"All I want, is a pixel of you."
No matter how much I like to pretend I'm not an overly girly girl, I'm coming to realise that I do appreciate a big old helping of romance in my video games. You all remember Richard the Dog? My case in point! Now, I know lots of games have romantic storylines, but the kind I like are somewhat different. My favourite kind of games are RPGs where you can create your own character... and the rule amongst my friends is that you have to make yourself. So, in short, I guess I'm saying that I like romance in games where I get to be courted.
I was going to write a very in depth blog about romance in games and the experiences I've had, but you know what? I'm just going to get very over excited about the game that has inspired this post: Dragon Age: Origins. Oh my God. It's a Fantasy game with magic and elves and dwarves and dragons. And Alistair. Lovely, lovely Alistair.
I'll get to the romance quickly and I shan't go on about the game for too long, because I know I have very few gamer friends on here these days, but I shall have to just explain the basics. So, you play a Grey Warden, an awesome kind of knight who fights evil beings. You go about your duty, recruiting other characters who can help you on your quest... and this is where the romance comes in. Each choice you make in the game affects how your companions feel about you, they all have different personalities and will react positively or negatively to the things you do. As far as I know there are four romance options, depending on your gender and sexual orientation (yes, you can have a gay or lesbian relationship, which is a brave move and one I'm really pleased about...although there have been accusations of negative stereotyping when it comes to promiscuity, but still!) You can talk to the characters at any time, ask them questions, choose your own responses, give them gifts, basically, it's amazing. Now, the romance is not the main crux of the game, but seriously, it's all Jim, Marcus J and I have spoken about all week.
So, this is Alistair.
Oh. My. God. In the game he's the cutest thing ever. He's goofy and sarcastic and he hides behind his humour all the time and of course, he has a really tragic past! He's the bastard son of the (now-dead) King, born to a maid in the Castle. She died when he was very young and the King's brother took care of him. Unfortunately his wife misread the situation and assumed that he was her husband's illegitimate son, so she sent him away at the age of ten to live a religious life in a monastic institution called the Chantry. He hated this life, but was given a way out when he was chosen to become a Grey Warden. Long story short, he's a Grey Warden, I'm a Grey Warden and all the other Grey Warden's we were with are dead. Let's just say that I'm more than happy to start rebuilding the Grey Warden population of the world with him.
I wasn't even that bothered about him to begin with, but then the boys were getting all excited about the girl they both liked, Morrigan, and I don't know, now I'm smitten! He says the sweetest, funniest things (and there is so much conversation and banter in this game!) Tonight I'd got far enough into the game for there to be little hints of romance and now I'm dancing around the house like a schoolgirl. Seriously. [[OMG you guys, I just read this: "In writing Alistair, David Gaider was inspired by Xander from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Malcolm Reynolds from Firefly." Suddenly it all makes sense :DDDD]].
It all kind've started when he told me that the only thing he had to remind him of his Mother was an amulet that had once belonged to her, but as an angry ten year old he had thrown it against a wall in protest at being banished from the castle, and it had smashed. He was so saddened that he'd lost it. I managed to find the amulet and I gave it to him, he was so happy and so flattered that I'd remembered his story! <333333
So, I'm posting some dialogue here that I lovingly copied down from my Xbox 360. He's so playful and goofy and it doesn't really come across in the text...it's all in his gestures and his voice. But oh well! So here, please enjoy some medieval flirting between woman and pixel. ETA: I've also added some videos, although they are not from my game and the conversations differ slightly.
Me: Alistair?
Alistair: At your service.
Me: I have some questions.
Alistair: Of course.
Me: If you were raised in the Chantry have you never...?
Alistair: Never? Never what? Had a good pair of shoes?
Me: You know what I mean.
Alistair: I'm not sure I do. Have I never seen a basilisk? Ate jellied ham? Have I never licked a lamppost in winter?
Me: Now you're making fun of me.
Alistair: Make fun of you, dear lady? Perish the thought. Well, tell me: have you ever licked a lamppost in winter?
Me: No, I've never licked a lamppost in winter.
Alistair: Good. I hear it's quite painful. I remember one of the younger initiates did it on a dare, once, and there was pointing and laughing and... oh, the humanity.
Alistair: I, myself, have also never done it. That. Not that I haven't thought about it, of course, but... you know.
Me: You've never had the opportunity?
Alistair: Well, living in the Chantry, is... not exactly a life for rambunctious boys. They taught me to be a gentleman, especially in the presence of beautiful women such as yourself. That's not so bad, is it?
Me: You think I'm beautiful?
Alistair: Of course you are, and you know it. You're ravishing, resourceful, and all those other things you'd probably hurt me for not saying.
Me: I would never hurt you.
Alistair: Nor I you.
Alistair: Let us be off, then, lest your risque talk makes my ears blush.
