hesitating for a moment before considering getting the wheelchair in the trunk. “Are you good to walk?”

Karina gave him a slight nod, “I’ll be fine, don’t worry.”

Kaidan sighed quietly, knowing that didn’t answer his question. She always said she was fine, regardless of whether it was true or not. He looked her up and down, trying to assess the situation himself before nodding and grabbing the cane.

The doctors didn’t expect her to be able to walk so soon after her injuries, and all the surgeries that followed the battle at London. She still struggled though. At times it was like her legs had forgotten how to keep her up. But she was out of the hospital now, and that on its own felt like a victory

Kaidan offered Karina his arm, which she took with her free hand in equal parts comfort and support. She took a shaky breath when Kaidan rang the doorbell. The chime echoed through the house as she heard frantic steps shuffling towards the door.

They were greeted by a small, silver haired woman who barely made it to Karina’s chest. Her eyes lit up behind thick, black frames when she saw Kaidan. He had to lean over as she smiled and pulled him into a tight hug. It was clear Kaidan got his eyes and smile from his mother. She patted his back several times before she pulled away and turned towards Karina.

“It’s so good to finally meet you.” She pulled Karina in for a hug just as she did for Kaidan, without warning, as if she’d known her for years. Karina felt her muscles tensing up, not expecting such sudden contact. She could count on one Turian hand how many people hug her like this. Several moments passed until she returned the embrace with unsure arms. His mother soon after released, much to Karina’s relief. “Hope the trip wasn’t too bad.”

“We didn’t have any trouble.” Kaidan cut in, noticing that Karina looked more than a little overwhelmed. He took half a step in her direction, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Karina leaned against him, desperately hoping the attention could be shifted away from her.

It was then Karina saw movement from the hallway headed in their direction. A white haired man who looked almost exactly like Kaidan stepped out.

He walked with such purpose, though it was clear he walked on old injuries that never quite healed right. Despite this, he still carried the posture of someone who served. Karina felt her own posture stiffen reflexively, suddenly feeling like she was a new recruit awaiting inspection all over again. The man stayed silent as he approached, not breaking eye contact.

Kaidan pulled his father in for a hug, neither saying a word. Kaidan’s arms shook slightly. He wasn’t sure if he’d ever see his father again after the reaper war when he was declared missing.

Kaidan retracted before making introductions. “Dad, this is Karina.”

She received a firm handshake from the man. His posture was stiff and awkward as he extended his hand. He clearly didn’t know how to address her, but the feeling was mutual.

Introductions felt like a blur that Karina wasn’t fully present for. Her mind kept drifting off before being pulled back by key words in the conversation. She was never good with small talk, and something about her surroundings kept bringing her mind back to Mindoir, and her own parents.

Luckily, Kaidan and his mother carried the conversation with relative ease. She was updating him about their family. A cousin, as far as Karina could tell. She struggled to keep up with the names.

Karina continued to sip on the wine presented in silence, letting the flavor keep her anchored in the moment. It was a dry red wine, but she couldn’t figure out what kind and felt too awkward to interrupt and ask.

And then the one question she was dreading hit like a bullet to the chest.

“So how’s your family doing, Karina?”

It was a simple enough question, from a well meaning woman who didn’t want to exclude company from conversation, but it required a far more complex answer.

She swallowed hard as she looked over to Kaidan, who looked a shade paler than he did before as he met her gaze. He was seconds from trying to intercept the conversation, before Karina put a hand on his. She knew she’d have to talk about it eventually.

“Oh, I don’t have any family.” It was simple enough, and shut the conversation down before it got too deep. She wasn’t prepared to drop her baggage on a family she hadn’t even gotten the chance to fully know yet.

Karina thought she should feel her pulse rising in her throat by now, but the sensation didn’t come. The ache was a dull one, faded by a decade's time. She quietly pushed the feeling down, shifting the collar of her turtleneck sweater. She silently cleared her throat before changing the subject.

“This wine is lovely. Did it come from this orchard?”

~~

Karina found herself in Kaidan’s childhood bed as the night came to a close, both drained from the combination of wine and late night conversation, but neither could find sleep quite yet. Karina looked around the room decorated in hockey sticks and trophies. It looked like it hadn’t been touched since Kaidan joined the Alliance.

Kaidan caressed her cheek with delicate precision, kissing her temple before speaking. “How’re you feeling? Still need that sanity check?”

Karina leaned against the man at her side, letting her head fall against his shoulder. “Oddly enough, I’m feeling okay.” She paused for a moment, fighting the exhaustion to get the words out. “It’s weird though.”

Kaidan leaned his head against hers. The arm wrapped around her tightening with concern. “How so?”

