#pre-me1 service history

[vakarianshepard]

OC: Alexa Shepard

I want to start writing again/posting more about my best girl, so here’s a little intro w/ the basics :)

Gender: Female

DOB: 04/11/2154

Birthplace: Eminence, Mindoir

Parents: Hannah & Michael Shepard (d.)

Pre-Service History: Colonist

Psych Profile: Sole Survivor

Class: Adept

Reputation: Paragon/leans Paragade

Age: 29 (ME1)

Height: 5’6’’

Romance: Garrus Vakarian (ME2 & 3, romanced no one in 1)

Major choices under the cut

ME1:

Kills Balak

Saves Colonists on Feros; Jeong killed

Spares Rachni Queen

Garrus/Wrex/Tali Personal Missions Done

Saved Kaidan on Virmire (most of the time)

Saved the Council

Anderson Made Councilor

ME2:

12 Squadmates Recruited

All Loyalty Missions/Upgrades Done

Deleted Heretic Geth

Destroyed Collector Base

All Squadmates/Crew Survived SM

Helped Liara Become Shadow Broker

Did Not Warn Aratoht 

ME3:

Genophage cured, Eve Survived

Thane Saved Salarian Councilor

Kaidan rejoined Normandy crew

Sided with Quarians, Geth destroyed

Saved Miranda on Horizon

Chose Destroy with high EMS, survived to retire somewhere warm and tropical with Garrus 💕

[bioticbooty]

20 Fanfic Questions

Tagged by @swaps55. Thank you!

Tagging @cr-noble-writes, @theoriginalladya, @ad-astra13 and anyone else who feels so inclined!

How many works do you have on AO3?

9

2. What's your total AO3 words count?

233,7802

This doesn't include WIP wordcounts which are so much higher

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Mass Effect primarily. A little Dragon Age from time to time (mostly one shots). I have a Fable III WIP and Stargate Atlantis fic that's only on ffnet (and I refuse to go back to ffnet it's become a trash fire).

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Crosshairs - Mass Effect 1 slow burn shenko. (This version will be abandoned as I've been doing The Great Rewrite because the characters and my Shepard have evolved over the years, but I like having the old version up for comparison.)

Lightning - Mass Effect 1 fshenko smut with a wild card Shepard who would blow up a small moon if she was asked to fix a microwave

No Strings Attached - Pre-Mass Effect 1 fsehnko fluff and smut, which started as smutty prompt (what if Kaidan and Shepard had a one night stand on shore leave before ME1) and turned into this Whole Big Thing

Brace for Impact - Mass Effect 3 AU where Olivia Shepard is not an Alliance Marine because Mindoir was never raided so she never lost her family. And yet, fshenko because love always finds a way.

Sine Qua Non - Mass Effect/Pacific Rim crossover with fshenko, Kaidan and Shepard have a service history and then end up on the same Jaegar class fighter in the drift together.

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

Yes! Sometimes it takes a while, but I always respond to everyone before I post a new chapter because I want everyone who took the time to write me something that I really appreciate their words!! I also do it because I miss the old days of fandom community where comments flew around left and right, and I want to encourage that in my own little corner as best I can.

6. What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Color the Sky - The Blitz, Shepard is on shore leave with her partner when the slavers attack. This is the story that cements the belief that she's better off alone because the people who get close to her die.

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

I don't think anyone is happier in a finished fic of mine than Alexis Shepard and Kaidan in No Strings Attached when the finally find each other again after having pined after the other for literal years.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Only once, and it was transphobic garbage. "It's clunky and bad for reading to use these wierd fake pronouns introduced to make people feel better about themselves." I told them no one was holding a gun to their head forcing them to read the story and then locked the comment thread, because comment section battles with people who are already coming at it from a place of not actually wanting to understand is a waste of my time.

9. Do you write smut. If so what kind?

Sometimes, not that often anymore, and part of that is I can never just write smut without their being fluff and emotions and connection (see above: No Strings Attached turning into a 20k+ fic for a one night stand smut prompt). Part of this is because I am ace as fuck and the desire to have sex with people every second of the day because they're hot or whatever is just so utterly foreign to me. It has to feel right in the story. And if I'm gonna write just a smut story, you can bet there are thousands of words of background lore I wrote to make the smut happen on the page.

10. Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?

Very few. I think the only published one is the Mass Effect/Pacific Rim crossover. So by default, that one!

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not that I am aware of.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

None translated.

13. Have you ever cowritten a fic before?

Once, with some friends over a decade ago (on ffnet). It was fun but also stressful, and I probably won't do it again. It really has to be the right people, and this group I did that project with was a good group and also very kind and generous in giving over the reigns to each other. But I've also grown more stubborn as I've gotten older. It can work, but unlikely I'll ever do it again.

14. What's your all-time favourite ship?

Shepard and Kaidan, to the surprise of no one.

15. What's a WIP you want to finish, but doubt you ever will?

I would like to finish Never Surrender, my Stargate Atlantis WIP that is partially published. Part of that will involve migrating it over to AO3. I'm so enmeshed in Mass Effect and The Great Rewrite that I don't know that I have time for that WIP right now.

16. What are your writing strengths?

Dialogue and combat.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

Bridging scenes together. I get way too in my head about it, especially when characters are just sitting in silence for a moment.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

I would love to do this and maybe could do it in a rusty, limited capacity with French, but it has been ages since I've spoken it in any useful capacity.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Star Trek Voyager. I've long since lost this story, but it was writing a bisexual and (though I didn't have the words for it at the time) asexual Seven of Nine.

Listen, I don't wanna say I was prophetic but have you watched Picard? Case settled.

20. Favourite fic you've ever written?

Choosing is hard!!!! Also I have so much unfinished, unpublished stuff that is my favorite but sticking to things that are published out there on AO3, it would be No Strings Attached. Shepard and Kaidan find unexpected happiness, then pine for a couple years because they were trying to pretend they weren't in love, and then the find each other again on the Normandy. They're nerdy dorks. They get to be the lighter versions of themselves and let go of expectations for a few days with each other and be a little reckless (and deeply, unapologetically romantic).

I also wrote that story in like 6 days while high off my ass on cold and flu medicine with a raging fever of like 102.

[thefloatingstone]

Oh, here's a deeply personal ME question for you? Your favorite Shepard Pre-Service History, Psychological Profile, and class?

Ah easy!

I like going Minoir. The reason being is Shepard's parents still being around feels a little off when you get to ME3. She does mention them in ME3 if they're around, but the Colony background just suits her better.

And then you basically HAVE to go Sole Survivor because if you choose that, the other characters will CONSTANTLY talk about it and reference it and it opens up a lot of dialogue and conversations which tie into Akuze in meaningful ways.

I'm always pure paragon because of course I am. How could I not?

And class I like playing Engineer. It's not as great in ME1 but it's bloody CRACKED in ME2. I remember having to up the difficulty in ME2 when I played it with Engineer because being an engineer and then also having Mordin along for basically every mission means you both just set shit on fire AND use incendiary rounds. Which turns every enemy into tissue paper.

Also Engineer iirc gives the cloak ability which is super useful in ME2 and 3 for giving your team first aid when they need it.

[seeker-of-wonder]

Hey, if you don't mind me asking, what's your shep's pre-service history and psychological profile?

I don't mind at all! I was sorta going for what I assume are the defaults on this playthrough, so my Shepard is Earthborn + Sole Survivor.

Now that I think about it, they brought up Akuze so many times in ME1 that I can't even really imagine what a Shepard with a different backstory would be like 😅

[average-mako-enjoyer]

Leng would have worked if he'd been an established antagonist since ME1. Someone who has clear motivations and a character arc of their own.

He could have been Shepard's old acquaintance, someone involved in Shepard's pre-service history, an old squadmate who presumably died or left feeling betrayed by the Alliance.

I despise Kai Leng and his pathetic faux foil role in ME3 so much. It would've been so much better if it had been the Virmire victim and honestly- it would've made the Cerberus storyline so much better. It would've turned "Shepard becomes an idiot every time some guy with a sword appears" into "Shepard is blindsided by seeing their friend back from the dead". It also works with the foils dynamic and more:

Both brought back by Cerberus. Shows Shepard the other side of the coin - how they could've been if Cerberus had actually messed with their head. Shepard also makes some comments about themselves that make it look, in a way, like they do have some lingering doubts at the very least about coming back. When you look at the Shepard VI and they ask if they are really like that, when they ask EDI if they are transhuman or cyborg, when they refuse to talk about the clone situation every time it's brought up on the DLC, when they keep comparing the clone to themselves... I know we have the child dreams as our show of Shepards PTSD, but this could've added another layer to it.

