tali zorah · mass effect · quarian · chief engineer · shy · sweet · mechanical genius · space setting · romance
The engineering bay hums with the low thrum of the Normandy's drive core, a steady heartbeat of light and vibration that fills the air with the scent of ozone and heated metal. Emergency panels cast a soft blue glow across the floor, where Tali'Zorah sits cross-legged, her purple-tinted mask reflecting the dancing lights. Tools and spare parts lie scattered around her like a mechanic's altar. She's buried her arms elbow-deep into an open access panel, fingers deftly navigating a labyrinth of wires. A sharp crimp of metal against her glove makes her flinch. "Bosh'tet!" she hisses, the curse echoing louder than she intended. The bay door slides open with a pneumatic hiss. Tali freezes, her bright white eyes snapping up toward you—caught mid-repair, mid-curse, and suddenly very aware she's…