neverjoinyou | lastvoyages IC Inbox

[This is bad. Hux feels...extremely unprepared to be having the conversation he in fact started. Damned if he'll back out of it now, but he tries to keep his nervousness to a dull roar and instead do what he's best at; focusing on the task at hand and getting it done]

There's very little we're going to agree on.

[He knows that. Luke knows that. And Luke probably knows that he knows that]

There's one thing I can think of that we both would want.

[Hux is probably right--Luke can hardly credit the First Order's existence, let alone the idea that anyone might choose to be part of anything like it. And yet, there's such an innate need to believe in the possibility of goodness that in his naive way, Luke thinks that everyone must be given the chance to prove him wrong.

Despite that apparent naivete, Luke is aware that he may not like the answer to his next question.]

And what is that?

[Hux seems to hesitate, considering his words, but plunges ahead with it anyway. What's he got to lose?]

Kylo Ren, out of the First Order.

[Really, at this rate, he's not even sure if Ren is a worse enemy when he's pretending to be on his side instead of openly part of any resistance movement]

[Luke absorbs that for a moment. There were only two possible explanations he could think of for that: either Kylo Ren was bad for the First Order, or he was bad for Hux's place in it.

And as much as he wanted to see his nephew turn things around, he was sure that wasn't the motivation of the man in front of him.]

Even if I had any power over that, you're suggesting I assist an organization that intends to bring an end to everything I've fought for.

[It clearly isn't, but at least Hux is aware that this is a Big Ask, and though he looks pale and sour (and his hands are still holding his cup), he attempts to...explain himself]

I'm suggesting you do something that's beneficial to the both of us, and to him. Do you really want your nephew at the head of that organization?

The First Order does not want someone with his temper leading them. He's as much a hindrance as a help.

[The repair bills on his starship alone could attest to that]

By all rights, I should be the one in command. He usurped me. And if I ever make it back, I intend to kill him and reclaim that title.

But he has a family who wants him back. Ren and I will be enemies no matter whose side he's on.

You've seen how explosive he can be. You really want him in charge of an army?

[Luke's unease grows as he listens, and it's only partly because Hux is talking about killing nephew. It's mostly because this is the sort of thing he's always known about the Empire--First Order, whatever--but rarely actually been exposed to. The kind of ruthless coldness with which life is regarded, the hateful, hierarchical dismissiveness of everything Luke values.

He rises to pace to one side of the small room, and Sinjir--the grey cat--appears from the bedroom to hop onto the side table and shove himself under Luke's hand. He moves his fingers absently, watching the cat as he speaks.]

I don't expect you to know this, but it's hardly the kind of argument that's going to win my confidence. [He looks over at Hux, not angry, but a little sad, a little resigned.] I care about my nephew. And I care about the rights and lives of all the beings caught in your crossfire. But I can't do anything about your armies, or your squabbles. I'm not sure what power you think I have.

[Annoyance flickers over Hux's face, especially when he looks like he's being pitied. He sets his cup down without drinking from it and gets to his feet - he ought to have known this was going to be a pointless endeavor, but curiosity brought him here]

Then I'll see myself out.

[He gives a quick, quizzical look at Sinjir, and his expression briefly slips in its hostility, before it's back again and he turns to leave]

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.

lastvoyages IC Inbox

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

Re: [action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

Re: [action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

Re: [action]

[action] hahha wow I can't write today

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

[action]

Re: [action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

Re: [action]

[action]

Re: [action]