100 Drabbles

#1-8

Pairings: FemShepXLiara

Spoilers: Mass Effect 1,2,3 and the universe as a whole

A/N: In order to try and improve my writing I will be attempting the 100 drabble challenge for the pairing FemShepXLiara. Not all of these are contain the pairing, but they are all related to the mass effect universe and my personal headcannons. Some drabbles are from my 'everything is rainbows and kittens' universe while others are more like the game cannon.

Introduction

"My name is Commander Shepard, and we've been looking for you Doctor."

Liara stared at the armored human below her. Well she guessed it was a human, but given her current state of distress it was difficult to be certain, especially with the heavy armor and helmet that made impossible to discern any attributes specific to species. At the very least she knew they weren't geth, unless these were some form of infiltration platforms. But that would mean the AI's had somehow developed realistic organic verbal output software and..

"We came here to find her, and we found her. Hurry up and get her out so we can blow this place into rubble."

The deep rumbling tone drew her away from her mental tangent, and she studied the supposed Commander's companions. One was definitely in the form of a krogan, and he was arguing with, she could only assume, another human. Realizing that their topic of discussion was her rescue, not her capture, she dismissed her hypothesis for the insane idea it was (Goddess she really needed to get out of here, or next she would thinking they were some kind of heavily armed hallucination) and turned her attention back to her potential allies.

The krogan was still grumbling, clearly upset about the lack of shooting going on at the moment. "Get that damn barrier down already, I've got some bullets with the geth's names written all over them." The other human wasn't as convinced, "Commander how do we know she isn't working with the enemy? Benezia is her mother after all." She said as she kept her gun leveled at Liara's chest.

Despite her exhaustion Liara felt rage bubble up, "I have not spoken to my mother in years, I have no idea where she is or what she is doing with this Saren. Now please get me out of here!" Her sudden outburst stunned the group, and she found herself locking gaze with the commander.

For a moment the world around them blurred away and she felt as though the commander was trying to look into the depths of her very soul. Liara fidgeted in discomfort, but was unable to look away. After what seemed like ages the commander spoke, "Easy Williams, if the good doctor was working with the geth I suspect they would be putting a lot less effort into cornering her. Now lets see if we can't find a way to get to her first."

The human turned her sharp gaze away from Liara, moving to look around the dig site. In a few minutes the squad was headed off to fire up the mining laser. Liara tensed as they moved away, worried that they would disappear once they had left her sight and she would loose her only chance of rescue. Desperate, she cried out, "Commander!"

Once again she found herself under the scrutiny of green eyes. At a lost for what to say she stuttered out the first thing that came to mind. "Be careful, there are still geth around." Inwardly she cringed, the commander would already know that, having fought dozens on her way here.

The skin around the commander eyes crinkled, and she let out a brief chuckle.

"Don't worry Doc, killing geth is what I do."

It wouldn't be till years later that Liara would know how true that statement was.

Complicated

Bullets rained into the crates around her as Shepard ducked into cover. Quickly reloading her Mattock rifle she signaled to Garrus to begin his attack. Hunkering down, she waited for the sounds of the drug crates being lit on fire by his incendiary rounds before she popped out, aiming for the Eclipse sisters who were momentarily stunned by the exploding red cloud.

In the next instant she was back behind the crates, narrowly avoiding an overpowered warp field. The drug crates had proved to be both an aid and a hindrance; several of their opponents had been choked and paralyzed by the stuff. However, blowing up the crates also meant that they were, for all intents and purposes, super powering their enemy's biotics. She had already been tossed around like a rag doll by more than one crazed asari.

Dammit why do things always end up this way?

She had intended their stop to Illium to be a simple errand run. Stop by, recruit Thane and Samara, make sure Miranda's sister was okay, and maybe reunite with a certain blue scientist she was missing a helluva lot.

Her first clue that the day wasn't going to go as planned came when she was racing through the cargo docks, dodging rockets and bullets alike. Of course she had partially expected that turn of events, Miranda had said her father was partial towards using brute force. No, her day hadn't really taken a sour turn until she had gone to visit Liara.

Shifting her gun, Shepard motioned to Grunt to begin his push forward. By now the drug's enhancing effects had worn off, and the enemy biotics were getting sloppy in their exhaustion. Rising up to give Grunt some cover fire, the commander scowled as she remembered the disaster that meeting turned out to be.

