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
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[There's the sense of Ren rolling his eyes, even if he doesn't do it physically.]
You can't possibly think my presence would have made that better.
[By now she has to know that he would have deliberately made it worse, even aside from the conflict he would have caused with some of the other guests there just because he is who he is.]
You can't possibly think my presence would have made that better.
[By now she has to know that he would have deliberately made it worse, even aside from the conflict he would have caused with some of the other guests there just because he is who he is.]
It wouldn't have hurt.
[And even though she knows Ben would've deliberately done things to make it a mess, she still would've wanted him there. He's important to her and she loves him, and him not being there was the only part of it that wasn't perfect.]
But you didn't answer my question. Are you home?
[And even though she knows Ben would've deliberately done things to make it a mess, she still would've wanted him there. He's important to her and she loves him, and him not being there was the only part of it that wasn't perfect.]
But you didn't answer my question. Are you home?
Really.
[The thought is dripping with so much sarcasm it's practically palpable. He thought you were smarter than this, Mother. And as usual, he refuses to give Leia any straight answers about anything, even the simplest questions.]
What do you think?
[The thought is dripping with so much sarcasm it's practically palpable. He thought you were smarter than this, Mother. And as usual, he refuses to give Leia any straight answers about anything, even the simplest questions.]
What do you think?
[ Anakin considers this for a few moments. Part of him keeps pointing out, that he's already heard much more about the future than he probably should have, but there's a lingering, almost morbid curiosity... ]
Can you tell me anything good about it?
[ Something that, for once, doesn't hurt. ]
Can you tell me anything good about it?
[ Something that, for once, doesn't hurt. ]
[Grandfather, please. That's the question you ask?]
You know how subjective good is.
[Many of the things Kylo would consider good, Anakin would not, and the same goes for the opposite. But he does, at least, give a short answer to the question, even if the disdain is clear enough in his mental voice.]
Your children are still alive. I suppose you would count that as good.
You know how subjective good is.
[Many of the things Kylo would consider good, Anakin would not, and the same goes for the opposite. But he does, at least, give a short answer to the question, even if the disdain is clear enough in his mental voice.]
Your children are still alive. I suppose you would count that as good.
[And as expected, Leia is straight up ignoring the sarcasm, and the comment altogether. She's firmly of the opinion that Ben being at the wedding, even for just a second, would've been a good thing. It's not like they'd have the chance to have Ben at their wedding back home, unless they decide to further scandalize the galaxy and wait until Ben is older to get married. But Leia would rather not do that, mostly because she likes being married to Han. A feeling she never really thought she'd have before.]
I'm nearly there. What I'd like to talk about is better discussed in person.
I'm nearly there. What I'd like to talk about is better discussed in person.
[Bah, of course she'd take it upon herself to make a decision without consulting him first. What an enormous surprise, this has never happened before.
He doesn't have the urge to argue about it, at least not yet. Mostly he just wants to scowl at her until she gets the point.]
Keep it short.
[And since what she wants to talk about is "better discussed in person," he cuts off the connection there.
When she reaches his door, she'll find it unlocked; she'll have to let herself in. It's the least he should be forcing her to do, for all the trouble her presence causes him. Instead of being a good host and inviting her in, Leia will find him sitting quite comfortably, sunken into his armchair with his arms folded and his boots resting against the coffee table. He hasn't bothered to clean up much after some recent training, wearing a loose sleeveless top and his hair still a mess.]
He doesn't have the urge to argue about it, at least not yet. Mostly he just wants to scowl at her until she gets the point.]
Keep it short.
[And since what she wants to talk about is "better discussed in person," he cuts off the connection there.
When she reaches his door, she'll find it unlocked; she'll have to let herself in. It's the least he should be forcing her to do, for all the trouble her presence causes him. Instead of being a good host and inviting her in, Leia will find him sitting quite comfortably, sunken into his armchair with his arms folded and his boots resting against the coffee table. He hasn't bothered to clean up much after some recent training, wearing a loose sleeveless top and his hair still a mess.]
[She arrives not too long after the last response. She wasn't kidding that she was almost there. Part of her almost expected Ben to be waiting outside so that he wouldn't have to have her inside, but he isn't, so when she tries the door and finds it unlocked, Leia lets herself in.
As she enters the room, her gaze lingers first on the scar on his face, now that she knows the story behind it, and then on his arm. She can't help it, wondering if his arm has recovered any movement or feeling at all. But that's not what she's here for, and she doubts he'd share much about it anyway. Not with her.]
Your droid isn't here?
