You Can't Save the Spider *and* the Butterfly

And now I have a possibly-not-AU explanation for Elissa’s somewhat-AU-head-canon-abilities. How did I get so lucky that things are fitting together this way, when now that I’ve replayed Awakening, I realize how little of it I actually remembered. Clearly my subconscious remembered, even if I didn’t, and right now it’s somewhere between “I told you so” and

.

Seriously, my subconscious is so pleased with itself right now that I can barely stand to be in my own head.

When I started my WD head canon for Elissa—especially her slightly-AU increased Warden abilities—I never considered the decisions I made in my original pt of Awakening using her character on PS3. Now I’m at the end of Awakening on PC with my WD-version-pt-Elissa, and OH MY GOD IT ALL MAKES SO MUCH SENSE. Considering her experiences during the Blight, there honestly is no conceivable way she could NOT side with the Architect, even if his methods are questionable.

In my original pt of this, just like with saving Amaranthine she sided with the Architect solely because I wanted the trophy. But it really is what she would do in the situation she’s faced with.

God… I love you, Elissa. I don’t always agree with you, but I absolutely love you.

I could understand if you still thought Delilah died in the war or something, but you know GOOD AND DAMNED WELL that she’s alive and in Amaranthine. SO WHY THE HELL ARE YOU ARGUING TO SACRIFICE THE CITY???

I am disappoint, Nate. I am very disappoint.

You know good and damned well that it’s idiotic to try and defend both the city and the Keep. But you always insist on doing it anyway. You’re lucky I know how these things turn out, and that I already know you’re right. But that doesn’t mean I can’t be frustrated with you for it.

(My m!Tabris on PS3 burned Amaranthine, and my Elissa on PS3 saved it only for the trophy. But after learning Elissa so much better than I knew her back then, I know she’d have done this anyway, even if Me As Player wasn’t just trophy-hunting back then. Sten was right; she sees something that needs to be done and just does it. She never stops to consider if success is possible. Maybe it’s luck, or maybe it’s just that she never pauses long enough to second guess herself, but whatever the reason once she sets her mind to a course of action she never stops until she succeeds.)

What was said:

Anders: Have I ever told you that I find tattoos on women incredibly attractive?
Velanna: Have I ever told you that I find most humans physically and morally repulsive?
Anders: Good to know! 

What should have been said:

Anders: Have I ever told you that I find tattoos on women incredibly attractive?
Velanna: Have I ever told you that I find most humans physically and morally repulsive?
Anders: I notice you said “most” humans… *wink wink nudge nudge*
Velanna: Including you.
Anders: Good to know! 

I’m really glad the first option in for this dialogue is “What are you doing here?” considering I left her back at Vigil’s Keep. She’s a cutie, and I imagine my other Wardens would use her a good bit, but Elissa unfortunately has no room for her in the party, since Sigrun’s skills are almost identical to the ones I’ve been giving Elissa from the beginning.

For legitimate reasons, not “reasons” reasons. :p

Unfortunately, Velanna seems to be the one who speaks most often and I don’t know if I want to use her for the related prompt.