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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[Ren gives her a look that essentially says he's judging, even if it's a mild thing.]
That's new.
[It doesn't appear that he immediately understands the implication; perhaps if it were half a year ago he might be more likely to recall it, but even things like the Reaper's still-active punishment have faded to the background in his mind, and the reasons behind it have followed them. As of late he hasn't had to confront all of that again, and for his own sanity he's all but blocked it out.
He steps over to the living room, not bothering to watch whatever Leia's reactions might be.]
That's new.
[It doesn't appear that he immediately understands the implication; perhaps if it were half a year ago he might be more likely to recall it, but even things like the Reaper's still-active punishment have faded to the background in his mind, and the reasons behind it have followed them. As of late he hasn't had to confront all of that again, and for his own sanity he's all but blocked it out.
He steps over to the living room, not bothering to watch whatever Leia's reactions might be.]
[With the other gifts back in the box they came from, Ren closes the lid and gives Rey a side glance, tilting his head in an almost suspicious way. He's still clearly pleased with the situation, though, so it comes across as more sly than anything.]
You really decided to give me these today on a whim?
[He wants to confirm one more time before saying anything about what's different about this particular day. If anyone else knows about it, he'd prefer to know so he can prepare for any other... unexpected visitors.]
You really decided to give me these today on a whim?
[He wants to confirm one more time before saying anything about what's different about this particular day. If anyone else knows about it, he'd prefer to know so he can prepare for any other... unexpected visitors.]
There's a lot here that's still new.
[He can judge if he wants, because it's something she's come to expect from him. And while on one hand, she's surprised he doesn't catch on to her meaning, on the other, she's grateful that he hasn't. It's not something she wants him to remember and cope with all over again. But even still, she eyes him a bit suspiciously, looking to see if perhaps he's masking his reaction, not wanting her to see it.
And to help with that scrutiny, Leia follows into the living room. If he's not kicking her out yet, she's more than willing to stay.]
Such as finding out you enjoy Alderaanian food.
[He can judge if he wants, because it's something she's come to expect from him. And while on one hand, she's surprised he doesn't catch on to her meaning, on the other, she's grateful that he hasn't. It's not something she wants him to remember and cope with all over again. But even still, she eyes him a bit suspiciously, looking to see if perhaps he's masking his reaction, not wanting her to see it.
And to help with that scrutiny, Leia follows into the living room. If he's not kicking her out yet, she's more than willing to stay.]
Such as finding out you enjoy Alderaanian food.
[Rey's eyes shoot up to his face, her expression surprised and almost a bit alarmed. A "whim"? Does he know how long she's had some of these things?? How could he know?
Surely not. Surely he would've said something about it if he knew. Something obnoxious, probably. But she can't think of any other reason for him to keep bringing up what day she's decided to bring him gifts. Rey replies cautiously, deciding to play it safe and stay vague.]
I had them, so I brought them. [No mention of how long she had them. Not important.] I had a... feeling, I guess. [When in doubt, blame the Force!]
Surely not. Surely he would've said something about it if he knew. Something obnoxious, probably. But she can't think of any other reason for him to keep bringing up what day she's decided to bring him gifts. Rey replies cautiously, deciding to play it safe and stay vague.]
I had them, so I brought them. [No mention of how long she had them. Not important.] I had a... feeling, I guess. [When in doubt, blame the Force!]
[So it really was a coincidence—or the Force, if the fact that she had a feeling is to be believed. Then again, he sort of made... a garden of the house this morning that he just had recently finished cleaning up, so it wouldn't be surprising if the unusually positive emotions could be felt through their...
... their whatever it is. Anyway.]
You know...
[Ren picks up his tea; it's been cooling for a while, but it's still a bearable temperature, so he takes a sip. Maybe he's teasing her by pausing for so long.]
If our galaxy followed this planet's calendar, I would be 32 today.
... their whatever it is. Anyway.]
You know...
[Ren picks up his tea; it's been cooling for a while, but it's still a bearable temperature, so he takes a sip. Maybe he's teasing her by pausing for so long.]
If our galaxy followed this planet's calendar, I would be 32 today.
[There's something... off, he thinks as he slows, stepping into the living room and putting his free hand against his usual armchair. The chill that seems to be fading slightly must have come from something, and as he's said, a discomfort with scarves is new. He never knew of any issue she's ever had with things around her neck, and—
His expression twitches and he stops when he's halfway to giving her a suspicious glance of his own, and as a result he's frozen staring at her, mouth slightly open and his expression inscrutable other than a hint of realization.]
His expression twitches and he stops when he's halfway to giving her a suspicious glance of his own, and as a result he's frozen staring at her, mouth slightly open and his expression inscrutable other than a hint of realization.]
[It's definitely teasing, and frankly it's cruel. Rey doesn't take her eyes off him the entire time he wastes before finishing his sentence, and she stares in confusion for another second as she realizes what he's saying. The instant she does, however, her face erupts into a delighted smile.]
Oh... Oh! It's your birthday!
[She's happy not only simply because a birthday she knows is a special day for most people, but also because it makes her gifts significantly less weird and random. Rey is so relieved she has an unfortunate relapse of not thinking about what she's saying.]
