#masseffectholidaycheer

[tacticalhimbo]

Throw it out the airlock, @onedismay ! But wait, not this, this is a gift courtesy of @masseffectholidaycheer 's holiday exchange event!

I want you to know I adored your prompts, but then I dug through your OC tag and immediately fell in love with Rish. She is stunning and beautiful and I wanted to incorporate her into some of your overarching idea of "just surviving and taking comfort in the small things".

So I hope I've done her (and Jill) some justice!

WORDS: 1.1K FANDOM(S): Mass Effect Trilogy WARNINGS: None!

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Let me know if you’d like a more permanent copy of this, too! I’m always happy to provide a PDF version of the writings I do!

[NEOCITIES MIRROR]

Trips to Omega went one of two ways: Typical enough, or outright chaotic. Such was the way of life on the station—you either faked it until you made it, or you found yourself drowning. Then again… such was the way of life everywhere in the system, it seemed. No matter what sector you found yourself in, things were just rough; downright deplorable in some areas. Everyone shouldered the weight of the Reaper threat and the broiling interspecies conflict, but some made peace with that fact. The world around them was ending, why spend time wallowing in it all when you can just “keep on keeping”?

Such was the mindset of Rish, who took a deep breath as she’d opened shop. It hadn’t felt like hours passed since the irritant buzzing of her alarm pierced the peacefully silent air, yet here she was, watching the hustle and bustle pass her by as the day kicked off in full swing. It was routine: Open shop, wipe over the stall’s surfaces, start the cooktops and take quick inventory. Spices? Check. Meats? Check—well, she needed more fish after today, but there should be enough to make it through rush hour. Fruits and veg? Check and check. It was good. Life was… liveable. Not bad, not good. It just was; it was good enough for Rish, just like the stock. Just like the customers that came and went as the day dragged on. Some were jovial, some were not. The latter were often the disgruntled Omega rejects; those that couldn’t get past security or found themselves too drunk (and hungry) to continue waiting in the wraparound lines that began to form.

And Rish was more than pleased to redirect them, especially when more and more began to show up as the hours grew later.

“Aw come on,” the man on the other side of the counter drawled, “Just a li’l bite then ‘m on my way.”

A tired sigh, which allowed cigarette smoke to plume in the air between them. “Already told you where you can go to find that bite. It’s not gonna be here.” 

Her calloused hand came to rest on her hip, crimson eyes focused on the wannabe patron. He seemed agitated–just shy of flipping the switch–but that really wasn’t her problem. She had a business to run and the last thing she needed was this sort of attention. Right as he’d went to speak again, another patron raised their head from the table. Rish sighed.

“Look, you’re bothering my customers. Now get out before I give you a reason to.” A not-so thinly veiled threat, accompanied by the subtle shift of her posture. Her head nodded back toward the shotgun mounted on the wall.

It’s not just for display. 

With a slumped posture and bunch of senseless mumbling, the man stumbled his way out and onto the bustling pathway of the market sector. Rish sighed, stepping forward and idly wiping the table beside the roused patron. He was a regular, often dropping by as the evening came and keeping to himself. They’d conversed a few times–it’s hard not to when someone’s in almost every day–but more often than not he ordered his chow and simply took a few moments to rest. Took advantage of how peaceful this little corner of the station was. And she didn’t mind it; he’d never caused any trouble and the company was… nice. She’d carry this to her grave, but he was really her favorite of the recurring bunch.

“You doing alright?” She asked, watching as the krogan tilted his head this way and that to stretch thick neck muscles.

He nodded, glancing around blearily before speaking. His voice was quieter than most like him, but it was not weak. He still spoke with a sense of pride, he just didn’t need everyone in the vicinity to pick up on that carried authority. “How long have I been out?”

“Not long.” A few hours, but she could sense the guilt in his question. At least, she thought so. “Sorry that bastard woke you. You’re… welcome to put your head back down if you need it. Still got a bit ‘til closing.”

A subtle nod. A soft ‘thank you’. The measured lowering of his head as his arms came up to support him; shield his face from the neon lights and bring him that familiar darkness. Muscles twitched upon hearing someone approach the counter, but the weight of exhaustion was too much to stir him again… at least, until whatever patron that’d approached raised holy hell. But they didn’t, instead, the armored woman simply sat and waited whilst Rish sized her up. Then a flash of recognition struck.

“Well, if it isn’t the Commander.” A face she’d seen pass by; one she’d certainly seen plastered across news broadcasts and bounty boards alike. “This a formal visit?”