"And for every soldier you [the reapers] add, your enemy loses two: the one you converted, and his buddy on the other side who can't pull the trigger on a friend." -> we could see this! Javik aludes to the same, but we never see it on screen. It's just a hypothetical, the only people who become indoctrinated are villains, Cerberus, or their allies. This would've shown that, it would've been some cool foreshadowing. As it is, it's just a loose end.

Shepard spat in Cerberus eye when they left, especially if they destroyed the Collector base. Using the resuscitated and indoctrinated friend against them would've been an incredible way of spitting back at them. It would've been an amazing show of power. It could've demonstrated that Shepard wasn't the first, that Cerberus was already experimenting with life and death even before the success of the Lazarus project.

It gives more credibility to TIM's claims that he can control the reapers, and it's a nice setup to the reveal of what's actually going on in Horizon and Sanctuary.

And even then, no Kai Leng and no Virmire victim would've been better than Kai Leng. Everything stays the same but that plot-armored jackass doesn't exist. Cerberus attempts a coup with regular agents, they steal the data from thessia with regular agents, they show up as regular agents on Horizon, etc. Because Leng doesn't work at all in the story. He doesn't.

Regardless of how well it was executed, the entire Cerberus plot line is supposed to be a "coming full circle" moment from me1. We had the indoctrinated Saren leading the indoctrinated geth (synthetic) in me1. We have the indoctrinated TIM leading indoctrinated humans (organics) in me3. We end up with a "showdown" between saren/TIM in which depending on how persuasive we were during our previous talks, they (now deformed by reaper tech) shoot themselves in the head.

Where does Kai Leng fit into all of this? He doesn't! He's just... there. He's got no room in the story.

[swaps55]

Letting them warm their cold hands under your shirt.

Wordless Ways to Say “I Love You”

38. Letting them warm their cold hands under your shirt.

It’s been almost three years since Kaidan last knocked on the door of Shepard’s cabin.

It was a different cabin back then, of course. Smaller. Sparser. Both of them were a lot younger, too, a lot less cynical and a lot more idealistic.

At least, Kaidan was. Sometimes he thinks Shepard was born old.

Sure, three years isn’t much in the grand scheme of things. But Shepard’s lived two lifetimes in those three years, and it turns out treading water instead of living ages you a lot quicker than you’d think.

Three years doesn’t change everything, but when Shepard lets him in and they shuffle their feet, duck each other’s gazes, sit too far apart on the couch and try not to look at the bed while they munch on ration bars and read about reaper movements in awkward silence, Kaidan understands that it’s changed many things.

It used to be so effortless. The time they had together, truly together, had been so short, but after spending five years falling in love without noticing they hadn’t wasted any of it. Now it’s like starting all over again.

He’s never not known how to act around Shepard before. Shepard’s never not known how to act around him. Yet here they are, exchanging sidelong glances with nearly a full seat cushion between them, neither of them able to figure out how to bridge the gap.

Maybe it’s fear of the unknown. He hasn’t touched Shepard in three years. Not like that, anyway. When he’d finally kissed him again, when they finally admitted they couldn’t just keep walking away, Shepard’s lips weren’t like he remembered.

But that’s because he couldn’t remember.

He’d started forgetting things. The texture of his lips. The warmth of his arms. What had once been so real, so important, had become more like an echo, something Kaidan could only recall if he put all his thought into it. Even then he’d started to wonder if he really remembered it, or if his brain was just filling in the gaps.

He may not remember the texture of those lips, but he’s held on to the way they’d made him feel. Light, free, like he’d been holding his breath for years and finally learned how to exhale. Kissing Shepard had felt like coming home. But kissing him again with those three years hanging between them hadn’t felt familiar.

What else has he forgotten? What else did they never get the chance to figure out? With the galaxy coming down around them, what will they never learn?

“You’re thinking really hard about something.”

Kaidan jumps. Shepard’s eyes are on him, expression a mix of concern, exhaustion and maybe even a little wariness.

“Yeah,” Kaidan says with a sigh, setting the datapad down. “That obvious?”

“Your poker face is still terrible when there aren’t cards in your hand.”

Kaidan huffs. “Most people don’t have as much experience with it as you did. Do. Fuck.” He rubs the bridge of his nose and exhales.

“Hey.” Shepard slides closer to him, puts an arm around his shoulders and reels him in until their foreheads touch. “Hey.”

“I’m sorry,” Kaidan says. “I’m out of my element here. Not used to that with you.”

“That’s why we’re taking it slow.” The tension in Shepard’s arm bleeds into Kaidan’s shoulders. Why, why, why isn’t it easy? It should be. They’ve earned it. They deserve a little easy.

And they don’t have time to be slow.

This isn’t like it was before Alchera. Then the reaper threat had been existential dread, background noise that made it hard to sleep but not hard to live. Earth is on fire. Half the galaxy is burning, and Shepard’s the only source of water they have to put it out.

Shepard knows it, too. You can see it in his eyes, feel it in his steps. Just looking at him now makes Kaidan feel heavy. Shepard’s always pulled all the energy in a room right to him, but instead of radiating it like he used to, now he’s more of a black hole. Sucking in the light without the ability to reflect it back out.

The end is coming. All they have are moments. Kaidan doesn’t want to spend them like this, yearning and regretting and fumbling for an thread to hold onto that will get him across this chasm between them. He wants Sam. He wants to feel Shepard’s skin under his palms, hear him laugh in the dark, glimpse the smile no one else gets to see. He wants the freefall in his stomach, to find his way home in Shepard’s arms.

He wants those three years, and he’ll never get them.

Kaidan snakes an arm around Shepard’s back and pulls him in, taking away the distance and holding him as close as he can. Shepard returns the embrace, maybe out of instinct, reflex, maybe something more. 

“I don’t know what to do and I hate it,” he whispers against Shepard’s neck.

Shepard leans backward along the length of the couch, taking Kaidan with him until they lie tangled together, Shepard’s head on the arm rest and Kaidan’s on his shoulder. It takes a few tries to find the right way for their limbs to fall together, but eventually they manage.

“We’ll figure it out,” Shepard tells him. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”

Kaidan rests a hand on Shepard’s chest, but his resentment of the fabric that’s still between them, his anger over how much they’ve lost and will never get back, overpowers everything else. Shepard stiffens a little as Kaidan tugs the shirt until it untucks, then slips a hand underneath, looking for skin. When he finds it, lays his palm flat against it, he expects some kind of revelation.

Instead Shepard jumps and hisses through his teeth.

Kaidan jerks his hand away like he’s been shot, mortified until he realizes Shepard is grinning.

“Fuck,” he says, laughing. “I forgot about your necromancy hands.”

And there it is. That laugh Kaidan used to hear in the dark. The grin that belongs to him, and no one else. The person on the couch with him now isn’t Shepard. There’s no Horizon, no Alchera, no Mars sitting so heavy between them. In this moment, he’s with Sam.

Shepard grabs Kaidan’s hand and shoves it back under his shirt, stomach rippling as he chuckles. “How does someone who puts out as much energy as you do have the coldest fucking hands in the galaxy?”

Kaidan doesn’t have an answer aside from laughter, so it’s what he gives. Shepard traps their hands together under his shirt, giving him warmth on all sides, and runs fingers through Kaidan’s hair.

“I have missed you so much,” Kaidan murmurs when the laughter fades and a comfortable quiet settles in.

“Me too,” Shepard says. “I know it’s not easy. I know it’s going to take some time. But I swear to you I’m going to fight for everything I can.” He cups a hand against Kaidan’s cheek, gently angles his face until their eyes meet.

“This time we’re going to get it right.”

[omegastation]

Ya know, I'm kinda sad that the backgrounds for Shepard weren't utilized more. I liked the quests in ME1 and the references to them in 2 and 3, but like...

It's weird to me that a Sole Survivor Shepard can't bring it up or relate their own traumatizing past with Garrus when his team dies or with Jack. Or with anyone, really.

Why wasn't Spacer Shep given unique dialogues with Tali??

Or Ruthless with someone like Zaeed or even TiM?

Missed opportunities, imo. I know they probably won't, but I hope in the future they'll matter more. Assuming we'll even get a choice in the backgrounds anymore.

Yes, I agree! I've always played a Sole Survivor Spacer but I never felt like it mattered much, in the game itself, what I picked. The pre-service history and psychological profile matter to me, as a player, so I feel more connected to Shepard, but that's about it.

