#turian mannerisms

[justice4nihlus]

Turian Behavior and Mannerisms by Oblivious-Man this is such a well thought out read

[average-mako-enjoyer]

Bigots and Failed Promises of Mass Effect games

(I had this thing in my drafts for almost a month, and it would have stayed there if not for the wonderful post by @androidtrashfire, because I saw it, and I was like: "Fuck it, I have to rant about these games." I love Mass Effect, and I really think we should critique it. We should criticize things we love because silence = compliance.)

So I was talking to @liss-art recently about the bigoted fans in the Mass Effect fandom, and I think I need to make a post about it because it's something that really, truly bothers me, and it needs to be addressed.

Canon

Mass Effect is a story about deeply flawed people with a lot of problems, and through them it touches on issues like xenophobia, sexism, corruption, elitism, morality, identity. That's why we like it, right? But why are there so many bigots in the fandom? My theory is that it happens because Mass Effect, for all its supposed complexity, only touches on these issues without giving any meaningful commentary on them.

Here are a few obvious examples:

The Quarians are a distasteful allegory of the Roma people (right down to their accents). They are persecuted and ostracized for creating Geth, but the game never gives us any socio-political reasons why the Quarians did that. They just developed real AI because they were naive and stupid? Or because they were the only ones smart enough to do it? Did they do it in secret? Why did other races not make the same mistake?

Same with the Batarians. Yes, the game mentions tensions between humans and Batarians because humans try to claim territories that Batarians think are theirs, but that's about it. Batarians are all racist slave traders and they're bad, don't think about it, here's some memes about 300,000 of them dying, good job. And yes, I know you can read more about their history in the Codex (why is it an Asari who writes about Batarian history,btw?), but it's basically the same thing as saying D*mbledore is gay (I really am sorry for this reference). If no one ever mentions this rich Batarian history, then it doesn't exist.

And please don't get me started on Hanar. They "mercifully" saved the Drell by inviting them to their planet, immediately assimilated them into their own faith and also put them in conditions where they have to train as assassins from the ripe old age of 6 and eventually die of sci-fi lung cancer. But don't worry about it, Drell actually love to serve the Hanar, they do it willingly and consider their servitude an honor. Do you really want to criticize some stupid jellyfish who talk funny? Do you really want to talk about why the so-called Council races do nothing about it? LOL

Another thing the trilogy does is present entire races, including humans, as amorphous blobs. Do all Asari believe in the same "goddess"? Do all Turians obey the same Primarch? Well, what's important is that all humans in this bright future speak English.

But what about the genophage? That's a profound story, right? Well, not really, and it raises more questions than it answers. We hear a lot about how brutal, aggressive, and short-tempered Krogans are, but every single Krogan we meet is extremely well-mannered, and they only resort to violence against other races in dire circumstances. So why not save them? Does the game really present you with this moral dilemma or not?

And can anyone tell me why Salarians are allowed to abduct and experiment on sentient beings, and why Turians are allowed to wage wars? Why does no one talk about Asari in this context?

I really want to say that at least the characters are well written, but I can't because they're not.

Kaidan is a good example of this. We are told about his implant, we are told that he has chronic pain, but do we see him suffer from it? Do we see him in those moments of weakness and vulnerability?

The scene where he gets annoyed with Jenkins acting like he's a circus monkey who has to do a trick and biotically throws a cup at him was cut from the game. We occasionally hear him mention some of the side effects of his migraines ("Too many lights, too much noise"), but that's about it. What has happened to "show, don't tell"? And no, I'm not saying that the writers should feed me the story or walk me through it. What I am saying is that if you gloss over your characters' mistakes, flaws, and circumstances, you're getting people to ignore them. Do people who call Kaidan "boring" and insult him think about how his chronic pain, his trauma from Brain Camp, and the loss of Jenkins and Ashley affect who he is? Hell no.

Thane is another great example. What Mass Effect is telling us as a story is that you can completely abandon your family and your child and be forgiven if your reason for doing it is good and heroic enough. Like avenging your dead wife, because of course there has to be a dead woman thrown somewhere.

Everyone's favorite Garrus (mine too) is a cop whose character arc basically consists of deciding that he is above the law (since the law forbids him from killing people he thinks should die) and then involving his squadmate/friend/partner (depending on your playthrough) in the public assassination of his former squadmate, whom he never even bothered to confront first. Are there any consequences for Garrus for his actions? No. Again, it's all glossed over, and that's unfortunate because it removes the conflict and therefore the character development and depth.

And if you're going to tell me that ME is just a space opera, and that I should just enjoy the spectacle and the romance, then I'm going to tell you that I know that, and that I think it's a wonderful spectacle, and that some of the romance subplots are absolutely amazing story-wise, but the superficial commentary (or lack thereof) on the most important issues that ME covers actually harms the audience.

Fandom

On the one hand, we have people making mods that remove all the clothes from all the female characters (or remove all of femShep's organs and replace them with giant tits). We have people reposting that horrible, horrible art of Miranda and Jack fighting, tearing each other's hair and clothes, and maleShep smirking and saying "I should stay". We have people who say ME2 is the best game in the series because "there are no f*gs". On the other hand, we have people saying things like "there are two Commander Shepards - female and the wrong one". We have people who say "only weird people play as dudebro in 2024". We have people who think that simply playing as a female character is some kind of feminist statement, and that it makes them better and smarter than everyone else (the same people who use the term "dude gamer" as an insult). And all of those things are kind of the trilogy's fault.

Both maleShep and femShep have the same story. The only differences are the romance options, sexist remarks directed only at femShep, and flirtations from various NPCs directed only at femShep. What this tells you is that sexism exists in the Mass Effect universe, and only women suffer from it. It also tells you that only women are worth flirting with.

Another thing this game does (and modern games like Cyberpunk do the same thing) is equate the female experience to the male experience by giving both femShep and maleShep the same lines.

So there are some mixed signals here. Sexism exists and doesn't exist in this universe, Shepard is both genderless and very gendered, romances with underdeveloped characters are all over the place, and bigots thrive in this kind of environment.

The lack of commentary, the lack of perspective, the disastrous worldbuilding allows you to freely choose your sexist, racist adventure and not be punished by the story in any way.

Mirrors

There's a passage from Solaris that I absolutely adore and think about often.