“No,” Jill shook her head. “Just lookin’ to grab a bite before heading out.” A rolling pause before she prattled out her order, and another before her conscience began to spew. “Not looking forward to heading back to the docking bay so quickly.”

Rish was turned, her back toward the counter as she’d begun prepping. “Why’s that?”

“Need some time to process things.” It was vague, but it was enough; the weight in her tone was undeniable. She’d either seen a ghost, or realized she was one; Rish knew it well.

“Fair enough. Guessin’ you can’t tell me any more about it?” A small smile. “No, not really. You know how the Council likes to keep things.”

“Under wraps and buried beneath the event horizon?” She peered over her shoulder, cigarette hanging loosely on her smirking lips.

Jillian laughed a bit. “Yeah, something like that.”

“Well, sure it’s nothing a full stomach can’t fix. And if it is,” she turned and set the plate down. Simple sandwiches, but loaded with an in-house sauce mix and served with a delicious side of potato bites. “Then at least you’ll have a full stomach. Better than most folk can say.”

“Right… thanks.” Jill’s tone softened, subtle spark rising in her deep eyes as she slid forward the payment. Rish was, frankly, surprised she did; she hid it well enough, though. It was just that, usually, big shot military tended to skip the bill and claim heroism.

But not Shepard, it seemed.

Who was Rish to look a gift horse in the mouth, though? It was a gesture far more deserving of the simple nod she’d given whilst taking the credits, but that was all that was going to be said. For her sake, and for Jillian’s, as she seemed perfectly content with the blanket of silence that fell over them whilst the ambient nightlife crept around them.

And that would be enough to make their days of survival just that much more bearable.

[kirikitsune]

Thank you @menacingmetal for the awesome @masseffectholidaycheer gift! The stickers and pins are really cute and I love the Gianna magnet. And the collage? Fantastic! Love the art and all the stickers. Vestra would definitely wear that outfit. ^_^

[gammaraydeath]

happy january jubilation, courtesy of @masseffectholidaycheer!!! i got to draw @silversiphon's lovely kai shepard sharing a drink with garrus 🥂i hope you enjoy!

[foxprints]

Hello @mishikaiya! I'm your gifter for this year's @masseffectholidaycheer event! I've never drawn Kasumi before but she's so much fun! I hope you like her! 💛

[captainderyn]

Happy Mass Effect Holiday Cheer @gammaraydeath!!

When I saw you were a fan of Shakarian and that your Shepard was an absolute badass I just knew I had to do some form of cinematic battle couple scene :D

I hope you like it and thank you for your patience as I battled irl time constraints and art struggles <3

(and thank you @masseffectholidaycheer for putting on another lovely event for the 2024-2025 holiday season)

[sarahsaveme]

HAPPY MASS EFFECT HOLIDAY CHEER @unfair-water-plane!!!!

January jubilation is upon us, and this holiday season I wanted to commission one of my favorite artists that I met through the clock app (RIP to a real one). When I read your survey and saw that your three favorite characters were Garrus, Tali, and Joker - this idea came crashing into my little brain and I knew beanbones could knock it out of the park. I hope you enjoy it!! This gift exchange is one of my most favorite parts of the holiday season, and I hope it becomes one of yours, too.

🖤🤍❤️🤍🖤

Massive thank you to @masseffectholidaycheer for putting this on every year ♥️

[xoshepard]

My @masseffectholidaycheer gift for @fatfemmearoorc !! They mentioned wanting to see Tali and Legion hanging together, and my friend suggested them giving each other gifts, so this is what I went with! I really hope you like it!!

I didn't realize until I got to the lineart stage, but I accidentally did this in manga style so please read from right to left!!

(she got a geth plasma shotgun, btw)

[onedismay]

I participated in some @masseffectholidaycheer this year and this is my gift for @hamstercheese7!

I read your fic Have You Seen Me? and it made me cry real good, so I felt inspired to draw some fanart of it. I've also been wanting to try my hand at comics, so this is what I came up with. Hope you like it! Thank you for writing such a beautiful and heartbreaking story. :')

The following mini comic is based on @hamstercheese7's fic Have You Seen Me? I highly recommend reading the fic first if you can!

[masseffectholidaycheer]

**ASSUMING DIRECT CONTROL OF THIS GIFT EXCHANGE*

GREETINGS, VERMIN. THE HOLIDAY HARVEST SEASON IS UPON US ONCE MORE.

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY before filling out the survey.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Surveys will be collected until December 06, 2024.

Match emails will be sent out by December 10, 2024.

Gifts may be given between January 15, 2025 and January 31, 2025.