[An observation, and also not what she's here for. And there's no way to not make it awkward, so she decides to just jump into it. A gentle-ish jump, but a jump nonetheless.]
I saw you at the festival.
[The "with Hux" is unsaid, for now, but heavily implied.]
So, was your father correct when he called him your boyfriend?
As she enters the room, her gaze lingers first on the scar on his face, now that she knows the story behind it, and then on his arm. She can't help it, wondering if his arm has recovered any movement or feeling at all. But that's not what she's here for, and she doubts he'd share much about it anyway. Not with her.]
Your droid isn't here?
[An observation, and also not what she's here for. And there's no way to not make it awkward, so she decides to just jump into it. A gentle-ish jump, but a jump nonetheless.]
I saw you at the festival.
[The "with Hux" is unsaid, for now, but heavily implied.]
So, was your father correct when he called him your boyfriend?
[At least there's something of a start to the conversation that he is willing to answer.]
Charging.
[His response is dull as his expression, and he simply watches her without moving, like she isn't worth the effort of it. His passivity only lasts for so long however; even if his initial reaction to her apparently having seen him at the festival is just to frown as if to say so?, then she has to go and bring up that issue again.
His face flushes as he leans forward automatically, boots hitting the floor heavily, and there's a defensive hunch to his posture as he unfolds his arms, fists clenching against his legs. He can hear the miniature cracks that splinter in the floor under him, though he almost doesn't thanks to his pulse pounding in his ears. His voice comes out far less steady and more flustered than he intends.]
Excuse me?
[This is not what he wanted when he said to keep it short.]
Charging.
[His response is dull as his expression, and he simply watches her without moving, like she isn't worth the effort of it. His passivity only lasts for so long however; even if his initial reaction to her apparently having seen him at the festival is just to frown as if to say so?, then she has to go and bring up that issue again.
His face flushes as he leans forward automatically, boots hitting the floor heavily, and there's a defensive hunch to his posture as he unfolds his arms, fists clenching against his legs. He can hear the miniature cracks that splinter in the floor under him, though he almost doesn't thanks to his pulse pounding in his ears. His voice comes out far less steady and more flustered than he intends.]
Excuse me?
[This is not what he wanted when he said to keep it short.]
[In contrast to Kylo, with the exception of her eyebrows shooting up when his boots fall heavily on the floor, Leia's expression remains largely neutral. His reaction is enough of an indication that Han may not have been totally off-base, but at the same time, this was the same reaction he had months before. Which is why Leia isn't entirely sure whether his posture and flushed face are confirmation of something more between Ben and Hux, or whether it's the subject itself that's making him embarrassed and defensive.]
Are you in a relationship with Hux?
[She could ask Hux for his opinion on this, but she doesn't exactly trust him to give her an accurate answer on anything aside from how many planets he's blown up. ...Well that and she doesn't like spending time around him in the first place, and asking him whether he's dating her son would require that. It was easier and more respectful to ask Ben first.]
Are you in a relationship with Hux?
[She could ask Hux for his opinion on this, but she doesn't exactly trust him to give her an accurate answer on anything aside from how many planets he's blown up. ...Well that and she doesn't like spending time around him in the first place, and asking him whether he's dating her son would require that. It was easier and more respectful to ask Ben first.]
[It's not as if he and Armitage were openly affectionate with each other during that festival; even if they were seen together, surely that wouldn't have been enough to make his mother of all people think they were genuinely in a relationship. His father would be the one to jump to that conclusion, not her. She's actually smart sometimes.
So the only thing that comes to mind is—]
Were you—spying on me!?
[The temperature spikes suddenly, enough to make Ren sweat, but he's more preoccupied with the idea that she may have seen something meant only for him and Hux.]
So the only thing that comes to mind is—]
Were you—spying on me!?
[The temperature spikes suddenly, enough to make Ren sweat, but he's more preoccupied with the idea that she may have seen something meant only for him and Hux.]
I didn't see much.
[She crosses her arms in front of her, her turn to feel slightly defensive, it seems. Leia wouldn't consider it spying exactly. Technically it was, but it was out of concern for Ben that she did it in the first place. Even if he may not talk to her or want her around, she can't help but continuously be concerned for his health and well-being, and she had left when it was clear just what she was witnessing.]
Is that a yes?
[She crosses her arms in front of her, her turn to feel slightly defensive, it seems. Leia wouldn't consider it spying exactly. Technically it was, but it was out of concern for Ben that she did it in the first place. Even if he may not talk to her or want her around, she can't help but continuously be concerned for his health and well-being, and she had left when it was clear just what she was witnessing.]
Is that a yes?
