There has been an unexpected development in my character’s romancing of Alistair in Dragon Age.    As I mentioned in an earlier post, it was becoming a bit of chore.    I was glad when Zevran appeared, because I’d heard he was easier.

It turns out he wasn’t as easy as all that, but it didn’t take much.  He had lots to say and seemed to approve of just about everything I said or did.  I decided my character would take a little romantic detour with him, before returning to trudging the main road towards Alistair’s love.    He was a bit irritating, with his terrible chatup lines and silly accent, but at least he was a bit more … available.

He also turned out to be more fun.   He never turned down an  opportunity and always seemed delighted to be asked.   I started to enjoy having him around.

Meanwhile, Alistair had been making a move.   He gave me a rose, and I even got as far as kissing him.    But he blocked any attempt to get any further.  What really offended me was when he not only turned down requests to join me in my tent, but disapproved of me for asking.   I took him out on every mission, and tried to talk to him, but he wasn’t very interested in me, despite the rose and the nice words that accompanied it, and despite me laying my cards on the table.    He liked to have a  bitch about other members of the party, or tell me tales about this one time, at Grey Warden camp, when they got really drunk.   And I was thinking that we’d been through so much together, that we were both Grey Wardens, that we maybe didn’t have long to live, and that there should be more of a bond there.  I even found his mother’s amulet.  I listened to his stories.   I went with him to find his sister and stuck up for him.   But if I, Maker forbid, suggested that we go somewhere more private at camp, he’d immediately disapprove.   I continued to try.  I carried on giving him gifts.   He would thank me half-heartedly and his approval would go up by one point.

Meanwhile, Zevran was becoming more and more appealing.    His accent started to sound less silly and his bravado became more endearing.   He happily continued our no-strings, no commitment, no angst affair, making no demands at all, and treating me like a great friend.   I found out that there were certain gifts he preferred and I set out to get them for him.   While looking I spoke to him, and he told me about what had happened to him, and said that I was his reason for living.    Maybe it was the angle we were at when the conversation started, but his fine, blood-spattered features  and baby-blond hair suddenly appealed to me much more.  Even before I’d found the gifts I was planning to give him, his approval was at 100% and he adored me.   Not because of the gifts or what he could get from me, but just because of being with me.

I’ll be interested to see what happens next time we’re in camp.  I’m going to continue to go for Alistair.   He’s the main character, after all and like it or not, we’re in this together.   But if forced to choose, as I’m sure I will be eventually (I don’t think the game supports polyamory), I’m wavering.   More than wavering, I think.