How to Date Drysdale in Date Everything! - Complete Washford Romance Guide

Drysdale

📍 Location: In the laundry room, on top of the washing machine (dryer)⭐ Difficulty: Medium (3/5)

laundry-roomdryerastarion-voicetragic-romancewashford-relationshipneil-newbon

Overview

For anyone wanting their dryer to sound like Astarion from Baldur's Gate 3, you are in luck. Drysdale, voiced by the talented Neil Newbon, takes drying clothes to a new level in Date Everything with his distinctive charm and complex personality. However, his romance requires much more than smooth talking - it demands understanding a tragic, flawed, and beautiful love story.

Drysdale's storyline is intricately linked with Washford, the washing machine beneath him. This pair of laundry appliances shares a story as tender and mature as it is complicated, filled with past betrayals, misunderstandings, and deep, enduring love. Their relationship represents one of the most sophisticated romantic narratives in Date Everything, exploring themes of forgiveness, communication, and second chances.

The challenge in romancing Drysdale isn't just winning his affection - it's understanding that his heart may always belong to Washford, and your role becomes that of a catalyst for healing rather than a simple romantic conquest. Players must navigate complex emotions, past traumas, and the delicate process of helping two former lovers find their way back to each other while building their own connection with Drysdale.

Where to Find Drysdale

Location: Drysdale is located in the laundry room, positioned on top of the washing machine. He functions as the dryer in this essential household duo.

Access Details:

Fixed Position: Always found in the same location atop the washer
Available from Day One: No special requirements to unlock initial interaction
Exclusive to Laundry Room: Won't be found anywhere else in the house
Easy Identification: Interact with the dryer unit above the washer

Room Setup:

Enter the laundry room on the first floor
Locate the washer/dryer unit
Interact with the dryer (top unit) to speak with Drysdale
Note: Washford (the washer) is directly below him

Strategic Recommendation: Before engaging deeply with Drysdale, consider speaking with Washford first to understand their shared history and current relationship dynamics.

Character Routes & Endings

💕 Love Route

The love route with Drysdale requires understanding and navigating his complex relationship with Washford while building your own connection.

Phase 1: Initial Meeting and Fitness (First Encounter) Drysdale initially presents himself as fitness-focused and somewhat vain, but this masks deeper emotional complexity.

Key Dialogue Progression:

"You may be excited?"
"I'm excited to meet you, too!"
"Damn, your modesty is… impressive."
"Um… of your form?"
"The Temple of Tone? Devotee, right here."
"How do you work out exactly?"
"You must be creative, too."
"Using only what's here in the laundry room?"
"Build a workout together? That sounds awesome!"
"Obliques! We'll start there."

Critical Moment: The encounter ends with Drysdale calling for Washford, revealing the central relationship dynamic.

Phase 2: Learning About the Past (Second Encounter) Drysdale begins opening up about his relationship with Washford and their current estrangement.

Important Responses:

"Can I ride inside you for a bit?"
"Like me? I'm new, right?"
"Well, let's get you some points too!"
"By here… you mean in the laundry room?"
"That was a lot of information."
"You're right, I'll ask!"

Key Emotional Moment:

"Just as teensy as your love for Washford?"
"But you continue to call him?"
"Has Washford been with you the whole time you've been in here?"
"That's a long time, Drysdale."
"And how long has it been since you've broke up?"
"How long since you've talked to him?"
"What's inconvenient? You're in love."
"What can I do?"
"I can try. I can't make any promises, though."

Phase 3: Understanding the Betrayal (Third Encounter) The most emotionally complex encounter where Drysdale reveals his past mistakes and pain.

Critical Dialogue Sequence:

"I just came from talking to Washford."
"Well, he was a little mopey."
"What happened between you two?"
"You don't have to cry or anything. We can just chat."
"Washy?"
"Yes! I saw him do that!"
"His lips are gorgeous. Given."
"Yes, I remember him… scrawny, kinda sexy."
"The hot boy made you hotter?"
"What did you do?"

The Betrayal Revelation:

"You didn't ask Washford, did you."
"What do you mean, refused?"
"I can't believe you did all this without asking Washford."
"I'm sure Washford has had some good ideas, too."
"He came up with the Pale Betrayal, that's pretty cool."
"I think it's creative. The result of your betrayal was a pale mold."
"But if you knew he was sensitive, why did you flirt with Dirk?"
"But you knew how sensitive Washford was to your actions."
"And you loved Washford."

Reconciliation Push:

"It's time for you and Washford to have a conversation with each other."
"You don't have to be mysterious, Drysdale. You just have to be honest."
"He told me. He asked me to come and talk to you."
"What's wrong?"
"Washford!"
"Washford!"

Phase 4: Reconnection (Fourth Encounter) Brief but positive interaction showing progress in emotional healing.

Simple but Important:

"Yep."
"Uh, yes. Shock."
"Excellent skill, right there."
"Lol. I'd love that. Let's do it!"

Phase 5: Final Reconciliation (Fifth Encounter) The crucial moment for facilitating communication and potential romance.

