Kylo Ren's cloak flutters behind him as he takes powerful strides through the corridors. You were trailing on his heels, trying hard to keep up with his wide steps. You were starting to get a little frustrated with him; more than usual. He still hadn't said a word about where you were going and now it was becoming obvious that he was blatantly ignoring you. You had given up on asking after the first six hallways and two elevator rides, knowing that this was the man who decided whether or not you stayed in your new quarters. You were still confused as to why you were even given the quarters in the first place, but it would be best not to question him for a while.

Ren suddenly comes to a halt without warning. He whirls around and you slam right into his strong chest. He grips you tightly by your arms and you stare into the black visors of the mask. "I don't want to hear a single sarcastic remark from you while we're in there."

"I'll stay quiet if you tell me what we're doing." You scoff.

He huffs in annoyance. "Fine. There's a meeting in this conference room that's going to start at any second and my presence is required. It's of utmost importance that you make yourself seen and not heard."

Your arms cross. "Why am I even going to be there if I'm useless?"

"There are many men and women in that room that think you should be killed because they think you're of no importance. They need to see that your loyalty lies with us now." Ren explains quickly.

A scoff escapes your lips. "I'm not loyal to you or anyone, for that matter."

"I know that. You know that. They don't know that. Let's keep it that way, shall we?" His grip on your arms was tightening as his anger grew. "Not a word. Is that clear?"

"Yes."

"Yes, what?"

"Yes, Commander."

The commander releases you slowly. He turns on his heel and storms towards a set of blaster doors. They slide open immediately and you follow after him. Nerves begin to bubble in your chest at the sight of the people sitting in the conference room. The room was plain and black, like almost everything else on the ship, with a wide window giving a view into space on the opposite wall. A long table sat in the center of the room with about fifteen chairs, each but one was filled up with officers. They all looked so polished and important in their black and gray uniforms. They look up at the commander as he starts towards the table. At once, you could sense their fear of him. Ren takes his seat at the end of the table and when nobody is looking, he yanks you forward to stand at his side.

"Let's get on with it then," a pale man with slick red hair says huffily. "The progress on Star-Killer Base is exemplary. All further work on our ships should strive to achieve the same excellence."

You could practically smell the bullshit from where you were standing.

"Surely you're not that ignorant, General Hux." Kylo Ren's deep voice rumbles from the depths of his mask. "While the work itself has been exceptional, we still haven't tested the machine. The Supreme Leader expects the base to be fully operational so he can set his arrival. He wants to witness the destruction of the Resistance himself."

"Do not forget that we are yet to crush the Republic. As soon as the aiding planets are out of the way, the Resistance is a sitting target. It will be as easy as snapping a toothpick." Another man adds. "When will we be ready to begin testing, General?"

The man deemed as Hux shifts slightly and folds his hands on the table. "As soon as next week."

"Then it seems we have nothing to worry about. By some miracle your ignorance hasn't killed us all." Ren nods slightly.

At these words you let out a short, cold laugh. It fills the silence that had bathed the room, sending all eyes immediately snapping over to you. You cross your arms as a mocking grin spreads across your lips. Kylo Ren slowly looks up at you. You could feel the anger radiating off of him.

"What are you laughing about?" An officer demands.

You snort. "I'm sorry. It's hilarious to me how you don't see that he's clearly lying. Carrot-top over there-" you gesture towards Hux, ignoring that fury that crosses his pointed features "-is lying straight to your faces and you're all too blind and content to see it."

Ren's anger nearly triples. "And how could you possibly know that?" He sounded as though he was mocking you.

"Well," you huff. "He's avoiding eye contact with everyone in this room and he's shifting in his chair. Either he had a really bad breakfast or he's lying. My guess is the latter." Ren continues to stare at you. "What? You pick up a few things as a gambler."

He turns to Hux expectantly. "Well? Is the girl telling the truth?"

Hux's face was bright red at this point. His mouth flaps like a fish as he desperately searches for words. This was enough for Ren to know that you were in fact telling the truth. He thrusts his gloved hand towards the man and you flinch as Hux begins to choke. His hands claw at his neck, as though invisible fingers had wrapped around his throat.

