#mebb 2023

[onedismay]

I got to illustrate @sparatus's fic about the Councilors! This was done as part of the Mass Effect Big Bang of 2023. (@mebigbang)

I've always had a soft spot for these three, so I really loved getting a close look at what goes on in their lives both at work and behind the scenes! @sparatus writes them all with a ton of nuance, the lore is DEEP here. Here's their post, please gush there too:

(someone help Valern) (he's got a headache) (let him go home) (pls)

[teamdilf]

Different Sets of Stars - a Collaboration with punchsomeoneforme

This year I participated in the Mass Effect Big Bang, and collaborated with @punchsomeoneforme-willyou, who created such beautiful artwork of Lora Shepard-Vakarian and Adrien Victus.

I can't stop looking at it - especially the dress. Zoom in and look at the remarkable detail of her dress! Thank you for creating such wonderful work, and it was a pleasure to work with you, @punchsomeoneforme-willyou!

Different Sets of Stars is the story of Adrien and Lora's friendship, and features flashbacks from both of their lives to provide some context into how they became the people that they did, and why their friendship means so much to the two of them. It's a found family story, and I hope you all enjoy it.

[sparatus]

ME Big Bang 2023

Words: 16,275 Chapters: 4/4 Rating: G Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Fandom: Mass Effect Trilogy Characters: Sparatus (Mass Effect), Tevos (Mass Effect), Valern (Mass Effect), Quentius (Mass Effect), Esheel (Mass Effect), Irissa (Mass Effect), Saren Arterius, Original Mass Effect Character(s) Additional Tags: Politics, Alien Politics, Political Intrigue, Mass Effect Big Bang 2023, Background Relationships, Background Canon/OC Summary: Disagreement and debate is a normal, healthy part of the Council’s decision-making process. But when the red flags start flying around the question of a human Spectre, one councilor finds out you can only stack so many skeletons in the closet before the door won’t close.

>> READ ON AO3 &lt;<

it's been 85 years SURPRISE it's posting day so i can finally reveal what i was working on for the MEBB this year!! we're going back to my original bullshit, lads, way back before the kryterius and the desabrudas and the palavenian worldbuilding - that's right, it's time for some NoisyNoiverns Brand Political Machinations™️!!

"is this another vehicle for your propag-" shhhhshshsh just read it, have you no faith in me

i was partnered with the absolutely INCREDIBLE @onedismay as my artist for this, and i'm so so so thrilled about what she put together!! it was awesome getting to work with you on this, and i apologize in advance for how many times i'm about to rb your piece <3 everybody look at it, look look look [<- edited to add link to the full art piece!!!]

[theoriginalladya]

MEBB 2023 - The Devil You Know

Story Title: The Devil You Know

Story by Ladyamesindy

Art by Maxrev

Rating: Teen and Up

Tags: Mass Effect/WWII Crossover, crossover fic, Alternate Universe, Angst, Adventure, WWII typical situations, German Occupation of France, Game Level Violence, Field Medical Treatment, Blood mention (not graphic)

Relationship: Kaidan Alenko/Caleb Shepard

Characters: Kaidan Alenko, Liara T'Soni, Garrus Vakarian, Aria T'Loak, Major Coats, Abby Williams, Caleb Shepard

Setting: World War II - 1942 England and Occupied France

Summary:

