Chapter Seven: A Cup of Tea

Rey dug in the bottom of her bag from Jakku. Using her fingers to find what she was after in her dark room.

She made a satisfied sound as she pulled out her sand goggles. They had a light attached which she would be able to use to read in the dark. Kylo Ren had reminded her of them.

Kylo Ren. What had been going on with him on the roof? She had been perfectly happy, if rather cold, sitting up there on her own and then he creeps up on her and poked her in the arm!

She would definitely have to try out the gym roof next time. Hopefully less traffic.

She put her goggles on and unballed Finns hoodie, folded it carefully and put it on her desk. Then she got into the man's oversized t-shirt she used as a night dress and dived into her nest on the floor.

She read, leaning against the side of the bed. The science text book was fascinating and she read till the sky started to lighten outside.

She put her book down and took her goggles off, then wrapped herself in Mara's fur comforter and sat on the windowsill listening with pleasure to the birds singing to welcome the new day.

There were good things and bad things about being here she decided. She missed the unfettered freedom she'd had in Jakku. Yes, she had had to scavanage things to earn a meal and a place to sleep, Unkar Plutt and the others she had lived with had never been anything resembling a family. But she had been able do almost whatever she wanted and go pretty much anywhere she wanted too.

Here though, she got food, could wash regularly, had time to study, and she had a friend.

She shivered. One thing she would have to try and do is get some warmer clothes though - it was bloody cold here.

The clock slid round to 6:15 and she decided she couldn't wait any longer and went and luxuriated in a hot shower. It was bliss and any tiredness that had lingered was swept away with the water.

When she went back to her room to change she found she'd stupidly left the window open and it was freezing after her shower.

She got dressed in double-quick time and towel dried her hair as much as she could, but it was still damp when she tied it up.

She decided to go downstairs to the kitchen area to make some tea to help warm her.

She crept down quietly so as not to disturb anyone still sleeping.

It was a good thing she did - there was no one else around, which made her think she was the only one up.

She opened various cupboards until she found a teapot and mixed black and mint tea leaves to make a blend, she had hope hoped they would have Marmaraya leaves too but perhaps it was something you only got in the desert.

As she let it brew she found herself a large mug and added a teaspoon of honey.

"Good morning!" Someone said behind her and she jumped, she must be tired if she hadn't heard them come into the kitchen.

It was a boy, he gave her a cheerful smile, "You must be Rey. My name's Poe," He held out a hand which Rey awkwardly shook. "Eesh girl your hands are cold! You want coffee?"

"Err, no, thanks. I've got tea brewing." Rey replied eyeing him as he bustled about the kitchen setting up a machine with what looked like dirt. The smell intrigued her though.

She decided she couldn't wait for her tea anymore and gave the pot a vigorous stir before pouring it into her mug and mixing the honey.

She wrapped her fingers around the hut brew gratefully.

"You call that tea? It looks more like motor oil, how did you get it that thick?" Poe asked with interest as he waited for his coffee.

Rey shrugged, "Lots of leaves and little water. And honey."

Poe sniffed the pot she had brewed in, then looked at her, "May I try some? Smells interesting."

Rey found herself handing him her mug, he almost gagged and gave it back to her with a rueful grin, "Think I'll leave that to you and stick with my coffee. Thanks though."

He had a nice, open face she decided. He had dark short but unruly hair and a tan not too far off her own, and he was only a few inches taller as well. She vaguely remembered Finn mentioning a Poe yesterday.

Poe mirrored her, settling against a kitchen cabinet with his mug. "So. I hear you're good a martial arts." He said casually.

Rey shrugged noncommittally. He laughed. "You caused quite the sensation according to the boys you took fencing class with anyway. Though no one seems to know why you were there and not swimming with the girls?"

Rey grimaced. It would come out eventually, so she may as well get it over with, "I can't swim." She said, cheeks heating briefly before the cold chased it away again.

Poe went to laugh then checked her expression. "Oh." He was surprised, of course he was.

"Well shit... One of my friends could teach you, she needs an extra credit and that would work. She's really nice, she's in my year so you wouldn't have seen her in class. I'll introduce you."

"Err thanks." Rey said, not sure if she meant it. Before he could say any more Mara bustled in.

"Ah, good morning, Poe." She beamed at him then turned to Rey, "And Rey, an early riser too I see…" She trailed off with a frown and touched the hand that Rey wasn't holding her tea with "You're awfully cold, child; why is your hair still wet?"

"Um, I got out as much water as I could but toweling it only does so much- I'm used to it drying in the sun but it is too cold here." Rey answered miserably feeling more awkward by the second.

"Oh dear, I didn't show you where the hairdryer was did I?! Come with me and I will show you, bring your tea. I'll see you later Poe, try not to drink too much coffee!"

The hair dryer turned out to be one of the best inventions ever. At least that was how Rey felt after using one for the first time. She noticed it made her hair straighter too and easier to put up.

She packed her books and tablet in her bag and went back down stairs to meet Finn.

He greeted her with a yawn and a sleepy grin. "Hey, how was your first night?"

Rey thought it was probably best not to tell him about her rooftop adventures, so she just shrugged and said, "I got a few hours sleep, then read."

He grimaced, "You hardly slept and you're still a morning person? I'd be the walking dead."

"I don't sleep well in unfamiliar places. Give me a couple of months and I should be getting some more. It's a good thing I'm in a room on my own, at least I am not disturbing anyone else."

"Months?" Finn exclaimed disbelievingly, then cracked his jaw on yet another yawn.

Rey snorted at him, dumped her mug in the kitchen then pulled his shambling form through the common area and out the door towards the refectory, she was hungry.