#donovan shepard

I was tagged by @ronqueesha - thank you so much! I will tag (only if you want to play): @commander-krios, @happychica, @korkro, and @mallaidhsomo. Only if you want to, of course!

RULES: Search and post the meaning of your OCs’ names (if you made their name up or they go by a nickname, post an explanation of how it came to you)! Bonus if you can find something for their last name too.

But . . . I've done this one with all of my characters here. So instead, I'll tell you why I picked the names I did. (I’m letting you in on some Easter Eggs here, so take note!)

Alejandra “Ale” Ryder Aragón

Ironically the "named after her father" didn't come up until after I'd picked "Alejandra." I wanted a Spanish name that was kind of long with a good nickname option. I was actually leaning toward "Gabriela/Gabi" or "Daniela/Dani" because I was worried "Ale" (ah-leh) would be read by English-speakers as "ale" (the alcoholic beverage) but I kept coming back to "Alejandra" so eventually I just decided to go with what felt right.

Ariella Shepard 

I love the name Ariel. I put an "a" and the end of it because I could. Ariella was the ORIGINAL name of my "proto-femShep" - my very first Shepard - and it only felt right keeping it with the Shepard that got the canon universe.

Donovan Shepard and Lír

Remember those Easter Eggs I mentioned? This is one of them, a nod to Burn Notice. The actor who plays the main character is Jeffrey Donovan. (The main character's name is also "Michael," which is Donovan's middle name.)

Javier “Javi” Ryder Aragón 

Honestly, "Javier" didn't get a lot of thought. I needed a Spanish boy name for Ale's twin and I liked the way it sounded. (And I didn’t plan on him becoming an actual, fully developed CHARACTER . . . )

Mara Shepard

When I split up my "proto-femShep" and I needed to name the one that got my Without You series, I decided to go with names by meanings. One of the meanings of "Mara" is "bitter" and it's also Biblically connected to grief. Which, of course, made it perfect!

Veerla Shepard

I was tagged a long time ago by @ronqueesha - thank you for the tag, friend, and your patience. I will tag (only if you want to play) @alyssalenko, @briarfox13, @cassiefisherdrake @cdrkateshepard, @ghostxofxartemis, @jediwalkerw, and @theheroofoakvale. I’m really bad at tumblr gif searches and I froze my laptop TWICE so I’m going with more pictures than gifs. Doing ALL my OCs seemed excessive, so I’m only going with my three “main” Shepards: Ariella, Donovan and Veerla. If you’re interested in learning more about them (or any of my OCs) you can also check out my Pintrest boards!

Ariella Bennet (Shepard)

Donovan Shepard

Veerla Sterling (Shepard)

Tagged by @ronqueesha to take this quiz. Thank you, hon, for always making me feel like one of the cool kids! I will tag, only if you want to play, @alyssalenko, @ghostxofxartemis, @happychica​, @theheroofoakvale​, and anyone else who wants to play!

ARIELLA SHEPARD: YELLOW

Yellow characters tend to be positive and upbeat people, who try to see the bright side in most situations (although the older a character is, the less likely they’ll be as openly positive). They’re friendly and energetic much of the time, and while often genuine it can become a cover for their more negative feelings. They tend to have a lot of skill in one specific area which they have to work hard to harness and use properly. Because of this skill they can be put up on a pedestal and have high expectations placed on them to perform. Often these expectations also come from themselves. They have a strong sense of responsibility and duty placed on them that can cause them to develop a bit of a savior complex, blaming themselves for not being able to protect everyone around them. They are diffusers and peacemakers, preferring to be in harmony with everyone, sometimes making it confusing when others around them are not this way. They’re pretty cheerful and bubbly and usually the light of their friend group. They care about their friends a lot, and go out of their way to show it, although it can cause them to be jealous when they feel as if they aren’t being included. While kind people, they also have a competitive streak and like to win. They love fun and are likely to get sidetracked and drag their friends along with them. Others are able to relax in their presence and enjoy themselves, and it’s hard not to like a yellow character. While these characters may be warm and diligent though, they also have a hard time taking risks, generally preferring to stay in their comfort zone. They can have a bit of both a main character and a savior complex because of how much responsibility they put on themselves, and while well meaning it can irk other characters. Sometimes they go too far trying to help and interfere with others, and when they don’t want to do something they will often shut down and distract themselves from it. They are surprisingly mature for how innocent they seem, and when in a healthy place they always give their best effort. They are wise and interpersonal and really tie their friend group together. Yellow characters need to be given a safe space to release negative emotions without letting them build up, and they need people in their life who will help them keep a healthy balance of work and play without pressuring them too much.

