The Disappointing Romance of Lucanis Dellamorte

Warning! There will be a lot of spoilers for Lucanis’ personal quests and romance dialogue, and a few for the main story.

I’ve done a two full playthroughs of Dragon Age: The Veilguard and started on my third, so I’ve got some strong opinions on a few things. There are aspects I like about the game and parts that frustrate me, but overall, the game is enjoyable. I wouldn’t have played it three times in a row if I didn’t like it. I may go into more of the full game later, but for now I want to talk about what my friends heard me excessively complaining about during the entire game: the romance of Lucanis Dellamorte. 

I use I (for my own character) and you (the player) interchangeably throughout this critique when I refer to Rook’s interactions, so bear with me. Also, while writing this and rewatching every romance scene in quick succession, my view has softened slightly, which I will explain later, but I wanted to keep my initial frustrations in here, because that was the real experience of the game, which is what matters most.

The moment I got Lucanis, I knew he would be my first romance. He fits the qualities of my favorite characters spot on, and I do love his personal arc with Spite, but if anyone has a worse romance than Lucanis in this game, I’d be flabbergasted. Mainly because Lucanis doesn’t actually have a romance until you near the end of the game!

Now I’ve heard he is supposed to be a slow burn romance, but there is a difference between a slow burn/subtle romance and being ignored completely by my romantic interest. Sadly, Lucanis is the latter. It’s so bad that in my second playthrough when Davrin acknowledged my flirtation and actually flirted back, I felt relief. I knew I wouldn’t have to wait most of the game to get some affection.

I am exaggerating slightly, but only about a 1% exaggeration. Lucanis does have a few scenes when he either recognizes you’re flirting or acknowledges you’re a couple before the end battles start, but those are drops in the bucket compared to the ocean of indifference he shows Rook.

I will also caveat that I immediately had expectations of Lucanis simply because he was an Antivan Crow. My go-to romance in Dragon Age: Origins is Zevran, who is also a Crow but hugely free with his desires and feelings. Zevran has what I call an inverted romance. This means he starts by sleeping with you whenever you want and then as his feelings develop, he slows down the physical nature of the relationship in order to figure out the emotional connection he’s built with your Warden. It’s similar to Astarion’s romance in Baldur’s Gate 3, only with less trauma behind it.

 I imagine somewhere out in Thedas, Zevran is giving his Warden extra love to make up for the disappointment of his fellow Crow’s romance.

So, yes, I was looking for another freely affectionate Crow off the get go, but that alone isn’t my problem with Lucanis’ romance. Lucanis’ story does easily lend itself to a more subtle, slow burn romance as he deals with his imprisonment, Caterina’s “death,” and Spite. And it’s not as if Bioware hasn’t created good slow burn relationships before. Fenris in Dragon Age II (also my go-to romance) has an excellent slow burn as each move forward triggers emotions from the past which interfere with your relationship, but even he acknowledges you’re flirting with him and shows interest. This failure is what turns Lucanis’ romance from slow burn to no burn. For the majority of the game, it didn’t even feel like I was in a romance at all.

Key Failures of Lucanis’ Romance

1) Lack of Acknowledgement

The first real flirt option you get, besides a single line shortly after you meet, comes during the coffee scene after talking with Illario. Rook asks Lucanis what a first kiss would taste like, playing off his comment that the coffee was bitter and sweet, like a kiss goodbye. Ultimately Lucanis’ reaction is subtle, but it is at least obviously flirting between both characters and it sets him up for later interactions. Unfortunately, the next few flirtations and/or attempts by Rook to single Lucanis out as special fall of deaf ears. 

After this initial scene, Lucanis appears to ignore Rook’s advances entirely, often paying no attention to the romantic intent of a statement in favor of continuing his previous conversation as if Rook were stating a dry fact or opinion. Having now played Davrin’s romance to conclusion, the differences in these early scenes are striking. When Rook flirts with Davrin, there is a small aside where Rook’s romantic intent is addressed before returning to the primary conversation.

It’s not much, but the simple act of acknowledgement, whether in dialogue, voice change, or facial expression, is what turns a conversation between two friends to one that shows an interest on both sides. As is, only Rook appears to show any strong interest up to the point where the game warns you’re getting close to committing to Lucanis’ romance. The other companions might see and comment on you being together, but I never saw it until far into the game.

