bah humbug [open]

[killthepast]

who: Kylo Ren & OPEN
what: General catch-all for settling in. MORE SPECIFIC PROMPTS WILL BE ADDED LATER, but in the meantime, enjoy a totally broad, generic starter.
when: December
where: Places
warnings: None yet.

i. generic walking around doing things starter
It's fitting, he supposes, that he should arrive while it's winter on this moon. Though it's a small detail, and ultimately insignificant, as-- other than the snow-- this place has little in common with Starkiller Base.

There's no sense of order in this city. It's loud and the streets are bustling with activity, much of it lacking purpose. Still, Ren needs to get a lay of the land to fully assess his situation here. And besides: he's in need of some essentials, like... food. And clothes.

(Thanks to recent events with the scavenger, his own clothing was deemed damaged and tossed out while he was receiving medical care at the hospital here. Now he's down his one-and-only outfit and has some new scars to show it.)

So yeah there's a very tall, very gloomy-looking man making his way through the city, trying to find clothes in the right shade of black to match his #aesthetic, trying to figure out how to pick the right produce at the supermarket (it's not as if he had to shop for food with the First Order), and who knows, maybe trying various teas and coffee (caf, you plebs) while intimidating teen baristas with his quiet intensity.

Comments

[volitaunt]

[ BB-8 is the one who spots him, all dressed in black and without the mask like some kind of self-parody. The droid boops a soft warning to Poe, hiding behind the pilot's legs.

Kylo Ren is grocery shopping. The image is so incongruous that it takes Poe a few seconds to process it. He's too surprised to be alarmed, and by the time he gets around to alarmed, he's too determined not to be scared to even question what he does next. (Sorry Karen.)

Poe falls in beside Ren like it's completely natural, BB-8 sticking close to his heels on the side opposite Ren. The droid knows what he's about.

Unlike his partner. ] Hey, Kyle. Can I call you Kyle? I feel like we know each other well enough now for me to do that.

[killthepast]

[ What, you expect him to go shopping with the mask on? Poe, please.

...

He doesn't even have it here, anyway.

And he's not surprised by your general you-ness, Poe. He just looks down his very long nose at the pilot, regarding him with a long look, studying-- as if for the first time-- Poe's outer appearance, rather than forcibly rooting around his brain. ]

You're older than I realized.

[ Darth Petty up in here. ]

[volitaunt]

I prefer to think of myself as distinguished.

[ UH HUH.

Poe studies Ren right back, for a second something more serious peaking past the cavalier facade. This is the man who murdered Lor San Tekka, a person Poe helped search for long enough that he felt like a friend before the two of them ever even met. This is the face behind the massacre at Tuanal. ]

You have a big nose.

[ .......takes one to know one apparently. ]

How does that work, with the mask I mean, since it's so... [ Poe pauses, like a chef trying to find the proper words to describe a near-perfect dish. ] Flat. Do you just smash it down? Is that what the voice modder is for?

[killthepast]

[ There's a slight tic at the corner of his mouth, as if he's suppressing a smirk. That crack about his nose (WOW, HE NEVER HEARD IT WAS BIG BEFORE!!) goes ignored, the disrespect inconsequential since, as Poe so gleefully pointed out before, he's nobody important here. ]

You're still upset about the old man. [ And all those villagers. But Lor San Tekka is the one who stands at the forefront of the pilot's mind, the clearest face to the massacre.

It's funny. Poe Dameron had barely known the old man, hadn't he? Of the two of them, Ren is the one who-- in another life, as another, weaker person-- truly spent time with the explorer. And he's just about to point out that Poe's outrage should be directed inward. After all, old man and those villagers would likely still be alive, if the First Order hadn't tracked Dameron to Tuanul. He and the Resistance pulled them into this fight.

But this is hardly the time or the place to get into the ins and outs of that. They are, after all, standing in the produce section of a grocery store.

Instead, he says, mildly, though the implications are loud and clear: ] How quickly you become attached to people.

