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Kylo was annoyed that Gnaeus worried Paquin. Even if it was warranted, she didn’t need to doubt their capabilities to avoid danger. Or deal with danger. The lightsabers would make it easier, though even Gnaeus seemed uneasy to have it spoken so. Of course, he was still down to one real hand – the thought of fighting with it still wasn’t appealing.

Kylo turned to follow Ariel, and Gnaeus did as well. “Anything we need, we can get on Kafrene,” there would be food there, and he was sure they could find a place to overnight if that became necessary. He was really hoping it wouldn’t become necessary, though.

The group continued outside, and to Ariel’s ship. Gnaeus couldn’t help but glance at the body of the chiss they’d just be abandoning here. It still felt wrong to abandon him there, but he supposed there really was no other alternative. They couldn’t bring the corpse along with them, and they weren’t going to bury it.

Maybe some predator would pick it up, eventually. Then they wouldn’t have to see it when they returned. ‘If we return….’ He didn’t know if that would be the direction after this mission, and opted to ask, “Do you know where we’re taking the General to? Or what comes next?”

“No,” Kylo shook his head. He presumed that Snoke didn’t want them to know where he was just yet, just in case. He’d tell them the next steps once they had Hux. For now, they just had to follow orders, and Kylo really wasn’t intending to mess that up as he went to the cockpit and began to prepare the ship to lift them off from Korriban and get them on towards the Ring of Kafrene.

Which, he had to look up the coordinates for – he didn’t know it off hand.

~***~

‘No, that’s what the Force is for.’ Mira had little intention of asking for help when she had the Force, which was more than useful with braids, so she was sure it could be useful in any trouble with the dress – any tricky zipper or straps. Fortunately, this dress was fairly straightforward, and while Mira supposed it looked nice…it was pink.

She tried it mostly to see if she could get over that, but determined in that moment she wasn’t going to humor a pink dress. It wasn’t at all the image she wanted to present. Red might be a bit bold, but it was better than this…softness.

“Are you about done? Do you need any help?” Adelita’s voice broke through before Mira could just take it off and spare herself from being seen in it.

“No, I don’t need help. I don’t like this one so—”

“Oh, no, no, no – we have to see what’s not good about it!” Adelita was a little aware that Julia was also doing this to amuse herself, so Mira would have to endure a bit of that.

Mira let out a frustrated sigh, but knew standing behind the door arguing was going to accomplish nothing. So, she made sure the dress was still on decently, and then walked out, giving Adelita an annoyed look before walking back to the area with the mirrors and the couches, where Julia and Finn were.

“That doesn’t look so bad,” Julia did note, but Mira just shook her head.

“I’m not doing pink.” Sure, it probably looked fine on her, but it wasn’t the impression she wanted to make. She noticed Finn holding a couple of things though, golden hued, and arched a brow.

“Oh, uh – for my suit. For matching my mom.” He said.

“Aww!” Adelita, of course, found that adorable.

~***~

‘Oh stars….’ August wasn’t sure how obvious he was going to have to be with hints, but the fact that statement went over Hux’s head – as did his ‘well-suited’ comment – suggested it would have to be pretty obvious to make Hux realize why he should try to impress Mira. ‘Unless you’re fine with remaining cold and detached and never having anything more.’ Which he didn’t think Hux truly was, but he’d likely agree with it.

Inari returned though, before he could make any comment. He eyed the black and red thing, as well as the gray and black thing, but offered no comment. It still wasn’t all black, so he supposed he might not veto it. “I still reserve vetoing power,” he noted as he turned away, “Let me know when he’s decent,” he’d leave Hux to get changed on his own, though. He didn’t need to hover for that.

He left that area, but he didn’t venture too far. He’d be close enough to call to see Hux as he went through the outfits, and to make sure Hux didn’t make a fool of himself, and also didn’t wear all black.

He would look like a decent human being for this party.
 
Paquin inhaled, wary of leaving without any preparation. But she wasn’t going to fight it, joining the group. If they ended up needing something, she’d just get to say I told you so. Of course, she wouldn’t actually say that. But she could think it. She just had to trust that they’d be just fine.

She avoided looking at the dead chiss. Not only was it a reminder of her failure to protect Kylo, which further worried her about their trip to Kafrene, but she also thought it was horrible to just leave his body out there. She couldn’t help but think that if she’d paid more attention she could’ve prevented his death in the first place. Or at least had more of a chance to have not left him at their front door. If he was still there when they got back, she’d do something. Drag him off, put a blanket over him. Something.

Paquin took her favorite seat, the co-pilot’s seat. Even if she was the worst person to help pilot should they encounter an emergency. Ariel didn’t attempt to take the seat closest to Kylo to spur her on, the redhead had at least some gauge of when to stop. Sometimes, anyway.

Paquin watched as Kylo had to look up where this place was. She supposed she didn’t have a bad feeling about this place. It just made her nervous. She twiddled with her hair during their ride to Kafrene.

Ariel wasn’t at all unnerved, really. She was used to crime ridden planets and knew they’d all been through worse. She noticed her hands shaking, her body’s only subtle warning that she was running low on an acceptable alcohol content. She frowned, clenching her hand. She was aware just how grossly dependent on alcohol was, but she also knew she couldn’t be without it. Or rather, was nervous what she’d be like without it.

Ariel was brought out of her brief depression session by Paquin speaking, the environment slowing as they approached the trading post. “This place is so busy, why would Snoke want to bring Hux here?” She questioned, as if any of them even remotely knew what Snoke was thinking.

“Maybe because it’s full of criminals that wouldn’t bat an eye at an imprisoned Hux?” Ariel offered. Though, someone would probably open their mouth for a couple credits.

-

Finn’s cheeks heated up a little bit at Adelita’s awes. He briefly waved his hand. “I thought it would be fun for us to do.” Something to bond over, it was there first time going out to do something together. Of course he wasn’t going to explain all of that.

“That’s so cute!” Adelita commented

“Thank you. I try.” Finn chuckled. Anyway,” Finn chuckled. “I think the pink looks nice Mira!” He hadn’t expected it to look bad, but he thought it would be more comical. It actually looked very nice on her, but of course he knew it wasn’t what she wanted.

“I do as well,” Julia agreed, “Oh well. You can change. Though, Adelita, keep it as an option, please?” She said that solely to irritate Mira.

Julia could simply just buy the one she wanted Mira to wear, but she wouldn’t. She’d let Mira pick what she wanted to wear, within reason, obviously. She’d make her opinions known.

“Of course, Julia.” Adelita winked before turning back to the dresses she’d gathered, grabbing another for Mira to try on. “Okay, I think both of these are actual contenders.” She offered, unlike the pink sparkly one which was clearly for everyone else’s entertainment. She offered up a maroon dress that was very flowy. Closely resembled drapes, sure, but also looked very elegant. Refined.

“That one’s pretty!” Finn commented. “Looks like something you’d actually wear.” Finn grinned.

“Nice fabric, pretty color,” Julia agreed, it was pretty. “But I don’t think it’s do much for her shape.” While Mira might not want to show off too much to the other Senators and such, there was still a certain ginger that it wouldn’t hurt to impress.

“There’s also this red one that I think would look good on her,” Adelita held that one up as well. Red was a classic and would undoubtedly look good on Mira. And it was easy to pair with a bold lip and didn’t need much jewelry to go with it.

-

Inari assisted Hux in getting the first suit on. Of course Hux could dress himself, but Inari helped him ‘tuck his shirt in correctly’ and slipped the navy colored jacket over his arms. “You are rather lean aren’t you,” Inari commented, gently tugging at the band of the pants. There wasn’t too much extra fabric, but a belt would help the look. And Hux couldn’t tell if what she said, or how she said it, was a good thing or not.

“I’m aware of this,” Hux was trying not to be rude, as Inari had been doing no wrong. Hux was just irritated and frazzled by the situation in which he’d be shoved into a suit. And wasn’t allowed to wear a plain black one.

Inari easily ignored Hux, facing him towards the mirror. “What do you think?”

Hux stared blankly at his reflection, looking himself up and down. Admittedly, he didn’t look bad. He felt weird, but didn’t look weird. “It’s alright. I don’t think navy is my color,” he grumbled, as if he had any idea.

Inari looked at him, blinking. “Hm.” Navy was probably one of the most flattering colors on a fair skinned ginger like himself. Never mind that. “Governor, he’s decent!” She called out to August. She waited until the older redhead joined them, turning Hux to show August. “Obviously imagine him with nice dress shoes and possibly a tie to accompany the look. But so far, what do we think? It’s no floral moment, but I don’t think it’s a bad start.” She offered.

“I think we need to keep looking.” Hux suggested, ready to be done. He wanted to go right to the ones he’d think he’d actually wear, but knew that he was really just there to entertain August. Whether by how ridiculous he looked or his irritation.
 
Kylo tried to monitor his own breathing so he wouldn’t be overtaken by the anxiety that Paquin seemed to be feeling, or even the wariness that Gnaeus felt, as they all gathered into the starship and set off for the Rings of Kafrene. What awaited them was one of the many hell holes in this universe, but Kylo would endure it to start setting things right, and get the Knights back on track and in Snoke’s good graces again.

They’d had far too many failures.

At the question of why Kafrene, he did shrug, “I didn’t ask,” even if he had, he probably wouldn’t have been given much of an answer. Ariel’s answer was as good as any, “Most people prefer to keep their heads down and not get involved in the messes of others on worlds like that, unless they think it’s worth the trouble.”

He was fairly certain no one was going to think it was worth the trouble to get involved in this situation.

Gnaeus couldn’t help but speak what was on Ariel’s mind, “But they’re likely to spread the information, aren’t they?”

“I doubt the Supreme Leader expects this to remain a secret for long,” the First Order would notice Hux missing, and if Brendol Hux had his way, he’d soon be in a position of leadership. These weren’t quiet events. “That doesn’t mean they’ll know where he’s been taken.” They would only be able to offer that the descriptions of who took him, potentially the identities – and if Mira didn’t figure that out on her own, then he definitely over-estimated her capabilities.

Especially given that Brendol intended to restore the First Order-Knights of Ren alliance.

Kylo didn’t bother to radio ahead as he brought the ship down into one of the hangars. He just found an empty spot in it, and slid the vessel in, “Let’s just find a cantina near the hangar and wait,” certainly they could stay out of trouble by hovering near a spaceport cantina. Certainly, Brendol could find them near a hangar, and he wouldn’t have to drag his son far.

Why was Kylo so sure this was all going to get blown to hell?

Likely the anxiety in the ship, and outside it, which he tried to ignore as he pushed himself up from the pilot’s seat and led the way out.

~***~

The pink might look nice, but Mira still didn’t want to wear it. She felt a thousand times more comfortable in her Knight of Ren armor, and she knew she didn’t want to wear that, either. It sent the wrong message. She really did need to get new armor, though. Wearing that was likely to be confusing at some point if she continued to do so. Then again, wearing Hux’s coat was also, potentially, confusing – but she didn’t care so much about that.

“Thank you,” she hissed the words as Julia gave her permission to change, only hissed because she wanted it kept out as an option. She took the red dress that Julia seemed to favor over the maroon one.

She might have preferred the maroon one, but she saw no point in wasting time if Julia was going to reject it because it was too drape-y.

Besides, she liked red. Sure, she probably shouldn’t advertise that too much, given the connection to the Knights and their lightsabers, but she’d worn red well in the casino. At least, she thought she did. Perhaps it wasn’t so bright as this dress, though, “I’ll try it on and see,” Mira allowed, “If it doesn’t look good, I’ll try the draping one.”

Mira vanished back into the dressing room with the red dress and tried it on, finding it did fit her form well, as Julia had thought it would. That probably won women points here, if Julia’s own styles were any indication. She hadn’t paid as much attention as, perhaps, she should have to those senators when she was present. Given, this kind of dress was also, probably, not appropriate for the senate, either.

‘Well if this is my fate it isn’t too bad.’ Perhaps she should feign being sulkier in order to make sure this dress did work out, but when she stepped out of the room she couldn’t quite pull it off.

“Is this good enough?” She asked the pair, her approval hinted at by the question. She was fine not trying anything else on.

~***~

August waited patiently to be called in, wondering idly when he’d decided to make Brendol a project and not just let him flounder and fail on his own. They’d agreed on a military alliance only. ‘If you want the backing of the Gray….’ Ah yes, that was where things shifted. While he wasn’t openly supporting the First Order, he would be openly supporting the Gray. Given Mira’s predisposition towards Hux, it was better that Hux not flounder too much in these early stages, or else the Gray might mean little in the larger scheme.

And the Gray was the only piece on the board he could set against the Jedi, and the Knights of Ren.

That…and admittedly this was a bit fun. Even if it was also, partially, for Julia as well. At least Hux didn’t disappoint with his grumpiness, as when August stepped in, he expressed his clear disapproval for the navy suit. “Really?” August mused, looking the other over, “It actually does look halfway decent on you, but I suppose if you let the suit wear you, rather than wear it yourself, it won’t be doing you any good no matter how it looks.”

He could vaguely recall Julia telling Johann as much when he seemed to detest something that, objectively, looked good – but that Johann was unwilling to pull off. “Let’s try one of those things with some maroon to it, perhaps he’ll be more comfortable to have some of the First Order colors on him.”

Admittedly, maroon was not an FO color, but red was, and maroon was close enough. He honestly doubted Hux recognized the difference.
 
Ariel had hardly been listening to them after she offered up her suggestion to Paquin, briefly caught up in having a midlife crisis argument with herself over whether her alcoholism was bad or not. But all that ceased when Kylo mentioned finding a cantina. “Ooh, cantina!” She said excitedly, proving how much control the evil beverage had over her. She was ready to easy her shaking hands with a drink.

Maybe something fruity.

Though she couldn’t imagine Kafrene of all places would have good fruit, let alone fruity drinks.

The two women rose from their seats, Ariel following eagerly after Kylo. Paquin wasn’t far behind, sticking close to the two in front of her. And glancing back to make sure Gnaeus stuck with them as well. She almost suggested all of them holding hands to avoid separation. Especially with how quickly other life forms seemed to crowd around them, shuffling through the hangar.

Ariel pointed out a place, the only give away that it was a cantina was the obnoxious music coming from it. And the sign, but it was so broken that only a handful of letters even remained. Just as dreary and ugly as the rest of the shithole planet.

