#MEffictober2019
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Mass Effect Fictober 2019
Welcome to Fictober, Mass Effect Fan Fiction Writers! Where our fics are made up and the plots don’t matter! Instead of following Ao3′s offerings, our Mass Effect Fan Fiction Writer’s Group on Facebook decided to put together our own. This doesn’t mean we didn’t snag any of their prompts though. Not part of the Fan fiction group? That’s okay. You can play along here on tumblr too, but I totally suggest joining our group. They are an awesome group of people who are supportive of each other regardless as to what ship we sail on and we always welcome those who are like-minded.
What is Fictober? You’ve heard of Inktober, I’m sure. Artist focus on doodling in their mediums. I’m of the firm belief that writers are artists too. Our medium is with words rather than with sketches done with pencil or paintings done with watercolor. Heck, I still use a pen to write my fictions before I post. So I guess there is that. That counts, right? So writers, let’s have some fun with our medium of choice.
Here are some basic guidelines and etiquette we are asking of our participants:
1) Write a story with the prompt given. Post it preferably on the day the prompt is assigned to. We would also prefer if they were new stories rather than old ones.
2)Please indicate the following at the beginning of your post: a) title b)rating preferably with why c)pairing if applicable d) Andromeda or Original trilogy e) tag it #MEFFictober2019 f) indicate which prompt it is for
3) Do not worry if you skip a day or whatever. The main point of this is to have fun. Post late? That’s okay. Combine themes? Coolio too (please indicate which days you’re combining). If you only take a part of the theme? I approve!
4) We are going to do something that not a lot of fictober events do. We’re going to offer a weekly prompt in addition to daily prompts. There were those who expressed in our group that they’d like to see a weekly prompt for those who could not do a daily situation. Not that a daily thing is mandated, but I figured that would be fun too. The prompts will be posted on a seven day interval (ie. if the prompt is for day one, the next one will not be assigned until the 8th).
5) And finally, remember this is meant to be fun. Please have some. Don’t stress over it. :D I promise I won’t come after you with my best witch impression and asked why you haven’t done your homework yet.
Without further ado, here are your prompts. Yes, I decided to theme it a little bit. No surprise, I know.
Weekly Prompts:
1st-7th: Sweaters (thank you to Heroofshield)
8th-15th: AO3 prompt: “It will be fun. Trust me.” Bonus: if there is a haunted house or corn maze involved.
16th-23rd: “If I die, Shepard, I’m haunting you.” -Jack
24th-31st: Zombies Bonus: the mutant variety
Daily Prompts:
1) Autumn Leaves
2) “It’s a scream.” (AO3 Prompt)
3) Sugar Skulls
4) Friendly rivalry Bonus: involving apple bobbing (Thank you Snakarian)
5) Ghost
6) Scars
7) Space Hamster
8) “You keep me warm” (AO3 prompt)
9) Skeleton
10) Mad House
11) “I never intended...but I did.” Bonus: if they are talking of falling in love. It’s my 7th wedding anniversary with my husband. I’m being sentimental.
12) “Scared? Me?” (AO3 Prompt)
13) War Stories
14) Reapers
15) Pumpkin Spice vs. Apple Spice vs. Peppermint Bonus: if you’re referring to the coffee beverages (thanks Snakarian)
16) Hot cocoa and bonfires
17) EDI’s “cold”
18) “It’s the most haunting time of the year!”
19) Trick or Treat
20) Cats, Bonus: if it’s black
21) “Now? Now you listen to me!” (AO3 prompt)
22) Rachni
23) “There is a certain taste to it” (AO3 prompt)
24) Apple cider
25) Mischief Night
26) Collector Base
27) Pumpkins (thanks Snakarian)
28) Beyond the Veil
29) Ghost town
30) Geth
31) “This is Halloween!”
Good luck all!
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Running Up That Hill (ME:A, G)
Today’s prompt is Sugar Skulls!
Disclaimer: I’m a generic white girl, but I wanted to do this respectfully so I included a character that’s canonically Hispanic and one that’s (in my own HC) Hispanic on her mother’s side. Also I did some research on the holiday and what it means so let me know if I got something unintentionally wrong.
--
It had been a long day running the Collective from Tartarus and all Reyes wanted to do was have a nightcap and fall into bed. But on his walk towards his apartment he noticed that the Tempest was in its docking bay.
“No one notified me.” he thought while quickly checking his omni-tool. Knowing there must be a reason, he changed direction and headed to Keema’s throne room.
He kept an apartment there, so he could meet Ryder without it seeming too odd. The excuse was simple, Reyes had been a loyal friend to the Collective as a smuggler and now that it was running the show he was benefiting from that.
Said throne room was empty, which didn’t surprise him because not everyone kept his hours. Slipping up to the second level, Reyes keyed in the code and as the door slid open was surprised at the dim lighting.
Anna Ryder heard the door open and looked up from where she was, seeing Reyes in the doorway. “You’re not supposed to be here.”
