138873 réponses à ce sujet

[Tishina]

Hmm, that's a good question. I wonder if it's partially definitional, or just interpretation. Let's see. What do I mean when I say shy? I guess I expect that to be someone who is not assertive, that doesn't want to put themselves in the spotlight, isn't the initiator. And, I don't see those things in general about Cullen, or even necessarily in his romance scenes. He's almost obnoxiously assertive as your advisor. And in the first kiss scene, I feel like he's just not smooth, like he has no idea what to say or how to say it... but he's the one that kisses you first (while, of course, the IQ hides demurely at the parapet while Jim is there). So I guess that's why I would call it awkward but not shy. Does that make sense? But maybe that's still what you mean by shy?

 

In the chess scene as well, he's awkward and fumbling, but he also invites you to play chess with him instead of just letting you, and the moment, pass by. 

And I think maybe we are running into a definitional thing here? Because I don't consider him at all fumbling in the chess scene. In fact, he's quite smooth, even cocky, through most of it. He does have just a moment when it seems to hit him that you might be flirting with him, but I don't consider that awkward or fumbling. What you do see several times (including in Perseverance even with someone who's non-romanceable) is him stumbling when he's rehearsed something in his head and it doesn't sound right when he tries to say it...?

 

Edit: and I would call that behavior lacking confidence more than shy or awkward?

[R2s Muse]

And I think maybe we are running into a definitional thing here? Because I don't consider him at all fumbling in the chess scene. In fact, he's quite smooth, even cocky, through most of it. He does have just a moment when it seems to hit him that you might be flirting with him, but I don't consider that awkward or fumbling. What you do see several times (including in Perseverance even with someone who's non-romanceable) is him stumbling when he's rehearsed something in his head and it doesn't sound right when he tries to say it...?

 

Edit: and I would call that behavior lacking confidence more than shy or awkward?

To clarify, the part I call fumbling is when the IQ first shows up, and Dorian teases him. Cullen practically knocks over the chess board. LOL Through the rest of it, not so much, like you said. I still wouldn't really call it shy either, but I think we're all just splitting hairs at this point. I also think it's lack of confidence in certain situations . . . which causes him to be awkward.  

[Tishina]

To clarify, the part I call fumbling is when the IQ first shows up, and Dorian teases him. Cullen practically knocks over the chess board. LOL Through the rest of it, not so much, like you said. I still wouldn't really call it shy either, but I think we're all just splitting hairs at this point. I also think it's lack of confidence in certain situations . . . which causes him to be awkward.

Yes, one person's awkwardness is another person's lack of confidence is another person's shyness.  I think, too, there's room for interpretation of the source of some of his clumsiness at times. Cullen might be jumping up guiltily, because he's engaging in something frivolous, since he does that no matter who the IQ is and is otherwise pretty cocky with Dorian even after the IQ arrives. In fact, since he mentions his family and playing his sister, I wonder if this isn't a bit of trying to recover who he was before becoming a Templar?

[R2s Muse]

Yes, one person's awkwardness is another person's lack of confidence is another person's shyness.  I think, too, there's room for interpretation of the source of some of his clumsiness at times. Cullen might be jumping up guiltily, because he's engaging in something frivolous, since he does that no matter who the IQ is and is otherwise pretty cocky with Dorian even after the IQ arrives. In fact, since he mentions his family and playing his sister, I wonder if this isn't a bit of trying to recover who he was before becoming a Templar?

See, seeing how is with Dorian, for example, and also with Leliana in that scene are among the reasons I don't assign him as shy. Because he *is* cocky, or what I normally call assertive!Cullen. Yum. It's the flirting department where it gets [[insert word]]. LOL I might just start calling it silly now.

 

Now, assertive!Cullen is also a lot of what we saw in DA2. Takin' Care of Business Cullen. So some of the awkwardness could be the writers trying to bridge that guy, the commander of armies, with the classic "aw he's a shy stutterer" opinions about dao!Cullen. It reminds me a bit of the apparent tapdance Gaider had to do in writing Anomen in BG2. He wrote him to be kind of a jerk, and then only later found out he was going to be a love interest, so had to then make him likeable. LOL Of course... it worked, but surely was a challenge. 

 

And of course it could have been much worse with Cullen, and they might have thrown in some of the creepy hairbrushing.

