𝚃𝙴𝙻𝙻 𝙼𝙴, 𝙰𝚃𝙻𝙰𝚂 @elysiumhero - Tumblr Blog

#ELYSIUMHERO. independent, selective COMMANDER JANE SHEPARD from the mass effect franchise. spacer, war hero. paragon oriented, with minor renegade choices. destroy ending.

sideblog, follows back from kenasakis (rules can be found there).

#pinned post.#dni.#updated 01/04.#stats and choices under the cut.

solheimisms

⬐ @elysiumhero ⬎

❛❛ I can’t sleep, not now, I refuse. They’ll grab me from my fluttering eyelashes. ❜❜

The last few weeks had been… rough. Making it back from the Omega-4 Relay was something none of them had expected. Truthfully, they’d all believed it would be a one-way trip. And that was the reality of the situation: no one had travelled through it and lived to tell the tale. They were the first. Throw in the fact that they’d just stopped an assault on another human colony at the hands of the Reapers—controlling a group of humans in batarian space, no less—and she could see why Jane was… struggling.

“No one is going to come for you. Of that, I can assure you.” The corner of her lips twitched into a brief smile. “I’m fairly certain EDI would have half a mind to lock down the ship if they tried.” And Miranda would happily stand in their way. She may have been wanted by Cerberus now, having painted a target on her back now that she’d turned on the Illusive Man and his radicalism, but she was safe enough on the Normandy. He wouldn’t be so foolish as to come after either of them while they were still on the ship.

Glancing at the readhead, Miranda’s face creased into a gentle frown. “Jane… What happened down there? What really happened?” She was more than a little worried. Yes, Jane had blown up the relay, and it had resulted in a catastrophic loss of life. But little more was known beyond that; the Commander hadn’t talked about it in the slightest since returning to the ship.

elysiumhero

If only that was true. A wry smile curls the Commander's lips, as she tilts her head to the side slightly. She's probably made more enemies than friends, considering how the galaxy is doing at the moment. A sigh escapes her lips, her shoulder tensing as she looks out through the window into the expanse of space. It takes some time for her to reply, for a few moments just content in looking out the stars. She's always loved them, since she can remember.

"I had to choose." She says, in the end. Her lips purse momentarly before she flattens them once again. As she speaks, her voice quivers for a moment, before she steadies herself. "It was the only way. I watched as the explosion engulfed that place, as countless lives were lost. I did what I had to do, what I thought was right for the greater good. But it's haunting me, Miranda. The screams, the faces... I can't get them out of my head."

She could not risk the Reaper's invasion. It was for a greater good --- or so she tells herself to sleep at night. So many lives were lost, because of her. It doesn't matter whether or not it was for a good reason or not, she was the one to make the decision in the end.

She turns to face Miranda, eyes heavy with a mixture of sorrow and determination. "I have to believe that the lives I saved by stopping that Reaper-controlled assault outweigh the lives we lost. I have to believe that our fight against the Reapers is worth the sacrifices we're making." She quiets once more. She knows Miranda asked for details, but --- she's not sure she can give them, not now. Not when the memory is so fresh in her eyes. She turns back to the window, arms circling around her legs, chin resting on her bent knees. When she speaks, her voice is barely audible. "I'll accept whatever punishment the Alliance will see fit."

#solheimisms #ic.#act ii.#jane vc: gasping #miranda is that.... worry?

amys2885

WIP I'm unlikely to finish/clean up so here it is...some Liara & Shep smooches

#visage.#liara t'soni.#the way i love them

virmireisms

She’d wanted to say something for a while. She’d been holding off, trying to find the right thing to say, the right time to say it, because she’d be damned if she said something directly on the Normandy. The last thing Ashley wanted was for Cerberus to catch on to the fact that she was actively supporting Shepard. The less Cerberus knew about what was going on, the better; it meant that she could actively keep an eye on them as much as possible. She wasn’t going to be shy about that much longer; clearly, Jane liked them about as much as she did, or possibly even less so given their responsibility for Akuze.