VEERLA SHEPARD: RED

Red characters tend to be both quiet and observant as well as loud and dramatic. They are often brash and impulsive, and tend to act on instinct rather than planning ahead. They are quite self-sacrificing, often veering into self-destructive, and they push themselves to their limits trying to succeed. They tend to be stubborn, and it might take a lot to change their mind. They have a hard time expressing their feelings, and may come off as either emotionless, self-absorbed, or perpetually angry. They don’t have a ton of friends, and when they do, it’s often by circumstance rather than choice (although they grow to fiercely love their friends). They are not usually innately good at fitting into social situations, and can be awkward and out of place in them. They can come off as unhumorous because of how sincere and honest they tend to be, but tend to just have a dryer, sarcastic sense of humor. They do often think of others first, but their motivations for it might not be entirely selfless. They usually have a hard time conceivably lying, and are quite earnest without meaning to be.They put their full effort into what they do, and push themselves to improve at all costs. They get easily defensive, and feel like they have to prove themselves to earn anyone’s respect. They have a strong sense of internal morality and high standards for themselves. They also hold others to their internal high standards, which can cause a lot of conflict if not worked out. They tend to have bad relationships with their parental figures, who were usually either absent or abusive, and contributed to their toxic view of themselves. At their core, red characters want to be loved and accepted, but have often been denied it, leading them to build up lots of defenses. Others need to be patient with them and give them a safe space to be themselves as they open up and begin to flourish.

DONOVAN SHEPARD: PURPLE

Hello, friend - thanks for the ask!

6 Months of Purgatory is one of Donovan's pre-canon stories. It takes place immediately after Torfan and details his arrest and trial. Here's a VERY ROUGH snippet. This story is set in an Alpha/omega AU but this bit only includes mention of scents.

Jeremiah Kyle looks two decades older than he did [TIME] ago when Donovan last saw him. If they passed on the street now, he would call him an old man. His shoulders stoop, his gait shuffles, his fingers tremble around the bag in his hands. An evidence bag with a blood-splattered doll inside.

He doesn’t say anything at first, but his scent fills the silence. Sadness, guilt, desperation. There’s something else too, a scent Donovan has smelled before but can’t quite name. Something cold and stale, like abandoned mining tunnels deep underground. It eludes him, dancing in his nose and on the tip of his tongue, until the [RANK] clears his throat and says:

“I didn’t know.”

Denial.

“You didn’t…” Rage bubbles in his chest and wafts out from him. It permeates the room, thick enough to choke on. “What the fuck did you think I meant when I called them civilians and refugees? Just having a bit of craic? Codding my superior officer because I didn’t have anything better to do on a Sunday?”

Today is Donovan’s birthday (he doesn’t use the canon date) so have some birthday headcanons!

More so than other holidays, Donovan tries to get home (Killorglin, Ireland) for birthdays. Growing up, Nan (his caretaker) often had to work during holidays but it was easier for them to get together on birthdays.

Nan and Felix (his brother) are both fantastic gift-givers and, while they don't always get him something, when they do it's always a good one. Some of his favorites have included a set of hurling gear and (Gaelic) football gear, a complete refurbishing of his father's guitar, and a nice violin.

Regardless of anything else, Felix gets him a 5 pack of beer (a 6 pack with one bottle missing) every year. If he made it home that year it's some expensive specialty craft brand. If not, it's real from-Ireland Guinness.

He always asks for an American-style breakfast for his birthday dinner. Waffles, eggs, and streaky bacon. Once he's joined the Alliance he asks for coffee and it's the only time Nan allows it in the house.

I was tagged by the fantastic @ronqueesha - thank you, friend! I will tag (only if you want to play) @alyssalenko, @derelict-blade, @ghostxofxartemis, @korkro, and @shretl. No pressure!

Donovan Shepard

Rules: bold = always, italics = sometimes

FLAWS:

moody | short-tempered | emotionally unstable | whiny | controlling | conceited | possessive | paranoid | lies | impatient | cowardly | bitter | selfish | power-hungry | greedy | lazy | judgmental | forgetful | impulsive | spiteful | stubborn | sadistic | masochistic | petty | unlucky | absent-minded | abusive | addict | aggressive | childish | callous | clingy | delusional | cocky | competitive | corrupt | cynical | cruel | depressed | deranged | egotistical | envious | insecure | insensitive | lustful | delinquent | guilt complex | reclusive | reckless | nervous | oversensitive | rebellious

STRENGTHS:

honest | trustworthy | thoughtful | caring | brave | patient | selfless | ambitious | tolerant | lucky | intelligent | confident | focused | humble | generous | merciful | observant | wise | clever | charming | cheerful | optimistic | decisive | adaptive | calm | protective | proud | diligent | considerate | compassionate | good sportsmanship | friendly | empathetic | passionate | reliable | resourceful | sensible | sincere | witty | funny

SKILLS & HOBBIES:

I was tagged by @ghostxofxartemis - thanks for the tag, hon! I will tag (only if you want to play) @alyssalenko, @bagog, @ljandersen, @pigeontheoneandonly, and @ronqueesha, as well as anyone who wants to play. Going with Donovan this time around (though I may do Vee in a bit too)!