She sighed. “Just thinking about my own family, I guess. It doesn't hurt as much as it used to.”

He squeezed her shoulder as he kissed the crown of her head, “Time has a way of doing that, huh?”

She wrapped her arms around his waist in response, holding back a yawn. “It’s like I’m almost missing the feeling of loss, because at least there was something there. Y’know?”

Kaidan nodded thoughtfully before planting another kiss, this time more tender as it barely grazed her scalp. “It wasn’t the family you were born with, but I think you managed to find your own family in the time since. You have the old Normandy crew.”

Karina nodded as she began to recline more on the bed, feeling the exhaustion finally begin to overcome her. Kaidan matched her pace, finding their usual position on an unfamiliar bed. Karina let her legs graze his own before they tangled themselves into one another.

“Maybe one day you’ll feel that way here?” Kaidan offered with a low voice, looking at the ceiling as he held Karina close to his side.

Karina pulled herself in closer, until their bodies were flush and her head rested on his chest, nuzzling before finding her usual spot. “I think I’d like that.”

[iheartgarrus]

MERweek 2021 - Day 2: Long Time No See

Yes, I know we’re almost done with Day 3 already (in my time zone anyway), but I’m going at my own pace on these things. Meet Viola’s mom! Viola has a backstory adapted from the Earthborn and Spacer backgrounds - you don’t need to know all about it to read this, but there are little references. If you’re curious, I summarized it here.

Not sold on this title. Doesn’t quite work tonally, I don’t think. But I picked it because it’s a lyric from my mom’s favorite song. This takes place a few months after Shepard’s arrest post-Arrival. Fair warning: this is seriously nothing but talking.

Title (working): Darlin’, May I Intrude? Rating: T Content: Language; rocky mother/daughter relationship Pairing: Viola Shepard & Hannah Shepard (faint background Shakarian) Genre: Family/General  Word Count: 1160

“Commander,” the young MP on guard duty greeted when she opened the door.

They weren’t supposed to call her that, but none of them could seem to figure out what to call her instead. Another had tried “Ms. Shepard” once - he’d immediately grimaced like he had food poisoning and never said it again. She told them just Shepard was fine, but, no matter what the brass said, they saw her a certain way. She let it go - at least this one wasn’t saluting her. “Yes, Lance Corporal Kabinoff?” she asked. And if she sounded a little annoyed, well, it was getting late and Shepard was just sinking into her book - god, this whole house arrest thing was turning her into an old lady.

“You have a visitor, ma’am,” Kabinoff replied before stepping off to the side, and Shepard got a glimpse about 15 years into her future.

She’d always vehemently denied that there was any resemblance between her and her mother, but something - distance, death, whatever - had changed that. She definitely saw it now, and it gave her a pang of familial fondness she was unaccustomed to. “Mom,” she said quietly.

Hannah smiled, her eyes wet. “Hey, Vi. Got time to catch up?”

Shepard blinked a few times, thrown off balance by the old nickname. Only one person had called her that in the last few years, and she was trying very hard to keep her mind off of him. She swallowed and set her jaw, moving to let her mother inside and closing the door.

Viola took a deep breath and turned to face Hannah. She had to look down at her - she had been the taller one since the first time they’d reunited 17 years ago. “I didn’t think they’d let you visit,” she said. She folded her arms across her chest, a silent signal that she wasn’t ready to be touched. Her mom was demonstrative in her affection, but it was only ever on Viola’s terms.

Hannah gave her space, moving to look out the window. “I had to ask a few times. Luckily, Admiral Anderson has a soft spot for you and me, so he cleared the way.” She smiled softly at the Vancouver skyline.

Viola huffed a laugh. “What are you gonna do if he ever cashes in on all the favors you owe him?”

Hannah turned and caught her eye for a moment. “I think you knocked out a few of them taking out Sovereign and making him Councillor,” she quipped.

“Are you kidding? I don’t think he’ll ever forgive me for making him play politics.”

“Hmm,” Hannah hummed thoughtfully. “Maybe if you beat the Reapers he’ll call it even.”

Viola’s posture relaxed a bit, and she stepped up next to her mother, joining her in staring out the window. “So… you believe me?”

Hannah’s head whipped around to face her. “What?! Vi, of course I believe you. I was at the Citadel - I saw that thing!”

Viola shrugged. “So did the Council. So did millions of other people. Still feels like the only people who believe the Reapers are real are the ones who were on my crew. And… fucking Cerberus, I guess.”

Hannah scoffed. “‘Geth ship’ my squishy human ass,” she muttered. “That was the joke of the century, and trust me, I’m not the only one who thinks so. You’ve got more friends than you think in the Alliance, even if the higher ups won’t admit it.”