Alchera was an unmitigated disaster for the Alliance and for Kaidan Alenko. Not only did they lose the prothean beacon data but Shepard as well. Seven months on, Kaidan is still trying to come to terms with it, both professionally and personally. But a rumor has surfaced at Alliance Command that Shepard still lives, and Spectre Alenko has been chosen to look into it. Deep behind enemy lines, Kaidan must make the decision if it's better to live with the loss or take a chance on the devil he knows.

~~~

Finally, posting day has arrived!!! The Devil You Know is my story for Mass Effect Big Bang 2023 and is also a part of my Mass Effect/WWII series, Something Wicked This Way Comes.

This time around, I got to work with the fabulous @maxrev for the art and oh, man, did she ever deliver! THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAXX!!!!! Folks, she's knocked it out of the ballpark for me and I am so very grateful and delighted she chose my story to pair up with! Go check it out and please let her know how much you like her art, too!

Also HUGE THANK YOU to @shadoedseptmbr for betaing again for me this year! Your suggestions were perfect and you always make the story look so much better than the initial draft! You're the absolute BEST!

And a HUGE shoutout to @azzydarling and @mebigbang for putting this event on again! I have a blast each time I participate and this was one of the BEST!

Full story can be found here

Series can be found here

Mass Effect 2023 Collection can be found here

[thetrashbagswasteland]

Mass Effect Big Bang - 2023 edition!

Title: A Little Too Good To Be True Rating: Mature (Violence, sexual themes) Fandom: Mass Effect (Multiple) Pairings: Castis Vakarian/Avitus Rix, Saren Arterius/Nihlus Kryik Important tags: No-Reapers AU, Comedy, Angst, Mission Fic, Vacation Fic Words: 46,162 Chapters: 7/7 - COMPLETE

At last I can reveal my fic, written for this years Mass Effect Big Bang! Yes this is part of why most of my other work has been put on hiatus/slowed down posting - sometimes ya just gotta put 46k of self indulgent work first y'know? I was lucky enough to be partnered with the awesome @depressed-sock, who did not one but two amazing art pieces for this fic!! Working with you was incredible fun and you brought these scenes to life so beautifully that I could cry.

This fic is notionally a follow-up to A Little Bit Too Much Like Me but functions equally as well as a standalone fic for the people who may be less interested in the amount of Shakarian in that one.

[captainderyn]

By quite delightful coincidence, I was lucky enough to work on a piece of art for @queen-scribbles's MEBB '23 fic Everything in Between. Working with a dear mutual is always so fun, as is getting to draw adorable wholesome couples <3

Fic should be posted soon on the AO3 collection Mass Effect Big Bang '23 (once AO3 stops being finicky), so be sure to give it a read! It's delightful and will fulfill all your Shenko needs!

(please click for better quality)

[mebigbang]

So long, and thanks for all the fish! (until next time, that is)

Thank you, everyone, who participated this year and stuck with all the rollercoaster ups and downs we had with it with the DDOS attack on Ao3! You guys are champs and total bamfs, from the old hands at it who come back year after year to the new adventurers who decided to jump in this year <3

We're taking the circumstances into account and are going to be working to streamline the process for next year; stay tuned for updates and event notifications.

Until then...

I should go.

[ennaih]

The Last Voyage Of The Demeter (2023)

[outpost51]

if not, winter

What happens when your ex, who you definitely don’t still have feelings for, is your only hope?

After an explosive breakup, Nyreen and Aria go their separate ways — sort of. While Nyreen licks her wounds and moves on with her life, Aria lets them fester and lets the station rot around her. Cerberus has a nasty habit of throwing wrenches where they don’t belong, though, and Aria’s boat gets rocked enough to capsize entirely. With her kingdom in shambles, her rotten station seized, and her goddamn couch stolen right out from under her, everything seems hopeless — until Nyreen swoops in with her resistance to take it all back.

But will she take Aria back, too?

Rating: Explicit