Raising an eyebrow at her friend’s description of herself—undead, resurrected—Ashley did wonder just how well Jane was doing. What she was going through couldn’t be easy; coming back to life, finding out things had changed so drastically in the two years she was gone… Sure, some of the changes were positive—Ashley herself could certainly report positive changes—but not all of them were. Garrus, Kaidan… And that was just a few to note.

But at least Jane couldn’t fault her skepticism. That much was a relief.

“You did make a difference, though. Think about it, J. Even if you died, you did make a difference. Saved my ass… in more ways than one.” Now that she thought about it, she hadn’t talked much about that; most of her words after Virmire had been… less than friendly. It’d taken her until long after Jane’s death to really come to terms with it all, to see the state of mind she’d been in. It was more than just messed up. But she’d come back from it. She’d made a name for herself, all because someone had given her a chance. Someone had let her show what she could do, show what she was worth in the Alliance.

“I still don’t trust Cerberus. But hell, I don’t think I have to tell you that. Horizon? That damn Collector ship? They’re absolutely taking advantage of you. Taking advantage of the fact that you’re the person that’ll do the right thing. The person that’ll save people. That won’t leave anyone behind—even if it means risking everything in the process.” And that was the part she was worried about. It was the real reason she’d stayed, the real reason she’d agreed to work with Cerberus in the first place. It wasn’t to gather information on them, and it wasn’t on behalf of the Alliance. It was out of loyalty to her friend.

Ashley paused for a moment, letting her words sink in before she spoke again. “Did I ever tell you why I joined the Alliance? I mean… why I really joined the Alliance? Why I do what I do?” She was sure Jane thought she knew the answer, but it likely wasn’t the real reason, or at the very least, not the whole reason.

elysiumhero

Shepard looks intently at Ashley, her expression a mix of gratitude and understanding. She appreciates her friend's honesty and the fact that Ashley had taken the time to share her true feelings about Cerberus and her reasons for being there. She knows some of her decisions had raised concerns among her old crew members, and she respects Ashley's loyalty enough to listen carefully to what she had to say. After all, if she didn't, she would be no better than Cerberus.

"Thank you, Ash." A small yet genuine smile curls her lips. "I know it's not easy for you to trust Cerberus, and I understand your concerns," Shepard replies, her voice steady and sincere. "Believe me, I had my fair share of doubts about working with them too. But when I --- came back, I saw how dire the situation was, and I was alone. The Reapers were a threat like nothing the galaxy had ever faced. The Alliance and the Council weren't doing anything to stop them. Cerberus was willing to take action, and I thought maybe, just maybe, I could use their resources to help fight for what's right." Which, she knows it's a questionable decision, but Shepard felt like there was nothing else that she could do. She felt almost trapped.

Shepard's gaze softens as she continues, "I can't deny that most of their methods are questionable at best, and I've made it clear that I won't tolerate certain actions. But I also believe that some individuals within Cerberus can make a difference, just like you did in the Alliance." Miranda and Jacob, for example. There's no hope for the Illusive Man, but she's seen them, she's seen what is under the surface. They're not bad people, and she's choosing to believe in them, to believe that they can change.

"As for the risks I'm taking, you're right. I can't help but feel responsible for stopping the Reapers and saving as many lives as possible." She flickers her gaze down, lips pulled in a tight line. "It's a burden I willingly carry, but I don't expect anyone else to bear it," Shepard continues. "And I certainly don't want my choices to put my friends in harm's way. I'd never forgive myself if something happened to any of you because of me." Just like what happened in the First Normandy. Many good people died for a misjudgement. She's not making that mistake ever again.

Shepard takes a deep breath, choosing her next words carefully. "I want you to know that your friendship means everything to me, Ash." She doesn't believe she's said this before, out loud. It's about time. "Your trust and loyalty have always been unwavering, and I don't take that lightly. If you ever feel that I'm going down the wrong path, I want you to call me out on it. Actually, scratch that." Her brows furrow, an intensity burning behind her gaze. Shepard needs an anchor, and she knows she can count on Ashley. "I need you to hit me over the head and yell in my face I'm being stupid. I need someone like you, who isn't afraid to speak her mind and question my choices."

