( OPEN )

[fhux]

WHO: Hux & YOU
WHAT: His first month in the Quarantine.
WHEN: Feb.
WHERE: All over! Tag his open prompt or contact me for a private thread.
WARNINGS: tba

i. central perk in space.

[ It has been so long since Hux was planetside (aside from Starkiller Base which doesn't really count because nothing was new there, culturally, after the First Order set down roots) that for his first couple of weeks without duties, responsibilities, or even a timetable, he flounders for what to do with himself. After throwing himself into his work at the Perimeter Guard (training and such menial obstacles that must be overcome with his indictment) and messaging the network only to find a wealth of the Resistance skulking around, determined to sabotage his attempts to do exactly anything, not to mention Kylo Ren running wild with the most common of ruffians available, Armitage decides Kriff this and goes into the city with no clear purpose. It's horrible yet somehow soothing to have no direction and aimlessly wander, discovering this and that along the way. He takes notes of local engineering workshops and purchases what passes for a datapad from some galaxy he's never heard of, spends a little too long outside a pet store watching a young batch of kittens under a For Sale sign (Millicent), and indulges in rating caff-shops. Or coffee-shops, whatever they're called.

He finds one in particular that he likes. No one knows him or looks twice when he steps inside, half-anxious FN-2187 or Dameron is going to pop up like a mouthy sarlacc and shriek obscenities at him, but he purchases a black caff and some cookies and sits down near a window in peaceful silence, greatcoat folded beside him and the new datapad his current focus as he attempts to reprogram its language into Basic. It's a relaxing task and somewhat flexes his technical skills, keeping his head down so that he is soon absorbed in his work, occasionally raking back loose red hair that flops forward without the usual regulation pomade, sweater sleeves rolled up as the heat of the shop seeps into his pale skin. Oddly, he thinks of his quiet talks with Phasma at the end of her shifts whenever she would approach him in his private quarters to log reports, and he misses the subtle humour that would wryly peel through her helmet as he drank his bitter tea, gently ribbing back and forth. He misses ... a lot about home. Yet, even though most of his time was objectively spent alone on the Finalizer, never has he had the time to actually feel lonely. There has always been something to do.

Armitage isn't happy but neither is he despairing anymore, which is as good as he suspects it will get on this moon. At least the caff is decent and no one is adding new bruises to his collection of faded relics. ]

ii. shuttle adventure. (closed to jim kirk)

[ It's a matter of time before one of the Resistance sabotages his attempts to get anything of worth done at Armitage's new job (he still isn't sure what to do with himself, exactly) but before they do he intends to get as good of an overview of what he's dealing with as possible, and that means actual legwork. No longer does he have a star-destroyer to simply scan the terrain on his behalf and relay any salient information; no, today he arrives on what passes for the Guard's shuttle bay with his homemade datapad under an arm, greatcoat buttoned (minus any insignia that might set off an unwanted confrontation) and ungelled hair whipping in the wind as he approaches the owner of the craft.

Not knowing what to expect with the rebels an unknown factor lurking in the shadows, he straightens up near Kirk and clears his throat. Manages a tight smile. (Certain factors run through his mind, taking note of the height and muscle Kirk has on him, comforted by the concealed blaster and knife Hux decided to keep hidden away on his person ... just in case.) ]

Captain. If you and your vessel are ready and willing, I believe I'm a little early for our tour of the Abandoned City.

iii. getting up, close and wet. (closed to valkyrie)

[ The only significant amount of time Hux spends in the public apartments is to shower, distrustful of the showers at the Perimeter Guard which are so close to the hygiene sectors that Stormtroopers use he can't bear to imagine setting foot inside them. So his routine goes as follows; enter the apartment with spare clothes and toiletries in his satchel, head straight to the showers, return to the bedroom and change into fresh clothes. He keeps a hairbrush and spare towel in the drawers next to his allotted bed, which is fortunate because today he doesn't have another towel to dry his hair with and, having discovered Tico is a resident on the same floor, he would rather not linger longer than necessary.

The aggressive woman known as Valkyrie is, of course, therefore passed out on his bed with her feet in the way of the drawers he needs to get into, dripping and cold in a single towel wrapped around his waist. She's the violent type, he has vaguely heard, so when it comes to waking her up he doesn't take any chances.

Armitage uses someone else's pillow to throw at her head, himself keeping a safe distance. In a cutting tone usually appropriated on the bridge of the Finalizer, he barks, ] Up, now!

Comments

[peacemongering]

[Arrogance, ambition and effectively driven? That was likely going to be a hot button to keep a finger off of, but he was now reassessing that, in part, Hux might actually be more dangerous than Ren. It was the quiet knife that one had to watch for, not the one brandished plainly.]

Even if those bumps in the road happen to be your superiors, I take it? [A rise in power in an order that sounded extremely bound by order and power made him think that such a movement required extremes.]

As long as such matters don't involve needing to consider you a threat from below. I'm too old to have to watch for when the knives come out, General.

[fhux]

Has someone tried to assassinate you recently? How embarrassing for them.

[ To have failed. Hux is not the type to leave loose strings, one of the reasons he and Phasma worked so well together since the day she murdered his father and protected his part to play in it. She was a decorated captain on her own merit, but still. Hux repaid his debt.

He shakes his head, sitting forward with his hands steepled. ]

I don't murder reliable suppliers, that's just bad business for everyone. I appreciate effort and results, as I'm sure do you.

[peacemongering]

Recently, no. People know better than to try.

[Pierce was also one that kept loose ends to a bare minimum, and he wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty if necessary. However, he was also powerful enough to be able to call in the elimination of those who were too dangerous to keep around. People either fell in line or they were swept aside.]