[Tishina]

See, seeing how is with Dorian, for example, and also with Leliana in that scene are among the reasons I don't assign him as shy. Because he *is* cocky, or what I normally call assertive!Cullen. Yum. It's the flirting department where it gets [[insert word]]. LOL I might just start calling it silly now.

 

Now, assertive!Cullen is also a lot of what we saw in DA2. Takin' Care of Business Cullen. So some of the awkwardness could be the writers trying to bridge that guy, the commander of armies, with the classic "aw he's a shy stutterer" opinions about dao!Cullen. It reminds me a bit of the apparent tapdance Gaider had to do in writing Anomen in BG2. He wrote him to be kind of a jerk, and then only later found out he was going to be a love interest, so had to then make him likeable. LOL Of course... it worked, but surely was a challenge. 

 

And of course it could have been much worse with Cullen, and they might have thrown in some of the creepy hairbrushing.

I once created and ran a male mage just long enough to talk with Cullen (I wanted to see the differences.) Almost like talking to a different person.

[CuriousArtemis]

So there is a #april fools bodyswap tag going around Tumblr, where artists draw something and writers draw something, just for kicks. And... I decided to participate! And... I DECIDED TO DRAW CULLEN!!

 

But of course I could not help but add a little story to go with it xD

 

 

“Do you like it?” 

 

Cullen stared down at the drawing in his hands, at first not saying anything. Maker’s breath, he didn’t know what he should say. His eyes looked as if he had been possessed by the most depraved of demons. His nose belonged on an overlarge snuffling pig. His ears were shapeless blobs that belied the amount of care that had no doubt gone into their construction. Frustration born from attempting to capture his facial features must have led to a less than precise attempt at recreating his armor and cloak. At least the beard is nice, he thought.

 

He took a deep breath, preparing himself for the release of the lie currently sitting on the tip of his tongue. 

 

“It’s wonderful,” he said at last. “You’ve got a real talent.”

 

His lover looked up at him, green eyes characteristically hard, the vallaslin on his brow as always lending an eerie wildness to his gaze. 

 

“You’re lying,” said the Inquisitor.

 

Cullen felt his face start to warm.

 

“Not at all!” he said. “It... It shows great promise. Great potential.” He gestured vaguely at the portrait. “I particularly like this part.”

 

Auren’s eyes narrowed. “You just gestured at the whole thing.”

 

“Well... that’s because I happen to like the whole thing.”

 

“Liar.”

 

Cullen hesitated, a new thought coming to him. “What if I said I liked that you drew it at all?”

 

“...Explain.”

 

“Well, it was only yesterday that you said you wanted to learn how to sketch. And the first thing you decide to sketch... is me?” He smiled a little. “I like that.”

 

For the first time in living memory, he began to see a hint of color creeping up his lover’s cheeks. Auren’s lips thinned. After a second, he stood up, snatched the drawing from Cullen’s hands, and turned away.

 

“You’re an idiot,” he snapped. Five seconds later, the door to Cullen’s office slammed shut, and he was left alone.

 

The former knight-captain couldn’t resist chuckling to himself as he walked and sat back down at his desk, resuming the paperwork he had previously been attending to.

[Sifr]

EDIT: And that's fine. Some people are situationally shy. For example, my sister has always been very confident and talkative, but she's shy when she has a crush on a cute guy. I used to be very shy with everyone except my immediate family, but now I can confidently talk to almost everyone and give speeches in front of crowded rooms, except when I'm around my boyfriend's family, in which case I clam up. I can believe that Cullen is normally pretty confident, but then becomes shy when he first likes someone.

 

I'm actually very much the same. Social anxiety, awkwardness and extremely quiet around those I don't know well, but far more extroverted, confident and talkative when it comes to friends and family.

 

Cullen definitely comes across the same way to me, far more comfortable in encounters where he's dealing with someone one-on-one, but tends to be far more shy when he's dealing with larger groups of people, which is why he loathes Halamshiral so much.

 

We see a good example of this during his chess match with Dorian, where he's confident and making jokes, right until the Inquisitor shows up and adds another person into the mix, leading him to suddenly act extremely shy and awkward (especially if you're female).

 

Even in a small group like Cass, Leliana, Josie and the Inq, he speaks up little in discussions unless he actively disagrees with something, and even then, often directs his attention to one person at a time when he does speak.

 

That being said, the one time we see Cullen really excel at public speaking is when he's rallying people, because being a soldier and leading people is something that falls within his comfort zone and he could do in his sleep. Cullen seems to have a tendency to overthink things a lot, such as what to say and do, which he doesn't need to do when he's in soldier-mode because it just comes naturally to him.