“Friends will help,” Viola said with a sigh, “but we won’t get very far without actual preparation. And I can’t do shit locked up in here.”

There wasn’t much Hannah could say to that - she was right, and they were both powerless to do anything about it. They stood there in silence for a few minutes, watching a shuttle take off from the spaceport a few kilometers from the base and basking in each other’s presence in their own way. Eventually, Viola’s arms loosened and fell to her sides, and her gaze dropped to the floor. “Mom…” she whispered. “I’m afraid I fucked up.”

“Oh, Vi,” Hannah soothed. She wrapped an arm around her daughter’s shoulders and pulled her closer. “I’m not going to pretend I know what you’re going through, and apparently the details are classified. But I know you’ve never taken death lightly. I know that whatever the hell happened in that system, you made the call you had to make. If you had fucked up, you would admit it. You wouldn’t be saying you were afraid - you would be sure of it, and you would own up to it, because that’s the kind of person you’ve always been.”

Viola shook her head. “Heh. You sound like…” She trailed off, pinching the bridge of her nose - she was not going to cry about this again.

Hannah rubbed Viola’s shoulder. “Whoever I sound like must be pretty smart.”

Viola took a deep breath to gather herself. “Smarter than he thinks he is, to be honest. At least about this kind of stuff. Arrogant as hell about other things.” Fuck. She wasn’t supposed to be thinking about him, and she definitely wasn’t supposed to be talking about him.

“Should I ask?” Hannah was trying not to smile.

“No.”

“Point taken. But, listen.” She stepped around in front of Viola, encouraging her to meet her eyes. She did, after a moment. “Whatever hell rains down on us, I have your back. I’ll always have your back. So will Anderson. So will your crew, I’m sure. I know you’re going to give this fight everything you can, but you need to remember you aren’t in it alone. Let some of your people help carry the burden, or there won’t be any of you left.”

Viola turned away - she felt her walls instinctively going up, though she tried to fight it. She was no good at this sort of thing.

Hannah sighed. “I’m sorry, Vi. I know. And you know how much I wish things had been different. But that’s not your life anymore. You have people.”

After a few tense seconds, Viola nodded a couple of times, her posture still rigid. “Yeah. Yeah.”

Hannah stepped back, letting her breathe. “I have to ship back out in the morning. I can head to the barracks if you want - no hard feelings.”

Viola finally looked at her again. “Are you even allowed to stay?”

Her mother shrugged with a light smirk. “They didn’t tell me I wasn’t.”

“Well,” Viola said, trying to smile a little in return. “House arrest is pretty fucking lonely. A little company might not kill me.”

“Ha!” Hannah barked. “‘Might not kill you’? Is that a bit of a joke I hear?”

“Mm. Trying to lighten up a little. But I do want you to stay. I…”

She didn’t finish her sentence, but Hannah knew what she was leaving unsaid. She tucked a lock of hair behind her daughter’s ear. “Yeah. Me too, kid.”

[oneterribletruth]

four little words

MERWeek 2021 - Prompt: Long Time No See

read it on ao3!

“You will let me see my daughter!” The receptionist just smiled plaintively and nodded at Hannah’s outcry, her hand reaching for the phone that kept ringing.

“Ma’am, she’s just come out of surgery. She won’t be ready for—“

“You don’t get to tell me—“ 

Hannah was cut off by an asari slamming both hands into the hospital counter.

“I’m looking for Liara T’Soni. Asari. About as tall as I am. Biggest fucking blue eyes in the galaxy. Should be with that stupid redhead, Commander Shepard.”

The offense that had been stirring within Hannah died as the asari said her daughter’s name. 

“We don’t have any asari in this hospital ma’am,” the receptionist said, clearly stressed as her phone kept ringing. “Now if you’ll give me one moment I need to answer that call.”

“She’s not being treated, puckerfuck. She’s with her girlfriend.”

“Yes, just one moment—“

“You touch that fucking phone and I will remove your fucking hand.”

The receptionist pulled her hand back. 

The asari smiled, but it was more like a baring of teeth.

“Good choice. Liara T’Soni. Commander Shepard.”

“First name?”

“Of who? Me? The Commander? I don’t fucking know. She’s the Savior of the fucking galaxy. How’s that for a first name?”

“It’s Nova.”

The asari turned to Hannah, and Hannah had to say that her attention was really rather startling. The burning of a thousand stars was held within her eyes. “What did you fucking say?”

“Her name is Nova. Nova Shepard.”

“And who are you.” It was not a question so much as a command.

Hannah stuck out a hand in greeting. “Admiral Hannah Shepard. Her mother.”

“Aethyta.” The asari did not shake her hand, just turned back to the receptionist. “Well, you heard her. Now tell me where Liara is.”

