[... It's about as he thought, no particular ideas other than wanting him to feel it involved in the process. Ren holds back a sigh even though the way his eyes go to the corner of the room for a moment expresses about the same sentiment.]
I would have felt it eventually, whenever I wore it. [Was she really so impatient that she needed him to know for certain immediately? Of course she was, he should stop questioning things.] It's not as if I don't trust what you were saying.
[He tries to fold the scarf once more, pulling the other end of it back towards himself and eyeing her with a higher level of scrutiny. She won't be pulling any other strange nonsense for the next fifteen seconds without him being prepared for it, probably.]
[Rey opens her mouth to argue that none of what he said was the point—she knows he likely believed her, and she knows he'd have felt it when he wore it—but decides against it. Instead, she stares down at her tea again and tries not to think about how his opinion of her strangeness is only going to sink lower when he gets to that last gift. In retrospect, the desire to stall him probably played a part in her insistence that he feel the scarf now, but she's hardly going to bring that up at this point. Not now that he's eyeing her like he expects her to stomp around on the table and start yelling gibberish, which she really feels is an overreaction. What she's done isn't that odd... is it? Rey's not sure, and frankly not being here to yell at Kylo is really messing with her understanding of how to react to things like this.
Maybe if she stays perfectly still and doesn't look at him, this planet will be merciful enough to turn her into a crystal like she's seen it do to others. Probably not. She takes a quick, nervous sip of her tea and sets the cup back down to continue staring intensely at it. Hopefully he'll open that stupid gift fast so she can escape.]
[Ren certainly doesn't waste much time getting to the last package after the scarf has been adequately folded and placed on the table, and his gaze leaves her as he tears through the brown paper to reveal whatever's inside. There's a faint furrow to his brow as he pulls out the dark cloth, though; he's not quite sure what it is he's looking at yet, probably because he's looking for something resembling sleeves or pockets and hasn't pulled it entirely out of the package yet...]
[After the opening of her gift doesn't elicit an immediate reaction, Rey chances a peek at Kylo out of the corner of her eye without moving her head. He's frowning, though he doesn't seem displeased. More... confused? Like he doesn't know what it is.
Which Rey supposes is not unbelievable. Considering a cape unworn is more or less a formless lump of fabric.
Telling him what it is will probably only get more confusion, so she sighs heavily, resigns herself to her fate of eternal shame, and decides to start at the beginning of this stupid, miserable explanation. She reaches into her pocket, fishes out a folded and heavily creased piece of paper with one ragged edge where it's been torn out of a book, gently unfolds it, and sets the picture down on the table in front of him.
She doesn't have the courage to do more than take a brief glance at Kylo to see his reaction.]
[The picture, at least at first, only elicits more confusion, and it's to the point that there's a ringing in the air that's impossible to ignore. After directing his frown at the illustration for several moments, he turns back to the piece of cloth in his hands and pulls it further out of the package, revealing a metal clasp pinned to part of it. Since there's still more to it even then, he gets to his feet and lets what is now recognizably a cape furl out in full.
This doesn't seem to alleviate his confusion. In fact, after holding it against his shoulders and seeing how it measures up to his height (almost perfectly), he glances back at that book page and then pins Rey with a quizzical, expectant look.]
[Rey winces reflexively when the ringing becomes unbearably loud, not because it hurts her ears, but it makes the entire situation so much more mortifying when he's this utterly confused. It's not a good joke by any means, but it's downright horrid to explain it.
He does eventually get what it is, at least. She finally turns her head when he stands and lets the cape fall to its full length, curiosity about her estimated measurements for the moment overriding her shame. And despite herself, she does allow herself a bit of pride in how well it seems the thing will fit him. Not bad at all, considering she was basing all the tailor's measurements off of her own recollection of Kylo's stature and build.
Unfortunately, nothing good can last today, and the reality of the situation crashes down on her with his question. Rey glances up at his face in utter dismay and mumbles out a lame explanation.]
