Blissful Ignorance

Tumbleweed wrote:I hate to break it to you, but even in the most optomistic view of the happening in Heero's office, that still wouldn't hold up in court. Technically speaking it was sexual harrassment, easily rape, the first time Heero said no. Don't worry though, what this turned into a whole lot more intresting then a three chapter excuse for Relena to get... satisfaction.

Sexual harassment I will agree to. Rape, no. Your court system must have a far more liberal interpretation of rape than mine does, and I speak from (rather bitter) personal experience. He choose to have sex with her. When it came time to do the deed he was free of any bindings and she gave him the chance to back out. He didn't. He consented.

And the original 3 part incarnation was rather different than this, in that at no point did Heero's insecurities enter into it. Everything was meant to end happily with no conflict. But let's be honest, that would have been boring.

Personally, as it stands, I feel that getting Heero jealous is a very bad idea; the only thing that could make this situation better is communication. I know it's a popular plot device right now but in this particular situation, if I were in Heero's shoes, I would feel a lot more hurt and used then I would feel jealous of WuFei; that's just me.

I thank you for your concern, but you don't need to worry too much. There will be communication (in the next chapter actually). I mentioned earlier that Relena and Wufei have different approaches to resolving the problem. Relena wants to talk things out, and she will. That's always been the way she does things, by discussion. Wufei favors action. Which is a mistake in this situation, yes. And it will be a mistake when he does it.

Anyway, before this becomes too much of a rant, I just wanted to congradualate you, Smarty Cat, on setting up an excellent and intriguing storyline.

I'm glad you're enjoying it. And though we obviously disagree on some points and likely will never agree, I hope you continue to enjoy it.

RyanEX2000 wrote:To follow up up on Tumble's point.The television scene where Heero was being interviewed,was she really expecting him to blurt out,"Yes.We've been having an affair and she comes to my office and we screw each others' brains out."You realise that if it were the other way around,Heero would have everyone screaming for his blood.

I think you misunderstand her feelings. Of course she knows he couldn't have said the truth. But that doesn't stop her from feeling hurt when he says that there's nothing between them and certainly implies that there never will be though Wufei gets the screen off before he says all of it. As I've been saying, emotions and logic do not go hand in hand. And the general public is screaming for Relena's blood though I haven't expressly shown it yet. She hasn't made a public appearance in three weeks due to the backlash.

Tumble has another point.Perhaps Heero should be shown talking to one of the other pilots,whether willingly or unintentionally,as to how he views the situation.

To be perfectly honest, I can not picture Heero sitting down and having a heart to heart with any of the other pilots regarding his feelings. And I am not simply invoking the double standard of the strong silent male who must suffer internally and never express himself emotinally. Heero's simply too taciturn. I can not think of a single incident in the show where he talks about his feelings, with the possible exception of asking Wufei how many times he has to kill that little girl and her dog in Endless Waltz. And that's hardly a dialogue.

He and Relena will talk in the next chapter. Wufei will make a mistake in judgment in the chapter after that. Everyone will be mad, but everything will work out before it's all over and done.

Smarty Cat wrote: Sexual harassment I will agree to. Rape, no. Your court system must have a far more liberal interpretation of rape than mine does, and I speak from (rather bitter) personal experience. He choose to have sex with her. When it came time to do the deed he was free of any bindings and she gave him the chance to back out. He didn't. He consented.

I do see your point; in fact, personally I wouldn't go that far personally, knowing there past history and all but I still have to say it because came pretty close to the line and, dare I say, danced one. The reason I even mentioned it is because if you wanted to make a case for rape, there's a lot a lawyer would have to work with here; it'd still be a dice roll but a close one.

Just, don't mind me, I have a tendency to go overboard with things and I'll dive into some satorical political drama without even thinking about it.

First off, I am enjoying the story a lot. Smarty Cat, you've done a wonderful job of portraying possibly very realistic difficulties a young woman in Relena's position would face.

Secondly, I'm not going to jump anyone's case, but I'd like everyone to remember that we're all friends here. I encourage you, that if you have a dissenting opinion, as a couple of people have brought up circumstances they are 'concerned' about, to re-read your post and try to imagine the tone you are portraying. I think we could easily have discussed this on a level that didn't sound borderline hostile at times. My apologies to you Smarty Cat for not seeing this thread sooner.


I do think that this is not a case of sexual harrassment because 1) like Smarty Cat pointed out, Heero consented. 2) He initiated the original sexual relationship in the prequel chapters Out of Control. Coming from that perspective, it is my opinion that 'circumstances' are being taken out of context by others here.

There's a manga I'm reading about a teacher and his student having a very sexual relationship (male teacher, girl student). In several cases, she protests against his advances, as is apparently customary for girls to do in manga even when they want to have sex with the guy, and even though the relationship SEEMS inappropriate by those who would view it from the outside, and maybe it is, she has consented to be in a relationship with him, they are in love... The tone is light-hearted and fun, whether or not we have moral issues with it from the outside, the INTENT is not to portray statutory rape. Even though the case could be made...

It's important to remember that this is supposed to be a fun story. I can certainly sympathize, having been a 'victim' of other types of sexual harrassment in the workplace, with the concern voiced here, and Smarty Cat has said she took this into consideration and will make the intentions of both parties clear. That being said, the concession has been made, and so the sexual harrassment/rape discussion needs to be dropped. And please accept my apologies again, Smarty Cat.

Love,
Rose

“Ice cream?” Relena breathed in disbelief as she pulled off the lid. “You brought me ice cream? You wonderful man.”





Is this the way to a woman's heart?

Well it's not exactly but it's a very good start. Ice cream then chocolates, then flowers, then jelwery, and you should be all set.

Yes, it is. There are others, of course, but bringing ice cream to a sad woman is a big one. But--and this is very important so pay attention, houshi-sama--you must keep your hands to yourself until you are invited to touch her. If you use her during her moment of weakness she'll hate you forever.

And what on earth would Sango say? Or do rather... You don't enjoy being bludgeoned with a giant boomerang, do you?

That also sounds like sonething I would say Smarty Cat