driftfleet | (no subject)

He tends to do that, yes.

[He had spent five years with Ren, he knew that all too well along with many other things.]

You seemed to find him fairly amusing at least.

You don't?

[He knows Hux doesn't.]

It isn't my sand castle he kicks over in his tantrum.

Ren is powerful, dangerous, but I've learned how to control his outbursts so he focuses that destruction in the right places.

[And Hux had learned just how to use manipulation when it came to Kylo Ren, how to appeal to his sense of pride and those weaknesses he attempted to hide behind a mask. It was a rather satisfying power to wield.]

You no longer control the factors here.

[Like, you know. Loki.]

Though he didn't seem terribly powerful, nor dangerous when he was shrieking at those robots.

[So he's starting to question your criteria, Hux.]

I've seen him turn someone's mind inside out with a thought. He can break someone with a gesture. So yes, I would consider him powerful.

[Hux might have enjoyed watching Ren work at times, feeling a rush. It was a pity he had had to stand outside while Ren had worked on the Resistance pilot.]

He may be powerful but he's also fairly volatile. Especially when he's angry.

[A low, amused drawl:] Humans do have rather fragile minds.

Strength without control can be dangerous. But any power there is fleeting.

Do you think you would be immune if him or a Jedi decided they were really determined to get inside of your mind?

[He wondered what would happen if Ren ever did challenge Loki with full use of the Force. That was an interesting thought.

While I can acknowledge his abilities, even if I don't entirely understand the Force, I prefer not to depend on that kind of power.

Others have tried.

[He's dealt with Jedi before. And telepaths. And they bleed out a lot faster than they can claw through his defenses, as a rule.]

One would be a fool to depend upon that which is not dependable. [So Hux isn't a complete fool. Lovely for him.] The mechanics of that power aren't terribly difficult.

Jedi have tried? Interesting.

[So much for their noble ideals of being above it all.]

Indeed. [He's not going to jump at the compliment.] I understand some of what the Force can do, obviously. But I don't pretend to understand all the details of exactly how it works when I have none of those abilities myself.

[Not quite what he meant, but he'll let Hux believe that. It's an advantage for him.] The fleet isn't the first place of this sort in which I've resided. [He smiles thinly.] And before, my access to energy was far more limited.

Though your concern is very sweet. I didn't know you cared, Hux. [He knows you don't care. But this is half the fun.]

That must have been awful for you. [He would love to see Loki at a true disadvantage and thrown off.

He knew Loki was teasing him and so he allowed himself to smirk a little. They both knew Hux didn't care anyway so he didn't have to insist.] I'm sure you can take care of yourself though.

Edited 2016-09-20 15:09 (UTC)

Not particularly. Once one has survived falling through a black hole, most things are as amusements. [Eyebrow raised.] The source of true power isn't something so easily taken away. Though I can understand if you're still reeling from your severely reduced command.

You survived a black hole? How? [He's curious now, he doubts anything in their galaxy has that ability.]

Star destroyers can be rebuilt, even Starkiller could be replaced. Granted that may not be possible here but technology is replaceable and it evolves. The Force, other magic powers? I doubt it's that easy.

Being immortal tends to help. [Nope, not telling.]

Magics are a tool, just like your base or your ships, if a far superior one. [He laughs softly.] The sort of tool that can easily become one's master, if one is a childish idiot.

Apparently.

[He had no interest in that kind of immortality so he let that subject drop.

He was fairly certain who Loki was referring to with that last comment but he wasn't going to defend Ren's honor or anything like that.]

Of course, if one can't use the tools at their disposal with control then it's just wasted potential.

Precisely. Or worse.

[He stretches his legs out, relaxed, comfortable.]

Are you aiming to be ruler of this fishbowl?

Ruler of a singular fleet such as this? No, not particularly.

[At least, for the time being. His goals for the time being centered more around just dealing with the Jedi and the Resistance. He had a feeling he would get far more satisfaction from winning that fight anyway than ruling here.]

I had expected better of you, but one never knows. Humans are a disappointing lot so often.

I would be fighting an uphill battle against Jedi and for what? A few primitive ships hobbled together from spare parts?

[No, he believed he could to better but it would take resources and time.]

I'm sure my attempts would have entertained you greatly though. You always have Kylo Ren to amuse you at least.

[Amused:] The Jedi would be the least of your annoyances.

I am entertained by many things. Though you have a chance of success, so I would gut like a fish when you made yourself an annoyance to my domestic peace.

[Flattery delivered as a threat, in Loki's normal tone. He's mostly curious to how Hux will take that bait.

Because no, he doesn't think the man would in a thousand years be any credible threat.]

Grown attached to this place then?

[Given his experience with Loki Hux at least think he's capable of such things but he doesn't show fear. He's heard so many threats against his life- some which warranted concern and some ridiculous- and a great many in the fleet.]

I won't stop you confronting Ren either, if that's what you're getting at. I have no intention of defending or saving him.

I am attached to my quiet reading time, and I happen to store my things in this fleet.

[After putting up with Odin for so long, he's not in the mood to entertain any petty dictators who have not even a fraction of his power.

Eyebrows arched up. Interesting that Hux is so eager to throw his nominal ally into the pit.] Do you think you could stop me if you wished to?

Edited 2016-09-25 06:53 (UTC)

You can threaten me all you wish and make whatever claims you feel you need to but I'm not interested in intervening on Ren's behalf.

[Ren could be valuable but more likely than not he was more of a liability. Hux had been willing to undermine Ren before, that wasn't going to change here if he couldn't use Ren to his advantage.]

[He laughs.] I made no threat nor no claim. I asked a question.

You and I both know the answer to that or do you just want to hear me say it aloud?