lostapprentice | Empatheias Mailbox/Amulet

[Normally, Hux would've mocked him, but things aren't exactly the same between them anymore. The general doesn't feel hostility or hatred towards Ren most of the time. He's willing to admit that, although the general stops himself from thinking any further than that.

He keeps his gaze on his co-commander as he speaks.]

I keep myself focused. [Because Hux has had the same thoughts before and like Ren, hates it. He just won't admit it. But it's almost... refreshing to hear Ren admit this out loud.] Progress takes time and can be stalled.

[His frustration comes to the forefront as he grips his right arm, glaring at the fire. It flickers more wildly in response.]

But I've never been so... stuck before. I've always had the chance to go and search for answers, but we can't even leave this damned island. It's suffocating.

[Words of comfort have never been Hux's forte and he's not going to try now. Why try and make a terrible situation seem less bad by using such meaningless words?

Agreeing with Ren isn't admitting weakness, right?]

...It is.

[His voice is a little quieter and he turns his head to look at the fire as well.]

[Ren is silent for a moment or two, though Hux's admission is already making him feel less gloomy for some reason. Misery loves company, he's heard... and it's a rare thing to get sympathy from the man, anyway. He'll take what he can get.]

Even the Finalizer is larger than this stupid piece of floating rock.

[He won't admit that he misses it, but it's clear enough that he does. Things were familiar there. He had purpose. He could move around without being bothered.

He lets out a low noise not unlike a growl.]

I have to get out and do things or I'm going to lose my mind.

The Finalizer was well-maintained, completely ordered with a dependable crew. Rules that were followed... for the most part.

[He sends Ren a look, but it's not as heated as it would normally be.]

Be patient, Ren. You're still under supervision. [Although, he doesn't blame the frustration that the man is feeling.] I estimate that the Enforcers might ease on some restrictions soon.

[He nearly barks a retort, though there's no real heat in it.] I know that!

[Letting out a huff through his nose, he grits his teeth as he tries to calm himself—and calm the fire in front of him, which flared in response to his outburst.]

You say it like waiting is easy. [It's Ren's absolute least favorite thing to do. He just has to hope that Hux is right about it being soon.]

It's not, but often necessary to gain any sort of power or in this case, freedom.

[He leans back in his chair and tries not to sigh too loudly.]

I've had to do it quite often in the past.

[Hux has always been the type of person with a plan for everything, always waiting for the right time to move or strike (and often missing opportunities, in Ren's opinion). Ren thought he'd be fine with waiting.]

Like when.

[They've been discussing their respective pasts more lately. It's a thought that hits him after the words leave his mouth, and he frowns at himself over it briefly, not sure what to make of it.]

I didn't become a general of the First Order at a very young age for no reason.

[He doesn't mind discussing some of this with Ren. It's not like he has to worry about him taking his place as a general, even though they are both seeking power in the First Order. Ren just has no interest in the military, something that is beneficial to him in this regard. Plus, he can recognize that their strengths are vastly different from each other.]

A lot of it was waiting for the right opportunity to put someone down.

[There wasn't much of a wait but even during those short seconds there were second thoughts. But he was already here, this was what would have happened anyway. Being under house arrest for his pointless crime would be for his own good. The possession and the blob were other situations not linked to the pervious crimes. He wasn't here to say he told him so about learning the natives laws first. At least asking or finding out more information. Isn't that something the First Order did? It seemed odd or out of place but maybe that was more of Hux's thing.

When the door opens, Kylo would see a more causal attire from the pilot. His slacks would have spenders but they were not on and just loosely hanging at his sides. A charcoal vest with bronze buttons on the front, a long sleeved button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows. The first couple of buttons of the shirt would be open in a more relaxed manner.]

Kylo Ren.

[There was a small lift of his eyebrow at being addressed by name for once. He waited until he could step inside the home of his enemy. A close enemy almost could be considered an acquaintance. He takes a few quick glances around the house, taking in the surroundings before he watches as the other strides toward the chair to sit. At least it felt as if the other was used to having company. He presses his lips together at the question at the end as he walked slowly toward that area. Poe kept the book close to his side for now.]

Do you need anything fixed? Are you bored at all or are you used to living like this? We don't have to talk about things that make you uncomfortable.

[Ren watches as Poe looks around at the room, likely trying to get a better sense of the situation and the man he's come to visit. It's almost amusing at this point, if he's honest.

The large room itself lacks purely decorative elements like paintings or vases or the like, but the furnishings are nonetheless better than what might be necessary. The colors aren't bright by any means, but they do give off a sense of near-luxury. Ren likes his comforts if he's able to get them, especially if he's going to be stuck in one place for a long time.

The knight raises his eyebrows at the questions, setting his hands on the armrests as he tilts his head.]

Are you offering your services? [But before Poe can answer that—Kylo shakes his head and just stops short of rolling his eyes.] No, nothing is broken. I wouldn't be able to stand that, since I'm stuck here.

