Greetings, fellow Josiemancers!
I'd like to share with you how I became a Josiemancer. It's a long story, full of spoilers and English is not my native language, so I apologize beforehand.
Since its announcement I avoided any information or spoilers about the game. I was still very frustrated and depressed because of Mass Effect 3's unsatisfying (extended) ending and wasn't too thrilled about playing another Bioware game anytime soon.
Shortly before the game was released (now that I think of it, this was exactly a year ago in mid November), I didn't know anything about it except that the protagonist was the leader of the Inquisition and that the conflict between mages and templars would be addressed again. I wasn't happy about this because I'd already disliked the mage-templar-conflict in DA2 due to nearly every mage using blood magic and turning into an abomination just because people looked at them the wrong way. Don't get me started on Orsino turning into an abomination before the templars stormed the building and attacking his own people as a consequence.
So I was like: "Yeah, whatever, I don't care about the game. It probably sucks anyway. Bioware stinks. Whatever."
Yes. I was whining and sulking like a child. Immaturely. I'm not proud of it.
Still, I was kind of curious about the characters and looked them up... which didn't help things. I hated on everyone.
"Leliana and Morrigan are so fugly, they look nothing like their former DA:O selves. Dorian looks like a stupid clown with this moustache. Really? You can romance a qunari? Even as a dwarf? This is ridiculous. Also, his head is way too small compared to the rest of his body. So, are there any lesbian romance options. Two? Cool. Wait, what. That ugly elven chick. What happened to her lips, is she on botox or something? And this Josephine. Ugh, she looks so unappealing. Who the hell designed these characters? None of them is remotely attractive."
Yes. Quick to judge, superficial. I'm not proud of this, either.
And yes, you read correctly. I thought Josephine was unattractive. I was probably very sick in the head. Or in dire need of some glasses. Or good taste. Foolish me.
Please... don't throw any goats at me. Or fireballs. Or jars of bees. Leliana, I can see you hiding in the shadows and pointing an arrow at me. There is absolutely no need for bloodshed. I will redeem myself. I hope. Breathe...yes, that's better. Thank you.
So, where was I? Ah, yes. Even though I had no intention of playing this game, I bought it. Probably because I had no other games to play at the time and was bored. Well, anyway, it didn't matter since my rig was too old and threw a freeze party once the game was starting. It was unplayable. I was annoyed and angry. After a fit of rants, I requested a refund and forgot about DA:I.
But early this year, I decided to buy a PS4 and give DA:I another chance to redeem itself. I played it for six hours and eventually put it aside, deeply disappointed.
Cassandra: "You are our main suspect for destroying the Conclave and killing the Divine. Oooh, you can close rifts? Now you're our Herald. You okay with this?"
people in Haven: "We hated you! No hard feelings! Now we worship you!"
me: "That was fast... and unexpected."
Cassandra: "We are now the Inquisition."
me: "What, you only give me 1 minute of random cutscenes and a whole organization just plops into this world? How lame."
Leliana: "Now go to the Hinterlands. Meet some random Chantry mother. Whatever. Do it."
me: "Wait, what am I'm supposed to do?"
Leliana: "Go, for Maker's sake, we won't explain **** to you." *points arrow at me*
me: "Yeah, seriously, no." *turns the game off*
Two months ago, I was bound and determined to play through this game, no matter how crappy I thought it would be. I paid 55 bucks for it, so I had to make it worth it.
A good friend of mine (a guy who always plays a female character romancing other women) recommended the Cullen romance (for its maturity and fluffiness) or the Iron Bull one (for hilarity). I thought he had been hit on the head or something. It was very unlike him to recommend a romance with a man. I was like: "Really? Are the lesbian romances so bad?" and he thought the Josie romance was okay, too. Me (a girl who always plays a female character romancing a woman because I am gay myself) checked both the Sera and Josephine romance and instantly decided against them.
I still thought that Sera and Josephine looked unappealing. Sera was to immature and silly for my taste (if anyone enjoys the romance, I am happy for you, because we all have different demands, expectations and tastes) and the lack of a sex scene with Josie totally ruined her for me.
Yes. "I want a sex scene, cause, boobs and stuff. Don't look at me like that, I'm no creep or perv. Yes, I have a life. Leave me alone." I'm not proud of this.
So I started the game again and surprisingly had a lot of fun. This game is awesome. And I love these characters. Iron Bull is hilarious. Dorian is my bro, I totally adore him. Even Sera has great scenes. And I was intent on romancing Cullen because I watched most of his romance scenes on YouTube and was really impressed by how mature, realistic, fluffy and emotional it was. Cullen is a good man - gentle, attentive, adorable when flustered, loyal, reasonable and he strives to be a better person. And he is fairly good looking (and I'm personally not attracted to men). So I was totally going for him with my female Trevelyan rogue.
But then... something unexpected happened. I talked with Josephine in Haven for the first time and it just clicked. Without realizing it, I looked past her outer appearance and discovered a charming, witty, sophisticated woman underneath who excelled at handling people politely no matter how rude or insufferable they were. A woman who could read people like a book and steer them gently into the direction she wanted. Always with a smile on her lips, always so civil. And so funny. So adorable and cute when flustered. Compassionate and caring, especially regarding her family. And sometimes mischievous.
Allegra's voice acting is by the way extraordinary. There is such a subtlety to Josie's vocal expressions, be it a frustrated sigh before speaking or whispering when Josephine is about to cry. In some sentences, you can actually hear Allegra/Josie smile when speaking. She is a marvelous voice actress. And her voice is so alluring and sexy. And the accent. Don't get me started on that.
So. There I was. Determined to romance Cullen and instead falling hopelessly in love with Josephine. Who most suddenly was so beautiful and sexy to me I can't quite fathom it. Her looks are unappealing? Were you stupid or something? No sex scene? Absolutely suited me because I was playing a noble courting another noble in a very conservative fashion. Oh, they are doing the deed, but offscreen, in my headcanon, so I'm perfectly fine with how the romance played out. The playful banter between them in the Arbor Wilds about some private time later also suggests they are intimate. So everything's fine.
Okay. This is it. Just thought I might share this chaotic ride on the rollercoaster of Josephine love with you. 
Please don't judge me. I'm only a little weird. I swear to the Maker and his beloved bride Andraste. Yeah, that didn't sound crazy at all. Love you guys. And Josie.
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