2) Lack of Explanation

This problem specifically refers to the scene where Lucanis almost kisses Rook. This is the first time since Coffee with the Crows where Lucanis shows real interest and affection for Rook. It was long overdue and would have been far better as an early relationship interaction, because when Lucanis leans in to kiss Rook, he turns away at the last second. He then says he needs to clear his head and goes to the balcony on the side of the building.

As part of an early relationship interaction, this would be fine, but we’re way past that point. Up to now there has been no real affection shown from Lucanis, and to turn away (even as an early interaction) only works when you have a follow up conversation, which never happens here. Without the follow up explanation, pulling away feels more like a rejection, especially after no affection being shown for so long. We need to know why he pulled away, as best as he can describe it.

Let’s take a look at a few similar examples that do this correctly. 

Zevran, Dragon:Age: Origins When Zevran stops sleeping with you in Dragon Age: Origins, they have a discussion. He isn’t able to properly explain it to your Warden, but he acknowledges the change but doesn’t want to end his relationship with the Warden. The Warden then has the option to break it off or give Zevran time to figure his feelings out. While he doesn’t have to give a real, full explanation, the change or perceived rejection has to be addressed in some way. 

Fenris, Dragon Age II: Fenris has a lot of issues he has to deal with throughout the game, but even with all his problems, he shows real interest in Hawke during Act 1. In Act 2, Fenris feels able to let himself live more freely and consummates his relationship with Hawke; however, all that intense emotion brings old memories to the surface, which he’s not able to deal with. Almost immediately after sleeping with Hawke, he breaks off the entire relationship until Act 3. But he doesn’t just sneak out in the middle of the night and not talk to her about it. He faces up to what he is doing and gives Hawke the best explanation he can for his decision. Hawke may not like or agree with his decision, but she at least knows why he’s making it.

Astarion, Baldur’s Gate 3: I’m bringing Astarion into this because his is one of the best examples in recent games. I absolutely adore Astarion’s non-ascension romance. It is amazingly healthy and honest, and I should probably just write a companion piece to this one about a romance done right. (Granted, Astarion’s ascension romance is an insanely toxic relationship.)

Like Zevran, he has an inverted romance, starting physical and turning emotional. Part way through he has a beautifully honest conversation with your character about what sex means to him because of his master’s abuse and how he doesn’t know how to separate those feelings when he’s with you, so he wants to stop the physical relationship. Not only is this an explanation for his sudden rejection of part of their relationship, but his willingness to be vulnerable in this conversation improves the romance. 

Bringing it back to Lucanis, there needed to be a scene soon after he refuses to kiss you. It didn’t matter if he understood the reason and could communicate it or not. What matters is acknowledging the rejection and offering a small affirmation that he is struggling with something that makes it hard to be with Rook. Once again, this is why it needed to be an early romance interaction, since then he would have time to work through the problem and make his full return to the romance more meaningful.

3) Lack of Interaction after Important Events

I am baffled at some of the choices the writers made with every character, but the biggest one is the lack of interactive conversations with characters about major events. There are lots of one-sided conversations, but interactive conversations are few and far between—depending on the character. I remember getting so frustrated during my first playthrough with all the interactive conversations and outings available to Davrin while I was over here getting nothing from Lucanis. 

No where was this issue more pronounced than after the choice to save Treviso instead of Minrathous. Here Minrathous has been devastated, because I chose to save Lucanis’ city, and there is no interactive conversation with Lucanis about this. There is barely a mention of it from him in one-sided dialogue. He mentions the destruction of Minrathous more than he does the fact I choose to save Treviso. I expected to have interactive conversations with everyone after saving Treviso, but at the bare minimum a conversation with Lucanis was needed. It’s an emotional event, especially after Lucanis sees what could have happened to Treviso if Rook had chosen differently, so why is it completely ignored? It would also have been a very good opportunity to move the romance forward, a precursor to the almost kiss scene.

In truth, I think every major event (Treviso/Minrathous, Weisshaupt, and Aralathan) should have triggered interactive conversations with every companion, but the lack of them from Lucanis is more detrimental for his romance since so few opportunities are offered elsewhere in the game.

As a result of the three problems with this romance—lack of acknowledgement, explanation, and interaction—Lucanis doesn’t feel like he has any romance happen during the majority of the game. This slowly changes once you commit and later when you begin the point of no return missions at the end, but even these have their issues. 

