#so far its giving peebee

[thanes-krios]

I'm so excited about whatever Bellara has going on (we really needed more dalish elf companions) but I really hope they've written her to be very different from Merrill and also NOT made her personality to be just a dragon age version of peebee from andromeda

[orangedodge]

"Tag nine people to get to know better."

Three ships: First ever ship: Last Song: Last Movie: Currently reading: Currently Watching: Currently consuming: Currently craving:

I was tagged for this by @dannybagpipesarecalling back in November, and then I got stumped on the first question for an embaressingly long amount of time. It's been so long that I'm sure I've missed whatever occasion this was for, so I won't tag anyone--but if anyone wants to share then please feel free.

Three ships: At the moment, I really like Ianthe/Harrow from the Locked Tomb books. The concept is just so funny to me (especially considering that Gideon has to watch them 24/7 and can't say anything or let anyone know she's there). And I'm replaying Andromeda agaim, so Sara Ryder/Liam Kosta is always in my thoughts--as is Sara/Peebee. But I slightly prefer her relationship with Liam, and I've never quite been into them as an OT3. I didn't want to pick something I've actually written for (published other otherwise), so after a lot of wasting time, my third will be... (it took me weeks to decide on this) Bobby/St. John from the X-Men movies. They were my ship back in middle school

First ever ship: I think it was Kikyo/Sesshomaru? It could have been Link/Zelda though, and I also have strong memories of liking Rogue/Remy very early on. John Sheppard/Elizabeth Weir is also a possibility. (I never did find out why we used to call them "Sparky"...) Actually, maybe it was House/Wilson that I shipped first? I'm not sure I knew what shipping really was, yet, with the other stuff, even though I was already into fanfiction and art.

Last Song: Fast Car, at time of originally writing this. I've listened to both the original and the new cover frequently over the last few months. Honorable mention for dragostea din tei, which my dashboard keeps reblogging. It's been giving me war flashbacks of IB exam season when my homeroom teacher would have that song blasting when we were supposed to be having a free study period.

Last Movie: It was a netflix horror movie called Night Teeth. I don't recall if I knowingly chose to watch it, or if it just happened on its own. It was better than it should have been, but not much better than you'd expect of it. A little better than the average low budget Netflix vampire movie. Jorge Lendeborg and Alfie Allen were good, but very little else was.

Currently reading: The Traitor Baru Cormorant. Not sure if I like it yet.

Currently Watching: Finished Shadow and Bone. Good performances all around, though I can definitely see why people joke that it's Netflix's live action Reylo fanfic. I guess it's sad it's not going to continue; I was a lot more interested in the third season stinger, and the promise of the Crows' adventure than anything that had happened so far, but I guess it's at least something that they managed to finish up their primary story before getting cancelled. I think it was a generally satisfying ending. I've also started something called Dare Me, that came to me recommended, but I haven't figured out what the show is about yet.

Currently consuming: At the time of writing, it was tomatoes and bread.

Currently craving: Not anything in particular tbh. I'll probably have toast next?

[vole-mon-amour]

I didn't want to do Liam's quest since I never take him with me, don't plan on romancing him, and barely talk to him since I'm very mifly interested in what he's got to say. That said, while his mission is, ultimately, still "shoot enemies, save people", the ship being on its side and back was kind of fun, so not your usual rescue mission. I also liked those couple of jokes that the devs added, gave some personality to Liam.

That said, yeah, never again guess I have to. Liam can stay on the ship. My travelling crew is usually Jaal and Vetra or Drack and Vetra/Jaal.

I dislike Peebee, she's way too childish, silly, loud, and energetic for me, with commitment issues as well it seems. But yeah, I generally dislike yeah, not my vibe. Cora is also kind of meh, I never take her anywhere unless I have to (for the asari questline).

60 hours in and still sad we can't romance neither Kallo or Kandrox. Vetra is nice, but a) her kid sister problems is not up my alley at all (I would like to romance a turian that is more my vibe, which is Kandrox. I'm vibing to the way he talks and what he's got to say) b) way too little interactions with the player. The devs definitely didn't give Vetra enough time for a companion.

So far kind of leaning to committing to Jaal? Still torn between Vetra and Jaal, but Jaal is loyal (so is Vetra) and more independent.

Humans I'm absolutely not interested in. Reyes was kind of fun and even sweet, but dude is a horrible liar and, like, no. Just no. He can be a fling, nothing more. Judging by how he's written into the story (he never travels with you, he can't be interacted with, shows up at the end for a brief moment), it's like the developers didn't consider him a serious choice? Even the fact that he comments on the player having terrible taste in men if the player decides to commit to him after everything he's done? Thanks, I'm alright without that.

[pathofcomets]

soldier, keep on marching on (6)

fandom: mass effect andromeda (AO3)

pairing: jaal/ryder

summary: Sara Ryder will replay that moment before she died for the first time many times afterwards.

playlist: spotify

“Look at you, you’re alive,” Vetra says, shoving Sara’s mug of coffee in her hands as soon as she boards the Tempest again.

“For now,” she says, taking a tentative sip, finding her beverage to be the perfect temperature, glancing at the alien walking half a step behind her.

Jaal has taken one star-struck look at their ship, and immediately complimented them. She doesn’t know what to make of this person, so unknown and strange, so she instead puts on the Pathfinder face and stance, and starts giving him a tentative tour. She passes Drack, whom she asks to take care of Jaal’s food supplies. She throws the names of her crew as they pass through each room, tentative nods on both sides. Peebee whistles after them, and Sara has to stop the urge to chide her or blush, afraid she’d have to explain such behaviour to their new-found alien.

“Meeting in five, Pathfinder,” SAM’s voice resounds over the speakers, and Jaal looks quizzically at her.

Technically, everyone on the Tempest can hold their own meetings, and it seems like her crew just has had enough of being left in the dark regarding this new planet and its inhabitants. She sighs, stopping in the kitchen for a refill of her beverage. At Jaal’s staring, she clears her throat.

“It’s a… drink that is supposed to make you less tired and increase your energy levels.”

“It’s a drug,” Lexi provides from a corner, frowning as Ryder obviously ignores the comment, pouring the hot coffee in her mug.

“If it’s sold legally, then it’s a galaxy sanctioned drug.”

Jaal watches, and understands nothing of this strange exchange, so he remains silent, just following this strange Pathfinder as they turn towards the deck, where the rest of her crew already awaits. As soon as they’re up the stairs, the shouting and fighting ensues, questions and solutions that he already knows the answer to. But he makes himself comfortable on the couch at the far edge of their circle, and watches their rapid-fire exchanges. All targeting the only one of them who has even seen their planet, who has talked to one of them.

“Hey!” she says, and Liam startles next to her, Cora finally looks at her like she has something important to say. “Let’s focus, okay?”

Sara then does something that surprises Jaal: she turns around, catching his gaze, extending out her hand for him to join her next to the screen where the two angaran planets slowly blink to scale. He explains each one of them, and their relationship with the kett war, and for once, the humans and their companions are listening without interrupting.

“I still don’t get how any of this helps us,” Drack mumbles, and Sara sighs.

“We show the Resistance – and Evfra, that we are someone they can rely on, we get a chance at saving the Moshae and entering Aya’s vault. We don’t have anything to offer that they already don’t have, but we are on the same side of this kett war. Support it’ll be.”

“Did you just make sense?” Peebee asks, moving her head from person to person, making sure that everyone heard the same thing she did.

“Jeez, thanks for the vote of confidence,” Sara mutters, passing a hand over her face, clearly tired.

“More like optimism. Confidence might be a bit of a stretch,” Cora adds.

“Et tu, Brutus?” Sara says, and everyone around the table starts laughing, and the entire joke is lost on Jaal.

Liam’s palm comes to pat his shoulder, and the human is lucky enough that Jaal saw it coming, or he wouldn’t have the arm anymore.

“This will take a bit to explain, but let’s try, huh?”

And he is dragged away by this already chattering box of a man. Sara looks after the two of them, biting her lips and already worrying over how the assassin that could always decide she’s not worth the trouble could ever fit between her band of misfits.

***

She picks Voeld first, because it’s the closest planet. Still far away enough that, with their ship hold together by alien technology and hope alone, it will take them nine hours to reach it. Everyone is slowly finding their rooms, resting after their strange first contact, but Sara Ryder does not have the luxury. After an angry email from Tann, reminding her that she needs to fill them in with the new information – and how on earth does he know what they’re up to, at all times? – she lets out a resigned sigh and apologizes to SAM, because it seems like he will have to keep her together on neurological adrenaline pumping, rather than offer herself some well-deserved rest.

“You’re not sleeping,” a voice says as soon as she turns the corner towards the kitchen, and she startles.

Then the shadows turn crisper, the outline of a person in front of her. Jaal: the one she is supposed to convince that they don’t want to claim Andromeda as entirely theirs. On her own, sure, she could do that, but to speak for the entire Initiative is a totally different thing. However, she must start somewhere. She waves her omni-tool in the air, with a resigned sigh.

“Reports don’t write themselves,” she explains, and he steps aside enough to give her a path towards the room that is her destination.

Her chest almost brushes his in the doorway, and despite her expectations that he’ll move on and away from the strangeness of her, Jaal follows her. She fumbles with the cups, washing the dishes left over in the sink, the coffee machine already running – and she smiles faintly, wondering which ones of her crew did her the favour. The smell is strong in the air, and again, Jaal looks at the dark beverage. It’s her fourth cup of the day. Sara looks at their newest crew member, for she cannot call him a companion quite yet.

“Would you like some?” she offers, her fingers already hovering over a mug, if the answer is to be affirmative.

Jaal’s face changes into something softer. “I don’t think our taste buds are compatible.”

She shrugs. Fair enough. The silence is not entirely comfortable, but she is too tired to think of something to say. Jaal doesn’t seem to mind, as he just occupies one of the chairs at the table, watching her as she adds a bit of milk and sugar to her drink. She wonders if she looks as weird in this room as he seems to her. He’s ill-fitting on their small furniture, his body towering over everything else, including her. She knows her shoulders are sagging, the start of a burning ache between her shoulder blades a tell-tale sign, and in her pyjamas, no colour on her face, she paints an entire different picture than the self-assured alien that crashed on their planet. Jaal measures the contrast, and finds her not quite unlike any other sleep-deprived angara.

When she turns around, she almost thinks to just leave the room, but it’s clear that he is at least attempting to keep her company. Or dissect her enough to find a threat and have a reason to kill her. She sits on the chair opposite him, raising her eyes to find him already looking at her. Several seconds pass where they just seize each other, and his eyes are so overwhelmingly big and blue – she’s the first to break eye contact. It makes him smile, a sharp, not entirely harmless sight.

“So tell me, Pathfinder – what does a Pathfinder do?”

“Well, supposedly finding homes for our people,” she sighs, because this sounds too idealistic considering their current prospects, and she doesn’t have her father’s skills at turning a lie into a beautiful promise. “Mostly trying not to die these days. But you don’t have to call me by that title.” She shakes her head, like she wants to shake off the title entirely.

“Then?”

“Ryder’s fine. Sara’s better,” she shrugs, taking a sip from her coffee.

“Then you may call me Jaal,” he replies in kind.

“Are we becoming friends, Jaal?”

He guffaws. She balks.

“Yes, I know. I am an alien to you, you are an alien to me. But that just means we already have something in common.”

“Then if we’re both aliens; it matters what kind of alien you are.”

His tone is not as friendly anymore, and his gaze is now measuring her, mapping her words and reactions – not just a curious stare.

“I haven’t proven myself yet and you’re always a mistake away from killing me in my sleep,” she waves her hand in the air, like dismissing a bad thought, like this is nothing.

“You seem to be sure of your success,” he comments.

