To say Kargad had thoroughly enjoyed his afternoon with Serena would have meant misunderstanding its significance. Although now getting into his Krogan middle-age, Kargad had not fully known the joy of watching films until he’d started his family. Before then, it had been an exercise in patience, he often watched only to discuss the feature later, with colleagues. But when in the right company, the experience was totally unique. Time seemed to work differently, in those long stretches of low-light where two people in sync crack unrelentingly wise about shlock, or else shriek amongst themselves during moments of high tension. Kargad had done both with his daughters (particularly Kalayla, who had a fondness for alien romantic comedies) and, now, the former with Serena. There was something grounding about that. Something that made the prospect of being in Andromeda- and here on the Nexus, an alien even among aliens- a little bit more familiar. 

He had entered the Blasto films expecting them to be a disastrous parody of far more enjoyable movies. He had subsequently been proven wrong, and then, against every expectation, converted. Blasto was a non-stop [i]thrill[/i] ride: an unforgettable, full-throttle exploration of a deep and sophisticated character. Starting as a hot-shot, straight-out-of-school womaniser, and slowly developing deeper feelings as time goes on. Kargad had joked that he felt a kinship with Bubin, the no-nonsense C-Sec Elcor just 3 (solar) days from retirement… he, too, was getting too old for this shit. The casting was frankly fantastic, too: although Kargad didn’t often face in that direction, Blasto’s actor was a fine cut of pink gelatine, and he didn’t care who knew it. 

It was whilst Kargad was pondering this, stood before a makeshift movie theatre, put hastily together as most things on the Nexus were, that he clocked a familiar face coming towards him. Kargad had been hoping to find some Blasto films airing on the big screen, for the next time he or his new friend were feeling down, but it seemed he’d found his CO, instead. Upon Sabinus’ approach, he hurried to salute: that was how soldiers said hello, wasn’t it?


The turian waved off the salute, and Tanya was left smiling at the sight of the big krogan lingering around taking in the limited entertainment options aboard the Nexus. [color=cadetblue]”At ease Kargad, we’re not on duty. I left the stick up my ass in my weapons locker, so please, relax on your shore leave.”[/color] Sabinus said. [color=cadetblue]”Tanya, this is Bragus Kargad, one of the members of my Fireteam. Kargad, this is Tanya Carson, you can probably guess what we are. Enjoying the worst of the vids that followed us across darkspace?”[/color] he asked after the brief introduction.

Tanya put out her hand for the krogan. [color=cyan]”Used to serve with a big old bastard in my mercenary days named Ravanor Tonka. He thought we were all daft for making this trip, but he definitely taught me to appreciate krogan where ever they come up. Never a dull moment with you lot around. I hope my boyfriend isn’t being a total arsehole to you and the team.”[/color]

Kargad relaxed, breathing out and losing about two inches of height with it as he dropped into a more comfortable slouch. He shook Tanya’s hand with both of his, and beamed brightly: he had yet to meet a human he didn’t like. Thus far, they’d done him more kindness than the rest of the Citadel races. Then again, they hadn’t seen the Krogan Uprising.
[color=#D54122]”You make a good lookin’ couple!”,[/color] he told her, before gesturing with his head towards Sabinus, [color=#D54122]”Your fella’s been pretty good to me, all things considered. I’m not really the soldierin’ type, so he’s bein’ real patient.”[/color]
His smile slanted a little, and took a turn for the apologetic as he met Sabinus’ eyes, [color=#D54122]”I sorta made a show of a trainin’ exercise. But in my defence, I had a shotgun and the enemy was far away. Had to change that, chief.”[/color]

Sabinus grinned in turn. [color=cadetblue]”Oh, don’t worry. You were perfectly in line of what I expected. It was just unfortunate we didn’t have more time to train; everyone’s come from different places with different ideas of how to approach things. You were just doing what you know best, and it got results. We’ll figure out the rest as we go along, the war isn’t going to let us do that the boring way.”[/color]

When he released Tanya’s hand, he used his own to gesture broadly about them, [color=#D54122]”I was just lookin’ to see if any of the Blasto films got sent out with us! Serena and me just spent the afternoon watchin’ the whole bunch, after she found me sittin’ around and…”[/color]
A missed beat.
[color=#D54122]”Y’know. Bein’ all... big, and manly, and stuff. Just, Krogan things. Uh. What were [i]you[/i] two watchin’?”[/color]

[color=cadetblue][B]”Ugh[/B]. The same thing. I’ve never been one for the really silly action movies, whereas Tanya is. Let me tell you something, Kargad; even I take orders from somebody.”[/color] Sabinus said, glancing over innocently at Tanya, who rolled her eyes.