Amazing art by @mooreaux​

GENERAL-

Name: Donovan Michael Shepard

Alias(es): Donovan Michael Gallagher, Donovan Michael Gardner O’Brien

Gender: Male

Age: 29 (at the start of ME1)

Birthdate: January 24th, 2154

Place of birth: Dublin, Ireland. Earth.

Hometown: Killorglin, Ireland. Earth.

Spoken language(s): English, Irish (kind of, not really), Galactic Trade Language 

Sexual preference: Bisexual

Occupation: Alliance N7 operative, Citadel Council Spectre, first mate of The Luck of the Iris

APPEARANCE-

Eye color: Green

Hair color: Light brown/dark blond

Height: 6′2″

Scars: By the side of his left eye and the right side of his chin. The majority of his back is also scarred from thresher acid burns prior to the Lazarus Project.

FAVORITE-

Color: Blue

Hair color: Dark

Song: This cover of “Candle on the Water” by Dwayne Britton (at the moment)

Food: American breakfast food (pancakes, waffles, streaky bacon, sausage, eggs/omelettes, etc.), pie, Irish stew and soda bread

Drink: Guinness (only in Ireland), tea (if Nan made it), coffee (black, no sugar)

HAVE THEY-

Passed university: Not initially but he went back for an electronics degree in order to commission with the Alliance

Had sex: Yes

Had sex in public: Yes

Gotten pregnant: He’s gotten his partner pregnant but hasn’t been the one who gets pregnant

Kissed a boy: Yes

Kissed a girl: Yes

Gotten tattoos: Yes. He has a yin-yang made of two trees on his left chest. He gets a sutured, anatomical heart surrounded by a carrick bend knot on his left shoulder/upper arm (for Theo) and an Alpha/omega symbol on his right (with Theo). He also gets a rope band with a single knot in it around his left forearm for each of their children

Gotten piercings: No

Been in love: Yes

Stayed up for more than 24 hours: Several times

ARE THEY-

A virgin: No

A cuddler: Yes

A kisser: Yes

Scared easily: No

Jealous easily: Not outside heat/rut

Dominant: Yes

Submissive: No (though Theo has him wrapped around his pinky) 

In love: Yes

Single: No

RANDOM QUESTIONS-

Have they harmed themselves: Not physically intentionally, though he has a penchant for throwing himself into harms way and has a tendency emotionally punish himself for things that he considers his fault (whether or not they were).

Thought of suicide: Yes

Attempted suicide: No

Wanted to kill someone: Yes

Have / had a job: Yes

Have any fears: Zero-g, visiting Alchera, losing Theo

FAMILY-

Sibling(s): Two biological sisters, Muirín (right) and Siobhan (left) Gallagher. (Art by @musingzeroart​.) Muirín was killed when Donovan was a kid and he and Siobhand have a strained relationship. He would say that she WAS his sister, not that she IS his sister. He also has an adopted brother, Felix O’Brien, who is his best friend.

Parent(s): Sean Kavanaugh (father) and Bronagh Gallagher (mother). His father is dead and he and his mother are estranged. He was raised by his Nan, an old acquaintance of his father’s.

Children: Yes, eventually he and Theo have two kids, a girl named Sarah Muirín and a boy named Sean Richard. (After Theo’s mother and grandfather and his father and sister)

Significant other: Theo Walker (who belongs to @cdrkateshepard​) is his bondmate, soulmate, husband, and heart.

Hi there, thanks so much for the ask! Picking a favorite child Shepard seems unfair so I'm going with my most recent, Donovan.

Ultralight materials - What’s a burden they carry that they wish was lighter?

Ohhh boy... so the obvious choice is "dealing with Reapers" but it also happens to be true so there's your answer. Hopefully the "why" makes it a little more satisfying.

Even before the issues with the Reapers, Donovan's history is littered with trying to do the right thing in best case apathetic and worst case corrupt circumstances. The Alliance in his universe is NOT the beacon virtue and enlightenment that it makes itself out to be. He has often requested help from organizations who should help him and been turned away. By the time things get to the Reaper War, he is both used to having to deal with things bigger than himself by himself (with some other good individuals) and approaching desperate to get large scale support. He thinks the weight of this issue should have been shared by the galaxy since he brought it up to the Council with Saren and it's not right that the whole thing has fallen onto his shoulders. It doesn't stop him from carrying it and making the best choices he can, obviously, but he still wishes there were more hands to carry the load. He is lucky and incredibly grateful to have an amazing husband, a supportive family, great friends, and rock-solid crew.