Romantic Entanglements

It's almost Valentine's Day and I decided to spend some time reflecting about romance in video games.  For a long time I've told myself that I don't really care about the option to pursue a fictional romantic relationship in a game.  It's totally silly, right?  Then I told myself to stop lying.  I do care and actually have a ridiculous formula for choosing who my character is going to flirt with and possibly engage in an awkward video game make out session.

I came to this realization a few days ago when a student asked me about my choices in Mass Effect.  Who did I save in the first game?  Why?  I realized that I generally based this choice completely on the fictional romantic entanglements of Commander Shepard.  That's sort of realistic, right?  Wouldn't Shepard try to save the person he/she has been quietly flirting with?

My ridiculous formula for choosing a video game partner includes a thorough personality analysis of the character I have crafted.  Have I made my character into more of a paragon, a do-gooder with a heart of gold or a renegade who is willing to do whatever it takes to get things done?  What race is my character and is he/she an ardent member of that specific race?  Yep, I have made it into a ridiculously complicated affair.  Maybe I should just go with whoever I think is the hottest?

Currently I am facing somewhat of a romantic conundrum for my new Dragon Age:  Inquisition character.  My dwarf rogue is one tough cookie.  She doesn't put up with any crap and takes a tough stance on the issues facing the inquisition.  But who should she have a soft spot for?  Let's think through the options.

Cullen--sure, he's pretty but I don't think he'd fall for my tough-talking tattooed dwarf.  He needs a genteel lady to compliment his pretty hair.

Solas--too elfy.  My dwarf is decidedly anti-magic so having her hook up with a weird mage seems unlikely.

Josephine--I'm not opposed to a same-sex relationship for my character, but Josephine is too formal and like Cullen needs someone more high-brow...and more human.

Sera--hmmm.  Sera is an interesting choice.  Like my character she's wrapped up in a life of crime and comes from the lower classes of Fereldan society.  She's also very goofy where my character is tough and serious.

Iron Bull

Iron Bull--Another interesting but slightly disturbing possibility for my inquisitor.  He's a rebel and does what he wants even going so far as to defy the Qun.  It would be weird to have a dwarf/qunari relationship.

Blackwall--I suppose he's also a possibility.  He's one of my least favorite characters and I don't really see him being interested in a dwarf.

It boils down to Sera or Iron Bull.  Interesting.  Do other people think about this or just pick someone?  Am I putting way too much thought into this?