Chapter Two: Fight Club

'

Rey had no appetite suddenly and pushed the remainder of her sandwich away but pocketed her apple for later.

Finn absent-mindedly took the rest of her sandwich and ate it as they walked away from the refectory windows and joined a path that led to a large building ahead.

The path had a basketball court on either side of it, the chain link fences made it feel like walking through a cage.

The gym, though in truth it looked closer to a leisure centre than any school gym she had seen, was obviously fairly new and huge.

They entered a sort of lounge reception area, with low sofas and drinks machines, offices to either side, with the doors shut.

Behind one of the doors they could hear someone talking loudly, angrily. Finn shrugged uncomfortably and Rey realised this must be Master Luke's room.

They settled lightly on a sofa, trying not to stare at the door as they waited. It abruptly flew open hitting the wall with a loud bang, making Rey and Finn jump. A ridiculously tall boy stood in the doorway, breathing angrily, he was in uniform but his tie and collar were loose and instead of a blazer he wore a long black duster coat.

He turned his glare on them and Finn murmured "Shit!" under his breath. For some reason, Rey found the sight of the boy irritated her and returned his glare with a flat look of her own.

They was perhaps a flash of surprise that crossed his face, but it happened so quickly she couldn't be sure, then he was striding away and out the door, his feet hitting the ground as if he imagined it had a face he didn't like.

Finn cleared his throat as he stood, "So, that was Kylo Ren."

"Was it." Rey said as she watched him disappear down the path, he was almost gone already. Finn looked at her oddly for moment before tugging on her wrist to follow him to the office. He knocked quickly on the door that still hung open and went in after a surprisingly relaxed voice called for them to enter.

Master Luke, at least she supposed this was him, was sitting cross-legging on top of his desk and looked as if he was just about to meditate. He wore loose clothing, a little like a Karate Gi in khaki and beige, his hair and beard were a rather shaggy greying blonde and he had piercing blue eyes.

He didn't get off the desk but motioned easily to two chairs that looked as though they had been pushed aside by a walking thunderstorm.

"Nice to see you, Finn," He smiled slightly before turning to Rey, "And you must be Rey White. Sit, sit. How can I help you?"

Rey was suddenly and embarrassingly tongue tied, Finn noticed her expression and spoke for her, much to her relief, "Err yeah, thanks Master Luke. It's Rey's first day and I'm showing her round and I just found out she can't swim. At all. But she has swimming at 6th period."

To his credit Master Luke didn't laugh at her, but smiled gently at her, "And when Finn says you can't swim at all, he is right?"

Finn sent him an eye roll he didn't see and Rey found her tongue worked again. "Yes, I mean no I can't swim. I've never even tried. I'm from Jakku." She finished lamely as if that were explanation enough, though on second thought it probably was. It was in the desert after all, and it was a poor region, even a bath was a luxury most people couldn't afford.

"I understand. I will try and sort out some private lessons for you, in the meantime, perhaps you would like to join the boys for fencing? Finn can partner you."

Finn looked surprised but not displeased, and Rey flushed thinking Master Luke did not understand as much as he thought he did, "Ah, I don't know how to fence either though".

Luke smiled again, "That's okay, Finn didn't a few months ago either."

Rey flushed a little, more at herself this time. Of course Finn wouldn't have fenced before.

"I'm quite good with a quarterstaff though," she blurted out, then snapped her teeth shut with a click, mystified as to why she has said that.

Finn was gaping at her, and Master Luke laughed. "Are you? You will have to show me later. I will speak to Miss Crouch about the swimming and I will see you later. Finn make sure she gets the right kit and then get to your next classes, lunch will be over soon."

Master Luke had already closed his eyes, sitting atop his desk serenely as they left.

'


Kylo stormed away from his uncles infuriatingly calm face, kicking the chairs out of his way and flung the office door open, it banged into the wall make two people waiting on the waiting area's sofa jump.