[So she's not even bothering to deny it, and even if she were he could see it in her posture. Ren grits his teeth and pounds his knee in frustration, his face twisted in an ugly way from anger.]
That's absolutely none of your business.
[It's a yes, obviously. But he has absolutely no reason to share this with her when he knows all he'll get from that is disapproval and disappointment.]
And I'd appreciate if you'd keep yourself out of my private life.
[Even though he knows there's little he can actually do about it, there's still a threat in the hissed words. It's just something that comes along with his anger.]
That's absolutely none of your business.
[It's a yes, obviously. But he has absolutely no reason to share this with her when he knows all he'll get from that is disapproval and disappointment.]
And I'd appreciate if you'd keep yourself out of my private life.
[Even though he knows there's little he can actually do about it, there's still a threat in the hissed words. It's just something that comes along with his anger.]
[Disapproval, yes, because Hux is well. Hux. There's next to nothing she can say about him that's remotely positive, aside from the one time he managed to shut his mouth, they accomplished a task together in a relatively short period of time. But apparently he's important to Ben, and she honestly doesn't know what to make of it.
She'd been jealous before that Ben would talk to Hux and not her or Han or anyone she'd want him to open up with. But, at the same time--and though she'd never admit it aloud to anyone--she was thankful, somewhat, that even though he's a horrible influence, Ben had someone around that he did trust. That he wasn't on his own and isolated from everyone else from their galaxy by his choice and his circumstances here.
As expected, perhaps, Leia stands her ground, aware of Ben's anger and the threat in those words, but she's not quite done questioning him.]
Is he kind to you?
[She questions his taste in partners, yes, but Leia is well aware her disapproval won't matter much to Ben, and in fact might just make him more willing to jump into this relationship. And she may hate Hux, but Ben's happiness and well-being is more important than that.]
She'd been jealous before that Ben would talk to Hux and not her or Han or anyone she'd want him to open up with. But, at the same time--and though she'd never admit it aloud to anyone--she was thankful, somewhat, that even though he's a horrible influence, Ben had someone around that he did trust. That he wasn't on his own and isolated from everyone else from their galaxy by his choice and his circumstances here.
As expected, perhaps, Leia stands her ground, aware of Ben's anger and the threat in those words, but she's not quite done questioning him.]
Is he kind to you?
[She questions his taste in partners, yes, but Leia is well aware her disapproval won't matter much to Ben, and in fact might just make him more willing to jump into this relationship. And she may hate Hux, but Ben's happiness and well-being is more important than that.]
[The question makes him stop short, some of the anger leaving him and being replaced with complete confusion. He'd expected accusations, open judgment, demands that he find someone else—not an honest question about their relationship.
He blinks a few times as he attempts to reorient himself in the situation, his brow twitching.]
He—
[He has to look away from her eyes in order to give anything resembling an answer; he has to put up every wall he has, in fact, including the defensive nature of the response itself.]
Obviously.
[Kylo wouldn't have feelings for him otherwise.]
He blinks a few times as he attempts to reorient himself in the situation, his brow twitching.]
He—
[He has to look away from her eyes in order to give anything resembling an answer; he has to put up every wall he has, in fact, including the defensive nature of the response itself.]
Obviously.
[Kylo wouldn't have feelings for him otherwise.]
[Her gaze remains fixed on Ben, even after he turns away, taking in his body language as he answers, almost as if she's looking for any hint he's lying or hiding the truth from her. And despite just how closely she's looking for hints of falsehood, Leia can't find any. Only the defensiveness and embarrassment she'd expected with the subject being what it was.]
...Good.
[Which is how she genuinely feels. The idea of Ben dating someone she dislikes as much as Hux isn't good, no, but him treating Ben kindly is. It's more than she thought capable from him. And it brings perhaps a bit more clarity to a different interaction of theirs.]
I suppose that's why he was so defensive about your name, then.
...Good.
[Which is how she genuinely feels. The idea of Ben dating someone she dislikes as much as Hux isn't good, no, but him treating Ben kindly is. It's more than she thought capable from him. And it brings perhaps a bit more clarity to a different interaction of theirs.]
I suppose that's why he was so defensive about your name, then.
[Ren eyes her suspiciously at the positive answer, and there's a tension in his jaw as he examines her; why she would have that kind of reaction is just as baffling as having asked the question in the first place, and he doesn't trust her even if he can't sense any insincerity.
His scowl becomes one more of curiosity when she brings up a conversation she's apparently had, however, softening slightly.]
My name? [It wasn't something he expected to come up.] Did he tell you to call me Kylo Ren?
[That's a little touching.]
