Post by Thalia Kastel on Sept 5, 2015 22:41:11 GMT -5
►Name: Thalia Kastel
►Nickname: Bitch
►Name Meaning: “Thalia” means “To Flourish”. “Kastel” means “Citadel”.
►Gender: Female
►Age: 65
►Apparent Age: 26
►Measurements: 5'-7”
►Weight: 114 lbs
►Hair Color: Bleached Blonde
►Eye Color: Blue
►Parents: Abel & Tabitha (Deceased)
►Date of Birth: February 2, 1950
►Birthplace: Second District, Rukongai
►Languages: Primary Japanese. Also English and German
►Voice Yuki Kaida
►Alignment: Lawful Neutral
►Enneagram: Challenger
►MBTI: ESTP
Character Description
►Appearance:
Thalia is the kind of person who'd be attractive if she just put forth the effort. A petite but muscular blonde working in a nightclub might lead you to believe she'd be a knock-out. And when she's working in Rukongai she'll often let her girls make her presentable for the front desk. But she refuses to let them hide her scars, in particular one running horizontally on the left side of her forehead, and another down her left cheek. Her shoulder-length blonde hair left tied up, unless she's really feeling wild in the heat of battle. The part of her hair left drooping runs down her cheeks, framing her face and leading you to look right into her beautiful blue eyes.
While she'll wear her shinigami garb if she's too tired or busy to fight, she tends to prefer one of her kimono. Her most common being a one-sleeves black kimono with scattered orange-red leaves. The right sleeve of the piece is detatched that goes from her wrist to her mid-biceps. She wears fishnet stockings and military boots, sporting high-heel boots on nights she works the clubs. She's almost always smoking her pipe, the word “Bitch” carved into the side until she releases it, at which point Sumire repairs the unsightly damage.
►Personality:
”If you know what's good for you, you'll get out of my way.”
Perhaps a stereotype for a member of the Fifth, Thalia carries herself with an arrogant confidence that often times comes off as anger, like she's looking for a fight. If you won't move out of her way in a hall, she's likely to push you over. And even if you do, she'll still call you a weakling and might just give you a shove just to teach you a lesson. She experiences a form of relief when she inflicts injury on others, perhaps an extension of her overwhelming fear that she won't establish a legacy. And probably some projection of her anger toward her mother and father. The lack of any real childhood definitely caused some strain on her development, and I'm sure if a more interested third party was to take a closer look they might find the crying little girl deep inside her, smothered by years of resentment at the very idea that she'd allow herself to show pain or weakness. Deep down she's ultimately an altruist, but she would let you burn alive if she couldn't figure out a pragmatic reason to save you. She has problems asking people for help, oftentimes twisting what should be asking for a favor as merely paying your debt.
Positive Traits:
►Passionate: “When your trying to leave an impression on the world, feeling is all that matters. If you don't give yourself shivers, how can you expect anyone else to feel you!”
Thalia gives her all in everything she does that matters. And since everything she does matters...
►Determined: “I will do whatever I have to do to get what I need.”
She is determined to prove herself. To get rid of that nagging feeling that tells her she could do better.
►Courageous: “I may not believe in much, but I believe in myself and I'm ready to die for that belief. Hell, I'm willing to kill for it.”
The only fear Thalia can experience is the fear of not living up to her own expectations. Failure and quitting are not in her vocabulary. She will try anything to do what she needs to do.
►Bold: “Only the weak cower in the shadows. The rest of us will scrape and claw and fight our ways to the top of the heap, just to bask in the sun!”
Not one to blend in, she believes the only way to live is to live the life examined...by damned near everyone around her. Her desire to make a name for herself encourages her when it comes to making bold decisions.
►Decisive: “I know what I want the second I see it. My desire doesn't change, even if I have to change what I desire to get it.”
She's able to make up her mind almost instantly, her confidence fueling that decisive nature of hers.
►Confident: “Of course I believe in myself. After all, if I was proven wrong I wouldn't be standing here to tell you that!”
She honestly believes that, given enough time, she could conquer all three worlds. Thank god she only wants a handful of brothels, at least for now.