He glared at them, while he tried to regulate his breathing but couldn't seem to get the better of it quite yet, the black boy he knew of but they girl was new. Not that he cared. He almost smirked at the boys whispered profanity, but the girls expression stopped him for a moment.

No one had looked at him like that for some time, flat and unimpressed, not nervous, envious, fearful, angry, lustful, adoring, respectful… No. Unimpressed.

He banished his surprised expression as soon as it appeared on his face, she was nothing, and she would soon learn that.

He left the building, clenching his fists at his side, pounding the path with his new rocks. If his uncle interfered with his relationship with his mother one more time, he would destroy his fucking office.

Afterall she was the one that had insisted he went to the same school she taught at, it had been her idea to conceal the fact that he was her son from the other students 'To make life easier for him', so what if he had taken to his new name so entirely? So what if he didn't see her much anymore, this is what she had started. Her. Not him.

It was too near lessons to go and blow of steam fencing or pounding a punch bag, but then again he only had drama next. He altered his path and carried on walking past the buildings and out onto the fields.

'


Finn led Rey up a flight of stairs and into a large mirrored room with a soft slightly bouncy floor, and made a beeline for a cupboard that was helpfully labelled 'Fencing'.

At least she had assumed it would be a cupboard but it was large, walls and shelving holding numerous bits of clothing and equipment. Finn led her up and down stacking bits and pieces into her arms as he went, there was a lot of it. "How do you know this will fit me?" She asked him a one point.

"They come in standard sizes, you're really skinny so I'm giving you smalls, there is some room for adjustment as these pieces are school equipment, I've given you kit made for right handers, you'll need to try on the gloves probably and find shoes that fit you," He grabbed the bundle of things from her and waved her over to a rack of shoes for her to try while he manhandled everything else into a kit bag.

She quickly found shoes in her size marvelling at how unexpectedly light weight they were and grabbed a pair of gloves as they hurried out and down the stairs, they went in a door on the other side of the lounge area and Fin stopped, pointing at a door with GIRLS written on it.

"Go in and put the bag in a locker, then we need to get going."

Rey trotted through the door quickly, it was a large changing room, she barely took anything in but the lockers, she shoved the bag in, closed the door and yanked the key out as quickly as she could.

As they walked back to the main building she checked the number on the key before putting it in her pocket.

"Thanks for all your help today Finn" She said quietly. "You've made what I thought was going to be hellish not so bad. So thanks."

Finn grinned easily at her, "Days not over yet!" and laughed at her expression. "Seriously though, I'm glad you're here… word of advice though, maybe next time you see Kylo Ren- don't glare at him?"

"I didn't glare at him!" She said indignantly, then, "I didn't did I? He won't be in the fencing class later will he?" She finished worriedly.

"Well you did a bit, and no, he won't be in our class, he's the year above us and he's in the advanced classes anyway. He calls himself a knight." Finn said snickering, then looked around to make sure there was no one to overhear.

Just then the bell rang and they made their way to the top floor of the main building and into their English class.

The English teacher, Miss Laceash, was not as perceptive as Miss Holdo, or just didn't care about Rey's nerves and she was made to stand up and introduce herself. Rey kept it short- her name and where she had come from, (which Mrs Laceash didn't appear to appreciate), then sat back down, scrubbing her sweaty palms on her thighs. Her knees were cold and the long socks she wore itched.

They worked on interpreting poetry, Rey and Finn snickering behind their breath at each others answers, as if they had been friends for years.

So far most of the other students had ignored Rey after a quick judgemental stare, a few of the girls had shot her nasty looks, a few of the boys considering looks, to Finn's amusement she didn't seem to notice any of it and like him, was perfectly happy being ignored.

Science passed in a whirl of confusion, Finn trying to help her even though he himself struggled, their teacher Mr Cardwhit held them back a bit and kindly handed Rey a few textbooks to go over in her free time.

She had a feeling she would need extra books from almost all her classes.