The process and the end result are equally important to me. I like to know how results are accomplished. It also gives me a measure of the talents of the people.

[fhux]

You're more than welcome to visit my workshop, if you're in any doubt as to my ability.

[ His current project is a small firearm for Ren but it isn't complete, he lacks a kyber crystal. Hopefully he can negotiate one from the portal's staffing crew soon. There are other files on how to improve the wall and suchlike, albeit similarly unfinished; the invitation is rather a show of transparency. ]

May I ask what it is that Ren does for you?

[peacemongering]

Why would I doubt the ability of the youngest General to ever rise to that rank in the First Order? It doesn't seem as if they simply give away the title.

[He raised an eyebrow, watching Hux with a smile on his face. There was something uncompromising about this man, and he was willing to see on site what that was about if this entire interview process worked out between them.]

You may ask, but I see no reason get into personal matters at this time. Perhaps over tea some time when we aren't in a business capacity.

[fhux]

[ "Under my wing." "Personal matters". Hux is going to slap the stupid right out of Ren's overlarge ears, it isn't often that his skin crawls. As shitty and reluctant a leader as Ren is, Hux can't abide the thought of any of the First Order being taken for a ride. ]

Certainly. [ As for the compliments, he nods agreeably and lets his answer serve for both. The Imperials certainly didn't surrender their authority without a fuss, yet they were old men with senile values about the Empire, useless to the youth that built the Order. They were crushed underheel in time. ] Are there any further questions you have for me? It seems only right you should have the opportunity to grill the man seeking your allegiance.

[peacemongering]

[Pierce was going to enjoy seeing where this one went. He would definitely guard his back and likely speak to Ren to gather more information about Hux. It would be easier to guard himself against the inevitable conflict of views between them that way, but so far he had what Hux wanted more than Hux had what he wanted, so a small advantage for the time being was one he would consider.]

No, I will look into your situation personally. Do you have any other questions for me, since we are being so honest with each other?

[fhux]

[ What a direly boring, short affair that will be, he supposes. To the best of his knowledge all the files on him state the same as Hux has detailed; General of the First Order, head of ISA (albeit a one-man department), concluded his Guard training at the highest achievement level. Excellent sniper. But Pierce must do his own nosying, a man like that.

He cocks his head, considering. ]

What are your connections toward one General Organa, if any?

[ His obvious parallel from back home, if the disdain he can't keep out of his voice is anything to go by. ]

[peacemongering]

[He considered what was on paper to be superfluous compared to speaking with people who might have had run-ins with Hux. If they were First Order with Ren, then he had a few people that he could speak to about that, to find out more of the man. People had interesting opinions that skewed facts, but they were still worth looking into.

And this General was interesting. How dangerous was yet to tell. What would Ren have to say about this man?]

We teamed up briefly in a game of paintball with her friend, Holdo. We've shared a brief after game drink together. From my assessment, she's a very capable woman. Good instincts for tactics, but likely too trusting.

Why do you ask?

[fhux]

[ "Hux sucks" will probably be Ren's verbal hashtag forever, no surprise there. ]

She's a war criminal. A pleasant and brilliant woman, no doubt, but her ideals don't quite match up with the reality of the situation she has led herself and others into. Any trust she implies is to be taken lightly. The General has quite the influential pull, I find.

[ And he wondered whether she exerted any over Pierce, if he's got his fingers in as many powerful pies as he makes it sound. Organa is not to be underestimated. ]

[peacemongering]

[War criminal was an extremely strong term to use. He couldn't help but smile, turning aside to grab his tea to take a sip from the cup.]

There are no war criminals here. That's the beauty of a fresh start, General. You can be whatever you need to be in order to build a life in Quarantine. Like you, the term General means nothing in this place. In reality, you and she would be just commoners, wouldn't you say until you both make something of yourselves here.

[He was CEO of a company; he had taken in whatever project he knew would gather him good favour with those who ruled. He sought to protect but more, he sought to push his own agenda.]

And honestly, if her pull is enough to advance what I want, I will use it. Any other questions?

[fhux]

[ His jaw sets, a muscle twitching in the corner. ]

I wouldn't say that, no. A life may extinguish and begin anew under many circumstances, but geographical shift is not one of them.

[ He speaks as if he politely disagrees, when inside his dislike ramps up several notches only to crank straight up to a burn when Pierce is candid with his passive-aggressive arrogance. Luckily, Hux has dealt with that for years already and simply nods, neither agreeing or counteracting the statement. To challenge such a set will gains him nothing, only creates obstacles, and unlike some he can actually lay a self-imposed balm over his temper. ]

My thanks for your time, [ as he rises to leave, fuming at Ren for cultivating yet another shadow for them to live under, ] this meeting has been highly appreciated.

[peacemongering]

[He would have questioned more into that statement, but it was clear a moment later that Hux was very much ready to leave him. That was too bad, as they were only just starting to get to know one another on a very different level. He revised his assessment of Hux.

It very much was too bad that the wiping technology didn't yet exist here. There was no need for it, not yet anyway.]

Indeed, it has. I shall write up a contract and send it directly to your other place of work. [Likely, he would ask Ren to deliver it personally.]

[fhux]

[ Do you want him to hate you, Pierce. It seems so. ]

Excellent. [ Out of habit he straightens, pulling on his gloves before politely offering a hand as is the custom between humans on this moon. As with his audiences with Snoke, he can't wait to be free of the room. ] Then I'll be in touch.

[peacemongering]

[The dislike seemed inevitable regardless. He had to wonder if Hux actually respected and liked anyone, despite this brief first meeting. A shame really.

He pushed off of his desk to approach, shaking the General's hand without any hesitation.] I certainly hope so. It will be a pleasure working with you, General.