If you watch in slow motions and analyse the facial expressions and body language of Tav (especially with free camera) you will come to no other conclusion than that. The scream, the terrified, pissed-off, disgusted, unhappy, blank look (even if he smiles, it looks like a forced smile, even a bit contempt as it is more one-sided – just compare them to his regular smiles in other scenes), clenching his fists, rejecting his Partner, no touches at all, defensive posture (!).
The body language makes it so much worse!
Originally Posted by Zayir
Disrespectful. To give us a „romance“ kiss, call the Patch „Valentine’s Patch“ and „Love is in the air in Faerûn“ and „to better reflect the connection between players and their partners (!) - love truly (!) has been in the air in the office“, BUT, where our Tavs are sad, unhappy, feeling uncomfortable, rejecting - and because of that portrayed as a sex doll and victim of abuse.
The sheer irony of it is just absurd.
Originally Posted by Liriel
Astarion, freshly ascended, obviously adoring you in his own twisted way, is totally fine with everything. He can't read body language anymore. He's suddenly overwhelmed by the need to mistreat his spawn. He's the same guy who, before the patch (I haven't noticed if it still happens) said "Ask me anything, and it will be yours". The guy who, if you break up, doesn't lay a hand on you, and actually sounds heartbroken. That guy.
Also the same guy who is chill with you going to Avernus and letting you become a certain thing in the evil ending.
He is such an abusive monster that they even included these new hidden dialogue options in the script in the same (!) patch:
Tav (who sees him during the epilogue party after returning from Avernus): I'm sorry I kind of disappeared. I didn't mean to you leave you like that. AA: Oh my dear, you didn't leave me - I let you go. If I'd wanted you to stay I only had to say the word and you would have been back by my side. But I'm not some controlling monster. I wanted to give you space to see what else is out there, make your own mistakes, and return to me ready to fully appreciate our life [together?]. Anyway, I had more than enough to keep me busy while you were gallivanting in another plane. --- AA: And who knows what's next? There is an entire world out there, ready for the taking. Tav: Just don't do anything too drastic while I'm away? I don't want to miss out. AA: I make no promises, but I shall try. Bloodshed is always more fun with company, after all.
It seems like someone from Larian does want to give us a good dark romance but then they get trolled by someone else who wants to push the abuser theme, and we end up with a narrative mess.