“What relation are you to Miss T’Soni?”

“It’s Doctor T’Soni. And I’m her father.” Father? Hannah’s mind hung on the word.

The receptionist nodded though, either knowing something she didn’t, not hearing, or not caring. The latter was most likely, especially as she eyed the ringing phone again.

“Of course. As I was telling Admiral Shepard here though, Commander Shepard is coming out of surgery. She needs to rest. Doctor T’Soni is the only one allowed into her room as of current.”

“Listen here: I’ve had enough of this bull--” The receptionist reached for the phone.

Aethyta’s face twisted into a snarl, body tensing and arms starting to glow blue.

Hannah placed her hand on the receptionist’s, stilling it on the handle. “I think it would be wise for you to tell us where to find our daughters. Otherwise, you’re going to have a pissed-off Admiral and Matriarch in the waiting room. And I don’t think you want that. Now do you?” Hannah squeezed the receptionist’s hand a bit too tight. 

The girl’s eyes widened at the unspoken threat and yanked her hand back. “Room 308.”

“Thank you, dearest.”

Hannah took off from the desk at a brisk pace, knowing that her daughter was behind one of these doors. She didn’t care if Aethyta was following her, though she knew it was likely that the asari was a few steps behind her.

Finally coming to the correct door, her hand rested inches above the door, waiting to knock, but hesitating. What if Nova didn’t want to see her? What if the girl beyond this door was not the girl she had known before? That was a silly question though. Of course, Nova was different. After this war, they all were.

“Are you just going to stare at the door or are you going to open it, hun?”

Hannah glanced up to Aethyta, who stood with both arms crossed, one hip jutting out. Her brown eyes seemed to take all of her in with one long look that stretched from toes to head. Hannah’s face burned.

“Yes, of course,” she mumbled, and gave two polite taps. There was no answer. “Perhaps they’re both sleeping.”

Aethyta scoffed and lightly pushed Hannah out of the way before barging through the door.

Hannah, frowning, followed her through.

“Father?” Another asari, presumably Liara, started out of her chair, where she had been tucked up, likely sleeping.

Hannah could hear the gravel of Aethyta’s voice in return, but the words were drowned out as she saw Nova laying there in the hospital bed. Her face was a mess of scrapes, her hair burned away in some places, and she was covered in bandages, but Nova looked…peaceful. Calm. Content.

Hannah covered her mouth to stifle a sob, using the other to take Nova’s hand in her own. “My baby girl…”

Nova’s eyes fluttered open, revealing the matching set to Hannah’s own. “Momma?”

“I’m here,” Hannah whispered, tears streaming down her face. Momma. She had called her Momma, as she hadn’t since she was a small child. “I’m here, baby girl.”

Nova’s eyes closed again, settling back into that peaceful expression. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” She could hardly get the words out. When was the last time she had held her daughter’s hand? Seen her face in something more than a holo-projection? Three years ago, Hannah had thought she would never have the opportunity again. And then by some miracle, she had come back to Hannah. Yet still, they had not seen each other. Just a few short messages between them. A call that had lasted less than a minute before Nova set course to die. Again.

“I love you Momma…” The four little words were sleepy, her tongue thick with whatever medicine that was keeping her out of pain. But Hannah’s heart still squeezed.

“I love you too, baby girl. I love you too…”

[rosebud1773]

MerWeek - Day 4 Prompt: Mass Effect + Andromeda AU

2186 - Post Destroy

“The quarian ark is the answer and you know it, Garrus. It’s the only way to save Shepard’s life.” Tali snapped at him as she paced Engineering.

“The Andromeda Initiative left a year ago, Tali. The arks are already gone.” Garrus rumbled quietly as he leaned on the railing staring up at the Normandy’s drive core.

“The quarian ark was delayed, not enough personnel. The Migrant Fleet just can’t spare the people. So, we asked for members of every species, who didn’t have their own ark, to make up the difference.” Tali informed him with a wave of her hand. “The ark will be ready to depart by the end of the week.”

Garrus turned to look at her as he leaned against the railing, bracing his elbows on it. “You know I’ll go with her.”

“No one would expect anything less from you, Garrus. The whole crew knew before we took down the Collector base that you were in love with her.” Tali practically snorted.

“Was it that obvious?” Garrus rumbled as his neck heated up just a fraction.

“Yes... and no. Kasumi was just that nosey.” Tali replied before stopping her pacing before him. She looked up at him then, her glowing eyes locking with his behind her face shield. “The point is, we all know this is goodbye to both of you... if Shepard goes.”

“When she fired the Crucible… it wiped out the Reaper tech… and most of the higher tech with it.” Garrus began thoughtfully. He knew exactly what it had taken to get the Normandy airborne again. It hadn’t been easy and it had taken all of them working together, pulling old led shielded circuitry from first gen eezo weapons to make it work.

