First, I completely agree that the romance in KOTOR2 is far too undeveloped - if you're going to 'tease' people with a romance, don't do a half-assed job of it and then leave people hanging. (I'm only on my 1st time thru the game, close to the end now)
On the other hand, games so rarely have any romance at all, that I'm sort of happy to have anything - and that I even care about that 'anything' to begin with is kind of a testament in itself, to the writing/characters etc. IMO.
Second, I love Atton, he's my main man....and he's definitely not 'LS'. I'm playing Dark, and while he did comment early on (several times) that my skin is getting quite unlovely, he responds most favorably to violent murders of the innocent.
That all said, I would like to speak in defense of poor Disciple, in the spirit of roleplaying. :cool: (in other words, this is going to be long & story like)
I too initially disliked his voice, and his rather weird appearance - he made me think of a Prince Charming who got too carried away with plastic surgery or something.
But since he looked like a strong fellow, I trained him in the Force and eventually a lightsaber because frankly, I was tired of Kreia nagging at me everytime I turned a corner, and a driod is not great company. And that Bao-Dur -- his glowing arm keeps giving away our postiion to the enemy and he refuses to wear a long-sleeve over it.
Disciple was distressingly good when I met him, and naive, but I was amused that he sparked a jealous note in Atton ("We're doing just fine without you..we travel light...etc"). Once I noticed Disciple's own infatuation with me, with careful manipulation I slowly corrupted him while yet giving him the illusion that he was staying true to his love for the Republic. Quite masterful brainwashing, if I do say so myself.
In fact, when I sent him to lead the mission on Dxun, when he returned, he came to me crestfallen because he had "failed me...gave in to the dark side..." by wallowing in it's power (twice) and being tempted by a Sith's words even as he struck them down in my name. I could see the cracks in his fair skin and the shadows under his eyes (which much improved his appearance btw) and was greatly pleased at my handiwork.
I soothed his tormented mind by telling him a pleasant lie about how it's what we do after a failing that matters, and he actually thanked me for it.
So to sum up....I'm having a lot of fun twisting him to the dark side and using his adoration against him. So much so that by now, I've grown dangerously fond of him, and his voice no longer bothers me. He just needed a little.......training......to become something more intriguing.
Anyway....Disciple grows on you if you give him a chance. A lot of his interactions with the Exile are...interesting. And he actually becomes quite the good lightsaber-melee-force-storm fighter.
But Atton's still the main man. Tho the scoundrel does have serious trust/ego issues....