“I’m not?” Reyes asked while fully stepping into the room and seeing the ofrenda.
Seeing that gave him mental whiplash, the last time one had been set up had been by his grandmother; something she always did for his grandfather and other members of his family long gone.
“It’s a way for us to celebrate them and their life.” she’d say while placing the sugar skulls on the first level. The bright yellow, red, and deep purple colors always held his attention, making him want to believe that he’d see his mother in the Land of the Dead when his own time came.
To Reyes it had seemed an ancient tradition; out of place with the shuttles, holos, and Prothean tech that dominated the world.
But seeing it now brought a sense of familiarity in a vastly strange universe.
“I mean, I know you said I could use the apartment whenever I wanted, but I didn’t think you’d show up today.” Anna said, suddenly feeling nervous about setting up the ofrenda.
She’d never been one to really get into Día de Muertos, it had been more of a thing that her mother had done until she was too sick to actually do it. But after everything the past year had brought, she wanted something to make her feel connected to her family.
Not sure what to make of Reyes’s blank expression, she continued on, “I just felt like I needed to do something to mark the day. But I’ve been banned from the Tempest galley so I can’t make Pan de Muertos let alone any sugar skulls. Apparently though Alec brought some replicas which is weird because-”
“It’s fine.” Reyes broke in, seeing how on edge Ryder was getting at not being able to have any of the more traditional foods for the holiday. He gave Anna’s forehead a gentle kiss before saying, “Wait here.”
It took some rummaging around, but eventually he found what he was looking for and was soon back in the main room. “If you don’t mind.”
Anna looked at the photo Reyes was holding and let a small smile appear, “Go ahead.”
Reyes set the photo of him, his grandmother, aunties, and mother next to Ellen Ryder on the second level of the altar and carefully re-arraigned the replica sugar skulls so they were facing each other. While doing so, he noticed the writing on one.
Picking it up he turned to face Ryder, “Something you want to tell me?”
Anna saw that he was holding the skull with his name written on it. Biting her bottom lip, she felt her face flush. “I was going to show you after we...but yeah.”
Taking her hand in his free one, Reyes pulled her close. “I’m flattered you want to make room for me in the afterlife. Whatever that is.”
“I love you Reyes.” Anna said, giving him a slow kiss and intertwining her fingers with his. “Whatever happens, I want you to know that.”
“I love you as well, Ryder.”
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MEFFW Fictober Day 11
I’ve been a bit overwhelmed with all of the Fictober stuff going on. Allie & Kaidan’s story is out there for everyone to read, and I’ve been dying to build on it, but work has really sucked (we’re so understaffed it isn’t funny) so I’m exhausted, but I really want to write but it hasn’t been there and then I feel bad because I want to write... ad infintum. So today is my day off and my only goal was to write SOMETHING for at least one of the prompts out there, and I managed to work THREE of them into this story: I never intended... but I did for MEFFW Fictober, Can you stay? for @fictober-event, and Stitches for @whumptober2019
And of course, Kaidan for #kaidanappreciationweek @spectrekaidanalenko
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TItle: “I never intended…but I did.” Bonus: if they are talking of falling in love.
Rating: General (there is a kiss, but nothing more than that)
Pairing: Shenko (Allie & Kaidan)
Original trilogy
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Allie adjusted the pillows behind her head and leaned back, wincing as the stitches in her side pulled a bit from the movement. All things considered, she was in pretty good shape. Sure, she broke her arm got sliced by a piece of debris, and probably had a concussion, but Sovereign was destroyed, her ship and crew were safe, and she even managed to save the Council. More importantly, Kaidan was safe. He didn't come away unscathed – a broken ankle and a couple of broken ribs – but he was alive. She closed her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips when she thought about the look on his face as she scrambled over debris to get to him – shock, disbelief, then a face-splitting smile highlighting pure elation that spread across his features.
“You seem mighty pleased with yourself, Commander.”
Her smile grew at the sound of Kaidan's voice, and softened considerably at the sight of him in the doorway, hunched over a pair of crutches. “Well, I did kind of pull off the impossible,” she replied, giving him a once over. “How are you?”
“Not on bed rest for 24 hours,” he smirked, hobbling to her side. “Scuttlebutt says the doc doesn't trust you to take it easy on your own, so you're cooped up in here for a bit.”
“I know,” Allie rolled her eyes. “I mean, me of all people. I am the epitome of self-care when I'm injured.”
Kaidan started to laugh, then groaned and clutched his chest. “Don't make me laugh, ma'am. It hurts.”
Read the rest on AO3. You can read more about Kaidan and Allie here, too.