[If nothing else, he would pester Hux into fixing it or getting someone to fix it before the day was over if he couldn't do it himself.]

Of course I'm bored. I'm a warrior, and I'm not being allowed to fight. You're a pilot—wouldn't you be bored if you couldn't fly?

A lot of sneaking around and stabbing in the back, then.

[His disdain is clear, but not particularly aggressive. He's already known Hux didn't get to his position through honest tactics and fair fights. Ren hates that sort of thing, even if he recognizes that it may at times be necessary.]

[He can't help but want to survey the room. Ren could be correct in that maybe he might learn something of the other by looking at the things he owns. The luxury items didn't seem all that surprising. The First Order did have a lot of credits to spare. The Resistance only had resources that they could get their hands on.

Poe didn't need luxury, he only needed things that would be comfortable. Things that would remind him of home or how it was on the community that he had grown up in. After that it was mostly a bunch of people and barracks, human interaction and connection. Perhaps he was missing a bit of that from time to time.]

It'll keep me busy. [It wasn't exactly a lie and he didn't say yes or no to the question. Ren could take that however he wanted.] It would be bad being stuck here and you end up with a leaky roof.

[A small smirk starts to spread his lips at the mention of him not being allowed to fight.]

I've been bored for quite some time Kylo Ren. It's been months of no flying. The first few months were really bad. But I kept myself busy, entertained... [There's a small pause as he lifts up the book.] I made some new friends. You find ways to adjust. I do miss flying though.

Well. If I do need something fixed, I'll let you know.

[Who knows—maybe he can talk his way into having difficult things done for free. Dameron seems like the type to do that kind of thing, just because "it's the right thing to do" or whatever other stupid reason.

Ren glances at the upheld book, unimpressed at the explanation of how Poe has spent his time.]

Perhaps you've found ways to adjust. It's not so easy for me.

[As usual, he's taking on a "woe is me" stance about his misfortune, rather than taking any responsibility for it. Not to mention the fact that Kylo Ren isn't the kind of man to have friends, let alone make them wherever he goes, which Poe can likely tell.]

You can request work through my amulet if you ever have a need for it. I'm sure the general will be most helpful to fix things. It's not hard to fix things. But knowing you, you'd probably want it fixed a certain way and done quickly. Somethings take time.

[Poe would know all about fixing generators too, any kind of fencing work and probably some engineer work. The Resistance had to do everything for themselves. The First Order seemed to be around for a while and could gather all of their resources in some manner. He didn't really know much but only had seen the inside of the Finalizer.]

I have. You don't adjust to it overnight. It'll take time. But it's your choice in the end. [He walks closer toward the chair that Kylo Ren was sitting in. It felt rude to stand a bit far and not face him while conversing with the other.]

Are things ever easy for you? Have you asked questions? You could ask if you are allowed to set up dummies so you could still fight something and train. That's a small adjustment until you are allowed to go beat up on monsters.

[He glances away and bites on his bottom lip a little. Poe carefully tosses the book at Kylo Ren.]

You could try picking up new hobbies. Reading books aren't so bad. They may have more of this planets flavor to them but every book I've encountered is different from the other.

[It seems Dameron is making some progress on understanding Kylo Ren. It's a little amusing, in a way. Even so, it's no secret he's not a patient man.]

Your guess would be right.

[Again with the approaching. Ren isn't afraid of Poe to any degree, but the proximity does make him tense up and eye the man suspiciously. He does tap a finger against the armrest, however, irritation making him frown.]

Of course I've asked to train. They won't let me near my saber yet, and I haven't been able to pester Hux into getting me any training weapons. [So far. He'll get there.

Further suspicious narrowing of eyes occurs when Poe tosses a book of all things—not something Ren would consider a thing to toss, if you wanted to keep it in good condition—but he catches it nonetheless.]

Obviously they're all different. There aren't nearly enough people here to start coming up with the exact same thing, and if they did there would be arguments over it. [A glance at the book's cover has Ren's mouth twisting, however.] What is this, exactly.

[The pilot could learn, if only the other impatient man would have listened. Poe was willing to understand him if given the chance. That too would be the Knight's decision. There's a small smile at Ren's response. Of course he knew that the other was not patient at all.

No need to panic, really, he only wanted to face the other. He wasn't going to get any closer than that. Honest. Poe kept his distance where he stopped walking.]

You should ask him to do so. That should help with the not being able to fight feeling. What can you suggest to do about the not being able to fly? Without involving jumping off a cliff or worse things of that mention. [He chuckles a bit. The book could handle being tossed. Ren has some good reflexes.]

Opinions on which book would be better to read. Sometimes it's just better to read them all. What else is there to do? You might even learn from them. [He gives a small shrug.] A book about a war. [It wasn't a complete lie. There was much more to it then that though. It was also a romance book that involved a lot of intimacy in it. Not just kissing.] Read it. If it's not for you I have a bookshelf full of different kinds. The library provides all kinds of information if you look in the right place.