Negative Traits:
►Condescending: “I've never met you before, but I know I'm better than you.”
If she can't beat you up, its because your too cowardly to fight her. And if she can, why are you worth having around? To her people are tools to be used, and she refuses to be anyone's tool.
►Bitter: “The only thing worse than a pitiful bitch who won't stop crying for their lot in life are the men who fattened them up only to run away and die.”
She had obvious issues with her mother and father and she isn't about to let go of them. She resents the world she's been born into, and at times will even secretly wish she'd be the one who'd tear it to pieces. This of course makes Sumire even more of an inconvenience.
►Arrogant: “The weak will only hold me back.”
She honestly believes she can deal with anything the world throws at her. She doesn't like asking for help, and if she must she'll word in it a way as to make it look like she's doing you a favor. She believes she's the best at everything she does, and will back that up with brute force if necessary.
►Violent: “Brute force is the only answer. If you think otherwise, you just haven't asked enough questions.”
There is nothing inherently evil or unnatural about violence. On the contrary, to Thalia holding back your desire to beat someone's face is an unnatural repression.
►Outspoken: “I think you'd look better with a flat-nose. I mean, at least people will be reminded of me when they're looking at that piece of shit you call a face.”
When trying to leave a legacy, there's no room for holding back. Her desire to prove what she is to the world will often overwhelm her even in situations where she'd be better off shutting the hell up.
►Sadist: “At first it wasn't about the pleasure, but rather numbing the pain. At first.”
That knot in her stomach that forces her outspokenness seems to subside a bit when she's bashing in your face. The more intimate, the better. The more pain, the more pleasure.
►Random Facts:
► She's a cheap drunk and tends to get more violent the more she drinks. Can't handle her liquor very well.
► Always has her cellphone with her. Writes in it all the time.
► Favorite food is Dango or Waffles
► Carries a number of Kunai, extra tabacco and sometimes restraints from work.
► Sadist, but has never really been controlled by another before
► Desensitized to sex after years of working in brothels, despite working as a bodyguard. But she's never actually found anyone...
Zanpakutou
Zanpakutou Description
►Zanpakutou Spirit:
”First you say you want to protect, and then you rush out and destroy. Does anyone else know how fickle you are?”
Initially introducing herself to Thalia merely as “The Alchemist”, Sumire is the loyal but teasing spirit of Thalia's Zanpakutou. Her name is written like the word for Violet, one of the two flowers she keeps in her hair, alongside the red camellia. She wears western style garb, fur-lined reddened leather jacket, sleeves far longer than her arms, braids and bands and flower ornaments all haphazardly covering an otherwise immodest vest. Her garish fur-lined boots are paired with matching stockings, the side of her double sided leather apron often unbuckled, revealing (among other things) the various vials and lab equipment she keeps with her. The herbs and chemicals create an often bittersweet smell about her, like someone was using perfume to cover up the scent of sulfur and formaldehyde. She very often has a scroll or book, intentionally pretending to read whenever Thalia begins to meditate. She has a piercing gaze, her amber eyes framed by feather-like red mascara making her impossibly pale skin all the more ghostly. Her bleached white hair lay unkempt but not frizzy. Beneath the short statured woman's hair lie slightly pointed ears.
In Hanakotoba, the Violet represents Honesty. And, like her namesake, she is honest to the point of insulting when it comes to her guidance of her shinigami. She will often criticize, jib and tease the poor woman, far beyond what would be necessary to teach her a lesson. Even when she speaks to Thalia, she will frequently call her “my”, as though she were the master of her often reckless wielder. And yet, when she knows Thaliais serious, she is more often than not likely to take heed of the woman's anger.
Regardless of her disrespect, she is quite fond of her master. She knows that Thaliawould never listen to her if she showed her too much respect. And she knows that Thalia looks up to her no-nonsense honesty. Of course, Thalia is stubborn enough that the pair will almost undoubtedly fight when confronting one another in their inner world. This often brings out the age-old fight the pair have regarding Thalia's less-than-lady-like fighting style, Sumire preferring the use of chemicals and potions and even bombs and traps over more direct methods.
