Nyx: she’s a kind of classic spacer. Mom and Da both in the service. She grew up on Alliance vessels. The Alliance is in her blood.
Leah: Her spacer background is a little more similar to Joker’s she grew up on Arcturus station, but I shifted her parent’s backgrounds a little. Though that has never come up in her story.
Earthborn:
Feign: She was a street kid. Only just knows her first name because of something that she can always remember having. She was part of the Reds because it was that or starve.
But then again, these are the only Shepards I post about.
Colonist:
While I do have one. I have never posted about her. Heck right now, I can’t even put my hands on any of her work.
Saw this question on someone else's blog. It came from the @random-oc-questions-fairy and thought it would be fun to answer.
What type of friend is your character? Are they more of a fair-weather friend, or are they in it for the long haul?
Nyx Shepard
Nyx is very much not a fair-weather friend and she is definitely in it for the long haul. Once she considers someone a friend, it is usually for life. Though, admittedly, it takes her a little bit of time to move from associate to actual friend in many cases. In part, this is because she's lost some people close to her in the past and she tries badly to keep that effect to a minimum where she can. People have usually made an impact on her long before she'd ever admit it, mostly to herself. Typically how she feels about people is more obvious to those around her than it is to her.
Bishop Vasquez
Bishop is similar to Nyx in respect to friendships. Once Bishop considers a person a friend it is for life--it is just how they are. Though they are rather sparing in determining someone as a friend. It takes them a while to feel that close of a connection to people, but once they do it is for life and practically unbreakable.
Feign Shepard
Feign's a little quicker to put people on the marker of friend, at least in name, even if they may not feel that close to the person. In Feign's case, she tends to use that claim of connection to her advantage, while trying to keep herself from truly feeling that type of closeness to someone else. It has backfired on her a few times here and there. Most notably with Wrex, Ashley, Jack, Joker, and James ... just to name a few.
By and large
Most of my characters are loyal friends in it for the long haul. Some may take a while to feel that way, some will jump into that sentiment more quickly. There are only a few who tend to use their connections to people in more calculated and manipulative ways.
While I know that this is mainly because I prefer to represent those types of meaningful connections between characters. I don't like representing the types of relationships where people are using one another for their own personal gain or profit.
Hello, dear! You've been visited by the random character question fairy! :D ~☆
Does your character's name have any meaning? Is there a reason why they were named this? How much significance does your character's name have to them?
Nyx Shepard: Nyx’s first name means night and her middle name means star. It’s meant to signify that she was born in space rather than on any planet or space station. In her father’s mind, it was a clear sign that she was meant for the stars. It’s meant to be prophetic in its own way. But honestly, when I saw the name Nyx I just really liked it.
Detective Bishop Ripley Vasquez: Bishop got that first name for two reasons, her father was called Rook, rather than his given name. And her father won a nigh impossible bet with his wife and named them after characters in his favorite film, Aliens--the android Bishop and Ellen Ripley.
Leah Rook: I cannot remember exactly why I named her Leah, but the name was chosen specifically for her in light of both her father’s and her brothers’ names. There was a theme happening that I cannot recall off the top of my head when I named them all, but they are all related (and I think they were all biblical names with certain sound qualities, if I recall correctly). Otherwise, I would not have named her Leah given that I already have a Shepard by the same name. I try to avoid repeating names for characters.
“Furia” Soledad Amaranta Guerrero: Both her nickname and her given name have significant meaning. Obviously, Furia refers to the idea of the Greek Furies who would avenge injustices. Even from a young age, she’d stand up for other people, which is how she ends up viewing her place in the Saints as kind of a Robin Hood move against the other gangs in the city to make her part of the city safe for the people there. Her given name means alone, which is something she actually fears. She fears losing ... everyone. And too often that particular fear comes true. She sees her given name as a marker of her fate; that no matter what she does, she’s destined to end up alone.
