She sat on the edge of the grassy cliff, looking out across the large lake before her. Dark hair danced around her as a warm breeze passed by. The wind, the sun, the serenity of the space around her… she couldn't leave here. Not when this place was just starting to feel like home. She took a large breath and held it in her lungs for a moment before letting it pass through her lips. And what would await her if she left? Her amber eyes drifted upwards to the blue sky. A life full of meetings, beeping droids, and painful reminders? No, she liked it here on Takodana. The lush, green planet offered her everything she need. She had silence to meditate and room to practice, though the latter was become less frequent with each passing month. Most importantly she had Maz. While she was no Jedi, Maz was Force-Sensitive; which meant she was able to-

Her musing was stopped by a voice.

"They'll be here soon."

A smile pulled on the young women's lips. She had felt the older woman approaching before she had heard her speak. "Hello Maz."

Maz smiled back and reached out a hand. "Are you still decided, Nia?"

Taking the hand, Nia stood up. There was something comforting about the warmth of the orange flesh against her own. Perhaps it was because it belonged to her salvation, the woman who had given her a place to stay when she had nowhere to go and a friend when she had no one left. No matter what was about to unfold she would not leave Maz and Takodana.

"This is my home now, Maz. There's nothing for me there anymore."

She could tell Maz wanted to press the issue but said nothing. The pair walked down to the landing bay in silence, content to enjoy each other's company in the shade of the towering trees. The planet of Takodana was truly beautiful. With its full forests and glittering lake it was like a place of legend. Towering in the middle of the gorgeous scene was Maz's castle. Having stood the test of time and war it was now a safe haven for smugglers and travelers alike. Nia had stayed in one of the many rooms in the castle's towers on her first few nights on Takodana. She had not seen the beauty of the planet then, for it had been a dark and rainy night then…

Lightning lit up the night sky, making the rain drops look like falling stars. Nia stood amongst the tree and let the rain soak through her clothes. She was alone, all alone, on a planet she didn't even know. Was there other life here? Was there shelter? How could he just leave her here without a word? While she wasn't easily scared, Nia's current situation had her stomach in knots. The surrounding trees were tall and ominous, with thick enough foliage to make the distance thick with darkness. The only sounds that could be heard was that of cracking thunder, spluttering raindrops, and blood pounding in her ears. Everything she had learned left her in that moment. Months of training vanished without a trance as she let herself be filled with panic and doubt. No matter how hard she tried she couldn't steady her breathing.

"Master?"

She knew he wasn't there, she couldn't feel him through the Force, but she had to try.

The woman stumbled through the wet grass as she reached out with her mind. She held her breath that she would find something, anything that would point her in the direction of something other than more damp forest. Just as she felt herself grow weary from such exertion on her mind, a small light pulled at the tips of her Force perception. Nia paused and tried to pinpoint the direction of the sensation. Through closed eyes she left the light flickering dimly to her left. Without giving it another thought she raced in that direction. The closer she got the warmer the light got. She was almost at the light when it suddenly vanished. In a panic she reached out again with the Force but found nothing.

"Please!" she cried. "Please don't go! I-I won't hurt you, I'm just lost. I-I don't know…"

Her voice trailed off. She didn't know anything. Not her location, not her next steps, nothing. She could only hope that whoever was out there took pity on her, as sad a situation as that was. Suddenly the light came back into her mind.

"Are you armed, my dear?" a voice called through the darkness.

Nia's hand flew to her hip and felt the familiar metal of her lightsaber. "Yes, but –"

"Good. They're already here."

Something warm wrapped around her right wrist and tugged her into the neighboring trees. As she began to be pulled into a jog, Nia looked down to see a small bipedal creature leading her. It had glossy skin regardless of the wetness, in an orange or yellow hue. A pair of goggles were strapped around its head. It stopped abruptly and gently nudged the woman behind a large boulder.

"Get your saber ready dear, they're almost on us." Nia could gather that the creature was female by the tone of voice.

"Who?" she questioned. "What's happening? Who are you?"

The creature shushed her with a wave of her hand. Nia was about to prod further when she heard footsteps in the distance. Heeding the other woman's words she placed a hand on her weapon, ready to unsheathe it. Movement from above altered the pair of a body above them. Activating her lightsaber, Nia slashed upwards and blocked an incoming shot from a blaster. She took a step back and saw the Stormtrooper straighten atop the rock. Two more troopers came around either side of the stone and aimed their blasters at Nia.

"Look out!" she called to the creature, holding her hand up.

Without warning a sharp chill ran through the young woman and the Stormtrooper fell backwards off the rock. Nia drew her hand back, startled, when the blasters flew out of the hand of the two remaining troopers and landed by her feet. There was a pause, the world seeming to stop for a minute, before the Stormtroopers retreated into the trees behind them. Large amber eyes stared out into the rainy night, unsure of what had just transpired. Nia powered down her weapon and sunk to the floor.

"Well now… that worked out" the orange creature said lightly as she approached the girl. "Now let's get you into something dry."

Taking Nia's hand in hers, the creature began to lead her in the direction the troops went. Glancing back through the rain, the creature must have seen the confusion in the girl's eyes. "I'm Maz by the way. You're on Takodana, as per Luke Skywalker's request… and we have a lot to discuss."

Nia smiled at the memory, stepping up onto the landing pad. She lifted a hand to her eyes to block the sun as she watched the small ship land before her. Yes, Takodana was her home now and she would not be leaving. They had all made the choice to leave her, now it was her turn. The ship landed with a less than gentle thud against the ground. She stood there with Maz, hands claps behind her back, as crewmen rushed over to aid the ships passengers. A strange tightness gripped the young woman's chest, which she found oddly perplexing. She had no reason to be nervous. She had made up her mind and there was no changing it. It didn't matter that she hadn't seen them in years. She hadn't wanted to. The feeling increased as the bay door lowered. Two figures walked out of the spacecraft and towards the pair of women.

"It's been a while Maz" one of them, the woman, spoke as they got closer. She took the orange woman's hands in her and gave a soft smile. "This is Poe Dameron, my best pilot and partner on this journey."

"A pleasure as always" Maz smiled in return, though it was not as friendly as Nia expected.

The woman turned to the brunette. "It's good to see you, Nia."

She smiled tightly, "you as well, General Organa."

So there's the first chapter! Please let me know what you think so far :)