Upon entering Liara's office she had been stunned to hear her timid scientist threaten a man in a way that vividly reminded Shepard of her mother, Matriarch Benezia. Before she could recover from the shock, Liara was in her arms and kissing her, and just as quickly pulling away. The entire conversation that followed only served to confuse Shepard further, her dream of a happy reunion scattering to the wind. She still couldn't believe that Liara had coerced her into a favor, only offering the information on Thane and Samara after Shepard had completed her little hacking errand.

Just thinking about the asari's cold tone of voice as she explained how she could not drop everything and go gallivanting around the galaxy brought Shepard's blood to a boil. Whoever had been in that office certainly wasn't the shy, awkward, archeologist that she had fallen in love with. She wasn't even certain if Liara could even be considered a friend anymore. Hell, it wouldn't be the first time in the past few months one of her supposed best friends had turned their back on her.

The reminder of Ashley's betrayal was enough to tip Shepard over the edge and into a furious rage. Throwing all caution to the wind she stood up and charged out of cover. Switching to her shotgun she was barely aware of Grunt's cry of glee as she blasted through two of her opponents and spun to slam the butt of her gun into a third.

Dammit all to hell!

She hadn't expected Liara to just fall into her arms and for them to ride off into the sunset. But she had never though her gentle lover could turn into a cold-hearted, bloodthirsty, power mongrel. As she raced forward towards the next group of enemies she could only think of the unfairness of it all, about how no matter how hard she fought, or how many battles she won, nothing ever just worked out. It only grew and grew until it morphed into a huge, complicated, mess.

And here she was, fighting through an army of mercenaries in an attempt to find a ship name needed to prevent a Justicar from slaughtering an entire division of police officers. Later she would have to track down an assassin as he attempted to complete his contract on one of the most paranoid asari in history. All par for the norm as far as she was considered. Shepard knew she really shouldn't be surprised about Liara, but that didn't diminish her anger in the slightest.

I really need a drink. (1)

Making History

Akuze, the Blitz, Sovereign's attack on the Citadel, the assault on the collector base, curing the Genophage, the end of the Geth/Quarian War, the war with the Reapers; one name prevailed in all of them. The galaxy as everyone knew it had changed drastically over the past decade and at the center of it all was Commander Shepard, charging in with the Normandy and saving the day. She'd done more than the history books would ever be able capture, lauded as a hero and a savior all over the galaxy. Reporters claimed that she could solve any problem, no matter how impossible it may seem. Bystanders swore they had seen entire armies of mercenaries surrender at the mere mention of her name. She was the epitome of Victory, a title first stated by a former crewmember that had stuck over the years. Yet for all that was said about her, all the stories and legends tacked to her name, none ever seemed to capture the true Shepard.

Liara smiled as she leaned against the doorframe to her daughter's room, watching as her bondmate tell a story to their sleepy two-year-old, complete with wild gestures and funny voices. The small child giggled as her father exuberantly slayed an imaginary foe, clapping excitedly at the foul creature's defeat. Spinning in a victorious circle, Shepard caught sight of her wife hovering in the doorway and slowly made her way over.

"And once the mighty dragon was defeated, the knight returned to the castle to claim her reward from the beautiful princess." Sidling up to Liara, Shepard wrapped her arms around the asari and leaned in close, eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Oh, and what might that reward be?" Playing along Liara feigned ignorance, raising her hands to fiddle with the collar of Shepard's shirt.

"It's a kiss, mommy. The princess always rewards the knight with a kiss!" Averia bounced on her bed happy that, for once, she knew something her really smart mommy didn't.

"Yeah, you don't want to go and break tradition now, do you?" Shepard winked at her daughter before turning her gaze back to Liara.

Attempting to look serious, Liara nodded in a decisive way. "Well I could never let it get out that a T'soni had broken such a time honored tradition." Leaning in, she gave Shepard a light peck on the lips, careful not to linger to long. Then, moving her head to the opposite side of Shepard's, and out of Averia's line of sight, she nipped lightly at an earlobe and whispered, "When you're finished here, I'll give you a reward truly befitting my brave knight." Pulling back she was pleased to see a light blush smattered over Shepard's cheeks. Disentangling herself from Shepard's embrace, she moved over to Averia's bed and pulled back the covers. "Alright Little Wing, time for bed."