"How much longer?" Ren snarls.

"A-A month!" Hux manages to sputter. He gasps for air as the choke-hold is released from around his throat.

"Don't lie to me again." The commander gets to his feet immediately and you spring back as he brushes past you.

You see this as your cue to leave and follow him out of the stunned room, feeling the dirty look Hux was giving you behind your back. You were extremely proud of yourself for calling his bluff and you were happily waiting for Ren's approval. It never comes. You gasp in shock as he suddenly turns and grabs you by the throat, slamming you hard into the wall. Your vision swims and you were sure that you saw a few stars. He ignores your obvious struggle as his hand closes around your neck. His knee was pressing into your thigh. Hard.

"Don't ever do that again." He snaps, the mask inches from your face. "Despite your intentions, you made me look like a fool. I told you not to speak, didn't I? I'm sure I made myself perfectly clear about keeping quiet. I'll have to punish you."

"B-But I helped you." You sputter in disbelief, still trying to peel off his fingers from around your throat. "Y-Your master would have been angry with you if you gave him the wrong dates. Wouldn't he?"

Ren releases your throat at once and points a threatening finger at you. "Don't bring up my master. The Supreme Leader is wise. He would have seen right through Hux's lies."

"You mean like I did?" You rub your sore neck in disdain.

He scoffs softly. "I suppose. That doesn't change the fact that you made me look foolish. That will not go overlooked by me. You will be punished, girl, don't argue with me. Until then, you need to start talking."

"Huh?" You frown.

"Your stupidity is baffling to me," Ren snaps. "You're going to have to start talking if I am to help further your training. Talking about yourself."

"You don't have to train me. I'm not agreeing to it."

"It's inevitable. I can see your choices clear as day and the Supreme Leader wants you. Our dyad is strong. You and I are bonded for life until the other dies. I would prefer you didn't die yet. I need answers first; about why we're connected in such a way." He replies curtly. "Come."

He takes the lead once more and you are forced to drag yourself all the way back to your quarters. When the both of you finally reach them, Ren sits down in one of the chairs and gestures to the one across from him. Slowly, you settle yourself in the uncomfortable chair and stare back at him. Kylo Ren leans forward slightly, resting his forearms on his knees. "Start talking."

"Where do I start?" You cross your arms.

He sighs in exasperation. "Must I do everything myself? How old are you? Surely you must be clever enough for that one."

His words made you scowl again. "I'm twenty-three."

"I would never have guessed. You behave like a child. When-"

"Wait!" You cut him off at once. "That's not how this works. I'm not going to answer anything unless you answer my questions as well. It's only fair. How old are you?"

Kylo Ren pauses for a moment, staring at you through his mask in contemplation.

Finally, he answers. "Twenty-six. Why did you leave the temple?"

"I thought I already told you. When my old master told me that Ben died when the temple was destroyed, I left. The Force brought me too much pain and not enough answers. There were so many restrictions and I felt caged." You admit.

"That wasn't the Force's doing. That was the Light Side. The Jedi say they're pure, but their ideals trap a person. They force morals and training onto their Padawans and deny them their pleasures. It's maddening." He spits. If you weren't mistaken, he sounded resentful, as though someone had caused him great pain on the Light Side.

This made you more than a little angry. "What would you know about pain? You took away the person I loved."

Kylo Ren suddenly lunges out of his seat. You lean back in shock as he grips the armrests of your chair and gets close to your face. "I of all people know about pain. There are things you don't know about me that would make your skin crawl." You flinch as he trails his leather finger across your jaw. "You, Butterfly, don't know anything about pain."

Your face falls and your blood runs cold. "What did you just say?"

"What?" He snaps as he steps back.

"Ben used to call me Butterfly. They had blue butterflies on Chandrila, where he was born, and we would catch them together. How did you know?" You demand as you fly angrily to your feet. "Answer me!" Your voice cracks with pain.

Ren's shoulders begin to heave as his anger reaches the tipping point. He storms towards you and grips onto the front of your shirt. "The last thing Ben Solo mentioned before he died at my feet... was you."