𝙳𝙾𝙶 𝙾𝙵 𝚆𝙰𝚁. — KIRA SHEPARD .         choseparagon‌ there it...

KIRA SHEPARD .         ^{choseparagon‌}

there it is, the reminder that being a soldier is so deeply in williams’ blood that it’s something inextricable, as innately a part of her nature as the sinew of her muscle. things with dad. this is a pattern for her family, a continuation of a cycle. “abby, lynn, sarah,” she repeats with a firm nod, doing her best to commit the names to memory, “they’re pretty names.” shepard offers a small but warm smile, easy, “i try and get to know everyone under my command, more than just the basics, but hey, if they’re teasing you? they’re proud. i’ve found most people only tend to tease people who they like.” 

she wonders distantly when the last time ashley asked for leave was. her commanding officers had asked her when she’d first enlisted, brought it up every couple months for the initial few years until someone had eventually realized she had no interest in leave. “good on you, continuing the proud williams tradition,” shepard muses with a quiet laugh, “the alliance needs more good soldiers, people who actually care more than just have the desire to shoot at something. makes me wish there were a couple more williams eager to enlist.” a small shift of her weight and she leans back against the table, gaze absently scanning the bay. “you settling in alright? with…you know, new additions to the crew and everything?” 

IT’S STRANGE TO BE DISCUSSING HER FAMILY     ^{like this ,    to be asked such questions at all .    the sins of the father are weighty ,    bone deep ,    etched in history ,    and she carries them now with a proud eye and strong shoulders .     every action ,    every job ,    every heavy sneer her previous superior officers have granted her have been the ricochets of a minor war ,   and the only choice a man could take to save more human lives from being lost .     but who remembers that when pride is at stake ?    does shepard   …     not know ?    or simply not care ?     her careful silence stretches ,   heartbeats passing as she tries to gauge kira’s motives .    it seems like harmless curiosity ,     but old habits dig their nails in ,    leave her on edge ,    waiting for impact .}    

^{smiling carefully ,    ashley nods ,    exhales a laugh .          ❝            hope so ,    ma’am .    or else we have some serious issues .          ❞        shepard’s amicability throws her off ,     severing the muscle memory of taking thinly veiled insults with a yes sir ,    no sir ,     all hard eyes and tight fists .    her features relax  ,    almost apologetic ,        ❝         …      sorry ,     commander .    i’m just not used to this .    how about you ?    any family waiting for you back home ?        ❞}

^{❝          that’s kind ,    commander .    the williams have been with the alliance since the start .     my father ,    and my grandfather before that .    i guess you could say it’s in my blood .        ❞           a pause ,    after the mention of her grandfather ,    watching for a shift in her commander’s expression ,    a realization or perhaps remembrance .    her palm comes to brace the back of her neck ,    kneading slowly .           ❝          but i’m pretty sure the alliance would have a collective aneurysm if there were any more williams’ enlisting .        ❞         bitterness cuts off at the finish line ,    scowl yanked back into neat professionalism by the end .    what the hell are you doing ,    williams ?     at the mention of the new crew ,    however ,     she straightens up .        ❝       actually ,    i have some concerns .    about the new crew members ,    i mean .           ❞}