Quote Originally Posted by TeChameleon View Post
Okay, wow.

This would be skeevy as all hell in a straight porno. In a setting with actual developed characters who are more than just flesh puppets to playact sex, it's edging towards... I'm not even sure what to call it. It's definitely a crime of some description. It really kind of tipped Dabbler over the edge for me from 'sex pest' to 'should be on a list'.

If this whole scenario happened because some juniour chem wiz decided to roofie everyone's drinks, and then their older sibling pumped tranquilizers into the ventilation to keep things from 'getting out of hand', instead of it all being 'magic', I kind of suspect that this discussion would look a little different. And yes, I know the whole 'lost control, not their fault' narrative is going on, but the fact remains that power overload or not, what Parfait did to Sydney was assault (trying to phrase things very carefully here). Removing the ability of the entire building to meaningfully consent and then acting like that's some kind of accomplishment and mind-controlling them to be okay with it is... it's not even supervillain behaviour, it's just magic molestation and would result in criminal charges in a just universe, or at least diplomatic expulsion for Parfait (and no, I haven't forgotten diplomatic immunity, it doesn't really extend to 'compromising a secure military facility without consequences').

... for some reason I'm reminded of that awful Superman story where he was mind-controlled to sleep with Mister Miracle's wife by an Apokoliptian aptly named 'Sleez', who got kicked off Apokolips for being gross. Yes, there was a villain in Superman comics that the frigging god of evil (well, tyranny, but whatever) thought was too disgusting to keep on their hell-world. I have no idea why DC thought the whole mess was a good idea, but there you have it. And now Dave has written one of his supposedly good characters as the moral equivalent of Sleez.
The chemist analogy is terrible for what happened. Its more like, an alchemist is trying to turn everyones drinks into soda, accidentally creates it with aphrodisiacs in it, and the alchemist is caught up in things just like everyone else. Then their teacher goes, "While that wasnt ideal, its impressive your strength was far enough to effect everyone in the buildings drinks." Its still not perfect as parfait wasnt even trying to do anything but at least its closer. What dabbler is doing is really not ok. Its one of those ends justify the means scenarios but they dont. She is doing her best to avoid having this experience cause major issues with the team, but she is still effecting their minds to make it happen, even if it is temporary. As she admits she is basically going to be overdosing on mana potions just to make it last the night. And on top of that is clearly and with full acknowledgement of the fact, ignoring her commanders orders.