I found the picture in a book. The prince in the story—I thought he looked a bit like you, when I saw it. [She neglects to mention how funny she found that at the time. Doesn't seem like a good thing to bring up.]
Then I saw the cape in a shop and... [She assumes he can figure out the rest and gestures helplessly at the cloak.] It's not clever.
[Ren's eyebrows rise as he tilts his head down slightly.]
You wanted me to look like a proper fairy tale prince, then?
[His confusion is still there, but a significant part of it has transformed into amusement, and those red sparks show up briefly again as he pulls the cape over his shoulders. By the time it's settled and he has the clasp properly shut, there are flowers around his ankles.
He holds out one arm to display the blue lining inside both to himself and to Rey, then turns to face her again with a questioning though almost proud look on his face in a silent how do I look?]
I didn't—[She cuts off her protest quickly, thoroughly giving up any hope of explaining herself. She goes with something much more vague.] I didn't say that.
[How can she explain now, when the entire joke was based around the idea that something so frivolous and fancy as a soft velvet cape wouldn't suit Kylo, and it's becoming increasingly, painfully obvious that it does. All the things about the garment she thought would be laughably over-the-top somehow just... fit, and the flowers at his feet don't help. And worse, it's clear that he likes the stupid thing. Even without the red sparks or flowers, Rey would be able to tell he's pleased from the way he's nearly preening.
She can't answer his unspoken question, and meets his look with an expression of bewilderment not unlike when he took off his helmet for the first time. Not because she doesn't want to answer, or because she didn't understand what he's asking. She simply has no answer, at least not one she can figure out how to put into words. So she avoids it. And blurts out something practical. Something easier.]
You can wear it on either shoulder. I wasn't sure, with your—[She gestures vaguely to her right arm.] I didn't know which arm you'd want free.
[He can tell thanks to her comment about it being ambidextrous and the near-exact length of the thing. There are still a few mysteries to solve here, but first he drops his hand and steps over to place the other gifts back into the box.]
Thank you. [The pillar holding up Empatheias is going to break and everything is going to plummet to the surface. There's even a slight smile on his face as he says it.] It will be nice to have something a bit different for special occasions.
[Those exist here, unlike home. There are a number of things that exist here that have allowed him to experience things he can't see happening in his actual future, in their galaxy.]
[It's obvious that she doesn't need to answer his question, and she glances away sheepishly for a moment, only mumbling a reply to his thanks.]
You're welcome. [As soon as he's turned his attention back to her box, though, she can't help eyeing the cape again, scanning it top to bottom a few times. She can understand why he'd think to wear it on special occasions. The velvet shimmers even more nicely when it's draped over an actual person than when it's flat or folded. She allows herself a tiny bit of pride in that, even if her entire plan went horribly askew, at least she did manage to purchase something of impeccable quality.]
It's certainly eye-catching. [As if Kylo could ever blend into a crowd.]
[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.]
[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!]
[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.
[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.
[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.]
[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.]
[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.]
[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.]
[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.]
[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.]
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.]
[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.
[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...]
[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.]
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lostapprentice) wrote2035-01-06 02:37 am
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I would have felt it eventually, whenever I wore it. [Was she really so impatient that she needed him to know for certain immediately? Of course she was, he should stop questioning things.] It's not as if I don't trust what you were saying.
[He tries to fold the scarf once more, pulling the other end of it back towards himself and eyeing her with a higher level of scrutiny. She won't be pulling any other strange nonsense for the next fifteen seconds without him being prepared for it, probably.]
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Maybe if she stays perfectly still and doesn't look at him, this planet will be merciful enough to turn her into a crystal like she's seen it do to others. Probably not. She takes a quick, nervous sip of her tea and sets the cup back down to continue staring intensely at it. Hopefully he'll open that stupid gift fast so she can escape.]
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Which Rey supposes is not unbelievable. Considering a cape unworn is more or less a formless lump of fabric.