Shepard reaches out then, placing a reassuring hand on Ashley's shoulder. "As for why you joined the Alliance, I'd love to hear the real reason. I know you've always been driven and dedicated, but I'm curious to know what truly motivates you. Whatever it is, I'm glad you're here with me, Ash, and I'm proud to have you as part of this team."

#virmireisms #act ii.#LOL yeah she's missed a lot of things from ashley #but not the teasing she can do without #(she cant she just pretends to be annoyed)

aamusedly

He was about to argue-- in fact Garrus had already gotten the 'no' out before she finished. Maybe that was why she pulled rank on him.

The way he quickly applied the medigel canister to his armor was careful, as if he was biding time to think of a proper argument for why he wasn't grievously injured. "I won't," he grumbled. Another waver. She was trying to support his weight, and whether he was trying to or not Garrus was leaning on her shoulder.

The rush of healing balm was cooling, the shot of adrenaline invigorating. Blue eyes turned up to fix hers, now close enough to hear the way his teeth ground under his mandibles. "Please, Shepard. Let me fight. I want to fight."

elysiumhero

Shepard must be the biggest hypocrite. Here she is, telling Garrus that he cannot, indeed, keep on fighting and that he needs to get out of the battlefield, no matter how much he insists, while she knows that if the parts were reversed she'd be doing the same exact thing. She purses her lips, getting her head out from behind cover to quickly assess the situation. A bullet flies past her cheek, and she's quick to put her head back down.

"Garrus..." she's not sure what to say. She understands how he feels, and he's a soldier. Dying on the battlefield is the best outcome, and yet --- Shepard cannot bring herself to let him. She'd rather him to hate her for this decision, but for him to do so alive.

"No." She shakes her head. "You want to, but you can't. I -- don't want you to die here." Shepard rarely begs, but she knows that this time, she's very close to it. Please Garrus, understand. I just got you back. "I can't let you die here."

#aamusedly #aamusedly ( g. vakarian )#act ii.#sorry for the long wait!!!!

aamusedly

"Gross," he mumbled. It was a half-hearted joke, but a joke nonetheless. As her hand came to press over his, Garrus wavered just a touch on his feet. But his head shook, and his mandibles flexed just enough to show a grimace of teeth.

"I'm out-- if you've got any spare, that'd be nice, but don't waste your time with an extraction right now. I'll be fine. We're still under pressure here, Shepard..."

It didn't help his case that he let out a rattling cough, and it certainly didn't help that it made him double over harder. "Spirits," the Turian wheezed. "That stings."

elysiumhero

Gross, indeed. The only thing she can do is offer a sympathetic albeit trembling smile, eyes flickering up from the wound to his face, attempting to offer confidence. She's not sure for what, but she imagines it's for his sake. She likes to think so, at least.

She punches another command into her OmniTool, handing him the last pack of medigel she had left. It won't suffice to completely heal it, but it should be enough to at least buy them time, and get out of critical conditions.

"I'll get the damn extraction, if it's the last thing I do. And I say that as your commanding officer." And her tone allows no rebuttal. Garrus is not dying on here, and not on her watch. They'll be fine without him.

"Easy, champ." She presses a bit stronger on the wound, while gently lowering them to the floor. At least they're behind cover. "Just don't fall asleep. I need you to stay awake for me, yeah?"

#aamusedly #aamusedly ( g. vakarian )#ic.#act iii.#is medigel even dispensed in packs???#or what. idk #we will pretend that is the correct way <3

solheimisms

⬐ @elysiumhero ⬎

“You have bewitched me body and soul.”

The moment Jane had mentioned a night in where they could relax in the hot tub at the apartment, Miranda had practically jumped at the thought. Sure, the apartment was gaudy as hell—and absolutely not her style—but she wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to relax. Not when it was going to be just the two of them, from what Jane implied. She, of course, had done a little shopping on the Citadel, picking out a swimsuit she knew she’d enjoy wearing. It was a dark plum purple, low-cut in the front with cutout sides.