[R2s Muse]

So there is a #april fools bodyswap tag going around Tumblr, where artists draw something and writers draw something, just for kicks. And... I decided to participate! And... I DECIDED TO DRAW CULLEN!!

 

But of course I could not help but add a little story to go with it xD

 

 

“Do you like it?” 

 

Cullen stared down at the drawing in his hands, at first not saying anything. Maker’s breath, he didn’t know what he should say. His eyes looked as if he had been possessed by the most depraved of demons. His nose belonged on an overlarge snuffling pig. His ears were shapeless blobs that belied the amount of care that had no doubt gone into their construction. Frustration born from attempting to capture his facial features must have led to a less than precise attempt at recreating his armor and cloak. At least the beard is nice, he thought.

 

He took a deep breath, preparing himself for the release of the lie currently sitting on the tip of his tongue. 

 

“It’s wonderful,” he said at last. “You’ve got a real talent.”

 

His lover looked up at him, green eyes characteristically hard, the vallaslin on his brow as always lending an eerie wildness to his gaze. 

 

“You’re lying,” said the Inquisitor.

 

Cullen felt his face start to warm.

 

“Not at all!” he said. “It... It shows great promise. Great potential.” He gestured vaguely at the portrait. “I particularly like this part.”

 

Auren’s eyes narrowed. “You just gestured at the whole thing.”

 

“Well... that’s because I happen to like the whole thing.”

 

“Liar.”

 

Cullen hesitated, a new thought coming to him. “What if I said I liked that you drew it at all?”

 

“...Explain.”

 

“Well, it was only yesterday that you said you wanted to learn how to sketch. And the first thing you decide to sketch... is me?” He smiled a little. “I like that.”

 

For the first time in living memory, he began to see a hint of color creeping up his lover’s cheeks. Auren’s lips thinned. After a second, he stood up, snatched the drawing from Cullen’s hands, and turned away.

 

“You’re an idiot,” he snapped. Five seconds later, the door to Cullen’s office slammed shut, and he was left alone.

 

The former knight-captain couldn’t resist chuckling to himself as he walked and sat back down at his desk, resuming the paperwork he had previously been attending to.

OMG, I didn't know you could draw!!! Wow!!

[R2s Muse]

I'm actually very much the same. Social anxiety, awkwardness and extremely quiet around those I don't know well, but far more extroverted, confident and talkative when it comes to friends and family.

 

Cullen definitely comes across the same way to me, far more comfortable in encounters where he's dealing with someone one-on-one, but tends to be far more shy when he's dealing with larger groups of people, which is why he loathes Halamshiral so much.

 

We see a good example of this during his chess match with Dorian, where he's confident and making jokes, right until the Inquisitor shows up and adds another person into the mix, leading him to suddenly act extremely shy and awkward (especially if you're female).

 

Even in a small group like Cass, Leliana, Josie and the Inq, he speaks up little in discussions unless he actively disagrees with something, and even then, often directs his attention to one person at a time when he does speak.

 

That being said, the one time we see Cullen really excel at public speaking is when he's rallying people, because being a soldier and leading people is something that falls within his comfort zone and he could do in his sleep. Cullen seems to have a tendency to overthink things a lot, such as what to say and do, which he doesn't need to do when he's in soldier-mode because it just comes naturally to him.

Mmm good points! I hadn't noticed that with the advisors, so I'll have to go watch for that. Excellent point with halamshiral, altho I still think part of that is also that he's not a high society guy.

[Ghost Gal]

I'm actually very much the same. Social anxiety, awkwardness and extremely quiet around those I don't know well, but far more extroverted, confident and talkative when it comes to friends and family.

 

Cullen definitely comes across the same way to me, far more comfortable in encounters where he's dealing with someone one-on-one, but tends to be far more shy when he's dealing with larger groups of people, which is why he loathes Halamshiral so much.

 

We see a good example of this during his chess match with Dorian, where he's confident and making jokes, right until the Inquisitor shows up and adds another person into the mix, leading him to suddenly act extremely shy and awkward (especially if you're female).

 

Even in a small group like Cass, Leliana, Josie and the Inq, he speaks up little in discussions unless he actively disagrees with something, and even then, often directs his attention to one person at a time when he does speak.