Wordcount: 15,809

Chapters: 11/11

Tags:

More info, playlist, and preview below the cut.

{READ HERE ON AO3}

FINALLY i can reveal what the fuck i've been working on for MONTHS: my entry for mebb 2023 and also (technically) the fourth book of Helix. i had the privilege of working with @tentacledix, who made the incredible art and the banner for this fic!!

naturally, there's a playlist:

as well as music recs in each chapter.

acknowledgements: big thanks to my fellow mebb authors who graciously kept this thing going when i wanted to quit like fifteen times. y’all know who you are.

preview:

Then he dragged in a scrawny, pale-plated turian who had the gumption to stomp right up Aria’s stairs and demand a job, just like that. No references, no resume, no respect. Garka had a gun to her head before she’d finished taking a step forward. The turian had Garka disarmed and on the floor before the rest of them could blink. Nyreen Kandros. No rank like most of the military rejects tried to cling to, but she still used her full legal. Dipshit. “No handle?” Aria simpered. Nyreen flicked her mandible. “Only on my knives.” “Barefaced brat,” Grizz spat under his breath. She rattled back a slew of insults Aria was sure Grizz couldn’t spell with a dictionary in front of him. He had a point, though. Kandros wasn’t a family name one just threw around, and it was odd that one of theirs had wound up on her doorstep without a speck of blue anywhere on her. Aria stretched her arms across the back of the couch. “You’re either very brave or very stupid, and neither of those is any use to me.” “Good,” Nyreen huffed, crossing her arms. “Because I’m neither one of those, ma’am.” Anto choked on his drink. “Ma’am,” he wheezed. “My apologies,” the interloper sneered. “I’m neither one of those, Your Majesty.” She even sketched a bow, glancing up at Aria beneath her browplates. Insubordinate dipshit. Aria swiped Anto’s drink and took a sip. “So what are you, then, if you’re not brave or stupid?” There was the posture everyone expected of a well-bred bird. Nyreen straightened up, held her head high, clicked her heels twice — oh, she still had that stick jammed right up her pretty little— “Loyal, Your Majesty. I’m loyal and efficient.”

[twelvesblades]

WCIF - Suzune's Regular Mods

i talk a lot but I also live under a rock so in an effort to destress for everyone here's some of Suzune's regular mods in case you were wondering (and so I don't feel obligated to tag my hair mod all the time) and to eliminate the need for "where can I find that mod" (WCIF) questions especially since i don't take asks. added a new hairstyle ported from fem miqo'te to femme midlanders and other femme talls - March 25, 2024 added a highlander port of "Ala Mhigan Visionary" from chaosgremlim added new mod: Blooming Ingrimm - Dec. 22, 2023 added another "Practical Ponytail" mod from the Island - Jan 16.2024 added pose reference - Jan 24, 2024

Stelle hairstyle by jade horror for miqo'te ported by Ellie for other fem talls

I use lots of poses from AmaneMae

Weapon: Blooming Ingrimm by Emmer @ aethernoise.tumblr.com

Hair 1 - Island Ponytail by mebb (removed), Replacements: 1 - Isle Locks - Lacks Lyse side fringe, not hair compatible, does not have hair fringe/ 2 - Practical Lyse Hat Compatible, has Hair Clip, still no side-fringe

Hair 2 - Ala Mhigan Visionary Ponytail (Unnamed by Creator) Minfilia, Ryne/Lyse Mashup by Alistar | has a highlander port by Chaosgremlin

Earrings 1 - Marquis Earrings by liealee / lia @ fheyfully.tumblr.com

Hands - Marks of the Beast by krovennan - Signifier Tattoos on Claws of the Beast but they're only half as long as the original tattoos

Teeth - Cat's Fangs for Most by Myiopcat

Accessories - Kokytos Magic Circles by Midori - they're definitely canon for Suzune, I love various magical catalysts but I adore spell circles

Susano's Sanctified Grimoire - Personal Edit, Unavailable (also the VFX paths are fucked :/)

[tekni-kali]

Day 14

11:47p, Friday, May 12, 2023

Woah! 2 weeks! 💛💛

I gotta make this dumb. Post... But I em doing it. Also don't tell me what to do. The dance floor lady is telling me to get up and get on the dance floor.... I happen to like dancing in my little corner. Thank you for the invite but I'll wiggle out of defiance now! Gonna go do that! Mebbe a recap tomorrow?

-11:48p