"We don't want to conquer the cosmos, we simply want to extend the boundaries of Earth to the frontiers of the cosmos. […] We have no need of other worlds. We need mirrors. We don't know what to do with other worlds. A single world, our own, suffices us; but we can't accept it for what it is."

I think that perfectly describes what Mass Effect is as a universe. And in a way, it's a reason why it's so compelling. It's just empty enough for us to invest in it, to fill in the blanks of that narrative with the stories of our own. And it's also a reason why this fandom is a fucking hellscape.

[sol-consort]

Specialist Traynor: I have to ask do all war reporters look so, um, feminine? I mean, you're made up so well.

Diana Allers: We actually have a research department for that. They focus-test looks, voice, manner.

Diana Allers: Apparently, girly is good. Asari pay more attention. Salarians relate to high-pitched voices.

Specialist Traynor: And turians?

Diana Allers: Turians are nuts. A civilization of war nerds. Loyal viewers, but they write the creepiest fan mail.

-

Human fan mail: "heyyy omfg I love you <3"

Asari fan mail: "You're kinda cute, may the goddess watch over you."

Salarian fan mail: "I really enjoy watching your segments, They're very informative and pleasing to the ear"

Turian fan mail: "Hey, I saw you on TV, and I just thought you looked very beautiful–your waist is especially eye-catching. I had to tell you that. It's really rare to see humans with an interest in military operations, haha. I don't know why. It's very attractive and refreshing to see you, lol. So, like which gun is your favourite? I prefer a good, sleek sniper. Have you ever shot one before? I could teach you, it's easier than most people think and your ears get used to the piercing sound after like the twentieth time around. Or would you prefer a shotgun? I bet you would ;) I wish you were here on the battlefield with the rest of us, it is such a blast (literally!) But I understand that humans are too squishy and weak to hold their own, don't worry, I'll protect you. Did I mention that I'm your biggest fan? I never ever watch any other news segment besides your own, in fact not even turian ones! I would be immensely devastated if you ever end your show, I can't imagine starting my day without seeing your face of hearing your voice...even if it's just from a screen, I even replay your past segments while working out. It helps me imagine that I'm training while you're in the room. I never cared for human much before this but you've changed my entire world view, I would move to earth permanently if it meant I get the chance to meet you, let alone breathe the same air as you. What kind of detergent do you use for your clothes? You should tell your viewers in your next episode so that anyone who wants can pick up a bottle from the store, then I'll be able wash my sheets with it and imagine how your scent must be like."

[lilmissnatcat24]

never in a million years will you guess what color shepard's eyes are (regency au)

“What’s your favorite color?” she blurted out, stopping suddenly. 

Garrus stopped with her, midstride, his foot balancing comically above the pavement. She wished that in that moment, some Citadel defense laser would take pity on her and obliterate her into dust. The redness on her ears traveled down her face and to her neck, leaving behind splotches. 

“My favorite color?” he repeated, aghast, as if she had grown a second head. 

“I’m sorry,” she fumbled. “I… I meant to get to know you better. Seeing as we are to be partnered for the next few months, I figured we should not be relegated as total strangers. But then every question I could think to ask was either incredibly personal or nearly offensive, and this was…” 

“The safest option?” he finished for her. She could not tell what turian facial expressions meant. He could be smiling or grimacing or cringing, and she would be none the wiser. Although, there was a bit of humor to his voice that alleviated her concerns, if only slightly. “And here, I thought I was the one who was bad with words.” 

“You mock me,” she grumbled, clasping her hands together as she began walking again, this time with a much quicker pace. 

Garrus followed quickly behind her. And behind the two of them, she heard the familiar footsteps of Kelly as her chaperone, and a turian woman with half of her face tattooed in all red as Garrus’s. She expected them to return to her silence, and was pleasantly surprised when he initiated back the conversation. 

“I see the time for crippling self doubt has crashed upon you, Miss Shepard,” he said conversationally. “Tell me, how little sleep have you gotten since my last visit?” 

“None whatsoever,” she replied bitterly. “I fear I have made the worst mistake of my life accepting your proposal.” 

“Well, doesn’t that inspire heaps of confidence?” 

“How could you be so aloof?” she asked, turning her head to face him as they turned a corner. He stared ahead, almost as if determined not to look at her. Lord Vakarian held himself with almost an austere air, as if he were constantly posing for a sculptor to chisel his likeness into marble. “You asked for my hand in marriage. I accepted that hand! And then you shall flee from it all, as if none of it had ever happened in the first place. Yet you stand here, cool and composed. How is that possible?” 

“We are walking, not standing.” 

“My Lord--” 

“Trust me, Miss Shepard,” Garrus said. “My bout of panicked thoughts and nighttime sweats have passed. You should have seen me before I included you into my plans. Much was contingent upon you accepting my proposal, and not throwing me out on your stoop in disgrace.” 

“You have me at quite the disadvantage, then,” she grunted.

She knew it was foolish to feel such a way, but she was angry at Lord Vakarian. At the very least, if he came to their first date in a similar manner of alarm, then she would at least feel the camaraderie between the two. A partnership that he himself promised her. Now, she felt like the butt of a horrible joke, the pawn in the great schemes that she had no power nor control over. It was infuriating-- and so the only person to take it out on with any sort of satisfaction was Garrus.  

“Green,” he said after some time. 

“I beg your pardon?” 

“You asked for my favorite color,” he said. “And although I have chided you-- which was undoubtedly a fun experience for me, I promise-- I do agree with your sentiment. It would be wise if we knew each other better. So that is my answer to your question.” 

“Green, as in… grass?” Shepard asked. 

“Green as in a sprig of peppermint.” 

“Do you like peppermint, then?” 

Garrus hesitated for some odd reason. He dared a glance down at her, as if afraid to get caught. His eyes met hers, and for reasons she could neither quantify nor qualify, she felt a jolt in the pits of her stomach, as if the Citadel’s gravity lurched for a moment. The redness was back in her ears, burning so hot they nearly singed her hair. 

“Not particularly,” he replied, fixing his eyes straight ahead once more. 