 

That being said, the one time we see Cullen really excel at public speaking is when he's rallying people, because being a soldier and leading people is something that falls within his comfort zone and he could do in his sleep. Cullen seems to have a tendency to overthink things a lot, such as what to say and do, which he doesn't need to do when he's in soldier-mode because it just comes naturally to him.

 

That's an extremely good point. I hadn't noticed that until you mentioned it.

 

Cullen seemed much more confident and outspoken this game, but I didn't notice that he's only really confident when he's in "professional" soldier mode (which makes sense since he's had warrior training since he was a kid), or when he's talking to one person at a time. Throw in extra people or throw him in a situation he hasn't been trained for (like parties or dancing), and he becomes very nervous and awkward, and/or directs his attention to something he can handle.

 

My mom is actually that way. She's a veterinarian, so when she's at the clinic or talking medicine she's as confident as you please, but in most other social situations, like parties, picnics, singles meetups, ballroom dance classes, etc. she's so painfully shy and awkward she can barely look at anyone, let alone speak. Even if she can bring herself to talk to someone at parities or get-togethers, she can also only talk to one or two people at a time, then wilts into the background when more people enter the conversation.

 

While Cullen isn't that bad, it seems to be another case of situational shyness. He's pretty confident in his comfort zone (war, battle, military commanding and planning), but throw in a situation his Templar training and/or military experience hasn't prepared him for, and he becomes pretty nervous and awkward.

 

I think this includes matters of the heart, especially early on in his relationship with the Inquisitor. Which, honestly, makes sense. Early in the relationship he's opening himself up to rejection by admitting romantic feelings for someone who might not return his feelings, so of course he'd be nervous, uncomfortable, bashful, etc. Plus, romance is itself new ground for him, since he's a former Templar who's either never been with someone, or only had one crush on a mage whom he drove away due to his trauma. So if he's uncomfortable or unsure part of the time, it makes sense. =)

[CuriousArtemis]

OMG, I didn't know you could draw!!! Wow!!

 

Um, well, I can't!! As you can see!

[MelissaGT]

Hey guys, long time no post! Sorry I've been away for so long...I haven't played DA:I in what seems like forever! It keeps calling to me though...I still need to finish my Cullen x Lavellan x Solas playthrough... 0_o

 

Those who watch me on Tumblr have probably noticed that I got sucked pretty deep into the realm of Skyrim modding, haha. I really need to get back to DA:I. I still haven't finished JoH!

[d4eaming]

I will try to catch a muse for a male Lavellan/Cullen fic. I need to play to get into the character and get some ideas flowing. I have several ideas for Dorian fics, sooo... I'm not going to promise anything, but if I do get something written, I will link it here for those who might be interested,

[R2s Muse]

Um, well, I can't!! As you can see!

Naw, you totally can! You have no idea what *I* would come up with. LOL Kudos to you!

[CuriousArtemis]

Naw, you totally can! You have no idea what *I* would come up with. LOL Kudos to you!

 

Ha you're too kind Well confession time, I drew ALL THE TIME as a child and a teen, and only gave it up when I started college and life got real Lucky for you, R2, I have my old high school sketch pad. I bet you will recognize a few of these...

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

I bet you will recognize this one, too?

 

Spoiler

 

And here is proof that I've been obsessed with lovely elven lads for long, long time:

Spoiler

I even named him! Bless. (I think this is also from a book cover. I want to say Dragonlance.)

 

And, lastly... I loved my namesake, Artemis, since I was very young, and here's proof of that ^^

Spoiler

[Tishina]

Ha you're too kind Well confession time, I drew ALL THE TIME as a child and a teen, and only gave it up when I started college and life got real Lucky for you, R2, I have my old high school sketch pad. I bet you will recognize a few of these...

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

I bet you will recognize this one, too?

 

Spoiler

 

And here is proof that I've been obsessed with lovely elven lads for long, long time:

Spoiler

I even named him! Bless. (I think this is also from a book cover. I want to say Dragonlance.)

 

And, lastly... I loved my namesake, Artemis, since I was very young, and here's proof of that ^^

Spoiler

I recognize the Dragonriders of Pern pics!

 

Edit: And what do you mean, you can't draw???

[R2s Muse]

 

 

Edit: And what do you mean, you can't draw???

dude. what she said. those are amazing!! 

[R2s Muse]

 

 

I bet you will recognize this one, too?

 

Spoiler

Oooh! I know this one, but can't think of it! drat. I  never read it, but I've seen it a billion times... grrr. 