[There's a very brief moment where something like uncertainty comes to Ren's expression, his eyes darting away, but it's quickly smoothed over with the man's usual haughty demeanor. (Poe may chuckle about what happened now, but it's still no joke to Kylo Ren. It just reminds him of how powerless he was.)]

Airships, obviously. I've heard there are few smaller flying vehicles, though I don't know how you'd get a hold of one. Or if you're more into wild things, you could attempt riding something that flies. There's plenty around to try it on.

[Mostly, Kylo just likes the image of Poe getting thrown off some giant bird and landing face first on the ground.

He's still a bit suspicious about the contents of the book, but it... might be worth a try. Maybe. Just to hold off the unending boredom. Ren sets it aside for now, making a sound like a wordless grumble. He's been reading occasionally, but it still tends to be a pain to get through anything.]

[What a rude way to put it. Although, not untrue. It's only because of that Hux doesn't look too offended, but he still sends a look at Ren.]

If you must say it like that.

[Betraying people, but he wanted to be on the top. Powerful. If they were stronger or smarter, maybe they would've lived.]

But that wasn't uncommon in the academy. Trusting others could lead to death.

[As he thought. But it makes sense that the remnants of the Empire, struggling to survive, would have such a harsh environment. The First Order is ruled by those with the most power and greatest ability to do it. They must constantly prove themselves through whatever means necessary.]

Is that not the case now?

...This isn't the Order.

[There's not as much worry about someone trying to kill him or trying to learn his weaknesses. Of course, there will always be some exceptions, but those are very rare instead of the norm. He'll of course be careful, but it's strange to meet someone that doesn't have the killing him on the front of their mind.

Admittedly, he doesn't have to worry too much while commanding his troops on the Finalizer, but that's different.]

[That wasn't quite what he meant—he was referring more to Hux's current position as general, not the last five months, but...]

No.

[It's not the First Order, here; the two of them are the only real parts of it that are present. What he wouldn't give to have someone else from the Order arrive, as well. Captain Phasma, for instance, or even—]

I wonder what it would be like, if Supreme Leader were here. [...] He probably would have already found a way home.

[Ren sounds disappointed, almost lonely when he says it, though he's not conscious of that fact.]

[He hears the disappointment in Ren's voice and for once, Hux doesn't really hold it against him. The Supreme Leader most likely would've figured something out by now or at the very least, give some sort of guidance. Not that Hux needs it to do what he needs to do, but... sometimes it's helpful.]

Most likely.

[And perhaps because he had a couple of drinks at the party or just the exhaustion settling in, the next few words tumble out.]

But we're not alone.

[The knight already has his mouth half-open to respond before he even recognizes what was said, and he freezes suddenly when it hits him, blinking in shock and uncertainty as the weight of it dawns on him.

The initial twitch in his brow and tension in his shoulders is a reflection of his knee-jerk reaction to positive things—that is, how he usually tries to deny or otherwise ruin them. But even though he wants to deny the idea that he's not alone—of course he's alone, he's always been alone, because no one could really understand him—it's an idea that he's wanted to be true for a long time. And the fact that Hux is saying this at all means, at the very least, that he doesn't feel alone. He regards Ren as... some sort of companion, someone he's admitted he trusts. Kylo still isn't quite certain what to think of that.

The younger man's shoulders slump slightly, his lower lip twitching as he tries to think of something to say. The only thing that comes to mind, he hesitates to ask: Are we not?

It remains unspoken, but the thought is strong enough to leak through the amulets as he stares at the fire, regardless. It's likely difficult to spot the patch of clover that's grown under his chair due to the limited light, but the slight chill in the air is obvious enough.]

[Poe tilts his head a little to the side wondering if the look meant anything. He could only joke about it since there had been nights of endless nightmares. So much had happened that finally being able to stop moving meant that his mind could catch up on everything. Bring out more of the dark feelings that lingered on the edge. Poe knew what it meant to be powerless at times. He would only have to find a way around it. He would find a way no matter what obstacles he faced.]

Yeah, but would the natives really give us Outlanders a chance to fly them? Even if some of us can show them that we're good they might still be afraid. If you have any idea where to even begin to start to look for the smaller flying vehicles those could be fun to learn. If they're anything like a speeder I'll be okay. I'm not sure about tempting to fly creatures. With any kind of animal you have to gain a certain amount of trust from them before you can attempt something like that. I'm already learning enough about riding a horse.

[It would be a really funny image but Poe would be determined to friend such a creature first. To gain it's trust before climbing on to it. Plus he would have to find one first and that would be an adventure all on it's own. Although, it might not have the same feeling he craves. The machinery of the aircrafts would be more what he needed.

Ren can be suspicious all he wants about the book's contents but he would not tell him anything more about it. Poe would keep that to himself and wait for the other's reaction. It could end up being interesting.]

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