“Words don’t mean anything unless backed by action, right?” she asks, and waits for his tentative nod. “So until I’m out there in the field, nothing will truly matter. Why worry from now?”

His apprehensiveness is entirely understandable, after all. She’s sure she would have acted pretty much the same, if the situation was reversed. And yet, Jaal knows she hasn’t even checked him for a hidden weapon, which means this human has already extended him the trust over her life. Of course, if he’s doing anything on this ship, there are small chances he’ll survive long enough to reach his home again, and whatever tentative possible negotiations between their people are going on at the moment, they’d become impossible by her assassination. So rather, maybe she trusts him to be smart enough to know this as well. After all, he’s the one on enemy territory, on this ship, and besides some aggressive head-butting with Drack and some weirdly friendly handshakes from Liam that he didn’t quite grasp yet, no one has tried anything with their new alien.

She sighs, dawning her entire drink in one go. Jaal watches, transfixed, the way her throat bobs, the stretch of her skin, her skin so incredibly thin that he can notice the blood veins underneath it. It’d make a perfect place to let one bleed dry, if it came to that – and he cannot stop his surprise that her species survived long enough to make such a long journey through the dark space. At least all the other aliens seem to have developed some kind of protection, be it the biotics of the blue asari, or the various plating of turians and krogans; even the salarians have their superior genius. And yet it is this human: the tiniest of them all too, that commands over all the others. Jaal will need to pay attention as to why exactly. Her nose scrunches in disgust, as she places her cup back on the table, and Jaal wonders why she is drinking this coffee at all if she seems displeased by its taste. He knows she is not offering him the truth, and this is a first lesson he learns in humans: that they’ll always rather hide behind carefully chosen words rather than express their emotions.

“I’ll do my best,” she says, and it’s not quite a promise, not quite a reassurance, at least not towards Jaal. It seems like she is saying it more for her sake than his.

“And if that’s not enough?” Jaal asks, because it seems like she’s going entirely blind towards the future, no plan – which is indeed true. None of what is going on right now was supposed to happen, from their crash on the cursed Habitat-7, to making first contact twice in just as many months, twice unsuccessful in different ways. To losing her family. She’s flying by the seat of her pants and no one can complain because there is no one else to take over.

“It’ll never be,” she replies, with a smile that is rather unsure.

She waves her omni-tool in the air again, more excuses, leaving Jaal behind in the kitchen as she returns to her room. He stares after her retreating figure and cannot see in her, the human, anything of the Pathfinder. The title is a shell, it is a mask and a role, and she is becoming proficient at playing it. But the person underneath all that is cowering under her responsibilities, and no one seems to be awake to care for it.

No one but him.

[queen-scribbles]

So did Cam have a Moment with Liam where she just knew she was in love? Do you have a headcanon for the opposite?

See, this is kinda tricky, because Cam as a semi-fleshed out character(sniper, tech nerd, lovers of bad jokes who named her turret Rover and her rifle Penelope) has existed in my head since before the game came out, and pretty much since we had info on the Tempest crew, she’s been doodling “Mrs. Liam Kosta” surrounded by hearts/flowers/explosions on her notebooks and tech blueprints. So it’s hard not to meta answering this question. xD

Even leaving that aside, they were definitely attracted to each other from the get-go. She’s known she liked him since he was right there when she woke up in SAM node and one of the first things he did was mention he’d checked on Scott bc he knew she’d be worried. Both that he stayed so she’d see a familiar face and that he checked on her brother were huge to her.  But I think actually falling in love was a more slow, quiet, comfortable thing and looking back she wouldn’t be able to pinpoint a specific Moment when it turned to love instead of like. Far as realizing she was in love with him, that was probably in the middle of something utterly mundane, like they both laughed at the same bad joke and just the sight of him happy made her chest squeeze and it hit her “oh, shit, I love him.” and then thinking it made her ridiculously, inexplicably happy. Yeah, I love him. (It’s probably somewhere not far past the soccer game at Prodromos, timeline wise; so they’ve been an official couple for a little while, but not terribly long)

Also, incredibly specific to her game and how it unfolded, she went to what they thought was Meridian yesterday, and while fighting all the kett in the control tower(y’know, the one with all the walkways that go up and across and all), Liam jumped down like three levels to Havoc Strike a Fiend and she damn near panicked bc she and Peebee  were so far away and she’d lobbed a turret in the opposite direction and she actually forgot for a hot second that she’s a sniper so distance isn’t a problem for her before she started shooting the hell out of the Fiend, completely ignoring the kett and Remnant that were targeting her bc she had to make sure Liam was safe. (Peebee can watch her back, right?) That reaction cleared up any doubt whether or not she loved him, lol.

For Liam, I think he fell in love pretty early. Like, his loyalty mission early. The point when you’re on Calot’s ship and Liam’s frustrated bc his plan for rescuing Verand isn’t working like he thought it would, and Ryder winds up arguing for Liam’s plan to Liam, encouraging him that this can still work, they can do this. That was it. That she got so invested in something that mattered to him she would and could argue passionately in its favor even when he was ready to give up and then followed through and made it happen. Also that she didn’t come down on him super hard for screwing up in the first place. He maybe didn’t realize it until later, but in my head, that’s when he fell in love with Cam.

A sidenote, one of my very favorite lines from his romance is “You remain amazing.” LIKE. Not You are amazing. You REMAIN amazing. 

Amazing is your default state of existence to him. You were amazing before the two of you got together, you’re amazing just for being you, and it makes me want to scream bc it’s just so damn sweet.

[forlornmelody]

Take Your Girlfriend To Work Day

Rating: E (it’s smut with a little bit of plot thrown in)

Fandom: Mass Effect Andromeda

Ship: Sara Ryder/Suvi Anwar

Summary:   Sara Ryder has Concerns™ about taking Suvi with her on a mission. But she's always wanted to show her the badlands of Kadara. What could go wrong?

Linkage: clicky

Note: Written for FallingOverSideways over at @spectre-requisitions-exchange. Now that reveals have happened, I can finally share this all with you!

-*-*-*

Sara would give Suvi the entire galaxy right now. The way she stretches across the tangled sheets, the light of a distant sun making her hair glow like fire. How the light glistens on her sated body, and catches in her eyes like the pools on Kadara. It’s probably why Sara sticks her foot in her mouth while her breaths are still ragged.

“I wish you had been there with me.”

Suvi’s smile vanishes and Sara feels it like a pain in her gut. “Sorry?”

Shit. “I’m not mad.” Sara swallows, pushing an errant lock out of Suvi’s eyes. “It just would’ve been nice to have you on Kadara with me, before the vaults went online.”

“When the water was toxic with sulfuric acid?” Sufi’s brow wrinkles like it did when she poured over the Scourge data, looking for solutions to a big-ass problem. 

Just keep digging your grave and lie in it, Sara. “I mean. I loved the look on your face when you looked over the data I gathered.” Sara traces the line of Suvi’s swollen lips, smug knowing their romp made them that way. “It would have been even better for you to see it in person.”

Suvi’s lips twist as she bites the inside of them in thought. “I’m sure there’s still useful data for us. Maybe we could go together next time?”

“I would love that!” Sara rolls them so that her hands are braced on either side of Suvi’s pillow, and she peppers her face with kisses, imagining them swimming together in a hot spring, or a cold one, with bikinis on, or not. Drying off on a ridiculously large beach towel and licking that now potable water right off her--

“You’re going tomorrow, right? Maybe I could come with you.”

Sara’s lips freeze on the hollow where her neck meets her shoulder, and Suvi giggles at the slack-jawed expression she gives her. “Tomorrow?”

“Aren’t you going to Ditaeon to talk with Tate about trade?”

“...Yes.” Christmas Tate’s not what sets the Pathfinder's heart racing. It’s not his colony, either. It’s all the mayhem around it. Sara can all too easily imagine an eiroch crushing her girlfriend against a boulder or rylkor whipping her off a cliff with its tail. She needs to find a reason for Suvi to stay behind. Maybe she needs more arms training? Or they could wait until they fit her with some armor? Watch some training vids? 

“Why don’t I go with you?” Suvi trails her fingertips down Sara’s spine, and suddenly she’s spineless. 

“Sure!” Sara says brightly. This is a bad idea, isn’t it? 

----

Turns out Cora’s not much different in height or build than Suvi, so the human commando loans her a set of armor, and a manual on how to care for it. Suvi walks around in it stiffly, and Sara would find it comical were it not for how the components accentuate some of Suvi’s best features. As much as she shouldn’t, not right now, Sara can’t help but imagine removing it piece by piece as she kisses her senseless. 

“Worried about me, Ryder?” Suvi says as they make their landing. 

The airlock disengages, and Sara looks around for any sign of danger. “Just don’t lick any rocks,” she says wryly. 

“But--”

“No, Suvi.” Both her and Vetra say it together.

“Fiiine.”

-----

Suvi loves Kadara. Or maybe she loves being on the ground for a change. Either way, Dr. Suvi Anwar sits on her knees, scanning a small rock, and Sara Ryder can’t look away. The sun catches in Suvi’s flame-colored hair, making Ryder wish she had brought her here sooner. She aches at the soft smile on her face, the warm glow in her blue eyes. Ryder’s in the middle of pulling out her omni tool to take a picture when--

Sara. There are weapons warming up behind you. It appears they are aiming for you, Vetra Nix, and Dr. Anwar. I suggest-- 

“Got it, Sam.” Sara Ryder says nothing to Suvi, only dropping her in a tackle and ruining the picture-perfect moment. Actually, whatever exiles who were shooting at them ruined the moment, and the thought makes Sara’s blood boil. 

Suvi squeaks from underneath her, but she doesn’t protest, especially after the first rounds hit the rocks behind them, and their shields shimmer with the ricochets. “Pathfinder?” she whispers cautiously.

“Exiles,” Sara growls under her breath. This is not how she pictured pinning Suvi on Kadara. 

“I thought--”

“They’re still around. Still wanting to shoot us, apparently.” Sara shoves Suvi behind a bolder, and squats next to her, pulling out her pistol, and deploying her combat drone. It dashes over, firing beams at their assailants, the cool evening air warming in its wake. 

Vetra looks at Sara sideways. “Really, Ryder? A drone?”

“What? Peebee showed me how to use it last night.”

Suvi glances between them, her eyes widening. “Sara?”

“It’ll be fiiiine.” On cue, the drone crumbles to the ground. Peebee will kill her later. “Well, shit.”

“We’re doomed.” Vetra sighs, powering up her assault rifle. 

“Oh ye of little faith.” Sara switches to her shotgun, firing off shots while her biotics cool down. 

Suvi giggles, and Vetra groans. “At least one of us is having a good time.”

Ryder really shouldn’t have brought Suvi with them. A little skirmish like this rarely fazes her anymore--more like target practice than a fight worth worrying about. Waste of ammo, really. But her heart thuds in her chest and her neck and shoulders tighten up at the thought of a bullet hitting the scientist next to her. Suvi’s so gentle, and kind. She’s not made for violence like this. Sweat gathers beneath Sara’s hard suit and her under armor, and itches around her joints. Her arm aches and her temples start to throb. Just a little bit longer---

There.

One exile remains, a sharpshooter with a sniper rifle that tries to pick them off like drops of water torture. Ryder ducks back behind their bolder, counting the seconds between shots. One Andromeda...Two Andromeda...Three--

Sara Ryder charges full force into her enemy, smashing him with a nova that sends his innards flying every which way. Turning with an adrenaline-fueled, shit-eating grin on her face, Sara looks at the boulder, craning to see the look on Suvi’s face. “Not bad, huh?”

“RYDER!  MOVE!” 

The ground rumbles beneath Sara’s feet, throwing her off balance. Enemy Krogan. 

