* / CONFLICT

  𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦, 𝙄𝙈𝙋𝙊𝙎𝙎𝙄𝘽𝙇𝙀 𝘴𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝙃𝙊𝙋𝙀

[foughtshadow]

ben will be moving to a sw canon and oc multimuse MAIN blog over the next few weeks, stay tuned for more!

[foughtshadow]

muddledbloodlines‌:

The breath of relief that Armitage managed when it seemed Ben was agreeing with him was ripped from his lungs before it’d even properly settled. A frustrated glare of exasperation immediately springing to the ex-general’s features as arms shift– gesturing upwards sharply, “The kriff do you expect me to do?”

Arms then fall, hitting Armitage’s sides perhaps a little harder than necessary in his agitation. Brows furrowing. He couldn’t go back empty-handed. Not just because if he did it’d look bad on him but they needed these supplies, and their fuel reserves were low enough as is. Making another trip would put them under.

Seafoam eyes cast down towards the ground, the frustration seeping from him as he realized he’d probably have to resign to this– resign or not go back. That’d be easy enough– the tracking anklet would be nothing if he got the right tools and– no.

Eyes flicker back up towards Ben. Then glance away again. He didn’t even care if he decided to prove a threat once more; “When I was tasked with helping build up Starkiller Base and making sure it was functional, I’d only hoped to ever use it once. At least to it’s full capabilities. I’d sought to destroy the New Republic ever since I was young because I was told they killed the only person who was ever kind to me.”

There was a pause, as Armitage took in a deep breath, “It was a lie, of course. One of many– a trick to keep me reeled in and a puppet and–” He’s frowning, arms crossing over his chest, “They’d saved her and I rewarded them with the deaths of so many innocents…”

Armitage trailed off, falling silent for a long moment. He wasn’t sure why he even believed anything that had ever came out of his father’s mouth to begin with. He was as much at fault as any other who’d participated in the Hosnian Cataclysm and he knew it. But the only way he knows how to cope is to lash out and seek vengeance.

“The First Order isn’t good. I don’t know what they’re up to anymore, but I don’t like it.” Eyes snap back to Ben, and the realization that he’d spoken those words out loud in the company of another hit him like a brick. But still, he locked eyes with the other man, “We need those supplies, Ben.”

HE LISTENS   thoughtfully, expression pensive-- though Ben’s expression has lost its hostility, he remains wary throughout the explanation. A scrunch of his face in disdain follows his attempts to explain away the Hosnian Cataclysm-- the admission that that was, indeed, something he admitted to. He’d still killed so many, regardless of his reasonings. 

But it’s in the past. And though Ben doesn’t want to believe that Hux has truly defected, he can’t detect deception within his voice. It seems that the former General really has changed sides. That he really is working with the Resistance. 

A disbelieving chuckle escapes the smuggler, and Ben shakes his head, pressing two fingers against his forehead. 

“ i can’t believe that i’ve actually heard those words come out of your mouth, ” he mutters, still shaking his head. It’s all a little hard to believe and yet he does believe him, he has no choice but to believe him because the fact of the matter is that Hux isn’t lying.  “ and that you used my real name. ” He hasn’t used it actively in so long, between being forced to take on a moniker as Snoke’s apprentice and using a pseudonym as a smuggler in order to keep himself undercover, that it almost feels strange to hear it. Even stranger to hear it from Hux. 

“ well... you’re not lying, ” he says, again. “ i still can’t believe you’re not lying. but you’re not lying. come with me to my ship, i’ll get the supplies unloaded. ”

[foughtshadow]

muddledbloodlines‌:

Once the other man’s lightsaber is finally deactivated, Armitage slowly let go of his blaster– though his other hand didn’t stray from his jacket, where it curled around the lightsaber he himself carried. He was too distrustful to allow his guard to falter completely.

“The Order isn’t what it use to be.” Armitage offered, plainly. Though he didn’t need to elaborate on that to anyone– to explain himself nor his mind, he figured providing some form of answer would be better received than keeping everything clamped down tightly. Maybe if he gave just enough information, he could get Ben to leave and–

“You?!” Armitage couldn’t help the outburst– lightsaber finally released and left tucked in his inner jacket pocket as he laughed, a hand brushing through his hair to try and reel himself into that reality, “Of course it’s you. Stars, I swear if they knew that and this is some sick joke–”

There’s a heavy sigh as the ex-general forced himself back to a semblance of being contained, though he couldn’t help the factor that his lips twitched down into the tells of a frown, both arms gesturing outwards– “Well in that case, I suggest we get this over with swiftly. I’ve got the payment we promised… as long as you’ve got our goods.”

