video; un: ren

[killthepast]

[ Two network posts within a month of each other? From Kylo Ren? Must be a special occasion!

Anyway, Riverview's resident space goth is making a post today for business reasons, not tantrum reasons, even if he obviously appears troubled. But like, it's Kylo. He always seems at least a little conflicted, troubled, and/or angry. ]

I'm looking for new members to join the Prometheus Salvaging Team. [ He says that with some reluctance. THE TRUTH IS: he's got to fill in some gaps, particularly because he still can't actually go into the field again until he gets his medical clearance.

Thanks SOOOOO MUCH FOR SHOOTING HIM, John Sheppard! ]

The work will take you outside the wall on behalf of Prometheus Labs. You must have adequate combat and survival skills-- which you'll be tested on-- and the ability to follow directions. If you're interested, send me a message.

[ He starts to scowl a little, and adds: ] Serious inquiries only.

[ REBEL SCUM NEED NOT APPLY. ]

Comments

[fhux]

Your team. [ A sneer shows what Hux thinks of that. ] Which he ultimately commands through you, I expect!

[ He waves the tool in his hand dismissively, eyes rolling back to the engine before him. ]

So you didn't supplant Snoke, you outright exchanged him for a man cut from the same cloth. Incredible. Only you could own the ability to move mountains and yet manage to walk yourself in circles.

[killthepast]

[ Well, that's kind of the story of his life. Forever stuck as that frightened and angry boy who burned the Jedi temple to the ground. ]

And you're so much closer to Emperor of the Galaxy, I see.

[ He cuts the transmission. Because if he's going to have this infuriating conversation, he AT LEAST wants it to be when Hux is in choking range. ]

[fhux]

[ The shock widens his green eyes with a glance to the comm but by then, of course, Ren has cut it short. Hux grips his tools tighter and regulates his breathing, returning to the task at hand while inwardly reciting the core values of the First Order.

It doesn't do much to calm him down. ]

action;

[killthepast]

[ It was a spiteful barb, meant to provoke the other man, even if he didn't deign to keep the transmission going to see Hux's reaction. Instead, he's storming to the lab on a warpath, muscles tight with a rage he wants nothing more than to unleash on the nearest person. (Or inanimate object. But he's already punched a hole in his wall, and it did nothing to soothe his anger, soooo... off he goes.)

The stomping of his boots likely gives him away before he even lets himself in-- which he'll do by force (well, Force) if necessary. You wanted to see him in rampaging space wizard mode? WELL, HERE YOU GO. ]

[fhux]

[ The department of ISA is a workshop in a cold corner of the Perimeter Guard, a fair enough way from the other labs that stomping boots in the corridor outside certainly echo enough to be heard. Hux knows it's Ren. Who else would it be? Still, he refuses to balk and instead perches on the side of his half-finished bike, wiping soldering ash from his hands with a rag (and forced calm). He watches the doors, which are very much unlocked.

When Ren enters, Hux folds his arms and remains seated. Coolly, he asks, ]

What now?

[killthepast]

[ No, this won't do. Hux's lack of reaction, on top of everything else, just stokes his impulses to lash out, as if he has to prove that, not only is he still a power to be reckoned with-- somebody to fear-- but also that the odd, innocent intimacy they shared during the festival changes nothing.

Because he can't stand being on unequal footing with Hux, not if it means he's the one who's always off-balance and feeling like a fool. He reaches out with a gloved hand, to grab the general's throat and drag him closer, until they're inches from each other. And then he squeezes again, feeling Hux's neck through the Force. ]

Tell me again what I should do to imbeciles who condescend to me.

[fhux]

[ The choking is, somehow, a surprise. His guard has been lowered by the distance put between them and Ren's semi-acceptable control in the months since Hux arrived on the backwater moon (not to mention a memory of two boys so absurdly sweet it decayed some of his wariness) so that being dragged during has him doubly panicked. He tries to breathe and coughs, wheezing, every fibre of his being screaming to get away from the horrid Force gripping him in place at Ren's will.

It's insane that he ever thought this power was beautiful. He hates it. Ren expects him to fear this display of childish wrath but he will be severely disappointed, Hux vows, fury of his own rising up with spittle.

A sneer curdles on his lip as he rasps out, ]

Use ... real hands ... coward.

[ Inches from each other as they are and with Ren's attention on his throat, one of his palms lashes out to smack as hard as he can at the hand commanding the Force. ]

[killthepast]

[ At least he can enjoy that spike of panic while it lasts. But then it's gone, and all he can feel is anger (his and Hux's) all around him. His eyes are on the general's face, searching for anything but hatred and sneering revulsion, but the movement catches his attention, draws his gaze down to see Hux reach out to smack his hand.

He lets Hux hit him, though the smack isn't the reason why he suddenly releases the other man. No, the slackening of his grip is of his own volition. ]

Isn't this what you wanted me to do? To use my powers [ He spits the word out. ] against anyone who insults me?