Point of No Return

Once you enter the end of the game, Lucanis finally realizes he should actually treat you like you’re in a committed relationship… sort of. After an entire game very little affection, the first of the three major romance conversations doesn’t even give you a hug or a kiss, which up to this point has not happened yet. Neither does he say he loves you. What he does say is that he’d kill every enemy to protect you. So, there are romantic implications, but they are going into a battle with the gods they very well could die in, and we still get no physical affection of any kind? Given the immediacy of the story, I can understand why it’s not the traditional end of story sex scene, but there needed to be more intimacy (physical or emotional) in this scene.

The second end scene happens after Ghilan’nain’s death and is the first time he kisses you the entire romance. It also is the traditional end of game sex scene, which considering it’s the first showing of any physical affection, doesn’t feel earned. It’s a very nice scene and would have fit very well for them if there had been a proper romance leading up to it. Unfortunately, Lucanis’ romance doesn’t build enough of a relationship for this scene to stand on.

The last romantic scene happens during the lull right before the final fight. Lucanis gives an honest speech about how much he loves you, and it fits the moment. I’d be happy to give it a pass as perfectly fine, except for a couple lines with a lot of implications for the romance up to this point. Lucanis says, “You know my mind. I’ve assumed you know my heart, because… it beats for you. It’s been beating… When I wanted you. When I was afraid to want you…”

I hate this section with the fury of a thousand suns, because when you put it together in the context of his entire romance, it implies that all this ignoring you during the beginning of the romance was fully intentional. He assumes you know his thoughts and feelings and has no need to say it, but a satisfying relationship doesn’t work that way. If I didn’t have player knowledge that I was moving into his romance, I would never have assumed he liked me based on what happened. Even with player knowledge, I was questioning it quite often, since it feels like there is a glitch in the game making Lucanis to reply to the romance/flirt option with one of the non-romance responses.

And the line, “When I was afraid to want you…” explains the almost kiss, but we needed to know he was afraid when it happened. We also needed to know what he was scared of, which even this scene also fails to explain. Was it Spite? The traitor in the Crows? Himself? Did he have a really crappy track record with relationships? Given this romance, I’d believe the last one. You can’t just deus ex machina the almost kiss at the very end by saying he was afraid. It should have been an integral part of the romance, what he must work to overcome, and it needed to be done with Rook’s help. That would have made this scene far more meaningful and a beautiful send off.

Lucanis and Neve

The poor romance had one other side effect as I was playing the second time around. I hate seeing Lucanis and Neve together. Not because I’m against the pairing, but because Lucanis is much cuter with her than he was with me. I also learned more about what he was thinking regarding his concerns about a romance through conversation about Neve than I ever got during his official romance with me. These side relationships are supposed to be fun little additions to expand the lives of the characters. They shouldn’t be better than the romance Rook has with the companion.

Fixing Lucanis’ Romance

I would hope Bioware does an update fixing Lucanis’ romance, but I won’t hold my breath. So, for me and anyone else who would like to image a better option, I’ve updated his scenes with another version. Anything in red was added or changed by me.

Interestingly, in going back to get the dialogue, I ended up watching all Lucanis’ scenes back-to-back and finally understood how a writer might have mistaken this as a developing romance. On paper or watched in quick succession, it doesn’t appear as barren as it feels in the game.

However, this is a game, and you must also take into account how much time is between each romantic encounter. For me—counting Coffee with the Crows as the first flirtation and the almost kiss as the next real flirtation on Lucanis’ part—I had 42 hours in between romantic scenes. The time between Davin’s first and second flirtation was only 8 hours. In fact, I had six romance or flirtation scenes with Davrin within the same timeframe it took to get two from Lucanis. While this time is dependent on how many other quests you do in between, the contrast is impossible to ignore. Lucanis needs more scenes much earlier in the game and more spread out to allow growth between him and Rook.

Also, I was surprised at how many scenes there were, since I didn’t remember some of them as having romance options. This is mainly due to the fact that if you remove the romantic option with a regular line, it feels the same.

First Talk about Spite — Fine for a first meeting.

• Lucanis: No one was in the Ossuary by choice. Not even the demons. We both did what we had to, to get out of there.
• [Romance Option – I admire your courage.]
  • Rook: I admire you. What you’ve been through would break most people.
  • Lucanis: I would not give Zara the satisfaction.
  • Rook: Still, you must be a very courageous man.
  • Lucanis: A very stubborn one, perhaps. But, that’s… kind of you to say.

Coffee with the Crows — Fine as is.