Then it was fencing. Rey was even more nervous about this than any other class. It was inevitable her presence with the boys fencing and not the girls swimming would be remarked upon. But there wasn't really anything she could do about it, this would also be the first time she was away from Finn's comforting presence and she was just going to have to deal with it.

As they split up in the waiting area, Finn promised to wait there after changing so they could ascend the stairs together.

Rey squeezed the key in her hand till it hurt and walked quickly into the girls changing room. Inside it was noisy as the others changed, laughing and chatting together, there was a slight lull as she entered but the noise picked up again almost immediately, which she was grateful for.

She was glad to see a few cubicles where she could get changed privately, she would be the only one using them but she would be sticking out anyway by dressing in fencing gear rather than swimming attire.

It took her a little while to work out exactly how to put some of the clothing on, the socks and and breeches were self explanatory but the jacket caused her a few problems.

She put the mask on, it covered her face making her feel less vulnerable and she was pleased to find she didn't have to take her hair out of its three buns to wear it.

Before she left the cubicle she packed away all her things into the kit bag, readied her key and exited as fast as she could, stashed her bag and was almost to the exit when someone noticed.

"Why is the scavenger scum dressed in Whites? Doesn't she know we're swimming today?" one girl called to another, laughing.

Rey felt her ears burn at the insult but she had heard much, much worse in her time and bolted out the door before she could catch anymore. She nearly knocked Finn over in her haste.

He righted himself and laughed at her, "That eager are you?"

She smiled but realised he couldn't see her under the mask, "No, I just wanted to get out of there, the vultures were circling." She answered.

Finn frowned then nodded in understanding. He was carrying his mask in his hand but after realising she wasn't going to take hers off, he put his on in a show of solidarity.

"Understood. Let's get up there, I think we are the last."

Rey trotted after him up the stairs, "Sorry, took me a while to work out how to put some of this on."

Finn " Ah shit biscuits, sorry, I should have thought of that and showed you!" He gave her a look over and grinned, "You look perfect though. With the mask on you could be a boy…oh fuck. Like I don't mean that as an insult, I just meant you won't stick out cos… well… err " He stuttered over himself.

Rey choked on her laughter, then cut it as they entered the large studio together.

The other students were standing around with their masks in their hands, chatting quietly in groups, Master Luke was leaning against the wall but stood up as they entered, nodding in recognition at Rey and Finn but otherwise making no comment as he moved to the centre of the room.

Immediately the other boys grew quiet and loosely gathered around him, Rey and Finn at the back.

Rey didn't understand most of the instructions he gave out, they involved a lot of words she didn't know but they broke off into pairs and one three; she realised that was because of her but no one seemed that bothered by it.

"Ok, you know they drill, warm up first then come and get your foils from me. I will be coming round to you as you practice, work on the moves you were perfecting last lesson for now."

Rey and Finn moved into a corner of the room away from the others and started stretching, Rey mostly copying Finn.

"Bloody ashes, but you're flexible," Rey jerked her head up to see two boys looking down at her, then quickly scrambled up from where she had been stretching her legs.

"What's your name anyway? Master Luke didn't say."

Rey opened her mouth and shut it again as Luke came up quietly behind them. "This is Rey, she has joined us temporarily. But I am quite sure that I did not instruct you to chat Ryleaf. If you are done stretching, put on your mask and start practice."

Rey could see their their eyebrows rise over her name, but they left swiftly all the same.

Luke smiled slightly as he watched them go, then turned back to Rey and Finn, Rey noticed he was holding two absurdly thin looking swords.

"These are foils, if you were learning elsewhere you would probably start with plastic ones but I like to start as I mean to go on." He handed one to each of them and Rey took hers cautiously, feeling the weight and balance in her hand as Luke watched.

