when i see the blood Who: Kylo Ren & Glasya Ren. What: Kylo interrogates one of his knights about alleged assignments and relationships. When: Following this thread. Where: On the Finalizer. Rating: G.
Kylo lingered in what had become his office space aboard the Order's flagship; one black-gloved hand brushed the new desk that had been installed there, used for little more than to take up space. Usually the captain's room, it served the dark jedi's purposes well enough -- immediate access to the bridge, and the ability to oversee whatever was going on aboard the Finalizer.
His mask gazed out into the view the far wall, made entirely of transparent materials, offered him: an endless black void dotted with glowing stars. He was waiting for Glasya Ren, one of his more errant knights, in order to learn more about the potential recruit Hux had spoken of.
Glasya entered the room precisely when he was expected, neither a second late nor early. His appearance was impeccable, the very picture of a Knight of Ren: long black cloak below, sharply horned helm above. He looked the very spectre of a raven, an ill omen stepping out of the shadows. He had poured great care into presenting the image demanded of him, taking pains to ensure both body and mind reflected only what they should.
He stopped just inside the door. It slid shut behind him with a quiet hiss.
"Master."
Kylo didn't look away from his view, unacknowledging of Glasya's careful preparations. He let the knight linger in quiet and potential uncertainty for a few moments longer, until his modulated voice broke the stillness.
"I've been informed that you've been giving assignments to some of the refugees on Naboo. Is this something you forgot to mention in your last report?"
Glasya's brow furrowed behind the smooth blackness of his mask. Belatedly he recalled the details of the events, small tasks that seemed so distant and inconsequential now. His shoulders straightened.
"It is not," he said. "The assignments were given some time ago, to a single refugee, as tests to determine if the refugee was worth further investment. While she does display particular talents, I believe the risks in using her further outweigh any potential rewards. Frankly, master, the creature is beneath your consideration."
The black form turned away from the viewscreen, visor centering on Glasya's well-tailored figure. "I will decide what is and isn't beneath my consideration.
"Tell me about these 'talents.'"
"It is a shapeshifter," Glasya said. "Nearly indestructible. It can mimic the form and vocalizations of anything it sees, sentient or otherwise. It can reshape itself to make weapons or tools of its own body. That said, even in its altered states it can be detected, as apparently it exists entirely outside the Force. It leaves a void, of a sort, that is immediately noticeable to any sensitive."
Kylo paused. "And why, precisely, did you believe this was beneath my notice? This being sounds like it would be a valuable asset to the First Order."
The knight's hesitation was heavy and clear, easy to read though his mind was a careful blank. "It may seem that way," Glasya said. "But it is uncontrollable and has no loyalty to us. Of the entire Order, only those few of us with Force sensitivity would even be aware of its presence. The likelihood that it would turn on us, or that it already plans to do so, is great. It seems unwise to invite in something we could not manipulate or kill, should either become necessary."
Whether Kylo noted the hesitation was not immediately clear. "And there is nothing that might sway it to our cause? Every being has a price. It sounds as though due diligence was skipped in regards to this creature." His words, though not overtly hostile, seemed threaded with a small promise of violence, perhaps a lingering echo of previous events.
Glasya did not quell the anger that stirred within him, but he did keep it firmly on its leash. "It is utterly childlike in some ways," he said. "I suppose its curiosity might be turned to our benefit. Its innate urge to kill is another option. But both can hold a creature's attention only so long, and neither are especially solid foundations."
A head bob from Kylo's mask was his first reply, silence falling between them while he considered his knight's words. He tucked his arms behind his back.
"What errand did you assign this creature?"
"I had her kill and take the place of a Resistance recruiter on Naboo," he said. "Then she joined Issan to infiltrate a Resistance base and recover one of our captured informants. Unfortunately the informant had turned, and they were forced to execute him."
"It would seem it has a use, until it does not. I would rather we have this creature on our side, rather than allow the Resistance to gain even a temporary ally." The visor on Kylo's mask regarded Glasya's, the two locked in an unblinking and unflinching contest. "And I would caution you to be more careful in your evaluation of what merits mentioning and what doesn't. We wouldn't want a repeat of our previous encounter, would we? Even your student seems to have learned the error of her ways."
Behind his mask, Glasya silently seethed. "Of course," he said, inclining his head, a small concession to modesty and subservience. "We serve your will." It occurred to Glasya that his master might be baiting him, leading him into a situation wherein Gemini could take control. How simple a thing, and how easily explained away, for someone else to deal with the problem Glasya had lately become? His next words were as careful and guarded as his thoughts. "What would you have me do?"
"I'm no longer sure you're the person to correct this lapse of judgement," Kylo responded, his tongue placing special emphasis on lapse. "Your actions of late have been deeply troubling, Glasya. Up until now, both you and your student were exemplary knights. I would have you both convince me that you're worth the trouble you create not only for me, but also for the Order. The Supreme Leader himself vouched for your admission and would be upset to learn that your careers were cut short."
The chill that cut through Glasya's core was a feeling entirely alien to him. Kylo had threatened him before; he had enacted violence upon him before. But this -- this reaction, this bone-deep response that held more fear than fury -- was something new, and Glasya was unaware how to properly process it. One thing was certain: he could not begin to do so here.
"Yes, master." The words were rote, a call and response practiced diligently over the passage of years. He concealed himself in their comfortable familiarity. "Is there anything more?"
"For now, no." As ever, Kylo's modulated voice maintained an even keel. "Return to sifting through the refugees on Naboo; if anything is found, it is to be reported to me immediately." With that, he turned from Glasya and returned his gaze to the viewscreen he'd been admiring earlier. Glasya wasted no time in leaving. The black shadow of his silhouette melted away from the windows, and once again the Master of Ren was alone.