Aderyn Hawke: Aderyn means little bird. It might be a specific bird, but I cannot recall at that top of my head. But her dad calls her little bird, and he intentionally chose that name in like of their family name.
Feign Shepard: She gave herself this name. She knows her given first name (which is significant and specifically chosen to give a hint about her character), but when she joined the Alliance military, she kept the name that she gave herself on the streets. Feign--because she and everything about her is a construction mean to secure her basic survival. The name reminds her that that’s all she is. Her past is this curious nothing, and she is who she makes herself, and few people will see her the way she sees herself. So, she tends to only show people what she thinks they want to see ... if they are lucky. Or they just see her harsh and venomous side.
***
To be patently clear, almost all my characters names are purposefully chosen. Though not all of them have some deep meaning, they all have some kind of meaning. I’m usually aware, at the time of naming, of what a character’s name means. If I do not feel that it suits them, then I cannot use it. I will change it. Of course, as you can see above, some of them are far more intentional and meaningful than others.
#13 and #32 for as many Mass Effect characters as you'd like! Please and thank you!
OC Asks Game
13. Describe your character’s typical wardrobe for the regular day.
Nyx Shepard: Her regular day is on a military vessel, so usually you’ll find Nyx wandering about in the uniform of the day, and even when Cerberus is in control of the Normandy she sets her own uniform of the day and it leans toward tactical practical. Later, on the SR-2 in the ME2 and ME3 timelines, she’ll add a hoodie on occasion, but in ME1 she is never out of uniform when it’s appropriate.
On leave though, she won’t ever grab her uniform. Then she tends to live in jeans unless the situation calls for something else. Usually, her jeans are paired with a cap sleeve T-shirt, with a V-neck.
Feign Shepard: In ME1, like Nyx, Feign is all business always in a service-appropriate clothing on the ship and when acting in an official capacity. Outside of that, it would be hard to peg Feign as either military or a Spectre. Feign has kind of a punk/street style. Most of Feign’s clothes are usually tucked beneath a rather large dark coat.
Leah Shepard: She will take any chance she gets to shed the uniform. Even during personal hours on the ship, she’s wandering about in sweats and hoodies, a few large fluffy sweaters. Leah’s all about comfy. That’s her gig.
32. Your character is having a prom night/debs. What kind of outfit do they wear?
Nyx Shepard: Nyx will knock off a person’s socks when given the chance to doll up. Sure, it’s a little strange to run a mission in that sort of look, but she made it work. And she on those nights of rare events, makes Kaidan’s jaw drop.
Feign Shepard: Feign just says no. A dress uniform will have to suffice. Otherwise, you’re going to wind up with Feign not being able to even get into the event.
Leah Shepard: When it comes to something beyond sweaters that swallow her up, Leah needs a hand. And thankfully Liara, Miranda, and Kasumi are always more than happy to help. She adores them for it. She trusts her friends implicitly to have her back and make sure she looks like a million bucks. They’ve contributed to more than a few speechless moments for Joker (which is a virtually impossible task).
17. Who are they soft for? Do they find being soft easy or difficult?
Feign Shepard: Feign only really gets soft for James and maybe Joker a little. Joker’s been the one person that Feign feels like has always had her back and he’s Feign’s closest friend and confidante. She’s not particularly soft with him and it’s really difficult for Feign to be soft even with her friend.
It is almost impossible for Feign to be soft for James, even though she is quite soft for him. It takes Feign a long time to be able to show him her soft spots. It does happen, but it is a long and frustrating road to get to the point that she can demonstrate that softness with him.
Detective Bishop Vasquez: Bish is super soft for tiny humans and kids of all sorts. They have a big soft spot for kids. They are a huge tech head and they love fixing and building things. They regularly collect old toys and refurbish and repair them before donating them to local area schools and shelters.
In this sense, it is incredibly easy for Bish to be soft. But being soft in general is not particuarly easy. They don’t trust people as much as they do kids. Kids, as they see it, are a little more open and accepting of people in general.