[hanasnx]

do you think garrus is capable of jealousy? I think he’s pretty levelheaded and even-tempered for the most part but he probably would feel bitter if it came to someone he liked a lot

i’m so so so glad you brought this up. yes. garrus wants everyone to believe he doesn’t get jealous, and for the most part he doesn’t. when he is, he’s an expert at concealing it. however, he just exhibits different mannerisms you come to learn.

when he’s jealous, he gets quiet and he removes himself from the situation before he reveals too much of his irritability. like he doesn’t give you the chance to guess he’s jealous. he’s not easily threatened, but i like to think if another turian specifically showed interest and you didn’t exactly turn their attention away he’d get mildly sulky. hole himself away in the main battery to calm his nerves, and then opt not to mention it to you unless you grill him.

he’s not very territorial in the way that makes him prove his sense of possession over you. in fact he believes you and your relationship with him to be committed yet free spirited. he’s not the type to stake his claim publicly with any PDA but he might slip in a, “oh, you like smart women, eh? so does her boyfriend.” with a step forward, just so the guy knows who he’s dealing with. but he rarely finds the situation pressing enough to come to that. usually you handle yourself just fine, and he loves to watch you do it.

he’s rather private—even with you—that he deals with negative feelings that are logically inessential. he wants you to remember him as capable, even tempered, and able to push past overwhelming emotion for the sake of professionalism and public appearance. he doesn’t want you to know he deals with something as low as jealousy, even though it’s a perfectly normal emotion to experience

[omniblades-and-stars]

✨Let's talk about OCs!✨How would you describe your OC's personality/aesthetic? What's your favourite thing about them? Tell us a fun fact(s) about your OC or their creation!

❤️Send this to at least 3 people to spread some OC appreciation!❤️

Oh wow, you can't just ask the girl with a thousand OCs to describe their OCs. I will go on forever and ever and ever. So in the spirit of trying to force myself to get back to work on PtK, I am going to answer for the girls who have shown up in the story so far!

How would you describe your OC's personality/aesthetic?

Lou: Lou is vivacious, she's bubbly but a lot of the bubbly comes out when she's burying the sadness she has even deeper. She's very confident, and doesn't know a whole lot of shame.

She loves tight clothes with rich colors. Though she frequently slinks around in her blue and gray flex armor suit, especially when she's on Omega because a person like her gets into too much trouble not to have at least the suggestion of armor on her body.

Nilea: Nilea can be stiff mannered and sometimes brash. She has a hard time connecting to people, feeling always a bit like she's just on the outside. But once she does feel like she's friends with you, she's ride or die even if she's quite certain your plans are going to get her killed. She's very neat. She's also prone to bouts of depression where she doesn't take care of herself despite how generally regimented she lives her life.

Nilea cares more about utility than style. Her most recent armor (heavy) was red, but she's not married to the color by any means. And for casual wear she's just wearing an easy and comfortable shirt and whatever the turian equivalent of cargo pants is. It's never a bad idea to have lots of pockets.

Yaeno: Yaeno is the type who can command a room without trying and without coming off as arrogant. She's charismatic and very good at people. She cares deeply about what she does for a living (rescuing people from pirates, slavers and mercenaries when authorities won't get involved). She makes fast friends when she deems those people worth her time of course.

Yaeno, being a quarian, wears an envirosuit. She wears good deep purples and oranges with white embroidered highlights and patterns. Sometimes she even ventures to wear a clear faceplate, but not always. She thinks it's nice occasionally to leave people guessing about what's really going on with her facial expressions.

What's your favorite thing about them?

Lou: She's clever and very adaptable. She makes a very unlikely sort of bounty hunter and that's because instead of brute force she plays to her own strengths.

Nilea: Her principles. She has a set of principles that she feels so strongly about that she even blew up her entire life about. Also.... tall alien woman with a gun...

Yaeno: Her determination. I don't necessarily want to call it unshakable confidence, though confidence plays a role. She's sure enough of herself and her goals to look at the impossible and terrifying odds and chuckle at them.

Fun facts about their creation!

Firstly, this story all started because I had an idea for a homebrew tabletop game I'm still trying to figure out how to make rules for.

(If you've got ideas about that please let me know.)

Lou: Lou started because I was tired of people with southern accents being the stupid one in a group and also not being represented like hardly at all in sci-fi media. Also, I dumped all of my bipolar manic episode impulses into her.

Nilea: Her name was originally going to be Ione.

Yaeno: Was originally just going to be in the game as an art for character creation pages and possibly as a named NPC but then this whole venture turned into a real story in my brain that I needed to write very badly.

Thanks for this fun little chain ask! Reminds me of the days of yore.

[wispythreads]

Replaying Mass Effect 1 Thoughts

Prologue (Female Shepard, Spacer, Sole Survivor, Infiltrator, Paragon-ish):

I'm again wishing for a version of events where Nihlus's plan is what actually occurs in the game, through him somehow surviving Saren... he seemed really cool, I really would've liked to have learned more about him.

fuck it's been long enough that the creepy bits of Eden Prime are still fucking creepy holy hell

What do you mean Ashely can't wear heavy armor yet???

Kaidan... Um... *wrapping in bubble wrap* ... *assesses* ... *wraps off one more layer for good measure* let's try to stop you from dying so much, yeah?

The Citadel - Expose Saren:

Preaching Hanar vs. Very Tired C-Sec Turian who cannot understand why anyone would be acting outside a rule-abiding, orderly manner is still such a fun little quick and easy quest. "Bro I get it just take the credits you need for a license."

GarrusGarrusGarrusGarrusGarrusGarrusGarrusGarrusGarrus!!!!!

God my Salarian bias is already showing we're barely in this game. Chorban is cute.

Hey a named Turian in this bar can I talk to you? *Attempts to interact, nothing happens* No... ok. *loops around again after conducting business, walks past him* "She left me. Just like that." (said in this most mournful, sad, pathetic voice) Ooooh my god =< (wish I could just. Turn around and give him some company for a bit.)

(Picking up Garrus from the Med Clinic, right after he responds to me asking "Why do you want to take down Saren?") He sounds so mad and so personally offended that he couldn't find anything about Saren during his investigation, I don't mean it in a demeaning way but I want to laugh listening to him.

I get +2 Renegade just because I told Garrus he had a nice shot- y'know what worth it. He did. Yeah it was dangerous but what else was he gonna do? It looked sick and he looked sick doing it.

What do you mean Garrus can't wear medium armor yet?!?!

How often does my poor paragon Shepard wince as total strangers immediately bring up Akuze and how remarkable it was that she survived, while trying to keep her friendly smile now plastered on her face? How uncomfortable it must be, for every new acquaintance to immediately remind you of the worst moment of your life, a moment you’d never want to go through ever again. How often does she have nightmares about it, especially considering how it seems no one will let her forget?