Final Push:

"Drysdale… could you call Washford?"
"I dunno… I have a good feeling this time…"
"It won't work unless you mean it, Drysdale."

🤝 Friendship Route

The friendship route focuses on helping Drysdale and Washford reunite while maintaining a supportive but non-romantic relationship.

Strategy: To achieve the friendship ending with Drysdale, you must successfully help him get back together with Washford. This involves:

Complete all love route encounters to understand their full story
Act as mediator between Drysdale and Washford
Facilitate honest communication about past betrayals and current feelings
Support their reconciliation rather than pursuing personal romance
Choose friendship when romantic options are presented

Key Understanding: The friendship route recognizes that Drysdale's heart belongs to Washford, and your role is that of a supportive friend helping heal a broken relationship rather than replacing it.

Friendship Benefits:

Witness one of Date Everything's most beautiful love stories
Maintain positive relationships with both Drysdale and Washford
Experience the satisfaction of helping others find happiness
Avoid the complexity of competing with an existing deep bond

💔 Hate Route

The hate route with Drysdale is surprisingly easy to trigger due to his prideful and easily offended nature.

Simple Method: Drysdale is pretty easy to offend. Simply be as rude and aloof as possible in all responses throughout your interactions.

Effective Approaches:

Show consistent disrespect for his personality and interests
Dismiss his fitness enthusiasm and self-improvement efforts
Be insensitive about his relationship with Washford
Respond rudely to his attempts at conversation
Show no empathy for his emotional struggles

Result: He will turn his nose up and stop speaking with you after a few off-putting conversations. This reflects his prideful nature and low tolerance for disrespect.

Warning: Given the complexity and beauty of Drysdale's story with Washford, the hate route means missing one of the game's most emotionally rewarding narratives.

Character Psychology & Relationship Dynamics

Understanding Drysdale's Personality

Prideful Nature: Easily offended and quick to dismiss those who disrespect him
Fitness Enthusiast: Uses physical improvement as emotional coping mechanism
Hidden Vulnerability: Masks deep emotional pain behind bravado
Loyal Heart: Despite betrayals, still deeply loves Washford
Self-Aware: Knows his mistakes but struggles with how to fix them

The Drysdale-Washford Dynamic

Tragic Love Story: Classic tale of love, betrayal, and potential redemption
Past Betrayal: Drysdale's flirtation with Dirk hurt sensitive Washford
Communication Breakdown: Both afraid to reach out despite obvious love
Complementary Natures: Dryer and washer, designed to work together
Second Chances: Story explores themes of forgiveness and growth

The Role of Player as Mediator

Relationship Counselor: Help facilitate communication between estranged lovers
Emotional Support: Provide stability during vulnerable moments
Reality Check: Help both parties see past their pride and fear
Catalyst for Change: Encourage action rather than passive longing
Neutral Perspective: Offer outside viewpoint on internal relationship dynamics

Voice Acting & Character Design

Neil Newbon's Performance

Astarion Connection: Familiar voice brings sophistication and charm
Emotional Range: From playful banter to heartbreaking vulnerability
Distinctive Character: Recognizable performance that enhances immersion
Complex Delivery: Handles themes of love, loss, and redemption with nuance

Character Design Elements

Visual Positioning: Placed above Washford, reflecting relationship dynamics
Functional Integration: Works as actual dryer while maintaining personality
Symbolic Design: Represents the "drying" phase after Washford's "washing"
Household Integration: Seamlessly part of laundry room ecosystem

Advanced Romance Strategy

Pre-Romance Preparation

Speak with Washford First: Understanding their shared history is crucial
Prepare for Emotional Complexity: This isn't a simple romance route
Consider Your Role: Decide whether you want to compete with or support their relationship
Emotional Readiness: Be prepared for mature themes of love and loss

Effective Communication Techniques

Active Listening: Pay attention to what he doesn't say about Washford
Emotional Validation: Acknowledge his pain without dismissing Washford's
Gentle Confrontation: Challenge his pride when it prevents healing
Patience: Allow time for emotional processing and growth
Support Without Enabling: Help without making excuses for past behavior

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Dismissing Washford: Trying to minimize their relationship importance
Taking Sides: Favoring either Drysdale or Washford over the other
Rushing Resolution: Expecting quick fixes for deep emotional wounds
Missing Subtext: Not understanding the deeper emotions behind surface interactions
Pride Competition: Trying to out-ego Drysdale instead of understanding his insecurity

Related Characters & Connections

Essential Character Relationships

Washford: Primary love interest and relationship dynamic driver
Dirk: Third party involved in past betrayal situation
Harper: Also in laundry room, may have witnessed relationship dynamics

Thematic Connections

Other Tragic Romances: Part of Date Everything's mature relationship stories
Voice Acting Excellence: Shares high-quality performance standard with other characters
Household Integration: Demonstrates how appliances maintain complex internal lives

Laundry Room Ecosystem

The laundry room serves as a complete emotional environment where multiple relationship dramas unfold simultaneously, with Drysdale and Washford's story at the center of this domestic theater.