[video] now with extra dragon hugs

[renegadedriving]

[Well, there's a face we haven't seen in a while. Shepard is holding the D-Terminal fairly close to her and looking rather grim, and not just her facial expression. Her hair badly needs a trim and a wash, there's dirt on her face and what's visible of her clothes, and she even appears to have lost weight.]

Commander Shepard reporting in.

[Her voice is the same strength as ever, though.]

Looks like randomly ditching me all the way across the damn island by myself is this place's idea of a joke, so I'm going to need an update. And preferably a check in from a few of you, just to make sure nobody's gotten themselves blown up while I was gone.

[This means you, heroic-type friends and boyfriend. There's a quick flash of purple at the bottom of the screen, and Shepard's expression shifts from solid irritation to a sort of rough affection.]

Stop nuzzling me, Cadet.

I've been looking everywhere for you, Commander!

[Shepard pauses before reaching down to pat her partner on the nose. She looks back at the screen.]

I should go.

Comments

[renegadedriving]

[Oh no, the maternal protectiveness is growing. She nods.]

I'll come over, okay? We can talk it out.

SORRY FOR MY HTML FAIL

[wall_flower]

[Marley only nods her head as she wipes her eyes again. ]

IT'S COOL MAN

[renegadedriving]

It's going to be okay, Marley. Everyone's still alive, right? So things will get better.

[wall_flower]

Yeah, they're... They're alive.

[She takes another deep breath, calming herself down just a little bit. ]

Get... Something to eat, okay? I'll be here. I was going to check up on Fluttershy, but... I'll wait here for you.

[renegadedriving]

[Shepard nods and frowns.]

You can go see her, we can meet at my place afterwards.

[wall_flower]

No! [It's said rather quickly, and immediately Marley is trying to backpedal.] No, no, it's...it's fine. I'll wait, just--You'll tell me when you get back?

[She's not about to admit to one of the reasons she needs to talk to Shepard actually lives in the same apartment as Fluttershy, and with Shepard being back, Marley really REALLY wants to talk to her first.]

[renegadedriving]

[Shepard raises an eyebrow.]

Yeah, sure... Do you want me to shower first? I doubt you want to be within two feet of me at the moment.

[wall_flower]

I-If you need a shower, then that's okay. I'm fine here for a while. Honest.

[She tries to reassure Shepard as best she can. She sees that raise brow. She'll be okay for now!]

[renegadedriving]

[Shepard gives her a look before nodding.]

I'll be over ASAP.

[wall_flower]

Yes, Ma'am.

[She'll just stay curled up on the couch until Shepard gets there.]

Action!

[renegadedriving]

[It's a little over an hour and a half when Shepard arrives at Marley's door, fed, washed and in clean clothes. Monodramon is nowhere to be seen, still in Neku's room with Terri's egg.]

[She knocks on the door.]

Lights and Camera?

[wall_flower]

[Marley is immediately to her feet and at the door, swinging it open to stare up at Shepard wide eyed. She's back. She really is back.

It doesn't take but a second more before Marley is throwing her arms around Shepard, crying into the woman's shoulder. There's no sense in trying to fight it.]

Y-You're...really b-back!

shit i think we have these out of order

[renegadedriving]

[Shepard was expecting both the hug and the waterworks, so she rolls with it, hugging Marley close.]

Hey there.

I think we're fine

[wall_flower]

[Marley continues to cling to Shepard, as if afraid the woman is going to disappear again. She cries and cries, leaving behind a wet spot on the shoulder of Shepard's clean shirt. She feels stupid for crying so much, but after everything that's happened, she can't seem to stop.

It's actually several minutes later before Marley's sobs give way to quiet hiccups. She still doesn'twant to let go of Shepard. Not in the sslightest. ]

excellent

[renegadedriving]

[Shepard is starting to get used to being a shoulder to cry on, and it's also getting easier. She lets Marley cry, rubbing gentle circles into her back. Once the crying seems to calm down, she speaks.]

Feel a little better?

[She doesn't mind the wet spot on her clothes-- offering support is more than worth it.]

:3

[wall_flower]

[Marley nods her head slowly against Shepard's shoulder. She did feel better, if only slightly.]

Y-Yeah...Sorry, just...[She takes a deep breath and lifts her head to wipe her eyes with a hand lightly scarred by burns.] Been a rough...a rough month.

[renegadedriving]

[Shepard smiles understandingly.]

I'm not mad. You pulled through, now we can put the pieces back together, okay?

[terminalcresting]

[ A bright, shining light suddenly appears, drawn into existence by Shepard's unyielding loyalty. When the light fades, a tag and crest are visible, both clearly meant for Shepard.

It is the Crest of Reliability meant for only those who shoulder burdens while earning trust from others. ]

[renegadedriving]

[It seems like a lot of Shepard's major life events are accompanied by bright lights these days, although that might also be because she keeps getting shot and doctors use very bright lights.]

[She has a basic idea of what's happening as soon as the light appears, remembering the story Ed told her earlier. But she isn't in danger now, so the timing is a mystery. Regardless, she reaches out and grabs it, holding her new trinkets in her hands.]

What--

[She turns the crest over in her hand, examining the tiny tablet.]

This is mine?

[wall_flower]

[Marley closes her eyes against the bright light and when it disappears, she opens them once more. So it was another crest? Shepard's crest. She can't help but smile and nods before stepping back and reaching into her pocket, pulling from it her own crest.]

Looks like you get one, too.

[renegadedriving]

[Shepard nods firmly and examines it for another moment before grinning.]

Untested weapons, huh?

[wall_flower]

Weapons?

[Marley blinks and looks down at her crest.]

But...But I got mine when I was with Donnie...

[Just the memory alone, of the two of them broken and looking for comfort after the Dark Field incident brings a light blush to her cheeks and a smile to her lips.]

I don't think...they're weapons...

[renegadedriving]

[. . . Oh there's a story here.]

Ed made them sound like weapons. Maybe yours is different.

[She raises an eyebrow, sliding her crest into her tag.]

I get the feeling there's some details of that story you're not telling?

[wall_flower]

...Ed did? Maybe his--

[Oh that question gets Marley to turn bright pink. Her fingers tighten around her crest and she motions to the couch as she closes the door behind Shepard.]

I'm--That's...that's one of the things...

[She settles down on the couch and immediately brings her knees up to her chest.]

I'm...I'm really confused and I don't know what to do...

[renegadedriving]

[Shepard follows Marley's gesture and moves to sit on the couch.]

What happened? Besides what you've told me.