True to his word, he called.
Szayel anticipated it, wondering when it would come. Amid the haze of illness, he waited, silently willing his body to recover. He wasn't hanging on a thread for it; he wasn't that desperate or pathetic, but it gave him something to look forward to, so of course it occupied his thoughts. He found respite only in the heavy, dreamless sleep his sickness induced, but as he began to improve, it became lighter and more fitful. He started to dream again; flashes of memory that left him feeling strangely empty once he woke and forgot them. And he did forget them all, for as vivid as they were in his mind while he dreamed, they fled like so many ghosts upon waking.
The night he had returned from the café, he'd developed a fever that had peaked around dawn of the following day. After it broke, a general malaise had settled over him, aggravated by his cough and constant runny nose. However, he fought back by boosting his body's immune system with supplements and by doing little other than read, sleep, and rouse himself to eat or drink every so often. Living, he learned, was a very tiresome process to someone unused to such maintenance. But at least it was something to do, and it gave him an excuse to skip his meeting. Calling in sick was such a delightfully ordinary excuse, thought it did cause a bit of a stir as he'd never done so before in his life. And after a few days of this regimen of drugs and rest, he was just about over his ordeal. The only thing keeping his gigai from full recovery was a weakness in his limbs that persisted beyond his illness and a tendency to become quickly fatigued. Unfortunate lingering reminders, but at least he had shaken the virus itself. So when the chip beeped, he answered. Nnoitra's voice came through on the line, accompanied by his typical grin.
"Hey, you're lookin' a lot better pink haired freak," was his first comment off the bat.
"Thank you for that keen observation. I hadn't noticed," Szayel replied dryly.
"No problem," said Nnoitra generously, "Anyways, you up for going somewhere today?"
"Where would we be going?"
"Somewhere fun."
"Fun for you or fun for me?"
"Fun for both! God, stop interrogating me and get your pale ass down to the café ASAP, ok?"
"Excuse me for wanting to know where we're going given what happened the last time," remarked Szayel sardonically. Nnoitra frowned slightly, then gave in, looking a little upset.
"Fine. How about a compromise? Come down to the café and I'll tell you where we're going. Then if you don't want to go, you can have the pleasure of walking out on me. I wanted to surprise you though."
Oh. That sounded so… reasonable. Szayel hesitated over this unexpected offer; he'd assumed he'd have to argue with him for much longer and still not make any progress in the end, but Nnoitra was willing to let him have his way so easily. Perhaps it was his way of starting things off again smoothly? He'd been so pushy before. Maybe he really was trying to make amends.
"Szayel? You spacin'?"
Szayel shook his head, bringing his thoughts back to the present.
"Yes, that is acceptable," he replied.
"Excellent. See you soon then. Oh, one last thing."
"What?"
"You probably shouldn't wear white, And dress for the weather; its gonna be hot again today."
"Nnoitra-!"
The line cut off before he could demand to know why he shouldn't wear white and he groaned. Stupid Nnoitra, dropping hints like that and then expecting him to just accept them. Of course, he could imagine why he should avoid the color. White fabric especially had the annoying quality of becoming transparent when wet. Wherever they were going, there was water. He didn't know whether it was kind or cruel that he'd warned him.
Dress for the weather; its gonna be hot… a nice way of saying to show skin like the last time. But what the hell… I don't want to suffocate under heavy layers either, and god forbid I get heatstroke and pass out in front of him. I'll humor him for today. That, and he'd found showing skin wasn't so bad. Odd at first perhaps, but he got used to it. And, well… Nnoitra had seen him completely naked, so modesty wasn't exactly an issue. But what should I wear? Better see what he could find first; his "summer" wardrobe wasn't nearly as extensive as his "winter" clothes, and to be honest, he didn't really keep track of what lighter garments he possessed. Filtering through the neglected side of his walk in closet, he was stunned to discover its contents.
I… I didn't stock these. What in the world? Picking up what appeared to be a slinky hot pink tube top, he felt his cheeks burn with irritation. He definitely hadn't stocked this, but he knew of only two who could have done this; Lumina and Verona. I did not give those two senses of humor. They must have developed theirs on their own time. Ugh… an unanticipated consequence of giving them more developed intelligence and personalities. They probably figured I'd never find these clothes. I ought to have a word with them later… Shaking his head in disbelief, he nearly shrieked when he found the stiletto pumps and cocktail dress a minute later. Oh yes, he'd most certainly have a word with those two, especially since it seemed about ninety percent of the additions to this particular part of his wardrobe had been their contributions, hidden behind a thinly veiled front of his own remaining ten percent. And those weren't many. Not many at all. Just a handful of clothes.
Szayel settled for trying to find something reasonable rather than his style, doing his best to ignore the flush that crept across his face whenever he found another of their hidden jests. Like the lolita dress, or the fishnets, or the skirt that looked suspiciously like his Resurreccion's release, or the… Oh my god I'm going to kill those two in the most painful way imaginable! Szayel fumed and turned an extraordinary shade of pink that rivaled his hair color as he handled the matching scarlet and black lacy lingerie he'd uncovered. Tossing them aside, he retreated to safer parts, knowing the further he dug, the more likely he was to encounter something particularly scarring.
It was a measure of how desensitized he'd become by the time he quitted his closet, wearing a slightly disoriented expression on his face. He sported a pair of sensible but stylish tennis shoes in the case that they needed to walk for a while, and close fitting khaki shorts that reached to about mid thigh. And then there was his shirt. Which could have been worse. So much worse. He could have been wearing the pink tube top for example, or something even more embarrassing. Or at least that was what he kept telling himself. As it was, he wore a soft silvery-gray halter top that was looser fitting than most of his shirts. It was a nice material with a decent design, and the ties around the throat had turquoise beads, which settled against the back of his neck with a comforting weight. If only it didn't leave him feeling so bare…
No time to regret his choice now; he had to get going. He was expected "ASAP" after all, and he'd spent far too much time already dithering over the humiliating prank his Fraccion had played on him god knew how long ago. From the extent of the damage, it had been happening over a long period of time.
Nnoitra was loitering at one of the café tables when he arrived, and as soon as the black haired man caught sight of him walking up the avenue, he waved at him through the shop windows. He didn't bother to come out and greet him, however, so Szayel entered the café and walked over to him, pulling up a chair across from him and sitting down. He folded his hands in front of him, looking up at Nnoitra expectantly, and Nnoitra smiled.
