Kylo "Worst Disney Princess" Ren (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
lostapprentice) wrote2035-01-06 02:37 am
lostapprentice) wrote2035-01-06 02:37 am
Entry tags:
[It still doesn't make a whole lot of sense to Hux, but he's going to try anyway, just so that he can prove to Ren that he can do this.]
Right. Well, first I must 'empty' myself of all thought. I suppose I'll get to the filtering afterward.
[He stares at Ren's mask, almost trying to read him through that. Sometimes he's able to, but other times it's far more difficult.]
Do you close your eyes underneath that thing to help with your concentration?
Right. Well, first I must 'empty' myself of all thought. I suppose I'll get to the filtering afterward.
[He stares at Ren's mask, almost trying to read him through that. Sometimes he's able to, but other times it's far more difficult.]
Do you close your eyes underneath that thing to help with your concentration?
[Though he's a little amused at Hux's probing stare, he keeps it to himself. It wouldn't help Hux calm down enough for this, anyway.]
It does help with blocking things out, yes.
[For a little while, he'll be watching, though.]
It does help with blocking things out, yes.
[For a little while, he'll be watching, though.]
[He looks at Ren for a little while longer, before he eventually closes his eyes as suggested. Now comes the real challenge, trying to think of nothing, emptying himself of all thoughts.]
...
[He's definitely silent and it seems to be working, but just a few seconds later, his mind strays to other things. The Order, returning home, the next lead that he should follow, anything but just remaining blank.]
...
[He's definitely silent and it seems to be working, but just a few seconds later, his mind strays to other things. The Order, returning home, the next lead that he should follow, anything but just remaining blank.]
[Ren, of course, can tell when there's stillness and when there's not, even if he can't directly read what's going on in Hux's head. The fact that the general needs coaching is no surprise, so he's prepared.
His words are quiet and deliberate, his tone meant to help ease Hux into the proper mindset.]
Empty your mind. There is nothing else that needs your attention right now. Set everything aside.
His words are quiet and deliberate, his tone meant to help ease Hux into the proper mindset.]
Empty your mind. There is nothing else that needs your attention right now. Set everything aside.
[There's a small amount of frustration that's coming from Hux, aware that he's not quite emptying his mind as instructed. While some part of him knows that Ren is only trying to help, his agitation only increases from the advice.]
There's always something that requires my attention.
[That is true back on the Finalizer at least, although they're in Verens now. However, Hux can't help his natural response to a comment like that.]
There's always something that requires my attention.
[That is true back on the Finalizer at least, although they're in Verens now. However, Hux can't help his natural response to a comment like that.]
[Although slightly irritated from Hux's retort, he keeps it out of his tone, even if it's somewhat reflected in the blunt nature of his words.]
You can either do it, or not do it. Arguing will not help you find calm.
You can either do it, or not do it. Arguing will not help you find calm.
[A frown crosses his face at the retort, but perhaps surprisingly, Hux doesn't continue to argue with him. Instead, he keeps his mouth closed and tries to do what he's told. This isn't something he wants to fail, especially after telling Ren that he can do it.]
...
[Hux lasts longer this time and when his thoughts threaten to reemerge, he attempts to shove it down. It's definitely not perfect, but he's definitely trying at least.]
...
[Hux lasts longer this time and when his thoughts threaten to reemerge, he attempts to shove it down. It's definitely not perfect, but he's definitely trying at least.]
[It's an admirable attempt, even if Kylo thinks it won't last terribly long. Even so, he won't interrupt Hux's concentration with any comments, and instead closes his eyes as he focuses on emptying his own mind.
These moments of silence have become even more necessary since he's been here, plagued by things he'd never had to question and the constant buzz of the crystal network in a space he'd mostly had to himself before. Hux attempting to join in with the silence can only help, Ren thinks—at least, until the redhead gets fed up with it.]
These moments of silence have become even more necessary since he's been here, plagued by things he'd never had to question and the constant buzz of the crystal network in a space he'd mostly had to himself before. Hux attempting to join in with the silence can only help, Ren thinks—at least, until the redhead gets fed up with it.]
[The struggle between keeping his mind blank and letting his thoughts wander back to objectives and missions finally stops as Hux opens eyes with a frustrated noise. He lasted about five minutes, but it's apparent that the general seems more frustrated now than earlier. He doesn't want to admit that he couldn't meditate properly, but Hux knows that his failure is rather obvious.]
I fail to see how you find this relieving.
I fail to see how you find this relieving.
[And... there it is. The inevitable result that the both of them already knew.
Ren takes a slow breath, and his voice is almost sleepy when he responds, though it's clear enough and he's not mumbling.]
Spending a few moments to quiet my mind... It's important, when conflict comes so easily.
Ren takes a slow breath, and his voice is almost sleepy when he responds, though it's clear enough and he's not mumbling.]
Spending a few moments to quiet my mind... It's important, when conflict comes so easily.