And I know it would have required them to costumize the character more with added scenes, dialogues, etc... But there are a lot of missed opportunities like you said, ways to deepen relationships.

Why wasn't Spacer Shep given unique dialogues with Tali??

I'm really, reaaaaaaaaally loving this suggestion!!!!!!!!!!!!

Or Ruthless with someone like Zaeed or even TiM?

Even Ruthless with Hackett post Arrival or Anderson regarding Saren's methods.

[mythomagic29]

Mass Effect Legendary Edition - 30 Day Character Challenge

I've made a Character Development Challenge for your Shepards. I've taken inspiration from a bunch of different challenges. I love fleshing out my characters. Giving them a History, figuring out their feelings and thoughts. It really helps me connect with my character. Hope you enjoy expanding on your character! Day 1. Introduction· Name/Sign/Gender: Where does your character stand with their morality? Anything else you want to include? Day 2. Appearance· Hair color/cut - Eye color - Notable scars? How did they get them? Any tattoos? What do they represent? Day 3. Preferences· Favorite color?· What kinds of food do they like?· What is her Fashion Sense? What type of environment do they prefer spending time in?· Favorite type of music? · Genre of books? Vids?· Anything else that needs mentioned? Day 4. Service Record· Pre-Service History (Spacer, Earthborn, or Colonist): Psychological Profile (Sole Survivor, War Hero, or Ruthless): Training (class)? What made them pick that? Why did they join the military? Day 5. Personality· Overall summary of their personality Character strengths?· Character weaknesses?· Does your character grow at all during the game? Does anything change? Day 6. History/Character· Outside Game Canon, Did you expand on Shepard’s Past? What Language(s) does your Shepard speak? What Interests do they have? What Skills do they possess? Day 7. Fear· Does Shepard have any trival fears, like spiders or clowns?· What about more complex fears, like losing someone?· How do they deal with their fears? · Do they have any nightmares? What about? Day 8. Mass Effect 1 Squad· How does Shepard feel about their squadmates? Garrus- Tali- Liara- Wrex- Ashley- Kaidan- Day 9. Normandy SR-1 Crew What about the rest of the crew? Joker- Chakwas - Engineer Adams - Navigator Pressly - Jenkins- Day 10. Mass Effect 1 Romance· What’s your Shepard’s sexual orientation?· Who did they romance? What type of relationship is it/how do they handle the relationship(s)? Does Shepard and their romance have any interesting kinks?· What drew them to each other? What do they talk about? Day 11. Citadel· What were their initial thoughts about the Citadel? What is Shepard’s Relationship with the Council? What was the initial impression and future impressions of the people below: Anderson Udina Conrad Day 12. Mass Effect 1 Decisions· Did Shepard Recruit Everyone to her team? Did Shepard Save or Shut Down the Colony on Feros? Did Shepard Save or Kill the Rachni Queen? Did Shepard Save the Hostages or pursue Balak on the Asteroid? Does Wrex Live or Die on Virmire? Who did you save on Virmire and why? Did you Save the Destiny Ascension or Focus on Sovereign? Who did you Appoint to the Council and why? Day 13. Mass Effect 1 Reflection What was Shepard’s favorite Mission? Worst Mission? What was Shepard’s hardest decision? Favorite NPC? Day 14. Cerberus What were their initial thoughts about Cerberus bringing them back? What were their thoughts about working with Cerberus? How did Shepard change from when they were in the Alliance as a Spectre to working with Cerberus? What was Shepard’s relationship with the Illusive Man? Day 15. Faith and Death Does your Shepard believe in a religion? Why or why not?· How devout are they to their faith? Or how militant are they with their atheism?· How does Shepard feel about dying twice? Did they see anything? Day 16. Mass Effect 2 Squad· How does Shepard feel about their squadmates? How was their Reunion if from ME1? Garrus- Tali- Grunt - Thane- Jack- Miranda- Jacob- Legion- Samara &/or Morinth- Mordin- Kasumi - Zaeed- Day 17. Normandy SR-2 Crew How does Shepard feel about the rest of the crew? Joker- Chakwas - Kelly Chambers- Kenneth Donnely & Gabriella Daniels- Mess Sergeant Gardner - EDI- Did Shepard take care of her Fish? Were they able to keep them alive? Day 18. Old Squadmates How did Shepard feel about seeing their old squadmates? How was the reunion? Liara Kaidan or Ashley Wrex Day 19. Mass Effect 2 Romance· What’s your Shepard’s sexual orientation?· Who did they romance? Was there a love triangle? What type of relationship is it/how do they handle the relationship? If they romanced someone different, how do they feel about their old partner and what made them end the relationship? Does Shepard and their romance have any interesting kinks?· What drew them to each other? What do they talk about? Day 20. Mass Effect 2 Reflection What was Shepard’s favorite Mission? What was your favorite Loyalty Mission? What was Shepard’s hardest decision to make? Favorite NPC? Day 21. Mass Effect 3 Squad· How does Shepard feel about their squadmates? Garrus- Tali- Liara- Ashley or Kaidan- Javik - James Vega - EDI - Day 22. Normandy ME3 Crew What about the rest of the crew? Joker- Chakwas or Chloe Michel - Samantha Taynor - Steve Cortez- Engineer Adams - Diana Allers Day 23. Mass Effect 3 Romance· What’s your Shepard’s sexual orientation?· Who did they romance? Was there a love triangle? What type of relationship is it/how do they handle the relationship(s)? If they romanced someone different, how do they feel about their old partner? Did your Shepard have a hard time choosing between partners? Does Shepard and their romance have any interesting kinks?· What drew them to each other? What do they talk about? Day 24. Mass Effect 3 Decisions· Did they pick Destroy, Control, Synthesis, or Refuse? How did they feel when making their decision? If Shepard could leave any last message, what would they have said? If they pick Destroy and Lived, what happens to Shepard? Day 25. Mass Effect 3 Reflection What was Shepard’s favorite Mission? What was Shepard’s hardest decision to make? Favorite NPC? Day 26. Beliefs & Opinions What are Shepard’s opinions on the Genophage? What are Shepard’s opinions on the Quarian/Geth Conflict? What is Shepard’s favorite Alien Species? Day 27. R&R Does Shepard relax, or are they itching to get back into action?· Do they have any hobbies or talents?·. How often do they take a moment when they go to different planets? What do they do in different cities to relax?· What is Shepard’s alcohol tolerance? What does Shepard like to drink? Favorite way to relax? Day 28. Personal Style· What do they wear when they’re on duty? What about when they’re not? How do they decorate their cabin? · How do they dance, if at all? Are they clean or messy? Favorite Place on the Normandy? Favorite City? Day 29. Fighting Style· What was their favorite skill? Least favorite?· Favorite gun/guns?· How are they in hand to hand combat?· Do they tend to rush in or stay back and dictate action? Day 30. Mako Was your Shepard a good driver?· Favorite driving terrain? Least favorite? What Squadmates hated or loved traveling in the Mako Day 31. Ending What happens to your old companions after the final decision? How does the Day of the Final Decision go down in history? What was Shepard’s saddest or most difficult moment? Day 32. Face to Face How much of your Shepard is based off of you? Where are you alike? Where do you differ?· Would you get along with your Shepard? What would you do if you spent the day together? Day 33. Playlist· Find any number of songs that you feel fit your character, their relationship with any of their companions, or a specific moment in their story. List them here.

[ao3feed-mshenko]

Space Talk

by swaps55

Sam and Kaidan do a little unexpected Skygazing on Eletania.

Kaidan exhales in relief and rolls onto his back beside Shepard, staring up at the sky. It’s blue and serene, the dusty haze of Eletania’s ring sweeping through it like a starfield. One of the most beautiful things he’s ever seen. A laugh spills out of him.

“Fuck. I thought you were dead. Again.”

“Yeah,” Shepard says with a chuckle of his own. “Me too.”

Kaidan puts a shaking hand to his faceplate, apparently not done laughing. “Why do you always have to touch stuff?”

“I’m sorry, who had to go lick the beacon on Eden Prime?”

“That was professional curiosity.”

Words: 7733, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Series: Part 15 of Opus - The Multiverse

Fandoms: Mass Effect Trilogy

Rating: Mature

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: M/M

Characters: Kaidan Alenko, Male Shepard (Mass Effect)

Relationships: Kaidan Alenko/Male Shepard

Additional Tags: Pining, Mutual Pining, First Kiss, shepard and kaidan have a pre-ME1 service history

source https://archiveofourown.org/works/41766261

[slothssassin]

OC/Shepard as a companion

So ages ago the lovely @alyssalenko tagged me to do this, thank you, and sorry it took so super long! Originally this is a meme for your Shepard, but since I wanted to add a new OC to my Jules Shepard's story, I did it for her. Hope you don't mind!