#MEFFictober2019#fictober#whumptober 2019#mass effect#Allie Shepard#1000 years#shenko#kaidan alenko#fanfic#my fanfic#kaidan appreciation week#kaidanweek2019
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Day Eight: You Keep Me Warm
read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/323gA6P
by seleenermparis
AO3 Prompt. A holiday snippet. Because. That's why. #MEFFICTOBER2019
Words: 308, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English
Series: Part 9 of Fictober 2019
Fandoms: Mass Effect Trilogy, Mass Effect - All Media Types
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Categories: F/M
Characters: Female Shepard (Mass Effect), Garrus Vakarian
Relationships: Female Shepard/Garrus Vakarian
read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/323gA6P
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Gunpoint & Scars (ME3; G)
Yesterday’s whumptober prompt was Gunpoint, and in an effort to not fall that far behind I’m combining it with today’s MEffictober prompt, Scars.
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Someone was following Anna Ryder.
It was crowded in what remained of Zakarian Ward, mostly humans with other Council species trying to go about business as usual in what hadn’t been destroyed by Soverign and Cerberus a few months ago.
But Ryder could tell because she had stopped several times at different business’s and each time the same human behind her had stopped as well.
“This is just insulting.” she thought while stopping at another vendor, this one selling asari inspired jewelry and scarfs.
Pretending to look at a pair of earrings, she glanced out of the corner of her eye and saw the human in the black leather jacket at a different stall, trying to not make it obvious that he was tailing her.
The last few times she’d been back on the Citadel after leaving the Reds had been filled with thoughts of what might happen if she ran into members from her faction bent on revenge for helping to take them down. But nothing had happened, so she relaxed.
“Apparently I was wrong.” She thought while thinking fast.
Using a group of Alliance marines as cover she ducked into an alleyway. She waited at the edge as the man tried to figure out where she went. Grabbing a fistfull of jacket, Anna pulled him into the alley. Giving him a shove deeper into the space she asked, “Who sent you?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Let’s just skip it, you’re pissed that I got everyone killed or captured by C-Sec. You want revenge, blah blah blah.” Anna went to pull out the knife that she kept concealed but as her hand closed around air remembered that she’d stopped carrying it after joining the Normandy.
“Not armed Ryder? I’m surprised it only took you a few weeks to forget.” the man sneered as he pulled out a pistol, aiming it at her.
“You know me, I like to do things the hard way.” Anna moved at the same time he pulled the trigger and the bullet sank into her shoulder.
Gritting her teeth against the pain, Anna slammed into him and caused the pistol to go skittering deeper into the alley. She used the forward momentum to rammed him into the wall and used her arm to hold him there.
“You also forgot that I still know how to play dirty.” she growled, shoving her free hand into the side of his jacket and finding his own knife. After she took care of the problem, Anna let the knife fall to the ground with a clatter and take a few moments to stop her hands from shaking.
Rolling her shoulders to relax herself, Anna stifled a cry as her wounded shoulder protested the movement. She needed to get the bullet out before it got infected.
--
James Vega walked into Shepard’s apartment on the Silversun Strip and wondered who else was there. The Commander had told the squad rotation that if they couldn’t find a place to stay then her apartment was always open. With the shortage of Alliance housing because of the war, Vega and a few others always crashed at her place.
“It’s just easier that way.” He thought while heading towards the kitchen to get a beer before seeing if they were rerunning a biotiball game. “Instead of calling around hoping that a place has a bunk for a night and then repeating the same thing the next day.”
Closing the fridge door, he turned towards the giant living room when a muffled curse reached his ears. Pausing, James set the bottle on the countertop and headed up the stairs to investigate. Reaching the hallway where the spare rooms were, he could hear the faint sound of running water. The only door that was open was the room that Anna Ryder claimed. A peak inside told him that the water was coming from the bathroom there.
“Ryder?” James called out while stepping into the room. Then he turned towards the bathroom and paused, “Woah.”
Anna look to see James in the middle of the room she’d taken over and saw the mixture of surprise and confusion on his face. Not wanting to go back to the Normandy and explain to Chakwas why she had a bullet hole in her shoulder had led her back to Shepard’s apartment. Apparently the Commander didn’t believe the ‘everything’s fine on the Citadel’ line C-Sec and the Council kept posting and had the necessary supplies for bandaging up wounds.
“It looks worse than it actually is.” She said, wincing slightly at how much of a disaster the room looked; used gauze scattered across the floor, equipment for getting the bullet out, bottles of different disinfectant on the counter, and running water to clear the blood out of the sink.
Vega folded his arms and gave her a ‘don’t bullshit me’ look, “Does it? Because it looks likes you performed surgery on yourself. What happened?”
“Doesn’t matter.” Anna replied, turning back to the mirror and trying to get a better angle on the wound. “I took care of it.”
“Well at this rate, you’re going to get an infection. Let me help.” James walked into the bathroom and gently guided Anna to sit on the edge of the tub.
The retort died on her lips as she sat down, surprised at James taking charge of the situation. Normally she’d tell him to fuck off, but by the time she thought of it James was already looking at the wound.
“Looks like there aren’t any fragments. You got lucky.”
“You’re telling me.”
James swabbed the wound with another round of disinfectant, “It’ll probably scar.”