“Shit!” Ryder screams as the berserker hauls her up in the air. Blood rushing to her head, Sara looks down at the battered Krogan growling up at her. “I thought I put you down already.”

“RAAAAH.” 

“Shit’s right! I’m out of ammo.” Vetra glowers, letting out a litany of Turian words SAM can’t translate. 

Don’t panic. Just grab your pistol and--One problem. It must have fell from her holster when she left the ground. The Krogan swings her back like a wet towel. 

Don’t panic. Don’t panic. 

Her biotics won’t fire--still cooling down. Ryder’s neck and temples still flare with heat. 

Sorry, Suvi. I--

A shot rings out, and Ryder sucks in a breath, bracing for a bullet wound. 

The Krogan drops her, and Sara rolls out before his body falls on top of her. What the hell??

Her eyes meet “SUVI??”

Nudging the Krogan’s body with her toe, Suvi blows the steam off the barrel of her pistol, and holsters it. She glances down at Ryder, a shy smile on her face. “You alright, Sara?” Suvi reaches out with her hand to help her up. 

“Damn, Anwar. Didn’t know you had it in you.” Vetra comes out from behind the boulder, brushing herself off. 

Sara doesn’t take her hand, too busy doing the math in her head. “Who taught you how to shoot?”

“Drack. He took me out on Elaaden. Said it would help my skills as a geologist if I learned how to shoot rocks.”

“Of course he did.” Ryder groans as she stands, checking herself for injuries. Her shoulder throbs from being yanked around like a rag doll, but other than that. “Anything I should see Lexi about, SAM?”

My scans indicate nothing but some swelling and inflammation. Though a visit would--

“I’ll see her later, SAM.” Sara has an idea. “Hey, Vetra. I think the Nomad needs an oil change.” She walks over, rummaging through the storage compartment for a very conspicuous picnic basket. 

“The Nomad doesn’t even...oh. Yeah. I’ll get right on that.” Turians don’t roll their eyes, but the way her mandibles twitch, Ryder bets Vetra would be right now if she did. Swinging into the driver’s seat, she starts the engine, and Sara scrambles to get the storage compartment shut in time. 

“Catch ya later!”

-----

“Do you ever miss them?” Their picnic long over, Sara and Suvi stretch out on the blanket, watching the sun set. 

“My parents?”

“Yeah.”

“All the time.” Suvi stares out across the lake, and Sara gets the feeling she’s not watching the clouds change color. 

“How did you find the strength to leave them?”

Suvi says nothing, and Sara wonders if she went too far as she listens to birds call in her silence. When she finally does speak Sara strains to hear her over the lap of the shoreline. “I couldn’t stay behind when there was a whole galaxy out there to explore.” She looks at Ryder, sorrowful, but without regret in her eyes. “I was miserable when I considered staying behind. My parents could tell. I was making them miserable with me.” A small laugh escapes her mouth. “It was them who told me to go. Told me they’d miss me if I left, but they’d miss me even more if I stayed with them.” Her smile slips away, and Sara would give anything to bring it back.

Think, Ryder, think. “Nice shooting earlier. You saved my life.” Sara runs her fingers down Suvi’s cheek, holding her breath as she waits for her face to change.

The smile doesn’t come back. Suvi pulls away, looking off towards Kadara Port. “Sara, I don’t think violence suits me.”

Sara drops her hand. “Oh.”

Suvi immediately draws it back to her cheek. “Don’t get me wrong. I admire what you do--the risks you take, the hard decisions you make.” She closes her eyes, taking a settling breath. “But I’d rather make my hard decisions in a lab, not with a gun.”

“I understand.”

Biting her lip, Suvi dares to search her eyes. “You do?”

“Yeah. We’re different. I’m better out in the field kicking ass, and you’re better in the lab…. doing...sciency stuff.”

Suvi’s laugh spills from her mouth like a bubbling brook. “Ryder.”

“I mean it.” Sara takes her chin. “I don’t want you to change who you are just to please me.” She’s already nose to nose with her before Suvi realizes she’s being kissed. And Sara wouldn’t have it any other way. 

While Suvi’s usually slow to kiss back, when she does, she makes up for lost time, always. She presses in, already reaching for Sara’s hair tie, pulling her hair out of that perky ponytail and winding her fingers through her hair. The motion pulls Sara closer, tighter against her mouth and she can’t help but part Suvi’s lips with her tongue, grabbing the collar of her uniform in her fist, and holding her close. 

Their hands and mouths move like binary stars, so close, but never close enough. Sara groans in frustration as her fingers roam across Suvi’s lab coat, searching for that elusive zipper. Suvi giggles, taking her hand and guiding the zipper down with her, her eyes dark with want. As the uniform falls from Suvi’s shoulders, Sara traces her tongue across her now bare skin, smiling at her goosebumps and drinking in her sharp breaths. Each freckle pattern forms new constellations, and Sara writes the racy mythologies to go with them. 

In Suvi’s sighs and goose-bumped skin, Sara finds a paradise better than the Initiative could have ever hoped for. She unhooks her bra, and finds the path between her breaths, scanning the terrain with her eyes and making contact with her hands. Suvi arches into her touch, and Sara smiles against her skin. “You mean the world to me, you know that?”

Suvi opens her mouth, but her sweet nothing is lost in her moan as Sara’s lips close around her tit. She should really take her time. They have little to interrupt them here, with the Tempest far away and Sam scanning the perimeter for trouble. But it’s been days since Sara had the chance to make love to the center of her universe, and so she dives headfirst into the gravity well, pulling the rest of Suvi’s uniform down with her. 

“I’ve missed you,” Sara whispers, trailing her lips down Suvi’s stomach. 

“Ryder. You see me every day.” 

“Not the same thing, and you know it.” Sara gives her a pointed look, and she can’t help but smile at Suvi’s parted lips. She sits up, running her fingertips up and down Suvi’s thighs, outside and inside, gently nudging them apart. 

Suvi sucks in her breath, and Sara pats her skin as she leans down. “Breathe, Suvi. I swear the air here is safe.” 

“Shh, you.” Suvi chuckles. 

Sara breathes in the scent of her pubis mons, grinning wickedly. “Make me.”

Suvi’s eyes widen, and for a moment Sara wonders if she should apologize, but then Suvi’s fingers grip her by her ponytail, pressing her between her legs and it is glorious. Holy shit holy shit holy shiiiiiiit. She never took Suvi for a dominant one, but Sara definitely want to explore more of this side of her. Tasting her, Sara gives her folds those nice long licks that Suvi loves so much. Her pushup routine comes in handy as her lover writhes beneath her. Just as Suvi starts to moan louder, Sara pulls back to wet her finger.

“Is this too much?” Suvi asks breathlessly. 

Her own mouth feels dry, and Sara reaches over to gulp some water from her cannister. “Not at all. Keep going.” She blushes at her own words. 

Suvi pushes her hands away, sitting up. Sara blinks, watching her go. “Actually, I have new experiment I want to run by you.” Grabbing Sara’s shoulders, Suvi presses her onto her back. 

Laughing, Sara replies. “Oh? What’s your hypothesis?”

“That you’ll love me sitting on your face.” Suvi’s cheeks redden as much as her hair. 

“Mm, that’s hard to quantify.” Sara smudges her lips together playfully. “But we can try it.”

Suvi crawls over her, and Sara groans as her scent overwhelms her senses. She whispers her name into her folds, sliding one finger, then two into her warmth. Gasping, Suvi grinds against her, gripping the top of her head. Sara fingers faster and harder, sucking on her clit until Suvi’s nails dig into her scalp and she calls out her name. 

The sun’s far too bright when Suvi rolls off her. “Holy shit. Holy shit,” Sara swears breathlessly. 

“Mmhm.” Suvi kisses her sloppily, running her hand down Sara’s side. “And what are...mm... our findings? 

Sara laughs into the crook of her neck. “I think your hypothesis may be right. But further tests are needed.”

“Mm.” Suvi presses a finger to her lips, looking up at the clouds as if the answer might be found there. “Perhaps we should increase our sample size?”

That notion jolts Sara off her back. “You mean like a threesome?”

“No!” Suvi laughs so loudly Sara swears the whole valley can hear them. “I meant you. Sitting on mine.” 

“Oh.” Sara stretches. “Maybe next time.” She kisses the pout right off Suvi’s lips. “Right now, I want to kiss you while you…” She grasps Suvi’s hand, guiding it between her legs. “While you…. demonstrate your expertise on the subject.”

“Sara!” Suvi shakes her head in mock humility. “I’m hardly an expert.”

Sara leans over, stealing another heated kiss. “Then maybe you should…” She can’t help her laugh. “....do a more in-depth study?” Their laughs sink into moans as Suvi trace and probes between Sara’s legs, putting just the right amount of pressure to make her beg. 

Suvi grins against her mouth, teasing her long and light, until Sara’s gripping her so hard, she swears she’ll leave bruises. Thank the stars Suvi wears long sleeves. “You like it rough, Sara?”

“Yes, please. Please.” 

Suvi’s teeth graze the skin of her neck in reply, hooking her fingers inside her and beckoning her to come undone. 

Maybe it’s minutes, maybe it’s hours later, when Sara’s always pushing Suvi’s bangs out of her eyes just to watch them fall again. “Y’know. I definitely learned something today.”

“What’s that?”

“I should bring you planetside more often.”

[tieflingsarebadatnamingthings]

First delve in to MEA. Been playing for a little while. I also posted this on my AO3 account, Ace_Strider, just in case someone notices it over there and thinks I stole it.

***

“Arrogant.”

Her room was quiet, probably the only place on the Tempest that was. Even SAM seemed muffled as he informed her of six new emails that needed her attention when she had the time. Ryder threw her jacket onto the couch and made her way over to her bed. She kicked her boots off as she went.

“Your father was the one with the vision.”

She had to resist the urge to just fall face first onto her bed. Instead, she sat on the edge and reached down to pull off her socks. She hadn’t been wearing them long but she still threw them towards the laundry basket. One made it in but they separated halfway through the air, landing the other about five feet from its destination.

“But first you have to be the Pathfinder you pretend to be.”

She stripped off her outer shirt and sent that to join the sock in the basket. Her bra came off second and she just dropped that to the floor. Easier to find it later if she was forced to go out again. That left her in her tanktop, almost comfortable. She undid her belt and let it drop beside the bra.

“Forgive me if I don’t hold my breath.”

Slowly, she crawled back on her bed. She laid back even slower, feeling each part of each limb hit the mattress. When her head hit her pillow, she stared up at the ceiling. Her eyes began to unfocus, the details in the metal going fuzzy.

“You’re just like your father. You think you can do all of this yourself. Go to Hell, Pathfinder.”

Ryder turned on her side, drawing her legs up so her knees nearly reached her chest. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath that shook on the way out. Her meeting with Tann had gone about the way she had expected. He’d congratulated her for what she’d done so far while also dropping major hints that she wasn’t working fast enough. That there were things he had expected her to be making more progress on than she had.

Normally, it didn’t bother her. But she’d just gotten back from helping the Nexus ambassador to Aya and, despite her best efforts, only one Angaran had agreed to live on the Nexus. The failure was still fresh and having Tann needle at her like that…And it hadn’t helped that the second the meeting was over, Addison had stopped her. Her exact words had been, “When you’re done giving the angarans all your attention, our people need you too.” As if Ryder was neglecting their people. As if everything Ryder did wasn’t for them in the first place. As if the angara weren’t vital in getting them more outposts for their people.