"You smell good again today. Like peaches. It really stands out against the smell of coffee here in the café," he said lightly.
"I took a shower last night."
"Must be a nice shower."
"It is. I designed it myself."
"You design a lot of stuff, huh?"
"Of course. Its what I do for a living."
"Did you design your clothes too?"
"No," Szayel said, brushing at them self consciously.
"Mmm… I like them though. They're appropriate for where we're going today," Nnoitra mused. Szayel rapped his nails with mild frustration against the table top, stretching out his carefully folded hands as he grew impatient.
"And where would that be?" he inquired. Nnoitra sighed.
"Not gonna trust me and leave it a surprise? It'll be more fun that way."
"Let me tell you right now I am not someone who likes surprises. I am not a spontaneous person. I like to know exactly how every detail will turn out in advance. A surprise means I was not aware of some piece of information, which then in turn made me vulnerable, and I do not enjoy feeling vulnerable Nnoitra."
Nnoitra gave him a dubious look, clearly thinking he was strange.
"Don't you drive yourself crazy thinking about all that? Don't you get incredibly bored? If everything becomes predictable… if everything is reduced to a formula or calculation, then you've got nothing to jolt you out of tedium. It's the surprises, the things you can't predict that make life worth living. It'd find that kind of life impossible. Better to take the shit the universe deals you along with the good than languish experiencing nothing new at all."
For being phrased so crudely, his words were remarkably insightful, and Szayel was hit with a pang of regret upon hearing his existence summarized so carelessly in the space of a few seconds. His casual statement was more accurate than he would ever know; brutal in its ignorance and simplicity. For a moment, he almost told him to keep their destination a secret, and in that, step outside his comfort zone. For a moment, he wanted to trust and to be led; to let the universe surprise him for better or for worse. But then that moment passed and he knew he could not escape his true nature, not that day anyways. So looking him straight in the eye, he replied very seriously.
"I do not like surprises; tell me where we are going."
Nnoitra sighed again.
"I've said it before and I'll say it another time; relax. You need to loosen up. Today isn't so much about relaxin' as learning ta let go though, and its also sort of on icebreaker I guess. We're going to an amusement park."
Szayel stared.
"An amusement park?" he echoed.
"Yep," said Nnoitra.
"Why?"
"Because its fun, stupid."
"Its… fun…"
Nnoitra shot him a look of disbelief.
"Don't tell me you've never been to one. You have, haven't you?"
"Well, I know the mechanics behind them…" muttered Szayel, adjusting his glasses as he glanced away.
"You haven't? What the hell! Everyone goes to an amusement park at least once!" he exclaimed.
"That's not true," Szayel countered quickly, "And anyways, I've never had the time or patience for such frivolity."
"Frivolity my ass! Now you're definitely coming with me. No choice. This is mandatory."
"Mandatory fun… That sounds like an oxymoron to me."
"You're an oxymoron. Good thing you wore decent shoes, 'cause we're gonna be spending more than just a couple of hours there."
"I can hardly contain my excitement," Szayel murmured.
"So lets go."
He stood up and stretched, then walked over to the door and opened it for him. Szayel walked on through, pausing to wait for him to catch up, and they both settled into a steady pace side by side. Nnoitra brought them to a small station, much like a bus stop, where the light rail of Karakura City ran through. Their timing was such that, after only about five minutes, the train arrived, coming to a smooth halt in front of them. The doors opened and a handful of people stepped off. Nnoitra tugged him onboard after him before they slid shut again. Szayel glanced around the interior. The area where they stood was flat and spacious, designed to accommodate foot traffic from passengers exiting and entering. Further back were arranged several rows of seats, and these were mostly filled. Rather than sit down, Szayel held onto the pole in the center of the car and stood for the duration of the trip. Nnoitra stood across from him, gripping the same pole though higher up, making Szayel conscious of their height difference.
The train sped along smoothly, winding through the districts of Karakura City, and he watched with mild interest as they flashed by. He hadn't really watched the city grow, and coming out into the lively throng of human activity was a little disorienting, much like when he'd first arrived on Earth. Though Nnoitra hadn't specified which amusement park they were going to, Szayel knew where they were headed. As a metropolis, Karakura boasted its own theme park, and it was another well frequented attraction. Efficient as the transportation system was, it took them no longer than ten minutes to get there.
Nnoitra was in motion as soon as the light train drew up to the park stop, and Szayel followed after him, trying to keep up with his long stride. He was angling for the entrance, eager to pay and get in. Figuring if he'd paid the last time he would be expected to pay again this time, Szayel had his card ready, letting his spiritual energy seep into it and disarm the locks on the system. The man at the front looked incredibly bored as they approached and did not bother trying to sound remotely interested in how they were doing.
"What'll it be?" he asked unenthusiastically.
"Two full admission day passes," replied Nnoitra, equally curt.
"Card?" he grunted.
Szayel passed him the card, which he scanned without ado. Passing it back, he waved them through the gate.
"The passes will scan as a temporary file to your chips which will be automatically erased in twelve hours. Make sure you wait under the arch until your comChips beep. Enjoy your day. Next."
"I had no idea my comChips were so ubiquitous," Szayel said as they stood under the gate. The chips sounded, and a moment later they were walking into the amusement park.
"If you don't have one then they give you a wristband, but yeah… that's pretty rare nowadays. Almost everyone's got a chip."
"Hah. Fools."
Nnoitra glanced down at him, looking puzzled.
"The hell's that supposed to mean?"
"Just what I said."
"And why would that be?"
"Because you're all so obedient, chipping yourselves like dogs. Every phone call you've ever received, every place you've ever been… its all collected you know. All that information can be accessed."
"No it can't. The system's unhackable, and even the government doesn't have access to that kind of information. Its totally private."
"Is it?" Szayel asked quietly. Something changed in Nnoitra's face. It paled slightly, and his eyes narrowed. He looked sidelong at the scientist, frowning, then stopped walking.
"You designed them. Are you saying what I think you are?"
"If what you're thinking is that I know how to hack the database, then yes."
"Shit," he breathed, all color leaving his face.
"Its rudimentary, Nnoitra. Never assume your information is completely safe. I looked you up for example, to find where you were that day."
"Shit," he repeated brokenly.