Me: I'd like to discuss something private
Alistair: Well, we're in camp. Now's as good a time as any to talk, right?
Me: I need to tell you how much I enjoy your company.
Alistair: You know, I was just thinking the same thing.
Alistair: Given the circumstances, things could have been so much worse. I'm so grateful that you're you, instead of... some other Grey Warden.
Alistair: Umm... that sounded better in my head. I just mean to say that I can't imagine having done this without you.
Me: I feel the same way.
Alistair: Now we just need to be rid of that pesky archdemon and everything would be back to normal, right? *chuckles*
We're taking things slow XD. You can kiss and...erm...lick lampposts in winter in this game. Oh man. I can't cope. I'll be in my bunk. No legitimately, it's 2.30am D:
ETA: Added videos and new conversations :D
Alistair: Here look at this. Do you know what this is?
Me: Your new weapon of choice?
Alistair: Yes, that's right! Watch as I thrash our enemies with the mighty power of floral arrangements! Feel my thorns, Dark Spawn! Rah! I will overpower you with my rosy scent! ...Or, you know, it could just be a rose. I know that's pretty dull in comparison.
Me: You've been thumbing that rose for a while now...
Alistair: I picked it in Lothering. I remember thinking 'how can something so beautiful exist in a place with so much despair and ugliness. I probably should have left it alone, but I couldn't... the Dark Spawn would come and their taint would just destroy it. So I've had it ever since.
Me: That's a nice sentiment.
Alistair: I thought that I might give it to you, actually. In a lot of ways I think the same thing when I look at you
Me: Thank you Alistair. That's a lovely thought.
Alistair: I'm glad you like it. I was just thinking... here I am doing all this complaining and you haven't exactly been having a great time of it yourself.
Alistair: You've had none of the good experience of being a Grey Warden since your joining, not a word of thanks or congratulation. It's all been death and fighting and tragedy.
Alistair: I thought maybe I could say something. Tell you what a rare and wonderful thing you are to find amidst all this... darkness.
Me: I feel the same way about you.
Alistair: I'm glad you like it. Now... if we could move right on past this awkward, embarrassing stage and get right to the steamy bits, I'd appreciate it.
Me: Sounds good. Off with the armour, then.
Alistair: (laughs nervously) Bluff called! Damn, she saw right through me.
Me: You're so cute when you're bashful.
Alistair: I'll be (laughs nervously) ... I'll be standing over here (points to a distant corner of the camp). Until the blushing stops. Just to be, uh, safe. You know how it is.
Alistair: So all this time we've spent together... you know: the tragedy, the brushes with death, the constant battles with the Blight looming over us... will you miss it once it's over?
Me: Miss the constant battles? Or miss you?
Alistair: I know it... might sound strange, considering we haven't known each other for very long, but I've come to... care for you. A great deal.
Alistair: I think maybe it's because we've gone through so much together, I don't know. Or maybe I'm imagining it. Maybe I'm fooling myself.
Alistair: Am I? Fooling myself? Or do you think you might ever... feel the same way about me?
Me: I think I already do.
(He leans in to kiss me)
Alistair: That... that wasn't too soon, was it?
Me: I don't know. I need more testing to be sure.
Alistair: Well, I'll have to arrange that, then, won't I?
Alistair: Maker's breath, but you're beautiful. I am a lucky man.
Alistair: Now let's get back to... what we were up to before. Lest I forget why we're here.
Haha, and this is what Wynne, the elderly mage thinks of our relationship!
Wynne: You're quite taken with each other, aren't you?
Me: You know about Alistair and me?
Wynne: It's hard not to notice the doe-eyed looks he gives you, especially when he thinks no one's watching.
Wynne: It's almost too sweet for my tastes, and I'm an old lady who should be making lace hearts and fuzzy blankets with animal motifs.
Me: So what were you going to say about us?
Wynne: I've noticed your blossoming relationship, and I wanted to ask you where you thought it was going.
Wynne: Alistair is a fine lad, skilled in battle, but quite inexperienced when it comes to affairs of the heart. I would hate to see him get hurt.
Me: We're just taking it one day at a time.
Wynne: You are both Grey Wardens and he is the son of a king. You have responsibilities which supersede your personal desires.
Me: Alistair doesn't want to be king.
Wynne: That may be true but he is still a Grey Warden.
Wynne: Love is ultimately selfish. It demands that one be devoted to a single person, who may fully occupy one's mind and heart, to the exclusion of all else.
Wynne: A Grey Warden cannot afford to be selfish. You may be forced to make a choice between saving your love and saving everyone else, and then what would you do?
Me: I don't want to have to make that choice.
Wynne: Nothing is certain, not in these times. You cannot take anything for granted. I want you to be aware of this.
Me: Are you trying to get me to end this?