“Another one to add to the collection.” Anna replied as James swiped medi-gel over the wound before packing it with gauze and taping the whole thing up. “I’m sure you have your fair share of scars.”
“And most have a story.” James busied himself with cleaning up, suddenly aware of how close they were and that Ryder was only in her leather pants and black sports bra. He wouldn’t deny that she was attractive, hell if he didn’t fraternize then he would seriously consider asking her to Purgatory when they were on the Citadel.
“Maybe over a bottle of Serrice Ice Brandy you’ll tell me a few.” Anna teased, referencing the first time they gotten to know each other.
Vega let a half-smile appear, “Maybe.”
“Thanks...for helping.”
James looked over to see Anna giving him a vulnerable smile, “You’re welcome.”
#mass effect#whumptober2019#MEffictober2019#james vega#vega/ryder#me3#annabel ryder#my writing#promptober
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MEFFictober2019 Day Seven: Space Hamster
Sorry, I know. I'm a bit behind. I'm hoping to catch up here soon. Snippet. Doesnt take itself seriously.Day Seven: Space Hamster.Rated: GPairing: ShakarianSeries: OT (original trilogy)https://archiveofourown.org/works/20959811
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Keep You Warm (ME3; G)
It’s Promptober!
Going to try and do a prompt a day from the two different prompts Iists I have, this first one is from MEffictober2019 and the (weekly) prompt is Sweaters!
Takes place after the Leviathan DLC in ME3. also hastily edited so forgive the mistakes
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Rose Shepard needed to get warm.
Chakwas had discharged her, saying to come back if her headache reappeared. Heading to her cabin, Shep wasn’t sure the last time she spent time there other than to shower and catch a few hours of sleep.
Still feeling the chill of the deep ocean, she dug around in her dresser to find something to banish it. But all she had were short sleeved shirts.
“That’s not going to help.” she thought with a frown while closing a drawer.
Pausing for a second, Rose decided to try the very bottom drawer before officially giving up. Inside she found a gray hoodie with the Canucks logo.
“This must be Kaidan’s. Not sure how that got here.” Rose said while looking at the hamster cage on her desk. Showing her hamster the small stylized shark next to the team’s home town, she was surprised at how soft it was. “What do you think? Should I try it on?”
The hamster gave an excited squeak and Rose shoved her arms into it, “I’ll take that as a yes.”
--
Kaidan waited as the elevator reached the top deck on the Normandy and exited into the hallway that led to Shepard’s quarters. Finished with his duties, he was going to check on Shepard while bringing her some tea. He was still trying to get rid of the image of Rose lying on the shuttle floor, under the Leviathan’s control.
Since both of his hands were holding mugs of hot tea, Kaidan pressed the door panel with his elbow. The door stayed closed so he tried again. It remained close and that concerned him. “Hey EDI,” Kaidan said, trying to keep the panic out of his voice. “Is Shepard in her cabin?”
The Commander is currently sleeping. Do you wish for me to open the door?
“Please.”
Cautiously set the mugs on her desk, he walked down the steps towards the bed. The lighting of the fish tank gave everything an undersea glow and for a moment Kaidan wondered if he should have EDI power down the tank’s lighting.
“Rose would have asked EDI to do it if it was bothering her.” Kaidan scolded himself as he gently sat on the edge of the bed.
Rose felt movement on the bed and opened her eyes, suddenly aware that she’d been asleep. Rolling over, she saw through blurry eyes that it was Kaidan. “Hey.”
“I didn’t mean to wake you.” Kaidan replied, moving closer to Rose and pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. Up here, away from the eyes of the crew, they felt comfortable with displays of affection. And it was a covert way to check on her body temperature.
“That’s okay. I needed to get up anyways.” Rose sat up while straightening the hoodie that had gotten twisted as she slept.
“Is that my Canuks hoodie?” Kaidan asked with a hint of laughter. It was too big for Shepard, the fabric cocooning her and the sleeves too long for her. But she looked cozy in it and that made him smile. They needed to take in the little things now more than ever.
“Hm? Yeah. Sorry, I’ll take it off.”
“No, no, don’t. It looks better on you.”
Rose looked at Kaidan and saw the adoration on his face. Placing a hand on his shoulder, she leaned towards him while breathing in the scent of pine and biotics that he always seemed to have.
“Then I might have to keep it.”
“I guess so.”
#MEffictober2019#mass effect#shenko#commander shepard#kaidan alenko#rose shepard#my writing#promptober#sweater/hoodie whatever#it gives rose a chance to wear her BF's clothes
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Warmth (ME3; G)
Today it’s ‘You keep me warm’ from the MEffictober list!
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Anna Ryder opened her eyes, not sure why she was awake. Shifting slightly she grimaced at the stiffness running throughout her body. It had been a few weeks since she’d lost that fight to a brute on Tuchanka and ended up as a human cat toy.