Anyone making/sending a physical gift must provide proof of postage by January 15, 2025.

*Postal services are often somewhat hampered by distance, weather, strikes, etc. If you’re receiving a physical gift, it may be delayed.

But worry not—everyone gets a gift. Minion Keeper is VERY good at this job! They have a sacred spreadsheet, which they keep in the tiny sacred backpack. (Nothing gets past the sacred spreadsheet. Not even Shepard.)

Read the rules. We’ve made some changes/clarifications this year.

FILL OUT THE SURVEY! (Enjoy Holiday Harbinger’s sense of humor. Truly, the gift that keeps on giving.)

**Follow @masseffectholidaycheer for the duration of the exchange. This is where we communicate. It’s also where you can enjoy all the gifts people make.**

Spread the news! The more the merrier! Otherwise, Holiday Harbinger will never collect enough organic paste to make a Tumblr Reaper.

Join in the fun before the Harvest takes you all.

If you have questions you’d like answered, please send Holiday Harbinger an email at holidayharbinger@gmail.com.

JANUARY JUBILATION CANNOT BE STOPPED

[tarysande]

So, I got very very VERY spoiled by my @masseffectholidaycheer gift-giver this year. I am soooo in love with this gift. Thank you SO much @bleepblorpthebeautiful. I’m in awe of your skills! (And your speed. I think I’ve been working on the same cross-stitch for going on like, a decade.)

An extra-special thank you for the fox/raven—I’m so touched that you made something so perfectly tailored to my taste ❤️❤️ It’s going on the wall immediately.

(I love how Garrus’s visor seems to actually glow in these photos 👀)

[cassiefisherdrake]

Thank you, thank you, thank you, @swaps55 !!!

I laughed seeing this truly cute OTT (One True Tank - so real, I love the Mako do much) zip bag, having opened that first after the card. Then I was completely blown away by the absolutely stunning sketchbook you bound for me as part of the @masseffectholidaycheer exchange! What an incredible and fun craft. My partner and I were flipping through it just going, "Whoa, no way! A custom, handmade book! Unreal!" And the Renegade / Paragon interrupt symbols in the corners of the internal pages? SO good.

Check out some of the beautiful designs inside!

[sheyshen]

eeee!! I got my @masseffectholidaycheer gift in the mail the other day and the little knit kaidan and bracelets are so cuuute!! thank you so much @screwyouflightlieutenant !!!

[painterofhorizons]

Goodness!

The mighty @masseffectholidaycheer bestow upon me a match with @kirikitsune for the festive reaping whos gift arrived today and made this the best monday ever. I am absolutely in love with this fabulously marvellously wonderfully magnificent self made leather cover and the notebook it protects, as well as the amazing bookmark. This is beyond fabulous and I lack the english vocabulary to adequately express how wonderful they are. That wonderful, indeed!

I mean, look at it in all it's glory? The colors are perfect, and the little punches remind me of shells and sea stars and we all know the ocean is my favourite place and beach combing my favourite hobby! Not to speak of the love for notebooks. This will definitely be a huge motivation to do more art this year.

And as if that wasn't amazing already, I got a whole BUNCH of self made pecan toffees that are beyond delicious and will get me through all this dark&cold season. Your granny has the best recipies, @kirikitsune!!

Thank you so so so so much for this absolutely wonderful gift!

And thank you @masseffectholidaycheer and minions for hosting this exchange once again and making this possible. <3

[natalyelle]

Happy Holidays, @pancake-angst ! Here is your gift for @masseffectholidaycheer

The little Harbinger told me, that you like Garrus and Thane, so here are they, sharing some drinks and small talk during Shepard's party <3

[ad-astra13]

Eeeeeeeeee!!!! My gift arrived from @pushingsian for the @masseffectholidaycheer exchange!!

Thank you so much, the potholders are so lovely and I loooooove some good British chocolate!!🥰

[lilmissnatcat24]

OH MY GOODNESS

Can we all scream about the amazing January Jubilation gift I received from the AMAZING @fourthage ?!?!?! Along with a fantastic pin (that I am putting on my work lanyard immediately so all can clock me as a mass effect fan), they bound two of my fics for me!!!! This is such an amazing present!!!! It's so cool to have a physical copy of something I wrote, they're going on my bookshelf immediately! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for such a thoughtful gift!!!!!!!!

@masseffectholidaycheer

PS: I was a HUGE scholastic book fair girlie!!!! I always got the new copies of the Series of Unfortunate Events books with a new set of erasers for my pencils.