[ No, he knows it's not what Hux meant. He's not a total idiot! ]

[fhux]

[ If Hux had the Force he would have murdered almost as many as he managed to do with the firing of Starkiller, purely off his own rage. He slumps on the spot when released and backs up to the nearest wall for support, coughing as he checks his throat. Head down, when he straightens and finally meets Ren's glare he wishes his own had the cutting power of a lightsaber. ]

Didn't it once occur to you [ his voice cracks painfully as he raises it to a dull roar that shakes him to the bone on the spot, ] that I was trying to HELP!

[killthepast]

[ It should give him some measure of satisfaction to see the other man sputtering and disheveled from his fit of violence. Rather, it's a hollow moment, just like the aftermath of every tantrum is. Just another example of Kylo Ren taking something and smashing it apart.

At least he seems somewhat stricken by Hux's words. Some small part of him, long smothered in the darkness, stirs, reeling with guilt or compassion or some intolerable mix of the two. He'll never be free of Ben Solo.

He does his best to suppress the remorse that flickers across his face, his expression hardening. ]

By berating me? You might want to rethink your strategy.

[fhux]

It's the only way to get your attention, by pointing out how self-destructive your choices are! Since you wouldn't just die, I'm trying to do my job and keep you alive.

[ Stalking (creakily) to the nearest workbench he wrenches off a tarp to expose the gun he said he would build for Ren to use; small and smooth and black. The inner-chamber is open, empty. Missing a component. Next he shoves the bike over, letting it crumple on its glossy finished side with a satisfyingly loud crash.

Panting through his mouth with exertion, an angry red flush covers his face and ears as he throws his arms wide, gesturing to the workshop as a whole. ]

We have no army, no weapons, nothing! We are surrounded by the dogs of the Resistance! And what am I doing? Trying to actively guard the person I supposed was on my bloody side and he's the only one attacking me!

[killthepast]

[ It's somewhat startling, to see Hux lose his composure to this degree. Though Ren doesn't jump at the sound of the bike crashing to the ground, he does watch with lifted brows, eyes widening for a brief moment. And then gaze shifts from the projects, to Hux himself, flustered with anger. How strange, to be the calmer of the two of them, for once.

Then don't, he wants to say. I don't want this, anyway. I don't want the First Order. I don't want to be Supreme Leader. I'd let both sides obliterate each other to keep my freedom here. All words that have been on the tip of his tongue for months now.

But then what? What would happen when Hux found out that Kylo Ren's the biggest traitor of them all?

So he says none of the words on his mind. Instead, he approaches the workbench, looking at the nearly-finished gun with some curiosity, then down at the fallen bike, which he puts upright again. With his hands. See. He doesn't have to use the Force for everything. It's... sort of a small gesture of apology, since he'll be damned if he actually says the words 'I'm sorry.' ]

I have no direction here. [ A reluctant admission, A SMALL GESTURE OF GOODWILL, that he'll actually just use his words instead of shouting or throwing things (or people). ] Is it really any surprise I sought out something familiar?

[ Maybe, maybe admitting Hux is right about Pierce. ]

[fhux]

[ He wishes Ren would scream and slice the entire workshop up with his saber then he wouldn't have to look at it anymore, especially not when Ren is being so careful. What a joke; Hux's throat is raw and swelling as they speak. ]

Something familiar. What am I?

[ The indignity can't be kept out of his broken voice. ]

But if a kriffing dreadnought suddenly appeared you'd demand to be aboard, wouldn't you? I have worth too, Ren, you can't ignore my existence for other allies, for sea-snakes that are more likely to eat you than ultimately help you, and then show up in my home to throw me around!

[killthepast]

[ Temper flaring, his hands balling into fists: ] You weren't here!

[ Perhaps things would have gone differently if he and Hux had been displaced to this moon at the same time. Maybe he wouldn't be so filled with doubt, now, about his path, but instead stubbornly stuck to it, whether out of spite or because he had at least one ally at his side. ]

And what if I didn't? [ Like. Just purely hypothetically!! ] What if I wanted to stay here? Would you be so eager to help me then?

[fhux]

For as long as I am here, yes!

[ A spiteful reason to demand Ren's attention or any degree of allegiance, but ... ]

Stay and abandon the Order, give me back what's rightfully mine. Do you want to make a life here, far from the galaxy we call home? Fine! I'll build you a damn house! I've worked my entire life to command my armies whereas you don't care a whit about the Order, do you think I'm blind?

[killthepast]

[ Somehow, Hux calling his shit out actually manages to deflate his anger. The tension drains from his shoulders, and his hands relax, an odd, cathartic feeling of relief washing over him.