Feeling the solid muscle of Vega’s chest against her back, Anna felt herself start to fall asleep all over again. Just as she closed her eyes though, the alarm went off again and let out a muffled groan. Even though she was on light duty that didn’t mean she still enjoyed the early wake up times.
Vega dimly heard the alarm and sleepily opened an eye. Having Ryder’s red hair fill his vision made him happy-especially since they’d finally admitted that what they had was more than a shore leave fling. He chuckled at the groan she let out, knowing how she loved to sleep in when given the chance.
“Five more minutes?” he rumbled, gently sliding an arm along her curves.
Her body still warm from James’s body heat and the covers, Anna thought that sounded like a wonderful idea.
“Mmm...sounds good to me.” she said, moving so she was on her back and turned her head to look at James. “You keep me warm y’know.”
“I do?” James let a sleepy smile appear before leaning close to Anna and gave her a slow kiss on the edge of her jaw. Mindful of the fading bruises on her face, he pressed light kisses along the scar running from her jaw to her ear. “I can also think of a few more things to keep us warm.”
Anna wanted to hear those things but before she could tell him, the sound of Cortez getting up from his bunk on the other end of the partition reached her ears. Knowing their five minutes were up sooner rather than later, she let out a sigh and slowly got up.
“Another time.” She said before giving Vega a chaste kiss and sitting up.
Vega gave a mock pout but sat up as well, helping Anna stand after being squished between him and the wall for so long. He didn’t want to say it, but the way the war was going another time might not come.
And James didn’t want to waste a moment.
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Best Hot Drink (ME; G)
This prompt is from MEffictober and addresses the ‘pumpkin spice vs apple spice vs peppermint mocha’ debate. Also an AU where both Ashley and Kaidan survive Virmire because that choice was BS.
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“You’ll love Vancouver, Commander. Best clams on the West Coast.” Kaidan said with a smile as the shuttle began it’s final descent into Alliance Headquarters.
The Normandy had finally made it back to Earth after Soverign’s attack on the Citadel and Kaidan was itching to get his feet on solid ground after being in space for so long.
“Don’t say that in San Francisco, LT.” Ashley said as she gazed out from the viewport. Glancing back, she saw that Shepard was equally distracted by the view and couldn’t help but smile. “Not many chances to visit Earth Commander?”
Shepard shook her head, “Nope. Downside of being a Spacer. Other than a few times with my mo-Captain Shepard, Academy training, and N school it’s been one frigate after another. First time I experienced actual weather change...well let’s just say I still get vids from my Academy squad about it.”
Ashley bit back a smile and noticed that Kaidan was doing the same. They knew that the Commander wouldn’t bring up her Academy days if she didn’t mind the ribbing she got from her former squadmates.
“Think they’ve started serving pumpkin spice latte’s at the chain stores yet, LT?” Ashley asked after they disembarked and were hit with the chill in the air that signaled fall was underway.
“They’ve probably been selling it for a few months already.” Kaidan remarked after briefly glancing at his omni-tool. “Although I prefer apple spice.”
Ashley made a face at the mention of the other drink, “Of course you would. Sir.”
“Oh and drinking melted candle wax that vaguely smells like pumpkin is better?”
“Better than drinking something that turns into apple juice when it gets cold.”
Shepard listened to Kaidan and Ashley good naturedly rib each other over their preferred drink and was glad that she’d managed to save both of them on Virmire. Each brought something different to the team that would have been lost if she’d been forced to choose only one to save on that planet.
Kaidan’s empathy made Shepard remember not to take herself so seriously and to try and help as many as she could while Ashley’s tactical knowledge was handy during a firefight. During the hunt for Saren, they both reminded Shepard of what she was fighting for and that had payed off in the end.
“Commander?”
“Hm? Sorry, I was just thinking about something.” Shepard sheepishly admitted, feeling her face heat up slightly at getting sidetracked.
“What you’re favorite hot drink? Other than black coffee, that is.” Kaidan gently teased while glancing to see if any Alliance brass was around. Seeing that they were alone for the moment, he lightly brushed his fingers against hers.
They were still trying to sort through their feelings and he hoped that if they got leave after all the debriefs, they could go somewhere to fully sort it out.
Shepard smiled at Kaidan’s subtle movement and intertwined a few of her fingers with his. “Neither. I prefer peppermint mocha.”
Ashley raised an eyebrow at the answer, “Care to explain, Commander?”
Shepard shrugged, “It’s hard to explain. Maybe because it was the first coffee drink I had on Earth when I was old enough. Or because it smells so wonderful-the chocolate and peppermint mixed together with the whipped cream. I just like that over the other two.”
“Now I want to have one.” Kaidan smiled, cautiously letting go of Shepard’s hand as they rounded the corner. “If I remember correctly there’s a chain coffee shop nearby. How about after we get our quarters we meet there and settle this once and for all?”
Shepard smiled, “Sounds good to me. I’ll even buy.”
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Hot coco & bonfires (ME:A, G)
Today it’s another prompt from MEffictober! This one takes pre-game with the Ryder twins. Enjoy!