"Holy shit maybe veteran mode has some kick to it. Jesus my poor guys." (The bar fight was. Not great. A lot of enemies coming on either side with minimal cover for everyone. Garrus and Wrex went down fast multiple times before I finally got the hang of coordinating attacks and giving out orders)

Misc. Citadel Quests:

"You're with the Alliance? My brother's a private back on earth!" Hey yeah I remember you hello again :) wait your voice sounds like I've heard it from somewhere outside Mass Effect, where have I- !!! Tandi!! Hello hello!!

She is too close too close there is no need for this personal space personal space back OFF (just. Seizing up all stiff-like and uncomfortable. There is no need for the Consort to get up on me like that while trying to get me to help her.)

I feel bad making Paragon responses during personal talks with Garrus in Normandy. Especially the very first one: "Maybe I'll finally be able to do what I want for a change" being met with such a harsh "If you put innocents at risk than no, we do things the right way, not the fast way, got it?" like… I still have his "I wasn't- yes, Commander." echoing in my head, like that's not what I meant by "maybe." Garrus has a point, sometimes rules get in the way of being able to do the right thing, and as long as we're on the same page about that and respect that there's a reason there are rules in the first place, we're golden.

(Jenna Quest) Chellick getting mad at Shepard and going "with all due respect Shepard what the hell were you thinking?" is 100% appropriate, I was also just head in my hands seeing there were no discreet options for Shepard to address Jenna with. "You could've blown Jenna's cover!" - Me and Chellik shaking Shepard by the shoulders. Garrus you were right with me, why didn't you say something? You should know better!

(Getting flashbacks to the friendzone quickly dragging me into the romance zone like quicksand Kaidan I like you but not like that stop game I chose "Yeah I do talk with everyone like this" don't still make it seem like I'm flirting with the man by adding "I don't always enjoy it with everyone" bro!!!)

Feros:

… Everyone is acting incredibly suspicious around this camp. Me asking for a little bit of information about the colony only to constantly be redirected to speak with the leader about it in either a firm or nervous way… Fai Dan and Arcelia when I say the colonists are acting strange I'm not talking about the obvious PTSD of civilians thrust into a warzone, I'm talking about how no one is willing to look me in the eye and talk to me about the colony they're all a part of, as if they're not allowed to, as if they might let something slip that they shouldn't.

(I completely forgot about the details of the Thorian plot. Thanks brain, for once your terrible memory gave me a benefit, allowing me to relive something cool again.)

Misc. Quests again:

The last two worlds I went on (Amaranthine and the moon Presrop) were both absolutely gorgeous??? I was only there for a short sidequest???

(Finished all the side quests I could find on my own (including Tali + Wrex + Garrus's personal quests) and returning to the Citadel to find the last Keeper needing to be scan/tell Garoth his brother is dead) Ok I've got a lot of equipment and a lot of money. Can I please have some decent armor for Garrus finally so that he stops dying on me? (Morlan's Famous Shop) Huh. Mercenary armor for turians? I wonder what red looks like on Garrus. (buys it, equips it) Holy shit that looks cool!!

I'm very sorry for your loss, Garoth, I wish I could've been the bearer of good ne- I KNEW you were in the Citadel Tower! (Scanned the last keeper. Happy victory music.)

Noveria:

Garrus: Commander, we should bring Liara with us. If anyone would know about her mother, it'd be her. Me: Story-wise, yes, it'd make more sense to bring Liara. But then I'd have to leave either you or Wrex on the ship =( (I'm planning on actually doing a run with my biotic pure paragon m!shephard with Liara and Tali as my designated squad mates later)

"Lorik you are so very fun to talk with :)" Him trying to use a human expression that just doesn't sound right, either because it's one I haven't heard or is just too far off from what he's trying to allude to, "fly in the lotion." Asking me to "try not to get blood on the carpet," commenting about how "humans are so full of questions, I should write a book about it while I've got the time," and ""Let me go?" Do humans view conversation as a form of imprisonment? Maybe that's why so few are willing to stop and sit down…" he's neat I like 'im.

Omfg Anoleis is such a fucking asshole. Salarian bias does still make it very funny to listen to him, rather than upsetting. His fast "Yes, what? What?" as he's being interrupted from whatever business he was doing by his secretary. Him jumping to the conclusion that because I'm a spacer I'm a tax dodger like holy hell dude. Say you're a massive hater without saying you're a hater my god.

After getting ambushed by Geth in the Garage: "Shepard, what did you do?!" ???? "Defended myself?" I love how offended Shepard gets in response we're on the same page like what do you mean, "What did I do???" You think I wanted to be killed by Geth?

Maybe unpopular opinion here but I think it is absolute bullshit that Benevia has to die no matter what. You bring Liara with you? Cool, does nothing. She'll still die, it'll just maybe end up a little more emotional. I don't think enough had happened to really justify her being beyond salvation.

Geth Incursion Side Mission:

Here's the great thing about Wrex: I can be extremely weary and tired and done with the endless waves of enemies, wanting it all to be over already, and then suddenly he'll pipe up with a deep, gravelly, EARNEST laugh and make some comment about how much he's enjoying himself, how much he's going to miss this once the fighting is over, and I'll let the weariness wash off my back and give him a tired smile. Alright. I can handle one more fight.

Virmire:

… (takes deep breath after killing the indoctrinated private Menos Avot that had been pleading to be set free) … He was doomed either way. If I didn't let him out, he'd die in the explosion. It's better to try and save him and be forced to defend myself than to ensure he'd die. It'll be ok.

… I really, really do want to save Kaidan, but that's just… how this goes logically in my head. Ashley feels like she should go with the Salarians, and… and that's a lot more lives that need saving. But god does it suck. How accepting he is of the end. Watching him continuing to struggle against the oncoming Geth, wounded, pressed right up against the bomb that's going to nuke everything around him, watching as the Normandy flies away. And Shepard watching, seeing the explosion for herself. A life she and I chose to die. And the music afterword... it still makes me feel very melancholic and depressed jeez… (the pure!paragon m!shepard will have Kaidan live. I need one playthrough at least that has him survive, even if this path is the one that makes the most sense to me)

Endgame Time Let's Go Woot!