IT’S ANNOYING.   He wouldn’t be surprised if it were on purpose-- aside from the fact that his identity has been kept a secret since he vanished into obscurity and started his new life as a smuggler. This is the first job he’s taken for the resistance, and Ben honestly finds it irritating that the first person from his old life he’ll come into contact with is Hux. 

A nod follows the statement, his expression unamused as he crosses arms over his broad chest. A heavy sigh escapes him, and he shakes his head, one hand rising up to run through thick, dark hair. 

“ hold on-- if i’m going to hand it over, i’ll need some kind of proof that you’re not doing this to overthrow the resistance somehow, that you’re actually on their side. ” It had only taken a moment to come back to the conclusion that this might still be a trap. “ while i might not say i’m taking sides... let’s just say i’m not gonna help you do that. ”

Ben steps back, leaning his back against the trunk of a tree and bending one knee slightly, arms still crossed, dark eyes watching Hux carefully, keeping an eye out for any slip-ups, anything that might indicate that his purposes are nefarious. “ so, how are you gonna convince me?”

[foughtshadow]

wearenotthesameasyesterday‌:

“I took too long to stop my grandfather.  I could have made things better long before this.  That is something I can never be forgiven for.” 

She took a deep breath and turned to look at him.  With the bond between them, she knew it was hard for him to be here, to keep the light around him and she wondered why he’d come.  Of course it must have been for her but she hated to put him in any situation where it might take him away from the light side.  That was who he had become and it was something that she loved about him.  Taking a few steps forward, she wanted to reach out but her hands were firmly clasped together behind her back.  

“Why are you here Ben?  You shouldn’t have come.”

THE DARKNESS IS SUFFOCATING. For too long he’d fought against it, always thinking he’d gained control over it just to realise, painfully, that he hadn’t. Now, things are different-- now, he’s strong enough to stand here, on this world, to hold his own Light close around himself. 

He looks up at her, a smile stretching across his features. The Force hums around him, and he pushes back the Dark. 

“ i forgive you, ” he says, quietly. “ i wasn’t going to let you fight this battle alone. i’m here. we’ll fix this together. ”

[foughtshadow]

muddledbloodlines‌:

Armitage refused to tear his attention away from Ben. Focused more on the immediate potential threat now than the task he’d set out to do. If they had to reschedule the pick up due to this, that would be fine. Probably be more costly, if whoever he was suppose to be meeting up with proved to be greedy but that’s just something he’d have to live with. He couldn’t magically make Ben leave. Not when it seemed he was intent on doing the exact opposite.

A sigh passed quietly through Hux’s nose as he took a small step back when Ben drew nearer and pointed his lightsaber towards him. An annoyed sneer finding it’s way instinctively to Armitage’s features as he leaned back a bit. Hand tightening it’s hold on his blaster as his free one crept up inside his jacket and allowed him to brush fingers along the lightsaber he carried currently. He’d rather not have to show it off if he didn’t need to for self-defense– the less Ben knew, the better.

“No, because if I was, you wouldn’t know about it until it was too late,” Perhaps not true, but the words left his mouth anyways. Fingers grasping along the hidden lightsaber now as a sort of anticipation crawled underneath his skin, “Now, if you don’t mind, I have business to be attending to. I’m already late as is.” By one minute.

The last thing he wanted was to get into a fight with anyone. He wasn’t incapable, but that didn’t mean it was the smart move to make. Especially since there’s a good possibility that Ben could very well win.

Still, he took another step back and risked casting his eyes around the area– refusing to let Ben fall out of his peripheral in the process. Where the heck was his supplier? Tucked away now that someone else had made their presence known?

HE CROSSES HIS ARMS OVER HIS CHEST, brow creased in a scowl. But, strangely enough, Hux doesn’t seem to be lying. Disgruntlement turns to confusion slowly, and then a realisation dawns on him. 

