This is me being very happy at the thought of more Aral/Simon post-Escobar! AVD wanted to be how it was, but I did suffer from occasional frustration that it could only go one way - I'd love to see some others. Also, I am suffering from the same 'this plot is not quite 100% plausible but it's the way to get the story' issue at present, and am trying to dance as lightly as possible over the awkward bits.

And, per your comment below, it does also appear to be a communicable disease: I've had more than one comment on my fics to the tune of 'I didn't know I had a Thing for oaths and loyalty before I read this, but now I definitely do'.