Got myself ungrounded from the Citadel, and I'm endeared by Garrus's little anxious "I can't believe we stole the Normandy…!" Because y'know what, yeah, after I've been playing a very by the book character that he was just a couple missions ago coming around to the idea of and realizing, 'yeah, I am hot headed, and just because it's not the fastest doesn't mean I shouldn't be playing by the rules, I'll get back on C-Sec and become a Spectre,' he has every right to then be asking "After everything you told me… it seems a bit extreme, doesn't it…?" Gosh he wants to be a badass rebel but he is in reality a gosh darn nerd. (said very lovingly)

!!!! AHHHH GET AWAY FROM ME GETAWAYGETAWAYGETAWAY!!!!!!!!!!!! (The reanimated Saren corpse crawling at me on all fours had a. slightly more viscerally horrified reaction than I thought would happen as soon as the game cut from the cinematic back to gameplay.)

Final Thoughts:

I honestly think this game holds up really well for how old it is. There was an annoying glitch on Noveria that made itself known again on Ilos, blocking out interactable objects and moving characters with literal black blocks, but that was an easy fix and didn't effect the actual gameplay too badly.

The art is phenomenal, the combination of artistic choices and lighting and sound design and music scratches that very good itch of what I enjoy about sci-fi. Really great characters, great set up and pay-off in the story, great ending, just a fun time all around.

[ferniliciousness]

I need to know what The Boyz is so bad

From this WIP ask game MY BOYZ! I was hoping someone would ask about them lol. It's about my friend and mine's Turian OC's Florol and Markith. I haven't done much with either of them but I love them both dearly. The best Turian couple 3> The little excerpt here is the beginning of the story of how they met, but essentially, they get drunk at a bar, shit happens, and then they both see each other at work the next day and go, oh shit lmao.

Relaxing..... Relaxing.... Spirits who knew that simple task would be so hard. Markith's head rested in his hands while he let out a mumbling groan. It was bad enough he had been stationed on the Citadel. 'Diplomatic' business they had said. What a bunch of bullshit he said. How they expected him to 'take a break from his duties' when he's been doing nothing but escorting shipments INSIDE the station he had no clue. Damn, I miss my gun, my unit, hell I even miss being bossed around. He had no idea what he was doing with all the free time on his hands. "Go to Flux. They have dancing, drinking, and a couple of gambling machines. You could stand to let loose a little." His sister, Tulia, had been his main source of.... Annoyance, in leaving their apartment. He would have rather just stayed home finding some random hobby to do. Not go out into even more crowds with even more people. The bartender, a younger-looking Asari laughed at him, leaning against the bar top to talk to him. "You doing ok there sugar?" Markith just closed his eyes, the words felt like daggers of embarrassment. He must look pitiful to be reaping such attention. And this is why I prefer just being alone. The couple of shots he had taken were already hitting him, he wasn't used to drinking much anymore. His mandibles tightened against his face as he felt an arm wrap around his shoulder. He quickly looked behind him and was faced with another turian, smirking at the bartender. "Oh I'm sure my friend here is just fine. Don't you know when to leave a man alone with his thoughts now?" Markiths body stiffened at the unexpected touch, he was still too sober for this. He studied the turian who was now standing next to him, he had light grey plating and a brown tattoo running down his face and mandible. But what caught his eye most was the patches of lighter coloring covering his face and even his hands. The bartender just rolled her eyes, handing them two drinks before leaving to tend to more customers. Brown eyes met his and Markiths mandibles fluttered as he read the stranger's expression. "Oh excuse my manners, I'm afraid I've already had my share of drink today." A pale hand was offered to him. "Names Florol, nice to meet you handsome."

[that-wildwolf]

Snippet Sunday. Is it Tuesday? Maybe. Fuck it. @whiskynorocks you're right Sunday is a social construct

Fuck it. Garrus goes to therapy.

Fuck it. Long snippet.

Marta Domańska was a psychiatrist and a psychotherapist specialising in trauma. And as a psychotherapist specialising in trauma in the year 2188, Marta Domańska had her hands full.

She was not entirely sure what her first impression of Garrus Vakarian had been other than a vague thought that she might have heard the name somewhere before, in passing, and a slight surprise after reading his file.

Like most turian refugees on Earth, Vakarian had been an active combatant in the Reaper War. Unlike most turian refugees on Earth, he had not taken as much as a single therapy session in the last year since the war had ended. And, looking at the man, Marta had a feeling he actually hadn't set foot in a therapist's office in his life. Unusual for a turian, even more unusual for a turian soldier who'd fought in the Reaper War. 

His records put him in a human regiment, under a human commander. It was unusual, but Marta decided not to bring it up with him unless it became relevant. Mixed-species military units were not unheard of, especially towards the end of the war, when everything had become just a bit too messy to bother with proper protocol.

In his personal questionnaire, he wrote "28" under age, which he then crossed out and corrected to 30. Under pronouns, he put he/him, under sexual orientation, "demisexual" with a question mark, and left "gender identity" empty. Under emergency contact, he put down nothing. After convincing him that filling out that question was not optional, he put down the contact information for a quarian admiral Marta had seen on the news. She doubted he actually knew her.

"So, Lieutenant." Going by her experience, turians felt more comfortable when addressed by their military rank than their last name, and definitely than their first name.

"Advisor," he corrected, though his heart wasn't really in it. An automated response, something he'd learned to say rather than chose to.

"That's not a rank."

"I don't care." He looked out the window. "You can just call me Garrus, anyway."

Unusual, but Marta adjusted her approach. She was a professional, after all.

"Alright then, Garrus. If I recall correctly..." She made a show of looking into her datapad, pretending to check, although she had already memorised all the important information about the new patient. She always did. "You were offered government paid therapy right after the war, but you never checked in for a single appointment." She looked up. "Why is that?"

"Something came up." There was no noticeable change in his demeanour, but he did grip the armrests a bit tighter.

Marta put away the datapad. "And what made you decide to start now?"

"...Something came up."

He looked away, leaving her with little to go off of other than that purposefully vague statement. Marta pursed her lips. She was no stranger to new patients clamming up, but it was unusual from someone who'd made the appointment with no referral, even more so a turian. Regardless of whether another was to come, she had a feeling this was going to be a challenging session.

"What came up, exactly?" She decided to try a direct approach for now. It usually worked with turians.

Garrus tilted his head at her.

"Sometime soon, maybe in the next few weeks, I'm going to want to kill myself. I need you to stop that from happening." He wasn't joking. He wasn't uncomfortable saying those words aloud. He didn't seem like he was feeling all that much at all.