[ Gosh, you've sure got a lot of attachments, Poe Dameron! A N Y W A Y he's just going to return his attention to the apples he had been picking through before Poe decided to strike up a conversation, as if the pilot's presence is nothing to him.

It's definitely not because he's actually kind of sort of looking forward to eating something that's not, like, a First Order protein shake or something AND YOUR DISTRACTION IS INCONVENIENT TO HIM. ]

[volitaunt]

[ There's a bitter irony to the fact that being blamed for Tuanul would have bothered Poe less than what Ren actually says. He carries the guilt of those deaths, of his inability to stop them, but every villager who died that day died because of the First Order.

Ren has his tricks to fuel the Dark Side. Poe has his own to fuel his dedication.

His reaction is threefold, immediate, all of it tangled up and spilling out in an instant. When Ren mentions Lor San Tekka, a wash of cold goes through Poe. Ren is in his head, again, as naturally as breathing; Ren can't even be bothered to say the man's name. Fury comes next, helpless rage tinged with disbelief that this person cares so little for other living beings. (Myriad faces there, none of them clear, simply glimpses of the breadth of those he's met across their home galaxy, then:)

Finn. Rey. Cassian and Jyn. Taako. (Passing more quickly: Kirk, Sam, Thor, a half-dozen others.) Karen. Karen, who he went to right after finding Finn, before he'd even managed to get to Rey. Karen, who understands his fear without knowing what Ren did.

Poe starts mentally yelling AC/DC the moment his mind settles on her face. ]

His name was Lor San Tekka. You could at least use it.

[killthepast]

[ The reaction's satisfying, that sense of helplessness and fury all tangled up in each other. So he probes deeper, this time with more purpose, seeing those faces flash in the other man's mind (the traitor, the scavenger, and even his own mother among them), until a sudden onslaught of noise causes him to pull back with a kneejerk wince.

But not before he saw one last face: a woman. Blonde hair and sharp, clever eyes. There's so much sentimentality, so much affection for her. She's somebody particularly special.

He looks up from the apples, back at Poe. NO COMMENT ON THAT. He'll let you guess how much he knows, Resistance scum. ]

I know his name. [ Quick and dismissive. ]

CLOSED TO REY

[killthepast]

[ Kylo Ren can feel her presence. Rey, the scavenger who stood against him and left him wounded in the snow... He'd intended to track her down first-thing upon his discharge from the hospital, but a certain Resistance pilot proved to be a temporary distraction.

But, now that they've parted ways-- Ren's fury tempered only slightly by smashing the pilot's blaster-- he starts to track the girl with a renewed sense of purpose. She's not in the heart of the city, but further out... That much he'd already established before Dameron's pointless show of posturing. But it's no good stomping around trying to find her when he's in this state. No, Ren has to quell his anger and clear his mind, focus, before he can reach out with the Force, subtly seeking that familiarity.

Sometimes, he can manage without brute psychic force.

And, ah. There she is. Leaving the Wall. Coming back to the city, to her... friends.

When he intercepts her, he seems curious and surprisingly level, considering their last face-to-face interaction. Like that new scar of his, Rey?

And when he speaks, his voice is mild, somewhat soft. ] You surprised me. [ Not here, obviously. But back on another snowy planet. ]

LETS DO THIS

[talentedscavenger]

[Rey had gone out to the wall by herself to clear her head. Jim had warned her not to go out by herself, and she doubted Cisco would be pleased to know she had gone outside the city without some back up. The last few days she hadn't been sleeping well. The vision she had from touching Luke's lightsaber continued to go through her dreams, replying each scene, along with memories of fighting Kylo Ren.

Was the Force trying to warn her about something? Perhaps nudge her to try and meditate and figure her shit out? She was learning how to fight with a sword, a single blade. At least she had improved in that department, but it wasn't the same as training and fighting with a lightsaber.

She had to clear her head and went beyond the wall, just to try and reconnect with the Force. Or see if it was possible. There wasn't much progress, but as she was preparing to leave, Rey felt it. An all too familiar presence that made her stomach drop and anxiousness wash over her. It couldn't be. What would he be doing here?