[After Illario leaves.]

• Lucanis: [Inhales deeply over coffee]
• [Romance Option: Like a kiss goodbye, huh?]
  • Rook: “Bitter and sweet,” you called that blend. “Like a kiss goodbye.” So, what would a first kiss be?
  • Lucanis: Honey and lavender cream. Sweet, intriguing… And you, how would you describe it?
  • [Option: I might need a reminder.]
    • Rook: First kisses? It’s been a while. I might need a refresher.
    • Lucanis: [Amused chuckle] I see. You lead an adventurous life.
    • Rook: No more than you I’m guessing?
  • Lucanis: I’ve always thought that to live truly is to live fully. But even before I was captured, my life was not really my own. So much had been determined for me.
  • [Option: Time to change that.]
    • Rook: That was before. It’s not selfish to spend your time on what matters to you.
    • Lucanis: Perhaps what matters is who I’m with. How’s your tea?
    • Rook: An inviting start, with hidden depths.

Caterina’s Funeral — Included as it does have some romantic implications in Lucanis’ dialogue.

• Teia: Good you’re here.
• Lucanis: Thank you for making the arrangements, Teia.
• Teia: For Caternia… how could I do otherwise? I’m so sorry, Lucanis. This must be such a blow. Rook, thank you for coming with him. I need one Dellamorte to plan this. His cousin has been no help at all.
• Illario: I’m sorry, Teia. This is just… too much right now.
• [Option: I’ll help however I can.]
  • Rook: If there’s anything I can do, just say the word.
  • Teia: You’re such a dear. I hope these two are paying attention.
  • Lucanis: Don’t flirt with my…[pause] colleague.
  • Teia: Jealous? Fine, to business, then. There’s a lot to plan. But first I need the ashes.

[No other romance related parts in this scene.]

After Saving Treviso — Lucanis’ Room

• Lucanis: What happened to Minrathous… Meirda…
• [Honest Option: Thumbs Up]
  • Rook: If we could have gotten there sooner…
  • Lucanis: You couldn’t have done more than you did.
• [Emotional Option: Crying Eye]
  • Rook: I hope Neve is all right.
  • Lucanis: Neve knows there was no good way for this to end… The pain just hurts too much to accept that right now. If you had gone to Minrathous and left Treviso to the dragon, I would have felt the same.
• [Direct Option: Crossed Arms]
  • Rook: The gods won’t get away with this.
  • Lucanis: Spite and I are in agreement on that point.
• Rook: I wish we could have saved both cities.
• Lucanis: Rook, don’t focus on the defeat alone… We couldn’t save Minrathous, but the people of Treviso are safe. The Crows… I won’t forget what you’ve done for my city.
• [Romance Option: It wasn’t just the city…]
  • Rook: I know. I’m glad we stopped the dragon in Treviso, but it’s hard to forget I chose Treviso over Minrathous.
  • Lucanis: The gods forced you to make that choice.
  • Rook: But it wasn’t the just city that made me go to Treviso. I didn’t want anything to happen to you, either.
  • Lucanis: [Pauses, looks away] Rook… [subdued smile forms, looks up] You shouldn’t feel guilty for that… or I would have to share your guilt.
• Lucanis: No matter the reason, you saved Treviso. Thank you. I owe you more than my contract against the gods.
• Rook: Getting revenge for Minrathous is enough for me.

After Spite Take Over in Eluvian Room — Lucanis’ Room (moved scene from After Spite Take Over in Lucanis’ Room)

• Lucanis: I didn’t want you to see that.
• [Romance Option: I don’t mind.] 
  • Rook: Nothing I’m seeing makes me want to look away.
  • Lucanis: How do you do that?
  • Rook: Do what?
  • Lucanis: Break apart my perfectly gathered clouds of doom. You deserve better than to deal with my mess.
  • [Romance Option: I like messes.]
    • Rook: You’re more than what you’re going through. And you wear it well.
    • Lucanis: [Moves in close to Rook] This isn’t a good idea.
    • Rook: Sometimes a bad idea is better.
    • Lucanis: You like to walk a little too close to the edge.
    • Rook: [Moves closer] So do you.
    • Lucanis: At least I know I’m doing it.
    • Lucanis: [Leans in to kiss, but turns away at the last second.] I… need to clear my head. Excuse me. [Leaves room.]