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The snapcracklepop of the fire pulled Anna Ryder out of her thoughts and back to the present. Her and Scott were on a brief climbing trip, at Arches National Park, and even though it was the middle of August the night was cold in the desert.
Wrapping her hands around the mug of hot coco, she watched as Scott crawled out of the tent and zipped it up.
“Just spoke to dad and he said that mom had a good day today.” Scott said as he sat down across from Anna and picked up his own mug.
“Yeah?”
“Went outside and walked around in the yard a bit. Said if felt nice to feel actual sunshine for once.”
Anna let a faint smile appear, “That’s good.”
It had been a few years since they’d gotten the news that Ellen’s repeated exposure to eezo had caused her to develop terminal cancer and make it a waiting game. Anna had moved with her back to Texas, to both help her mother and get out of the East Coast where Alec was now living. It had also been awhile since her and Scott had done a trip like this, both their jobs making it hard spend anything longer than a day together.
Scott saw his twin staring into the fire and knew that she was thinking about what might happen in the next few years. He also knew that Alec had been trying to speak to her about the Andromeda Program and that she’d been ignoring his vidcalls.
Dragging a twig through the dirt he tried to act like he was just bringing up the weather, “Have you heard about Jien Garson’s new venture?”
“The thing to Andromeda? Yeah, why?”
“Well apparently dad-”
“No.”
“You didn’t even let me finish.”
Anna gave Scott a ‘do I really have to explain it to you?’ look, “The second you mentioned Alec, I didn’t want to hear it.”
“C’mon Blue, hear me out.” Scott tried to put on his best pleading look, the one he knew she couldn’t resist. “Please.”
Anna was silent for a few seconds before letting a soft sigh escape her lips. “Okay, fine.”
“Dad’s been working on a new project with them. He didn’t say what, but apparently Jien bankrolled it and he’s onto something. So much that they’re bringing him on as leadership.”
“Good for him. But I don’t see what that has to do with us.”
“Dad wants us to join as well. We’ll be on his team and probably even get to make first contact with whatever’s in the cluster.”
Anna raised an eyebrow at Scott’s excitable tone as he spoke. “No.”
Scott had opened his mouth to reply when he processed Anna’s reply and paused, “What? Why?”
“Why, Scott? You’re really going to ask that? Okay, well for starters it’s Alec; he got kicked out of the Alliance because he got the idea to conduct illegal AI research. And tanked our career’s as a result. That’s also why we’re here instead of out there.” Anna waved a hand towards the sky as she spoke.
“Plus we’d be leaving our friends, family, and mom. I’m not going to leave her here by herself.”
Scott was silent, knowing that Anna was having a hard time dealing with mom’s illness. Especially since they were mostly out here so she could have a break and not have to worry about what kind of day their mother was having.
“Plus she was starting to go off the edge again, I could kind of see it in her face when we talked.” he thought while tossing the twig into the fire and watching the sparks that flew up into the air as a result.
“Just...think about it. Please.” he said after a moment of silence. “Let Alec send the material to you and read it. That’s all I’m asking for right now.”
“Alright.” Anna grumped before standing and stretching her limbs. “Just reading.”
“Just reading.” Scott echoed as Anna made her way into the tent.
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Mischief Night
Last one of Promptober! I had fun doing these and making them character studies/setting up thing for future fics let’s ignore that NaNoWriMo starts tomorrow
This last one comes from MEffictober and takes place pre-ME:A
--
Annabel Ryder hated the hard plastic chairs that she was forced to use while in public buildings that made you wait for long periods of time.
They were in her high school and she hated them with a passion, like the people who designed them wanted everyone who sat in them to get out as soon as possible.
Currently though, she was in a chair that was in the area police station and not happy about it.
It was the night before Halloween, or ‘Mischief Night’ as they liked to call it on the East Coast. So of course the police were a little more on the ball than usual and responding quicker to reported shenanigans.
“And of course I have to be the only one that actually got caught color bombing someone’s car.” Anna thought to herself while shifting in the seat and folding her arms across her chest.
Anna lost track of time, not sure how long she sat in the busy station, waiting for Scott to bail her out.
“Have enough time to cool off?”
Anna frowned at the voice, looking up to see Alec Ryder walking towards her. Slouching down in the chair she avoided his gaze. “I’m going to hurt Scott for telling you.”
“Your brother didn’t tell me. I have a friend on the force who gave me a courtesy call. Although I’ll have to ask Scott about why you called him instead of me.” Alec Ryder said while wondering how his oldest had started down this path without him noticing.
“Maybe because I didn’t know if you’d actually be in town. Especially since you lock yourself away even when you are here.”
Alec Ryder crossed his arms and bit down on the retort that even if his work kept him busy, he still wanted to be apart of her and Scott’s life. But that would just bring another smart remark from Anna, escalating things when they didn’t need to be.
Instead he let out a sigh and glanced to the sergeant’s desk. “Let’s go.”
