Quote Originally Posted by Voidmage View Post
I want them to leave romance to the headcanon of the player and not go further on it. But I would have no problem with optional stuff in that form if only to get it out of my MSQ.
For example, I really like Kipih Jakkya but I wouldn't want her to be forced on other players in a romantic way. I agree with you in that case entirely.
But before we do that I would like it more if they cared for the MSQ again and only go into this stuff after they found a way how to write a story again.

That said I liked the gondola scene itself because it showed the wise side of G'raha I liked of him as the exarch. I dind't see it as romantic but as a bonding and silent time between friends.
I also have to say as a former big G'raha Tia hater that he really got into his role starting from 6.5 onwards and mellowed down. I don't mind him anymore and given the MSQ in DT I was really happy to spent time with him if only to get Wuk away from me.
I want to see more of this side from him and less of the fanboy he was after Shadowbringers.
This is also a very valid take! I appreciate what Square Enix has done so far and leaving it up to interpretation has done wonders for the fanbase. I agree that they should continue to keep things dubious and up in the air, but what inspired me to make this thread in the first place was that the gondola ride felt intentionally fanservice-y. On its own, a boat ride together is one thing- but preceding it was searching for a wedding ring, discussing a proposal for a loved one who you were separated from in life and death, and not wanting to pass on without expressing those feelings. G'raha then laments on wishing he spent one more day with someone he lost in life- and I think it was meant to imply the WoL in the doomed timeline, so the subject matter is fitting with the aforementioned NPC couple. A gondola is also a very romantic trope- we can even ride one for the Ceremony of Eternal Bonding. The canals were in "a land of romance and pleasure".

The framing really sold me on that this interpretation was intentional on Square's part. And I feel like, while I am enjoying the tease, it might be for the best if they tone it down for the future. If they want to keep exploring this thread with him and keep writing these sorts of interactions for him and other popular characters, I believe it should be kept out of MSQ and moved to optional content.