Miranda was nothing if not a show-off. This was no different; the way Jane stared at her told her everything she needed to know.

“Bewitched you, hmm?” The purr in her voice was evident as her face remained mere inches from Jane’s, blue eyes glimmering with a hint of mischief. “You make me sound so… alluring. I mean, my looks do more than enough, but the rest…” the rest was all her. Her personality, her intelligence… the way she conducted herself, all of those things she’d come to accept were her own. Sure, her father had paid for her education, but she’d put it to use in ways he likely hadn’t expected.

“Is there something you want, Commander?” The use of Jane’s title was intentional; every syllable was punctuated as she every-so-innocently fluttered her eyelashes like she didn’t know what was being implied. She could keep up the innocence for a while, even though her choice of swimwear made it very clear she knew what the implications were. It wasn’t going to stop her from giving Jane the chance to make them clear, though.

“Something tells me you had ulterior motives inviting me here tonight. Care to… enlighten me?”

elysiumhero

Commander Shepard's cheeks flush slightly as she feels the heat rising to her face, a mix of embarrassment and amusement at Miranda's boldness. God, if she could just stop blushing anytime Miranda opens her mouth, that would be amazing. She just -- she can't help but be captivated by the other woman's confidence and charm.

"Well, I have to admit that your allure is quite… undeniable," Shepard replies, a playful twinkle in her eyes. "And you're right, there might be a slight ulterior motive behind my invitation. I mean, who could resist the opportunity to spend a night in a hot tub with such a stunning and intriguing woman like yourself?" She spreads her arms, before shrugging. Honesty never failed her before, and while she doesn't want to come across as overbearing with compliments, that is simply the truth.

Shepard can't help but let out a nervous chuckle, trying to lighten the mood as she continues, "I promise, my intentions aren't solely focused on being bewitched by your irresistible presence. I'm genuinely looking forward to unwinding and enjoying some quality time with you. And, uh, I must say, that swimsuit of yours…" She clears her throat. When she first saw it, she'll admit she had a difficult time and getting her gaze to cooperate and to look at the woman in the eyes. "It's absolutely stunning. You have impeccable taste, as always."

Shepard can't hide her slight awkwardness, but she is clearly receptive to Miranda's attentions, finding them both flattering and exciting. She respects Miranda's intelligence and admires her confidence, and while the situation might have caught her off guard, she is eager to see where the evening will lead them.

" I ---" and with Miranda's face so close to hers, it's really, really hard not to give in. To just have what she wants, and what she's fairly sure is a mutual feeling between them. She lets her gaze fall to the woman's lips, before flickering it back up. She's fairly certain had she not placed her hands on the woman's hips, they'd be slightly shaking. "I really, really wanna kiss you right now."

#solheimisms #ic.#act iii.#FINALLY

virmireisms

@elysiumhero asked:

“ i learned the only thing i can believe in is me. i have faith in myself. that’s how i survived. ”

Words that Ashley could relate to, that was for sure. This had to be one of the few times Jane had talked about Akuze; it was one of the few things they could both relate to, given her experiences on Eden Prime. Now, the fact that she’d died, come back to life, and was dealing with that… it was a whole other scenario. But it was a lot for Ashley to think about, a lot for her to consider.

“Words I wish I’d heard from you two years ago, honestly,” Ashley admitted. Words she certainly could have used to motivate herself, that was for sure. Granted, she’d found her own way to do that–a way she was still, at times, struggling with–but she’d managed, somehow. She’d managed to pull herself up and out of the rut that she’d wallowed in for so many years, staring up at the glass ceiling imposed by the military.

Looking out over the lakes that gave the Presidium its bright, distracting nature, Ashley pursed her lips, knowing she wanted to choose her next words carefully. “Look… I don’t know if it helps, even though I hope it will, but—I’m sorry. For… for what I said, on Freedom’s Progress.” She knew she needed to talk more on that, but there was only so much she could say. “It was a lot to take in, and… god, the thought of Cerberus using you to screw with us? It pissed me off, and I took that out on you. And I knew you’d be mad, too. Even if this whole—thing with you is pretty wild, still.” Wild was putting it mildly. Wild. Weird. Uncanny.

