#he ATTACk. he PROTECC. he pulls big hand from fade and wants to take u flying

[miriani-lavellan]

I think it's fascinating how Spite grows and learns over the course of the story - and from a romance perspective, even more so.

We don't really know what Spite began consciousness as. He writes in Lucanis's logbook about being cut from the 'whole,' which suggests to me that what Zara had managed to do was cut material from whatever spirits are made from, rather than summoning one that had already manifested. That she'd managed to cut a blank slate to force into people, intending to shape it to her own ends. Let's not tell Lucanis about this, but... that is pretty fascinating. But she fails, because Lucanis is strong - she even begins to call him 'resilient' before Illario interrupts her.

So. Spite keeps Lucanis alive with his purpose, and Lucanis keeps him from becoming a mindless demon too twisted by pain to do anything but hurt, because we know Lucanis too never abandons a contract, always keeps his promises and - more importantly - also has a loving and gentle nature, perhaps never previously nurtured. Not that he can't be spiteful - he treats his cousin pretty dismissively, and we know one of his tactics in taking down a mage is to taunt them until they are possessed and eaten from the inside by a demon. Sounds pretty spiteful to me!

And perhaps Lucanis knows, on some level, that Spite began as this blank slate. That what Spite became, therefore, must be a reflection of his own state of mind and his own characteristics. And considering Spite can be pretty vicious - no wonder he wonders where he ends and the demon begins.

But when they're out in the world, he begins to see another persective on that. We known Rowan instinctively recognises Spite as a spirit of Determination (so does Solas). We know even when they're struggling, they still fight together in tandem. He is living in spite of everything, he is fighting in spite of the torture, and the pain and all opposition.

And as they continue to fight together, Lucanis - by becoming part of the team - is also allowed to express that other part of his nature, the gentle one he never really has before. This is a Lucanis who goes grocery shopping for them, takes Rook out for coffee, delights at their gifts for him, cooks for them all and seems to genuinely enjoy catering to their preferences. And this, I think, is where Spite begins to see that his purpose as a spirit of Determination can be filled by other means than violence.

We see a little more if Lucanis romances Neve, rather than Rook. We see:

'Spite thinks I should talk to her. Well, not just Spite.'

and I believe if they are in a romance, Spite suggests getting flowers for Neve from the Hossberg wetlands.

Now, isn't that sweet? Why would Spite, a violent demon, be suggesting that Lucanis talk to the woman he likes, to bring her flowers? Why would he, as he tells Taash, accept being told to stop talking and go play with wisps when they're about to be intimate?

I would suggest that pretty quickly, Spite realises that people's determination, their resolve, can also be nurtured as well as more forcefully motivated. That Spite's nature means he can feel very easily when, after a good meal and company, the entire team feel stronger. Happier, more determined to carry on. That Lucanis, when spending time with the person he cares for, feels stronger too.

Sadly, we personally don't see a lot of this with Rook, although as we know Lucanis doesn't want to be embarrassed, I would suggest that Spite is encouraging him (pestering him) the same - and he just doesn't tell us during the game. Most importantly, if Inner Demons is triggered, Spite recognises this: I need help. Lucanis needs help. And instead of taking over his body permanently, he asks for that help instead. He stops trying to go walkabout, and asks Rook to come into Lucanis's dreaming mind and talk down the guards keeping them trapped there. The only time we ever draw our weapons in there is to slash open the red lyrium locks keeping the door's closed.

He has learnt that forcing the issue can only go so far. That actually, as well as the physical fight, it's all the other things that are important too in making people stronger.

'Something as small as providing a treat feels big enough to matter.'

And it does. Spite learns this, and grows. He still sulks and protests, but he asks for help. From Rook, and from Emmrich - asking him to teach him fire. He offers his skills in other ways, too - pulling structures from the Fade to help us find our way, but also - 'Want to? Fly like dragon?'

He's still a little misguided, there. Flinging fire about is... an interesting idea, and the idea of our short assassin heaving Taash up to the air is probably not quite it either. But he's learning, and growing, and when the wings finally come out to embrace Rook when Lucanis kisses them, it's a stunning display of gentle affection that I think neither of them, back in the depths of the Ossuary, probably neither of them would ever have thought possible.