dear_mun | the matriarch on her mun kind of definitely looking in an unsure sort of way.

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the matriarch on her mun kind of definitely looking in an unsure sort of way.

Icons aren't that personality section you keep saying you'll do. They're great, yeah - gotta love my face - and sure you're running a little tired as of late, but there's a difference between not having the time and not having the backbone. Who the hell cares if you write it all out only to learn games are picky about screentime and shit? You know your damn self that things with less background get more attention. So either you're doing something with me or you're admitting that your spine is out for repairs and won't be back for a while yet. It's not the difficult, kiddo. Either way works.

As for location, I don't really give a damn. [...] You know who I'd want to see, though, if I could.

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[Well not who you were looking for, but Shepherd's glad to see you.]

Now what game wouldn't want you there Matriarch?

Probably stuffy, stuck-up places I wouldn't want to be, anyway.

No real loss then.

Your mun's worried about the application?

It's something between worry and just outright denying that she even wants to do it. Guess it doesn't help that she's not a hundred percent sold on the game.

What's the game like?

From the looks of it, it's some generic city, except with the ability to bring your dreams to life or some such bullshit. Mun's mostly interested in sticking me there because her partner's got Aria T'Loak - of all the people in the damned universe - there and apparently in need of some asari company. Shitty reasons, but I'll take it, if I get to do anything and she doesn't find anywhere else.

[Now that....wow poor game.]

Company's always good. I can't imagine what would happen if someone there managed to piss both of you off at the same time though.

[Actually she can, it involves a lot of horrible things and fire.]

I guess you don't wanna hear our muns' headcanon on what happens when you corner either of us with Reaper forces. Same deal, really. Shit happens.

I'm guessing worlds explode in this headcanon too.

Well... Only if they deserve it.

I wouldn't be surprised if the two of you could pull that off.

How sweet of you, Commander.

Sometimes a pep talk is all they need.

Pep talk, spine replacement... I'm just trying to figure out the best method for my mun in particular to make up her damn mind on everything.

It's frustrating when they do that.

Is there anything specifically holding her back?

The big two that are me-specific and not just because she's an indecisive brat some days seem to be 'lack of screentime variety', like I ever need to be anywhere but behind a bar, and the fact that there's not really a clear ending for me, once shit's stopped going down in the galaxy.

She shouldn't dwell so much on those bits, or lack thereof. There's more to it besides that.

...but my mun can understand where yours is coming from. Has she picked out any games yet?

Tell her not to dwell and she'll fixate. Guess she's just had bad experiences with it before.

As for games, I think she's primarily eyeing this one where Aria T'Loak's the only thing from our galaxy there, like we need to converge and make some creepy asari club out of dreams and whatever. I feel asleep during the preliminary tour. I think my mun's just generally keeping an eye out, though, too. Whatever floats her boat. I've learned not to question humans when you get weird.

She's gotta take those bad experiences and put them behind her. It'll help her in the long run.

[Snerk.] Well, at least you wouldn't be the only asari.

[There's a pause, before she adds, her tone even and a bit careful.]

I think I know who you meant when you spoke of wanting to see someone and... well, she's with me.

[It's not like it was a secret, but still... Shepard's last statement has her undivided attention. Mention of her little girl warrants being nosy, in Aethyta's opinion.]

Why don't you tell me about your current situation, then, Commander?

Long story short, we're on a ship called the S.S. Thor because of a Reaper and an asari joined and destroyed our home. Yeah, I don't know how it works either but that's what they're saying.

We're going to try finding a way back home, but we're not leaving until our unfinished business here is done. [She almost wishes she was fighting Collectors or Reapers again instead.]

Let's just say our current enemies are a pain in the ass. They actually... got a hold of Liara. [Yep, Shepard's tone is bitter now.]

... She's okay now, though.

Define 'okay'. And 'got a hold of' while you're at it, maybe, because it doesn't sound safe for her.

[Yes she knows Liara is the goddamn Shadow Broker and loves to spend her time running around with Commander Badass Shepard but she's still a baby and Aethyta can still worry.]

Nor does asari-Reaper joining, actually. Who came up with that story?

[Whoops. Way to go, Shepard. You now made her father worry.]

She's almost fully recovered. And by "got a hold of", I meant they fired off some strange weapon that...-- [Shepard trails off, clears her throat and tries again.]

She's fine, please trust me.

[Pausing, Shepard rubs at her forehead.]

It's not a story.

You're gonna have to find me the hometown of that asari so I can smack her elders for poor raising. [If Aethyta is judging raising, there is something going on here. She's not entirely an A+ role model.]

Also, let me get this straight, here. You let some strange people fire a strange weapon at my little girl and I'm supposed to just take a half-assed explanation and "she's fine"?

It was a mistake.