Rey tried to shake off the feeling, but upon leaving the wall she's greeted by a figure. Her eyes widen for a fraction of a second, but she's quick to school her emotions. He's alive. He's alive and he's here...]

Shouldn't be too surprised. [Especially when she had forced him out of her mind. Her staff is on her back, but the small pack that has the lightsaber is on her hip, well within her reach.]

Here to start terrorizing people? [It wouldn't be beyond his reach to do such a thing. He was a monster after all.]

[killthepast]

[ Ren's gaze flickers over to the lightsaber on her belt, though his face doesn't betray how much it still burns to see it in anyone's possession but his own. By all rights (except, perhaps, the rules of FINDERS, KEEPERS), that lighstaber's his. It's his birthright, as the grandson of Darth Vader, the only one truly committed to his great legacy. And yet... There it is, on Rey's hip, as if it couldn't possibly belong to anyone else.

Ren shrugs one shoulder. ]

You're right. [ He shouldn't have been surprised by her skill. He starts to walk closer. ] Underestimating you was a mistake on my part. [ And, look, he really tries to say that with minimal amounts of resentment! ] I was distracted the last time we met.

[ Freshly wounded and still reeling from severing those final strings that kept pulling him back to the Light. It was supposed to be a moment of triumph, but even now, it eludes him.

And, to answer her question: ] Displaced. The same as you.

[talentedscavenger]

[Barely anyone knows of what she keeps with her at all times, just in case it's needed, and like hell she would lose it. She could feel it, his anger. That needling feeling of betrayal. He doesn't know the lightsaber called to her, it gave her a vision and scared the shit out of her. But...it was her first steps. It brought her closer to the Force, and Kylo Ren released the flood gates in her by probing her mind.

She's trying to keep her mind clear, to not let any thoughts of her friends race through. He doesn't need to know Finn and Poe are here, unless he knows already. She's really hoping that wasn't the case.

He moves closer, but she stays still. She will not retreat like some scared mouse. If he comes closer to her, she not hesitate to draw out her lightsaber.]

Distracted or feeling guilt for what you did?

[Sarcasm and anger lace her words, her eyes narrowing slightly. He killed her friend. The lone father figure she had. She hurt his mother-- how could he do such a thing? No, no, she must stay calm. She cannot be blinded by her anger towards him.

'I wasn't displaced,' nearly leaves her lips, but Rey forces the words back. He doesn't need to know there was a mistake, he could use that to his advantage, possibly try to draw more First Order members here.]

So you can feel other things aside from than rage, hatred, and a need for power. [More sarcasm, keeping her anger and feelings in check. There's a pause from her, studying his face, noting the scar she left him...he gave her no choice. And really, she could've killed him, but held back.]

If you have any intention of harming anyone here, I will stop you. [Make it known already that she'll be watching him, making sure he doesn't even take one step out of line, or raise his hand to strike someone.]

[killthepast]

Why should I feel guilt? I only did what was necessary.

[ No, there's no guilt there. Not yet, anyway. The full weight of his actions still haven't quite sunk in yet. But there is something there, a seed of... dissatisfaction inside. Killing his father was supposed to bring clarity, strengthen his resolve, and satisfy the angry, hurt child he still denies ever having been.

But so far, it's brought him nothing. ]

I feel many things. [ That had always been his problem, the thing that made him weak. He felt too much, too strongly, too uncontrollably. Ben Solo would have been a terrible Jedi. ] You're the one who insists there's nothing more to me than a monster.

[ And he could say he has no intention of harming anyone, but that would be a lie. At the moment, no, he has no definite plans; his interests lie more in departing from this place, finding his way back to the Supreme Leader for guidance. But that doesn't mean he wouldn't hurt the traitor or the pilot-- or anyone else-- if it became necessary. Instead, he changes the course of the conversation, away from the others, because they're insignificant, anyway.