“I’m convinced now—about you, I mean. Still not convinced about Cerberus wanting to do the right thing, pretty sure they’re gonna screw us over at some point, but hey, what else is new, right?” Wouldn’t be a mission with Jane Shepard if something wasn’t out to get them.

elysiumhero

Commander Shepard leans against the railing, gazing out at the serene lakes of the Presidium. On the Citadel, everything seems so peaceful. A small smile tugs at the corner of her lips as she listens to Ashley's words. She appreciates her honesty and the effort she put into choosing her next words carefully. Shepard takes a deep breath before responding, settling on humor, even if a hint of past hurt is hidden beneath it.

"Well, Ash, I guess the galaxy is just full of missed opportunities and strange twists of fate. But hey, better late than never, right? I'm glad you've come around and given this whole... undead, resurrected, Commander Shepard thing a chance." Shepard chuckles, shaking her head in disbelief at her own situation. If only Ashley knew how long it took herself to get her head around, to fully digest the situation. Perhaps things would be different, but --- that is not something people can just understand, out of the blue.

"I appreciate your apology." She murmurs instead, voice low. It means a lot to hear her acknowledge the impact of what happened on Freedom's Progress. "You were right to be angry. Cerberus has burned us before, and I can't fault you for being skeptical. Hell, I'm still skeptical myself, even as I work with them now. But there's something bigger at stake here, something that goes beyond Cerberus." Something that the Alliance and the Council don't even believe in.

Shepard's voice lowers, carrying a touch of vulnerability. She flickers her gaze to the woman only for a brief moment, before settling it again on the calm water in front of them. She's not sure she can bear to open her heart and to look at her in the eye at the same time. "When I died and came back, it changed everything. I thought I had lost my chance to make a difference, to protect the people I cared about. Cerberus gave me that chance, flawed as they may be. And I couldn't turn my back on it, on you, on any of you."

Shepard's eyes meet Ashley's, filled with a mix of determination and forgiveness. "We've both been through our own personal hells. We've carried the weight of our past and the hurt it caused. But here we are, still standing. And I believe in us, in our ability to rise above it all."

#virmireisms #ic.#act ii.#here i come seven years later #hope this is ok !!!!#have some emotional jane x

@aamusedly - continued from here x

A deep scratch? Shepard cannot decide whether she wants to scream, rip all her hair out, or smack him. Possibly, a combination of all three. She resists the urge to fret, like a mother hen, and instead covers his talon with her own hand, pressing down and making sure he does not lift it again.

"A deep scratch?" And oh, how she hates the underlying panicky note her voice took, how she hates how she can subtly see her hands shaking. Not him too, please --- "Garrus, I can see your stomach peeking out." And she tries to lighten the mood, a trembling smile on her lips, while she punches in a couple of commands in her Omnitool.

"Backup is coming. Hold on tight. You have any medigel left you can use?"

#aamusedly #aamusedly ( g. vakarian )#ic.#act iii.#this is very late x #don't feel like u need to reply!!!

afraidofchange

"Are you sure? It's really not that bad..." Traynor tries to plead her case, though the way Shepard turns her down and steps back seems like there's little to no hope for the Commander to give it a try. So, she takes another bite, brown eyes looking up to Shepard in the meanwhile.

"Well... about that. I think the Requisitions Officer may or may not have gotten everything on the list. Supply shortages, and all that. Um. I can help you look?"

elysiumhero

That bad? Yeah, Shepard's not interested in finding out. She can eat her greens just fine, thank you very much, but that doesn't even look remotely appealing. As a matter of fact, it looks like it's one inch from getting thrown into the trash.

"Sure thing." She shrugs, before moving towards the cabinets. It's not very fitting to see the Commander of the ship literally rummaging through cabinets, but she could use a snack, and she gets annoying when she's hungry. Besides, it's her ship, who's gonna say anything to her? "Come on, Traynor. Let's look for something actually edible. There's this amazing thing called chocolate, if you've heard of it."