Even if part of him wants to counter the general's assertion out of some childish impulse to be contrary. But of course it would be obvious to Hux how little Ren cares for the First Order. Not even with his neglect here of it here. Even back in their galaxy, it had been obvious. He was Snoke's protege, not any official part of the First Order's ranks. His loyalty, such as it was, had been to his master, not the cause. He wasn't ignorant to how much that rankled the true believers.

Still... He's not quite sure what to say now that it's out. ]

Oh.

[ E L O Q U E N T. ]

[fhux]

[ ELOQUENT INDEED. Taking a reluctant few steps toward him, Hux tries to compose his anger into a malleable, useful tool that will exhume Ren from the Order and give Hux the life he has always dreamed of (and deserved!) as not only Supreme Leader, but Emperor. ]

You have to want a life full of responsibilities. I do. If, instead, you would prefer to remain here and fritter into insignificance with the rest of this moon, go right ahead. I will be the last person to stop you.

[ A cough breaks over his lips with a dash of blood on it, having torn a finely swollen section of his throat from earlier screams. Wiping his lips with the back of a hand, he curses under his breath and turns his back on Ren to head into the sanctuary of his office for a tissue. ]

[killthepast]

There's an entire galaxy out here to explore. [ Don't think for one second he has any plans to stay on this rock forever. He may wish to be free from the wars in their own galaxy, but that doesn't mean he has any intention of settling down and doing nothing with himself. ] And you're not the least bit tempted?

[ No. Of course not. Hux has known what he's wanted since he was a child.

Well. He can have it. Ren couldn't care less about who rules their galaxy.

A frown tugs at his lips at the sight of blood, and he hates it. He hates so much the twinge of remorse that he feels, like he'd hurt a friend. Because this is Hux, who isn't a friend, who's only an ally because it's mutually convenient for the both of them. Better to let Hux go into his office, while he hangs back to distract himself with the projects on the workbench.

The craftsmanship is impressive, he'll admit. ]

[fhux]

[ Water doesn't do much to help so he swallows a few painkillers for good measure. Cleans up his mouth at the small sink in his office as a raw bark of laughter breaks free. ]

Why start from the ground-up here when I have an army awaiting my return?

[ There are datapads around the blaster and also, funnily enough in a parody of Leia's use of it: paper sheaths. Details of the chamber being intended for a crystal, all written in scratchy handwriting.

Hux returns to the main workshop with a cursory glance at Ren, just to check where he is. ]

You're the only one who took it from me.

[ No point in lying about that. ]

[killthepast]

[ He puts his fingers on the schematics and draws them closer. A kyber crystal. Of course. Now, how does Hux intend to acquire one of those? ]

I did.

[ SURE, he'll acknowledge that. ]

And you were going to kill me.

[ Looking at Hux, he doesn't appear particularly bothered or accusatory. It is what it is. He hadn't seen the general's hand move for his blaster, but the Force had told him he was in danger, just as he pulled himself back to consciousness. He knows to trust in it. ]

What place would I have had in your First Order?

[fhux]

[ Similarly, he doesn't especially react to the knowledge of Ren's awareness at ... a particular moment. It is what it is, yes. ]

Why, you already chose that role for yourself. [ The mocking tone simmers as he finally moves closer to take the papers, neatening them to be placed in a pile. He keeps his expression placid, attention on setting the desk to rights through a bittersweet, black humour. ] What was it? Some sort of glorified bodyguard.

[ As Armitage, Hux had imagined someone far more his equal in Ben who sat beside him so at ease on a wall that it could have been a throne. If that isn't the most ridiculous teenage fantasy, Hux doesn't know what is. ]

[killthepast]

[ Ren scoffs, moving back from the table to let the other man fuss with the papers. It is idiotic, isn't it, to cling to whatever conflicted feelings were formed from their recent... adventure. Hux clearly isn't. Ren's the one who could never entirely sever his sentimentality. ]

Then it's a good thing we aren't beholden to the promises of children.

[fhux]

[ The sidelong look Hux cuts Ren's way is steady and penetrating, pensive. What a curious turn of phrase. He remembers those promises too? ]

You were far pleasanter as a boy. [ And then, back to his desk as he pulls the tarp over it. ] Not that you would have lasted long growing up in the Unknown Regions.

[killthepast]

[ His lips twist in a thoughtful little frown as he considers the remark. ]

So were you.

[ He'd liked Armitage. Or, he supposes, Ben had, the stupid, soft-hearted child. Not that he's ever managed to suppress that part of himself, not entirely. All he could ever do was plaster a mask over Ben Solo. It's an endless source of aggravation, made all the worse now because his experiences as a boy are so fresh in his mind.

He decides to take a closer look at the bike now, crouching down to inspect it. ]

And why's that?

[fhux]

[ That makes him laugh in a way that aggravates his throat, massaging the sore spot before speaking again. ]

All the soft-hearted, trusting boys were used as scapegoats, tricked into going on deadly missions, or outright assassinated because they played fair.

[ Unlike Hux. ]