Ariel forced her and her company’s way through the place and to the bar, ordering some dull blue drink in which she had no idea what it consisted of. “See, this is the kinda place I’d hang out in on all the shit planets I’ve been on!” Ariel raised her voice over the chattering and music to tell her companions about how familiar she was with these kinds of places. Not just thanks to her missions assigned by the ever so thoughtful Snoke, but her home planet was pretty bad as well. Very big on crime and dank, dark businesses.

“That’s unfortunate.” Paquin mumbled, the place not sitting right with her. Maybe she was paranoid, but she couldn’t shake the feeling she was being watched. But she wasn’t going to look around to prove that theory true.

-

Finn almost wanted to suggest to Mira wearing something that wasn’t red, since the last dress she wore had been red. Even though she did pull the color off incredibly well. And despite his desire to, he could tell Mira wasn’t too enthused about trying on a bunch of dresses. At least, not any pink ones.

“I think it looks good! Elegant, pretty!” Finn offered.

Julia hummed in agreement. “It does look very nice. Sleek, sexy, but not too inappropriate for a Senate party.” At least, not for someone new to the Senate. Once more familiar with it, having already made impressions, one could get away with a lot more fun clothing. Unless that person was Carise Sindian. That girl was too much.

“Hux will like it, I’m sure.” Julia noted, giving her another once over. “If it’s what you like, we’ll take it.” Julia most definitely wanted to see more dresses on Mira. Or rather, watch Mira suffer while trying on pretty dresses. But she could see that Mira wanted this dress to be the one.

Besides, they had a little more shopping to do. They needed to get Mira some makeup, after all. Julia could find amusement in that just as well. “Miss Vallens, how often do you wear makeup, anyway?” She asked. She had a suspicion that it wasn’t very often, but if she had any makeup of her own then that would be a start.

Meanwhile, Finn snuck off to the side to try on some of the jackets and such while Mira changed back into her own clothes. They were easy to pull on and off. He had picked out one that was all a reflective gold, which was all too much, he though. One that was gold, but the lapels were black. And one that was majorly black with gold accents around the collar, cuffs, and pockets.

“Finn,” Julia spoke then, surprising Finn. “You should go with that one. Subtle, but you’ll still match with your mother. Without outshining her.” Julia had no clue who Finn’s mother was, she didn’t think her husband had ever bothered to look either. She wondered how Finn himself got that information. She knew the FO didn’t want parentage information even leaking to their own people.

“Oh, uh, thank you.”

-

Hux also wondered exactly when he went from an alliance with August to allowing himself to become a source of amusement to the man. In the moment when August said to try one of the red things, Hux stared at his reflection and asked himself why he hadn’t put his foot down on the whole suit thing.

Surely, Tarkin wouldn’t have broken an alliance over his refusal to embarrass himself.

‘Oh well.’

Inari assisted in the changing of Hux’s suit, hanging up the navy one properly as Hux tried on one of the red ones. Or as August put it ‘maroon’. How pretentious. It was red. Nevermind that.

The suit jacket was an odd fabric. Velvet. It was majorly dark red, or as how August would call it ‘maroon’, but the lapels and pants were black. And Hux, admittedly, didn’t so much mind this one. The color didn’t look bad on him, but he was sure the reason he didn’t feel too uncomfortable was because of the presence of the color black. And even the red, as it was technically a First Order color.

Inari invited August back once Hux was decent. Tugging on the cuffs of the jacket to straighten them out, he spoke. “I don’t mind this one so much,” He wouldn't outwardly say he liked it, but he kind of did. It was an interesting look on him, he had to admit.

“Unexpected,” Inari mumbled. She thought for sure he'd have more of an issue with this one, considering the fabric. She wouldn't argue with it, continuing on to then holding up two ties. “With this option we can go for a matching velvet one or a simple black one.” And that’s where they finally got a glare from Hux for this look. But there was no chance this look would be worn without a tie, Inari wouldn't allow it.

Hux wasn’t a fan of ties. He hardly knew how to tie one. And he could easily be joked with it. But he said nothing, allowing August a chance to judge the look.
 
Kylo and Gnaeus couldn’t help but think much the same as Paquin – there seemed to be literally grease on the walls of this cantina. If this was the kind of environment that Ariel had to endure day after day, or often enough, Kylo couldn’t imagine how she did it. He felt dirty just being in here, and he didn’t mind that much being bloody, smoky, or covered in debris. This was a different kind of disgusting, though.

Not to mention the people were loud, in more ways than one.

The Commander wasn’t even trying to feel their emotions or thoughts through the Force, but blips popped up all the same as he moved by people to get towards the bar where Ariel clearly wanted to be, to place her order for a drink. Gnaeus called out to order the same, figuring whatever it was would be potent and he could just sip at it. Kylo just glanced around, trying to locate some out of the way table. He didn’t want to remain at the bar where eyes focused in on them.

On their lightsabers.

He wasn’t really intending to be subtle, but he also didn’t need some idiot drunkard challenging him and to make a mess in here before Brendol showed up – and he really hoped that Brendol wouldn’t take long. “Are you gonna get anythin’?” The bartender asked once it got Ariel and Gnaeus’s drinks, multiple eyes fixing on Kylo first, and when he shook his head, on Paquin.

“I can get whatever she wants,” one black-haired man said, having moved through the crowd to approach the bar after noticing Paquin enter. Sure, the red-head there was hot – but also looked a bit like a psycho who would fuck him as soon as kill him.

Kylo’s dark gaze immediately took in the bold intruder, who was a little more than just intoxicated, as he gave a grin to Paquin, completely ignoring the glare he was getting from Kylo, “I haven’t seen anyone as fine as you step in here in a while, miss. Name’s Yoel, but you can call me whatever you like.”

“Or you can leave, Yoel.”

Yoel lifted his lighter gaze up, “What, is she yours?” He hadn’t gotten the vibe he was really intruding….

~***~

Mira was fairly certain she wouldn’t need any blush as her face heated under both Julia and Finn’s compliments, particularly Julia’s. ‘Sexy’ wasn’t a word she tended to apply to herself or much that she wore. She favored Finn’s phrasing for it, it was more comfortable. She also tried not to consider that Hux would like it.

It almost made her want to just go grab the thing that would have been more like a sheet. She was trying to avoid getting any closer, and it was already hard enough now that she’d figured out she did want to be closer. But she didn’t want it interfering with the First Order. Or with Hux. Or for him to resent her for it. She didn’t want to put that kind of pressure on his mind, either.

She could handle this at a distance.

At the ‘Miss Vallens’, however, she did quirk an eyebrow. Miss was still such a…strange title to her. “If you’re going to call me ‘Miss’, just call me Mira.” She said, before adding, “And I don’t wear it often at all.” There was no point in her line of business. Only on a few occasions had she, and even then it was simple and rudimentary things she couldn’t mess up. Or she thought she couldn’t mess up.

“Actually, you may want to keep that dress on, then,” Julia noted as Mira tried to sneak away, “We’ll want to match make-up to it, and a style for your hair, and it’ll be easier with you in it. The party isn’t that far away, either,” she noted, and Mira just sighed.

“Let me get my clothes then,” she’d at least want those back, and to take them back to her ship. She did so, and heard the comment to Finn as she was gathering up her things, a bag offered for the attire which she did fold up. It was her First Order attire…she had to keep that nice.

Once it was all folded and stored, she walked back out to find Finn had chosen his suit jacket, and she gave an approving nod on seeing how downplayed the gold was.

Julia had stepped off to the side to settle the bill, and as soon as it was done, ushered them out, “Just next door is a great make-up place!”

“Fantastic….” Mira wasn’t even going to pretend to be enthused.

“Do you think I’d look good with some eyeliner?” Finn said, joking, of course. Mira almost immediately shook her head. “Darn, kill my dreams of being a rockstar.”

“You’re my padawan.”

“I can be both!”

“Not if you were eyeliner.”

“Oh, I see how it is.” But Finn was relieved to see a smile. Mira wasn’t too upset with this situation, then.

~***~

August was a bit surprised to hear that the velvet suit was the one that Hux didn’t mind. Somehow, he thought the texture would throw Hux off, but seeing as he didn’t hate it, August was absolutely not about to turn it down. A velvet suit was a rare sight at these things anymore, and anyone who could halfway pull it off, was rarer. Some might debate whether or not he could.

He’d looked better in the navy suit, in August’s opinion, but would he be saying that? No. He wanted Hux in the velvet suit.

“I think the velvet tie is the better option,” if only because now August wanted Hux in all velvet. He knew he couldn’t put him in velvet suits, but a tie? Certainly. “Deal with it, Hux. Just think of it as another weapon you can use to strangle people with if need be, and a weapon you can actually bring to my party.”

It wasn’t like Hux was all that strong, but August had seen him improvise well enough. “Now if you can find him matching shoes, I think he’ll actually be halfway decent,” August said, “which was more than I had hoped for – and I think many are going to appreciate the fabric.”

Watching Hux squirm under people wanting to touch his suit was going to be fantastic.

And Mira. If she was prone to jealousy, it would definitely show.

Julia was going to be so proud of him for this suit.
 
Kylo and Gnaeus couldn’t help but think much the same as Paquin – there seemed to be literally grease on the walls of this cantina. If this was the kind of environment that Ariel had to endure day after day, or often enough, Kylo couldn’t imagine how she did it. He felt dirty just being in here, and he didn’t mind that much being bloody, smoky, or covered in debris. This was a different kind of disgusting, though.

Not to mention the people were loud, in more ways than one.

The Commander wasn’t even trying to feel their emotions or thoughts through the Force, but blips popped up all the same as he moved by people to get towards the bar where Ariel clearly wanted to be, to place her order for a drink. Gnaeus called out to order the same, figuring whatever it was would be potent and he could just sip at it. Kylo just glanced around, trying to locate some out of the way table. He didn’t want to remain at the bar where eyes focused in on them.

On their lightsabers.

He wasn’t really intending to be subtle, but he also didn’t need some idiot drunkard challenging him and to make a mess in here before Brendol showed up – and he really hoped that Brendol wouldn’t take long. “Are you gonna get anythin’?” The bartender asked once it got Ariel and Gnaeus’s drinks, multiple eyes fixing on Kylo first, and when he shook his head, on Paquin.

“I can get whatever she wants,” one black-haired man said, having moved through the crowd to approach the bar after noticing Paquin enter. Sure, the red-head there was hot – but also looked a bit like a psycho who would fuck him as soon as kill him.

Kylo’s dark gaze immediately took in the bold intruder, who was a little more than just intoxicated, as he gave a grin to Paquin, completely ignoring the glare he was getting from Kylo, “I haven’t seen anyone as fine as you step in here in a while, miss. Name’s Yoel, but you can call me whatever you like.”

“Or you can leave, Yoel.”

Yoel lifted his lighter gaze up, “What, is she yours?” He hadn’t gotten the vibe he was really intruding….

~***~

Mira was fairly certain she wouldn’t need any blush as her face heated under both Julia and Finn’s compliments, particularly Julia’s. ‘Sexy’ wasn’t a word she tended to apply to herself or much that she wore. She favored Finn’s phrasing for it, it was more comfortable. She also tried not to consider that Hux would like it.

It almost made her want to just go grab the thing that would have been more like a sheet. She was trying to avoid getting any closer, and it was already hard enough now that she’d figured out she did want to be closer. But she didn’t want it interfering with the First Order. Or with Hux. Or for him to resent her for it. She didn’t want to put that kind of pressure on his mind, either.

She could handle this at a distance.

At the ‘Miss Vallens’, however, she did quirk an eyebrow. Miss was still such a…strange title to her. “If you’re going to call me ‘Miss’, just call me Mira.” She said, before adding, “And I don’t wear it often at all.” There was no point in her line of business. Only on a few occasions had she, and even then it was simple and rudimentary things she couldn’t mess up. Or she thought she couldn’t mess up.

“Actually, you may want to keep that dress on, then,” Julia noted as Mira tried to sneak away, “We’ll want to match make-up to it, and a style for your hair, and it’ll be easier with you in it. The party isn’t that far away, either,” she noted, and Mira just sighed.

“Let me get my clothes then,” she’d at least want those back, and to take them back to her ship. She did so, and heard the comment to Finn as she was gathering up her things, a bag offered for the attire which she did fold up. It was her First Order attire…she had to keep that nice.

Once it was all folded and stored, she walked back out to find Finn had chosen his suit jacket, and she gave an approving nod on seeing how downplayed the gold was.

Julia had stepped off to the side to settle the bill, and as soon as it was done, ushered them out, “Just next door is a great make-up place!”

“Fantastic….” Mira wasn’t even going to pretend to be enthused.

“Do you think I’d look good with some eyeliner?” Finn said, joking, of course. Mira almost immediately shook her head. “Darn, kill my dreams of being a rockstar.”

“You’re my padawan."

“I can be both!”

“Not if you were eyeliner.”

“Oh, I see how it is.” But Finn was relieved to see a smile. Mira wasn’t too upset with this situation, then.

~***~

August was a bit surprised to hear that the velvet suit was the one that Hux didn’t mind. Somehow, he thought the texture would throw Hux off, but seeing as he didn’t hate it, August was absolutely not about to turn it down. A velvet suit was a rare sight at these things anymore, and anyone who could halfway pull it off, was rarer. Some might debate whether or not he could.

He’d looked better in the navy suit, in August’s opinion, but would he be saying that? No. He wanted Hux in the velvet suit.

“I think the velvet tie is the better option,” if only because now August wanted Hux in all velvet. He knew he couldn’t put him in velvet suits, but a tie? Certainly. “Deal with it, Hux. Just think of it as another weapon you can use to strangle people with if need be, and a weapon you can actually bring to my party.”

It wasn’t like Hux was all that strong, but August had seen him improvise well enough. “Now if you can find him matching shoes, I think he’ll actually be halfway decent,” August said, “which was more than I had hoped for – and I think many are going to appreciate the fabric.”

Watching Hux squirm under people wanting to touch his suit was going to be fantastic.

And Mira. If she was prone to jealousy, it would definitely show.

Julia was going to be so proud of him for this suit.
 
Paquin hadn’t intended to get anything, already beginning to shake her head when the man came up with his offer. She froze, briefly, once she realized he was talking about her. To her. It’s not that Paquin had never been flirted with before, but it was a rare occurrence, one she wasn’t sure how to react to.

