It's the second things to know sheet! I figured it's been awhile since we had one (and things have greatly changed in some spots) so here is your second one. Some of this is obviously rehashing but some of it might be new :)

What job did the 14th play in the creation of the Substitute Shinigami Badge?

I'm making this one a question here because it's a big part of the story thus far and while I would LOVE to cover it in more depth I am afraid of canon coming and smacking me in the face. Therefore I will write what I like to THINK happened, although obviously not what actually did. In my mind the badge was Ukitake's idea, an idea that he eventually shared with Setsuna and she agreed with. While she is the one who holds the badge and sort of has a large say in who it is given too (because of her job), he is the one who hands it out. It's a group effort :)

Why Him instead of Her for Miya?

This is something I debated for a long time. While parts of Miya are absolutely gender fluid: his name, the fact that some people call him her and he doesn't mind, the dresses, the hair, and so forth I eventually realized that while he might want to be a her in some aspects he really loves being a HE. Miya is a gay male who fell in love with a straight man, tried to change for him and eventually came to love that part of himself. I also do not see him as a crossdresser as I think it's a little more than that.

What do some of the characters look like in your mind?

While I dance around the issue (because appearance isn't important - most of the time) I thought I'd talk about this here. Setsuna is about Lisa's height (a little shorter). Not short by any means but not tall like Isane. She's flat chested for the most part and had, up until Book Three - shoulder(ish) length black hair that was always on the fritz. She countered it by wearing it in a bun. In Book Three she has let her hair grow out a bit and the weight has helped tame it. For the most part Setsuna looks tomboyish although not without moments of glamour. Miya is taller than her, about Byakuya's height and has long wavy blonde hair. He is very waifish. Honestly he's the anime version of Andrej Pejic. Yori is short (think Rukia but wee taller), has long black hair that she wears in a ponytail, and is bookishy cute. Yori and Setsuna have grey eyes, Miya's are stark blue.

Setsuna and Isshin, age issues and timeline speculation-

This isn't something I address, since it's hard to judge. I like imagine that Setsuna is Isshin's senior, just because it cracks me up. But I understand that I have about zero idea when it comes to timeline and he could absolutely be older than her. While you read you can think either/or but that's where my mind is in the situation. I do know that they must of been around at the same time for a small moment in time thought. When I write them I try for equals, most of the time. Although I find his cheerfulness a good foil for Setsuna who is very serious a good amount of the time.

Characters you should know by now (and other OC's):

Hara Setsuna: The main character and the Captain of the 14th she is childhood friends with Byakuya (who was also her mentor) and was once in love with a nobleman by the name of Ikeda Kenji. The two of them dated in secret but when his family would not bend and allow them to marry he, persuaded by Aizen killed them all. He would also kill the then current Captain of the 14th leaving Setsuna in charge. Years later he would escape with Aizen and Setsuna would hunt him down and kill him. Setsuna has recently realized that she is in love with Kuchiki Byakuya and seeks to have a relationship with him despite the barriers of his nobility and her common status. Setsuna, after soul searching what it meant to be noble - is slowly learning and coming to grips with her own ideal of what it means.

Wakahisa Miya: The Vice Captain of the 14th. He dresses like a woman, and looks like one too. Often times he acts more feminine than masculine. His old name used to be Michi and he became Miya in hopes that his then Captain - Takahashi would notice him. Sadly it never paid off. Miya is lazy yet beautiful, powerful yet unfocused, driven yet easily distracted. He would do anything for Setsuna and is fiercely loyal to her. His best friend is Yori and the two can be seen everywhere together. While Setsuna is his boss it is clear that they are very good friends despite this.

Ikeda Kenji: A child of a noble household he fell in love with Setsuna, however he was overcome by his rage against the noble system and his inability to change things. Eventually he was seduced by Aizen and in an attempt to have the power to overcome his family became one of Aizen's failed experiments (this happened after the Hōgyoku, almost as a last ditch attempt to recreate it w/o the now missing half). He eventually kills and wipes out his whole family, killing Takahashi who came to stop him. After that he was captured by his lover at the time, Setsuna and punished for his crimes. When Aizen finds him he escapes to Hueco Mundo. Recently Setsuna confronted and killed him, because he attempted to unite with Aizen to bring about Soul Societies ruin.

