i can’t think of another loyalty mission that makes such a point of showing how close someone is with shepard. this is based on friendship, real, actual friendship, and it comes through in every detail. how in tune they are at the start, on the same wavelength; shepard’s concern as garrus unravels; the way she lets him take the lead like they’re partners before she’s a commander. the casual touches between them throughout: her hand on the small of his back to communicate without undermining him in front of harkin; the affectionate pats she gives him after it’s done and he needs reassurance. if she talks him out of taking the shot, she does overstep, but with the way the whole mission built up, all it does is give the strong impression of a concerned equal, a real friend, rather than a commander taking action.

it floors me anew each time. something something, ‘no shepard without vakarian’ being a non-romance line. they’re partners no matter what.

Reegar sees something has unsettled Tali since her return from her mission on Freedom's Progress a couple nights ago.

EXCERPT:

"I want to think she wouldn't join them voluntarily, but…"

There, a little tremble, quickly suppressed, a mote of fear escaping her usual guards. Ancestors, he wanted to reassure her, that there was no way "her" Shepard would willingly join that terrorist organisation, but on the other hand…

He couldn't bear giving her hope that would turn out false; he'd been there, done that. Was shitty, did not recommend. And he doesn't want to do that to her either.

I already missed out on the Garrus hype