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]

[ 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. ]

[killthepast]

[ Scoff. ]

I'm not naming them. They're yours, not mine.

[ Besides, the stupid joke names were perfectly fine. But, as the kittens gambol around and start wrestling... ]

Anakin and Padme.

[ YEAH THAT'S RIGHT. GRANDMA AND GRANDPA.

Look he's just saying names on the fly. ]

[fhux]

Annie and Paddy, fine.

[ THAT'S WHAT YOU GET FOR TROLLING. Smooth acceptance of your grandpa-centric bullshit.

Hux sets down his drink and bends down on a knee to scoop up the bigger kitten trying to chew on Ren's clothes, holding it close to his neck, swiftly swooping up the other one before it lands on its belly. ]

I have to take something stronger for my throat but they need feeding, their food is in packets inside the bedside table, next to their dishes. Mash it up with a fork first.

[ And that's how General Hux deposited two kittens on his not-so Supreme Leader. ]

[killthepast]

[ Oh. Well!!! GOOD. Ani and Padi it is.

And now here's Ren. Tasked with feeding kittens. Which he'd normally balk at, but they're small, helpless creatures (sure to grow into fierce hunters in time), and he does feel some inclination to make up for his earlier behavior.

Since he is the reason Hux has to go get something for his throat. ]

Fine. But this is the only time I'm feeding your cats.

[ Come on, grandma and grandpa. You've got some gross cat food to eat. ]

[fhux]

They're not mine.

[ He has a cat and she is wonderful, these are just. Playing with his heartstrings. They'll one day run away like the feral beasts they are, he's sure, and abandon him! But, for now Hux heads out to grab a medikit from another lab, returning once he's made use of the cooling pad on his neck and drank a spoonful of disgusting medicine. He needs space from Ren and his whiplash moodswings more than anything, trying to steady his shaking hands.

He isn't sure what he'll find when he returns to his office, hopefully not fur flying ... ]

[killthepast]

[ Pffth, have some faith in feral beasts.

Ren intends to feed the cats and go on his way once the creatures are properly tended to. That's his plan, to feed them and run and put an end to this entire strained interaction.

The cats have other plans, it seems, because as soon as they're finished devouring their food, they crawl onto his lap and insist upon being lavished with the attention they deserve.

Annnnnd then they fell asleep. On him. And now he can't escape. Because he's not such a monster that he'd move a sleeping cat, let alone two. ]

[fhux]

Good grief, those cats have achieved what years in briefings could not: you're seated for longer than five minutes. They must be brimming with the Force.

[ This is Hux's appraisal where he stands in the doorway, lips twisted in amusement. His voice is raspy and thin but there's no heat behind his words and he nods to the kettle. ]

Do you drink tea? Since you're evidently a semi-permanent fixture now.

[killthepast]

[ SCOFF. ]

The cats are more interesting than a briefing.

[ Wow, Kylo, what a great Supreme Leader you would have made...

He looks over at Hux, a bit of surprise evident in his face. ]

I usually drink caf. [ Because it's just too strange to accept a cup of tea from General Hux. Then again, they've breezed well beyond 'strange' during their adolescent adventures, and even now, in this very office, with Kylo tending to kittens.

(They are rather soothing little creatures.) ]

But. I wouldn't say no to tea.

[fhux]

[ WELL THERE ISN'T ANY CAFF so tea it'll have to be, one way or another. Brusquely making a cup, he sets it down on the bedside table and makes a hasty exit to the workshop. Seated at a desk, he activates the datapads he built and sits surrounded in a half-circle glow of blue, trying to forget Ren is playing with kittens on his bed and also trying to remember how engineering works. A cough occasionally breaks free. Hux stares at reams of schematics.

He wishes Jim were around to lift his spirits, blue-eyed and handsome and kind. ]