 

Honestly, these are really good!! Do you ever have the inclination to keep drawing?? You should!

[CuriousArtemis]

I recognize the Dragonriders of Pern pics!

 

Edit: And what do you mean, you can't draw???

 

Cause I can't. Those are crap. Also I was 17 when I drew those

 

PERN

 

Oooh! I know this one, but can't think of it! drat. I  never read it, but I've seen it a billion times... grrr. 

 

Honestly, these are really good!! Do you ever have the inclination to keep drawing?? You should!

 

(It's McKinley's Deerskin - my favorite book)

 

You're both kind but no, really, they are pretty bad? Maybe I am a perfectionist? Cause I don't see any skill or talent when I look at those (or my crap Cullen portrait lol)... I like smoothness and the ability to express movement and real bodies. Also I never could draw human faces lol

 

But nah I actually don't have the inclination anymore. Every now and then I wish I could sketch my own characters, but that's about it.

[Tishina]

Cause I can't. Those are crap. Also I was 17 when I drew those
 
PERN
 

 
(It's McKinley's Deerskin - my favorite book)
 
You're both kind but no, really, they are pretty bad? Maybe I am a perfectionist? Cause I don't see any skill or talent when I look at those (or my crap Cullen portrait lol)... I like smoothness and the ability to express movement and real bodies. Also I never could draw human faces lol
 
But nah I actually don't have the inclination anymore. Every now and then I wish I could sketch my own characters, but that's about it.

OK, I wish I was that bad, and I was still trying to learn to draw when I was 45...

I think you're being a perfectionist.

[OfficerDonNZ]

::pokes head into thread::

 

Cullen and his awkwardness with a fem Quizze? I can see myself to some degree. Considering what happened to me recently Cullen is more like me than I'd like to admit when it comes to the ladies.

 

It takes him a little while to work out that the fem Inquisitor just might be interested in him romantically, then when he actually realizes that yes the fem Inquisitor IS interested in him romantically and it isn't just his imagination... then he suddenly has no clue what the heck to do. 

 

That's pretty much me, sadly.

 

To give Cullen credit he does get his act together but he still has his moments of uncertainty? Wouldn't you? I know I still do. It terrifies the crap out of me if I'm honest. And to be clear yes I'm talking about the fact I have a girlfriend. 

 

::slinks back into the shadows before he says too much::

[CuriousArtemis]

OK, I wish I was that bad, and I was still trying to learn to draw when I was 45...

I think you're being a perfectionist.

 

>.< You're too nice!! I bet if I were just learning to draw it would look quite different. But remember I was drawing since I was a little kid; I had "how to" books and everything. I would go outside and draw nature; I even drew my dog. But mostly I just copied book covers and made stories about them. But I have also been writing since I was a little kid, too (thanks in part because my family had a computer and yes we had a sort of "word processor" before MS Word even came out; I wrote sooo many stories; my parents probably though I was weird... one time the disc my "novel" was on got corrupted, and sad little middle-school aged me cried for days).

 

The only time I didn't write was when an MFA program director rejected my writing and wouldn't let me in the program. I was so depressed I didn't write a word for about five years. Then I discovered fanfic, started writing it because it felt like there was less pressure, and the rest is history...

[Tishina]

>.< You're too nice!! I bet if I were just learning to draw it would look quite different. But remember I was drawing since I was a little kid; I had "how to" books and everything. I would go outside and draw nature; I even drew my dog. But mostly I just copied book covers and made stories about them. But I have also been writing since I was a little kid, too (thanks in part because my family had a computer and yes we had a sort of "word processor" before MS Word even came out; I wrote sooo many stories; my parents probably though I was weird... one time the disc my "novel" was on got corrupted, and sad little middle-school aged me cried for days).

 

The only time I didn't write was when an MFA program director rejected my writing and wouldn't let me in the program. I was so depressed I didn't write a word for about five years. Then I discovered fanfic, started writing it because it felt like there was less pressure, and the rest is history...

I drew a lot as a kid, took art classes, and then tried to learn to draw with my kids. Now I just enjoy looking.

 

Writing, I might have had a bit more success with, but I agree that fanfic is a lot more fun.

[duckley]

As a female, can I flirt with Dorian and still romance cullen?

[Tishina]

As a female, can I flirt with Dorian and still romance cullen?

Cullen doesn't seem to take any notice if you flirt with Dorian, I assume he's aware it's just harmless flirting.