Rhys Trevelyan: Rhys is super soft and very easily soft. He’s soft for all of his friends, and especially for Dorian. He doesn’t see it as something outside of who he is, it is a vital part of him and his relationships with those around him.
OTP & Kids meme (I don't know which of your otps have kids, so I'll leave it to you!): #3, #8 and #20
OTP & Their Kids Questionnaire
This took longer than I planned, because I honestly only have one character that I’ve seriously toyed with the idea of giving children to. At least, in their canon storyline. And that’s Feign Shepard, because I’m evil and she’s the least capable of being a parent.
Allow me to give you a tiny bit of context. Feign Shepard ends up on Earth after the explosion. The Normandy was shipwrecked and given all the resulting chaos is not found or rescued for quite some time. Long enough for Feign, and the Alliance, to assume them lost. This wasn’t part of their relationship plan--though Feign would argue that they didn’t have a relationship let alone a plan. They were just ... together.
3. what is their favorite thing(s) about their children? what do they love about their children the most?
That he has James’ eyes, and somehow despite not knowing James still manages to be as sensitive and aware as his father. Too aware of the world and how people behave.
She loves and equally hates his fearless exploratory steak. He reminds her so much of herself. He’s got an over-developed streak of justice and what’s right and wrong, and will fight for the underdog and what he knows is right.
8. how do they care for their children when they get sick? who checks on them in the middle of the night?
She panics and heads straight for med bay. Feign eventually figures out not to freak out about every cough or sneeze, but she does go into ‘OMG! He’s going to die!” mode super easy.
For the first several years, Feign’s the only one able/there to do it; and in the small home she manages to cobble together for them, the sleep in the same room. So, it’s not a long trek to check on him. Though there are as many nights as not in the first several years of his life that he just shares a bed with Shepard. The world is still recovering and there is fighting of a different sort going on across the globe, so there is more than a bit of nightmare fuel for both of them to be fair.
They do have a pet, a cat--and she teaches him to talk to the cat when things seem too heavy. It’s what she used to do with Rage, and what she does some nights with the cat too.
When the Normandy’s crew returns, things shift. Though honestly, this is the first moment I’ve been even thought about this possibility, let alone the outcome.
Questions for the Kids
20. did they grow up to be different than what their parents had expected?
Hmm. Honestly, I haven’t thought about that yet. But I have to imagine given the situation surrounding their birth and upbringing that there might be some similarities to the struggles that both James and Feign had growing up. The galaxy is rebuilding slowly and things are not easy, though it is a time of peace and cooperation. Despite this, it is not the easiest time period to be raising a child in--especially for two operational soldiers.
I keep toying around with the idea that their child is a biotic and perhaps spends a great deal of time with Samara and Liara, which kind of shifts the child’s approach to the world. Instead of the kind of bullish way Feign approaches things, I think perhaps this child might likely end up quite diplomatic and eloquent.
All the Zs for a Shepard of your choice? Or some or all of your Shepards? Please?
Nyx Shepard
Z: Zebra1. what’s their favorite animal?Pyjaks (Space Monkeys), because they are clever and persistent.
2. do they like animals?Yes.
3. cats or dogs?Porque no los dos (why not both).
4. what’s their dream pet?She doesn’t have something specific, but given her lifestyle she’s always loved animals that could be comfortable in confined spaces. And she’s adopted more than a few through the years--some without consideration of their ship suitability.
5. do they have any pets at the moment?A space hamster, the fish, Urz, and that robotic dog someone left on the ship (Pardon me for not recalling his name at the time of writing and my laziness for not looking it up now.)
Feign Shepard
Z: Zebra1. what’s their favorite animal?Rage.
2. do they like animals?Yes, Rage.
3. cats or dogs?Rage. He’s better than either, or both.
4. what’s their dream pet?Rage.