What are you conflicted about?
[He's definitely not trying to meditate any longer. Maybe he'll try again some other time, just to show Ren that he's capable of it at least, but not right now. Instead, he's staring at the masked man sitting across from him, almost trying to guess what is going through his head.]
[He's definitely not trying to meditate any longer. Maybe he'll try again some other time, just to show Ren that he's capable of it at least, but not right now. Instead, he's staring at the masked man sitting across from him, almost trying to guess what is going through his head.]
I'm sure you can guess.
[He's shared enough of his issues with Hux that he feels confident in that statement, and he has no desire to go into the details at the moment. He's trying to brush that sort of thing away, not focus on it.]
[He's shared enough of his issues with Hux that he feels confident in that statement, and he has no desire to go into the details at the moment. He's trying to brush that sort of thing away, not focus on it.]
...I can.
[If Ren doesn't want to talk about them, then Hux won't bring it up again. It's unnecessary anyway and he needs to save all his patience for Skywalker Drama in the future. Although, admittedly, he gives somewhat of a damn about Ren's problems than the other members of his melodramatic family.]
How long do you meditate, normally? [He'll go back to the current conversation. Hux wants to see how long Ren can do this, a sort of goal to aim for.]
[If Ren doesn't want to talk about them, then Hux won't bring it up again. It's unnecessary anyway and he needs to save all his patience for Skywalker Drama in the future. Although, admittedly, he gives somewhat of a damn about Ren's problems than the other members of his melodramatic family.]
How long do you meditate, normally? [He'll go back to the current conversation. Hux wants to see how long Ren can do this, a sort of goal to aim for.]
A few hours, if I'm not interrupted.
[Good luck on reaching that, Hux.]
[Good luck on reaching that, Hux.]
[...A few hours. Really? Hux just stares at Ren and it's easy to sense the disbelief coming from the general.]
You are able to not think of anything for hours? [Just the thought of that is stressful to Hux.]
You are able to not think of anything for hours? [Just the thought of that is stressful to Hux.]
Why is it so much of a surprise to you?
[He doesn't sound so much accusatory as he does curious. Surely the General knows their minds work very differently, just as much as they differ in their roles within the Order.]
I've been trained for years to focus on the Force and allow nothing else to impede it. I didn't learn how to maintain it for that long in a day.
[He doesn't sound so much accusatory as he does curious. Surely the General knows their minds work very differently, just as much as they differ in their roles within the Order.]
I've been trained for years to focus on the Force and allow nothing else to impede it. I didn't learn how to maintain it for that long in a day.
It's just surprising to hear that you managed to maintain this state for hours at a time.
[Hux admitted, not bothering to hide what he truly means from Ren this time.]
Imagining it is stressful for me.
[Hux admitted, not bothering to hide what he truly means from Ren this time.]
Imagining it is stressful for me.
That was obvious from your first question.
[It still doesn't really answer why, though he gets an idea of the reason when Hux continues.]
I suppose peace of mind would be a foreign concept for you, with your constant plans for the future.
[It still doesn't really answer why, though he gets an idea of the reason when Hux continues.]
I suppose peace of mind would be a foreign concept for you, with your constant plans for the future.
[He's not quite sure if he's supposed to be offended by that comment or not, but he'll take it as a compliment.]
Well, of course. Some of us need to plan ahead, battle tactics and various strategies. We are in the middle of a war back home.
Well, of course. Some of us need to plan ahead, battle tactics and various strategies. We are in the middle of a war back home.
If you can't achieve it, I suppose there's no reason for me to explain its benefits to you.
[Though he did already try, to an extent. He still doesn't expect Hux will ever really be capable of it, at least not anytime soon, so he'll leave it at that.]
Is there anything else you wanted to discuss?
[Though he did already try, to an extent. He still doesn't expect Hux will ever really be capable of it, at least not anytime soon, so he'll leave it at that.]
Is there anything else you wanted to discuss?
This is still achievable for me. I just need to practice more, nothing else.
[Hux is definitely a bit defensive. It doesn't help that he only lasted a few minutes when Ren could do this for hours.]
No, I only came here to bring up the meeting with your family.
[Hux is definitely a bit defensive. It doesn't help that he only lasted a few minutes when Ren could do this for hours.]
No, I only came here to bring up the meeting with your family.
We'll see if you're invested enough to practice.
[He's not really judging at this point; he's just making a neutral observation. You can say what you like, Hux, but Kylo knows you better than that.]
Alright. If you would, close the door behind you.
[He's not really judging at this point; he's just making a neutral observation. You can say what you like, Hux, but Kylo knows you better than that.]
Alright. If you would, close the door behind you.
[Leia felt bad about the way things had gone when she and Han had last visited Ben. She expected things to get heated, because that's how things always were between her and Han and Ben now, but she didn't want that to happen. She had been very adamant before they actually arrived and got into everything that they would talk things through calmly and make it known to Ben that despite what he seemed to want, they wouldn't just leave him alone. But of course it hadn't happened that way.
