neverjoinyou | lastvoyages IC Inbox

Wait.

[Luke turns, facing Hux squarely, one hand slightly raised in supplication.]

I realize our two sides aren't really known for... negotiation. But we're not home. There's no First Order or New Republic here. I really do want to understand what it is you want. It might not mean I can help, and I might not be willing. But I want to listen.

[He hesitates when Luke raises his hand, and there's a tenseness to Hux that expects him to be dragged back via the Force. It's only when he realizes he can still move under his own power still that he drops his hand away from the door, suspicious]

For what reason?

[Luke blinks, unable to rein in his surprise. At first, he doesn't understand what he's being asked. Did he need a reason to want to understand something?]

Do you think I'm... looking for an advantage? [He shakes his head.] People are dying. Worlds destroyed. Don't you think it's worth knowing what we're fighting for?

I know exactly what I'm fighting for.

[His hand drops away from the door. Hux crosses his arms, trying to look superior but it ends up coming off as more like a pout]

It's not my fault if your side can't comprehend what we hope to bring.

Then explain it.

[There's an openness in Luke's expression--he's genuinely earnest, even if he's under no illusions that his mind will change.]

All I know is my experience. And that experience? Is genocide. Entire civilizations being wiped out without warning. That's all the argument I've heard, from anyone. So if you're expecting me to just understand what you're trying to do, you need to understand that no one's even made the argument.

[It didn't surprise Hux that Luke never would have been told anything differently. But it does worry him, a little, to see that earnestness out in the open. He's uncomfortable, and he's not certain why]

...Fine. I can give you access to my library, if you want.

Thank you.

[Luke nods, acknowledging that offer.]

But I'd like to hear your reasons.

My reasons are personal. They would take context.

[And does he really want to stay here long enough to explain himself? To what end?]

[Luke nods.]

I understand. You don't owe me an explanation. I just thought... it would help. [He gestures to the bottle.] If you ever do want to talk, you know where I am. I'm don't intend to carry whatever conflict we might have at home to here. For what it's worth.

[Help who? he almost demands, but Hux holds his tongue, not really sure what he even wants Luke to know. He came here to see if they wanted to keep Ren as a child so he wouldn't become Hux's headache in the future, but that was clearly not going to happen. So, he gives a short nod, turns to go...

And stops, because kriff it he's curious;]

What's his name?

[He's not been convincing, which Luke hadn't expected to be, but he sighs. Hux has not offered a solution to try, nor a reason to sympathize. And Luke very much wants to believe there's a reason his life has been turned upside down from before he was born.]

What? who?

[He gives a small gesture at Sinjir, like Luke is a little slow]

Your cat.

Oh.

[For a moment, Luke had thought that he'd been asking about Kylo. He smiles at the private joke of the cat's name as he says,]

Sinjir. He was an inmate here.

...So you turned him into a cat?

[Luke stares at him for a moment, then starts to laugh.]

That's... not how the Force works. No, I liked him, and I named my cat after him.

[He turns a bit red with embarrassment, but this is a far better solution than what he was imagining]

Isn't it dangerous to keep a pet here?

[It doesn't come out as a threat. Hux bends down to coax Sinjir over]

[Sinjir, after a moment, is true to his namesake and nonchalantly submits to being called over. Attention is better than nothing, after all.]

I wouldn't have thought of it, myself. One day, the place was full of cats. Talking cats. It was... Well. That's a whole other story. [It involves Luke in a skirt, Hux.] They stopped talking, but some of them stuck around.

[Hux is...weirdly gentle with Sinjir, stroking him carefully with a bare hand, after pulling his glove off to do so.

He stands, realizing this is not particularly the impression he wants to give off, before nodding shortly]

He looks healthy.

[Luke smiles with a little glow of pride.]

Good. I've never had a pet. Not really... a good idea, on Tatooine.

No.

[He looks down at Sinjir again, considering]

When he gets to be a few years old, you'll want to get him for his dental hygiene exam. Especially if you've been feeding him from your plate.

[Luke figures someone on board will know what to do, but surprised by the advice, he nods gratefully.]

Oh. Okay. I wouldn't have thought of that. [He pauses for a moment.] You... had a cat?

[He gives a brief nod, before turning to exit]

Perhaps some other time, I'll come by.

Any time.

[He says it matter-of-factly, like he really means it. And he does.]

Thank you.

[Hux has a rather constipated look on his face at being thanked by Luke Skywalker. He gives a tight nod in return, his way of saying you're welcome without outright saying it, before disappearing from Luke's cabin through the door]

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[action] hahha wow I can't write today

[action] It's cool, Hux auto-assumes the worst in people

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