[sparkleteacup]

Hm. Needs more neon. Maybe. Quite VERY possibly.

I...KNOW I might have a problem, but we're rolling with it.

And idk, mebbe go check out my Pixiv where there's lots of other glowy Gojohime, Eruri, RuroKen, and anime art.

I got a dying bird account too...trying to get 100 followers so I can feel justified over opening commissions in 2023.

[theoriginalladya]

Writing Round Up - 2021

So, let's take a look at what happened in 2021 as a whole with the writing.

I did manage to write every single month - not unusual for me. In fact, it would be more unusual to NOT write at all in a month, so right on track with that.

So, let's see what's going on here: (under cut because it got long! lol what're the odds, right? ;) )

New Projects/Postings - completed

Young & Proud - Caleb Shepard (sniper school)

Slán leat (Goodbye) - Caleb Shepard

May The Road Rise To Meet You - Caleb Shepard (Akuze)

No Rest for the Wicked - MEBB 2021; Caleb Shepard, ME/WWII

A Constant Wish - Caleb Shepard

Gaia's Chosen - Caleb Shepard - Werewolf: The Apocalypse crossover

Express Orders - Kristofer Shepard

Hello There, Handsome - Kristofer Shepard

Home - Kristofer Shepard

Firestorm - Kristofer Shepard

Next Stop... - Alenkoats

Breathless - Alenkoats

MER Week 2021 - Alenkoats

As Cold As Ice - Alenkoats

A War That Needs Winning - Abboats

Shut Up and Dance - Abboats

Greatest Reward - modern day mshenko

Dinosaur Brain - Rhys Shepard

The Barn - Rhys Shepard

New Projects/Postings - ongoing

Found Family: A Collection of Drabbles - Caleb Shepard

Keep to the West - Caleb Shepard - ME/WWII

Gaia's Blessings - drabbles for Werewolf Caleb Shepard

Cadenza - Lachlan Shepard

Nerf Gun Wars - mshenko shenanigans

A Lone Light From Shore - modern day mshenko - drabbles

A Beacon of Hope - modern day mshenko

If London Falls... - Abboats

Late Night At the Vortex - drabbles for Rydenko

Dribbles & Drabs - Caleb, Michael, Kristofer Shepard and Abboats drabbles

Ostinato - Lachlan Shepard drabbles

Heiwa ni - Takao Shepard

Never Close Our Eyes - Rhys Shepard - drabbles

Destiny's Fate - ShepShep

The Dye Is Cast - Dragon Age drabbles

These are all the major ones - I'm sure I've forgotten a few of the continuing ones that house certain drabbles, but this'll do.

As I look at this list, I'm remembering some of the ones from earlier in the year I'd forgotten about. It's a good way to remind myself I did more than I thought.

My total word count for the year was: 543,233. Over half a million words. (for comparison, the last time I did a full year's worth of writing (2017) I wrote 668,228 for the year. But the next year, I fizzled out by the time I had 150,000 words (around April) and stopped tracking it. It wasn't until April/May 2020 when Caleb Shepard was born that I got back into writing and I didn't start tracking how much I was writing again until 2021)

My Daily Average word count was 1488. Almost on par with Nano for the year.

Highest Month/Wordcount: April - 70,866

Lowest Month/Wordcount: December - 23,849

So, assuming I can keep on track writing wise, what are my goals for 2022?

make substantial progress on Destiny's Fate. I am almost to the halfway point on that story, but even if I posted once a week from here out, it still won't get done until 2023, but I'm okay with that.

God, Caleb Shepard has been in my brain since mid-2021 and unrelenting! LOL I have a number of AU projects (Werewolves, Celtic, WWII, etc.) going for him that I would like to make progress on or complete, plus a couple of new ones.

I also want to make progress on some of Caleb's mainstream stuff. If I go in order of his timeline, I have an interlude piece for between Akuze and when he's N7 I want to get done, plus a story for once he IS N7 where he and his battle buddy, Rosa Morales-Minton team up (and an unsuspecting Kaidan walks into things...), plus I want to get his post-war fics started and (hopefully!) posted. I have a LOT of writing planned for him, and that's outside of prompts and drabbles!

I'm going to see if I can't get caught up on all my Christmas/Holiday prompts I wanted to do in December and get them posted in July for a "Christmas in July Celebration". That includes another AU story for Caleb and a ton of prompts. Some of my other boys are included too.

