A criminal mastermind and a prize

[empires_heir]

Armitage Jade had amassed quite a tidy little criminal empire.

Though, really, not so little any more, he had recently gained control of a handful of planets along one of the shipping lanes that the First Order had previously held. He didn't remove it from their control out of any sort of altruistic reasoning, but simply because it was something they wanted, which meant that it was something he didn't want them to have.

His mother had told him, and often, not to let himself be dragged into helping either side of the ongoing conflict because they would both use them for what he could do, whether that was his minimal abilities in the Force, or his brilliant analytical mind, or both.

So he'd gone about building his own side to the thing, though not allied with the Rebellion, he still thwarted the First Order here and there, if only because he knew it must be infuriating to his father that his bastard child -one of many as likely as not- was proving to be such a formidable foil. That was, of course, if the man even admitted that Armitage was his blood.

He didn't have any audiences on his schedule that day, which was why he was surprised when one of his advisors came to tell him there was a small delegation arriving, and, not one to turn away visiting allies -or potential allies- he instructed that they be brought to the great hall where he'd meet them.

People looking to describe Armitage usually settled on 'severe', or 'intense' and he could certainly be both, a shock of red hair tied in a stub of a tail at his nape and a wardrobe that consisted of varying levels of 'black', with a vibroblade in a magnetic sheath at his calf and what could only be a lightsaber at his hip, he was intimidating enough even before he spoke, a clipped Coruscanti accent that most people didn't expect from someone of his reputation.

Comments

[happybeeps]

Poe offers a wry smile, a playful edge when he asks- "Seems to be good at a lot of things. Does he have any actual weaknesses?"

It was maybe too obvious what he was trying to learn, but maybe that open attitude would earn him a real answer.

[empires_heir]

Armitage just arched a brow, gesturing at himself, "You've seen me, haven't you? I go into direct sunlight and I'll probably combust." It wasn't true, though it was close enough to it. Armitage hated being too hot, and especially via direct sunlight.

The reflected, refracted sunlight that was used to light most of the rooms was fine, it was diffuse.

He cocked his head, almost a shrug, "Then, I don't particularly care for the cold, either, blood too close to the skin, I suppose."

[happybeeps]

"Sensitive," he chided, pressing that teasing since Armitage seemed to be taking it well enough now. His mood really did seem improved by the tying.

"You wouldn't have done well on Kijimi then."

[empires_heir]

"Precisely. And precisely why we're here instead of somewhere else." Climate control was easier when the actual climate was already temperate to start with, though he wasn't against moving somewhere that the base could be hidden under a metric ton of snow and ice, as long as there was enough insulation to keep them from standing out on heat readings.

The ropework -and everything that had come after- had helped settle him considerably, even though he knew he was in for another night or two of deeply unpleasant sleep, but Snoke hadn't broken him yet and wasn't going to do so now.

[happybeeps]

"Where ever here is." Poe smirked, part of him a little miffed that he wasn't able to get under his skin, but knowing it was better for him if he didn't. No need to ruin a good mood.

"Am I still confined to quarters?" he asked, hoping maybe that good mood would lead to an early release.

[empires_heir]

Considering how quickly Armitage reacted when something did get under his skin, it was definitely a good thing that Poe hadn't managed to needle him so badly as that.

He nodded at the question, however, "For today, yes. We'll see what happens tomorrow." His brow arched then, "Is that your way of telling me that you're finished and you'd like to return?"

[happybeeps]

He flushed at that, though there was little point in pretending. Asking out right to be dismissed rarely served him well.

"...May I?" He hoped Armitage might allow him to return on his own, with Sylvain here to chat to, and Poe could maybe make use of that pin before it was taken away again. Or maybe just spend some more time in that holo environment...

[empires_heir]

He nodded once, "If you think you can stay out of trouble, Serpent will walk you back." There was some kind of warning in there, though Armitage didn't say anything outright.

Though, considering what Poe already knew he was capable of, there was really no reason to make things plain.

[happybeeps]

Poe nodded quickly, and he more or less meant it, not planning to try and steal away tonight unless the opportunity resented itself.