"However, I rarely abuse this ability since I really couldn't care less about you humans. The system itself is very secure. I can think of only two others capable of hacking it, and of the two, only one who might. And then, even he would only use it to a limited extent. He's in the black market business himself, so you have little to fear from him. What I'm saying in the end is, don't be so naively trusting."
"You're damn creepy, you know that?" Nnoitra asked.
"I've been told as much," Szayel replied with a smile, "And I've been called worse."
"I believe it. Come on; we're going on a ride."
He led him over to a peculiar attraction with a considerable line, but Nnoitra didn't seem to mind. Apparently, whatever it was was worth the wait. The other people waiting seemed to think so anyways. As he watched, two people stepped forwards to take their turns. They were lead up to a platform where two, enormous kites waited. The ride operator strapped them into the complicated harness system, then returned to his post. Toughing a switch, the kites folded so that they lay flat and tight against the riders' backs. They were connected at the base to what looked like a massive harpoon, or at least the barrel of one. At the operator's prompting, the riders bent their knees slightly and took in deep breaths. They looked nervous but giddy, as if anticipating what was to come. Flipping another switch, the operator sent them flying.
Literally. The kites and their riders shot into the air like javelins, cords straining after them like silver snakes. At the highest point of their launch, they began to fall Earthward again, but at that moment, the kites snapped open, flaring like vibrant wings behind them. They dipped and rose on the natural upward draft, streaming high into the sky. Their only link to the ground lay in the tethers that connected them to the ride, and even this seemed so tenuous from their height. They hovered above all of them, defying human limitations and rejoicing in the heady thrill of soaring through the azure sky. Free, or close to it.
Szayel knew he was staring, knew Nnoitra was watching him stare, but he could not pull his eyes away from the airborne pair. He could use Sonido to hover, and his Resurreccion had wings. But his wings would not carry him in flight and Sonido could only be controlled to a certain extent. He could not fly. For all his abilities, that was one sphere that eluded him. It eluded them all, except for a scant few. Like Ulquiorra; he'd been able to fly. And that one short Captain with the frosty temperament; his Bankai gave him gelid wings.
"Pretty cool, huh? They've got several of these rides sprinkled around the park since they're so popular. If you look around, you can see some of the others. Only thing is, you have to be completely healthy to ride them 'cause they're pretty high impact, or at least the launch is."
Nnoitra leaned in to inform him as he tracked the progress of the riders. He nodded absentmindedly in reply as Nnoitra grinned. Of course they were "cool"; they'd been a special project of his several years back, but one he never expected to experience. Looking around the blue dome of the sky, he did indeed spot a few other kites, fluttering high in the air like gaudy birds or butterflies. They sold well, and had been fun to design… but to actually ride one now…
"You can manipulate them more than that," he murmured to Nnoitra without taking his eyes off the kites, which drifted gently on the ends of their tethers. His voice held a note of scorn.
"Yeah, but only the real experienced riders do that. You have to have taken lessons and get a special license; they don't want people fooling around with the equipment and causing a lawsuit."
"Hmm…"
The riders were reeled in, the wings shaping to form a parachute so that they could be lowered safely. When they landed, the platform was prepped and the next pair were brought up and strapped in before being shot into the air. He watched as this procedure was repeated several times until finally it was their turn. The operator briefed them as they stepped up.
"No heart, lung, spinal, neural, etc. or otherwise potentially debilitating condition that could result in serious death or injury while on this ride?" he asked.
"Nope," Nnoitra answered for the both of them.
"Alright. Step up to the platform and I'll strap you both in momentarily. Make sure to bend your knees slightly to cushion the impact of the launch and keep your arms at your sides once the kite is folded."
Nnoitra was harnessed first, and he flashed him an easygoing grin as he glanced across the platform at him. The man came over to him next and began strapping his body to the framework. It was an elaborate system and might have taken awhile, but he had obviously been doing this for a long time. His movements were deft and practiced, only taking him about a minute to hook him up. Then he was retreating from the platform and pressing the first switch. The kite wings folded against his back, though his neck remained supported by the brace attached to the main frame. The incredible force exerted on his neck otherwise would put stress on the bones and possibly cause him damage. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and waited for the launch.
It came with a sickening jolt as he was shot into the air. The wind roared in his ears and dragged at his skin, resisting his defiance of gravity. The pressure on his body was intense, and his lungs felt like he was breathing liquid. He was forced to let out some of the breath he had drawn… Then the kite membrane snapped open and the world fell away beneath him as he soared into the sky. He experienced a dizzying feeling of inertia as the draft carried him higher, but after a minute he reached the end of his tether and stabilized, floating gently. Szayel opened his eyes and took an awed breath.
The world was so small beneath him, so distant. He felt removed from civilization, and not just isolated, but liberated. Powerful. Free. The feeling was exhilarating. At the same time, he was aware of just how incredibly delicate his position was. He was fragile at this height. No one could help him if he made a mistake. But that was how he'd always been; alone. He'd worked alone even when he lived in Las Noches. His successes were achieved by his own efforts, his failures stemmed from his own shortcomings or mistakes. Even the head of a corporation, he stilled worked alone, issuing quiet orders from his shadowy subterranean suite. He'd much rather face the fragility of his solitary existence than entrust his future to others, who were unknown quantities. He did not trust others. Yet…
Szayel glanced over at Nnoitra who hovered along with him in this same position. His face was exultant; he was enjoying this. Nnoitra, who'd brought him here. Mandatory fun, huh? Szayel laughed, and for the first time in a long while his laugh was not contemptuous or sardonic, but open. He laughed at the wonder of it. With Nnoitra, I'm not alone. The trouble is, I've already entrusted a piece of my future to him whether I meant to or not. Until this infatuation ends, my days are irrevocably his.
The thought freed something in him, and for an instant, he was not merely content to hang in the sky at the end of a rope. He wanted to fly, or at least to come as close to flying as he could. Szayel flexed his muscles, concentrating, then angled the wing of his kite over a fraction. It followed his lead, dipping sideways. He repeated this motion on the other side and the kite floated back, stabilizing. The control was good; the kite responded to his movements readily and required minimal handling, just as he'd designed them. And he'd designed them to do more than just that. With a smile verging on madness, Szayel plotted his next move. Nnoitra caught this fey expression and sent him a questioning look right before he folded the wings to his back. His look became one of shock. Szayel plummeted…
… and soared, climbing dramatically as he snapped the wings back open, performing a barrel roll. His stomach twisted as he spun in a dizzying display of acrobatic skill, but it wasn't skill really. It was science. Math; precise calculations and a comprehensive knowledge of aerodynamics. All theorems and proofs on paper… until now, when he fleshed out his theoretical calculations and applied them to practice. They worked beautifully, and he zigzagged through the air at stomach-turning speeds until it came time to descend.