[color=cyan]”Don’t listen to him. He giggled, a lot. Very improper for a turian, I might add. I have an acute interest in what aliens do for pop culture, and I’ve always had a sweet spot for bad movies. Given how grim and utterly rubbish everything’s been around here, I’m glad to have something to laugh at. So, Serena’s been buddying up to you, huh? Did she ever tell you she used to pay me to kick her ass when we served together?”[/color]

AH, Kargad thought to himself, loudly and with rampant embarrassment. YES. BECAUSE BLASTO IS A COMEDY. DIDN’T GET SERIOUSLY INTO THAT CHARACTER AT ALL.
[color=#D54122]”Haha, sure have! That kid’s a treat, all sunshine and- wait what.”[/color]

Tanya winked. [color=cyan]”Oh yeah. Kid forgot how to throw a punch, so she wanted me to show her how. I’d like to think my lessons paid off if that surprised you.”[/color] She paused, looking back towards the crowd leaving the theater. [color=cyan]”I’m glad you’re taking care of her. She’s a good person, I worry about her sometimes.”[/color]

Kargad’s entire being breathed a sigh of relief. The raunchier scenes of the Blasto movies had clearly left a strange mark on his psyche. He laughed again as he followed Tanya’s gaze. Movie goers from all walks of life, brought together by terrible cinema.
[color=#D54122]”She really [i]is[/i] a good person. Honestly, she’s more been takin’ care of [i]me[/i], today. Not a lot of dark in that girl, is there?”[/color]

Tanya spared Sabinus a glance. They both were well aware of Serena’s history and were debating how much to share with Kargad. [color=cadetblue]”She’s… been through a lot. More than she’ll really let on. I’m not really in a position to share information that’s not mine to share, but she’s definitely  got a spirit of perseverance and empathy.”[/color]

Tanya spoke up. [color=cyan]”I’m not your boss and I used to work with her, so I’ll cut the shit; she’s lost a lot of people and she holds herself accountable for it. It’s part of why, I think, she really goes out of her way to try and smother her teammates and friends with kindness because she feels like she let her old partners down and wants to make every moment count with the people she has now. She tries to help others deal with their pain because she’s internalized a lot of the shit she’s gone through. Not that I’m any better.”[/color] she added with a self-deprecating smile. 

Kargad was quiet for a moment. A shadow moved behind the gentle green of his eyes, a memory of a centuries old loss. He cleared his throat, and then raised his hand to scratch lightly at his jaw. He was lucky, he realised, to have had his girls for support when Revixtia had passed. He couldn’t imagine carrying that pain with him the way Serena was said to. Even [i]his[/i] formidable strength would give out, eventually.
[color=#D54122]”That’s… hrm,”[/color], was all he could bring himself to say, in that moment. He didn’t want to vocalise his intentions, but he made a note to give Serena a fond and unexpected hug at some point.
[color=#D54122]”That’s just. A damned shame. Girl like her deserved an easier life. Hell, everyone does.”[/color]

Kargad turned again to the movie theatre. It looked nothing like the ones on the Citadel, all glitz, glamor and holographic gals. It was small, makeshift. Like so much of this strange, unnatural place was. They deserved a better life than [i]this.[/i]
[color=#D54122]”I feel a little selfish, now - she lent me a hand in a difficult time, and I didn’t even know she’d had it worse. I think I’m gonna hafta find a little something to show my appreciation, huh?”[/color], he supposed. He threw a glance back to Tanya, [color=#D54122]”Without showin’ my hand, that his. I’m not gonna start tellin’ her what we talked about here.”[/color]
He had learned a long time ago that his girls didn’t appreciate conversations about them that they weren’t privy to. 
[color=#D54122]”That’s sorta what I like about humans, though, y’know? I say they’re pretty similar to krogan - they’re not afraid to really [i]feel[/i] things, and express those feelings. Plus they’re hardy, and… just a little bit dangerous.”[/color]
He gestured to Tanya, with a broad grin, and then to himself: [color=#D54122]”But if I had to pick one thing I really [i]preferred[/i] about humans, it’s that capacity to empathise like y’ do. When a krogan lives a lousy, rotten life, most of the time they just sorta. Harden to deal with it. I can’t imagine bumpin’ into another krogan livin’ rougher than me, and them havin’ sympathy for what [i]I’m[/i] going through. It’s beautiful, y’know? Humans feel some sorta cosmic camaraderie I just… really appreciate. It speaks to me.”[/color] 

