[The Force is a wonder, Skywalker used to say. He still carries the memory of it, useless, but no less relevant in terms of how he'd forged his own existence from the creature that was Ben Solo. Years later-- many, many years later-- he understands the truth in it: the Force is a wonder...a terrible, harrowing nightmare from which great misery can be spread with little more than a single, merciless thought. Hux, for all his failings, clearly recognizes the truth of it when he steps back, steeling himself like a cornered animal, but by then it's too late. Ren is too close, gloved fingers outstretched, willing him to be still and complacent, regardless of his own fears.
He sets his hand to the General's temple. Gentle enough that it could almost be kind.] Let me show you.
[It's a painful process, delving deep into someone else's mind and peeling away their thoughts. Discomforting beyond acute transparency or the ache of a struck, exposed nerve, how entirely helpless they become when the Force is so focused, channeled into them like a conduit. Unlike his cruelty with the bold resistance pilot, however, Ren doesn't rip memories loose from their moorings - no, he implants them this time. Bears into Hux the way it felt to be so tormented, the taste of blood on his lips when the blaster fire bore deep into his own flesh, Han Solo slipping away, the base rattling as Chewbacca snapped his hand over the detonator--
Hatred and misery swelling, and the weight of every living, breathing thing as it funnels down into his every waking moment. FN-2187 collapsed pitifully in the snow; the girl refusing Snoke's offer-- his offer-- before she tore into the vulnerable skin of his face.]
no subject
He sets his hand to the General's temple. Gentle enough that it could almost be kind.] Let me show you.
[It's a painful process, delving deep into someone else's mind and peeling away their thoughts. Discomforting beyond acute transparency or the ache of a struck, exposed nerve, how entirely helpless they become when the Force is so focused, channeled into them like a conduit. Unlike his cruelty with the bold resistance pilot, however, Ren doesn't rip memories loose from their moorings - no, he implants them this time. Bears into Hux the way it felt to be so tormented, the taste of blood on his lips when the blaster fire bore deep into his own flesh, Han Solo slipping away, the base rattling as Chewbacca snapped his hand over the detonator--
Hatred and misery swelling, and the weight of every living, breathing thing as it funnels down into his every waking moment. FN-2187 collapsed pitifully in the snow; the girl refusing Snoke's offer-- his offer-- before she tore into the vulnerable skin of his face.]