Returning to Earth and feeling the unchanging solidity of it was anticlimactic. He did not want to stop flying. He wanted to stay there for hours, living off the sweet thrill of escaping his duties and limitations. To walk again among everyone else seemed a cruel prospect, and he consigned himself to it as he unhooked himself. Nnoitra confronted him as soon as they were down.
"What the fuck was that?"
The ride operator seemed to be of the same opinion, though cleaner spoken, for he hurried over to him with a frustrated look.
"Sir, if you have a license please notify us prior to flying. There are certain procedures we are required to follow, regardless of your expertise. We have to clear these flights beforehand."
"My apologies; it was an impulse decision that will not happen again."
"Please see that it doesn't."
The man returned to his post, shepherding the next pair onto the ride who seemed awed by his display. Nnoitra looked at him expectantly.
"You have a license? I thought you've never ridden this before," he said.
"I don't and I haven't," replied Szayel, "But I know this ride better than most 'experienced' flyers. Down to the last screw you might say."
Nnoitra understood then, and he rolled his eyes.
"Well god damn… what the hell haven't you designed?"
"I am the Inventor. My influence is vast."
"No kidding. This isn't gonna be any fun if you already know how everything works."
"That… isn't strictly true. Just because I know the mechanics behind these rides does not mean I cannot enjoy them. In fact, my knowledge of the kites enhanced my experience."
"So you are having fun?"
"Yes."
Nnoitra grinned, triumphant, and dragged him over to the next ride.
"Told ya."
"Don't gloat. After that one, anything else will be boring."
"Nah, I'm pretty sure we can find somethin' good."
"Like?"
"This."
He stopped in front of a ride with a lengthy line, but this did not seem to trouble him and Szayel soon understood why. The ride itself seated many, so the wait was negligible, and he knew that the time it took to run its course wasn't very long. They took their places at the back and waited, watching the riders speed along the rails, a silver blur. After a minute or two, the streamlined vehicle drew up to the platform with a soft whir, and a stream of parkgoers exited, dispersing to other parts. The line filled quickly onto the platform, eager to board, but when it came to their turn, Nnoitra held him back, allowing the couple behind them to go ahead and claim the lat seats. Szayel glanced up at the black haired man dubiously.
"Why let them go?" he asked as the ride took off, gaining speed as it slid out of the platform. Within a few seconds, it was hurtling over the tracks, reflecting the sunlight off its smooth metallic casing.
"Because next time, we'll get to choose ours spots instead of making do with what's left to us," he replied, bemused, "That seems important to ya; control."
"You two," Szayel remarked flatly, and Nnoitra smiled.
"Maybe," he conceded, ruffling his hair, and Szayel batted his hand away with a faint scowl.
"Don't be condescending," the scientist huffed.
"Don't be so defensive," Nnoitra countered.
A roar filled their ears as the roller coaster flew past, ascending the track with extraordinary speed, and they both had to pause in their arguing to acknowledge its passing. Except for the sound it generated from friction with the air around it, the ride was eerily silent, ghosting over the tracks. Not like the old versions.
"And I suppose you designed this too?" Nnoitra asked as he watched it race through the metal jungle of twists and arching loops. Szayel shook his head.
"I didn't need to. Much as I disparage humanity, it has its own brilliant minds. Many more than what few appear, for brilliance is all too easily passed over due to circumstance or smothered by those in power. I would know; I've destroyed a few myself."
"Amazing. You can make a concession sometimes."
"I'm not unreasonable," he said, flipping an errant lock of hair out of his face, "But in any case, the idea behind this one is exceedingly simple. It is essentially a magnet train adapted to a roller coaster; the most ingenious thing about it is not the concept but the engineering. To make it hover above the tracks while not traveling across a level plane, and all the while maintaining the safety… that isn't an easy task. However, once one surmounts the challenges posed by its design, it becomes an impressive piece of work. Faster and smoother than a traditional roller coaster… its another ride that makes you feel as though you could fly."
The coaster slid up to the platform, having completed its voyage, and its slew of passengers filed out looking flushed and windblown. Nnoitra led him to the very front as soon as they were permitted past the gate.
"Best seats," he proclaimed as he eyed them proprietarily, "Up front, your view ain't blocked and you feel like you're the only ones on the ride. Because of how fast it goes, you can't hear the people behind ya."
Nnoitra clambered into the ride, folding his long legs a little awkwardly as he settled himself into his seat. He was much taller than the average rider, which made fitting somewhat of a challenge, but he managed it with as much grace as was possible for someone of his height; it was apparent that he'd done this many times. Climbing in after him a little amused, Szayel secured his own seat and waited for the ride to begin.
The restraints clicked in with a pneumatic hiss; more comforting than necessary. But the hiss was traditional and generally gave the riders a sense of security on these seemingly dangerous rides. Thrill rides they were called, but really a cheap source of adrenaline without the danger. No one really wanted that; they wanted to simulate the risk of death without any of the potential to actually die. Except maybe a few he could think of… but they were either not sane or not human. Or both. And all were dead, to him at least. Who knew where now in the reincarnation cycle they dwelt?
"Ready?" Nnoitra asked him, a devious smile on his lips. He nodded and was about to speak when the coaster started up, prompting him to remain silent. Its speed was slow at first, but it quickly gained as they progressed and traveled up an incline, something that seemed very odd to him. Picking up speed on a slope? He stared at the tracks ahead, trying to make sense of this oddness. It's so strange… climbing so quickly. That must mean that once we head downhill the speed will be… His eyes widened a little at this revelation, and he turned to look at his companion. The man looked positively gleeful. Szayel swallowed a knot of apprehension.
"Nnoitra-" he managed to say, then his voice cut off as he was plunged into a sickening drop. His vision blurred and his stomach twisted with nausea as the roller coaster tore along with incredible speed, and the scientist was very grateful he hadn't eaten yet. It was possibly one of the worst things he'd ever experienced in his life, but just one. Another followed promptly.