"I'd like to see how you do." He said abruptly, then almost looked surprised at himself but carried on. "Finn, if you will, spar with her. The only things you need to know now Rey, are to aim for the right arm and body only. When I say En Garde, I mean take your position to start, three paces away from each other, sword arm up and knees slightly bent, I will then say Ready and then Fence! that is when you start, as soon as I or Finn says Fast! You are to stop immediately. Is that clear?"

Rey nervously bobbed her head in assent.

Luke smiled at her, "When I say En Garde, take three deep breaths in and centre yourself." He and stepped back. "En Garde."

Rey breathed in and emptied herself of emotion, she imagined she was back in Jakku, crossing the market at night, loose limbed and ready for anything. She took another breath, she focused on Finn's Foil, deep breath, she could hear her pulse, feel the vibrations of the other students impacts through the floor.

"Ready" Luke said, the foil was an extension of her, like her staff or bow would be.

"Fence!" Her nerves flew away from her as Finn advanced, things seemed to slow, Finn feinted left and right and she met his foil easily, then he lunged and she parried easily then riposted and with a flick of her wrist sent his foil spinning away from him; she had barely moved.

"Fast!" Luke called as Finn's sword clattered to a stop several feet away. "Rey take your mask off." Luke ordered.

She swallowed, had she done something wrong? She took off her mask and looked at him worriedly.

"You did say you had not fenced before?" He asked,

Rey's mouth was dry so she just shook her head, Finn had his mask off now and was looking at her oddly.

She wet her lips, "Did I do something wrong?"

"Not as such," Luke replied absently as he looked at Finn's foil on the floor.

"Crispaul, Ryleaf, come here a moment please." Luke raised his voice, "The rest of you, carry on."

The two boys who had spoken to her at the beginning came over eagerly, "Ryleaf, you and Finn go off and work together for a few minutes." Luke waved his hand vaguely, they went, Finn dragging his feet.

"Crispaul. I'd like you to spar with Rey here. Rey, as you were before, mask on, three deep breaths first."

Rey frowned a little but complied, Crispaul shrugged slightly and stepped three paces away.

"En Garde." Luke said, she took a breath- she hadn't felt this calm in days, she took another.

"Ready." Luke sounded further away than he was. Another breath, she could feel Crispaul shift impatiently.

"Fence!"

Crispaul was faster than Finn, obviously more experienced and had none of Finn's hesitation towards her, and yet she saw his moves before he made them, parried and riposted deftly, with minimal effort, Crispaul slowed, became more cautious, testing her as if he were suddenly unsure, so Rey attacked in a quick succession of moves, the foil held lightly in her hand, her breathing measured, she suddenly bent lower and brought her foil up under his to tap him on his chest, then brought her wrist back to flick his foil out of his hand.

"Fast." Luke called.

Crispaul ripped his mask off to stare incredulously at her, she turned to look at Luke who was now studying her carefully.

She pulled her mask off too, surprised to find she was sweating. "Did I do something wrong again, Master Luke?"

To her surprise he barked a brief laugh, "Wrong? No, no, I changed your partner because I wanted to see if you were really that good or if Finn was going easy on you… take a brief rest, then go to that cupboard and pick out a staff; I want to see what else you can do. Crispaul, well done lad, you'll work with Finn and Ryleaf, I'll come instruct you now."

Somewhat bemusedly Rey wandered over the the cupboard indicated, it was smaller than the fencing cupboard and seemed to hold miscellaneous weapons, there was a rack with various quarter staffs, differing in length and thickness, after hefting and discarding a few she picked one that felt like it belonged in her hand, it was a bit taller than her and about 10 centimetres around, the wood was smooth and comforting in her grip.

When she exited she found a tub with water bottles in and helped herself to one as she watched the other students; she felt rather guilty watching Finn, the other boys weren't going easy on him.

Luke walked past her into the cupboard she had just vacated, "I'll just be a moment Rey."

She had a couple of swigs of water then moved into some space to get a feel for the staff she had chosen.

It felt right in her hands, much better than the foil had. She used it to limbre up her shoulders and back- the fencing hadn't required much of that but this would.