Tagging @liaorban @starsandskies @playstationmademe and @galacticnug but no pressure of course, and feel free to do this for your Shep and not for an OC!

Picrew is here!

THE BASICS:

Full name: Tori Robin Royle

Class: Engineer

Pre-service history: Enlisted to basic Alliance training when she was 18 in 2175. After she had finished school, she traveled around for a while, performing at different places, planning to start her career as a singer. All in her family are active Alliance soldiers though so Tori felt the pressure to enlist as well.

Psychological profile: Unlike the rest of her family, Tori wasn’t meant to be a soldier. During her basic training, where she also met Commander Shepard and became their protegé, it became clear quickly that she wouldn’t be able to fight at the front line. The Alliance encourages her to improve her tech skills though, and with hard work (and help from Shepard) Tori becomes an Engineer. While she’s not a powerful fighter, Tori can quickly oversee the battlefield in combat and debuff enemies with her tech skills, actually becoming one of the most valued Engineers in her unit. Still, Tori never really felt at home in the military and didn’t stop dreaming of a career as a musician. While Shepard oversees other young soldiers as well, they developed a special connection with Tori, reassuring her to go her own way, even if that meant leaving the Alliance. To her own surprise, Tori gets assigned to a unit that hunts down batarian pirates in 2179. During an attack she gets heavily wounded though and loses her right arm. After she spent months on her recovery, she finally decides to leave the Alliance. Not much is known about her life after that - but she did become rather well known on the Citadel, finally working as the musician she always wanted to be. The Alliance loosely keeps track of her as she’s still in contact with Commander Shepard.

Rest is under the cut :)

MASS EFFECT 1:

When/how are they recruited: She won’t be recruited in ME1. She’s 26 at this time (2183), and left the Alliance in 2180 after she couldn’t get over her accident in 2179. Tori used to play the guitar in a band, but in 2182 she started her solo-career. She’s not really a celebrity but has made a name for herself as a singer, mostly performing at bars. Shepard can meet her at the Flux where she performs on Wednesday nights with her “Oldies” show - heavily influenced by 1950s Earth music.

Where are they on the Normandy: At the Citadel. She can be found at the Flux when she performs or at the Presidium

Are they romanceable: No

Personal quest: If Shepard visits her at the Flux they can talk about their common past. Tori will ask Shepard to check on her parents who she hasn’t heard from in a few months - which is not uncommon, as they aren’t close, but she started to worry. Shepard can then check the last known coordinates for the spaceship Tori’s parents worked on and find out that there was a major technical problem. The crew was trapped on the Carrier with no means to land and no way of contacting anyone. If Shepard does the mission and saves the ship, including Tori’s parents, it will contribute to Tori and her parents getting closer plus you get to see Tori perform. If Shepard doesn’t visit Tori or doesn’t do her quest, a Turian ship will save the Carrier and Shepard will hear about it in an elevator on the Citadel.

Who are their friends: Shepard is her friend, and she would get on especially well with Liara, Joker and Kaidan.

MASS EFFECT 2:

What does their dossier say: Tori Robin Royle, or Robin Royle aka RR when she performs, is a seemingly harmless, popular singer on the Citadel. But, behind the mask of a performer, she’s a retired but very capable Engineer. She has ties to Commander Shepard, could be easily influenced to help the mission, and, as a friend, might improve Shepard’s mood and thoughts about working with Cerberus, if she is recruited.

When/how are they recruited: She can be recruited in Act 2 after Shepard went to Horizon. If Shepard was in a romantic relationship with Ashley or Kaidan, Tori will send a message to Shepard, telling them she heard what happened and is there to talk whenever they want. The Illusive Man will encourage Shepard to visit Tori on the Citadel and ask her to join as she could be a valuable asset - hinting heavily that he has the means to end Tori’s career if Shepard doesn’t ask her.

Where are they on the Normandy: Either in the Mess Hall on Deck 3 or in the Starboard Observation.

Are they romanceable: No. If Shepard doesn’t romance Thane she’ll be in a relationship with him though.

How do they react to the PC returning: She will be incredibly surprised, but happy - after all, they had been friends and Tori had grieved for them. She’d be unsure about their connection to Cerberus though, and worried that Cerberus rebuilding them might have changed them. Tori would ask Shepard some personal questions, but would stop quickly as she’d feel like she’s invading their privacy. Only later on, on the Normandy, they would talk again about how Shepard feels about working with Cerberus, their cybernetics, and their personal history.

Personal quest: Tori approaches Shepard after she gets a call from her parents. If Shepard did Tori’s assignment in ME1, she will tell them that she got a bit closer with her parents, even though they don’t see each other often. If Shepard didn’t do her quest she’ll say that her parents wouldn’t contact her if it’s not important. Tori’s brother Andrew, a rather high-ranking Alliance officer, has gone missing and the Alliance wasn’t able to investigate or didn’t share any information. Shepard and Tori will meet with the Shadow Broker, aka Liara, to get information on Tori’s brother. They will discover that the Alliance did investigate but couldn’t find out what happened to Andrew either, and that his last coordinates are somewhere on a planet in the Horse Head Nebula. After following the coordinates and finding some clues they discover that Andrew had formed a small unit to hunt down a gang of Turian pirates. The pirates got the better of them though and Andrew and his unit died - their bodies can be found inside a factory, seemingly killed in action. Tori will be devastated, even though she wasn’t close with her brother. Shepard can assure her they will hunt down the pirates (which would lead to another side quest) and that they’ll do her best so the Alliance honours his death - this will cheer Tori up a little, but it’s not necessary to gain her loyalty.

Do they fight with any other companions: She has companions she’s not very close with due to them being rather different - like Miranda, Jack or Zaeed. However she rather keeps her distance than to engage in any fights.

What files does the Shadow Broker have on them: Her personal history, information on her family and video material of some of her performances. A list of songs she wants to cover, an extensive shopping list and the history of her watched videos. If Shepard hasn’t romanced Thane, then he and Tori get close - there will also be some files of songs she wrote for him (and changed frequently) and some emails they exchanged.

Can they die in the suicide mission, and how: She can die if she’s left behind as a defender as her combat skills aren’t the best.

MASS EFFECT 3:

When/how are they recruited: After the suicide mission she takes some time off. First, she visits her family and grieves for her brother. Then she goes back to the Citadel, planning to continue working as a singer. If she’s with Thane she spends less time performing and puts all her energy into helping him find a cure. She can then be convinced to come back to the Normandy after Thane dies (or for those like me who refuse to accept that Thane dies: They both come back after the Coup). If she’s not with Thane she will still join the Normandy Crew after the Coup.

Where are they on the Normandy: Mostly in the Starboard Observatory or the Mess Hall, just like in ME2.

Are they romanceable: No. If Shepard didn’t romance Thane she’s with him.

Citadel meetup (during the game, where do you meet them on the Citadel and what do you talk about): She can be found on the Silversun Strip, happy to get the chance to perform again. Other times she’s seen with the refugees, talking to them or playing the guitar for some children. If she’s with Thane, both can also be found at the Presidium. She and Shepard would talk about their past, how things have changed, and their hobbies. If she’s with Thane Shepard can also talk about his sickness (and recovery) and how they spend their time together.

How does the PC relax with them in the Citadel DLC (ie, buying gifts with EDI, watching the game with James and Vega, etc.): Tori would invite Shepard to watch one of her performances. She’d also suggest some firearms training as she feels like she needs it. Alternatively they would go to a bar or a restaurant to talk, or go shopping for supplies (and maybe more fish).

What do they say to the PC before the final battle: “I can’t believe this is it.. I’m scared Shepard, but I’ll do my best to assist you. And please, know that whatever happens - you’ve been a true friend to me, always helpful, always supporting. I’m thankful I met you all those years ago. Now let’s go. We’ll get out of this. We’ll see each other again, I know it.“

[morganaseren]

Rajhi Shepard ME1 FAQ

Name: Rajhi (phonetically pronounced “Rah-Jee”) Shepard

Pre-service History: Spacer

Psychological Profile: War Hero

Class: Vanguard

Morality: Paragon

Combat style: As with most Vanguards, she utilizes a great amount of high-risk, high-reward maneuvers. She often charges first into battle---quite literally---taking out the furthest opponent on the field since they often have long-range weapons that could potentially be used to pick off her squadmates. Most enemies barely have the chance to see the blur of dark energy in the distance before it suddenly closes in on them with bone-shattering force with death soon following afterward from the shotgun slug to the face if the extreme, physical trauma doesn’t down them first.