The door to her quarters opened. Ryder could tell by the bootfalls who it was and stayed where she was, not even bothering to open her eyes. Peebee sat down by her feet, Ryder could feel the mattress dip. “Hey you. How ya feelin?” Peebee asked, sounding like her usual chipper self. Ryder stayed silent but shrugged. “I know it’s kinda the pot calling the kettle black and all that, but would you mind using your words? We can't really get all touchy feely if you don’t say anything.” Peebee said.

Ryder opened her eyes and moved her head just enough to look right at Peebee. She was smiling but Ryder could see the concern in her eyes. “I’m tired.” Ryder admitted and she hated how close to tears she sounded. Peebee scooted closer, placing a hand on the side of Ryder’s thigh. Just resting, offering a little comfort. “It didn’t go as well with the angarans as I’d hoped. And then Tann did that whole jumping down my throat thing without actually saying anything. And Addison acts like I’m ignoring our people even though literally everything I do is for the Initiative.” Ryder let out a deep sigh. Her bottom lip started to tremble and she focused on Peebee’s eyes. On her unwavering gaze. On her absolute focus. It was a little overwhelming, sometimes, but Ryder also knew what it meant to have Peebee’s attention the way she did. “I just wish I was enough.” Ryder whispered.

“You’re enough to me.” Peebee told her. Carefully, watching so she didn’t accidentally knee Ryder’s legs, Peebee crawled over her and onto the other side of the bed. Her hand stayed on Ryder and gently pulled on her till Ryder turned onto her other side. Peebee laid down beside her and smiled, hand coming out to play with Ryder’s hair. “Don’t worry about Tann and Addison. If they could do what you do, they’d already have done it. But they can't and they screwed up big time before you got here.” Peebee leaned forward and kissed Ryder’s nose, surprising a laugh out of Ryder as she pulled away. “And Jaal said you still got one of the angarans to move onto the Nexus. One is better than nothing, right? And one’s enough! Picture it, the second that one starts telling everybody else what its like, they’ll all want a spot.” Peebee declared, a big grin spread across her face.

It was contagious, Ryder smiled softly back at her. She was right. Of course she was right. Ryder’s chest warmed as she stared at her girlfriend. She was so lucky to have Peebee in her life. So lucky to have someone understand her the way Peebee did. So lucky to have someone who could drag her out of her funk and make her feel light again. “I love you.” Ryder said. She leaned forward and Peebee quickly met her. Ryder had to crane her neck a little uncomfortably to kiss her but it was worth it. They were both grinning when they separated.

“Love you too, Ryder.”

[wickedwitchofthewilds]

Valentine’s Prompts 2019

Disastrous Date

Requested by @natsora

Pairing: Emma and Jaal

Rating: T

Fandom: Mass Effect Andromeda-Project Olympus

Read on AO3

Emma propped her foot up on a crate to lace her boots. Jaal was waiting for her at the shuttle docks at the science station. As it were, she was already running late. It wasn’t technically her fault. The entire day had been strange. First, she had slept through her alarm. Which never happened. Then the shower on the Tempest wouldn’t turn on, some sort of malfunction Gil had told her, and then when it finally did, the water was ice cold. Drack had burned breakfast, so she was stuck with a ration bar. Then she was finally ready to get out the door, she found out the Pyjack had stolen the laces to her boots. Why? Hell if she knew. But she had to track down the little shit to get them back.

Checking the time on her omnitool, Emma jogged down the ramp. Good thing they weren’t staying in the wilds, so Emma didn’t have to worry about armor or a weapon. But she had no idea where Jaal was taking her. She just hoped being late wouldn’t throw off his plans too much. And she hoped he wouldn’t be mad at her. Not that he ever really got mad at her. Frustrated? Yes. Upset? Absolutely. But mad? No.

She saw him, leaning against the shuttle with his [Angaran omnitool]’s interface open. Maybe he was going to try and contact her to see what was keeping her. Emma hurried along, calling out to him so he would know she was on her way. When he looked up to see her, he didn’t seem angry in the slightest.

“Darling one!” He raised his hand in greeting.

Emma took the steps two at a time, only slightly out of breath. “Sorry I’m late,” she said, coming to a stop in front of him.

“It’s alright,” he reassured her. “Is everything okay?”

She nodded. “Just been a weird day so far.”

“Ah. Well, hopefully, what I have planned will make it better.”

Emma placed her hands on his upper arms and lifted up on the balls of her feet to press a kiss to his cheek. “If you’ve planned it, then I’m sure it will.”

He buzzed happily, pleased at her confidence in whatever he had planned. But Jaal knew her so well. And she knew that if he had planned something it was special for her, for the both of them, and she knew she would love it. He was always trying to do things for her. Little things for her to experience, to make her happy, to make her laugh. Jaal was kind and sweet. Sometimes it worried her. Sometimes she didn’t feel worthy of it. But over time, she felt that way less and less.

Jaal reached for her hand, and they boarded the shuttle. It didn’t take very long to get to their destination. Emma could see The Forge in the distance, but the shuttle dropped them off right before they reached it. She doubted that’s where they were going.

Jaal had a bag slung over his shoulder, and with her hand firmly in his, he led her through the thick foliage. Bioluminescent mushrooms lit the way. As always, Emma had to fight the urge to touch one even though she knew the slime was toxic. She kept her hand in Jaal’s and ignored the urge.

They walked past the mushrooms, and towards the ravine. The last time they had been here, they had been racing against the clock to disarm Akksul and his bombs. She wondered if he was finally bringing her back to The Forge. To see the beauty and importance of it, without it being tainted by the Roekkar. But after they dropped down to the ledge, he stopped while looking down at the water down below.

“This is good,” he murmured to himself. He turned back to her. “Will you close your eyes for me?” he asked.

Emma raised an eyebrow but didn’t tease him. She squeezed her eyes shut and placed her hands over them for good measure. This was his surprise and she didn’t want to ruin it. Emma heard him unzipping the bag, and then the rustling of fabric. She was curious. Just what had Jaal brought with him? She resisted the urge to peek.

Jaal cleared his throat. “Before you open your eyes,” he said. “We haven’t been able to go on a proper date and I wanted to change that. It may not be what you would have experienced in the Milky Way, but I hope you like this.” He paused. “You can open your eyes.”

Emma dropped her hands, her eyes opening and automatically going to Jaal. He was standing in front of a blanket that had been placed a few feet from the ledge. Presumably, so they could look over the edge at the water below and be close enough to marvel at The Forge. The bag was open, and she could see containers of food inside. It mostly looked like fruit, which is what was largely available right now, and some nutrient paste as well. He exuded anxious energy, waiting for her reaction.

It was perfect. Emma didn’t care about anything fancy. She just wanted Jaal and this was him. Thoughtful. Determined to make something work even if there was very little to work with. A lot of thought had gone into doing this for her and she loved it. She loved him.

Emma stepped forward, wrapping her arms around his waist. “It’s perfect,” she mumbled into his rofjinn.

“Do you really think so?” he asked, sounding pleased with himself because he already knew what her answer was going to be. Emma couldn’t lie to him. Her bioelectricity would give her away if she tried.

Emma nodded and looked up at him. “I love it.”

This time Jaal leaned down to press a kiss to her cheek. He guided her with a hand on her lower back to the blanket and they sat down together facing towards the ravine. With her shoulder against his, she looked towards The Forge. It was never lost on her just how beautiful Havarl was. It really was one of her favorite places in Andromeda. If she had to choose a place to settle down, this would be it. Especially if Jaal was involved.

Jaal reached into the bag to pull out a container. There was a portion of Paripo, just enough for the two of them. He must have already shared the rest with the crew and then saved the rest for this. Emma leaned into him as she chewed, just basking in the peaceful silence.

After weeks of dealing with the Archon, and the fallout after the fact, this quiet was well-earned. They had all been working hard since waking up in Andromeda, and they took their peace wherever they could find it. Emma was glad that Jaal and the moments they shared were her peace.

“While we are here, Sahuna wanted us to come by and have dinner with the family,” Jaal finally broke the silence.

Emma nodded. “Sounds great. I think I have some gifts on the Tempest anyway. Might as well get them off the Tempest before Kallo has a fit about weight.”

He chuckled. “Yes, a fit he has with Peebee often.”

“If he wouldn’t get in massive trouble for it, I’m sure he would jettison her escape pod.”

They both laughed. Mostly because it was true.

A rustling sound drew Emma’s attention. It sounded like it was coming from behind them. Jaal fell silent as well, noticing her change in demeanor. Emma stayed still listening but didn’t hear anything else. Maybe she was hearing things. Or maybe it was just someone walking by. After a minute or two of just listening, she shrugged and turned back to Jaal. There was a flash, and she was alert again, but there was nothing beside him. Yet…something didn’t feel right.

A low growl was the only warning Emma had before the air beside Jaal shimmered and she knew. Her fingers tangled in the fabric of his rofjinn and she pulled him towards her right as a Wraith uncloaked itself and lunged at him. A barrier slammed down around them, slicing the Wraith in half. But Emma could see others lurking in the foliage above them. Damn. How did she miss them before?

Out of habit, she reached for her sidepiece and then cursed. Of course, she hadn’t brought it. She didn’t think it would be a problem since they wouldn’t technically be in the wilds. A dumb decision really. She should know to be prepared in Andromeda no matter what. But she didn’t feel too bad. Jaal hadn’t brought his rifle either. Looks like it was another time to test her power.

Another Wraith lunged at them, but it hit the barrier head-on. Shaking its head, it backed away still growling. Emma couldn’t hold the barrier up forever, and they were too scattered for her to slam them into anything. Her eyes strayed to the ledge. But maybe she could get them to go over. There was no way they would survive the fall into the ravine.

She was more prepared when the next one lunged. Jaal stayed with her as she moved them and the barrier closer to the ledge. The Wraiths followed, believing they had Emma and Jaal cornered between a rock and a hard place. They all jumped down from the ledge. There were five altogether.

“When I say duck, I need you to duck,” she said. “I’m going to drop the barrier and throw them over the edge. Hopefully, my powers won’t fritz,” she mumbled the last part.

“You can do it,” Jaal encouraged.

She could see their haunches tense and she knew they were all going to try and lunge again. Her barrier wouldn’t withstand too many attacks, so she needed to work fast. There wouldn’t be another chance to pull up another one. The Wraith lunged as a group and Emma yelled out. Jaal ducked down beside her and she followed him, dropping that barrier. A few of the Wraith jumped right over their heads and right over the ledge. That left two. Two Emma was able to reach for with her power.

With a hold on them, she pushed, sending them flying over the edge. Jaal gripped her waist to keep her upright and steady. They stilled, waiting to see if there were any more, but it was quiet again.

“They never come this close,” Jaal said.

Emma let out a shaky breath. “I guess there’s a first time for everything.” She turned to look at him “Are you—”

She followed his gaze to the rumpled blanket and the spilled food. So much for a picnic. Emma wanted to laugh at their luck, but it died in her throat when she saw the look on his face. He looked so crestfallen. She knelt down beside him.

“I’m sorry darling one,” he said. “I perhaps didn’t plan this we—"

Emma leaned forward, his face cupped in her hands, and quieted his apology with a small kiss. “It was perfect, Jaal. I certainly won’t forget it.”

[inquartata30]

Thaia/Lexi #20 for the prompt thing?

20. “You came back.”

“You have to go back out,” said Lexi from where they stood in the kitchen, observing Aella recount her adventures to her sisters.

“What?” asked Thaia. “Why?”

“You’re missing someone.”

Thaia pointed. “No, all four of them right there. I know because I counted five times within five seconds when we came in. Look, I just counted again. They’re still all there.”

“The pallad, Thaia.”

Thaia made a face. Luckily, none of the children had been looking in her direction when she did.

Lexi crossed her arms, which was a warning if there ever was one. “Do you want one or more them to go out looking for him again?”

Fuck. Good point. “No.”