Of all the possible answers that rushed through Marta's head, none seemed appropriate. This wasn't the first time she'd heard something like that from a new client, but it was usually said in a far more emotional manner. People broke down when they had to verbalise their pain. Garrus Vakarian didn't. He said it like it was a fact he'd memorised from a book, like it was something that needed his attention but didn't warrant emotion. I'm going to want to kill myself soon, this is what the issue is, now let's fix that. Simple and to the point.

So no, even if only because of the factual and dry way he'd presented her with the confession, Marta Domańska did not know how to answer. I can't actually help you, you know. You need to do the work yourself. seemed like the best choice, especially with how easily he demanded an immediate fix. Therapy wasn't an immediate fix. He had no idea what he was doing. He just did it because someone had told him to do it or maybe because he'd seen someone else do it. But it wasn't an informed decision he'd made knowing what he was signing up for. He'd found an issue and sought a solution like he would if his computer malfunctioned.

"That's responsible of you," she said eventually. 

[silverselfshippingchaos]

behold! my masterpiece!

(explanations for who everyone is under the cut)

Rowan (he/him): The son of my F.F13 S/I! About 19. His father was never in the equation, so he's very close with his mother. Has an enemies -> lovers arc with N.oel from 13-2

There's an AU in which he takes L.ightning's place in the third game as God's Savior. Why? Because his mom has been taken hostage by B.hunivelze.

Nalia (she/her): The daughter of my XB.1 S/I and D.unban! About 17. She's very kind and loves flowers. A bit of a cousin to N.ikol. Has a British accent.

There is an AU in which she gets transported to the third game (F.uture R.edeemed specifically) and meets my XB.3 S/I. Seeing someone who looks so much like her mother but isn't her + that woman being in a relationship with another guy isn't something she takes well.

Lillian and Thorn (she/her and he/him respectively): Lilly and Thorn are the twins! Both about 16, kids of XB.3 Ash and M.atthew. They're pranksters.

Kirrahe (she/her): Adopted daughter of M.ass E.ffect Ash and G.arrus. Raging lesbian. Human, almost 17, loves aliens a lot. She's a human biotic and often uses her powers for silly things ("Kira, why is the TV remote floating?")

Aster (he/him): Adopted son of M.ass E.ffect Ash and G.arrus. Turian, about 17. A little confused about human customs, but he's getting there. Skilled with machines and loves spaceships.

Violet (she/they): About 15, kid of Ash and A.qua! Aspiring Keyblade Wielder! Loves Z.ack F.air and absolutely has games on her phone.

H.i-F.i R.ush Kid: I haven't developed this kid much so I can't say much, but they love jokes and music a lot! A lot like their dad!

Daughterdota (she/her): Daughter of Ash and K.yohei. Likes skateboarding, basketball, and her dog. About 17.

Older S.hura Son (he/him): Older son of Ash and S.hura. Doesn't have a name yet because I haven't thought of anything. About 18. Is a huge flirt.

Younger Shura Son (he/him): Younger brother of the kid above, about 14. Also doesn't have a name yet. Sorta quiet, but one of the funniest people I know.

F.raldarius Daughter (she/her): Eldest children of Ash and F.elix. Heir to House F.raldarius. About 17 and a student at the Officer's Acadeny. Despite her light-hearted and jovial nature, she takes her responsibility and works herself to bone to be someone she feels is worthy of her future position.

Fraldarius Son (he/him): Younger brother of the kid above, about 15. Bit of a bookworm and aspiring mage. Generally very polite and well-mannered, but he's a lot more comfortable with a fireball in his hand than holding a conversation.

Demyx Kiddo (he/him): About 17, son of Ash and D.emyx. As the son of two musicians, he's a musician himself. A little shy, but has a heart of gold.

[generation1point5]

Sword and Shield

“Do you understand why I chose Providentius over any other Admiral?”

Koter blinked, and glanced over to the human who addressed him. He stared at a cold and dark gaze wreathed in the shadows of the dark safe house they lingered in for the time being. 

“Because you’re never one to back down from a challenge,” Koter supposed. Aeos shook his head.

“Nothing so petty. I have observed him and determined him to be the weakest among all the others of the Hierarchy, the most easily levied in times of crisis.”

Koter narrowed his eyes. “Explain.”

Aeos stepped from the shadows, his hard and unyielding stare no lesser for having been revealed in the harsh lighting. Dark hair parted over a sharp brow, a neutral expression made severe for a narrow and piercing gaze, a killer’s intent. “The Hierarchy’s strength relies upon the discipline of its soldiers,” Aeos began. “They must be willing to follow orders of their commanders, or else the coordination of their numbers and firepower will shatter and fall to the cunning of their enemies. A leader of thousands will know that casualties and sacrifice are inevitable, and must instill this willingness to die in their subordinates, even as they themselves must be insulated from such risk. Should they refuse, the loss of leadership will quickly degrade the coordination of their fighting force, even if they retain sufficient numbers to continue fighting. But Providentius refuses this maxim, priding himself on never having lost a unit in combat. He is unwilling to face the realities of his duty in a true conflict, and instead risks his own life than that of his men. He cares surprisingly little for the fact that he would leave his entire fleet rudderless should he die in the attempt. His noble spirit is a liability, not a benefit.”

“In other words,” Koter supposed, “his mind is more valuable than his life, or the lives of everyone it leads.”

“In a manner of speaking,” Aeos agreed with a nod. “A commander worth their salt should know that good intentions are not a rule for winning wars.”

“You are wrong.”

An amused chuckle escaped Aeos. “Oh? And what about my assessment is wrong?”

Koter crossed his arms and regarded his handler with a narrow gaze. “You see the Hierarchy as a cohesive society pursuing its self-interest, sacrificing a limb to save the greater body; as if it were so different from the Alliance in that respect. But you are mistaken; the giving of oneself in our society is shared by both master and servant, by both head and foot. In this, Providentius is the most fearsome admiral of all. Everyone who serves him knows that they are not pawns to be thrown into the fire for some greater purpose they cannot truly believe in; he breaks the barrier between those who leader and follower, knowing the needs of those who fight for him as one who fights alongside them. Not a single turian among his ranks can serve him in a way Providentius himself will not do for them, and he has devoted the entirety of his being to the well-being of his people. They would give their lives for him not out of duty, but of their own free will. His greatest weakness is not his love for his men; it is his greatest strength. He is surrounded by men whose loyalty he has earned.”