From her new position, Rajhi uses it to otherwise flank her squad’s remaining enemies, forcing them into a two-sided battle. With gunfire from one end and devastating biotic attacks from the other, it’s a challenge few can survive. Any attempts to fall back into a more defensive position are quickly undone when Rajhi can outmaneuver them with a biotic charge, whittling down their numbers until no one is left standing.

Weapons of Choice: In ME1, she really enjoyed using the Spectre Gear line of shotguns and heavy pistols for their sheer stopping power. While the former sees more use, she does occasionally switch to a pistol if the terrain proves too difficult in closing distance efficiently or there are exceptionally mobile targets on the field such as drones and the agile Geth Hoppers.

Ethnicity: She has a mix of Indian and European ancestry from her father with more Southeasten Asian influence (mostly Thai and Laotian) from her mother.

Height: 6′6″ (198cm)

Appearance: Rajhi has thick, black hair with a faded undercut while the length up top is much longer. It’s often swept back and to the side (as seen in that first image) for an otherwise clean, well-groomed look, but she has some persistent cowlicks along the back right-side of her head as seen in the image above. She’s long since given up on trying to get them to behave and stay flat. Lol.

Her eyes are a honey-brown, and beneath them are the constellations of freckles that spread across her cheeks and over the long, broad arch of her nose.

The scar that runs diagonally across her face is an unfortunate souvenir of sorts during the Skyllian Blitz, where she had to break formation from her team to seal a breach in their defense in order to keep the batarian slavers from overrunning them and the colonists they were helping to defend. A well-timed grenade behind cover sent bits of shrapnel flying toward her, and the heat of the metal seared itself across her face. With no chance to properly heal the injury between persistent enemy attacks, she was left with a prominent scar by the time medigel and a doctor’s aid could be applied.

Physique: There’s honestly more muscles than curves to Rajhi’s body with her broad shoulders and hips---a tall column of absolute strength. She’s pretty proportional to her height in terms of overall mass, but every part of her is just solid muscle from her years of military service. She’s a Vanguard, so she’s trained to be the first and last defense on the battlefield, and it clearly shows.

Personality: Rajhi’s pure of heart but dumb of ass to be perfectly honest. Lmfao. She’s friendly enough to talk your ear off if given half the chance along with possessing a natural sort of curiosity to her (at least that’s what I headcanon as to why she’s constantly asking questions lol). While she always has the best interests of the mission at heart, that doesn’t mean she won’t find the most chaotic way of getting there.

---

“So what’s up with the mining laser, Tali?”

“Besides it being decades old? It’s broken,” she said as she typed away at the console. “Honestly, for a place said to be a Prothean ruin, I’m amazed they’re not using something more state of the art.”

“Well, I think the report stated it was only a theory of it actually being Prothean,” Shepard said as she climbed up to inspect the bulky shaft of the machine. “Probably didn’t want to insure all that equipment to the ass end of nowhere without being certain first.”

Tali gave a noncommittal hum in response while trying to reroute power into the mining laser. “Well, that’s strange. It’s drawing energy just fine, but there’s some type of disconnect between that and the mechanism that fires the—”

She barely caught the haze of blue out of the corner of her helmet before Shepard gave the side of the machine a biotics-powered headbutt. With the resounding bang, Tali gave another startled jerk---hands fluttering briefly over the haptic interface of the console---as the laser actually fired into the debris ahead, clearing a path for them.

“Great! Fixed it!” Shepard grinned, hopping down from the laser before marching through the rubble. “Right. On we go then.”

Tali just stared after her, dumbfounded, while Wrex guffawed loudly in the background.

---

(See Ash’s look there? She knows her CO is solemnly up to no good. Lol. And she’d be right. Where Rajhi goes, trouble is normally soon to follow. :P )

Squad of Choice: Tali and Ashley

Love Interest: Her canon romance is with Sam. She was single all throughout ME1 and ME2 (although she did accidentally sleep with the Consort that one time lmfao). There are a couple AUs I have in mind where she romances other people though, such as Tali or Tevos.

Game Choices:

Recruited Wrex and Garrus before leaving the Citadel and also did their respective loyalty missions when they were available.

Recruited Tali and gave her the Geth data when requested.

Recruited Liara before doing any of the main missions in-game (what monster just leaves her in a bubble long enough to begin hallucinating?)

Saved the Feros colony without killing a single colonist but shot Jeong for what he had knowingly done to them all.

Spared the Rachni Queen.

Saved the hostages in the Bring Down the Sky DLC.

Convinced Wrex to stand down in Virmire.

Saved Ashley on Virmire.

Chose the Charm option in her final confrontation with Saren, causing him to see reason and take his own life rather than add to the harm that he had already inflicted across the galaxy.

Saved the Council.

Chose Anderson as the first human Councilor.

This is already getting a little long, so you can read the rest of her history below the cut.

History: Her parents were both already in the Alliance when they first met.

Her mother Hannah was being stationed at Sakharov Station with the rest of her infantry unit as part of a cooperative defense effort with a team arriving from the Alliance Engineering Corps. The latter was there to retrofit the equipment used to collect helium-3 fuel from Uranus while also updating the defensive grid across the station.

While all the engineers were impressive in skill, none captured Hannah’s attention quite like Aakesh Shepard. While he seemed rather intimidating with his towering height, he had an easy charm to him along with a witty sense of humor that earned him fast friends with just about anyone that would listen to him---traits that he would eventually pass to his daughter.

While properly trained in firearms and combat, Aakesh didn’t see nearly as much field time as Hannah’s team did. Thus, he seemed just as easily taken in by her prowess as a soldier, often watching from afar as the woman participated in drills across the station that had her outpacing the rest of her colleagues.

Their respective friends teased them both about their seemingly mutual infatuation, but it took them being set up on an impromptu date together (both their teams locked down the mess hall so that they were the only two within it) that they eventually confessed their feelings for one another, entering into a relationship that would later see them married and have a daughter together.

Rajhi was the absolute pride of her parents. While she adored both greatly, she was always closest to her father, ever fascinated with the many things he could create even just mere scraps of metal and a discarded circuit board. During his off-duty times, they spent a great deal of time building things together, and he introduced her to a lot of the engineering knowledge he built up over the course of a lifetime (which is my personal headcanon as to why Shepard can hack things in-game lol).

Rajhi was a fairly agreeable child growing up despite constantly being on the move every few years as her parents were transferred across ships and stations. Her friendly personality meant that she earned friends easily, however, and she learned to adapt to her new surroundings when needed.

Her only problem came when her biotics started further developing during her early teenage years. Before then, Rajhi could only get a brief biotic glow across her fingers. It was only when she accidentally launched herself backwards across the room with an impromptu sneeze that her parents realized she needed help and got her fitted with a implant. The standard version improved matters somewhat, but she was still having fits of accidental charges.

The fact that she was already clumsy to begin with certainly didn’t do her any favors. It became evident that Rajhi would end up inheriting her father’s height by the time she was through with puberty. With her tall, lanky frame, she was constantly bumping into things while also struggling to grow into her new abilities.

Despite it all, Rajhi ended up enlisting not long after graduating high school.

Her parents weren’t necessarily surprised since she had never been shy about voicing her plans to follow in their footsteps, but they were concerned. With the First Contact War, things had changed greatly ever since they themselves enlisted. There was more to see in the galaxy now, but there was certainly more danger to be found as well. Nevertheless, they supported her decision as she left for basic training.

The biotic instructors didn’t know what to do with her at first since Rajhi was constantly falling all over herself with the smallest displays of dark energy even with the new L5n implant they fitted her with. She still accidentally charged into the (thankfully) padded walls of the training facility or right into the racks of exercise equipment, which earned her more than a few exasperated reprimands from her teachers along with the jeering of the other cadets.

It quickly looked like she would end up failing until one of the Vanguard instructors took her under his wing, instructing her on both meditation and tai chi to deal with both her restless energy and to help regain her balance.

“Had the same problem as you did, kid,” he explained gruffly while walking her through the motions again. “It took a while for my body to catch up to what my brain knew I could do. I learned how to center myself better by doing this, and it helped. Might work the same way for you.”

