(SPOILERS) Something awesome about the quest “Shadowbringers.” No, not that.

I know, I know, it’s kind of late for me to gush about this bit when I’m all caught up... But I appreciate it so much, I’ll do it anyway.

I’m referring to the moment when you’re

in Amaurot, about to complete what looks to be your suicide mission against Emet-Selch,

and Minfilia 8.0 is justifiably worried about her life choices. You can tell her “a smile best suits a hero” -but you don’t HAVE to. You can say nothing if you want. And that’s what I did. I started to like her after she stabilized me post-Vauthry, but she hadn’t gotten as close as the one who first spoke those words (and this comes from someone who couldn’t even trust him till after some DRK shenanigans). Plus there was the whole “WoL is

fifteen minutes away from dying as herself and damning the people of two worlds”

business. I did NOT feel like putting on a happy face and being in “warmth and wisdom” mode, and I‘m super thankful the quest gave me the choice.

Actually, that goes for the whole expansion. I love how ShB gives me more dialogue options than ever to let my WoL be polite or supportive one minute, and distant or snarky or just plain abrasive the next. They should have let me be meaner to Ardbert and Emet, but you can’t have everything... Hopefully in Endwalker they’ll take it one step further and let me interrupt people... and maybe headbutt a Garlean or punch a reporter? (I kid. Somewhat.)