She had very little interest in the man named Yoel. Not because he was unattractive, though Paquin felt no attraction towards him at all. But he was drunk and she knew, surprisingly, that his intentions were not to buy her a drink and have a nice conversation with her. Paquin’s mouth opened to politely decline his offer, not touching the subject of whether she ‘was Kylo’s’ or not, but Ariel rather quickly spoke up.

“She’s not,” Ariel’s only thought when she spoke was that maybe this was a good moment for Kylo to realize how he felt. That was always the goal. Of course, it wasn’t until after she spoke that she realized all the things that could go wrong with that. This Yoel dude wasn’t in the same position that Gnaeus was, Kylo wouldn’t kill Gnaeus out of jealousy. Yoel was a different story. Ariel just had to bank on the idea that Kylo would want to avoid trouble, for the sake of getting back in Snoke’s good graces.

Paquin gave Ariel an unappreciative look, which Ariel couldn’t have missed. “Hm,” Yoel hummed. Then the brunette was fair game, wasn’t she? Yoel turned his attention back to her. “Then he’s missing out.” The man’s eyes roamed places that weren’t her face. He inched closer to her, his hand coming to rest on her waist, as if to turn her away from her group, at which point Ariel glanced to Gnaeus, silently asking him if he was seeing this too. “How about that drink…?” He trailed off, clearly waiting for her to tell him her name.

Which she was not going to do. She tried not to noticeably tense with his hand on her, "Well, Yoel, thank you, but—“

“No, no buts. Just one drink,” he insisted.

-

Julia led them just next door to this supposedly great makeup place. The door opened and they were wafted with various scents that Finn couldn’t place in the moment. Finn himself was overwhelmed with the quantity of makeup in the establishment. He didn’t think he’d ever even imagined that there could be so much in one room.

There wasn’t just makeup, but a wall of various perfumes and colognes and another wall of non makeup skincare items. Finn understood none of it.

“Mrs. Tarkin! Welcome back in,” a young human girl greeted, and by the looks of her, she was very well acquainted with makeup. “Is there something I can help you with?” Apparently everyone knew Julia around these parts, but Finn supposed it wasn’t odd. Julia likely frequented these places when she was on Coruscant.

Julia grabbed a basket to carry the items they’d pick up. She figured she could get Mira started with a few bits of makeup, perhaps get her wearing it a bit more. Not that she needed to, she was young. Pretty, nice skin. And she didn’t have much need for it most of the time. But, for Senate meeting and what more endeavors she might have, a bit of refining by help of a nice foundation and mascara couldn’t hurt. “We’re on a mission to find a lipstick to match this dress. We’re not going for subtle.”

“I’ll go find some options for you!”

“Thank you. We’ll be looking around,” Julia offered the girl a smile before leading her two companions through some aisles of makeup, a mental list of the things she wanted to grab.

Finn himself looked around as he trailed behind, playing with some of the testers as he passed by. And then his eyes caught sight of the price, and he leaned in towards Mira. “Why is this stuff so expensive?” He whispered to her.

-

Hux suppressed a huff, knowing he really was just going to have to deal with it. It was only for a few hours, he didn’t even have to stay at the party the whole time. He’d live. Hopefully. “I’m taking that as an invitation to strangle someone at your party.” Hux’s voice was flat and monotonous. Of course, Hux wouldn’t actually strangle anyone there.

Unless he needed to.

Inari wrapped the tie around his neck, tying it for him. Which Hux didn’t protest, to Inari’s surprise. But Hux knew very well that he had no clue how to tie a tie. His father hadn’t prioritized such things in his cadet training, obviously. Of course, he probably could figure it out with some time, but he’d rather not fumble with it and make a fool of himself any further. He could only imagine what people were going to say. Even his own Order.

He was sure Phasma would have something to say about his look. And he wondered what Mira would think. She’d probably get a kick out of it.

“Let me see what I can find for shoes,” Inari said before she disappeared into a room for a few moments, leaving Hux a clear view of himself in the suit. He didn’t hate it, no. And he didn’t think it looked bad. Halfway decent, as August said. But even so, Hux couldn’t wait to be out of it and in his usual clothes. Back to commanding the First Order through the mess that Snoke and his minions had created. It felt odd to go so long without barking orders at someone.

Inari returned with shoes that were so clearly meant to match his velvet attire. They had the same velvet texture and the same red color, with some black stitching and laces to break up the color a bit. She handed them to Hux, assuming he knew how to at least put shoes on. Which he did, easily tying the laces himself. He could tie those, at least, even if it had been a long while since he’d had to. His usual boots simply zipped up.

After tying the shoes, Hux stood up straight, smoothing out the completed outfit.

“I really am a miracle worker.” Inari mused as she examined the lanky ginger who she knew would be a disaster to dress. But she did it.

“I hope you know I’m not intending to ever wear this outfit again.” Hux informed August as a warning. It hadn’t been bought yet, August didn’t have to waste his money and Hux didn’t have to endure it. Though he was positive August didn’t care if Hux ever wore it again, just wanted him to wear it to this party of his. And would still be going through with it.
 
Kylo shot a glare immediately back at Ariel for interjecting, for answering that Paquin wasn’t his. Wouldn’t it have been easier to say she was and get them out of this mess? Though saying that, he supposed, might have caused things to be awkward…and why was Gnaeus nodding along with Ariel’s answer?! ‘We’re not here for this.’ He wanted to growl out.

He wanted to punch Yoel.

Maybe Ariel just forgot the mission and wanted Paquin to have some ‘fun’. Even if she seemed entirely uncomfortable with it. Or was that him imagining it? ‘No, she tried to deny.’ And this Yoel didn’t accept her denial.

“She said no.” Kylo emphasized, finally stepping forward to be at Paquin’s side rather than hovering behind her as Yoel tried to insist further. “Leave.”

Yoel wasn’t taking the hint easily, and he cocked his head to one side, “Chill, man. I just want to buy her a drink, talk with her a bit, it’s on her – and hey, you don’t need to be intimidated by him,” he looked to Paquin on that, wondering what the hell was up with this situation. The guy was being rather protective for someone who wasn’t seeing the girl. Perhaps her brother? No, they didn’t look similar enough.

Maybe a guy who wanted to be with her? More likely. Probably sore about being rejected. “If you don’t want alcohol, I can get you a soda.” Maybe now he was just overstaying his welcome with that kind of offer, but now the guy with her was just pissing him off. Never mind the fact that Paquin seemed uncomfortable – it had to be that jerk with her that was making things uncomfortable.

He’d be uncomfortable if he had to deal with that kind of pressure.

~***~

This place was definitely overwhelming with colors and scents, and Mira internally winced as Julia demanded a non-subtle lipstick. Clearly, Mira had done something right in obtaining the help of the Tarkins, the fact they retained so much power even after becoming synonymous with the Empire said something, but she certainly worried the cost might be a bit too high. ‘You’ve done this before. You helped Kevan before. You can tolerate one night of this.’

Though as Julia began to add in mascara, eyeshadow, and other things Mira did wonder. It was all probably just going to irritate her. Eyeshadow had before, though admittedly, it did not come at such a hefty price tag.

She glanced at it when Finn drew her attention to it, “I…have no idea, Finn, this is not my element.” She would be able to tell him better why kyber was expensive. Not this.

Julia heard, though, “Oh, most of this you’re just paying for the packaging or brand,” Julia answered, “It’s good – but it’s not worth all this by the ingredients, but we have images to maintain and that means paying for sparkling packaging,” she waved said sparkling packaging of an eyeliner before dropping it into the basket, too.

“You do know I’m not going to remember any of these brands, right?” Mira asked. If someone asked her what lipstick she was wearing, she’d have no idea. It just wasn’t going to stick in her memory.

“Not yet – ah, I think this is enough to try, I’m sure a good lipstick or three have been found.” Julia could build from that, since that was more her concern than any of the other pretty additions. “Come along, we’ve got to test this.”

Mira let out a grudging sigh, but followed back to closer to the front, where illuminated mirrors were set up, and Julia’s ‘friend’ was waiting with varying shades of red lined up on the counter, looking quite proud of herself.

~***~

“If you strangle someone I hate, I might even pay you,” August noted as he observed Inari tying the tie for Hux, that slightly amused smirk remaining cocked on his lips. It wouldn’t be the strangest thing that happened at one of his parties. Or the first time someone died, though he made sure it could never be linked back to him. And, admittedly, it was usually after the party that they actually died.

Having a death in his party was just…tactless.

Inari left once that was done, and brought back shoes while Hux was examining himself, seeming to like it more and more, even if he would never dare to say as much. In fact, the next words that left his mouth tried to say as much, tried to get him out of it, “Oh, General…if I cared about that I would have taken you to a thrift store. I do not think you quite understand how well off I am.”

“I thought Adelaide was the rich one?” Inari couldn’t help it – she got plenty of business from them all, and August laughed a bit, but pressed a finger to his lips as if it were a secret. It wasn’t. Adelaide owned Tagge Co., which made everything from super star destroyers to frozen food. How was he supposed to compete with that?

Charm, obviously. And a certain ruthlessness. But he couldn’t throw money the way Adelaide could…and which she didn’t…which was also probably why she stayed richer than him. “She is – but she’s not terribly concerned with PR and won’t throw money like I will to make a point.” Well, she’d throw money to make a point…at weapons. The galaxy was fortunate that Adelaide listened to him. She could be a rather effective galactic

“In that case, his suit was a billion credits.” Inari managed to say it with a straight face, and August arched a brow, clearly wondering if she intended to hold to that cost. After a moment, she broke, “No, come on, I’ll ring you up proper,” she didn’t need to cheat a Tarkin, either. They were that petty. “I’m sure it’s not over a few thousand credits.”

“I was about to say…if you’ve been holding out on me with your billion credit suits, I was going to take my business elsewhere where they wouldn’t withhold such things from me.” He turned to exit, as Inari did, but he paused, “You should keep that on, Hux. It won’t be long until it’s time for the party and I doubt you want me to have to tie your tie for you.” He 100% would if Hux took that off.
 
Paquin had been grateful for Kylo’s interjection, him insisting upon her refusal. Though, it almost felt like he was more bothered by Yoel than she was. She could feel how tense he was without even touching him. And there was that aggression in his voice. Paquin’s attention was brought back to the man in front of her when he said she didn’t have to be intimidated by Kylo. She wasn’t. Quite the opposite, actually.

And she was surprised that Yoel wasn’t intimidated by him

Ariel had to stop herself from laughing when Yoel told Kylo to quote ‘chill, man’. If only this Yoel guy knew who Kylo was. He wasn’t capable of chilling. There wasn’t a ‘chill’ bone in his body. And she was pretty sure there was not even a ‘chill’ gene in his family. “Go on, Paq, have a drink. We’re not doing anything anytime soon. Don’t worry about Kylo,” Ariel encouraged, aware that she was likely pushing it.

Paquin resisted giving Ariel a look. Why did Ariel want her to entertain this man so much? Ariel continued on, “I don’t get why you’re so upset, Kylo. All we’re doing is waiting for our buddy to get here.” Obviously she wouldn’t talk about their mission in front of Yoel. “And it’s not like she’s agreeing to run away with him.” Ariel acted nonchalant, but Force, all she wanted Kylo to do was think. And her aim was to get Kylo to think, but maybe it would even work for Paquin.

While Ariel had been talking to Kylo, Paquin turned back to Yoel, “Okay, a soda.” She agreed, only because she wanted the situation to come to an end and not make a big deal out of it. She didn’t even drink soda. Too much sugar.

It hadn’t been Paquin’s intentions, but to Yoel it only confirmed his theory that she was intimidated by that Kylo guy. He felt a sense of victory, it manifesting in the form of a triumphant grin. He honestly just wanted to rub it in the dude’s face, even if all she agreed to was a soda. She still agreed. He raised his hand, catching the attention of the bar tending, ordering Paquin a soda. “How about we find someplace to sit and talk, sweetheart?” And then he turned to Kylo. “If that’s okay with you, of course.” Obviously he wasn’t asking for permission, but rather mocking him.

That action made Paquin frown though, not really appreciating how he was talking to Kylo. Even if Kylo was the one who had been a bit aggressive first.

-

Julia was pleased with the selection of red shades, gesturing for Mira to take a seat in front of one of the mirrors. Of course, they weren’t going to try out all of the lipstick shades that had been pulled. They had to narrow it down first.

“Okay, first, we have a lip liner that I think works with any of these. We have a glossy lipstick, a matte sort of brick red. I think this liquid lipstick matches beautifully with the color of her dress,” the makeup girl listed off, and Finn tried his hardest to follow along, for Mira’s sake. In case he ever had to help her out with makeup stuff. But all of it just flew right over his head. What was the difference between a satin finish and a cream finish?

He could only imagine what Mira was thinking. If she was even computing this at all.

Julia and the girl narrowed it down to two lipsticks, both in a similar shade to Mira’s dress, but apparently different finishes. One was shiny and one was matte. Both of the women figured it would be easier for Mira to handle than a liquid lipstick, which there was a whole science behind wearing. And then Julia handed off their basket of items to the girl, “And if you could help her with some of this—she’s not much of a makeup wearer.”

“I can tell.” The girl said, before quickly saying to MIra, “Not because you don’t look nice or anything, Miss. You just look like you’re a bit out of your element here.” Finn made a face as he stopped himself from laughing at the interaction. But the young lady waved her hand. “Anyway, moving on,” she chuckled awkwardly. “While I do up the rest of your face, you can think about which lip you’d prefer,” She offered.

“And then the most traumatizing part is over, I promise,” Julia grinned. Maybe Mira wasn’t having that much fun, but she sure was. She imagined the situation was the same with her husband and General Hux. “You’ve been a surprisingly good sport about this.” She couldn’t wait to hear how Hux had handled his makeover experience. Julia knew in that moment she found too much enjoyment in Hux and Mira.

Her plays were one thing, but real live people were another. Would that stop her? Of course it wouldn’t.

-

Of course Hux understood how wealthy August Tarkin was. But the two of them seemed to view money differently. Hux could never justify spending thousands of credits on anything that wouldn’t directly benefit the First Order. Especially not a velvet suit, of all things. Even if he was as rich as Adelaide Tagge, who Hux couldn’t even imagine what her bank account looked like. Luckily, he wasn’t the one paying for the suit.