“Uh what about the ‘bailing out’ part of this whole thing? Or did you forget as usual?”
“Can you stop for one moment and listen?” Alec snapped, his patience wearing thinner than normal. “Lucky for you nothing was broken and the powder was easily removed so no formal charges are being filed. I asked them to hold you until I got here. So let’s go.”
Anna narrowed her eyes at Alec, wondering if he bribed the owner of the car not to file charges or if there was something else going on that she didn’t know just yet, but his stony face gave nothing away. Sighing, she got up and walked out of the station towards Alec’s electric car.
The ride back was almost uncomfortable, neither of them talking and Anna hoping that no one would be up when they arrived home and there would be awkward questions.
They were almost home when Anna broke the silence, “Are you going to tell mom?”
Alec let out a heavy breath and thought about his answer. He wanted to tell Ellen, she had every right to know about Anna’s attention-seeking behaviors, but at the same time she’d been feeling under the weather lately and he was trying to be more of a presence at home.
“I think since you weren’t formally charged we don’t have to tell her.” He eventually said while turning onto their street. “Have you thought about what you want to do after senior year?”
Anna shook her head, “No.”
“Since you have biotics the Alliance will conscript you. If you don’t go to a university.”
“I know.”
“Give ROTC some thought. You could get a start with your training if you wanted. I think you’d make a good Infiltrator.”
“Possibly.” Anna mumbled, wanting to tell Alec that she didn’t really want to be in the Alliance. But she knew she didn’t have a choice because of her biotics, so she fell silent again-glancing up at the sky and noticing the stars that made its way through the light pollution.
“If I can get off Earth and travel through the stars maybe it won’t be so bad.” She thought as Alec turned into the driveway and saw that most of the lights were off. “I’ve always wanted to do that.”
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Trick or Treat (Mass Effect, G)
Today’s prompt is from MEffictober! This is sort of a militaristic country au before and after ME1.
--
Rose Shepard had never really handed out or gotten candy on Halloween before. Living on a military base overseas for most of her childhood had never really afforded her either opportunity.
It was only after helping to defend the Elyisum colony during a surprise attack and being awarded a Bronze Star in a highly public ceremony that launched her into the spotlight. She wasn’t uncomfortable with the talk shows and interviews, hell it helped her shine a light on a few causes that she’d been working with for the last few years, but the celebrity fame was...different.
Then Halloween rolled around and she just happened to be visiting when the trick or treaters showed up. Rose’s friend had run out to get their dinner and the doorbell rang.
Rose hurried to the door and opened it to see a small group of witches, doctors, and even a few in fatigues. Smiling she handed out the candy and was about to close the door when another little girl appeared dressed in fatigues and cap, holding a plastic bucket shaped like a pumpkin.
“And who are you?” Rose asked while kneeling so the girl could pick out what she wanted.
“Com’der Shepard!” The little girl exclaimed while lighting up.
Rose paused, surprised at the specific costume but then leaned close to the girl while whispering, “Well that’s good because I’m her. You get extra candy.”
The little girl gasped and Rose held back another smile as the eyes went wide as she put a few more pieces of candy in the bucket. Rose watched as the girl slowly backed up, then ran to her parents. She must have told the others because about forty-five minutes after that, the doorbell rang again and as Rose was handing out candy there were cameras flashing from the sidewalk.
“Commander Shepard! Taking a night off?” someone, most likely a reporter, shouted as more flashes went off.
“Why aren’t you dressed up?”
“Who are you staying with?”
Rose quickly handed out the candy and quickly shut the door.
“Okay, that was a bad idea.” she thought, blowing a sight out while leaning against the wall. All Shepard had wanted for the evening was eating takeout and leftover candy while watching old horror movies.
The respite was short lived though, because the doorbell rang again and an even bigger crowd of kids at the doorstep. Rose figured it was the parents dragging their kids over to get a glimpse of the Hero of Elysium but at the same time didn’t want to not give them the candy they wanted so she bared the barrage of flashing lights and shouted questions or comments that happened every time she opened the door. All to quickly the candy was gone and Rose had to turn off the light, her friend returning not long after and finding the whole thing somewhat amusing before calling the cops to get rid of the paparazzi.
--
The next time Shepard found herself in the States during Halloween was years after Elysium. She had just taken down a terrorist bent on attacking the United Nations and was with her second-in-command, Kaiden Alenko. They were on leave from their task force and decided to see if there was anything more to that one-night stand they’d had while tracking Saren.
Foiling the plot on the United Nations had earned her another medal and the same round of press that she’d done after Elysium. But she needed a break so that’s what she was doing. Shepard’s mom had left her a small house in the suburbs of Chicago and she was in the process of restoring it so she could rent it out.
“You got the candy?” Kaidan called out from the kitchen as he put the popcorn in the mircrowave and the doorbell rang.
“Yeah, it’s on the table by the door.” Rose said while glancing at the clock and seeing that the kids were starting early. But she wasn’t about to turn them away, so she grabbed the bowl and opened the door to a chorus of “Trick or Treat!” and flashing phones.