“Then please go bring the pallad home.”

“All right.” Thaia sighed and got up from the stool she’d been sitting on at the kitchen counter.

“You need to promise,” Lexi said before Thaia had even taken a step.

“I promise I’ll bring the pallad home.” Thaia had done her best to sound convincing. She had.

“Alive,” Lexi said, ticking each word on her fingers, “and uninjured.”

“Goddess, fine. I promise to bring the pallad home alive and uninjured if at all possible and, if I can’t, it won’t be from something I did or didn’t do.” She would find him. It was clear her daughters would be pitiful, broken-hearted messes if she didn’t.

It wasn’t until she was outside the apartment again that she realized she had no idea how the fuck to track down a pallad.

Ten seconds later, she belatedly realized that her five-year-old possessed more smarts than she did in the field of biology.

On her omni, Thaia pulled up the extranet article about miniature pallads. It said stuff about Eos, but Snow hadn’t been in the only Eos-like place on the Nexus.

Dead end.

And she was only about twenty centimeters from the apartment’s front door.

Fuck.

The door opened and her dad stuck her head out. “If you’re going to pretend to look, you could at least pretend while out of sight.”

“I’m not pretending. I just don’t know shit about pallads other than they look like fucking arachnids and my kids think one miniature pallad in particular is their pet.”

“Snow is their pet.”

She wasn’t going to fucking acknowledge it.

“Anyway, I promised Lexi I’d look for real. And bring it back alive if at all possible.”

“Good on her to get that specific promise out of you.”

Thaia rolled her eyes.

“Well,” said Sula, “you find him and you can’t bring yourself to get within five meters of him, send me a message. I’ll herd him back home for the low, low price of giving you shit about it for the next decade.”

“What a bargain.” Then Thaia walked away before her dad could add anything else, because Sula always had more to add.

In Hydroponics, Thaia halted again because she still had no fucking clue where to look.

Then she thought about what biologists she knew.

Oh, Suvi.

Thaia messaged her.

> You know anything about miniature pallads?

Suvi answered surprisingly fast.

> Why? Are your daughters looking to adopt a friend for Snow?

> No. And don’t give them ideas. I need to know because Snow’s escaped and is somewhere on the Nexus. I think.

> I’d help if I could, but my specialty is molecular biology. Have you tried asking Ryder? I know that quite a few years back Professor Herik had her catalogue a whole list of Andromeda wildlife. 

> Worth a try.

> Good luck! Say hello to the girls for me.

> Will do. Thanks.

Thaia closed the window and immediately opened another to Ryder.

> Know anything about miniature pallads?

Ryder answered as suspiciously fast and Thaia suspected they were in the same place and possibly had already been messaged by Lexi.

> I know that the one your kids have is adorable and needs a friend.

> No.

> Someone has to advocate for them. Good news is that I know a little more about pallads. If they don’t have a place to nest in like Snow does in its bed at your apartment—

> Snow has a bed?

> If he hasn’t been chewing wires all over your apartment, yes.

A bed. Fuck.

> So what you’re saying is that I should be looking for chewed up access panels?

> Yeah.

> How do you know this?

> Long story.

> On, one of those. Well, I’m going to go find a bunch of sparking wires. Have fun with Suvi and tell Peebee she isn’t allowed to give my kids presents anymore without clearing them with Lexi first.

Thaia closed out the program and began her search.

Her long search.

Fucking hours of searching. 

Hours she spent also constantly reminding herself that she loved her children and if she didn’t find the pallad they would be very, very sad, and Lexi would be sad, and Sula would be sad, and Dr. Aridana would be sad, and Thaia would feel terrible that everyone else was sad.

And maybe she’d be a little sad, too.

Thaia ran across the pallad in a shadowed cargo area in the Ishara Ward, catching sight of his white carapace dully reflecting the low-level lighting. When he saw her, he wriggled out from where he’d wedged himself between two cargo containers.

She did not scream.

However, the opposite side of the room from him wasn’t far enough away.

Staying in the same spot, he lifted his front legs.

Sort of like he was waving.

At her.

But that would be absurd.

He did it again. 

The fuck?

Maybe she should scream.

But then that could scare the pallad and she’d have broken her promise to Lexi and she didn’t break promises.

The pallad slowly made its way to the middle of the room and then stopped.

Thaia stared at the pallad.

The pallad stared back.

She stared at the pallad.

The pallad stared back.

Then he waved one leg and wiggled his—thorax? Abdomen? His butt. It was his butt.

And she had no idea what to think about the rest of his weird-ass behavior.

Well, there was no one else here to overhear and she’d heard all four kids speaking to this thing at one point or another and if she didn’t get him back to the apartment soon and instead was forced to keep standing in this darkened room looking it in the eyes she might have a fucking coronary.

So, she talked. To the pallad. “The kids are sad that you aren’t there.”

He tilted his head to the side.

Apparently her statement called for further clarification. “Not me, to be clear. But when they’re sad, I’m sad.”

He jumped a few centimeters into the air.

Thaia jumped several centimeters into the air and her heart tried to wrestle itself out of her fucking chest.

Then he took a step toward her, a couple steps back, rose up on its rear legs, and then trotted toward the door.

“The fuck are you doing?”

Snow stopped and looked at her. Took another step toward the door and looked ather. Took a step back. Took a couple more steps toward the door and then looked at her again.

Thaia was pretty sure it was a pallad’s version of ‘let’s go!’

He went out the door.

She went out the door, also.

Because she was genuinely curious if he was going to the apartment, she followed from at least three meters back at all times. Also, if he was going to the apartment, she was going to be more than a little concerned.

He did bring them back to the apartment.

She was highly concerned. Frankly, it was worrisome.

Snow trotted to the door, looked back at Thaia, then moved a few meters away and waited.

She rolled her eyes and opened the door. Then she barely had time to leap out of the way when Snow barreled through.

She was going to have a fucking stroke.

“You came back!” the four children yelled as they ran towards them.

Thaia was only slightly offended when they hugged the pallad instead of her. As in, they happily threw their arms around Snow’s neck and snuggled right up close.

It took all the restraint Thaia had not to pull their faces away from those fangs. 

Mandibles.

Things that should never be near the cheeks of small children.

Especially her children.

Fuck it, she was going to gently aid them in not being so fucking close to the pallad’s face.

Then Aella said, “You rescued Dad and brought her back!”

What the the fuck? They thought Snow had rescued her?

Now she was fully offended.

“How was it, being rescued by your worst fear?” Lexi asked as she moved to stand next to Thaia.

And placed a hand on her arm.

It was a firm grip, so it was one meant to prevent Thaia from intervening between the pallad and their daughters because Lexi knew Thaia far too well.

“I rescued him!” Thaia frowned. “Herded him? You know what? We reached a mutual accord to individually return here. And we did. That’s all.”

Lexi laughed.

Thaia kept a wary eye on that weird fucking pallad.

Then Lexi said, “Thank you for finding her.” She paused. “And the pallad.”

“You’re welcome for finding our kid.”

“And?”

“And I’m glad that I did because she’s irreplaceable?”

“And you’re impossible.” 

Thaia took the chance to quickly smile at her. “You love me for it.”

It brought a smile to Lexi’s face. “I do.” Then she drew her down into a thorough, promising kiss.

[thebluepersoniswhowhat]

My Take on Asari Last Names

I see a lot of speculation and I've noticed a sliiiiiiiight pattern with Asari last names, so I'm gonna use it to give my own theory.

We all know that a lot of Asari last names start out with T' and then whatever. I've seen speculation that perhaps that it stands for a home planet. There are a few issues.

1) T would make sense for Thessia, but there's also Terapso, Teukria, Tevura, and Trategos.

2) Peebee's name is Pelessaria B'Sayle. There are no Asari planets that begin with B, Peebee is from Hyetiana.

3) If it was based off of planets they were born on, then Lexi T'Perro (the good doctor), would hail from one of those five planets, not Omega. And she's from Omega.

Maybe the cities you ask? No. Doctor T'Soni is from Armali, whether that be a region or city, or even community, it doesn't fit.

So, I can think of two things. Either it's based on class/rank/honor or.... there was a legitimate reason but then Bioware said 'fuck it' and gave us this.

I think it's class/rank, here's why:

T'Soni is a well known and wealthy name, we know that Matriarch Benezia was a well respected Matriarch (before Saren happened) and was highly educated and important in the government. Liara has a higher education, especially considering she's still a child in the eyes of the Asari, and has considerable power being related to Benezia.

T'Loak... well perhaps Aria changed it herself since she does have considerable power, self-proclaimed Queen of Omega, she is a Matriarch (she said something about in the a thousand years she's been alive), and everyone respects her... rather they worship her to not die but you understand. But theres no telling if Aria is actually from a wealthy family and just doesn't give a shit.

T'Reve, ahhhhhh, Kalinda... Kalinda is a diplomat. She was brought onto the Andromeda Initiative for diplomatic relations. She's a bitch.

T'Kosh, Nisira is a well respected Huntress. We know this because Cora, and she has considerable power. Many Asari huntresses have read and follow her training guides and her practices.

T'Vessa, miss Keri is a film maker in Andromeda, you've surely met her. At some point she talks about being with her parents at extravagant government meetings, and beginning to film them. Her parents weren't happy she decided to do film making instead of stuff.

Now you might point out the good doctor. Lexi T'Perro as a fault, thus making this completely worthless. I got that covered too.

T'Perro, born and raised on Omega, just barely an adult by Asari standards. Her family grew up poor, we know this because she stated that her parents would put every credit they earned towards her education. She is far from upper class as it gets. Yet I believe the T'Perro name was once a notable and wealthy family. We know T'Soni has to be one of the oldest families out there, so it is possible that T'Perro was once one of these highly esteemed names and then all of their money and resources or such were gone. Unable to recoup all their losses, they were no longer upper class. By the time this had happened, last names based on class or rank no longer mattered. Lexi is a good doctor, considered the best in the Initiative by many.

Since the class/rank no longer mattered in last names, many rich families faded out as their lineage died out or new names were taken. Yet Asari with the last names are still true to the great prestige. Doctors, scholars, powerful politicians, wealthy families, or well respected warriors, that was how the last names were decided.

Now. Upper class is done.

Peebee... first off, Pelessaria is a beautiful name, secondly, this is the first time we've same a last name like her's. B'Sayle...

Peebee isn't from a super wealthy family nor a poor family. Middle class, perhaps, maybe the upper end of the Asari middle class.

She is an intelligent woman, but also silly and out of place in Asari society and culture. Hyetiana is known for its scientists and science eccentric population. So perhaps this is a middle class equivalent beginning from before the die out of classism, or new naming conventions are based off professions. Sciences beginning with a B.

Idk, it's late at night when I researched and wrote all of this. Feedback would be n i c e .

[rahkshirock]

Andromeda thoughts 2.5

before I start today’s session I wanted to give my thoughts on the new setting so far:

I was wondering what the solution was going to be for the lack of mass relays in the Andromeda galaxy, since Ive seen pictures of the game with a full galaxy map. I continued to be confused until I eventually found an entry in the codex about Andromeda itself: Andromeda, instead of having one spiral with many arms like the milky way, has several micro-galaxies along its rim. One of these, quite simply, is the Helius cluster that you explore in-game; a structure that LOOKs like a galaxy, but is comfortably small enough for a small ship to traverse at normal ftl speeds with no relays.

many of the potential problems I could have with the story or lore are explained in a similar way. 

