Lewd Concubine

A mixture of things. HIs issue has never been with Nel. His issue instead was with Aizen at that point.

Szayel is one of the few remaining natural arrancar, even if he isn't as strong as his previous form as the reigning Zero Espada. And as such, or at least this portrayal, after splitting Yylfordt out of himself as per SAFWY, it removed one of the biggest parts of Szayel's protection from Aizen's power. Because he was not created with the help of the Hougyoku--he owed Aizen nothing for his tremendous strength, intelligence, and beauty. Without the raw power that was 10x greater than even Yami's greatest energy spikes...he became vulnerable to someone he thought he understood parts of him in wanting to create a different world.

Szayel is aligned with absolute freedom in most senses, in a belief system that wanders between chaotic neutral and chaotic evil based on mood...and in his highest moments can be sprung into the realm of 'good'. But given that Szayel's symbolism is driven by the ideals of alchemy...he seeks merger, rebirth, and transformation with a fully unhidden theme of the sacred divine being shown as a perfect androgyne. In searching for 'perfection'...he cut himself in half to refine himself, like within an alchemist's cruciable. But instead of being recognized and praised, he was demoted. So Szayel moved forward doing what he does when 'not good enough'...he seeks merger--partnership.

Nnoitra is a character steeped in different views of misogyny. But like..Szayel is RIDICULOUSLY feminine, even though he's not a character that talks about himself in any way other than masculine. Instead...I've always felt like Nnoitra found Szayel as a safe expression of 'feminine' power, as it came in a male body with an unironic presentation of self. I mean, Szayel when speaking uses masculine pronouns (although pronouns more often used by more 'boyish' types) and in some of his concept art Kubo has thrown around the idea of a 'male succubus'...which is a female demon. In Tesra, Szayel saw that Nnoitra understood what it was to have a partner. Even if a partnership is well matched--healthy is a relative word. Not all lessons and ties that are worthwhile are enjoyable ones. So, as a former espada, without the protections of his rank or his former objective strength levels...he put himself in the hands of his inner reasons...and decided to be vulnerable in that moment again, and join with the needs of another.

I'm also very sure there was sexual attraction and emotional attraction as well.

And when he reached out to speak to Nnoitra about 'working together' after Nel was deposed? He was pushed away. For the rest of the story, there is no other depiction of Szayel as a man willing to do something for someone else...and his mental state hits a continuous trajectory to a downward spiral when it comes to personal bonds, even though he's obsessed with anyone who he's crossed paths with that caught his eye for any reason.

For the most part, I will be doing a soft refresh. If there's something that you really desire to keep let me know, otherwise...I'm probably better off starting with new things.

I will be on intermittently--slip into my DMs...

I'll post some memes and maybe some open starters.

<3  

“Well, well...perhaps ‘bower’ would have been a more elegant name for the sign...but I can’t say that it’s wrong in character.”

Szayel is confused.  

“Why are there so many bots when the porn isn’t even any good?!?!”

I’ll be on Shutara after that.  

Well that was a mistake

Szayel’s response is immediate and visceral. From the way he reacts, you’d think Ryuken had done something utterly unforgivable rather than refused to give up a small personal detail. It’s so sudden that Ryuken can’t even react at first. He just stands there like a rabbit in the headlights while the hollow tears at his hair, clearly scrabbling at those little threads of sanity which seem to come and go so easily with him, trying to pull them back into a semblance of control. Without thinking, he tries to reach out but stops as the hollow winds down and seems to get  ahold of himself.  Ryuken’s face hasn’t exactly softened by the time Szayel’s done but there’s a visible streak of concern there wasn’t before. 

That too, is short-lived. 

It’s gone in the time it takes Szayel to collect himself and launch into monologue again. Ryuken raises an eyebrow, wondering what exactly gives this man the right to touch on other’s traumas. They’re none of his business anyway, especially when keeping this hollow at arm’s length still feels like the only sensible thing to do. They’re not and never will be friends, especially if Ryuken gets his way. There will be no sharing and no sharing of his past.  He sighs in one deeply exhausted breath, deciding none of this is getting either of them anywhere. They’re wasting time they might not have when Uryuu’s future is so unknown. 

“as you said” he dips his head, as if conceding the point “this is an arrangement of mutual benefit. A business deal of sorts, I see no need to go beyond the necessary formalities when we’ll part ways once our goals are fulfilled. I have no intention of staying here a moment longer than I have to” 

At least once Szayel’s said his piece, he gets down to business. Ryuken’s lip curls at the mention of his scent, although he follows willingly into the cold, unknown sands of Huceo Mundo. He can barely tell which direction they’re travelling in, although leaving that to Szayel makes it far easier to keep his attention on any possible trace of Uryuu’s reiatsu he might be able to find. 