A throat cleared behind her and she straightened and turned to find Luke facing her, quarterstaff in his hands.

"I am to fight you?" She asked, not a little surprised.

He nodded, eyes crinkling at the corners. "These students haven't trained with a staff yet. We will follow the same principles as fencing for now, though the staffs are much more dangerous than the foils, so try and make any hits lighter if you can. Leave the mask off, it may be more of a hindrance for this style of sparring."

Rey nodded, already breathing out, floating in an empty calm: this she could do.

"En Garde," Luke said, face a picture of serenity.

Breathe out.

"Ready."

Breathe out.

"Fence."

She was surprised when Luke came at her like a whirlwind, but she met him like a storm, the loud cracks of their staffs hitting each other echoing loudly in the large room.

Rey revelled in the movement, she and luke ducking, jumping, twisting to attack or defend. She realised dimly that they were using much more space, which meant the other students had stopped sparring, but it wasn't important. They fought on.

She started to tire, Luke may look old but his body didn't seem to know it, he moved fluidly, he was only a little taller than her but was heavier and the impact it caused when hitting hers was beginning to be a problem.

Her concentration waived as she tried to work out what to do and Luke caught her with a tap to the wrist that sent her staff flying from her hand.

The both stopped, Rey breathing hard now, Luke less so, but still deeper than normal. There was a rather startling round of clapping and Rey's focus came back to the room, she was suddenly awkward again, cheeks blushing from more than the exercise now.

Luke made a slight bow, "All right now, back to what you were doing please."

The other students started milling about, getting back into sparring, though there was a lot more chatter than there had been. Luke seemed to accept it and beckoned for Rey to follow him with her staff back to where the water was.

"Have a drink then do some gentle stretching to warm down." Luke said as he took a bottle for himself and drank.

Rey let the cool water trickle down her throat gratefully.

"I'd say you were more than 'pretty good with a quarterstaff'" Luke said drily. "And you clearly know how to centre yourself and predict your opponent's moves. Do you do any form of martial arts? Or archery or the like?"

Rey shrugged a little self-consciously. "I used a recurve bow to hunt, and I don't know about martial arts but I could hold my own in hand to hand, depending on my opponent."

Luke nodded. "Have you ever used the staff against an opponent using a different weapon?"

Rey nodded in turn, "Yes, knives, sabres and bats and such." She shrugged again.

"How tired are you feeling?" He asked her with a sudden mischievous smile.

"Not too bad." Rey said cautiously, unsure what was going on in his head.

"How would you feel about, shall we say, educating a student of mine- sparring with your staff whilst he uses a practice sabre?"

Rey considered for a moment, but she was enjoying herself and was happy to continue working till Luke told her to go. "Sure" She answered and he grinned.

He wandered away again, stepping lightly, pausing to instruct as needed.

Rey stretched out her muscles then went through some basic staff exercises. Finn joined her as he waited his turn to sparr in his group of three.

"Fuck me, you looked like some vengeful goddess fighting Luke. Are you sure you're human?" He asked, sounding almost half serious.

Rey shifted her feet, embarrassed, "Fairly sure, I never knew my parents though so it's possible I'm not." She joked and he laughed.

"I think you may have some problems with the others now though, half are in love with you and half of them want to fight you."

Rey blushed, "That's ridiculous!"

Finn just rolled his eyes at her and grinned.

Rey changed the subject, "Will you wait for me after you've changed so I can go with you to the dorm? Master Luke wants me to stay behind for something but I'll be along after that, if you don't mind that is."

"Sure," Finn said curiously,"What does he want you for-"

Rey didn't reply as Luke spoke up, "Okay everyone, that's it for today. I'd like you all to leave by the back door today," he cut off any protests "Don't worry it isn't raining, or even very cold, I'm sure you'll all survive."

"See you in the waiting area," Finn called over his shoulder as he grabbed a bottle of water and headed out another door Rey hadn't noticed before.