“The arks were all outside the Crucible’s blast radius. The red wave never came close.” Tali reassured him.

“Outside the galactic rim?” he asked with a slight frown drawing his brow plates down.

“Right on the border.” Tali confirmed.

*

That conversation felt like a lifetime ago now. The ark’s Sam node said they’d been in stasis for six hundred plus years. They hadn’t reached the Nexus. Instead, the ship hit something Sam was calling the Scourge. The ship hung in it for a time and passive scanners showed signs of other ships passing by.

Eventually the damage to the hull forced the ark to crash land on a frozen world. Pieces of the ark were scattered for kilometers, but the bridge and Sam node remained intact. The same couldn’t be said for most of the sleeper bays. There were pods from one end of the wreckage to the other. Some were still active. Others hadn’t been so lucky.

Garrus trudged toward the frozen horizon hoping the next pod he scanned would be Shepard’s. Sam directed him via his visor interface toward the closest pod at the top of the hill.

I may continue with this idea later on. It definitely has my interest.

Tagging: @danypooh80, @crackinglamb, @crazymammoth, @a-cosmic-elf, @squigglysquidd, @bhell42, @dramaqueenharley, @ferusaurelius and anybody else who wants to read or participate in MERweek2021

[wrathbites]

Reunion

Characters: Granny Shep & Hannah Shepard Rating: T Notes: for day 2 of MERweek (”long time no see”, yes, I’m running a day behind schedule still whoops).  Set shortly after Shepard’s death in Mass Effect 2, it’s not a pleasant reunion between his mother and grandmother.

The tea’s gone cold.  Marie doesn’t get up to make a fresh pot and Hannah doesn’t offer to, either.  Biscuits remain untouched and it’s testament to her emotional state that Tank remains glued to her side, the full weight of him pitched against her legs.  It’s a conscious effort to keep her hand light as she pets him, offering ear scratches and head rubs and light trails up and down the white splash of his snout, when she’d much rather have fingers like claws in her own daughter’s hair, smashing her face into the wall.  Repeatedly.

A month.  A month to the day since receiving the news, gently broken over the phone by a gentleman introducing himself as Councillor Anderson when her own daughter should have made the call.  Or visited.  As soon as possible.  Instead, she’s a month to the day late, Rhys is dead, and there’s a gaping hole where Marie’s heart should be, bleeding ice through her veins and blanketing her fury in snow.

She’s not numb, not when she rises each morning with a fresh round of tears.  Not when a clamp squeezes tight round her chest every time she looks in a mirror and sees eyes like her grandson’s staring back at her.  Not when she’s outlived him.  She’s not numb, but she’s close to it, else her wits would’ve snapped about her and had the door slam in Hannah’s face rather than allow her safe passage over the threshold.  Else she’d have stopped the conversation dead the second Hannah said “hello, Ma.”

“You have some nerve showing your face here,” Marie says at last, words of sandpaper and glass scraping up her throat.  Hannah stiffens, all military trained backbone and eyes forward when addressed, but her mask is flawed, cracked at the corners and Marie can see it in her gaze.  There’s a storm brewing in there, wicked fangs hidden behind pouting lips.

“I just wanted to talk.”

“Talk.”

“Yes.

“Now.”

“Was I supposed to st-”

“You want to talk now, when your son is no more -” Hannah’s mouth snaps shut with an audible click “- but all the times he asked for you growing up, knowing his little heart would be broken but hoping anyway, you were too busy?  How does that work, Hannah?  What gives you the right to show up here like you care, when you never have?”

“That’s not true!”

“Isn’t it?”

Rhys sitting in her garden, shaking under summer’s sun, tear-bright eyes staring into the distance where the skycar vanished.  Quiet now, no screaming or crying or begging left, the pain of his parents’ departure so raw and fresh he doesn’t flinch when she dabs at the cut on his chin from his tumble.

Rhys every weekend for an entire year afterward, gaze fixed on her face as she holds the phone to her ear, the light in them dying a little more each time an automated voice requests she leave a message.

Rhys too weak and feverish to care when she finds him naked in the bathtub on Christmas Eve, spindly limbs tucked in tight as he gasps for breath.  Reacting to a second element zero exposure, bedridden for weeks with phantom pain and illness, every sight and sound and smell an agony.

Rhys with an empty smile and haunted eyes, holding her tight when she refuses to let him go.  “I’ll be fine, Granny,” he says, a lie, his mother’s words a black stormcloud thundering around his shoulders.

Rhys.  Her darling grandson.  Gone!

