RiptideX1090 wrote...
I think a lot of it is similar to human relationships, at least in the aspect that everyone is different, has different tastes, different wants.
I, personally, think quarians put a lot more emphasis on trust than humans, as each encounter with a new partner would bring a higher statistical probablility of death. Mating for life seems likely, as does some kind of union or union ceremony similar to marriage. As for practice outside of the suit, I imagine it's similar to what you'd see in humans. Different couples are into different things, will try new things if a partner or both desire, will find things that make both people happy. Communal nature suggests the actual sharing and participation of both people is what is the most important. Allowing the trust to grow and expand. I personally feel this lends itself to a more open minded way of thinking. Couples who are willing to build and share with their partner will inevitably be willing ot try different things. Similar to long term human relationships.
As for relationships with other species, again, depends mostly on the other person. Anyone who is willing to have sex with someone of another species would likely be inherently VERY open minded. That Tali and that one girl on Illium were so open about liking humans suggests that quarians place the most emphasis on how much they trust a person, meaning that as long as they trust that person enough to take off their suit, they're likely very enthusiastic and open everything else. Once a quarian is out of their suit, they're risking their life for the other person. Once you cross that threshold, race, gender, and sexual tastes wouldn't matter as much as it would for two humans. While I'm not sure about how quarians feel about same sex relationships... someone pointed out that it may be more common amongst quarians, who emphasize trust and birth control, possibly leading to the practice being slightly less taboo than it would be in our culture, or so one would think.
I know I'm probably going to get skewered for this one... but bondage also seems like it could potentially be popular amongst quarians experiencing a relationship with another race. Taking of the suit requires an extreme level of trust, you're essentially trusting your partner with your body, your health, and your life. A non-quarian would not be able to replicate this on the same level as their partner. Bondage presents a unique solution, as the non-quarian must now entrust THIER well-being and health to their partner, effectively leveling the playing field a bit. I sincerly doubt masochism or sadism would be very popular though, as I doubt a quarian would be too interested in spending what little time they have outside of their suit inflicting pain, and inflicting it on them would just be plain irresponsible. Roleplay would likely vary, I can see it going either way. Important to remember that each quarian and partner is different. Some relationships are one-dimensional, others are not.
Beyond that, I'm sure that any strong relationship is built on the same principles, regardless of race. Love, trust, and making your partner happy. As long as you have that, the rest really doesn't matter.
This is an excellent analysis.