#feels so good to have it done

[acciokaidanalenko]

Taking on the Universe: Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen: The Quarian

Summary: The Squad races against the clock to save the Quarian.

CW/TW: None

Preview of chapter below the cut. AO3 link: here.

On familiar ground, and far from triggering events, Kaidan found Shepard to be not only a competent leader, but also a compassionate person. Each step forward in their investigation of Saren and his betrayal lead him toward the understanding of how she maintained such a pristine reputation. The pressures and stresses that accompanied them as they followed the trail of clues around the Citadel seemed not to bother her. She took it all in stride.

Even as Garrus had taken an unnecessary risk while saving Dr. Michel from Fist's thugs.

Kaidan watched warily as Garrus helped the doctor to stand up from her hiding place. The last of her attackers had fallen in the brief skirmish that had erupted upon their entry to the clinic. Garrus had put the doctor at risk when he'd shot the man holding her. His actions painted him in a slightly different light for Kaidan. He'd be sure to keep a close eye on him as he seemed to be more impulsive with his actions than any of the soldiers present. Possibly, even more impulsive than the blood-thirsty Krogan mercenary in their midst.

"Dr. Michel, are you hurt? Spirits, we got here as fast as we could." His concern for the doctor was evident, as was his relief for her safety.

The doctor brushed some dust off her white coat and smiled up at the Turian as he towered over her. Her eyes darted toward Shepard, then quickly swept over the rest of the squad as they all drew nearer to her. Her attention returned to Garrus before she spoke. "Yes, I'm quite all right, Garrus. Thank you. I owe each of you for helping me."

"For once it'll be worth the paperwork," Garrus replied with a soft chuckle. He took a small step back from her, as if trying to give her some breathing room after such an intense fight.

Dr. Michel let out a similar laugh as she clasped her hands together in front of her. Shepard stepped forward slowly, reaching toward the doctor's hands with a sympathetic expression. Her movement seemed to take the doctor by surprise, but she didn't protest as the commander took her hands in her own. It was only in this compassionate moment that Kaidan noticed the slight tremor in the doctor's hands.

"I know you've been shaken by this attack, and I want to assure you that the Alliance and C-Sec will do what they can to keep you and your clinic safe until Saren is brought to justice. You won't have to worry about another attempt on your life."

Shepard's voice was low and calm as she spoke. Even he felt comforted by her tone. He wasn't sure how she'd be able to deliver on these promises, but he believed her. Dr. Michel met Shepard's gaze and nodded her head slowly, showing her that she trusted her.

"Now, in the meantime, we need to know why these men attacked you. They were threatening you when we walked in, weren't they?"

"They were Fist's men, I'm sure of it. I should have expected this. I should have known he would want to tie off any loose ends," she answered as she pulled her hands from Shepard's gentle grasp and crossed her arms against her chest protectively. Her gaze wandered to the nearest fallen man, the one Garrus had shot when they'd pushed into the room, and lingered for a long moment before she turned back to face the commander.

"What makes you a loose end?" The doctor paused, taking a deep breath to calm herself. Shepard nodded her head and offered her a gentle smile. "Take your time, Doctor. We're here for you. You're safe."

"There was a young Quarian. She was injured and came to my clinic seeking treatment for her injuries, which I was happy to help with, of course. I knew of Fist's association with the Shadow Broker, so I suggested she go to him with the information she had. I had no idea he would sell her out. I didn't mean to endanger her life," Dr. Michel confessed heavily, her voice breaking as she held back tears. This time she reached for Shepard's hands, finding them easily as she offered her comfort.

"You couldn't have known, Doctor."

"Must be the same Quarian Saren's after. Not like many of them are wandering around, even on the Citadel," Wrex interjected quickly. The commander and the Krogan shared a quick glance between them, the former clearly prompting the latter silently for further explanation. "All I know is she showed up here on the Citadel, on the run. Not sure how she got her hands on it, but she has evidence linking Saren to the Geth. She went to Fist, asked him to set up a meeting with the Shadow Broker. He must've sold her out to Saren instead."