“ you’re... working with the resistance. ”

It’s not a question. He knows as the words leave his lips that it’s true. Eyes are wide, and he takes a single step backwards, deactivating his lightsaber. Ben can hardly believe it, but it would explain a lot. Hux himself wouldn’t have gone undercover. He’d have sent an attack squad. He wouldn’t have come himself. And the First Order’s tactics have been... different lately. 

“ why? ”

Just because he knows what’s going on doesn’t mean that he’s not suspicious. It just doesn’t make sense for someone like Hux to change sides. Ben takes another step back, gaze not leaving the redhead. “ i’m delivering a load of weapons to the resistance. ” Frown returns, and he shrugs. “ i guess... that means to you. ”

[foughtshadow]

muddledbloodlines‌:

Armitage had to go out of his way to be allowed to go off on his own. He didn’t hold it against the Resistance to be hesitant to let him go– to trust him, because he wasn’t so sure he’d have ever trusted someone like himself if the positions were reversed. Though he’d made progress– he’d offered up all the information he could pretty quickly after being hauled off of the Finalizer in some odd rescue-kidnapping when the flagship had taken damage. He almost seemed way too happy about it, and it was entirely because he was much too happy to foil what Pryde had turned the Order into after the death of Snoke and Ren had taken off. And, perhaps, he was a bit bitter…

But things seemed to be working out for him much better outside of the Order than Hux could have ever imagined. And it had nothing to do with the lightsaber he’d found that had once belonged to, apparently, his grandfather. The lightsaber tucked into the inside pocket of his black leather jacket that sported orange and white stripes down the arms and collar.

He looked nothing like the man he’d been back with the Order. Hair slightly messed– wind tossed and not held stubbornly in place, and the shadow of facial hair gracing his features. And his clothing? Loose in nature, neutral colours– it was the last thing he’d ever believe he’d wear in his life time. But it was perfect for this situation– a good way to blend in as he met up with their supplier to get some much needed weapons for the Resistance.

A strange sensation crawling up his spine had the ex-general freezing in his foot steps as he’d ventured away from his ship. Fingers tapping to the jacket instinctively as if to ensure he’d still had the ancient weapon. His other hand flying to his holstered gun when the voice spoke up behind him and he whirled sharply– fixating Ben with a look of annoyance and surprise.

“Ren…” Of course, it had to be him. This had just gotten much more complicated than the quick job it was suppose to be. Fantastic.

Armitage eyed Ben closely, fingers twitching against his own still holstered gun, “… That’s no longer any of your business.”

HE’D BEEN TOO FOCUSED ON HUX to really take a good look at the ship the general had landed. All Ben can think about is how awkward this will be if his client shows up before he’s dealt with Hux. 

Of course, the First Order general had to show up on one of the few occurances where Ben was working with the Resistance. The last thing he needs is to have the meeting be disrupted. Briefly, he considers just letting Hux go, running off and informing his contact about the situation. But he can handle this. Hux doesn’t have a legion of troopers behind him to protect him now. 

Come to think of it, why doesn’t he have a legion of troopers behind him?

He must be deep undercover to look so unkempt... the Hux he knew would never be seen like this. 

Ben glances upward into the atmosphere. His client must have been delayed... that’s good. But just moments ago, he’d been notified that the client was arriving. And there hadn’t been any sign of conflict. 

Lightsaber and blaster still at the ready, he gets a particular sinking feeling in his gut. But... this was impossible. Ben turns around, taking a quick glance at Hux’s ship. 

Kriff. It’s the exact build that he’d been told to look for. Ben’s angry now. He’d been duped-- the First Order must have figured out where he was, and lured him in. He puts the blaster away, quickly closing the distance between them, bringing the blade of his lightsaber up to Hux’s throat. “ you’re trying to trick me, aren’t you? ” he snaps, looking extremely insulted, but far less aggressive than he used to be.

[foughtshadow]

plotted starter for @muddledbloodlines !

HE CAN BARELY BELIEVE HIS EYES. It’s honestly hard to recognise the other, now that he lacks the stiff uniform. He’d fought the urge to bolt as soon as he’d felt that familiar presence, but there was something different about it this time... something new. 

