Tumultuous Struggles of Youth
Maybe Solorha and Rith were a bit naive, thinking they could take a child off the streets knowing so little about his past. Riegel didn’t speak much about his parents or how they were killed. Whether or not he was witness to their death or how he got to the Citadel would seem to be the secret that he would take to his grave. Neither Rith or Solorha believed they could easily heal all mental wounds a child had suffered, but they hoped that they could provide reprieve. A safe space, a loving home. And growing up for Riegel was relatively all of that.
Nysha was the older big sister, who protected him. His Mother and Father’s position meant they didn’t have to worry about money much, and the children were given freedom and education. Which neither of them took for granted, only they acted out when they were bored. And that was relatively infrequent though Riegel was known more as a prankster than his sister Nysha.
One infamous event was the time Riegel was dared by his sister Nysha to deface the front of the arcade.
“Riegel,”
Crap. It was his Mother.
“Mother. Hi,”
He looks over to Nysha. Her eyes are already searching for her escape.
“Have you been behaving?” Ruth takes a second, she eyes the both of them.
“Absolutely. Peak Behaving,”
“So you aren’t in any sort of trouble?”
“Me, trouble? What kind of trouble could I get into? You know around the Citadel, where you um, and Father are well known and quite prominent. That’s me, Master of Behaving, you know,”
“Interesting, because it sounds to me like you haven’t been behaving,”
“Me? That’s weird I would never do that,”
Rith knew all too well it didn’t take long to make the both of them cave. All it took was a single look to get the two of them to cave. Which meant Nysha has been slowly trying to sneak out of the room, and not be noticed. This look is relatively effective on Riegel though because he caves pointing to Nysha,
“She dared me.”
“What! No! I am behaving!”
“Well, so am I, so we both can’t be,”
“Be quiet,”
“So you both were up to something,”
“What? Us, No,” Nysha and Riegel respond.
Though in the grand scheme of things the defacement was relatively light, despite Rith’s coming down on the two for a confession. All they really did was cut out some animal shapes made of paper and taped them onto the windows of the arcade. Defacement the way a thirteen might understand it.
The two of them were punished lightly, you could easily take the animal shapes off the window and it wasn’t entirely that big of a deal.
Growing up wasn’t all that easy, however. The biggest family secret was that Riegel began to show or display Biotic abilities before the age of thirteen. What Rith was worried about was letting others know about his abilities and that he would be forced to join the Alliance. And what Solorha and Rith wished for him was for him to make the freedom of his own choices. Solorha who worked for Citadel Security Fleet preferred their son not be forced into military service and Rith wanted to give him the opportunities of making his own decisions in life.
They would teach him privately. They assumed from the things told by the Alliance about Human Biotics that he wouldn’t never display nearly the full potential of his abilities. However, being able to defend himself was their top priority no matter how much power he displayed.
To no one’s surprise Riegel’s adolescents came with its struggles, any child who would come out of what he went through unscathed. Truth was that likely during his teen years Riegel sought being tough. A part of him yearned to be as powerful as Solorha or Rith or even Nysha, who was old enough to start making her own decisions.
Rith always tried to keep him balanced, always tried to bestow some of her millenia of knowledge unto him. Most of the time it worked, it’s probably what kept Riegel from fully being seduced by seeking the strength he desired in destructive or self destructive ways. While Solorha provided him the tools to cope, perhaps not always with the traditional coping skills - she’s the one who taught him to shoot a gun. While Rith taught him to temper himself.
Fifteen was probably the most tumultuous time for Riegel, who was struggling to cultivate his identity. Nysha was young, and adventurous. She sought exploration, and dreamt of leaving the Citadel. She would constantly talk about going on adventures, taking a ship and flying off. She knew what she wanted to do, and who she wanted to be. She wanted to be like their Mother and Father, wanted a name for herself, wanted to carve a little piece of her into space’s history.
While he was an Orphan. Who lost his parents. Raised by Asari. He wasn’t an Asari, that was obvious. But he didn’t connect very well with other Humans either. Who was he? His Mother and Father wanted to keep him from the Alliance, they never denied Nysha or him the choice to decide where they wanted to be. But the truth was likely even at that age though he knew he wanted to avoid the Alliance types at all cost.
It’s at this age and a few years after, that marked Riegel’s poor adolescent decisions. He sought a cause to fight. He sought the strength to protect people. Because as a child he hadn’t the power to protect his parents, or to stop whatever it is that happened to him. He began taking up a cause on the Citadel. Despite not being Asari or of an alien race, he began to take up the banner banning Humans from taking a seat on the Citadel Council. This would have been fine if Riegel was only protesting against Humans who were anti-alien races, the issue was that these altercations often became physical.
“You’re really going to deny your own race like that?”