It wasn’t as though the First Order or Hux himself for that matter was lacking in funds. With careful business associations and often sizable donations, the First Order was quite lucrative. Of course, the financing hadn’t always been so straight and clean, but in the past years Hux liked to think he’d done well. While Snoke and Kylo Ren’s plans often blew their financial strategies to bits, it had managed to bounce back. They’d likely be in an even better position if Starkiller hadn’t been destroyed and took a good chunk of the FO with it.

Another thing he blamed Snoke and Kylo Ren for.

He pulled himself from his thoughts by reminding himself that his mental tangent had all been started by the price of a silly velvet suit. Hux scowled at the idea of August tying his tie for him. “You’re right. I’d rather hang myself with it than have you tie it for me.” Hux said it with such little emotion that Inari couldn’t tell if he was joking or being serious. And she obviously wasn’t going to ask.

It was a bit of both, really.

August really knew how to pick ‘em. “Bring your clothes up front and I’ll get you a bag for them,” Inari told Hux, giving him a small smile. She really wished she could relay her experience of working with General Hux, but there was a certain confidentiality you had to uphold when working with such people. She continued on her path to ring up August.

Hux gather his uniform, keeping it folded neatly. Hux might not have been able to style himself, but he took pride in looking neat and keeping his uniform blemish and wrinkle free most of the time. Sometimes it was unavoidable.

As he found himself at the front of the store, there sat a bag ready for his clothes, which he carefully placed them in. “And you’re all set,” Inari stated. “It was a pleasure.” She spoke to Hux. He was a fun challenge.

Hux managed to fight back his initially response of ‘wish I could say the same’. Instead he said, “Likewise.”
 
Kylo Ren wasn’t sure if he wanted to punch Yoel, or if he wanted to punch Ariel, but as Ariel kept seeming to encourage this madness, he started to lean that way a bit. He started to turn back to Ariel, “What are you doing?” slipping from his lips as Paquin ordered a soda, and the guy took it as an invitation to try and invite her along for more.

Gnaeus was the one to shrug, “We are just waiting for our friend, might as well enjoy the atmosphere, meet some new people,” he was thinking moving away might be a very good idea right about now, but he couldn’t just leave Ariel there alone to deal with Kylo’s wrath.

A wrath that clearly sparked in Kylo’s gaze as he heard ‘sweetheart’ and the supposed request for permission. When Kylo looked away, Gnaeus reached with his good hand to pull on Ariel’s sleeve and step back, a clear indication that they should at least move away from where someone was about to be murdered, and in their absence, hopefully be forgotten.

“It’s not okay, actually,” Kylo snarled, “our friend could be here at any moment, and it would be a shame if she weren’t here when he arrived,” Kylo’s emphasises were a bit erratic, and it was clear it was hard for him to keep his tone as even as he would have liked. “I’m sure if you just want to talk to her, you can do so here, at the bar.”

Yoel’s smug smile faltered a bit. He had thought the dark-haired stranger might be embarrassed enough to know when to quit, but it seemed not. He reached out to take Paquin’s arm, “Is he for rea—”

He cut himself off as Kylo reached out just as his hand might have grazed Paquin’s arm, to grab her opposite one, and pull her right back out of reach. “Yes. I am.” Kylo answered for Paquin, “Thank you for the soda.” Kylo pulled it from the bartender’s hands just as he had finished pouring it – naturally, with the Force – and let it hover there in the air in the vain hope it might convince this idiot to leave.

It usually worked. Even on drunks.

Gnaeus couldn’t help but comment, in spite of himself, “Think Kylo would do that for us?” to Ariel. The answer was obviously ‘no’.

~***~

Mira was also trying hard to follow along, mostly because she was surprised at how confusing all of this was. When did makeup get so complicated? Or extravagant? Why couldn’t she just get a simple red that matched – why was their glossy and satin and matte and metallic and everything else under the sun?

She supposed the only perk about this was that Julia clearly knew what she was doing for she narrowed things down to two. “Right….” She wasn’t terribly insulted by the other woman who noted it was obvious she didn’t know much about make-up.

It was. She couldn’t argue that. She felt the crease in her brow and imagined her face had shown how little made sense. Her eyes went over the two shades briefly, before the girl directed her to look away and look up so she could add mascara. It was an easy task; holding still usually was, though not being able to respond to Julia in some fashion was annoying.

She didn’t want to speak with someone so close to her face, and directing her through actions – applying foundation to even out her tone, turning her head this way and that so the woman could get a good look at her and how things were on either side, lining her lips and eyes – there was so much more to this than Mira thought.

When at last she was released to look at the job, she was able to say, “Matte.” She decided when she finally had her eyes open again and could see her face.

Which…well, at least it still looked like her face. It wasn’t horribly vibrant with strange colors, thankfully, though her eyelids didn’t appreciate the additional weight of the powders, which was simpler than she thought it would be. Well – seemed simple, she probably couldn’t line her own eyes half as well.

She did reach for the lipstick as the girl did, and the girl chuckled and withdrew her hand, “I think I can do this much,” Mira said, resisting the urge to roll her eyes…and honestly hoping she wasn’t kidding as she looked back towards the mirror and leaned forward a bit to apply the red, fairly certain she made the right decision as she watched the color appear.

“That looks good!” Finn tried to be encouraging, and thankfully, Mira didn’t mess it up or smudge it. “Though I think we need more sparkles.”

“Finn you’re only making tomorrow worse for you,” Mira said, but there was an underlying appreciation there for how easily he could make light of this.

The girl naturally looked between the two, curious at the relationship, but she didn’t open her mouth to ask what it was.

~***~

August allowed a laugh at Hux’s comment on hanging himself. Hux definitely had a problem when he always seemed to think of asphyxiating others. Probably the makings of a psychopath, if he couldn’t be called that already, given the Hosnian Cataclysm. Not that August could really judge; plenty of people considered him much the same way, especially if they learned about his Rite of Passage.

He left Hux to gather his things, and was hardly surprised to see his clothes so nicely folded. It was practically boot camp 101 – if Hux hadn’t figured out how to fold his clothes, that would have surprised August. “It was,” August agreed to Inari, “Until next time, Inari,” he gave a slight wave to her before turning to leave, that grin on his face indicating nothing good.

Especially as he dug out his datapad and typed a quick message to Julia.

You’re never going to believe what I got Hux to wear.

With the glare of the evening sun, and the tilt of the datapad, he wasn’t terribly concerned about Hux seeing. Nor did he care much. It would all be clear soon.

The randomly vanishing and bouncing droid returned, beeping something about Hux looking soft, “He’s flesh, of course he’s soft compared to you,” August retorted as Toc opted to hover by Hux’s head, without even a question at where the droid had gone again. Toc had his programming. He was half-convinced the droid had gone mad at some point, but it made him entertaining. And unpredictable.

And still loyal. So it worked. “Where were you, anyway?”

It beeped out that it had followed Carise after they’d parted, and then flickered around Coruscant, noting some of the sights that might mean little to Hux, but were filed away by the Ginger Governor. Particularly the hint of a few familiar symbols associated with the Acolytes of the Beyond. ‘Snoke’s cover….’

Not that Toc seemed to affect any importance to any of it. If Toc had a voice, it would probably be that of a gossiping teenage girl, lilt and all. “That’s good, thank you,” it silenced the droid’s rambling, “I was thinking, perhaps we should do something with General Hux’s hair?” He dared to reach out to mess it up, knowing with all that product it’d make it absolutely ruinous to try to put back in order.

Toc’s input wasn’t helpful, though amusing: dye it. “No.” Toc pouted.

Less product might be good. A bath might be good.
 
Ariel allowed Gnaeus to pull her along by her sleeve, obviously bringing her drink with her as they moved away from Kylo. She definitely thought for a moment that she was going to get punched, but luckily Yoel was dumber than her. Though, there was still a chance she’d get punched later. A very high chance.

She sipped her drink, resting her arm on Gnaeus’ shoulder. They both knew very well the answer to his question. “Not a chance.” She shook her head. “I hope this is good for them,” Ariel mused, referring to trying to urge Paquin and Kylo together, and not Kylo murdering some dude in a bar. Though, that might chill Kylo out for a second, expel some energy. Of course, it could be argued that there were other ways to do that, some that Paquin could probably help with.

‘One step at a time.’

Paquin didn’t appreciate being jostled around, Yoel’s hand reaching for her only for Kylo to pull her away. She looked to Ariel and Gnaeus for help, but Ariel only shrugged at her. And it seemed she turned for one second and the next Kylo has a glass of soda floating in the air. She held back a sigh, grabbing the drink out of the air, setting it on top of the bar. Nothing says laying low like using the Force in a crowded bar.

A few people around them went silent, staring at them now. Paquin decided then that getting Kylo out of the bar was the best course of action. “Kylo—“

“What, you think you can scare me with a floating soda?” Yoel interrupted her, making her sigh. Perhaps if he’d been sober, he would have backed off. But he’d had too many drinks at that point, “I get it now. You’re some wanna be Darth Vader with a weird thing for her and she sticks around ‘cause she’s scared. She doesn’t want you, man, get over it.” Paquin, hot as she was, was not worth the trouble at this point. The redhead would have been easier. But now Yoel had a problem with this dude.

Paquin grabbed ahold of Kylo’s wrist then and began to gently tug on it, trying to lead him out wordlessly. And she didn’t seem to be getting any help from the other two anytime soon. “Hey, sweetheart, if he ever lets you off your leash, give me a call.” He said, grabbing a napkin and writing down his com information, really just to further piss this guy off. He slipped it across the bar to her. She grabbed it hastily, with no intention of using it. Just planning to throw it away once they were out of sight.

-

“I don’t know, I don’t think it can get any worse after that pink dress.” Finn grinned, though he was sure she could make it worse. At least Julia didn’t agree with him and try to add more sparkles to Mira’s look. “Still think you should’ve gone with that one.” Not truly. When she was wearing it, she looked like the dress was holding her hostage.

Finn caught the girl’s curious look, but he didn’t attempt to give her an answer to her silent wonder. He didn’t feel the need to, after all she was just a worker at a makeup store that he didn’t think he or even Mira would come back to. And even if he did, he wouldn’t even quite know what to call them. Mira was his Jedi Master, sure, but he also liked to think of them as friends. So what would come first? ‘Yeah, this is Mira she teaches me the Force, she works with the people that kidnapped me as a baby, and we’re really good friends!’ Finn made himself laugh with that one.

He briefly wondered if Mira considered them friends, too, and not just master and padawan. Or coworkers, even. He knew Mira could be odd with relationship things, her and Hux as a fine example. But he would like to believe she did.

“Not bad!” The girl complimented Mira’s lipstick application. She expected it to be a bit more rocky. “Just be careful not to smear it. Red lipstick is awful to get off the rest of your face.” It would certainly ruin her face makeup and she wasn’t sure if Mira absorbed all the application tips given. But matte lipstick had a tendency to stay in place more, so the only threat to the look was Mira herself.

Julia’s datapad dinged in her bag. While the others were preoccupied with makeup, she took a moment to pull it out of her bag and read the message. She chuckled a little, wondering what her husband managed to get the General to wear. Anything other than his uniform would be an improvement. Though, she did worry if he’d gone too far. She quickly typed up a response.

Can’t wait to see it. And you. xx

Her attention returned to the others as the girl gathered up all the makeup items used for Mira, taking them up to the counter to ring them up. “You look great,” Julia offered to Mira as she followed the girl to the front. Julia briefly hoped whatever Hux wore didn’t clash horribly with Mira’s outfit. It’s not like she and August had discussed coordinating.

-

Hux paid little attention to what August was doing on his datapad, figuring it was nothing truly important or incredibly secretive if August was doing it right next to him. He did, however listen in on what the floating ball was saying, though he found himself caring little about what it said.

He did find the thing calling him soft very strange. This thing was supposed to be a torture droid, or rather an interrogation droid. That sounded nicer. But it reminded him so much of a child. Which was certainly not threatening at all. Hux wondered if it served its intended purpose or if it had been reassigned to other tasks.

The droid spoke of Carise, a subject Hux cared little about, though he did find it curious that the droid found her interesting enough to follow. And then it spoke of sightseeing, apparently. Again, something Hux hardly listened to, though it probably wouldn’t have hurt for him to pay more attention. Or rather take Toc more seriously.

He did find himself engaged again when August mentioned his hair. Hux resisted the instinctual urge to swat Tarkin’s hand away, instead stepping to the side to avoid his hand. Hux’s hair took the most time to do during his morning routine, though nothing he did ever really took long. But he styled it so it wouldn’t move through the day. And if it was messed up, it truly would be an event to try and fix.

Hux scoffed at the droid’s suggestion of dying it. To what? Brown? Blond? Certainly not pink or some other obnoxious color. He didn’t want to imagine how ridiculous any of those would look. “I don’t recall my hair being apart of anything. I’m pretty sure all I agreed to was a suit,” He pointed out. And even then he’d thought it would be more of a colorless look.

Though, at this point, the reputation and the appearances he kept up were already fairly shattered. After his and Mira’s excursion with the awful outfit he’d used to disguise himself. And now this suit as well. “Perhaps I should just dye my hair blue, grow it out. Maybe even a beard. One less step at the start of the day.” Hux droned, obviously not seriously entertaining the idea.
 
The ‘not a chance’ at least earned a slight smile from Gnaeus, even if it came with a sigh. She was right, of course. Then again, she and Gnaeus would do a much better job at dismissing someone from their presence. He was fairly certain Ariel had gotten into enough fights, and enough beds, from bars.

“I hope so, too,” he kept his eye on the situation as it unfolded, and as the jerkface kept trying to get at Paquin, giving her a number, which Paquin took before clearly trying to pull Kylo out. Well that was good, right? “Maybe they’ll talk about his reaction and he’ll have to find words for it.”

Maybe he’d find the words.

Maybe Paquin would figure it out.

Or maybe they’d remain utterly hopeless.



Either way, Kylo Ren was letting himself get pulled out. It was tempting to throw lightning at the man as he spoke of the Force, and not being intimidated by it. His jaw clenched tighter at the comment of being a ‘Darth Vader’ wannabe, taking personal offense to that. Any use of the Force would likely only confirm that, which was, admittedly, a bit of why he refrained.