“What did you ever do except try your damn best to break him?  You claim you care?  Then answer me this: what mother would call her own child a monster?  What mother would tell them they’re a danger?  What absentee mother of fourteen years would steal her child from the only home they’ve ever known and throw them into a life of hardship and war?  Tell me!”

“He needed to learn control!”  Hannah snaps back and there, black fire in her eyes, the hate rushing forth at last.  “He needed to be away from you.”

Oh, you bitch.  “You left him with me in the first place!”

“Because I thought a steady home was better than hopping between ships all the time!  But then you - you - you poisoned him against me!”  Hannah surges to her feet, pacing like a caged animal, detrimental to Marie’s wobbly blood pressure and an immediate stressor for Tank.  She finally notices how quiet he’s gone, how still, positioned in front of her rather than sitting beside her, placing himself between her and the trouble manifesting in her own flesh and blood.  That won’t do.  That won’t do at all.

She’s aged a decade in all but body by the time she manages to coax Tank into the kitchen, returning to find Hannah still walking the length of the living room, back and forth.  An echo from the past calling forward - Rhys used to do the exact same thing in a temper, long legs eating up the distance and wearing down her carpet.

So he inherited something from you after all.

I never poisoned him against you.

Your absence did that all on its own.

“Get out,” she says instead, old and worn and grieving as she watches her daughter come to an abrupt halt, surprise cutting through her scowl.

“What?”

“Get out of my house.”

“Mama -”

“Get out.”

“But this is my home.”

Marie Shepard sees red, strong enough yet to grab hold of Hannah’s elbow and yank her around, hobbling toward the front door with her daughter stutter-stepping in tow.

“No.  Your home is space, where your son died.  My home is this house, where my grandson lived.  Now get out, and stay out.  You’re not welcome here anymore.”

She slams the door in Hannah’s face like she should have the second she opened it.  When Hannah shouts through the letterbox for her bag, Marie fires it out the living room window.  When she asks to be let back in, Marie ignores her.  When she demands it, Marie turns the radio on and flips the volume as high as it’ll go.

When she finally admits defeat and leaves, Marie isn’t waiting to watch her go, there isn’t a tear to be shed, nor a single regret to be had.  She empties the teapot, bins the biscuits, and rinses the cups.  She puts fresh water down for Tank, scrubs at his sides until his tail’s cautiously wagging again, and sits down at the table.

She never speaks with her daughter again.

[ghostxofxartemis]

MerWeek Day 5: We are Family

A day late for Merweek that's being hosted by @cactuarkitty

Here's day 5: We Are Family

Don't mind the errors, my beta is going to look at it later.

Fandom: Mass Effect Trilogy

Tags: Male Shepard, Jacob Taylor, Miranda Lawson, Garrus Vakarian

Additional Tags: Death, Angst, Hunger, Nausea, emetophobia TW, alcohol, flashbacks

Summary: Describe or draw a familiar moment. Are they close, or estranged? Are they blood relatives, or family found with friends?

___________________We Are Family___________________________

 The door of the shuttle opens and John's right foot hovers for a moment above the ground as he takes in the sight before him. The Normandy SR1’s graveyard. Apprehensively, he steps off the shuttle. The only thing remaining intact is the mako, of all things. That damn thing had saved their hides more times than he can count. Alchera became the grave of so many. Twenty unaccounted for crew members, as per Hackett. There should be twenty one. He shudders, unsure if from the damp cold weather of Alchera that seeps through his armor that hasn’t quite yet regulated to the atmosphere or at the unwelcomed dark thought tainting his mind, he simply accepts it has a combination of both factors.

He takes his time walking the area. His hands are shaking and he balls them into fist to try to keep them as steady as possible, he doesn't want the Cerberus driver to know how much he's affected by this in case he relays the information back to the Illusive Man. The sound of his beating heart in his own ears is already off putting for him. He shouldn't have come. He should have simply ignored Hackett's request to place a monument, he should have told him to go to hell. Yet… he has to face all those he failed. They trusted him, they believed in him when the council brushed him off as a mad man. They followed him, and he brought them to their deaths. He owes it to them to make it right, to inform their closest kin.

He walks up to what used to be the bridge of the original Normandy. Something shines as the sun reflects on it and he bends over, brushes off the snow from it and his hand hovers just above the first set of dog-tags. The name is barely noticeable but it's clear enough to him. Charles Pressly. He shuts his eyes tightly, taking a deep breath before reopening them and picks up the tags. He palms them in front of him, taking one last good look before balling the tag in his fist, pressing his fist to his helmet to wish him a final goodbye and then pocketing the first sets of tags in his belt. Nineteen to go.

Before he moves on, a datapad catches his eye. He picks it up, checking the first entry.