[color=cadetblue]”You come from a homeworld that’s a radioactive wasteland where many of your people murdered each other for scraps. Forgive me for thinking you might have a bit of a skewed idea of what constitutes as ‘having it worse’.”[/color] Sabinus replied good-naturedly. [color=cadetblue]”Look, even the biggest and scariest species in the galactic community is allowed to have soft spots and needs reassurance once in a while. I’m of the opinion that the rest of the community never really gave the krogan that; for all of your formidable strength and ability to shrug off even the most inhospitable conditions and hostilities, you’re still people who have thoughts, hopes, dreams, emotions. We turians are a lot like you in that regard; we’re raised to compartmentalize unimaginable stress and strong emotions so we can do our duty even in the face of armageddon. It doesn’t mean that once in a while as individuals, we don’t falter and need someone to tell us it’s going to be fine.”[/color]

Sabinus placed a hand on the small of Tanya’s back in a gesture of solidarity. He smiled. [color=cadetblue]”I think I might have come to the same level of appreciation about humans, myself. It’s nice to have someone I can gripe about petty crap to without being told to shut up and fill out a report to.”[/color] he joked.

Tanya rolled her eyes. [color=cyan]”Such a romantic. I wouldn’t say we humans are all about that cosmic camaraderie that you mentioned, Kargad, we’re quite prone to dividing ourselves over the most rubbish justifications. Before aliens became real for us, we were still murdering the shit out of each other based on crap like the colour of our skin or what gods or lack thereof we worshipped. Suddenly, we weren’t the big kids on the block; finding out there’s alien civilizations that have been travelling the stars for longer than we began forming tribes with spears and huts and whatnot and were shooting mass effect cannons at one another way before we discovered how neat gunpowder was kind of was more than a little humbling. 

“When you’re up against aliens who’ve seen the entire galaxy and established entire colony worlds across hundreds of thousands of lightyears that were more advanced than Earth while we were proud of having settled two worlds past our Relay, it kind of put all of the petty shit aside since we had much bigger problems. On the plus side, our infuriating quality of refusing to admit someone’s better than us by every metric and not being shackled by tens of thousands of years of following the rules of the Citadel made us a bit too creative and improvisational than most people like.”[/color] she smiled,  returning Sabinus’ gesture. [color=cyan]”Honestly, I think our best trait is being able to look at the stars and not letting anything stop us from chasing our dreams. It’s why we’re all standing here together, people of three very unique worlds and cultures shooting the shit like we’re old buddies so far away from where we were born that we came here because, well, why not? Somebody had to be first.”[/color]

She walked over to the krogan, reaching far up to place a hand on his shoulder. [color=cadetblue]”Look, I was born before we even had an idea there was a wider galactic civilization out there, and we don’t carry the same baggage or thousands of years of turmoil and distrust that were built up between your people and everyone else, so it’s easy for us to shrug off differences and see everyone as people. The fact that you’re standing here, despite everything rotten and shitty that was done to you and the krogan, really speaks volumes to how much you believe in starting from a clean slate where we’re all here together as one people. I admire that, and I admire the fact that you could crush my head with your hand without straining yourself and had enough humility to be comforted by a girl smaller than I am and finding hope in what she had to say. Never lose that spark.”[/color] 