That being said, Thalia is still rather ashamed of her spirit and this causes a rift between the pair that she isn't keen on mending. She has only used her, intentionally, once in her career. Fortunately, at least as far as Sumire is concerned, the zanpakutou has learned how to guilt its wielder into releasing her against Thalia's will. As such, its not uncommon that she'll randomly release in the midst of battle.
►Inner World:
Had Thalia ever visited London during the Industrial Revolution, perhaps she'd recognize the closest living approximation to her own inner world. Smog and fog make it hard to see very far, and the scent of sulfur and ash an unpleasant place to travel. The brickwork and cobblestone makes the world unlike anywhere the Seireitei-bound spirit has ever been. The rhythmic clunk of some kind of enormous machinery off the distance is often accompanied by the tapping of her spirit's finger or foot, as though it were the song of the city itself. While she had occasionally tried to navigate the city streets, she gets hopelessly lost every time. Even following the walls or retracing her steps she finds herself always turning a corner to some never before seen juncture or bridge. Occasionally the glitter-like sparkle of her zanpakutou will attract her to a brighter street, but even then she has yet to ever find her bearings in the urban labyrinth. On occasion she will get fed up and try her best to smash the place to pieces. But be it wall or bridge or even glass window, the shinigami always finds everything in the world impervious to damage.
►Zanpakutou Form:
”I'll give you a reason not to laugh.”
Since the first time it was released, the zanpaktou resembles a Kiseru, or Japanese smoking pipe. While normally a form that permanent would indicate a sophisticated bond, the truth is its unorthodox form is merely another joke Sumire plays on Thalia. The pipe itself is about a foot long and appears to be made out of bamboo and steel.
►Shikai Appearance:
”If you want to see it, beat me. Bring me so close to the brink, that only she can save me. And then, maybe, I'll let her out to play.”
The smoke from her mouth and pipe will begin to grow, immediately filling the area without end. The area around her becomes thick enough with the smoke to cause a bit of a concealing effect, but not enough to provide any significant disadvantage to anyone under its effects.
►Shikai Effect:
”Sumire! Reinforce!”
The primary effect of the zanpakutou is far more subtle than its gaudy appearance. Any non-living thing the smoke sticks to becomes far more durable. So reinforced, in fact, that Thalia cannot damage it with her strength alone. As such, everything around her becomes impossible for anyone weaker than her to destroy. Objects can still be moved just as easily, but this does make cutting or piercing through clothing particularly difficult. This effect is always active on her zanpakutou itself, even when sealed. The effect itself is almost a form of mockery for Thalia, like Sumire is telling her that her brutish methods of fighting are so useless against “proper magic”. Thus she hates having to rely on it and rarely releases her zanpakutou.
History
►1950 Born and Raised in 2nd District to single Mother.
►1958 Mother Dies. Continues education.
►1964 Kidnapped by Gang. Works as courier.
►1966 Works nightclubs. Beats up first patron. Becomes bouncer.
►1968 Coup to overthrow gang succeeds. Becomes manager.
►1970 Saya dies. Realizes she has to become a shinigami. Joins academy.
►1972 Meets Noboru and Genki
►1974 Graduates. Becomes a member of the Fifth Division.
►1982 Achieves first release.
►1987 Encounters first Arrancar, Cheshire, and is scarred. Remains in Seireitei.
►2012 Regrets not being there for the Incursion in Karakura. Requests assignments back on earth.
►Childhood: 1950-1964
"My mother died when I was ten. Dependent and weak, crying out for a man who didn't give a shit. She never did tell me much about my father. Only that he ran off to become a shinigami, eaten by a hollow before he even graduated from the Academy. At one point I used to wonder what he was like. But some ass whose dream ended with him becoming a literal piece of shit? They aren't worth knowing.
Don't think I'm after your pity. Even a bitch like me had it good enough. After all, I was raised in the Second. My mother loved me, at much as she could. My father died before I was born, but left enough that my mother could look after herself. Like money meant anything there. Maybe you think it was tough growing up alongside the spoiled brats of courtesans and nobles. Don't make me laugh. Only problem was if the little shits ever went crying to their parents.
