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vr_trakowskiIf you read Löyli, would you be willing to give me an opinion on a possibly touchy issue?
It has been brought to my attention that the scenario I created in Löyli could be considered sexual assault.
I am not in possession of details, so I'm not sure to which part the objection refers--Tony hugging Pepper during their argument, or the encounter afterwards. It could be both, I suppose, though I thought I was making it clear that Pepper was entirely willing for at least the latter part.
In my head, Tony's hug, while unwelcome, isn't sexual in nature; it's a product of his epiphany, and he doesn't let her go at first because he's too caught up in that to pay attention to her anger. But I may not have made that clear enough. It could also be that some definitions of sexual assault are more stringent than mine.
Opinions? I'd really like to know what you think; you are, after all, the people for whom these stories are written. Did I go too far? Did I break character? Am I doing the characters, or the fandom, a disservice?
Thank you.
ETA: Wow. I wasn't anticipating quite this response, but I'm glad to see it! Thank you all for your honesty, and for your courtesy. And if you came from somewhere outside the fandom, welcome, feel free to join in.
I fully intend to respond to the new replies, but if I don't get some sleep I'm going to start hallucinating, so I'll be back tomorrow. Please, carry on meanwhile if you are so moved; just stay courteous.
It has been brought to my attention that the scenario I created in Löyli could be considered sexual assault.
I am not in possession of details, so I'm not sure to which part the objection refers--Tony hugging Pepper during their argument, or the encounter afterwards. It could be both, I suppose, though I thought I was making it clear that Pepper was entirely willing for at least the latter part.
In my head, Tony's hug, while unwelcome, isn't sexual in nature; it's a product of his epiphany, and he doesn't let her go at first because he's too caught up in that to pay attention to her anger. But I may not have made that clear enough. It could also be that some definitions of sexual assault are more stringent than mine.
Opinions? I'd really like to know what you think; you are, after all, the people for whom these stories are written. Did I go too far? Did I break character? Am I doing the characters, or the fandom, a disservice?
Thank you.
ETA: Wow. I wasn't anticipating quite this response, but I'm glad to see it! Thank you all for your honesty, and for your courtesy. And if you came from somewhere outside the fandom, welcome, feel free to join in.
I fully intend to respond to the new replies, but if I don't get some sleep I'm going to start hallucinating, so I'll be back tomorrow. Please, carry on meanwhile if you are so moved; just stay courteous.
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no subject
Date: 2009-08-15 03:48 am (UTC)I see what you're saying (if you'll forgive the hackneyed phrase), and you make excellent points. Tony DOES have a lot of power, still, and he's used to wielding it. But, I would contend, Pepper has power too in this situation--demonstrably.
In addition, in this specific situation, they're arguing. What either of them might say in the heat of anger doesn't necessarily translate into action. But that may not come across clearly, in which case it's a failure on my part.
How much power DOES Pepper have, now that they're no longer in a direct employer-employee relationship? Is public perception as big a factor?
Perhaps we just perceive them differently.