“how can you know what worlds are colonizeable in Andromeda when light coming from it is 40 million years out of date?” the solution is that you jury rig a mass relay to point at dark space as close as you can get to Andromeda to create a corridor of massless space that light can travel through instantly, leaving you with only a 600 year difference. “well where’d they get that idea” the geth were observed to have done this to observe dark space for “an unknown reason” (they were obviously trying to find reapers)

this is only one of many explanations that not only give context for andromedas plot, but give added depth to the original trilogy. amazingly well thought out so far. well done.

the way the plot has unfolded has also been fascinating to watch, because this game has to explain so many things in order to get you to Eos, and nails it all.

you reach habitat 7, your golden world, land, find it uninhabitable, find your teammates after the crash, meet the main antagonists, the kett (who I haven't seen enough of yet to have an opinion on) then your dad shows you what his pathfinder-ai uplink implant system can do in the field (ie, switch between biotic, combat, and engineer mid-mission) he dies, shows a ton of character in his few scenes that show that he loves you immensely, after interfacing with the alien terraforming tower that's fucking up the place to fix it, gives said implant to you so you get superpowers, then you get to the nexus, find out that it was left damaged and incomplete after it drove through “the scourge,” which has infested all of the golden worlds and only showed up within the last 600 years since you didn’t see it from the milky way, established that the founders of the initiative died and that the guy in command was originally an accountant who is now utterly unprepared to lead, get sent to eos, meet your crew, figure out why eos is an irradiated mess, fix it using more terraforming towers, but carefully this time so you don't die, and set up your first outpost.

and that's the mandatory plot! I did tons of detours and sidequests as well, and there are tons more yet to do.

again, super impressed that it all works.

on the enemies that ive faced so far:

the kett are the main hostile enemy faction, and on hard difficulty they are kicking my ass. their ground troops seem to have a hive mind, though I'm not sure of that yet, and overall I haven't seen much of them except aggression.

the remnant are much more interesting. so much so that it kinda looks like they are being re-used for Anthem? but anyway

the remnant are named that by peebee, who is the foremost researcher on their ruins because the kett attack anyone who comes near remnant equipment.

they are named remnant because the species that set up the towers no longer is around. instead, when you enter the area, you encounter maintenance drones that attack you only if you try to come too close or scan the ruins. the remnant so far are much more fun to fight.

what Ive learned so far is that their structures are similar to those of the Vex from destiny, and the lunar deep from my own worldbuilding; the base is a conducive liquid that forms a solid silicate alloy when activated, and transmits and stores data all throughout its material, allowing it to store zettabytes of data in a small structure. interestingly, the remnant architecture is relatively simple to interface with for an ai. so while the kett are clueless as to how to even begin to use remnant tech, alec ryder interfaces with it within minutes of first contact.

its fascinating the difference between the milky way and Andromeda tech, because Andromeda tries to communicate its functionality but is fundamentally alien, while prothean ruin’s data is nearly indescipherable, but their tech was pretty much plug’n play with simple circuits. 

anyway, that's pretty much it for now. I would already give this game a recommendation. its only 20 bucks guys, and the animations are all fixed

[antagonistchan]

i started playing Mass Effect: Andromeda yesterday.

i got a download code for it for christmas like two years ago and just finally redeemed it.

now, for years, i’ve been saying this: “i know that people don’t like Andromeda- it’s very hard to avoid that- but i’ve done my best to avoid looking further into why people don’t like Andromeda because i want to form an opinion for myself. lots of people don’t like Mass Effect 3 either and i fucking adore that game. based on the fact that most people don’t like Andromeda and consider it a total joke but i do see that it has its fans in the Mass Effect tag, i expect that it’s gonna be bad, but i’m gonna like it anyways, though not as much as i like the trilogy.”

and i was absolutely right. so far at least.

it’s definitely not the worst. i mean, unless the question is “the worst Mass Effect game”, in which case, yeah, it is the worst. but that’s not saying much considering the other three are collectively my favorite game of all time.

so, Mass Effect: Andromeda is an extremely flawed game. but it’s not completely worthless like some people say (though i can totally understand why someone would dismiss it as worthless).

it’s pretty ugly (it’s got good lighting, but the animations and textures and human models all look really.... off. and the original version of ME1 was also pretty ugly, but in a charmingly primitive 2007 kinda way; Andromeda’s ugliness lacks that charm, especially since the aforementioned good lighting makes it fail to feel particularly primitive). speaking of the animations, aside from them looking off, a lot of them are extremely stiff and borderline unfinished.

the Angarans as a species are also pretty ugly imo, but 1: that’s extremely subjective, i’ve definitely seen people who are thirsty for Angarans, and 2: that’s also not necessarily a complaint. Angarans just Look Like That. who says these aliens need to conform to our ideals of prettiness. and they’ve got cool stuff going on. Jaal’s neat.

i do like the Remnant. they kinda give off that same precursor vibe as Prothean/Reaper tech without feeling like exactly the same thing again, and it’s pretty interesting that they only disappeared within the last few hundred years rather than 50,000 years ago. and there’s a lot more left of them. they’re somewhat derivative of the Forerunners from Halo, but not too extremely.

now, the aliens i do have an issue with are the Kett. they are so extremely derivative. not only are they derivative of things outside of Mass Effect (i know next to nothing about Warframe and even i can tell that they’re visually a total ripoff of Warframe, and also to an extent Halo), but they’re derivative of things Mass Effect already had, too (gee, an evil race that creates its soldiers by corrupting members of other races? no, that’s not like the Reapers at all).

the game’s writing is mostly fine. nothing’s struck me nearly as hard as anything in the trilogy had this far in (for any of the three games), but the story hasn’t offended me too badly and there’s been stuff i’ve liked. Alec Ryder’s a cool dead mentor character and i did emotionally resonate with him sacrificing himself to save my character’s life, Andromeda manages to bring back a lot of the hard sci-fi elements that ME2 and ME3 both scaled back on from ME1, and i really like the whole disaster scenario that Andromeda inherently presents, and how it makes space feel really big and dangerous in ways the trilogy liked to hint at but never fully explore.

not sure how i feel about the combat yet. largely because of the game’s pacing, and there’s a complaint. the trilogy was pretty good at keeping you on your toes, balancing the combat/exploration gameplay with the downtime gameplay. Andromeda... doesn’t really. it’ll spend way too long on the combat/exploration stuff so i’ll easily start getting bored with it, and then it’ll spend way too long on the downtime stuff so i’ll easily start begging to actually try out the new combat/exploration stuff i’m getting during the downtime, and on top of this, it also means i’m having a really hard time adjusting to the combat. i’m not really having that much fun with the combat yet, but i feel like there’s a very good chance it’s because i just haven’t gotten the hang of it yet (especially coming right off the tail of another playthrough of the original trilogy, a series of games i replay literally every year and have since 2013 so i know them like the back of my hand). the idea of Profiles is interesting, at least.

the Tempest is a cool ship. i had it introduced to me as “a shitty version of the Normandy” and that’s not really fair. yeah, the Normandy’s cooler, but the Tempest is cool too. honestly, i found myself comparing it more to the Normandy SR-1 than the SR-2. It has a much more similar vibe (i mean, hell, you don’t need to go through any loading screens to see the entire ship, and it’s not all centralized around a single elevator). the windows are really really silly from an in-universe perspective but i can forgive that, especially since it’s finally fulfilling the promise that i mistakenly thought some vague blurry ME1 art made years ago- a central ops chamber with a full window view of the top part of the ship. and it’s pretty. Ryder’s bedroom is a lot nicer than Shepard’s, it’s a bedroom that’s much more my speed. i also think it’s funny that they had to rename the Tempest gun so the names didn’t conflict.

and then there’s the characters, and.... i mostly like them.

i’m a little mixed on Cora. she seems a little passive-aggressive. Drack is just store brand Wrex, but that’s not really a bad thing. i mean, could you live up to Urdnot Wrex? no, you couldn’t. so Drack doesn’t offend me, i like him. Tann absolutely sucks but he’s clearly supposed to suck.

but then you’ve got the characters who are on two opposite ends of the spectrum of likability: Vetra and Peebee.

holy shit Peebee sucks and i don’t want anything to do with her. she was one of those things i wasn’t able to avoid hearing about and yeah she sucks just as much as everyone said she does.

Vetra, meanwhile? i adore Vetra so much. i love her. the moment i met her, i just HAD to look her up on the wiki to see if i could romance her, and i was so elated when i saw she was an available bi romance.

and for that matter, i was soon pretty happy to discover the game’s selection of romances: three exclusively straight romances (Cora, Liam, Avela), two exclusively gay romances (Gil and Suvi), and five bi romances (Jaal, Vetra, the witch, Keri, and someone i haven’t met yet named Reyes). that’s a pretty solid mix! especially when the two straight romances are two humans and an Angaran, the two gay romances are both human, and the bi romances are two Asari, a female Turian, a human, and another Angaran. i think i’d adjust it slightly by making one of the straight romances bi, but aside from that, that’s... kinda perfect! this feels really well thought-out, like they tried to make the mix perfect (hell, making one of the Angarans exclusively straight but another one bi feels like they were trying to provide a serious cultural clue for them- namely, that sexual identity is a concept they have)! it’d also be perfect if everyone was bi, but perfect in a different way (pro: you don’t have to worry about sexuality at all, con: it’s kinda boring).

anyways, back to Vetra. it’s a little early to say, since i’ve barely even explored her romance, but........ while probably not my favorite romance (it’d take a lot to dethrone that current champion, Traynor, let alone the other high scorers Garrus and Tali), she’s probably pretty high up there. sassy Turian lady who plays dirty to get things done? hell, i love the Garrus romance so much despite being a lesbian, so i’m absolutely all for my character romancing a Turian with a dark side, and now we get someone other than Garrus to fill that role, and a lady at that! ME1 and ME2 didn’t have any female Turians and ME3 didn’t have nearly enough, and then ME:A just has so many. the same goes for female Salarians, too, actually, but it’s more understandable in-universe for Salarians considering how Salarian gender works. anyways, there’s more that i love about Vetra besides “she’s Garrus 2 but a girl now”, a lot more actually, but that core idea is really enough to get you on board with her, really.

(speaking of Garrus though, he was also the focal point of one of the game’s stupidest moments: at some point Ryder says “An impatient rookie, frustrated with procedure? That's overdone.” which like..... that’s clearly supposed to be making fun of Garrus?? who’s like, the literal most popular character in the franchise???? i’m sorry??? what??? it’s like they’re trying to piss the fandom off intentionally, and “creators intentionally trying to piss their fandom off” generally don’t earn much respect from me unless they’re indie, and even then it’s a tough sell)

but that Garrus thing is cancelled out by another cool thing: the Nexus. the core idea of the Nexus seems to be “the Andromeda Initiative decided to build their own Citadel”, and that’s really fucking cool. it’s interesting to see the challenges of getting something like the Citadel actually up and running, and the Nexus itself is pretty interesting, especially in comparing and contrasting between it and the Citadel. also it has a room dedicated to teaching any local species about the various Milky Way races, and it’s all technically accurate but also a little overly generous in how positive some things are (“Turian culture is proof that peace will always win out!” “Humans may be diverse, but we choose to celebrate that diversity rather than let it divide us!”). and also i love that they actually let you listen to the info about humans as if you weren’t a human yourself because one of my favorite things about ME worldbuilding is how much it feels like humanity is just another one of the races that exists in this world, and humanity are really only the “protagonists” of the story because Shepard/Ryder is human.

[smokeybrandreviews]

A Galaxy Far, Far, Away

I’ve started my fourth play through of Mass Effect Legendary Edition. This is one of the best series of games i have ever played. Not necessarily the overall gameplay loop, but the narrative, the world building, is all just flat-out unassailable. I’m a sucker for deep lore and Mass Effect definitely has that. Revisiting all of that drama, and character development, and pathos, and epic feel, has me completely gripped. So much so that I ended up revisited Mass Effect: Andromeda after my second run through of the original trilogy. I had always planned to revisit the Pathfinder’s adventure after saving the galaxy from the Reapers. I wanted fresh eyes on the black sheep of the franchise, after playing the golden child once again. Suffice it to say, my opinion on the Andromeda sh*tshow has softened considerably. They say time heals all wounds and I guess that goes for tepid games, too.