If nausea assailed him during that fall, then vertigo rendered him senseless when the ride reached one of its loops. He knew it was coming, dreaded it, but when it flipped him upside down it was all he could do not to close his eyes and shriek. The coaster turned him so that he was vertical to the ground, staring up at the sky as the sun flashed in his eyes. Everywhere was blue, all around, and the world nothing more than an incomprehensible blur that tumbled end over end. By the time he made it through the third consecutive loop, he could no longer tell which way was up and which was down. Nor did it send there. Even after they escaped the loops, a hellish track remained. It corkscrewed and wove an erratic path through a wonderland of twisted steel girders. The brain child of a truly sadistic and demented genius.
When the coaster finally began to slow and reached the docking point, Szayel could only gaze blankly into the space in front of him. Nnoitra unhooked himself, took one look at the shell-shocked man, and smirked. He managed to compose his face into something less potentially aggravating while he helped him out, not that Szayel would have noticed. He was beyond disoriented, and Nnoitra's expression was a very distant concern. The instant his feet touched the ground with no support, his knees gave out and he clutched at Nnoitra, managing not to fall entirely. Even when he regained some of his balance, he still held on to the taller man, leaning on him heavily, face extremely pallid. Only after Nnoitra put an arm around his shoulder as they walked did he speak up, and his voice was faint and shaky.
"Don't… take me on that again. Ever. Please."
Nnoitra gave his shoulders a comforting squeeze, but he was smirking again, and this time Szayel was in a state to actually notice. He directed a weary glower his way, but otherwise didn't comment, too battered to put up much of a protest.
"Sure Szay, since you said please. That's the first time you've ever said that to me. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong."
"I don't know… I do not keep track of such inane things."
"Exactly. Well if you want, we can find something to eat or a gentler ride to go on-"
"No food! I don't care what we gone on, but please… no food."
"I ought to take you here more often. You're so compliant when you're close to passing out," Nnoitra remarked cheerfully. Szayel grimaced, annoyed.
"Aren't you just full of ulterior motives? That didn't sound suspicious at all."
"Can't tell me it isn't true though," he taunted. The scientist's face pinched, and he slipped out from under the arm draped over him, pushing Nnoitra away. This display of stubbornness didn't last long as his body promptly abandoned his resolve; a feeling of vertigo caused him to sway, and he grudgingly accepted Nnoitra's proffered arm as the world began to spin again. His body was not yet over the effects of his recent illness.
"Fine. It's true. Stop gloating already," he grumbled.
"No please this time?"
"Don't make me smack you, Nnoitra."
"What a violent bitch you are. Its you that oughta be smacked, you know? Here' lets go on this."
"What!"
Szayel scowled at him as he led him over to another ride nonchalantly. He hardly took any of it in, so focused as he was on the black haired human's cheeky retort.
"What about what?" he asked lightly of the irate Arrancar.
"What you just said!" he shouted, verbally stomping his foot.
"That you're a violent bitch?"
"No, the other part!"
"That someone ought to smack you?"
"Yes!"
"Well what's there to be explained?" Nnoitra inquired playfully.
"How dare you threaten that?"
Nnoitra laughed, then snaked an arm under his knees, hauling him up so that he carried the smaller man. Szayel's face heated with indignation, and he glared at the taller man with self-righteous fury.
"Shut up, would ya? I never said I'd be the one to do it, only that you'd be better for getting' smacked. You're so high strung. Anyways, I'd much rather to this with you."
There was an odd bobbing sensation as Nnoitra stepped down, and all of a sudden, the world seemed much less solid and more fluid. Szayel looked down, realizing what this new ride was, and his already pink cheeks darkened another shade. He scrambled to the side of the boat as soon as Nnoitra let him go, but the current was already carrying them away from the "shore." He gripped the edges, fingernails biting into the paint for a long minute before he glanced back at Nnoitra. The taller man sat with his legs bent, gazing serenely over the water. Ahead, an arch marked the entrance to a tunnel.
"You enjoy tormenting me like this, don't you?" Szayel asked, a petulant frown tugging at the corner of his mouth. Nnoitra beckoned him and he reluctantly slid over to where he sat, settling himself on the provided bench. It was better than huddling in the hull anyways, and it was warmer next to Nnoitra. The lightless tunnel was slightly chilly after being in the sunshine and the heat of the outdoors for a while. He urged the boat to go faster and carry them past the exit he saw ahead, but the current was fixed and would not go any swifter than what it was created to.
"If you consider it torment, then maybe. You're the one who said you liked me first," Nnoitra replied, "And you said you didn't care what ride we went on next, so you've got no right to complain. Pick your words better next time, pink haired freak."
He had no reply to this so he just sighed wearily and leaned his head against Nnoitra's shoulder, staring blankly at the light that steadily approached. Nnoitra didn't make a move in response, which surprised him a little. It was as much a surrender as he'd ever given, yet the taller man didn't take advantage of this submission. He didn't know if he appreciated this gesture or not. The current carried them through to the light, and Szayel blinked as he found himself in an unexpected scene.
It looked a lot as though they were in a rainforest. Though he knew there was a dome overhead closing everything off from the outside, it looked like the sky was showing through the occasional gap in the massive canopy overhead and that they were in fact somewhere in the tropics rather than an amusement park in Japan. It was very warm, stifling even, and the air was thick with the scent of rich loam and ripening fruit. The breeze that trailed over his face was humid and lazy, barely stirring the sultry climate. Between trees bloomed exotic flowers, and feathery ferns unfolded vibrant foliage in showy cascades. Everything was so green, so alive. Even the shadows in the undergrowth seemed imbued with a life of their own, especially when the fitful play of sunlight caused the patches of shade to shift constantly. Everything seemed as though it were simultaneously in perpetual motion and yet unmoving, rooted firmly in the soil.
"Incredible…" he breathed, looking around. He could not seem to take it all in fast enough.
"I'll assume you didn't design this either then?" Nnoitra remarked.
"The separate technologies required to construct such an exhibit yes, but for the actual design… no. Again, what humans can do is remarkable."
"You like plants? Or are you just marvelin' at the engineering?"
"Both… but to be honest, I admire the set of aesthetics exercised with the flora more."
"So you like the plants."
"Yes, Nnoitra. I like the plants."
