the way alim regarded wynne vs how he regards vivienne if he’s inquisitor are wildly different, despite them both being enchanters, but the latter is a little similar to how he regards irving, which has very little to do with those both being first enchanters. alim does not like nor respect most authority, but he can fake it if he believes it’s worth it. he had “respect” for irving as a figure of authority who had say in practically everything to do with kinloch hold’s mages, thus he played teacher’s pet to ensure optimal treatment, & he was indeed rewarded for his perceived good behavior.
although vivienne is from a different circle entirely, & the circles have broken apart by the time of inquisition, alim regards her similarly. vivienne might not hold authority over what happens to him in a direct way, but she has political influence, & that’s just as dangerous & useful, thus alim got into her good graces to ensure she has no incentive to go against him after the breach has been dealt with. & he may not care much for some of her views regarding mages & templars, but he does have respect for her as a fellow mage who knows how to manipulate circumstances to favor their desires, & alim is forever grateful for the space of learning that the circles offered, & he endorses vivienne as the next divine with all this in mind.
alim never really knew wynne that well while living in kinloch hold, their speaking at ostagar being the first time they exchanged more than hellos & a quick question for directions. fact of the matter is, the moment he stepped foot back out of kinloch hold, alim ceased considering himself a circle mage, for he now belonged to the grey warden order & the circles of magi no longer had any say over him. while alim saved irving, & the circle itself, out of respect for the leniencies the first enchanter had given over the years, he felt he owed nothing to wynne as an individual. oh, he brought her along as she requested, there’s nothing more valuable during a war than a healer, but he had no respect for her on any level. he thought she was patronizing, stuck her nose where it didn’t belong, & only tolerated her because she was keeping their company alive & fighting.