Aeos turned to face Koter square in the eye. “Does that include you? Take yourself for an example; you are killed more easily than he is; yet for your sake, he would surrender himself, and become all the easier target for it. You become his greatest weakness.”

Koter did not shrink back, but crossed his arms over his chest. “Have I served under you for so long that I have become a fragile thing in your eyes? Or do you consider me a thing you must protect much the same way you think Providentius himself does?”

This time, Aeos was silent. Smiling a little, Koter continued.

“Our weaknesses are not so different, such that is common to all flesh and blood. They seem to be only to those who don’t understand what makes it our strength. You didn’t choose Providentius because he was an easy target; you chose him because he is more like yourself than you want to admit. But I think that is a strength, not a weakness.”

[drelldreams]

ME Detailed Character Template 💙

It’s long, so under the cut.

[I.] Basic Data

Full name:

Alias:

Age:

Gender:

Species:

Place of birth:

Date of birth:

Occupation:

Location:

Romantic orientation:

Sexual orientation:

[II.] Physical Appearance

Basics

Height:

Weight:

Build:

Skin color:

Eye color

Hair color: (If species with hair)

Crest color: (If species with crest)

Fringe structure (If turian)

Hair length:

Hair structure:

Facial features:

Tattoos

Scars

Piercings

Fashion

Armor:

Casual attire:

Formal attire:

Overall fashion style:

Color palette:

Make up:

Accessoires:

Signature scent:

Demeanor

Speech mannerism:

Voice description:

Default facial expression:

Body language:

Presence:

[III.] Combat & Physical Abilities

Biotic abilities:

Weapon abilities:

Physical abilities: (Hand to hand combat, melee weapons, extraordinary agility, being examples)

Tech abilities:

Special skills: (Infiltration, assassination, espionage, leadership, investigation..)

Fighting style:

Threat level:

[IV.] Personality

Positive traits:

Negative traits:

Most dominant traits:

Mental disabilities/impairments:

Fears:

Goals:

Likes:

Dislikes:

[V.] Relationships

Family:

Friends:

Lover(s):

Ex(es):

[celestialship]

for the kisses- 19 with garrus? :3

19 - on top of a scar/injury

Megan Shepard was getting sloppy. She had never quite been the same since coming back from the dead, but it was hard to accept that she had been this unprepared for battle, to have taken a slash from a blade, resulting in a gash that caught her at the collarbone and cascaded up to her shoulder. Back on the Normandy, while the medics attended to other casualties, Megan found herself in her own quarters dealing with the injury. She didn’t want to take resources away from other crew members who needed priority.

The bleeding had stopped, after a temporary bandaging on the battlefield between gunfire. Now, as Megan unwrapped the injury, she was able to give it a good look over in the mirror. Megan sucked the air through their teeth upon examining the gash. Probably wasn’t going to scar, but it was going to look ugly for quite a while.

A knock came from the bathroom doorway, which Megan had left open, and she startled at the sound, feeling a bit indecent in only a tank top and pants. “Yes?” she said quickly, a bit embarrassed, only to turn and see Garrus standing in the doorframe. Megan sighed in relief — she didn’t have to worry about her presentation as much in front of him.

“I heard you got hurt. Why didn’t you tell me?” The turian asked, almost seeming to be scolding his superior.

“Good to see you too, Garrus,” Megan scoffed.

“I shouldn’t have to hear from Joker that you got injured. Why didn’t you come get me?” Garrus fretted, and initially Megan was annoyed, but it didn’t take long for her to piece together that he was just worried. Garrus seemed to take on Megan’s well-being as being partially his responsibility; undoubtedly, he wished he had been on the battlefield with them this time, or at least been the one to receive them onto the ship to look them over.

“I just wanted to dress it properly as soon as possible. I’m sorry I didn’t come to you first.” Megan accepted his worry, apologized for causing him stress, and returned to examining the gash in the mirror.

The turian walked closer, standing behind her as she looked herself over in the reflection. There was silence for a few moments, only broken by Garrus’s rumbling voice. “Beautiful.”

A hardened naval commander shouldn’t have the ability to blush. But Megan Shepard’s face began to grow red. “The gash in my collarbone says otherwise,” they said in a dismissive manner.

“No it doesn’t.” With a gentle pull, Garrus placed his talons on Megan’s uninjured shoulder to turn them around. He looked down at them with a soft gaze, smiling as he met Megan’s eyes, then glanced down at the injury itself. Leaning down, he gently placed his lips upon the gash, lingering as if willing the spot to heal. Megan found herself breathless at the gentle kiss.

Pulling away, he tilted his head at her, admiration written across his face. Then it gave way to an ornery smile. “You know, some men find battle scars attractive.”

[lithnin]

Just finished a playthrough of Mass Effect Legendary Edition, which I finally picked up a few weeks ago, and it got me thinking about a partially-written fic that I'd started just after finishing the original release of the series. Unfortunately, as far as I can tell that one is lost to the digital ether... I haven't been able to locate copies on any of my hard drives, and the one website where I know I had it posted as a draft has since gone offline :<

Since I doubt I'll ever truly rewrite and finish it, here's a quick synopsis:

Femshep x Liara, mostly Paragon run. Control ending – my Shepard would not destroy all synthetics because it would mean sacrificing the newly-friendly geth as well, and also wouldn't force Synthesis on everybody in the galaxy without their consent.

The Reapers withdraw from Earth but initially stay mostly inert, as it takes Shepard's massively expanded digital consciousness time to reintegrate and get a handle on controlling them without totally losing her identity and values. In the meantime, the allied fleets are basically stranded in Sol system, as the mass relays are still damaged and none of the nearby systems reachable by non-relay FTL flight are as developed as Sol. The quarians set up farming colonies in several domed craters on Luna to start producing food that they and the turians can eat; Tali and Garrus serve as liaisons to their respective species to coordinate the effort (and are also dating, which they think they're keeping a secret but basically everybody twigs to it immediately). The krogan get Mars and love it, a few volus try to colonize Venus with middling success, the geth spread out into the asteroid belt, and everyone else pitches in to help rebuild Earth.

Normandy crash-lands on Unnamed Jungle Planet, carrying Liara, Javik, Joker and EDI, and the rest of the crew, banged up but with no fatalities. The crash leaves the ship mostly intact and is useful as a shelter and source of power, but its engines are too damaged to repair using local materials. The crew elects Liara as colony chief as they settle in for the long haul, not knowing if rescue will ever come or what the fate of the rest of the galaxy turned out to be.