"Left we go then," he said rather mysteriously, and sure enough, the river soon forked three ways and their little boat turned down the leftmost stream. "Voice activation," was the explanation he offered with a half shrug as the rainforest closed around them more thickly and blocked out most of the sunlight. Szayel soon came to understand why he'd chosen this route. The water narrowed so that the banks of the forest were nearer, and Szayel was able to appreciate the variety of plant life more closely. At one point, he longed to break off one of the trailing vines laden with heavily perfumed flowers, but refrained at Nnoitra's prompting.
"They'll kick ya off the ride. There are cameras all over the place watchin' for people who pick the plants since they want to keep the habitat nice."
"How unfair…" he protested but left the flowers alone, albeit rather wistfully. Nnoitra noticed and grinned, teasing.
"What would you have done with them? Drape them around your neck like a scarf?"
"I don't know…" Szayel muttered testily, "I just thought they looked nice and I wanted them."
"If I got you a flower like those ones, would you wear it?" Nnoitra asked.
"Sure," Szayel replied absently, "But you can't pick any, remember?"
"Mmm…" said the taller man vaguely as he scanned the water, "What's your favorite type of flower?"
"I don't know… there are many I like, but orchids come in so many different varieties. I think perhaps some kind of orchid."
"No roses for you, huh?"
"Roses are overrated. I do like them, but they do not rank among my favorites. They are so commonplace now; they've lost their uniqueness to cheap symbolism, bad poetry, and shallow commercial holidays. Everyone likes roses. I am not everyone. And so I prefer orchids or some lesser known but equally beautiful flower."
"I'd compare you to a rose, but you probably wouldn't be impressed by the allusion."
"No I wouldn't. Quoting Shakespeare is not at all imaginative, Nnoitra. It's just an easy way to make oneself seem sensitive and romantic, or some other nonsense. And in terms of my thorns, I am not a rose either. They make a show of their thorns to ward off those who might pluck them. I'm more like the flower that externally appears innocuous, but is in reality quite toxic."
"Why don't we drop the flower metaphor?" Nnoitra said, wincing.
"You were the one who initiated the conversation."
"Yes, I'll make sure not to allude to allusions anymore. Its bad enough when you wax philosophical."
"Pardon me for being loquacious. I know you are unaccustomed to dealing with someone who actually has insightful opinions of their own."
"And you say you aren't a prickly person. That's jealousy right there, Szayel. Not a pretty emotion, though it is a little sweet on you. God forbid the Inventor is jealous of someone else."
Szayel shoved him sullenly and Nnoitra caught his hands, kissing his fingertips. He released them as the scientist squeaked involuntarily, startled out of his mood by the unexpected action. Watching him scoot sideways with mild alarm, Nnoitra chuckled his amusement and directed the conversation back to a safer topic.
"They're sorta delicate things though, aren't they? Orchids that is? They die pretty easily."
Szayel seemed relieved that he'd changed the line of conversation, for he gave him a thoughtful reply.
"Only under the wrong conditions. Under the right conditions, they are extraordinarily diverse and resilient. Clever plants; they fill niches. Some thrive with no soil high in the canopy where they can reach the sunlight, and they absorb the water and nutrients they need from their surroundings. Delicate yes, but resourceful and very beautiful."
"Have you ever kept one?"
"Actually, I don't garden. I have never cultivated plants in my life."
Nnoitra turned and looked at him, amazed.
"Really? I thought everyone's done that at some point, especially you. Even I've got a pot of herbs sitting on my windowsill at home."
"Not me."
"Well today's as good a day as any ta start. I think I'll buy you some seeds later. Mint at the very least, since you like tea. Oregano is another good one to have around; I can even give you some cuttings from the café since we've got a small herb garden out back. And then there are the purely ornamental plants that are just nice to look at. Hanging plants are great anywhere, and flowering vines like jasmine if you have the room. Or even if you don't, you can keep them in a pot and give them a small trellis to climb on. The limited nutrients and root room will ensure that they don't grow too big. Or you could invest in bonsai trees; wouldn't be a problem for you cost wise, and that sort of thing seems up your alley."
"… do you garden Nnoitra?" Szayel asked, a little surprised by this new side of him that was becoming more apparent.
"I dabble. Learned most of this from a past girlfriend. I've less of a one track mind than you might suspect. Aha!"
"Aha?"
Nnoitra saluted him, grinned, and jumped out of the boat. Szayel hurried over to the side, waiting for him to surface. He did, his head breaking the surface of the water like a seal. His long black hair drifted around him gracefully, reminding him of kelp, and he offered him a cheery wave as he tread water.
"What do you think you're doing?" Szayel demanded, puzzled by his impulsive actions.
"Holding you to a promise," Nnoitra replied. He swam over to where the water eddied around a couple of rocks on the right shore, forming a miniature inlet, and reached into the hollow. His fingers circled around a bright yellow object that bobbed gently between the stones. Cradling it in his hand, he swam back over to the boat and placed it up on the bow. Szayel crawled over to examine it. It was one of the flowers he'd wanted to pick earlier, but couldn't. He leaned over the side of the boat to watch Nnoitra, who swam circles around him languidly.
"I suppose I'll have to wear it now," he mused, trailing his fingers idly through the water.
"Yup," Nnoitra informed him eloquently.
"Hmm…" he replied with a noncommittal grunt.
"Or…" Nnoitra hedged, swimming over to him with an impish glint in his eye.
"Or what?"
The lanky human grabbed his arm, smiled, and dragged him bodily from the boat. He tumbled gracelessly into the water with a loud splash. Sputtering, he flailed in a panic as he struggled to keep afloat.
"Damn it Nnoitra, I don't know how to swim!" he wailed before choking on water.
"Better learn fast," Nnoitra remarked, but took pity on him after watching him drown for a minute. He pulled him up just before he could sink and towed him back over to the boat, helping him back in before hauling himself back on board.
"I lived in a desert. I never had the opportunity to learn how to swim," the scientist explained hoarsely after he'd coughed up most of the liquid he'd inhaled. His expression was a little sour as he wrung the water out of his hair.
"That would explain why you don't garden too," the taller man observed, perfectly content to drip all over the boat.
"Indeed. Nothing grew there. Nothing. Not a single living thing."
"Sounds depressing."
"It was rather bleak. You can understand why I spent most of my time in my lab."
"Well now you're surrounded by more greenery than you'd ever care to see," the taller man remarked as he plucked up the yellow flower and twirled it between his fingers. The inner petals wore a rosy blush, he noticed now that he could see it up close. Brushing the scientist's wet hair back, he slid the stem behind his ear and arranged it so that it framed his face.