Immediately After Lucanis Leaves Room — On Balcony

• [Lucanis’ forearms are leaning against the rail.]
• Rook: Lucanis, are you all right?
• Lucanis: Rook… I… I’m sorry.
• [Romance Option: I won’t force this.]
  • Rook: I care about you, but I won’t push you to do anything you don’t want.
  • Lucanis: No, I do want to… I just… [Looks down.]
  • Rook: [places hand on his arm] It’s okay. You’ve been though a lot. I can wait. But if you ever want help figuring things out, I’m here.
  • Lucanis: [Turns back to Rook and smiles] Thank you, Rook.

After Weisshaupt — Failed to acknowledge the romance line at all.

• Rook: Lucanis? Are you in here brooding?
• Lucanis: I’m fine.
• Rook: That’s not a “No.”
• Lucanis: I had her. She should never have gotten away from me. This was our contract, Rook. I don’t fail my contracts.
• [Romance Option — I’m glad you made it back.]
  • Rook: Forget about Ghilan’nain.
  • Lucanis: That’s why I’m here.
  • Rook: I know, but… I’m just happy you didn’t get killed out there.
  • Lucanis: You shouldn’t go easy on me. Mistakes get people killed. You could get killed.
  • Rook: You’re an assassin. So do successes.  We still have the chance to fix this mistake… because everyone is still alive.
  • Lucanis: The Wardens would disagree.
• Lucanis: [inhales deeply] Viago found something.
• Rook: Something bad, I take it?
• Lucanis: Venatori in Treviso. Like I thought. One of them might know where Zara is. Viago has Crows watching them. We find them, we find Zara.
• [Romance Option — We’ll stop her. Together.]
  • Rook: Everything she did to you… We’ll make her pay, Lucanis. Side by side.
  • Lucanis: We just have to get this done. She won’t escape us. My blade won’t miss ever again.

After Zara’s death — Failed to acknowledge the romance line at all.

• Rook: You’re awake.
• Lucanis: Yes. I’ve been trying to figure out what to say to you, and… there aren’t words enough to apologize. I never wanted you to see me like that.
• [Romance Option: It doesn’t change how I feel]
  • Rook: And yet, I’m still here. Spite’s actions won’t change the fact I care about you, Lucanis.
• Lucanis: [soft smile and pause, smile fades] We need to talk about Illario.
• Rook: He wants you to stay away from the Crows. He… thinks you’re a danger to your family.
• Lucanis: He’s not wrong. If I cannot stay in control… He used blood magic to control Spite.
• Rook: What? How? He’s not a mage.
• Lucanis: I don’t know, but… something’s not right.

[No other romance related options in this scene.]

After Spite Takes Over in Lucanis’ Room — Moved original to earlier in the game.

• Lucanis: Rook?
• Rook: You were sleepwalking.
• Lucanis: Spite was sleepwalking.
• Rook: He didn’t go anywhere. Nothing happened.
• Lucanis: You keep seeing me at my worst.
• [Romance Option: I’m here for you.]
  • Rook: Even you have to sleep sometime. I’m happy to keep Spite from doing anything so you can get some rest. The whole team helps.
  • Lucanis: But you’re the one I don’t want Spite near. He already took control when I was awake, and he’s stronger when I sleep. If he hurt you…
  • Rook: You forget. I’m not as stupid as Illario to make Spite that angry. I know what I’m dealing with.
  • Lucanis: No, you don’t. He and I don’t agree on many things, and a demon of spite could hurt someone I… I care about just to, well, spite me.
  • [Honest Option: Thumbs Up]
    • Rook: I’m not alone, and neither are you. We’ll deal with Spite, whatever happens.
    • Lucanis: Be careful. Please.
    • Rook: I always am.
  • [Humorous Option: Laughing Face]
    • Rook: I have a secret. [Steps closer, conspiratorially] I’m pretty good in a fight.
    • Lucanis: [chuckles] Just promise you won’t hold back.
    • Rook: I never hold back… [smirks] In anything.
  • [Direct Option: Crossed Arms]
    • Rook: I’m stronger than you’re giving me credit for. I’ll take care of Spite if I need to.
    • Lucanis: I know…
    • Rook: So, stop worrying. I won’t let anything happen. To either of us.
    • Lucanis: I’ll try, but I promise nothing.

In Lucanis’ Mind — Fine as is.