Ben is naturally curious to a fault. So he hadn’t leapt into his ship and taken off immediately. Instead, he’d hunkered down, hand ready on the blaster at his hip-- it’s better than his lightsaber for things at a distance such as that. 

There’s definitely something strange going on here. He’s not sure what, and he doesn’t trust the First Order general for a moment... but Hux looks to be alone. Dark eyes narrow as Ben crouches behind a rock, watching. If he’s alone, then... good. 

Ben has room on his ship for a prisoner. And the General can tell him how to avoid the Order. Unless... 

He banishes the thought before it fully formulates. There’s no way that Hux would ever leave the Order behind. He must be undercover or something... Ben honestly has no idea what he’s even doing here. It’s not like there’s much of anything out here besides a refuelling station and a place for smugglers to meet their clients and exchange credits. Small, out of the way. 

So why would Hux be here of all places? Ben needs to find out. This particular waystation is nice, and he’d prefer to know for sure if the First Order’s going to have a presence here, so he knows if he has to avoid it. Once Hux has left his ship, Ben makes his move. 

Darting out from his vantage point, he bolts across the ground, coming between the general and his ship. Lightsaber in one hand, white blade ignited, and blaster in the other, levelled at Hux’s chest. 

“ what are you doing here? ” 

His voice drips with suspicion, and he keeps his focus behind him-- just in case Hux brought friends. 

[foughtshadow]

starschased‌:

Kadri isn’t sure what’s got her more surprised – that Ben steps back, relents, or that he removes the saber from his belt and insists on joining her instead. It’s going to be incredibly dangerous. Any smart person would get back on the ship, would not cross the sandy stretch towards the Amber City, currently occupied by her brother Bronte. He’s gathered a handful of First Order remnants as a private army, more or less, and he’s not going to hand control back over to her easily by any standard. 

But she’s got to try. They’ve got to try.

“Okay. Together,”  agrees the princess, unholstering the blaster at her hip and giving him a nod. She can put her trust in him, she knows that much.  “I can’t promise you won’t get hurt fighting this battle, though.”

THAT’S NOT REALLY A CONCERN. Ben’s no stranger to battle injuries-- he’s no stranger to risking his life. He’s been fighting this war since it began. But only recently has he been fighting on the right side. His expression remains serious as he meets her eyes. “ i’d rather get hurt fighting this battle than stand by doing nothing, ” he tells her. 

The lightsaber is a comforting weight in his hand, and he lifts his head, looking out toward the city. “ we can do this. ”

Not long ago he’d have fled from the very sight of the First Order. But now... now they can crush its remnants, and Ben’s going to be there. End this, once and for all... and maybe he’ll finally start being able to sleep at night. Maybe with the death of the Order, it’ll all be over. 

He wants peace. And this sort of thing might be the only way to find that. 

“ i’m ready to go on your signal, ”

[foughtshadow]

@starschased​ sent:  ❛ Don’t be afraid. ❜

HIS CHEST FEELS CONSTRICTED. Ben’s trying his best to be brave, to be strong-- but he finds each step harder to take. He’s been hiding away for so long... he’d thought about going to the Resistance before, but he’s only just now acting on that, and that’s just because he’d run into Kadri while on a smuggling run. 

He hasn’t seen his mother in years. And he definitely hasn’t seen her since... since starkiller. 

The thought itself makes his stomach drop and his throat tighten, and his left hand shifts to brush over his right arm’s metallic shoulder attachment. How will he explain everything? The closer they get, the less prepared he feels-- and the more he wants to run again. He shuts his eyes and rests his head in his hands, dark hair falling through fingers. “ i can’t do this-- i can’t go back. ”

[foughtshadow]

@starschased​ sent:  ❛ You’re a fighter. Now get up and fight! ❜

HE DOESN’T WANT TO. His head is spinning and he feels sick to his stomach. Ben doesn’t want to have anything to do with the First Order-- he wants to stay as far away as possible-- he wants to run, to jump into a starship’s cockpit and leave for the other end of the galaxy. 

But he knows that he can’t keep running. They’re everywhere, and the darkness is only growing stronger. Every day, threatening to engulf him again. He doesn’t serve its whims any longer-- but that doesn’t mean he isn’t haunted by it. The shadow has followed him across the galaxy. He knows he’ll have to stand and fight. And yet, he’s afraid-- he’s not strong enough. He can’t withstand it without losing himself. 