"It matches you," Nnoitra observed with amusement, "Yellow and pink. You know, I never noticed but your eyes are yellow. Guess I had to get over the hair first. Ha… nothing about you is ordinary, is it?"
"You manage to make that sound like an insult somehow," Szayel said wearily, tucking his knees up to his chest. His clothes clung to his skin, seeping water, and he doubted if he would dry out any time soon. Especially not in this environment; it was too humid. They would go mildewy first.
"Cold?" Nnoitra asked as he watched him rub his legs.
"A little, amazing as that sounds, but I'll warm up," he replied quietly.
"Yeah. Ride's almost done. You can dry out in the sunlight."
Szayel glanced up at him, a little shocked.
"Really? It's almost over?"
"Its not a very big ride. All the turns in the river and the slow pace make it seem big, but its actually a pretty short trip."
"Oh."
Nnoitra gave him a sidelong look, his eyes calculating. At last he shot him a smug sort of half smile and slid over to him.
"You seem disappointed," he said
"Ah…" Szayel replied intelligently, scrambling for an answer, "It was beautifully designed with an eye for aesthetics and engineering. It seems a pity that it is over so soon."
"Mmm… but this is one of the longer rides in the park despite all that. It was designed to be," Nnoitra pointed out. Szayel didn't comment on this, only grew more self-conscious. To fill the silence, the black haired man continued talking.
"It can be a pretty popular ride, especially during peak season. That would be in the springtime… around March or April. Summer too, and it gets decent traffic around this time of year as well. But we lucked out today. I guess everyone wants to enjoy the gorgeous weather outdoors, before it starts getting really cold and rainy. Which is fine with me, since it means we get the place practically to ourselves."
He paused, looking a little thoughtful as he appraised the smaller man.
"You know, I never mentioned that you look good today. I said your clothes were suitable, but I didn't complement how you look wearing them. You pull of halter tops and shorts well. Really well."
"You have my Fraccion to thank for my outfit. They have perverse senses of humor," Szayel explained, feeling a little edgy at where the conversation was headed.
"I think I'd like them," Nnoitra said.
"You probably would."
Nnoitra grinned and pulled him up into his lap, prompting his cheeks to color. Why he still felt so unsettled around him, he didn't know why, but Szayel hoped this would not persist. He did not like feeling so insecure whenever he touched him. It did not help that Nnoitra knew this and took advantage of it frequently. He looked wicked as he reached behind Szayel's neck and undid the ties of his shirt, letting them fall to dangle over his shoulders. Simultaneously he kissed his collarbone and teased the shirt down, exposing his chest. Szayel tensed.
"Nnoitra…" he said, a note of anxiety creeping into his voice.
"Trust me," the taller man murmured, kissing the newly bared skin. His hot breath tickled, warming him where it touched.
"But-"
"Won't you trust me?" Nnoitra asked, interrupting his vacillations. He gazed up into his eyes, imploring him to submit. Szayel swallowed, then shook his head.
"No. I'd be an idiot to trust you."
And he would, it was true. Especially in this position. But it was the second time that day his doubts were called into play on the matter of trust, and he found his resolve was so much weaker this time around. Nnoitra sighed with frustration at his answer and opened his mouth to say something else, but before he could voice his counterargument, Szayel shushed him. An impulsive fancy had struck him, one that both shocked and thrilled him, and he had decided to go along with it this time, given the events of that day. Riding the kites had changed something in him.
"I'm not finished," he said a little truculently, "As I was saying, I don't trust you. I don't trust anyone. But… I'll be willing to overlook that and trust you anyways, since you've asked me to. So… don't betray my foolish faith and prove me right."
Nnoitra looked nonplussed at his declaration.
"…you don't trust me and yet you are entrusting yourself to me?" the human asked quizzically.
"Essentially, yes," he replied.
"I see. Well then I guess I'll just have ta show you."
He resumed his progress from before, brushing the surface of his skin gently with his lips. When tongue came into play, Szayel gave an involuntary shudder, his body heating.
"Still trust me?" he asked mischievously.
"Yes," Szayel said, licking his lips. Nnoitra smiled against his skin and slid his hands down his back so that he cupped his ass. The other slipped under the fabric of his shorts and around his thigh. Szayel's pulse was hammering by this point, his body hyperaware of every caress. He no longer felt the chill of the water.
"Still trust me?"
"Nng…" he grunted in a vaguely affirmative fashion. Nnoitra's mouth grazed his chin mockingly as he pressed him down against the wooden hull of the boat, tracing along the line of his jaw until he reached his neck. He bit it lightly, lovingly almost as he leaned into him. The tip of his tongue flicked his earlobe as he repeated his question, whispering the words sensuously into his ear.
"Still trust me?" he husked.
Szayel nodded, not trusting his voice to remain level. Those words sent a thrill through his body that caused every muscle to clench in anticipation. His shorts felt too tight, his breathing too constricted, and he found himself afflicted by the same heady rush of fear and exhilaration that struck him every time he found himself in this position; yet, lying underneath him, he realized he enjoyed this feeling of helplessness. He drew a sharp breath. Why? I hate not being in control. I hate being helpless. I've made that very clear before. Nnoitra rubbed against him, and the scientist could feel him hardening through the cloth that separated them. Miraculously, his breathing sounded uneven, strained; Nnoitra never breathed raggedly this early. His hands clamped over his wrists as he arched over him, staring straight down into his eyes. Their faces mirrored each other's.
"Still trust me?" he breathed, his eyes half lidded with desire. Szayel stared up at him for a long minute, weighing the myriad thoughts that flitted through his mind. Two claimed the most weight in his conscience. With the first, he questioned his resolution. The second was a revelation.
No… that isn't it. I need to be in control, but I don't fare well when I am in full mastery of my situation. Back in Las Noches, there was Aizen who I devoted myself to and worked under. There were regulations restricting what I could do. It was a love hate relationship. I… do best when I have some kind of limit to work against, otherwise my own progress stifles me. Creativity within boundaries. Hah… so I actually like someone dominating me. How pathetic... It wasn't an easy realization to make; that he wanted, no, thrived when someone else held him in check. But even processing this new concept, he somehow still managed to dredge up a coherent reply.
"Yes," he croaked, shutting his eyes tightly. Nnoitra did not move for a moment but remained hanging over him, watching. Then at last he leaned down… and kissed his forehead.