Telling him what it is will probably only get more confusion, so she sighs heavily, resigns herself to her fate of eternal shame, and decides to start at the beginning of this stupid, miserable explanation. She reaches into her pocket, fishes out a folded and heavily creased piece of paper with one ragged edge where it's been torn out of a book, gently unfolds it, and sets the picture down on the table in front of him.
She doesn't have the courage to do more than take a brief glance at Kylo to see his reaction.]
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This doesn't seem to alleviate his confusion. In fact, after holding it against his shoulders and seeing how it measures up to his height (almost perfectly), he glances back at that book page and then pins Rey with a quizzical, expectant look.]
You got me a cape?
[Explain???]
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He does eventually get what it is, at least. She finally turns her head when he stands and lets the cape fall to its full length, curiosity about her estimated measurements for the moment overriding her shame. And despite herself, she does allow herself a bit of pride in how well it seems the thing will fit him. Not bad at all, considering she was basing all the tailor's measurements off of her own recollection of Kylo's stature and build.
Unfortunately, nothing good can last today, and the reality of the situation crashes down on her with his question. Rey glances up at his face in utter dismay and mumbles out a lame explanation.]
I found the picture in a book. The prince in the story—I thought he looked a bit like you, when I saw it. [She neglects to mention how funny she found that at the time. Doesn't seem like a good thing to bring up.]
Then I saw the cape in a shop and... [She assumes he can figure out the rest and gestures helplessly at the cloak.] It's not clever.
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You wanted me to look like a proper fairy tale prince, then?
[His confusion is still there, but a significant part of it has transformed into amusement, and those red sparks show up briefly again as he pulls the cape over his shoulders. By the time it's settled and he has the clasp properly shut, there are flowers around his ankles.
He holds out one arm to display the blue lining inside both to himself and to Rey, then turns to face her again with a questioning though almost proud look on his face in a silent how do I look?]
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[How can she explain now, when the entire joke was based around the idea that something so frivolous and fancy as a soft velvet cape wouldn't suit Kylo, and it's becoming increasingly, painfully obvious that it does. All the things about the garment she thought would be laughably over-the-top somehow just... fit, and the flowers at his feet don't help. And worse, it's clear that he likes the stupid thing. Even without the red sparks or flowers, Rey would be able to tell he's pleased from the way he's nearly preening.
She can't answer his unspoken question, and meets his look with an expression of bewilderment not unlike when he took off his helmet for the first time. Not because she doesn't want to answer, or because she didn't understand what he's asking. She simply has no answer, at least not one she can figure out how to put into words. So she avoids it. And blurts out something practical. Something easier.]
You can wear it on either shoulder. I wasn't sure, with your—[She gestures vaguely to her right arm.] I didn't know which arm you'd want free.
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[He can tell thanks to her comment about it being ambidextrous and the near-exact length of the thing. There are still a few mysteries to solve here, but first he drops his hand and steps over to place the other gifts back into the box.]
Thank you. [The pillar holding up Empatheias is going to break and everything is going to plummet to the surface. There's even a slight smile on his face as he says it.] It will be nice to have something a bit different for special occasions.
[Those exist here, unlike home. There are a number of things that exist here that have allowed him to experience things he can't see happening in his actual future, in their galaxy.]
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You're welcome. [As soon as he's turned his attention back to her box, though, she can't help eyeing the cape again, scanning it top to bottom a few times. She can understand why he'd think to wear it on special occasions. The velvet shimmers even more nicely when it's draped over an actual person than when it's flat or folded. She allows herself a tiny bit of pride in that, even if her entire plan went horribly askew, at least she did manage to purchase something of impeccable quality.]
It's certainly eye-catching. [As if Kylo could ever blend into a crowd.]
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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.]
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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!]
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... 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.
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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.
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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.]
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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.]
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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.]
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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.]
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[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.
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Why do you think I'd like it?
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[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.]
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I wouldn't know how to pick one. Seems like it'd be a bit arbitrary.
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Perhaps one that means something to you?
[A day she remembers fondly, maybe.]
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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?
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If that—means that much to you. I suppose. [He hadn't really expected it to be associated with him of all people.]
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