“ i don’t want to fight anymore! ” voice is strained, muscles tense. “ i just want peace. ”

A luxury he doesn’t know if he’ll ever be able to afford. 

[foughtshadow]

@edgeineer​ sent:  ❛ You can do this. ❜

BEN SIGHS AND SHAKES HIS HEAD. Piloting is the one thing that he hasn’t failed at-- but it’s not the flying that he’s worried about. It’s what he might run into on the way. “ if you’re sure i won’t run into any first order patrols-- ”

He has no desire whatsoever to come into contact with the Order, especially not so soon-- and especially since he’s wanted across the galaxy. “ look, i’m going to be honest, maybe i’m not the best person for this. at least not for a few more months. ”

[foughtshadow]

@wearenotthesameasyesterday​ sent:  ‘ i struggle not to feel guilty ’(from Empress Palpatine)

HE KEEPS HIS SILENCE. Dark gaze is directed to the ground near her feet, the dark landscape of Exegol obscuring his features in shadow. Their dyad bond hums intensely with their proximity-- through it he can feel her every emotion, at least, unless she’s hiding it from him. 

Ben doesn’t know how to respond. Here, in this place, he too feels guilty. The Dark Side is heavy here-- and every moment he remains he grows closer to losing the small control he’s gained over it. Finally, he looks up. A flash of lightning reveals his face, dark eyes glistening. 

“ guilt isn’t always bad, ” he murmurs, rising to his feet. “ but... you don’t need to feel guilty for things that aren’t your fault. ”

[foughtshadow]

@starschased​ sent:  ❛ I have to do this, and you have to let me. ❜

BEN STANDS BACK. He chews at his lower lip, nervous, but doesn’t try to stop her. “ alright-- ” he cuts off abruptly, then steps up beside her. Hand moves to his belt, slipping around the weighty hilt of his lightsaber. Purified crystal thrums gently in his hand as he looses it from his belt. It’s still relieving to be in harmony with his blade once again-- in torment no longer. 

“ i won’t stop you, ” he states, voice quiet, “ but don’t do it alone. let me help you. please. ”

[foughtshadow]

so i think i’m gonna go ahead and write up a film-by-film canon divergence. it’s gonna be long and specific. 

[phantomemes]

starters  /  prompts taken from f. d. soul’s work ,  between you and these bones .  feel free to change pronouns  /  tenses as necessary .

‘  the problem is you keep trying to use your eyes  ’

‘  how i soften when you pull me against you  ’

‘  you are teaching me to love  ’

‘  i will pretend that i have not already heard the question in your eyes  ’

‘  you perhaps will become my swan song  ’

‘  it is a very human thing to love  ’

‘  you are my good days  ’

‘  i have been loved dearly  ’

‘  i promise you will not always be this war  ’

‘  thank god for the stubbornness of organs  ’

‘  it takes me seven days to stop being in love with you  ’

‘  there will always be another day  ’

‘  there will always be another mercy  ’

‘  perhaps i will take up dancing again  ’

‘  what a pretty little disaster you will be  ’

‘  i am terrified for you  ’

‘  i will fold inside of myself  ’

‘  today i am thankful  ’

‘  i didn’t want to sleep because i didn’t want to wake  ’

‘  come and get me  ’

‘  i tell myself i do not need you  ’

‘  i think i broke again last night  ’

‘  i’m just trying to connect with you  ’

‘  you are an ocean that will perhaps never stop crashing  ’

‘  burn the house down in search of yourself  ’

‘  don’t you dare ever stop looking  ’

‘  i struggle not to feel guilty  ’

‘  you are a wild  ,  unkempt thing  ’

‘  sometimes it is a very sad thing to be human and longing  ’

‘  find that you are made of russian nesting dolls  ’

‘  the trees are always kindest with spring comes  ’

‘  teach yourself the hymns again  ’

‘  he is every amen i have ever laid down on lips  ’

‘  this life is an altar  ’

‘  i am sorry i do not have more time  ’

‘  there is a mountain in me  ’

‘  by the morning i am a triumph  ’

‘  there are words playing hooky in the back of your throat  ’

‘  today is by far the most beautiful creature i have ever come across  ’

‘  there are many things that will fit beneath your skin  ’

‘  forgiveness does not take up much room  ’

‘  some days you will breathe and it will be enough  ’

‘  you do not have to hold it quite so tightly  ’

‘  there is a prayer in me  ,  still  ’

‘  you scare me a little  ’

‘  you can be a good thing and not a whole thing  ’

‘  there are flowers in my chest again  ’

‘  the rain comes and sounds like you  ’

‘  i cannot tell you why i still trust god  ’

‘  find peace and build a home out of it  ’

‘  there is never an end  ’

[persephonememes]

* (  THE 100 /  SENTENCE PROMPTS.