Obedient now that she had heard her bedtime story, the little asari climbed under the sheets. Tucking her in, Liara leaned down to give her a kiss on the forehead and then moved aside so that Shepard could complete their nightly ritual. With absolute seriousness the soldier methodically moved around the room, small flashlight in hand. Opening closets and checking under bureaus, she thoroughly searched each area before finally moving to look under the bed. When she was done she stood to attention and saluted her daughter. "I've completed the room search and have found no monsters to report," Releasing her salute she continued, "Looks like you're all clear for a good night's sleep, kiddo." Leaning in, she too kissed Averia goodnight and received a hug for her efforts. "Thank you daddy. Goodnight mommy, goodnight daddy."

With their child tucked in and her Normandy nightlight emitting a soft glow, Liara and Shepard left the room and headed to their own room. Yes, Liara thought, Shepard had been involved in dozens of history making moments, and would forever be remembered as the savior of all life. But none of those titles truly mattered to Shepard; she could care less about being lauded as the hero who conquered the reapers, that had been her job and she had done it, no questions asked.

Instead, there were other titles that the mighty Spectre sought after, like monster hunter, storyteller, and best hug-giver. For all the momentous occasions in history that she had been apart of, it was the moments with her family that she treasured. Whether it was the trips to the park, or embarrassing herself for her daughter's amusement, she was determined to make history in a different way. Not as the god-like figure that the rest of the world knew, but as the caring father who was always waiting with a hug.

Rivalry

"Alright! That's another for me." The turian's shout rung out through the battlefield soon after a destroyer's head exploded from a sniper bullet. "You'd better hurry up Shepard, at this rate it you'll have to double your number just to match mine"

"Laugh it up Vakarian, ha!" The next exclamation came from the commander as three geth blew apart from her proximity mine before a fourth and fifth fell from matching shotgun blasts in the chest.

"Oh come on Shepard, grenades are cheating. There's no skill involved, all you need is enough brain cells to remember which part to throw." Garrus' mandibles twitched in what resembled a smile. Ducking into cover, the commander glared at him good-naturedly. "Sure, like you didn't use one five minutes ago to take out those rocket troopers."

Their bickering was interrupted as a wave of biotic energy rippled across the field, easily snaring around ten geth and lifting them into the air. A warp soon followed, detonating the singularity and all those caught in it. Pieces from the decimated geth flew outwards, crashing into those that remained and ripping them to shreds.

Shepard and Garrus gawked at the carnage, jaws dropping as a pistol bullet to the head finished the few that were still twitching. Stepping out from her cover Liara looked at her squadmates, a small grin on her face.

" I do believe I win."

Unbreakable

Possibly the only good thing to come from the Reaper War was the bond it created between squadmates. Everyone, whether they were on a ship, planet-side, or in a hastily formed militia, knew the threat they faced and the sheer impossibility of survival. Their dire situation drew them together, making brothers out of those who would have been enemies. Of course there was no stronger bond than the one formed by the Normandy crew. Past or present, all who served upon the ship were closer than blood, each having spilt their own to protect the others and the galaxy as a whole.

Over time they drifted apart; moving on to become admirals, councilors, teachers, and much more. But no matter how far they strayed, once a year they would gather. To recant the deadly missions, and silly pranks, to rehash old arguments about who was the best shot, and who had the strongest biotics. But mostly they came to remember, to uphold their promise to never forget. The parties would vary from year to year. Sometimes they were held in fancy hotels, served by well-bribed waiters, and other times they were in seedy bars, their laughter rising above the low tones of the strippers' music. However, wherever they ended up their get-togethers always ended the same way.

At the end of the night, when the majority of them were so trashed they could barely stand, Shepard would pour everyone one final drink. Then she would shakily jump onto whatever table was clear enough, and raise her glass. There was never any fancy speech, no hair-raising words to get them all fired up for a fight. Instead she waited until everyone had raised their own glass and, in a voice far too sober, ask, "Who's like us?"

The answering shout always shook the rafters, "Damn few, and they're all dead. Oorah!"

