Red Opus

Chapter 9: Revelations

CW: Self-harm, just after the flashback

You glared at Ren from the corner of your eye. Standing in the turbo lift, you both descended down to the belly of the ship where Supreme Leader dwelled. Snoke was never one for unscheduled meetings, you had learned that the hard way years ago. If you and Ren wanted to speak with him, you should have contacted him first. Arranged a time, planned out what you wanted to ask. Talked to each other. Communicated.

You began to fidget with your saber hilt, spinning and unscrewing the emitter. This was a ridiculous idea. What in makers name were you thinking. This was going to end in punishment, you just knew it. You glanced around at the black and white beaming walls of the elevator, wishing you were anywhere else but the steel cage plummeting you down into the beast's lair.

"Stop it."

The knight turned his steel gaze to you and glanced down at your hands.

You chewed the inside of your cheek, the pain distracting you momentarily from your spiralling thoughts. You let the hilt fall back to your side, smacking you in the leg and clenched your fists, submitting to his request. The doubt settled low in your belly, subdued, but ready to emerge again at a moment's notice. The lift juddered to a stop and the doors hissed open, bleeding red light through your visor. You felt your pupils restrict at the sudden brightness, tightening and sending momentary specks of white light into your vision.

The knight exited first, whether out of impatience to complete the task ahead, or concern for your mental wellbeing, you weren't sure. Following behind him, you fell into step at his rear, almost hoping to be swallowed by the darkness of his cloak. The red guards lined the room, each one carrying a vicious electrified blade, ready to defend and serve as ordered. You glanced at them as you passed by.

There had been a time when you looked up to them. Now you could only view them with detestation, their very presence a reminder of a time you'd rather forget. You rubbed your shoulder, kneading the flesh beneath the fabric. Ren had gotten in a few lucky shots earlier today, and the muscle in your shoulder complained with the newly forming bruise.

As you walked closer, you could see Snoke sat upon his throne, staring daggers at both you and the knight. He appeared to you even larger than before, all 7 feet of him radiating pure power. Your fingers curled and your breath quickened as you observed your master turning his shoulders to better face his audience.

"Well, this is unexpected", Snoke puzzled, leaning forwards in his chair.

He rested an elbow on his knee and brought a finger to his chin, contemplative. He no longer looked angry as you had first thought, but curious. You breathed out a silent plea and knelt next to the knight, resting your forearm on your bent knee and lowering your head. Your hands trembled in the presence of your master, so you clenched them even tighter.

"Forgive us, Master."

Ren spoke for the both of you, and for the first time, you were grateful for his insolence. You raised your head after a moment to see the knight standing up before Snoke. You felt complied to remain kneeling beside Ren, fearful that any anger from your master would be directed
at you and not the knight.

Snoke let out a loud, drawn out hum. He brought his fingers away from his face and motioned towards his two students, lifting his chin up as he did so.

"I sense great unease from my apprentices' ", he spoke softly. "Let me see..."

Ren let out an almost inaudible grunt and you knew Snoke was breaching his mind. You deserted your eyes and used the force to sense the world around you. You saw Snoke peering through Ren's thoughts, seeing through his mind's eye. You watched as he observed your conversation from hours ago, snorting as he watched you knock him flat. Ren's helmet remained unmoving throughout, the only signs of his
discomfort, a mild swaying of his form.