Are you really 32? I didn't think you were that old.
Oh... Oh! It's your birthday!
[She's happy not only simply because a birthday she knows is a special day for most people, but also because it makes her gifts significantly less weird and random. Rey is so relieved she has an unfortunate relapse of not thinking about what she's saying.]
Are you really 32? I didn't think you were that old.
[Ren cants his head, not sure whether to be insulted or not but leaning towards the former.]
You're lucky you've put me in such a good mood. [Is she really, though. What good comes from Kylo Ren being a good mood, except for a few flowers? Nothing, that's what.]
But I've been here for nearly two years, so yes. I am that old. [Still, as he says it, his fairly cheery (for him) expression gains a tinge of something more somber, and he looks away.]
You're lucky you've put me in such a good mood. [Is she really, though. What good comes from Kylo Ren being a good mood, except for a few flowers? Nothing, that's what.]
But I've been here for nearly two years, so yes. I am that old. [Still, as he says it, his fairly cheery (for him) expression gains a tinge of something more somber, and he looks away.]
[Oh, whoops, that was the wrong thing to say, wasn't it? Stupid! Rey makes an attempt at salvaging the situation, still watching his face even though he's turned his head away.]
That's a good thing! To me, I mean. People on Jakku don't usually live that long, so... it's a compliment. Sort of.
[Basically just applying engine tape to a malfunctioning hyperdrive, but maybe it would work a little. And for that inevitable failure, she throws in a slight subject change, looking off to the side and scrunching her nose in thought.]
I'm 21, I think. There's a few days I've lost count of here and there, and maybe I should have started over when I came back. The years here are longer, too. But 21 should be close. [Rey herself doesn't have a birthday, after all. She never has. She has marks on the wall to keep track of her age, and that's all she's ever needed.]
That's a good thing! To me, I mean. People on Jakku don't usually live that long, so... it's a compliment. Sort of.
[Basically just applying engine tape to a malfunctioning hyperdrive, but maybe it would work a little. And for that inevitable failure, she throws in a slight subject change, looking off to the side and scrunching her nose in thought.]
I'm 21, I think. There's a few days I've lost count of here and there, and maybe I should have started over when I came back. The years here are longer, too. But 21 should be close. [Rey herself doesn't have a birthday, after all. She never has. She has marks on the wall to keep track of her age, and that's all she's ever needed.]
[Her attempt to clarify her sort-of insult draws Kylo out of his thoughts, at least, and he wasn't exactly irate with what she'd said in the first place, so it's easy to just let any semblance of offense go. Ren sits down again, making sure to keep his new cape out of the way, and he leans forward, resting his forearms against the table. He's clearly making himself comfortable.]
Have you considered picking out a date?
[He thinks about mentioning a girl he knows and how she left and returned to Verens an inch or two smaller than she'd grown, but it seems unimportant. Twenty, twenty-one... Whatever age Rey thinks she is, it doesn't make a difference to him.]
Have you considered picking out a date?
[He thinks about mentioning a girl he knows and how she left and returned to Verens an inch or two smaller than she'd grown, but it seems unimportant. Twenty, twenty-one... Whatever age Rey thinks she is, it doesn't make a difference to him.]
[Rey looks back as soon as he sits, and she can't help watching to make sure the cape doesn't get wrinkled—that thing wasn't cheap—though she knows she should hardly worry, considering how meticulous Kylo tends to be. At his question though, she meets his eyes again with a confused expression.]
Do I need one? A date?
[She's never considered it, honestly. But she can't deny that it seems everyone else has a specific birthday, so maybe she ought to have one too now that she's living among normal people.]
Do I need one? A date?
[She's never considered it, honestly. But she can't deny that it seems everyone else has a specific birthday, so maybe she ought to have one too now that she's living among normal people.]
[Armitage is careful not to say the word anything, Kylo notes. A strategic choice, he's sure.]
I'll have to think on it, but of course I want to spend it with you.
[Although he wants to keep his attention on Hux, he makes sure to return to his food, if just to show his appreciation. And he wants to get to the gifts, too.]
I'll have to think on it, but of course I want to spend it with you.
[Although he wants to keep his attention on Hux, he makes sure to return to his food, if just to show his appreciation. And he wants to get to the gifts, too.]
Need is a strong word.
[It's not as if he actively celebrates his. He acknowledges it as the passing of another year, another step away from the past, but that's the most he's ever planned in the past several. Aside from that, he wonders how Rey would feel about that kind of gathering, several people focusing their attention on her in a positive way.]
But you might like it.
[It's not as if he actively celebrates his. He acknowledges it as the passing of another year, another step away from the past, but that's the most he's ever planned in the past several. Aside from that, he wonders how Rey would feel about that kind of gathering, several people focusing their attention on her in a positive way.]
But you might like it.
[Okay, so not an expectation for normalcy, probably. That's good. Rey feels enough like a misfit as it is. She pauses to consider what Kylo's said, settling her arms on the table and inadvertently mirroring his posture.]
Why do you think I'd like it?
Why do you think I'd like it?