5. do they have any pets at the moment?Rage.
For the sake of clarification, Rage is the name of Feign’s space hamster. He has one of those little balls and he runs around with her when she’s doing calisthenics in her quarters. He’s become her constant companion. She talks things out with him. Lucky for James, Rage likes him. That might have been a deal breaker.
Fruity Valentine | Mass Effect | Just Dig Til We Hit Daylight
Summary: James leaves Shepard an interesting surprise.
a/n: I thought I had posted this. Clearly, I was wrong. Gave it another once-over and decided to share it widely.
Links: AO3 | FFnet
Fruity Valentine
The date slipped past Feign’s mind. On the Normandy, they kept to the galactic calendar, rather than Earth’s Gregorian calendar. So, when she woke earlier than usual, she slipped out of bed without waking James. She even managed to get in a brisk jog on the cargo deck before making her way back to the loft.
His soft snores were almost comforting. She must have really done a number on him the night before, she thought. After giving Rage the space hamster a scratch on the back of the head, Feign slipped into the head. She indulged herself that morning, basking in a long, hot shower, possibly too long.
When she came exited again, it was just her and the space hamster. Rage’s little paw was pressed against the glass of his habitat as he stood on his back feet, like he was trying to get a better look at something. Feign rubbed at the other side of the glass. “Whatcha looking at?” she asked as she rubbed the towel over her wet skin.
Glancing over her shoulder, she noticed the splash of color for the first time. Curious, she stepped farther into the room. There were several dozen pieces of fruit strewn over her coffee table. Strewn wasn’t really the right word, because this fruit had been placed with precision in the shape of a massive heart. In the center of which sat a note on a pink piece of paper.
Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
Better keep up your strength
Or I’ll out last you.
Happy Valentine’s Day! I have something special planned tonight. Rest up. And eat an apple—they keep the doctor away.
—J
Feign laughed loudly at the implication of the note. “Wishful thinking if I ever heard it,” she chided, giving Rage a grin.
She left it like that while she dressed, then grabbed an apple on her way out the door. “Hold down the fort, old man,” she told the hamster as she left.
Rolling the apple in her hands, she inspected it, rubbing it against her shoulder from time to time to buff the surface of it. When the doors opened on the crew deck, she heard Ashely’s voice ringing off the bulkhead like a drill sergeant.
“We resupplied two days ago. How can all the fruit be gone already? Seriously people.”
“L-C,” Feign called. The moment Ashley turned, she tossed the apple at her. Ignoring Williams confused glare, she rounded the corner again for the elevator.
Back in the loft, Feign shook her head at the heart, then disheveled it. She grabbed a pair of apples before stowing the note. “EDI, could you ask Traynor to come to my quarters when she’s got a free moment and return this fruit to the mess. I think I might’ve been pranked and there’s about to be a mutiny below decks over this stuff.”
“Certainly, Shepard.”
“Thanks.”
Rage was standing against the side of his habitat again when she passed, so she stopped and sliced a matchstick sized piece of apple off one and handed it to her pal. That seemed to placate her tiniest partner in crime. She slid the rest of the bite off the blade and into her own mouth as she left.
This time she bypassed the crew deck for the cargo deck.
“Good morning, Shepard,” Cortez offered, with a glance up from his console.
“Ah, Loca,” James yelled far too jovially. “Got anything for me?”
Feign threw the untouched apple at him and gave him a smirk.
“Not what I meant, but muchas gracias,” he replied with a wink.
She just shook her head and leaned her hip against Cortez’s station. “How are the repairs coming?”
“Fine. Shuttle should be back to 100% in a few hours.”
“Good to know. Hopefully, today will be quiet,” Feign noted.
James’ quiet huffed laugh didn’t go unnoticed, it even made her smile. He must have big plans, she thought hazarding a glance toward the man who’d turned his back to her. It was a lovely view, though staring at his backside wouldn’t offer her any clues to what he had in store.