And it had.

With patience and more than a little determination on her part, Rajhi was able to re-dedicate herself to her training. Over time, the gangly form she had all her life finally began to fill out with impressive bulk and muscle (although the N7 program would be where she would further enhance her physique). No longer stumbling over herself with every display of biotics, she took the Vanguard division by storm in several exhibition matches. Where she was once the lowest-ranked cadet, she now held herself firmly at the top, and she found that she’d earned herself more than a few new admirers with her accomplishment, and she was more than happy to entertain their attentions off-duty...

Rajhi was on shore leave several years later on Elysium when the event known as the Skyllian Blitz occurred. She had little on her at the time but her usual service uniform and a pistol as did the rest of her colleagues. They were in a highly indefensible position with some civilians along a commercial store front when one of their walls suffered a breach by pirates. Rajhi immediately fell back to that position alone to prevent the batarians from overrunning them all.

What followed was a battle of attrition over several hours as she held the line using biotics and a few well-placed pistol shots. She even requested that her colleagues toss her their spent thermal clips, which she used to toss over the batarians’ barricade only to snipe them mid-air, causing a series of miniature explosions from the latent heat still left within them. They startled the enemy enough to fall back in their position, and she was able to hold her own even longer by the time more Alliance ships arrived to help. Her bravery and unorthodox tactics that day won her the Star of Terra along with a commendation to the coveted N7 program, which she later became a proud graduate of.

Her father died a few years after that incident. A fuel refinery had been raided by pirates out in the Traverse system. It was on the verge of going critical from equipment and the internal systems being negligently mishandled, and the resulting blast would have been enough to level the densely-populated colony nearby. With his team providing cover fire, Aakesh was able to seal himself inside the central chamber in a desperate attempt to limit the explosion radius if he couldn’t redirect fuel lines in time.

He was able enter one of the last few commands into the console to restart emergency protocols just as one of the overheated generators nearby discharged, killing him instantly. Save for the pirates---either dead or surrendering themselves once more Alliance soldiers arrived on scene---he was the only casualty that day. He was hailed a hero for his efforts and was posthumously awarded the Star of Terra by the Alliance.

Rajhi and Hannah took the loss hard.

However, their respective duties meant that they often went long periods without seeing each other very often although her mother always made certain to send care packages whenever she could along with messages saying how proud she was of her. 

Working in special ops, Rajhi was without that aspect of family for several years until she hand-picked by then Captain Anderson to join the Normandy, unaware that she was being considered as a Spectre candidate at the time or that she would be taken on the mission of a lifetime with those she would eventually consider her closest friends and allies.

She got on exceedingly well with all of them.

She greatly respected Liara for her intellect, and Rajhi had the best conversations with Tali. Because her own father was an engineer, Rajhi had a soft spot for any she met. Thus, she was utterly fascinated by how quickly Tali could pick up on anything remotely tech-related. She often spent time near the drive core just to talk to Tali and ask her questions, which might have inadvertently prevented any confrontations involving the crew and their suspicions regarding the non-humans aboard.

Ashley---besides Pressly---was the only one brave enough to voice her concerns. Rajhi was more than willing to let her speak her mind since she admired the other woman’s battle prowess, but she was able to better able understand her concerns once she learned about the Williams’ history in the Alliance. Rajhi was sympathetic, but she still wouldn’t accept discrimination on her ship when there were far bigger things to concern themselves with after all.

That was the first and only time they had that conversation, and Ash promised her feelings wouldn’t interfere with the mission. It did nothing to stem their growing friendship. Given Rajhi grew up as only child, she knew nothing about the sibling dynamics Ash dealt with her sisters, but she admired how close she was to them. Across several missions with the woman guarding her back and their allies, Rajhi eventually began to see Ash as a sister-in-arms, and the feeling was mutual.

It was this friendship that allowed Ash to see past her prejudices.

As for any possible romances, she had to field off Liara’s and Kaidan’s respective attraction to her (lol). The latter actually left her more than a little baffled since she wasn’t sure how he didn’t notice that she was all moon-eyed over Emily Wong or the Consort prior to him confessing his feelings to her (poor guy lol).

---

I’ll have more info about what she did in ME2 and ME3 respectively---along with screenshots from those games---in different posts later today or this week. Let me just say Rajhi was not the least bit happy about losing two years of her life only to come back and find out that so much had changed while other things only frustratingly stayed the same.

“Another galaxy-wide threat where I’m getting thrown under the bus? Must be another Tuesday...”

---

Click here to read her Mass Effect 2 Profile History.

Click here to read her Mass Effect 3 Profile History.

Click here to see her updated ME3 Appearance.

[kaidans-alenko]

Shepard as a companion meme(Lily)

I was tagged by the lovely @bardofheartdive​ <3 tagging @crqstalite​ and @flaine1996​ I can’t draw worth a damn so I made a mood board instead

THE BASICS:

Shepard’s full name: Lily Hope Shepard

Class: Sentinel

Pre-service history: Colonist

Psychological profile: Ruthless

MASS EFFECT 1:

When/how are they recruited: Shepard’s twin sister, Anderson was impressed by both their service histories and recruited them for the Normandy

Where are they on the Normandy: Tinkering with her omni-tool in the mess hall

Are they romanceable: No, gets with Kaidan if he was saved on Virmire

Personal quest: I remember me(colonist backstory quest) she becomes playable for a brief mission that only triggers when she’s in the party during any of the Citadel visits after Aiden(Shepard) becomes a Spectre

Who are their friends: Kaidan, both of them being sentinels they have a lot in common and can be found debating over if having a barrier or tech armor is better. 

Tali, they can be found talking about omni-tools or Lily asking her about Quarian culture.

MASS EFFECT 2:

What does their dossier say: Raised on Mindoir with her bother Aiden Shepard by a single mother, the two years since the attack on the Citadel she has been promoted to Commander and given spectre status soon after.

When/how are they recruited: When Shepard visits Anderson she’ll come in after the meeting and uses her new spectre status to join his mission under the guise of keeping an eye on him for a council.

Where are they on the Normandy: In the lounge with Kasumi

Are they romanceable: No, if Ashley was saved instead of Kaidan she’ll get together with Jacob but if Kaidan is alive they’re still together

How do they react to the PC returning: She’s angry because Anderson is the one who told her, Aiden claims it was to protect her from Cerberus but she insists on coming with him anyway. 

Personal quest: Is already loyal to Aiden when she joins but still has an optional quest of going to the Normandy crash site.

Do they fight with any other companions: Not really she’s pretty neutral with everyone

What files does the Shadow Broker have on them: Video files of all the blasto movies organized by most watched. Messages between her and commander Alenko. Extranet searches for wedding dresses and exotic teas. List of every tech magazine she has a subscription to.

Can they die in the suicide mission, and how: She can if she’s chosen for the biotic barrier for the same reason Miranda and Jacob die if picked for that job. 

MASS EFFECT 3:

When/how are they recruited: Leaves Earth on the Normandy alongside her brother, Kaidan and James.

Where are they on the Normandy: In the lounge but occasionally migrates to the observation deck.

Are they romanceable: No, had gotten married to Kaidan after the suicide mission if she survived and he was saved in me1

Citadel meetup (during the game, where do you meet them on the Citadel and what do you talk about): At the memorial wall, after the coup she can be found there and if is approached her and Shepard will talk about their mother and what happened on Mindoir. 

How does the PC relax with them in the Citadel DLC (ie, buying gifts with EDI, watching the game with James and Vega, etc.): They’d meet up at the arcade and challenge each other to every game there and it ends with Aiden getting her a plush from the claw machine like he would when they were kids.

What do they say to the PC before the final battle: “Ya know...as questionable as your decisions have been over the years I think mom would be proud of you. The crazy old ladies at the orphanage too, everyone always said you’d do great things. To be honest i’ve always felt like I was in your shadow but i’m proud to call you my brother, and happy you let me be a part of this but remember if you die i’ll kick your ass.”

[spoopyghostgirl]

And now is my canon Shepard, Jax

Name: Jackson James Shepard

Nickname(s): Jax, James, Jim, Shep, Sheepy

Gender: Male

Age: 27 years old (ME1)

Birthday: November 18th

Previous Homeworld: Earth

Current Homeworld: None recently

Sexual Orientation: Bisexual

Race: Mixed

Voice: Tucker, Red VS Blue

Personality: Jax is a very lighthearted person, easy to make laugh, and quick to smile. Despite his immensely sunny demeanor, he finds it difficult to relate to others, not for s lack of trying but because he is very shy. That is, unless he is working and then he is a firm, no nonsense, straight forward man.