“I am not your fellow,” Riegel retorts.
The Human refuge, with the tired expression in his eyes, snarls, “Oh is that so. Cause I don’t see you painting your skin blue and you certainly don’t have any fucking head tentacles-
-which ones? Because I am sure the Turians have fins, and the Asari have cartilage crest, tentacles implies they flop around-
-what are you some Alien expert-
-No I just don’t spew shit from my mouth,”
“You’re just some kid, get out of here, you have no idea what you’re protesting-
-I actually do, funny that I am capable of thought, unlike you,”
“These Aliens are keeping Humanity from-
-they aren’t keeping you from anything, something Humanity hasn’t learned is to shut up and learn from the others before making demands of them-
-wow they really indoctrinated you those Aliens kid-
-yeah and you’re the one arguing with a “kid”,”
One more notorious event was the Citadel brawl that got a few, even Riegel arrested - for a brief moment. Although not the cause of the brawl, Riegel certainly got himself involved in the brawl. Tensions high, the Human Refuges arguing for Humanity’s role on the Citadel Council and those against them, verbal arguments soon became physical arguments, one man was charged for slapping another man with a tablet.
“Surprised to see you here,” Bailey raises a brow, “With the position of your parents, getting arrested looks poor on them.”
“It was self defense,”
“That’s what I heard, we’re investigating those claims, right now, but it’s probably best you stay out of altercations like that,”
“What am I getting a lecture from you now,”
“No, just trying to keep you on the right track, I know your - is it Father? I am not going to lie, I don’t understand how the Asari work, Solorha. She’s extremely effective and I just don’t want her to look bad, or you,”
“This is starting to sound like a lecture,”
“Okay, maybe it is a little, but you’re doing good work. Fighting for what you think is right, but perhaps do it in a way that gets you in less trouble-
-kids telling the truth, someone shoved him first and he shoved back-
-See, I didn’t even need a lecture, self defense,”
While fiercely politically involved for a few years, up to the age of eighteen. He also began to make friends during this time as well. Becoming politically involved and musically involved. It seems like something every politically charged teenager got into. As Nysha was sending in her application for C-Sec. Riegel started to believe he found his purpose. Maybe he would get into politics or music. Or maybe both.
Yet, it wasn’t enough. It never was. It always felt empty. After a while, music was just a hobby and the protesting didn’t feel much like protecting people. And what could he accomplish as a Human politician anyway? It seemed yet again he was lost to who he was and what he was interested in doing. Pulling out of the political scene. He stayed with his friends, the ones he made from protesting against the anti-alien refuges, and the ones he made while briefly singing in a band.
“I thought you had found a path,” Rith states, recognizing him in a state of dejection, yet again.
Riegel slumps over on the couch, staring at the ceiling.
“I thought I did too, but protesting isn’t going to save anyone,” he sighs, “Maybe I should join C-Sec or Alliance. I don’t know.”
“You think those are your only options?” Solorha interjects, as she's just walked into the apartment.
“What do I do then?!” he sits up, frustrated.
“This is the struggle I think of being a short lived species. You’re so eager to figure out what you want to do at such a young age, though it makes sense, by the time you mature you only have so many years before you leave to the stars. You’re so young, just like Nysha, but unlike her, she has years to reinvent herself. Change, if she so desires, we do not remain the same. Even I am not the same person.I wish I could give you my life. So you didn’t have to agonize so much about what to do,”
“A lot of good that helps, being so short lived,” Riegel angrily responds.
“She’s trying to say that it is okay for you to outgrow the things you have done as an adolescent and change who you are at any time. We Asari merely have many years to do so,” Solorha states, watching from the kitchen.
“Thank you love,” Rith smiles.
“Of course,”
“That’s great,but who do I change myself to? I want to be - I,” he sighs.
“There is no rush to consider how you want to change,”
It was easy for them to say. No rush to change. When they had so many years to live. He’d probably die at ninety something, and he was already nineteen. That’s no time at all. Especially when Nysha had already chosen her path.
Speaking of Nysha and the troubles of youth. Nysha was always eager for adventure and excitement, the calm of the Presidium bored her to tears. She was only accepted into C-Sec because of her parents' positions, and she knew that. She was eager to prove herself. Eager to show that she didn’t need to be babysit.
When Riegel was twenty this meant Nysha was going to get Riegel involved in the most trouble they had ever gotten themselves into. It would cost Nysha her short lived career, and put the both of them in jeopardy. The Citadel, all though a good life, had its dark secrets. As most places do. One day on her usual calm patrol of the Presidium, part of her training, she overheard a rumor one that involved the black market and an illegal smuggling ring. Nysha, who was filled with stories of her Father and Mother, aspiring to be them - decided she was going to capture this operation herself.