I would like to start would like to start exploring Rhys Shepard's experiences at BAaT with Kaidan in more depth and maybe get their story moving forward.

Lachlan... sigh My Scottish/Colonist boy has been so patient with me. He's tossed a TON of ideas at me this past year which I've gotten down, but Caleb's refused to let go of my brain to focus on them. Hopefully this year, it'll happen!

Nerf Gun Wars - I need to add a few more chapters to the ongoing shenanigans there...

As of December 30, 2021, I have a new project idea for 2022 (assuming I can get it going). It may or may not be a contender for MEBB when that rolls around (depending on how developed it is). It has the potential to be REALLY FUN but it may turn into one of those HUGE projects that takes far too long to plot out and plan. Still, it's already underway, so there's always a chance actual writing will begin...

I'm sure I'll adjust my goals and set new ones as the year goes on. I may or may not track my numbers again this year. While I'd like to - there's a certain sense of achievement when I hold myself accountable like this - I also know that with the way things are at the moment, my stress levels may make writing difficult and the lack of numbers can be discouraging (no matter how I tell myself it's okay to not focus on them). Eh, we'll see how it goes.

[mebigbang]

You Couldn't Look Any More Like A Lover

https://archiveofourown.org/works/48739345/chapters/122948515

Pairing:

Kaidan Alenko/Male Shepard

Characters:

Male Shepard, Kaidan Alenko, Liara T'Soni

Additional Tags:

Earthborn (Mass Effect), War Hero (Mass Effect), Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Canon Compliant, idk man its both at the smae time just trust me on this, Alternate Universe - Different First Meeting, Hurt/Comfort, Pining, Mutual Pining, Slow Burn, but in the most dysfunctional wa, Exes, Past Relationship(s), Past Drug Use, Past Drug Addiction, Implied/Referenced Drug Addiction, Drug Dealing, Canon-Typical Violence

Summary: Nathan Shepard has more than enough on his plate: end of the world, new Spectre status, the crushing weight of everyone's expectations, without having his ex assigned at his Staff Lieutenant. Thankfully Kaidan doesn't seem to recognize him. Which is fair, Nate's come a long way from the scrappy thug that used to sell pretty boys red sand for cheap in exchange for a bit of attention. Now, Shepard just needs to remember that Kaidan /doesn't/ remember. (An ME1 reimagining)

[outpost51]

The 51 Post

so. bad week, if the prolonged absence wasn’t enough of a clue. but! i did write a... moderate amount. listen, i've been coping with sims.

Contents:

Things You Might Have Missed

This Week's Jams

WIP Breakdowns

From the Skwad

Around the 'Blr

Things You Might Have Missed

get on my taglists for WIP updates, 51 post, tag games, and ask events!

BRHP: Chapter 17 posted; K A DM O S.

Unlikely Adventures, Ch 2 posted; it’s literally in the blurb but it hurt me to write too

BRHP: Chapter 16 posted; baby's first fight pit, and a family secret is revealed.

Murky Water: the 7th entry into the Lighthouse in the Fog shorts; our new Keeper finds her answers.

This Week's Jams

aliens (porcelain remix) || xylø, porcelain [spotify/youtube]

avoidant attachment || libby larkin [spotify/youtube]

fire fire || flyleaf [spotify/youtube]

no care || daughter [spotify/youtube]

let the flames begin || paramore [spotify/youtube]

devil’s teeth || muddy magnolias [spotify/youtube]

WIP Breakdowns

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

hngggg i am. behind. it’s all outlined but my god i was too tired to write much

Unlikely Adventures of Bitchface and Go F*ck Yourself

[affectionately strangles zadimus]

Blinding Neon, Shades of Grey

[vibrates] hhhhhh i love the orville scene, i forgot how much i love the orville scene, yes i will post the orville scene this week if yall bully me (pls)

Stellar Parallax

elmorise.gif

Lighthouse in the Fog

8th short will be coming out some time tonight or tomorrow, it’s been an uphill battle to write today, anyway things have Developed in a Direction i was not Expecting

In the Works

i have noodled some of those random shuffle prompts. some of you are getting whacked with the emotions stick

From the Skwad

SSSC 006 wrapped up! see the entries here.