The other was Paquin.

He looked towards her when she tugged on his wrist, and missed his opportunity to grab the paper that was laid down and destroy it. Paquin caught it instead, and he followed her out, seeing some sense in getting out of that environment, even if his question upon exiting the bar was, “Why did you take the napkin?” He demanded, thinking she might actually be interested.

She might actually think to call the other stranger.

He didn’t want her doing that, at all.

~***~

Mira nodded to the woman’s words. She hadn’t absorbed much of the tips, but she figured she could handle not messing up the lipstick. Just don’t touch her face. Simple. In theory. She followed Julia to the counter and let her pay for it all, eying the price a moment and mentally shaking her head.

All of this, for her.

She understood it wasn’t to destroy her image, no matter how strange it felt to be in the dress. If they were throwing their support behind her, and the Gray Jedi, they couldn’t afford to have her look ridiculous, but she still knew they were getting some enjoyment out of this. “I’m sure I do,” Mira commented, “but I still can’t wait to get out of this.”

Julia gave her an indulgent smile, “You’ll be required to stay in it a few hours. Then I am sure both you and General Hux can make your escape from the party together. I imagine he might have some difficulties getting out of whatever my husband has put him in – and what he will throw him into at the party.”

She led the way out, as Mira shook her head a bit, “I should probably try to avoid more rumors.” Julia managed not to pout, but she nearly did. She would make sure there were more rumors. Then they’d have to address them, between each other, at least.

“You shouldn’t let the thoughts of other people get in your way too much, Mira. You won’t be happy that way.” She said instead. “People here are going to spread rumors anyway. If it isn’t you and Hux, it might be you and Finn – and you two aren’t a thing, right?” Julia chuckled.

“No!” Finn said it hastily.

“No,” Mira echoed, “Just friends.” Well, and master-and-student, but that was another matter. And First Order and Rebel. It got complicated if she thought about it.

~***~

Julia’s response did bring a momentary cheeky grin to August’s face. He sent back a simple response, one of those moving images of a kiss being blown, before writing ‘soon’ to accompany it. Ever since he’d figured out those moving images from Johann, he’d fallen in love with abusing them with his family and friends. He tended to avoid it with allies or those he didn’t know well.

He would see her soon enough, and she’d see Hux – just as he’d see what was done with Mira. He had a feeling he got the harder job, even if it wasn’t that difficult. He was mildly disappointed he hadn’t messed up Hux’s hair. It would have been easier to convince him to do something with it.

“General, I understand you haven’t been to one of these parties before, but I assure you, drunk senators are not known to keep their hands to themselves, and I won’t be the last one to attempt to mess up your hair. It would be in your best interest to do something with less product, that can easily be fixed with your fingers.”

He may be overstating the matter, but practicality was likely going to do better, “Besides, slicked back hair clashes horribly with that material. You’ll be less embarrassed to see pictures of yourself tomorrow if your hair isn’t a mess of product. Though I would not oppose blue hair, either. It is better than the black hair I presumed you might be willing to try.”

Then again, maybe not. Kylo Ren had black hair. Hux might want to avoid that on principal. As for growing out his hair? August would kill to see that more than the dyed hair. He was a military man himself; being clean-shaven was necessary. He’d feel strange if he grew out a beard.

He was fairly certain he could rock it, but old habits dyed hard.
 
Paquin let out a breath when they were finally outside, taking in new air. Though, the air quality wasn’t that great on Kafrene in general, it was certainly better than the smoke filled bar. And Kylo had followed her out without an issue. Or at least, at first. Before she even got the chance to throw said napkin away, Kylo questioned her about it.

Her eyebrows furrowed and she frowned ever so slightly. “Why?” Was the first thing out of her mouth. Why was he demanding to know why she’d swiped something as silly as a number on a napkin? Why was it still a concern? Why had he gotten so upset in there over some jerk? She answered, nonetheless. “It was the easiest thing to do. Rather than refuse it and have him ask why I didn’t take it.” She explained. “You looked like you were one word away from hurting him.” And that would not have fallen in line with laying low.

“It’s not like it matters, does it?” Or did it?

Which brought up her question of why again. She shifted her weight, looking up at the man. “Kylo, what’s going on?” She questioned, her voice softening. She didn’t want to scare him away from talking to her. “I’m an adult, I could’ve handled that. And you know that.” Or maybe he didn’t. But her point was. “That wasn’t you just defending me.” His tone had been so erratic and he had been irrationally angry. It’s not like Yoel was feeling him up.

But there had been something to his reaction that she just couldn’t place. The only reason she could come up with was that she was the newest Knight and very underqualified at that point, because she knew he wouldn’t have reacted like that if it were Ariel or Gnaeus. Kylo knew that they could handle themselves. Did he not think that of her? Was he angry with her and not Yoel?

“Are you mad at me?” She was confused. She didn’t really know what she did back there to make him upset with her. But she couldn’t think of anything else. And all she knew, especially after their little training session not too long ago, that she didn’t like Kylo being mad at her. And she didn’t like being mad at him.

-

Even Finn could see that there was something different between Hux and Mira, as much as he’d rather not admit it. Because Mira was his friend and Hux was definitely not. In fact, Finn could only view Hux as a cold, cruel, unapproachable man. As that was what he was, after all. But when Hux hung around Mira, he could almost pass as a tolerable person.

Almost.

The two certainly got on well. Finn theorized they probably understood each other in some way. However that was. Of course Finn could never fully support Hux or whatever Mira and Hux were. Friends or otherwise. But it was obvious that there was something about the two. Finn wondered if the two saw it. Or if they did, if they’d even acknowledge it.

“You know, even in the Resistance there’s lots of rumors. Some about Poe. Some about these mechanics that work on the X-wings…About me,” Finn mused, not to push Mira in any direction, but just to normalize the thought. Even aside from Hux, there’d be rumors about her involving something. Being a double agent for Snoke, buying her way into power. All that garbage.

“You wouldn’t believe how many rumors I’ve heard about August.” Too many. Julia felt that she and her husband knew how to see the humor in them. “There’s especially ridiculous ones about Wilhuff that I’m sure anyones heard. If you’re looking for a laugh, just search his name on the holonet. You’ll find something.” Mostly things about him and other men. Krennic, Vader. Also mostly written about by young women. Very curious.

Her datapad dinged and she checked it for the final time before they moved on. August was sending another one of those moving images that he loved so much, bringing an over familiar grin to her face. She shook her head at the device.

With her datapad back in her bag, Julia lead them out, striding just a short distance ahead of them, leading to the Tarkin’s home away from home. It wouldn’t be long before the party began then, the last details of the event would be falling into place. The bartenders, food, Hux in his mystery outfit showing up.

The night certainly wouldn’t be uneventful. Of course, these things were rarely ever eventful in a way anyone thought they’d be.

-

“I take it you haven’t seen the pictures of my impeccably fashionable green and pink outfit.” Disguise. It had worked well enough, though, when it was needed. Of course, pictures still managed to get out, but only after he was home free. Though, his father did have a fit about it. Nevermind that. The floating ball beeped, saying that it had seen the pictures. Of course, Hux did not acknowledge the droid. “It would be hard for anything to be nearly as embarrassing as that and I was hardly phased by it.”

And he certainly wasn’t dying it blue. Or black. Both would look horrible on him. If anything he’d do brown, or blond. He’d do neither, though. Despite it being something he inherited from his father and an aspect he was teased for mercilessly to that day, he rather liked his ginger hair.

Hux took in a short breath. Of course he didn’t want to look a fool, not that night anyway. He would’ve looked fine in his uniform, but since he wasn’t, he supposed he just had to trust what August said about his hair...clashing...with his suit. Hux managed not to roll his eyes.

“But, since you insist, I’ll bite.” He’d wash his hair, or something. Though, he wouldn’t be sure what to do with it after. He’d probably been routinely doing his usual hairstyle for over a decade, nearly two at this point. He had no need for any other style. He supposed he’d cross that bridge when he got to it.

Toc voiced its enthusiasm for Hux’s new hair color. “On less product, not dying it.” He clarified before the droid and Tarkin got too excited.

He was already dressed in a velvet suit. Why not go all the way? Besides, he already knew that he was more or less being used for entertainment. By August and who knows how many other people. Maybe there was a bet, or something. Maybe Mira would get a kick out of it. Phasma certainly would. But one night. And then he’d never wear it again and he’d go back to normal the next day.

Yeah, he could do that.

Except Phasma probably wouldn’t let him live that down.
 
Paquin’s answer was, in many respects, sensible. Taking the number put a quick end to the harassment. She had the power to call, or not to call – and if she never did, they were unlikely to run into the jerk again. Still, the fact that she had taken it, that there was potential to follow-up by taking it…that was what bothered Kylo.

And Paquin wasn’t wrong. He was quite close to hurting Yoel. He didn’t see much of a problem in that. He would have deserved it.

He did tense at her statement of it not mattering. Should it matter to him if she wanted that number? He wouldn’t have cared if it was Ariel. He would have expected it from Ariel, in truth. Shouldn’t he extend the same freedoms to Paquin? He found himself crossing his arms a bit defensively as her softer tone came, trying to coax him into talking.

“I’m not mad at you. I’m mad you took the number,” that was true, “because I did not think there could be any rational reason to do so, but now I know. I’m mad at the stranger in there,” and tense because of the mission, and the environment, but mostly mad at the one in there, and how he wouldn’t leave Paquin alone, how he couldn’t take a damn hint. “I’m more accustomed to people being scared off by me. I thought it would be the quickest way to be rid of him and get you out of the uncomfortable situation.”

That hadn’t worked, at all.

“I didn’t like the thought of you going off with him or dealing with it in a way that might give him any sort of false hope. He didn’t deserve that kindness.” Kylo let his back hit the wall of the building, not quite realizing what he was saying, nor how it was tinted with a certain bitterness, or a certain fear, that it wouldn’t have been false hope.

~***~

Rumors may be a normal thing for the others, and perhaps there were even rumors about her before all of this. She wouldn’t have known much, thanks to the fact she hadn’t been around that much. And she knew rumors were a form of currency in Coruscant, but she still wanted to spare Hux the grief of having to address anything or deal with it.

That was likely a vain hope, as August himself wasn’t excluded from rumors.

“How do you deal with them?” Mira asked. She wondered if it had ever bothered Julia much in the earlier years of her relationship with August.

“Mm, mostly I don’t acknowledge them. Some of them I feed,” she couldn’t help the wicked grin, “After all, seeing how they build their stories and the creative way they manipulate images is rather fascinating.” Sometimes, they had to have Yularen remove them…though those usually weren’t rumors, but truths that needed to actually be hidden, or downplayed.

No one needed to know August had an army before he was ready to let them know he had an army.

“I am sure General Hux is used to these things. I cannot imagine he’s escaped rumors of himself and Phasma in the First Order. He would not escape such rumors of you, no matter. If you act concerned…you are only going to give those rumors more credence by looking as if you have something to hide.”

Mira did have something to hide, but she didn’t say that. She understood the idea of ‘faking it’. She had faked some confidence in the senate. So long as she acted as if she didn’t care, perhaps it would be all right. Hux would certainly let her know if things needed to change, and so she managed a nod, “I’ll figure it out.”

Said, as they came to the ridiculously tall building that housed the Tarkin penthouse, and was already starting to bustle with some early activity of preparation. Julia easily moved through it, and Finn and Mira could only follow her lead into the building, and into an elevator that required clearance to even access.

~***~

August had absolutely seen pictures of that horrendous outfit. He had not realized how inept someone could be with fashion until he saw that. He had thought the basics of matching a singular color would be, well, common knowledge. Apparently, it wasn’t. “If you’re trying to challenge me, I would certainly be willing to attempt to find a worse outfit for you to wear…but not tonight.”

Tonight he wouldn’t let Hux look too bad – but he was going to enjoy every second of this, and every concession he won from the younger General. Including this. They hadn’t passed the hair place by much, so August simply redirected himself and turned back around, gesturing to Hux, “The people here will know what to do with your hair, and they can wash it out for you.” No need to drag Hux all the way back to his house for him to figure out how to do it in the sink so he didn’t have to take off the suit.

Better to just get it done before they made it there.

With that, August would take them into the shop, lifting his hand in greeting to the man with another human client. “August, what are you doing here? Didn’t I see you a week ago?”

“It’s not for me,” he said, “General Hux needs a new style for my party, his slick hair doesn’t work at all with the velvet.”

The man whistled, and another came from the back room, “Ey, see what you can do with that,” he gestured towards them, and the other sighed, clearly disrupted from enjoying a break, but came forward to August and Hux.

“What are we going for today?” He asked, glancing between them.

“Wash out the product and then see what you can do for him, for a style, with little or no product,” August said, not letting Hux speak up first this time around. He’d have enough time for input once he was in the chair.
 
Paquin’s eyebrows furrowed. She was relieved he wasn’t mad at her, but Kylo was still...off. “Well, I thank you for trying.” She appreciated the thought, at least. Yoel had made her uncomfortable, yes. Stood too close, hands wandered. But he hadn’t hurt her. Couldn’t take a hint, no, but did drunk people really ever? Paquin supposed she wouldn’t really know the answer to that question, though. She hadn’t been around many drunk people.

“I think he upset you more than he did me,” Paquin mused, tilting her head as she examined the man, trying to place the tone in his voice to some sort of emotion. He didn’t want her going off with the man, saying he didn’t want her to give him false hope because it was a kindness. Whatever that meant.

She sighed, “I don’t know. Maybe if he wasn’t drunk,” she mumbled. No, not even then. She had no interest in the man. He hadn’t been respectful of her and he hadn’t been nice to Kylo. Not to mention she wasn’t even attracted to him. What was she attracted to? Her friend Yara had asked her that many times after failed attempts at setting her up with someone.

She hadn’t ever really been attracted to one person. Aspects of people. She liked dark hair. She liked brown eyes, they were warm and inviting. She’d say she liked people taller than her but that was just about everyone.

But looks were just the tip of the iceberg. Passion was attractive. For a purpose, ambition. For love, not even romantic love. Just passionate affection to whoever was deemed fit. Loyal, caring, all very attractive traits.