These may have been edited for clarity or length or to better apply for roleplaying.

❛ You can do this. ❜

❛ You have to fight. ❜

❛ Tell me it was worth it. ❜

❛ I should have killed you first. ❜

❛ I’m proud of you. ❜

❛ Hey, you’re okay. ❜

❛ How long have I been asleep? ❜

❛ What do you want me to say? ❜

❛ We can let the bad things that happened to us define who we are. Or we can define who we are. ❜

❛ We can’t do this forever. ❜

❛ You’re a fighter. Now get up and fight! ❜

❛ What else of mine have you stolen? ❜

❛ I can’t do this on my own. ❜

❛ I love you more than I ever thought I could love anyone. ❜

❛ An innocent man is dead because of you. ❜

❛ You call this doing better? Giving up isn’t better. ❜

❛ I am not telling you anything. ❜

❛ What the hell are you doing? ❜

❛ I never meant for you to get hurt, but no matter what I do, someone always does. ❜

❛ I’m not leaving my friends! ❜

❛ I have to do this, and you have to let me. ❜

❛ If you do this, there is no coming back. ❜

❛ You can’t save someone who’s already dead. ❜

❛ Your secret is safe with me. ❜

❛ I belong nowhere. ❜

❛ I may not hate you anymore. ❜

❛ I love you, you know that? ❜

❛ Whatever choice I make, someone always dies. ❜

❛ It felt good to be safe. I never felt that way before. ❜

❛ I am not worth dying for. ❜

❛ There are people worth saving. ❜

❛ If you’re gonna go out, might as well go out with a view. ❜

❛ Let me help you. ❜

❛ We’re not so different after all. ❜

❛ Darkness is all we have left. ❜

❛ You don’t get to decide who lives or dies. ❜

❛ I’ve never met a line I wouldn’t cross. ❜

❛ Everyone’s guilty of something. ❜

❛ There’s a darkness in you. ❜

❛ Sometimes hope is more important than truth. ❜

❛ You are a terrible influence. ❜

❛ You think we’ll ever be able to trust each other again? ❜

❛ I could use a break from keeping you alive. ❜

❛ Thank you. For keeping me alive. ❜

❛ You have a real gratitude problem, you know that? ❜

❛ Maybe there are no good guys. ❜

❛ You really are the angel of death, aren’t you? ❜

❛ Life is about more than just surviving. ❜

❛ Don’t be afraid. ❜

❛ I’m sorry. ❜

❛ I can’t do this! ❜

❛ This isn’t who you are. ❜

[foughtshadow]

ben absolutely despises the first order. he hates and detests everything they do and stand for, and every moment where he’s ordered to work alongside them is torment. snoke puts him in that situation because he hates it, hoping that it will push ben ever closer to the brink. regardless of whether it was on snoke’s orders or not, he feels incredibly ashamed of every moment he serves the order. the only reason he briefly considered taking command of the order before the battle of crait was specifically so he could dismantle it. but he realised quickly that there were people who wouldn’t allow him to do so. 

however, he will readily take part in first order interrogations-- because through his own research and practice, he’s developed his telepathic skills so that he’s able to extract highly specific information out of most beings’ minds with minimal pain or invasiveness, and to touch only that specific piece of information without invading the rest of someone’s thoughts or feelings. while the process is still unpleasant, the damage is minimal, and pain nonexistent if the victim doesn’t resist or is of a weaker mind. if they do, the pain is still quite minimal. ben does this because he knows that the order won’t stop unless they get the information they want, and that their methods of extracting information are far less humane. he doesn’t enjoy breaching the minds of others, but he knows it’ll be better than what the first order interrogation officers have in mind.