[Part of her wants to look away, to pretend that maybe he hadn't put together the reason for why she doesn't wear scarves or, well, anything around her neck. Because she hadn't wanted to remind him of that, and Leia herself was so used to it by now that she didn't give her wardrobe a second thought anymore.
But she doesn't. She keeps her gaze--sympathetic, and honestly a bit guilty, for reminding him of this in the first place--fixed on Kylo. Her lips press together tightly as the chill settles around them once again.]
It's not a problem. It's something I'm more than accustomed to by now.
But she doesn't. She keeps her gaze--sympathetic, and honestly a bit guilty, for reminding him of this in the first place--fixed on Kylo. Her lips press together tightly as the chill settles around them once again.]
It's not a problem. It's something I'm more than accustomed to by now.
Usually it means you get something nice, if you have someone who cares enough about you.
[Which he knows Rey has, even if present company is excluded. And even the most emotionally constipated sorts (cough, Hux) can enjoy gifts, he thinks. As long as they're nice gifts, anyway.]
[Which he knows Rey has, even if present company is excluded. And even the most emotionally constipated sorts (cough, Hux) can enjoy gifts, he thinks. As long as they're nice gifts, anyway.]
Edited 2017-12-16 06:30 (UTC)
[He quickly turns his gaze forward again, away from her as his jaw tenses and the temperature drops sharply. Snow begins to manifest in the room, impossible to miss thanks to the shadows that have suddenly turned black and are gradually growing past their natural size.
The fabric of the chair creaks under his tightening grip.]
Go. Leave.
The fabric of the chair creaks under his tightening grip.]
Go. Leave.
[Admittedly, Rey does like gifts. She's still not exactly used to getting them, and the thought of having a day where she'd get possibly multiple gifts from people she cares about is both exciting and mildly intimidating. A few flickers of light reflect off her tea and the spoon in front of her.]
I wouldn't know how to pick one. Seems like it'd be a bit arbitrary.
I wouldn't know how to pick one. Seems like it'd be a bit arbitrary.
[All of it is impossible to miss, and all of it is the exact sort of thing she didn't want to cause in him. Because there's no denying it's because of her.
But contrary to his command, Leia moves closer. She'd be reluctant to follow that command even if he were his usual self, but the obvious impact of his instability at the moment makes her even more unwilling to leave. When she's close enough, Leia reaches out, placing a hand on top of his.]
I won't. I'm not leaving you like this.
But contrary to his command, Leia moves closer. She'd be reluctant to follow that command even if he were his usual self, but the obvious impact of his instability at the moment makes her even more unwilling to leave. When she's close enough, Leia reaches out, placing a hand on top of his.]
I won't. I'm not leaving you like this.
[The unopened bottle in his hand begins to crack even before he whirls around, shoving Leia away and hurling the bottle at the wall, where it shatters into pieces.
He nearly screams at her as the floorboards crack.]
LEAVE!
He nearly screams at her as the floorboards crack.]
LEAVE!
Edited (GET OUTTA THERE PRONOUN) 2017-12-16 07:19 (UTC)
[Ren taps a finger against his teacup; just picking one at random does seem a bit... senseless, doesn't it? Not that a birthday has to inherently mean anything, but...]
Perhaps one that means something to you?
[A day she remembers fondly, maybe.]
Perhaps one that means something to you?
[A day she remembers fondly, maybe.]
[One that means something to her... Hmm.
Rey thinks about it for a moment and then her face lights up as she gets an idea.]
You gave me a gift the day I came back. The hair clip. What about that one?
Rey thinks about it for a moment and then her face lights up as she gets an idea.]
You gave me a gift the day I came back. The hair clip. What about that one?
[Ren sputters over his cup of tea, covering his mouth with the back of his hand, as he coughs. He remembers the embarrassment that was that day. He can't believe he went for such overt displays of emotion just because she'd returned... he blames that horrid atmosphere that surrounded the city at the time...]
If that—means that much to you. I suppose. [He hadn't really expected it to be associated with him of all people.]
If that—means that much to you. I suppose. [He hadn't really expected it to be associated with him of all people.]
[Well, that reaction was unexpected. Rey's brow creases briefly in confusion, trying to figure out why Kylo seems shocked—maybe... embarrassed, even?—by her answer. Does she really need to explain?
She turns partly in her chair to face him more, the one hand she still has on the table moving next to his, not quite touching but close.]
Of course it does. That's the nicest thing anyone's ever given me, and you said I could get something nice if I picked out a date. So why wouldn't I pick that one?
She turns partly in her chair to face him more, the one hand she still has on the table moving next to his, not quite touching but close.]
Of course it does. That's the nicest thing anyone's ever given me, and you said I could get something nice if I picked out a date. So why wouldn't I pick that one?
[The nicest? Kylo looks at her for a moment, seeming uncertain about what he just heard. That can't be right, surely.
He shakes his head faintly before answering, ignoring the flowers under the legs of his chair.]
I thought you'd have other things you'd rather associate it with. [Other people, namely.]
He shakes his head faintly before answering, ignoring the flowers under the legs of his chair.]
I thought you'd have other things you'd rather associate it with. [Other people, namely.]
Edited 2017-12-16 09:59 (UTC)
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