Takahashi Shinpachi: The charismatic dead Captain of the 14th he met his end fighting Ikeda Kenji. A man who always looked on the bright side of life he was a brilliant strategist and friend. While he had a bit of a penchant for woman and flowery language he never never let it stop him from doing his job. Often times he would hang out with Jūshirō Ukitake and Shunsui Kyōraku, despite both of them being his seniors.

Yori: The 3rd seat of the 14th Division she is childhood friends with Miya. Often times she is found with him, talking him out of stupid decisions. While Miya can be a bit lofty Yori is grounded and for the most part, sweet. However she can hold her own and isn't afraid to speak her mind.

Hinotori no Honoo/Hinotori: Hinotori is Setsuna's Zanpakuto. A shy timid girl and spirit she usually wants exactly what Setsuna wants. She's very quiet and like Setsuna admired Kenji. However unlike Setsuna who only felt numb at Kenji's betrayal Hinotori was sad. She's very deadly - both to the wielder and the victim, but doesn't really like that about herself. She longs one day to heal instead of harm.

Cerdoron Butara: An Espada that Setsuna fought in Hueco Mundo. She was able to one shot him pretty much instantly. His name means Pig, pig.

Attacks/Sword Names:

Setsuna's Sword is named Hinotori no Honoo or Phoenix Flame. The sword is a plain sword missing it's tsuba or handguard. The color of the handle of the sword is white wood. Unlike Rukia's sword where the white is said to be beautiful and bone white, hers is plain white and despite the color does not stand out at all.

Setsuna's shikai is not Utau, Hinotori no Honoo or Sing, Phoenix Flame as she thought but Subete o kyohi, Hinotori no Honoo. The command for this form of her sword is Deny Everything. With this her sword is able to command sound waves (that cannot be heard by ear) that cancel out all energy in a zone. This power cannot be controlled and effects both the person she's fighting and other people around her. She is still learning to control it.

Setsuna's Bankai is Kane Hinotori o Shokan or Phoenix Summoning Bell(s). While what she wields are bells they do not look like a typical bell. Instead they are two shields that are bent and shaped into two large crescents. They are bent in a way that resembles a 3D hollowed out moon. Both crescents ends are attached by two poles that run between them. The edges of the crescents are sharpened, while the face is blunt for hitting. The poles have ribbons attached to them so that she can swing the bells around. For reference please see Clow Reed's Bell in Cardcaptor Sakura - Setsuna's are at least twice that size.

The second form of Setsuna's Bankai is Fumetsu no Ken – Undying Sword. To activate this second form Setsuna stores her bells and draws a blade that is kept sheathed on her back. The sword looks no different than her sword in shikai form. With the power to "fight past death" this form turns the blade's vibrations inward, using the waves to stabilize her reiatsu and "suck up" any damage. In this form Setsuna cannot be killed. However her body gives no indication as to when it passes over into the veil of death. Knocking the sword from Setsuna's hand effectively cancels the bankai and forces her to summon it again - by starting in her base shikai.

As a small teaser for anyone who reads this you will see Miya's bankai although I will give no spoilers as to what it is.

Notes on Power Levels:

Setsuna has grown immensely by book three. Lots of intense training has her speed on par with Byakuya. Her body's durability has increased significantly due to the need to last as long as possible in her second Bankai stage. She's nowhere near Kenpachi levels but dang it, if she isn't trying. Her swordsmanship as always continues to improve thanks to her continued conversations with her blade. At this moment she matches Byakuya in skill instead of lagging behind him as she used to previously (which is kind of crazy considering that Byakuya is one of the strongest Captains now, how the hell did that happen amirite?). However her mastery of Kidō has remains relatively the same. Miya's power levels have not changed much although he has grown stronger in little ways from his confrontation with Aizen's forces in Fake Karakura Town. Yori I still see as strong as Hinamori (at least in Kidō). I also imagine Yori having a shikai, but because of character POV I don't know if I'll ever get to it. In fact in my mind she would be a lieutenant already if not for the fact that she refuses to leave Miya's side.

And that's it! If you have any other questions for me (fun or otherwise) that I didn't answer please feel free to ask them and I will attempt to answer them.