#metrilogyweek

[agarthium]

an instrument of revenge.

Mari(eke) Shepard, Colonist/Ruthless

A mixture of strangeness, intimidation, and...admittedly, a pretty face that would turn heads, if someone can look past the blood attached to her history.

#metrilogyweek2026

[agarthium]

"I can't say anything about your past. I can't imagine what it was like to go through all that, or to be in that position," he says, "but just because I don't always opt for violence—it doesn't mean I'm much of a hero myself." The smile vanishes. She studies him, and her gaze feels especially scrutinizing. "I think the fact you knew to step away says a lot. You're acknowledging your limits. You know when you might've made a misstep." She scoffs. "Missteps with a body count?" "This mission is anything but simple, Commander," he says. "I think I'm starting to learn what running with a spectre who's trying to fight the impossible is really like." Her lips curve into a frown, and her arms fold over her stomach in a mock protective barrier. "It would be easier, wouldn't it?" Shepard says, soft. "If this had happened to any other squad. If we weren't the ones having to deal with all this mess." We. "Respectfully, ma'am, knowing all this is going on? I don't think there is anywhere else I'd rather be right now—trying to stop it, I mean." Shepard appraises him again, as if searching for holes in his statement, holes in his resolve, and maybe there are some but none of them are big enough to make him turn his back on this—on her—now, or anytime soon. Then, she smiles. It's weak, but it's genuine, with a hint of light in her eyes. She ends up wiping it off her face almost instantly. "No. Nothing feel-good for me right now. Not after what just happened," she says, shaking her head as if to reorient herself and correcting her posture. "Not until we get these scientists out of here and help Zhu's Hope." "Sounds good to me, Commander." Shepard promptly passes him by and makes her way to Liara and Doctor Juliana, who are too engrossed in conversation to notice. Kaidan swipes a hand across his brow as he watches her leave. Maybe she's not the picture perfect hero that she seems convinced she must become, no, but she's not a monster either. Far from it. At this point, it's hard to say what she would have to do to make him change his mind.

#metrilogyweek2026