His scowl becomes one more of curiosity when she brings up a conversation she's apparently had, however, softening slightly.]
My name? [It wasn't something he expected to come up.] Did he tell you to call me Kylo Ren?
[That's a little touching.]
He insisted that the name "Ben Solo" was outlawed in the First Order.
[If she sounds skeptical while relaying that information, it's because she absolutely is. Generally because if anything, she would expect the First Order to use the son of two of the heroes of the Rebellion as proof that their way is correct enough to attract even the son of Han Solo and Leia Organa. But if they're in a relationship, it explains more of his defensiveness.]
[If she sounds skeptical while relaying that information, it's because she absolutely is. Generally because if anything, she would expect the First Order to use the son of two of the heroes of the Rebellion as proof that their way is correct enough to attract even the son of Han Solo and Leia Organa. But if they're in a relationship, it explains more of his defensiveness.]
[He answers evenly without much emotion at all; it's the truth, and he doesn't have much of an opinion on that or of his mother's obvious incredulity.]
It is, by decree of Supreme Leader.
[Seeing nothing strange about this, or about the idea that she might not know about Snoke, he moves right on ahead with the things that do stick out as strange to him.]
I'm surprised he brought it up. As if you could be convinced to stop calling me that.
It is, by decree of Supreme Leader.
[Seeing nothing strange about this, or about the idea that she might not know about Snoke, he moves right on ahead with the things that do stick out as strange to him.]
I'm surprised he brought it up. As if you could be convinced to stop calling me that.
[There's really nothing that could convince her to call him Kylo Ren. Ben may want to distance himself from her and Han, but to Leia, he is and always will be Ben. Calling him Kylo Ren would just be accepting that darkness and accepting that there's nothing she can do to change how things turn out, for anyone in the future.]
Supreme Leader?
[That's where her attention is focused, not so much that he apparently did decree that Ben Solo is outlawed.]
Supreme Leader?
[That's where her attention is focused, not so much that he apparently did decree that Ben Solo is outlawed.]
[Oh.
His hand stills where he was bringing it through his hair, and he shoots her a glance that's not startled exactly, but it is intense enough to invite question. But then he looks away, determined not to react any more noticeably than that. He makes his response deliberately sarcastic.]
The First Order isn't ruled by a council.
His hand stills where he was bringing it through his hair, and he shoots her a glance that's not startled exactly, but it is intense enough to invite question. But then he looks away, determined not to react any more noticeably than that. He makes his response deliberately sarcastic.]
The First Order isn't ruled by a council.
[His initial reaction causes Leia to furrow her brow, thinking over whether he'd mentioned this before and she had forgotten. But no, for the most part, details about the First Order were something Leia had very little of, and she would've remembered someone called the Supreme Leader.]
I thought you intended to rule the galaxy.
[He'd screamed as much at her when she first arrived and went to see him.]
I thought you intended to rule the galaxy.
[He'd screamed as much at her when she first arrived and went to see him.]
[There's a pang of fear (and the corresponding dip in temperature) at the thought of what he's about to say, but... it's been so long that he has no doubt Supreme Leader can't reach him here, can't sense him here.]
The master was once an apprentice. I still have things to learn before then.
[He's... honestly not sure if he'll ever truly get to that point. But that's what the old him would say, so the words come easily enough.]
The master was once an apprentice. I still have things to learn before then.
[He's... honestly not sure if he'll ever truly get to that point. But that's what the old him would say, so the words come easily enough.]
[Unlike the heat from before, something she's used to as a reaction from Ben, the cold catches Leia off-guard, especially given the subject matter. She isn't sure what about any of what he's said would prompt a reaction like that.]
Who is he?
[The wording of what he's said only makes her think it's connected to the Force, or at least his training in it. If only because she's not sure what else he would have been trained in besides how to wield the Force. She was sure Luke had been teaching him, before everything went wrong, though, so part of her feels that must be off-base.]
Who is he?
[The wording of what he's said only makes her think it's connected to the Force, or at least his training in it. If only because she's not sure what else he would have been trained in besides how to wield the Force. She was sure Luke had been teaching him, before everything went wrong, though, so part of her feels that must be off-base.]
[Well, it's not as if telling her will actually affect anything, he supposes. Why not? It's the same reason behind many of the things he does here. None of it will make a difference, and it's frankly just easier to answer than to argue that she doesn't need to know.
He rests his chin against his hand.]
Supreme Leader Snoke is my teacher. He was the one who appointed me Master of the Knights of Ren.
He rests his chin against his hand.]
Supreme Leader Snoke is my teacher. He was the one who appointed me Master of the Knights of Ren.
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