going to be taking a bit of a break from this fic. i just want to get a few more chapters ahead before i start posting again. thank you.
Monday rolled around, and Hux found himself already dreading whatever he would end up doing for the play. Sunday had mostly been him focusing on school work and the SQUIP telling him different ways to make himself seem more approachable. He needed to smile more apparently, still work on relaxing his posture, and a million other little things. Hux went so far as to make a list of everything Kylo had mentioned.
This was going to be a lot more work than he had initially thought.
Okay, Kylo said as it floated in front of him, You're not really getting the hang of this 'walk without the stick up your ass thing' so instead I'm going to relax your muscles for you.
'You'll what?'
I'm going to relax your muscles for you, Kylo repeated, like it hadn't said something concerning. It'll be easier if I just monitor it for you while you focus on other things.
'You can do that?'
It nodded. I can do that and a lot more. I'm wholly integrated into your mind, I know all, and I can control a lot. Since you have so many things to work on I'll take this one thing off of your list. You're welcome.
The more he learned about the SQUIP, the more Hux wished that he had done his usual amount of research into this thing. Classes went along as they usually did; the SQUIP had been quiet for most of the day, much to Hux pleasure.
The day came to an end, and Hux finished pulling things out of his locker. When he turned around, he stood face to face with both Rose and Rey.
"Um..."
"I figured you'd forget," Rose said.
"So we're here to take you to play rehearsal," Rey continued. "The teacher was really happy that someone else wanted to help out this time around. It was nice of you to offer."
"I didn't forget." Hux gave them a tight-lipped smile and nodded. "But please, lead the way."
The three of them made their way toward the auditorium, where everyone involved with the production was gathered. They seemed to be scattered about, with the largest group seated on the stage. From where he stood, Hux could see Finn talking to a short brunette.
You're about to bump into Rey.
Hux stopped himself just in time. 'Thank you.'
Oh, you're thanking me now?
Hux rolled his eyes. "So...what exactly did you need me to do?"
Rose pointed. "You're going to be helping out with things like props, costumes, painting sets, building stuff if they need help with that."
"Right now, they're going through stuff to see what will actually be used for the play," Rey explained. "The teacher didn't settle on a set yet, so it's kind of up in the air right now, so if you have any ideas, you can tell him."
"Oh, I'm not-"
"Okay," Rey said and clapped her hands together. "I have to go up there on stage, so I'll talk to you guys later." She pressed a kiss to Rose's cheek, and then she went off. Rose left soon after without another word to him.
"What have I gotten myself into?"
This'll be good practice. Stop being such a sour puss. Now go.
Hux set his bag down and walked over to where Rey had pointed. The group was made up of five other students. All of them were shorter than him, and four of them had brown hair, and one was a redhead like himself. The SQUIP didn't give him any instructions, so he simply stood there, observing.
On the table next to them, there was a table with all sorts of props. Next to it stood a few racks of various types of clothing. It all looked dusty and Hux was sure he smelled a faint musk coming from them. He couldn't understand why anyone would wear these things without putting them through a wash cycle. Or ten. One of the brunettes, the one that had his hair pulling into a small ponytail, ended up spotting him first.
"Ah," he said and motioned Hux over.
This one is anxious and comes off a bit tense, Kylo mentioned. Relax your face and pretend to be open.
Hux must have failed because the brunette suddenly looked unsure of himself.
"Uh...I'm Bodhi," he said, "Bodhi Rook. Um, right now, we're trying to find things that would work for an alien-slash-human love story."
"Alien and...human?"
"The teacher wants a space setting," someone else said.
'Shakespeare must bring the stupid out of people.'
Focus. Kylo chided. Act like you're interested. You're never going to accomplish your goal if you keep acting like everyone is an annoyance and in your way. Fake it 'til you make it Armie.
Hux took a deep breath, and with the help of the SQUIP, he gave Bohdi a natural smile. "Well that's..."
Interesting.
"Interesting," Hux continued. "Who are the...aliens?"
"Juliet and her people," Bohdi said. "They haven't picked what kind of aliens they'll be but-"
"I think we should make them some kind of alien with red and black skin and horns on their head."
Hux looked over, and it was another brunette, he was going to have some issues telling these people apart, who was standing near one of the costume racks. He was a slim guy, his hair was short and neatly combed, and he had fair skin. He wore a simple shirt and a simple pair of trousers.
That one.
'That one what?'
You're inept, so I wouldn't expect you to notice, Kylo said. But he likes you...or at the very least he thinks you're attractive. So that's the one we're going to focus on.
'O...kay,' Hux thought and shrugged his shoulders. "That would be easy enough to costume, and red tends to stand out. I assume it's the same on the stage."
"We can't start thinking about makeup until we figure out costumes and props, at least."
Go over to the costume rack, we're going to charm that one.
'How will this help?'
Part of being more sociable is being 'wanted,' showing that you're desirable. People tend to want things that they can't necessarily have, and if Finn sees you with this guy, you have a better chance of wanting to get to know you better.
He supposed that made sense, and at the very least, it would be decent practice. He walked back over to the costume rack and wrinkled his nose at the growing smell.
"Yeah, whatever costumes we decide on will have to be thoroughly cleaned. They've been locked in the closet for far too long."
"How can you stand it?"
"You get used to it after a while."
Hux scoffed and looked at all of the clothes on the rack, he was reluctant to touch them.
Introduce yourself.
"I'm Armitage Hux."
"Oh, I know." When he saw the look of mild surprise on Hux's face, he quickly waved it off. "We have a few classes together. My name's Dopheld, Dopheld Mitaka."
'What a horrible name.'
You're one to talk.
'So are you Kylo Ren.'
A light jolt hit Hux in the back of his neck, and it made him jump. Dopheld gave him a slightly concerned look, and Hux forced out a chuckle while he rubbed the back of his neck.
"A slight chill is all."
Ask him how he got involved with the play. And get over yourself and touch the clothes, you can't just stand around doing nothing. You are here to help.
"Do you always help out here," he asked. He grabbed the edge of one of the garments and pulled at it, looking it over.
Dopheld shrugged, "I bounce around from one after school activity to another. I just picked this one on a whim."
They talked for a bit, with Hux pretending to filter through the available costumes. Kylo spoke up here and there, telling him what to say or noting how Dopheld reacted to something he did, supposedly trying to teach Hux what to look out for. Hux found it rather tedious. When Dopheld looked away from him, he would glance over at Finn. Finn would either be laughing with another student or looking serious as he read from the script he held in his hand. His gaze couldn't linger for long, Kylo was quick to remind him. Hux partly felt like he was being pulled farther away from Finn rather than being made closer. But the SQUIP assured him that this would all be worth it in the end.
His time at the play rehearsal came to an end, and Hux made his way home.
Don't look so down, Kylo said as it moved alongside him. You're a patient guy, right? We're playing the long game. We'll start with Dopheld, and then, we'll move up.
Hux hummed and nodded slowly. He was a patient person, and so long as Finn ended up his he would put up with almost anything.