Hello there! Its been a while since I reviewed. On the latest chapter of Desideratum, one word. Hive-Mind. It was totally wicked! And yes, the slow burn is glacial, but that's the beauty of it. But me, I would like to see Lotor get angry at Keith, rather than on Keith's behalf. At least once. 'Cause he really does seem like Prince Perfect. I mean, the only vulnerability he shows in front of his team is things outside the team- like his daddy issues, or his exile, and psychotic generals- but(1/?)
(2/?) he doesn’t really show much emotion towards his generals. Like, sure he seems friendly, and nice, and holds his generals in favour, but he rarely gets upset with anyone of the team (except maybe Natri) So yeah, I would like that. And also, I was wondering who’s in the red lion? Matt? Or maybe Lance? And will Keith get the red lion? And if he does, what about his position as general? Or will it just strengthen the alliance? And what of Keith’s mother? The big reveal took place after all…
(3/?) But apart from that, are there any side relationships? Does Natri die in this AU? Also, what do the other generals think about the developing Keitor? I’m fairly certain that it isn’t just my imagination that Lotor is paying more attention to Keith compared to the others. Or maybe it is? But anyways, it was a good chapter. I hope to see another one soon!
Hey there, anon! I’m glad you’re enjoying so far, and it’s always nice to hear feedback!
I’ve actually deliberately kept Lotor from showing anger towards Keith or strong emotion towards the generals on purpose. A lot of that comes from my interpretation of him as someone who needs to be in control, and control of his emotions is part of that. In canon, we very rarely see him act in strong negative emotion, and almost never does he seem upset with his generals (and the times he does have strong outward circumstances). Not trying to portray him as prince-perfect, but Lotor seems to me to be someone whose anger burns cold, and who prizes control over everything else. I’ve actually written several scenes in this fic where, if they were told from Lotor’s point of view, would basically just be giant screaming messes, but since I am working with Keith’s POV, Lotor seems mildly rattled at worst. I’m a big believer in Lotor hiding his vulnerabilities, and he has had quite a long time to learn that art to perfection. Lotor actually has gotten mad at Keith in fic canon, but he prizes control so much that unless you were in his head reading his mind, you wouldn’t realize. (I can think of a few instances.) Sorry if you want something more obvious, but I can’t see Lotor as someone who would explode with anger or even make it clear when he is mad, so… I guess have fun looking back at some of his measured or even tones looking for anger? Lotor loves his control.
That said, we will eventually see Lotor lose composure. It will just take more dire circumstances than any we have seen yet. Lotor loves and trusts his team, but not enough to break down in front of them.
Someone’s in the red lion, that is for sure. I started planning this fic before season 4 had aired, and I finalized the Desideratum lion flying squad after season 4 dropped, that’s all I am saying. I’m comfortable saying that this isn’t a spoiler - Keith is not going to be the red paladin or fly a lion in this fic. I’ve had multiple people either directly ask me about that or imply that they want that to happen, and while I’m sorry to disappoint, Keith won’t be flying a lion. It’s not that there won’t be any references to his potential to fly red, but in this reality, he missed his chance.
Keith’s mother… Man, that’s complicated. I’ll take Keith’s Abandonment Issues for 200, please.
Acxa/Ezor/Zethrid is low-key a thing, though I tend to keep it to vague references. They are discreet. There might be inter-paladin relationships? I haven’t decided. I promised my best friend that even if it doesn’t get active screentime, Coran/Kolivan is a thing because we are both disasters who ship that particular rare-pair. (Which probably will get maybe two sentences of implication.) Keith/Lotor is the only major pairing, like 50 chapters from now when these dumbasses decide to get together for real. (I actually have a solid plan on when and how they become official, and it is farther in the future than anyone wants, so suffer through the glacial burn I offer in the meantime. Their relationship is set in stone and will happen, but it will take a Very Painfully Long Time.)
And um. As for Narti being alive or dead? If I am merciful and Narti is lucky, she’s dead. If not? :) I have plans :)