Kargad turned his head to the side, and smiled shyly, scratching again at the side of his face - this time at patches of heat. 
[color=#D54122]”Aw, Hell… you’re gonna give me a big head. And mine’s already the biggest on the crew,”[/color] he joked, gently, [color=#D54122]”Truth be told, though, I’m not here based totally on a pioneer’s dream. That’s part of it, definitely - but the greater half’a the equation is… was...  my wife. Honestly, I’m only out here ‘cause I’m still ridin’ on the coattails of someone who deserved to be here much more than I do.”[/color]
He contemplated that thought for a moment. It was a strange feeling, a sort of warm melancholy. He smiled doughily, remembering her face, picturing her eyes filled with Andromeda’s wonders. What a terrible loss, and this galaxy would never realise. Kargad turned back to Sabinus.
[color=#D54122]”It’s a shame she never made the trip. She was a real scrapper - she’d have been a real jewel in your APEX crown, I think.”[/color]

Sabinus glanced to the crowds for a moment, letting out a quiet sigh, before meeting Kargad’s gaze. Here he was with his partner alongside him where most people had their loved ones still in cryo, unknown when they’d see the light of day again, and in the worst case, lost them completely as Kargad has lost his wife. [color=cadetblue]”She deserved to be here alongside you, to breathe the strange alien air and see sunsets on new worlds. I’m sorry she isn’t, I truly am. From the sounds of it, she was a remarkable woman and someone who guided your way. There’s an aspect to Siari beliefs I found comforting, that the individual returns to the universal consciousness when they pass. It gives a certain impression that no matter where you go, no matter where you are, those you love can still find and support you. It’s not the same as them being there where you can see them, speak to them… but it’s some comfort.”[/color] Sabinus replied, hoping it wasn’t a raw thing to touch upon. There wasn’t much he fully understood about asari beliefs, but he knew that Kargad subscribed to them. He hope he wasn’t overstepping his bounds. 

Kargad nodded sagely. His smile tempered itself, and became measured, sure. A truer truth, he knew, had never been spoken.
[color=#D54122]”Ultimately, we’re all embers from the same fire,”[/color] he assured, gently. He’d noticed that sigh - that moment of thoughtful consideration.
[color=#D54122]”I talk about Revixtia is a lot, but please don’t mistake it for regret, even at losing her. She was a stupendous woman, mind you; as much grace and splendor as she had grit and brawn. But she’s somewhere better, now, returned to- I like to think- a place without weight, or worry. I miss her every single day, but it isn’t painful anymore, y’know? I miss her like I miss a dear friend I’m sure to see again.”[/color]

Kargad took a moment to step back, and appreciate the image of Tanya and Sabinus. A pair more scandalous than even he and Revixtia had been in their day, somehow.
[color=#D54122]”If I talk about her often, it’s just ‘cause she was… is… my inspiration. My drive to grab life by the quads. My girls, and my faith, helped me overcome missin’ the sensation of holdin’ her hand - and when that faded, all that was left was the good memories. ‘Vix left me with a whole tonne of those. Like the memory of what it was like to truly love someone - more than heart and soul, but on a whole different, existential level. That sorta love that helps you see colours a little brighter, laugh a little harder.”[/color]
He grinned his Kargad grin, so hard and wide that it forced his eyes closed: [color=#D54122]”Or appreciate a young couple, knowin’ they’re on the same path. So what’s there to be sad about, there, right?”[/color]

[color=cyan]”Oh bugger, you’re going to make me blush. Turians don’t have that problem.”[/color] Tanya replied, shooting Sabinus a cheeky grin before turning back to her krogan compatriot. Her expression softened to one of comprehension and understanding, cool gunmetal-coloured eyes studying the formidable alien before her and comparing him to Tonka. Was that old bastard even still around? [color=cyan]”Someone smarter and wiser than I am, probably a six-year-old magazine that was in a medical clinic or some shit, gave some advice that stuck with me for years and years now. Never regret losing someone or something, be grateful for the opportunity you had to have had those memories and experiences. Even a short time is better than none, yeah? Seems like you figured that out on your own, took me a few years after I lost my first boyfriend, Gary. He’s the reason I got into mechanics and racing, it felt like the sun got a little darker and the desert a bit more inhospitable after he passed doing what he loved.”[/color] she exhaled visible through her lips, leaning back against the railing that looked down at the commons below. [color=cyan]”It was a pretty shit way to find out your wedding was going to be cancelled, let me tell you. Changed my entire life.”[/color]