[Shepard's tone is much sharper now and she's giving Aethyta a stern look. She knows she messed up, she also knows mistakes happen.]

Let me guess: she's blue and easy on the eyes?

Watch yourself, Shepard.

Just telling the truth.

[Don't hate on your psuedo son-in-law, dad.]

[You can't tell her what to do. Kids these days...]

I'm sure there are more eloquent ways to put it, though. Keep her in your good graces. [Because she knows what a proper little lady Liara is. That's all Benezia, by the way.] But yeah... Guess there's not a whole lot of guessing required, in this case. Must be going soft.

I'll let her know you asked about her.

... Thanks. You think she's doing alright? I mean, you're obviously close enough to be keeping an eye on her, generally speaking.

Doing better than alright where I'm at. You think I wouldn't take care of her?

And hey, maybe you should come as her yourself.

I didn't say that. I just know you tend to keep your hands full.

And I don't think she needs her dad checking on her too often. That's what the information network's for. [Aethyta you chicken.]

She's around here somewhere. I'm sure she'll show up eventually. Even if I have to drag her over.

You can let her do what she wants, you know. She's a big girl.

[There's a rare somber tone for Shepard.]

I lost my family on Mindoir. There's no way I'm letting Liara throw hers away.

[If this feels like a judging in-law sort of stare down, that's because it pretty well is. Eventually, though, Aethyta seems satisfied and nods.]

She'll be around on her own time. I do better keeping an eye on her from a distance, anyway. You're the one supposed to be staying close.

[Considering that in this mun's headcanon, Shepard made Aethyta a grandpa? Close enough for Shepard.]

Believe me, I'd love nothing more. Unfortunately, there's the issue of the giant genocidal race of robots from beyond the galactic rim to deal with. If it were up to me, and if I trusted someone else to play politics and not screw everything up? I'd be more than happy to retire to Liara's ship and wait things out there.

[She sighs.] I never wanted to put Liara in the line of fire, again. She earned a break after dealing with Saren and Sovereign...

[Headcanon accepted. Aethyta freakin' loves grandbabies.]

You have a galaxy to save, I get that. And if Liara wants to work with you... she's going to work with you. Nothing's gonna stop that. Just don't do anything stupid. Because you know you don't want to leave my baby alone, Commander. You really don't.

[And timed just right to be born after the whole Reaper explosion. :D]

You're telling me? I tried dropping her off at the Citadel after I picked her up on Mars. Should've heard the lecture she gave me.

[She sombers again.] I'll do what I have to in order to make sure Liara can live in peace. Other than that, I can't make any promises. As far as I'm concerned, all saving the galaxy means is saving her.

[Aethyta just nods, watching Shepard.]

Keep that in mind, and there's nothing else I can really do. It's all on you. So no pressure, or anything.

[Shepard goes quiet for a while, knowing that what she's about to say is the hardest thing she really has to say regarding Liara's future.]

...I'm not coming back from this.

[Truth be told, there's a little part of Aethyta that's sorely tempted to punch Shepard for that. A big part, even. She's gotten to know Liara well enough to know what a gentle soul she is. Not a bad thing. It just means she's not going to get over this easily. Even though asari got used to partners dying after eighty or a hundred years, less than five was just some sort of cheap record.]

So do what you can while you can. Don't give her a reason to regret anything.

[Shepard runs a hand through her hair, looking as ancient as any Matriarch, not some thirty-something with her life ahead of her. Despite her stony exterior, and ruthless choices, it's becoming very clear just how much everything was wearing on her.]

Trust me, I didn't survive Mindoir, Torfan, Ilos, and being dropped onto a planet from high orbit just to let her down after this far.

They killed me once, this time, it's on my terms.

Just don't die before they actually get you. [A friendly reminder to not give yourself a grave before your time. Keep living, etc. Pep talks, you know.]

Do what you can, Shepard.

[Hey dad. She's glad to see you even if she's not the best at showing it.]

I don't believe finding you a home would be too difficult. I am sure that there are some places that would enjoy your company.

[Ah, there's her baby. Congrats, Liara, you're getting a hug today.]

Yeah, but when you throw in some indecisiveness and the fact that my mun's missing her spine, it slows the process down some.

[Oh Goddess, this is embarrassing but very welcome. She's going to go ahead and return that hug.]

I understand that. My mun is similar in that regard. Perhaps if we are lucky both of our muns can overcome their lack of confidence.

[Aethyta doesn't do it all the time, just when she's feeling particularly motherly. Liara can deal for how rare that is these days.]

Want me to start bullying yours, too? Gentle persuasion seems to be the least functional method for this bunch, if yours is anything like mine. Or I could just wish you plenty of luck, if you really want to take that route.

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the matriarch on her mun kind of definitely looking in an unsure sort of way.

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/brushes dust off muse

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