[UNRECOVERABLE DATA]AA#%SKA--++--?///\1~!!#[DATA RECOVERED]spoke to the Commander about this. I [CORRUPT] all these damned aliens aboard the Alliance's most advanced ship. I just don't trust them. Esp[UNRECOVERABLE DATA]that damned asari. And a quarian! What does Shepard think this is, a zoo?

He goes on to read the second entry:

continue reading the fic here on AO3 Read the rest of t he series here.

[theoriginalladya]

MERWeek2021 - Day 5 - Family

Day 5: we are family

Describe or draw a familiar moment. Are they close, or estranged? Are they blood relatives, or family found with friends?

(commissioned art of Coats and Kaidan Alenko by @xla-hainex)

Chapter: We Are Family (full chapter here)

Peering into the medbay through the window is déja-vu all over again for Kaidan. How many times has he been in this exact position; watching and waiting from afar, worrying over a member of his team, wondering how many more people he’ll lose…

A strong arm slides around his waist as Ben sidles up next to him. Sparing a look through the window, he asks quietly, “How’s he doing?”

Kaidan rubs his forehead with the back of his forearm. “Doc says he’ll be fine.”

“But?”

A wry smile twists Kaidan’s lips as his eyes meet Ben’s in the reflective glass. “Is it wrong my first thought is, this is Shepard 2.0?”

Ben releases his hold and shifts sideways so they are actually eye to eye. Folding his arms across his broad chest, his brows narrow in concern. “What d’you mean?”

Turning away, Kaidan runs a hand through his hair as he paces up and down the Guardian’s corridor between the medbay and the galley. “It’s just… God! This reminds me too much of what happened back in the Milky Way. Eden Prime. Virmire. Alchera. London.”

“And you think Scott’s going to… what? Die...?

Full Chapter found here

Read from the beginning of MERWeek here

Alenkoats Series found here

[agentwashingcat]

*Rolls in a day late for Mass effect relationship week*here take a little drabble about baby Garrus meeting his sister Solana for the first time! I figure he’s like 4ish here? Idk he’s a cute baby turian enjoy it lol

Day 1: The Day we Met

A young Garrus peeked into his parents bedroom, curiosity overriding his father's orders to let his mother rest. He had heard the new baby had come, he wanted to meet her!

His mother looked up as she saw Garrus stick his head in, letting out a small laugh. “Do you want to meet your new sister, Garrus?”

Garrus nodded eagerly, scurrying in as fast as his little legs could carry him. He pulled himself up on to the bed, settling in next to his mother.

In her arms was a little bundle wrapped in a blanket. Garrus leaned forward to inspect her, mandibles flaring out in surprise. “She’s tiny.”

“You were this small once, young man,” his mother reminded him, lifting a finger to boop his nose.

Garrus giggled, chirping happily. “What’s her name?”

“Solana.”

At her name, Solana made a small chirping noise, yawning.

Garrus chirped in delight. “I like her. She can stay.” He decided then and there he would be the best big brother ever. That was a promise, and Vakarian’s never broke promises.

[blighted-elf]

“Well, what about Shepard? Earthborn... but no record of her family.” “Doesn’t have one. She was raised on the streets. Learned to look out for herself.”

#MERweek - My Shepard’s most valued familial relationships outside the squad: David Anderson and Karin Chakwas

[cactuarkitty]

Enjoying the view.

[commanderogerss]

I need time to get up and get off the floor

Fanfic for MERWeek.

         Day 4: mass effect + andromeda AU. Describe or draw a moment the two universes collide. Shepard and the Ryder twins could be half siblings or cousins. Characters from both could be related somehow or friends. Maybe even The Illusive Man and Alec Ryder used to be friends and now hate each other. The sky’s the limit!

ship: Sara Ryder + Scott Ryder word count: 1,118 summary: Sara Ryder looks up to Shepard, and recounts her memories of the human Commander with her brother. 

          “Did you ever see Shepard?” Sara asks her brother.           There’s a silence the hovers between them. Background noise of other doctors and patients talking, but Sara sat next to her brother and watched, not waiting for a reply. And it’s not like he could give her a reply, he was currently in a coma SAM didn’t want to even suggest connecting again, but, maybe next time.           Sara sighed and looked at her brother, giving a soft smile. “I remember being there when they were accepted as a Spectre,” she says.