"Which is where you factor in, on your special assignment from the Shadow Broker to take Fist down?" Kaidan mused aloud. Wrex nodded his head in agreement. Kaidan looked toward Shepard, his expression betraying his hope despite the way his eyebrows pulled together in apprehension. "This is what we've been searching for, Commander. If we can get to the Quarian before Saren does, then we've found our proof. There's no way the Council could deny that he's turned traitor after that."

"Only problem is, we don't know where she is," Shepard pointed out dejectedly.

"My bet would be in Fist's club," Wrex suggested.

"Then I guess it's time we paid Fist a visit."

[hinamie]

to moving forward

[chloesimaginationthings]

The true meaning behind FNAF princess quest

[thebaldursmouthgazette]

I’m sure Dumat being defeated the same year andraste was born means nothing

I’m sure this has nothing to do with the fact that andrastes mother was part of a tribe who helped the grey wardens fight and defeat dumat the same year she was born, meaning that she could have been a fetus affected by the taint in the proximity of a dying arch demon

And the fact that nobody knows which grey warden killed dumat, as seven wardens died from injuries from his death throes, and therefore we cannot actually identify a warden who absorbed his soul, means nothing

And I’m sure it is a complete coincidence that andraste had dreams and visions of the being later referred to as the maker her whole life, and behaved strangely, talking about hearing lost voices and seeing strange auras. That absolutely doesn’t sound like anyone else we know

[giantkillerjack]

Today my therapist introduced me to a concept surrounding disability that she called "hLep".

[plain-text version of this post can be found under the cut]

Which is when you - in this case, you are a disabled person - ask someone for help ("I can't drink almond milk so can you get me some whole milk?", or "Please call Donna and ask her to pick up the car for me."), and they say yes, and then they do something that is not what you asked for but is what they think you should have asked for ("I know you said you wanted whole, but I got you skim milk because it's better for you!", "I didn't want to ruin Donna's day by asking her that, so I spent your money on an expensive towing service!") And then if you get annoyed at them for ignoring what you actually asked for - and often it has already happened repeatedly - they get angry because they "were just helping you! You should be grateful!!"

And my therapist pointed out that this is not "help", it's "hLep".

Sure, it looks like help; it kind of sounds like help too; and if it was adjusted just a little bit, it could be help. But it's not help. It's hLep.

At its best, it is patronizing and makes a person feel unvalued and un-listened-to. Always, it reinforces the false idea that disabled people can't be trusted with our own care. And at its worst, it results in disabled people losing our freedom and control over our lives, and also being unable to actually access what we need to survive.

So please, when a disabled person asks you for help on something, don't be a hLeper, be a helper! In other words: they know better than you what they need, and the best way you can honor the trust they've put in you is to believe that!

Also, I want to be very clear that the "getting angry at a disabled person's attempts to point out harmful behavior" part of this makes the whole thing WAY worse. Like it'd be one thing if my roommate bought me some passive-aggressive skim milk, but then they heard what I had to say, and they apologized and did better in the future - our relationship could bounce back from that. But it is very much another thing to have a crying shouting match with someone who is furious at you for saying something they did was ableist. Like, Christ, Jessica, remind me to never ask for your support ever again! You make me feel like if I asked you to call 911, you'd order a pizza because you know I'll feel better once I eat something!!

Edit: crediting my therapist by name with her permission - this term was coined by Nahime Aguirre Mtanous!

Edit again: I made an optional follow-up to this post after seeing the responses. Might help somebody. CW for me frankly talking about how dangerous hLep really is.

Plain-text version:

Today my therapist introduced me to a concept surrounding disability that she called "hLep".

Which is when you - in this case, you are a disabled person - ask someone for help ("I can't drink almond milk so can you get me some whole milk?", or "Please call Donna and ask her to pick up the car for me."), and they say yes, and then they do something that is not what you asked for but is what they think you should have asked for ("I know you said you wanted whole, but I got you skim milk because it's better for you!", "I didn't want to ruin Donna's day by asking her that, so I spent your money on an expensive towing service!") And then if you get annoyed at them for ignoring what you actually asked for - and often it has already happened repeatedly - they get angry because they "were just helping you! You should be grateful!!"