“Hell.” Rose thought, frozen with a smile on her face. She should’ve known this would happen when she had been doing yard work the other day and spotted a few neighbors talking together and one pointed in her direction.
Snapping out of the surprise, Shepard plastered on a smile and in a cheerful voice said, “What do we have here? A doctor, a firefighter, and a soldier! Here you go!”
The kids thanked her and walked away. Rose was halfway back inside when she heard, “Commander, a minute please.”
Pausing, she turned to see a younger mother with a little girl who looked like she was staring at the sun. The little girl was in what looked like fatigues and a small red wig with two medals on her chest. Connecting the dots, Shepard guessed that the girl was dressed as her and felt her chest contract slightly.
“She’s shy.” the mother explained while gently pushing the girl forwards.
Shepard guessed the girl couldn’t be more than four and was gripping the plastic bucket in a vice-like grip, never looking away as she walked forwards.
“Hi, I’m Rose. What’s your name?”
The little girl paused and for a few seconds didn’t answer. But then she finally said, “Beth.”
“Well, Beth I’m glad that you came to my house. Have you gotten a lot of candy yet?”
“Yes.”
Rose held out the bowl for Beth to take from and after she’d meticulously picked out the candy decided to do something else to make the girl’s day.
Setting the bowl down, Rose stood and loudly said to the gathering onlookers, “The one and only exception!”
Kneeling back down she asked, “Would you like a picture with me, Beth?”
Beth’s eyes went wide and she let out a gasp before nodding her head furiously.
“Great! Mom, is it okay if I get a photo with Beth?”
“Oh! Y-yes! Let me get out my phone.” the mother said while fumbling to pull out her cell phone.
Afterwards, Rose watched Beth and her mother walk away-the little girl jumping up and down while chattering on about how Commander Shepard was the bestest ever.
The rest of the evening passed in a blur, the doorbell ringing constantly and Rose running out of candy almost two hours into the set time. Turning off the light, Rose collapsed onto the couch next to Kaidan.
“That was exhausting.” Rose said as she leaned her head against Kaidan’s shoulder. “Remind me next time to get five bags instead of two.”
Kaidan smiled at the comment and took Rose’s hand in his. “Can I ask you something?”
“Yeah.”
“Why’d you take a photo with that little girl? I’m sure other people would’ve killed for one.”
Rose was silent for a moment, trying to order her thoughts. “Because I know what it’s like to be that shy. Believe it or not, I was such an introvert that my mom thought I was language delayed.”
“Aren’t you still though? I know you prefer a quiet night in rather than out with the rest of the squad.”
Rose shrugged, “Yeah but since being in the military I’ve learned to balance it. Especially after Elysium and now the United Nations.”
Kaidan watched as Rose changed the subject to what they wanted to watch and realized that he was falling a bit more in love with the woman who had a big heart and tried her best no matter what.
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Days Eleven and Twelve: "I never intended...but I did." and "Scared? Me?"
read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2orHeIl
by seleenermparis
Garrus has a question to ask Jane. A Short short. #MEFFictober2019
Words: 596, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English
Series: Part 13 of Fictober 2019
Fandoms: Mass Effect Trilogy, Mass Effect - All Media Types
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Categories: F/M
Characters: Female Shepard (Mass Effect), Garrus Vakarian
Relationships: Female Shepard/Garrus Vakarian
read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2orHeIl
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Day Ten: Mad House
read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2nAqMoq
by seleenermparis
Tali goes and visits a friend at a hospital. #meffictober2019
Words: 475, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English
Series: Part 12 of Fictober 2019
Fandoms: Mass Effect Trilogy, Mass Effect - All Media Types
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Categories: F/M
Characters: Tali'Zorah nar Rayya, Garrus Vakarian
Relationships: Female Shepard/Garrus Vakarian
read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2nAqMoq
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Day Five: Ghost
read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/33gCUuf
by seleenermparis
Mass Effect Fictober 2019. Archangel's men find out who he was fighting for. #MEFFICTOBER2019
Words: 492, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English
Series: Part 6 of Fictober 2019
Fandoms: Mass Effect Trilogy, Mass Effect - All Media Types
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Categories: F/M
Characters: Garrus Vakarian, Lantar Sidonis, Weaver (Mass Effect), Butler (Mass Effect)
Relationships: Female Shepard/Garrus Vakarian
read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/33gCUuf
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Days 21-26
read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2Jp6lCu
by seleenermparis
"Now? Now you listen to me?"-Dr. Chakwas. Snippet. #MEFFictober2019
Words: 189, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English
Series: Part 18 of Fictober 2019
Fandoms: Mass Effect Trilogy, Mass Effect - All Media Types
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Categories: F/M
Characters: Female Shepard (Mass Effect), Karin Chakwas
Relationships: Female Shepard/Garrus Vakarian
read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2Jp6lCu
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