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[fhux]

[ Hux is seated at a desk with his chin resting on curled fingers, not quite at ease but in a stylised sort of contemplation. Black blazer (donned just for the broadcast) over an immaculate white shirt; civilian clothes because he can't exactly wear his uniform all the time, his meagre handout of credits having been put to tasteful use. It means nothing on this moon whether he wears FO insignia, anyway. Won't leave an impression. No, that's all down to him and a smooth introduction. ]

Good Evening. This is an appeal to anyone who may have access to a shuttle, the kind commonly used for interstellar purposes. Should it be possible to procure an adequate pilot, I'm willing to pay for a private aerial viewing of the Abandoned City. Your craft ought to have defensive measures and attack capabilities, of course, as a standard precaution. I'd rather not take chances.

Other than that, I'm ... flexible on price.

[ But not so much that he'll let himself be robbed by a scam artist, says the glint of a green eye. ]

Any amenability to this proposal is appreciated.

[ He dismisses the broadcast without another word but a curt nod that he intends to signal some measure of gratitude. Not that it matters unless someone actually responds. Having deliberately snubbed approaching Ren prior to this, Hux is also prepared to hear some loud, nasal complaints and Rebel scum whining from the eaves. ]

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[fhux]

[ Ugh, why doesn't he have his own superpowers just from resisting the urge to roll his eyes. He does it so often. ]

As the most infamous murderer in history, it seemed pointless to lie. The truth is better, there is only ever one chance to offer it and so I have. No one can insist I didn't. [ Sitting back, he folds his arms and supposes they both look a bit odd out of their uniforms. ] Are you hiding with someone?

[killthepast]

[ He makes a soft noise, a thoughtful hum of consideration. He felt much the same way when he arrived, that it was pointless to lie. Particularly with so many Resistance fighters skulking about, ready to air their every action like so much dirty laundry.

It is odd to see Hux so... relatively dressed down. Almost makes him appear more human.

And then, quickly, defensively: ] I'm not hiding. [ He's recuperating-- not that he'll admit that, either. ]

[fhux]

[ The flat look he gives Ren comes with an equivalent of a strong mental snort, probably making it fortunate that Ren isn't nearby. Hux hopes to keep him far, far away from his person after his most recent trip to the medicentre (hospital is a weird word) to get his fractured arm and ribs healed up. Still, the radio silence is done with now, there's no point languishing in happy ignorance of one another any more. ]

I was on Crait, before this moon. [ Memories are not always aligned, he was told by the doctors. Hux eyes Ren curiously. ] You?

[ Ren was more unstable than Hux had ever seen him on that icy hellhole. ]

[killthepast]

Crait.

[ Well, the full answer is more complicated than that. He was on Starkiller before this moon, but then the canister happened, and... now there's Crait. Memories of a fleeting connection with another person, only to find that she shunned the darkness in him, same as everybody else.

His only value to Rey had been what he could do for the Resistance. The rejection still cuts deep, leaves him more erratic than ever. ]

And now we're both here. [ Yeah, he's stating the obvious. It's just... he doesn't quite know where to go from here. What does Hux's presence entail for Ren, for the First Order, for anything? ]

[fhux]

[ Ren is a directionless mess, he obviously isn't going anywhere with that pointless statement. How this manchild thought he could ever run the First Order is beyond Hux and it infuriates him, even as seeing Ren so obtusely at a loss is a contrary pleasure. Hux has no idea what the fellow has been getting up to and doesn't especially want to know, except that Ren has shown up and dropped specifics for the world to see like the spiteful idiot he is. Something must be bothering him to put on such a distasteful show between them, allowing rebels to witness the friction of their relationship (it chafes at Hux that they will have seen that) or maybe he just wasn't considering appearances. His own is notably shabbier than usual.

So, despite not wanting Ren in his life, Hux decides that he prefers to dole out information on his own terms since Ren came to him, not the reverse. He also doesn't want him storming around in search of Hux, ever, and the idea of holding any meagre degree of authority over him is too sweet to resist divulging. ]

My rank is set to elevate within the guard following my training, when it does I intend to have access to all new information concerning this moon's base as it trickles into our hands. [ Truly, Ren has been through much. Hux has more secondhand embarrassment for him than anything else when he hedgingly offers, ] Do you ... require anything?

[hypothermic]

[Leonard can't help himself. This drama is going down in his living room, after all, and he loves a good train-wreck. There's just something about all this smack-talk and petty bickering that has him homesick.]

Better have maintenance on speed-dial for that lift, cause you're gonna need it. I'm sure the PG would agree that this is a PR nightmare.

[A tall, silver-haired man drops into frame, spiking the camera with a smirk before taking a seat on the edge of Kylo's chair. Personal space? What personal space? He folds his arms over his chest, slinging one leg over the other and making himself comfortable. Leonard knows what his angles are, and he's ready for his close-up.]

Don't worry about him, really. We're already elevated up in here.

[Leonard tilts his head to smile at Kylo. From mall goth to bad boy in a hot minute. That's an upgrade.]

Do you need anything? I'm tempted to send you a little bronzer, because you're practically glowing on camera right now. Where I'm from we call that a Canadian sunburn.

[killthepast]

[ There's a moment where Kylo's eyes widen, because... A W K W A R D. It's a good thing his mop of hair keeps the tips of his ears covered, so Hux can't see them going pink as galaxies collide.

Though he does appreciate his one and only friend trolling his frenemy subordinate/rival. And he recovers quickly, as if Leonard dropping into frame and making himself comfortable on his chair was totally planned. ]

Yes. As you can see, I'm fine. I have allies. [ UNLIKE YOU. ]

[fhux]

[ Phasma's mORE SILVER THAN YOU'LL EVER BE, STRANGER!! Bristling at the nature of the interruption, he switches his attention back to Ren with a sneer. ]

Wonderful. So now our Supreme Leader entertains, what? Is he a bounty-hunter or something even less useful?

[killthepast]

[ Eyes narrowing, Ren shifts forward in his seat, directing a glare at Hux. He winces slightly, almost imperceptibly, as his injuries protest the movement, but he endeavors to remain strong in the face of his rival. ]

'Something less useful'? [ Schooling his voice into something calm and... mild. CASUAL, EVEN. ] What are you implying?

[fhux]

[ In the same even tone, but with a clipped edge, ]

Get rid of your distractions, we should talk privately.

[hypothermic]

Please. If I were a hooker, neither of you could afford me.

[It's hard to ruffle Leonard's feathers. He doesn't have a personal stake in any of this, other than Kylo's continued safety under his protection.

Leonard does have a reputation to maintain. Coming after Kylo is as good as coming after him, and that simply won't do.]

But a distraction? Well, I'd say I try, but...

[He bats his eyelashes at the camera, folding both hands modestly over one knee with an innocent shrug.]

Whatever you have to say to him, you can say in front of me. We are allies. You can call me Cold. The pleasure is yours.

[fhux]

[ He doesn't do Ren the grace of refraining from rolling his eyes, doing so as he sits back and picks up his mug of caff. Hux doesn't acknowledge the outsider, certainly not about to speak plainly in front of a stranger whether Ren thinks he's an amusing playmate or not. There are protocols to be followed and, frankly, Hux thinks he deserves more than to share his supposed Supreme Leader's attention with a clown.

He's the general of Ren's armies. Fuck him. He deserves better than this and doesn't hide his disgust. ]

Contact me when you're in less of a mood to entertain these frivolities.

[ Hanging up. ]