He walks to her... and then past her, looking in the direction of the wall and what lies beyond it. ]

It defies words, doesn't it? When you truly begin to embrace the Force.

[talentedscavenger]

[I only did what was necessary. The words add to her anger and leave a bitter taste in her mouth. He didn't have to do anything! He had the love of his father, his mother! People who cared about him! Did he know how many people would die for that?]

You killed a man who loved you. Who wanted you to come home. [Spoken in an icy tone. He had everything and yet he wanted to follow a ghost. He wanted to follow down the path of death and destruction...

But there is more to him than that. Otherwise, Leia and Han would've given up on him. Why else would Han risk everything to go back for his son?]

Because that's all you've shown to be! You killed Han! You blindly follow someone who lost everything! Is that what you want? To feel utter isolation and only have power to comfort you? [Rey's emotions swell up, wanting to demand answers from him. To know why he willingly threw everything away.

He comes closer...only to walk past her. What was his game? What was he trying to do? If you kill him now, the war would be over. That little thought creeps over the edges of her mind, but she shuts it down. No. It wasn't her place to kill him. He didn't deserve to die, nor should Leia have to grieve over the loss of two men.

It's been more than frustrating, really.]

It's different. [Is all she says. No need to tell him how she hasn't found a teacher, or had the chance to learn from Obi-Wan. Or for the past few days she's had sleepless nights.] Is this where you start to lecture me? Tell me all there is I need to know of the Force?

[shoplifter]

What happened to your face.

[That's Laura's social tact, as she holds out an orange while they stand outside of the supermarket; Laura loiters, because it has a bunch of coin machines and short rides in the front.

Here. Take the orange, you new person.

She stole it.]

[killthepast]

[ He stops in his steps, his venture into the supermarket halted by this child and her... really blunt question, paired with an offering of fruit. Ren stares down at her, taking a moment to debate whether or not he wants to accept annnnd...

Sure, why not. He holds the orange up curiously, looking at it like he's still not sure why it was offered to him. ]

I lost a fight. [ Which he's still pretty sore about, even if he says it like the most bland, matter-of-fact truth. Looking at the girl again, he adds: ] Now it's a reminder not to lose again.

[ SATISFIED? ]

[shoplifter]

[Her father had scarring -- but it was because his healing factor had been so slow and damaged. She'd have so many of her own by now... She considers this, popping open a candy bar and taking a considering bite.]

... What was the fight for?

[createdseventh]

Kylo isn't the only one shopping for clothes.

Yukihiko's own clothes had been fresh from battle, stained with blood and ragged, so they'd been thrown out during his stay at the hospital. The outfit they'd given him was more than acceptable, but he would need more than that, certainly.

So far, he'd found two pairs of jeans and two pairs of dress pants that fit well, so shirts were the next concern.

"A winter coat, too," he said to himself. Who knew how much longer the season would last here.

A man also shopping caught his eye. Mostly because the kind of outfit he was wearing reminded Yukihiko of his own. There was a certain way people wore clothes they hadn't picked out. He was headed in that direction anyway, so he approached, offering a small smile.

"Are you new, too?"

[killthepast]

What, his "I got dressed in the lost and found" chic is that obvious? No, no, don't answer; Ren knows how ridiculous and mismatched his outfit looks. Jeans that are both too short and too big around the waist, and a sweater that falsely advertises him as a student at "Riverview University." He clearly didn't pick this out. Even still, he admits he's somewhat impressed that the other man had been paying enough attention to notice that.

The smile isn't returned-- Ren's not the best at casually friendly interactions on the best days-- but he doesn't seem bothered by the attempt at conversation. He looks at the other newcomer carefully, his hands pausing on a pair of black pants he'd been eyeing.

"I suppose it's obvious." After a beat, he adds, "Were you at the hospital?"

[createdseventh]

The smile on Yukihiko's face doesn't waver, and he doesn't seem put off by the lack of return. He's quite used to people who prefer to be serious more often than not.

"I was. Had a few injuries when I arrived, so they kept me a bit."