@thetrashbagswasteland posted a little too good to be true, a follow up to a little too much like me as their submission for MEBB 2023 and it is rife with snark

speaking of MEBB, @sparatus also published his triumphant return to His Original Bullshit: serpents in the garden and i am living. he also wrote skewed results for FFF208 bc we all need more teia

@uraniumwriting also wrote a submission for FFF208 in which caspian is forced to be a reporter for a day

we have FIVE updates from @teamdilf this week: a sweet piece in which adrien is offered some kittens, ch 20 of in-laws and the grandparents, this drabble that actually ripped my soul out through my eyes, ch 16 of man of many talents, and the first chapter of father, daughter, rocket launchers, and a side of wrex

@bambino1294 dropped the second chapter of upright tower and it was well worth the wait

@equusgirl has given us two more treats for sapphic summer: heaven or hell and if the bird likes it's cage so very much, why is the cage so tightly shut

@commander-krios wrote this squee-worthy despina/theron piece and also this stolen moment between jeff and john

@writernopal wrote a character study with mariel and sartor that i’m still thinking about actually, it’s wild to see how much the characters have developed between the first and third books

@asher-orion-writes posted another installment of fairweather YAY hhhhhh i fucked up and peeked at the last few lines before i read it and now i’m trying to wrap up so i can go eat it

Around the ‘Blr

@tabswrites blessed us with both the second chapter of ascension and chapter 4 of silver sentinels!!!

@vacantgodling’s art comms are open which i will be taking a look at given it does not fall through the holes in my swiss cheese brain, he dropped toph art that i’m OBSESSED with AND a lukewarm rejection sneep bc toph’s bday was the 7th. tell him happy birthday 4 me

bit over a week but i missed it last week — @autumnalwalker announced that the archivist’s journal is COMPLETE, so if you were ever looking for a reason to binge it, now’s the time (the anniversary is july 16th!). find it here @thearchivistsjournal

@captain-kraken dropped a sonhara lore masterpost oh my GOD

screaming crying frothing at the mouth over @liv-is’s fae headshots WOW

@void-botanist gave us the LORE on the revalo tailory & hotel and i will chew off my arm if tumblr doesn’t start giving me gd notifs about this

@artdecosupernova-writing dropped SO MANY shorts this week, so here’s the tag, go nuts; also a post on the planet holeph that i am eating with a spoon

we now have such amazing faces to put with the cast of @elshells’s agent ace (courtesy of @illjustpretend)

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

Outpost Updates Taglist: @tabswrites @writernopal @freedominique @asher-orion-writes @liv-is @starknstarwars @captain-kraken

Ask to +/- in the tags, replies, DMs, or HERE!

[tekni-kali]

Day 2, 12:15AM SUN, APR 30 2023

OK... I figured out how to behind the cut? So make first post of the day, then edit and add until the tomorrow today!

12:55a - woo! Day 2 Begins!

Accomplishments from yesteryay

Money Order secured, signed, addressed, and placed in rent box! BEfORE THE FIRST :O

BEHB DED PHONE RETURNED TO UPS STORE!

Catbox cleaned!

Cat litter purchased!

Stuff for Mary not purchased!!

I saw potential petsmart friend again! She seems verr nice, I would very much like to figure out how to be friend. Idk, mebbe one day... Her nails were super cute as always. I liked the color but didn't tell her. Like a blue teal seafoom cool color of some type?

We took out the trash!

Watched 2 episodes of yu yu hakusho

Et sausage hot dogs cooked by behb for dinner!

Sat in the doorwat and watched the rain!

Encouraged Nugget to look, need to start putting harness?

Put away some clothes, not all.

Wrote in my journal! The actual paper one... I was considering scanning/uploading pictures of it... Not sure if I want to do that tho...

Braided my hair!

Watched some YouTube animal facts... Forests in Poland.

Used landscape mode and pop up windows on android mobile device -> greatly entertaining.

Looked up times to see Mario movie tomorrow.

Had a good day.

Missed Opportunities:

A. Do not think I took afternoon sad brain pill atol.

B. Did not put all the laundries away

C. Play video games

D. Read book.

Pix or it didn't happen!