Andromeda still has nothing on the original games but i like it more than the first Mass Effect. I hate that game so much. I touched upon this before in one of my many, many, Mass Effect posts (look, i really like these games, okay??) but i had a PS3. My first experience with the franchise was Mass Effect 2, which i bought on a whim because i kind of hate shooters, and was absolutely blindsided by straight up quality. That opening sequence is exactly how you start any cinematic experience. It was gripping, tense, and really gets the player to commit, even if they have no idea who the f*ck Shepard is. I didn’t get to play Mass Effect until AFTER i played 2 and 3 so, going back to the first? Man, that game didn’t have a chance. I did try the admittedly superior version on the Legendary edition, but i still hate it. I bailed the first time i had to fight a Thresher Maw. F*ck those things. I said all of that to drive home that Andromeda didn’t have to be great for it to usurp a spot in my favorite ME titles but, after some time and distance from my initial salt about the development of this game, i have to say, it’s genuinely better than the first Mass Effect. Blasphemy, i know, but f*ck that first game, man. i hate it so much.

Andromeda is a hard sell or most and i understand why completely. That first trilogy is gaming royalty and better written than the most Hollywood entries as of late. That bar was way too high. Any game trying to call itself Mass Effect and not starring Shepard was going to fall short. I think that is what crippled this Andromeda, aside from the ridiculous bugs and rather pedestrian plotting. But it’s fun as f*ck to actually play. Listen, that jump pack is a game changer. I like the combat in Mass Effect 3 the most out of the original games and Andromeda builds upon that with gusto. Seriously, being that mobile while maintaining one of the tightest cover systems I've ever had the pleasure of hunkering behind, was a true revelation. I absolutely loved basting around enemy squads, pinning them down, and blowing them the f*ck away before retreating to cover half a map away like nothing happened. It was exhilarating. While I'll always prefer Mass Effect 3′s combat because of nostalgia reasons, Andromeda was the most fun i had actually playing an ME title. So far.

Another solid addition presented by Andromeda are the squad mates. Yes, of course, they are template characters but the way they're written is the draw. They may remind you off the old crew but these youngbloods have a life of their own. Except Liam. F*ck that guy. It’s not hard to see the comparisons; Cora is Miranda, PeeBee is basically Tali, Vetra is every bit Garrus but a girl, Nackmor Drack is definitely the Urdnot Wrex of our cozy little refugee group, and Jaal gives me strong Javik vibes. I think that familiarity was built in for a reason. I think it was to ease us into a completely different world, a completely foreign narrative experience, so as not to alienate the audience before we experienced what Andromeda had to offer. I enjoyed my interactions with these characters and found myself particularly drawn to Cora. I romanced the sh*t out of her and, let me tell you, that love scene? Whoo, boy. Literally the best part of that game. Seriously, the facial animations, which everyone was so up at arms about during launch, are exquisite. The way the models move, that dialogue, the overall performances; Top tier sh*t! If all of Andromeda was that good, no one would be mad. But it’s not. And here comes the poo-poo...

Look, i enjoyed my time playing this game again, for the most part, but this story sucks. It sucks so much ass, man. Even after EA took a hatchet to the original Mass Effect narrative, that storyline is still so much more engaging than whatever the f*ck we got with Andromeda. It’s just so soulless and the cruelest thing about that is; It didn’t have to be. On paper, the plight of the Pathfinder could have been something truly special. Not even counting the laughably ambitious plans Bioware had for the game, itself, just the prospect of being in a brand new galaxy, fighting to make a home in an entire alien existence, terraforming planets and punching out mechanical space dragons, sounds f*cking ridiculous. I’d play the hell out of that game. I'd want to live in that world for years! But it’s not as fun as you’d think. A lot of Andromeda’s issues stem from the abject mediocrity on how that zealously awesome idea, is so poorly executed. Like, the character work is fine, except for Liam (f*ck Liam) but the narrative conflict around all that dope, is dumb. Its just dumb. Coming off Shepard’s epic struggle against the overwhelming eldritch horror of the Reapers, to whatever the f*ck the Pathfinder is trying to do, comes across as flaccid and dumb. If Andromeda made it out the door first, i think people would have been much kinder to it. The fact that it had to follow in Shepard’s shadow pretty much tanked any hope for this game.

Mass Effect: Andromeda isn’t as bad as i remember but it’s not much better either. I enjoyed my time with it, particularly after realizing you don’t have to do every stupid f*cking side quest because f*ck, and yet, i am readily aware of it’s very aggressive flaws. I still get why so many people in the fandom dismiss it. Andromeda is an amazing concept but only an adequate game. It doesn’t deserve it’s incredibly disparaging reputation but it's nowhere near as good as the latter two games of the first trilogy. Ultimately, i had more fun with Andromeda, despite itself, than i did with the first Mass Effect game and i don't understand why more people don’t feel the same. Andromeda has it’s issues, for sure, I'm not even gong to try and say otherwise, but so does the first Mass Effect and that one has aged like milk. Andromeda is nowhere near as bogus and i think if people give it another chance, they might agree with me. But f*ck Liam, though.

[smokeybrand]

A Galaxy Far, Far, Away

I’ve started my fourth play through of Mass Effect Legendary Edition. This is one of the best series of games i have ever played. Not necessarily the overall gameplay loop, but the narrative, the world building, is all just flat-out unassailable. I’m a sucker for deep lore and Mass Effect definitely has that. Revisiting all of that drama, and character development, and pathos, and epic feel, has me completely gripped. So much so that I ended up revisited Mass Effect: Andromeda after my second run through of the original trilogy. I had always planned to revisit the Pathfinder’s adventure after saving the galaxy from the Reapers. I wanted fresh eyes on the black sheep of the franchise, after playing the golden child once again. Suffice it to say, my opinion on the Andromeda sh*tshow has softened considerably. They say time heals all wounds and I guess that goes for tepid games, too.

Andromeda still has nothing on the original games but i like it more than the first Mass Effect. I hate that game so much. I touched upon this before in one of my many, many, Mass Effect posts (look, i really like these games, okay??) but i had a PS3. My first experience with the franchise was Mass Effect 2, which i bought on a whim because i kind of hate shooters, and was absolutely blindsided by straight up quality. That opening sequence is exactly how you start any cinematic experience. It was gripping, tense, and really gets the player to commit, even if they have no idea who the f*ck Shepard is. I didn’t get to play Mass Effect until AFTER i played 2 and 3 so, going back to the first? Man, that game didn’t have a chance. I did try the admittedly superior version on the Legendary edition, but i still hate it. I bailed the first time i had to fight a Thresher Maw. F*ck those things. I said all of that to drive home that Andromeda didn’t have to be great for it to usurp a spot in my favorite ME titles but, after some time and distance from my initial salt about the development of this game, i have to say, it’s genuinely better than the first Mass Effect. Blasphemy, i know, but f*ck that first game, man. i hate it so much.

Andromeda is a hard sell or most and i understand why completely. That first trilogy is gaming royalty and better written than the most Hollywood entries as of late. That bar was way too high. Any game trying to call itself Mass Effect and not starring Shepard was going to fall short. I think that is what crippled this Andromeda, aside from the ridiculous bugs and rather pedestrian plotting. But it’s fun as f*ck to actually play. Listen, that jump pack is a game changer. I like the combat in Mass Effect 3 the most out of the original games and Andromeda builds upon that with gusto. Seriously, being that mobile while maintaining one of the tightest cover systems I've ever had the pleasure of hunkering behind, was a true revelation. I absolutely loved basting around enemy squads, pinning them down, and blowing them the f*ck away before retreating to cover half a map away like nothing happened. It was exhilarating. While I'll always prefer Mass Effect 3′s combat because of nostalgia reasons, Andromeda was the most fun i had actually playing an ME title. So far.

Another solid addition presented by Andromeda are the squad mates. Yes, of course, they are template characters but the way they're written is the draw. They may remind you off the old crew but these youngbloods have a life of their own. Except Liam. F*ck that guy. It’s not hard to see the comparisons; Cora is Miranda, PeeBee is basically Tali, Vetra is every bit Garrus but a girl, Nackmor Drack is definitely the Urdnot Wrex of our cozy little refugee group, and Jaal gives me strong Javik vibes. I think that familiarity was built in for a reason. I think it was to ease us into a completely different world, a completely foreign narrative experience, so as not to alienate the audience before we experienced what Andromeda had to offer. I enjoyed my interactions with these characters and found myself particularly drawn to Cora. I romanced the sh*t out of her and, let me tell you, that love scene? Whoo, boy. Literally the best part of that game. Seriously, the facial animations, which everyone was so up at arms about during launch, are exquisite. The way the models move, that dialogue, the overall performances; Top tier sh*t! If all of Andromeda was that good, no one would be mad. But it’s not. And here comes the poo-poo...

Look, i enjoyed my time playing this game again, for the most part, but this story sucks. It sucks so much ass, man. Even after EA took a hatchet to the original Mass Effect narrative, that storyline is still so much more engaging than whatever the f*ck we got with Andromeda. It’s just so soulless and the cruelest thing about that is; It didn’t have to be. On paper, the plight of the Pathfinder could have been something truly special. Not even counting the laughably ambitious plans Bioware had for the game, itself, just the prospect of being in a brand new galaxy, fighting to make a home in an entire alien existence, terraforming planets and punching out mechanical space dragons, sounds f*cking ridiculous. I’d play the hell out of that game. I'd want to live in that world for years! But it’s not as fun as you’d think. A lot of Andromeda’s issues stem from the abject mediocrity on how that zealously awesome idea, is so poorly executed. Like, the character work is fine, except for Liam (f*ck Liam) but the narrative conflict around all that dope, is dumb. Its just dumb. Coming off Shepard’s epic struggle against the overwhelming eldritch horror of the Reapers, to whatever the f*ck the Pathfinder is trying to do, comes across as flaccid and dumb. If Andromeda made it out the door first, i think people would have been much kinder to it. The fact that it had to follow in Shepard’s shadow pretty much tanked any hope for this game.

Mass Effect: Andromeda isn’t as bad as i remember but it’s not much better either. I enjoyed my time with it, particularly after realizing you don’t have to do every stupid f*cking side quest because f*ck, and yet, i am readily aware of it’s very aggressive flaws. I still get why so many people in the fandom dismiss it. Andromeda is an amazing concept but only an adequate game. It doesn’t deserve it’s incredibly disparaging reputation but it's nowhere near as good as the latter two games of the first trilogy. Ultimately, i had more fun with Andromeda, despite itself, than i did with the first Mass Effect game and i don't understand why more people don’t feel the same. Andromeda has it’s issues, for sure, I'm not even gong to try and say otherwise, but so does the first Mass Effect and that one has aged like milk. Andromeda is nowhere near as bogus and i think if people give it another chance, they might agree with me. But f*ck Liam, though.