She noticed herself staring at Kylo amidst her thoughts, but not connecting the dots at all. She blinked, shaking her head to clear her thoughts. “If it bothers you that much, I’ll throw it away.” She offered, her hand cautiously reaching out to his crossed arms. She was going to throw it away, anyway, but then it seemed to become a big deal. Instead of giving Kylo one of her signature reassuring pats, her hand lingered, gently fiddling with the fabric there unconsciously before she let her hand fall.

-

“It’s true, Mira. Lots of rumors about Hux and Phasma. Even Hux and Kylo Ren…” Finn trailed off. The Stormtroopers had to amuse themselves somehow. They all had tales, rumors. About everyone. Medics, captains. Generals, Knights of Ren. Finn briefly wondered if there had been any rumors before about Mira that he hadn’t even realized were about her...

Finn couldn’t help but stare in awe as Julia led them through even just the lobby of the building, into the access restricted elevator. And even that was extravagant! More spacious than even the communal bathrooms back when he was a stormtrooper. It fit the three of them and more, people with carts and carrying things. Caterers, he assumed, and other people supplying things for the event.

As they joined them, they all let out greetings to Julia Tarkin, all familiar with her. Whether they worked with her before, or just knew her face. It didn’t matter. It was all so odd. Finn never thought he’d come anywhere close to this. To something so prestigious, it seemed.

The lift ride was actually quite lengthy. As it was expected for a building so large, he supposed.

The doors opened to reveal an entire floor dedicated to the Tarkin’s house. People moved about, setting up for the evening’s festivities. People waited for the lift, but all moved aside to let Julia, Finn, and Mira out. Well, Julia. But Finn and Mira were her companions for the moment.

Finn didn’t think he’d ever seen a place so fancy. The First Order was...rich, but not in the same way. Those funds were spent on weapons, war ships. Never anything so ornate. And the Resistance, well. They were not well funded. They were not rich in money, but they were rich in other ways.

And to think this was the Tarkin’s additional home! “This place is lovely, Mrs. Tarkin!” Finn complimented.

-

“Another place?” Hux questioned, resisting an eye roll as he turned around to follow August. Did his home not have sinks? Hux didn’t think it would be that hard to restyle his hair, but apparently August thought otherwise. Either way, Hux was quickly learning it was easier if he just didn’t fight with the Tarkin on this stuff.

On other things, the General would happily spend all day arguing with August if he had to. But nothing this simple, inconsequential.

August led talks on what to do with his hair, seemingly familiar with everyone they encountered at these places. Hux would never be able to keep track of these things, things like getting his hair done by someone. He’d be too busy.

“Got it,” the man said, gesturing for Hux to follow him to the bowl to wash out his hair, first and foremost. Hux complied easily enough. At this rate Hux was even looking forward to a drink. “Say, how much product do you use in there?” The man asked, looking at the red hair that almost looked like it was hard…like a shell.

“Not much.” Hux sat in the chair, leaning back as instructed.

“Right.” However much he did or didn’t use was washed out quick enough, and Hux was moved to another seat. It was Hux’s first time in such a place. A place that made its money off of doing hair alone, people who went to study for such things. And not infantry soldiers who also happened to know how to work a shaver. “Any preference on what you want to do?”

That damn ball beeped out something about dying it. Hux had forgotten about that thing. “No dying it. Whatever you feels looks best with this.” Hux gestured to the velvet outfit that apparently one had to match their hair with. With a nod, Hux was blasted with hot air from a hair dryer.

Hux watched as his hair was dried, minimal hair product ran through it. His hair was settled with a few strands of ginger falling into his face. Tastefully messy, it was described as. Though, it just looked messy to Hux.
 
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Kylo could agree he was more upset than Paquin, given her lack of reaction and desire to even take the napkin in the first place. When she suggested she might even call him, in spite of all this, if he wasn’t drunk – that he could be someone decent then – he tensed up and couldn’t help the incredulous look he gave her.

Why would Paquin want that?

What about Yoel could have been appealing enough?

He had presumed that Paquin was going to throw it away regardless, up until that point. That comment, following the musings of whether or not Yoel could be a worthwhile pursuit, had him reach up to slap her hand away even before it had dropped off, no pat actually offered, no real attempt to reach him made.

“No, you should keep it, if you think he might be someone worthwhile when he’s sober,” Kylo sneered, the bitterness in each syllable. “If that’s your type.” Ariel’s type, maybe. He hadn’t thought Paquin would like that sort of man. Then again, he hadn’t really thought much about what she might like, in regards to that.

Only enough to know that, now and then, he wanted to shift his behavior or try to match what it might be. But then again, he could associate that with a certain fear of losing her – a fear he should have for all his Knights right now, after everything that had happened. Even if he hadn’t really thought of it with Ariel, or Gnaeus.

They weren’t new. That was the difference, right?

~***~

Mira wasn’t as surprised as Finn by the location, but then, she had lived on Coruscant before. Her parents hadn’t been beggars, either, but fairly rich lobbyists. She remembered places like this. She remembered this place, actually – senators often tried to get a residence here, and so her parents knew to stake this place out.

Still, she did look about as they walked, and enjoyed Finn’s expressions.

All the way into the elevator, and up a few floors, before she tensed. All at once, it seemed like they’d shot up into a vortex of darkness. ‘This was Palpatine’s home once, wasn’t it?’ His aura, his ghost, remained – and Mira immediately wished she hadn’t left the void stone with Hux, so she could block this feeling out.

How did Julia and August deal with it?

For that matter, how did Finn not feel it?

She couldn’t help the side-eye at Finn’s comment, before realizing she should probably actually say something, “Yes, it’s…nice.” But she’d already crossed her arms over her chest, and the guarded posture could hardly go unnoticed.

Julia, for one, noticed it. She wasn’t as quick as usual in discerning the cause. “I take it you see something amiss with the luxury?”

“Hm? No,” Mira did to some extent, but that wasn’t bothering her, “I think I just need some air,” she said instead, and glanced for the nearest window, or open space.

Julia gestured lazily, “Over that way you can step out,” and Mira didn’t hesitate to take her up on that, kyber glinting orange.

~***~

It was tempting to snap a picture of the young Hux as his hair was getting washed out to send to Julia, but August resisted the urge. He did give Toc a thumbs up for the suggestion of dying it, even if that was not what occurred. The stylists behaved, and gave Hux a rather nice messy look. It didn’t clash so badly with his suit now, since the look was softened, like the suit.

He figured no one could claim he was trying to ruin Hux’s image with this. He could have done a lot worse for him. Or let him go with his product-filled hair.

Toc expressed their disappointment when the job was clearly done, and August moved to offer the credits when the stylist came around, after removing the cape from around the General’s neck. “Thank you – I think that wraps everything up now, General,” August said as the credits were taken, with a generous tip, before August would turn back towards the door, “Now just don’t try to straighten it up too much. The soft look goes better with the velvet.”

Though he was certain that the General would be messing with it by some point that night. They might have to get liquor into him sooner than later.

Either way, August would hold the door for him and Toc, before taking the lead once out on Coruscant again to get to his apartment, job done.
 
“Kylo,” Paquin quickly retracted her hand, holding it against herself. It hadn’t really hurt. Not physically, anyway. Her feelings, those were a different story. But she supposed Kylo didn’t care about that, did he? Her lips settled into a frown. “You said you weren’t mad at me.” Yet, his tone and his actions told her otherwise.

Her arms instinctively wrapped around herself, as if they could defend her. Defend her from feeling rejected. From the bite in Kylo’s tone. “And that’s not what I said.” She’d just said that maybe if his first impression had been different, but decided that wouldn’t have mattered. “He’s not my type,” her voice was just as defensive as her stance. She’d gone over what her type was in her head and Yoel did not fulfill it.

“I bet Ariel’s done more than take some guys number and you’re not upset with her,” she nearly mirrored Kylo’s bitter tone. And it reminded her that Kylo had no right to be upset with her for just taking Yoel’s number when he and Ariel…


Well, she didn’t know what they did. Just that she didn’t like it. She didn’t like when he and Ariel were alone together. Or when Ariel’s hands lingered too long on Kylo. Especially when she herself was denied that.

She was jealous.

She shook her head. “I don’t want the stupid napkin, I never wanted it. Or him.” She wanted for something, but it wasn’t Yoel. It wasn’t Gnaeus. Or any man she’d been set up with in the past. “If I did, I’d be in there with him. Not here. With you.” She didn’t think about the words coming out of her mouth, or what they implied. “And it’s certainly not worth holding onto if it makes you upset with me.” Which she still didn’t understand. She told him why she took it. She was always going to throw it away.

She just thought explicitly telling him would make him feel better. It didn’t.

-

Finn definitely noticed the switch in Mira, easily dismissing the awe he felt for the place, it being replaced with concern. And Finn didn’t buy the whole ‘just needing air’ thing. Especially so when he saw the glint of orange in her hair. “Air is nice, I think I’ll get some as well.” Finn maybe should have let Mira have a moment to herself.

But he also didn’t trust her to be on her own. Not because he thought she’d do something. But he worried something would be done to her.

Besides, he was her padawan. It was his job to look after her. Or at least he’d made it his job just then.

Finn followed after her, waiting until they were safely away from the last bustle of preparations to inquire. While he didn’t allow her to be alone, he did offer her some distance between the two of them. “I know you like gingers, but I don’t think you should become one.” He offered to break the ice, in case he needed to get past the walls she seemed to put back up.

“That’s not just because you don’t like rich people houses, is it?” He questioned. Unsure of what it was, really. Was it Snoke? Something else?

-

Hux was more than glad his disheveling was over. With a nod to the hairdresser as a thank you—even if it was for ruining his hair—he followed after Tarkin.

Hux already wanted to fuss with his hair. Push it out of his face. The feeling was odd. But he left it alone well enough.

The General wasn’t surprised by the extravagance of the whole building the Tarkin’s second home resided in. It was a normal thing for politicians to have a second home, particularly if they didn’t reside on Coruscant already. He especially wasn’t surprised after the credits dropped on the silly velvet suit and his new hairstyle, for him. He wasn’t even August’s friend. And how that whole process seemed to be a regular thing for August.

All the way to the penthouse people greeted August. Hux himself even got a few greetings, but they seem surprised. Or confused. Probably both.

Julia, hearing the greetings thrown around for her husband, moved to greet them herself, anxious to see what her husband had done to Hux. “August-“ She began, only to pause upon seeing Hux. Velvet suit, messy hair. She couldn’t help the choked laugh that came out of her, holding it back. “Excuse me,” she apologized. Hux didn’t look bad at all, he looked quite good, actually. She just hadn’t expected it. “You look good, General.” She had so many questions for August.

“Thank you.” He was brief about his thanks, not intending to be rude to Julia. She’d not put him in the suit, even if she did get amusement out of it.

“Your admiral stepped outside a few moments ago,” Julia gestured in the direction she’d offered Mira. “She might appreciate your presence.”

Hux nodded. Mira would be refreshing. He’d had just about his fill of people he tolerated. Carise, August. That dumb ball. “If I may,” Hux didn’t bother to wait for August’s dismissal. He didn’t need it. Just to be polite.
 
Kylo hadn’t been mad at Paquin. Then he was. She explained that Yoel wasn’t her type, and Kylo wanted to believe her – but then why muse about the possibility at all? “Why would I be upset with Ariel?” Kylo couldn’t help but ask. ‘Why are you upset with her?’ Because he didn’t want to see Paquin with him. Because he was a drunken idiot and she deserved better than that.

“I don’t know why you’d muse over the possibility if he’s not your type, though,” Kylo decided to point out, not following that logic at all. “I could see Ariel with him, but Ariel’s type is anything that breathes and shows a little bit of interest,” that was probably being too harsh to Ariel, “I thought you had higher standards.”

And she was claiming that she did, but she still had the napkin.

Even if she was still out there, with him.

That thought came back to him, and he sighed, posture relaxing just a bit, “I suppose I shouldn’t hold you to any higher standard than Ariel. If that’s what you want, and if it isn’t what you want – I shouldn’t care.” But he did. Paquin was right though. He could claim it on the fact she was new to this – new to being a knight, and out of the First Order. She may have had more of a life outside of the First Order than some people did, she wasn’t a brainwashed Stormtrooper, but even so…he still felt as if he should intervene and keep her from these kinds of interactions and assholes.

“If that’s not your type, what is?” He didn’t know why he was asking. Perhaps to hear how it wasn’t Yoel, how her consideration was just pointless musing. “How did he even get on the list of someone you’d consider, if only he hadn’t been drunk?”

He wasn’t sure why he was still focusing on that, still going back to that. But he was.

~***~

Mira did not mind the company, in this case, and she did look over to Finn as he joined her. She rolled her eyes a bit, “I’m not dying my hair any time soon,” she didn’t see the crystals to understand, of course. She did shake her head at his query, though. “No, it’s not that. This used to be Darth Sidious’s residence – Emperor Palpatine,” she told him. “I can still…feel his imprint here. I’m surprised you can’t.”

Finn shrugged a bit, “I don’t really seem to have this…turned on all the time, like you do.”

He didn’t really know how she did it. And he didn’t think he wanted to do it. He had a feeling it wasn’t really something she could turn off, though. That was why she had these kinds of problems in the first place. “Is there anything I can do, or…?”

Mira shook her head. “I’ll acclimate, it was just something of a shock,” like being face to face with Snoke. Even before, when he spoke of balance, and all sorts of good things, his presence in the Force was overwhelming. “It’s just an imprint. It’s nothing harmful.”

“Uh huh,” Finn obviously had his doubts, but noticed Mira shift again before he could say anything.

He noticed fairly quick what that was, and allowed a bit of a cheeky grin to cross his faces. “Guess you’ll acclimate quick enough, anyway. I think I’ll go back and check out all the rich people things.” He didn’t want to stick around to hang with Hux, but he also wouldn’t be mean and deprive Mira of the reunion.

Although, when he moved to leave the balcony and bypass Hux, he did have to do a double-take. Messy hair? On the First Order General? He didn’t quite catch his laugh before it escaped him, not that he tried very hard. It wasn’t a bad look, but growing up with General Hux as a certain person meant a certain expectation. Anything that broke that was…strange. Amusing.

Mira wouldn’t have demanded Finn stay, and so she let him go, finding what caused him to leave easily enough. She knew he had to be near from the second the sensation of the Force left her. ‘You’re the only person who would be grateful to lose the Force.’ And yet it was what she was building a future on. Terribly ironic.