"Thank you, Master. Sylvain," he greeted, gulping down a final sip of water before pushing upright, disappearing with Serpent.

He made it back without detouring, debating once he'd made it back, unsure of how much time he had. He removed the pin from his sheet, turning it over in his hands, fingering the sharp point before finally leaving it on his Master's dresser.

He needed to build up trust if he was ever going to get out of here.

[empires_heir]

It was another half hour or so before Armitage returned, seemingly still in better spirits than he had been that morning, though, it helped that Sylvain also knew about his problems with Snoke, she'd been through it while serving Armitage in the beginning, which meant she had a somewhat more objective viewpoint than Armitage did himself.

Which was true of a great many things, and part of why she was one of his most trusted.

He also came bearing a fresh bundle of clothing that he set on the foot of Poe's bed, some of the pieces Poe had already used, they'd simply been laundered, though there were a few new pieces. Still not enough to make it through a whole week fully covered, but nearly so, especially when combined with the few pieces he still had left, "What you did with the sheet was clever. But I can't really risk that happening again if there are visitors." Which giving him the clothes now would seem to indicate that there would be in the near future, though truthfully it was hard to say.

[happybeeps]

"Would you rather I wore nothing for them?" Poe retaliated, but he guessed the answer was probably yes. Better than making his Master look bad by finding a way to skirt the rules. He breathed out a small sigh through his nose, but nodded.

"Are you going to be able to sleep tonight?" he asked. It wasn't necessarily out of genuine concern. Sleep left Armitage in a better mood, and a Master in a good mood was always better than one in a bad way. "You could take something...?"

[empires_heir]

He had cocked his head at the first question, almost a shrug, making a thoughtful little sound as if he were considering it, but didn't actually answer as further questions followed.

He snorted softly, "Oh, yes, deliberately lower my defenses against someone who's trying to invade my mind, that seems like a brilliant idea and I don't know why it never occurred to me." There was no real heat in the retort, if anything it was dry enough to be deadpan, though he shook his head a moment later, "Sleep isn't likely to come easy, no, and even if he doesn't try again tonight, which is unlikely, but possible, I'll still be on the alert for it."

[happybeeps]

Poe shrugged as well. He didn't really know how it worked. As many stories as he's heard, even demonstrations, the Force is something he still can't really understand like someone who can wield it.

"Do you want me to stay up with you?" he offered.

[empires_heir]

He actually considered the offer for a moment, but shook his head, "No, I'll be alright, and you'll need to be sharp tomorrow." A pause then, "Though if you wouldn't mind sitting with me while I read for a while I would appreciate it, but I'm not going to make it an obligation tonight."

Not as he had done the first time and not as he was likely to do again before long.

[happybeeps]

Poe wondered if that was a specific warning that something was happening tomorrow, or more of a general thinking that he should be ready to attend to his Master.

He nodded easily, especially as it was a request and not an order. If all he wanted was his company Poe didn't mind obliging, particularly if it helped distance him from the marr his adventure in the stairs had left.

[empires_heir]

Armitage knew that the previous instance of kneeling beside his chair where he could stroke Poe's hair had left Poe conflicted, and while he was curious to see if doing so again made that better or worse, that curiosity was secondary to using the situation to steady and soothe himself a little.

Which was why he just nodded once, "Thank you. At your leisure." He knew Poe wouldn't take long to comply. He had the projection of the fireplace again, though instead of the rain-swept vista outside the window, it was a low-desert tundra, frost rimming the few clusters of rocks visible from the window, and with an occasional gust of wind that stirred the ground-cover. As before there was a cushion beside Armitage's chair, he wasn't planning on changing that any time soon.

[happybeeps]

Thanks wasn't something Poe heard often, savoring the sound of it. Though a wave of conflict followed, worried that he was too easily manipulated into this life with a few kind words or touches. He tried to push that guilt away, and it wasn't long before he came out to join him.

He'd undone the toga and returned to the simple draping of the blanket round himself, coming to sit on the cushion, looking curiously to the window.