After that they would all leave, each disappearing into their own corner of the galaxy, some not to be seen until the next year. But the distance was never important; if any of them ever needed help the others would come running in an instant. For they were the crew of the Normandy, they had been to hell and back more times than anyone could count, and there was nothing that could tear them apart. (2)

Obsession

Night had fallen on the Shepard-T'soni household. All of it residents were fast asleep in their beds, all except for one. Sitting up, Shepard punched her pillow in a desperate attempt to get comfortable. She was by no means a stranger to sleepless nights, but the reason for her recent bout of insomnia was a problem she had thought solved long ago.

Still… Glancing to her left, Shepard observed the sleeping figure of her wife. Liara was out cold, one arm draped across her stomach and the other tucked underneath her pillow. Moonlight illuminated the soft curves of her face, creating an almost ethereal glow. However, it was also said moonlight causing Shepard's sleep troubles, for the extra light also highlighted one very unusual aspect of the asari's facial features. Normally Shepard would pay it no mind, the oddness of it masked by the more important issues of her wakeful hours. Also, she had already questioned Liara about it and therefore should consider the matter closed.

Tch, you're being stupid. Now go to sleep! Forcing herself to look away, the commander turned onto her side, shoving both hands under her pillow. Squeezing her eyes shut, her determination lasted for all of five minutes before she flipped over again, cautiously reaching out towards her bedmate. After a few moments of terse rubbing, Liara's eyes flew open, glaring heavily into Shepard's guilty ones.

"Shepard how many times do I have to tell you? My eyebrow markings are not painted on!"

(3- please look at the A/N for this!)

Eternity

The first time she had heard the phrase, Embrace Eternity, Shepard had been confused. Sure melding consciousnesses with an asari was… intense, but she didn't see how the experience dictated such a poetic verbal precursor. Her befuddlement persisted through the shallow melds she shared with Liara. Both of them had been painful (for her) and tiring (for Liara) and she couldn't figure out why the asari considered it such a magical occurrence.

But when she felt Liara gently reach out, her consciousness caressing Shepard's as tenderly as the their physical embrace, something clicked. Over the next few hours she began to understand the meaning of truly being bound to another person. As they shuddered and gasped for breath Shepard couldn't tell where she ended and Liara began. All of their experiences, their emotions, had blurred together into one magnificent whole.

Afterwards they lay together in a pile of sweaty limbs, sending brief pulses of affection across the fading union. Staring into the blue eyes of her new lover, and seeing part of herself reflected back, Shepard smiled. Perhaps there was something of eternity involved after all.

Gateway

The morning sun had just started to rise in the sky when Liara heard the first wakeful shuffles of her family. In no time at all three pairs of feet thundered down the stairs and she barely managed to set aside her cup of tea before she was besieged by a blue hoard.

Laughing at her daughters' antics she pushed back from her seat at the table and leaned down to give each a hug and a kiss on the forehead. "Good morning little ones, I see you're all very energetic this morning."

A chorus of "Morning Mama!" was her reply, and she felt her grin grow as she watched each of them split apart and go about their own business.

The oldest, Averia, had backed away from the table and was now pulling a small glass out of the cupboard. Having just turned nine, the stubborn child was determined to show her parents that she was responsible and entirely capable of doing small tasks such as pouring her own milk. Still Liara watched her with a careful eye, biotics ready to catch a falling glass or prevent milk from spilling everywhere.

A small scuffle by her feet drew her attention away from her precariously balanced eldest and she couldn't contain another chuckle as she watched the heated discussion below her.

At five years old Jayce and Valeria could hardly manage an hour without some sort of fight. Currently the twins were wrestling to determine who had first right to sit in their mother's lap. Roughly shoving each other they paid no notice to what they bumped into during their contest, including their mother. Abandoning her now unsafe chair, Liara decided the matter for them, instead choosing to intercept Averia as she tried to open the refrigerator door while simultaneously holding both the milk carton and her very full glass. Ignoring her daughter's exasperated sigh as she opened the door, the older maiden tucked the milk carton safely back on the shelf. Once her eldest was seated in her recently departed chair and the twins pacified with matching juice boxes, Liara moved to check on the most recent addition to the T'soni name.

Since she was barely a year old Benezia had the honor of being brought downstairs by her mother first thing and was currently settled comfortably into her high chair. Babbling loudly at the commotion the baby reached out for her mother, wanting to join in the excitement.

