This game goes a long way to make certain that there is always consent, and for the most part does a decent job.
The issue is, when it does not do that. In these cases the non-consent is often hidden by the pretended consent.
I will use Halsin as an example:
He does not take no for an answer. In fact, when rejected he is actually questioning you wether or not you are actually telling the truth - and starts to argue why you must be interested in him. In this case, my character had specifically not asked about his former relationships and I got this dialogue "You attended to my needs with the attention of a lover, not a friend."
So, because I am kind to you the implication must automatically be that I want you?
If you then say that you already have a lover, and that's why you don't want to pursue him - he immediately jumps to that meaning that you want him then. And also jumps to the other partners consent, and entirely negates Tav's agency and consent, when he starts planning your partner joining the both of you - Tav hasn't even been asked if they would be interested.
From the time you decide to just hint at some care for him, Halsin constantly assumes what your relationship should be, and emotionally manipulates you afterwards.
"I care for you so much. Do you care for me?"
Excited Tav "Yes!"
Halsin: "That's wonderful! There is just this fineprint I need to sign without you being able to make any revisions or conditions of your own. Just accept it or I will find my entertainment elsewhere. Which I will anyway, you know, but with your consent. of course this isn't an ultimatum"
Then if you reject him, he starts hitting on your romance, which in Shadowheart's case turns into this sort of guilttrip between her and Halsin.
And if you just happen to help him, you are force to have him in your party regardless. No option to politely tell him "Thanks but no thanks."
This is not consent - it is coercion disguised as manipulated consent.
"Nice guy" tactic 101.
How the hell did everything the lead writer wrote get past the sensitivity writers they supposedly had? No, wait... I answered my own question.
[img]
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachme...3346f752738633e67429b547789bcc5ccfa&[/img]