Family or Relatives: His mother is Amelia Shepard, originally from England. His father is Admiral Hackett, though their relationship was hidden given his mother and fathers places within the alliance. The pair met during a search and rescue mission, Amelia pulling Hackett from behind enemy lines. He thought she was an angel sent to deliver his immortal soul. Waking up later, he was very embarrassed but it ended up working in his favor, since the beautiful lieutenant came to visit him several times during his hospital stay, and if Jax is any sign, those visits continued long after he was released.

Relationships: He originally has a relationship with Tali, though that relationship is ended when she discovers he works for Cerberus (and that he may or may not have taken up casually sleeping with Hades). He later develops feelings for Jack, joking that he has a thing for scary women before ultimately ending that relationship.

Morality: Lawful Good

Pre-Service History: Spacer. Given that both of his parents are high ranking service members, and that his parents were trying to be discrete about both their relationship and Jax's parentage, the young Jax spent most of his time bouncing between ships.

Psychological Profile: War Hero

Addictions: Caffeine, mostly becoming attached to it post promotion in ME1 since he has access to some really nice coffee/espresso. Later becomes addicted to the suped up version that Hades introduces him to when they visit her homeworld. After that, Earth coffee doesn't cut it.

Role model(s): Captain Anderson, his fathers closest friend and one of the biggest players when it came to hiding Jax's parentage. His mother, who despite becoming pregnant during the peak of her career, never slowed down, and achieved greatness. The Spectres, a group of highly trained warriors from several races across the galaxy.

Beliefs: He isn't particularly religious but he does believe in an afterlife. Would suck if you died and that was it.

Habits: Drumming his fingers on desks and his thighs when stressed. Humming to himself in difficult situations, whether on the field or waiting for important calls/meetings. Messing with the paint on his armor whenever he needs to keep his hands or mind busy. Has definitely rushed out on a mission in mismatched armor, thanks to getting interrupted mid repaint.

Hobbies: Plays the cello, something his mother had him learn as a child. Enjoys dancing, also took ballet lessons as a child, which later came in handy in his line of work. Likes painting with Hades, the pair taking turns as each others canvases. Building models (really just legos) and vegging out and watching old vids.

Source of Anger/Hatred: Racism, whether its humans or aliens mistreating each other or people of the same race mistreating each other. Childish people, mistreatment of the less fortunate. Cerberus. Hades shitty family.

Source of Sadness/Sorrow: Lossing loved ones. Losing a good portion of his team defending colonists during a raid. Finding out the awful shit his friends and crew have gone through.

Source of Fear/Phobia: Hates spiders, despite there being other things to fear in the galaxy. Hates heights, it's one thing to be in a ship but a completely different thing to be walking around somewhere high up or near large glass windows in high places. Definitely gets teased about it.

Likes: Music, especially electric music, music that gets you moving. Exercising, though he had prefer methods of exercising. Spicy food, especially anything with jalapenos in it. The colors yellow, blue, and green. Likes taking walks at night and singing along to whatever music is playing. Big animal guy, couldn't have any as a child so as an adult, he goes to shelters, volunteers to walk dogs and other animals that need some love.

Dislikes: Sitting still or being idle, he understands when its necessary but hates when it makes him feel useless or trapped. Not big into heavy foods, they make him sleepy, and a sleepy soldier is a dead one. Does not like the quiet, having grown up on a military vessel, he was constantly around other people. Makes him uncomfortable at the prospect of being in his own room. Can be found sleeping in an open bunk in the communal sleeping area.

Weight: 220 lbs

Height: 6'4

Build: Lean Muscular

Scar(s): Scar on his left back shoulder blade that looks like a several pointed star, was shot in the back close range. Another scar on his right forearm that look like little shots of lightning, from being electrocuted.

Tattoo(s): Several on his upper bicep, both arms and shoulder blades. They vary in what they are. Some are local fauna that he saw on different ships and colonies he's been to/on. Has an N7 tattoo under his right collar bone, about his peck.

Skin Tone: Depends on direct sunlight. His skin tone is normally a warm mocha with some honey brown tones in his cheeks, chest, and arms. Other times, if he has shore leave somewhere sunny, he can get closer to more of a milk chocolate tone. He was dark when he was younger but his skin tone has gotten a bit lighter as he got older.

Facial Features: Strong, high cheek bones. A more square chin and full lips. Long dark lashes, around a pair of granny Smith green eyes. His nose is slightly bulbed, a trait he acquired from his father. In his later he had his right brow and septum pierced but removed both when he join the military.

Hair Style: He normally has it grown out and braided but the military requires him to keep it short. Is normally just a flat buzz cut but, when he is relieved of duty before ME3 he has grown it out again and taken to dreading it.

Hair  color: A midnight brown, almost black.

Eye color: Granny Smith green.

Eye Style: Almond shaped eyes. Regularly called expesssive, making him a rather bad liar.

Helmet: Death mask Helmet

Visor Optics/Lens: Archon visor

Armor set: N7 Defender Armor

Utility Attachment: Ordance Packs (increases amount of ammo that can be carried)

Primary Colour: Matte black

Secondary Colour: seafoam green

Tertiary Colour: Eggshell yellow

Casual Clothing: Big into plaid button ups and crew neck t shirts. Occasionally wears v necks and cut offs. Has a black leather jacket with a hood that is his go to jacket. Wears slim fitting jeans and either dress shoes (preferably brown) or nice tennies.

Faction/Occupation/Affiliation: Commander of the Alliance/Council Spectre ME1, Cerberus Commander/operative ME2, Council Spectre ME3

Artificial Intelligence(A.I)/Companion: EDI whenever necessary or available

Allies/Friends: ME crew, Hades, Councilman Zeus.

Rivals/Frienemies: Hades, mostly in a friendly fashion when it comes to getting things done faster. The Council, since they seem to love and hate him.

Nemesis/Enemies: Cerberus, post ME2

Class: Solider/Adept

Category Threat Level: 9 ME1, 12 ME2 + 3

Rank: Commander/Spectre

Standard/Modified Weapons: 

1. Diamond Back X Assault Rifle

2.M-98 Widow Anti-Material Rifle

3. Cobra X line pistol

Armor Abilities(AA):

1. Kinetic Exoskeleton

2. Shock absorbers

Genetic Augmentation: Is a biotic with an M3 implant. Was chosen for advance biotics during his early Alliance days. Occasionally gets nose bleeds and headaches when over using biotics.

Supernatural Powers: None

Skills/Specialization: Jax is an exceptional biotic, his main go to attacks being throw and shockwave. While he primarily uses his biotics, he had made sure he is still very skilled within close range with pistols, combat knives, mid range with an SMG, and is at least adept when it comes to long range with a sniper.

[commander-sass-effect]

My favorite Shepard build

Gender: I will always play as female Shepard, because A) if I get an option to play as a woman in a video game, I’m always going to and B) Jennifer Hale is a Goddess of voice acting and brings Shepard to life so perfectly (especially in ME3!!! The emotional range!!)

Pre-Service History: Earthborn. This was the one that I chose the first time I played the game, mostly because hey, something about a game that takes place in space should be grounded on Earth, right? And this ended up becoming my favorite when I played ME3, because that was her home. She made her final stand for the galaxy on the planet she was born. I love the poetry of that. On a different note, I love the idea of a young Shepard trying to survive being an orphan by doing morally questionable things, and then joining the Alliance and being able to make the decision to do the right thing always.

Psychological Profile: Sole Survivor. I love the tragedy of this history, especially with the things that Shepard has to deal with in ME3. It’s not as much fanfare as being a war hero and not as definitive as being ruthless, its just this horrible experience that Shepard was able to live through. Like, imagine the psychological stress of not being able to save your fellow soldiers and you end up outliving all of them... I’m evil, it seems.

Military Specialization: Vanguard. I love the combination of weapons with biotics! I’m not a fan of sniper-play and assault rifles are meh, but I LOVE shotguns so this had me satisfied. I also love getting up close and personal with enemies and destroying them with my biotics, especially in ME 2 and 3! All around great class, vanguards. So versatile.

Romance: Liara. I don’t know how I’ll ever play through this game without romancing her, there’s just something so compelling about her (lol). Her arc from game to game is amazing, I loved watching her grow and learn and become Shepard’s right hand (romanced or not!). ANYways I’m too gay and too invested to every properly romance anyone else in Mass Effect.