#afraidofchange #afraidofchange ( s. traynor )#ic.#act iii.#i come here one month later with coffee HELLO

greelin

[slowly raises hand] yeah, so, does making out with the enemy count as “fraternizing” or

solheimisms

@elysiumhero @dutyworn *wheezes in shawson*

#musings.#miranda tag tba #HONESTLY YES #preach

happy birthday to my favorite commander ♡

#ooc.#logging in just to say this #happy birthday to miss jane shepard and miss jane shepard only #i will be back soon!!! perhaps reply to a few of the memes i sent :^)

@afraidofchange, continued from here.

Shepard eyes the suspicious looking piece of seaweed for a moment, her gaze shifting briefly to Traynor's face as she puts it in her mouth. It looks genuinely disgusting, and she knows her thoughts are clear in the way her mouth slightly twitches down. "I --- no, no. You seem to enjoy it." And for good measure, she takes a step back, waving her hand in fron of her. "I wouldn't want to take it from you."

A small pause. She points her thumb behind her back, to where other, more normal, food is conserved. "I'll just --- grab something that looks more edible."

#afraidofchange #afraidofchange ( s. traynor )#ic.#act 0. undefined.#BRO LOL #it just makes me laugh LMAOOOO and #i imagine shepard to be a picky eater if she can choose #so seaweed? no thanks

spiritsathame-deactivated202311

@elysiumhero: ❛ with all due respect, isn’t this a bit of an overreaction? ❜

“Is it?!” Nyreen found herself almost-screeching at the top of her voice. She shut her eyes, composed herself, and lowered her pistol. How stupid. Raising a gun at Shepard, of all people? Was she suicidal now? “… sorry. I just…” Before she could make another mistake, she returned her pistol to its holster and tucked her hands into her armpits. “I’ve dealt in unknowns all my life. But this is different. Turian society looks down on cabals. What makes you think the Council is going to even consider your petition for me to become a SPECTRE?” Or was this some kind of a trap? To bring her in so that Palaven could “deal” with her accordingly?

elysiumhero

Shepard lowers her hands, previously raised in an attempt to reassure the other she meant no threat. Out of every reaction she expected, this was probably the one she did not take into account. It's her fault, really. "It's okay." She says, and it sounds more like a question than an affirmation. "I apologize, I should have asked you first, instead of pushing your name forward without considering your opinion on the matter."

"The council, for once, listens to me." She offers simply, a shrug of her shoulders. Saving the galaxy apparently makes your worth of consideration. "And I think you'd be great. You have the physical and military abilities required, and a strong moral compass. The perfect combination."

#spiritsathame #spiritsathame ( n. kandros )#ic.#hope this works!!!#act iv. epilogue.

i am kinda here, or popping in at times so... like for me to go through your meme tag and send 3-4 memes! multis feel free to specify <3

#ooc.#dusting this blog off #aaaanyway!#go wild

WHAT CONSTELLATION ARE YOU?

Lynx You are analytical and have a hard time understanding even your own emotions. You are an intelligent, strong thinker. I love you.

TAGGED BY: @virmireisms

TAGGING: steal!

#dash games.#MHHH #interesting

WHY DID THE AUTHOR KILL YOU OFF?

Death By Newbery Medal This is a coming of age story, and you are the painful reminder that growth so often comes hand-in-hand with pain. Not always, of course, but writers are keen to show this. You were bright, understanding, an almost relentless force of good, and quite possibly a beloved pet nearing the end of your lifespan. With your death comes shock, bitterness, and the breaking of countless hearts. But your loss will likely impart a fair few important life lessons onto those who read about it. More than that, there is a grand chance that the author is using this story to cope with the death of a real loved one. Take pride in knowing that you are love turned to grief, filtered and diluted back into love.

tagged by: @virmireisms tagging: steal

#dash games.#what can i say #literally mass effect

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𝚃𝙴𝙻𝙻 𝙼𝙴, 𝙰𝚃𝙻𝙰𝚂