“Hmph.”

Szayel isn’t pleased, but he’s willing to put up with this man’s demeanor to an extent.  “Yes, it is a business deal of sorts, but I find your lack of cordiality off-putting.  Even in business deals there’s at least an act of friendliness—socialization, teambuilding, making sure that even in a troubled situation, the people within stay connected.”

He sighs

“It can’t be helped, lets go.  I will work to make sure that you arrive to where I wish to go.”

He’s a bit stiff in his movements, but he lets the Quincy follow a bit.  He’d hoped to have side-by-side conversations but he’s struggling enough with emotions.  

It’s because of this disconnect that a certain gift of fortune befalls him.  He doesn’t have as close of a sighting on Ryuken.  He’s a grown man, well trained after all.  He’s made it this far.  He’ll follow.

The voice he hears behind him is a bit further than he’d remembered it, before he’d stewed in his injured pride and pitiful emotions.  There’s roaring and a sick set of sounds that he knows is some sort of wound.  

Now, he’s angry with himself.  Someone is trying to steal his meal.  His fun. And someone had to feel he was far enough away to ambush.  

He releases his sword quickly, and transforms into his beautiful, dangerous form.  With his quick speed, he’s onto the lesser beings that are clearly far below the quincy’s power, but have used their mobbing to get a quick strike.  

“Get away from him, you disgusting, lesser parasites…” he growls as he begins to quickly kill of many at once.  They don’t need his higher abilities, just surprise and strength.

He tears with his claws, rending many limbless, and he eats some while he destroys others.  “As if I would give him to you as prey.”

Soon there is nothing but blood and sand with the quincy clutching at an injury in the center of it. The hungry, feral energy of the fight is traded for the trademark concern he feels for those in his care. He hurries over, not realizing that Ryuken will not know much about the form he takes now.

They’re left alone quickly, the handler letting in this potential owner and shutting the door again. Ryuken’s fixed with a bright look, sharp and penetrating, but intense enough that it forces Ryuken to meet it and get a really good look at this potential buyer. 

He’s younger than most of the couples he sees, Ryuken notes, and carries himself with the kind of energy rarely seen in the kinds of families that usually take in humans. They’re normally more reserved. This one is sprightly, almost too energetic. Ryuken can’t decide if the change is a good thing or a bad thing. 

“A pleasure to meet you” 

He goes through the motions, giving a little bow to Szayel and noting the little information pamphlet in his hands. No need for his own introduction then, he thinks, this man already knows the basics. He may as well get this over with. 

Except the next question throws him for a loop. 

It’s never like this. In all the visits he’s experienced, he’s been the one answering the questions. All the other potential buyers have wanted to know everything about him. Why doesn’t this one. Ryuken’s brow furrows, and he looks away, adjusting his glasses as he does so. This is awkward. Ryuken isn’t sure what he should ask; if there’s anything else he really needs to know. It’s not like he’s the one who makes the decision here and what’s the point in learning anything about someone who you might never see again. 

He turns back, eyes wide like a deer in the headlights, certain the ominous silence is likely counting against him right now. 

“What do you think I should know? shouldn’t you be asking me the questions?”

He’s treated with respect, and from a teenaged human, it’s a bit of a rarity, he knows.  Adolescence is what causes so many rehomings after all. Families that enjoy the youngest ages, with their cuteness and unconditional love and trust…suddenly find their pet difficult and requiring more time to socialize and more consistent discipline.  And so Szayel probes the ideas.  

Ryuken is startled and Szayel understands why he’s likely had the reaction he has.  He shakes his head.  “No, not necessarily.  But I’ll let you think on it while I examine a few things.”

He approaches now in earnest.  Any pet is trained to allow handling, and he’ll check quickly.  He runs a hand through the silvery hair—it’s smooth, soft in texture. The skin is similar; even in a hormonal phase of life, it’s clear from blemishes, even in color and feel.  Of course he has corrective lenses, but Szayel reaches under Ryuken’s chin so that he can look into his eyes directly, checking clarity, focus.  The color is identical to the description, his reflexes are normal, and he can’t find anything superficial that might have caused such a stark markdown in price.

He lets go, letting a little more space settle between them.  He’s heard good things about this agency, and he’s glad that their definition of quality lines up with his own.

“You’re in very good health t seems,” he says.  “Few things make me sadder than a pet treated with basic neglect.  I have done rehabilitation before, and while rewarding, it’s very taxing.” He smiles gently.  “But I know that a lack of physical neglect doesn’t prevent neglect on an emotional or social level.”  