She didn’t laugh at all when Hux came out; she was hardly in a position to do so, given what happened to her. She did want to look him over, but she trained her gaze up…for the moment. She was rather surprised with how…well, good, he looked in something besides his uniform. She liked him in his uniform. But she doubted he was happy in this.

She wasn’t quite sure how to proceed – a comment seemed necessary, “Well, it seems August didn’t destroy you. I think the look should help the impression you make,” Mira offered. That seemed safe enough. “Are you all right?” She couldn’t imagine he was feeling great after the ordeal that must have gotten him into that suit.

Was that velvet? ‘Do not touch the suit.’ She wanted to touch the suit. She had a reason to touch the suit. She put her hands to the railing of the balcony instead.
 
Paquin’s head tilted the slightest bit in confusion as Kylo spoke of Ariel. How he could picture Yoel being her type. How her standards were apparently rather low, though he phrased it in a bit of an impolite way. Which even further confused Paquin. If they were something, why would he talk about her that way? Or even suggest he could see her with someone if he was so bothered that Paquin had barely acknowledged some drunk guy?

Did Ariel have a thing for Kylo, but he didn’t share that thing? Why was Paquin spending analyzing it so much?

She didn’t want to think about Ariel. She didn’t want to think about Ariel and Kylo. His question about why he’d be upset with Ariel was ignored. She wasn’t sure anymore.

He said he shouldn’t care, but it seemed that he did. His words implied that he cared. Why he did, Paquin couldn’t quite understand. Not that she minded the idea of it…

“I-I don’t know. His personality left much to be desired. I was just giving him the benefit of the doubt that maybe he wouldn’t be so unpleasant when sober. It was only a passing thought.” Paquin hadn’t thought a silly thought would be such a big deal. Would be so concerning to Kylo. She was intent on convincing him Yoel didn’t matter. “Physically he wasn’t unappealing, but fulfilled very little of what I’d call my type.” He wasn’t tall, taller than her, sure. But not as tall as say, Kylo. Yoel didn’t have strong, memorable features or pretty eyes that were incredibly expressive. He wasn’t intense or passionate. Wasn’t strong and brave. He wasn’t confusing.

Paquin caught herself that time. Caught herself examining Kylo a little too closely. She realized what she was doing. She was just describing the things she liked about Kylo. She was comparing Yoel to Kylo. Because Kylo was her type. Not just that he fit her type, it was just him. She liked Kylo.

Paquin ripped the napkin in half, not sure why she hadn’t just done that earlier. She truly didn’t want it, and it probably would have eased Kylo sooner. Her heart raced, her body moving without thought, taking his face in her hands. The memory of him slapping her hand away instilled the fear of rejection in her a bit too late. She was already attempting to pull him down to her height, to connect her lips with his.

-

Hux passed by the former Stormtrooper, offering nothing but a nod in acknowledgement to be polite to Mira’s padawan. Of course, his jaw set along with Finn’s laugh. Was his appearance really that funny? Julia had laughed, Finn had laughed. August had said he wouldn’t make Hux look bad, but the ginger was beginning to wonder if he had been played like a fool.

The tension seemed to instantly leave his body once he stepped out onto the balcony, joining Mira. She was a sight for sore eyes, the multicolored lights of buildings, speeders, ships all glittering behind her. Lights reflecting off the crystals in her hair. Hux knew he didn’t have to keep up appearances around her.

Mira didn’t laugh.

That’s why he liked Mira.

The only reason he didn’t fully believe August had set him up was Mira seemed to think it was alright. Well, not the only reason. But she certainly reinforced that thought. He didn’t think August would go through all that trouble to make him look like an idiot when Hux could go and do that himself for free. Luckily, nothing Hux wore could top the ridiculousness of that outfit…Hux chuckled, “You’re the first person who hasn’t laughed at me so far. Tarkin’s wife, your padawan.” Hux mused as he sauntered over to the blonde, leaning against the railing. “I’m a bit traumatized but I think I’ll live. After a drink, especially.” A couple. Maybe more when he was in the privacy of his own quarters later in the night.

“You can feel it, if you’d like. August said people would probably want to.” Mira would be the only one he’d give permission to.

He took a moment to observe her. Something was different about her face. Her eyes were a bit darker, her lips painted red. She was wearing makeup. Odd. It was the first time he’d seen her wear it. He observed her dress, the same red as her lipstick. She must have gone through a similar process as he had. “You look nice.” She managed to pull off whatever she wore. “Red is good color on you.” That was a safe compliment, right? “And you? Are you alright?” Julia had mentioned Mira might appreciate his presence, he figured that meant something. Perhaps because he wasn’t trying to force her into a dress and red lipstick.
 
The question of her type seemed to have Paquin stumped, except…she was staring at him. For a while. Silent. Kylo considered interrupting her thoughts, but just as he considered it, the napkin was ripped, and her hands were emptied of it – only to find his face. He couldn’t even open his mouth to ask her what was going on.

It became very clear what was going on, and what Paquin's type was. The answer left absolutely no questions or doubts in his mind.

Her lips pressed to his, not at all gentle in the heat of the moment, and his dark eyes widened rather than shut. This was…not quite how he figured his first kiss would go. Not that he ever thought much of that.

He could have pushed her away, and perhaps, he should have pushed her away. That was not what happened. Surprise faded, but he wasn’t quite capable of thought outside of his own emotions and rush of desires. He wanted this. He didn’t have time to register even that knowledge, before his hand had wrapped around the back of her head to hold her to him, and his lips pressed back, before parting a moment only to reinitiate the kiss.

He shut his eyes.

He had at least been told, enough times by Han, that it was rude to keep them open.

Thought, regrets, and worries, could come later. Likely, too soon, but later all the same.

After his other hand had moved around her body and splayed itself across her back to press her against him, and after his gloved hands curled around strands of her hair.

~***~

Mira’s expression softened as Hux informed her that she was the first not to laugh. She couldn’t defend Julia, or the others, really, but she could defend the reaction, “I imagine it’s the shock. Laughter is a natural response to surprising things, for some,” and Finn certainly seemed the sort who would laugh at something like that from shock. Mira would at least try to offer it as a way to make sure Hux knew he didn’t look bad, and didn’t need to be too self-conscious over it.

She did chuckle at his thoughts of drinking, though. She had no intention at all of indulging, experience told her that was a very bad idea, even if it had been a rather productive day. She met Terex, after all. And got the void stone. It all worked out.

She wouldn’t tell him to refrain, or even advice moderation. She doubted it was necessary.

And she was almost immediately distracted by the permission he offered. She must have somehow been obvious in her curiosity over the fabric, though she still shot a glance towards things inside. She supposed it wouldn’t hurt. The curiosity would be satisfied and she could move on.

She likely wasn’t about to be given permission to touch his hair, though.

Not to mention his compliment. Safe, but still a compliment. She reached out to touch the velvet at his arm as if that would distract her from thinking on it, letting her thumb graze over the fabric and pull on it a bit, “It is a nice fabric…I can’t imagine it’s very practical though,” she chuckled a bit at that, before forcing herself to draw her hand away and not linger over his upper arm, “I’m better.” That was honest, “I imagine I won’t be later when I have to deal with politics again, but at least right now I’m all right.”

It could simply be associated with the fact the party hadn’t truly begun, and not the company, though the company definitely helped. Of course, even Finn’s company had helped, ‘Stop. Thinking. About. It.’ That was better. She would have to live with rumors but she could make sure they were just rumors.

She would endure the politicking, and leave when it was appropriate to do so. “Have you ever had to deal with such an…ordeal before?” Parties didn’t exactly seem the norm for the First Order, but that didn’t mean Hux hadn’t before gone to such a party or dealt with people in such a situation. It seemed a better topic than lingering on suffering through Julia’s makeover, or August’s clear success in getting Hux out of his uniform.
 
Paquin’s mind raced in the few seconds she’d grabbed his face and pressed her lips against his. She had been scared. Scared he’d reject her, push her away. That she’d finally realize she had feelings for someone, for him, and he didn’t feel the same way. She didn’t know how she’d handle that.

She didn’t have to. He moved his lips against hers, returning her kiss. She felt his hand on the back of her head, his other one covering the expanse if her back and pulling her close. Her body relaxed against his, her hands easing their grip on his face as her worry was washed away. One of her hands moved, gently running through his hair, her fingers tangling themselves in the dark strands.

Her other hand found its way to his shoulder, gripping there and attempting to pull him closer. They couldn’t really get any closer. But close wasn’t close enough for her.

Paquin didn’t want to stop. She didn’t want to pull away from him. He was solid and warm and she felt wanted. Her tongue brushed against his bottom lip before she parted from him, just to breath before she pressed her lips against his one last time. This time she was soft, slow. She parted from his lips again, but still held herself close to him. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled as she tried to steady her breathing. She wasn’t. She didn’t regret it, not even as her lips hurt from kissing him too hard.

Sorry was her default response.

She wasn’t sure what to say. She wasn’t sure where this left them. She couldn’t bring herself to open her eyes, to look at him. “You’re good at that,” her voice was soft. Paquin had kissed someone before. Or rather, been kissed. Unexpectedly brought on her, just as she’d kissed Kylo. But it hadn’t gone as well. She’d been young and in school and she hadn’t really liked the boy, who had been a good few years older than her, in that way. He was very bad at kissing. It had been all teeth and smashing noses. She was fairly certain her nose had bled.

Kylo wasn’t like that. And as bad as it probably was to kiss him, however much trouble it might bring, it felt incredibly good and right.

-

Hux’s eyes followed Mira’s hand as she examined the fabric. She was gentle and Hux welcomed the feeling. It wasn’t often that Hux experienced such a thing, and the last time he couldn’t remember. The last friendly physical interaction, aside from being manhandled by August’s makeover accomplices, was probably a firm handshake to someone. Or a firm clap on the shoulder from Phasma. Hux briefly regretted giving Mira permission to feel the suit.

He should have tensed at her touch, but he didn’t.

‘This is what friends do. This is normal.’ He insisted to himself. “No, it’s not very practical,” Hux confirmed. “It’s very warm…” He trailed off whatever he was saying as Mira’s hand dropped from his arm and his eyes moved to look at the bustling view in front of them, instead. He ignored how his arm felt cold as soon as her hand abandoned the fabric, despite how he’d just been saying it was warm. He ignored the feeling of enjoying the simple interaction.

“I’d say the tedious politicking gets better, but that would be a lie. It doesn’t. Unless you enjoy such a thing.” He shook his head, trying to get the loose locks of hair out of his eyes. That would annoy him sufficiently.

Hux hummed an affirmative answer, “I have. Not to," Hux gestured behind them, inside to where the Tarkin’s home seemed nearly completely prepared for the party. “This extent, perhaps. But I’ve definitely endured my fair share of mindless mingling with people I loath.” A lot of them had been killed on Hosnian Prime. Not the ones he'd really wanted, unfortunately. Hux always liked to insist he was no politician. He’d hoped that his days of appearances like these would have ended. That someone else could do them for him. Evidently not. Not yet, anyway.

“They can be very useful, especially in the beginning of a career. A lot of early support and funding for the Order came from ordeals like these. Before Snoke.” Back when he was a young, fresh faced general of twenty-four. He’d say his eyes were wide and bright, but they weren’t. They’d been much too tired for his age, held too much pride and animosity. “This will be good for you. I think you’ll do well.” Hux couldn’t pretend to understand everything about the Force or her Grey Jedi agenda. But he would try his best to. And offer his support.
 
Paquin’s fingertips running through his hair nearly sent a shiver down Kylo’s spine. If he wasn’t already overcome with emotions and sensations, he certainly would have. As it was, it seemed impossible to do more than just kiss her back and let those sensations flow through, impossible to react to every new feeling that arose. He fought her on none of it, wishing they could have come closer, wishing they could have been out there longer and lost.

Unfortunately, it was not to be – and reality had to find them.

No matter how soft, or how welcome, Paquin’s last kiss was, it brought with it the reminder of the dark streets around them, as Kylo’s eyes opened once more as she pulled away.

She did not seem sorrowful, but that soft kiss somehow felt that way. She did not seem apologetic, either, but as the stench of alcohol from within the cantina returned, Kylo did. A weight settled in his gut as he looked at her, his hand falling away from her hair to rest momentarily on her shoulder.

There was a gentle squeeze, before that lump in his gut was understood.

Then, he stepped back, hands leaving Paquin immediately, even as his face flushed under her compliment. He wasn’t sure how to take that. He wasn’t sure what good was.

He knew he had enjoyed it. “I liked—no,” he quickly interrupted himself before he could return any sort of compliment, “No, I’m sorry,” he said, adding another step, “I shouldn’t have – I should have – Snoke won’t accept this.” His mind settled there, the true worry welling up as he considered how Snoke might react when, not if, he learned of this.

Kylo Ren was not supposed to get attached, and he was.

To Ariel, to Gnaeus, but to Paquin differently from them. He would not have cared if Ariel went off with Yoel, because he didn’t care if she kissed anyone else. He cared if Paquin did, but more than that…he cared if she cared for anyone else.

Even if caring for him was more dangerous than she had likely realized. If she understood…she wouldn’t have been this foolish. He wouldn’t have been – he should have been smarter. He should have pushed her away, but in that moment, he had wanted only that. He had wanted to share with her that his own emotions bent the same, even if he hadn’t quite found the words. He was never the best with them, anyway. “I’m sorry, Paquin.”

It didn’t matter what he felt. It didn’t matter that he had enjoyed it. Nothing did…and the bitter resentment he felt towards Snoke, that dangerous emotion he felt, now and then, threatened to overwhelm him in the moment…but fear was just as present.

He did not want Paquin to get hurt for this.

~***~

Warm.

The velvet likely was warm.

And pleasantly soft. But Mira allowed the conversation to go in the direction she had steered it, towards politics and the things more common and easier to talk about, than the mundane. Even if she still cracked an amused smile at how Hux shook his head, his distraction with his hair quite obvious. It was cute. Which was not something she should ever say aloud.

“At least you’re not lying to me,” and telling her that politicking got better, as some others probably would. She wasn’t so sure this was her ‘thing’, but it seemed like it may be necessary for the future. “And I know you will be able to commiserate later.” Finn was great, but Finn likely wouldn’t easily come to understand.