"Aha, not yet little sparrow. We'll play after breakfast is done." Smoothing her hand over the growing tendrils of Benezia's crest, she reached for a handful of dried cereal and placed it on the tray in front of her. The cereal was a human creation that dated back centuries, but it had proven itself a healthy and entertaining food and, mercifully, one easy to clean up off the floor.

Now that the baby was distracted Liara turned back to the others, clapping her hands together in an attempt to garner their attention. "Alright what should we make for breakfast?" Sundays were something of an important affair at the T'soni house, after all it was one of the only days of the week when Liara wasn't lecturing at the local college, or sneaking away to monitor the broker's data feeds. It was also the day when Shepard was most likely to be home and not off on one of her frequent missions. Together, these occurrences had created a sort of tradition for the family.

Each Sunday Liara would rise slightly before dawn. Once she took care of her hygiene needs she would work her ways downstairs (usually accompanied by Benezia) and wake up slowly with a data pad and hot cup of tea. Shortly afterwards she would be joined by the rest of her daughters in a manner very similar as today. A short debate about breakfast followed, but the victor was always pancakes; most likely because it was Shepard's favorite. Said person would join them last, having being roused by the smell of food and the sounds of her bustling family. This morning was no different and as she listened to the chorus of voices behind her Liara began to pull out the necessary ingredients.

"We should have cereal!" Came a cry from Valeria.

"Nuh-uh stupid, we have cereal everyday we're supposed to do something special on Sundays." This time it was Jacye who spoke; her tone arrogant as she stated what she felt was obvious.

Tilting her head Liara looked sternly at the young asari. "Jayce do not call your sister stupid, it is rude." Ignoring the snickering from Valeria, she turned back to her task.

"Would both of you stop it, we go through this every week and the result is always the same, pancakes." Averia glared at her younger siblings over her glass, tired of hearing the same argument over and over.

Naturally the twins took offence to this and a new round of bickering started. "Always the same indeed" Liara chuckled to herself.

Between Averia's offers to help and the twin's obscure ingredient suggestions it took a solid half-hour before the first batch of pancakes were sizzling on the stove. Surprised that Shepard hadn't joined them yet the cogs in Liara's mind began to spin. Perhaps it was time for a little payback for all the pranks her lover had pulled over the years. Wiping her hands on a dishcloth she called her daughters over from where they had been playing peek-a-boo with Benezia.

Trying to hold down a smirk the older asari leaned down and whispered, " It looks like your father is having a hard time waking up, maybe the three of you should go and give her a hand." Winking conspiratorially she continued, "She had a very late night, so you'd better give it everything you have." Straightening, she watched as her sniggering brood scampered up the stairs. It was unlikely that Shepard wouldn't hear them coming, but she knew first hand that three squirming children were hard to handle when one first awoke. Straining to hear what was going on above her, she continued with her cooking. As expected a chorus of yells soon echoed around the house and Liara's smirk blossomed into a full-grown grin.

A string of coos caught her attention and she reached out to tickle the baby beside her. "Maybe that will teach your father not to set the girls on me the next time I fall asleep on the couch." Benezia squealed loudly and clapped her hands in agreement.

Settling in to finish breakfast, the scientist waited for the inevitable return of her children, this time with a sleepy Shepard in tow. However she was startled when instead of thudding footsteps she heard several high pitched shrieks and calls for help. Curious at the new development she double-checked that Benezia was secure in her chair and proceeded towards the commotion. Once upstairs she headed towards the master bedroom that served as her and Shepard's room.

Whatever she was expecting to find it didn't quite match the scene displayed in front of her. Perched precariously on cotton sheets, Averia, Jayce, and Valeria were all leaning over the side, desperately trying to see underneath the bed without falling off. She was spotted almost immediately and was subject to three identical looks of horror. Averia was the first to speak, gesturing wildly at her mother, "Mom! Quick get on the bed, before it gets you."

Adopting a serious expression, Liara asked, "Before what gets me?"

"The monster," replied Jayce, "It already got daddy, now hurry!"

Spying a pile of pillows covering her bondmate's side of the bed Liara started to get an idea of who the 'monster' truly was. Fighting to keep a straight face, she crossed her arms and marched towards the bed.