Wynne: You may have to, to save one or both of you unnecessary anguish later on.
Me: I'm not giving up what we have no matter what you say.
Wynne: I have given my advice. Do with it what you will.
And...the grand finale, minus the embarrassing sex scene.
I was going to write a very in depth blog about romance in games and the experiences I've had, but you know what? I'm just going to get very over excited about the game that has inspired this post: Dragon Age: Origins. Oh my God. It's a Fantasy game with magic and elves and dwarves and dragons. And Alistair. Lovely, lovely Alistair.
I'll get to the romance quickly and I shan't go on about the game for too long, because I know I have very few gamer friends on here these days, but I shall have to just explain the basics. So, you play a Grey Warden, an awesome kind of knight who fights evil beings. You go about your duty, recruiting other characters who can help you on your quest... and this is where the romance comes in. Each choice you make in the game affects how your companions feel about you, they all have different personalities and will react positively or negatively to the things you do. As far as I know there are four romance options, depending on your gender and sexual orientation (yes, you can have a gay or lesbian relationship, which is a brave move and one I'm really pleased about...although there have been accusations of negative stereotyping when it comes to promiscuity, but still!) You can talk to the characters at any time, ask them questions, choose your own responses, give them gifts, basically, it's amazing. Now, the romance is not the main crux of the game, but seriously, it's all Jim, Marcus J and I have spoken about all week.
So, this is Alistair.
Oh. My. God. In the game he's the cutest thing ever. He's goofy and sarcastic and he hides behind his humour all the time and of course, he has a really tragic past! He's the bastard son of the (now-dead) King, born to a maid in the Castle. She died when he was very young and the King's brother took care of him. Unfortunately his wife misread the situation and assumed that he was her husband's illegitimate son, so she sent him away at the age of ten to live a religious life in a monastic institution called the Chantry. He hated this life, but was given a way out when he was chosen to become a Grey Warden. Long story short, he's a Grey Warden, I'm a Grey Warden and all the other Grey Warden's we were with are dead. Let's just say that I'm more than happy to start rebuilding the Grey Warden population of the world with him.
I wasn't even that bothered about him to begin with, but then the boys were getting all excited about the girl they both liked, Morrigan, and I don't know, now I'm smitten! He says the sweetest, funniest things (and there is so much conversation and banter in this game!) Tonight I'd got far enough into the game for there to be little hints of romance and now I'm dancing around the house like a schoolgirl. Seriously. [[OMG you guys, I just read this: "In writing Alistair, David Gaider was inspired by Xander from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Malcolm Reynolds from Firefly." Suddenly it all makes sense :DDDD]].
It all kind've started when he told me that the only thing he had to remind him of his Mother was an amulet that had once belonged to her, but as an angry ten year old he had thrown it against a wall in protest at being banished from the castle, and it had smashed. He was so saddened that he'd lost it. I managed to find the amulet and I gave it to him, he was so happy and so flattered that I'd remembered his story! <333333
So, I'm posting some dialogue here that I lovingly copied down from my Xbox 360. He's so playful and goofy and it doesn't really come across in the text...it's all in his gestures and his voice. But oh well! So here, please enjoy some medieval flirting between woman and pixel. ETA: I've also added some videos, although they are not from my game and the conversations differ slightly.
Me: Alistair?
Alistair: At your service.
Me: I have some questions.
Alistair: Of course.
Me: If you were raised in the Chantry have you never...?
Alistair: Never? Never what? Had a good pair of shoes?
Me: You know what I mean.
Alistair: I'm not sure I do. Have I never seen a basilisk? Ate jellied ham? Have I never licked a lamppost in winter?
Me: Now you're making fun of me.
Alistair: Make fun of you, dear lady? Perish the thought. Well, tell me: have you ever licked a lamppost in winter?
Me: No, I've never licked a lamppost in winter.
Alistair: Good. I hear it's quite painful. I remember one of the younger initiates did it on a dare, once, and there was pointing and laughing and... oh, the humanity.
Alistair: I, myself, have also never done it. That. Not that I haven't thought about it, of course, but... you know.
Me: You've never had the opportunity?
Alistair: Well, living in the Chantry, is... not exactly a life for rambunctious boys. They taught me to be a gentleman, especially in the presence of beautiful women such as yourself. That's not so bad, is it?
Me: You think I'm beautiful?
Alistair: Of course you are, and you know it. You're ravishing, resourceful, and all those other things you'd probably hurt me for not saying.
Me: I would never hurt you.
Alistair: Nor I you.
Alistair: Let us be off, then, lest your risque talk makes my ears blush.
Click to view
Me: I'd like to discuss something private
Alistair: Well, we're in camp. Now's as good a time as any to talk, right?
Me: I need to tell you how much I enjoy your company.
Alistair: You know, I was just thinking the same thing.