He thinks on the questions that Ryuken had asked on reflex.  “What you should know….hmmmm….”  But he does think of a few.  “I’ve never exactly owned my own pet, though I have a lot of experience in handling. I find it cruel to not understand one’s own limitations, or to simply keep a pet to breed and make money.  I don’t think it’s your fault that you are here at this age, and I don’t blame you for being mistrustful.”

Thinking for a moment, he comes up with a different sort of question.  

“Well, if you were purchased today, what sort of environment would you hope you were going to have? What sort of future have you feared you might be given?”  

He’s curious. He’s always enjoyed the science of human cognition, and he looks forward to having one to use for study.  So he’ll honor his intelligence in an unorthodox way now, though he knows it will be deeply uncomfortable.  

Send me ✪ and my muse will tell you what they’d like to do to/with yours.

Send me ✪ and my muse will tell you what they’d like to do to/with yours.

One  ✦ = They don’t want to do this at all. Five  ✦ = They would die to be doing this! (Zero  ✦  = “Wat?!”) Welp! This is easy! @playkinshara

My muse would like to…

✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ dance with your muse. ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦   sing for your muse. ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ask your muse out on a date. ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦   take a bath with your muse. ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ hold your muse tight. ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ lean onto your muse. ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ kiss your muse. ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ sleep with your muse. ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ marry your muse. ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ watch your muse sleep. ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ cuddle your muse. ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ go to a party with your muse. ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ watch a movie with your muse ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ play video games with your muse ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ steal horses with your muse. ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ cook together with your muse. ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ support your muse’s hobbies. ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ get drunk with your muse.

Haha No worries. I'm answering on a Friday because fuuuuuck spine surgery.

Winning the lottery or finding your soulmate? I'll take the lottery. Sometimes you find a soulmate, but its not like it solves any problems or makes you feel any better. Ketchup or ranch? Ketchup--I'm not a huge fan, but I HATE ranch Air guitar or air drums? Drums. Guacamole or salsa? Guacamole pleassssssse Passwords or secret handshakes? Well, I'm in a professional fraternity--I have a secret handshake. :3 Vacation or staycation? Vacation. Night or morning? Night. Though the night that is part of a morning is preferred. Owe money or owe a favor? Owe a favor. Having debt makes me highly uncomfortable. Wine or Beer? Wine. Attend a party or host a party? Attend. I don't think I'd be a good host if I kick people out at a whim. XD Hot coffee or iced coffee? Ice coffee. Board games or video games? Video games. I love JRPGs. Group hangout or one-on-one hangout? One on one. I'm an enneagram 5 w 4...but sx/sp. I treasure intimacy and feel forgotten in many groups. Share food or don’t share food? Don't share. It's my food damn it. Tattoos or piercings? Piercings. <3

Android or iPhone? Iphone, if only because I don't destroy them, lol

RELATIONSHIPS.

FAMILY: [Who, if anyone, does the character consider their family? Are these blood relatives? And do they have a good relationship with their family?]

Szayel has one fraternal twin brother, Yylfordt, who as a hollow, he has a complicated relationship with.  He very much loves him, but he resents that he spends his time with someone else, and that he’s essentially the physical manifestation of all of the ‘weaknesses’ and ‘impurities’ that he pulled out of himself.  He’s not sure what to do about it sometimes, and after Yyl’s death, sometimes things get complicated.  Verse dependent he sometimes will have a partner/boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife and/or children.  Those relationships are things that sustain him when they happen.

FRIENDSHIPS: [Do they have lots of friends, or just one or two close friends? What do they look for in a friend?] Szayel has lots of acquaintances.  There are a couple of hollows he considers his friends, and of course in RP, he has plenty of verses where he counts different muses as friends.  But canonically he suffers deeply from isolation and loneliness and does rather desperate things to change that fact, through much of it doesn’t work and isolates him further.

FRIENDS IN NEED: [How do they help a friend who is going through hard times? Do they offer advice and support, or do they feel uncomfortable, not knowing what to say?] It’s best to explain things in a way that Szayel can ‘solve’.  If he can invent something. give you a medicine or a treatment, share his knowledge, etc., he is more than willing to help a friend.  If you need to vent, its best to tell him so, and he’ll listen and support, and if it would make his friend more comfortable, or if they want a distraction, he’s more than happy to share himself physically, whether just by giving affection or by doing something sexual/sensual.  But sometimes, he just doesn’t really get what’s needed from him, so if you don’t spell things out and just expect him to be sensitive to your problems…you may end up not liking what he does.  It’s best to explain to Szayel how he can help, otherwise there may be some wild misunderstandings.

