“Well… you’re still here which is more than I woulda asked from quarians. Way you guys’re treated I wouldn’t blame ya if you all fucked off to space and never came near the Citadel again. People are fucks here with your kind. So you’re here and you’re tryin’ which is a big thing.”
❝ Politics are just… they’re important, but they’re also vicious. It’s like people forgot why it’s important & just use it as an excuse to be a total bosh’tet. ❞ Tali shrugs, shaking her head.
❝ If it wasn’t so important to my people I wouldn’t try to be civil. ❞
Sorry for disappearing! I was working for my Dad to get some money. Then we took a ride in the convertible, which was lovely on a nice day like today; I love living outside of town, because everyone is so easygoing & friendly. Anyway, like for a starter!
I deleted my Liara, Aria, Joker, & OC accounts, if anyone goes looking. I gave myself a reality check, & figured I couldn’t reasonably run all those blogs. Tali is my main focus now. I apologize if I had anything set up with you on one of those blogs, I’m just trying to keep myself in check.
He thought it best to leave her alone when they returned from the Alarei. Mourning came in a variety of ways and giving her the necessary time to grieve was part of his policy. After a while Buck descended to the engineer deck to see how she was doing. He entered the room and saw her plugging away at her terminal — he had to assume there was some comfort in routine. God knows it worked for him.
Shepard leaned against the wall with his hands in his combat jeans. He dressed in a grey tank top and his sandy tresses were brushed back over his ears. The more he thought about her old man doing what he did he couldn’t help but think about what he would for his own son. He’d go above and beyond to give Niall a better life in a heartbeat. But there were better ways to go about it than jeopardising innocent lives.
The Irishman leaned against a mesh of piping and spoke up. “Y'look pretty engrossed. Surprised ya’ didn’t hear me, what with these boots a’mine.” He motioned to his heavy footwear and cracked a faint smile, determined to keep the mood light.
“How’re you feeling?” He knew a few hours wouldn’t lessen the blow any further. But it was about letting her know she wasn’t alone, that she could talk about it if she wanted to.
❝ Life in the Flotilla required being partial to distracting sounds. ❞ Tali breathes, gaze never parting from the terminal – work was all she wanted to focus on at that moment. The Quarian had to focus her thoughts, or like a broken machine she’d fall apart. It was prudent she remained engaged, or risk her stability, & she had to be at her most efficient for the Normandy.
❝ I don’t know how to feel, Shepard. ❞ The mechanic finally says, pulling back from the terminal to turn & look at him. Her shoulders sag a bit, arms crossing over her chest as her head drops, heavy with a residual shame. ❝ I know things could have been different, & for that I am grateful you helped at the trial. I just… I will never outlive my father, will I? ❞
Her shotgun went off in the face of a husk and she turned to send another flying with a biotic punch.
“What else is new?”
There was a batch of Maradurs headed their way and Eva fell back behind cover.
“Got anything special to give our friends?” A drone to waylay them perhaps.
❝ Other than that? Nothing. ❞ Tali exhales as she shoots; she’s not as precise as a Turian, but she gets the job done. Ducking behind cover, she pulls up her omni-tool, & seconds later a combat drone materializes, drawing the Marauder fire.
❝ We need some parts for the Normandy, Shepard; we need more Element Zero for the driver core. I mean, your engineer is doing good… but I could be doing better. ❞
I don’t think you guys understand how much I fucking LOVE headcanoning (is that even a thing?) Quarian culture. I love the Quarians, they are just so EPIC, & if you ever want to discuss my headcanons, or even yours, about them (or any race) please feel free to hit me up! uwu
The Quarian culture is something not easily understood by outsiders, & due to their virtual isolation on The Migrant Fleet their lifestyle & culture has developed uninhibited by other races. As their first priority is the survival & efficiency of the Fleet, homosexuality is viewed as a taboo, but can be pardoned by the Admiralty Board. Still, the general outlook of it is negative. However, in recent years, due to a mild population decrease, homosexuality has been the cause of multiple exiles in the Fleet. Also considered a taboo is relationships crossing biologic boundaries, such as with Humans or Geth. Though much more rare considering their isolation, in recent years, due to exposure to new groups in the galaxy, it has become more common.
Families are permitted one birth, & are typically close-knit. Relationships between Quarians are based on a loose set of courtship boundaries; male Quarians must have fulfilled their Pilgrimage & have a place on a crew, so to support their family, while female Quarians must have their father’s consent (seeing as there is always a risk the mother will die in childbirth) before initiating a relationship. This consent is held in high esteem, & couples rejected by the female’s father usually live in outcast compared to other couples, but due to the closeness of the Quarian community disowning is rare, & usually only happens when a child is exiled or doesn’t return from their Pilgrimage. Other courtship rituals include linking enviro-suits & sharing family stories. Quarians must be “joined” before committing to a sexual act, but Quarians often discuss their future child & family during courtship to create stronger ties.
The final process of courtship is to be “joined”, which involves the trading of goods between the couple’s families (usually involving tools or weapons). The female’s family gives a weapon to the male, & the male’s family gives a tool to the female. Then both families unite as one to give the couple their first quilt for their living space. After this the couple joins enviro-suits, & the process is complete. Afterwards there is usually a small celebration involving dance & food & storytelling, which the families are part of, as well as the crew of the ship.
Polygamy is an uncommon occurrence in Quarian culture, & is usually frowned upon as it evokes the idea of disloyalty between the two of the couple. However, Quarians are permitted ‘brothers’ & ‘sisters’, which represents a solid, almost extreme, platonic relationship between Quarians. This is similar to courtship, but is usually only conducted during childhood, before a Pilgrimage is taken. Both families must consent to the ‘sibling’; usually the ‘siblings’ have already bonded & most likely have grown up together. The reason for ‘sibling’ bonding is to strengthen family communication, & overall, ship relations, but also improve the thought loneliness of a single Quarian child. After their Pilgrimage Quarians join their new ship, & due to the closeness of siblings & families, once again regain contact with them. This improves ship relations. Siblings are rarely found once in adulthood, as it is believed Quarians grow out of the desire to have a personal platonic bond, & must then focus on finding a mate.
Quarians are very close-knit & based on loyalty & trust. Crews often share the accomplishments or woes of a single Quarian; they celebrate births & joinings, & grieve deaths. Quarians enjoy this part of their culture, & embrace it as the basis of their people. Treason (disloyalty to the crew or family unity, but mostly just to crew) can be reason for exile. Turning on one’s own people is viewed as the ultimate sin, & even if the accusation is revoked, Quarians still have a negative outlook of the accused. Most who are accused commit suicide in their dishonor.
