Just An RP Blog

The air hung still for a moment. Nothing but the rain and the sounds of the busy life around them permeated their stillness.

Ruiner felt their hesitation. Savored it. If the stranger were wiser, they would’ve ran. Hell, Ruiner might even let them, if they showed no signs of continuing the chase. Yet there they stood, unmoved. Unfortunate.

It wasn’t worth the risk. Without a moments notice, their blaster was aimed and firing, a warning shot to the strangers arm before they bolted. A quiet, almost muffled voice in Ruiner’s mind wished they wouldn’t follow.

Sterre knew they shouldn't follow, knew the shot was a warning, knew this person was dangerous. But

The stranger had a head start but Sterre was fast, quickly lessening the space between them. Rain streamed down their face making it hard to see, so they opted for a different tactic.

(I haven’t RP’d in a while, yikes)

They were being trailed. Even in the rain, they could sense the shift in the air, the weight of another presence lingering from a distance. If there was one thing they didn’t have the time or the patience for, it was another diversion.

Their hand automatically rested on their saber as they looked over the stranger. Immediately they knew that following this person had been a mistake, their presence was far stronger than they had realised and this person was no doubt far stronger than them.

Sterre unhooked their lightsaber, but kept it off and held it behind their back. They really didn't want a confrontation, and their master would definitely be pissed that they'd allowed themself to be noticed, but there wasn't really a lot they could do about that now.

The stranger passed. Somewhere deep within, Ruiner felt an old, familiar pang of relief. It disgusted them. They would wait for them to pass. Wait until they knew they wouldn’t be caught and-

Their eyes darted from the hooded strangers back to the hand that was poised over the unmistakable silhouette of a lightsaber. The back of their head seared in a phantom pain, as their ears were filled with the old, crackling shriek of the saber that scarred them. A force user. Jedi? No, they decided.

Once the hooded figure was far enough ahead, Ruiner changed course, yet again, to pursue them.

Sterre headed away from the market, glancing back once as an indication that they knew they were being followed. It didn't matter that Sterre didn't see them, the almost constant ebb of their presence was there.

They were being followed.

No, no. They mentally noted, Just a crowd. No need to panic.

They brushed through the wet, uncomfortable crowd for a few paces, before it came back: the sensation of being watched. Their hair stood on end, and a hum of electrical panic surged through their spine, willing them to turn and look. Ruiner refused, instead choosing to glance at the rear facing sensor in their visor.

They were being followed. The hooded figure was smart enough to stay a few paces behind the masked person, but there was no doubt about it. Their gaze lingered a bit too long; their direction following a bit too close to their own.

Lose them. Lose them, or dispose of them.

As they redirected themselves to leave the bustle and lights of the town, Ruiner kept an eye on their internal sensors, making no indication that they were fleeing, and never taking their sight off of their pursuer. As the rain fell harder, they noticed the stranger get distracted by a hurried passerby. They used the opportunity to extinguish their helmet lights and slipped behind the shadows of a nearby cargo unit.

They held their breath and stilled themselves as the stranger neared their hiding area. They silently prayed not to be found this close to the community; but another part of them secretly wish they would be.

No. A voice in their mind, No one else needs to get hurt.

They found their hand resting on their sabre's hilt. The target was close.

But they hesitated. They had no idea what they were supposed to do; their instructions were follow, stay out of sight. Beyond that they had nothing to work with.

Caez uncrossed their arms. They didn’t like the sound of that.

"A while ago, shortly after we met, I had a run-in with someone. He's the one who told me Kylo was a Sith. And, um, he sort of offered me a deal..."

They glanced over at Caez to see their reaction so far.

Several months had passed since Sterre’s failed escape attempt, but Caez was no less peeved with them for trying.

Well, to be more accurate, they’d actually been so distracted with their training that once Ren had assigned Stix and Caez to pick up guard duty in the detention block where Sterre was being held, they’d suddenly remembered that they were supposed to be angry.

They spent most of the evening ignoring Sterre’s cell as they passed throughout the corridor. Luckily for Caez, Sterre hadn’t noticed. That was until they came around the corner for the fourth time, and saw the smaller escapee was now standing, peering out of their cell door.

