Even during the darkest times, there needs to be light. An island in the storm, a silver lining. No matter what the First Order threw at the dwindling yet still defiant Resistance, nothing was going to come between them and their annual secret gift exchange. What started as a tool to boost morale, quickly turned into quite the spectacle. As soon as names were paired off, the race was on. Most people were thoughtful in their selections, choosing to find something the other could use, or perhaps handcrafting something if that was their thing; however, there were also those who enjoyed trying one-up one another. To see who could come up with the most outlandish gift. It was all done in good fun and usually ended with smiles all around.

This year was no different. Though their numbers limited to those residing on the Millennium Falcon, it was in dark times like these that this sort of distraction was needed most.

Poe Dameron was occupying his time in the makeshift quarters he shared with two other Resistance pilots. Having been the one to bring the event up in the first place, he now found himself in a particular situation. What exactly was he going to do? There had been an odd number of individuals which made it impossible to pair everybody off, as was the tradition. So instead they had decided that everyone would just choose whoever they wanted to give a gift to.

Shifting his weight, having been seated in his designated sleeping space; which as it turns out, was on top of a hard, weapons storage compartment, the wary yet determined pilot groaned as the feeling started seeping back into his numb extremities. He stretched his arms first out in front of him and then upwards, stiff cracks coming from his sore joints followed by yet another groan. About ready to stand, there was a subtle lurch as the Falcon dropped out of hyperspace, which could only mean they had reached their destination.

Standing, Poe departed the storage bay. He'd grabbed his jacket along the way and was in the process of pulling it on when BB-8 rolled up beside him, "Hey buddy, where've you been hiding?"

The small, round, astromech beeped and bwerped a few times, swiveling his head around his orange and white body. A lively response which coaxed a chuckle from the ace pilot, "Classified? Really?" another chuckle escaped Poe, only it aired on the side of being slightly put off, "Are you sure you can't tell me?"

BB-8 stopped, head shifting to one side in what could only be classified as a very adorable head tilt, before letting out a chirping sound. He wanted to tell Poe where he'd been and what he'd been up to, but it had to remain a secret. Poe Dameron was his most cherished friend, but he had made a promise not to share the sensitive information with anybody.

"Alright, alright, it's okay," Poe's reassurance seemed to cheer the astromech up, "I'm heading to the main loading bay, care to join me?"

To this, BB-8 joyfully rolled up alongside the man and the two continued down the corridor.

On the bridge, Rey was making some adjustments while approaching their designated planet. It was a backwater rock in the Outer Rim and would serve as a suitable rest stop for the remaining members of the Resistance. Sitting next to her was the large and intimidating form of Chewbacca, he was the one piloting the Millennium Falcon while the young woman was coordinating their landing approach.

"So, what is this secret gift exchange everyone is talking about?" Though she had been welcomed into the Resistance with open arms, Rey still felt slightly distanced from everyone else. Finn, BB-8, and Chewbacca really being her only close friends. She couldn't help but wonder if the old Wookie was in on the tradition. Growing up mostly on her own, just the concept of gift giving was foreign.

Descending into the planet atmosphere, Chewbacca just growled a little and nodded his head. There was an underlying tone of melancholy that the young Jedi picked up on, she understood where it came from and chose not to continue her line of questioning. Perhaps once they had landed, she could ask Finn. The descent down to the planet's surface was about as routine as one could get. Landing a far yet walkable distance from the nearest settlement, once the ship was safely settled and locked down, Rey and Chewbacca made their way down to the main loading bay.

There was already a small crowd gathered, all waiting with a subdued eagerness. In the crowd, Rey had spotted Finn. The ex-Stormtrooper was standing with BB-8 and Poe, they seemed to be discussing something. For a brief moment, she reconsidered approaching them. She had only spoken to Poe the one time he introduced himself. First impressions told her that he was a good man so there really wasn't any reason to not approach them. So she did.

Finn was the first to turn and take notice of Rey, giving her a half smile. One that always seemed to radiate relief, as if her presence brought him some form of comfort. Which in many ways it did. "Rey, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, really," she gave him a smile back, "sorry to interrupt."

"Oh no, it's alright," it was Poe that chimed in, "you're just in time actually, I was going to show Finn here around the small market, we thought you'd like to join us?" BB-8 chirped and beeped, nudging Poe's leg, "BB-8 too."

Perhaps it shouldn't have come as a surprise to the former scavenger, but it was still a strange yet nice feeling to be included. "Yes, I would like that very much," in the midst of their conversation, Rey had nearly forgotten what she had wanted to ask, "I was going to ask though, what is this gift exchange?"

Opening his mouth to respond, Poe quickly shut it when Finn quickly stepped in, "It's this thing where everybody picks somebody to give a gift too, but it's supposed to be a surprise. You can either find or make something for someone and then either give it to them in person or mysteriously."

Poe had been in the middle of explaining the finer details of the event to Finn right before Rey had joined them. Finn, having come to him with the same exact question. He let the man have his moment though.

"I see," Rey peered at Poe for a moment and then back onto Finn, "and that's why everyone is so eager to get off the ship, so they can work on finding gifts."

"Exactly," the pilot smiled, "it's a nice distraction, everyone has been through a lot, this is a nice change of pace."

Considering his words carefully, Rey nodded. It had been a rather harsh time, so many lives lost. The ever looming presence of the First Order. This seemed like a nice bit of fun and it got the gears turning in her mind. Who did she want to get a gift for? Perhaps she would know it once she saw it? This was kind of like scavenging, only it wasn't for survival, but to make someone else happy.

However, before any more thought could be put into it, General Leia Organa had made her presence known. Everybody's attention was on her as she reminded them to keep a low profile but to take this time for themselves. If that meant participating in this little exchange than so be it. As long as unwanted attention was kept to a minimum, they would spend perhaps a week planetside before departing for their next destination. Once all was said and done, the main doors opened, a ramp dropping down to the planet's surface.

It was a mountainous planet with patches of forests, plains, and valleys. There were a number of small towns and outposts situated throughout. The one they landed nearest was in a valley surrounded on all sides by large mountains. There seemed to be an eternally ethereal fog that hung in the air; giving way to what felt like a beautiful and yet dreary atmosphere.

As people started filing out of the Falcon; Rey, Finn, Poe, and BB-8 hung back for just a moment.

"I suppose the first rule of gift giving is to try and think about what the recipient likes, or perhaps is in need of," Poe began explaining, "as long as it comes from the heart, you don't have to spend an abundance of credits on anything fancy." he shrugged slightly, "Not that we have an overabundance of credits to spend, but that just makes it more fun, you have to get creative."

Both Finn and Rey nodded.

"Alright then, let's go, BB-8 lead the way." the pilot turned to his droid friend, who in turn let out a very happy beep before rapidly rolling down the ramp. The trio following close behind...