After a few years, Reaper-Shepard manages to reintegrate her memory and consciousness and is able to start giving the Reapers more complex orders. She first directs them to rebuild the mass relay network (I started writing this before the Extended Cut was released, and I was amused to see they came up with the same solution), then loads all the collected Reaper knowledge into a single vessel with its weapons removed and has all the other ones self-destruct by flying into the nearest star, so she won't ever be tempted to use them for aggression. She scours the galaxy for Liara and Normandy, eventually finding them and constructing a new mass relay in the system so the new colony can rejoin the galactic community. The galactic economy is in shambles after the war, and a few minor border conflicts have broken out in the major fleets' absence, but mostly everyone's attention has been focused on rebuilding and things are starting to slowly get better.

Reaper-Shepard declares herself retired from warfare and makes the stored Reaper cultural and non-military scientific knowledge available on an equal basis to all. Some of the stored minds in the Reaper consciousness elect to download into independent geth-made platforms, while others choose hybrid organic/synthetic bodies to fit in better with organic life. Synthesis is also made available to any organic who wants it, and a few do opt into the process, although at least at first it remains a minority as most people are still wary of the Reapers and synthetic life in general.

Shepard herself creates such a hybrid body and uses it as her avatar for interacting with organics, in much the same manner as EDI does with the Eva platform. In this form she is finally able to properly reunite with Liara, and the story ends with them celebrating the birth of the first of the little blue children they had imagined years before.

[shadowrun-effect]

Varius applys the traditional turian markings to Samuel due to their engagement and imminent marriage.

Samuel’s very tired, exhausted because he has nightmares every night and hardly can sleep. And he’s not very happy. Varius knows that and tries to do everything to cheer im up.

...yeah, gotta practise to draw those f*cking (natural) armor of the turians, lol

[sharkdream3421]

My Masterlist

DC

King Shark X Reader - Shy Alike

King Shark X Reader - He ruined your friendship

King Shark Relationship headcanons (Harley Quinn Version)

Between Us - King Shark (Harley Quinn) X Reader

When it bleeds it pours - King Shark (Harley Quinn) X Reader

Ch'p X Reader - Living two lives

I want your heart - King Shark X Tanya Lamden

Splatoon

Life of an Inkling - Week 1

Life of an Inkling - Week 2

Life of an Inkling - Week 3

Life of an Inkling - Week 4

Life of an Inkling - Week 5

Life of an Inkling - Week 6

Life of an Inkling - Week 7

Life of an Inkling - Week 8

Life of an Inkling - Week 9

Life of an Inkling - Week 10

Life of an Inkling - Week 11

Life of an Inkling - Week 12

Life of an Inkling - Week 13

My Hero Academia

Gang Orca X Reader - Context

Nightmare on Hell Street - Gang Orca X Reader

I need a hero! - Gang Orca X Female Wereshark Reader

No Way Home - Gang Orca X Reader

Gang Orca (Baseball Headcanons)

Reminiscence - Mini Gang Orca fanfic

It’s their birthday headcanons (Izuku Midoriya, Fumikage Tokoyami, Gang Orca)

You are attacked by a villain headcanons (Izuku Midoriya, Fumikage Tokoyami, Gang Orca)

Your scared of them headcanons (Izuku Midoriya, Fumikage Tokoyami, Gang Orca)

Relationship, and Proposal headcanons (Fumikage Tokoyami, Gang Orca, Izuku Midoriya)

Casual Life and Relationship Headcanons (Gang Orca, Hound Dog)

You make them do references (Gang Orca, Fumikage Tokoyami, Izuku Midoriya)

Waking up in the Morning (Fumikage Tokoyami, Gang Orca, Hound Dog)

Male Orca Reader Series!

Foundation Arc

Izuku Midoriya X Male Orca Reader - Ignored Inheritance

Toru Hagakure X Male Orca Reader - Mind over Manners (Part 1)

Toru Hagakure X Male Orca Reader - Mind over Manners (Part 2)

Izuku Midoriya X Male Orca Reader - Hidden Truths

Izuku Midoriya X Gang Orca X Male Orca Reader - Father VS Son

Keep your Promise - Gang Orca X Male Orca Reader (Last Part)

The Killer Arc

Chapter 1 Recalling the Past - The Killer (Male Orca Reader)

Chapter 2 A New Calling - The Killer (Male Orca Reader)

Chapter 3 Outsiders - The Killer (Male Orca Reader)

Chapter 4 A Bird’s 👁 view - The Killer (Male Orca Reader)

Chapter 5 Abandoned - The Killer (Male Orca Reader)

Chapter 6 (No plans for development as of right now)

Werewolves

Werewolf X Reader - Beauty and the Werewolf

Werewolf X OC - Because it's you

TMNT

TMNT Dogpound X Reader - Missed You

Mass Effect

Geth Prime X Reader - Wishes can never be fulfilled

Turian Snuggles - Male Turian X Human Female Reader

Different - Turian Ryder X Sara Ryder

Garrus Vakarian X Reader - Deadly Love Triangle

Dragon Age

The Next Step - Male Qunari OC X Human Female Reader

Original Universe Ideas

Anthro Shark X Reader - The Shark Guardian (Full Version)

The Encounter

Legend of Zelda

Prince Sidon X Reader - Blushing Mess

TOTK Ganondorf X Reader - Observant

Marvel

Rocket Raccoon X Reader - Apart

Overwatch

Eye of the Beholder - Ramattra X Omnic Reader

Lifebot - Ramattra X Lifeweaver X Reader

Skyrim

Male Vampire Lord X Reader - How you met each other

Situations in Fiction

Island Trouble (Situation #1)

Skeleton Knight in Another World

Skeleton Knight Arc X Reader - Behind the Mask

Collabs!

They try out VR headcanons (Izuku Midoriya, Fumikage Tokoyami, Gang Orca, Selkie, Mezo Shoji, Ramattra)

Your on 🔥fire 🔥headcannons!!! (Izuku Midoriya, Fumikage Tokoyami, Gang Orca, Loken, Xenomorph)

Valentines Day Headcanons (Loken, Izuku Midoriya, Ramattra, Lylla Otter Telltale Version, Fumikage Tokoyami)