I Wanted Spoilers

I wanted spoilers </3

Oh! Well then here we go, part 2 of bee's impressions of Marazhai's submissive romance, this time with 100% more spoilers

Under the cut, for those who do not want spoilers

All right, so subMarazhai is, in my humblest of opinions, Marazhai's true form. It's much more satisfying to watch a creature like Marazhai, a Drukhar, so proud and arrogant, the true inheritors of the Aeldari legacy, bend the knee to you, a simple human, a mon-keigh.

At first, and he admits to this in Act 5, the dynamic he creates between you–one of dominance and submission–is a game. One that he fully expects you to bow out of, to think is too twisted and frightening to fully appreciate. After all, you're a simple human and you could never understand the depth of emotion that Drukhari are capable of. But....you do.

Over the course of the romance, he tests you multiple times. He pushes at the boundaries of that dynamic that he creates (and demands!) and is disappointed if you don't remain rigid in your role. If you dominate him, then do so consistently! Bully him, tell him to shut his mouth and do as you say, call him your pet xenos. He loves it and will absolutely obey you.

I also think it should be noted that even despite his supposed desire to submit to their dominance, subMarazhai retains physical dominance over the Rogue Trader. He is bigger and stronger than they are, he looms over them and grabs their chin, digs his clawed gauntlets into their skin–if you don't mind me saying so, it's incredibly erotic and thrilling, he knows exactly what he's doing. He tells you that he can literally sense your craving when you approach him for "alone time," and it's true. With the same senses that he uses to feed on pain, he feels the Rogue Trader's desire for him, and he uses that to his advantage. You can't lie to him, not about that ;)

(I could also talk about the fact that while I think that Marazhai is absolutely a submissive, he is a Top through and through, but that's an opinion that many seem to disagree with 😅)

I've talked to people irl about this before, but after reading the Path of the Dark Eldar books by Andy Chambers (HUGELY recommended if you like Drukhari in general, holy shit, they're so good) I like the idea that Marazhai is making the dominance/submission, owner/owned dynamic up as he goes along. Drukhari society is truly not so rigid, roles are constantly shifting and changing. After all, Asdrubael Vect was only a slave before he became the great tyrant of Commorragh. The dynamic that Marazhai creates is one that HE desires, he wants consistency, something that he cannot expect out of Commorragh. Honestly, I think it's rather cute.

Anyway, by the end of the romance, if you're consistent in your "role", he confesses to you that he didn't expect you to understand what he wanted, to understand the "true Aeldari soul," but that he is pleasantly surprised that you did. He tells you that the way he feels at your side is unlike anything he's ever felt, that every raid and feast before you pales in comparison to what it's like WITH you.

Threaten to break up with him after he tells you this. Just do it, trust me, it's so worth it, Will de Renzy-Martin's performance in the last romance scene is fantastic and what you see of him in that moment, his fear and desperation is just. Mwah. Chef's kiss.

Speaking of kisses, make sure you kiss him after your first feast. He says he doesn't like it, but don't let him fool you, he just feels like you're not playing the "game" right. This comes up a lot, especially when you bring up decidedly human notions–he gets pouty and tells you that this is "different," implying that your relationship is something better, more enlightened. Make no mistake, this is love, just Drukhari-flavored.

Under all the blood and gore, the relationship between the Rogue Trader and subMarazhai is incredibly sweet and a delightful twist of Drukhari behavior. He would never say it, of course, but by the end of the romance, it is incredibly obvious that he loves the Rogue Trader and would do anything for them.

So, uh, yeah. This was incredibly rambly, and I'd love to write more, but these are a few of the thoughts that regularly rattle around in my head regarding his romance. I hope this was closer to what you were looking for!