NEEDING A FRIEND: [Do they tend to go to friends when they need help and support? Or do they deal with their problems on their own? Do their friends ever worry about them?] Canonically Szayel will generally withdraw and become more paranoid or hostile.  But, in different verses, if you connect with him well enough, he’ll come by for reassurance, whether its nice words, a hug, some good food, or just being acknowledged.  If you’re the type of ‘friend’ he tends to prefer, if you can fuck him well enough that he forgets feeling terrible, it’s a bonus, and you will likely see him often.  He is not at all subtle about this, smh.

ANNOYANCES: [How do they deal with arguments and disagreements with friends or partner?] He tends to fall apart.  Finding a companion is something he stresses over.  If there’s a rift forming for any reason, he doesn’t take it well, will isolate, and just continue down an unhealthy path until he’s either asked to stop, or forced to.  Szayel is rather fragile at heart, even if he pretends that this isn’t so.

ROMANCE: [If applicable: how do they woo a potential partner? What do they look for in a potential partner?] Szayel is demiromantic, and thus really only develops romantic desires towards friends that he has, that he’s also already pursued a sexual relationship with to some degree, or at least has been able to feel physical chemistry with as far as things like..you smell good to him, your touch is comforting to him, and your presence is settling.  He looks for those who can handle his mood lability and who have a complimentary type of strength both physically and/or mentally.  As he’s essentially pan, this could be a person of any gender.

MARITAL PROBLEMS: [How do they deal with problems in their love life? Do they talk it through with their partner? Or do they bury their head in the sand?] Szayel tends to ignore problems in his relationships when he feels that everything for the most part is going well.  He’d rather swallow his own issues or secretly try and fix himself.  He’s conflict avoidant when it comes to things in his private life.  He’s terrified of being alone and will actually take very large amounts of abuse for the sake of not losing a partner.  Unless his partner can pick up on the fact that he’s unhappy and change their approaches to the problems without saying anything…you’re going to have to back Szayel into a corner to even acknowledge that there’s something wrong I the first place.  He tends to self harm and disassociate rather than tell a partner that there’s a problem, as he figures that just as anything that’s mind over matter, if he continuously works to accept a lie, eventually it will be true. 

ADVERSARIES: [What would turn them off a friendship or romance?] Being ignored.  Trying to force other ideologies on him.  Treating him as something below you, when it’s not consensual degradation.

ENEMIES: [What would make them hate someone enough to call them an enemy?] Actively working to undermine him and his accomplishments.  Otherwise, an ‘enemy’ is just the person on the other side of the fight he’s been made to fight because he’s in an army.

STRANGERS: [Do they tend to be respectful to strangers, or are they careless towards anyone who they don’t consider a friend?] Szayel tries to be courteous to those he first meets as he’d rather make a good first impression.  But he will not lie about the fact that he won’t necessarily stick his neck out for you unless you’ve shown him that you can be trusted to have his support.

FUN STUFF: [What kind of things do they like doing with a friend?] Szayel’s very much adventure and pleasure minded.  He likes experiencing fine things like art and music and good food.  He likes dressing people up and making things for them.  He enjoys traveling to unfamiliar places with a familiar person by his side.  And of course anything of a uhhh..physical nature. Szayel loves getting to know someone in the biblical sense...as merger of mind, soul, and body is deeply intertwined with the alchemical symbolism tied up in his character.

DATING: [What kind of things to they like doing with a romantic partner?] Everything listed above.  His friendships often don’t look al that different from his romances.  Sometimes there’s just as much sex.  XD  But in romance you can actually get him to more or less commit to you, and he’s unafraid to plan a future life.  Szayel has a weird purity of connection to him that makes it kind of hard to split hairs between friendship and romance, and often he’ll put a label on it to make the other person feel better.  But that’s not to say that it’s less passionate.  It just means that you have the right to tell him what makes you comfortable in his behaviors, like if you don’t approve of him being openly sexual towards good friends.  He’ll never stop dropping innuendos or flirting however, he’s not really capable of it.  Just tell him where boundaries lie.

BEST FRIEND: [If applicable - who do they consider their best friend?] This is very verse dependent.  Canonically, he’s not really shown to have very close bonds with people.

LOVE: [If applicable - who do they consider to be the love of their life?] This too is very verse dependent.  He clearly lusts over others, but that’s not the same thing. But he does form ships easily if approached the right way.

WORST ENEMY: [If applicable - who do they consider to be their worst enemy?] Canoically, he considers shinigami as the enemy, who are essentially carrying out genocide.  He also sometimes has conflicts with Aizen and with the other Espada.  He fights with Renji and Uryuu, and of course dies by Mayuri’s hand…but they’re more or less opponents, rather than enemies, if that makes sense.  After all, he’s a soldier in a war.  He doesn’t really get how certain characters were introduced to him, so depending on different AU concepts…I feel that he may be incredibly open to meeting some characters, given that they have things in common, but were forced to be on different sides because of the world they live in, rather than any conscious choice.