• Lucanis: What’re you doing here, Rook?
• [Romance Option: I was looking for you.]
  • Rook: I had to find you. If anything ever happened to you… I can’t even think about it.
  • Lucanis: You should go. It’s better I stay here than risk losing you.
• Spite: You see? Be breaks. Our agreement. His mind. Is still here. He wants. To stay here. So he keeps. Me here!
• Lucanis: Mierda! Why would I want to stay? Even in my head, this place is a nightmare!
• Rook: Right, but… it’s a nightmare you already defeated. I get it now. As bad as the Ossuary was for you, it was better than the alternative.
• Lucanis: What alternative?
• Rook: The Ossuary, Zara—you could solve those problems with a blade. But healing again? Living as an abomination? There’s no simple answer there. And if you fail, you could hurt the ones you love.
• Lucanis: No! I… This is not… [Angry growl] Damn it, Rook.
• Spite: Make. Him. Leave.
• [Option: He will eventually.]
  • Rook: He’s trying to leave, Spite. It’s… complicated. Mortals can’t just change ourselves. It takes a lot of time.
  • Spite: [Growls in frustration]
• Lucanis: Rook, you are right. There has to be a way through this. It’s just… so much. I cannot see how to begin.
• Rook: Start small, you and Spite. Figure out a goal you can both agree on, then make it happen.
• Spite: A contract?
• Lucanis: Contracts are for clients. Call this… and alliance. But on what terms?
• [Option: Save Caterina.]
  • Rook: Didn’t you just learn out your grandmother was alive? What are you waiting for? Go rescue her!
  • Lucanis: That’s true…
  • Spite: Fighting Crows?
  • Lucanis: And anyone else who gets in our way. Do we have a deal? We free Caterina together?
  • Spite: Together. We will fight.

[Fade back to reality.]

• Teia: Rook, are you all right?
• Viago: What’s the matter with the two of you?
• [Romance Option — We’re both just fine.]
  • Rook: It’s okay. We needed a moment, but I’d say we’re ready for anything.
• Rook: How long were we standing here?
• Teia: Just long enough for it to get awkward. You’re sure you’re all right?
• Lucanis: We’re fine, Teia. Don’t waste your worry on us.

Lucanis Cooks — Very cute, just needs one tweak.

• Rook: Oh, great, is it your turn to cook? What’s all this going to be?
• Lucanis: Paella. Well, two of them. One without seafood for Emmerich. And a hazelnut torte for dessert. It pairs well with coffee.
• Rook: Wait. Did you make dessert just for me?
• Lucanis: There’s enough for everyone.
• Rook: As long as they don’t mind having it with my favorite drink.
• Lucanis: They won’t complain.
• [Romance Option: You’re sweet, you know. – Commit to an exclusive romance.]
  • Rook: You didn’t have to do anything special for me.
  • Lucanis: Yes, I did. I still don’t know how to apologize for… everything. And you…
  • Rook: You made dessert! Just for me!
  • Lucanis: It’s nothing. Or not enough.
  • Rook: It is. And you are. And I’ll have you know, I’m very easily bribed.
  • Lucanis: [Kisses Rook] I’ll keep that in mind.

After Becoming First Crow — Fine as is.

• Rook: Really? You came all the way back here for coffee? The stuff in your villa wasn’t good enough?
• Lucanis: It’s better if I make it myself. And I wanted some quiet.
• Rook: So, First Talon of the Crow, huh? Does this mean you’ll be leaving us?
• Lucanis: No, we have a contract. Besides, she may have stepped down, but there’s no stopping Caterina from giving all the orders. I still cannot believe she did that.
• [Romance Option — I’d hate to lose you.]
  • Rook: Well, that’s a relief. Because I don’t want to do this without you.
  • Lucanis: I couldn’t leave this place. Not with you here. You’ll have me for as long as I can put off the Crows.

A Moment’s Peace — Fine as is… now.

• Rook: Do you think they wonder why you ordered a drink for the empty chair?
• Lucanis: If they are, they won’t tell anyone. The Crows own this café.
• Spite: [Inhales] Smells like… Lucanis
• Lucanis: Just try it.
• Rook: So, are you two okay now? Since you didn’t kill Illario, I mean?
• Lucanis: We still hurt him. That humiliation? In front of everyone? He’ll never forgive that.
• Spite: [Snickers]
• Lucanis: So there’s peace. For the moment, at least.
• [Option: This is weirdly nice.]
  • Rook: Is it strange that I’m enjoying being out with you and your imaginary friend?
  • Spite: [Inhales]
  • Lucanis: It isn’t exactly normal.
  • Spite: You try it. [Lucanis drinks.]
• Lucanis: I don’t know what I thought it would be like. Getting out of the Ossuary. Getting my life back.
• Rook: You mean, you didn’t spend all that time dreaming about having coffee with your inner demon?
• Lucanis: [Gets up and stands next to Rook.] And with you. But here we are. Whatever this is, I’ll take it.