[scifi-flyby]

here’s my detailed I Love Liam And Would Give My Kidneys To Him If He Asked post about his characterization and fandom response to it (aka i’m making up for the lack of meta he gets bc he’s a black human squadmate)

liam is so good and kindhearted and sweet and he’s trained in trauma response and actively makes these more personable actions to get colonists and you more comfortable when no one is asking him too. he’s the only person outside of an email from drack to acknowledge that your father dying might have impacted you because you weren’t ready for the job and because you’ve lost your father. no matter what idle dialogue says about how lackadaisical or free spirited liam is, he decisions show otherwise- if anything look to the goddamn movie night. it takes like five fetch quests for it to get started bc liam wants to make sure it’s perfect- it’s not that he goes into things unplanned, but that he prioritizes other’s feelings over anything else.

an important distinction is that this prioritization never comes in contact with his own safety unless it’s a matter of his job like saving civilians! he’s not the cardboard cut out of a black character intended to shoulder everyone’s pain and suffering- he’s allowed to fuck up, and he’s allowed to be pissed about things. his loyalty mission even confirms this- he saw people in danger, had gotten the facts relevant to saving them, and then deliberated over asking you to help him. he couches it all in humor to deflect from the fact that he really really cares about people and, until you progress one of jaal’s missions involving diplomacy with the angara, he’s not sure if you’ll use that against him or that you’ll prove him wrong. i’ve written posts about how the angara are coded as african and of the africa diaspora but nothing confirms it more than liam’s measured response until you prove that you’re not approaching havarl and aya as potential colonization.

liam gets criticized for immediately trusting and defending the angara after first contact, but its strikingly apparent: he sees a people scattered by genocide and oppression, and can identify and relate to them. identifies so much that, if you’re actively a pain in the ass to evfra or paaran shie and choose to make the angara more dependent on the nexus, his emails and idle dialogue are A Lot Less Friendly.

this isn’t even bringing up how liam is treated in the nomad dialogue! another big fandom thing is how liam says he wants friends, but he says harsh things to the squad which make them unfriendly to them. his motivation is something that people would write sonnets about if he were a white character: he’s traumatized and lashing out. he puts on this false sense of optimism because that’s what everyone needs- more importantly, what he himself needs to believe to keep going. “i believed in a new beginning. still do. i have to. we’re in it.” he’s going through the same exact breakdown that gil is going through, but he’s hidden it so far down that it just looks like he’s lashing out to be mean. which isn’t to say that the stuff he says isn’t hurtful, but they are things liam is personally insecure about and things HE needs reassurance for. his convo w vetra is really about how he felt tricked by his older mentor figure alec (who he was close to and familiar with… not to the degree of cora but like why is that glossed over) and doesn’t feel like he was thoroughly prepared for the dangers that lay ahead. liam and peebee’s conversations about the possibility of her fleeing at the first instance of danger is about how he fears he didn’t treat choosing to be a part of the initiative with as much seriousness as it deserves- it’s literally a parallel of his loyalty mission where he assumed he was getting into a smaller skirmish, which then evolves into crashing a smuggler ring.

liam is looking for their arguments because they reassure him about these smaller insecurities that add up to one big worry: that he was too impulsive and made the wrong decision in choosing the initiative and abandoned his family. he throws himself into these “humanitarian” (quotes bc… not everyone is human) acts and has others depend and lean on him because that’s what he signed up for- crisis response. but he’s smack dab in the middle of the biggest galactic crises and it’s getting to him- so instead he focuses on the smaller things. get ryder’s mind off of the genocidal aliens killing people he empathizes with. save a few people hurt by crime caused by the people he trusted to lead them to a new beginning. make friends with a people he identifies with but who see him as an invader and a colonizer.

at the end of the day liam kosta does all of these things to stave off the terrifying thought of him mistakenly leaving everything he’s ever known behind. but he cares so much he’s willing to risk getting hurt to force a happy ending out of every terrible thing that’s happened in andromeda. he came there for a new beginning and he’s gonna make sure he and everyone else is gonna get one whatever it takes. if it means shouldering micro relations with the angara, monitoring podromos for civilian unrest, or checking in on noncombatants to see if there’s anything he could help with, so be it. he has to believe in a new beginning- he’s living it. otherwise the only stability he has (being a part of the pathfinder’s team) will fall apart. who cares if he’s blunt when he’s bringing up legitimate concerns in the nomad

[chancelipscomb]

How to Win Back Andromeda

Wide-Open, New Worlds

With the canon of the Heleus Cluster being a ravaged wasteland, Bioware gave us an explorer’s playground with lots of space for expandable content. Critics argue that it was empty space, but it was an investment on future installments. We’ve settled into these decimated worlds and created a Milky-way friendly biome on them. To capitalize on it, simply do what settlers do: expand. DLC drop a new, post-game settlements. To facilitate a low-budget, fast paced schedule and reconcile fans of the series, I outlined a plan for modular DLC drops.  

1st DLC New Neighbors           $5-10

This one’s relatively cheap to produce. There’s not much new content and almost no new asset production, but it will give you an estimate of people willing to come back to your story.

Eos has its exile faction that wanted to mine the natural gas. If you helped them with the hammer, they’re underway. If you didn’t, they start stripping parts from the one you placed less than a kilometer away. Use pre-existing level assets, like Kadara & Elaaden’s caves, to build out a base for Ryder to explore. Drop a few hints with the exiles about the Benefactor’s assassin and leads to Kadara, for a bonus. Script out a peaceful and hostile solution for those settlers to build upon in future games. Key question: do they fold in with the Initiative, get blasted, or operate autonomously?

On Kadara, the assassin’s trail goes cold, but you learn that the Shadow Broker also has agents in Andromeda. They have new items to buy, and promises of quid pro quo. For the port itself, you simply see how your new power dynamic is playing out. Sloane or Reyes may have work hunting down the other faction, with Reyes having romance dialogue if courted. The Doc and bartenders may have some quests involving supply runs. Utilizing Vorn can tie Elaaden and the Nexus to the itinerary.

Not much has changed on the Nexus, H-047, or Elaaden, as newly awoken crew are funneled to settlements. The water crisis on Elaaden hasn’t changed yet, despite the vault and shipments from Voeld. New enemies in the Flophouse, and idle chatter over Okeer’s notes. Maybe spend some time reanimating Krogan fighting techniques.  

2nd DLC Voeld and Havarl       $15

As a two-for, this price point will be a little higher, but it has more content. With proper handling of the Eos pack and its nature, fans will be more eager.

Voeld and Havarl offer their own opportunity. Rather than new maps, focus on story expansion and lore here. The Angara have learned their origins and the truth about exaltation. In both places, they’re dealing with this. The Roekaar are leaderless, so address whether someone will fill the power gap or if they’ll be welcomed back by Evfra. Tie in the Glory Seekers here for added effect.

Use these stages to flesh out the body gestures for the existing dialogue system. This’ll draw attention away from stiff animations angst and give your developers better tools for future content, including DA:4 and other Frostbite titles. I haven’t seen your pipeline, but if this isn’t part of an art/animation workflow suite, you really need to hire me Bioware. I can make your life, and your fans, much happier.

On Havarl, expand upon the Mithrava lore and the ancient stellar maps we saved. Build some context around this new species. Crafty players now have access to shared scientific research thanks to the coop. That’s an opportunity for weapon/armor/item packs, not to mention ferry quests for flora to the Nexus and less fruitful planets. Use Jaal and his family to deepen our understanding as well. That’s a great place to flesh out angaran relationship culture. This’ll address fan feelings about the race and any animosity over Jaal’s romantic preferences.

For Voeld, pick up on the yevara poacher quest. These beasts will require modelling and animation, but your script made them a crucial bit of angaran history. We have evidence of living creatures on “The Lost Song” side quest. Since the Kett still have that huge fortress in the hills, prepare to drive them out for good. Organize the hunting party with the resistance. Now, get ready to drop the bomb: en route, you find a pair of Quarian escape pods. Since Voeld is now an ice planet, it makes sense they’d head there to limit foreign bacteria exposure. Thaw them out to reveal the fate of the Keelah Si’yah. Connect their audio log event to the assassin and Benefactor, implying their designs trace back to the Milky Way. It doesn’t have to be the core cause, but it’s important to keep that thread alive.

3rd DLC Quarian Ark    $5-10

Not going to lie, I want this to be free but it is content-heavy like DLC 2, so despite being an olive branch to fans, it’ll take money to make. The low cost still rewards fan loyalty.

Do not shortcut this one. Use the ME 2 assets to marry quarian style to the Initiative tech. Build the tertiary races like elcor, hanar, and drell… even if we only see them briefly. It’s both an investment in the franchise and rekindles that wonder and nostalgia from the original trilogy.

Not sure what the writers have in store, but based on the multiplayer additions, I’d say involve the Batarians and the Salarian pathfinder from the outset. With neither having a squad mate spot in Andromeda, there’s a huge opportunity here. Both have multiplayer and game models to source for single player inclusion.

If you followed up on DLC 2, let players pick the male or female Quarian escapee they want to party up with. The other will play a support role, like sibling Ryder. Vary their move-set if possible, but the story elements should be the focus of their addition. Build franchise characters like Tali so that their returns exceed development costs, and match accents with the original trilogy.

Now the rest depends on the plot direction scripted so far. If the Reaper-Geth or Reapers themselves followed the Initiative, there’s a much longer conversation I’d need to build this story. Open to chat, Bioware. I’ll even pitch it to EA for you. If the Benefactor, Kett, some malfunction, or Scourge are the culprit; tie up those loose ends here.

Kett: make it big and challenging. The Archon, like Corypheus, was a bust for a boss. Fighting the Architect in confinement was a nice touch, but if players tackled them already, it cheapened the experience. Craft an intense, unique battle that they’re eager to replay this DLC to repeat. The Primus is the perfect candidate, flouting that the Archon lost his way, and offering an ulterior motive to pulling their forces from the final battle. Since they aren’t present, even missing “Dissention in the Ranks” doesn’t upset the quest line. Finally, set up travel to Kett space or an invading armada for the true sequel.

Benefactor: Jien Garson’s body never turned up, and paired with Alec and SpecTRe agents seemingly littering the Initiative… they all point to the first-time game reveal of the Illusive Man’s identity, and his connection to Cora. You’ve laid out the dots connecting the Harpers and fans are clamoring for impact on their decisions. Make them wreathe. Does this shatter the pathfinder team’s core leadership, or will Ryder and gang be able to look past her heritage? Did she even have a relationship with her father? Could she be the assassin? That’d take some work to spin, but she was awake before Ryder and likely has special resources if so. In any case, it explores her character and the relationship to the crew. It ties two large settling points of the game plot together. Based on the outcome, you may even weave an enemy with very intimate knowledge of the crew into sequels. 

Scourge and Technical difficulties: The Quarians took on a lot to bring all those other races to Andromeda. For a sabotage angle, the original showed us that Reaper agents were embedded everywhere… even the Hanar, and by de facto, the Drell. Imagine fighting an indoctrinated version of Thane, or an enraged elcor. What if they were preventing the wake-up procedures? Have they evolved over the 600 year trip? What if the Volus simply seized the ship as an opportunity to create their own hierarchy, sick of their status in Council Space? Finally, as a technology based race, the Quarians face unique trials when it comes to the scourge, which wreaks havoc on any technology, even if it only actively seeks Rem-tech. This is pre-geth boosted immunity, but if the Krogan used their travel-time to adapt to the genophage, perhaps the Quarians did the same.

Overall, address what time their ark left the Milky Way and what that means for Mass Effect 3’s endings. Determine whether or not any more travelers are en route, friendly or otherwise. Even if these two aren’t enacted immediately, they’ll guide future scripts. And just for feels, let’s see some of Jill’s handiwork. Nothing says invested like newborn babes. If she and Gil had one, show him revealing to Kallo that they named it after one of the Tempest engineers. Show Cora tending sprouts in a garden, even if she’s now an enemy. Let Liam try an angaran sport on Aya. Show Vorn, Kesh, and Drack teaching Lexi Fire Breathing Thresher Maws of Doom in Vortex. Have Peebee, Jaal, and Suvi tinkering around the monoliths. Have Kallo and Lisana T’lesso, the ice runner from Voeld racing through the Scourge with new pilots.