Of course with a little help with her biotic little brother.
“Maybe this will help you find your path,” Nysha smiles.
“Or maybe you should report the rumor to your superiors,” Riegel responds.
“But it’s just a rumor,”
“If it’s a rumor, then maybe they should send someone to investigate,”
“Or they will ignore it because it’s a rumor,”
“Nysha, this is a lot of trouble-
-when have you ever been against a little bit of trouble,” Nysha leans her chest onto the counter, folding her fingers together, interlocking them into a prayer, “Riegel, please?”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea,”
“When have you ever done anything that’s a good idea-
-this is different-
-getting in a brawl at the protest-
-it’s not an illegal smuggling ring-
-getting into brawls at the club-
-it’s not the blackmarket Nysha-
-come on Riegel-
-Nysha, no-
-even if you don’t agree, I’ll go on my own,”
“Fine, you do that,”
Of course he wasn’t going to let her go on her own. Even if he wanted to. She was going to get herself into trouble. He didn’t want to betray her, but it was probably best to tell someone what she was up to. Looking up her personal datapad to figure out what she had found out, he’d swing by C-Sec report it to Bailey or one of her superiors and run off to go stop her from doing something stupid. But then again, this is something Nysha longed for. She sought adventure. She wanted to have an exciting career. Wanted to be known for something. Reporting her in, might ruin her chances entirely. She might lose her job. He had a decision to make, spare her career, but potentially put them at more risk. Or report her findings to C-Sec, then track her down.
Going against all better judgment, Riegel said fuck it to telling C-Sec. And ran off to find her before she got hurt or someone else. This was so stupid. She wasn’t thinking, now he knew how Rith felt when Solorha ran off to do something impulsive.
What Nysha had uncovered was an illegal drug deal. And what they were smuggling into Citadel was red sand, being sold under the table. This was the most danger they had ever been in, he hoped that Nysha was smart and pulled out before confronting the Red Sand dealers. That something came across her senses. When he eventually found her, in an alleyway, it seemed she had been planning for weeks to get involved with the dealer. Was her plan to buy Red Sand and then arrest them? By herself? She had no experience fighting six guys by herself if things went the wrong way. And neither did he. A firing range was not the same as real, breathing, individuals with life.
He hid behind a wall. Not to be noticed at first. Maybe he was being over protective. Maybe she did have a handle on this.
“Chips,” the Batarian demanded.
“I have the chips,” Nysha responds, showing off her credit chips.
“Very well, hand the chips over, make it quick,”
“Here,” Nysha states, handing over the credit chips, the Batarian lifts his hand to accept the payment and hands her over a small envelope.
Nysha accepts the envelope; doing so, she grips the Batarian’s hand. What is her plan? “Caught you red handed.” she smirks, she has been working on that one for a while, “C-Sec, and you’re under-
-A shot rings out, bouncing off her Biotic shields.
All chaos broke loose. The dealer's kinetic rounds rang in the alleyway. Briefly bouncing off her shields. Nysha was pinned. And for a second, he was briefly stunned. Paralyzed behind the wall. The fire of the weapons. Nysha running for cover. For a moment it unlocked a brief memory. One buried in the recess of his mind.
Not now when she needed help.
Nysha Slams a Dealer into the wall.
Her shields are down.
“Oh look boss, they tried to hide a kid from us,”
“Wouldn’t have died if they just sold him for insurance,”Nysha needed help. Her shoulder now grazed.
She lifts her hand wildly sending a Shockwave hurling through the alleyway.
Somehow he managed to move. Stepping out of the alleyway. This was the first time someone had ever shot at him. Not the first time someone had pointed a gun at him. With what knowledge Solorha and Rith had given him, kinetic slugs striking at his natural shielding. Pushing his hand forward and hurdling a Throw. He felt the weight of gravity at his fingertips. And the impact of the man ricocheting off the wall.
“Nice one-
-this isn’t a game-
-we can take them!”
Her purple blood splattered onto the wall. A slug hit her shoulder. She doubles back. He’s reeling from the fact he might just have killed someone, but they are trying to kill them. They will kill them, what is he thinking. They can’t win this fight.Neither of them have any experience in battle. Every time they hit back, he’s too unsteady, panicky. She’s injured.
A door opens, someone is coming.
“Nysha, Riegel,” their Father seems surprised that they are here.
In fact she didn’t even expect them to be here.
“Father, I can explain,” Nysha begins, holding onto her shoulder.
“Just get down, we’ll talk-
-She raises her hand to create a barrier as the Batarians swing around wildly to shoot at their new target.
While Solorha dealt with the Batarians, Riegel made it to Nysha, to help her with her wound. What does he do? Did she have an omni-gel on her then? Probably. It was easier to look at her blood, say than his own.