It was easy to get the snot-nosed shits to do whatever I said. A beating or two and they'd buckle. Then all you had to do was threaten them with blackmail. I always found it funny how powerless the nobles were faced by their own reputation. And yet how easy they were to beat up if you didn't give a shit. A few of them tried to sick their bodyguards on me. Fortunately, most would just let me go with a swift kick. I guess even hired goons don't want to be known for killing young girls.
Kidnapping on the other hand? Well when we were out on a trip to some garden in the Fifth some gang of wannabe Yakuza decided I looked like I had money. Maybe if those sniveling brats weren't so spineless they would have said something when they hauled me away. Nevertheless they realized their mistake within the hour. I jumped one of the stupider looking ones - not the biggest, but not the smallest. The boss must have seen something in me. Or maybe he just pitied me. Whatever it was, he welcomed me into his family and between that or learning calligraphy you better guess I was thrilled to have a chance to really prove myself.
But those were the good ol' days, weren't they? Soldiers and patriots...revolutionaries and gangsters...the decades after the wars brought us so many colorful people. Its a pity there's so few of them around...I mean aside from those picked up by the Gotei. Then again, they aren't the type who tend to stick around for very long. But I did well enough for myself in those chaotic years; It wasn't like I was some kind of street urchin, mind you. I took my lessons seriously enough. I just wasn't stupid enough to think I could break that glass ceiling, surrounded by nobles who stopped listening the moment they realize I didn't have a name. Not that sharing a name with some shit who couldn't even look after his wife meant anything to me."
►Formative Years: 1965-1970
"Plenty of children wind up working for the gangs in Rukongai. It's good investment for the business. Whether it's being a lookout or smuggler, you always attract less attention being underage. And the gang will generally look out for your well-being. Most grow into the same kind of brainwashed thugs as the brutes who dragged them in. Other times they'll take over for their immediate superiors, if an opening presents itself. But its rare for a female to be taken in in the first place. And rarer still that a branded "little sister" will be of any use outside of the brothels. Which put me in a bit of a pickle, given I'd rather my throat slit than let some weak piece of shit look at me like some worthless bitch...
Needless to say my time as a hostess was limited. I still remember the first night. I was on bar duty, you know sitting down with clients and listening to them complain about work. It wasn't a respectable job, but the money was good and we controlled that half of the district's nightclubs anyway. But when a worthless drunk bureaucrat from the Aizawa snuck a feel, slobbering all over himself as he undressed me with those bloodshot eyes. It was disgusting how helpless I felt. Powerless, shackled down by the legacy of my powerless mother and shit head father...
It was the first and last time I'd let myself experience those feelings. For when I broke that sleazy loser's nose, I broke open those shackles I didn't realize had been tying me down my entire life. Holding me back, wrapped tightly in the idea that if I let people use me long enough, I'd find a family. The customers were horrified. The staff completely stunned. But I didn't care. All I knew is every time I hit that useless fatass I felt better and better about myself. Each kick another release. Each whimper from his bloated carcass another victory.
I fully expected to be beaten for my crimes. Beaten and drugged and sold off to some noble. But that night was full of surprises. And apparently that particular client had already been on thin ice with the girls at the bar. And when the oyabun was informed that the other girls at the place refused to work? Well it would have been touching if it wasn't kinda pathetic. But their hands were tied, the women refusing to work another night if I wasn't brought back. I was touched at first, thought I might have made some kind of impression with them on my first night. Turns out they had just wanted a bouncer for years... And there I was, the first among them willing to actually stand up for herself. And now, apparently, stand up for the rest of the huddled masses.
Oh did I mention some kind of lesson? Yeah, well, it only took me about a week of working the joint before I realized what it was that gave these women their power. See geisha serve a purpose, beyond relieving sexual frustration. They give the nobles and bureaucrats someone they can talk to without risking their reputation. And as a result the average experienced call girl has quite a valuable trove of information. This subtle truce assures the brothels protection from the law, and gives the politicians a neutral ground to make their less savory deals. Not to mention the faceless benefactor who owned the property behind a layer of proxies and his army of yakuza. Of course the girls can't abuse this leverage for very long; it's not that hard to find replacements. Never the less their legacy of blackmail was enough to put me in their debts. Enough to catch me in their Web, even if only to protect it.