Before Going After the Gods — First End Meeting — Fine as is… now.

• Rook: How are the knives coming?
• Lucanis: Rook. This isn’t going to work.
• Rook: We’re going to make it work.
• Lucanis: They moved the moon. We’re in over our heads. That’s not magic you can fight with a blade! You’re putting your life in our hands. My hands. All I know is death.
• [Option: I trust you.]
  • Rook: I know we’ll get through this.
  • Lucanis: Optimism is your best and worst quality. If I have to kill every blighted creature in Thedas to keep you safe, I will.
  • [Option: We’re in this together.]
    • Rook: You don’t have to do everything alone.
    • Lucanis: I’m never alone anymore.
    • Rook: You know what I mean. I’ll be here for you.
    • Lucanis: Don’t make promises you might not keep.
  • Rook: Lucanis, I—
  • Lucanis: Don’t. Whatever it takes, I won’t miss this time. I’ll meet you at the eluvian.

After Killing Ghilin’nain – Second End Meeting — Fine as is.

[Rook goes to couch/bed and lays back.]

• Lucanis: I cannot believe we found you. [Enters room and approaches Rook.]
• Rook: [Sits up.] I’m a little surprised, too, honestly.
• Lucanis: I thought I’d never see you again.
• [Option: You’re not that lucky.]
  • Rook: Oh, come on, we both know you couldn’t get rid of me that easily.
  • Lucanis: [Kneels down in front of Rook.] Rook… [Kisses Rook.] You’re impossible.
  • Rook: But in a good way?
  • Lucanis: It’s what I love about you. [Lays over Rook, wings come out to cover them, fade out.]

[Fade in, both in underwear. Lucanis laying with his head in Rook’s lap, eyes closing.]

• Rook: Are you falling asleep.
• Lucanis: [Eyes open, startled] No. I never sleep.
• Rook: It’s all right if you do. Spite and I can play cards or something.
• Lucanis: Don’t say that. I haven’t taught him Wicked Grace yet. I’m not afraid of him. I just don’t want to waste time now that you’re here.
• Rook: You still have to sleep sometimes.
• Lucanis: With you here, like this? I’d rather stay awake.
• [Option: It’ll be a long night…]
  • Rook: Stay awake all night? However shall we pass the time?
  • Lucanis: Would you talk to me? Your voice is a comfort.
  • Rook: I’ll tell you the tale of a charming rogue who stole the heart of a hapless hero.
• Lucanis: Rook… Tomorrow…
• [Option: We’ll face it together.]
  • Rook: Whatever happens, we’ll take it on together. We can handle whatever comes next.
  • Lucanis: All I have to do is kill a god to keep you out of trouble. Easy.

Before Final Battle – Third End Meeting — Tiny Tweak

• Rook: Lucanis. Everything all right?
• Lucanis: We have made it here, and fared well in the fight. Now we have only to wait. But Spite grows impatient… As do I. This may be the calm before a final storm, but I don’t feel it.
• [Romance Option: If I can help, tell me.]
  • Rook: If there’s anything I can do…
  • Lucanis: Your presence has already helped.
• Rook: It won’t be much longer.
• Lucanis: Elgar’nan’s life is measured in hours. As for Solas… He used blood magic against you. He betrayed us. He pulled you into that prison. I leave his fate to you, but I will not let him hurt you.
• Rook: Lucanis.
• Lucanis: Whatever happens, my contract was for the blighted gods. Today it is fulfilled.
• [Romance Option: I’m grateful we met.]
  • Rook: If I’d never gone to the Crows, if I’d never found you… I’m so grateful I did.
  • Lucanis: As am I. More than I’ve ever told you. Rook… saying I owe you my life is not enough. You know my mind. You must know my heart because… it beats for you. It’s been beating… When I wanted you. When I was afraid to want you… Tell me this ends with me asleep in your arms, and I will kill any god you ask.
  • Rook: Lucanis, I…
  • Lucanis: I love you, Rook. And I won’t let you down.