“Caez!” they called out, “You actually came!”

Caez’s stomach dropped. Oh. That’s right. Before Sterre had been locked away, they’d asked Caez to visit them at the very least. Caez purposely decided not to, until eventually they’d completely forgotten the other’s request.

Now, they felt more guilty than angry. The least they could do is make small talk.

They were so happy to see Caez. Sterre had almost given up hope that they’d actually come, but after listening to the footsteps of the guards and realising they weren’t any of the usual troops they had to take a look.

“I got busy.” They lied, “After they brought you here, Ren put me on a more intensive routine to make up for the fact that he lost one of his other trainees.”

They noticed Sterre was injured and mentally scolded themselves for complaining about something as trivial as force training. They’d obviously suffered a much worse fate than Caez. Their first instinct was to point out how right they were from the get go. They wanted to shake Sterre and tell them, ‘If you had only listened to me!’. But they looked awful. Caez didn’t want to rub it in.

It was partially their fault anyway. If they’d gotten away, none of this would have happened to them.

The chances of them actually escaping were extremely low. You made the right call.

More than that, they didn’t want to talk about it. Ren seemed determined to make them terrified of him, and it was definitely working.

Why were they asking about that, of all things?

“Please don’t tell me he had you believing he was a Sith this whole time.” They shook their head, “I thought so too, at first. Cause fuck if I know anything about how this all works.” They waved a gloved hand around, “He had a good laugh about that. I’m surprised he didn’t correct you earlier. Master of the Knights of Ren, but not a Sith, apparently.”

Sterre moved away from the door. This changed everything, if only they'd known. They leaned against the wall, unable to pace so they picked at their nails instead.

"Caez, I've seriously fucked up."

Several months had passed since Sterre’s failed escape attempt, but Caez was no less peeved with them for trying.

Well, to be more accurate, they’d actually been so distracted with their training that once Ren had assigned Stix and Caez to pick up guard duty in the detention block where Sterre was being held, they’d suddenly remembered that they were supposed to be angry.

They spent most of the evening ignoring Sterre’s cell as they passed throughout the corridor. Luckily for Caez, Sterre hadn’t noticed. That was until they came around the corner for the fourth time, and saw the smaller escapee was now standing, peering out of their cell door.

“Caez!” they called out, “You actually came!”

Caez’s stomach dropped. Oh. That’s right. Before Sterre had been locked away, they’d asked Caez to visit them at the very least. Caez purposely decided not to, until eventually they’d completely forgotten the other’s request.

Now, they felt more guilty than angry. The least they could do is make small talk.

They were so happy to see Caez. Sterre had almost given up hope that they’d actually come, but after listening to the footsteps of the guards and realising they weren’t any of the usual troops they had to take a look.

“I got busy.” They lied, “After they brought you here, Ren put me on a more intensive routine to make up for the fact that he lost one of his other trainees.”

They noticed Sterre was injured and mentally scolded themselves for complaining about something as trivial as force training. They’d obviously suffered a much worse fate than Caez. Their first instinct was to point out how right they were from the get go. They wanted to shake Sterre and tell them, ‘If you had only listened to me!’. But they looked awful. Caez didn’t want to rub it in.

It was partially their fault anyway. If they’d gotten away, none of this would have happened to them.

The chances of them actually escaping were extremely low. You made the right call.

More than that, they didn't want to talk about it. Ren seemed determined to make them terrified of him, and it was definitely working.

Several months had passed since Sterre’s failed escape attempt, but Caez was no less peeved with them for trying.

Well, to be more accurate, they’d actually been so distracted with their training that once Ren had assigned Stix and Caez to pick up guard duty in the detention block where Sterre was being held, they’d suddenly remembered that they were supposed to be angry.

They spent most of the evening ignoring Sterre’s cell as they passed throughout the corridor. Luckily for Caez, Sterre hadn’t noticed. That was until they came around the corner for the fourth time, and saw the smaller escapee was now standing, peering out of their cell door.

“Caez!” they called out, “You actually came!”

