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]

[ 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. ]

[killthepast]

[ Ugh. It's so awkward feeling bad for choking someone for once! He glances back at Hux, looking up at him for a moment, as if he's considering apologizing, before returning his gaze to the bike.

There's something a little pointed in his voice when he counters with: ] Would you have let that happen? [ After a beat, he adds. ] I would have adapted.

[ Perhaps he would have been stronger, less fractured, if he'd had Hux's upbringing, instead of loving, but distracted parents who instilled too much compassion in him. ]

[fhux]

You and I would never have met, I didn't ... [ 'Socialise with the likes of you', but even in his own head that sounds sad. He coughs, pretending to test his faltering voice, and goes on. ] I didn't have time for younger children.

[ He refuses to look at Ren inspecting the bike, striding back into his office. It's not a lie exactly, he didn't have time for anyone his age: but he might have made the effort to include them if anyone had ever asked. ]

[killthepast]

[ That's still sad. But it's not as if his childhood wasn't lonely and pathetic, either, so he has no room to judge.

Ren looks back at Hux again when the general coughs again, brow knitting with... stars help him, he thinks it might be concern as the other man retreats back to his office. He waits a few beats, as if debating whether he should follow or just leave, before letting out a sharp breath and getting back to his feet to follow.

And then he just stands in the doorway for several awkward moments. ]

I shouldn't have attacked you.

[ An uncomfortable, blurted out apology from a man who isn't used to giving them. Well. Almost-apology. So it's missing a few key words. ]

[fhux]

[ Waiting for a pot of tea to boil, he plants a hand on a hip as he turns to Ren and tries to read that apology's depths. It's ... off-putting, to hear one. Gratifying. Is he supposed to be pushed off-guard again? Several more apologies and he'll be up to speed with the amount of bruises.

A tiny 'mew' pipes up from under the neatly made bed in the corner, which Hux stoically ignores even as his shoulders tense. ]

It's of no consequence.

[killthepast]

[ He doesn't quite know how to respond, so he's about to just leave it at that and go back to... wherever it was he stormed in from-- until he hears a decidedly feline squeak coming from the bed.

Oops, sorry, Hux, Kylo's just going to approach the bed to investigate, crouching down to peer under the bed in search of the creature. ]

What's that?

[fhux]

[ Oh, kriff. ]

Nothing! Why would anything be under my ... [ Two tiny kittens peep out from their cardboard box, curious if it's safe now all the loud noises have stopped. Not knowing what else to do, Hux folds an arm and bites the nails of his other hand. ] ... bed.

Don't hurt them -

[killthepast]

[ He shoots Hux a dirty look, like, hey. He may be a violent killer who throws tantrums and slices people in half, but he draws the line at hurting kittens! How dare you.

Removing a glove, he extends a hand to the little creatures, to give them a chance to sniff and judge his character for themselves. ]

What are their names?

[ He's curious, okay? There were plenty of times in his life when his only friends were animals. ]

[fhux]

[ Maybe Ren has a violent allergy to kittens that can only be cured via lightsaber, how does Hux know. He watches him anxiously, only glancing away when the kettle boils and he pours out his tea. ]

I haven't named them. They were strays near the flood.

[ Because Armitage may have murdered billions of innocent people but he draws the line at letting kittens drown, of course. He's not a monster. ]

[killthepast]

[ SEE, THEY'RE BOTH GREAT GUYS. Practically saints.

In any case, Ren huffs, just barely refraining from rolling his eyes. At least one of the kittens seems interested in his hand, playfully batting at it with tiny needle claws. ]

You're keeping them. They should have names.

[ It's not even a question. OBVIOUSLY, you're keeping these cats if they're here. ]

[fhux]

I intend to release them when they're big enough and the waters have receded.

[ That is The Plan, anyway. He'll have to see how well it goes at a later date. Leaning against the wall with his tea cupped in his hands, he sips and observes Ren with the kittens. The one that isn't playfully swiping at him is exploring around his knees.

Hux huffs. ]

Very well, they can be Dreadnought and Megaclass.

[ Is he tooling, or?? ]

[killthepast]

[ Pausing in his battle of fingers vs claws (giving the kitten a chance to violently hug his hand and bunny kick it), Ren looks up at Hux.

Like.

Did Hux just tell a joke?

Kylo lets out a surprised laugh, COMPLETELY AGAINST HIS WILL, then looks at the kittens again as he untangles his hand from its sharp and fuzzy prison. ]

This one seems like a Dreadnought.

[ Megaclass is OBVIOUSLY the larger one. ]

[fhux]

[ Is that the sound of the Supremacy being carved in two by a hyperspace lane??? No, it's Kylo Ren laughing. Just as disturbing, honestly. ]

You name them.

[ Since he was joking, in fact. And who would actually name a poor kitten like that; Millicent would be horrified. ]