"Don't you worry I've faced hundreds of these 'monsters'. This one doesn't stand a chance." Kneeling down she ignored the startled gasps above her head and peered under the bed. For the second time that morning she was surprised, seeing absolutely nothing of interest save for a few dust bunnies clinging to the carpet. Backing out she was about to stand up when a pair of hands grabbed her from behind, lifting her up and tossing her onto the bed amidst her laughing offspring. She barely recovered in time to catch a glimpse of blonde hair vanishing around the corner, soon followed by all three girls. Shaking her head at Shepard antics, Liara followed them all downstairs, briefly pausing to pick up Benezia before heading to the backyard.

The air outside was filled with shrieks and giggles as the small asari chased their father around. Shepard was laughing just as hard, periodically pausing her escape to allow them to catch up before darting away once again. At one point she even grabbed Valeria, holding her upside down and tickling her until the child squealed for mercy. Liara watched it all from the porch, a smile on her face matched only by the swelling affection in her heart. Benezia squirmed in her arms, clearly wanting to join in on the fun. Bouncing her lightly, Liara pressed a kiss into the side of the baby's head. "Soon little sparrow, once you've grown big enough to hold your own."

A sudden shout drew her gaze back to the yard and she laughed outright as Shepard was brought down in a heap of limbs. Jayce had managed to wrap herself around her father's legs at the same time that Averia jumped onto her back. Caught off guard, the mighty commander landed face first onto the ground and left herself vulnerable to tickle attacks by her pursuers. After a few moments of breathlessness she managed to turn over, giving as good as she got in the tickle war. Liara let their fun continue, but a slight burning smell reminded her of the last few pancakes she had left unattended. Deciding that it was time to usher everyone back inside she called out, "Alright everyone breakfast is starting to get cold, time to go get cleaned up."

A chorus of 'awws' was her reply; nevertheless everyone untangled themselves. Reaching out, Shepard pulled the girls in for a hug, mumbling a good morning to each of them before pushing them in the direction of the door. Hanging back, Shepard waited until the girls had disappeared into the house before approaching her wife. Patting Benezia's head she ambled up for a good-morning kiss but was halted by an insistent hand on her chest. Liara's eyes gleamed as she took stock of her lover; sleep tousled hair and messy bedclothes covered in grass stains and dirt. Nothing had ever looked so wonderful to the archeologist in her life.

"You're filthy too, go take a shower and then come talk to me." A soft chuckle was Shepard's only answer, and she placed a chaste kiss on Liara's cheek as she sidestepped her and headed inside. Feeling incredibly peaceful, Liara hesitated for a moment, basking in the warm sun and happy feelings. Soon though, she too moved to the door. "Well Benezia, should we go join them?"

A happy gurgle was her answer.

A/N Whelp there's the first bunch. As always I love positive criticism and feedback, and any prompts you guys want to give me. I'm about to start working on the next bunch, hopefully they'll be up in the next few weeks.

Notes:

A) I'm trying to avoid naming my Shepard in order to make her more relatable for everyone, but obviously she has many quirks that I can't help but adding. For the point of this story I'm using my Skye Shepard, Colonist, Sole Survivor/War Hero, Soldier. She's a big muscle-head with shaggy blonde hair and green eyes. Let me know if you want to know more about her, or my other five Shepards!

1) Skye Shepard doesn't drink. The reason? She turns into an absolute, ball-breaking, asshole when she does. Calling her an angry drunk would be like calling a blood-raging krogan a grumpy kitten. The majority of ME2 was not a good time for her, so when she sees what happens to Liara she finally snaps. I like to think she went to some Batarian/Turian/ Not-human friendly bar after this, got piss drunk, and destroyed the place brawling with the other patrons while Liara watched the surveillance videos sadly.

2) The first time I heard that toast I had not clue what it meant. It made no sense to me whatsoever until I went to write this piece. I sat there for about ten minutes trying to figure out something short and simple for Shepard to say that would some up how everyone felt about those that had been lost in the war. Realization hit me like a ton of bricks when I thought about the toast, and now I know why they included it. It is the perfect summary of the Normandy crew, and I'm glad to have heard it.

3) Okay the credit for this story does not come from me. I stole it from Wingedmoggy's comic on deviantart – Shepard Is Curious- which can be found here: art/Shepard-is-curious-253203592

Seriously go take a look at her work, she has countless funny comics about the antics of her Shepard and Liara. Hopefully she'll forgive me for stealing the idea, but I really couldn't think of a better story to go along with that prompt.