In the small hut tucked inside a rocky cave, Luke Skywalker made his home. It didn't look like much, but Poe supposed it was enough to lead a simple life. He had flown their ship as close to the cave as he could get it. Some of them would have to sleep aboard the ship, as there was no room in the small hut for them all. Poe was grateful for that though. He'd rather be comfortable and warm than kicking it in a draughty hut with the jedi. Poe was thinking about how far the jedi had fallen. He knew that they had had their council on Coruscant in years past. To think things had come to this. The ship was more comfortable, but Luke wasn't against them all spending time together. Poe and Finn wouldn't interfere with the training of the two younger jedi, but they could still all be friends and eat together. Poe was sending back reports to the General, letting her know that they had made contact and that things were going smoothly. He could tell how worried she was about her daughter. Luke and Dara were the only family she had. Poe was worried about her too, but he couldn't let the General know this. In her training she seemed determined, but there was something dark driving her. There was a hollow look to her eyes. Maybe Luke had been right. Maybe Dara was seeking revenge. He couldn't blame her. But such darkness for someone with such power… She could be a danger to everything. To the balance of the Force, to the fate of the Galaxy, the Resistance…
Poe had just finished sending a report to the General, when someone came aboard the ship to see him. He thought it would be Finn, but it turned out that Rey had come with a bowl of food and some sort of warm drink that smelled delicious. She put down the food and drink and sat next to him, her feet crossed and a grin on her face.
"I thought you could do with some company." Her smile was infectious. She had a youthful glow to her skin. She was a beautiful woman, and very strong willed. He admired her.
"Hey thanks. You done for the day?" Rey sighed deeply and wrinkled her nose.
"More force training. I prefer physical training. Like actual learning to fight. I can understand and do all that at least. Dara is a natural. At both. She's a force to be reckoned with. But then, I guess she is a Tempest." There was that word again. Tempest. What did that mean.
"I'm sure you're a natural, and you're doing great. You'll make a fine jedi." Rey gave a laugh and rested her head on her hands. "You mentioned a Tempest. What exactly is that?" Rey scrunched up her brow in thought.
"It doesn't make much sense to me. But a Tempest comes around every once in a while. They're a jedi who has a particularly strong connection to the force. The force…. Manifests in them and needs to be contained rather than accessed. At least that's what Dara said. I don't really know much about all that stuff." That sounded severe. Poe knew that the Force was a powerful thing, and to be so powerful in the Force was something that was terrifying. He needed to make sure Dara didn't fall to darkness. How had such a heavy amount of responsibility fall into his lap. He'd think about that later. It was too heavy a topic when he had such lovely company.
"I heard about how you stole the Millennium Flacon. I have to admit, I'm really impressed. You stole a legendary ship and pulled off legendary manoeuvres. I'm a little bit in love!" Rey laughed good naturedly.
"Says the pilot who lead the assault on Star Killer Base. You helped save the galaxy with your flying skills." Poe loved to be recognised as the brilliant pilot he was. And by such a skilled woman. He wasn't lying, he was a little enamoured. They sat in a companionable silence for a while, both of them feeling happy.
"I'm glad Finn is okay…" she said quietly. She was picking at a seam in her clothes. "He's a nice guy. Very caring. And friendly." Poe leaned back and put his feet up.
"He's very fond of you, you know. Hardly shuts up about you." Poe smirked over at her. She was appropriately embarrassed but she took it well. He wondered if she felt the same way about Finn. She looked up at Poe shyly.
"I don't really know what to do about him. I know he… likes me. But I've never… had that before. And I don't know what to think!" Poe honestly didn't understand how he had become everyone's agony aunt. He wasn't an expert at love. Poe had always had a couple of people on the go. Because of his job he never really got to see anyone with any regularity. But he could give this whole advice thing a go.
"You don't need to think about it. If it's going to happen it'll happen naturally. You'll have feelings and you'll feel good, and that's how you know it's right." He shrugged. He decided he wasn't good at giving advice.
"What if… I like more than one person? What if I have those feelings for someone else too?" Poe put his feet down on the floor again and leaned forward, resting his arms on his legs.
"Well that's when things get complicated."
"I know you like Dara." Rey blurted. It sounded almost defensive.
"She and I are a complicated thing. She keeps kissing me and then telling me we can't be together. I think I should just stay away from her. Not be with her like that. She's working through some stuff. She needs care and space." Rey was looking at him with the piercing gaze he had seen in her eyes before.
"You care about her."
"And you care about Finn." She conceded the point with a nod. "I think we can say that we all care about each other, and we'll leave it there." A soft smile touched Rey's lips.
"Well we certainly all like you, Poe." He liked them all back.
"Stop. You'll make me blush."