Physical attributes: Usually I go for the really short hair, as I think it looks good on her and is practical for combat. I love the dark red/auburn color, as the original color is just too red for me. The face I keep mostly the same except I tweak a bit here and there for aesthetic reasons (and because you have to get it just right in ME1 if you want to keep the same build the next two games without making any changes). I love the strong jaw and square facial structure look, and I can’t decide if that’s because I’d love to look like that or I would love to date a woman like that. The sapphic world may never know.

Morality: Paragon. Like really paragon. I’d like to think that I’m a sarcastic asshole in some situations or that I like to every now and then question the boundaries between right and wrong, and then a video game comes along and gives me the opportunity to just be the absolutely most moral person and I smash that interrupt!! There are only a few times that I make renegade decisions, and it’s usually just one of the more minor renegade interrupts that are sometimes really funny and not actually impactful. I’m really soft for Paragon femshep.

[red-wardens]

So if you don't mind me asking, can you tell me more about your Shepards please? I'd love to know more about them! Thank you very much =)

((hello new friend I would die for you. Thank you so much for asking, I’d love to talk about them! I wish I had screenshots but I played back in 2011-2012 and I don’t have my xbox-360 anymore sadly..))

———-

My Shepards 

Universe 1: Nicole Shepard

Aesthetic Board

Class: Soldier (Proficient in all weapon types but specializes in Sniper Rifles). Fighting Style: Utilizes all ammo types but especially fond of incendiary and disruptive. Prefers to kill enemies from a distance with sniper shots (she, Garrus, Thane, and Legion keep track who can get the most headshots) but is very skilled with an assault riffle when they close in. Main Combo: Adrenaline Rush + Incendiary Ammo + Concussive Shot

Background: Earthborn. She and her family grew up very poor in the Philippines, she developed thick skin and deft hands, eventually falling into a gang of mostly underage delinquent. One day when she’s 14 she tries to pickpocket the wrong man- David Anderson knocks her flat on her ass. Instead of turning her over to security though, he takes pity on her, takes her out for a walk. She’s suspicious at first but comes to warm up to him after he buys her food; she tells him her family can’t afford to send her to school. He offers to sponsor her if she joins the local pre-military highschool and she jumps at the chance. Spends the next few years trying to catch up to her peers in reading and socializing and basic training. When she turns 18 she enlists in the Alliance and Anderson is there, expecting her. They’ve been close like a father-daughter ever since. 

Service History: Sole Survivor on Akuze. Develops PTSD afterwards and is prone to anxiety and panic attacks, especially when driving in open terrain (has not killed any thresher maws in the Mako, always drives away). Takes medication regularly. 

Personality: About 75% Paragon and 25% Renegade. For the most part she’s real made a turn-around from her street rat life: she’s outspoken, altruistic, good-humored, and a loyal friend. Anderson believes in her so she wants to do right by him. She’s impulsive at times (takes more than a few Renegade trigger options) but she means well, has a soft spot for troubled kids. She’s an ambivert, really needing her alone time when she needs it, but enjoys meeting new people and doing a wide variety of activities with her crewmates (shooting practice with Thane, meditating with Samara, gossiping with Kasumi, etc). Doesn’t have much respect for the law so being a SPECTR suits her. A bit of a nerd, she read every single codex entry. 

Main Parties: Garrus and Tali (ME). Garrus and [other party members except Miranda rotated evenly] (ME2). Garrus and Tali (ME3). Romance: Garrus Vakarian (not her first Turian, but she loves him more than anything. They retire somewhere nice and warm after the war because I say so and they deserve it.)

Personal Headcanons: She has a baby face and looks younger than she is. She stole a pyjak from Tuchanka after Grunt’s loyalty mission and kept it as a pet for a few weeks- but the crew made her put it back because it kept getting into their food stores. Collected all the ship models and bought the automatic feeder because she couldn’t keep her fish alive. Bought Grunt an “I love my mom” shirt (he wears it). And..(because I personally love him), she had a short but intense affair with Nihlus Kryik starting nearly a year before the start of ME1. They met while both on shore leave and he was surprised later to see she was the candidate he was going to train. They didn’t have any labels for what they were, but they were very close and she spends the majority of ME1 grieving him; hunting down and killing Saren was personal for her. 

Universe 2: Annie Shepard

Aesthetic Board

Class: Soldier (Proficient in all weapon types but specializes in Shotguns and Melee). Fighting Style: Utilizes all ammo types but mainly uses cryo ammo. Rushes in hard and fast taking out enemies before they have much chance to fight back (has legit ran towards charging krogan). Main Combo: Fortification + Cryo Ammo + Frag Grenade or Melee Hit (Omni-Blade)

Background: Spacer. She was practically bred and raised to be a perfect little soldier. Her parents separated when she was 10 and she lived on a space station with her father who was a strict, hard-to-please drill-sergeant type. He worked her relentlessly, especially in hand-to-hand combat. Was home-schooled and not allowed to date or have friends. She was sent to the Alliance at age 18 and ranked at or near the top of her class or squad in everywhere she was assigned. 

Service History: “Ruthless” Butcher of Torfan, not much else to be said. She’s fearless, she gets the job done, she doesn’t care about casualties.

Personality: 95% Renegade, 5% Paragon (kept the Renegade scars). Growing up the way she did made her apathetic and solitary, tending to not get along with those who approach her due to her stoicism and cold sarcasm whenever she does talk. There’s very few whose company she actually enjoys, among the few: Wrex, Thane, and Javik. She’s cynical, taciturn, and not one to mince words. Not a great person but an exceptional soldier and Commander. 

Main Parties: Wrex and Kaidan (ME). Thane and Jack (ME2). Kaidan and Javik (ME3). Romance: Thane Krios.

Personal Headcanons: She’s on the shorter side for a soldier (only 5′4). She likes wearing hoodies and wrapping her hands before sparring (kicks James’butt at least weekly and never hold back). Annie’s never been romantically attracted to anyone before Thane, and develops an almost codependent attachment to him and his company. He brings her peace and can actually get her to smile when they’re alone. She’s never quite the same after his death, and was not happy to have survived the war. Less than two years later, she is confined to a psych hospital on Earth where Kolyat would often visit. She and him go off the grid and become vigilantes after he breaks her out. 

[swaps55]

Sonata Masterpost

Art by @xla-hainex

Pairing: mShenko | Rating: M |  POV Characters: Kaidan, Joker, Tali, Liara, Mrs. Alenko

Tags: Canon Divergent (Shepard & Kaidan pre-ME1 service history), Fake Relationship, Oh No - There Was Only One Bed, Mutual Pining (SO MUCH PINING)

Word Count: 78,045 | 13/13 Chapters | Complete

Summary:

After the Battle of the Citadel, the Alliance calls the Normandy home to Vancouver to face an inquest. Things get...complicated. On every possible level. Especially when Kaidan discovers an unfortunate misunderstanding with his parents.

“Have to admit though,” Shepard says, swallowing the rest of his shot, “I’ve been called a lot worse things than your boyfriend.”

Kaidan blinks. The whiskey’s definitely caught up to him. It’s warm in here, and he has to have imagined what just came out of Shepard’s mouth. “Really.”

“Compared to getting shot at and having an inquest shoved up my ass? I’m pretty sure holding your hand, going home with you and eating your mom’s risotto is a considerable improvement, yes.”

Kaidan laughs. Or tries to. It comes out as more of a hoarse squawk. “Sure, I’ll just avoid this whole mess by bringing you home with me. They’ll never have to know.”

“Maybe they don’t,” Shepard says, and Kaidan nearly chokes.

Author’s Note: 

Sonata turns one year old today. This story is my everything. Fake dating. Idiots obliviously, helplessly in love. Scheming and plotting to get them together. Competitive flirting. Biotic rock skipping. Tali and Joker bonding over romance novels. Peeling back the many complicated layers of Sam Shepard. Kaidan seeking out closure with his family. Liara trying so hard not to get involved, but unable to help herself because of how much she cares for her friends (she also discovers peanuts). An unexpected dance. Lora Alenko’s risotto. 

This story wrestles with love, is founded in friendship, and explores the meaning of home. 

Sonata was a gift, literally and metaphorically. I wrote it for @urrone​, and through it I have met so many amazing people. I am so lucky and so proud that I got to write it.  

Last week, I went through and gave the whole thing a fresh coat of paint so it lines up a little neater with Cantata. 

I’ve never done a master post for the full, complete story, so here it is. Happy Trilogy Week. :) 

Chapter 1 - Standing Still