Alistair: Given the circumstances, things could have been so much worse. I'm so grateful that you're you, instead of... some other Grey Warden.
Alistair: Umm... that sounded better in my head. I just mean to say that I can't imagine having done this without you.
Me: I feel the same way.
Alistair: Now we just need to be rid of that pesky archdemon and everything would be back to normal, right? *chuckles*
We're taking things slow XD. You can kiss and...erm...lick lampposts in winter in this game. Oh man. I can't cope. I'll be in my bunk. No legitimately, it's 2.30am D:
ETA: Added videos and new conversations :D
Alistair: Here look at this. Do you know what this is?
Me: Your new weapon of choice?
Alistair: Yes, that's right! Watch as I thrash our enemies with the mighty power of floral arrangements! Feel my thorns, Dark Spawn! Rah! I will overpower you with my rosy scent! ...Or, you know, it could just be a rose. I know that's pretty dull in comparison.
Me: You've been thumbing that rose for a while now...
Alistair: I picked it in Lothering. I remember thinking 'how can something so beautiful exist in a place with so much despair and ugliness. I probably should have left it alone, but I couldn't... the Dark Spawn would come and their taint would just destroy it. So I've had it ever since.
Me: That's a nice sentiment.
Alistair: I thought that I might give it to you, actually. In a lot of ways I think the same thing when I look at you
Me: Thank you Alistair. That's a lovely thought.
Alistair: I'm glad you like it. I was just thinking... here I am doing all this complaining and you haven't exactly been having a great time of it yourself.
Alistair: You've had none of the good experience of being a Grey Warden since your joining, not a word of thanks or congratulation. It's all been death and fighting and tragedy.
Alistair: I thought maybe I could say something. Tell you what a rare and wonderful thing you are to find amidst all this... darkness.
Me: I feel the same way about you.
Alistair: I'm glad you like it. Now... if we could move right on past this awkward, embarrassing stage and get right to the steamy bits, I'd appreciate it.
Me: Sounds good. Off with the armour, then.
Alistair: (laughs nervously) Bluff called! Damn, she saw right through me.
Me: You're so cute when you're bashful.
Alistair: I'll be (laughs nervously) ... I'll be standing over here (points to a distant corner of the camp). Until the blushing stops. Just to be, uh, safe. You know how it is.
Alistair: So all this time we've spent together... you know: the tragedy, the brushes with death, the constant battles with the Blight looming over us... will you miss it once it's over?
Me: Miss the constant battles? Or miss you?
Alistair: I know it... might sound strange, considering we haven't known each other for very long, but I've come to... care for you. A great deal.
Alistair: I think maybe it's because we've gone through so much together, I don't know. Or maybe I'm imagining it. Maybe I'm fooling myself.
Alistair: Am I? Fooling myself? Or do you think you might ever... feel the same way about me?
Me: I think I already do.
(He leans in to kiss me)
Alistair: That... that wasn't too soon, was it?
Me: I don't know. I need more testing to be sure.
Alistair: Well, I'll have to arrange that, then, won't I?
Alistair: Maker's breath, but you're beautiful. I am a lucky man.
Alistair: Now let's get back to... what we were up to before. Lest I forget why we're here.
Haha, and this is what Wynne, the elderly mage thinks of our relationship!
Wynne: You're quite taken with each other, aren't you?
Me: You know about Alistair and me?
Wynne: It's hard not to notice the doe-eyed looks he gives you, especially when he thinks no one's watching.
Wynne: It's almost too sweet for my tastes, and I'm an old lady who should be making lace hearts and fuzzy blankets with animal motifs.
Me: So what were you going to say about us?
Wynne: I've noticed your blossoming relationship, and I wanted to ask you where you thought it was going.
Wynne: Alistair is a fine lad, skilled in battle, but quite inexperienced when it comes to affairs of the heart. I would hate to see him get hurt.
Me: We're just taking it one day at a time.
Wynne: You are both Grey Wardens and he is the son of a king. You have responsibilities which supersede your personal desires.
Me: Alistair doesn't want to be king.
Wynne: That may be true but he is still a Grey Warden.
Wynne: Love is ultimately selfish. It demands that one be devoted to a single person, who may fully occupy one's mind and heart, to the exclusion of all else.
Wynne: A Grey Warden cannot afford to be selfish. You may be forced to make a choice between saving your love and saving everyone else, and then what would you do?
Me: I don't want to have to make that choice.
Wynne: Nothing is certain, not in these times. You cannot take anything for granted. I want you to be aware of this.
Me: Are you trying to get me to end this?
Wynne: You may have to, to save one or both of you unnecessary anguish later on.
Me: I'm not giving up what we have no matter what you say.
Wynne: I have given my advice. Do with it what you will.
And...the grand finale, minus the embarrassing sex scene.