          There were murmurs about possibly a new Spectre joining the ranks, There were more mumurs around the humans wanting it to be one of them. Sara didn’t mind either way, but if a human Spectre was going to exist, she was already pretty stoked about it.           Sara docked into the Citadel after a days work searching for Prothean technology. She didn’t live on the Citadel, not anymore, the crew wanted to take a break and stock up for items at the Citadel, all Sara wanted was a drink honestly. But making her way from the wards to Flux before bumping into a Quarian.           “Sorry,” Sara says quickly before nodding her head.           “Do you know where to get to Chora’s Den?” she asks.           “Oh, yeah it’s just around the corner down the steps and then turn… right? It’s the one without a door,” Sara responds. She has lived here her whole life, but no matter what will still get directions wrong.           “Thanks,” the Quarian says.           Sara imagines that if she could see their faces, the purple Quarian would be smiling. “Stay safe,” she adds before nodding as the two depart ways.

          “I didn’t know at the time, but that was the first time I had met Tali’Zorah, the Quarian that Shepard had with them in their team. The one who exposed Saren,” Sara says with a smile. She looks at her brother for a moment, and he was still breathing, but still quiet.

          A few of Sara’s friends on the Citadel had her come to the Council Tower. Taking one big final gulp of her drink in the processes. She listens from one of the doors that’s locked.           “…the beacon has brought us one step closer to finding the conduit…” Spectre Saren’s voice comes in and out.           She can’t hear the rest of it, but Sara didn’t know Saren, only saw him in some promotional photos for the Spectres.           Eventually, they were let in. Sara makes her way to the front of the balcony and sees Shepard, Councilman Udina and Captain Anderson. Each council pressing in their data pads for a moment until the Asari Councilwoman speaks.           “Commander Shepard, step forward.”           Sara’s mouth goes into a wide grin, big enough to show teeth. It’s like when she would watch all the ships fly in and out of the ports. Shepard looked like they deserved the role already. Sara looks back for a moment to her friends who smile big.           “Can’t believe this is happening,” says one.           “I can! Took their time,” the other one says.           “It is the decision of the council that you be granted all the powers and privileges of the Special Tactics and Reconnaissance Branch of the Citadel,” the Asari Councilwoman finishes.           “Spectres are not trained, but chosen. Individuals forged in the fire of services and battles, those whose actions elevate them above the rank and file,” said the Salarian Councilman.           “Spectres are an ideal, symbol, the embodiment of courage, determination, and self-reliance. They are the right hand of the Council, instruments of our will,” said the Asari Councilwoman.           “Spectres bear a great burden they are protectors of galactic peace, both our first and last line of defence, the safety of the galaxy is theirs to uphold,” finally said the Turian Councilman.           Sara stares on as she watches the council speak to Shepard and talking about taking down Saren. Once the council finished everyone, though mostly the humans, begin to cheer.           “Come on, let’s go down there to meet Shepard,” one of Sara’s friends said.           “No, they’re probably too busy, don’t worry!” Sara says shaking her head, blushing slightly.

          Sara can’t help but laugh a little, with a bit of a snort. Some people give her a look, while others ignore her. The little medbay area was very clean, but very white. Sara wished there were more pops of colours than that and blue.           “I think I was more nervous than anything. I mean, they’re Commander Shepard, no drama… big drama, little bro, huge!”           A sigh escapes the young Pathfinder as she recounts the next memory.

          During the Battle of the Citadel. Sara was tasked with evacuating people rather than finding Prothean information. There were too many people trying to jump to the front of queue. Sara wasn’t too sure what was going to happen.           “SINGLE FILE, YOU’LL GET YOUR CHANCE!” Sara screams out over a megaphone so that others could hear.           Eventually she was able to get everyone out. But not everyone. There was chatter about a mother and her baby, Sara and one other alliance peacekeeper were the one to scope it out. Quickly making her way through the c-sec offices, there’s a few crashes and booms.           “Alliance peacekeepers, is there anyone out there?” Sara yells, with her squadmate repeating it a few moments later.           Until they find a woman holding onto a child in the corner. An Asari, with an Asari baby. Making her way over until once she found herself in the corner, before there’s some sounds of monsters. Sara isn’t too sure what they are, but she doesn’t really want to sit around and find out. The baby begins to whine, the Asari begins to open her mouth before Sara stops her.           “There’s something here, quick, I know some ways around,” she says with a smile.           The Asari nods her head before trying to quiet down her child.           Making their way over the tables that were shoved, they were able to surpass the few Korgans, eventually making their way back to where Sara was originally, but for a moment, Sara notices a large black ship nearing the Council tower.           “What the fuck is that?” Sara says, widening her eyes.

          “I didn’t know what it was, I still don’t. I think the council was saying it was a Geth ship. Which could be true…” Sara trails off.           Scott still hasn’t risen or done anything. Sara wasn’t really banking on anything major.           “I never ended up meeting Shepard, but it would’ve been really cool to see them, you know?” Sara says with a smile. “Though I wonder if Shepard would be proud of what we’ve done,” she adds.           “I think they would be.”