Tea (Traynor/EDI-post ME3)
The teacup is still sort of upright, but tilted at a treacherous angle, and precariously perched on a page of an open book. A real book, with pages. Some people still like them. Book and cup both are on the floor, because it's technically a broom closet, and there isn't room for a table. But privacy is hard to get aboard the Normandy, so they make do.
The book under the teacup moves rhythmically, and with each movement, the abandoned teacup spills a few drops more of tea on to the open page. The book will likely never recover. Now and then a stronger movement threatens to knock the tea over completely, which will endanger the electronic pad lying discarded by the book. The pad is open to Traynor's email, and the email it is displaying has only four words in in it.
Traynor bucks hard under EDI's attentions and moans, and EDI kisses her more passionately. They roll slightly to one side, and as Traynor's hands explore the body that once held an enemy, the teacup falls.
The email that flickers out is from EDI. It reads, "Mate in three moves."
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What Everyone Does (Garrus/Tali-post ME3)
Garrus looks up, and speaks softly. "Beautiful, I just don't think that part will hold your weight. It's too thin. "
"Don't be ridiculous, Garrus. I'm an engineer. I can identify load bearing capacity correctly."
"You're going to get seriously chafed," he replies, glancing at the discarded suit crumpled on the ground beside him, "and bruised. And potentially bitten-I'm not certain about that one, I'll have to check the extranet."
"Then, that's the price for this experience, I guess," Tali answers, very matter-of-factly. "I've never done this before, and it seems like everyone else has. Shepard said she did it when she was twelve. Now that the Geth have fixed our immune system issues, I need to catch up."
"This is not the sort of fun I had in mind, and I'm really not sure you even need to be naked to be doing that right" he grumbles slightly, as he moves to remain beneath her. He is hoping to catch her if the branch gives way.
Twenty feet up, Tali hugs the tree branch close to her naked skin, and smells the sap. The rough bark against her feels good, and she likes the breeze she feels on her back.
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Mission Briefing (Everybody-ME2)
Joker grimaces, looking at his assignment on the pad he's been handed. "I don't think we should do this, Shepard. It's dangerous, it's ludicrous, and I'd rather do almost anything. Did I mention it's dangerous?"
Jack snorts. "She didn't let me out of it, and she won't let you out. Man up."
Shepard fixes Joker with a steady gaze. "You know the best thing about being me?"
"I'm guessing it's that no matter where you go on the Citadel, you're always really near your favorite store?" he replies, grinning.
"I'm in charge. And I say we do this, danger or no. We do this because we're the only ones who can. The only ones who will."
Someone standing in the back mutters, "hold the line." There is muffled laughter.
Tali raises her hand. "Shepard, I'm not sure I understand the use of the helium containment devices. Are they diversionary explosives?"
The Spectre sighs. "No, Tali, the balloons are for decoration. So are the streamers. The cake is to eat-except you and Garrus. We brought cupcakes for you two." Shepard glances at her master list again. "OK, people, we only have seven minutes tops to decorate Miranda's office, so let's look alive. When she enters, what we yell is, 'happy birthday'. We do not yell 'surprise' - she might accidentally shoot us."