He was not in the spotlight. With any luck, he wouldn’t be for a while. He was just the padawan. He could defer and avoid it.

She softened her smile from its earlier amusement, “I did not crash and burn in the Senate. I think this will be easier to manage…I still appreciate your faith in me,” in this, and even to bestow rank on her in the First Order, one she may not deserve, given she didn’t have First Order training with their ships, or anything like that. She didn’t even have a ship she liked any longer.

She’d fix it one day. She still had to get the schematics of the Carrion Spike from Terex. She would have a stealth ship again.

Hux had too much faith in her, perhaps. Even so, she didn’t intend to let him down. She’d find ways to make sure it wasn’t misplaced. “I hope you’ll still understand that I will be using you as an escape from this party at some point. This may be good for me, but I can only manage so much fake smiling myself before I do something regrettable.” Perhaps not – but that didn’t mean wouldn’t take an opportunity to escape all the same. “I trust you won’t mind overmuch.”

He didn’t sound terribly enthused about all of this himself. Still, it might be better if he knew he might be used as an escape – even if she was mostly kidding, she also knew the potential for it to be true, in either case. “I’ll offer my services as well if you have a need to escape something, or someone, during all of this.”

Some of those they knew were starting to arrive – those more familiar with August, of course, who likely arrived early by default, and others in the First Order who likely wanted to make sure they weren’t late. Like Phasma. Who was also dressed rather formally, and who received a nearly ecstatic greeting from Julia who seemed to want to immediately gush over Phasma’s choices.

It was…interesting to imagine that Phasma might be better at accepting this dressing up thing than either herself or Hux.
 
Paquin didn’t want to let go of him. She wanted to hold him longer. She wanted to kiss him again. She wanted to pull him back, missing the feeling of him as soon as his hands fell from her. But she resisted that urge. She let him pull away. She let him step back. She let him regret kissing her.

She blinked.

“Did I-“ Paquin began before cutting herself off. She’d wondered if she’d done something wrong. If she hadn’t been good. But he could have easily pushed her away. He could have not kissed her. But he did. He’d held her, he’d put just as much effort and emotion in as she did. She briefly wondered if he’d used Snoke as an excuse of some sort, but she shot that down quickly. Kylo wouldn’t bring up Snoke lightly.

She shook her head. “He doesn’t know. He doesn’t have to know.” They were the only two who’d known what they’d done. She knew Snoke was...severe. But she didn’t know just how capable he really was. She was ignorant of just how much danger it could really bring to them. All she knew was that she didn’t like Snoke.

She also knew she couldn’t force her thoughts upon Kylo. And deep down she knew she should’ve expected this. That she and Kylo, where they were at that point in time, it wouldn’t work. Whatever it was. Whatever emotions or feelings they shared. It wasn’t meant to. She knew that, but that didn’t stop her from hurting.

He apologized. He was sincere. “It’s okay,” it wasn’t okay. She wasn’t okay. The feelings of joy and warmth she’d felt had been snuffed out, replaced by hurt and loneliness. Embarrassment. But she couldn’t say that. Her eyes managed to look everywhere but at Kylo. “I think I’m going to go back inside. Look for Ariel and Gnaeus.” Whether Kylo would join her or not was up to him, but she couldn’t be alone with him any longer. She needed a distraction and hoped Ariel and Gnaeus could help.

Without saying anything else, she turned to walk back into the cantina, the smell of it assaulting her again. Her eyes searched for the feature that would stand out the most, Ariel’s red hair.

She supposed she had some apologizing to do. She realized she’d been less than kind to Ariel in her jealousy. And none of it really mattered, in the end.

-

Mira spoke of how she’d need a break from fake smiling, before she’d do something regrettable. Hux allowed himself a chuckle. And an easy smile, a small one, but a smile nonetheless. Of course, it lasted only a few seconds before his face settled into a neutral expression again. Before anyone dare see him emote. But he understood how Mira felt. “No, I won’t mind. You may use me as needed,” he permitted.

And he’d certainly take her up on her offer, as well. “I’m sure I’ll need a break, as well. Maybe not often as you. While it may not get any better, if you’re in it as long as I have been, you don’t have to fake a smile so much. Eventually, everyone will know who you are. And establish whether they like you or not.” Then one wouldn’t have to spend so much time pretending to be pleasant with everyone. “You’re good at playing the game. Getting people to like you.” He recalled when they’d first been paired together, when they’d met with those ambassadors. That felt so long ago.

And she was good at getting him to like her, whether she’d realized it or not.

One of the reasons he’d named her Admiral, other than to piss his father off. He liked her. Trusted her. Which he couldn’t say for anyone other than her and Phasma. He knew she knew nothing of First Order ships or how the First Order truly operated.

Perhaps Hux did have too much faith in her. But he also knew that sometimes a little faith, someone to provide a stepping stone, was all it took. He’d had someone who’d helped him become who he was. Mira had many. She had many people who saw just how much potential she had. Maybe the First Order and the Resistance would win this war against Snoke. And however it went after that. But Hux had a feeling that Mira, her goals, went beyond all that.

“That’s more than I could say for myself.” Of course the Order had its supporters in the Senate. But he’d also killed a good bit of the Senate. And that probably wouldn’t be fun to deal with during this party. “This will be my first instance of mingling with the Senate since Starkiller.” He’s spoken with August and Carise and a handful of others. Even Leia. She may not have been a Senator any longer, but she still had influence. “I’m sure that hasn’t done me many favors.” Of course, Hux never thought he’d end up in this situation. He’d assumed that there’d be war against the Resistance. The Order would win it as it was well funded, more advanced. And the Senate would be abolished.

New plan, he supposed.

His attention turned back inside as more voices were heard, people beginning to file in. Phasma caught his eye and he couldn’t help the surprise he’d felt. This must have been why it felt like to see him in a suit. He’d definitely be starting a conversation about her in a dress. And heels. And makeup. “I figure we’ll be on our own ways soon enough. I trust you’ll find me when needed.”
 
‘He will know.’

Kylo Ren didn’t say it. Already he felt crushed by his actions and his words, a deepening sense of guilt and sorrow and frustration as he watched Paquin realize how serious he was. No matter how he may have wanted to return her affections, no matter how he wanted her to know that he cared, it couldn’t be. It simply couldn’t be. He could see the hurt. He could feel the hurt, her own, and his, thick as sludge in the air.

A lightsaber wouldn’t have cut through it.

He managed a few mute nods. He wanted to apologize again, for the pain, for the truth, but he kept himself quiet. Anymore words might just feel like twisting a knife at this point. He knew they would feel that way coming off of his tongue, because there was a part of him that wasn’t sorry for returning the kiss, and for letting those emotions flourish, if only for a moment.

But the fear of Snoke was far more notable.

Ariel and Gnaeus would do better than he could, at helping her right then. He wouldn’t follow. That seemed like a bad idea waiting to happen if he stayed, and made things…awkward. She deserved some time away from him, to get things sorted. ‘You should tell him.’ The thought came as the door closed after Paquin. ‘If you tell him, if you go to him with the action, he may be merciful.’ He’d be more merciful than if he found out accidentally, in prying through Kylo’s mind and seeing it as something Kylo was trying to hide.

Perhaps it was a stupid idea – he had plenty of those – but he turned from the cantina to go back to the ship.

~***~

Naturally, Gnaeus and Ariel had seen Paquin drag Kylo out of the cantina. And though there was temptation to go see what the pair of them were up to, neither of them gave into that temptation. Conversation had drifted from a few topics, from complaints of how long they might have to wait, to what Kylo and Paquin were doing. A surge of emotion certainly had both of them exchange a look.

And then, only Paquin came in.

Her pain was obvious, even from a distance. “This isn’t good…,” whatever it was that had Paquin entering alone could not be good at all, and Gnaeus lifted his good hand into the air to signal to her where they were so she wouldn’t have to look through the cantina too long on her own.

~***~

The smile, and the laughter, were still something a bit rare from Hux, something to treasure, and Mira quietly did in seeing them, and knowing his smile wasn’t faked. She wasn’t even sure Hux did any fake-smiling. Unlike herself. Perhaps she wouldn’t have to do too much, though. Jedi had a certain reputation for being stoics; so long as she was calm, and polite, that was likely to be enough in the long-run. She could let Finn play the smiley one.

Still, she would play the game, as Hux said. And she would be good at it, and get what allies she could to the cause, as she established it. Mace Windu may not be there to show some support and notoriety, but she had Hux, and she had Tarkin – and she had helped broker peace with Leia, and she had Finn. She had people who were notable in their ways, supporting her, from across various backgrounds.

Snoke would fall. And so, too, would Luke’s ideals.

‘Like his ideal of attachment?’ The thought was stray, but not unexpected, the good thing being Phasma’s distraction as Hux let his gaze cut across to her and the arriving guests. It was likely to be a semi-constant flow at this point.

And somewhere the annoying Motti Admirals would be lingering. She probably wouldn’t win any points for an argument with them. Or punching one of them.

Still, it was a temporary distraction, “At least you can always minimalize that with note of Snoke, if you desired to,” All of Hux’s negative actions could be painted and pinned onto Snoke, if he wanted them to be. She knew he had some ownership and responsibility for quite a bit of it, but if he felt like painting a new image, he could always claim that much that he had done, had been under the command of Supreme Leader Snoke, and establish himself differently. “Though there are downsides to that, as well, I would not contradict however you felt like establishing yourself here.” If he would pin much to Snoke, she would back that.

If he wanted more ownership on the genius design that was Starkiller and its use, well, she’d have to back that, too. She did not have to approve it, and she didn’t – but the design itself was certainly notable for its use of a sun as an energy source, and showed quite a bit of intelligence. “But you’re right – it seems it is time to mingle before people start to talk too much.” Rumors. Rumors that would come into existence regardless, but still…she shouldn’t allow them much credit.

Shouldn’t think too much about attachment, and the teachings she was going to let fall to the wayside, as she stepped forward to leave the balcony, and rejoin – though she would at least wait for Hux to join her so they could leave the area together, and she’d let Hux pick where he wanted to be first, so she could elsewhere.
 
Paquin felt she could breathe once the cantina doors closed behind her. The breath she released was shaky and the air she inhaled was far from refreshing, the atmosphere filled with smoke, dust, and dirt. She felt overwhelmed by the amount of emotions that had hit her in such a short period of time. She hadn’t had a chance to dwell on any of them except for the hurt she felt. A feeling she didn’t know how to deal with.

She didn’t blame Kylo. Even if he was the one who said the words that made her feel how she did. He didn’t have the intent to cause her any anguish. She’d been the one who kissed him without thinking of any of the consequences, and that’s all Kylo was doing.

She blamed Snoke. A dangerous thought, she knew that. ‘It’s not fair.’

Paquin spotted Gnaeus’s raised hand and next to him Ariel’s red mane. She pushed her way through the crowd of people to get to her friends. Her friends that looked at her like they knew something was off with her. And she was sure they did. Whether it be through the Force or the fact that she was horrible at hiding how she felt. “Hi,” she greeted them.

“Hey,” Ariel greeted, cautiously. Paquin was hurting, for some reason. It was obvious, in her face. Through the Force. Ariel was undeniably curious as to what happened, but unsure of how to question it. She examined the shorter girl, noting the messiness of her hair, cheeks red. Her lips looked red, slightly swollen. “Where’s Kylo?”

Paquin gestured, “Outside.” The brunette looked at Ariel for a moment. “Ariel, I know I’ve been mean to you lately. I’m sorry. It was uncalled for.”

“It’s...fine. I didn’t even notice, to tell you the truth.” Except that wasn’t the truth and she had certainly noticed. Ariel lifted her drink, “Do you want a sip?” She seemed like she needed it.

Paquin contemplated the drink, thinking it was probably a bad idea. She shouldn’t drink, it wouldn’t help anything. And yet, she grabbed the drink from Ariel. And took the smallest sip Ariel had ever seen someone take before scrunching her face up. “That’s not very good,” she mentioned as she handed it back.

“Sorry,” Ariel mumbled as she looked to Gnaeus with concern, silently asking him what they were supposed to do.

-

His distraction with Phasma was short lived, his attention returning to Mira. She offered the idea that he could always frame Snoke for his actions, for his participation with Starkiller and probably other terrors leading up to and following the destruction of both the Hosnian system and the planetary weapon. That she’d support whatever lies he spun.

And he really could. Snoke couldn’t comment on such things as he wasn’t there.

But Hux wouldn’t. Hux had his reputation already. He’d expressed his opinions and ideals long before Starkiller and he was certain there would be plenty of people who wouldn’t believe his story. While he wouldn’t express how eager he’d been, he wouldn’t lie and say he was only doing as he was told. Not because he didn’t want to be a liar, but that it was a lot of work to keep up a falsity that would hardly be believed. Even if it was partly true, it had very much been a creation of Hux’s own just as much as Snoke’s

And to say he regretted any of it would also be a lie. He only regretted that it hadn’t accomplished what he’d desired at the time. But he’d learned from it. It led him to where he was today. He was free from Snoke and his fool Kylo Ren. He’d formed an alliance with the Resistance and Tarkin. He’d seen the errors in his own organization since he no longer had to serve anyone, whether it be Snoke, Ren, or his own father.

And it led him to Mira, most important of them all. Without Mira, none of those things would have happened. If asked if he’d do it again, he would say yes. Just to end up where he was.

He shook his head. “No, I won’t pin all of it on Snoke. I appreciate the sentiment, though. But I’ll spin the story of a changed man. Everyone loves tales of such,” Hux rolled his eyes, nearly joking. Only it wasn’t really a story, he supposed. He had changed. His goals, his ways of doing things no longer conformed to Snoke’s, but were his own once more.

It seemed it was time to depart, much to Hux’s dismay. He followed her lead back into the Tarkin’s home, as it was filled with chatter already, a first round of various drinks being brought out by well dressed waiters. His eyes scanned the crowd, searching for familiar faces. He noted August and his wife, Phasma. Finn and some woman dressed in gold. And he spotted the ever familiar Terex at the door, certainly underdressed and standing out amongst the fancy people. Of all things, he decided on Phasma, his curiosity getting the better of him.

Hux’s hand landed on Mira’s back for a moment, “People will always talk, don’t let it bother you too much,” he offered. “I’ll see you later,” were his parting words before he walked away, his hand leaving Mira as he created distance.
 
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