"I wonder, do you really?" he mused, sitting back on his heels, but from his tone, he seemed satisfied with whatever answer he'd sought. He helped Szayel up into a sitting position as he opened his eyes, and even did the ties on the back of the shirt for him, "After all, I never did say what I was asking you to trust me about."
"Are you happy now that you've played your bloody mind games you sadist?" Szayel groused, irritated upon discovering that Nnoitra had only been teasing him. The human smirked and kissed his cheek, drawing him back into his lap.
"If you really wanna continue, we can find somewhere without cameras," he purred, nuzzling his neck.
"Cameras!" Szayel exclaimed, looking mortified.
"Didn't I mention earlier that there are cameras on this ride? So they can make sure people aren't ruinin' the plants? Or did ya forget?"
"Why the hell did you do that if you knew there were people watching! Oh god… that's so humiliating…"
"If it's any consolation to you, they don't record sound. And I've done much, much worse with others."
"That doesn't help me, and I don't want to know the details of your past flings!"
The boat entered a dark tunnel; identical to the one they first passed through. Szayel took the mercy the sudden darkness offered him to cool his cheeks with the sopping cloth of his shirt and arrange his clothes so that they looked less bedraggled, which was difficult given the fact that they were so wet. When they emerged from the darkness, he'd managed to compose himself somewhat and had slid out of Nnoitra's hold back into his own seat. Dignity was a difficult thing to maintain however in light of how achingly aware he was of the man that sat next to him. As their boat drew up to the dock and they stepped out, Nnoitra dropped another question.
"So… seriously. D'ya wanna find someplace and…"
He twisted his index and middle finger together suggestively to demonstrate his point, and Szayel shot him a filthy look, made all the filthier by the fact that the impulsive side of him wanted just that. Very much. Fortunately, common sense and Mother Nature teamed up to give him some respite from his hormonal urges. Impulsive Szayel rumbled mutinously but subsided as his stomach growled audibly, calling attention to the fact that it was long overdue for a meal.
"Well nix that then. Nothing's fun on an empty stomach. We can discuss our plans after lunch."
Szayel's face twisted into the most exasperated look he could muster as he turned and delivered a scathing tirade, his voice dripping scorn.
"Do not mock me! If you don't plan on finishing what you begin, then don't start. You can have this when you're actually serious and not just playing," he placed a hand on his hip, thrusting it to one side suggestively while he bat his eyelashes, "Until then, go chase some other tail. Like you I may, but I'm not a naïve plaything for you to just use and drop."
Nnoitra sighed and gave him a rather morose look when he finished.
"Guess that's a no then."
Despite his affectations, he didn't seem too put out, for he quickly brightened at the prospect of food- that he wouldn't have to make.
"What're you in the mood for?" he asked, sidling back up to him. Szayel was unruffled by his sudden mood change, taking his quirks in stride. The sunlight was beginning to dry his hair, though his clothes would take much longer, and as he pushed some of it behind his ear, he discovered the flower was still nestled there securely. It hadn't fallen out during Nnoitra's little game. Feeling whimsical, he gave an irreverent reply.
"I don't have an opinion one way or another. Surprise me."
"I thought you didn't like surprises?" Nnoitra prompted, amused.
"I'm sure that choosing a lunch spot is relatively harmless," he replied dryly.
"If you say so. I'm not complainin'. Then after lunch, we can go on more rides."
Szayel winced, thinking of the roller coaster.
"All of a sudden, I doubt my decision. Tell me where we're going to eat."
Nnoitra cast him a sly look.
"No. You're gonna have to wait and see, or else ya get to starve."
"Nnoitra," I warned, the beginnings of a frown clouding his face, but the taller man just shook his head and grabbed his hand. The charming smile he turned on others was aimed full strength at him, and Szayel felt his resolve waver even while he wondered how it was possible for Nnoitra to have a charming smile. Surely that broke some fundamental law? But nonetheless, he could and did, and Szayel was already swayed to his suggestion before he dropped the bombshell.
"But didn't you say you trust me?"
It was spoken ingenuously and without hesitation. Szayel caved.
"Yes…" he admitted, and allowed Nnoitra to pull him after him.
"Perfect," he declared, then added perversely, "We're eating yakiniku."
Author's Notes:
Oh my god... its finally finished. ;-; I apologize to those of you out there who waited for this. AP testing and an ear infection delayed this chapter three weeks or so, but now it is done. I wrote half of it yesterday afternoon and typed it up yesterday evening and today. Typing takes so long. x_x I never look forward to typing. Anyways, you have a dream to thank for breaking my writer's block. Had a dream Thursday night about composing an essay about Abraham Lincoln, and it was at that point after waking up and going "WTF?" that I realized I'd sunk too much time into my AP US History and AP English exams, and that they were affecting me subconsciously in my sleep was definitely not good. I needed an instant infusion of fanfiction, stat. And thus, you get this crap.
Well, I like it a whole lot better than Reset, so I suppose it isn't crap. :D But I digress; onto explanations.
A theme park. Really? How unoriginal right? Well, I compensated for this with some mildly interesting and inventive (not really) rides. For all you physics people, though I doubt there are many of you here, don't hurt me. I actually sunk some thought into how the kites work, and there is more to them than what I wrote here because I am lazy. The electromagnetic roller coaster is a bit harder to justify. I don't know how they made it work; it just does. It also has a backup generator in case the power fails so the people don't die. That would be rather unpleasant. As for the boat ride...
Well, you can thank my history teacher for that one, telling us his Disney stories. Folks, don't pull a Nnoitra on Its a Small World. There are cameras. And people watching. And laughing. In the (now) immortalized words of my teacher: "Yes. We were sick, perverted voyeurs."
On the whole, I feel ambivalent towards this chapter. (Though I no longer feel antsy about reactions. I wish I could lay out everything for you as I see it in my head, but that wouldn't be fun and would probably bore you. Suffice it to say that Nnoitra isn't freaking out anymore.) Perhaps I'd like it more if it weren't so painful to write. I can only hope that I don't take so long the next time. Next up is the second chapter of Impressions, then I go to dig out the first six pages of chapter twelve for Fuchsia Phoenix. If I can find them. T_T Wouldn't that be just great if they were lost...
There's your fluff chapter. Prepare for depravity. *Is shot* Read and review if you like this, as ever. :3 I update faster when I see new messages sitting in my inbox. *Shameless hinting* Ta~ 3