Humans lived such short lives, but still often had many partners. Kargad admired that, too, in a way - their culture was one filled with changing notions of love. He wondered if the Krogan would have been better off if they, too, had appreciated the variety and nuance of it all. He had found it just as intoxicating as violence - and hadn’t known a blood rage since. He nodded towards Tanya, full of sympathy but his smile unfaltering still. It wrinkled the edges of his mouth, its near-permanence had wrote its echoes into his skin.
[color=#D54122]”Hell, I’m sorry to hear that - no matter how things shook out, nobody deserves an ending like that one.”[/color]
Kargad stepped to her side, and then put his hands to the rail, looking down onto the Nexus beneath them. 
[color=#D54122]”I wonder what it is about tragedy that draws people together. ‘Scuse me for sayin’ this,”[/color] he nodded to Sabinus, [color=#D54122]”Sir,”[/color] he laughed softly, [color=#D54122]”But I feel closer to you, as a stranger who knows that sorta loss, than I do most of my coworkers. I don’t doubt they’ve lost people, too- good people- but until they tell me about it, I feel like we’ll always be strangers. Ain’t that weird?”[/color]

The turian smiled in response, joining the other two. It was nice, being able to relax and socialize without the pressures of duty bearing down like a weight. Part of the appeal of traveling across the stars was learning about the people and their stories, and from there, finding a common thread to build the foundations of their new home. [color=cadetblue]”Well, one thing’s for sure, you always have a reliable fallback conversation that doesn’t rely on the weather when you go through the thick of it with people. Watching a krogan man-handle a Fiend is definitely worth the trip from the Milky Way, fighting giant monsters is definitely something krogan put a special flair to that no one else can match.”[/color] He replied, enjoying Kargard’s genuinely warm personality. Maybe, when all of the shit with the Kett was over and APEX could stand down, they could form a proper friendship that wasn’t tainted by rank.

Tanya snorted, amused. [color=cyan]”Coworkers are people you put up with because you try to earn the same kind of paycheque. Nothing cozy about that, unless you’re shagging one of them on the side.”[/color] Tanya replied dryly, running a hand through her hair to put it all back in place. [color=cyan]”Last ship I served on, the [I]Borealis[/I], was filled with all sorts trying to escape this and that, a real shithole of unresolved issues and baggage. I only really bonded, and I mean truly bonded, with a small handful of them. It just feels tacky airing out a lot of the skeletons in your closet with people, especially when you breathe the same recycled air as them for months at a time. Back then, I hadn’t really made peace with myself. Now? Much better place.  So, no, I don’t think it’s weird at all. We can see eye to eye better than most.”[/color]

[color=#D54122]”I come from similar territory, I think. Krogan, hardy as they are, tend to try and make their hardships into a dick measuring contest, pardon my English,”[/color] he gave a sort of shuddering, croaky laugh. A little different from his others, this one seemed to betray his age. It was a laugh of a finer vintage. The best, Kargad thought, almost always came from poking fun at one’s self.
[color=#D54122]”Not to say I’m any different. My girls got me through the worst of it, but you can guarantee after Vix’s passing, I got some free drinks bought.”[/color]
He shrugged gently at this, raising his palms skyward, [color=#D54122]”We’re melodramatic, it’s in our genetics. Maybe we’d have been thespians given a better start, huh?”[/color]
Exhaling through a smile, the krogan threw another glance over the rail, this time a little more intensely. 
[color=#D54122]”Although on that topic, are there any...  y’know... bars, on this space paperweight? Askin’ for a 400-odd pound hunk I know.”[/color]


Sabinus gestured towards what was conventionally known as the ‘North’ end of the Nexus. [color=cadetblue]”In the commons towards the Hydroponics Gardens there’s the Vortex Longue, which was converted out of necessity for that. Can’t imagine the selection’s that great, but it beats fermenting your rations in the latrine.”[/color] 

Tanya placed a hand on Kargad’s back. [color=cyan]”Well, let’s get a few drinks in you and you can tell me all about your girls. Besides, I’d like to know who’s looking after my boyfriend when you’re off kicking around some assholes in the cluster.”[/color] 

[color=#D54122]”You get me talkin’ about my girls and I might not stop,”[/color] Kargad half-joked, moving away from the rail as Tanya steered him ‘North’ and walking alongside them: [color=#D54122]”Get me drunk enough and I’ll show you pictures from their childhood dance recitals - if you think [i]Eos[/i] was a battle ground… ooft.”[/color]