Which is an understatement. He knew full well he'd been dying when he arrived. Why he was in such a different place all of a sudden... It still doesn't make sense, even after time's passed, but he doesn't mind so much. There wasn't anything left for him where he was, after all.

He offers his hand. The Western gesture seems the most appropriate by the looks and voice of the man.

"Yukihiko Miroku. Pleased to meet you."

[killthepast]

He tilts his head a little, looking Yukihiko over with more interest now, studying the way he carries himself for any clues about the sort of man he is. Of course, the Force helps with that, though he's not, for now, actively directing it.

"Me too," he admits, though he won't get into the details of his injuries. The scar on his face says enough.

Glancing down at the offered hand, he takes a moment before he accepts, somewhat awkwardly. It's been a long time since he's met with somebody as just another person, rather than a figure of fear or authority.

"Kylo Ren." He had considered, the first time somebody here asked for his name, giving an alias, but had decided against it quickly. There's no reason to hide from who he is.

[createdseventh]

For all his friendly expression, a trained eye might catch how straight Yukihiko's posture is and how keen the eyes behind the glasses are. His hand, at times, moves toward his side, where one might keep a sword, before he remembers it's not there right now. And there's a definite extra weight, though light, in his jacket on one side. There are signs of a combatant to him, and if one is capable of sensing auras... There's something a bit off about his. Something that's almost malleable.

"Good of them to advance us some money, at least."

Otherwise, it'd be extremely difficult to get anything to wear. Granted, his job would allow him to wear a uniform, which was somewhat familiar, at least.

"Did they give you a job assignment, too?"

- will contain backstory spoilers for The Last Jedi -

[volitaunt]

[ Most days Poe can make his way through Quarantine without thinking too much. He keeps busy. He trains hard. He takes extra patrols with the Perimeter Guard, as many as he's allowed, and gets reprimanded when he tries to do too many. (The more things change.)

It's another reprimand that has him benched today, and he's missing Leia.

Those two things have nothing (a lot, possibly everything) to do with each other.

He left BB-8 in the room, for once, picking apart some piece of native technology. The droid wasn't keen on Poe going out on his own, but sometimes, very occasionally, Poe needs space without the droid. He needs it now, while he runs the chain of his necklace between his fingers, mind unfocused and dwelling on where he really needs to be and who he really needs to be with.

It's hard not to be homesick in a twisted way, now that Kylo Ren is here. It's hard not to focus on everything that needs to be done. ]

[killthepast]

[ There are places within the Quarantine's walls where one can find some solitude. Even with his solitary room, the communal housing complex is too noisy, too lived-in, but here, in some quiet section of the park, he can kneel in the snow, close his eyes, and meditate.

The Force is here, as it's everywhere, but there is an absence that he can't quite place. He's noticed it since his arrival, but initially assumed it was just a sense of unbalance from the upheaval of being pulled into another galaxy. Now, the absence is larger, harder to explain away.

Which is why he's trying to center himself with anger and discomfort, to commune with the Darkness and find guidance in it...

Until he senses another presence. That's when he gets to his feet without hesitation, hand going to his lightsaber as he turns to scowl at that damned pilot. ]

[volitaunt]

[ Poe stops, kicking himself. His situational awareness is better than this. It's better than this.

His hand drops from the chain at his neck and goes to the holster he's still not quite comfortable wearing. A gun is fine, but it's not a blaster. Projectile weapons are not his favorite.

That's about when it clicks that Ren was kneeling in the snow, because Dark Lord Reasons probably. Poe raises an eyebrow. ]

Drop something?

[killthepast]

[ Dark Lord Reasons, definitely. DON'T. QUESTION. THEM.

And also no he's not going to answer your question, but instead posit one of his own: ]

Are you lost?

[ Said with that air of "GTFO." ]

[volitaunt]

[ Poe considers that question in all its existential--

That's a lie I can't even finish that sentence.

Also Ren if you had asked that question literally any other way he is in a mood where he would have just walked away.

Good job, god.]

It's a public park. Just going to point that out.