A question about a Rogue

[Occhidiangela]

OK, if she touches a non mutant, like the old boyfriend, does she take something from him, or does she transfer something to him that puts him into shock and then a coma? I took it as a taking, similar to conductive heat transfer. She is a life force sink, or a heat sink in psionic form.

She touches a mutant to absorb "talent" and creates a two way transfer: the conducts talent, and with it she remains a life force sink, which is why Wolverine damn near buys the farm. His ability to heal saves both her, and then him, because time heals all wounds. ;)

Thanks for reminding me about the machine. When Magneto mutated the Senator, sure enough, his assistants needed to help him out when all was said and done. Once on, it sucks the life out of the operator. That of course why he was willing to sacrifice Rogue: she had no hope of a normal life, and she was uniquely situated to be just the right focus for being his machine.

I think I get it now, thanks to all of you nice folks for clearing up my misunderstanding of Xmen stuff.