"...where is that?" he asked curiously.

[empires_heir]

He glanced at the window himself, as if he had to confirm, "Jedha, before it was a test for the first Death Star. I like it because it's peaceful, even despite knowing that wind is cold enough that you'd lose fingers or toes to it if you were out in it unprepared."

There was no chill from the window the way there was warmth from the projected fireplace, but that was most definitely on purpose. It didn't take long for Armitage to settle, fingers trailing through Poe's hair briefly almost every time he tabbed to the next page on his datapad, and finally just settling there completely, scratching lightly at his scalp, definitely the sort of movement usually reserved for a favored pet.

[happybeeps]

Poe frowned faintly, finding that history blackened whatever peaceful image the place the made. He tried not to make his allegiances too obvious, there were plenty out here who were formal Imperials. And plenty more who supported the First Order. "...Oh."

The petting fingers in his hair made Poe tense at first, and even when he relaxed enough to show he enjoyed the touch, that conflict still rolled off him in waves.

He kept silent while Armitage read, mind elsewhere, occasionally stealing a glance up at the man. Eventually he leaned in close, cheek supported and eyes lulling closed, not asleep, but trying to let himself fully relax.

[empires_heir]

Truthfully Armitage used that vista occasionally as some kind of memorial, a reminder of what there was to lose if the First Order managed to become as strong as the Empire had been. Not that he was fully on board with the Resistance's way of doing things either, because the republic had been a flawed system at the start and hadn't gotten any better as time had gone on, corruption running rampant there as well.

For now, though, he let himself settle, though he was a little amused by the time Poe relaxed more fully, which he allowed for a few minutes before giving Poe a gentle nudge, "Go on, bed. I'll be in in a short while."

He was, in fact, preparing for bed himself within a few minutes, and he even managed to fall asleep fairly easily, and stay that way for a few hours, though that was when the restless shifting began, a shifting that only got more intense, tossing and turning and making bitten-off little noises that were likely actual words in whatever dream was plaguing him, even though they didn't manage to be so in the real world.

[happybeeps]

Poe wasn't sure what woke him at first, half asleep and blinking groggily. Once he mind caught up he still hesitated, but as the tossing and turning continued, those cut off noises... Poe couldn't ignore it.

He approached uncertainly, and gave Armitage's shoulder a soft prod, trying to shake him awake.

"Master?"

[empires_heir]

It was enough to startle Armitage awake, even as gentle as it was. It was also enough to have him lashing out with the Force like a concussion grenade dropped on his location, sending everything in a 5 foot radius tumbling away. Provided Poe was steady on his feet it wouldn't feel like much more than a punch in the chest, certainly not enough to knock him over, but more than enough to be felt.

Armitage's pillows on the other hand weren't so lucky, thumping dully against the wall behind him, likewise any loose items on top of the dresser were scattered to the floor, and even in the dim light he looked well and truly startled, even afraid for a brief moment, though reality was quick enough to settle in, and all he asked, voice rough with sleep, was: "What time is it?"

[happybeeps]

Poe stumbled back with a wince, feeling as though his breath had been knocked out of him, eyes wide and more than a bit fearful at that display of power, skirting about to follow the fallen items, before returning to his Master.

"...I'm not sure-" he answered after a short delay, tension and maybe a small amount of pain in his face. "You we're-" Poe wondered maybe if waking him was the wrong thing.

[empires_heir]

"I was rapidly losing ground." He admitted quietly, voice still gone to gravel and brittle edges, "Your intervention was well-timed. Thank you."

Of course, since he knew his own defensive measures, and that to be able to wake him Poe would have been well within the blast radius, as it were, he studied the other man intently for a moment before asking: "Are you alright?" He was still upright and still talking, so he probably wasn't injured, just rattled.

[happybeeps]

That further thanks was just as confusing as the earlier one, and Poe bit at his lip, nodding faintly to accept it.

The reminder made him stiffen a little, and he nodded quickly. It still ached a little, but no worse than any over shove or manhandling. "I'm fine. Is...is there anything I can do to help?"