It's a combination of feeling bad plus having not seen Ben in weeks and wanting to see his face that has Leia on her way to his house today, a gift in hand as an attempt to apologize to him for that last meeting. She knows Ben enjoys cooking, and also that he's still under guard and presumably can't just go anywhere he likes, or to any other cities with no reason, so she's brought him a few different spices from Theasthai and Shaarnath that are used regularly in their food for his own experimentation.
It's lucky for Leia that today, whichever guard is on duty isn't keen on being subjected to yet another shouting match between the door about dating choices or Darth Vader or whatever nonsense the extended Skywalker family might get up to and lets her in before the fighting can start. Leia, on her own mission here, isn't about to question it.
So by the time Ben drags his sick self to the door, he will find Leia in the entryway working on removing her winter coat, and her apology gift set on whatever table is nearest to the door. If he's paying particular attention as she takes her coat off, once she turns around, he might also notice something like this clipped at her side.]
It's a combination of feeling bad plus having not seen Ben in weeks and wanting to see his face that has Leia on her way to his house today, a gift in hand as an attempt to apologize to him for that last meeting. She knows Ben enjoys cooking, and also that he's still under guard and presumably can't just go anywhere he likes, or to any other cities with no reason, so she's brought him a few different spices from Theasthai and Shaarnath that are used regularly in their food for his own experimentation.
It's lucky for Leia that today, whichever guard is on duty isn't keen on being subjected to yet another shouting match between the door about dating choices or Darth Vader or whatever nonsense the extended Skywalker family might get up to and lets her in before the fighting can start. Leia, on her own mission here, isn't about to question it.
So by the time Ben drags his sick self to the door, he will find Leia in the entryway working on removing her winter coat, and her apology gift set on whatever table is nearest to the door. If he's paying particular attention as she takes her coat off, once she turns around, he might also notice something like this clipped at her side.]
[Ren was in the middle of adjusting a few of the small parts of his own saber when the door is answered, so he pays little attention at first, thinking it might be Hux back from wherever he's gone. There's a blanket tossed over his shoulders that stays with him even when he decides to put his tinkering down and stand, wrapped around him like an enormous cloak.
When he does finally make his way to the entryway to greet (or glare at) his visitor, he stops and stares at his mother for several seconds before shooting a particularly sharp stare at the guard who walks past, who gives him a shrug in response as if daring him to do something about it. To say Kylo is displeased is an understatement, and the temperature has already risen sharply around him.
He's a lot more... grey looking than the last Leia saw him, his face pale and his hair almost desaturated. It's not quite to the alarming extent she saw him when that spirit possessed him, but it's a noticeable difference regardless.
His voice is pretty gravelly when he speaks, as well—because luckily he's gone and gotten himself sick, literally the day after Hux told him to avoid that. Whoops.]
What are you doing.
[He hasn't noticed her weapon yet, but he'll get to that. He's a bit tired, dark circles under his eyes.]
When he does finally make his way to the entryway to greet (or glare at) his visitor, he stops and stares at his mother for several seconds before shooting a particularly sharp stare at the guard who walks past, who gives him a shrug in response as if daring him to do something about it. To say Kylo is displeased is an understatement, and the temperature has already risen sharply around him.
He's a lot more... grey looking than the last Leia saw him, his face pale and his hair almost desaturated. It's not quite to the alarming extent she saw him when that spirit possessed him, but it's a noticeable difference regardless.
His voice is pretty gravelly when he speaks, as well—because luckily he's gone and gotten himself sick, literally the day after Hux told him to avoid that. Whoops.]
What are you doing.
[He hasn't noticed her weapon yet, but he'll get to that. He's a bit tired, dark circles under his eyes.]
[As he might expect, Leia doesn't answer his question, instead pausing to look over Ben, her concern plainly written on her face. She thinks maybe it's her eyes at first, so she blinks, but no. Ben still looks washed out and unhealthy, and that combined with how gravelly his voice sounds is alarming.
Leia stops removing her coat, leaving it on in favor of stepping closer to her son, looking him up and down for any further signs of Ben not caring for himself. And the more she looks, the easier it is to see something isn't right. So, the entire purpose of her visit is shoved aside for now, in favor of checking on her son's health instead. Apologies can wait, Ben clearly needs to be made to rest.]
You haven't been taking care of yourself. What happened?
Leia stops removing her coat, leaving it on in favor of stepping closer to her son, looking him up and down for any further signs of Ben not caring for himself. And the more she looks, the easier it is to see something isn't right. So, the entire purpose of her visit is shoved aside for now, in favor of checking on her son's health instead. Apologies can wait, Ben clearly needs to be made to rest.]
You haven't been taking care of yourself. What happened?
Page 10 of 49