Caez’s stomach dropped. Oh. That’s right. Before Sterre had been locked away, they’d asked Caez to visit them at the very least. Caez purposely decided not to, until eventually they’d completely forgotten the other’s request.

Now, they felt more guilty than angry. The least they could do is make small talk.

They were so happy to see Caez. Sterre had almost given up hope that they'd actually come, but after listening to the footsteps of the guards and realising they weren't any of the usual troops they had to take a look.

“Its settled then.” He straightened up, “These guards will bring you back to one of the detention cells until further action is necessary. Since you’re so desperate to leave the First Order, you’re no longer considered a part of it. Enjoy your time as a prisoner.”

Kylo turned to leave and looked over at Hux, “Is that all, General?”

“No.” he bit back, “You’ve failed to determine the appropriate disciplinary actions for your rule bending rodent.”

Caez grimaced.

“CK-781 was simply acting in the interest of the Order, General.” Ren replied, “No disciplinary action will be necessary. In fact, they should be commended for their remarkable initiative.”

Hux looked like he’d much sooner tear off his own fingernails than commend Caez for their blatant disregard of emergency procedure. Caez’s stomach flipped, grateful that Kylo was letting them off the hook, and terrified that he was giving Hux even more reason to hate them.

They didn’t have a chance to say more, as the guards pulled them to their feet and dragged them out. Sterre let them, for about three steps, before they started to struggle.

No. No way in hell. They weren’t about to go making promises to this disaster. They’d been completely careless and self destructive in a way that Caez would never understand. They wouldn’t be suckered into helping them ever again.

"Come see me, please."

“Its settled then.” He straightened up, “These guards will bring you back to one of the detention cells until further action is necessary. Since you’re so desperate to leave the First Order, you’re no longer considered a part of it. Enjoy your time as a prisoner.”

Kylo turned to leave and looked over at Hux, “Is that all, General?”

“No.” he bit back, “You’ve failed to determine the appropriate disciplinary actions for your rule bending rodent.”

Caez grimaced.

“CK-781 was simply acting in the interest of the Order, General.” Ren replied, “No disciplinary action will be necessary. In fact, they should be commended for their remarkable initiative.”

Hux looked like he’d much sooner tear off his own fingernails than commend Caez for their blatant disregard of emergency procedure. Caez’s stomach flipped, grateful that Kylo was letting them off the hook, and terrified that he was giving Hux even more reason to hate them.

They didn't have a chance to say more, as the guards pulled them to their feet and dragged them out. Sterre let them, for about three steps, before they started to struggle.

It didn’t take long for Ren to show up. Unfortunately, he noticed Caez first.

“What now?”

Hux stepped forward, “It would seem that your unorthodox training methods have produced, not only an insubordinate wreck, but a traitor as well.”

It was then that Kylo noticed Sterre. He looked from them to Caez, then turned to the General, “Perhaps you could be a bit more specific?”

“That one tried to escape.” Hux pointed at Sterre, looking at Ren with unbridled disgust, “And your other pet stole on of our TIE fighters to go on a wild chase across our base.”

“CK-781 can’t fly anything.” Ren interrupted.

“They managed to hijack one of our pilots.” Hux sneered.

Ren turned back to face Caez, “Did you really?”

“Yes…” their eyes shot to Hux before adding, “Sir.”

Caez watched curiously. There was no way Sterre was going to get out of this one. This is what they had been trying to avoid. If only they had listened to them the first time.

But they hadn’t and there were consequences.

Kylo bristled and turned to face Caez.

“It’s true, I mean-” they shrugged, “You’re morally conflicted pupil over there doesn’t seem to really know who they’re working under, do they?”

“And you do?” Sterre snapped.

“More than you, obviously.” Caez straightened up, and glared at them, “You wouldn’t be running for the hills if you did.”

“They’ve brainwashed you..” Sterre stared at Caez in horror. Were they really defending the First Order? After the monstrous things they’d done?

Caez stood suddenly, enraged, but Hux interrupted the altercation, “Lord Ren, you’d benefit greatly from teaching your students not to speak out of place.”

“Sit down.” Kylo muttered, and Caez obeyed.

They looked down at their hands. Were they more of a Sith than the man controlling them?