And I'll be honest, it wasn't a bad gig. I quickly earned the respect of both the clients and the hosts. And at least once or twice a month I'd get to remind everyone why. And while beating on drunks and looking over a bunch of whores and their bastards might sound satisfying for a while, I've never been the type to be satisfied for long.
It wasn't hard to get the hostesses to hate the yakuza. Even easier to get them to subtly turn the politicians against them. I'm sure some people out there would claim it was just petty vengeance cleaning out the fucks that kidnapped me years before. And I'll confess it gave me a smile to watch the oyabun beg for his life. But getting the word out that the boss was trying to undermine his benefactors was first and foremost a step in pragmatism. Cause once the gangs were out? I was in. Control was mine. And it felt good."
►Academy: 1970-1974
"There was one woman at the club I respected. Her name was Saya, and she was called Hikari, for her smile could light up even the darkest hole in Rukongai. She was the one who organized the strike that saved my ass, so maybe I'm a bit biased. But she was a courtesan, and while I'd never call a geisha a whore, she's the only woman I met who I could call a courtesan without getting a knot in my stomach. It didn't matter if you were rich or poor or powerful or weak... She had a way about her that made you feel important. That made you feel... You don't mind if I smoke, do you? Thanks.
Well, my point is that even her legend came to an end. August 26, 1970, the darkest day in the Kabuki-cho. She died in her sleep. Reincarnated, I guess. There was no time for mourning, and only a small handful of regulars even noticed. Only two of us even brought flowers. And even then her picture was removed by the cleaning staff the next day. Her legacy forgotten in a fortnight...
A month later this prick named Noboru came strutting into the club like he owned the place. He was an Academy student, but he was the cockiest son of a bitch I'd ever met. Ruined the front of the shop kicking his ass out, but to this day I couldn't tell you who won or lost. What's worse? Having to spend a weeks wages repairing a storefront, or walking away with blue balls? I wouldn't know.
But the fight did make me realize the worst part of being a plus. The source of my hunger, and source of my nerves. No matter how hard I worked to make a legacy, it'd all disappear the moment I reincarnated. But shinigami didn't have that problem, as long as they weren't weak enough to be eaten by a hollow. And fortunately for me the Academy had an opening... So I took it.
And I found myself a new home. Oh, sure, I still worked the bars after classes. Sneaking out was as easy as threatening some dork in the Academy who bribed the gate guardian to smuggle in sake. And it was tiring throwing in the studying on top of my graveyard shifts at the nightclubs... But I managed to juggle the two-lives well enough. Hell, my exhaustion probably accounted for a majority of my early academic success. Hard to get in trouble when your that busy. Besides, the techniques I learned in the Academy were pretty useful im a bar-fight...I just didn't think anything else from the Academy would bother following me.
Genki found me one evening, recognized me almost at once. He's sharper than he acts, took me five minutes of awkward silence before I recognized him from class. Faster than you'd think that I'd manage to outrun me even in my own turf. And wouldn't you know it he'd go straight to Noboru...apparently they were already on good terms and he'd told him about me but... Well needless to say we had quite a brawl that evening. In fact I think it lasted until eleven the next morning. It was my first time since meeting Noboru that I had a chance to legitimately fight with someone more threatening than some effete drunken noble. And it was... Well that's between us."
►Shinigami Years: 1974-2015
"So fortune smiled upon the Fifth as I graced its halls adorned in the boring rags of the Gotei. Oh, you've never seen a shinigami before? Well, no, these aren't what we usually wear. We're usually dressed to go to a funeral. I've been lectured a few times about my sense of style, sure, but I wouldn't call me insubordinate or anything. And, fortunately, the fifth is one of the more leniant divisions. In that, as long as your willing to fight for your rights, its easy to get away with more than those prudes in the first. I guess that's why were so far away...heh.