And my therapist pointed out that this is not "help", it's "hLep".

Sure, it looks like help; it kind of sounds like help too; and if it was adjusted just a little bit, it could be help. But it's not help. It's hLep.

At its best, it is patronizing and makes a person feel unvalued and un-listened-to. Always, it reinforces the false idea that disabled people can't be trusted with our own care. And at its worst, it results in disabled people losing our freedom and control over our lives, and also being unable to actually access what we need to survive.

So please, when a disabled person asks you for help on something, don't be a hLeper, be a helper! In other words: they know better than you what they need, and the best way you can honor the trust they've put in you is to believe that!

P.S. Also, I want to be very clear that the "getting angry at a disabled person's attempts to point out harmful behavior" part of this makes the whole thing WAY worse. Like it'd be one thing if my roommate bought me some passive-aggressive skim milk, but then they heard what I had to say, and they apologized and did better in the future - our relationship could bounce back from that. But it is very much another thing to have a crying shouting match with someone who is furious at you for saying something they did was ableist. Like, Christ, Jessica, remind me to never ask for your support ever again! You make me feel like if I asked you to call 911, you'd order a pizza because you know I'll feel better once I eat something!!

Edit: crediting my therapist by name with her permission - this term was coined by Nahime Aguirre Mtanous!

Edit again: I made an optional follow-up to this post after seeing the responses. Might help somebody. CW for me frankly talking about how dangerous hLep really is.

[bacchuschucklefuck]

class swap design masterpost for convenience (from top to bottom: bard!riz, cleric!gorgug, sorcerer!kristen, barbarian!fig, artificer!adaine, and rogue!fabian)

[abyssruler]

roses are red, violets are blue, lynette is so done with the two of you

lyney x gn!reader

lynette thinks fontaine’s worst kept secret isn’t how neuvillette wears blue underwear or how the hydro archon loves a good drama, no, fontaine’s worst kept secret is lyney’s massive crush on you and how everyone and their grandmother know except you.

comedy, pining lyney, lynette being so done

Lyney’s frowning.

Most people would find it an odd expression on him, used to having him direct dazzling smiles and playful laughter their way. But Lynette isn’t just anyone, and the sight of Lyney frowning is hardly a rare phenomenon within the privacy of their household.

Freminet’s usually Lyney’s choice of victim for whatever nonsense he’s managed to build himself up in that head of his, but Freminet’s busy doing errands and Lynette is unfortunately the only person within vicinity that Lyney trusts with his secret—which isn’t even a secret by this point, people have been making bets on how long it would take you to realize that Lyney’s been pining over you since forever.

Case in point: Lyney frowning over two identical flowers. She doesn’t need to be a mind reader to know that her brother is having a midlife crisis over which flower to give you.

Lynette thinks he should just man up and confess. Preferably within the next week or so, otherwise she’d lose her bet.

“Lynette, which one is more eye-catching, the crimson one,” he holds up the flower in his right hand, then he raises the other one, “or the maroon one?”

Lynette gives him the deadest stare she can muster. “They’re the same color.”

“Oh, sister, have you no taste?” Lyney tuts, pouting at her for a moment before returning to that constipated look as he squinted at the ‘crimson’ and ‘maroon’ flowers. Talk about being delusional.

“(Y/N)’s not gonna care whether the rose is crimson or maroon or red,” she tells him. You’d probably accept a dead flower if it came from Lyney, with that starry-eyed look you always got whenever he so much as glances your way. Lynette’s not one to judge other people’s taste too harshly, but she does wonder what you see in her overdramatic and annoying brother.

Ah, well. They do say love makes people blind. Hopefully not literally though, Lynette’s not looking forward to performing shows alone because Lyney got blinded by his love for you—though if you asked Lynette, she’d tell you it wasn’t love so much as obsession. Only someone insane would spend hours picking out flowers and calling them ‘maroon’ and ‘crimson’. It’s just red.

Lynette squints at him. “And since when were you interested in the meaning of flowers?”

“Well, I suppose you could say I like to dabble in other pursuits.” Lyney gives her a cheeky grin.

