#archkarian

[archkarian]

((It's been 4 months since I've really logged onto this thing. I didn't mean for it to get out of hand, but it has. I think I'm pretty much going to put it on a permanent HIATUS for now. At least until my life settles down and my actual muse and willingness to RP comes back. I honestly meant to put more into this, but life is life and that's how it is going to be. I'll keep the blog open, but I won't be active anymore. Sorry to anyone who this might inconvenience.))

[archkarian]

Cookies.

Sweets weren't common things for Garrus. His father was hard on him, and afforded him few luxuries of childhood growing up. It was different on Palaven. Every turian must go to boot camp, must serve in some way for their military. Even the old and retired must play a part somehow.

His mother remembered, though. His mother was the one who would call him inside for a "break" when his father had pushed him past his limits. When he could no longer hold his rifle, nor stand the commanding tyrant that was once his father; she would call him home.

She kept them hidden for these times. Pulling out the small stash of cookies like it was some great treasure. She would have him sit down, and simply place the secret luxury in front of him.

She would say, "No matter what, Garrus Vakarian, you remember that there is a time when you must stop, and enjoy the sweet things in life. Appreciate them, and remember always that they are the reason we fight."

It took him years past his childhood to figure out what she truly meant. To this day, he doesn't have much of a sweet tooth, but whenever he gets pushed past his limits, he remembers the sweet things.

((suddenly headcanon becomes angsty. I had thought of this before though, with the chocolates. Cookies work too. Anything sweet really.))

[archkarian]

ask-ash-williams started following you

Ashley Williams. How is the second human Spectre doing? Need me for something, or just passing through?

[archkarian]

seraphimofpalaven started following you

Sol, it's good to hear from you. It's been a while. With all the repairs going on, it's hard to keep up communications at times. How are you and dad holding up? Last I heard, the Primarch was trying his best to recruit everyone for the rebuild effort.

You know me. Still on the Normandy, taking one of my pleasure cruises. Heh. They still let me keep some of my token taskforce, if not my title as "reaper expert." Trying to get supplies and aide where I can. Let me know if you need me for something. I might actually be respectable now.

[archkarian]

kaidan-asslenko started following you

Kaidan. I couldn't help but notice the nickname you've picked up. Heh. No comment. You.. need me for something?

[archkarian]

Don't tell Shepard, but uh... [she quickly kisses him on the cheek]

*He blinks and takes a step backward, giving a stern but amused glance at the bartender* Is that the customary greeting around here, or is it just the scars? I thought only female krogan liked men with scars. Heh. Just do me a favor, and don't get any more crazy ideas.

((*shifty eyes* who put you up to this!? LMAO. I mean I know he's awesome and all but still. He's a one woman turian. *fingerwag* Plus so awkward in the flirtation department. Thanks for this!))

[archkarian]

Drabble: The Citadel

((In response or in addendum to THIS post by karin shepard/ ask-admiral-anderson.))

The Citadel was a completely different place from what he remembered. He had left for Omega and hadn’t looked back. Now, the construction was completed, and all traces of Sovereign’s destruction had been wiped away completely. He doubted C-Sec had changed much, though. If anything the reconstruction just meant that now they could go back to the way things were.

Shepard was determined to see Anderson before anyone else. Of course when they opened the doors to his offices the council had already been in session. Anderson among them, who recognized him immediately. He made a brief gesture toward him, pointing to his face, apparently inquiring about the still fresh scars. A simple wave of recognition would have to do for now.

Meeting with the council went about as expected. It was the same bullshit as before, and Shepard, while trying to be her pragmatic self, was clearly seething. About as much as he was. The council hadn’t listened before, why were they expecting any help this time around? Just more bureaucracy and denial. Typical.

What wasn’t typical was when they accused Shepard of being a traitor. That she had sold out to Cerberus. That she was no longer welcome there. He about had it at that. If he hadn’t been done with this shit before, he definitely was now. The Collectors were the real threat, of course nobody believed them. He had been there on Ilos, he had seen what Sovereign did. So had they, but no, they had dismissed that claim. Whole colonies disappearing and all these bastards could concern themselves with was politics. Shepard had given the order that lead thousands of humans to their deaths just to protect this damn council. He could tell Shepard was thinking the same thing, she was clenching her fists, and that cold anger was in her eyes. However, it was Anderson who verbalized their thoughts.

It was Anderson who called them out, defended what Shepard had done for them, and what she could continue to do.

In the end they awarded Shepard back her Spectre status, under certain conditions of course. He was more than a little disappointed in Sparatus, the turian representative. He hoped he, at least, would recognize the sacrifice Shepard had made on their behalf. Turian politics at its finest. He shook his head. It was a hollow victory, and they all knew it.

After the council was dismissed Udina came in and had a few words with Anderson, but he could tell Shepard was growing more and more restless. Her jaw was clenched tightly and her hands were still balled into fists. Even the small scars on her face seemed to glow slightly. He couldn’t remember seeing her like that. Not even the council usually got to her like this. Clearly something else was bothering her.

She waived them off as she took some time to talk to Anderson alone. He kept a close eye on Shepard and Anderson while Mordin fiddled with his Omni tool. He hadn’t failed to notice that Shepard hadn’t brought any Cerberus representatives here. Not like that mattered in the council’s eyes, apparently.

As the conversation went on Shepard’s mood only became darker. Her shoulders slumped and the cracks in her face now seemed to radiate a crimson-orange light as she turned and walked back toward them. Clearly the conversation had not gone as planned.

She didn’t say a word, but just gave the signal to move on. There was clearly no warm welcome for any of them to be found on the Citadel, and the trip back to the Normandy was a quick one.

It wasn’t until they were in the airlock that Shepard seemed to let out a sigh, and he could see she was struggling to keep up her composure. He knew Shepard, and this wasn’t her. He couldn’t help but worry about her.