Anders – "Nobody's perfect"

Sure, i don't mind either, I like hearing different views and civil debate. 

So. When I played DA2 for the first time, it was right after I'd finished a Isabella-esque Cousland Queen of Fereldan. So, my goal was, as Hawke, how many of my DA2 companions can I sleep with on the first play?

It felt like only one flirt happened and Isabella jumped me. She seemed cool with it just being a friendly romp.

Then Merril came to my house crying about mirror/clan something, there was kissing... and then right in the middle of cuddles, she dumps ice water on the moment by declaring her love for me. Whoa, Merril. Whoa. I had already thought it a little impulsive/out of character for you to want to sleep with me anyway, and now love? So, off she ran away sounding like I'd broken her heart.

Then Anders. Anders. Who could have gone the same as the rest of them. But unlike the other two...

In his clinic, he kissed me, passionately. Tore himself away from me even though it was obvious he wanted more. Told me he cared for me. Then said he'd come to my house; and only if I left my door open would he come inside. This is unlike all of the other available romances. It spoke about being careful of my wants, my desires. It spoke of concern about consent. He wanted me badly, but he needed to know I wanted him too; no pressure, no in the moment emotional flippancy. Space and time to decide. It was amazing.

Then he came to my door, still wondering and hoping. He was there even though he literally had a voice inside his head telling him not to. But what really nailed it in as my canon romance of DA2 was when he made reference to the fact that he'd been in love with me for years.

"For three years, I have lain awake, aching for you. I'm still terrified I'll wake up."

This wasn't some romp in the hay, same ol same ol for a pirate.  It wasn't an emotionally weak moment on the part of a ditzy Dalish elf. Both those romances felt like they were slapped on... they never indicated before that moment that they cared about Hawke romantically. 

That line gave me Alistair level fuzzies and butterflies. So much for this dominant Queen of Fereldan, I was wrapped around his little finger. Even when my mind screamed something was up, he emotionally blackmailed my heart into helping to blow up a church. And maybe only Anders fans can relate; but the amount of betrayal I felt when he blew up that Chantry was hardcore. I yelled. I walked the house, ranting. I asked everyone who happened to be home what they would do as Anders kneeled on my screen, waiting for my judgement.

my husband told me to execute him.  I went back to my screen. I mean, at this point, it'd been 30 minutes or something of my deliberating. And I couldn't do it. I couldn't kill my video game lover of "three years." I'd lain with this man, slept with him, ate breakfast with him, debated mage politics with him--probably even farted under the covers with giggles. 

Give me a T shirt. "I love a Terrorist." 
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That all said, the second play through I rivaled manced him after my friendmanced Fenris left me with nothign but questions and rejection in my bedroom.

So I rebound to Anders.

Then later, Anders and Fenris discuss that right in front of me.

And Fenris talks about how it was the hardest thing he'd ever done. And that Anders better treat me well.

That struck a chord as well; because then I knew that Fenris had loved me those three years-still loved me, in fact. Rival Anders was way more whiny then I remember friend Anders being.

So, right now, I feel like I may eventually romance Fenris and stick with him for the rest of my DA2 life. Anders will always be my first terrorist love though; the emotions he caused are burned right here.

As long as it stays this 

Let me know if anyone starts killing each other (*ahem*)
but in the meantime, I'll see myself out... 

Yeah, I thought it seemed hinted at that Anders always falls for Hawke, even when not romancing him. There's the comment he always makes about whoever your LI is, but the way he is sort of easy to romance and available even after romancing everyone else, seems to suggest they wanted players to try it at least once. I could understand why, because I find his romance to be the most dramatic and integrated with the plot. So even after trying the others, Anders just feels canon to me.

^

I think as long as it's civil, and not people coming here simply to bash or troll, I don't have a problem. I don't wish to exclude anyone from discussing the rivalry and whatnot.

But, @hanako, if you do not like Anders at all, even as a character or story element, I can understand people's feelings, because a lot of Anders topics seem to get derailed into endless mage/templar debates, and we already have a thread for that..or if not, we could always start one to discuss specifically that.

Well, then, let's get some pictures!
This I brought from the old forum, because I like it.
Anders's life

And the happy end:

That's just the way BW games are designed. Back in BG2, people would constantly complain about Nalia doing something very similar. She'd complain if you took her along to a dungeon because "we could be helping poor people right now omg" (Nalia was D&D Bernie Sanders on crack). The thing is, her own personal quest involved retaking her family's keep. Most of which was categorized as a dungeon. So you'd take her on her own loyalty mission and she'd bitch about the fact you're wasting time on that. Oddly, a lot of people absolutely hated her just for that one bit of dialogue even though it couldn't possibly be more clear that it's just the a strange game design decision and not a canon example of the character's viewpoints.

I brought him on both, so I can't remember if it was both or just one.

He also rubs it in Fenris's face that he's"won" me. I've only played twice and I romanced him both times. He will probably also always remain my cannon. I don't k ow why rifneno is coming on so strong about Fenris being possibly a stronger love than Anders.

Fenris may disappear for three years but he doesn't lie to you about a bomb. Blow up a church, then wait quietly while you decide to execute him. I love Anders, but those sins are not on the same level.

Yeah he does gloat about it if he 'wins' and acts jealous if he doesn't. But I don't think it means one loves Hawke more or less. This is just one more thing the two don't like about each other, and they both care about Hawke. In the love triangle, Fenris also says something like "break his/her heart and I'll kill you.."  

But if Hawke doesn't have enough friendship/rivalry or makes the wrong choice at the end, either of them might end up betraying Hawke. I think Anders' betrayal stands out more, because he always blows up the Chantry. But Fenris can turn on Hawke too. Merrill can also turn on Hawke, and Isabela with the book.

Catilina, yeah I think that is kind of what they were going for though. You have this group of companions. And everyone can betray one another. Hawke can betray them as well, whether giving Fenris back to slavers, or handing Isabela to the Qunari, etc.

Do not forget to Anders also able to follow Hawke, if s/he choose the Templar side...
And Fenris/Aveline also able to follow him/her to fight fot mages.

To Fenris' case: How do you know what Hawke doing in three years? Kirkwall is a big city... Maybe have some affair(s).

(Huh, nazis again popped. Please... would be nice to talk without "terrorist" and "nazis" or nazi terrorist or something similar...)

Fenris afraid of magic, if Hawke are don't spent enough time to convince him, naturally he will follow his fear. He never turned against my Hawke(s). Aveline is not fighting against Hawke, if I know right (I just saw one video, when she puts down her sword before Hawke).

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I know what it's about, but I would prefer less "nazis" and/or "terrorists" in this thread. Without it also we can moralising.