Favorite part of the corruption of the mind?

(Note: Mindset only, this topic isn't about the physical or aesthetic changes)

I wish I could find a polling option, but it looks like the best I can do is try and start a discussion on it.

So, what would be considered the best part of the process of a mental corruption?

1) In their right mind, trying to resist the mental attacks against their morality
2) The confusion, when the new thoughts seem right to them, but they are still questioning themselves
3) The end, when the new personality has taken control and shows itself off extravagantly

I'm going to guess that the most popular answer would be between 2 and 3. It definitely wouldn't be 1 for me, and you can probably see that in whatever work I've done- they never stay resistant for long.

I'd have to put my personal favorite as 2- this is when I usually give my characters a dazed look. As sexy as 3 can get, it's always the conflict that really intrigues me more than the end. The process is what gets at me, more than the results. I have to wonder sometimes whether it really gets the focus it deserves in corruption stories; it seems more like climactic point, then immediate corruption, but then it never shows the inner conflict.

The only times 3 can generally put itself ahead are the immediate events after it- a fresh view and action. As if the intended thoughts have set in, but the corrupted one has that curiosity or need to become accustomed to this way of thinking. Once it really sets in, it's still hot, but not really new anymore, and there's where it loses its spark. That's just my opinion though.

Actually, now that I think about it, would you agree there would be somewhat of a 2.5 stage?
- Still in a daze, they now accept all of these new thoughts, and find joy in these thoughts

Whereas in stage 3, they now act as though it were their true nature.

I can make this a never ending poll if you want. I have the power...

UNLIMITED POOOOOOOWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

*ahem* Anyway, for me the hotness pretty much bumps up by the more they sink in to their new selfs, and I generally favor 3, why? Well, I few reasons, they embrace it, enjoy it fully, and have fun with their new twisted morality. In some cases they look at what a stupid fool they had been beforehand and look forward to correcting those mistakes. They take actions without regret and get what they want. They are now more sinister, and think more deviantly, sexually, a whole new world opens up before them and they can't contain the joy from the possibilities it offers. And of course, they get a new sexy laugh. Of course this doesn't apply to all conversations, sometimes they become more hate filled, which I enjoy too, as they take actions to finally get what they deserve. Then there is the somber and obedient type, which is hot in it's own way, letting someone take their leash and relieve them of choice.

As for stage 2.5, not sure myself.

Well, maybe this could better describe what I was thinking when I made this-

New question to add to the mix- how do people usually feel about it when the physical/aesthetic change is complete before the mental change? Also, how about when the victim is "commanded" to take action against another before the mental change has cemented (pretty much between stages 2 and 3)?

I'm pretty much in favor of having the physical/aesthetic changes completed right before the the mental changes kick in, gives that last bit of horror and realization of what's happened/happening to them.

And I love the idea of having them be commanded to do something to cement the change as you said. Gives them that last push into total corruption where there's really no turning back.

Oh hey, polling options? Were they there before Rainday? I don't remember ever seeing them until I brought that up with the first post of this topic.

Anyways, I have a poll up, so vote if you'd like.

They should of been, because I remember I could create a poll before I became a mod, but I had no way of making it stop unless I typed in a date.

Now to answer other questions.

2) For me I like the physical/aesthetic changes first. Why? Because A) It gives them a enchanting, possibly enthralling look at what they are becoming, B) by that point it's usually hopeless to fight, yet seeing them struggle can be hot C) It can be part of the conversion process. But yeah, it really pops up that fight or submit flag for them. They can also fantasize about it until it happens.

3) It creates that interesting moment of tension, a crisis of conscience, one's which voice is quickly fading, and of course the commanding presence can often seduce them into carrying it out, thus sealing their mind with seduction. It provides a good struggle between the good side, and the sinful side, and the sinful side has all the power by that point usually.

If it makes sense, I like the stage of Confusion because resistance has faded but they've not yet slid into submission. There's still the impulse to fight, that voice that says "this isn't right", but the voice is harder to hear, and the will to fight is not quite there. There's always the chance that maybe the heroine will snap out of it, and win the day.

As for whether I like physical changes to come before the mental changes, it depends. Sometimes, I like the physical/aesthetic changes to come first, especially during that stage of confusion where it's more likely to be accepted, but other times, I like it to come at the end, because it makes for a neat ending.

Wrote this a bit ago and wanted to share because... you guys are on the same page as I am and... wow it feels good to have people UNDERSTAND <3

Corruption absolutely MUST keep the original personality intact for me to find it enticing. Having someone who is blatantly acting as a different person is no different to my mind than a clone or doppleganger. No... for it to make me lower my jaw in admiration it needs to have the following elements.

1) The threat

- The threat comes when the hero knows what is happening to them or about to. It could be a boastful villain monologing that this is about to occur or it could be a person being chased down by others or surrounded by brainwashed friends and losing hope... there is usually a delicious moment in these situations where denial gives way to doubt. A heroine shouting "No way, I could never do that!" is an overt way but there are many subtle ways, even a facial expression can give that terror of knowing what is to come.

2) The corruption itself

Building as a bridge between 1 and 2 and entirely optional... but when the process has begun. Sometimes it is a long drawn out process where the hero is fighting off this force taking hold against them... like a symbiote worming in to their thoughts or these alien feelings starting to take hold in place of purity... that moment where the hero becomes tainted but keeps fighting to hold on. That moment is delicious.

3a) Acceptance.

They always do this as a big reveal but... when the hero is corrupted and they like it. I think my corruption fetish may have actually been born when Daphne smiled after being hypnotized by the ghost clown. Even as a child I just found that to be so enticing... not only was she subverted but she LIKED it. This is usually the money shot of any given transformation... though.

3b) The Reveal

Sometimes it is brought on as a surprise. Ah! My Goddess did this in a fantastic way with the Angel Eater saga. Last we see of Belldandy is that Hild had put a devil seed in her (naked) body and she was fiercely rejecting it. Cut to outside. Next time you see her she is in her evil outfit (ffff... so attractive) and attacking her sisters and beloved boyfriend. All the subtext is right there in a single action. Evil outfit. Attacking those she loves? Empty vacant expression on her face.

God if that scene had lasted a few minutes longer *swoons*

Dark Goddess Althena is another fantastic version of this version. I think I prefer it to the acceptance because you get to imagine everything between last time you saw them and this time.

Bonus) The fight

When the hero is fighting off corruption there is always the inevitable "NO! THIS ISN'T YOU!" moment. Sometimes you get shades of the original hero come out to be snuffed. Other times... other times they remain evil and assert YES. This IS what they are under the ball of repression that they were as the hero.

That's how I've always enjoyed these scenes, anyway

For me its certainly the process. The building up and development of the contrast between the before and after. I am a big fan of the mental resistance, the fighting and eventually twisting of will. Among my favorite stories and comics have always had a long drawn out battle before the fall and given into the change.

For me I love a little resistance at first, but definitely number three, I love the moments of where the heroine is just overwhelmed by pleasure/ enjoys the corruption to e exclusion of all her previous thoughts