Nysha was putting on a brave face, but she was scared he could see it in her eyes. He wasn’t sure he could remain calm either, hands shaking, while trying to apply omni-gel.
“What are you two doing here?” Solorha asks them.
“It’s my fault, I- Nysha began-
-were chasing glory!” It was the first time Solorha had ever raised her voice angrily, “you’re going to lose your job. Your actions will affect us greatly. You do realize that Nysha. You didn’t bother to ask, before you ran off-
-the Presidium was boring, nothing ever happens-
-that’s not why I do this job Nysha!” their Father pauses, “And why are you here Riegel?”
Snapping out of his rattled state of mind, being addressed so firmly from his Father, “I - wanted - knew Nysha was coming here. I am sorry. I didn’t want her to get hurt. I knew what she was doing was dangerous.”
Solorha sighs, “Are you two all right?”
Nysha looks at her shoulder, “Yeah, I am. Fine.” she mumbles.
Was he fine? He wasn’t so sure. He felt the man’s body richot off the wall. It wasn’t like releasing something and then it left his hands.
“Are they dead?” Riegel asks.
“What the Batarians?” Solorha asks, “No. I know how to employ my abilities not to do so. These men will be arrested and taken in by C-Sec. We were investigating the Red Sand Dealers, we came here because we caught wind of a deal going on. Had I know it involved you two-
-he isn’t involved in this,” Nysha finds her voice, “He came to stop me from doing something stupid, that’s his only involevment. I get it, I am not fit for this job.”
“I never said that,” Solorha tells her.
“I am sorry,” Riegel states again, “I didn’t intend to kill anyone.”
“Well it was better you killed them, than the other way around, I understand,” Solorha pauses, “And I am proud you came here to protect your sister despite knowing the danger, trying to stop her from a stupid mistake.”
Nysha frowns.
“I couldn’t let her go out without any help,” Riegel responds.
Solorha smiles, “And I love that about you. There will be consequences, however. And I cannot protect you if C-Sec decides to fire you.”
And Nysha was fired.
For three hours.
Nysha was sulking in her room.
Lamenting about the experience to Riegel, “Bailey was going to give me probation and more special training. But Father told him to fire me. I know I made a stupid mistake, I know I shouldn’t have gone off and done that. And I didn’t thank you for helping me out back there. Or healing me.”
Riegel nods.
“I told you it was dangerous,” he mumbles, still going over the events in his head.
Nysha takes a second, “And I dragged you along. Are you okay?”
“No, I decided to go on my own accord, I could have let you go alone, but if I did,”
She likely would have been dead. If he hadn’t been there.
“Yeah,” Nysha frowns, “Now what do I do? I wonder if I can acquire a ship.”
“You just got out of one dangerous situation, to get into another?!”
“Well Mother and Father get in a lot of danger-
-you’re not them-
-don’t be a jerk when you were so cool back there, and now you’re being a jerk,”
“Because you almost died!”
“Don’t be so dramatic-
-what would you have done without anyone else there-
-I just,” Nysha scowls, “Get better. That’s all.”
“That’s what you took out of this, we killed someone-
-and?-
-you know Mother and Father don’t trivialize life like that-
-they were bad people-
-yes I know that, but it’s reckless, you haven’t learned anything about being reckless-
-just get out of my room if you’re going to lec-
-Nysha, it was Batarians who killed my parents and took me from wherever I came from. Today, I remembered a little about back then,”
“RIegel,” Nysha grabs his hand,”I am sorry. You’re right, I am being reckless and full of air. I should have done the right thing and maybe it was best to fire me.”
There is a knock on Nysha’s door. Nysha slumps, pressing her back to her headboard. It was probably either of their parents and she was likely going to get more of a talking to. The door opens, Solorha is holding a datapad in her hands, waving it around, “Here are your probation details.”
“Wait, probation?” Nysha ask, “I thought I was fired.”
“I wanted you to learn something,” Solorha hands her the datapad, “Your Mother is going to want to talk to the both of you after this.”
“Why can’t I just get a talk from you?” Nysha complains and accepts the datapad, “Thank you for not firing me.”
“Learn from this,”
They both would take lessons from that day. Nysha would learn to temper herself and not be so full of air. And Riegel began to recognize power wasn’t the only way to be strong or a protector. Maybe there were other ways to protect people. To potentially give them a second chance. Whatever that was, he was going to do that.
Member
Izurich
Pull - Levitates and or drags a target within the line of sight of the user, either helplessly dangling them in the air, or holding them down before dragging them nearer to the target. 
Throw - On it's own throw hurls a gravity projectile towards it's target, colliding with the users intended target and knocking it over. When holding a target being dragged in, Pull, the user throws the target [object or person] tossing the intended target backward.