So I've kept up with the brothels and bars I'm still technically managing in Rukongai. Things aren't really that different. On occasion a new person would have to be reminded that I'm not the owner. I swear the girls call me that behind my back. Sadly, even with two wages, there's no way I'll be able to buy my own district anytime soon. But at least I have time on my side, now. Not that its made it any easier to deal with my employees. The sad things. They kinda remind me of some goldfish we used to keep behind the counter. Floating around, indiscriminately feeding and swimming and completely unaware of the world that existed beyond their little bowl. Completely unaware of their own short lifespan, dependent entirely on the kindness of creatures far outside their comprehension...still, better than Earth.
I don't like Earth. It's boring. At best you'll run into a hollow. But ninety percent of the time it's just a bunch of fucking selfless ghosts clinging desperately to some weak bullshit... Wives too reliant on their husbands. Husbands too desperate to leave their jobs. I heard at one point we at least had some competition, but I never even met a Quincy during my years on earth. I've heard things changed since those Hollows attacked Japan, but I can't be bothered to keep up. I guess I should be grateful I wasn't out on assignment, but I can't help but feel like I missed out...
Anyway I fought a handful of hollows, nothing much to say about that. Usually only one or two a year. It wasn't until I was transferred to Karakura that things started to heat up. Especially with that damned cat. The bitch caused these scars. Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying she's a bigger bitch than me. Hell, compared to me she's a pussy cat. Problem is, the Soul King seems to find it funny to bestow cowards with more power than they know what to do with. Needless to say I won't underestimate her again, or any Arrancar for that matter. Did I mention she was my first Arrancar? Guess its not that important to most people. But I'll admit its far more satisfying to knock out someone more aware than a rabid dog. Noboru and Genki really saved my ass that night...oh, that reminds me."
►...And Now
Going back to to her phone, she lifted her heels from the gasping creature's neck. The hollow was at least twice her size, bruised, bloodied and welted, rolling on the ground in pain. She switched apps, the GPS showing they were somewhere in Northern Japan. No other shinigami for miles. She'd have to call in a favor.
"Wh-whore!" The hollow pleaded, its voice wheezing through damaged pipes. The creature had just endured listening to the shinigami's life story, the occasional boot to the throat not withstanding. It lifted its razor sharp claw, arm shaking in pain, only to find her heel smashing through its lithe limb, causing it to scream in pain.
"Maybe I forgot to mention answering your question," She tapped away at her phone, looking away just long enough in the corner of her eye to make sure it was down for the count. "But I don't let people use that ."
She smiled at her clever response, pipe bouncing from one side of her mouth to the next as she inhaled another puff of smoke. She hated having to fill out reports. It almost ruined the whole experience. Fortunately she learned years ago if she just filled it out before she delivered the final blow, she'd at least have the satisfaction of one last punch. Of course given Sumire's inconvenient form, she so often found herself left with only the second to last. But it was the last for her, and if she called the right people she could usually scare up a bit of a spar afterward, right?
"Hello, Genki?" Phone in one hand and pipe in the other, she stared vividly at her prey as she waited for her friend to respond. "Oh, I'm fine. Yeah. Near Morioka. Its subdued. Knocked out, even."
A smile crept across her lips as she watched the masked beast quiver. It knew.
"You know I just barely got warmed up taking it down, too. I wouldn't mind another match if you have it in you. Heh, I knew I count on you. Lets make it interesting this time. Bring some sake and the winner will buy the next bottle. Wait, only wine? That's fine. What kind?"
She paused, not out of courtesy or even interest in the question. Rather to take in the moment, the hollow's life on the line as she casually talked to a friend. Its broken arm twitching as it tried desperately to get up. She'd get a good punch or two in before Genki could make it. His zanpaktou far more suited for finishing the job than her little Sumire ever was. The hollow had been reduced to a toy. Not even a complete distraction. But rather an accessory, barely worth her time. She didn't even have to undo her hair bun...
"Red."
►OOC:
Player Alias: Thalia Kastel
Desired Starting GP: 1,250
Where you referred by anyone? Ren
Other Characters: Tsukiyo Kionchi