“Right…” He’s clearly losing his mind.

“Red roses symbolize true love, though rainbow roses in particular pertain to passion, and…” He trails off, eyes blinking in astonishment. She can practically see the lightbulb appearing on top of his head.

With a flick of his wrists, the ‘crimson’ and ‘maroon’ roses disappear. Lynette watches him warily, wondering what kind of outlandish idea has formed in that head of his.

But he doesn’t elaborate more, only shoots a wink at her and says, “I’ve got a great idea.”

✧

His great idea, as it turns out, is to corner you in an alleyway and make it rain rainbow roses around you as he asked you out on a date, all while Lynette is crouched on the roof, dumping sacks of rainbow roses and vindictively hoping one of them stabs Lyney in the eye. No such luck.

You, as the ever-crazy romantic that you are, are awestruck and amazed by what he’s done instead of weirded out like how a normal person would be. With an eager smile and a twinkle in your eye, you accept the rose in Lyney’s hand and say yes when he asks you to meet him for dinner tomorrow. Lynette wants to barf, but settles for dumping another sack of flowers on top of the two of you.

And if she uses a little bit of anemo to direct a few petals to Lyney’s face? Well, you removing a petal sticking to his cheek and having your fingers linger there for a few moments wasn’t part of the plan (the plan being: embarrass her brother by having him choke on a petal while he’s speaking), but she can’t entirely begrudge the result. Not when Lyney looks like he’s about to have a meltdown with just one touch from you. Good blackmail material right there.

Lynette’s happy that the two of you have finally gotten your heads off your asses and are actually going on a date. Though mostly she’s happy about the amount of mora heading her way soon.

She’ll have to thank Freminet for telling her about the bet about you and Lyney. Maybe she can start a new bet on when the two of you are getting married—probably soon, if the lovestruck look on Lyney’s face is anything to go by. She hopes he won’t be crazy enough to propose on the second date, because you’d certainly be crazy enough to accept if he did.

Oh, well. Lynette will put a bet on one month just in case.

[archivebottles]

Happy birthday to the most special girl in the universe!! Wanted to try something ambitious and ended up with the biggest comic I've done to date

[ketrindarkdragon]

Movie!Mike:

Builds a fort with tables and chairs for his sister and animatronics and has the most wholesome time

Game!Mike:

[sciderman]

How did your meeting go with the surgeons?

it was memorable

[inkskinned]

i had been used for my body before, i didn't mind it. i had a good trick about it - i didn't have to be there, not in my skin. i could wear the mirror, wear the puppet. you would see your perfect girl, a little monster i had concocted. she would glisten, distilled out of my own blood and venom. it meant i would be using you instead - you think you are taking from me? darling, i think this is a fucking joke, a role i am playing. you can't hurt me, i'm not present for the event. this is just a body, like a book is only words.

and then you came into my life, easy and honest. reaching for my hand in the crowded holiday market. passing me a water before i realize i'm thirsty. checking on me once, twice - the first time i said i'm okay, you knew i was lying. i keep thinking about the shape of your blue eyes and the wild of your hair the last time i saw you. how you got out of my car and when you looked back, i was looking back too. your quiet breathing in a hotel room.

you kissed me like you meant it, is the thing.

i don't know how to be a person yet, not fully. i don't know how to let you kiss me and touch bone. i tell my friends i hate this so much i want to throw up. your name slips into my head - i am no longer really ever alone. a little frazzled heartrate keeps splattering against my collarbone. my therapist asked yesterday - why are you afraid? what is the cost of vulnerability?

a terrifying thought: when i'm with you, it feels like finally coming home.

[discard-celestia]

USE MOUTHWASH / DO NOTHING

[ibahibut]

💀: Fewer wounds, more kisses from me.

🐦‍⬛: Contract's accepted, mi amor.

Music inspiration: A Little Death by The Neighbourhood

[floccinaucinihilipilificationa]

[an-internet-introvert]

Countdown to October 19th (19/19)

Happy 15 Years of Dan and Phil 🩵🩵🩵

[catmask]

it is insane how normal i am medicated like. you mean this was an option the whole time. what